Chapter Thirteen

Sissy and the Paintings of Hogwarts

The fact that Quidditch tryouts was Saturday seemed to be the perfect excuse for Quintin to arrange a playdate with his little sister. They had settled on Cunning Agents, and Serendipity was quite excited to break out the Sherlock Holmes detective kit she had gotten for her birthday. They searched the back grounds, inspecting blades of grass as if they were a threat. Every now and then, she would begin walking towards a ditch or a rock or wall while being focused on the ground, and the Elf Willow would gently pick her up by the back of her shirt and set her down somewhere a bit safer.

"We're not getting very far, are we?" Agent Quintin chuckled when she became transfixed on a butterfly.

"That's quite alright, let her take her time," Agent Hat replied. "It's a big world and she is only three. It's a lot to take in."

"Fair enough," Agent Quintin said, sitting on a bench to wait for her to finish investigating. Agent Rasputin looked between them, then decided that 'standing guard' with Agent Quintin seemed a lot less exhausting than following her and settled in the grass. "I suppose we should take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts."

"You know, we need a fifth game," Agent Hat pointed out.

"You're right, we do," Agent Quintin agreed.

"Honest Researchers?"

"That sounds as boring as hell! Surely we can do better than that!" Agent Quintin protested fervently.

"Well, I don't see how we can do anything with inclusive... perhaps something about being innovative," Agent Hat suggested.

"That we can possibly work with. I wonder if we can come up with something that doesn't make our house sound dull," Agent Quintin said, then frowned at that. "I wonder if the other houses think we're dull?"

"Since when do you care what other houses think?" Agent Hat challenged him.

"I always care. I care about everyone," Agent Quintin said defensively. "I want everyone to get along, and that won't happen if I don't understand their points of view."

"You're so much like your mother," Agent Hat commented. Growing annoyed with his friend, Agent Quintin got up and went over to his sister to coax her into investigating the tennis courts.

After lunch in the Headmaster's Study, Quintin went downstairs to the Owl Room and was there when Jeremy and Jack arrived. Quintin gazed at Jeremy warily.

"All done! You have nothing to worry about, we had enough people to make a Quidditch team this year," Jeremy assured him.

"Good, I'd much rather watch from the stands," Quintin said.

"What about football?" Jack asked. "Aren't you the team's goalkeeper?"

"That I don't mind that. It's good exercise. I just don't get much pleasure out of flying, that's all. It's just not my idea of fun," Quintin explained.

"Perhaps you'd change your mind if it was a different mode of flying," Jay suggested, Quintin looking over at him with a frown. "You might consider joining the Bridal Club, especially now that you don't have Quidditch to worry about. Sagittari has been attempting to sign more people up since their numbers are a bit thin this year and he has several openings." Quintin pondered the idea.

"It might give me a head start for Magical Creatures next year, but I think I'd want a land mount," Quintin mused. "Oscar and Oswald have been asking me to join too, but it is a bit of a time commitment, considering you do have a mount to take care of even if the club itself is only once a week. I'll ask Mum what she thinks."

"She'll encourage you to do it," Jay said with certainty.

"So how come you weren't at Quidditch tryouts, Jay?" Jeremy wondered. "In fact, I didn't see any Slytherin down there."

"We've already decided on our team," he explained. "It's actually pretty rare for us to have tryouts at all, actually, it only happens when there's a lot of positions to fill. Otherwise we decide right after after we arrive at school so that we can have an extra week to practice."

"Sounds efficient," Jeremy decided. Jay nodded at him. "I didn't have that sort of luxury, because this was the very first time I was allowed to set my own team. Professor Brittle did it last year. It was a bit daunting but Jack helped a lot."

"I just showed him a bunch of ways of testing people at different positions, like how to set up batting targets, Snitch races, that sort of thing," he explained.

The door opened and Rus and Sissy came in, exchanging greetings.

"Looks like Jeremy and Jack beat us in here," Rus said.

