JKR owns everything. I own nothing. There are a few pop-culture references, a movie reference, as well as one Buffy reference. I don't own those either.
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That being said:
*****
"Halloween is tomorrow and I don't know what to dress up as," Hannah announced.
"Me either," Mandy replied. Mandy and Hannah, as well as Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ernie and Justin were sitting around in the Great Hall Friday, October 30th, after dinner. Dumbledore had granted them permission to use the Great Hall as something of a common room on weekends so they would have a place to hang out. Because of the mix of houses, common rooms were out of the question.
"Be something scary," Ernie said.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, "Something scary."
"No one would expect it from the two of you," Ron added. He lazily moved a bishop into position on the chessboard. Justin, the reigning chess champion of Hufflepuff House, dropped his head into his hands.
"That's another for Ron," Hermione laughed. She drew a tally on a piece of parchment on the table in front of her.
"Checkmate," Ron said at the same time.
"Ready to give up yet, mate?" Ernie asked, clapping Justin on his back.
"NEVER!" Justin cried.
"Face it, Finch-Fletchley, there are a lot of things Gryffindor is better at than Hufflepuff. Chess happens to be one of those things," Ron joked.
"Name another," Ernie challenged.
"QUIDDITCH!" Harry and Ron chorused.
"They have a very valid point," Mandy laughed.
"Hush, Ravenclaw," Ernie insisted.
"Just because Cho is a stinking pansy when it comes to practice," Mandy began.
"Better than Captain Blood," Ernie said, shaking his head. He leaned back from the table a bit.
"I'll bet Wood is worse than William." Ron said. He finished setting up his chess pieces and looked over at Justin with a smile.
"I don't know about that," Justin replied, moving a pawn forward two squares.
"Maybe William is learning from Wood, since Wood is his coach too," Mandy suggested.
"Can we please talk about something besides Quidditch?" Hermione asked.
"What else is there to talk about?" Hannah asked in a dead-on imitation of the boys. Hermione and Mandy laughed appreciatively.
"Curfew," Snape reminded them, opening the door just enough to stick his head in the opening and tell them.
"Potions God has spoken," Justin said. He began dropping chess pieces in their case. Ron did the same. Hermione and Ernie folded up the homework they had been working on. Hannah tucked her magazine inside her bag. Ron and Justin finished cleaning up their chess game, and Harry marked his spot in Quidditch Through the Ages. The six of them stood up and turned to Mandy.
"I'm almost done," Mandy said before anyone could question her. She finished what she was working on, closed her coloring book and banished the crayons back to their box. She tucked the toys into her bag and jumped up.
"Okay, I'm ready," she announced. Everyone laughed politely and Ernie threw his arm around her shoulders. The seven friends made their way to the doors of the Great Hall. "Hey Hannah, I need to talk to you for a second," Harry said.
"What's up?" Hannah asked.
"It's about the project," Harry replied.
"Oh. Lets wait till everyone goes their separate directions in the entrance way," Hannah suggested.
"Good plan," Harry laughed. He pulled open the door of the Great Hall and held it open to allow all of his friends to pass through.
"Well, goodnight you guys," Hermione said. She stood on the steps leading up from the Entrance Hall.
"'Night, Hermione," Justin, Ernie and Mandy chorused. Mandy shrugged Ernie's arm off of her shoulders and turned to follow Hermione.
"I'll walk you up," Ron said, offering her his arm. She placed her hand at his elbow and flashed Hannah a smile over her shoulder. Ron turned around and gave Harry a devilish grin. Harry rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Are you coming, Hannah?" Ernie asked, stepping towards the stairs.
"I'm going to stay and talk to Harry for a second," Hannah replied, "You boys go ahead, I know my way to the common room by now." Justin and Ernie laughed appreciatively and started down the stairs. Justin turned back for a moment.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," he laughed. Hannah threw her right hand to her hip and stomped her left foot. She leveled a glare at Justin that made him turn and run after Ernie.
"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Hannah asked.
"I set us up another interview," Harry said.
"With whom?" Hannah asked.
"I can't really say right now," Harry said, glancing furtively around the Entrance Hall. Hannah stepped over so she was directly in front of Harry.
"Are you sure you can handle another interview?" she asked.
"I have to," Harry replied. He crossed his arms defensively across his chest.
"No, you don't," Hannah said, placing a hand on his forearm.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"I'm not going to argue with you on this," Hannah said, smiling softly at him.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, looking down on his shoes. Hannah looked up into his green eyes.
"Are you feeling okay about tomorrow?" she asked.
"My costume is GREAT!" Harry said. His face broke into a wide smile.
"That's not the part of tomorrow I was talking about," Hannah said. Harry's face fell.
"I know," Harry said quietly.
"If you need me, you know where to find me," Hannah said.
"Thanks Hannah," Harry said. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. She slipped her arms around his waist. They stood for a moment in the entrance hall, holding each other. Harry pulled partially away and looked down at Hannah. She returned his glance and smiled sweetly at him. He leaned in and dropped a quick kiss on her cheek. He instantly felt a blush overtake his face and noticed a similar blush on Hannah's face.
"Um, goodnight," Harry stuttered quickly.
"Yeah, goodnight," Hannah said. She turned on her heal and headed towards the steps down towards the kitchen. Harry spun almost as quickly and ran up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower.
%%%%%
"Well, I turn here," Mandy said as she and Ron approached the library.
"Alright," Ron replied, stopping next to her. She turned to face him.
"Goodnight," she said with a smile. Ron leaned over and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She quickly returned the hug.
