"I agree with you," Sebastian said, then asked, "By the way, how's your understanding of the Black Magic Curse coming along?"
"There's not really a good way to expel the curse of Black Magic for now," Harry said helplessly, "As you know, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class is cursed by Voldemort's Black Magic. If such a method existed, the curse on this class would have been dispelled long ago."
"Sigh." Sebastian sighed, "Then let's not rush into rescuing Annie, let's wait until we have a suitable method before bringing her out."
Sebastian lingered in the Gryffindor common room for a while before leaving.
Ghosts are not bound by the school's constraints; they go wherever they please, as they are part of the castle. Some ghosts are even school staff, though they aren't paid.
That evening, at dinner, Harry received news that Hagrid's Three-headed Dog's fur had been found.
Now that all three materials were gathered, it meant that summoning the Death God could be put on the agenda.
Several people sat in Mr. Leme's alchemy room, staring at each other, you look at me, I look at you.
"I still don't recommend summoning the Death God on Halloween," Cassandra suggested, "It's said that the Death God appears at midnight every Halloween, waking the dead from their graves to dance for her—I really don't want to summon her to the world only for us to have to perform a dance for her."
"But you're still alive, you don't need to dance for her," Vivi said leisurely beside her, "If you must dance, I can begrudgingly enjoy your performance with Harry."
"If you're willing to be my dance partner." Cassandra never lost in verbal sparring.
"I think Cassandra has a point," Harry quickly interrupted their bickering, "After all, today is Halloween, summoning the Death God is indeed a bit unsettling, and we don't lack these two days."
"Perhaps you are right," Dumbledore nodded and said, "We indeed don't lack these two days—no one knows what special serious consequences might occur if we summon the Death God on Halloween, and we wouldn't be able to prepare the legendary offering for her. Perhaps Dark Wizards would be willing to do so, but we are, after all, just Hogwarts professors."
"Offering?" Harry looked at Dumbledore suspiciously.
"I don't need to explain in detail, Harry."
Professor Dumbledore glanced at him, and Harry immediately understood.
"But we won't skip necessary rituals," Dumbledore added, "Even if we aren't preparing traditional offerings for Lady Death, we'll have a sumptuous dinner ready to take its place."
"But I suggest," Mr. Leme raised his hand, looking at Dumbledore, "Sometimes personal preferences don't mean others will enjoy it. If you offer her your favorite... desserts, I'm afraid she'd take you away right then."
"Oh, then Hogwarts would be saved," Newt murmured.
As headmaster, how to entertain the Death God was a concern for Dumbledore.
Meanwhile, Harry was pulled away by Vivi, asking him what kind of costume he wanted for Halloween.
"I think participating is enough, no need to specifically dress up as anything," Harry replied honestly.
"How about…" Vivi whispered in Harry's ear, coaxing, "We swap identities—I'll be Gryffindor, and you be Slytherin, how's that?"
"Me in Slytherin?"
Harry actually pondered for a moment but then told Vivi, "It's a nice idea, but I don't have Slytherin clothes."
"Oh, why do we have to prepare Slytherin clothes?" Vivi said with a smile, "Why don't we swap clothes, I'll wear yours, you wear mine, and if the sizes don't fit, we can use a Transformation Spell to modify them."
"Good suggestion," Harry gladly accepted Vivi's proposal.
Vivi looked Harry up and down, somewhat regretfully saying, "Actually, I have a pretty good idea, but let's forget it."
Her words piqued Harry's curiosity.
Harry asked eagerly, "What idea? Tell me."
Vivi slightly raised her head, a gleam flashing in her eyes.
"Not telling," she said deliberately.
"Come on, don't keep me in suspense," Harry urged.
"You wouldn't agree even if I told you, I'm not saying," Vivi said with a chuckle and brushed Harry's bangs aside.
"How do you know I won't agree if you don't say it?" Harry replied.
"Alright then," Vivi cleared her throat, "I suggest you might as well— hmm, wear women's clothes..."
"No way." Harry rolled his eyes, firmly refusing, "Anything else is fine, except this one..."
"Hmph."
Vivi huffed, secretly plotting how to trick... how to persuade Harry into wearing a dress.
Today, Vivi unusually didn't go to the Muggle World and stayed at Hogwarts.
She seemed like she planned to skip classes in the Muggle World for the next few days.
Early the next morning, Harry yawned and got up, just in time to see Ron place a bat at the head of his bed.
"Trick or treat," Ron said, then roared like a lion.
He wore a lion mask, showing his face, with a mane all around his head.
"I didn't prepare candy, but it seems like I have leftovers from what Dumbledore gave me yesterday."
Harry yawned, reached into his pocket, and pulled out two flat candies.