It hadn't really crossed Hermione's mind when she arranged the visit that it would be Halloween. Although there was the annual feast at Hogwarts, beyond that it wasn't a particularly significant festival in the wizarding world. Since she and Ron were in the north of England already for a short family holiday walking in the Dales, it had seemed like a good opportunity to spend a couple of extra days and catch up with her aunt and uncle in York.
Great-uncle Maurice and Great-aunty Cassie loved children, and were delighted to spend time with Rose and Hugo. However, they were absolutely horrified when they discovered, very soon after their arrival, that the two had never been trick or treating. Hermione had done her best to pass it off, playing up 'still very little' and 'don't want them out past their bedtime', though she knew she was onto a loser with 'too many sweets would be bad for them'. Quite obviously, she couldn't mention the fact that 'Wizards don't really make much of Halloween' to her muggle aunt and uncle.
Ron hadn't been any help at all. For a start, as he'd pointed out to Hermione when they had a moment on their own, this visit was meant to be an opportunity for Rose and Hugo to keep in touch with their muggle heritage. And besides, unlike Hermione, his parents weren't dentists, and as far as he could see, going out and getting lots of sweets seemed like a great idea, he would have loved it, and he was sure Rose and Hugo would too.
In the end, Cassie had flatly insisted on taking the two children to the supermarket that morning and buying them each the outfit of their choice, along with lots of sweets for all the children of the street. Hermione had the presence of mind to explain to the children before their supermarket trip that they mustn't laugh at the witch costumes, as Great-auntie Cassie might be hurt, and with the children suitably fore-warned, the outing proved a great success. They had come home with a skeleton suit for Hugo, and a red Devil costume, complete with pitchfork, for Rose, as well little baskets to hold sweets, and the biggest pumpkin that Great-auntie Cassie could carry. They had then spent the afternoon carving the pumpkin, trying on their chosen costumes, and playing with the facepaints that she had also bought them.
As Ron, Hermione and the children headed out the door after dinner it was pleasantly warm for the end of October, and there were lots of other trick-or-treaters already out and about. Maurice and Cassie had decided to stay home, as they were expecting lots of the neighbours' children to call, and wanted to see all of their outfits.
The family worked their way along the street, calling at any brightly lit homes, especially those with pumpkins or other decorations, and the children very soon had a good collection of sweets in their baskets. Ron had really got into the swing of things, going up to the door with the children, then standing back as it opened and the two chorused 'Trick or Treat!"
Turning the corner into the next road, they came to an attractive old building, ablaze with light, that looked like it was probably a redundant church converted into a large house. It seemed to him to have great possibilities "Let's go over there" he suggested
"I'm not so sure" Hermione, as ever, was more cautious "They don't have any decorations out"
"Mu-um, don't be so silly" The children, too, had overcome any initial doubts about knocking on strangers' doors and asking for sweets. Rose was determined; "It's all lit up, and Great Auntie Cassie said that anyone who didn't want visitors would turn off their lights in the front of the house."
"All right," Hermione gave in "But if they don't answer straight away, don't knock again"
"Okay" chorused the two children, and rushed up to the door, Hugo getting there first and reaching up to swing the big, old-fashioned knocker.
Before she had time to get any more stressed, the door opened wide. Inside stood a small woman with striking red hair, who looked down at the children, smiled, and then spoke, in an American accent;
"Hey, neat costumes. I didn't know you got trick or treaters here in England. I don't know if we've got any candy, though, we're just visiting. " She turned, calling down the hall way "Jace . . . Do you know if there's any candy? "
A tall blond man came out of a side room. "I don't know, why?" He also had an American accent.
"There's trick or treaters here" The woman smiled down at the children again "We've got a devil, and a very scary little skeleton"
The man came down the hallway to the door. He didn't look anywhere near as friendly as the woman, Hermione noticed.
"What are they doing here?" He didn't sound particularly friendly either when he spoke.
At this point, Hermione was just about to dash up to the children, sweep them up, and rush them off with an apology.
But right then, two small children appeared in the hallway.
"You told us no-one went trick or treating in England" The older child, a red headed boy who looked around Rose's age, sounded accusatory.
Before either of the adults could speak, Rose answered, with all the certainty of someone who had just discovered the fact herself a few hours ago. "Of course they do! There are loads of trick or treaters everywhere. Hasn't anybody else knocked at your door?"
This time the younger child spoke, a small blonde girl "They can't knock at our door, silly, because they can't see it." Her brother tugged at her sleeve, obviously trying to stop her speaking.
Rose and Hugo looked at each other, baffled by this. Hugo spoke first "What do you mean they can't see it, that's really silly"
Rose continued from her brother "It's the biggest house on the street, and it's got the most lights"
By now, the adults were all looking at the four children. Ron, less worried about social niceties than Hermione, voiced both of their thoughts "What exactly do you mean, they can't see it?"