Amidst the enthusiastic applause of the wizards, the troupe of witch singers left the stage for a short break. It was said they would return to perform a few more songs later.
Phineas couldn't help but feel conflicted. To be honest, the music wasn't exactly bad, but he just couldn't bring himself to enjoy it.
Still, Celestina Warbeck was undeniably famous in the wizarding world. Her songs were regularly broadcast on the Wizarding Wireless Network's Witching Hour program. She was also a former Hogwarts student—reportedly a Gryffindor.
After graduation, Celestina embarked on a career in magical music and eventually rose to stardom. Her fame was such that, on the final night of her "Aphrodite" tour, three overzealous fans collided midair above Liverpool while riding broomsticks.
Her concert tickets often sold for absurd prices on the black market, making them unattainable for many wizards. Even Phineas wouldn't attend at those prices—not because he couldn't afford them, but because, in his opinion, they simply weren't worth it.
But perhaps the most curious rumor surrounding Celestina Warbeck's troupe involved a banshee.
To Muggles, ghosts and banshees might seem similar, but they are quite different. Ghosts are spiritual magical beings—once human—though they reject being categorized as such, prompting the Ministry of Magic to establish a dedicated division for their affairs, as noted in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Banshees, on the other hand, are classified as dark creatures, not human at all, though they resemble women in appearance. With long black hair dragging to the ground, skeletal faces, and glowing green eyes, banshees are often found in Ireland or Scotland. Their wailing screams are as deadly as a mandrake's cry—though some say more beautiful.
Phineas, however, doubted the rumor. Who would willingly risk death just to hear a banshee sing?
By now, the feast had concluded, and the plates had cleared themselves. In their place were desserts, tea, and fruit juices. Phineas picked up a glass of lemon juice and had just taken a sip when a first-year suddenly shouted:
"Look at the stage!"
Phineas glanced up—and froze. His eyes widened in shock. He spit out the juice in his mouth in surprise, though fortunately, no one was sitting nearby.
What stunned him was the sight on stage. A figure exactly like the ones from wizarding lore: long, black hair that trailed on the floor, a skeletal face, and glowing green eyes.
A banshee.
Two things about this disturbed Phineas. First, that anyone would actually allow a banshee to sing publicly. Listening to one was basically playing with death. Second, that Dumbledore had permitted her entry into Hogwarts. Such creatures were too dangerous—not just because of their deadly voices, but also because they could terrify young students senseless.
The banshee opened her mouth, and a chilling wail echoed through the hall.
At the same time, music began to play, and Celestina Warbeck launched into her performance, holding a golden microphone with dramatic flair.
With brown skin, black hair, and a slightly plump figure, her energetic presence dominated the stage. Though the banshee's voice was unpleasant and jarring, the magical instrumentation somehow blended it seamlessly with Celestina's vocals.
By the end of the performance, Phineas had to admit that Celestina's fame was well earned. Her willingness to perform with a banshee—something no other artist would dare—spoke to her audacity and reputation. Had the wizarding world had fragile celebrities like Muggles, Celestina's boldness would be an existential threat to their careers.
Finally came her most famous song—the one rumored to have caused the infamous Three Broomsticks Incident—titled, You Stole My Pot, But You Can't Have My Heart.
Even Phineas, who disliked the style of magical music, had to concede that it was a well-written song.
---
You thought you were a good wizard and conquered me with your spell,
But guess what, Mr. Wizard, you don't really know me well.
You think you're smart, but you're actually a liar,
So take your things, and vanish in a dragon's fire!
You stole my pot,
My favorite black hat,
You stole my owl,
Then flew off like a vampire bat—
But not my heart!
(No, no, no, you stole her pot!)
You stole my pot, but you can't get my heart!
(Her heart!)
---
The dinner ended on that high note.
Once Celestina and her troupe left the castle, the students slowly made their way back to their common rooms. Phineas was sure many of them would have trouble sleeping—some out of excitement over seeing their idol, others haunted by the image of the banshee.
Though the festive dinner helped ease his anxiety for a while, Phineas's mind quickly returned to the mystery of Ravenclaw's inheritance.
So far, he had only found Slytherin's legacy—but couldn't access it yet. Ravenclaw's trail had finally begun to yield clues. As for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, there was still nothing.