"Alphard, it's Hermes." Her grandmother nodded at the dining room window, where a barn owl was sitting with a big envelope in its mouth.

The dining room was only ever used for eating meals, with a large oak table in front of them and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Windows on one side of the room looked out on the autumn landscape, framed by thick egg-white curtains bound by red rope with tassels at the end. On the other side of the room there were two small tables with a vase full of flowers on each placed against the wall and a decorated stone fireplace in between.

Her grandmother was seated at the head of the table, as always, and furthest away from the entrance door. With her father to her right and Maia to her left, the rest of the table was unoccupied.

Her father waved his hand and the window jumped open, Hermes flying in the room and putting himself between her grandmother and father at the table. Maia would have jumped up and down from curiosity, had she been a lesser being. Now she immediately forgot about her soft-boiled egg or buttered toast, her eyes were fully focused on her father opening the letter.

Was that what she thought it was?

There were 3 papers in total, only the emerald ink visible from her place. Her father skimmed each of them, before lowering them on his toast, shock making its way on his face. His eyes flickered towards her almost automatically. Her own wide eyes were moving between his face and the pieces of paper. That didn't spell much good.

Her father moved his attention back to the papers and read them again, as if the information on them would magically change.

Well, Maia guessed, she wouldn't be surprised if it could.

She waited for a minute, but couldn't contain it.

"And?"

Her father coughed. "Well, umm."

He pointed a cautious look towards her grandmother before looking back at her. "It seems a lot of family members have died recently. Uncle Arcturus, aunt Lucretia and her husband, and aunt Cassiopeia. It also seems like Sirius and Bellatrix gotten themselves landed in Azkaban."

Her grandmother frowned with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

"Sirius? The boy with the long hair from your wedding?" Her grandmother asked, still frowning. "The one that showed up with that boy with the scars on his face as his plus one, to which your sister almost jumped out of her chair in anger, and Sophie had to do damage control?"

Maia raised her eyebrow, taking a quick glance at her grandmother. Out of all of those deaths and imprisonments, that was what she was going to say?

Her father nodded.

"I haven't heard from him in a long time." He said, frowning at the pages. "Over the years I have been contacted for the death of my father, my brother, and my nephew, but all of them happened so close after the death of Sophie I didn't do more than attend their funerals."

He moved a hand over his forehead and groaned softly. "I wonder how Sirius got in that much trouble. He was disowned not long after our marriage and left to live with one of his friends. I even gave him some money so he could live on his own if he wanted to. He couldn't have done anything that bad."

Maia frowned as she picked up her toast again and took a bite. Her father and grandmother continued talking about the content of the letters, but she heard enough. It concluded that most of her family was either dead or imprisoned, and she was most likely never going to meet them.

How anticlimactic.

"Very good, Miss Black. Now stay seated with your back straight and place your cup back on its saucer by cushioning it with your pinky." Madame Andree spoke, putting down her own tea cup with poise and grace, minimising the sound by supporting it with her little finger.

Maia did her best to copy her, strengthening the muscles in her stomach and back to make sure she wouldn't tumble forward off her seat. Fully focused she put down her cup as quietly as she could, before placing her hands on her lap and looking at Madame Andree.

"Perfect!" The plump woman put her hands together, giving her a nod. "I sometimes can't believe you are only seven years old Miss Black, you are truly one of my best students. No one puts much thought into etiquette these days."

Madame Andree sighed and daintily put her hand to her cheek. "I am filled with relief to know some boys and girls don't think the art is completely useless."

"Oh, au contraire Madame Andree," Maia spoke, keeping her head high. "I believe the right etiquette is very important, in the right company of course. I would never want to greet you with any less."

A small serene smile pointed Madame Andree's way had the older woman smiling politely back at her. A big grin or smile wasn't as approved off during their etiquette lessons, and most certainly not right out laughter.

