Chapter 7

Kang Yun Soo entered the Great Hall, noticing with relief that professor Snape was still seated. It was morning and little more than a month had passed. Like many others this Saturday, she had arisen with the intention of a taking a late breakfast; although, this was mostly due to the fact that she had stayed up until two in the morning researching her newest assignment. In her hands were clutched the fruits of her labor, incomplete, but fascinating.

"Good morning, professor," she beamed, taking the empty seat beside him. "I was doing some research yesterday and I had a question about the Invigoration Draught."

"I suspected as much," he sighed, although he did not seem particularly angry about it. "What confused you?"

When Hugh strode into Great Hall that morning, he couldn't help but be a little surprised to see Snape and Yun Soo once again bent over a piece of parchment discussing its contents.

"Honestly, five weeks and I'm still not used to this," he complained with mock resentment, collapsing into the seat beside hers. "I'm cast aside so easily…."

She laughed. "Aw, are you mad I took your seat, professor?"

"By all means keep it. He's a damn well unpleasant fellow to sit by," Hugh smiled, biting into a biscuit. Snape scoffed, his lips twitching into a smirk.

"If I remember correctly, it was you who came to me your first year of teaching."

"I was having trouble and you were the youngest one there besides myself. I thought it'd be easier to ask someone my age. How bloody wrong I was."

"Well you never did know when people didn't want you around."

This friendly bickering continued on as Yun Soo reached towards a plate of bacon. She had just begun to pile them on her plate when a brown and white Eastern Grass Owl landed in an empty space before her with a cream envelope tied to its leg. It was one she recognized and she immediately began petting its familiar soft feathers. Curiosity crossing her features, she untied the letter.

"Go up to the Owlery and get some food," she murmured in Korean. It gave her hand a small nudge and then disappeared into the rafters.

She glanced back at the letter and broke the seal. The handwriting she could easily identify.

"Sunbae," she grinned and her eyes quickly scanned each line.

"An admirer?" Hugh asked with a sly smile. She shot him a reproachful glare.

"He," she smirked with an incredulous expression. "Was one of my upperclassmen in my school in Korea. Sunbae is what you call someone who's your senior. Now he works for my father—"She scanned the letter again—"And by the looks of it, they've just come back from their archeological dig in Egypt. You'd probably get along well with Sunbae."

"Ah, he has an interest in Ancient Runes I take it?"

"Yeah, that's why my dad keeps him around," she said and then turned back to Snape. "And thanks for the help, professor. By the way, there's no lesson this Tuesday, is there?"

"Not with the Halloween celebration occurring," he grumbled, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Why does it not surprise me that you're against it?" She laughed. "I think I'll use your fireplace today to head over to Diagon Alley. I need to get a costume and besides that, I've been meaning to see if there are any jobs available. "

"I'd better not see your potions work starting to slip, Kang," Snape commented, eyebrow cocked.

"What'd I tell you? He takes delight in abusing people," Hugh maintained.

"Well I always knew he was a sadist," she smirked and then stared at Snape defiantly. "You won't scare me, professor."

"A sadist, Kang? Do I need to give you another detention to teach you to respect your professors?"

"You're always so mean to me," she pouted.

"I suppose the only thing we can do is team up against his tyranny," Hugh sighed. Snape scoffed, taking in the last few drops of his drink before standing up.

"I'm going to my office to leave you idiots to yourselves." Yun Soo and Hugh laughed as they watched Snape's retreating figure.

When Yun Soo found her stomach sufficiently satisfied, she headed back to her room, extracting from her dresser blue cropped pants, a striped tank top, and a ¾ sleeve black blazer. This she paired with some lace-up canvas Oxfords and a slim belt and then headed for Snape's office. He sat leaning back in his office chair, a novel of some sort resting in one hand as he slowly turned the page with the other. The area was well lit unlike most other instances. She strode over to a small glass jar and clutched some of the shimmering green powder within. She turned her head towards Snape.

"See you, professor," she chirped. He acknowledged this with a leisurely nod of his head. Then she disappeared in a whirl of green flames.

The sky was overcast as usual when she entered the cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley, but despite this it seemed immensely cheerful with the extravagant Halloween decorations outside every shop. Halloween had always been an important holiday in the wizarding world, but after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named on October 31st, it had become even more significant. Most of the people she passed were smiling.

The first place Yun Soo entered was a dingy little shop with some muggle-grade costumes. They were cheap so it shouldn't have been a surprise, but still, nothing she found worth paying for. She went to another, still finding nothing to catch her eye. As she exited this store, she spotted a familiar café up the street. It was the one she had worked in ever since coming to Britain and one that had first introduced her to Ellie and Margie.