"Goodnight," he replied. He let go of her and she started off down a different hall. Ron turned to continue his walk to Gryffindor tower and almost collided with a very red, very flustered Harry.
"Harry man, what's wrong?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," Harry lied.
"Your face is red enough to denote the last name Weasley," Ron replied, "Something is wrong."
"Nothing," Harry said quickly. The two boys walked towards Gryffindor tower at a much slower pace than Harry had previously been walking.
"What did Hannah say?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," Harry replied, this time truthfully.
"What did you do?" Ron continued his questioning. Harry turned redder.
"Nothing," He said, again quickly.
"Something about that bright red face of yours makes me think you're really not telling the truth," Ron pried, "So what did you do."
"I kissed her," Harry mumbled, looking at the floor.
"Man, that's GREAT!" Ron cried.
"Not really," Harry replied.
"That bad?" Ron asked.
"I just kissed her on her cheek," Harry explained.
"What's so bad about that then?" Ron asked. Harry clapped his hands to his forehead.
"I then instantly turned red and couldn't string two words together and neither could she!" Harry cried.
"You two are worse than Parvati and Lavender!" a familiar voice called from up ahead of the two boys.
"Shove it, Hermione," Ron laughed. Harry just turned redder. Hermione threw her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue out at Ron.
"You guys are just jealous because I'm in a relationship and neither of you can get the girl you want!" she chided.
"Not funny, Hermione," Harry said.
"It is from where I'm standing!" Hermione laughed.
"Hermione! We're both completely inept in dealing with any female besides you and all you can do is laugh at us! That's not helpful!" Harry cried.
"At least you recognize members of my gender now," Hermione said with a sly smile.
"Can we kill that joke?" Ron requested.
"Nah," Hermione replied, "I'm still quite amused by it." Ron glared at her. The two boys quickly walked to the end of the hall to meet their friend.
"I'm not," Ron spat as they walked.
"So Harry, what happened between you and Hannah?" Hermione asked, pointedly ignoring Ron.
"I kissed her and then we both turned red and lost command of the English language," Harry quickly explained.
"You kissed her?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, just on her cheek," Harry said. "And she turned red and looked very anxious to get out of the Entrance Hall."
"That's bad," Ron said, clapping Harry on his back.
"Not necessarily," Hermione corrected.
"How could it not be bad? She turned red and got anxious to leave," Ron challenged.
"You're forgetting yet again that I AM a girl," Hermione said. "Maybe she was really excited about it and embarrassed because she was excited."
"Reasonable," Ron agreed.
"But not probable," Harry said, looking down at his feet.
"Why not?" Hermione asked.
"Lets look at my luck with girls," Harry said. He held up his right hand and extended his index finger. "Cho."
"Nice looking, fairly intelligent, but a bad problem in falling for Hufflepuff Quidditch captains," Ron supplied.
"Thank you Captain Obvious," Harry spat. His eyes narrowed and he glared at his friend.
"Who else?' Hermione asked.
"That's about it," Ron laughed. He didn't realize his teasing was beginning to annoy Harry.
"Lets look at your history with girls then," Harry said, glaring at his friend.
"Let's not," Ron insisted.
"Hermione!" Harry cried, holding up one finger, "only you didn't realize she was a girl until it was too late!"
"Too late for what?" Ron asked.
"Well she's not with Ron Weasley now is she?" Harry asked, quietly menacingly.
"YOU BLOODY WANKER!" Ron roared.
"At least," began Harry. A furious Hermione cut him off mid-sentence.
"BOYS!" Hermione cried, "10 points from Gryffindor!"
"WHAT!" Harry and Ron both shouted.
"It will be more if you don't calm down and lower your voices," Hermione said in a low, scarily calm pitch.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because you're acting like a couple of first years! You're both prefects!" Hermione scolded. Harry and Ron both instantly looked at their feet.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Ron said.
"Don't apologize to me," Hermione said, "Apologize to him." Ron looked over to his left without turning his head.
"I'm sorry Harry," he mumbled.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sorry Harry," Ron said, a bit more clearly.
"And what do YOU say?" Hermione asked Harry. Harry glanced over at Ron.
"Sorry Ron," Harry said.
"Now go up to your room and think about what you've done," Hermione said in a tone that simply cried "Molly Weasley."
"Yes mum," Harry and Ron chorused, smiles breaking across their angry faces. Hermione smiled too. She stepped in between the two boys and threw an arm around each of their waists.
"I'm proud of you, Ron," Hermione said as they walked the remaining steps to Gryffindor tower.
"Why?" Ron asked.
"Harry made you mad and you didn't try any form of bodily harm," Hermione replied simply. Ron turned bright red.
"Now say the password," Hermione instructed.
"Hermione is the world's greatest prefect," the boys chorused, and the fat lady swung herself open to reveal the door. Ron stepped through the portrait hole followed closely by Hermione and then Harry. They were greeted by shouts inside the common room.
"Colin, I'm telling you! You CAN'T dress up as Harry Potter for Halloween!" Astrid cried. She was standing in front of a chair next to the fireplace. Her hands were clenched into fists and her face was bright red. Dennis Creevey stood next to her, arms crossed across his chest glaring at his older brother. Colin stood across from the two friends looking equally as angry and redder.
"Why not?" Colin asked. Dennis cast a furtive glance in Astrid's direction.
"Because that's so incredibly cliché," Astrid half-lied.
"I don't care," Colin insisted.
"Colin, why don't we dress up as ghosts together?" Dennis suggested.
"How unoriginal is that?" Colin asked. Harry looked away from the big fight raging between three of the smallest Gryffindors and over at his two best friends.
"People really dress up as me for Halloween?" he asked.
