HarryPOV

Ron and Draco met me in the dorms a half hour later, all of us calling out a mental goodnight to Anna before 'turning off' the mental link.

"That was the worst." Ron groaned

"My arms are all seized up." Draco, "I polished that damn cup fourteen times before Filtch was satisfied."

"I threw up slugs over the Special Award of Services to the School. That took ages to get the slime off. How was Lockhart?"

The door creaked open and Mia crept in, sitting on the edge of Ron's bed in a pair of shorts and a tank top.

"Lockhart was awful." I breathed, "I addressed his fan mail."

"That doesn't sound horrible." Mia said

"Lavender ink." I huffed, "And that voice. Did you guys hear that too?"

"Only through you." Mia said, "I couldn't hear a thing otherwise. Mind you I was up here."

"What are you going on about?" Neville asked

"Harry's hearing voices in the walls that are threatening to kill people." Draco said laying down

"Oh that's lovely." Neville said sarcastically, "So basically we should just pack up now and go?"

"Well that caps off another school year." Mia said brightly, "Come on then. Lets go."

We all laughed, "If only it were that easy."

Mia slid under the covers of Ron's bed, ignoring the bewildered look he sent us and curled up against him.

"It's cold in the girls dorm." She said, "Lavender likes to sleep in the cold for some reason, but I can barely stand it."

"Well make yourself comfortable." Neville said smiling, "As long as you don't let Ron hog you."

Mia snorted and pressed her back closer to Ron, "As long as you're warm."

He put his arm over his waist and placed his forehead against her shoulder blades, Draco and I smiled happily at each other before rolling over and drifting to sleep.

Two days later Anna joined us back in classes and, like Mia, started sleeping in our dorms, creeping in after the other girls had started falling asleep. Typically Mia slept with Ron while Anna swapped between Neville and myself. Everything went smoothly for the next few weeks until October, when the rise in colds made Madame Promfrey's Pepper Up Potions were given to just about everyone. Mia and Ginny, both who'd started to hang out together a lot more, were both bullied into taking some by Percy because they were both looking abnormally pale and weak. Oddly enough Mia, when she was with Ginny, disappeared from our mental link, making Anna panic the first few times it happened. She and Neville went through out the whole castle looking for her before they found her and Ginny sleeping in her dorm room. Ginny, with her red hair and smoke coming out of her ears, looked like her whole head was on fire. Mia looked like she was a mass nearly ready to burn sticks with the smoke pouring out of her ears. Anna and I weren't given much time to ponder it, what with Wood throwing himself into practice despite the rain that refused to let up. Anna and I were walking back, covered in mud towards the Common Room.

"I've got mud everywhere." Anna laughed, "It'll take ages to get it out of my hair."

I ran my hand through my hair and then ruffled her hair, she huffed and ran her shoulder into mine.

"Harry you beast!" Anna said as we turned the corner

I smiled at her and turned to see Nick, "Hullo Nick." I smiled

"Hello, Hello Potter's." He said picking at the ruff on his collar that hid the fact he was nearly decapitated, "You look troubled Man Potter."

"So do you." I said

He looked angry for a moment, "Ah, a matter of no importance…It's not as thought I really wanted to join…Thought I'd apply, but apparently I 'don't fulfill the requirements'-"

Anna and I looked at each other confused before turning back to him.

"But you would think, wouldn't you, that getting hit forty five times in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt?"

"Oh-" Anna said, "Of course you should be qualified."

"Yes, I agree."

"I mean, nobody wishes more than I do that it had all been quick and clean, and my head had come off properly, I mean it would have saved me a great deal of pain and ridicule. However-" He tore the letter open and read furiously, "'We can only accept huntsmen whose heads have parted company with their bodies. You will appreciate that it would be impossible otherwise for members to participate in hunt activities such as Horseback Head-Juggling and Head Polo. It is with the greatest regret, therefore, that I must inform you that you do not fulfill our requirements. With very best wishes, Sir Patck Delaney-Podmore.'"

He stuffed the letter back infuriated.

"half an inch of skin and sinew holding my neck on, Anna! Most people would think that's good and beheaded, but oh no, it's not enough for sir Properly Decapitated-Podmore Harry."

Nearly Headless Nick too a few deep, calming breaths like Anna does sometimes when she's angry before he spoke in a much calmer tone.

"So what's bugging you Harry? Anything I can do?"

I gave Anna an appraising look, "Depends, can you help Anna control her anger so she doesn't wind up killing herself?"

"Oi!" Anna said indignantly as she took a step towards me before toppling over Mrs. Norris.

"Oh, you two better get out of here." He said quickly, "Filch isn't in a good mood. He's got the flu and some third years accidentally paltered frog brains all over the ceiling in dungeon five. He's been cleaning all morning, and if he sees you two dripping mud all over-"

"Cripes." Anna said, "Run Harry, run."