"Yeah, we came straight over," Jack agreed, getting up so they could get to their seats.

"So who's on the team, if you don't mind saying in front of us?" Sissy asked.

"Jack is teaming up with me as a Beater, Oscar's taking over Keeper, Pete's the new Seeker, and Pippa, Curt, and Libby are Chasers," Jeremy said.

"Oh, good! I'm glad Pete made Seeker, as hard as he's worked for it," Sissy said with a smile.

"He's not that reliable on turns, really, but I think he'll get there," Jack replied. "I'm going to put in some extra time in the afternoons to get him ready for the first game."

"He's not as stiff as all of that," Jeremy said, conscientious of how many of the other students hanging out were on competing teams. "In fact, I'll go as far as to say that we aren't going to be the pushovers as we were this year. We have a very solid team."

"It's a work in progress," Jack warned, and Jeremy glowered at him. "But I have definitely known worse Quidditch teams, and it's solid compared to last year, so I wouldn't count us out," he said diplomatically.

"I can't wait for your first game then, although I hope we have a better commentator this year now that Smith's graduated," Sissy said. "He kept leaving key details out, and if wasn't for Rus giving me a play by play, I wouldn't have known what all was going on."

"I don't think he was doing it on purpose, Sissy," Rus replied.

"Yes, I know," Sissy sighed.

"Hey, Quintin, why don't you try out for commentator, especially since you're not playing this year," Rus suggested. "You're a stickler for details, so I know you'd do a good job at it."

"Yes, alright, but let me know if I miss anything you want me to include, Sissy," Quintin said.

"Deal," Sissy said with a smile, then went through her book pile. She sighed with exasperation. "I forgot my writing guide. I'll have to run up and get it."

"Do you need a paper clip?" Rus offered.

"We're doing our history reports today, remember? It'd be embarrassing to have one of my papers rejected when she hasn't rejected any of mine in over a year. I'll be right back," Sissy promised.

"Alright," Rus said, and Sissy made her way out of the library.

As much as she liked her friend, it was nice to be able to wander the castle by herself for a change. She decided to take the back stairs rather than the Doorlift so she could enjoy the walk, feeling the breezes and vibrations around her and listening to the echoing voices down the corridors. She could hear a number of students practicing music in the Service Room, and was painfully aware that one of the students had a viola that was out of tune. Then she stepped into the stairwell and climbed up the stairs, moving to the far side anytime someone came down the other side. But after a few floors, someone's footsteps stopped in a strange place, and there was a dark shadow that was small and unfamiliar.

"Good morning," Sissy said, getting over to one side.

"Where is your dog?" the girl asked.

"Resting, actually. My familiars were outside with me at Quidditch Tryouts," Sissy explained. "I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you?"

"I'm Zelda Maxen," Zelda informed her.

"Oh, yes, first year Slytherin, right? Nice to meet you," Sissy said, stepping up to the landing. Zelda decided to follow behind.

"How is it that you're so good at Quidditch?" Zelda asked.

"Oh, um... here is my Introduction Card," Sissy offered, pulling out one of the formal ones.

"No, thank you. I've already seen it. My sister Moira let me borrow hers," Zelda replied. "But I'd rather ask people directly so I can see their face, although I can't read yours. Is it because you're friends with Icarus Clemmons, or is it because of your defect?"

"Thank you, but I choose not to associate with incredibly rude people, and I certainly don't answer to them. I suggest that you work on your manners," Sissy said cooly, continuing up the stairs.

"I have excellent manners, actually. I simply choose not to use them with you," Zelda said. "Still, I have to give you some credit. You're quite brave to wander this castle by yourself without your pet dog or your pet Clemmons to protect you. Aren't you afraid at all?"

"Fear was my first playmate as a child, and frustration was my best friend," Sissy replied evenly. "I've been a student in this castle over three years now, and know it better than most. One thing I've definitely learned is that I'm never alone in this castle... even in the stairwell. Isn't that right, painting?" she inquired, and there was a series of violin notes. Zelda gasped and looked over at the wall at the younger visage of the Headmaster. Sissy brightened immediately. "Why, it's Fiddler! I don't think I've heard that violin since we've returned to Hogwarts!"