"Sure," Ron replied, "I think Percy did once when he was about 10. Only he was a you with red hair, blue eyes, freckles, and a painted on scar."
"I didn't think real witches and wizards dressed up for Halloween," Hermione said.
"Need I remind you that my father is Arthur Weasley, lover of anything muggle?" Ron asked.
"Oh, right," Hermione laughed.
"So if dressing up is a muggle tradition, why has Dumbledore instituted this costume contest?" Harry asked.
"Think about it Harry," Ron said, "It's the same reason we did the scavenger hunt at the beginning of the year. It's a very fun way to introduce muggle culture to some of the more close minded members of the school."
"Ron, I'm impressed," Hermione gushed, "Did you think of that on your own?"
"Yes," Ron replied proudly.
"A galleon says he overheard Dumbledore talking about it with one of the other professors," Harry laughed. Ron turned bright red and glared at Harry.
"What do you say we go act like prefects?" Hermione asked, pointing to the still raging fight.
"Tell me what is wrong with my idea!" Colin cried.
"It's been done way too many times!" Astrid and Dennis exclaimed at exactly the same time, tones of attempted finality ringing through their voices.
"I'll tell you what's wrong with your idea," Harry's voice rang out across the common room.
"Yes?" Colin asked.
"You're considering dressing up like me. That idea is only slightly weird," Harry said, "so if you really want to stay friends with me, I'd suggest you not dress up like me for Halloween."
"Only slightly?" Ron whispered to Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
"Alright," Colin consented happily.
"So what do you say we just dress up like ghosts?" Dennis suggested again. Colin's face brightened visibly.
"I've got to go work on my costume then!" he exclaimed. He turned and ran up the stairs towards his dorm.
"What's so complicated about a ghost costume?" Dennis asked when the door closed behind his brother. "I plan on cutting two holes in a sheet and throwing it over my head."
"Can it be a pretty flowered sheet?" Astrid asked.
"All I have are plain white sheets," Dennis said.
"We can add flowers," Astrid said.
"Not girly flowers," Dennis said.
"Not girly flowers," Astrid agreed.
"Then lets go," Dennis said. He headed towards his dorm to get the sheet and Astrid moved towards a table in the back of the common room to wait for him.
"Now that THAT'S settled," Harry laughed. He sank onto the couch. Hermione sat next to him and Ron stretched out on the rug in front of the fire.
"I think we owe Astrid and Dennis," Hermione said, "For saving our idea."
"Yes, because only Colin would think of dressing up as me for Halloween," Harry replied.
"I'm telling you, Percy did it," Ron laughed.
"I'd like to see pictures of that," Harry said.
"I'll see if I can find them the next time you're at the Burrow," Ron said.
"Christmas then," Harry replied, "For Bill and Ms. Figg's wedding." Ron rolled over on his stomach propped his chin on his hands. Hermione leaned back on the couch and Harry propped his feet up on the table in front of them.
"Where's Fred?" Ron asked.
"He and George have been holed away in their room all day working on their costumes," Hermione said.
"What are they dressing up as?" Harry asked.
"They're not telling anyone, and are planning on getting to breakfast late in the morning to make an entrance," Hermione laughed.
"What do you think they've come up with?" Harry asked.
"If I know the twins, their costumes will be complementary. One year when they were younger, they went as salt and pepper. Another year they went as peas and carrots," Ron laughed.
"They couldn't be any more inventive than that?" Hermione asked.
"One year they stole Mum's wand and bound themselves together to be conjoined twins with such a spell that it took dad almost a week to get them unstuck," Ron replied, "How is that for inventive?"
"I can definitely see the twins doing that," Hermione laughed.
"So what do you think they'll do this year?" Harry asked.
"Good question, you never do know with the twins," Ron replied.
"So do you guys have your costumes planned out?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry replied. Ron just nodded.
"Do you think you'll need any help with anything?" Hermione questioned.
"No, I think we've got all the spells we need worked out just perfectly," Harry said.
"Have you practiced them?" Hermione asked.
"Yes mum," Ron said from his spot on the rug.
"What is Astrid dressing up as?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. Ron took a more direct approach.
"Hey Astrid!" he called across the common room.
"WHAT!" she cried from the corner where she and Dennis were diligently working on his sheet.
"What are you dressing up as for Halloween?" Ron asked.
"Not telling!" Astrid called back, "But I can guarantee it will be hilarious!"
"Okay!" Ron said.
"I guess that settles that," Harry laughed.
"Well boys, I think I'm heading up to go to bed," Hermione said. She stood up from her seat on the couch and stretched.
"Good idea," Harry agreed. He stood up too and started towards the guy's dorm. Ron got up from the floor and began following him.
"Goodnight you two," Hermione called over her shoulder.
"Night Hermione," Harry said.
"Night Hermione," Ron echoed.
*****
"Hermione, wake up and get your costume on!" Lavender called from in front of the mirror on the other side of the room from Hermione's bed. Hermione rolled over and looked across her room. Lavender stood in front of the mirror adding the finishing touches to her costume.
"What are you supposed to be?" Hermione asked. Lavender spun around so Hermione could see her costume.
"A princess," Lavender replied. She wore a long light purple dress made out of a shimmering satin material. The skirt was full, with the bottom layer made of satin and the top layer, sheer chiffon. The top had a fitted bodice with a pattern of lace and ribbons up the front. The neckline was squared with a fine edge of lace and the sleeves were made of the same satin and chiffon layering as the skirt. They went to just above Lavender's elbows and were edged with the same lace as the neckline. The sleeves were slightly puffy.
