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October : All Hallows' Eve
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Hermione tilted her head, a tsk on her lips and her hands on her hips, "I thought you were going to be ready when I got here?"
Rabbit looked down, his hands running over his chest, "I…I am?" He looked to her, feigning confusion.
"That is what you wear every day!" She moaned, her brow furrowed, "What are you even supposed to be?"
He smiled from ear to ear, standing a bit straighter, "A cartographer."
"Rabbit!" She groaned, "That isn't what we planned!" Hermione fell onto the couch, her white dress fluttering around her.
"Well, I've never really dressed up for Halloween and…besides…" Rabbit stiffened his laugh, knowing she couldn't be too mad if she used his nickname, "I am too tall to be a Stormtrooper."
Hermione looked up to him, her hair, which had taken her hours to smooth out and braid into Leia's famous buns, ruined the stern look she was trying to give, "Robert!"
"Alright…alright!" Knowing his joke had run its course, he pulled off his well-worn vest and his jean button down to reveal a long white sleeve shirt which he pulled a black vest over, "See! All ready!" He smiled, "It never takes guys as long to get ready."
Hermione pursed her lips, "That wasn't funny!" She crossed her arms, living up to the princess she was dressed as.
"Oh…you know you can't stay mad at me…" He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pecking her cheek and nosing her until he got the smile he sought.
"Okay, okay!" Hermione laughed, leaning back, "We should get going, it's almost time."
Rabbit nodded and offered her his hand, "Let's go, princess."
"Alright, nerf-herder." Hermione jumped up and took his hand, pulling him along towards the fireplace, "Ready?"
Rabbit, who was too tall for the fireplace, attempted a nod, "Yeah, yeah, just go."
She chuckled as she grabbed up a handful of powder, "To Hogwarts Castle!" The emerald flames enveloped them and whisked them away in an instant.
Hermione landed perfectly, per usual, but Rabbit, who was used to Apparating instead of Flooing, stumbled over his long legs and shot out of the fireplace when he came through, landing perfectly on his back.
"Robert, how pleasant it is to see you again." An upside-down Headmistress greeted.
Rabbit just smiled up, "It is nice to see you again, Minerva."
Minerva McGongall allowed the smallest of smiles to touch her lips as the lengthy Yank got to his feet, dusting himself off. She would never admit it aloud, not even to herself, that he had grown on her; she had shown her hand, however, when she approached Hermione and ask if her American friend would be joining them for Halloween.
An American who had no ties to Hogwarts except a young witch who had stolen his heart over the course of a day had given up everything to come and put in long, hard hours working alongside the Squibs. How could Minerva not admire him? He reminded her so much of her Dougal McGregor and she hoped more than anything that Hermione and Robert would have a happier end.
"Are you going as a witch this year?" He teased, trying to ignore his embarrassment at being a Muggle. Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head in a grimace.
Minerva tipped her head, amused by his wit.
"Well, we best get going!" Hermione tugged on Rabbit's arm, causing him to stumble along behind her, "Thank you, Headmistress!"
The Headmistress raised her hand in parting, resting it across her mouth as the stairs closed.
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Rabbit and Hermione made their way down the hall, the witch hanging on the bend of his arm, as they laughed about Rabbit's smooth Floo skill.
"Oh, Hermione, Robert! I'm so glad you could make it!" A familiar face with a mess of silvery curls skipped towards them. Rabbit rose a brow, trying to guess the Ravenclaw's costume; her dress was a rich, forest green velvet with rings of green fringe which fell to the floor in the style of an A. Different colored bobbles were sown throughout it and her necklace lit up in a rainbow of colors, and part of her hair had been done up in the shape of a star which rested in a tilt atop her head.
"Christmas in October?" Rabbit randomly guessed.
Luna beamed, "You are the first one to get it right!" She next looked him up and down, "Are you a waistcoat sales man?"
Rabbit just continued to smile, "Supposed to be Han Solo, though I'm not as dashing." Hermione playfully elbowed him, disagreeing with his comment.
"Ohhh, your costume makes much more sense now!" She commented, turning to Hermione. The Gryffindor wrinkled her brow, both curious to know what Luna had assumed she was and not sure she wanted to know.
"Well, come on! Come on! Let's get to the party!" Luna took hold of Rabbit's hand, who in turn took hold of Hermione's, and the group snaked their way down the rest of the hall to the Great Hall.
The doors were already opened and as they rounded the corner the lively music, mouth-watering food, and autumn appearance greeted their senses. Each stood in awe at the entrance. The night was magical, and it wasn't just the starry heavens or the floating candles that cast a spell upon them. It was the life inside.
No one would have ever guessed this hall had once been witness to an ugly day of blood and death. No, it was reborn. Life abounded, joy filled the corners and smiles were brighter than the thousand candles that filled the room.
It was a bitter sweetness. The fact that life marched on, that happiness was found again, was a blessing indeed, and yet the ache and the sharp memory of those that had once laid lifeless on the floor was still there, a ghost haunting this happy time. Those who were lost would never see such times again, or witness the fruit of their greatest sacrifice, and that thought was unbearable.
Tears stained Hermione's eyes and Rabbit pulled her close, kissing her head.
"Come on, let's dance…" Rabbit took her hands and slowly led her to the dance floor, wanting her to get lost in the present and let the past lie just for tonight.
The pair joined the crowd, easily blending in as an upbeat song played.
