Authors note: Ack! They changed the layout again! I feel lost. Anyway, a short halloween blurb, just because I get so excitable around Halloween. Personally, I think this piece needs a proper ending ... and I haven't been able to think of one. BUT anyway, enjoy! :)
Your comments and criticism are always welcome!
Halloween
In many ways, there was a fine distinction between the wizarding world and the muggle world. The lack of technology was one of those distinctions, thought Hermione with amusement as she remembered briefly Mr Weasley's attachment to muggle apparatus and his peculiar questions on the usage of a rubber ducky. But magic or no, some things remained the same. There were many holidays that were cherished and celebrated by all, Christmas and Halloween for instance.
In the case of the latter, perhaps without the lurching monsters and candy-addled children that skipped merrily down the streets. Celebration of Halloween in much of the wizarding world was perhaps less trite. Here in Hogwarts, there was still a sumptuous feast and ball to look forward to. There would of course be jack-o-lanterns, ghostly apparitions, ghouls and spiders -- although most of these would in fact be guests (welcomed and unwelcomed) rather than accessories that decorated the dining hall. It was also customary, for teachers and students alike to dress up in celebration of the event. As such, there was a buzz about Hogwarts as all prepared for this evening's banquet, and some students became decidedly more creative with their spell casting in their quest to create the perfect costume.
Still there was among them a tiny faction of the student population, who preferred to stay comfortable in their respective skins.
Hermione wandered through the hallway, waving cheerily at a bearded Ginny and passing by a friendly but wholly unidentifiable student whose only defining features were a black-lipped grin and multitude of fur on every visible surface.
As she made her way through the winding corridors towards the library, she came across Draco. Hermione appraised his outfit as he approached her. Pallid-skinned and with his hair slicked back, he we was dressed in a plain shirt and a cloak, looking surprisingly normal for a day such as this.
"Why Draco, that's a lovely costume you have there…" she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Is that a costume?"
"Of course it is!" He responded, visibly displeased by her remark.
"Today I am Count Drakula! And I vould like to…" He paused, looking hopeful "suck the blood of a certain damsel in distress."
"Draco Malfoy, I would sooner die than prance about the hall in a pink frock." Hermione replied in a sour tone, then looking thoughtful she inquired, "What do you suppose Ron would come to the ball as?"
"Frankenstein." Replied a petulant Draco. "Just his hand-me-down clothes alone are ghastly enough to make him look like Frankenstein without any effort."
"And how about dear Pansy?" Hermione probed, amusement creeping back into her voice.
Draco sniffed. "Pansy doesn't need a costume."