Madame Andree was a woman in her hundreds, an old school friend from her great-grandmother, and a very proper woman. Grey hair neatly in a bun, an oval shaped face with a few wrinkles, kind blue eyes, and a bit plump. Her clothing mostly consisted out of royal blues with pink and gold undertones. Having taught both etiquette to her grandmother and to her mother, Madame Andree was following the line with her. Recently she lost her husband, which had made her grandmother wonder if she would be up for teaching, but it seemed like she wanted to do nothing more than continue the tradition.

Maia had already decided that if Madame Andree wanted, she would also teach her kids etiquette. It was a bit far down the line, but who knew.

They were pulled out of their conversation by a knock on the door.

Madame Andree gestured at her to answer.

"Come in!" She called out, making sure it wasn't too loud, but the recipient would still hear her. There was a lot going into etiquette, more than she had thought.

Her grandmother opened the door, revealing herself dressed in her light blue robes.

"It's time ladies," her grandmother nodded at them. "Maia your father is waiting in the study for your algebra class. I'll escort you out Agathe."

Madame Andree nodded and stood from her seat before making a small bow her way. Maia stood up and did the same.

"I look forward to our next lesson Madame Andree." She spoke, straightening her back.

"As do I, Miss Black." Madame Andree said fondly, following her grandmother out of the room.

The moment they were out of the door Maia stretched her arms above her head and let out a groan. Having to keep leaning over to grab her teacup had asked a lot from her back.

Looking at the clock she went over her schedule of the day. She had had French class in the morning, etiquette with Madame Andree, now was algebra, after that it would be dance lessons, and lastly she would spend time before dinner discussing art with her grandmother.

Objectively you could say she was busy and sometimes glances were thrown her way to look for any sign of exhaustion or stress. Her grandmother was elated with her progress, and while her father was a bit more relaxed on the subject, she knew he was proud.

Her biggest advantage was that her mindset wasn't like a child's. She wouldn't consider herself a natural genius, but she could ignore blisters on her feet from dancing, never got frustrated when she didn't know an answer in one of her classes, didn't cry when the fencing tutor was too rough, and could focus her attention more than the average seven-year-old. It was obvious that if she worked hard now, the future would be so much easier.

She had all these advantages and she would be a fool not to exploit them all to the maximum. Until she would attend her school of choice at the age of eleven, her schooling was managed by herself, her father, and her grandmother. At this point all she was focused on was finishing her basic classes as early as possible. When she finished those her father would teach her about magic.

All theory of course, but magic non the less.

With slight grin on her face she made her way to her father's study where her algebra lesson would take place. Those lessons about magic would be hers soon enough.

"Grandmother, grandmother!" Maia ran down the hall to the west parlour. It was an uncouth thing to do, but she didn't care. Not today.

The door was already open and she didn't even bother introducing herself. She immediately ran up to the only other person in the room. Her father was most likely in his study replying to some letters or something.

"Is it time?" She shifted her weight from one leg on the other, looking at the woman seated in the big chair with a newspaper in her hand. In the background she heard the noises of the fire and music.

Her grandmother looked over her reading glasses and the top of the newspaper with a pointed look.

"You know you still have fencing this afternoon chérie." Her grandmothers strict tone clashed with her slight smile.

Maia groaned. She knew, but part of her hoped her grandmother had forgotten.

"I know grandmother." She looked to the side. "I'm just really excited."

Her grandmother let out a smile and put her newspaper down.

"It's just a mask you know chérie. There is no pressure." Her grandmother looked down at her.

"I know grandmother." Maia said again, rolling her eyes, the small smile still present. "But I finally get to choose my own mask and I still don't know what creature I would want."

Frowning she tried to picture the wall of creature masks and which ones she had liked most.

"My favourite mask is my blue Occamy and I'll be wearing it again this Samhain. Your father will most likely wear his green snake mask again." At that her grandmother rolled her eyes.

"It's a Basilisk and you know it Eloise." A male voice said, coming from the entrance of the room. Her father leaned against the door opening with a grin on his face. "I got that mask from Sophie the year we got married and I will always wear it on Samhain."

