Author's Note: The characters aren't mine. I just borrowed them for a while.

This was written for the MerMuggles Drabble challenge on the Mugglenet Fanfiction Beta Boards. Of course, since I started writing the day the challenge ended, it never got entered. I don't know why I'm publishing it now, instead of waiting until next Halloween. The maximum word count was to be 700, and it had to center around Halloween.

The Demise of Scorpius Malfoy's Reputation

"Come on, Scorp. It'll be fine," I say, glancing back at the boy behind me. He does not look calmed by my answer. "No one will kill you, I promise."

Scorpius mutters something, but the only words I catch are "doesn't" "try" "kill" and "me."

We've reached the front door. Suddenly I wish we'd Apparated farther away than a block to allow me more time to allay Scorp's fears. I turn to face him. "It'll be fun, you'll see."

He doesn't reply, but his facial expression clearly asks "How?"

I sigh, and push aside my own fears. "It won't be too bad, anyway. And my father will at least be civil. I can't promise James will be, though."

Scorp wearily closes his eyes, then opens them and reaches out to stroke my cheek. The gentleness in his eyes never fails to amaze me, and I am always humbled by the amount of trust he has in me, to be able to drop his mask. With our families' history I consider even the fact that we can (usually) speak civilly to each other a huge feat. "You know I'd never be doing this if I didn't care about you so much."

"I know." I say, and smile into his eyes. "It says a lot that I managed to get you to come to a Muggle-style Halloween party hosted by my parents."

Scorp grimaces. "Not to mention this costume. Cowboy, Albus? Really?"

My smile turns into a grin. "I like the leather."

He smirks and says "Do Muggle cowboys even wear leather pants?"

I shrug. "No idea. I saw the leather, imagined you wearing them, and got a little sidetracked from finding out whether the costume was authentic."

He groans. "Only you... If I make an arse of myself, I'm holding you personally responsible."

"I know. But you won't. You're a Malfoy, after all."

"Oh yes, thank-you for reminding me. Needless to say, I quite liked having to tell my Father why I was dressed in leather. 'Yes Father,'" he mimics, "'I'm going to a Muggle-style Halloween party, dressed as a Muggle cowboy, with my boy-friend, Albus Potter. Remember him? Youngest son of your school-days enemy?'"

His pouting is too adorable. It forces me to reach out and wrap him in my arms. It shows just how nervous he is that he allows the public display of affection.

"He was less than happy with your choice of costume, but the way."

"Oh yes, because your idea of going as Muggle Priests was so much better!" I say sarcastically, to which he smirks and says "I liked the irony."

"Of course you did," I say with affection. I pull away slowly and take his hand. "I love you."

He smiles gently. "I love you too."

I feel like a girl when my heart jumps with happiness. "Ready to go in?"

"No. But let's go and face our doom."

I turn and open the door, holding Scorpius' hand tightly with one of my own.

Fin