Rabbit knit his brow as another, very familiar song began to play, and Hermione smirked.
"Who would have thought wizards listened to Bon Jovi!" He called as Livin' On A Prayer echoed around the stone hall.
Hermione just laughed as he spun her around.
"Always full of surprises!" Rabbit chuckled.
The night went on, filled with laughter and celebration. There was no end of food, music, or fun; what more could one ask for on All Hallows' Eve?
Rabbit was proven wrong after all, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the attention he received from all the seventh and sixth-year girls. Naïve as always, he indulged the attention, his always-friendly personality a welcomed response to the flirtatious girls.
Hermione watched, comfortable in her place on the bench, clapping in time with the music as Rabbit spun Luna around on the floor. Her ear perked when she heard a small gathering of girls chattered about who would get to dance with him next; she smiled, remembering that age. Of course, she was only a few years older than them, but she had seen much more of life than they had and her perspective had been darkened by the reality of what the world was.
She appreciated their simple innocence and prayed they could keep it as long as they could. And she enjoyed a chuckle when they began bustling about as the song came to an end.
Luna and Rabbit made their way to their seats, playfully bantering. Hermione watched, admiring him. He fit so well into her world.
"Can I steal you for a moment?" An out of breath Rabbit requested, offering his hand. Hermione took it, savoring the perfect fit, and let him lead the way.
The pair snuck out the large doors and through the hall, making their way down the moonlit corridor. Rabbit knew the grounds just as well as she did now, and he led them straight towards the quiet courtyard.
"It's beautiful!" Hermione breathed, admiring the still night. The sky was crystal clear, scattered with diamond-like stars, and what was left of the full moon shown down brightly. The October air was crisp and peaceful shadows danced across the courtyard.
Hermione felt his admiring gaze and turned to him, wrinkling her nose playfully. She stuck out her tongue before leaning once more on the stone balcony, watching the silent forest below and the illuminating lights of the castle reflecting upon the lake.
"I love you."
Hermione turned to him, "I know."
Rabbit laughed, "Ohh, that was cheesy." He teased, brushing aside his bangs.
"I know." Hermione quipped again.
He turned to her, his eyes sincere, "I want to marry you."
"I sort of figured that." She held up her left hand for emphasis.
He nodded, tapping his hand against the stone sill, "I…I can't wait for you to come home."
She looked back to him, her eyes honest, "Me too." Hermione reached over and took his hand, giving it a tight squeeze. She fell against his side and curled closer when he kissed the top of her head.
"You are coming back, right?"
Hermione pulled back, his words burning her, "Of course, why would you think I wouldn't?"
"It is amazing here! I couldn't blame you for wanting to stay." He replied, his hand gesturing to the grandeur surrounding them. He leaned against the well-worn stone of the window, looking out, "To see you here, how well you are settled in…everyone looks up to you and you are doing so well…you love tutoring the younger students. You were made for this world, Hermione."
"It's missing something though." Hermione whispered, her voice almost lost on the chilly wind. Rabbit heard her, though, and turned to face her.
She smiled, realizing how cliché she would sound and not caring in the least because she meant it with her whole heart, "You." She took his hand once more, holding it tightly between hers.
He smiled, savoring her touch.
Now, Hallows' Eve holds a special magic all its own which is unmatched by any other day. Not only does it have the chance to strengthen a powerful witch's magic, but it can gift its tricks to whomever it chooses. And who more worthy than the one who holds a witch's heart?
A blue wisp warmed the entwined hands, startling the pair. It did not spark fear but awe, and the pair remained how they were. A silent wow touched Rabbit's lips as the color grew brighter, more brilliant, while Hermione looked on, spellbound. Ripples of silver twisted throughout, as if a Patronus was being cast. Instead, the magic separated into two pieces and each hopped out from either side of the entwined hands.
The pair watched closely as the magic wisps took the form of a pair of rabbits, which hopped about and lovingly nuzzled the other. Hermione laughed while Rabbit continued to stare, dumbfounded. The pair hopped around a bit longer before rushing towards the side of the stone window, passing right through the solid stone. Hermione looked closer, not sure what she would find, and smiled when she saw the magical pair outlined in a dark black on the stone, lovingly snuggled together forever more.
"What the…" Rabbit followed her line of sight, his brow knit, "Wh-what spell is that? Did you do that?"
Hermione turned back to him, "We did that!"
"We? I—I can't do anything!" He pulled back with wide eyes.
"Sometimes magic is unexplainable, it does what it wants." Hermione laughed again, pulling him closer and leaning into him. She sighed, "Don't think of the how or the why, just enjoy it." Softly, she reached out and traced the pair, "It's something for our kids to find during their time at Hogwarts."
Rabbit rose a brow, the plural she used not going noticed. He looped his arm around her, holding her close, safe from the October wind, and kissed her head, "It does look pretty cool." He rested his head atop hers, content.
Hermione pressed her hand against her mouth. Rabbit had been right, she loved Hogwarts and felt fulfilled teaching and sharing her knowledge. But she loved him just a bit more, just as she knew he loved her more than the entire life he had built in America.
Maybe one day they would find the perfect balance, one that would give them both what they wanted. But that was a thought for another day. Now was just a time to be.
She turned around and pecked his cheek, "Happy Halloween, scruffy."
"Same to you, princess."
She looked back to the pair of rabbits, smiling "I love you."
Rabbit wrapped his arms around her and smirked against her ear, "I know."
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