His eyes found hers and Maia flashed a tiny grin at him.

"Maia, in a few minutes your fencing teacher will be here." He looked at her with his eyebrows raised. "You have to get ready don't you think?"

Maia muttered quietly, but walked towards the door.

"Yes father," she spoke, looking up at him. "Afterwards we will go to Paris to get my mask, right?"

He gave her a little smirk. "When you are finished with fencing we will go to Paris. You know you don't have to choose one, we can just buy multiple. You can wear different ones all through the night."

Maia pulled up her nose and frowned.

"No, I don't want that. You and grandmother don't do that. I will celebrate with one mask now and I'll pick another one next year."

Her father just ruffled her hair. "Right, right. As long as you don't dance to close to the fire again."

Maia felt her cheeks heat up. Last year she had gotten a bit too enthusiastic with dancing around the pyre and her cloak had caught on fire. It had been put out fast enough, but it was still embarrassing. She coughed in her hand and pretended she hadn't heard him.

"And I'll get another chance to look into the crystal ball tonight?" She smiled hopefully at her father.

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, you will, now go to your lesson." He pushed her towards the door.

"Thank you, father!" She called behind her as she ran towards her room. She would have to be quick would she want to be in uniform before her teacher came. He was strict.

One fencing lesson and a shower later, her grandmother and father were waiting for her in the entrance hall. She jumped from most of the stairs, her magic cushioning her fall, and fastened her cloak while she walked to the fireplace. At seven years old her favourite clothes consisted out of black pants, white blouses, and dark coats. Her grandmother blamed it on her father who basically wore the exact same thing, and would sometimes try to convince her to wear some more colour, but it went slowly.

"Ready Maia?" Her father stood next to the Floo with his hand out. For most of the time she still traveled with her father, but she knew that soon enough she could try it on her own.

Grabbing her father's hand and stepping in the fireplace he threw the powder on the ground and spoke.

"Place Cachée!"

Green flames covered them and before she knew they were standing in a fireplace in a row of fireplaces. Her father guided her out so her grandmother could arrive, but Maia her eyes were glued to the sight in front of her. The Place Cachée was filled with different kinds of people from all over the world. The buildings were high, the stones big and sparkling with the sunlight reflexed on them, and the colours of the different types of robes and jewellery seemed all the brighter.

A group of African wizards, all dressed in robes with colourful patterns, were haggling for what seemed to be a giant piece of jewellery. Maia was almost a hundred percent certain she heard the man say it was a necklace for his Erumpent.

She saw a topless man, his tattoos moving all over his body, try to get a big tarantula back in its cage. A group of women, with head scarves that changed with the colour of their moods, giggled when his back tattoo of a mermaid waived at them. Their scarves turned a rose pink.

Owls flew over the busy street and Maia saw some people comparing two creature masks. Frowning, she knew she had to press on doing their shopping earlier, now all the good masks would be gone.

She quickly turned to her father and grandmother, who had arrived in the meantime.

"We're going to be late." Was all she said, her eyes focused on the stores around them, trying to see to her chosen one. At least she had the store already picked out.

Her father just rolled his eyes, but took the lead in the busy street. He had always been very indulgent with her and she was not above abusing it. Her grandmother just followed, here and there waving to someone she recognised.

Finally, Maia laid her eyes on the familiar store windows. It was a small boutique, pressed in between two big stores, one filled with animals and the other a Zonko joke shop. She lit up when she saw it was open and running. Hanging above the door and the window was a large wooden sign with the name of the store, which translated to: One Hand Handy Shop. The owner was Victoire, or Vic, a classical trained sculptor who had lost her hand some years ago. Maia hadn't asked how, but Vic didn't let it stop her from sculpting and Maia had found the work she did to be far superior to any person with two hands.

Opening the door, a small bell rang through the shop.

"Little princess!" Vic's voice rang out to her. "I was thinking you had gotten a mask from a different shop!"

