A/N: For those of you who are curious, Charles and Edwin are the creation of Neil Gaiman. There was also a manga book by Jill Thompson. They are listed in the bibliography (Chapter 37).

Chapter 33: Meeting of the Minds

"Cheer up, Harry," Ginny said cheerfully as they waited for dinner. "We'll do fine tomorrow. We've been trained by the best Captain Gryffindor ever had."

Harry tried to smile. "But I've ruined everything." His look included Ron and Hermione as well. "I'm not complaining about the detentions. I let all of you down. The entire house."

Hermione looked sympathetic. "Maybe we should talk about something else."

"Kyle?" Ginny said.

"Who's Kyle?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"He's a friend of Malcolm's. I met him over the summer. He's a muggle."

"And why would we want to talk about any friend of Malcolm's. Especially a muggle."

"Because he just walked into the Great Hall with Malcolm."

Everyone looked at the six figures. Malcolm and Dewey were already known. Ginny had pointed out Kyle but no one knew the other boy.

"There are two ghosts with them," Hermione pointed out. "They're just children."

"What's worse," Ron pointed out, "they're coming this way."

Ron's worst fears were realized. Dewey, the only one of the group he actually liked, walked over to his own table. Everyone else walked past to the empty places farther down.

"Hi, Kyle," Ginny called out. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Kyle looked down from the ceiling. "Ginny Weasley. This place is great. Where's your boyfriend?" He started looking around.

"We broke up," Ginny said hastily. "I'm free at the moment." She noticed one of the ghosts watching her. "Hi, Malcolm. Who are your other friends."

Ginny smiled as Ron muttered that she shouldn't encourage them. Malcolm smiled as he heard what Ron said. Malcolm also made it a point to ignore Harry Potter who was sitting right in front of where he was standing.

"You met Kyle. This is Alex. And these are . . ." Malcolm turned to the ghosts. " Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland. Guys, this is Ginny Weasley."

"Pleased to meet you," Charles said eagerly as he walked through the table and extended his hand. He saw his hand pass through Ginny's and apologized as he stepped backward.

"I thought you fancied her," Edwin asked mirthfully while he pointed at Hermione Granger.

Charles was very happy that no one heard his friend. He was also happy at the next interruption.

"You're new here," an older ghost noted as he floated toward them. "Sir Nicholas Mimsy-Porpington at your service."

"We're visiting," Charles said politely as he introduced himself. Behind him, Edwin was telling the others they would catch up.

"But you're so young. Have you been dead long?"

"About as long as I was alive. You look like you've been dead a lot longer."

"A few centuries," Sir Nicholas said in an offhand manner. "I'm curious, since we don't have to eat, would you like a tour of the school. And I must admit you're coming here is a bit of a surprise. I'll probably ask more question than you will."

The two boys nodded and walked through the walls with the Gryffindor ghost, much to the relief of the Gryffindors they had been standing next to.

"I am amazed," Professor Dumbledore told David Winter. "We always seem to get the strangest guests at Quidditch matches because of Malcolm."

"He can be most annoying," David admitted.

"I would have said interesting. Nothing is ever dull when he is around." Albus chuckled at David's frown. "You should know that he is not the first muggle friend of Malcolm's to make an appearance at the school, although Kyle is the first one to stay for the match."

"But do you know what they did? This is a complete breach of the Wizarding Secrecy acts. Kyle even has a wand."

Albus's eyes were twinkling. "It is to be regretted that he is too old to be a student. It might have been interesting. I don't think anyone has tried to teach magic to a muggle before. At least, not deliberately. David, why are you frowning again."

David smiled but refused to tell him about Dabney.

"Excuse me, headmaster," Charles Rowland said as he floated through the air. "One of your ghosts invited us to stay and visit for a while. But I figured we'd need your permission."

Albus smiled at the young man, then turned to David. "It seems, in addition to American students, we will have an American ghost."

David smirked in return. "Maybe you should start a ghost exchange program?"

"I will consider it." Albus turned back to Charles. "You are welcome to stay until, say, the end of the school year. If you want to stay longer, we'll talk about that after the students have left. And there are rules you and your colleague must observe."

"Sure," Charles said happily.

Albus nodded. "Don't disturb the students or teachers at any time. However, if you see that anyone is in danger, warn them, or warn a teacher if that is not possible. Can you do that?"

"It's no problem."

"And one more rule, because of you're unique situation. You may not conduct business while you are at the school. That means no detective work."

"But only for the students?" Charles asked hopefully. "If one of the teachers . . ."

"With my specific permission," Albus noted. "Now, you should excuse yourself. The match is about to begin."

Charles happily informed his friend of the results as he sat down next to him. He leaned forward and told Kyle and Alex the news as well.

