Chapter 28: Interrogation

Upon hearing Scholar Angulo’s words, the faces of the three professors grew grave.

“Mr. Strange, according to your account, you were with Miss Grey yesterday afternoon, is that correct?” Deputy Headmistress Mellis asked sternly.

Stephen was momentarily caught off guard, not quite understanding why they referred to Helena as Miss Grey.

At that moment, Helena spoke up from beside him, “Stephen was with me in the library all afternoon yesterday.”

Stephen suddenly realized that perhaps Helena had agreed to be called Miss Grey so as not to reveal she was the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw.

“Then why were you in the entrance courtyard later that evening?” Professor Mellis pressed.

Because I was curious about what Professor Lorre was up to… Stephen thought to himself, a little annoyed. But he couldn’t exactly say that, nor could he admit to sensing Professor Lorre’s presence three floors down and sneaking out to observe him…

Wait, what was Professor Lorre looking for? Could he be behind all this? the thought flashed through Stephen’s mind.

“Mr. Strange!” Headmaster Dippet rapped the table, seeing Stephen lost in thought.

“Oh, my apologies, Headmaster.” Realizing he should respond, Stephen replied somewhat carelessly, “I just needed some fresh air, that’s all.”

His answer clearly did not satisfy the professors, and Headmaster Dippet’s frown deepened.

“I’d like to understand in detail why you came to Hogwarts, Mr. Strange, and also how, as a ghost, you possess the ability to perform magic,” the headmaster asked.

Seeing no way out, Stephen recited the explanation he had prepared.

“I am a traveler from the East, fond of journeying across the world. Yet the world is vast, and a single life too brief to see even a corner of it. So I abandoned the shackles of the body and became a spirit, thus gaining endless time to wander through the present and future of the world. This obsession is what allowed me to become a ghost.”

“As for spellcasting, the magic practiced in the East is fundamentally different from what you know here. Simply put, we cultivate the soul and spirit through a system of spiritual arts. After relinquishing my body, I retained these abilities within my soul—that is why I can still cast spells.”

Dumbledore listened with great interest; when Stephen finished, he even applauded. “A noble ideal, Mr. Strange. Humanity may be small, but ideals are boundless. Yours is a fascinating story.”

“Ahem.” Headmaster Dippet coughed awkwardly to interrupt, then turned to Mellis and Dumbledore. “Do you think it’s feasible for a ghost to retain magical abilities?”

Professor Mellis replied, “I find it unrealistic. It goes against the very definition of a ghost.”

But Dumbledore, with a smile, countered, “Perhaps we need not be so fixated on the term ‘ghost.’ After all, after Mr. Strange performed the ritual, perhaps he became more akin to a spirit than a ghost—like Peeves, for example.”

Stephen silently gave Dumbledore his approval. Trust Professor Dumbledore to come up with a reason even I hadn’t thought of.

Headmaster Dippet nodded, but continued, “Nevertheless, Mr. Strange’s suspicion is not yet cleared.”

Perhaps noticing Stephen’s displeased expression, Professor Mellis explained, “I hope you understand, Mr. Strange. The damage within our castle is not easily discovered by ordinary means. Theoretically, only a ghost, able to pass through walls, could sense such things at close range.”

“So, we must ask: are you, like other ghosts, unable to touch physical objects, or can you, through magic, influence reality?” she inquired.

“He can affect reality,” the Bloody Baron suddenly interjected. “I saw him pick up a book in the library with my own eyes.”

“Were you spying on us, Baron?” Helena demanded coldly.

“I was only ensuring your safety,” the Baron replied.

Stephen couldn’t quite fathom the Baron’s hostility—he certainly didn’t seem the type to be concerned for others. Unless… he harbored feelings for Helena?

Stephen felt he had uncovered the truth.

He’d never liked the Baron much, and now his gaze towards him carried a hint of enmity.

“Spying, were you? You must have too much time on your hands, Mr. Baron,” Stephen could not help but retort.

“You—!” the Baron began angrily, but the headmaster intervened.

“Gentlemen, I think we ought to focus on the matter at hand,” Headmaster Dippet said.

“Is what the Baron claims true?” he asked Stephen.

Stephen nodded decisively; it would be impossible to explain away any future incidents if he lied now.

“And I have seen him wandering the castle as though searching for something,” the Baron added pointedly.

“And what is it you’re searching for, Mr. Strange?”

Of course, I’m looking for a cat! Stephen thought, rolling his eyes internally. But he certainly couldn’t say that—if anyone realized he and the heir of the Rosier family were one and the same, he’d be finished.

So he replied, “I read tales of the Chamber of Secrets in a book, and, as a traveler, naturally became curious and wanted to see it for myself.”

Headmaster Dippet’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Mr. Strange, your actions are highly suspicious. We cannot simply ignore this,” he said.

Stephen nodded helplessly, indicating his understanding.

After all, he’d used the castle to conceal his identity as a spirit; if the castle’s masters now misunderstood, he supposed it was only fair.

Headmaster Dippet called Professors Mellis and Dumbledore over, and the three began a rather heated discussion—Dumbledore, it seemed, did not entirely agree with the headmaster’s plan.

Stephen sat in silence, feeling rather unlucky, as though he had stumbled headlong into someone else’s trap.

Helena, anxious, looked at him and asked, “Aren’t you worried you’ll be treated as the culprit?”

Stephen looked at her in surprise. “With so much evidence against me, you still believe in my innocence?”

She gazed at him, nodding firmly. “I trust you.”

Stephen felt moved—anyone would be, to be trusted so deeply by someone they’d known only four days.

Yet he retorted, “The Baron’s not entirely wrong—you really are too quick to trust others.”

“But I don’t regret it…” Helena whispered.

…

“All right,” Headmaster Dippet rapped the table; evidently, the three professors had finally reached a consensus. “Now, let us discuss how we shall proceed regarding the ghost Stephen Strange.”