"Your dress is really pretty," Hermione said.
"Thanks, my mum picked it out for me when I told her I needed a princess costume," Lavender said. She turned back to the mirror and surveyed her elaborately twisted hair.
"More glitter," Parvati advised. Lavender pointed her wand at her hair and muttered a spell. Her hair quickly became covered in a thin shimmering layer of glitter. She picked up a silver tiara from her vanity and adjusted it in her hair.
"Beautiful," the mirror gushed.
"Yes," Parvati agreed. Parvati was dressed in a flowing white dress. The dress had no definite waist but was held to accentuate Parvati's slender frame by a simple white tie. The dress had a bit of a train. The sleeves were long and came to a point at the base of her middle fingers.
"What are you supposed to be?" Hermione asked Parvati. Parvati pulled out her wand and pointed it at her head. She muttered a spell and her long dark brown hair twisted itself up into a bun at the back of her head. She pointed her wand at her back and muttered another spell. Two large wings sprang from the back of her dress. They reached from her knees to above her head. They were covered in soft white feathers that occasionally flashed a myriad of colors when they caught the light at the exact right angle. She muttered another spell at her head and a thin wreath of tinsel appeared hovering in the air a few inches above her hair.
"Oh, you're an angel," Hermione said.
"Yes,"
Parvati said.
"Want some
help on your halo?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Parvati replied. She muttered a spell to make her attempt at a halo disappear. Hermione threw back her covers and climbed out of bed. She picked up her wand from her bedside table and started over to Parvati.
"This won't hurt will it?" Parvati asked.
"No," Hermione assured her. She pointed her wand at the girl and muttered a spell. Suddenly Parvati was surrounded by an aura of light for which she seemed to be the source.
"Wow!" Lavender said.
"Impressive," Parvati agreed.
"Thanks," Hermione said with a smile.
"So what are you dressing up as?" Lavender asked. Hermione looked down at her pajamas. She quickly grabbed jeans and a sweatshirt out of her closed and changed into them. Then she grabbed her best school robe and pulled it on.
"You're going as yourself?" Parvati asked.
"Not quite," Hermione laughed. She stepped in front of the mirror and surveyed her image. She pointed a wand at her head and muttered a spell that turned her brown hair black. She muttered another spell and her brown eyes went to green.
"Wow," Parvati said. Hermione quickly pulled her hair up into a very messy bun.
"Exactly who are you supposed to be?" Lavender asked. Hermione smiled at her roommate.
"You'll see," she said, "Do you have some pale pink lipstick I can use?"
"Sure," Parvati said. She fished the tube from her large cosmetics bag.
"I think I need something to apply this with," Hermione said, looking at the tube. Lavender reached into her equally large cosmetics bag and handed Hermione a clean eye shadow applicator. Her costuming process was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in," Lavender called. The door opened and Harry's head appeared in the crack.
"I need makeup," he announced.
"Didn't you practice those spells?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but they don't work," he insisted. "I'm going to have to do it the muggle way."
"What do you need?" Lavender asked.
"Um," Harry said, turning red and looking at Hermione.
"Concealer," Hermione said instantly. Lavender and Parvati both turned to their makeup bags. Lavender reappeared a minute later with a small compact and a tube. She tossed them both to Harry.
"Uh, Hermione, come help me," Harry insisted. Hermione ran out into the hall. Harry surveyed her outfit.
"You need Quidditch robes," he announced.
"Shove it," Hermione said, "you're wearing school robes."
"Wait till you see what's under them," Harry replied.
"Squat down," Hermione instructed, taking the makeup from Harry. Harry did as he was told and Hermione went to work making his scar disappear.
"How is Ron?" she asked.
"Wait till you see him," Harry replied with a laugh. Hermione finished his scar and took his glasses off of his face.
"Hey!" Harry said, reaching up to touch his eyes.
"Calm down," Hermione said, "and close your eyes." Harry complied with her directions. She touched her wand to his left eye and muttered a spell. Then she touched it to his right eye and said the same spell. He opened his brilliant green eyes and blinked twice.
"I can see," he announced.
"Yes," Hermione said. She folded his glasses and stuck them in the pocket of her robes.
"Thanks Hermione!" he said.
"It should wear off in 24 hours," she replied.
"Okay," he replied. He turned and started back towards his dorm. Hermione went back into her room. She handed Lavender her makeup.
"What was that about?" Parvati asked.
"You'll see," Hermione laughed.
"Did he need to cover up his scar?" Lavender guessed. Hermione nodded and picked up the lipstick and applicator. She quickly swiped the applicator across the lipstick and looked in the mirror. She carefully applied a soft pink lightning bolt shape to her forehead.
"You're going as HARRY?" Lavender squealed.
"Yep," Hermione replied.
"Too funny!" Parvati said. Hermione pulled the glasses from her pocket and muttered a spell to make them simple glass lenses in the trademark black frames. She placed them on her face and turned to her roommates.
"Do I exude that superhero aura?" she asked.
"No," Parvati said.
"What did she say?" Lavender quietly asked her best friend.
"She wanted to know if she seemed like a superhero," Parvati whispered. Hermione stifled her laughter.
"No," Lavender agreed.
"But at the same time, neither does Harry," Parvati said.
"Perfect," Hermione laughed.
%%%%%
"I can't believe I consented to this lunacy," Ginny muttered to her reflection.
"Oh come on Gin, it's not that bad," Jae said from her bed. She had already dressed in her costume.
"What are you supposed to be again?" Ginny asked, surveying her friend's red velvet pants and jacket trimmed in white fur. Jae muttered a spell to enlarge the front of her jacket. She pulled a red velvet hat trimmed in the same white fur onto her head.
