Pretty in Pink
Author: Rubeus Hagrid
Date: 03-11-03 17:00

One of Hagrid's rather large feet taps in time to the music while he balances a platter of food on the opposite knee. He grasps a leg of turkey hand and a tankard of ale in the other. He leans over and whispers to his nearest neighbor, "Gulpin' gargoyles! This is a bril'ant feast. 'Ope Dumbledore let's us do this again next year. Already thinkin' up me costume. Not rushed loike this year."

Anyone seeing Hagrid would never have guessed he'd been rushed to put a costume together. Always easy to spot in a crowded room, tonight Hagrid sticks out like a beacon. Hagrid is dressed as a Fwooper* with such day-glo pink plumage that anyone looking at him sees bright pink spots for a few seconds after looking away.

The person sitting next to Hagrid almost shudders to think of what next year's costume will bring if Hagrid's got an entire year to work on it.

* Thanks to Briar Rose for the following information on Fwoopers from Magical Beasts & Where To Find Them:
Fwooper
M.O.M. Classification: XXX
The Fwooper is an African bird with extremely vivid plumage; Fwoopers may be orange, pink, lime green, or yellow. The Fwooper has long been a provider of fancy quills and also lays brilliantly patterned eggs. Though at first enjoyable, Fwooper song will eventually drive the listener to insanity and the Fwooper is consequently sold with a Silencing Charm upon it, which will need monthly reinforcement. Fwooper owners require licenses, as the creatures must be handled responsibly.

---

Veronica, sensing John's confusion, chuckles a little and pulled off her wig. "It's my Halloween costume," she said smiling, "It was my Uncle's idea that we all dress up. I'm a mermaid."

She touched his hair curiously, "Ah. There is hair under there?" she commented with a laugh. "You do like hats, don't you?"

Giving a quick glance down the street she shrugged at John. "Shall we?"

---

In Wonderland
Author: Adriana Fairchild
Date: 03-11-03 20:32

Adriana surveyed the Great Hall, unable to hide her smile as her gaze passed from one dressed-up student to the next. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, which made the Halloween Feast even more exciting. She particularly enjoyed her colleagues' choices of costume; several proving to be quite festive for the grand occasion. Only Snape remained the sour puss, a part he played admirably.

This year, Adriana came dressed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She charmed her brunette hair blonde, wore a baby blue dress with a white apron, white hose and black shoes on her feet.

---

Toby had collaborated with Bronwyn on their costumes. Even though it meant explaining his costume, Toby is thrilled to be Batman to Bronwyn's Catwoman. As he leads her around the dance floor, Toby whispers in her ear, "You look incredible!"

"You look pretty darn good yourself," Bronwyn purrs in reply.

Realizing they're near the doors to the hallway, Toby glances around to see who might be looking then quickly guides Bronwyn out of the Great Hall. Once in the corridor Toby stears Bronwyn to a nice, dark, cave-like corner. Grinning down at Bronwyn just before kissing her, Toby manages to say without laughing, "You're trapped, Catwoman. No way out. Surrender now and I'll personally guarentee you'll be well treated."

---

Remadi took in all of the costums with smiling eyes. Some of the people had really great costumes. She laughed as she saw "Hermione" come in with Ron and an Eqyptian Hermione. Even the professors had great outfits. She enjoyed the food and the entertainment, though Neko wasn't thrilled about the mummies. She had always spent Halloween with muggle friends at a party or sleepover, so this was a new experience. As the music starts up and the tables are moved aside, Remadi takes the red fan she had been holding and starts fandancing to the music, Neko twining himself around her feet. It was fun doing a fan dance after so many months, though the music wasn't quite what she was used to. She liked the sound of The Weird Sisters and soon found herself dancing to the music with a couple other girls.