Katie Bell smiled at her team. As acting captain, it was her duty to get everyone ready to do their best. "You know what we're up against. We're the long shot in this game. But we have one strong advantage. Do any of you know what that is?"

Jimmy Peakes smiled as he raised his hand.

"It's not a classroom, Jimmy."

"Sorry, force of habit. But I've noticed it. Ravenclaws like their games fast and furious. They like to score a few quick points for show, but everyone keeps their eyes open for the snitch."

Ron was surprised. "How did you figure that out?"

Jimmy was in his prime. "When Ravenclaw played Slytherin. Malcolm's brother was the seeker. He kept feinting. The second time, I noticed one of the Chasers miss a pass because she was looking at the Seeker. I saw it happen with Hufflepuff as well."

"And you didn't tell any of us?"

Jimmy smirked. "I just did."

Katie called for attention as everyone laughed. "Now you all know what we have to do. We play it nice and easy. We pace ourselves. For the first half hour we let them run themselves ragged. When they start slowing down, we pick up the pace. And remember, Beaters, Keeper, don't worry about a few early points if it keeps their seeker from the snitch. We need to win by three hundred points to take the cup." Katie smiled as she said her last line. "I don't care about anyone else. I want that cup."

"Do you know what's going on?" Alex asked.

"I don't care," Kyle answered, amazed at all the flying brooms.

Malcolm smirked. "I'm amazed you're even here. You're in for a good game. The team's seeker has detention. They had to use someone decent."

He turned to smile at Hermione who was sitting within hearing distance.

"You came!" Millicent said as she ran to hug Reese. Reese grabbed her in a bear hug, forgetting about the bag filled with pastries that he was carrying. He dropped the bag in front of him and stepped on it as he and Millicent started to kiss. As they fell, they knocked over almost everyone in the first three rows. Neither he nor Millicent noticed. Twenty minutes later, Filch had Reese sitting with his brother. This time, Hermione smiled at Malcolm.

Dewey grinned as he sat down in front of the microphone.

"Welcome, everyone, to the last Quidditch match of the season. Gryffindor against Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw, top ranked team, needs only to win to secure the Quidditch cup. Gryffindor has the challenge, here. They have to break this game wide open and take a commanding lead to win. Both teams will be playing hard."

The game progressed as Dewey dutifully detailed who had the quaffle, how the bludgers were flying and, in slow moments, throwing out trivia facts.

" . . . There's the shot and the Gryffindor keeper is there. Ron Weasley, for the last three games played, has the lowest point scored average of any keeper for the past decade. For his first two games he has the highest. And Katie Bell is flying at the Ravenclaw Keeper. She's trying to ram him and . . . she backpasses to Dean Thomas who's targeting a different hoop. The Keeper flies to cover, and Thomas passes it back. Katie Bell scores . . . "

Hovering above the stands, Sir Nicholas was explaining to his two young companions the finer points of the game. "I cheated and floated close enough to hear their plans. Did you see how the young lady passed the Quaffle and forced the Keeper to fly to the other hoop, then had it passed back. If she had the time she would have kept the Keeper jumping back and forth. To make him tired. I wouldn't be surprised if this game lasts two or three hours. Look there, a bludger straight at their seeker."

Edwin smiled. "That's why your Keeper threw the quaffle to the opposing chaser! It cut across the seeker's path."

"Precisely," Sir Nicholas agreed. "And caused their seeker to lose track of the snitch. Are you enjoying the game, Charles."

"Not really. I'm not used to just floating in the air."

"Well, you have to practice. And don't be afraid to float or go through walls, either. It's all part of being a ghost."

As time went by, Reese became annoyed. "Why won't this game end? I don't want to sit here next to YOU."

Malcolm scowled at his brother. "Then go back to where you were. Filch left twenty minutes ago. OW. What's that for?"

"For not telling me twenty minutes ago."

It's okay. Filch hasn't left. He's just hanging out of site for when Reese leaves. I think he's going to toss Reese off the school grounds this time.

Malcolm turned back to listen as Dewey's voice went up.

"CHO CHANG STILL SEES THE SNITCH. THE BLUDGER MISSED AND IS OUT OF RANGE. SHE'S INCHES AWAY AND . . . I think that's a penalty. Demelza Robins just collided with the Ravenclaw Seeker. Yes. Madam Hooch called it. Ravenclaw gets a free shot at the hoops and Robins receives a warning. If she causes another penalty, Gryffindor will lose her for the rest of the game. And no backup. The last time that happened was eight years ago. To Ravenclaw. Ten years ago, in the closest race for the Quidditch cup, Slytherin lost three players to penalties and still won. All four teams had won two and lost one. In points scored, Slytherin was 10 points above Gryffindor and Ravenclaw , who were tied, and twenty points above Hufflepuff. Cho Chang is ready to throw. She makes the goal. I think she agrees. Ten points is not a fair trade for one hundred and fifty and the game."