"So you do have a guard after all," Zelda said cooly. "It must be nice never to have to defend yourself."

"I can defend myself very well, thank you," Sissy said crisply.

"We shall see," Zelda said, continuing down the stairs. Sissy waited for her to leave, ignoring the querying sound of the violin until Zelda was well out of hearing range.

"Who does she think she is, threatening me like that? What did I ever do to her?" Sissy asked, quite steamed. "She is the most unpleasant child I've ever met, and wasn't she the same girl that caused Quintin and his friends to bleat at the Spectral Ball last year?"

The Fiddler let out two violin notes in confirmation.

"Well, she's not going to rattle me any more than Moira and Bonnibel ever have when they've tried. I've heard it all, and I have half a mind to complain to Professor Brittle about it," Sissy said, then paused. "Oh, drat, I forgot what floor I'm on! Where are we?" The Fiddler let out seven notes. "Oh good, then I can connect to the other side of the castle from here. I need to fetch my writing guide," she explained and stepped down the corridor.

As they walked, the Fiddler played a soft tune, taking breaks as he stepped from frame to frame while the music made it evident that he was keeping up with her. The other paintings in the corridor wished them a good morning as they passed by, and Sissy recognized them all. But when she was halfway to the Ravenclaw Tower, she didn't hear a greeting she was expecting. She paused and reached over to the wall, feeling a different frame.

"Where is the painting of the two children playing in the forest?" Sissy asked.

"They're being cleaned at the moment, Miss," said a witch's voice.

"My name's Cecilia Kendrick, but I'd prefer it if you called me Sissy," Sissy introduced herself. "How do you do? Could you describe your painting to me?"

"Of course, dear," the kind woman's voice said. "I'm Nurse Berrycloth, and I am in the middle of an embroidery that I can't ever seem to finish, but it's quite relaxing to do nonetheless," she said. "I have on my blue nurse's robes and my white cap, and I'm in my sitting room next to the Hospital Wing."

"Is that where you normally hang at? In the Hospital Wing?" Sissy asked.

"Oh, no. I typically hang in the main staircase on the eleventh floor," Berrycloth explained.

"That explains why I haven't met you before. I really don't have reason to go up that far on a normal school day," Sissy replied. "Perhaps I'll walk up and meet some of your friends tomorrow."

"I am quite certain they will enjoy that. Paintings love to be appreciated," Berrycloth replied.

"I love the paintings at Hogwarts, especially the nice ones," Sissy said. "Nice to meet you, but I'd best crack on."

"A pleasure to meet you too," Berrycloth said sincerely. Sissy continued on, being greeted by both Fetch and Fletcher when she entered her room.

"I'm just here to get my writing guide," she explained. Fletcher flew over to the shelf and grabbed it, bringing it to her and landing on her shoulder. "Thank you, Fletcher. Did you want to go along? You don't have to if you're still tired, you know," she told her owl.

Fletcher hooted enthusiastically and the two of them left, taking the Doorlift to the main library to save time. But before she got to the Owl Room door, she heard Pete calling her name and paused, turning around.

"Hello, Pete," Sissy said.

"Did you hear yet? I'm the new Seeker for Dusthorn," Pete told her cheerfully.

"I did hear, congratulations! I know you worked hard for it," Sissy said.

"I don't suppose you'd help me practice tomorrow? Nothing going on yet," Pete asked hopefully.

"Oh, no, I'd rather not practice Quidditch two days in a row if I can help it. Perhaps another time," Sissy replied.

"Well, how about studying together tomorrow, then? Or lunch? Or how about giving me a break?" Pete asked, walking with her towards the Owl Room.

"Is that Dusthorn actually trying to chat her up?" Bonnibel Villin asked when they past their table. "She's much too old for him."

