The band switched to a mournful tune, scraping out a dirge on musical saws.
Nick called out loudly as he walked toward the podium, bathed in an icy blue spotlight.
"My departed lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is with the deepest sorrow..."
Just then, a hunting horn sounded. Accompanied by its wailing notes, twelve ghost horses charged through the wall, each carrying a headless rider with a head hanging at its waist.
"How are you, Nick? Head still hanging in there?" The burly ghost at the front swung down from his horse, detached his head from his waist, and held it up, roaring with laughter.
The scene erupted into chaos, with cheers, gasps, and applause rising one after another.
This really is too much like the underworld, Su Er marveled.
"Let's get out of here." Ron's teeth chattered. With the sudden arrival of the guests and the ghosts' cheering, the temperature in the dungeon classroom was rapidly approaching freezing.
They quickly backed toward the door, nodding and smiling awkwardly at every ghost who looked their way. A minute later, they were hurrying along the corridor lit by black candles.
"I'm never coming to another ghost gathering," Hermione whispered to Su Er, her face slightly blue with cold. "I should have listened to you."
Su Er nodded in satisfaction.
They finally made it out of the cold, gloomy corridor when Harry suddenly stopped, a look of terror on his face.
"Did you hear that?" he said.
"Hear what?" Ron asked in confusion. Su Er stopped as well, his expression unchanged, though inwardly he tensed. It's started, he thought.
"Remember that voice I told you about, the one I heard in Lockhart's office?"
"It's saying..." Harry whispered, utterly terrified, "...so hungry... it's been so long..."
Ron looked anxious, but somewhat dismissive. "Maybe