https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-101-Feast-of-the-Departed-Part-2/13453403/
Chapter 100: The Banquet of the Dead (Part 1)
Chapter 100: The Banquet of the Dead (Part 1)
After Nick knelt down, the atmosphere in the Room of Requirement became eerie. Hermione gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.
At that moment, Liam felt his hair stand on end. According to Eastern beliefs, having someone older than you kneel to you could shorten your lifespan. Nick, being over 500 years old, would probably cut his lifespan by a significant amount.
Not to mention, this was in Britain, and Nick's gesture was too reminiscent of a marriage proposal. Hermione likely had already misinterpreted it.
To salvage his image, Liam quickly said to Nick, "Sir, if you need my help, please just say so directly. I can't bear such formalities."
Nick seemed to have been momentarily overwhelmed by emotion, but he quickly regained his composure when Liam spoke. He stood up and said, "I apologize for startling you just now. But I really do have something important that I need your help with."
With that, Nick pulled on his ears and detached his head, causing Liam to hear Hermione gasp behind him. Liam himself felt a bit queasy.
"Look", Nick said, "my neck was struck 44 times by a blunt axe. I wish it had been done cleanly. Unfortunately, because a small piece of skin remained, I've been ostracized even in death. Do those who lost their heads suffer more than I do?"
Liam saw Nick's face brighten, a sign of his anger.
"They suffer less than I do, yet they are accepted because their heads are completely severed. So—" Nick took a deep breath to calm himself and continued, "Liam, I saw that you have the ability to inflict wounds on us ghosts. I would like to ask you to cut the remaining bit of skin for me."
Liam was taken aback by Nick's request. Cutting someone's neck, even a ghost's, was a bit too much for him to handle.
"You should know that in Eastern culture, separating the head from the body is considered very inauspicious. Even in ancient times, executioners would leave a small piece of skin intact. So, perhaps you should reconsider."
"I've been considering this for nearly 500 years", Nick said, his voice strained. "You don't need to worry about those things. After all, we're in Britain, and customs vary. Just consider it a small favor for a friend."
Liam turned to Hermione, hoping for some advice. Hermione was also startled by the unusual request. She fidgeted with her hands in front of her chest and stared at her shoes, unsure of what to say.
After a long silence, Hermione finally looked up and said, "I think the term 'Nearly Headless' is a terrible description for a ghost. Nick has endured this humiliation for almost 500 years. Liam, if you can help him, please do. After all, he is our Gryffindor ghost."
Well, Hermione had made a compelling argument. Liam thought about it and finally made up his mind. He looked at Nick, who was watching him with anxious eyes, and said, "Alright, I'll help you. But you can't tell anyone about this."
"Rest assured, I won't say a word. I swear on Sir Patrick's name."
Liam nodded and had Nick hold his head with both hands, lifting it as high as he could. Liam took a deep breath, muttering to himself that he was dealing with a dead person. Then, he raised the Calamus Sword and swung it forcefully at the remaining bit of flesh.
The skin and flesh parted cleanly, and Nick, due to the force of his own hands, accidentally flung his head to the ceiling.
Perhaps because he had just become completely headless, Sir Nick seemed a bit clumsy in controlling his body. It took him some time to adjust, but he eventually managed to place his head back on his neck.
Liam could tell that Nick was in an exceptionally good mood; his spirit body was much brighter than before.
After dancing around in the air for a while, Nick finally remembered Liam. He floated over to him and said excitedly, "Thank you for helping me fulfill my centuries-old wish. I will never forget your kindness. You are my eternal friend."
When Liam finished his work for the day and was about to leave the Room of Requirement with Hermione, Nick asked Liam to keep his secret for a while. He wanted to make a grand entrance at his own banquet.
On their way from the Room of Requirement to the Library, Hermione curiously asked Liam, "Ghosts must be very different from us in many ways, right? I mean, I don't think normal humans would have such strange requests."
"From what I've read, most ghosts remain much like they were in life, but some do have lingering obsessions after death. Clearly, Nick's obsession is his neck, which is why he made such a peculiar request", Liam shrugged in response.
Time flew by, and soon Halloween arrived. The Great Hall was decorated with bats and carved pumpkin lanterns. Everyone was buzzing about Dumbledore inviting a Skeleton Dance Troupe to perform.
"Ha, I can't understand why you two would go to such a damp and gloomy place. You should know that the food at the Halloween feast is much more plentiful than usual", Ron said to Liam and Hermione as they were about to head to the dungeon, with Harry standing beside him.
"Always thinking about food. You just don't appreciate the beauty of gaining knowledge", Hermione retorted, then pulled Liam toward the dungeon.
On the way, Liam took out a charm paper he had prepared and handed it to Hermione. "Being around ghosts for too long isn't good for the living. This will protect you from any negative effects."
"Is this an Imperial Magic Script? It looks completely different from our ancient runes", Hermione said, tucking the charm paper into her pocket.
The corridor was lit by thin black candles, which emitted a blue glow. Liam felt that the atmosphere Nick had created here was more in line with the Halloween spirit than the Great Hall.
With each step toward the dungeon, they felt the temperature drop a bit. Fortunately, the charm paper was activated, shielding them from the chill.
The corridor echoed with the sound of nails scratching a chalkboard, perhaps the music of the dead.
When they reached the classroom door, they saw Nick dressed in his finest, standing there to greet his guests.
"Welcome, my dearest friends", Nick said, removing his hat and bowing. "Please come in. Thank you for your help. I believe today's banquet will be the grandest in Britain in the past three centuries."
The temperature in the basement was even lower, and Liam and Hermione could see their breath as they spoke. In the temporary dance floor in the classroom, hundreds of ghosts were crowded together, dancing the waltz. On the stage, a group of ghosts were creating noise with saw music. The thousand candles in the chandeliers on the ceiling cast a clear blue light over everything.
"This feels more like a true Wizarding World Halloween than the feast in the Great Hall", Liam heard Hermione say excitedly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
