"I've fulfilled your request. Did you bring the items?"
In the eighth floor of Hogwarts, a raspy, deep voice echoed in a secluded empty classroom, like the whispers of a ghost, sending chills down one's spine.
"Don't worry, I've got everything for you." Kael pulled a suitcase from the Transfiguration Lizard Skin Bag, placed it on the table, opened it, turned it around and pushed it forward.
"Two hundred enhanced Exploding Snap balloons, not one missing."
Zonko's Joke Shop had closed, but these were bought from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes by Kael. Fred and George had hidden them inside a hollowed-out book, evading Filch's inspection.
Originally, Kael had a better idea, like simply using a small box with an Undetectable Extension Charm to smuggle them in, but the Weasley Brothers disagreed. They found that approach too boring, not exciting enough.
Seeing the suitcase in front of him, Peeves flew over enthusiastically and nodded.
The quantity was indeed substantial, even thirty more than promised. However, he didn't seem particularly pleased and frowned, saying:
"This isn't right, what about the agreed hundred Dungbombs? They're not here."
"Don't worry, Dungbombs aren't as easy to smuggle in as balloons, we'll need a few more days," Kael explained. "Besides, they even did some modifications on a portion of them this time."
"Modifications..." Peeves' eyes lit up, "Did they make them bigger?"
"No," Kael shook his head, "They added some real stuff in them."
Peeves' expression instantly turned peculiar, a mixture of unrestrained disdain and genuine admiration in his eyes.
These two contrasting emotions blended perfectly together.
Even though Peeves was a ghost, he didn't know everything.
'Dungbombs' was just a name. The peculiar smell was simply concocted through various herbs.
Adding real stuff... the students at Hogwarts would go mad. Such a devilish idea, you must be the real Dark Lord.
Peeves silently gave a thumbs-up, then curiously asked, "Young Kael... no, Mr. Kael, do you have some grudge against Hogwarts?"
"Of course not," Kael replied. "Don't get me wrong, I was just about to explain, those specially made Dungbombs aren't part of our agreed count, they're an extra gift."
"A gift? What do you mean?" Peeves was somewhat puzzled.
"It's not the right time to explain," Kael thought for a moment, "In any case, just hold onto them for now. When the time comes to use them, you'll naturally understand."
Peeves annoyedly scratched his head. Honestly, he didn't like Kael's vague way of speaking. If it were someone else, he'd definitely press for details and throw a dozen balloons filled with vinegar at their heads during the process.
But now... out of respect for a fellow prankster, Peeves held back.
He packed up the box of balloons and curiously asked, "I really don't understand why you want to put that cabinet on the second floor and have me lure the little Slytherin brats over there.
"Why not just give the cabinet to him?"
"If I give it directly, he won't want it," Kael said. "So, did they take it?"
"Of course, with me handling it, nothing is impossible," Peeves said. "They moved the cabinet right away and laughed so much, I could hear it from upstairs."
"That's good." Kael nodded and was about to leave the room.
"Wait a minute..." Peeves questioned from behind, "You still haven't told me why you're doing this."
"You'll know when the time comes." Kael waved his hand, showing no intention of stopping.
Peeves was furious, grabbing his head mid-air, but there was nothing he could do about Kael.
Kael was his biggest supplier, especially with Zonko's closed, and prank products on young wizards becoming scarcer. During the Halloween dance, he had already exhausted all his stock.
Now, Kael was the only source for large quantities of balloons, and Peeves couldn't afford to offend him lightly.
Peeves angrily grabbed a handful of balloons from the box, slammed the door open, and flew downstairs.
He had to wait outside the Hufflepuff Common Room, where only when the young wizards messed up the password could he seize the opportunity to fill the balloons with vinegar.
But Hufflepuff's password wasn't particularly hard; usually, they wouldn't get it wrong after two tries.
So to speed things up, Peeves would often deliberately make some noise to distract them while they attempted the password.
This trick never failed with the first-year students.
...
Meanwhile, after leaving the classroom, Kael didn't return to the dormitory but instead took a loop around the eighth floor and arrived at the entrance of the Headmaster's Office.
"Sour Burst Candy," Kael said, and the gargoyle moved aside, revealing a spiraling staircase behind it.
Kael walked up easily, arriving at the oak door. He knocked, but there was no response from inside.
It seemed Dumbledore had gone out again.
Nonetheless, Kael didn't leave. Instead, he took out his wand and pointed at the brass door knocker.
"Dissendium!"
The door knocker transformed into two Fire Dragons, each flying away to one side.
Then Kael easily pushed the door open and entered, as if it were his own home.
As expected, Dumbledore wasn't there.
The portraits on the walls opened their eyes upon hearing the commotion.
"It's you again..." Phineas was the first to speak. "This is the Headmaster's Office, how can a student just barge in like this!"