---

Worst Halloween Ever
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 03-12-03 12:26

Viktor slouches down on the thickly padded, but overly soft, couch and glowers at the small cluster of people across the room. He understands the need for caution with Koyla and his minions on the loose but the members of the Bulgarian Ministry making up the group that is the object of Viktor's glare seem to think Viktor is incapable of making any decisions of safety on his own. As a result, since being escorted from the British Ministry's courthouse, Viktor's been stuck in a small, stuffy flat within the Bulgarian Ministry, designed specifically to help safeguard people even though no one bothered to consult with Viktor on where he might prefer to stay. The ministry officials also seem to think Viktor needs to be shielded from further information concerning Koyla and his cult because other than the very basic information he was given by Alekko when that man came to England to get him, Viktor has been told nothing. All his questions have been ignored as those making up his babysitters pat him on the head, saying only that Bulgarian's top seeker will not come to any harm and that the Ministry is going to make sure that if Viktor has to miss any matches, they will keep the number to an absolute minimum. One of them, after speaking so condescendingly to Viktor, had even had the nerve to ask him to pose for a picture with him and would Viktor autograph it once the picture was developed.

Viktor, chafing and starting to get angry, decides to keep an eye on the only exit out of the room. If he can just get into the hallway, out of the range of the spell to keep anyone from apparating and disapparating, Viktor plans to leave the Bulgarian Ministry building. If he could get to Hogsmeade, just outside the gates of the school, Viktor is fairly certain Professor Dumbledore would let Viktor stay at Hogwarts while he figured out what to do next.

---

Oh, my goodness! This is such fun! I think as I look across the great Hall. All of these students dressed in Muggle-type costumes. Some of them are very strange to me, as I seldom leave the general environs of Hogwarts. Why, I have only seen a Muggle Television once, when I had to make a trip down to London. However, I do recognize a few of the characters. Some are modeled after cartoon Super Heroes while others are dressed as cartoon, themselves. There is even one who is dressed like the Headmaster, himself. And the Headmaster? Well he looks for all the world like old "Gandalf" from the world of the Hobbits.

I myself have opted to come in "native dress". For an Irish Leprechaun (of a sort) this means a frilly white shirt, bright red waistcoat, green jacket and trousers, a derby to match, and square-toed shoes with gold buckles. I am carrying my "Pot of Gold" which, in truth, is an old cauldron filled with chocolate wafers which are wrapped in gold foil. Good. rich chocolate it is, too... made by the same people who gave us the Chocolate Frogs.

I am happy to see that my "decorations" are well received. The floating jack o'lanterns provide a flickering, creepy light. The bats (real and live) make an occasional pass over the heads of the crowd, eliciting screams and squeals. With baskets of burnt bannocks, I have bribed a number of ghosts to provide eerie background sounds of moans, groans and clanking chains. All rather effective, if I do say so myself.

Dumbledore's entertainments have gone quite well, and now it is time for music and dance. For the sake of my own safety, I think I shall just sit here at the head table and observe the others. I suppose the loud guitars and drums are to the liking of the younger folk. Personally, I prefer the sound of the harp, the uillean pipes, fiddle, tin whistle and the bodhran. Give me a good jig or a reel, and I cannot keep my feet still. Ah well, I don't suppose they will be playing anything of that sort tonight.

---

Invitation with map and well written instructions clutched firmly in hand, I turn a corner onto the street where Blossom Wedgewood's costume party is being held. As I walk quickly down the lane, eager to get there and have some fun even though the only person I'll really know, if he's there of course, is Bill. There will be a few other familiar faces. Perhaps tonight will be a good opportunity to become better acquainted with some of them. It's too bad that making more friends in the Wizarding world comes with the drawback that as the number of Wizarding friends increases, the chance that someone will learn I'm just a Muggle also increases.

The good thing about being invited to this part is that I can have a good time and not have to think about everything going on at work. No one will ask questions about why I've been spending so much more time on one project that none of my collegues know anything about than on my usual work, or why the only other person who seems to know about this project is Josh Maroni, or how come I never go to lunch with the group anymore and when I do leave the office during work hours I'm always alone or with Josh and never discuss where I went, or why I seem to have developed antisocial traits away from work, or any other question along those lines.

Josh and I had hoped by now to have incontrovertible proof of who the spy is but all our hours of hard work, stress, frustration, and the isolation that came with not being able to discuss the situation with anyone have so far been for nothing. We have a plan waiting to put in place. A plan that will not only clear Bernie and identify who the mole is but also lead us to the spy's various contacts. Everything came to a grinding halt when the person we are positive is the mole took an extended leave due to a death in the family. The waiting has been a real strain for me. For Josh as well.

