A/N: I was only going to make this two parts, but it's going to be a little longer then I thought. I figured I'd update this part so you know I'm at least working on it. I'll have a third part up in a few days. Oh, and just to warn you, when I write Ron he usually tends to be an over-reacter… here's no different.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, places or spells you recognize.
At breakfast Halloween morning we tune out all the excited chatter and quietly discuss our plans - making sure everyone knows what to do and has everything they need. Before we get far in the discussion however, my darling brother and company join us.
"I don't know what you lot are planning, but it's obvious you're planning something," Ron states. "I want to know what little tricks you have up your sleeve this time."
"Why Ron," I respond, smiling sweetly, "I have no idea what you're talking about. We're simply enjoying our breakfast with each other."
"Cut the crap Gin, I'm not that thick." It takes a lot of control not to snort at this comment. "You know mum asked me to make sure you don't keep doing stupid little pranks and such. So spill."
"Fine," I say curtly, looking from Ron to Harry to Hermione before turning to wink at my boys. "If you really must know I'll tell you, but you won't like it so be warned."
Ron looks eager to hear what I have to say, I never tell him anything I plan to do. He must think I'm really going to include him finally, how cute. Hermione begins to look worried, if he won't like this, she knows she certainly won't. Harry, well for his part, Harry looks rather amused. He must understand that I'm just messing with Ron and that no one besides us is going to find out what we're up to. The bloke must be smarter than I gave him credit for.
"We're planning a prank for the Halloween Feast tonight."
That gets the desired reactions. Ron turns red, probably upset that we'll be disrupting his quality time with food and most likely be caught and in worse trouble for pulling a prank on the whole school rather than a select few this time. Hermione gasps, like that was the most scandalous thing she has ever heard. And Harry effectively tries to hide his chuckle; everyone knows that you don't threaten Ron's food.
"You wouldn't dare do something during the feast!" Hermione begins to reprimand us. "I thought you all knew better than that! Think about all the hard work put in to decorating the Great Hall for everyone to enjoy peacefully. Think about how hard the house elves will be slaving over all the food today. No, I won't let you do this."
"Yeah, we can't let you do that. Mum would flip. You'd get a howler, and then I'd get one for not keeping you in line! I'm not taking that sacrifice for you to just get a good laugh!"
We couldn't help it any more. My boys and me burst out laughing, joined almost instantly by Harry. Ron and Hermione look shocked at this, but round on Harry first.
"What, pray tell, do you find so bloody amusing?" Ron half screams.
"Harry's a rather smart bloke Ronald, that's why he's laughing," I answer before Harry has the chance.
"Hello, I'm smart too you know! Brightest of my age?" Hermione interjects, clearly offended that anyone would call Harry smart over her. That just makes us laugh harder.
"Brilliant as you are love, Harry's a different kind of smart," Seamus puts in once he calms a bit.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's simple really," Neville begins, only to have his sentence finished by Dean. "Harry here has an immense amount of common sense and logic. Huh, mate?"
Still chuckling Harry just nods.
"Will some one tell me what the bloody hell is so funny?" Ron snaps.
"They're planning something mate, but it certainly isn't a prank on the feast. Gin just loves to take the mickey out of you." Harry replies, taking pity on his friends whom were too worked up to understand.
"Well whatever you're planning, don't!" Ron says turning red and stalking off, immediately followed by a huffing Hermione.
"Big plans tonight?" Harry asks, receiving four nods. "Have fun and just be careful. Keep an eye on her boys."
"Oh, I certainly will," Dean replies, practically undressing me with his eyes.
"Not that close of an eye," Harry chuckles before saying his goodbyes and following his friends out the doors.
"That was entertaining, but we'll have to keep an eye out for them later," Dean says. "If I know Ron at all he'll be trying to find out what we're up to all day."
"We can avoid him easily. We'll have the map remember? I'll just have to get it earlier than planned so they can't get it and scope us out. Actually I should go now, classes don't start for twenty minutes still," I say, kissing Dean quickly before trailing back up to the tower and to class.
During the whole of the Halloween Feast our excitement was growing. I was in a great mood. Even listening to Lavender and Parvati describe their costumes in great detail can't bring down my mood. And I happily ignore the watchful eye Ron is keeping on me.
I'm heading to Nathaniel's portrait now. We're all meeting up there to gather the stuff we need. We've been stashing everything in there over the past two days.
"Hello Ginevra!" Nathaniel greets me cheerily.
"Hello Nathaniel? Is anyone else here yet?"
"No, no you're the first to arrive. I must say I'm rather excited about tonight."
