Part 21 Halloween Party
Willow was digging through Buffy's suitcase for something to wear to the party. When they had been in London before school started Faith hadn't purchased a lot of clothing. Mostly jeans and t-shirts, because they had to wear robes most of the time. What dressier clothes she had brought they had given to Hermione. Which was well worth it to see the change in the girl, and she had gotten the guy. Ron asked her to the party. Now Willow was feeling a little bad though because Cho Chang, who they had assumed would be going with Harry was going with someone else, leaving Harry without a date. Dawn had assured Willow that Harry was fine with it and she didn't have a date either, unless you counted Xander so she could keep Harry company.
"Buff, Can I take the green skirt and the white blouse?" Willow yelled into the bathroom where Buffy was busy trying to do her hair without electricity.
"Whatever Will, just leave me that leather skirt," Buffy replied. "How the hell am I supposed to do this?"
"Magic," Faith replied, she had been ready for a while. She wasn't nearly as interested in primping as the older slayer.
Fred walked over to the blond slayer to find out exactly what she was trying to do. Lorne had brought a soft pink dress that she had brought last year, for her to wear, and since there wasn't a lot to do with her hair she had simply pulled it into a long braid.
"I need it to be dry," Buffy complained, "If I leave it wet it'll be all frizzy and bad."
Fred grabbed her wand, and waved it over Buffy's head, muttering the charm Hermione had taught her. A few seconds later she handed the other woman a small mirror.
"You're my new best friend," Buffy said hugging the other girl, "See how she helped me?"
"Yeah, cause we mustn't have a frizzy haired slayer," Faith muttered as Buffy pulled her skirt out of the suitcase and quickly dressed.
Willow sighed, she was the only one not ready, and she was the one most likely to have to drag her date to the party against his will.
"Are the guys coming up here or meeting us in the hall?" Willow asked from the bathroom. Quickly sweeping her hair off her neck fastening it with several pins.
"Angel said he was coming up here," Buffy said, "Something about not wanting to be left alone with all those students if we're late."
"I hear the guys made one hell of a splash in your class Red," Faith was now pacing the room, "And Remus, Giles and Wes are coming here too."
"Yeah, Angel, Xander, Gunn and Wesley have one hell of a fan club now," Willow had finished her make up and was coming out of the bathroom.
"I noticed at lunch the girls kept looking at them, then whispering and giggling," Fred smiled, "Its embarrassing Angel."
"I'm sure Xan's into it though," Buffy laughed, "Girls falling all over him?"
"He'd be even happier if they were his age," Willow laughed.
"Let's go wait for the guys," Buffy smiled, "Because we look hot!"
**********
"What do you suppose is taking the girls so long?" Ron asked staring at the chess board in front of him, "The other girls have all left."
"I don't know, Ginny just told me we were to be patient. That it would be worth it," Dean sighed.
"Judging by the giggling up there they must be having more fun than we are," Harry moved his chess piece.
"Hermione never used to take so long to get ready," Ron complained.
Harry and Dean both looked at each other and smiled. Ron had no idea that the change in Hermione was for him.
Upstairs in the girl's dormitory Dawn was pulling out another outfit and showing it to Hermione and Ginny. Dawn was completely ready for the party, so was Ginny who had also wanted to wear one of Dawn's outfits.
Ginny was wearing a dark green sweater with a black leather skirt. Her hair was braided and hung down her back. Hermione had helped her with the cosmetics spell, while Dawn had offered opinions on the best colors for her.
Hermione was the only one not ready. She had protested every outfit Dawn had shown her. The bed was piled high with discarded dresses and skirts.
"Dawn that skirt is so short." Hermione shook her head, "I like the blouse though."
"It's no shorter than mine or Ginny's," Dawn pointed out, "And this blue will be perfect for you."
"I think so too Hermione," Ginny agreed.
"All right," she finally conceded. "I'll try it."
