At midnight, the entirety of Hogwarts had fallen into slumber.
In a dungeon deep within the Castle, nearly a hundred pearly white, translucent figures were crammed together.
These ghosts floated in the crowded air, gathered in small groups, whispering to each other.
"Why are we here?"
"I don't know. The Fat Friar called me. He said it was important. What about you?"
"Nearly Headless Nick informed me."
"Then it must be something big. Look, The Bloody Baron is here too."
At the front of the dungeon, Nearly Headless Nick and The Fat Friar floated together, having just greeted a weeping Myrtle.
"Can you tell me why she gathered so many ghosts?"
The Bloody Baron looked terrifying, with vacant eyes and a gaunt appearance.
His robes were covered in silver bloodstains, and he wore shackles.
"Are you referring to The Grey Lady? Actually, neither of us knows why, but she said it was at Headmaster Dumbledore's request."
The short, stout Fat Friar gently answered The Bloody Baron's question, knowing he seemed very interested in The Grey Lady.
"No matter the reason, it's truly wonderful to see everyone gathered together."
Nearly Headless Nick seemed in high spirits. "Halloween Eve is my five hundredth deathday. That party must be even livelier than this."
"Sir Baron, will you attend? My friends will also come from all over the country then."
The Bloody Baron was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright, Sir Nicholas."
Just then, a light footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside the dungeon.
As the sound approached, the torches on the dungeon walls flickered as if blown by a wind.
The moment the footsteps stopped at the door, all the flames turned an eerie, ghostly green, making the entire dungeon even more sinister and terrifying.
"Creak—"
After the dungeon door was pushed open, Karl entered with The Grey Lady, also known as Helena.
"My apologies, I encountered a small problem on the way, which caused a delay. I've kept you all waiting, please forgive me."
Karl snapped his fingers lightly, and the ground immediately shifted and transformed, revealing a conference table and numerous chairs. "Please sit!"
Upon seeing Karl sit down, Nearly Headless Nick and The Fat Friar also followed Helena's example, floating above the chairs.
The Bloody Baron gave Helena a deep look, then silently joined the other ghosts, finding a chair to "sit" on.
"Excellent! As the General Commander, I declare this meeting open!"
Karl nodded to the curious ghosts, then pulled out a parchment from his sleeve and began to read in a standard broadcasting voice.
"Gentlemen, ladies, Principal Dumbledore has ordered that you cooperate with this Commander to conduct the first anti-terrorism and riot prevention exercise in the school."
"Everyone must maintain a firm political stance, deeply understand the strategic significance of this exercise, actively innovate, base yourselves on practice, and focus on all aspects of the exercise, including its objectives, strategies, and supporting implementation."
"Thoroughly identify shortcomings and deficiencies, and strive to enhance the vigilance and danger awareness of the young Wizards, as well as correct the unhealthy and improper practices of prejudice, discrimination, and arrogance among some pure-blood young Wizards."
"The core focus should be on problem-solving, with an emphasis on identifying and addressing gaps. We must strictly grasp and implement all measures, striving to present Principal Dumbledore with the best gift through outstanding achievements and perfect results."
Ghosts: (°_°)
They clearly didn't understand what this young Wizard was saying, but—why did they unconsciously adopt serious expressions, puff out their chests, and straighten their posture?
They quietly glanced at their companions around them and found that all of them were equally well-behaved.
Strange!
"Ahem! This Commander has finished reading the opening remarks of this meeting. Did everyone understand?"
The ghosts uniformly and quickly shook their heads. Nick even shook his head so hard that his head slipped off his neck and dangled on his chest.
"Alright! Then I'll explain it simply! Basically, you need to follow my command and bring a huge surprise to the young Wizards of Hogwarts on Halloween, this auspicious day!"
"As for the rest—you don't need to understand. Just leave it to me."
Ghosts: (⊙o⊙)
At the signal of his companions, The Fat Friar raised his hand. "Reporting, General Commander, are we supposed to scare—oh no, frighten…
That's not right either. Anyway—isn't that a bit bad?"
"What are you afraid of? Headmaster Dumbledore himself gave the order. Your General Commander has connections."
Nick put his head back on. "But we've never done this before. We're not professional."
"Don't worry, I will give you comprehensive guidance from dialogue and makeup to specific actions. You just need to study hard."
At this moment, The Bloody Baron floated up. "I don't want to participate in such a boring prank, and by 'some pure-blood young Wizards' in your words, you mean students from Slytherin, right? I will not tolerate such a thing happening."
After speaking, The Bloody Baron was about to leave the dungeon, but just as he turned around, a sharp, whistling sound suddenly echoed behind him, and the deadly threat made his vacant eyes widen abruptly.
"Ah!"
A vicious scythe pierced through his chest, then dragged The Bloody Baron back and threw him to the ground.
"It seems you, this Slytherin ghost, are also among those who need to be corrected."
Karl, transformed into the Soulbinder Warden, stepped on The Bloody Baron, then showed a gentle smile to the terrified ghosts.
"Now that I've said what I needed to say, who agrees? Who objects?"
"If anyone has any objections, you can raise them. I am always open to suggestions and will never act arbitrarily."
"Hmm?"
Looking at the evil and vicious smile on Karl's face, the ghosts were all as docile as quails, too afraid to even think of raising objections.
"I agree!"
Helena looked at The Bloody Baron, who was groaning in pain, her lips almost unable to suppress a smile.
"Us too!" × N
The ghosts quickly followed Helena's lead, afraid of being served by the scythe as well.
"Very good!"
Karl smiled with satisfaction, then clapped his hands.
"Thud!"
With a dull thud, Peeves, bound by Fiendfyre chains, was thrown onto the conference table.
"Yiya!"
Fire Treasure wore sunglasses made of black Fiendfyre, holding a spiked club in one hand and flicking a small whip in the other, looking particularly imposing.
"Let me go! Let Lord Peeves go! You hateful Fire Elemental! Lord Peeves isn't done with your master!"
Hearing Peeves still clamoring, Fire Treasure swung the small Fiendfyre whip and lashed out.
Although it couldn't cause substantial damage, the pain was incredibly intense, quickly making Peeves back down.
"Ow! Peeves is in agony! Stop hitting me, stop hitting me! What exactly do you want?"
Hearing this, Karl looked at Fire Treasure strangely. "You didn't explain it clearly to him?"
"Yiya~"
Fire Treasure shook its head, unrepentant. Time was short, the task was heavy, and all it did was hit, hit, hit.
Master, don't worry about whether I explained it or not, just worry about whether I got him. Anyway, Peeves has been captured!
Karl: —.
Who did this little guy learn from? Why does he seem to be getting more and more mischievous?
"Ahem! Peeves, I've invited you here because I need your help with something."
Peeves: _(°w°")
You call this an invitation? Didn't you just—Peeves, who was about to curse, saw Karl's terrifying appearance and The Bloody Baron trampled under his foot, and his eyes instantly became incredibly clear.
He showed Karl a fawning smile, his face full of flattery. "Respected Great Demon King, please command me if there's anything you need."
"That's good. Actually, it's very simple—"
After explaining the matter, Karl smiled at Peeves. "There will always be some bold young Wizards. At that time, you'll need to use physical means to help them faint, understand?"
"Respected Great Demon King! I understand!"
"Excellent!" Karl nodded with satisfaction, then waved his hand at the ghosts.
"Now, let's begin the practical training! Everyone, follow me! I'll show you how it's done!"
Hogwarts Castle, the Weasley Brothers, who were out on a night stroll, suddenly felt a chill down their spines.
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