Apologies for the delay. Here's the next chapter…

Chapter 11: Peeves the Poltergeist

And so January passed, with cold winds and torrents of snow. And then passed February, colder still, and the only refuge was by the roasting fires in the Common Rooms, and the dungeons were almost unbearably chilling.

February turned to March, and spring finally arrived at Hogwarts. The air was still cold and crisp though, and the students still bundled up warm when they went down to watch the weekend Quidditch matches.

Slytherin were currently leading in points in the Quidditch Cup one way or another, but the other three teams were not far behind, and were certainly not to be beaten easily.

One afternoon late in April came an important match in the tournament: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. Victory for Gryffindor would take them level on points with Slytherin, whilst defeat would mean that they dropped further behind, if Slytherin beat Hufflepuff the next weekend.

Tensions were running high and the Ravenclaw team were determined not to play Gryffindor any favours.

"This is a must win," Abbott said to his team fiercely, as they gathered in the tunnel minutes before the match was due to start. His eyes shone very bright as he gave his pep talk.

Charlie felt his heart thumping loudly and he swallowed nervously. It was not often that he felt nervous but a lot rested on this game.

"Now Weasley," Abbott turned to him. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that it is crucial that you catch the Snitch as soon as possible. Ravenclaw have got their best Chasers out there, and we want to keep the damage to the minimum."

He turned to the Beaters. "You two, stop their Chasers by whatever means possible," Abbott said. "Without, of course, breaking the rules," he added hastily, when he saw their gleeful faces.

"Right," he said, at last. "We're up. Come on, team."

And they soared up out of the tunnel into the pale April sun.

The game was a tense one but Gryffindor managed to scrape a win, although being 50-10 down, Charlie managed to grab the Snitch from underneath the nose of the Ravenclaw Seeker, half an hour into the game.

The Gryffindor team headed back to the Common Room, happy and triumphant, ready to celebrate another win with their fellow Gryffindors.

The party was a joyful one and everyone was there.

Everyone except Alicia, Charlie noticed. "Probably studying, or with her nose buried in some library book," Charlie thought to himself, his corners of his mouth tilting upwards in an uncontrollable smile.

And at that moment, a voice suddenly hissed in his ear.

"Charlie!"

He turned to see Alicia with a serious look on her face.

"Viridian is in the trophy room. I think now is the time," she whispered urgently.

Charlie leapt up wordlessly and quickly followed her out of the Common Room.

"Where's Peeves?" he asked, as they stood out in the quiet corridor outside the Fat Lady.

"I saw him floating around in a classroom on the second floor," Alicia replied.

"Let's go," Charlie said, and they hurried off.

They soon found the classroom, and Peeves was still there, happily smashing ink bottles and throwing quills around.

"I thought everything was locked up when no one was here," Charlie hissed. "To stop Peeves doing...well, this" he said. "Come on," he whispered and they entered the classroom.

Peeves immediately looked up in surprise and displeasure. Then he cackled.

"Oooh an ickle firstie," he grinned, zooming towards Alicia, ink bottles raised.

"No!" shouted Charlie, waving his hands. "Stop it. We've come to ask you something."

Peeves halted in mid-air and swivelled to look at Charlie, in surprise.

"We have a favour to ask," Charlie said, looking intently at the hovering poltergeist.

Peeves frowned. "And why should I do you a favour, Weasel?" he asked, warningly raising his ink bottles again.

"Because," said Charlie hastily. "This particular favour will drive Filch mad."

Alicia grinned as she saw Peeves' face light up. If there was one thing Peeves loved, it was to aggravate Filch within an inch of his life.

"What do I do?" Peeves asked, rubbing his hands in glee.

"Come on," said Charlie. "We'll show you."

And with that, he turned and hurried out of the classroom, Alicia following and Peeves zooming after them.

Professor Flitwick was sitting quietly in the Charms classroom working on some papers after the Quidditch match, when he heard a colossal bang. He leapt up in shock and immediately rushed outside to see what on earth it was.

He hurried around the corner and a peculiar sight met his eyes. The door of the Trophy Room was wide open and so was the door to the armour gallery opposite it. Peeves was zooming about the corridor in great glee. Flitwick arrived just in time to see Mrs Norris whip around the corridor, evidently hurrying to fetch Filch. Suddenly Professor Viridian tore out of the Trophy Room, clutching a great gold medallion Flitwick was sure belonged to Professor Trelawney's valuable collection of goblin jewellery, and a big silver cup. He did not see Flitwick standing silently at the end of the corridor, he only saw Peeves floating in evident triumph above his head.

"Peeves!" Viridian roared, his eyes bulging out of his head and a look of complete and utter rage etched across his face which was turning rapidly purple. He raised a finger and pointed at the armour gallery. "What on earth did you do that for? That cabinet's important!" he yelled.

Flitwick peered closer and saw that a large old cabinet had clearly been thrown into the doorway of the armour gallery, where several large suits of armour had once stood.

At that moment, several teachers came hurrying around the corner, Filch and McGonagall included.

"What on earth is going on?" McGonagall yelled, as Charlie shouted: "Expelliarmus!" And Viridian's wand flew into his hand.

Professor Viridian for the first time wheeled around and saw the four teachers and Charlie and Alicia, staring at the mess and the seething teacher.

He hastily began to explain, looking furiously at Charlie who now held his wand. "Peeves here," he began, breathing heavily and trying to speak as calmly as he could. "Just threw this cabinet into the armoury for no reason at all."

"Actually," Alicia piped up bravely. "There was a reason."

McGonagall looked down at her incredulously. "Oh yes?" she asked.

"Yes, we asked Peeves to throw this cabinet, which we believe Professor Viridian here to be using to steal many valuable pieces of school property, into the armour gallery to cause a scene and prove Professor Viridian's guilt."

She looked a little sheepish after her outburst and she shut her mouth quickly.

McGonagall looked astounded. She looked from Alicia to Viridian to Charlie and then back to the professor.

"Is this true?" she asked the professor.

At first he tried to deny it, but it soon became clear that it was a lost cause, as he realised that he was holding several items that showed his guiltiness.

Viridian finally confessed, as Charlie pointed his wand threateningly at his throat.

"Alright, alright Mr Weasley. That'll do," McGonagall said and Charlie lowered his wand reluctantly.

"He's only a third year," Snape remarked snidely, looking at the cowering teacher with scorn.

"Maybe, but he's got a hell of a hex on him," replied the teacher, still looking nervously at Charlie. "And he's the best student I've ever had."

Charlie smirked, looking rather self-satisfied and Alicia scowled to herself.

"Except perhaps her," the teacher added, pointing to Alicia.

Charlie immediately looked sulky. Alicia just smiled back at him sweetly.

A/N. Viridian has finally been caught red-handed! Well done Charlie and Alicia. I would love to hear what you thought! Next chapter up soon! xxx