Vic was seated behind the counter, one hand on a new wood carving and a chisel attached to the stump on her other arm. She was of average height, with long blond hair in a bun, hazel eyes, and surprisingly fond of the colour yellow. Dressed in a bright yellow shirt, her huge biceps stuck out with moving tattoo's all over them.

Maia pulled up her noise, hiding her excitement immediately at the reminder of the unfortunate nickname Vic had for her.

"Of course not. I wouldn't wear one of those mass-produced masks."

Behind the counter Vic grinned widely. Maia already knew Vic thought it was hilarious that a little child could be so serious and posh and had stuck her with the nickname 'little princess'. She knew it was Vic's way of making friends, so she didn't let it bother her.

"Well I have some good ones in the back, why don't you go look?" Vic gestured her hand at the door separating the store and the working space, before turning towards the other adults. "How are you doing Mr. Black? Lady Matthieu?"

Maia didn't hear the rest of the conversation, making her way through the door. The back room was filled with wood, tools, paints, and had a small forge to the side where Vic made and adjusted her metals. The fire was still on, but Maia didn't pay any attention to it.

On one wall there were different kinds of masks, all hanging from hooks, made with different materials. From metals to wood, painted or engraved, all different kinds of creatures, and even some human ones. She narrowed her eyes and inspected each one.

Samhain masks usually portrayed a creature and she wanted to keep that tradition, so the ones representing popular witches and wizards were out. She might be a bit vain, but she wanted a pretty one and one with colour. Eventually she got it down between a nice green Basilisk, a black Horned Serpent, a purple Ashwinder, and a light blue Jobberknoll.

Her eyes were drawn to the Horned Serpent mask. It was almost completely black, with two white horns sticking up towards the ceiling, and Vic had managed to put blue jewels on the forehead.

That one was the one she wanted.

Focusing her eyes on the mask, she held out her hand. It took a long minute, but eventually it dislodged itself from the wall and floated into her hand.

Grinning she looked down at the mask. Her first self-chosen Samhain mask. This year was going to be spectacular.

Coming out of the backroom her father, grandmother, and Vic were still talking. Well, Vic was doing the talking and her grandmother and father were listening.

"… my cousin said that Halloween is becoming more and more popular in England." Vic was waving her chisel around. "They just take over the Muggle celebration of eating candy and never even celebrate Samhain."

Vic shrugged passionately, completely immersed in her story telling, and Maia took a quick look towards her father and grandmother. Her father had one eyebrow raised, probably translating the sentences in his head, but he did look like he was thinking about Vic's words. Her grandmother on the other hand had no issue complaining along with Vic, fully in agreement with her.

"Halloween is nothing more than a way to feed children candy and rely on that to make it popular." Her grandmother pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, before giving the air one little wave, as to swat away a fly. "I heard from one of my friends that even French Muggles aren't bothering with it."

Vic was nodding along in agreement. "I don't see why they bother. We have been celebrating Samhain for centuries and the Muggles have their La Toussaint. I don't see Halloween ever becoming big in France."

The conversation seemingly ended with both Vic and her grandmother nodding to themselves and Maia considered this to be the perfect moment to cut in.

"I picked out my favourite." She spoke, walking towards the counter where Vic was still standing.

"Ah, little princess!" Vic jumped from behind the counter to meet her halfway and took the black mask out of her hands. "A Horned Serpent I see? How fitting."

Vic turned around and disappeared behind the counter, muttering something about her wand. Her father turned to her and looked at her with an amused look. Maia blushed and looked around the shop, pretending she didn't see it. It was the first time her father heard the nickname Vic had for her and Maia had never been more embarrassed. She didn't even like the nickname!

"Ha, here it is!" Vic appeared again, now with the mask and her wand in hand. "Put it on and I'll shrink it to the right size for your face."

Taking the mask back, Maia put it on for the first time. The mask covered everything from the nose up and she felt the runes Vic had carved on the inside pressing against her face. The mask shrank until it was fit perfectly and she took it off again, handing it to her father who inspected the piece of art.