They waited while Hermione changed into the new clothing and pulled the towel off her wet hair. Dawn grabbed a hairbrush and the bottle of gel. Pulling Hermione down in front of her on the bed she quickly began brushing the long curly hair.
"Do you want it curly or straight?" Dawn asked when the knots had all been brushed out.
"Can you make it straight?"
"I can if you can manage something like a hair dryer," Dawn smiled, Ginny was frowning having grown up in a wizarding family she had never used the appliance.
Hermione on the other hand grew up with muggle parents and was more than happy to help Dawn. She took her wand waved it near her head and muttered a charm to make the wand begin to blow warm air on her head, before handing it to her new friend.
Several minutes later the girls finally emerged from the dormitory and headed into the common room.
"We're ready," Ginny said as they walked in.
"It's about. Hermione?" Ron turned and was staring at the girls.
"You all look nice," Harry and Dean said, nudging Ron in the back.
"Uh, yeah, very nice," Ron stuttered.
"Then we should go," Dawn smiled and took Harry's arm. "Don't want to be late."
Dean held his arm out to Ginny, and again nudged Ron until he too held his arm out to Hermione. And the six teenagers quickly headed down to the great hall.
**********
Willow frowned as she watched the dancing students. Dawn had come down with the Gryffindors. Everyone else had met in the room she shared with Faith and Fred. Well, everyone except Severus. Big surprise there, she thought, he hadn't been happy about this party.
"Buffy, I'll be right back 'kay?" She said to as the other girl walked over to her.
"Going to find Severus?" Angel smiled, the man had not given the impression he had any intention of coming to this party. He had also seen that look on Willow's face before and knew that he would be attending.
"Yep," Willow smiled at her friends and headed to the door.
On the other side of the dance floor Faith and Lupin were watching Fred teaching Charlie how to dance to the music Dawn and Buffy had supplied Faith with for the event.
"Wanna dance?" Faith asked, she didn't like the music. Boy Bands were not her thing but it was better than standing here.
"To this?"
"C'mon," Faith set her punch down and pulled him to the dance floor.
Willow was just exiting the hall, fuming over Snape once again thinking she'd forget, and ran into a hard chest.
"I'm." Willow began, then looking up, "Where have you been?"
"Thinking of ways to avoid coming to this.event," Snape frowned.
"It's not an execution you know?" Willow took his hand and pulled him in the room.
"That would be quieter," He muttered, "What is that noise?"
"Music," She smiled.
"I've heard music and that is not it," His frowned deepened.
"I didn't say good music but kids like it," Willow smiled, "So guessing you don't want to dance?"
"No." Snape answered as they made their way over to Willow's friends.
Willow had led him over to Giles, Wesley, Gunn, and Xander. Buffy had gotten Angel on the dance floor, against his will, but he was there. Andrew was dancing with one of the seventh year students. Probably for the best, she thought, Severus was not going to stay patient with him for long. Dawn was by the punch bowl with Harry and Hermione, and Lorne had once again been cornered by Sybil.
"Having fun guys?" Willow asked.
"Wish I got this much attention from girls out of high school and at home, " Xander smiled.
"Well, at least one of them has taken Andrew away," Wesley offered. Giles and Gunn had been right, the boy was annoying.
"Mr. Giles, Professor Lupin said you were interested in the wolfs bane potion?" Snape asked, having to shout over the music.
"Yes, I believe it could be very handy," Giles smiled, this wasn't someone he would have chosen for Willow but she did seem to be happy.
"I'll make you a list of ingredients and copy the directions for you then," Snape replied.
"Hi Ron," Willow smiled when she spotted the boy coming toward them.
"Hello, Professors," Ron said, before glancing back at his friends across the room.
"Why aren't you dancing with Hermione?" Xander asked, "She's your date right?"
"Well, I mean, she doesn't want me to."
"Good lord Weasley, why is it, do you think, the girls been spending the time to tame that mass of.hair every morning?" Snape snapped, "We both know she would rather be studying."
"Huh," Ron said staring at the older man.
"Go ask her to dance," Willow prompted.