"You're not the only one"
"Yes, yes, but I'm simply a portrait. I have to live vicariously through you young-ins."
"Well, in that case we'll make sure to come back with good stories to tell you tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Starkers." I go inside to wait for the boys and pack up our things. They don't show up until I've finished packing everything. Now all that's left to do is grab it all and go. It's funny how that works out. Once we're ready to go they gather around me with the map, brooms in hand, bags over our shoulders.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I say taping my wand on the map, waiting for it to appear fully.
We've decided before hand that we're taking the passageway to Honeydukes. We can easily get out of the basement on Halloween. They'll be too busy. We scope out the clearest path to the passageways' entrance and set out, getting a last "Good luck" from Nathaniel on the way. We easily make it to the passage and out of Honeydukes. Now it's time to fly. We fly south so if we get lost later a Point Me spell will let us know which way is north. We skip over the first few towns before finding the perfect one. Kids out trick-or-treating, loud music coming from many different houses where there are undoubtedly parties being held, and several people we can prank if we feel like it.
The first thing we do is head off to a non-populated area and hide behind a few bushes. We quickly distribute the Polyjuice Potions and down them together. After the transformation we change and are ready to go - making sure to note the time so the potion doesn't wear off in front of people. We wander from house to house, ringing doorbells and shouting, "Trick-or-Treat." This is so much fun! I can't even begin to imagine why we don't do this in the wizarding world. Not only do we get to run around threatening to play tricks on people, but also we get free candy for doing it! I'm going to have to take this matter up with someone at the Ministry. After being called adorable, precious and lovely several different times, we head back to hide and wait out our transformation.
"That was so awesome!" Neville exclaims.
"We know," Seamus and Dean answer smugly, as if they came up with the concept themselves or something.
"Why didn't we get to do that when we were young?" Neville exclaims again, obviously overjoyed.
"That's what I was thinking! I've already decided to take it up with the Ministry. Even if they don't do anything about it, when I have kids they're going to a muggle town to trick-or-treat every year before Hogwarts!" I add on, just as the transformation begins.
"That sounds like a brilliant plan love," Dean says once he's himself again, "but now its time to change costumes. I don't know about you guys, but I'm certainly not made for clothes this size." He says referring to the first years' clothes we're all wearing still.
We start to change into our costumes, but before I even have mine on I hear, "Ginny, love, you haven't forgotten about my hair have you?"
"How could I Shay, you made sure to remind me several times. Use the lengthening charm and I'll be right there." I change into my under clothes and nick Dean's shirt before appearing to style Seamus's hair.
"Damn Dean, no wonder you keep her around. Look at the legs on that thing!" Seamus states, his eyes taking in the exposed skin. It's not like he's never seen me in my bathing suit so I don't know what his problem is. He earns a punch in the arm from both Dean and me though, and a chuckle from Neville.
"Did you want my help or not Shay?"
"Easy love, what did you expect coming out here in a shirt that barely covers anything?"
"Oh, I don't know manners, but apparently I expected too much of you," I respond cheekily, earning a couple laughs.
"Ah, who could keep manners around such a lovely creature as yourself?"
"That would be enough flirting with my girlfriend for now Seamus," Dean says in a tone leaving no room for argument. He doesn't mind when Shay flirts with me, unless, apparently, I'm dressed in next to nothing. I fix up Seamus's hair and then move on to help Neville with a few costume pieces before Dean and I retreat back behind our own bush to put our costumes on.
"You do look dead sexy in my shirts you know, doll?" Dean whispers in my ear once away from the others.
"And here I thought I looked dead sexy all the time," I pretend to pout.
"That's an understatement if I ever heard one. I don't think you can even comprehend how bloody sexy you make anything and everything look."
"No, I suppose not," I blush deeply.
He kisses me passionately and we continue on until we hear Seamus asking what's taking so long. We quickly break away and change into our costumes and all the extra pieces. Dean says a charm to style my hair and make up and then we head out to show off our costumes. We are going as the couple from the Disney movie Hercules. Dean was dressed in a Greek outfit that is practically a spitting image to Hercules, where my dress was slightly off from Megara's. It was still in the Greek style with the accurate darker sash around my waist and under my chest. The only difference is I chose to make is shorter so I could maneuver easier tonight.
"Blimey," Neville begins, mouth slightly agape, "You look beautiful Gin." Seamus silently nods in agreement.
"Thank you Nev," I say, blushing at the stares the two boys are giving me.
"Hey, what about me?" Dean asks with a fake pout. "Don't I look beautiful?"
"No," they respond simply.