"These are runes," he noted, speaking for the first time since they entered the shop, moving his fingers over the carvings.

"Hah, uhh.. well… yeah." Vic moved her hand behind her head, scratching at something, while her face went red. "Not a lot of people use them, but they last longer than enchantments. Enchantments will maybe be good for one year, but now you can wear the mask for at least five to ten. I can even smooth them over and carve them again if you want."

Maia raised her brow at Vic and turned to her father to look at the inside of the mask too. It was silent for a couple of seconds, before Vic began stammering.

"Well not you, I mean you probably already have a mask." With each word her face turned more and more red. "I mean your daughter of course. It's her mask."

Her father let out a chuckle and handed the mask back to her. Maia kept looking at the inside for a moment, admiring the tiny engravings, before handing it to her grandmother who also wanted a look.

"It's impressive," her grandmother continued. "Not many people take the effort to make such masks anymore."

"Well I'm proud of my craft you see." Vic was now smiling a bit bashfully. "I like it if the things I make last longer, if not forever."

Her father and grandmother nodded in approval and Maia stood a bit taller, proud of herself. She had picked Vic and her store, of course they were going to be impressive. Talent recognises talent.

With that their shopping trip ended on a good note. Vic waved them goodbye with the usual 'little princess' comment and Maia did her best to hold on to the approval her father and grandmother had given Vic. Her talent was worth a few quirks, she kept reminding herself.

It wasn't easy.

It was getting dark and when they arrived back home Beady had already put out all the fire places. By having the pyre outside as the only light source, all the spirits and creatures would be drawn towards that and not towards the home.

While her grandmother and father put the pyre together in the yard, Maia changed into her cloak, a fireproof one, and put on her mask.

It was completely dark outside when she made her way through the empty and cold hallways. It was supposed to be scary, but the weight of her mask felt protective. No creature, spirit, or ghost would lay eyes on her with her mask on. Tonight, while wearing the mask, she was one of them.

Outside they had lit the pyre and her grandmother had enchanted a violin to play on its own. Every other song one of them would throw something in the fire, ranging from vegetables to pieces of meat, but the most popular were apples. Maia knew that originally you would sacrifice an animal on Samhain, but her father had been avidly against that. According to him it wasn't something children should watch and they would only do it when she was old enough. In her father's speak that translated to 'full adult'.

It didn't matter though. The fire was still big and warm, the music was still engaging, and throwing prepared pieces in the fire was good enough.

The night continued and all too soon her father and grandmother retired to sitting on a blanket in the grass, just enjoying the flames from a distance. Not tired enough to join them she made another round around the pyre, her heart beating loudly. Sweat made her clothes stick to her back, her face was burning behind her mask, her cloak whirling around her, and yet she felt like she could go on for hours.

The fire was reflected on her mask and she could only focus on what she saw through her eye holes, which made the experience so much more enthralling.

For a second, she just closed her eyes and focused on her body.

This was what feeling alive felt like. The heavy breathing, the muscles in her legs burning, the heat of her face trapped behind the mask, the cold air on her mouth, and her heart beating out of her chest, like a bird throwing itself against its cage.

Making another twirl, her body didn't falter on the wet grass, an influence of her many dancing lessons.

She felt everything around her.

She was alive.

By midnight the fire was still high and they had run out of food pieces to throw in it. Smiling she made another round around the pyre before her father and grandmother called her to sit next to them. That is when Beady brought out the crystal ball and they formed a circle around it. The fire was warm in their backs and her cloak was still stuck to her from the sweat.

"Now Maia," her grandmother began.

She felt like her cheeks must be glowing red and she was still breathing a bit quick, but no ounce of energy had left her. She felt like she could take on the world.

"You just focus all your intent on the smoke. Try not to hear, see, or even glance at anything around you. We will give you some time and then we'll shake you, understood?" Her grandmother looked at her.

She couldn't stop smiling. "Understood grandmother."