"I."
Hermione was watching Ron from across the room. He hadn't said two words to her since the arrived. Ginny was off dancing with Dean. Harry and Dawn had been sticking close, so she wouldn't be alone, but they wanted to dance.
"Hermione do you want me to." Harry began.
"You can't make him dance with me Harry," Hermione sighed, "I don't want him to do it because he was forced."
"Yeah, and he'll just get all.male about it anyway," Dawn said, "Oh wait that's it."
"What's it?" Harry and Hermione both asked.
"He's male," Dawn smiled, "He has to think it's his idea. We know he likes you right?"
"What's that got to do."
"We have to make him want to dance with you," Dawn smiled as the plan formed in her mind, "You said he was all jealous when that other guy liked you, so we just make him think."
"Who?" Harry asked, "Me?"
"He'd never believe that, "Hermione answered.
"I was thinking more threatening, maybe uh, Xander or Wesley?" Dawn smiled. She was sure Xander would do it, Wesley was more questionable.
"Would Xander do that?" Hermione asked.
"Sure," Dawn smiled as she saw their topic of conversation heading toward the table with appetizers on it. "Hang on a sec."
She quickly made her way over to Xander and whispered in his ear. Hermione was watching frowning for a second when she saw him shake his head and glance at her. Then smiled when he set his plate down and followed Dawn back to where her and Harry were standing.
"Miss Granger would you like to dance?" Xander asked when the reached her.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled and took the offered hand as a slower song began to play.
"Not a problem. Always happy to help a girl get her guy, as long as he's not a vampire."
"Dawn do you want to." Harry asked as the other couple walked away.
"As long as we can stay where we can see what Ron does," Dawn smiled and they headed to the dance floor to join the other couples.
"Is that Xander dancing with Hermione?" Willow asked when she spotted her friend on the dance floor.
"What?" Ron turned to see where Willow was looking.
"It appears so," Wesley smiled. He had seen Dawn talking to Xander and had a good idea what was happening.
"He's.She's.He's old," Ron was sputtering.
"Excuse me, he's the same age as I am," Willow pushed Ron's shoulder slightly, "And if you don't like it cut in."
"I."
"Just do it already," Giles sighed, "He thought he was done with these sort of things when the others had graduated.
Ron was still muttering to himself as he made his way across the dance floor. Willow smiled when she saw him talking to Xander then a moment later the older man made his way back over to them.
"Will, Angel and I are going for a walk 'kay?" Buffy said as she and Angel also approached the group.
"'Kay, looks like we already lost Fred and Charlie too," Willow laughed.
"Where's Faith?" Gunn asked looking around, "This party was her thing wasn't it?"
"She left quite a while ago," Giles said, "Right after Professor Snape arrived."
"So she planned this and didn't stay?" Wesley asked not really surprised.
"Yep," Willow agreed then grabbing Snape's hand, "Dance with me."
"How long do we have to stay here?" Snape asked quietly as when she wrapped her arms around his neck on the dance floor.
"Curfew is in like twenty minutes," Willow said, as he put his hands on her hips. And they began to sway to the music. "Not like it matters we both have roommates."
"True. Are we still doing the dueling thing tomorrow?" Snape asked.
"Nope, Malfoy conceded that maybe Slayer's are faster than wizards," Willow replied, "Right around the time he tried to jinx Buffy and she snapped his wand in half and told him next time it would be his neck."
"That would be effective," Snape smiled slightly, "His father won't be happy."
"Yeah, well little Malfoy needs to learn to attack like a man."
"True," Snape agreed.
"Buffy and the other's are leaving tomorrow, they decided to not stay until Sunday," Willow told him.
"I'm sorry, I know you miss them."
"Yeah, but Angel got an owl from home and well, bad things don't care about vacation or my missing my friends," Willow sighed, "So tomorrow night, I need to talk all of you about my plan. Giles and Wesley gave me the information I needed."
"Alright," Snape replied, "My room again, after dinner?"
"I'll let everyone know," Willow agreed.
