"Unfortunately not. His mind is badly damaged, possibly irrevocably. We may be able to identify him using the wand he had on him... But Harry, I want you to let me and Constance handle the investigation - and this new surge, for that matter - until the holidays are over. You look positively exhausted..."
"I appreciate your concern Hermione, but I can't just sing Christmas carols or trim the tree while The Unforgivable are out there... Did you say another surge has begun?"
"Yes, centred primarily around Hogwarts' portraits of the Founders and the Houseghosts. I assumed, given your connection to the Calamity, that you already knew and had sensed it starting, like the past few surges."
"All I sense is whatever Lethifold and Barghest set into motion in October. It's become a deafening roar since then, capable of drowning out any other noise in the Calamity. Compared to the dread emanating from that, this surge seems almost harmless. But I can't help but feel that it's important..."
Known for his cunning and determination, Salazar Slytherin was one of the most prolific wizards of his time and a Hogwartsfounder. One of the earliest recorded Parselmouths, he is rumoured to have crafted his own wand from snakewood and Basiliskhorn. After a disagreement with the other founders over whether to admit Muggle-born students, he left Hogwarts.
"When I first got word that a new surge had begun, I lost all hope of having a peaceful, jolly Christmas. But this surge seems surprisingly mild. Perhaps we'll be able to stamp it out quickly and enjoy our holidays after all."
"Like the cabal gave this surge an innocuous façade to hide some sinister scheme? I suppose that does sound more probable than my theory that they're taking the holidays off, doesn't it?"
"It's just a theory... Either way, we should put an end to the surge as soon as possible. Poor Harry's been running himself ragged trying to get ahead of whatever The Unforgivable are plotting. Giving him one less thing to worry about is the best Christmas present I could think to give him."
Helga Hufflepuff was a kind, inviting soul and one of the four founders of Hogwarts. A steadfast advocate for compassion, tolerance, and equality, she accepted all students in her House, regardless of background. She is thought to have been responsible for bringing house-elves to Hogwarts in order to give them a safe place to work where they would not be mistreated.
"This may come as a shock, but I wasn't the most popular witch at Hogwarts. In fact, over the course of my seven years there, I probably spent more time socialising with the school portraits than my classmates. My favourite to talk to was Helga Hufflepuff's. We'd spend hours sharing recipes and gossiping about the professors' love lives. In retrospect, my reputation as an odd bod makes a lot of sense..."
During his years as caretaker of Hogwarts, Argus Filch gained a reputation as an enemy of fun. Obsessed with keeping the castle orderly, Filch notoriously resented students for making messes and mischief and frequently advocated for a return to corporal punishment. Despite his demeanour and lack of magical ability, Filch was incredibly loyal to Hogwarts and bravely tried to keep it and its students safe during the Battle of Hogwarts.
"I was in my quarters, polishing my chains, when suddenly I remembered a talk I had with a grown Grim Fawley. Only I couldn't have had it, seeing as I haven't seen him since he was a filthy little beast tracking muddy footprints down the halls of Hogwarts."
"That's why you're here? To pass along a message from Grim? Thank Merlin! I thought you had finally realised I was the one who put the Flobberworm in your can... Er, I mean, can you tell me what he said?"
"He made a big fuss about telling you lot that this is his doing. Said these "Foundables" are his memories from the Christmases he spent at Hogwarts, with just the portraits and ghosts for company. He also wanted you to know he was "getting close". Whatever that means. Normally I'd refuse to be anyone's messenger owl, but... Grim always made sure me and Mrs Norris had a present waiting for us under the tree at Hogwarts and, well... Suppose I'm getting soft in my old age, eh?"
Resident ghost of Slytherin House, the Bloody Baron has quite the reputation. A part of one of the first generations of students at Hogwarts, he was known to be quick to temper. Darkly natured, he is one of the few capable of giving Peeves the poltergeist orders. Those in the know say he carries his chains in penance for killing Helena Ravenclaw, the object of his affection, in a fit of rage.
"Harry, what are you still doing in the office? I thought Hermione told you to go home and put up Christmas decorations with your family."
