In Ravenclaw's common room.
Four people gathered in a corner of the library area. Sterling, who had brought them together, cautiously looked around and lowered his voice:
"Does anyone know how to night-prowl most safely?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all three's expressions changed dramatically. Hermione huffily spoke first:
"There's no safety! Sterling, surely you haven't forgotten that night-prowling violates school rules and can result in house point deductions or even detention?"
"Of course I haven't forgotten that... but Hermione, I have a reason I must go night-prowling. Though I can't tell you what it is, it's really important to me."
"Oh, secrets," Hermione sighed. "You always have so many secrets."
"Alright, alright, Sterling knows what he's doing, right? And... Hermione, don't get mad when I say this, but my dad told me Hogwarts has an unspoken school rule. As long as you're not caught, you haven't violated any rules."
Padma burst out laughing. "Your dad must have been a Gryffindor."
"You're wrong there. My dad was also Ravenclaw," Terry wagged his finger. "This shows that Ravenclaw eagles can also be less rule-abiding. This is wisdom from an older student..."
"Nonsense..." Hermione puffed her cheeks, but looking at Sterling, she finally sighed.
"Fine, I also believe you really have something you must do. Let me think what magic could help you avoid detection... Oh right, Terry, didn't your dad tell you how to night-prowl?"
Terry's face fell. "Unfortunately, he said finding a night-prowling method suited to yourself is also an essential Ravenclaw house experience."
"I did hear a senior mention something." Padma surprisingly offered the first breakthrough. All three looked at her as she cleared her throat: "The Disillusionment Charm! But that seems to be advanced magic that even seventh-years might not master."
"Oh, that's not feasible. Though I believe with Sterling's talent, learning this spell wouldn't be very difficult, but..."
Terry pointed to a small clock hanging on the common room bookshelf, a facility placed at regular intervals to prevent eagles from losing track of time while reading.
"Sterling wants to night-prowl tonight, right? I think we'd be hard-pressed to even obtain the spell in this time."
All four fell silent. Suddenly, Hermione thought of a good idea.
"Why not ask Prefect Robert?"
"Ask the prefect?! Hermione, did you sleep too late yesterday?" Terry tactfully expressed his concern for Hermione's mental state.
"I'm not just talking randomly." Hermione glared at Terry. "Padma and I overheard that he often goes to Hogwarts' kitchens for midnight snacks with his friends. He's not someone who rigidly follows school rules either."
"Plus, you and Terry just earned fifty points for Ravenclaw. Prefect Robert probably wouldn't begrudge a little guidance, right?"
Sterling thought about it. This really was the most feasible method at present.
"Alright, let me try..."
Ten minutes later, the three waiting for Sterling in place suddenly felt a chill, as if someone was blowing wind nearby.
Terry felt his arm get elbowed. He grabbed back and said confidently, "Sterling! It's an Invisibility Cloak, right?"
Sterling's head appeared from thin air and nodded.
In Hogwarts' Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore hummed a Scottish tune while polishing the silver instruments on his shelves, in an extremely pleasant mood.
"Dumbledore, what are you so happy about this time? Please be quiet. These old bones can't stay up all night."
A portrait was awakened and angrily wanted to run out of its frame to punch Dumbledore's hooked nose.
"Headmaster Rhodal, you can't blame me for this. You know how delightful it is for an educator to discover an excellent student... How about I cast a Muffliato on you? It'll end by tomorrow morning."
The long-bearded old man in the frame nodded. Dumbledore waved his hand in front of the portrait, and the man contentedly lay back down in his rocking chair by the fire, pulling the blanket over his head.
Dumbledore thought for a moment, then drew his wand and traced it across the wall hung with portraits of past headmasters. A water-like ripple flowed from his wand, covering these portraits like thin gauze.
After finishing this, he sat down in his comfortable chair and placed two cups of black tea in front of him.
"Black tea at night? Don't you want to sleep tonight?"
A small, ethereal figure passed through the wall. He rubbed his face and smoothed his comical clothes.
Peeves smiled at Dumbledore. Not his usual clown-like grin, but rather one with aristocratic grace.
"Much obliged... though I think neither you nor I will find sleep easy tonight."
"Indeed." Peeves picked up the tea and downed it without ceremony. Unlike ordinary ghosts, he could touch and affect real things, eating and drinking being no exception.
Dumbledore watched him with interest. "How surprising. I never expected Peeves, who's been at Hogwarts so long, to possess such intelligence... or even some authority to control the castle..."
"Didn't expect it? Then I must question whether you're qualified to possess Sage Magic."
"Ah, so you're also a senior who knows of Avalon... I'd guess this is Death Magic, senior?" Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.
"Put away your useless probing. You know better than I who holds Death Magic in this world." Peeves rolled his eyes. "Let's get straight to the point. I can't maintain this state indefinitely."
"I'm all ears."
"Don't interfere with Sterling Page's growth."
"Oh? So I wasn't mistaken. He's also chosen by the Thirteen Magics in this world... Are you worried my abilities are insufficient to guide him? If my memory serves, I am currently the strongest white wizard in this world."
"This isn't my request." Peeves interrupted Dumbledore.
"This is Avalon's decision. But I also assure you his growth won't affect the child you want to cultivate."
"Harry Potter? Was I that obvious?" Dumbledore smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
"Of course. So blatantly cultivating his courage, granting him a glorious reputation... But Hero Magic won't fall to him just like that, even if you guide him to find Avalon."
Suddenly, wind chimes rang. Dumbledore extended an invitation to Peeves:
"Since the two we're cultivating are about to meet, how about accompanying me for a walk?"
"My pleasure... but we must hurry. In another hour, it'll be the real Peeves' time."