"Maybe it's because he doesn't have a chance with any other girl in the school with that face," Moira said, the two girls sniggering while Sissy kept walking to get away with them.

"Ignore them, Sissy, they're just being Maxens," Pete said, glaring at them icily.

"Yes, I know. I get a lot of nasty comments from them," Sissy said.

"Really? Have they been bothering you?" Pete asked with a frown.

"It's quite alright. I can take care of myself, you know," Sissy said firmly.

"Yes, I know. Sorry," Pete said sincerely. Sissy sighed.

"I was planning to explore the upper castle tomorrow to meet some new paintings," Sissy admitted. "I don't suppose you'd be interested in doing that?"

"Exploring the castle sounds like fun," Pete said immediately. "We could have lunch in the Dusthorn common room or the game room, and then go up the main stairs... oh wait, you don't normally do the main stairs, do you?"

"Not for everyday use, no. They're far too unpredictable," Sissy replied. "But since the point of the adventure is to meet new paintings, it would make sense to go that way."

"Are you going to need someone to show you the way to Dusthorn?" he asked.

"I can just use the Doorlift. Are you sure it's okay for other houses to go inside?" Sissy asked.

"Sure, we all voted on it as a house and decided that anyone could bring a guest in if they liked. Not only that, but there's a lot of new paintings in there that the Headmaster bought during the renovation, so you could meet a few in there too," Pete said. "Do you want me to meet you at the lift at noon?"

"Yes, alright," Sissy said with a smile. "I'd better go do my homework now."

"Okay, later," Pete said, waiting until she went into the Owl Room to exhale.

After Pete arrived much too early to stand by Fluffy's Staircase, they had a lunch of sandwiches and juice in the game room. Afterwards, the two of them were off to explore, and fortunately the main staircase was being rather accommodating.

"How high up do you want to go?" Pete wondered, careening his head up.

"Let's start at the eighth floor... I doubt we'll get all the way up, but that's part of the fun of this castle, isn't it? There's always somewhere new to go to," Sissy said.

"You're very adventurous, aren't you?" Pete asked with a smile, following her out into the corridor.

"I try to be," Sissy replied, climbing the next stair. "Tell me, Pete. Have you thought at all about what you want to do after school?"

"Sort of," Pete said. "Really, it's complicated now. I mean, when I was growing up, I was just another kid in another working family trying to keep their head above water. My father's a good man and has worked hard all of his life, and Mum works on the weekends, to help try to pay off the attached house we're in. An average family, with three average kids, me and my sisters with me in the middle. And my father's always going on about how working hard at school and working hard in life is the best way to make it in this world. But I never wanted to be average... even if my marks have always been," he admitted. "I've always been tall and strong for my age, so I got myself into sports, deciding the best way out would be to try to get into a league sport, football or rugby...well, preferably football. And I felt like that all the way up until I got my Hogwarts letter... that's when it changed. I realized that I didn't have to be pigeon holed by my family's circumstances and it opened the door for me. I can be anything I want."

"Are you so certain that you couldn't have been anything you want even before magic?" Sissy asked him.

"Not easily. It would have been an uphill battle for certain," Pete explained. "I know there's a lot of rotten things about magic too, especially after all of that research last year. There's a lot of responsibility involved with how you use magic and all of that. But now I've got all sorts of choices on what to do, and right now... I just want to do everything, so I don't know," he admitted at last, and she chuckled softly. "So what are you doing after school? Since you're a fourth year, I'm sure you have a better idea than I do."

"Well, mine is a bit complicated too," Sissy admitted. "Because ever since I was a little girl, what I've really wanted to do is live on my own for a while. So whatever I do, I want it to be something that allows me to get out on my own for a bit." Pete frowned.

"Is that your way of telling me you're a loner?" Pete asked flatly.