"Decking the halls can wait. I've just received an owl from Neville. Apparently he overheard the Bloody Baron grumbling to himself about Grim Fawley "invading his mind"."
"That's exactly what I think. Unfortunately the Bloody Baron refuses to speak any further about it. For now, we'll just have to speculate why Grim is reaching out to him and why Grim may have started this surge."
Known for his jolly disposition, the Fat Friar is the resident ghost of Hufflepuff House. After his time at Hogwarts, he devoted himself to the cloth and to living an honourable life. Sadly, that life was cut short when his fellow clergymen became suspicious of his incredible pox curing abilities and his penchant for pulling rabbits out of the communion cup, a suspicion that resulted in his execution.
"No, no, she's fine. I've actually come to discuss the Fat Friar. He says he just had a conversation with Grim Fawley, in which he was advised to "mind the portraits". I told him that was quite impossible, as there were no signs of Grim in the castle, nor any other intruder, but he insists it happened."
"I wonder if Grim attached a false memory to the Fat Friar's Foundable? The Calamity's been used this way to communicate before, but never with a ghost. Apparently the target need not currently be alive to receive these messages... fascinating."
"Please do. Every time Grim reaches out to us, he seems to deliver invaluable information about the Calamity. I suspect this time will be no different."
"Filch, the Fat Friar, and the Bloody Baron all received false memories from Grim. Clearly this surge is a message from Grim wrapped in a Christmas bow made of his memories of the holidays at Hogwarts. Could he be trying to tell us something important about the Calamity or The Unforgivable?"
"I'm not so certain. Hermione's right, there's something suspicious about this whole situation... If Grim had an important message for us, why not just come out and say it? Why relay cryptic teases through Filch and ghosts?"
"It is the holiday season... Perhaps he's feeling nostalgic? Grim lost his parents to Death Eaters when he was young. It's possible spending Christmas with his Hogwarts family - no matter how unconventional it was - gave him a sense of normalcy... Normalcy that he might be craving right now."
"No offence, Harry, but are you sure you're not letting your own feelings and experiences cloud your judgement? Let's not forget that there's a good chance that Grim is the ‘Barghest’ character mentioned in the note we intercepted in October. If that's true, he might even be a part of The Unforgivable."
"You might very well be right. Even so, I can't help but think Grim is on our side... Hopefully, when the second wave of the surge begins, we'll get a clearer picture of Grim's reasons for starting it."
"Grim's surge has returned. Once again, it appears to be centred around his memories of Christmases spent at Hogwarts with the House portraits and ghosts... supposedly, at least. Constance and Hermione are sceptical of Grim. They suspect he may be using this surge to mislead us."
"Grim has been integral in helping us understand the capabilities of the Calamity and the extent to which it can be manipulated. If he's a part of a cabal of Dark wizards and witches, why would he communicate with us at all?"
"To throw suspicion off himself? Or perhaps this is some elaborate plan to get revenge against us for closing the London Five investigation? Only Grim knows for certain. All I'm saying is be careful, Harry. It seems more than mere coincidence that a surge has come along to steal your attention away right as this sinister activity in the Calamity has reached a head..."
Stately and noble, Godric Gryffindor held the virtues of determination and courage in high regard. Considered one of the most brilliant wizards of his age, he helped found Hogwarts in order to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. A remarkable duellist, the Sorting Hat is said to have once belonged to Godric.
"It's been difficult explaining to James, Lily, and Albus why I haven't been home to bake gingerbread or hang stockings. Ginny has been painting me as some Godric Gryffindor-esque figure, bravely and selflessly working to fight evil. But truthfully? I would much rather be celebrating Christmas with them. So why don't I take Hermione and Constance up on their offer and take the rest of the holidays off? Hermione theorised that I'm pushing myself out of a sense of obligation. She's absolutely right. Desperation drove Grim to start the Calamity, desperation he might not have felt had I handled the London Five investigation better. No matter how much I'd love to drop everything and spend the holidays entirely with my family, I can't in good conscience do so. Not while Grim and Penelope's children go another Christmas without their parents."
