Alice kept nodding while the Grey Lady spoke—she could tell every word came straight from the heart, and she totally agreed.
But the ghost's bluntness also threw her. This lady was way too straightforward for a centuries-old spirit.
And yeah, the next part proved it.
"Alice Norton," the Grey Lady said, "the Baron doesn't want to risk another disaster from acting rashly. So he asked me what to do about you."
"I told him: give the choice to her. If she wants to talk, we've got her back. If not—we take it to Dumbledore."
Alice blinked. The Bloody Baron clearly hadn't expected the Grey Lady to spill everything. His face (well, what passed for one) looked shocked.
But the Grey Lady just stared back, totally unfazed. Alice couldn't help but grin.
She got it. These two ghosts were tied to Hogwarts—centuries of existing here had fused them with the castle. They'd do anything to keep it safe.
So yeah, her whole "soul thing" probably freaked them out. But the way they handled it? It felt… respectful. And respect goes both ways.
Alice smiled. "Thank you, Baron, Grey Lady. Your smarts gave us all some breathing room. So—are you looking for a promise from me?"
The Grey Lady opened her mouth, but the Baron cut her off. She shot him a dirty look but let him talk.
"Yes, Alice. I want your word."
"That you'll never use your powers for evil. You've got a gift with souls—I want you to use it for good."
He pointed at the Grey Lady. "This has nothing to do with her. Just you and me. Even if you change down the road—don't hurt her. Any fallout? I'll take it."
The Grey Lady rolled her eyes so hard Alice almost laughed.
In the middle of this super-serious moment, the ghosts' vibe lit a tiny gossip spark in Alice's brain. She squashed it fast.
"Of course," she said to the Baron. "I'm not the type to chase power at any cost. You have my word."
---
The Baron's grim face softened—just a little.
"I'll be watching you these next few years," he added. "Not because I don't trust you. I just don't want you turning into… him."
Alice nodded. He's got eyes—he can watch. No skin off her back.
Plus, there was an upside: if she agreed to his terms, he'd have to help her when she needed it. Way better than just being babysat.
The "three ghosts" quickly sealed the deal. The Baron got curious about her ghost form and asked for a demo. Alice showed off phasing through a wall—safe, since he could do it too.
The All Souls Banner stuff? Yeah, no way was she showing that. Invisibility? Hard pass.
The Grey Lady watched her like a kid in a candy store. She yanked the Baron aside, whispered for a bit, then came back.
"We don't know why you can do this," she said, "but we can help. Memorize this—I'm giving you names and spots for some banned books in the Hogwarts library."
Alice's eyes lit up. She'd thought about sneaking in as a ghost to read forbidden stuff, but most of those books were dangerous just to touch. She didn't want to be reckless.
Now? With ghost backup? Game on.
"Restricted Section, third shelf, bottom row—Soul-Binding Theory: Principles and Practice. Dark magic on trapping souls. Full of twisted rituals. Super evil."
"Sixth shelf, top row—hidden compartment. Soul-Stealing Arts. Makes your skin crawl just saying it. All about draining soul energy from creatures—or wizards—to boost your own magic."
"The last chapter talks about devouring souls completely. Reading it messes with your head."
"I found it twenty-something years ago. The book looked brand new—like someone meant to hide it there."
Alice and the Baron both went, "Wait, new?"
The Grey Lady shrugged. "No clue. But the author wrote his story on the first page. Said he never went to school, so his magic went dark from the start."
"By the time he realized, it was too late. Couldn't change paths. So he poured everything into the book—hoping someone would carry on his work, keep his soul research alive."
"He said magic knowledge shouldn't be one-sided. Even dark wizards add to the big picture. Shouldn't be erased completely."
She paused, then added, "I think he's got a point. It's not the knowledge that's wrong—it's how people use it."
Alice didn't totally agree, but she got it. The Grey Lady was from the Middle Ages—magic back then was a mess. Her "chaotic good" take made sense.
Alice figured she could think critically about it—just like she did with Dumbledore's advice.
The Grey Lady gave her a few safety tips for handling the books, then Alice and the Baron headed out.
As they walked—or floated—Alice casually asked:
"Hey, Baron… any dirt on Professor Snape from when he was a student?"