Гарри Поттер и тайная комната
The Deathday Party
NearlyHeadlessNicknowdriftedtowardthemthroughthecrowd.
"Enjoyingyourselves?"
"Oh,yes,"theylied.
"Notabadturnout,"saidNearlyHeadlessNickproudly."TheWailingWidowcameallthewayupfromKent...It’snearlytimeformyspeech,I’dbettergoandwarntheorchestra..."
Theorchestra,however,stoppedplayingatthatverymoment.They,andeveryoneelseinthedungeon,fellsilent,lookingaroundinexcitement,asahuntinghornsounded.
"Oh,herewego,"saidNearlyHeadlessNickbitterly.
Throughthedungeonwallburstadozenghosthorses,eachriddenbyaheadlesshorseman. Theassemblyclappedwildly;Harrystartedtoclap,too,butstoppedquicklyatthesightofNick’sface.
Thehorsesgallopedintothemiddleofthedancefloorandhalted,rearingandplunging.Atthefrontofthepackwasalargeghostwhoheldhisbeardedheadunderhisarm,fromwhichpositionhewasblowingthehorn. Theghostleaptdown,liftedhisheadhighintheairsohecouldseeoverthecrowd(everyonelaughed),andstrodeovertoNearlyHeadlessNick,squashinghisheadbackontohisneck.
"Nick!"heroared."Howareyou?Headstillhanginginthere?"
HegaveaheartyguffawandclappedNearlyHeadlessNickontheshoulder.
"Welcome,Patrick,"saidNickstiffly.
"Liveuns!"saidSirPatrick,spottingHarry,Ron,andHermioneandgivingahuge,fakejumpofastonishment,sothathisheadfelloffagain(thecrowdhowledwithlaughter).
"Veryamusing,"saidNearlyHeadlessNickdarkly.
