It was rare for Hagrid to ask them for help, so they all agreed without much hesitation.
Fortunately, the Beast Repelling Spell was a simple charm. Although it was a large task, with the joint efforts of the six of them, it was finally completed by evening.
They also received Hagrid's tokens of thanks.
Cedric and Kael received a large bunch of Fwooper feathers, the largest ones from the wings, perfect for making quills.
For Conna and Cho, it was a small bag for holding hair accessories and change. Though the weaving was a bit rough, the Unicorn Hair material more than made up for the lack of craftsmanship.
Among the six, only Fred and George returned empty-handed.
Kneazles are not that easy to encounter; it takes time.
Hagrid told Fred and George to come back to the hut after Christmas, and they would be able to see the Kneazle then.
As for whether Fred and George could gain the Kneazle's trust and bring it home, that would depend on their own abilities.
After all, these fantastic beasts are very clever; if they don't like you, they can always run away.
"I wish tomorrow was Christmas," Fred said hopefully on their way back to the castle.
"What if the Kneazle doesn't like us?" George said nervously, glancing at Cho and Conna. "Maybe we should have asked for a little bag; Ginny would love it too."
"Why didn't you say so at the time!" Fred glanced at him.
"I just thought of it now..."
They chatted and laughed all the way back to the castle. As there was still some time before dinner, they decided to head to the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor.
Ever since Kael told them about that magical place, it had become their favorite spot to pass the time.
However, just as they reached the third floor, a sharp voice echoed from the left corridor.
"It happened again, it happened again! No one, living or ghost, is spared! Run for your lives!"
The voice was extremely penetrating.
Kael and the others exchanged glances and, forgetting the Room of Requirement, hurried over.
In a dimly lit corridor, they found Peeves shouting loudly, and two ghosts in a strange state.
Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron were both pitch black and surrounded by smoke, hovering six inches above the ground.
Nearly Headless Nick's head was half off, a look of extreme horror frozen on his face.
Harry was standing between the two ghosts, looking at them in shock and confusion.
At the same time, more and more people were flocking over, but surprisingly, no one dared to approach the two ghosts or Harry. Everyone stood on either side of the corridor, looking at Harry in the center with complex expressions.
"I... didn't..."
Harry felt as if his stomach had turned to ice. He wanted to explain, but his words felt weak and powerless.
Then, someone suddenly broke the silence and asked:
"Harry, did you see who did this to them?"
"I didn't see," Harry hurriedly explained as if grasping at a lifeline. "When I arrived, they were already like this, and then Peeves came, he..."
"Stop lying, it was you!"
Macmillan from Hufflepuff squeezed out of the crowd, "Kael, don't be fooled by him, he's a Parseltongue.
And at the Dueling Club, he controlled a snake to attack Justin Finch-Fletchley.
And Justin just said he was going to the third floor to get the book he forgot in the Transfiguration Classroom."
"You must have eavesdropped on our conversation, didn't you?" He looked at Harry and said, "Luckily, I lent him my book, or you would have succeeded!"
Behind Macmillan, a curly-haired boy was looking at Harry in terror, his face pale. He instinctively moved closer to Kael, seemingly feeling safer that way.
"I didn't, I didn't..." Harry explained. "I was in the library all afternoon, I didn't go anywhere, so how could I have eavesdropped on you!"
"You were caught red-handed..."
"Enough, Macmillan!" Professor McGonagall came out of the crowd and said sternly.
Professor Flitwick and Astronomy's Professor Sinistra also arrived. They stepped forward and bent down to examine the two ghosts.
Peeves was floating around above, looking very pleased.
Ever since seeing the Bloody Baron in such a state, Peeves hadn't stopped smiling, even making up a song.
"Oh, Potter, you mischievous imp, see what you've done.
You messed with the ghosts, thinking it's quite fun..."
"Enough nonsense, Peeves!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
Peeves stuck his tongue out at Harry and floated to the other side, giving a nod to Kael.
"Oh, little Kael, be careful not to get yourself killed... Though being a ghost wouldn't be too bad."
"Peeves!" Professor McGonagall shouted again, and Peeves gleefully floated away.
The two professors dispersed the crowd, and Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan and handed it to Kael, asking him to help take Nearly Headless Nick and Bloody Baron to the Hospital Wing.
Kael nodded and started fanning the two ghosts down the staircase like balloons.
Professor McGonagall headed upstairs, telling Harry to follow her.
"Come with me, Potter."
"Professor!" Harry quickly said, "I swear I didn't..."
"This is beyond me; Dumbledore wants to talk to you," Professor McGonagall replied curtly.
Their voices faded away, and soon nothing could be heard.
Kael led the two ghosts through the foyer towards the Hospital Wing.
Their return rate was extremely high, with everyone they passed stopping to stare curiously.
"Kael, what are you doing... oh, isn't that the Gryffindor ghost?"
In the courtyard, Kael encountered Lockhart, who was looking at Nearly Headless Nick. "Did they get themselves a new outfit?"
"It's an attack, Professor," Kael said. "The same as the previous two times."
"I knew it," Lockhart grinned. "They must be under some curse. In the Vampire's castle, I saw ghosts like this. They angered the Vampire and ended up floating like balloons on the ceiling.
But with my persuasion, the Vampire eventually lifted their curse... I just happen to remember the spell."
"That's great," Kael continued walking, "then come with me to the Hospital Wing. Professor McGonagall asked me to take them there."
"Certainly, but I need to first head back to reply to my admirers."
Lockhart flashed his dazzling smile. "Please tell Madam Pomfrey to wait a moment; I'll be over shortly to solve this problem."
...
When they arrived at the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey couldn't do much with the two ghosts, so she let Kael place them in a corner and drew the curtains around them.
As long as there's no wind, they won't drift away.
Before leaving, Kael casually mentioned, "Professor Lockhart might be coming over later."
"What's he coming for?" Madam Pomfrey frowned.
"He said he was coming to help with the ghost issue."
"Help?" Madam Pomfrey snorted. "He can't even tell the difference between Sneezewort and Knotgrass, that story-telling, incompetent fool..."
Realizing Kael was still there, she quickly stopped herself.
"Never mind... you should head back now."