"For the first time ever, I actually forgot to eat lunch."
Theo smacked his lips as he headed down from the eighth-floor staircase, wobbling his head proudly.
Clearly, being so absorbed in something that he skipped a meal made him feel accomplished.
"Hey, at least the results were worth it," Adam said, grinning like he'd just eaten pure sugar. "If we had more time I'd go find Peeves right now and test it out."
Theo shot him a strange look. "Dude… you're getting cocky. Your aim still sucks."
"So what? If one shot doesn't work, I just fire again," Adam shrugged, totally unbothered. Accuracy low? Just carpet-bomb the target.
Rock shook his head. "If Peeves isn't causing trouble on purpose, don't go poking him. He's not even a ghost."
"He's not?"
Theo and Adam both turned around, confused.
"Nope. He's what they call a 'poltergeist.' Basically a physical form made from all the chaotic energy inside Hogwarts," Rock said with a shrug. "Honestly, you could say he's part of the castle itself."
"Wow," Theo muttered, jaw dropping. "That's the first I've heard of that."
"I always thought he was just another ghost." Adam instantly felt like his worldview had shattered. If he's not even a ghost, why was I afraid of him?
"Different category," Rock said. "In Lady Barrow's book Tracing Spirits—"
Theo and Adam gave him matching weird looks.
Rock clicked his tongue and smacked both of them lightly on the head. "Not our Bloody Baron."
"In that book, she talks about poltergeists like Peeves. Their existence literally depends on how much emotional reaction they get from people."
"So that's why he loves messing with everyone?" Adam shivered.
"Exactly. Ever seen him dare step foot in the library or any of the common rooms?" Rock asked. "Those places all have enchantments that keep him out."
"That… was one of your childhood books?" Theo wrapped an arm around Rock's shoulders, staring at him like he was some rare creature.
"Yep," Rock said with a grin. "Some of the ideas in it were actually kind of fun."
"Good grief," Adam breathed. "Do normal kids even exist anymore?"
---
The three of them joked as they headed into the Great Hall.
By now, Hogwarts was filled with the sweet smell of pumpkin. Rock inhaled—yeah, even the air tasted sugary.
The candles on the enchanted ceiling were gone, replaced by countless floating jack-o'-lanterns. Swarms of bats fluttered above, diving in and out of the pumpkin lights. Rock squinted before realizing the "bats" were enchanted black cloth—definitely Professor Flitwick's handiwork.
All the professors sat at the staff table already.
Dumbledore raised a goblet, smiling warmly. "Happy Halloween!"
No fancy speeches this time. As soon as he finished, everyone dove straight into the food.
At the Ravenclaw table, Adam looked like he'd ascended to heaven.
"This is amazing—everything's sweet!"
Rock eyed Adam's plate, overflowing with pumpkin pie, cupcakes, and a giant lollipop the size of his face. He couldn't help twitching at the sight. "Adam, have you ever tried Cockroach Clusters?"
"Ew—seriously? We're eating. Why bring that up?"
Adam suddenly didn't know whether to swallow or spit out what was in his mouth.
Rock raised an eyebrow at Theo.
Theo immediately caught the cue and leaned forward like a story-telling grandma. "Adam, Cockroach Clusters are candy."
"Cockroaches?" Adam stared. "You're sure it's… candy?"
"Of course. Honeydukes' bestseller. Been around for like a hundred years. I can get you some to try."
Adam made a face like he was mentally preparing for surgery. Finally, he nodded. "Okay… as long as it's candy."
Pffft—
Rock finally cracked up. He hadn't expected Adam to be that obsessed with sugar. At this point Rock was convinced the kid didn't have hypoglycemia. He was just addicted to sweets.
"I feel like you and Dumbledore would get along great," Rock laughed.
Realizing he'd been played, Adam glared. "Theo! You jerk!"
"Played? I told you the truth! The candy exists—we just don't eat it," Theo retorted, blocking Adam's swatting hands.
Theo shot Rock a betrayed look. "Rock, dude, seriously?"
Rock just shrugged. He hadn't said a single word—just lifted an eyebrow.
The hall was buzzing joyfully, but Rock's eyes drifted toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione wasn't there. He frowned.
So it still happened…?
She'd talked to him just days ago about getting along with others.
Rock debated whether he should go look for her. She was his study partner, after all.
BANG!
The Great Hall doors burst open.
Professor Quirrell staggered inside, face pale as parchment. "Troll! Troll in the dungeon!"
He half-ran, half-tripped toward Dumbledore. "Thought you should know—"
Before finishing, he fainted dead away.
The hall exploded into chaos. Screams and shouts echoed, shaking the jack-o'-lanterns overhead.
Theo immediately grabbed both Rock's and Adam's hands. "Move! Back to the Ravenclaw common room!"
As someone raised in a wizarding family, Theo knew exactly how dangerous trolls were. No first-year had any chance. Ravenclaw's enchanted bronze door was strong enough to hold one off.
"QUIET!"
One booming voice silenced the entire hall instantly.
Everyone turned toward Dumbledore—the one person whose presence alone brought order.
"No need to panic," Dumbledore said calmly. He glanced at Quirrell on the floor. "Prefects, lead your housemates back to your common rooms. Professors and student leaders, you're with me to the dungeons."
Penelope Clearwaters' voice rang through the Ravenclaw table. "Ravenclaw! Follow me! Upperclassmen, protect the first-years!"
Theo tugged Rock and Adam forward—until he felt Rock wasn't moving.
"Rock, what's wrong?"