"I'm Santa," she said, "It's a muggle Christmas thing."
"Well then why are you doing it for Halloween?" Ginny asked.
"To mess with people's minds," Jae replied simply as she attached a fluffy white beard to her chin.
"Weird," Ginny said. She turned back to the mirror. She closed her eyes and pointed her wand at her head. She muttered a spell and when she opened her eyes, her long red curls had been replaced with short lighter red hair. She gave herself a few more freckles courtesy of her wand and turned to Jae.
"How do I look?"
"Like your brother!!"
%%%%%
"This is absolutely no fair!" Ron cried, surveying the clothes lying on his bed.
"Oh don't whine," Harry said. He had just returned from having his scar concealed and his vision corrected. "What color do my eyes need to be?"
"Blue," Ron said. Harry pointed his wand at his eyes and muttered a spell to turn them blue.
"Do I really have to wear this?" Ron asked, looking at the skirt and blouse lying on the bed.
"Yes," Harry replied, "It's not too horrible once you get used to it!" Ron rolled his eyes at his friend. He picked up the skirt and carefully began to put it on. Harry went over to the mirror and surveyed his face, void of glasses and scar.
"You know, if you could do something about that hair, you could almost be decent looking," Seamus laughed from his bed.
"Shove it Seamus," Harry spat. He pointed his wand at his hair and said a quick spell.
"OOOHH!!! When I said do something about that hair, I didn't mean THAT!" Seamus cried before Harry could even take in the full effect of his spell.
"What exactly are you supposed to be?" Neville asked Dean. Dean looked down at his bell-bottom jeans, faded t-shirt and leather vest.
"Bob Marley, only the greatest Reggae musician to ever live, mon," Dean replied in a phony Jamaican accent. He adjusted the red, yellow and green hat over his dreadlocks. The dreads had been an addition for Dean between third and fourth years and now reached to his shoulders.
"Right," Neville said, looking down at his own costume. He was wearing a simple brown cloak. He wasn't sure anyone would understand that he was Gregor Mendel, the very first geneticist. He had learned about Mendel in some extra reading for Professor Sprout.
"Now what do I do about my hair?" Ron asked Harry. He turned around to face all of his roommates.
"Sexy, sexy Ron!" Seamus called from his bed. He let out a loud wolf whistle. Ron turned bright red and smoothed the short plaid skirt he was wearing.
"I wouldn't ask Harry for hair help," Dean said, "Just look at his."
"But Dean, you're talking to a guy wearing a short skirt," Seamus said. Ron quickly pulled on his best school robe. Harry pointed his wand at Ron's head and fired off a spell. Ron's short red locks quickly morphed into the long frizzy, caramel colored hair of one Hermione Granger. Harry fired off another spell and Ron's blue eyes turned brown.
"Now get a BIG bag!" Seamus cried from his bed. Ron picked up his school bag, stuffed with books and slung it over his head.
"Who let Ginny and Hermione into our room?" Neville asked with a laugh.
%%%%%
"Where are the boys?" Hermione asked Ginny as the two sat in the common room.
"Shouldn't that be girls?" Ginny replied with a laugh.
"Oh right, they're girls. They'll take forever getting ready," Hermione laughed.
"Potty, Weasel," a slightly familiar voice sneered from just behind them. The voice would have been completely familiar had it been male. Ginny and Hermione spun to look at the source of the voice.
"What do you think?" Astrid ask, turning in a circle so the older girls turned boys could survey her immaculate black school robe, perfectly gelled back blonde hair and well practiced sneer.
"Too funny!" Ginny cried.
"It's great," Hermione agreed.
"Now I've just got to spend today with you guys and every time anyone says anything I'll say I've defected to the Gryffindor side," Astrid said with a smile.
"Draco is going to throw a wobbly," Ginny said with a smile.
"Yes," Astrid agreed, "Why do you think I went with this?"
"It's fabulous," Hermione laughed, "You did a great job with your eyes, they're almost identical to Draco's."
"I didn't do anything to my eyes," Astrid said, "Draco and I have the same eye color naturally."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Astrid said, "You've never noticed before?"
"No," Hermione admitted. "Its just that his eyes are sort of cold and yours generally sparkle." Astrid gave Hermione a soft smile.
"What color eyes does Little Malfoy have?" Ginny asked.
"Keiran and Emma both have blue eyes," Astrid replied. "And Hermione, why were you looking into Draco's eyes anyway?"
"When fighting with someone, breaking eye contact can be a sign of weakness," Hermione quickly explained.
"Oh my goodness!" Ginny exclaimed. Astrid and Hermione turned to see what she was talking about. Tripping down the boy's staircase were Harry with long curly red hair and freckles, and Ron with bushy brown hair and a bag full of books."
"Well if it isn't the mud-muggleborn and the weaslette," Astrid sneered.
"If it isn't a Draco I could literally step on," Ron spat back.
"I've got an idea!" Astrid cried.
"What's that?" Ron asked.
"Will you hold hands with me when we walk into breakfast?" Astrid asked. Harry, Hermione and Ginny all erupted in laugher while a broad smile broke across Ron's face.
"Sure Astrid," he said. Astrid beamed.
"I've never seen Draco look that happy," Ginny said.
"Neither have I," Harry agreed. Ron nodded his agreement. Hermione stayed oddly silent.
"Shall we go to breakfast?" Astrid asked, slipping her hand into Ron's. She pulled him towards the door.
"Who would have ever thought we'd see the day Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger held hands," Harry laughed.