Everyone watched as Madam Hooch prepared to toss the quaffle.

"And there is goes. Katie Bell get's the quaffle easily. This is the longest game by half that Ravenclaw has played this year. They look like they're beginning to wear down. And the Gryffindor chaser's nearing the hoops. Tosses to Demelza Robins who throws . . . and scores."

For another hour and a half, the game wore on. Ravenclaw's tactic had backfired on them and they were now going through the motions. Gryffindor had a lead of one hundred and seventy and were still pressing hard, just in case Cho Chang did catch the snitch.

"She sees it. Cho Chang has spotted the snitch. And now, Ginny Weasley has. It's a race . . . but not much," Dewey added as Ginny took a clear lead in the chase. "Ravenclaw's seeker doesn't have the energy left to put up a fight. It's going to be . . . IT IS. GINNY WEASLEY HAS THE SNITCH. GRYFFINDOR WINS THE MATCH . . . AND THE CUP."

Anything else Dewey said was drowned out by the cheers. On the pitch, Katie Bell flew over to Cho Chang.

"You played a good game."

Cho managed to smile. "You played a better one. Congratulations."

Katie grinned. "I think we're going to have a party. You're all welcome to come."

Cho gave a tired laugh through gritted teeth. "I think I'm going to take a hot shower and a nap instead."

Katie flew back to her team. It was time to celebrate.

Malcolm smiled as he caught Ginny alone for a minute. "I wanted to tell you. You did great. You really showed up Potter out there."

"Malcolm, I didn't do it to show him up."

"But you did," Malcolm insisted. "You're a take charge kind of person." Then he smiled. "Someone's going to have to tell him what happened?"

This is the best plan I ever made.

"That we won? Malcolm, I think he'll figure that out when he sees this party."

"No, to tell him HOW the team won. And I know exactly how you can be that person."

Ginny smirked. "How?" Malcolm whispered into her ear, and smirked, himself, as Ginny blushed. "I couldn't do that?"

"Do you want to?" Malcolm grinned as Ginny blushed again. "Well, don't bother waiting for HIM to do it. And Ginny?"

"What now?"

"Afterwards, I want to hear all about what happened. I want to hear you telling me I was right,"

"I promise."

In another part of the common room and a half hour later, Anthony smiled as his empty bottle was pulled from him and a fresh butterbeer thrust into it's place. "Euan, Matt, that was the best game I've ever seen."

"No argument from me," Matt agreed.

"Boys," Jenny called out. "Look who's here."

"It's the bad boy home from detention," Matt noted. "And . . . What's Ginny Weasley doing?"

"It's called kissing," Jenny said. "It works like this." She quickly kissed Matt on the lips then slipped through the crowd laughing before he could react.

"Girls," Matt said with light disdain. "I'll never understand them."

"That's half the fun," Anthony assured him. "You'll understand in a year or two." then he laughed. "I do believe they've left the party."

In another part of Gryffindor, Malcolm asked. "Well, Dennis?"

Dennis pondered carefully. He pulled two cards out of his hand and threw them face downward on the table. Malcolm dealt him two cards and turned to the next person at the table.

"Colin?"

"I'm good."

Malcolm frowned. "Dealer takes three."

"And what did you want to tell me," Snape asked as he escorted Dewey into his office.

"The plan that Draco has. It an old vanishing cabinet that he's fixed. It's working now and once we know that Dumbledore is definitely not at the school, Draco's supposed to let the Death Eaters in."

Severus Snape frowned. "And your problem with this is?"

"They kidnaped my brother to make sure Draco does it. Malcolm and me were planning on being there. To show them we were going along with it all the time."

"I understand your position. And I agree that you are doing the right thing. It is better to present a good front. Dewey, let your brother know that is exactly what you should be doing. As far as anything else goes, I will see to it that Everyone who needs to know is properly informed. There are several lives in danger here and we must keep them at a minimum."

"Thanks," Dewey said in relief. "Malcolm said there wasn't any problem with their plan until they took Nob. It's like they didn't trust Draco."

"It should have been expected. The Dark Lord trusts no one. Unless they've already proven themselves. And I know the Dark Lord well enough to know that he will not hurt your brother. Unless he is provoked. And we all agree that we should not provoke him."

Dewey was smiling as he left Snape's office.

"Dewey. I believe Gryffindor is having a party. Because of your brother, you could attend."

"Naw. The last thing they'll want is a Slytherin there. I think I'll go practice the piano instead."

Severus smiled at the boy. "You do have a talent for music."