"Well I'd have to disagree," I speak up for him. "I find him rather handsome, a real 'Wonderboy' to me," I grin, making a reference to his costume probably no one else will understand.
"Wait, what are you supposed to be anyways? Something specific or just a Greek God and Goddess?" Neville asks.
"Something specific. I love having a muggleborn boyfriend; it's like a whole undiscovered world! I'm dressed as Megara from a muggle kid's movie, Hercules, to be exact. And Dean's Hercules himself, quite the Hero in the movie."
"We'll have to introduce you to some things over the holidays Neville," Dean tells him. "You can come stay at my house for a bit after Christmas with Seamus if you'd like."
"That'd be great," Neville says excitedly. He knows just getting that invite means alot. Like I said before, we don't let people in really. "Will Gin be there too?"
"I'll be over during the days, but I haven't loosened mum up to letting me stay for a few nights yet."
"It'll be a grand time Neville, Dean's parents go to a New Year's Eve party every year too and stay the night. We'll have the whole house to ourselves," Seamus adds with a sly grin, no doubt already cooking up plans, even if it's two months away.
"Now let's see your finished costumes. I don't want to go to a party with badly dressed boys. Line up." The three of them jump to stand at attention, causing me to giggle yet again. "Not you Dean! I picked your costume myself, plus I don't need you looking extra good for any other girls. I don't intend to share you."
Seamus is dressed as Zorro, some famous muggle bloke from a movie, and he's looking bloody good. He's almost got the complete outfit; black pants, black shirt that ties from the chest up, black belt with a gold 'Z' centered on it, a plain black cape, black boots, a black fabric eye-mask and a sword. The only things missing are the gloves and the hat he opted not to wear but just wear his slightly lengthened hair fastened at the base of his neck. Neville's dressed as a pirate captain and he certainly looks good too. On top of his outfit he also has a bunch of accessories; worn brown trousers, brown sash style belt, open chested white shirt with slightly puffy sleeves, blue over vest, black jacket, black boots, a fancy three point hat complete with feathers, rings on numerous fingers, and a sword.
Yes, these boys will do.
"Such handsome boys I have here. Who knows how I'll keep all the girls away from you."
"Don't you dare keep them away," Seamus says, trying to be menacing I'm sure.
"Calm down Shay, like I could ever keep them from you," I say. "Everyone knows how attractive girls find the under intelligent," I quietly add on, earning massive laughs from Dean and Neville and an indignant noise of sorts from Seamus.
"Alright, alright, let's find us a party," Dean cuts in before a battle of wits starts up between Seamus and me.
We went to the first open house party we came across, but it wasn't lively enough for us so we moved on. Walking into the second house was we find it is a complete opposite from the first. Several dozen people dancing, a bar stocked full of all kinds of drinks, a few different drinking games I'm not currently familiar with, and many girls for Seamus to flirt with. This looks like our kind of party. We split up right away. Seamus goes off to a group of girls he spots dancing together. Neville goes to get a drink before heading to the dance floor. Dean and I head for the game tables.
"Hey, newcomers! My name's Isaac," one of the blokes playing shouts. "You want to play? We're starting a new game soon."
"Ginny, and we'd love to, but we've never played before," I shout back over the music.
"No worries doll face, we can teach you. Is this your boyfriend?" he asks.
"Yes, he happens to be."
"That's a shame, I wouldn't have minded getting to know you," he says, eyes quickly raking over my body. "No worries though mate," he says turning to Dean. "I don't ever mess with another bloke's girl."
"Glad to hear that, I'm not too keen to share her. She's a treasure. My name's Dean by the way," he says shaking Isaac's hand.
"I wouldn't want to share either. So, Dean and Ginny, you obviously aren't from around here or I'd know you."
"No we go to a boarding school nearby and decided to sneak out so we can have some real fun on Halloween for once," Dean answers grinning.
"Ah, sneaking out, eh? You're my kind of people! Let me introduce you. That's Audrey, her boyfriend Justin, Anton, Keegan, his girlfriend Kyra, this one's my little sister Alessia and Natasha. Guys and girls, this is Dean and Ginny. They snuck out of their school to do Halloween the right way, let's not let them down!"
After introductions and short conversations it was our turn to play.
"Oh, hold on real quick. Dean, go get Seamus and Neville, I want them to learn this too."
"Seamus and Neville?" Keegan asks once Dean heads to the dance floor.
"Yeah, we have two other friends with us too. They just headed straight for where the girls were when they got here."
"Definitely my kind of blokes," Anton says chuckling.