"Actually, I'm not really. That's not the point," Sissy assured him. "I love having a lot of friends, and I've made so many since I've been coming to Hogwarts. But I want to prove to everyone, including myself, that I am perfectly capable of venturing out into the world on my own without someone there warning me not to stumble every step of the way."

"Nobody's been like that here, though, have they? I mean... I've never seen anyone here try to help you down corridors or anything," Pete pointed out. "Most of the other students treat you just like anyone else as far as I've noticed."

"I made sure I put a stop to that nonsense during my first year, and Fetch does his fair share of growling when anyone tries," Sissy said. "And you're right, I have a lot more freedoms here, especially after I was voted into the Order of the Owls and we spent the whole year making the castle more accessible, not to mention that a great many students backed off after I became Seeker. But Hogwarts is its own protected world with Professors and dozens of students and even paintings on the walls who charge to the rescue when anything goes amiss. So whatever I end up doing, I want to be something that I can be independent while doing it."

"Oh. So I guess you really don't want any attachments then... I mean... until you've proven yourself and all," Pete hinted.

"Yes, that's quite true, except the ones that come with friendships," Sissy replied.

"I don't suppose a friend could take you to the Spectral Ball?" Pete asked with a grin.

"Typically I only go to that long enough to make a plate of party food up and take it to the Owl Room," Sissy admitted.

"Oh," Pete said with a frown.

"But I promise I'll stay with you if we can find a quiet corner... and expect company if Rus can't find a date," Sissy warned. "If it's too noisy, we could go to the library and hang out there." Pete smiled.

"Deal," Pete agreed, and Sissy paused at the landing.

"What floor are we on? I lost track," Sissy admitted.

"Oh. I have no idea," Pete replied sheepishly.

"Excuse me, nearest painting. What floor are we on?" Sissy asked.

"You're on the tenth floor," he informed her. "Not much past here but professor's rooms and the Headmaster's office, you know."

"We passed the eighth floor. Should we go back down?" Pete suggested.

"Let's start on the fifteenth and work our way down instead," Sissy suggested. "May I ask what your name is, man in the painting?"

"Bowman Wright, young witch," Bowman replied.

"Oh, I know you, you made the Golden Snitch!" Sissy said brightly. "I'm Sissy, and this is Pete. We're getting acquainted with the paintings today, so we'll come back down and speak with you more once we've explored the fifteenth floor."

"I would be delighted," Bowman said. "Do give Uric my best while you're there, I'm sure he's up there somewhere."

"We'll let you know if we meet him," Sissy agreed. "Shall we continue, Pete?"

"Sure," Pete said, going up the next staircase. "At least we won't have to worry about counting stairs now, since we're starting at the top."

"A very good reason to keep on going... not to mention the relief we'll feel when we get up there and realize that we won't have to climb any more stairs. It'll be easier going down," Sissy huffed.

"It's good exercise, though," Pete pointed out, finally reaching the last landing. "Here we are at last."

"Thank goodness!" Sissy said. "I need a moment. I hope there are plenty of talkative paintings up here to make it worth our while!"

"There seem to be," Pete replied. "It's just a long corridor with paintings and not much else, really, although I can see a large dragon statue at the other end."

"Oh, that's the entrance to the Headmaster's Study," Sissy explained. "If there's a statue out front it means that he's probably not in his office at the moment. But it's just as well, since it also means we won't be disturbing anyone."

"So how do you want to go about this?" Pete asked.

"Well, normally I start on one end, ask each painting who they are, and have them describe themselves and the rest of their painting," Sissy explained.

"What about the landscapes?" Pete wondered.

"Typically, I find an agreeable painting in the area and have them describe it to me, but you'll do for now," Sissy grinned. "So who's closest?"

"There's a portrait here of a wizard," Pete said.

"Good afternoon!" Sissy greeted. "I'm Sissy and this is Pete. Could you tell me who you are and describe your painting to us please?"

"Glover Hipworth, and I am in my home library," Glover observed. "Sitting in my favorite chair with a decanter at my side... I'm bit rotund in the middle and perhaps a little thin of hair..."

