Jacqueline held the comb closer and frowned seeing something on it, "Wait, there's writing on the side of the comb. It looks like… tiny runes."
"Runes?" Cobb said, interested. "Fascinating. I wish I could read ancient runes."
"There's only one person I know who definitely can, Professor Dumbledore," Soren said immediately.
Cobb nodded, "Then you should take the comb to him at once. We'll take Mr. Hobb to the Hospital Wing."
Soren didn't waste a second.
"Be careful," he said, then turned and ran toward the castle.
Cobb lifted Hobb carefully with a spell, and the others followed her back toward the Hospital Wing.
Soren hurried up the stairs, the black comb clenched tightly in his hand.
---
Soren rushed into Professor Dumbledore's office, still breathing hard.
Dumbledore looked up calmly, and said in a gentle tone, "Don't worry, Mr. Soren, Ms. Cobb already informed me of the situation before you arrived."
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," Soren replied, relieved. He quickly took out the black comb and handed it over.
Dumbledore examined it closely, his fingers tracing the tiny runes carved along its side. His eyes narrowed slightly as he began to read.
"A bargain is struck. A promise is made."
"Treasures freely offered must be freely returned."
"Only the true owner can keep the promise."
"Dishonour the bargain, and invite the banshees' wrath."
Soren listened carefully, his mind already working.
He spoke slowly, thinking out loud. "According to the old folktale, the maiden and the banshee made a bargain. They exchanged their greatest treasures."
"The maiden received the banshee's comb, and the banshee received the maiden's favorite mirror. The exchange was supposed to last one year. But the maiden died before she could return the comb."
He looked back at the runes. "Now the banshees want the comb back… but they can't retrieve it on their own."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully and explained, "The magic of old bargains is very strict. When a promise is broken, even by death, it does not simply fade away."
Soren clenched his fists slightly. "So the banshees aren't attacking out of anger alone. They're bound to this unfinished promise."
"And until it is fulfilled, Hogwarts will continue to feel their presence," Dumbledore nodded.
Soren stared at the runes again, his mind racing.
"Treasures freely offered must be freely returned," he repeated.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Yeah… that's it!" he said out loud.
Dumbledore looked at him.
"Treasures," Soren continued. "This isn't just about the comb. It's also about the mirror."
He paced a step. "The banshees gave something too. They have a treasure that must be returned as well. Someone has to be there to accept the mirror."
He looked back at Dumbledore. "Otherwise, the banshees can't honour the bargain. And the exchange can never be completed."
Dumbledore's expression changed, with clear admiration in his eyes.
"Fascinating… that must be exactly how the magical contract was designed."
He nodded. "Only the true owners of the treasures can take part in the trade."
Soren frowned. "But the maiden is dead. There's no one left to complete the bargain… unless—"
Dumbledore finished the thought for him. "When Miss Haywood purchased the comb, she became its new owner."
"That means, she is the only one who can freely return the comb to the banshees, and accept the mirror in return."
Soren nodded slowly. The logic was clear now.
But then his face tightened.
"But she can't do it alone. There are too many banshees. I can't just send Penny out there by herself."
He looked at Dumbledore, worried but determined.
Professor Dumbledore asked Soren to gather everyone in the courtyard and hear Penny's thoughts on the matter.
Soren nodded, but deep down he had already decided one thing, he would never let Penny face the banshees alone.
---
Soon, everyone assembled in the courtyard.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stood together. Mr. Cobb and Mr. Hobb were nearby. Penny, Cassie, Jacqueline, and Merula stood beside Soren.
Soren explained everything about the runes, the meaning behind them, and the unfinished bargain.
"The comb isn't the only part of the exchange. The banshees also have something to return, the mirror. The bargain can only be completed if both sides take part."
He looked at Penny, then at everyone else.
"But I will not let Penny face the banshees alone."
Professor Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "Most banshees do not understand the details of such bargains. They will attack regardless of our intentions."
He glanced toward Cobb and Hobb. "It is fortunate that we have experts like Miss Cobb and Mr. Hobb to help keep the banshees at bay."
"But returning the comb and completing the bargain will be extremely dangerous."
"I can do it, Professor Dumbledore," Penny said, stepping forward. "I should do it."
Soren immediately shook his head. "No. I won't let you face them alone."
Cassie crossed her arms. "Yeah. I don't want my little cadet sacrificing herself either."
Penny turned and shot her an annoyed look. "Stop calling me that."
Then she took a breath and spoke seriously.
"But only the owner can return the comb. That means no one else can complete the trade. It has to be me."
The courtyard fell quiet.
Everyone understood the truth in her words.
Soren thought for a moment, then spoke clearly.
"Give the comb to me. If I take it, I'll become the new owner." He took the comb into his hand.
Penny looked confused. "Is… is that possible?"
