Harry Potter: Returns Back From Game of Thrones (ASOIAF) - 23

Chapter 23: Petrifying Peeves

Never let down your guard.

That flash of mischievous intent had been subtle—almost playful. If not for Harry's exceptional Charisma and Intelligence, with perception sharpened to an extraordinary degree, he definitely wouldn't have noticed what Professor McGonagall's stern poker face concealed.

So the Sorting ceremony really was problematic?

Professor McGonagall continued, her voice carrying clearly through the small chamber. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. Whilst you're at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points."

Harry knew these four houses named after the founders, and he knew how they sorted students—at least in theory.

Specifically, Gryffindor wanted the brave, Slytherin wanted the ambitious, Ravenclaw wanted the studious, and Hufflepuff took everyone else.

But all common records glossed over the Sorting itself or described it as merely ceremonial, so Harry hadn't paid close attention before.

Now, thinking back, indeed—how could they discern a person's character so accurately? Did they also possess Harry's extraordinary wisdom?

Maybe it was some trial by ordeal, with the eliminated going to Hufflepuff, whilst those displaying corresponding qualities and completing specific challenges in the trial went to the top three houses.

Possibly even leveraging students being relatively safe at Hogwarts, they'd arrange dangerous projects—after all, general external injuries were convenient for wizards to heal.

Harry had seen such brutal selection methods in the A Song of Ice and Fire world when combating various apocalyptic cults. Some cults worshipped four different entities simultaneously, offering sacrifices categorised accordingly.

Of course, those entities were superficially called patrons of courage, wisdom, joy, and life.

Even R'hllor, who favoured blood sacrifice and follower self-immolation, was grandly called the Lord of Light.

Could Hogwarts houses be similar existences?

"In a few minutes, the Sorting ceremony will be held before the entire school. I suggest you all tidy yourselves up whilst waiting and look sharp."

Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes swept across the assembled first years. "When they're ready over there, I'll come fetch you. Please remain quiet whilst waiting."

She left the room, her emerald robes sweeping behind her. Harry immediately turned to Ron. "The books I read didn't mention the actual Sorting ceremony, and I didn't ask anyone in advance. You have so many brothers—do you know what the ritual involves?"

"I think it might be some kind of test. Fred said it would hurt us badly, but I reckon he was joking." Ron's ears had turned slightly pink.

Neville beside them muttered miserably that he'd definitely be sorted into Hufflepuff. Hermione stood nearby, whispering rapidly under her breath, reciting spells she'd learnt, uncertain which one might be needed.

Harry believed with his power alone, he could easily overpower all the new students, so though curious, he wasn't particularly nervous—

Of course he'd never be so cruel to children. Just a hypothesis.

Just then, several people behind him shrieked.

"Has the test already started?"

Harry's hand flew to his wand, ready for combat.

Looking back sharply, about twenty ghosts had suddenly burst through the back wall. These pearly-white, translucent spirits glided across the entire room, heads together whispering amongst themselves, seemingly unaware of the students' presence.

This was Harry's first time encountering such obviously rational ghosts, all possessing magical power. Though intuition suggested they seemed quite weak—possibly all having just one point of magic—he still didn't dare be careless.

Remembering Professor McGonagall said to wait for testing, and now ghosts had arrived...

I see—surprise inspection. No mistake. The test was them.

Perhaps trial monsters differed each year, so they weren't recorded in books?

Previously other magical creatures, this year testing whether young wizards could display courage or wisdom facing ghosts?

Brilliant idea—danger revealed true character.

Harry felt he completely understood everything, his wisdom from crossing three worlds serving him well.

Just that the elementary spells he'd learnt included none specifically designed to harm ghosts. Probably only rare, profound spells could accomplish this. Harry decided to use Charisma and Divine Power to enhance the Full Body-Bind Curse, since he didn't think these trial ghosts were evil spirits—he could spare them first, then deal with them properly.

A plump, friar-looking ghost said cheerfully, "Forgive and forget, I say; we ought to give Peeves one more chance—"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Harry's wand flicked with perfect precision. The Fat Friar instantly turned black, frost spreading across his translucent form like ink in water.

"Excellent. Using Charisma I can bend reality itself—making even the immaterial susceptible to physical magic. This feels even simpler than changing that wicked rat's colour."

The other ghosts, seeing the Fat Friar stop abruptly and emit dark energy as if 'dying' again, first froze in shock, then began panicking. They scattered in all directions like startled birds. Students also started backing away, voices rising in confusion and fear.

"What was that?"

"Are those new students waiting to be sorted?"

"Who cast the Killing Curse?"

"I'm remembering things from before I died!"

"Not the Killing Curse—the Killing Curse can't affect us. That was the Full Body-Bind!"

"Merlin's beard! That was actually the Petrification Curse working on a ghost?"

Harry thought: Indeed just testing children. Even more vulnerable than I imagined.

"Petrificus Totalus!" "Petrificus Totalus!" "Petrificus Totalus!"

After several precise attacks, the ghosts scattered and fled, passing through walls into the Great Hall—presumably to report to Dumbledore.

Hmph. With such astonishing performance, everyone would surely marvel at his abilities.

The ghosts who hadn't escaped in time all turned black like the Fat Friar, frozen mid-glide. Joining them was a newly appeared entity with a broad face, wide mouth, and bright round eyes whose nature seemed fundamentally different from the other ghosts.

This one didn't look like a ghost at all. When the other spirits had seen him, they'd shouted "Peeves!" in alarm. He was the only one showing clear aggression toward the young wizards, freely transforming between tangible and intangible states. Upon spotting the students, he'd instinctively started hurling vases with gleeful malice—now also frozen in place, a porcelain vase suspended inches from his outstretched hand.

Well, most ghosts could only frighten people, but mixing in one Peeves who could actually cause physical harm was quite suitable for testing new students.

Pity Harry was too excellent—the others had no chance to perform. They could test everyone again after he left.

"Everyone, don't be afraid. Don't move."

With the immediate threat concluded, Harry began radiating Charisma outward to the crowd, his presence washing over them like warm sunlight after a storm, soothing these frightened students.

Students automatically began gravitating toward Harry's position, instinctively seeking the security his presence offered. The chamber felt warmer somehow, safer.

Muggle-born young wizards who genuinely feared ghosts naturally felt gratitude toward Harry for protecting them.

Wizard-born young wizards wore rather different expressions—a mixture of awe and apprehension. They didn't particularly fear ghosts, being accustomed to them from childhood. No, they feared Harry himself, terrified of being sorted to opposing houses and being viewed as potential enemies by this extraordinarily powerful boy.

Worthy of the famous Harry Potter—truly formidable beyond measure.

They'd heard whispered stories that only the most terrifying dark wizards could harm already-dead ghosts. Yet Harry had accomplished it with casual ease, as naturally as breathing.