Even if it's just for a few hours, this party should offer some respite. A good place to think about anything but work. Starting now. I knock on the door and Blossom opens it, flashing her lovely smile and ushering me in. I thank her for inviting me as she takes my coat, my eyes already scanning the room. It only takes a second to locate Bill.

I walk over, tap him on the shoulder, and as he spins around I quip, "I'm glad that introducing you to American football has finally paid off."

I stick out my hand and add, "Really great to see you, Bill."

Bill shakes my hand then steps back to get a better look at my costume. "Great to see you too, Aaron. So, what are you supposed to be?"

I sweep one hand to indicate my outfit, "I'm a Tae Kwon Do instructor."

I chuckle at the blank look on Bill's face and proceed to explain what Tae Kwon Do is.

---

Ginny can't stop laughing as she dances with Hermione. Pretending to be indignant, Harry goes stock still, hands on hips. "Well, if all you're going to do is laugh at me, you can go dance with Peeves!" With skirt swishing and a flip of the long hair, Harry starts walking away.

Doubling over, tears in her eyes, Ginny barely manages to find enough breath to call out. "Wait, wait. You never told me how you got your eyeshadow and liner on so perfectly."

Harry, by now laughing almost as hard as Ginny, takes her back in his arms and starts dancing again. He asks in mock astonishment, "Why, Ginny, didn't you read that fabulous article on make-up tips in last month's edition of Magical Style Magazine?

Finding themselves gasping for air, Ginny and Harry decide to hit the refreshment table for something to drink and to give themselves time to get composed enough to be able to breath properly again.

---

Electron had to laugh. "Yes, I do like hats," he confessed. "And yes, let's go on, before Nevvyn thinks we're stalking him!"

As they walked on, he said, "Actually there's another reason for the hats. I was meaning to tell you..." He began to tell Veronica that he was really Captain Electron, the famous rock singer, and doing his best not to be recognised by too many people. He kept his voice low, so that she would be the only one to hear.

---

Joan of Arc
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 03-13-03 15:53

I loved history and Holloween allowed me to show it. I asked my mother for my costume and it arrived I dressed up in a light chainmail and tights. I entered the Great Hall and sat near Orie and Brett, "Nice costume who are you?" I smiled Joan of Arc Maid of Orleans she was accused to be a witch and allegedly burned at the stake.

I looked up at the main table and saw Professor Logan dressed up in a Greek costume her owl was near. "She must be Athena," I thought and the events began I had so much fun I wished it wouldn't end.

---

With quick efficiency, I dispatch the various aruros and ministry officials to deal with the "Crime". Muggles needed to be interviewed to learn what they know about the family and events before their murder. After that was done, they had their memories of anything unusual about the event (ie. the Dark Mark) obliviated.

Inside the home, I being to methodically search the various rooms for evidence or clues- and, of course anyone involved for this event foolish enough to still be around.

Glancing at the copious bookshelves - meticulously ordered by subject and author - I notice one that seems out of place. When I reach the take the book out, it resists - it isn't stuck, it's not wedge-, it RESISTS. I can feel it pull against me - like an elastic?! I let go suddenly and it snaps back into place, followed by a low grinding sound. From the far end of the room I see a faint glow which wasn't there before. Cautiously, with my wand ready, I head towards the passage and down the stairs.

At the bottom, I find a room of dark arts paraphernalia. But this is disconcerting - this family was muggle, not magical. How could they get a hold of these items (or did they?). This discovery is very disconcerting, and involved many different departments. Last time Voldemort gained power, there were spies in many different departments and I expect (and sometimes know) that the same is true this time. This will need serious investigation - or should I say Sirius investigation.

---

Hogwarts Social Whirl
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 03-13-03 18:38

Propping my staff against the table, I offer Minerva my arm and lead her out onto the impromptu dance floor. The Sisters are playing a rather genteel waltz, which is relatively easy to find the rhythm. It has been ages, and I mean that quite literally, since I have danced. However, it is much like riding a bicycle... you never really forget how to do it. The proper moves come back to me quite quickly, and we are soon whirling around the floor. I note with some degree of personal amusement, that a number of students are watching our every move. I do believe some of them have never seen this kind of dancing before.

After a few moments, several other young couples venture onto the floor and attept to flow with the music. I see that Miss Weasley is paired with Harry Potter, who is dressed as Hermione. They seem to be having no trouble with copying our moves.

