WELCOME!
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 03-09-03 11:02
I have been quietly waiting in a small antechamber off the Great Hall until most of the Halloween celebrants have arrived. I want to make my grand entrance as spectacular... as mysterious... as wizardly as possible. When I feel the time is right, I open the door just a crack and toss a small packet onto my chair at the head table. With a "WHOOSH" and a bright flash and a billowing cloud of smoke, the device goes off. Before the smoke can clear, I quickly step to my place. I rap my staff on the floor for attention, and cause the orb at the top to glow brilliantly. Looking around the Hall, I invoke the "Sonorous" charm.
"WELCOME! WELCOME! WELCOME!" I boom out, my voice rolling like thunder across the heads of the costumed merry-makers. "Welcome to all of you Witches and Wizards and Warlocks and What-have-you! I hope you will find this year's Halloween Feast to your liking. In addition to the usual food, so elegantly prepared by our House Elves, we have a number of special surprises in the way of entertainment. The Hogwarts Ghosts have consented to favor us with their rendition of The Phantom Quadrille. Jack O'Lantern is also here to amaze us with his juggling skills. And once again, for your listening and dancing pleasure, we have The Weird Sisters. The decorations, I am pleased to say, are the effort of Professor Flitwick and his fairies."
I strike my staff on the floor another three raps, the signal for the House Elves to begin my next surprise. The lights dim and slowly, from the highest recesses of the ceiling, three huge pumpkins, decorated with grinning faces, descend and begin to spin above the heads of the students. As they pick up speed, they emit a shower of candies and small trinkets, which rain down on the assembly. There is a chorus of squeals and laughter, followed by a mad scramble for the goodies. Within a few minutes, the pumpkins are exhausted and retreat back to the gloom of the ceiling.
I wait a moment for the pandemonium to die down then announce, "And now, on with the Feast!" The festive arrangements of foods are magically transported from below the Hall onto the tables before the students. Amidst the usual "Oohs" and "Ahhs" I take my seat and prepare to sample the goodies set before me.
The Highlands at Hallowe'en
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-09-03 14:24
Minerva McGonagall entered the Great Hall just before Albus Dumbledore made his opening speech. She hadn't planned on dressing for the Hallowe'en occassion, and never had before, but being an example to the students, she settled on a costume, last minute.
Self-consciously, the old witch walked across the floor and took her seat. She watched as the student whispered amongst themselves, watching her every move. The dress she pulled from the back of he wardrobe. It was her great-great grandmother's, and if she had to go in costume, she could not think of a better way.
Finally, Dumbledore began his speech and the foot appeared. He sat down and turned to admire her attire.
"Minerva, my old friend! How splendid you look this evening!" He said raising his goblet to her costume.
The old witch felt her cheeks tingling. "Thank you, Albus. It was my great-great grandmother's. I found it hiding somewhere in the back of the wardrobe in my room. I wasn't going to come in costume." She took a sip from her glass and started again. "And you look rather handsome yourself, my friend!"
Albus smiled beneath his long and white beard and began to tell her all about his costume while they ate their supper.
Socializing
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 03-09-03 15:11
Having spent the morning owling out their wedding invitations and taking care of other related business, Helena and Charlie were ready to let everything hang loose and go party. They arrived at Blossom's place fashionably late, with Helena dressed as a mesmerizing Veela and Charlie pleasantly nibbling on her neck as the equally trance-inducent Count Dracula.
They mingled with the lovely hostess and Fred, George, Bill as well as other folk they hadn't met or heard of before. At one point, Charlie persuaded Helena to wow the crowd with her impression of a dancing Veela, which Helena only agreed to do after a drink or two. Their Vegas wedding was a hot topic that night, but everyone seemed more interested in their upcoming New Year's Eve nuptials.
After a brief lull in the many conversations, Charlie convinced Bill to give the scoop on his Egyptian adventures. Bill indulged in their eagerness, often stretching the truth a little here and there to make the story all the more interesting. He topped off the story with his news of returning to Hogsmeade soon, which set off a round of cheers.
Mary entered the common room that evening before the feast looking as she always did, her long black hair in two braids and a blank expression on her pale face. She wore her school robes, since she found no reason to do otherwise. Crispin and Mortimer sat together on the other side of the dungeon and when Mary entered, they both screamed in mock terror and hid their heads. Mary slid over to them and looked down her nose at them disdainfully.
"What was that?"
"Your costume is terrifying. What are you, a demon?" Crispin said, coming out of hiding.
"Clever." Mary said flatly.
