Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Castle Dungeon

“Now, let us discuss how to deal with the ghost Stephen Strange,” said Headmaster Dippet.

“In light of his suspected involvement in the damage to the castle’s public facilities, after careful deliberation, we have decided to implement measures of confinement and supervision. From this day forth, Stephen Strange’s movements and social interactions will be restricted. The three professors will cast spells to designate a room within the dungeons for the suspect’s use. The walls of this room will be enchanted with the Ghost-Restricting Charm, and a designated guardian will oversee him.”

At the mention of the Ghost-Restricting Charm, Helena immediately grew anxious. She had thought that, as a ghost, the body of the Hevin spirit would not be harmed or subject to any tangible limitations, and she could leave freely at any time. Yet this malicious spell, specifically targeting ghosts, shattered her plans.

She floated up from her seat and rushed to stand before Headmaster Dippet, shouting, “You have no right to treat him this way!”

Headmaster Dippet remained unmoved. “Miss Grey, please understand. We act only to ensure the safety of the school.”

Helena’s voice grew cold. “So for some so-called safety, you can inhumanely bind an innocent ghost with spells?”

Headmaster Dippet replied, “The wizarding world is far from peaceful these days. We cannot afford to be complacent.”

Helena wanted to continue arguing, but Hevin reached out and gently took her hand.

“I will comply with your arrangements,” he said softly.

Helena turned to him, disbelief in her eyes.

Hevin shook his head at her and said, “It’s all right.”

Hevin, after all, possessed another physical body; confinement was not much of a problem for him. At worst, he could focus his mind on the body of Hevin Rozier and attend classes properly, letting the ghostly part lie dormant for a while.

Helena gazed at him for several seconds, finally persuaded by Hevin’s look.

“Very well,” Helena said, then turned to the three professors. “But I insist on serving as Stephen’s guardian!”

“That’s impossible!” Barrow stood up then, his tone firm. “Everyone knows you two are closely connected—”

“Are you implying I would abuse my position and compromise the safety of the castle?” Helena retorted sharply.

“I didn’t... mean that, I—I just…” Barrow instantly grew flustered, stumbling over his words.

“Miss Grey, please be patient with Barrow,” Professor Melus intervened. “He acts for the school’s sake.”

“For the school? Hah…” Helena gave a disdainful laugh.

Seeing the unpleasant expressions of both Barrow and Helena, Dumbledore felt embarrassed to remain a mere spectator. He spoke up, “In truth, one Ghost-Restricting Charm is secure enough. Of course, if Miss Grey wishes to stay in the dungeon and chat with Mr. Strange, to pass the tedious hours of confinement, that is perfectly acceptable.”

He finished with a wink at Hevin and Helena.

Helena’s expression finally softened.

“Professor, I can also serve as Strange’s guardian,” Barrow persisted, unwilling to yield.

Helena replied icily, “There’s no need for that.”

Headmaster Dippet saw the situation and refrained from saying more. Every headmaster knew Helena’s true identity as the daughter of Ravenclaw, and thus she possessed extensive knowledge of the castle’s secrets and history. It was likely she would be needed in the future.

Thus, as headmaster, Armando Dippet did not wish to go against Helena’s wishes, tacitly allowing her request to oversee Hevin.

In fact, this three-hundred-year-old man was thoroughly perplexed: what charm had this newcomer, Stephen Strange, used on Helena Ravenclaw to win such deep trust from her in so few days?

…

The three professors and four ghosts left the headmaster’s office. Along the way, Scholar Angulo excused himself and departed, leaving the three spell-casting professors, one suspect ghost, one ghost guardian of the suspect, and one ghost unwilling to leave.

They walked down the spiral staircase leading to the Slytherin common room and into the dungeons.

‘So Slytherin House really does reside in the dungeons…’ Hevin mused silently.

The dungeons were deep, and Headmaster Dippet’s aged, frail body struggled with the long and dizzying stairway, his breathing growing noticeably heavy.

Noticing this, Dumbledore quietly raised his wand.

“Thank you, Albus,” Headmaster Dippet said, his strength somewhat restored. He sighed, “I truly am getting old.”

Without further words, the three professors and three ghosts arrived in the dungeons.

This part was not near the Slytherin common room or the classrooms situated in the dungeons, but an isolated, seldom-used area. Few torches lit the space, dust thickly blanketed the floor, the environment was filthy, spiders everywhere, and puddles of sticky water dotted the ground.

Headmaster Dippet took out a ring of keys, selected a rusty brown one, and opened the copper door to a room.

It must have once been used to imprison people. Old, abandoned shackles hung inside, and a half-buried, uneven lead weight protruded from the muddy floor. Who knew if it had held enemies attacking Hogwarts centuries ago, or students punished during the era of harsh discipline.

“This environment is intolerable,” Helena frowned.

Headmaster Dippet, surprised, asked, “I thought such surroundings would suit the preferences of ghosts?”

Helena replied coldly, “We are not corpses from the sewers.”

Barrow seized the opportunity to interject, “Helena, you need not stay in such conditions. Let me guard instead.”

“No need, I’m fine.” Helena reacted instantly to Barrow’s words. “What do you think, Stephen?”

“Let’s just go with this. It’s all the same,” Hevin said with a helpless smile, though inwardly he was delighted. This place was so close to the Slytherin common room; he could always come by as Hevin Rozier to check in.

“Good, it’s settled then,” Headmaster Dippet nodded. “Please enter this room, Mr. Strange.”

Hevin floated inside, still grumbling inwardly, ‘This isn’t a room; it’s clearly a cell…’

After Hevin entered, Headmaster Dippet turned to Dumbledore.

“Begin, Albus.”

Dumbledore nodded and stepped to the door. He waved his wand and intoned, “Restricto Ghostum.”

Headmaster Dippet and Professor Melus followed, chanting to reinforce the spell.

Soon, a transparent barrier enveloped the cell.

“Is that all?” Hevin looked at the still open copper door, puzzled.

“You may try it yourself, Mr. Strange,” Dumbledore said with a smile.

Hevin reached out and attempted to pass through the barrier. Yet as he touched it, his arm suddenly felt drained of all strength, unable to advance another inch.

“Amazing!” Hevin exclaimed. “I still feel no solid substance, but I truly cannot cross it.”

Dumbledore smiled faintly and said to Helena, “We entrust this place to you, Miss Grey.”

Helena nodded, extending her hand toward Hevin’s hovering palm. Their hands were separated by scarcely an inch, yet it might as well have been an unbridgeable chasm.

Headmaster Dippet, seeing this, addressed Hevin: “We will continue to investigate the matter. We hope you will not do anything untoward.”

“Mm.” Hevin’s mood soured at those words, and he replied offhandedly.

Professor Melus gave him an apologetic look. “Mr. Strange, I must ask you to bear with us for a while. If we find the true culprit, we will offer you our sincerest apologies and compensation.”

Confronted by Professor Melus’s genuine attitude, Hevin could not keep up his surly demeanor. He answered seriously, “I await that day.”

The three professors departed then; Bloody Barrow wanted to stay and say something, but Helena, face cold, drove him out.

Now, only the pair of ghosts remained, separated by a distance that felt vast as the heavens, staring at each other in silence.

…

…