Willow was digging through Buffy's suitcase for something to wear to the party. When they had been in London before school started Faith hadn't purchased a lot of clothing. Mostly jeans and t-shirts, because they had to wear robes most of the time. What dressier clothes she had brought they had given to Hermione. Which was well worth it to see the change in the girl, and she had gotten the guy. Ron asked her to the party. Now Willow was feeling a little bad though because Cho Chang, who they had assumed would be going with Harry was going with someone else, leaving Harry without a date. Dawn had assured Willow that Harry was fine with it and she didn't have a date either, unless you counted Xander so she could keep Harry company.
"Buff, Can I take the green skirt and the white blouse?" Willow yelled into the bathroom where Buffy was busy trying to do her hair without electricity.
"Whatever Will, just leave me that leather skirt," Buffy replied. "How the hell am I supposed to do this?"
"Magic," Faith replied, she had been ready for a while. She wasn't nearly as interested in primping as the older slayer.
Fred walked over to the blond slayer to find out exactly what she was trying to do. Lorne had brought a soft pink dress that she had brought last year, for her to wear, and since there wasn't a lot to do with her hair she had simply pulled it into a long braid.
"I need it to be dry," Buffy complained, "If I leave it wet it'll be all frizzy and bad."
Fred grabbed her wand, and waved it over Buffy's head, muttering the charm Hermione had taught her. A few seconds later she handed the other woman a small mirror.
"You're my new best friend," Buffy said hugging the other girl, "See how she helped me?"
"Yeah, cause we mustn't have a frizzy haired slayer," Faith muttered as Buffy pulled her skirt out of the suitcase and quickly dressed.
Willow sighed, she was the only one not ready, and she was the one most likely to have to drag her date to the party against his will.
"Are the guys coming up here or meeting us in the hall?" Willow asked from the bathroom. Quickly sweeping her hair off her neck fastening it with several pins.
"Angel said he was coming up here," Buffy said, "Something about not wanting to be left alone with all those students if we're late."
"I hear the guys made one hell of a splash in your class Red," Faith was now pacing the room, "And Remus, Giles and Wes are coming here too."
"Yeah, Angel, Xander, Gunn and Wesley have one hell of a fan club now," Willow had finished her make up and was coming out of the bathroom.
"I noticed at lunch the girls kept looking at them, then whispering and giggling," Fred smiled, "Its embarrassing Angel."
"I'm sure Xan's into it though," Buffy laughed, "Girls falling all over him?"
"He'd be even happier if they were his age," Willow laughed.
"Let's go wait for the guys," Buffy smiled, "Because we look hot!"
**********
"What do you suppose is taking the girls so long?" Ron asked staring at the chess board in front of him, "The other girls have all left."
"I don't know, Ginny just told me we were to be patient. That it would be worth it," Dean sighed.
"Judging by the giggling up there they must be having more fun than we are," Harry moved his chess piece.
"Hermione never used to take so long to get ready," Ron complained.
Harry and Dean both looked at each other and smiled. Ron had no idea that the change in Hermione was for him.
Upstairs in the girl's dormitory Dawn was pulling out another outfit and showing it to Hermione and Ginny. Dawn was completely ready for the party, so was Ginny who had also wanted to wear one of Dawn's outfits.
Ginny was wearing a dark green sweater with a black leather skirt. Her hair was braided and hung down her back. Hermione had helped her with the cosmetics spell, while Dawn had offered opinions on the best colors for her.
Hermione was the only one not ready. She had protested every outfit Dawn had shown her. The bed was piled high with discarded dresses and skirts.
"Dawn that skirt is so short." Hermione shook her head, "I like the blouse though."
"It's no shorter than mine or Ginny's," Dawn pointed out, "And this blue will be perfect for you."
"I think so too Hermione," Ginny agreed.
"All right," she finally conceded. "I'll try it."
They waited while Hermione changed into the new clothing and pulled the towel off her wet hair. Dawn grabbed a hairbrush and the bottle of gel. Pulling Hermione down in front of her on the bed she quickly began brushing the long curly hair.
