Author's Note

I do own Sherlock and Harry Potter in another reality but sadly I am stuck in this one.

Chapter 10. Tricks and treats

Sherlock POV

"Sherlock Holmes for god's sake what is all this yelling about now-?" Then to my utmost embarrassment she stopped in her tracks when she saw, grinning almost as wide as the cheshire cat himself.

After what seemed a rather awkward eternity she finally spoke saying: "I see you're out of your room then." she then turned to Hermione and winked, as if they knew something I didn't. As if they had planned this whole thing, and for some sinking feeling I could almost feel as if did.

"You might as well get the camera out." I said, rolling my eyes at my mother's sheer obviousness. I didn't even have to look at her to know she was subconsciously looking over at the living room, where oh so conveniently the camera had been put out. I frowned even wider though at the thought of having photos; I had been truly hoping she wouldn't attempt to. If Mycroft saw this he would never let me live this down, to be honest I didn't know if even I could live this down. I was already trying to erase the memories as we spoke, and I didn't need any other obstacles at the moment. It was pointless to have these memories anyways, not to mention downright embarrassing and time consuming for my mental capacity.

I began to grimace and groan a little but promptly stopped when I saw Hermione's death glare towards me. I knew she hated it when I acted like this toward my mother, but I honestly didn't know why it bothered her so much. It wasn't her mother, and besides it wasn't my fault my mother acted like a complete dolt most of the time. I just didn't care for a photo and we all knew this yet she insisted on having one. Anyways, she quickly snapped the photos (neither of which I smiled in mind you) and beamed, though a small frown quickly covered my face when she saw my dour expression.

There is of course a reason there are few photos in my house of me or my brother past the age of four or five. The main reason being after those ages I stopped smiling in photos so much, and as mother liked to put it, I looked rather grumpy and not at all attractive. I didn't really care anymore, or if I ever did I don't now, because every instance of her taking a photo of me it had been pointless. Every instant she had tried it had been some dulling 'monumental moment' in my life that I was soon to forget anyways; most of the photos were just of menial things like school plays or other things where I always was in the background.

All these photos are of our 'normal lives', painting this image that I'm just a happy, normal, child, which I hate. I hate being painted as the normal child loved by all, this child everyone expects me to be. I hate how these pictures shows us as a normal family when everyone knows its a lie, that we're not that, but what bothers me most is my mother still tries when everyone else has seemingly given up on it. She still tries to make us normal, as if being us is wrong, she still makes us do those stupid plays, and encourages us to do normal child things, I hate that though. That's why I smile rarely in photos, because I rarely do what makes me happy anymore.

Anyways, mother barely has a say in anything as I am already practically bursting out the door, into the cool sunset night, adventure it seems are awaiting us.

XXX

We of course stop by John's house first as it is the closest one to us. His house of course is decorated in the usual cheery decorations. The large glowing pumpkins illuminate the front yard, The paper walls hung on the patio dance in the breeze, and even the large, gigantic Frankenstein towers over us, looking at ever trick or treater with its glowing green eyes.

Personally, I had always thought Halloween to be a stupid holiday, or any holiday really for that matter. I just found it pointless to decorate for one night only to be taken in a couple days time, and then be stored away in your attic for the rest of the year. I mean, what purpose was it to have these things? The fun of putting up decorations in the freezing cold, the power to boast your money or in other words 'spirit?' All of these things seemed stupid if not a big egoistical.

That's probably why we never decorated our lawn anyways for Halloween or really any holiday, even though we did own decorations. Mother may have control of the inside of the house, but for the outside she was powerless to do anything about it. It was too much work for her despite her being at home all the time, father worked even more than mother, and Mycroft and I saw no point in decoration, one of the few things we did agree on. Still I had to admit I did rather enjoy looking at John's decorations each year. There was almost a sense of warm familiarity seeing them. I had just become so accustomed to seeing them this night it would almost be wrong not to see them. Just them being missing would make the whole entire night off for some reason.

We stood on the patio for quite a while, Hermione lecturing me. "Now when they answer the doorbell you have to say trick or treat."

"Why do I have to do that?" I asked.

"Because it's the polite thing to do."

"No it's not, you're just asking for candy without saying please even."

"Well it's just tradition!"

"It's a stupid tradition."

"Well just say it!" she said, fully exasperated at my arguing. She then caught her breath and rang the doorbell.