I took off and made it around the corner when I heard Filch yell.

"Filth! Mess and muck everywhere! I've had enough of it, I tell you! Follow me, Potter!"

I turned around and saw Anna start following, You stupid git you should have followed me.

Shut up Harry.

I sighed as Nick floated over to where I was, "You know, I've got an idea." He said smiling, "You head up to your common room, I'll get Peeves."

"You're the best Nick." I smiled, "For what it's worth Nick, I think that you should be part of the Headless Hunt, you're the bravest most noble man-er ghost-I've ever known. I'm glad to have gotten the chance to ever meet you."

He put his hand on my shoulder and my whole body got the ice cold numbing feeling, "Thank you Harry. Now off you go. I'll get Anna out soon enough."

AnnaPOV

Filch's nose was dripping snot all over the paper as he began to fill it out.

"Name….Anastasia Potter. Crime-"

"It was just a bit of mud!" I said frowning

"Just a bit of mud! That's an extra hours scrubbing for me girl!" He shouted, "Crime…befouling the castle…suggested sentence.."

I sighed resigned to whatever fate I was given, Ron and Draco cringing in the background of my head. However as he lowered the quill to write whatever he thought would be a fitting punishment there was a loud BANG on the ceiling of the office, the lamp rattling and dust falling as a result.

"PEEVES!" he all but screamed, "I'll have you this time! I'll have you!"

He darted out the door, leaving me alone in the dirty office.

Well, might as well have a look around. I thought

You're as bad as my brothers. Ron laughed as I started digging through the filing cabinets and pocketing several different things. I went to the desk next and flipped through the mail, picking up a large, glossy, purple envelope with silver lettering.

Kwikspell: A Correspondence in Begginers' Magic. What's that?

Ron and Draco started laughing as I tossed it back on the desk and moved back towards where I was before the door slammed open.

"That vanishing cabinet was extremely valuable!" he was saying gleefully to Mrs. Norris, "We'll have Peeves out this time my sweet."

He stopped and looked at me, then the purple envelop that was now on top of the mail. He darted over, snatched it up and tossed it into a drawer.

"Have you-did you read-?"

"No sir." I lied

He looked panicked, "If I thought you'd read my privet-not that it's mine-for a friend-be that as it may-however-"

He looked furious, he was going to kill me. Merlin I'm going to die in this dirty old office.

I'll miss you. I thought to the guys and Dad

Dad, who hadn't been expecting my sudden intrusion was startled as he answered.

What in Merlin are you talking about Anna?

Filch is going to kill me. I'm too nosey. Remember me okay?

What did you do?

"Very well-go-and don't breathe a word-not that-however, if you didn't read-go now, I have to write up Peeves' Report-go-"

I ran out of the office and didn't stop running until I nearly ran through Nick.

"Did it work?" he asked gleefully

I nodded, "Yeah, whatever you did worked wonderfully. Thank you so much Nick!"

"I got Peeves to drop a vanishing cabinet right over his office, I hoped it would distract him."

"Even better! I didn't even get in trouble!"

He smiled, "Let's get you back to the common room. Shall I escort you my lady?"

I nodded, "I'd be honored Nick."

I noticed he was still holding the rejection letter as we walked back, "I wish there was a way I could help you Nick, you were nice enough to help me."

"Oh but there is!" He said brightening up, "Anna-would I be asking too much-but no, you wouldn't want to-"

"Spit it out Nick, I owe you. I'd be honored to help you in any way possible."

"Well-you see this Halloween will be my five hundredth deathday." He puffed his chest out and looked a mixture between morose and happy, "I'd be honored if you could attend. And maybe tell Properly-Decapitated Podmore how frightening and scary I am?"

He looked sheepish at the last part, but I smiled brightly, "A deathday party? I'd be honored to attend Nick. How many living people can say they've attended one of those? Of course I'll come Nick."

"You're brother and friends are more than welcome to attend if they'd like. No pressure of course."

"I'll ask them, but I will definitely be there. Should I wear black?"

He let out a loud laugh as we finally reached the portrait, "Whatever is most comfortable for you Anna. Thank you so much."

"We'll put Perfectly-Decapitated Podmore in his place Nick. I'm nothing if honest and loyal to my friends. And no one tells my favorite ghost he's not worthy enough to do anything."

He laughed, "If I could I'd hug you."

I smiled, "I'll see you around Nick. At the latest I'll see you on Halloween."

He drifted off and I darted into the common room, passing a clean Harry and Company.

"I'll be back!"

Ron and Draco were confused as to why anyone would want to celebrate the day they died after I explained the deathday party situation to them. Neville and Hermione were more than willing to go, they wanted to experience something not many other living people had, I was more than happy to go. By the time Halloween came around Harry, Ron and Draco decided to go to the feast while Hermione, Neville and I made our way to the Deathday Party.

"Later losers." I called as they turned to go down the corridor, "I'm going to rip a ghost a new one."