It was only late morning so there were only a couple of round wooden tables occupied. Just outside of the open door was a café board depicting a chalk maid that winked and smiled at passerby. Above her were the words 'MAID DAY.' Walking inside, Yun Soo noticed that the place looked just as it always had; a wide window illuminated the sensual yellow walls and familiar dark wood adorning both the chairs and floor. The glass covered candles and burgundy window seat gave the place an extra sense of sophistication. From an old wooden radio came the pleasing sound of some French witch.

Yun Soo easily spotted Ellie standing at the counter wearing a black and white maid uniform. She called out to her.

"Yun Soo!" Ellie greeted with a start as she turned around to see her roommate standing at the entrance with a grin. She quickly went up to her and hugged her. "How have you been?"

"Good. Maid Day, eh?" Yun Soo remarked with raised eyebrows. "That was probably one of my least favorites. The only thing worse was Ethnic Day."

"But I liked your Ethnic Day costume. We all did."

"That Gisaeng dress? I mean, I know they were entertainers, but a lot of westerners seem to think they were just prostitutes. Not good for my image."

They heard someone gasp from behind them and turned around to see a brown haired French woman—the owner of the place—come towards her with wide smile.

"Bonjour!," the owner exclaimed, giving Yun Soo an air kiss on both cheeks. "It's been so long since I've last seen you."

"It's good to see you again," Yun Soo grinned. "How's the café going?"

"Same as usual," she said with a wave of her hand. "Why don't you sit down? I'll get you a pain au chocolat and some coffee."

Yun Soo took a seat at a corner table as Ellie went to welcome some new customers. The manager came back a couple of minutes later, the small wooden tray floating at her side carrying two ceramic coffee cups and a warm chocolate croissant.

"So what are you doing here in Diagon Alley?" she asked as the items landed softly before them. She occupied the opposite seat.

"I'm trying to find a Halloween costume," Yun Soo answered, taking a sip of her coffee. "Hogwarts is having some sort of dance for its Halloween celebration. Costumes required. By the way, you haven't heard about any job openings around here, have you?

"Why don't you come work for me again? I could let you borrow one of our costumes."

"I can't. What if someone from Hogwarts sees me?"

"Then work for me as a guy," the manager smiled. Yun Soo nearly choked on her croissant. "Why is it such a surprise? I've been thinking of catering to more people anyways and it's not like Hogwarts. What would it matter if someone finds out you're a girl? Then after you're done with your schooling, you can wear the female costumes again."

Yun Soo glanced towards the window with a frown and eyebrows knit together.

"I guess that would work…," she answered slowly. "But there is no way I'm going to borrow one of your costumes. The last thing I need is for more people to get suspicious. "

"You're no fun," a familiar voice said from behind her. She looked around and then jumped up to give Margie a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Yun Soo grinned.

"Came for lunch," she answered dismissively. "So what's this I hear about Halloween party at Hogwarts?"

"Nothing I need you knowing about," Yun Soo replied, pushing in the chair she had been sitting in and then pointed at the manager. "And don't you dare tell her about it."

"Wouldn't dream of it," The Frenchwoman smiled. She said their goodbyes to them and then headed out into the autumn air entirely unaware of the plans brewing in the mischievous minds of her friends.

Just as expected, Hogwarts on Halloween did not disappoint. The decorations were bewitching and the food more than scrumptious. Most of the teachers, including herself, had adorned a costume for the day. Professor Snape, of course, was not among them, but she couldn't help but laugh at the thought that he fit in well nonetheless. It was at the end of this delightful feast that Dumbledore stood up with the intention of making a speech. The Great Hall quieted almost immediately.

"I hope you all have enjoyed today's dinner; however, I'm sure you all cannot wait to be dismissed in order to ready yourselves for this evening's celebration. I do apologetically remind the younger students that only those who are in their fourth year or above may attend. But I give each and every one of you this warning," the headmaster stated, twinkling eyes peering over his half moon spectacles at the students before him. "There is no telling what you may find there and once inside, you cannot leave until the clock strike's twelve. But now, off to your dorms, pip, pip!"

There was much noise as the students stood and began conversing with each other. Yun Soo and the teachers had also risen, but they would be staying to get the area ready. Deciding that this was a party she really wouldn't mind missing, she went and joined the masses filing out of the Great Hall. It was only seven o'clock and she didn't have any work to do until tomorrow, so she figured she might as well start a novel she had been meaning to read. Of course, had she known Margie and her manager were going to drag her off to Norewood's office, she would have done double time in the opposite direction.

"What the hell?" she asked as she stared up at the two of them bewildered from the chair she had been forced into. "If you guys wanted me to go somewhere with you, you could have just asked you know."

They exchanged looks that made her skin crawl.

"I'm not so sure about that," Margie said, a suspicious smile playing at her lips. She extracted her wand and waved it with flourish, a nearby closet slowly opening as a look of horror crossed Yun Soo's features.

It was the Giseng dress: pink, layered, and in all its obnoxiously extravagant glory. They had even brought the flower adorned veil and butterfly hair ornaments.

