Gaston's eyes shifted from the poltergeists to the students gathered around then back again, trying to gauge the reaction to Rose's words. Were those two nightmares even paying attention to a word she said? Up until now, he'd remained quiet, but he thought more persuasion might be necessary. "Professor Newton's right," he said, being especially careful to keep his tone even and gentle. After all, you could catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, right? "We've found a way to close the portal, but to do that, we need both of you to come with us now." He wasn't going to say what that way was, at least not yet, lest Miffy flip out. They were running out of time to argue!

Some of the students were talking amongst themselves, offering suggestions. His ears perked up as he overheard what Miss Carden was saying. The girl was onto something! In fact, he'd been thinking along the same lines himself.

Gaston's attention turned to Storm. He had no idea if this would work - somehow he thought convincing the polterkid wouldn't go as well as trying to convince the mother - but he knee he had to try. So how was he going to do this? He wracked his brains until a thought occurred to him: he would treat Storm as if he were his own son. If nothing else, maybe seeing someone be kind to her baby would make Miffy more inclined to help!

"Hi, Storm," he said, giving the polterkid a kind smile. "I like your pranks; they're really funny! His voice dropped as he added, "And between you and me, they're a lot better than Peeves's." That much was true. He considered Storm the least annoying of the poltergeists; at least he didn't make him fearful for his own life! "But if we don't close that portal, the monster could get out again and attack the people here at Hogwarts. Then you wouldn't have anyone to prank, and that wouldn't be fun, would it?" He gave him another smile. "So what do you say? Will you help us, please?"