The others exchanged looks and then turned to Professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Yes. It is possible."
Penny stepped closer to Soren. "Thank you for helping me. But I won't let you face this alone. I'm coming with you."
Jacqueline nodded. "So am I."
Cassie nodded as well. "Obviously."
Even Merula gave a small nod. "Don't think I'm letting you have all the fun."
Soren smiled, genuinely happy. "Then let's go and return the comb to the banshees."
Professor Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"And why," he asked calmly, "do you think you need to take this risk when I and many other professors are here?"
"Do you believe that we are incapable of protecting Hogwarts?"
Soren and the others suddenly felt embarrassed. They had completely forgotten who they were standing in front of, some of the most powerful witches and wizards in the world.
But Soren had already spoken. He couldn't take it back. And he was also wants to face the Banshees, he didn't know why, but it came from inside of his spirits.
He thought quickly, then said, "Professor Dumbledore, we need you to protect us from the main swarm of banshees."
He glanced toward the castle. "And the other professors should be protecting Hogwarts itself."
Dumbledore looked at him for a long moment.
Then he smiled. "Well, since you've thought it through so carefully… go on and complete the bargain. I will protect you."
As he said it, Dumbledore couldn't help but think how much these students had changed in just one year.
They were still children. But they were no longer afraid. And with him there, no one can harm them.
---
They reached the Black Lake shore again. Professor Dumbledore looked at Soren and the others and asked them, "Are you ready to return the comb?"
"Yes, Professor," Soren replied.
"But how do we trade with them when they're screaming at us?"
Dumbledore answered calmly, "Look for a single banshee, one who is not attacking and looks different from the others. Present the comb to her."
Soren nodded. "Okay."
Almost immediately, banshees began rising from the lake.
Professor Dumbledore raised his wand and cast a powerful Imperturbable Charm, shielding everyone.
"Earplugs on. Drink the Laughing Potion," he instructed.
Everyone did as told.
The banshees screamed and circled them, but the shield held firm.
Soren and his friends scanned the area, searching for something different.
Then Cassie pointed urgently.
One banshee stood apart from the rest.
She wasn't wearing black like the others.
She wore white. "I think that's her, hahaha" Cassie said, laughing uncontrollably from the potion.
Soren couldn't hear her words clearly because of the earplugs, but he followed her gesture. He saw the white-robed banshee immediately.
"That must be her," he thought and stepped forward.
He took out the black comb and held it out.
"I, Soren Whitlock," he said, struggling through laughter, "freely return this comb to you."
The white-robed banshee looked at the comb.
Then she turned and screamed at the other banshees. Instantly, the rest vanished into the air. Silence followed.
The white-robed banshee gently took the comb from Soren's hand.
Then, in return, she placed a beautiful mirror into his hands, old, elegant, and softly glowing.
The bargain was complete. The banshee gave Soren one last look. Then she faded away.
Soren looked down at the mirror in his hands.
"So this is the mirror the maiden gave to the banshee all those years ago," he said quietly.
Dumbledore smiled. "A rare treasure indeed. I suggest you keep it for yourself, Mr. Whitlock."
Soren shook his head and turned toward Penny. "Thank you, Professor. But Penny bought the comb. She deserves it more."
He held the mirror out to her. The others cheered.
Penny's eyes widened as she took it.
"Thank you," she said happily.
Then, without thinking, she leaned forward and kissed Soren on the cheek. Soren froze for a second, surprised, while the others laughed.
"You are a good child, Mr. Whitlock," Professor Dumbledore said warmly.
"And this is definitely an adventure we'll remember," Cassie said loudly.
"Yes, but first we need to sleep. We have classes tomorrow." Jacqueline added.
Cassie groaned. "You're such a party pooper."
Dumbledore laughed at that. Soon after, everyone made their way back toward Hogwarts, tired but relieved.
Near the gates, Mr. Hobb and Ms. Cobb prepared to return to the Ministry. Their work at Hogwarts was finished.
Ms. Cobb stopped and looked at Soren.
"We will not forget you, Mr. Soren," she said sincerely.
"You helped us solve this trouble, and gave us a new understanding of banshees."
Even Mr. Hobb nodded, his usual harsh tone softened. "Yes. We see now that banshees are not purely evil. They act to fulfill their promises. They honor bargains, even after centuries."
Professor Dumbledore listened quietly, then spoke. "There are many mysteries in the magical world that defy explanation, even to me."
He looked at Soren and his friends with pride. "Tonight, you learned one of them."
Ms. Cobb and Mr. Hobb turned and walked away, Disapparating moments later, returning to the Ministry.
Soren and the others stood there for a moment, taking it all in.
Hogwarts was safe. The danger had passed.
At last, they headed back inside the castle, ready to rest, and to face whatever came next together.