She tried to get her excitement under control and focus her thoughts on the smoke in the crystal ball. It was light and the deeper she looked, the more it pulled her in. Her breathing event out and the sounds of the fire disappeared in the background. The mask on her face made it so she couldn't even see more around her than just the smoke her eyes had focused on. It began to get a bit lighter and the smoke was slowly being pulled away.

She wanted to swallow, but the tension was too high. What would she see?

The smoke pulled away to show her little white particles floating around.

She was seeing it snow.

She felt herself lose focus immediately and deadpanned as the dark grey smoke replaced the white particles. She looked up from the ball to her father and grandmother who already seemed to feel her disappointment.

"See something Maia?" Her father asked, his green Basilisk mask turned toward her.

"It's going to snow this winter." She said dispassionately. It was always snowing in the winter.

Her grandmother let out a small cough, which was supposed to cover a laugh, but Maia saw through it. She couldn't see her father's face behind his mask, his mask covering his whole face, but she just knew he bit his lip to stop himself laughing too.

"Don't be discouraged chérie, many children don't see anything." Her grandmother gave her a pat on the head. "Here Alphard you can go second."

Her father took the crystal ball from her grandmother and focused the holes of his mask on it. Maia almost held her breath. Last year her father had predicted that Hermes was going to be a father and soon enough Hermes had come home followed by a pretty snow owl. Her grandmother had just scowled at Hermes and then asked Beady to make the owlery suited for little owlets.

This time her father pulled back from the crystal ball with a surprised sound. Maia almost wished she could see his face.

"It seems like you'll enjoy horse riding Maia." Her father turned to her while he passed the ball towards her grandmother. "If you want we can bring in a horse in the stables? It has been empty for a while and I think I would like to brush up on my skills too."

Horse riding? She thought about it for a second. How much different than a helicopter or a car could that be?

"Sounds perfect, father." With her confirmation they both turned towards her grandmother, who was already focused in.

Her grandmother was the true person in the family who had some feel for the future. Last year she had predicted that an old school friend was trying to get in touch but didn't know how, so she got in touch for them. It had saved the person a lot of trouble and they had been pleasantly surprised. A lot more convenient than the weather or owl mating.

Her grandmother let out a surprised sound and looked up from the crystal ball.

"You'll receive a Yule invitation this year Alphard, from your niece Narcissa." Her grandmother told her father.

Maia turned to look at her father too. Narcissa Malfoy? The mother of Draco? Her cousin?

She kept her mouth shut, because she knew her father would not be amused with her whining if they could go, but her eyes glinted with hope. Would she finally meet some more family? The ones not dead or in jail?

"Interesting, we will see." Was all her father said before he stood up.

"I think it's time for Maia to get to bed isn't it?" Father waved his wand and the flames in the pyre grew smaller. Out of the house flew two glasses and a bottle of shining amber liquid.

Maia was unimpressed. Samhain usually went on until sunrise, but because she was 'young' and 'needed sleep', her father and grandmother usually send her to bed before enjoying the last of the flames with a drink. They all knew she could easily make it until sunrise without it being a bother. She was a witch, not a Muggle.

"Yes, I think so too. Maia?" Her grandmother turned to her.

She sighed. It was a lost battle.

"May I read a bit more in bed?" She asked, standing up. Maybe she could hustle a bit.

"Fine, but no longer than an hour." Her father replied, looking down at her.

"And I keep my mask on." She retorted narrowing her eyes and looking up at his mask. She could see a glimmer of grey behind his eye holes. She wondered what he saw.

"That's fine." Her father gestured at the house. "Don't complain tomorrow if you have a stiff neck."

"That's alright." She said smiling. "Good night father, grandmother."

With that she turned around and made her way in the house. All the fire places were still without fire and she quickly crawled under the blankets with her Introduction to Charms book.

Skipping a few pages, she arrived at the spell for hot air. Grinning she held out her hands and for the next few hours tried to make hot air heat the bed for her. The cold was a good motivator.

It finally worked, and she fell asleep with her mask still on and her book underneath the blankets, in a bed she herself had heated.

Best Samhain yet.