"Do you want it curly or straight?" Dawn asked when the knots had all been brushed out.
"Can you make it straight?"
"I can if you can manage something like a hair dryer," Dawn smiled, Ginny was frowning having grown up in a wizarding family she had never used the appliance.
Hermione on the other hand grew up with muggle parents and was more than happy to help Dawn. She took her wand waved it near her head and muttered a charm to make the wand begin to blow warm air on her head, before handing it to her new friend.
Several minutes later the girls finally emerged from the dormitory and headed into the common room.
"We're ready," Ginny said as they walked in.
"It's about. Hermione?" Ron turned and was staring at the girls.
"You all look nice," Harry and Dean said, nudging Ron in the back.
"Uh, yeah, very nice," Ron stuttered.
"Then we should go," Dawn smiled and took Harry's arm. "Don't want to be late."
Dean held his arm out to Ginny, and again nudged Ron until he too held his arm out to Hermione. And the six teenagers quickly headed down to the great hall.
**********
Willow frowned as she watched the dancing students. Dawn had come down with the Gryffindors. Everyone else had met in the room she shared with Faith and Fred. Well, everyone except Severus. Big surprise there, she thought, he hadn't been happy about this party.
"Buffy, I'll be right back 'kay?" She said to as the other girl walked over to her.
"Going to find Severus?" Angel smiled, the man had not given the impression he had any intention of coming to this party. He had also seen that look on Willow's face before and knew that he would be attending.
"Yep," Willow smiled at her friends and headed to the door.
On the other side of the dance floor Faith and Lupin were watching Fred teaching Charlie how to dance to the music Dawn and Buffy had supplied Faith with for the event.
"Wanna dance?" Faith asked, she didn't like the music. Boy Bands were not her thing but it was better than standing here.
"To this?"
"C'mon," Faith set her punch down and pulled him to the dance floor.
Willow was just exiting the hall, fuming over Snape once again thinking she'd forget, and ran into a hard chest.
"I'm." Willow began, then looking up, "Where have you been?"
"Thinking of ways to avoid coming to this.event," Snape frowned.
"It's not an execution you know?" Willow took his hand and pulled him in the room.
"That would be quieter," He muttered, "What is that noise?"
"Music," She smiled.
"I've heard music and that is not it," His frowned deepened.
"I didn't say good music but kids like it," Willow smiled, "So guessing you don't want to dance?"
"No." Snape answered as they made their way over to Willow's friends.
Willow had led him over to Giles, Wesley, Gunn, and Xander. Buffy had gotten Angel on the dance floor, against his will, but he was there. Andrew was dancing with one of the seventh year students. Probably for the best, she thought, Severus was not going to stay patient with him for long. Dawn was by the punch bowl with Harry and Hermione, and Lorne had once again been cornered by Sybil.
"Having fun guys?" Willow asked.
"Wish I got this much attention from girls out of high school and at home, " Xander smiled.
"Well, at least one of them has taken Andrew away," Wesley offered. Giles and Gunn had been right, the boy was annoying.
"Mr. Giles, Professor Lupin said you were interested in the wolfs bane potion?" Snape asked, having to shout over the music.
"Yes, I believe it could be very handy," Giles smiled, this wasn't someone he would have chosen for Willow but she did seem to be happy.
"I'll make you a list of ingredients and copy the directions for you then," Snape replied.
"Hi Ron," Willow smiled when she spotted the boy coming toward them.
"Hello, Professors," Ron said, before glancing back at his friends across the room.
"Why aren't you dancing with Hermione?" Xander asked, "She's your date right?"
"Well, I mean, she doesn't want me to."
"Good lord Weasley, why is it, do you think, the girls been spending the time to tame that mass of.hair every morning?" Snape snapped, "We both know she would rather be studying."
"Huh," Ron said staring at the older man.
"Go ask her to dance," Willow prompted.
"I."