"You're not putting me in that."

"But you'll look so beautiful!"

"I'm supposed to be a guy, remember?"

"And it's Halloween. Costumes are a wonderful thing."

She stood up. "I'm leaving."

Margie smirked. "Try it."

Yun Soo stumbled as she was shoved back into the Great Hall by Margie. She whirled around as the doors, hidden behind a black lace curtain, creaked shut. Pushing aside some of the curtain, she tried the door handle. It was locked. Once inside, you cannot leave until the clock strike's twelve.

Yun Soo slowly turned around to the dimly lit room. Thankfully it seemed no one had turned at her entrance. They had all been busy wandering about the tableless room, guided by the light of cackling jack-o-lanterns. In the middle, couples danced to Dimitri Shostakovich's The Second Waltz, swirling around the fog laden floor as a chandelier swung precariously above them, occasionally dropping low as if it were going to fall on top of them. She shivered. This was not her ideal place to be at the moment. If someone recognized her, especially if that someone were professor Snape or Umbridge, it could mean the end of her apprenticeship at Hogwarts.

Using the veil to cover some of her face, she cautiously made her way to the edge of the room to try and see if there weren't some other exit she could try. It seemed that with the scarlet punch and ornate mirrors lining the walls that showed nothing but an empty room, professor Dumbledore had decided on a vampire theme. She remembered that near the teachers' table there was another door that would lead behind the grand staircase. From there she'd be able to make it to the entrance hall and then back to the safety of the dungeons.

She had just squeezed her way through a group of Ravenclaws, when she suddenly came upon a set of black wizarding robes she would have been an idiot not to recognize. She had been trying to keep her head down so as to avoid detection, but it seemed to have worked against her. Now she stood a couple of feet away gaping at a man who could ruin all of her dreams in an instant.

Snape had been incredibly irritable the entire night. Of all possible things—of all possible days, how could Dumbledore have forced him to celebrate this one yet again? How could he be so cruel? He had been silently brooding in a way such as this when he suddenly noticed out of the corner of his eye something odd…odd, yet strangely familiar. He had turned just before the person beside him did, enabling him to catch a glimpse of the face now hidden by a veil. He grabbed the person by the arm just as she had turned away and stopped her in her tracks.

"Turn around," Snape commanded slowly, brows contorted. She only did a half turn, but it was enough. Beneath the veil was the mortified face of his apprentice.

"New costume, Mr. Kang?" He remarked rigidly, an impenetrable gaze masking the strange waves of emotion churning within him.

"It's not my fault," he retorted, eyes downcast. "My friends forced me into this and then they shoved me in here. I've been trying to get out."

Snape exhaled. "You can't get out; all the exits are locked."

He fidgeted nervously. "But you're a teacher. Surely you can let me out?"

Snape cocked an eyebrow in disbelief at this display. Was he truly that insecure? If anyone actually found out about this, the only ones who would be talking about it would be the students and Norewood. The gossip of teenagers was of no consequence anyways and he should be used to Norewood's jests by now. But then again he did seem apprehensive when it came to his some of his more feminine characteristics.

"Professor Dumbledore is the only one who has that power. Unless you're sick or dying, you won't be leaving."Kang groaned. Snape glanced towards the crowd to see the familiar dirty blonde hair of his mischievous friend. "Here comes Norewood."

Yun Soo glared at him as he approached them.

"Snape, my friend, how are you this fine evening? And who's—" Hugh realized who was beneath the veil and had to cough into his hand to keep from laughing.

"You're an ass."

"I didn't dress you up like this."

"You let them use your office! You're just as guilty as they are."

"Oh, come now. You have to admit it was a bloody good joke."

"Maybe I'll be able to appreciate it later, but for right now you're still an ass."

This trio stayed like this for a rather long time, but eventually Hugh had to return to his post. Yun Soo stayed with the potions master—or rather, behind him—as the evening wore on. She felt safer this way. After an hour and the last song had been played, the candles suddenly dimmed. Everyone looked towards the front of the Great Hall in confusion as professor Dumbledore stepped up to the podium. He smiled

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask that you situate yourselves to the sides of the room?" With much disorder, the teachers helped to move everyone and she was separated from Snape, only able to count on the insubstantial lighting to hide her face. The room had once again quieted down. With a flurried wand movement, dozens of round tables appeared in the middle of the room along with simple wooden chairs. The curtain covering the entrance suddenly began to tear itself to pieces, the articles of lace flying over to each of the tables to create tablecloths. Then a white screen unfolded itself so that the doors were once again covered. "Let us begin the horror movie."

Yun Soo felt as if she were being smothered by the dark wall of bodies surrounding her. Horror movie?

So, kind of just realized that I never actually published this part like I thought I had _; So sorry about the wait. I hope this is more interesting than last time!