John's older sister then opened the door, on her side was the large bowl full of sweets. Harriet was only fifteen but already towered over John and I even more so than most teenagers. She had John's cold, bluish grey eyes and almost button-like nose, but that's where the similarities ended. She was a lot more muscular than John even and certainly in personality much more exuberant and loud mouthed. In fact I had heard she was often referred to as the 'wild child' in the Watson's family, and I frankly couldn't blame them for such a title for her. She usually was never at the house though anyways, she was usually off partying with her friends, going to clubs and whatnot much to her parent's dismay. She was kindly to me though at least, and always helped me with things that even John wouldn't do, most of them in fact being quite troublemaking.

"Trick or treat!" Hermione Chirped happily.

"what she said." I said, trying to make my voice the most devoid of enthusiasm. Then much to my annoyance, Hermione squarely punched me in the shoulder.

"John your friends are here!" she said, yelling across the hallways before turning back to us.

"What are you two dressed up as?" she asked, eyeing me mischievously.

"I'm dressed up as Peter Pan!" Hermione exclaimed.

"And you?"

"I'll leave you to your own deductions." I said bitterly, wanting this small chat to be over, especially before John saw me. Harriet simply smiled though, as if she knew more to the situation than I did. John then popped up from under Harriet, smiling even more when he saw my ridiculous attire.

"I didn't know you trick or treated." John said, fully amused at the spectacle of me.

"I don't, she forced me to."

"I didn't force you! Besides, you were the one who chose the costumes!" she yelled.

"Well you couldn't make up your mind!" I exclaimed.

"Mind if I join you?" John asked.

"Actually, I do." I replied, turning to leave, but Hermione grabbed me by the collar.

"Be nice Sherlock!"

"What? He's not even into costume." I replied flatly. Much to my dismay though soon John came back, fully clothed in a Mr. Smee costume, with even a red bucket on his side just for good measure.

"Now can I go?" I turned to Hermione, who was again giving me the death glare.

"Fine, but don't do anything ridiculous like trying to speak in a pirate accent." I said.

"Aye Aye Captain!" John exclaimed, and I couldn't help but see Hermione smiling.

XXX

After a full hour of slow meandering and trudging throughout the night Hermione finally decided to turn back home, much to my relief and John's disappointment. Truthfully I was just glad to be going home, I was getting tired of lugging this large sack of sweets that I wasn't going to eat anyways, (though I wouldn't admit it) and I wanted to go back home and change, so I could pretend at least for the rest of the night that this embarrassing ordeal never happened.

As we were walking back though I suddenly noticed a running figure in the black darkness, coming towards us. At first I didn't notice him though due to the darkness, but not only that but because of his dark hair which matched perfectly into the night. It was even worse than my worst nightmare and dread began to fill me as I began to confirm who it really was. I would rather face zombies or even ghouls than him right now, and especially now in this ridiculous wear. I looked for places to hide, but unfortunately there were none as he came up to us and stopped when he saw us. It was none other than Jim Moriarty.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice as cold as the night.

He then feigned innocence. "I was looking for Hermione, apparently she had gone home because of the stomach bug. I should be asking the same for yourself, especially since you are in the most utmost ridiculous wear I have ever seen, even for you I must add."

He then turned to look snidely at John. "Aren't you a bit old to be trick or treating? It's quite pathetic actually." John glared at him but Jim Moriarty of course didn't flinch, rather smirking when he saw John's expression upon his face. This only made John grimace even more, and I could see his fists were balled up behind his back.

He then turned to face Hermione: "What are you doing with these losers? I thought you were sick, are you okay?" he said, a look of almost genuine concern etched on his face, he could have fooled even me if I hadn't known better.

"Actually, I was just with Sherlock. We've been trick or treating all night." she said, smiling happily. She then grabbed my hand, much to my shocked expression, but not as shocked at Jim's which I smirked at when I saw his expression. He quickly composed, though I could see it had rattled him up.

"But why would you do it with them?" He asked.

"Because I made a promise to Sherlock, and besides look at these amazing costumes!" she said, smiling cheerily, though I could feel as if there were more meaning than she was letting on.

Her eyes then widened."Could you not tell Charlotte this though? I would hate to have her feelings hurt." Hermione said. Jim opened his mouth then shut it, seeing the expression on Hermione's face.

"All right I won't. You are really an oddball though, you do know that right?"

"I know, but at least I know who I am now." she said. To this he said nothing in reply, and he slowly began to walk away, like a ghost into the night.

XXX

After he had left our full view John slowly began to loosen his fists. "Who was that git?" John asked, his body still tense as he was still angry.

"That was none other than Jim Moriarty." I replied nonchalantly.

"I can't believe he went looking for me." Hermione said, shuddering at the idea. To be honest I was rather shocked at it myself, as it usually wasn't in his character to do so. It was reasonable though, considering he liked her anyways.

