HP - Shadow Monarch! [BOOK 1]

Chapter 183 - A Ball Among Ghosts 02.

[Chapter Size: 1900 Words.]

Third Person POV

Hogwarts.

...

...

Upon entering the place, a huge hall was revealed — much larger than the simple house shown from the outside — clearly affected by spatial expansion magic.

Very different from the run-down place with ragged wood and stone outside, the hall was rich in details, with lights floating throughout the area, leaving no shadows. It must have been at least 200 m², all lit by candles.

The Bloody Baron continued guiding them further inside. They were now in a higher part of the place, like a mezzanine. From up there, they could see the entire hall, with at least 80 ghosts gathered, all silent, watching Snape and Pandora with cautious eyes.

The contrast between the two was clear. While Pandora was beautifully dressed, as if she had been invited for the occasion, Snape wore completely casual clothes, clashing entirely with the event.

Snape looked at the crowd of ghosts and could see the fear stamped on each of them. It was visible, even if they tried to hide it. But unlike the last two months — when they would still flee at the sight of him since he returned to Hogwarts with the power of the Shadow Monarch — now they seemed to force themselves to remain there. Some couldn't hide it: they stepped back whenever he approached their groups.

"Well... As you know, we will have two guests tonight. So, as I discussed with you before, I hope you treat them well." The Bloody Baron spoke, beside the two, still on the upper floor. It was obvious he had asked everyone to behave, even in the face of general discomfort.

"Well, well... You are free to enjoy our party. I just ask that you don't harm any ghosts. They're a little frightened by the presence of living beings here." — He spoke cautiously directly to Snape.

"Of course! I promise not to hurt any ghost." — Pandora exclaimed with a smile, winking at Snape.

He merely nodded, without any comment. Thus, the Bloody Baron flew off toward the hall, while Snape and Pandora began descending the stairs.

"Him... how can they let him in here? We must leave as soon as possible!" — whispered the portraits next to the staircase, while Snape ignored them and checked each one to see if the system would announce any dungeon in them. But no portal opened, so they continued toward the main hall.

The ghosts gradually resumed dancing, even while casting discreet glances at Snape. Some whispered, pointing at his shadow. Like the Red Baron, some could also feel and notice the army of shadows walking at Snape's feet, which was not a very pleasant sight. The Bloody Baron himself constantly asked for calm — the last thing they wanted was to anger that being.

"This looks so fun!" Pandora exclaimed, excited, watching the ghosts dance as she arrived in the grand hall with Snape. The ghosts continued dancing while music played, performed by ghostly musicians, while couples twirled in the air to the waltz.

Pandora clearly had a sparkle in her eyes at the sight, thrilled.

"Do you want to dance?" Snape asked, seeing the enthusiasm on her face.

"Of course... but I'm sure you'll only want to dance with me after you finish your things, right?" She replied with a shy smile, looking at Snape.

He was about to answer, but suddenly began receiving notifications from the system — the portraits in the place were being detected as dungeons by the system, and that immediately drew his attention.