"I'm a Cauldron Cake." Mortimer said. He was wearing his black school robes inside out so you couldn't see the Hogwarts emblem on them. Mary turned to Crispin, sure that he was going to introduce himself, too.
"A dragon." He wasn't dressed up at all.
"Fascinating."
"How is it you're not excited?" Mortimer inquired. He was looking at the corridor that lead to the girl's dormitories and not at Mary. "What is there to be excited about?"
"That Gryffindor you cursed this morning after Potions. Did you see her face?"
"Yeah, when she fell over all her stuff went flying... She looked like she was going to cry." Crispin added.
"I've never seen Mary laugh before, even I was scared." Mortimer said seriously. Crispin laughed.
Suddenly Iris and Viola showed up, wearing glittering dresses, obviously supposed to be princesses. Mortimer got up quickly and followed them out of the common room. Crispin and Mary left too, but only after waiting long enough for there to be plenty of room between them and the girls.
In the Great Hall, Mary spotted Alexis who had charmed her bangs into a bright, blood red and used sleekeasy's hair potion to shape her now-red bangs into little horns on either side of her forehead. Mary grinned and waved at her sister, who, to nobody's surprise, ignored her.
Mary and Crispin had a good time making fun of everyone's costumes and throwing candy at random people, turning away at the last moment to pretend it wasn't them. They tried to throw some candy at the little Gryffindor Mary put the leglocker curse on that morning, but they kept missing since she was so far away.
Lawrence had kept his costume idea hidden from everyone, he wouldn't even tell Vera who or what he was going as. All of his friends kept pestering him, trying to get him to tell his costume idea, but he wouldn't tell. They even tried tickling it out of him, but that didn't work either.
Finally he left the Hufflepuff house and headed towards the Great Hall for the feast. He had told Vera that he would meet her there, so he could finish the final touches of his costume. Adjusted the hat atop his head and a few other minor things just before stepping into the Great Hall. He headed over to the Hufflepuff table, he heard sounds of whispers and could imagine the stares he was getting. Though it was true his idea was original, and very well thought out.
He could see the surprise in Vera's face as she sat down. "Well good evening Miss Delgety. That is a very interesting costume you have on, who are you supposed to be?" He even tried his best to impersonate the voice of who he was.
"W...well, I am supposed to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She said, not bothering to hide the shock in her voice. She tossed a glance over at the head table and then back to her boyfriend.
"That is very interesting." he said with a smile, before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "What do you think?" He said with a grin hidden behind the snow white beard, and pushed the glasses up on his nose a bit.
She laughed and shook her head. "You almost had me fooled Lawrence. You really did." She said to the slightly smaller yet, almost identical image of Professor Dumbledore sitting right next to her. They both turned and listened when Professor Dumbledore gave the welcome and then piles and piles of delicious food appeared on the table before them.
"Thanks! I was going for perfection." he said as he piled his plate high with food and filled a goblet with pumpkin juice. He caught the look from Mirai and started laughing. He then looked up at the head table and saw the eyes of a good number of the faculty fixed on the Hufflepuff table, or rather just one particular member of Hufflepuff house, that looked vaguely like the headmaster.
Put On a Happy Face
Author: Majandra
Date: 03-09-03 22:25
Majandra sits between Lavender and Hermione and across from the real Hermione and Ron. Since entering the Great Hall, Majandra has cheerily explained her costume to anyone who's asked. Wearing a red blouse, a knee length full red skirt with white polka dots, a large matching boy on her head, a broad white glove with black markings on each hand, yellow pumps, and a large set of mouse ears, a grinning Majandra has enlightened quite a few on who Minnie Mouse is. She'd fallen in love with the character years before when her Muggle grandparents had taken their grandchildren on a trip to America, specifically to go to Walt Disney World in Florida. From the moment Ron had suggested wearing costumes for Halloween, Majandra knew she would be Minnie Mouse.
Despite the outward appearance of having a good time and of thoroughly enjoying the feast, and in fact, despite seeming to be happy since the Hogsmeade weekend slightly more than a month ago, Majandra is very depressed. No one knows. Not even her roommates have realized what Majandra's been feeling these past several weeks.
She'd been so ecstatic to see George and things were wonderful for part of that day. But, as they talked, particularly when George would speak so enthusiastically about the store, about new business contacts and new friends, Majandra had realized just how much George might be held back socially and even business-wise with having a serious girlfriend with two more years of school left. During these two years, they'd have few chances to spend real time together. She couldn't be there to support him at business functions or even just helping around the store.