"I can't believe you actually went to that stupid party."

"Well it was even less than twenty minutes, and besides it was pretty awful because Jim kept staring at me the whole time."

"Well no wonder considering he likes you." I replied.

Hermione gasped as if I was oblivious to those things. "How did you know?"

"It was rather obvious considering he was nice to you, and that was a first sign considering he's a complete jerk to almost everybody. I'm surprised you didn't even notice." I shook my head at Hermione's shocked expression.

"Well he's a complete jerk." John said, and for some reason I couldn't help but laugh.

"What is it?" John and Hermione asked, looking confused.

I couldn't explain it though really. Perhaps though it was just the idea of standing in complete darkness dressed in these costumes, the way we all looked ridiculous, Hermiones hair frazzled and frayed, John himself having the utmost ridiculous expression strewn across his face. Even I, a pirate costume, bedazzled and worn, all of this into the night. A combination that just couldn't help but make me smile, my laughing flowing into the wind.

XXX

After we had arrived in our neighbourhood, John went back home (after of course I gave the candy to him) and together Hermione and I went back to her house, where her mom was already awaiting us.

"How long did you know?" Hermione asked.

"I had my suspicions but I truly knew four weeks ago." I said.

"A whole month, and you didn't bother to tell me!"

I shrugged. "You didn't ask."

"Well I'd thought if you'd learn something like that you'd tell me! Does anyone else like me?"

"Not that I'm aware of, no offense Hermione but you aren't exactly popular like Charlotte, it's even strange for someone popular like Jim to like you like that."

"Well you are right, I'm not pretty after all."

"I didn't say you weren't pretty."

"But am I pretty?" she asked innocently.

I blushed, though I don't really know why because I didn't like her like that. Hermione was many things but pretty wasn't exactly a word I would use on her. She certainly wasn't ugly or anything, but she wasn't drop dead gorgeous or princess like like Charlotte. Her being pretty like that would be odd too, considering her personality and always being a bit rough around the edges. Still, she wasn't ugly at all, even with her wild mane of hair that stuck out at the edges. While those things per say didn't exactly make her 'pretty' or doll like like most people would like I had learned to get used to them. With those gone I don't think I would recognise her, those things made her unique in her own way and I liked them about her. Hermione I suppose was pretty in her own way, though there was no way over my dead body I was going to admit that.

"What did you think of Jim Moriarty anyways." I said, changing the subject.

Hermione shrugged. "I never really knew him, I always thought he was nice but a bit odd to be honest. Now I know why though, I never really liked him like that."

"Well good, because he's a git." I then frowned.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Hermione why are you friends with me? No one else is and for good reason, I'm not kind, loyal, or funny. I will admit sometimes I can be arrogant and a bit of a gi-"

"You mean a lot of times."

"Hm, I mean John has learned to put up with it, he's grown up and is used to it. But Hermione you've only known me even less than a year, why do you put up with it still?"

"Why wouldn't I? Look Sherlock, you may be a lot of things, including an arrogant git that may drive me up the walls but you're my best friend, and the best friend I could ever ask for at that. Don't ever, ever think I'll turn against you otherwise. Promise me that?"

"But Hermi-"

"No buts" she then smiled. "Come on Sherlock, you're supposed to be the smart one here."

She then turned serious again. "Promise me?"

"If you promise me something." I replied.

"Promise me you'll never act like those girls, ever."

"Well that's easy enough. Fine, I Hermione Jean Granger promise that I'll never be a stupid, arrogant, trivial minded girl like Charlotte. Now your turn."

"Fine, I Sherlock Holmes promise to trust the oh so smart, sometimes bratty and always loud mouthed Hermione Granger."

"I'm not loud mouthed!"

"You can be sometimes dearie," Hermione's mom called, and I couldn't helped but look contempt at Hermione's look of defeat.

XXX

Author's Note

First off, in case I didn't make this clear or anything, Sherlock's mother is not a bad character; and she will never will be. Despite Sherlock's POV of her and things she truly does care about Sherlock probably deeper than most of us can imagine, that is why Hermione is so harsh to him when he's rude to her, because she understands this. Raising Sherlock in itself would probably be a hard task, and she sees the bullying and unhappiness he probably has. She doesn't know how to reach him though in his way, so she tries to treat him how she would treat a normal child, and almost try to mold him into a more 'average' child so that he may find friends and be more happy. This of course doesn't happen at all and pushes Sherlock even more away from her; and that's probably why she likes Hermione so much, as it's one of Sherlock's few grade friends and she almost envies him because she can reach him on a level that she can't. Anyways, thank you all for reading this, and please review! :)