Renouncing Magic's Child

Harry had no idea ... he would be disturbed.

Sirius nodded, agreeing with Harry's logic.

Harry planned his excursion ... rule-breaking Harry owned.

Minerva sighed. She should be grateful Harry wasn't more like his father.

The map showed the whole of Hogwarts, ... Harry crept out past him.

"Very well done," Remus said.

It was awkward moving ... prefect just to be able to use this bathroom.

All those who had been a prefect nodded their agreement. The bathroom was a definite perk of the job.

It was softly lit ... It fluttered every time she snored.

Hermione grinned. She loved the prefect's bathroom.

Harry moved forward, ... slid into the water.

Several people blushed. It was rather odd to be reading about someone else taking a bath.

It was so deep that his feet ... no sudden burst of understanding.

"I actually really like swimming," Harry admitted. "But I've never had lessons. Well, except for the mandatory ones that I got in Primary School. The teacher wanted me to join the swim team, said I might be good at it with a little practice, but Aunt Petunia wouldn't let me."

"She was hoping I'd drown one day," young Harry added.

Harry stretched out his arms, ... if I were you."

Everyone jumped upon realising that Harry was not alone.

Harry had swallowed ... a toilet three floors below.

"What is she doing there?" Minerva asked suspiciously.

"Myrtle!" ... taps ever since he had arrived.

"She better not have," Arcturus said crossly.

"I closed my eyes ... "You haven't been to see me for ages."

That got a few giggles from the younger girls.

"I think someone has a crush," Blaise said, raising one eyebrow.

"Wait! Does she spy on the prefects?" Percy asked, utterly horrified.

Unlike the young girls, who seemed to find Harry's situation funny, the teachers and parents were not looking pleased at all. Albus's eyes were blown wide and Minerva looked ready to spit fire.

"She better not have," Minerva muttered.

"Yeah... well..." .... "You used to be in there all the time."

Ron was smirking, trying not to laugh. "Not by choice," he muttered.

This was true, ... That's what Cedric Diggory did."

Cedric looked a little sick and his father didn't look much better.

"She needs to be removed," Sirius said, barely controlling his temper.

"Have you been spying ... speak to anyone before."

At Myrtle's words the chamber erupted. The parents were shouting at the teachers. The teachers were shouting at the headmaster. And all the prefects were tinged a horrid green colour. Harry was almost entertained. For once someone other than him was being embarrassed. Although, he did admit to himself that this was pretty bad. He probably should have told a teacher. Except he wasn't supposed to be there. And Harry wasn't really sure any of them would have believed him if he tried.

"I want that ghost gone," Arcturus said finally, loud enough for everyone to hear him. "Before September 1st or so help me, I'll exorcise her myself. I'm sure we have a book on exorcisms in the Black family library."

"The Department of Mysteries could help," Bode said calmly.

Eventually they all sat themselves back down to listen to the book.

"I'm honored," ... open it under the water!"

"At least she was useful," Harry muttered darkly.

Harry lowered the egg ... "Go on!"

Sirius growled. He did not like this ghost.

Harry took a great breath ... taken what you'll sorely miss,

Harry grimaced at that. He hadn't thought for one second that they'd take a person.

An hour long you'll have to look, ... it wont come back"

Fleur cried quietly. She had really feared that she might have lost her sister.

Harry let himself ... hang on, I need to listen again... "

The younger kids looked thoughtful, trying to work out the clue.

He sank back beneath the water ... who could that be?"

"The merpeople," young Luna said straight away.

"Slow, aren't you?" ... nearly all the bubbles had gone..."

Amos swore, fists clenched.

"Underwater... " ... aren't merpeople in there, are there?"

Sirius gave Harry a proud smile.

"Oooh, very good," ... flashing her fins... "

Cedric blushed.

"Thats it, isn't it?" ... live right at the bottom...

Young Harry looked suddenly panicked. How had his older self done it?

"Myrtle," ... not for ages... "

"She's so sensitive," Daphne sighed.

She buried her face ... I remember at her brother's wedding -"

Albus sighed. They were right Myrtle need to go.

But Harry wasn't listening; ... What were they going to take?

Sirius wondered that too. And his gut instinct was telling him whatever it was, he wouldn't like it.

"-and then, of course, ... live in my toilet."

"They should have just exorcised her and been done with it," Rookwood said. While he felt bad for the girl, becoming a ghost during her teens couldn't be fun, but this was unacceptable. She'd committed a crime against an unknown number of children. And it had to stop.

"Good," ... thanks for your help."

Sirius chuckled. Only Harry would thank a ghost for peeping on him. Although he had to admit, she had been helpful.

"Bye, 'bye," ... zoom back up the tap.

"I guess we'll have to add exorcising Myrtle to the list of things to do," Amelia said with a sigh. That list was getting longer every chapter.