At the moment that eerie sound rang out.
The round-faced witch's fingers swiftly brushed over the spine of the law book, releasing a faint gray halo that expanded outward, forming a thin membrane of light adhering to the door, window frames, and ventilation holes, effectively halting the sound from spreading beyond the room.
The elder wizard with graying hair raised his hand, signaling the assistants behind him to leave.
The young wizards, clutching their notebooks, obediently disappeared into the glow gradually brightening outside the door. Once again, the meeting room door slammed shut.
The faint gray membrane grew tighter and more refined.
"Ahem," the gaunt wizard covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed lightly twice: "It's ready now."
