XVI - A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET

Harry needed some time alone and sought solace in the Gryffindor Tower while all the other students were having dinner in the Great Hall. It wasn't that Harry was embarrassed to face his friends after his outburst at the hut that afternoon, he just wanted to sort out his thoughts in private. Pushing aside his schoolbooks, Harry opened the trunk at the foot of his bed and took out the photo album given to him by Hagrid what seemed like ages ago. Upon opening the album, animated images of his mother and father leapt from the page happily grinning and waving.

It wasn't long before Harry felt that he wasn't alone. He had heard someone moving about the common area and went out to see as curiosity got the better of him. He found nothing, but the crackling flames in the fireplace and the high-pitched laughter of the Fat Lady from the other side of the portrait. It was at that moment that a book jumped from the bookcase next to the fireplace and landed on the floor. The book was titled "Wands of the Ages"; which was in Hermione's opinion a rather tasteful coffeetable book.

Before he could return the book to its proper place on the shelf, a ghostly arm dressed in a particularly fancy velvet and lace cuff was extended through the bookcase. Its gloved hand searched the floor unsuccessfully for the "rogue" book. A head belonging to Nearly Headless Nick popped through the books and glanced around without noticing Harry before disappearing once again. "So that's where you've been hiding," thought Harry. As he returned the book to the shelf, he peered through the gap between the books. He saw that there was a secret room behind the bookcase.

Eager to explore the mystery room, Harry searched for a secret switch or panel to open an entryway into the room. He ran his fingers over the engraved detailing of the solid bookcase that was built into the wall. He shifted around the books on the shelves and sneezed at the dust he stirred up consequently. A thin layer of dust permeated the air and seemed to cover the entire common room. Harry took a seat in a comfortable chair in front of the fireplace when he noticed fingerprints on the edge near the mantle.

Harry examined the fireplace and realized that there seemed to be a space of some sort directly behind the fireplace. Harry knew that it was possible to squeeze into that space; but wondered if he would be able to squeeze back out of it. Harry held his breath and passed behind the fireplace into a secret room with a low ceiling a dusty table, a stool, a candelabrum and a few old books.

Nearly Headless Nick oblivious to Harry's presence paced back and forth, stopping every now and again to adjust his head firmly atop his neck.

"Nick! What are you doing in here?" Harry asked. Nick was startled.

"I could ask the same from yourself, but I will save my energy for such a relay of words will not help us when we'll need it in the near future." Nick shook his head with regret and continued to pace.

"Is it true that you've been in hiding?"

"Ack! So they all know that I have been cowering in some dark corner like some cowardly fool…why, yes, I have and if you knew any better, you would do the same." Harry sat on the stool and waited for a story. "Why don't you know?" Nick continued. "It is the end of the world…it has finally come, I'm afraid. And though I am dead, it will still be a horrible thing for us all."

"The end of the world?" Harry was in disbelief.

"Well, after the mishap with that…that…giant slithering thing I almost bested last spring…Um…I decided to take a short journey to visit some friends in the Dunneyshire bog region, after paying respects to the cemetery plot in which I was buried. My friends, the Earl of Long and his mistress, Thwella of GlenOaks…murdered of course by the Earl's wife, Agatha, centuries ago…informed me that several tombs had been desecrated all over the countryside. Of course, at first I placed blame on petty thievery; but several bodies had gone missing! Even that of the lovely and ever so dainty Lady of Estershire!"

"What does that have to do with the end of the world?"

"'Tis an evil deed to disturb those who have gone to their eternal slumber."

"It is horrible, but…"

"Don't you comprehend? Bodies do not simply rise up on their own! Someone is plotting to ruin the pleasures of the living…by building armies of the dead!" Harry wasn't certain how much of Nick's account he could believe since there was a look of madness in his eyes; but he wouldn't be surprised if the incident was somehow possible and somehow linked to Voldemort. "I have tried to counsel the Baron to take a closer look at the state of affairs, but he would have no such thing. I had been laughed out of his chambers, I'm afraid. When Dumbledore of all people made the announcement to take heed, I needed to take necessary action!"

"What did you you?" Harry's brow furrowed for he believed that gullibility would get the better of him.

"Of those affairs I cannot confide in anyone but myself of course. At least, I have my safe haven here, where I will remain waiting until that awful time."

"But outside of the desecration of graves, what do these events matter to you?"

"My friend, there's more to ghosts and the ghost realm than you realize. This place of the living is a wonderful place, especially for those who did not get a fair shake of things when they lived. I would like it to remain so for all the dead and the living to inhabit. And….mmmm…." Nick went back to pacing and Harry tried to focus on the thousands of questions flooding his head. Before Harry could open his mouth, he heard a scream.

The scream belonged to Hermione who having returned from dinner a bit early with the Gryffindor first years had opened a nearby closet to fetch a rag to clean off the table with. As Hermione pushed aside assorted hanging coats, cloaks and costumes, she screamed and fainted. Her scream was loud enough to get the attention of Professor McGonagall who had been passing down the hallway past the entrance to the tower. Other students returning from dinner pushed into the room to find her slowly regaining consciousness with Hermione at her side asking relevant questions. At this time Harry slipped unnoticed back into the common area.

"She's all right. Please give her some space." Lee Jordan ordered the others to step aside. As he and Katie Bell helped her to her feet.

Ron entered the room. Hidden in the over-stuffed pockets of his trousers were items from the meal Ron had surreptitiously wrapped in cloth napkins and smuggled for Harry. "What's going on?" He asked Harry.

"Hermione fainted," Ginny Weasley turned towards Ron. "Don't worry, she's okay."

"Who said I was worried?" Ron stated.

Nearly Headless Nick stepped through the bookcase into the room as McGonagall pushed through the crowd of onlookers. After checking on Hermione, she noticed that staring directly at her seated within the closet was a nearly headless skeleton.

"I hope this isn't anyone's idea of a practical joke!" She stated in an ever-so-stern manner. The students looked around trying to pinpoint the guilty party.

"Hey, isn't that Nearly Headless Nick!" Fred Weasley who peeked over McGonagall's shoulder pointed at the skeleton. George nodded in assent to his twin.

"I guess that wasn't a very good hiding place, was it?" Nick muttered to Harry.

"I'm feeling better…I was just startled by the skeleton, that's all. I'm so embarrassed." Hermione stated a slight rose color tinged her cheeks.

"My dear, most of us are not accustomed to finding skeletons in our closets. Perhaps Argus will find a safe place for our new found skeleton. Okay, students, up to your rooms! I know you have more important things to be doing other than standing around and gawking. Such as OWLs, Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley, that better not be food I see in your pockets. You know that smuggling food to the dormitory earns demerit points." McGonagall turned towards Nearly Headless Nick. "Sir Nicholas, a word please. Outside, of course." Nick floated through the wall into the hallway. Professor McGonagall closed the portrait after she exited.

As Ron emptied the contents of his pockets onto Harry's trunk, Harry found his hungry stomach eager to devour the sweets Ron had provided him. He forgot about the events which happened earlier in the afternoon at Hagrid's as he began to update Ron on his conversation with Nick.

"Very interesting," Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "I wonder if somehow this is connected to Percy."

"Or Voldemort."

"Or both."

Hedwig soared across the room and dropped a note into Harry's lap.

"Thanks, Hedwig." Harry tossed her a snack and she rested on the windowsill awaiting a response.

Dear 'Arry,

I feel so awfully 'bout earlier today. I'd like ter apologize an' talk with ye if ye have the time.

Hagrid

Harry could not stay angry at Hagrid for long; so he sent Hedwig with a message telling him that he'd stop by later that evening.