Majandra had voiced all this, and more, aloud. She'd told George she loved him but they are both young and feelings can change, especially when they are so far apart and with little opportunity to see each other. By the time they'd parted that Saturday, a very wounded looking George had told Majandra she knew how to reach him and when she was ready to forget about this foolish notion that she was holding him back, to send him an owl.
Not sending George a single message in over a month has been just about the most difficult thing Majandra has faced. Not an hour goes by that she doesn't wonder if it's been as hard on George. If it hasn't, then Majandra was more right than she knew or wished to be. And, being right in this instance, tears at Majandra's heart more than she ever thought possible.
Not a Fairy, No Thank
You :)
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 03-09-03 23:30
"King of the Fairies????"
Fynn asked, one eyebrow raised quizzically. Cho laughed, as did all her friends, at the very idea of Fynn wearing wings.
"Yes, you'd look nice with a wreath and lots of glitter," Cho replied, going over to put an arm through his.
"Correction: that'd be you, Miss Chang," Fynn shot back, grinning but keeping his considerate distance before the entire room started to retch from their sweet talk and affection. Not that he cared. But still. He was in a roomful of girls.
"Ah, I know, I know!" Fynn exclaimed, dramatically pausing. He got out his Hogwarts cloak and swept it around him, and then he scooped a dollop of (was that red glitter??!!) hairgel from a nearby jar and ran it through his hair, slicking it backward, sort of, in an unruly way.
"Now I'll just have to go wear something proper inside," Fynn declared, triumphant.
"What -are- you going as?" Cho asked, already half suspecting, her face aglow.
"Count Greenleaf, of course," was his reply, as he swooped downward and narrowly missed her neck. "Isn't it painfully obvious, my lovely? Hmm. All I need now are a nice pair of fangs...."
Better Late Than Never
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 03-10-03 06:53
Cho and Fynn arrived with Sykra, Aradia, and Golbez a little after Professor Dumbledore's welcome, but it was excusable, as their well prepared costumes made up for that small fact. They took her seats excitedly, chatting with the other Ravenclaws boisterously.
Cho's hand was encompassed by Fynn's as they ate and spoke, laughing and giggling as merriment filled the room. She looks around, gazing skeptically at Aradia, "Now, Miss Forest. What exactly are you?"
It started to rain.
Ethan groaned, shifting his body to a more comfortable position on the floor, however impossible, and opened his eyes. He blinked rapidly, adjusting to the light in the room as if awaking from a deep slumber in the middle of the night and needing a few minutes to allow sensitive, tired eyes to get used to the light.
He brought one hand to the back of his aching head, checking for a wound but finding none. The ordinarily soothing sounds of steady drops of water splashing up against the window seemed loud, intense and unbearable. Ethan groaned again and covered his ears with his hands.
His eyes fell shut again, blocking out the light that so eagerly pierced his eyes and skin, but then they flew open, suddenly knowing, remembering, realizing...
Ethan climbed to his feet slowly, careful not to let the hems of his robe get in his way. He placed his palms onto the surface of his desk in order to support the weight of his body, which seemed tired, sluggish and yearned for rejuvenation. He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, noting how pale and stern he looked, not much different from Professor Snape at all.
He smirked, feeling a strange sense of energy creep through his bones as it all became very clear. A bright bolt of lightening flashed across the night sky followed by a loud drone of thunder.
Ethan's time had come. I'm ready to serve your every command...
...Lord Voldemort.
Tardy
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 03-10-03 08:05
When Ethan exited his office, he left behind his sinister self and embraced his old personality: all smiles, warm and friendly greetings and the desire to make the world a better place. He entered the Great Hall and basked in the laughter and excitement from the students and his colleagues (save the good Professor Snape, naturally), who all thought it spectacular to see him dressed up as everyone's favorite Potions instructor.
He slid into his seat at the Head Table, quietly offering apologies for his tardiness. A quick glance to the other side of the Headmaster revealed the real Snape seething silently, although making no effort to hide his dislike of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher's choice of costume. Ethan flashed him a cheery smile and then focused his attention on the meal.
Little did anyone know that the old Ethan was now present at Hogwarts only for show...
Re: Tardy
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 03-10-03 08:31
Veronica looked at Ethan as he entered in costume, hardly able to suppress a laugh. She knew Severus would very well like to toss him into the lake right about now.
After a few minutes socializing, she got up and stooped over her Uncle Albus' shoulder to whisper in his ear. "Sorry I need to run so early, but I've a previous engagement in Hogsmeade." She said giving him a kiss on the cheek before slipping out into the hall.
It was a pretty night, not too hot, not too cold. It was pleasingly cool with a gentle breeze. She enjoyed her walk to Hogsmeade. She was happy to get a chance to see John again. He was good to talk to, and when you are as distant as Veronica, friends are few and far between.