"A little?" Pete said skeptically, but Sissy shushed him.

"Handsome mustache, and I'm wearing my best wizard suit," he continued.

"You said you're in your home library. What sorts of books do you have?" Sissy asked.

"Alchemy and Herbology mostly, and a smattering of other subjects," Glover said, craning his neck to look at them. "You might have heard of me and my Pepper Up Potion... I made a small fortune on those."

"I should say you did, I knew I'd heard that name before," Sissy said.

"I haven't," Pete admitted.

"You should collect more Chocolate Frog cards," Sissy advised. "He's quite famous."

"Thank you very much," Glover said proudly.

"We've been asked to look for the painting of someone called Uric," Sissy said.

"Oh, him... bit odd, that one, but I can see why he'd be worth a look," Glover confided in a lower voice. "Further down the hall, you won't miss him not for a moment."

"Thank you very much," Sissy said warmly. "What's next?"

"A landscape, looks like," Pete said eagerly. "It's a castle courtyard... I think it's Hogwarts, but it doesn't look the way it is now. It has an old stone fountain made of granite that is filled with fall leaves, and the paths are plain stone with a bit of moss. The wind is whipping about a bit, and I can't really tell if it's early morning or late afternoon because the castle's making the area really shaded."

"Are the leaves brown, or are they all different colors?" Sissy asked eagerly.

"All different colors... brown, yellow, red... I thought your card says you don't see colors the same as we do? Regular vision folks, I mean," Pete asked.

"Well... did you run into the one that explains my level of vision?" Sissy asked.

"Yes, your doctor described it as looking through a keyhole through a distorted pane of glass. You can tell what's up and down during the day because of where the light is, but don't see many colors because you only pick up what's dominant," Pete recited.

"That's right," Sissy said. "When I was a little girl, my parents used to hold up poster boards of different colors... red, yellow, and the like, so I do have some idea what you see. But to me, colors are a lot more complicated than just a tone on a piece of cardboard. Yellow is like... warm and bright, tickling the nose and mildly acidic and tart. Blue is even brighter... it's glaring, cold, wintry, and wet... and both tart and sweet at the same time. And red is hot, soft, summery, and sweet. Do you understand?"

"In concept, sure, but why is red soft?" Pete asked.

"Well, my grandmother's house has these giant red velvet drapes, and when I was little, I loved to hide behind them and put them next to my face," Sissy explained. "My mother had some red robes as well, and she loved to collect red roses. The petals were soft and smelled rather carroty, really. Only the prickly bits were green."

"So green is prickly?" Pete asked.

"Oh yes.. thorns, grass, pine needles... quite prickly indeed, but very fresh and fragrant and full of life, so one doesn't mind being surrounded by it, and green tastes very cabbagy. I'm sorry, I know it's more than that, but I hated cabbage when I was five, and it's always stuck with me that it tastes cabbagy," Sissy said. Pete laughed at that. "It's alright to explain colors to me how you see them, Pete. Just because we have different ways of expressing color doesn't mean I don't like hearing about them. What else can you tell me about the painting?"

"Well, the sides of the granite fountain are grey... and rough... you can actually see the chisel marks in the stone, and it looks frightfully cold with the wind and with all of the leaves drifting about, it probably has that smell that's in the air right before it snows, you know? And I bet, from the angle, that the wizard who painted this was doing it cozily from the other side of the window in one of the classrooms or Professor's offices... the cheater," Pete added, and Sissy laughed.

While they continued down the corridor to inquire details from the other paintings, Severus was making his way up the main staircase, curious about the student voices he was hearing as he reached the top. He paused on the last stair before the landing, knowing they wouldn't notice him until he finished his ascent. He watched curiously as they stepped over to the next landscape and Pete gave Sissy a highly detailed description of the painting, adding his own interpretations of the scene by describing how it might feel to be standing there. Severus smiled thinly at that, deciding to wait for a bit, knowing that the next portrait they questioned would likely be frightfully amusing.

