WARNING: I realized I already had Halloween on the timeline from the Rumors chapter, but let's make this an AU Halloween Special, kay? :)
Enjoy this one Spin-Off Halloween Special. Note, this takes place when Melinda is still pregnant.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to J.K. Rowling. I only own the OC's in this story.
"Halloween. Such a special holiday, and isn't it ironic too?" Andrea commented. Mel and Val looked to her with clueless looks at first.
"Ironic how?" Val asked with her mouth half full of pumpkin pie. Andrea rolled her eyes and gave her a disapproving look after.
"Because muggles dress up as things they don't think exist when in fact they do, knucklehead!" She gave an 'ooh' sound and went back to eating. Melinda grinned and oddly thought of Hermione Granger; how long did she think that way until the day she got her letter of acceptance to Hogwarts?
"Hey lovely ladies!" Chorused the handsome twins as they came up and sat down with the three. The girls casually greeted them back.
"So, you three ready for the Halloween party that's going on at 9?" Fred asked. The blank looks he got from them told him all.
"You haven't heard of it yet?" He gave a fake gasp and looked at his brother with wide eyes; George copied his theatrical act.
"My word, your group doesn't get the word too fast, huh?" Valerie gave a huff at his tease.
"Just spill about the party already." He nodded and so went on telling them of the event.
"So, it was actually Lee Jordan's idea. Brilliant really! It's actually a good thing that you haven't heard of it, because only a select few people are being invited to attend it. Of course, since you three know now you're invited as well." He added in with a wink to which Val rolled her eyes.
"You're coming right? You have to; I don't want to be dateless at this party." George joked to Mel. She gave a shrug, but it did sound rather fun.
"I suppose I could go. I have nothing better to do anyway." She agreed. That made the twins really happy.
"Well, since Mel's going I'm going too." Val decided then, and looked to Andrea who seemed hesitant.
"Come on Rosetti, you know you want to. Loosen up that tight ship of yours." Fred edged her on. She resisted, and resisted and…eventually gave in.
"Oh fine," She sighed. "I'll go." So it was settled.
The annual Halloween feast Dumbledore gave wasn't anything compared to Lee Jordan's party, which happens to be at a ordinarily unused classroom, dusty and having natural spider webs which made it less of a hassle to actually decorate. The boys made a pretty good job at enchanting small jack-o-lanterns to float in the air and about the room. At what one would deem the professor's desk was a large bowl of punch and many Halloween-themed pastries (obviously nicked from the kitchen). The sound of music was evident inside, but from the outside it was dead quiet. One of Lee's friends, a 7th year Hufflepuff, was very good with charms so he did the courtesy of placing a sound-proof enchantment on the whole room in case professors came around.
"Wow, this is cool!" Valerie said upon arriving there with the other two. Andrea was pretty impressed with the set up herself.
"Alright, so I guess it wasn't a bad idea to come here." She admitted, to which Melinda smiled.
"It's always fun when the twins are involved." She said, and right then the two crept up behind her and grasped her in a tight hug.
"Did you hear that, Fred?"
"I believe I did, George, and our dear Mel is quite right!" They let go of her and she turned to face them.
"You almost smothered me to death." She joked, and they grinned like Cheshire cats.
"Trust us, we could've done worse. Anyways, you three enjoy yourselves in this fancy-shamnsy party! Drinks are free at a small fee and the food's kitchen-approved!" The girls laughed.
There were at least 20 kids in the room, hanging out, dancing and just having an overall good time. Lee Jordan was going around asking the guests to rate the party for record's sake and the twins were always trying to interrupt him on it. The Hufflepuff trio chatted with a couple of known faces to them, and helped themselves to the food and drinks. Melinda was really having a good social time when she suddenly began to feel nauseous.
'Oh damn, I almost completely forgot about this.' She thought before she had to rush out to find the nearest bathroom possible. George saw this and snuck out to go after her. Mel luckily found a girl's restroom and went inside, barely getting to the loo in time to let out the contents.
'I hate this so much. I thought it was only in the mornings, what's up with this?' She thought all the while. Someone grabbed her hair and held it back, but she couldn't see who it was until she felt better. Coughing in the end, she wiped her mouth and looked back, only to see George there with a look of concern.
"You alright Mel?" She flushed and stood up while giving him a small nod.
"Yeah, I'm fine but…what are you doing in the girls' bathroom?" She asked while going up to the faucet and turning on the water to clean her mouth. He followed behind her, wearing a small blush on his face.
"Well, I saw you running out so I went after you to make sure you were okay. Was it something you ate that didn't sit well with your stomach?" Mel paused and then nodded.
"Yeah, must've been that." She lied and took a paper towel. He nodded again and awkwardly glanced around.
"Well, you should probably head back to your dorm and get some rest. Don't want you missing classes in the morning, you goody-two-shoes." He joked. Mel gave a chuckle and looked at him.
"Right, well thanks for looking after me George. I'm sure I'll be fine by morning." He smiled back, and even after Mel walked out he still went with her until she got near the kitchen and stopped.
"Despite that little incident, you can tell Lee Jordan I had a great time at the party." He grinned when she said that and moved closer, giving her a gentle hug. She was a little taken back by it, but returned it all the same.
"Of course. You have a good night Mel." He whispered. Something in the tone of his voice sounded a little strange to Mel.
"You too George." She mumbled and pulled away from the hug. The Weasley boy stared down at her for a while, before he moved away and with a wave, he left. Melinda stared off before going through the secret passage and up to the girls' dorm. With a heavy sigh, she lied down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling.
'I don't know if I can handle this…' She thought, putting her hand on her stomach, frowning. It's been over a month since she found out she was pregnant, and the consequences of it were already wearing her down. She couldn't even go through a simple party without something happening to interrupt her fun. Would it always be like this? And what about after the baby was born? Would she still be able to have fun? Her head hurt from just thinking about it.
'Calm down Mel, you can pull through this, you can.' She tried to think positive as she closed her eyes.
'Yeah, everything will be fine…you just have to make the best out of it, or try at least.' Just then, Andrea and Valerie came in and went over to her.
"Hey Mel, you alright?" Andrea asked in a whisper. She opened her eyes and sat up.
"Yeah, I just got a little sick." She mumbled. The girls exchanged knowing looks and they sat at her bedside.
"It's okay Mel, it'll pass soon. I mean the sickness can't go on forever it's been a month already. It should stop soon." Andrea said gently, giving her a side hug. Val joined in and that made Melinda feel better. At least she had their support on this.
'Halloween might've not gone the way I wanted, but it could've been worse I guess.' She thought.
Hey guys! I know this is super short and kinda suckish, but I felt I needed to post SOMETHING until I got to work on ideas for the next chapter and all (writer's block). I hope you guys enjoyed this short special anyway! Thanks :)