Arriving in the village, she waited for John out in front of Nevvyns, hoping she hadn't missed him already.
Exploring the Dark
Author: Jet
Date: 03-10-03 14:00
Jet had not had to give any thought to coming up with a costume. It had taken him all of one second to reach the conclusion to wear a combination of his mountain climbing and spelunking gear. It had taken all of another half second to decide that first chance he got, he'd got up to the top of one of the towers and repel down. For now though, Jet plans to simply sit back and have a bloody grand time at the Halloween feast. So far, it's gotten off to a smashing start.
Making the evening even more splendid is the hint of evilness lurking in Professor Fairchild like a fine wine not to be uncorked before it's properly aged. Better yet, a touch of darkness clings to Professor Sorcha like expensive perfume. When the tardy Professor Somerset enters the Great Hall, the spirit of Salazar in Jet senses something grandly malevolent there as well. A bemused smile touches Jet's lips.
Such a fine collection of talent and so few who are able to truly appreciate it. This is indeed going to be an interesting, and entertaining, year!
To hell with it all, he thought, it was probably the only night of the year he could go out in public as who he was and have everyone think he was only pretending in the Muggle tradition. Shopping lately, he had heard snatches of conversation that suggested others would be doing the same. So Electron wore his brightest sweater and his most comfortable flared jeans, his dreads down, and not a wizard's hat but a Jamaican cap he'd picked up in London (as usual). Just to be on the safe side, he brought his sunglasses.
Anyway, he reminded himself, he did want to tell Veronica who he really was, so that he could discuss the question of concerts with her.
Checking his watch and Hendrix's feed bowl, he headed out, making for Nevvyn's. Hopefully he wouldn't be too late - or too early. Approaching the shop, he could see Veronica there waiting for him.
"Hi, I hope you haven't been waiting too long," he began, and stopped. It WAS Veronica, wasn't it? He hadn't been THAT drunk last time - it was her, but looking completely different in a curly wig and what looked like a fishing net. His momentary confusion seemed to amuse her greatly, and he couldn't complain. After all, he looked completely different as well. Last time, he'd probably appeared bald - having all his hair in his hat really didn't suit him!
Feast-ivities
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 03-10-03 18:26
Gazing around the Hall as we eat, I am overjoyed to see that many of the students have taken advantage of this break in tradition. Granted, a few are still wearing their formal robes, but I see a number of them have opted for the dress of their native lands. Others have come as everything from famous people to cartoon characters. Why, I do believe there is even an ersatz Dumbledore in the crowd. Just as well that I didn't come as "myself". Minerva looks absolutely splendid in her clan tartan, and I tell her so. My niece appears to be a Mermaid. I see Filius, down the table, has dressed as a Leprechaun. I am not certain whether that qualifies as a costume or "native dress"!
The food is delicious, as always! I can almost feel the House Elves scurrying around beneath us, making sure the empty platters and pitchers are quickly replaced with full ones. They seem to thrive on the appreciation emanating from the students. One of the hottest items on the menu seems to be a fruit-filled pastry in the shape of a small jack oÕlantern. The cauldron cakes also seem to be "vanishing" at an alarming rate.
Every so often, another of Flitwick's "decorations" makes its appearance. One time, it is a flock of bats with red, glowing eyes, which boils out of the floor in front of the head table, and vanishes into the gloom of the ceiling. Another time, ancient tombstones erupt from the floor and raggedy zombies shuffle up and down between the tables. All this is done to the accompaniment of creepy organ music, punctuated by rattling chains, wolf howls, and assorted shrieks and screams. It is quite a production!
Finally, the frenzy of furious eating slows and the buzz of conversation begins to grow. Some of the students are explaining their costumes to their friends, while others are expressing their satisfaction over the food. I believe it is time to begin the entertainment. I give a nod to Minerva, who gives three ringing taps on her goblet. When I have most everyone's attention, I stand and announce, "I most certainly hope you all enjoyed the feast!" The response is deafening: hearty applause, whistles, shouts, poundings on the tables and stompings on the floor. When this subsides, I continue. "Now, it is time for the entertainment which I promised earlier." Spooky organ music begins to play and, through the closed doors at the end of the hall, the four House Ghosts march, leading a procession of assorted wraiths and shades. They begin an intricate dance which involves much crissing and crossing, and passing directly through one another. I notice that they make no effort to avoid passing through the tables or, for that matter, through some of the students, themselves.