"They're still Ron and Astrid underneath the costumes," Hermione spat, "the day I voluntarily hold hands with Draco Malfoy will be the day Snape confesses that he's secretly in love with professor Dumbledore."
"Shall we?" Harry asked, offering his arm to Hermione.
"Shouldn't I ask you that?" Hermione replied with a laugh. She held her arm out in a typically male fashion. Harry placed his hand at her elbow.
"Sorry Ron," Hermione called over her shoulder, "your girl just left with Malfoy." Ginny stomped her foot and willed her face to turn red in a quite good impression of Ron.
"Better than your own brother," Harry laughed.
"Shall we?" a male voice asked from just behind Ginny. Ginny spun to find Dean Thomas a.k.a. Bob Marley offering his arm.
"You're willing to walk with me while I look like Ron?" Ginny asked.
"Why not?" Dean asked with a smile.
"You're not secretly harboring a crush on my brother are you?" Ginny asked with a laugh.
"Nah," Dean said. Ginny placed her hand on his arm and the two followed Harry and Hermione dressed as Ginny and Harry.
*****
"Ready?" Astrid asked, looking up at Ron.
"Ready, Drakie-baby," Ron cooed.
"Snap out of it Ron! You're Hermione, not Pansy!" Astrid cried.
"Oh, right," Ron said, smiling slyly at the little girl. Astrid reached for the door. She pulled it open and held it so Ron could walk inside. Astrid had opened the door slowly so the hinges creaked. Most of the people in the Great Hall turned to stare as Ron dressed as Hermione stepped inside. When Astrid stepped in just after him and took his hand in hers, almost every jaw in the Great Hall dropped. Heads turned to follow the unlikely pair's trip to the Gryffindor table. Ron dropped his loaded bag and sat down at Hermione's usual spot at Gryffindor table. Astrid climbed into her regular seat. She turned to everyone else in the hall and flashed a characteristic Draco sneer. Instantly the crowd in the hall, save the Slytherin table, burst into laughter. Ginny, Hermione and Harry as well as Dean managed to sneak in relatively unnoticed in the midst of all the laughter. Dean went down to sit with Seamus who had dressed as Aidan Lynch and Parvati and Lavender. Ginny, Hermione and Harry all sat in the spots the person they were dressed as usually sat.
"Wow this is going to confuse Fred," Hermione laughed.
"If he tries to kiss me I swear I will cut off his," Ron began.
"RON!" cried Astrid, "I mean HERMIONE!"
"No, that was definitely all Ron," Hermione laughed.
"Has anyone figured out what the twins are dressing up as yet anyway?" Ginny asked.
"Well, I've dressed up as Draco and I haven't seen Keiran yet this morning so I'm not sure what he's dressed up as," Astrid said with a slight laugh.
"Other twins, smart one," Ron said.
"Oh, them," Astrid replied, "Well, Parvati is an angel and I'm not quite sure what Padma is. I haven't seen her yet this morning either."
"The Weasley twins," Ginny corrected.
"Nope. They won't tell anyone," Hermione laughed.
"Fred didn't even tell you?" Astrid asked.
"Nope," Hermione replied, "he said it was top secret, but that we would find it 'absolutely hilarious'."
"Well then it should be something good," Ron laughed.
"I wonder if Dennis has gained enough courage to come out of his room yet," Astrid said.
"What did you do to his costume?" Harry asked.
"Well, I sort of jokingly put big pink flowers all over it and accidentally made them very permanent," Astrid explained.
"He very well may not leave his room today," Ginny said.
"Colin will make him," Astrid laughed. The door of the great hall squeaked open again and all of the friends turned in time to see the Creevey brothers step through the doorway. Colin had charmed his robe to shimmer and look seemingly transparent. His face and hair were the same silvery color.
"Oh wow, Colin went all out on his costume," Ginny said.
"And he did a fairly good job with those charms," Hermione added. Dennis stepped through the doorway just after Colin. Or, at least a sheet with two eyes did. The sheet was covered with large hot pink flowers in a rather Hawaiian style pattern.
"Good job Astrid," Harry laughed. Astrid smiled sweetly at the older boy. The Creevey brothers made their way over to Gryffindor table and took their usual seats. Luckily for Dennis, not many people recognized him, or else they were just so enthralled over Colin's costume that they didn't pay any attention to the Hawaiian ghost.
"Nice sheet, Dennis," Harry laughed as the younger boy sat down.
"Shove it, Potter," Dennis spat.
"I did a rather nice job didn't I?" Astrid asked with a smile. The older friends nodded. Dennis managed to glare at Astrid through the sheet. Astrid threw on a Draco sneer and turned to Dennis. He rolled his eyes and looked away from her.
"So have either of your brothers seen your costume yet?" Harry asked.
"I'm a little height impaired here Ginny, can you stand up and see if either of them are at the Slytherin table?" Astrid asked. Harry obediently stood up and surveyed the Slytherin table.
"Draco's at the very end and he looks furious!" Harry said.
"What's he dressed up as?" Astrid asked.
"He's wearing a tux and a cape," Harry replied.
"What's the bet he's got fangs?" Astrid asked.
"You think he's a vampire?" Ron questioned.
"He's not very original and he's always had a bit of an obsession with vampires," Astrid explained.
"Do you think he saw the two of you walk in?" Ginny asked.
"He looks ready to murder someone," Harry said.
"Then that's a yes," Astrid laughed.
"I'm glad you're so amused by my impending fight with your brother," Ron spat.
"Whoa, Hermione, calm down," Hermione cried. Ron turned his glare from miniature Draco to the female Harry.
"That was completely uncalled for," Ron said.