All too soon, the waltz ends and is replaced by something akin to a growling war-chant. Ah well! I smile at Minerva and suggest, "Shall we repair to the refreshment table and see what they have to offer?"

---

Neo thought he was ready. He checked his whip, his hat, everything he was wearing. It was Halloween and Neo thought he'd dress as the famous adventurer Indiana Jones! (trumpet plays in the background)

He will also be with his favorite gal, Shayna Ryan. She hasn't given him any hint of what she would be dressed up as. That made Neo excited.

Prote came out in some sort of armor... "A black robot with gold trimmings and battle scars..." Neo said. Prote grinned. "You like it?" he asked.

Neo raised a brow. "Uh... what are you suppose to be...?" he asked. Prote looked insulted. "What am I suppose to b--I'm Bass from the Mega Man games!!" Prote shouted. Neo scratched his head.

"Prote, no offense... but I think you overdid it this time..." said Neo. Prote looked in the mirror... "Yeah, maybe you're right.. even if I do look extremely cool maybe I should go as.......... uh............." Prote paused.

Neo thought he should help his buddy. "Hmm... you could dress as...." he said. Prote then looked as if he had a breakthrough. "I know! I'll go as Professor Dumbledore!" he said and he ran to his four poster.

Neo only shrugged. "I'm going to meet Shayna in the Great Hall, I'll see you when you are done," he said. And he left for the Great Hall to meet Shayna.

---

Patiences is a Virtue
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 03-13-03 20:56

The quest to stop Garou seems to be at a permanent stalemate. Though he did appear slightly interested when I said that I, too, am a werewolf, he did not appear to be trusting or even slightly open. After explaining that I had left Dierna and Sirius, because they had caused more suffering then they were worth: Sirius believing me to be the spy for Voldemort 15 years ago and causing me to lose my job as the DADA teacher two years ago. He said my story that anyone who wanted to trick someone could make up. It is clear that this quest will take careful planning. Several weeks of keeping track and attempts to approach Garou have all been unsuccessful, however, no one can keep up their hostility forever. Goals are achieved through patience and careful judgments. That is how this goal will be achieved as well. Patience is definitely needed in a case like this.

---

"You're a looovely fairy," Fynn said, grinning at Cho and exposing his [seemingly] razor sharp fangs. Vampire. Right. Very innovative of him. There were about one million other vampires in the room- obviously fellow slackers whom saw the benefits of the Hogwarts cloak. He looked around- everyone had obviously put in good effort to dress up for this event- evidently more than he did. He'd worn a black shirt inside, gotten the proferred set of fangs, and that was that. He was a bit too tanned for a vampire. Though at the moment he did look suitably menacing.

Cho, on the other hand, really -did- look like a fairy- she suited it perfectly. That and his blueish purplish chocolate flower did fit in well. She was obviously the loveliest. "Would you like to dance?" Fynn asked, smiling, festive, extending his hand.

---

I enjoyed the treats that were served at the Feast but when it came to dancing I was the perpetual wall flower. I remembered a song I heard from my parent's generation and began to hum "Let the Little Girl Dance."

"Little wall flower on the shelf standing by herself never had the nerve to take the chance so let the little girl dance...."

Looking around me I saw Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, her brother Ron with Hermione Granger, Orie was with Brett and what was really nice was seeing Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster Professor Dumbledore doing a waltz which amazed me that the two were so graceful together.

Giving a sigh I picked up my goblet of pumpkin Juice and took a drink, then put my elbows on the table. I looked at my plate and began to pick at my food wondering if someone would give this little girl a chance.

---

Veronica, though a bit astounded by this new information that her friend John was a rock star, seemed very understanding. She looked at him with a warm smile. "I understand keeping secrets. Trust me. I've spent my entire life under the watchful eye of the ministry for a crime that I am not guilty of. People that know... well... they don't trust me... That's why I keep it a secret. I just want to live normally. I cannot tell you how sick I am of hiding in muggle Paris like some skulking dog so that the ministry would leave me alone. Its a part of me that I cannot undo."

She talked and walked with him up to the shrieking shack. She knew people stayed away from there so anywhere close by would act as a safehaven for them to sit and talk away from prying ears. A little bit of private conversation seemed like just what the doctor ordered right about now.