The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

“Milton, let’s help you,” Eddie said. “If you can’t do it alone, maybe we can do it together.”

"No."

Milton shook his head again.

“You cannot get involved in this,” he said firmly. “Because of the oath, even the professors cannot interfere.”

Scott said, "Professor Flitwick said that, but the oath only binds the professor; it doesn't apply to us students."

Milton looked up at them seriously. "I'm fine now, although I'm a little disappointed about losing the concert."

He gave a relieved smile.

"But my magic has become much stronger, and I'm much more adept at learning spells. That's a good thing, isn't it?"

Scott remained silent.

He noticed that Milton's hands were gripping the sheets tightly, his knuckles white.

Scott and Eddie tried to persuade Milton for a while, but Milton remained unyielding, leaving them at a loss for how to help even if they wanted to.

In the end, they could only let Milton rest, and then he left the school hospital under Mrs. Pomfrey's orders.

After Roger finished his Quidditch training, the three of them discussed the matter again in their dormitory.

"What exactly are we supposed to do?" Eddie asked. "Go and investigate the area around the classical music club?"

Roger shook his head. "That's useless."

"Why?" Eddie asked.

"So many people heard the organ music together back then, but in the end, the so-called oath only chose Milton. Perhaps those who can communicate with the oath must also go through some kind of selection process," Roger speculated.

"Do you have to carefully consider the other party's bargaining chips before making a vow?" Scott said. "Perhaps Milton has the best musical talent among that group."

"In that case, it seems I'm not up to it."

Roger said this with great self-awareness.

"Whether it's magic or Quidditch, my talent isn't top-notch."

“Oh, don’t be so modest, Roger,” Eddie suddenly said with a laugh. “Your talent for picking up girls is absolutely top-notch.”

Roger gave him a fake smile. "Thanks, Eddie. You also have a top-notch talent for gossip reporting."

“It’s a pity, the Oath probably doesn’t value our talents,” Eddie said regretfully, glancing at Scott.

Roger also turned to look at him at the same time.

“It’s up to you, Scott,” they both said in unison.

"..."

Scott paused for a few seconds, then said, "Okay, I'll give it a try."

"Do not."

"Let's forget about it."

Roger and Eddie spoke up again to stop him.

Eddie said worriedly, "What if the Oath doesn't see your talent for painting, but instead sets its sights on your talent for Transfiguration?"

“It’s too dangerous,” Roger said. “Although Milton got a fair deal, we can’t guarantee that the oath won’t force a trade.”

Scott, however, felt that there was no possibility of a forced transaction.

“According to Professor Flitwick, that oath was signed by Rowena Ravenclaw with someone,” he reminded the two.

Roger and Eddie had also thought of this, and immediately felt much more at ease.

"Then go and give it a try."

"If only I could talk to the oath and ask Milton what price he would have to pay to regain his musical talent."

Scott nodded.

“We can also ask the ghosts,” he suggested. “They’ve lived in the castle for a long time; perhaps they know something.”

He thought that Mrs. Grey might know something, after all, she was Ravenclaw's daughter.

Scott's suggestion was agreed upon by Roger and Eddie, and the three quickly divided the work among themselves.

Since Scott had spoken with Ms. Gray before and received her help, the task of asking her questions was still assigned to him.

Eddie, who is best at gathering information, is responsible for dealing with the most difficult person, the Blood Man Barrow.

Roger will handle the ghosts of the other two houses, since he has a Hufflepuff girlfriend who can help him.

Speaking of ghosts, Scott suddenly had a flash of inspiration at one point.

"Haven't we seen Peeves in a long time?" he asked Roger and Eddie with a somewhat subtle expression.

"Mischievous Ghost?"

"real."

Roger and Eddie realized it at the same time.

“This is not right,” Scott said. “Peeves hasn’t been in the castle for a long time, but it seems no one has noticed.”

“If you hadn’t brought it up suddenly, I would have completely forgotten about Peeves,” Eddie said, sounding somewhat alarmed.

Roger's eyes widened. "Could there be some connection between these two things?"

Peeves is a mischievous imp who is said to have existed since the founding of Hogwarts.

His penchant for creating pranks and chaos has always been a major headache for the school's teachers, students, and especially the administrators.

Such a nasty character, who often caused chaos and played pranks in the castle, has disappeared without a trace for so long...

This is something that Scott and his team find incredible.

“I’ll ask Fred and George about this,” Scott said. “They’re more familiar with Peeves.”

The conversation ended there that evening, but Scott and his two companions remained somewhat bewildered.

The next day, they each took action according to the plan.

Before his morning classes, Scott walked into the library in the college's common room during a quiet moment.

Good morning, Ms. Gray.

He bowed to Ms. Gray, who was floating in front of a window.

"It's you?"

Ms. Gray turned around, her eyes indifferent.

"What is it now?" she asked coldly.

……

Chapter 112 The Founder's Ancient Music Room

"I'm sorry to bother you."

Scott said politely to Ms. Gray.

"I would like to ask you if you are aware of a vow that is currently operating hidden within Hogwarts Castle."

"pledge?"

Ms. Grey's eyes flickered, as if she had remembered something.

But she quickly shook her head. "Sorry, I'm not quite sure. What kind of vow are you referring to?"

Scott quickly recounted what had happened at the Classical Music Club and with Milton since the beginning of the semester.

"So much has happened?"

Judging from Ms. Gray's reaction, she seems genuinely unaware of what happened.

However, Scott could understand that the ghost lady usually seemed lost in her own thoughts and rarely paid attention to things at school.

“The organ…” Ms. Gray hesitated for a few seconds, “I know where that is.”

Scott quickly pleaded with her, "Please tell me."

Ms. Gray's gaze turned indifferent again as she looked at Scott. "You want to help your friend?"

“Yes.” Scott nodded.

“I didn’t expect you to be willing to do this.” Ms. Gray seemed somewhat surprised.

Scott found it odd that Ms. Gray spoke as if she knew him very well.

“I’ve been observing you, Trollope,” Ms. Gray said bluntly. “I often observe the Ravenclaw students.”

Scott smiled helplessly. "Well, generally speaking, I really don't like to meddle in other people's business."

Ms. Gray then asked, "Because Gravis is your best friend?"

“One of my best friends,” Scott said with a smile.

“I understand.” Ms. Gray nodded gently.

Scott didn't know what she understood, and just continued to look at her with pleading eyes.

“It’s an old music room,” Ms. Grey said. “It’s said to have existed before Hogwarts Castle became a school, and all four founders used it.”

She turned and looked out the window again.

"They used to play their favorite music together when they were happy, and the organ was a favorite instrument of Slytherin."

Is it related to Slytherin again?

Scott suddenly realized that this matter might be more troublesome than he had imagined.

"Did you back down?" Mrs. Grey asked coldly without turning around, "after hearing that the organ music might be related to Slytherin."

“No, Professor Flitwick told me that the oath was signed by Ms. Ravenclaw and someone else,” Scott replied.

“Yes,” Mrs. Grey’s voice became somewhat ethereal, “You may fear Slytherin, but you should trust Ravenclaw.”

Scott said, "So I'll go check out that music room, and please let me know where it is."