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Chapter 42 – Singing, Ghosts, Dormitories, and Fairies
Audrey deeply regretted ever allowing Dumbledore to believe she was a well-behaved, obedient child.
Of course, she hadn't deliberately created that impression—she had simply gone along with the Headmaster's misunderstanding and quietly reinforced it.
And now, the "good child" was being pushed onto the stage to lead the singing of the school song.
Standing at the front of the Great Hall, Audrey carefully read through the lyrics Dumbledore had conjured into the air. After a brief moment of thought, she made a decision.
She would use the melody of "Thames Rhapsody."
The song had been written and composed by Rick—an entirely original piece—and yet it had become wildly popular.
The lyrics matched surprisingly well. Only a few minor adjustments were needed.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please—
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scraped-up knees…"
...
...
"We'll keep on learning till our brains all rot away!"
As expected, more than half of the young wizards already knew the melody of Thames Rhapsody. With a solid core carrying the tune, even those singing haphazardly couldn't disrupt the overall harmony.
George and Fred, however, were an exception.
Despite knowing the melody perfectly well, they stubbornly sang the Funeral March instead—purely for the sake of mischief.
Audrey shot them an irritated look and, in time with her singing, made a subtle choking gesture.
The next second, the Weasley twins' mouths snapped shut as if an invisible zip had sealed them.
Dumbledore, of course, noticed immediately.
He chuckled, waved his hand, and the spell was undone.
The twins burst into laughter at once, their voices standing out jarringly amid the choir.
Audrey sighed and ignored them.
Fortunately, the song wasn't long. As long as she endured it, it would end.
Standing on the stage while waiting for the twins to finish their rendition of the Funeral March was not a pleasant experience.
She suffered through yet another wave of embarrassment.
Ironically, the twins failed to steal the spotlight.
Most of the students' gazes remained firmly fixed on her.
As Audrey sang, the ghosts of Hogwarts drifted closer, drawn by the magic in her voice. Before she realised it, she was almost completely surrounded by pearly-white figures.
"What delightful magic!" exclaimed Nearly Headless Nick. "This feels absolutely wonderful!"
The Fat Friar nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed! This child makes me feel as though I've come back to life!"
The Bloody Baron floated silently behind Audrey, his empty eyes flickering with something like pride as he declared coldly, "She is a child of our House."
The Grey Lady tried to drift closer—but upon noticing the Baron, she stopped short, recoiling slightly with clear disgust.
She hovered farther away, frowning faintly.
The Grey Lady was Ravenclaw's resident ghost. Her true name was Helena Ravenclaw, daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw.
She was called the Grey Lady because, in English tradition, the ghost of a woman who died for love—or unrequited love—was known by that title.
She had no connection whatsoever to the Grey family.
The one who killed her… was the Bloody Baron.
...
No matter how long the atmosphere lingered, it had to end eventually.
Dumbledore waved the ghosts away.
"Music," he said, rubbing his eyes as though deeply moved, "is far more enchanting than anything else we do here! Now, off to bed—everyone!"
Then he looked at Audrey and spoke silently:
Don't forget.
Audrey returned to the Slytherin table.
Prefect Gemma Farley gave her a nod before raising her voice.
"First-years, follow me—and remember the route. Slytherin doesn't tolerate fools, especially fools who can't find their way back to their own common room!"
Following Gemma, Audrey and the other students turned right at the marble staircase on the first floor, passed through a dim, maze-like corridor, and stopped before a stone wall.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room," Gemma explained.
"You'll need the correct password. It changes every two weeks and will be posted on the notice board, so make sure you check."
She spoke the word clearly.
"Pureblood."
The stone wall rippled. A massive serpent relief emerged, forming an elegant, imposing archway.
"Come in."
The students filed inside.
The Slytherin common room was nothing like the cold dungeon outside. Decorated in classic Gothic style and drenched in deep green hues, it felt mysterious—almost like a sunken ship resting beneath dark water.
Gemma instructed the boys to remain in the lounge while she led the girls to the dormitories.
The dormitory corridor resembled a sewer—only far cleaner, with no hint of unpleasant odour.
Bronze flooring echoed softly beneath their steps, and through ornate latticework, Audrey could see clear water flowing beneath them.
"Miss Astray," Gemma said with a smile,
"Since you're officially registered as a fifth-year, you can't stay with the first-years. Unfortunately, all fifth-year rooms are full—so with special permission from the Headmaster, you've been given a private room."
She sighed lightly.
"That's nearly the same treatment as a Head Girl."
When the door opened, Audrey's empty suitcase was already inside.
Curled up on the velvet quilt, fast asleep, was Little tiger ( her cat).
"Thank you, Prefect Farley."
"Just Gemma," she corrected warmly. "At this rate, I may need to hand over my prefect badge to you next year."
Good heavens.
Not a single Slytherin was simple.
From the moment Gemma opened her mouth, almost every sentence revolved around prefect duties. Was she trying to force Audrey into a position?
Fortunately, Audrey had no interest in authority.
She smiled.
"Don't say that. Only someone as capable as you could be a prefect, Gemma. I can only sing—I'm not suited to leadership. You have nothing to worry about."
Gemma visibly relaxed.
Audrey Astray herself probably didn't realise just how influential she already was in the wizarding world.
Did you know Gilderoy Lockhart?
That man famous for his smile and self-glorifying books?
Even though Audrey hadn't officially entered the wizarding world yet, her influence already rivalled his.
If Audrey ever wanted the fifth-year prefect position, she could win it effortlessly. No wonder Gemma was uneasy.
Gemma smiled sincerely.
"Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. I truly hope we can become friends."
"Aren't we already?" Audrey replied.
Her radiant smile stunned Gemma for a moment.
"It would be my honour. Do come visit sometime. Good night, Audrey."
Good night, Gemma.
After closing the door, Audrey looked around.
The room was spacious, with a single large bed at its centre. Green and silver dominated the décor, accented by various mystical ornaments.
"Sss—!"
A sharp, illusory sound rang out.
Audrey turned.
"Momo!"
"Little Master!"
Momo's huge eyes filled instantly. "Momo has finally found you again!"
"Momo… these five years without you were hard."
"It's Momo's fault!" she sobbed. "Momo couldn't find the Little Master!"
Before she could strike her own head in guilt, Audrey stopped her.
"Our Little Master is still so kind!" Momo wailed.
"And even stronger now! Like a fire dragon!"
She wiped her eyes with the corner of her pillowcase.
"Momo told everyone long ago—the Little Master is the most amazing witch of all!"
She puffed out her chest proudly.
"In all of Hogwarts, no one is more outstanding than our Little Master!"
Amused, Audrey asked,
"Did Dumbledore ask you to take me to his office?"
"Ah!" Momo jumped.
"Momo almost forgot!"
She grabbed Audrey's hand urgently.
"Quickly, Little Master! The Headmaster is getting impatient!"
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