Curtis James was a Treasure Hunter. He was small, but brave. He had a round hat and a tiny map.
Today he walked into Transfiguration Hall. The hall was big. The floor was shiny. The air smelled like old books.
A King was there. The King wore a simple crown. He looked kind, but worried.
“Hello, Curtis James,” said the King.
“Hello, King,” said Curtis James. “I look for treasure.”
The King pointed to a tall door. “My royal treasure is lost. It is a little golden box. It makes a soft ding-ding sound. Can you find it?”
Curtis James nodded. “Yes. I will try.”
In Transfiguration Hall, things could change. A chair could look like a frog. A rug could look like a river.
Curtis James held his map. “Step, step,” he said.
A chilly “Whoooo” floated by.
A Ghost slid out from behind a statue. The Ghost was pale and swirly. It was not loud. It was just spooky.
“Boo,” said the Ghost.
Curtis James blinked. His knees felt wiggly.
The King said, “Be gentle, Ghost. This is my helper.”
The Ghost tilted its head. “I like shiny things,” it whispered.
Curtis James took a deep breath. “We can look together,” he said. “No grabbing.”
The Ghost made a soft hum. “Okay. Together.”
They walked past tall mirrors. In the mirrors, Curtis looked tall like a giant. He giggled.
The King chuckled too. “This hall plays tricks.”
They heard a tiny ding-ding.
Curtis James stopped. “Listen!”
The sound came from a pile of pillows. But the pillows suddenly turned into big, fluffy clouds.
Curtis James reached up. “Too high,” he said.
The King bent down. “I can lift you.”
Up went Curtis James. He patted the clouds. “Soft, soft.”
The Ghost swirled around. “I can push the clouds,” it said.
“Push,” said Curtis.
The clouds drifted aside. Under them was a small golden box.
“Treasure!” Curtis James said.
The box twinkled. It was warm in his hands.
But the Ghost leaned close. “Mine?” it asked.
Curtis James shook his head slowly. “It is the King’s,” he said. “But you can have something too.”
He opened his pocket. He pulled out a shiny button. It was bright like a star.
“For you,” said Curtis James.
The Ghost gasped. “A shiny!”
It hugged the button to its chest. “Thank you,” it whispered.
The King clapped once. “Curtis James, you did it. You were brave and fair.”
Curtis James gave the golden box to the King.
The King opened it. Inside was a tiny crown charm and three gold coins.
“For you,” said the King. “A Treasure Hunter needs a treasure.”
Curtis James held the coins. “Clink, clink,” he said.
The Ghost floated in a happy circle. “No more boo,” it said. “More friends.”
Curtis James smiled. “Friends,” he agreed.
They walked out of Transfiguration Hall together. The mirrors stopped teasing. The hall felt safe.
Curtis James put the crown charm on his map. It sparkled.
“Next adventure?” asked the King.
Curtis James nodded. “Yes. But first,” he said, “snack.”
And everyone laughed, even the Ghost.