"Hey look, mail!" Harry said, pointing to the ceiling where hundreds of owls were rushing towards the tables. The impending argument between Ron and Hermione ceased as Sebastian and Hedwig spiraled towards the group of them. Sebastian landed on Ron's shoulder while Hedwig fluttered around for a second before locating Harry disguised as Ginny Weasley. Ron and Harry quickly pulled their letters from the owl's legs and the owls flew off to the owlery. Harry opened his letter while Ron looked at the address on the envelope of his.
"Uh Hermione, I think I did a really good job on my costume," he said.
"Why?" Hermione asked. Ron handed the letter to his friend. She read the address.
Miss Hermione Granger
Gryffindor House
Hogwarts School
"Eventually my parents will learn that Hermione Granger will suffice to get the letter to me," Hermione laughed as she pulled open her letter. She quickly scanned her letter while her friends turned back to their breakfasts.
"Oh my goodness!" Hermione exclaimed a minute later, pulling her friends away from their toast and eggs.
"What is it?" Harry asked, surveying his friend's wide eyes and dropped jaw.
"I can't believe this," Hermione whispered, more to the letter than to her friends.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Bloody hell," Hermione mumbled.
"Don't swear," Ron scolded. Hermione didn't hear him, or if she did, she didn't acknowledge him.
"Is something wrong?" Ginny ventured to guess.
"My parents have gone off their rockers," Hermione announced.
"What have they done?" Harry asked.
"Evidently I'm going to get a little brother or sister sometime in April," Hermione said.
"No way!" Harry exclaimed.
"That's great!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Bloody hell," Ron said.
"Don't swear," Astrid chirped. Ron glared down at her and she smiled sweetly up at him.
"I can't believe it," Hermione said, shaking her head.
"Do they know if it's a boy or a girl?" Ginny asked.
"Nope, but the names they have picked out are slightly horrible either way," Hermione said.
"What have they picked?" Ron asked.
"Jaquenetta Madeline for a girl and Weston Edward Jr. for a boy," Hermione replied.
"Jaquenetta?" Harry and Ginny asked at the same time.
"Shakespeare," Hermione explained, "and Madeline is Poe."
"Poe?" Ron asked.
"An American writer. My middle name is from his poem "The Raven," Hermione said.
"And Madeline?" Harry asked.
"From one of his short stories. Hermione and Jaquenetta are both from Shakespeare's plays," Hermione explained.
"Why can't your parents pick normal names?" Ron asked.
"That's what I'm wondering," Hermione laughed.
"What would you consider a normal name?" Ginny asked.
"Samantha," Ron replied without a moment's consideration.
"Samantha Granger?" Hermione asked.
"Samantha Madeline Granger," Harry replied.
"I still can't believe I'm getting a sibling," Hermione said, shaking her head and staring down into her plate. Harry threw a sympathetic arm around her shoulders. She leaned her head over on his shoulder. Both of them missed the envious if not vicious looks Hannah was shooting at them from the Hufflepuff table. Before anyone could say anything else, the door of the Great Hall creaked open once more. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Astrid all turned to see who was coming in for breakfast. One of the Weasley twins stepped through the door. He had grown his hair out and pulled it into a familiar, tight, salt and pepper bun. He wore long blue robes and a blue hat trimmed in gold perched on his hair. He looked sternly at the students in the great hall through small square glasses before turning back to the door. He reached through the still open door and when he pulled his hand back into the Great Hall, he was holding another hand attached to a long black sleeve. The hand pulled the twin back towards the entrance hall, but with a mighty yank, the miniature McGonagall pulled the other twin into the Great Hall. The other twin had turned his hair black and grown it out to reach his collar. It was gelled back with a few wisps framing his face. He had elongated his nose and dressed in a plain black robe. He scowled at the students in the Great Hall before stalking off to Gryffindor table. The laughter began at the Gryffindor table and soon spread across the entire hall. At the head table, Dumbledore, dressed as Zeus, had his head between his knees under the table to try to control his laughter. McGonagall even managed a small chuckle at her student likeness. Snape, however, glared at the Weasley twins.
Little Snape threw himself down in George's typical seat at the Gryffindor table while McGonagall sank into Fred's usual seat. McGonagall casually tossed his arm around the likeness of Hermione sitting next to him.
"Fred you bloody wanker!" Ron cried, "If you don't get your hand off of me right now!" Fred turned to his younger brother with a surprised look on his face.
"You mean you're not Hermione?" he asked innocently.
"Not funny, Fredrick," Ron said. He carefully took his brothers hand between two of his fingers and tossed it off of his shoulder. Hermione smiled at her boyfriend from across the table behind Harry's glasses.
"Guess what!" Ginny cried.
"What?' Fred asked.
"Hermione's getting a sibling!" Ginny announced. Fred turned to Hermione, mouth hanging open.
"Yes really," Hermione answered his question before he could ask it.
"Hermione, that's fantastic!" Fred cried. He stood up and leaned across the table, capturing Hermione's lips in a breath-taking kiss.
"EEEEWWWWWWWW!" Sawyer Lewis shouted from a few seats down the table. A pop, a flash of light and a puff of smoke emitted from somewhere on the other side of Fred and Hermione.
"Professor McGonagall just kissed Harry Potter!" Jason Black cried. The students in the Great Hall who missed Fred and Hermione's kiss didn't miss the two first years shouting. Every head in the hall turned to where the pseudo Professor McGonagall was still leaning over the table with the pseudo Harry Potter's face in his hands.
"Fred, the entire hall is staring," the pseudo Snape warned from the other side of Ron.
"Let them stare," Fred/McGonagall replied.