Pete stepped over to the next portrait, almost a bit disappointed it wasn't another landscape, despite the fact that his voice needed a break. But the moment he saw the painting he couldn't help but react to it.

"Bloody hell! What the feck do you have on your head?" Pete exclaimed.

"I beg your pardon?" the wizard huffed, and Sissy laughed.

"Sorry, sorry, Sissy... but there's a squid or something on this nutter's head..."

"It's just a cap."

"On better reflection, it's a jellyfish, and it's moving. How is that thing still alive?" Pete asked.

"Oh! It isn't. We're ghosts," the wizard explained.

"You don't look like a ghost, and neither does that thing on your head," Pete said.

"You don't look much like a student, but I gather that you are one if you're in this corridor. Why don't you dash on to the Headmaster's office so you can own up to whatever mischief you're up to, other than insulting a renowned philosopher?" he huffed.

"You're a philosopher? That explains everything," Pete said.

"I'm sorry," Sissy interrupted at last. "This is my friend Pete, and my name is Sissy. How do you do?"

"How do you do. My name is Uric," the portrait informed her.

"We've been looking for you, actually. Bowman Wright pays his respects and wants to know how you were doing," Sissy explained.

"Oh! I suppose I will talk to you if you're a friend of Bowman's. Tell him I'm fine, except for the annoying pain I get in my head all day long," Uric said.

"What do you expect after wearing a jellyfish, you nit! It seems to be in some sort of state of permanent petrification or something, the poor thing," Pete explained Sissy than looked at Uric again. "You're lucky you're not dead, you know."

"But I am dead. I already told you, I'm a ghost," Uric said, lifting his arms up and making unrealistic moaning sounds that made Sissy laugh.

Severus stepped onto the landing. Pete looked down the hall curiously, immediately quieting down and nudging Sissy.

"The Headmaster's coming," Pete murmured.

"I know that," Sissy said. "Good afternoon, Professor Snape."

"Good afternoon, Miss Kendrick, Mr. Cander. Good afternoon, Uric," Snape said.

"Good afternoon, Headmaster. These students accosted me on the way to your Study!" he accused them.

"We weren't going to the Study. We were just looking at paintings," Pete protested.

"Yes, one of the other paintings I met earlier in the week was complaining that some of the paintings on higher floors didn't get much attention, so I thought it'd be nice to come up to meet them," Sissy explained.

"I don't see anything wrong with that as long as it's a public corridor where students are allowed to go," Snape replied. "Uric, you should be glad for the company after the last few years of quiet. This painting used to hang in the Ravenclaw Common room until Professor Craw took a disliking to it and he was moved here. Personally, I see the merit in having him in Ravenclaw. He can provide the students a way to practice critical thinking by proving some of Uric's more outlandish philosophies wrong, but Professor Craw could not be dissuaded. Once her mind is made up, it's very difficult to argue with her... even more difficult than convincing this painting that he is not a ghost and that he should not wear a jellyfish on his head."

"Is that a decision she made when she was Head of Ravenclaw house?" Sissy asked.

"Yes," Snape confirmed.

"I wonder what Professor Laura might think of this painting?" Sissy pondered.

"Uncertain. It's never come up," Snape admitted. "But if you do decide to bring it up, do me a favor and don't mention to Professor Craw how you found out why this painting was removed."

"Surely not," Sissy promised with a smile.

"I'll leave you to your painting exploration then. Good afternoon," Severus said. He walked down the hall and hissed at the Dragon Statue, who slid back with a rumble as it opened the way to his study.

"You're not really going to suggest to Professor Laura to move it back in there, are you?" Pete asked Sissy.

"I think it's rather funny," Sissy admitted with a smile. "And I would like to know what sort of philosophies might cause one to think that they're a ghost and that it's necessary to put a jellyfish on one's head."

"I don't," Pete admitted honestly, suggesting they move on to a painting of a rustic cabin in the woods.