Once Dean returns with Seamus and Neville and the proper introductions are made again they teach us the game, its apparently called Quarters.
"Okay, I'll explain the rules," Issac says. "It's easy I promise. We all sit around the table. We pick some one to be the first shooter and they have to try to bounce a quarter off the table and into the glass. If the quarter goes in, the shooter chooses a person at the table to drink the contents of the cup and shoots again until they don't make the quarter in the cup. The person to the shooter's right becomes the next shooter. If you make three in a row you're allowed to make a rule to last the rest of the game. Who ever breaks the rule, drinks. The game ends when we either decide to play something else or one person rules the shooter position for too long." he explains. "You all got that?" After getting nods from each of us he continues on, "We're letting you go first doll face, new players usually start, and of course, ladies first."
I grin and take the quarter from him. I critically stare at the table before bouncing the quarter and watching it land directly into the cup.
"Oh this is going to be fun." They all laugh at my comment. "Well since we just got here I'm going to make Dean drink, you lot have quite a head start on us I presume."
Dean downs the shot set up, hands me the quarter and refills the cup before placing it back in the table's center. I bounce it again and make it. Grinning broadly I choose the next drinker, "I think I'm going to pick Issac this time. I don't want to leave you lot out of the drinking."
Once the cup's set up again I toss the quarter but just miss this time. The quarter passes on to Natasha, who's on my right, and she misses. The next three people miss and now the quarters in Keegan's hand. He bounces it rather lazily and makes it.
"Alright Ginny, going by your earlier logic you and your lot are behind on drinks, but I believe you are the only one who hasn't even started as of now, so bottom's up!" I quickly chug down the drink, which this time around was a full beer.
"Damn girl, you downed that like a pro!" Keegan exclaims.
"When you grow up having six older brothers, this guy as a boyfriend, and these two as best friends, you learn a bit," I reply in a mock conceited tone. He laughs and picks the quarter back up.
"Well in that case," he sinks the quarter, "bottom's up again."
"I think he's looking to push your tolerance love," Seamus chuckles.
"Ah, too bad he doesn't know how good my tolerance is though," I sigh, this time taking a shot. "Alright Keegan, take your third shot."
He bounces it and makes it again, smirking. "How about you. Neville it was right?" Neville nods and downs a shot. Once set up again, Keegan gains everyone's attention, "Alright you lot! I get to make a rule. Oh the possibilities. What should I choose? Who knows…"
"Just pick something already," Anton interupts, laughing at Keegan's dramatics. "The rest of us would like to play."
"Fine, fine, we'll stick with an easy rule for now. Whenever you want to leave the table, you have to take a shot," Keegan declares. Then, turning to my boys and me, he adds on, "I will warn you though, this is a simple rule. You may regret deciding to play this game as more come."
"We'll see about that stud, maybe you won't even have a chance to go again," I smirk.
"Isn't she a devious little something," Justin laughs.
"You have no idea what her mind gets up to," Dean shakes his head. "You should see us at school; sneaking around, pulling pranks, anything mischievous really. She's the go-to-girl for anything. Most of the things we do are her ideas actually," Dean explains proudly. "We guys have our fair amount, but hers are just brilliant. It's a real rare occasion if we're caught too, even with her prat of a brother 'keeping an eye on us.'"
"Blimey, why couldn't you guys go to our school. We could use you," Audrey says.
"Yeah, Natasha here's our main mastermind. We do have some problems about getting caught though," Alessia adds on.
"Ah, but you must keep in mind we're at a large boarding school. We're there day and night, too many other people to count, and basically impossible to keep tabs on everyone," Dean reasons.
"I don't always get involved in all their schemes, but everyone knows that the answers to who did the random things around school can be found within their circle. They leave behind not one tiny bit of evidence, nothing links them to the scene of the crime other than the fact that you just know it's their style of a prank," Neville puts in, game completely forgotten.
"Basically saying, with Gin in charge, nothing goes wrong," Seamus sums up. I can feel my face burning at the praise the guys gave me. I'm nothing special, but apparently they disagree.
"Maybe you and Natasha need to have a little chitchat then. If separate you come up with brilliant ideas, together could be unbelievable!" Kyra says excited.
"Now I really understand why you wouldn't want to share the girl mate," Isaac says to Dean. "She's a definite keeper."
"Don't I know that. I have no intention of ever letting her out of my sight," Dean says while slipping an arm around my waist. Merlin do I love that boy.
"So, Natasha, you're the group mastermind eh?" Seamus asks in his flirty voice.
A/N: I hope this was an okay place to leave off. I'll start again from the same spot.