Next comes Jack, juggling four large pumpkins and holding a knife in his teeth. As he moves around the Hall, he tosses them high in the air, grabs the knife and makes several quick cuts as they descend. This continues for some time, then with a great flourish, he sets a magically lighted Jack O'Lantern on each of the house tables. Jack takes a final bow and exits through the side door.
I stand and set off a burst of Purple Poppers from my wand. When I have their attention, I ask, "Has everyone had enough to eat? Good! Then, if you will please step away from the tables, we will make a space for the rest of the entertainment!" The remains of the feast magically disappear and the long tables fold themselves flat and slide over against the walls. The lights dim to a faint glow, then brighten to reveal The Weird Sisters on a raised stage in front of the head table. The group began to play... their first few numbers being of a reasonably "traditional" nature, at my request.
Turning to the Lady on my right, I ask, "Professor McGonagall, would you favor me with a dance?" If the Headmaster is going to break one Halloween tradition, he may as well break another.
Dancing
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 03-10-03 19:07
After Professor Dumbledore made his announcement that the tables were to be cleared and moved along the walls, everyone jumped up out of the way. Before turning to ask Orei to dance with him, Brett glances over his shoulder at his sister and smiles to see that she is having a great time.
With a nod, he turns his attention to the girl standing on his right. "Orei, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" Smiling she agreed. Brett lead her out onto the dance floor, and "couple" shared the first dance of the night, along with every other student at Hogwarts.
Fairy Tale
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 03-10-03 20:18
Julian meets Briar in front of the bakery about an hour after both their shops have closed. There are several Halloween parties to which one or both of them had been invited, including one being given by Fred Weasley's girlfriend. Since Briar's not yet met Blossom Wedgewood, she have to think that Fred put her name on the guest list. Unlike the other parties thye're attending tonight, Blossom's is a costume party. So, they're going to drop by Blossom's first with their next stop the Valentine party. There, Julian and Briar will be able to change into dress robes.
To Briar's surprise and delight, Julian shows up wearing a costume identical to the one worn by Prince Phillip when he first meets Briar Rose in the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty, a movie Briar had seen ages ago in a Muggle cinema. She tells Julian how sweet she thinks he's being to have paid attention when Briar told him she was going as, who else, but Briar Rose and then explaining to him about the movie. Briar can't keep from smiling at the thought of Julian doing the necessary Muggle related research to get the details for his own costume.
Despite all this, that is, despite Julian's efforts to so please Briar and to halt his mother in her tracks as she attempted to manipulate all the wedding plans, part of Briar still has reservations about continuing the engagement.
As far as Julian's aware, things are back to rights between them but Briar still have so many doubts. She would, afterall, be an idiot to ignore what both their childhoods were like, what their parents were. What Julian's, most likely, still are. What Julian is for that matter. His views are not as extreme as Chyler's or Lysander's and Julian even attended a Muggle university. Or maybe they are as extreme but he keeps them well hidden. Of course, he doesn't know Briar knows about his parents supporting Voldemort and the effect that's had on his own outlook concerning the Wizarding versus the Muggle world. Any doubts Julian believes Briar to have are those of anyone trying to plan a wedding while her future mother-in-law keeps attempting to take over. One would think that as stylish as that woman can be and as tastefully decorated as her various homes are, she would have something in mind for the wedding other than something equivalent to a Muggle three ring circus.
Briar forces all these thoughts from her head. She can think more on all this tomorrow. For now, Briar just wants to enjoy each party. With Julian's hand firmly clasped in hers, Briar knocks on the door at Blossom's party, eager to meet the hostess and to be able to speak to both Bill and Charlie. As the door swings open, Briar pecks Julian on the cheek and thanks him for coming with her to a party she knows he'll find tolerable at best. As he flashes that most charming of smiles at Briar, she can't stop herself from thinking how she can give Julian up when he's what she's wanted her whole life?
Dancing?!?
Alexis sighed and slid backwards and out of sight against a shadowy wall. She watched countless students follow Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall's example as they performed a simple dance to the reletively tame music eminating from the Weird Sisters.
She felt that this would get very old very fast, and considered leaving now. The food and ghost performance was what she was really looking forward too. She particularly enjoyed the rotting zombies that dragged their mangled limbs and moaned eerily. The evil screeching bats were awesome, too, especially when many of the prissy girls screamed.
Alexis leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed, just watching. She wondered what would happen if the zombies came back, were real, and when bit the students became one of the undead. That would sure make things interesting. Alexis thought bemusedly. She took a lick from her black and orange spiral lollipop and sat cross-legged on the floor in preparation for mocking her classmates' dancing skills, since that was all there seemed to do.