Draco shook his head, "Have fun freezing."

The corridor leading down to the dungeon was lined with black candles that gave the hallway an eerie, pale ghostly look to us as we walked down.

"This is a little creepy." Neville said as the temperature started to drop

"Just a little." I said as my breath started to become visible to me.

Mia was bouncing, "This is so exciting!"

"Calm down Speed Racer." I said patting her arm, "Nev and I still need to use our ears remember?"

She blushed but stopped bouncing. A little. As we walked we could hear something akin to nails on a chalkboard and Neville shot me a look.

"Music?" He guessed

"Sounds like it." I said wincing, "Maybe we'll get used to it?"

We turned a corner and nearly walked through Nearly Headless Nick who was floating under black velvet drapes, speaking in slow, mournful voice.

"My dear friends. Welcome, welcome…so pleased you could come."

I shoot him a grin and nodded to him, saying in the saddest tone I could manage, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He grinned at me, trying to conceal it behind a sad tone.

"I'm so thankful."

As we passed him a gave him a full on smile, "Let me know when he gets here and I'll give him a piece of my mind."

He winked at me, "You're the best Anna."

We walked on the outskirts, an attempt not to walk through anyone, and passed a group of somber nuns, a man in chains and the Fat Friar.

"Anastasia!" The Fat Friar called out to me, "Do come and meet some dear friends of mine!"

I smiled and walked up to the group, the Fat Friar throwing a ghostly arm through me, freezing me. The ghosts watched me curiously, most likely waiting for a flinch or negative remark about the cold. I simply smiled at the Fat Friar though and when he made a joke I laughed merrily with him.

"My lovely friends, this is Anastasia Potter." He introduced me, "And her wonderful friends too! She's a lovely lady, simply marvelous. Loyal, a shame you weren't placed in my house Anna, you'd be a lovely Hufflepuff."

"I'm honored." I smiled, "I would have loved to be in Hufflepuff."

"I was almost Hufflepuff." Neville said, "I asked to be place in Hufflepuff be the hat said no"

"We would have be lucky to have you." The Fat Friar said, "You're parents were loyal too, Alice was a wonderful young woman. Such a shame what happened to her and Frank."

Neville nodded, "Yeah. But I'm going to make them proud, if it's the last thing I do."

I put and arm over his shoulder, "Of course Nev. You're one of the best people I know, I bet you they'd be proud of you now."

We chatted with the ghosts, not bad company actually, until Nick floated up to us and asked if he could borrow the three of us for a moment.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked hopefully

"Very much!" Neville said, "There's so much history here."

"Everyone's very nice Nick." Mia said smiling, "We didn't really know what we were walking into tonight."

"I admit, we were nervous. But I'm glad we came, it's a lot of fun."

"Oh good, I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves. I have a speech to make, will you stay for that?"

I laid my hand against his arm, well as best I could anyway, "We'll stay. Besides, I still have a jerk to put in his place."

He gave me a thankful smile, "You're a wonderful friend Anna."

He moved away towards the band that was playing, halting the music and was just about the speak when a group of people came in on ghostly horses, hitting their heads around and laughing. A bearded man jumped from his horse, held his head above the crowd, and walked over to Nick, squashing his head back on his neck.

"Nick!" He laughed, "How are you? Head still hanging in there?"

He clapped Nick on the shoulder as the latter gave a stiff hello, Mia and Neville followed me as I stepped forward.

"Live 'uns!" He gasped, jumping rather extravagantly so his head fell off and people started laughing

"How amusing." I said flatly, eyeing the ghost darkly

"You're hilarious." Nick echoed me

"Oh don't mind Nick!" Podmore said, "He's still upset I won't let him join the hunt. I mean to say—look at the man!"

"I happen to think the Nick would be a fine candidate for your club," I said looking at my nails, "He's one of the best ghost at the school, mind you they're all excellent. After all Nick went through to get to this point—how many times did you say Nick?" I looked up as I addressed Nick

"Forty five." He said proudly

"Forty-five time getting hit in the neck with an axe." I said, eyes flickering back to the headless ghost, "I guess I can see why he was chosen to be Gryffindor's ghost. It's takes a brave man to go through that, I mean, one hit and your head came clean off, Nick though." I smiled at him, "Nick's one of the bravest ghosts I know."

"I'm not disputing his bravery—"

"You know Nick," Mia said from behind me, "You're already part of a prestigious club, you don't need the Headless Hunt. You're a Hogwarts Ghost."

"And all of the Hogwarts ghosts are special and have an effect of every single student that comes through here Nick." Neville said sincerely, "You all inspire us, generation after generation."

Nicks eyes swam with silvery tears as the ghosts around us clapped wildly, Podmore looking at us slightly alarmed.

"If I could hug you I would." Nick said, "You three are so wonderful."

Neville shrugged, "What are friends for Nick?"