Hermione was watching Ron from across the room. He hadn't said two words to her since the arrived. Ginny was off dancing with Dean. Harry and Dawn had been sticking close, so she wouldn't be alone, but they wanted to dance.
"Hermione do you want me to." Harry began.
"You can't make him dance with me Harry," Hermione sighed, "I don't want him to do it because he was forced."
"Yeah, and he'll just get all.male about it anyway," Dawn said, "Oh wait that's it."
"What's it?" Harry and Hermione both asked.
"He's male," Dawn smiled, "He has to think it's his idea. We know he likes you right?"
"What's that got to do."
"We have to make him want to dance with you," Dawn smiled as the plan formed in her mind, "You said he was all jealous when that other guy liked you, so we just make him think."
"Who?" Harry asked, "Me?"
"He'd never believe that, "Hermione answered.
"I was thinking more threatening, maybe uh, Xander or Wesley?" Dawn smiled. She was sure Xander would do it, Wesley was more questionable.
"Would Xander do that?" Hermione asked.
"Sure," Dawn smiled as she saw their topic of conversation heading toward the table with appetizers on it. "Hang on a sec."
She quickly made her way over to Xander and whispered in his ear. Hermione was watching frowning for a second when she saw him shake his head and glance at her. Then smiled when he set his plate down and followed Dawn back to where her and Harry were standing.
"Miss Granger would you like to dance?" Xander asked when the reached her.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled and took the offered hand as a slower song began to play.
"Not a problem. Always happy to help a girl get her guy, as long as he's not a vampire."
"Dawn do you want to." Harry asked as the other couple walked away.
"As long as we can stay where we can see what Ron does," Dawn smiled and they headed to the dance floor to join the other couples.
"Is that Xander dancing with Hermione?" Willow asked when she spotted her friend on the dance floor.
"What?" Ron turned to see where Willow was looking.
"It appears so," Wesley smiled. He had seen Dawn talking to Xander and had a good idea what was happening.
"He's.She's.He's old," Ron was sputtering.
"Excuse me, he's the same age as I am," Willow pushed Ron's shoulder slightly, "And if you don't like it cut in."
"I."
"Just do it already," Giles sighed, "He thought he was done with these sort of things when the others had graduated.
Ron was still muttering to himself as he made his way across the dance floor. Willow smiled when she saw him talking to Xander then a moment later the older man made his way back over to them.
"Will, Angel and I are going for a walk 'kay?" Buffy said as she and Angel also approached the group.
"'Kay, looks like we already lost Fred and Charlie too," Willow laughed.
"Where's Faith?" Gunn asked looking around, "This party was her thing wasn't it?"
"She left quite a while ago," Giles said, "Right after Professor Snape arrived."
"So she planned this and didn't stay?" Wesley asked not really surprised.
"Yep," Willow agreed then grabbing Snape's hand, "Dance with me."
"How long do we have to stay here?" Snape asked quietly as when she wrapped her arms around his neck on the dance floor.
"Curfew is in like twenty minutes," Willow said, as he put his hands on her hips. And they began to sway to the music. "Not like it matters we both have roommates."
"True. Are we still doing the dueling thing tomorrow?" Snape asked.
"Nope, Malfoy conceded that maybe Slayer's are faster than wizards," Willow replied, "Right around the time he tried to jinx Buffy and she snapped his wand in half and told him next time it would be his neck."
"That would be effective," Snape smiled slightly, "His father won't be happy."
"Yeah, well little Malfoy needs to learn to attack like a man."
"True," Snape agreed.
"Buffy and the other's are leaving tomorrow, they decided to not stay until Sunday," Willow told him.
"I'm sorry, I know you miss them."
"Yeah, but Angel got an owl from home and well, bad things don't care about vacation or my missing my friends," Willow sighed, "So tomorrow night, I need to talk all of you about my plan. Giles and Wesley gave me the information I needed."
"Alright," Snape replied, "My room again, after dinner?"
"I'll let everyone know," Willow agreed.