It's still here. No one touched it. Looking through it, he saw all of his handwriting and he stopped at the entry that declared the book the property of the Half-Blood Prince.
Granted, his life would never be the same again, he would always be haunted by the consequences of his actions. He probably never would be truly happy again, but that didn't mean he could get at least get some satisfaction to make his miserable existence more tolerable. This book contained so much unique knowledge from his school years alone...
He still wanted recognition, and extracting all the information from this book was a certain way to gain it.
...some time later...
If asked later, those present would describe the confrontation in the teacher's lounge as perhaps the weirdest thing they had ever witnessed. One one side were most of the teachers, on the other most of the ghosts of Hogwarts. In the middle stood the Headmaster and the four House ghosts, and their focal point was the ghost of Cuthbert Binns, who seemed oblivious of those around him while muttering about various things connected to history.
"And it's been like this for each year ever since his death almost 20 years ago?" Dumbledore asked about Binns' strange behavior.
"Sadly, yes," the Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw, told him. "Unlike poor Myrtle, who simply is difficult, Binns is very much oblivious of his surroundings. He never socializes with the other ghosts, either. Outside of the school year, he is always floating through the castle, muttering about the content of his teachings."
"In fact, him being oblivious that he has died is unheard of. How could you not know you have expired?" Sir Nicholas of Gryffindor added. Everyone knowing him knew of his own death at the hand of an incompetent executioner with a blunt axe.
"It however would explain several things. I always thought that he was punishing himself for something, but to imagine he simply is unaware that the Lord is offering him refuge..." The Fat Friar of Hufflepuff looked very thoughtful at the implications.
"Nevertheless, this can no longer go on. Hopefully, he is still approachable in his current state." Dumbledore than put his attention on the still muttering Binns. "Cuthbert, this is the Headmaster speaking."
At first nothing happened, but after some moments, the ghost stopped muttering and then his eyes cleared up somewhat when he recognized the Headmaster. "Oh, pardon, Headmaster, I was already planning the next lessons and must have lost track of time. It must still be so new to you, having taken over the position mere three years ago."
That was not a good sign of Binns' memory. "Cuthbert, I will not take too much of your time, but there are some questions I need you to answer."
If anything, Binns started to look more confused and uncomfortable. Clearly, he was leaving his comfort zone, but nonetheless knew he had to agree. "Eh... certainly, Headmaster. How... can I help you?"
"First off, what year do you think it is?" Dumbledore asked.
The ghost looked confused. "1969, why do you ask?"
"Sadly, Cuthbert, it actually is 1986." Dumbledore knew, it had to be done, wrong compassion would only prolong the man's suffering. "Now, Cuthbert, would you mind shaking hands?"
"Certainly not, Headmaster. I still ... don't ... under..." He fell silent when his hand simply went through the Headmaster's hand. Now that his full attention was on it, unlike all the other times he went through stuff, he became aware of it. "I... I don't understand."
Dumbledore knew, now was the best moment. "Cuthbert... You died in 1969 and simply went through the motions without even noticing that you have died. No one dared to confront you with that awful truth. You need to make a decision now."
Binns' eyes by now had fully cleared up and it seemed like the first time in almost two decades he became fully aware of his surroundings. "I never noticed... I never wanted it to be this way..." He then put his attention back to the Headmaster, looking surprisingly calm. "Headmaster, it had been an honor to work for you, but now it's time for me to retire... to move on."
"You deserve it, Cuthbert. Good look on whatever awaits you."
"School is out for me... forever." He started to fade away. "Yeeeesssss..." Then his voice faded as well and he was fully gone.
The other ghosts were flabbergasted. Could it really be that easy to release yourself from your existence as a ghost? That caused intense discussion between them and the Fat Friar was especially sought after due to his views on the afterlife. All of a sudden things they had taken for granted were in question. And the Bloody Baron... he looked acutally sad and depressed, as if these news only made things worse for him.
However, the one ghost not discussing was the Grey Lady, and that was because the Headmaster had approached her. "My Lady, there is another matter I need your help with..."
"Certainly, Headmaster. How may I help you?" she asked.
"There is another ghost in this castle that does need help. However, I fear with her it will be more difficult," Dumbledore told her.
The Grey Lady knew who he was talking about. "Oh yes, the poor dear will be most difficult to approach."
o
I thought all the reports on her behavior were hyperbole, but I clearly misjudged how unpleasant she is to others, Dumbledore thought, while noticing that she finally was losing steam.
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