Note: We will publish a chapter every day from the 1st until the 25th of December.
Things were very different at Hogwarts that year. Not only because there was a new Headmistress and new heads of both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Or because half the teachers were new to the school. The number of students arriving on the Hogwarts Express had been significantly smaller than it had been for decades and there were visible reminders to the buildings and grounds of the battle that had been fought. But perhaps most prominent of all, the halls and corridors, classrooms and common rooms, even bathrooms and dormitories, were almost overrun with a host of new, and for the most part heartbreakingly young, ghosts.
Most of the time they were just gliding around, talking with each other, reading books by the fire or in the library, occasionally even attending classes. Yet sometimes, during the lengthening nights of autumn, they would relive the horrors that had led to their deaths. There were screams and sobs, frantic incantations and desperate pleas, keeping the students awake until dawn.
Professor Flitwick changed his curriculum and began teaching the sonnullus charm even to the first-years, to help them shield themselves from the nightly noises. And, as the weeks passed, most of the young ghosts seemed to be getting better at coping, so that there were fewer incidents of this kind.
Not until the end of October, did the real problem become evident. The increased number of ghosts were having a quite unexpected effect on life at Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall, current Headmistress of the school, was looking on as the students streamed out of the Great Hall. Closing the school for a full month had been the only option and most parents were only too happy that their children were home for a prolonged Christmas holiday this year, but it still felt strange to see them go on the first of December. All dressed up warmly, even inside - because that was why they had to leave. It was ironic how they had managed to keep Hogwarts running through all the crises and even war, and in the end it was the temperature that beat them.
She really should have seen it coming. Ghosts didn't need anything, and yet they maintained a certain form of energy. That they actually absorbed heat had never been a problem with only a few ghosts next to hundreds of people in a large castle. But now it became impossible to keep the temperature endurable as winter approached. The children had been shivering in their dormitories, despite the piles of blankets the house-elves kept bringing in, while the elves themselves - though trembling and visibly slowing down - refused to wear anything but their tea towels. Although most of them didn't like the idea at all, Minerva had insisted they too leave the castle for the month, carefully avoiding to call it a holiday.
It hadn't taken much time in the library to find a spell that could solve the problem, but as there was much that could go wrong, it had been decided to empty the castle of all inhabitants for the preparation and casting of the spell. Good old Filius Flitwick had immediately offered his services, but Minerva felt it was her own responsibility as headmistress of the school. Besides, all the other teachers had families to go to or homes to see to.
"Professor?" A clear voice startled Minerva out of her thoughts. A few last years students had lingered in the Hall and one of them came up to her.
"Yes, Miss Granger? Do you have any questions?"
"Not about the situation with the ghosts," Hermione said. "But I wondered if there is really nothing we can do to help."
Minerva almost smiled at the girl's helpfulness, now known to the whole wizarding world. "Preparing the spell is simple enough," she answered. "It will just take time, and the fewer people wandering around the castle, the safer it will be."
"I see," Hermione said. "Still… It could be dangerous to you too, Professor. Perhaps someone should look in or be ready to come to your help..."
Now Minerva did smile. "I may be old, but I'm not so fragile that my own spells will harm me. You are very kind to offer your help and I'm grateful, but you should go home. I think a little time off will do you good."
Blushing a little, Hermione nodded. "Good luck then, Professor. And enjoy your remaining holiday." She turned away to join the last students on their way out.
"Miss Granger?" Minerva said.
The young woman stopped and looked back at her.
"Do give Mr Weasley and Mr Potter my greetings for the season."
Hermione smiled. "I will."
…
"So, Headmistress," Sir Nicholas said, floating up alongside her as she was walking up to her office. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning to do with all these new... inhabitants?"
Minerva sighed. "Well, there isn't much we can do and they don't take up actual space - if you'll pardon my indelicacy. I certainly don't plan to banish them. All I want to get rid of is that horrible cold."
"Oh yes… Cold… I can hardly remember what that feels like," he said wistfully.
Minerva gave him a look as they arrived at the gargoyle that guarded her chambers. "You don't need to worry. Hogwarts' ghost policy will remain unchanged."
"I wasn't worried. Just concerned for the young ones," he said, sounding slightly miffed. "It's so sad how many of them just can't let go. Their lives had hardly begun and now it's just…" He sighed dramatically.
"I know," Minerva nodded. "I don't blame them." Then she turned back to the gargoyle. "Mirabella Plunkett."
Immediately the gargoyle leapt aside and she started climbing the circular staircase, leaving Sir Nicholas to hover off. It was time to get to work on the most demanding spell she had ever cast.