Witty and clever beyond measure, Rowena Ravenclaw helped her peers found Hogwarts. A popular historical theory posits that she decided Hogwarts' mane and location after a wart-covered hog lead her to the site in a dream. Immensely creative, she designed the magnificent magical architecture that allows Hogwarts to shift and change.
"When I was a student at Hogwarts, I'd rub Rowena Ravenclaw's portrait before every exam, in the hopes that I could absorb some of her intelligence. Unfortunately, the only thing that wore off on me was paint."
Nearly-Headless Nick is the resident ghost of House Gryffindor. In life, he was a knight in King Henry VII's royal court until a charm gone wrong caused Lady Grieve to grow tusks. For this, he was sentenced to beheading, which was ultimately botched. Keenly afraid of death, Nick chose to stay behind rather than pass on. He takes great interest in the lives of his fellow Gryffindor and loves staying abreast of the comings and goings around the castle.
"First Grim instructs the Fat Friar to "mind the portraits", now this... Is he trying to tell us someone's hiding in or behind one of the portraits in the Grand Staircase? Is that even possible?"
The Grey Lady, resident ghost of Ravenclaw House, is oft believed to be timid and quiet. On the contrary, she is actually quite sociable to students in her House, often helping waylaid Ravenclaws find their way or locate lost items. Rumour has it was Helena Ravenclaw in life, but few are brazen enough to actually ask.
" I apologise for showing up unannounced again, but it seems Grim Fawley has once more reached out to one of Hogwarts's resident ghosts. This time, he's apparently contacted the Grey Lady."
"We're not sure. The only reason we know Grim spoke to the Grey Lady at all is because she told a curious Ravenclaw as much. Apparently the student spotted her canvassing the Grand Staircase. When asked what she was up to, she said she was "helping Grim search" and left."
Notorious and ever-present, Mrs Norris stalked the halls of Hogwarts alongside her owner, Argus Filch. As intelligent as she was unpleasant, the surprisingly non-magical feline had a penchant for hunting down rule breakers and reporting them to Filch. Beloved by her master, Mrs Norris was a force to be reckoned with if you wanted to make mischief.
Many students consider Filch to be a heartless menace. But I saw the way he cared for Mrs Norris. No one who loved an animal that much could possibly be all bad.
Mysterious Note[]
Name
Remarks
1st piece
"Look, another fragment of a note! I'd bet my wand it's from Grim. Think we'll get a straight answer about why he started this surge once we reassemble all the pieces?"
"I wish I could say that everything's been cleared up now that we've reassembled the entire note, but I might be even more confused than before. "He'll be waiting for you where the Prince of Enchanters is enthroned. The rest is up to you". What kind of message is that?"
"Grim is nothing if not cryptic, isn't he? Still, I can't help but wonder why, for all his posturing of needing our help, he continues to be so frustratingly vague. The riddle is one thing, but we don't even know who this "he" is."
"Perhaps he wants to prevent the information from falling into the wrong hands? Though I'll admit it's also quite possible this is some elaborate distraction intended to take our minds off whatever has been keeping Harry up at night... Merlin's beard, Grim, what have you gotten yourself into? Hold on, Merlin... Could it be...? I'll have to look into this."
"I think I've figured out Grim's message. The emphasis on portraits, the comment about "the place where the Prince of Enchanters is enthroned", advising Nearly Headless Nick to patrol the Grand Staircase... he's trying to tell us someone's hidden in Hogwarts' portrait of Merlin."
"As usual, Hermione, you're spot on. An urgent owl from Professor McGonagall just arrived. Apparently they found the Grey Lady... and Kit Gerrard! Nearly Headless Nick spotted him inside the portrait of Merlin in the Grand Staircase, just like you said. It's all here in her letter."
"Kit Gerrard? As in the Kit Gerrard, the reporter who went missing with the rest of the London Five? But it's been years! I thought... I mean, I assumed he'd..."
"Died? Me too. But, sure enough, the man sealed inside the portrait does indeed appear to be Kit... Though he curiously doesn't seem to be able to remember anything about himself or how he got there..."