"10 points from Gryffindor, Potter, for kissing a staff member," George joked in his best Snape impression.
"Did I hear her correctly?" a cold voice asked from just behind Hermione. Fred sat back down and all of the friends turned to look at Draco. "Did she say your parents are bringing another mudblood into the world?"
"Leave my sister alone," Hermione spat, "we don't even know if she'll be a witch."
"Well, I didn't come over here to discuss your disgraceful parentage," Draco began.
"Then why are you here?" Astrid asked, coldly. Draco glared down at her and then across the table at Ron.
"Just to say that I'd kill both of you for that little scene earlier, but I don't drink mudblood." He finished his statement with a pointed look at the real Hermione. He smiled evilly at the whole group and ran the tip of his tongue across the sharpened point of his right upper canine tooth.
"Look, whack job, go back to where you came from before I take points from Slytherin," Ron threatened from between Fred and George. He cast annoyed glances in the directions of both twins, who had automatically grabbed Ron's arms when Draco started speaking. Draco turned and in a flurry of black cape, slunk back to the Slytherin table.
"I'm very proud of you, Ron," Hermione said as soon as Draco was out of earshot.
"Why?" Ron asked.
"Because you remembered that you're a prefect and didn't try to disembowel him," Hermione said, glancing over at Harry.
"Just because I haven't really acted the part yet, doesn't mean I don't realize I'm a prefect," Harry exclaimed.
"Have you seen Mandy and Hannah's scary costumes?" Ron asked.
"No," Harry replied.
"I suggest you look," Ron laughed. Harry turned and surveyed the Ravenclaw table until his eyes fell on the form of one Mandy Brocklehurst. Mandy had devised a costume that covered her in pink fur. Her hair was pink, and she had a pink spot on the end of her nose. Two long furry pink ears extended from the top of her head and she had managed to charm whiskers onto her face.
"She's a bunny?" Harry asked.
"Looks like it," Ron laughed.
"Didn't you all say scary?" Hermione questioned.
"Yes," Ron laughed. Hermione rolled her eyes and began to scan the Hufflepuff table. Hannah stood at the very end of the table, talking with a couple of first years. She had twisted her blonde hair up into a complicated twist laced with small white flowers. The tips of her ears were charmed into soft but definite points. She wore a short purple dress with a jagged hemline. The back of the dress had been charmed to have wings, sort of like Parvati's. However, Hannah's wings were sheerer and had definite rainbows running through them. They were also much smaller than Parvati's wings, with no feathers. She wore thin brown sandals on her feet.
"Wow!" Harry muttered.
"Get your eyes back in your head," Hermione commanded.
"She calls that scary?" Ron asked.
"Wow," Harry said again.
"Harry, don't ogle the Hannah!" Ron said, a tone of finality in his voice. Harry turned his back to Hannah and shook his head.
"I ruined it," he muttered.
"Harry James Potter!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry snapped his head up to look at his twin across the table.
"Have you talked to Hannah yet this morning?" Hermione asked.
"No," Harry admitted.
"Then how do you know you ruined it?" Hermione asked.
"And what did you have to ruin to begin with?" Ron queried.
"Ron!" Ginny, both twins and Hermione all warned. Astrid laughed appreciatively at her older friends joke, which warranted a quick smile from Ron.
"Wait until you talk to Hannah before you make all of these judgments," Hermione advised. Harry ran his fingers through his long red hair.
"When do you all have to work on your project again?" Ginny asked.
"Tuesday," Harry replied.
"That will be a perfect opportunity to talk to her, if one doesn't present itself before then," Hermione said.
"Who are you all interviewing?" Ron asked.
"The man that pulled me from the wreckage of my parents home," Harry replied. Ron looked confused for a moment before finally realizing exactly why Harry couldn't say the name of the man. He nodded when he finally understood.
"So wait, are you going to tell Hannah?" Hermione asked.
"All of the parties involved have decided that that's probably for the best. Hannah will be able to keep her mouth shut," Harry explained.
"Oh wow, Dumbledore must really trust Hannah," Ron said.
"What are you three blathering on about now?" Fred asked.
"Blathering?" Hermione questioned.
"It means," Fred began.
"I know what it means," Hermione cut in.
"It just sounded like a very McGonagall thing to say," Fred explained. At the head table, Dumbledore cleared his throat. Everyone in the hall fell silent and they all turned to hear the headmaster's announcement.
"The staff and I have had a good chance to look at all of your costumes. Finalists will be announced tonight at the feast and then the students will choose a winner from those finalists," Dumbledore announced.
"How will the finalists be chosen?" A boy from the Hufflepuff table asked.
"Twelve finalists have been picked at random, three from each house" Dumbledore replied, shooting a look at the Weasley twins.
"What will the prize be?" a girl from the Ravenclaw table, dressed as a pumpkin, asked.
"A gift certificate to Honeydukes," Dumbledore replied. A few of the students clapped. A few others exchanged excited looks. Ron and Harry looked at each other across the table. Almost simultaneously, the boys slipped their robes off, revealing the moderately short skirts and blouses they wore underneath. They both stood and began walking towards the door of the Great Hall. Fred, George, Dean and Seamus all whistled loudly at the two boys. Ernie and Justin cheered from the Hufflepuff table, and no one noticed, but Mandy and Hannah both turned bright red.
*****
"Wow, I'm stuffed, I think the house elves really out did themselves this time!" Ron exclaimed, pushing himself back form the table.
"They much have," Astrid muttered thickly around a mouthful of pudding, "to have you admitting you're full." Ron reached over and playfully tousled Astrid's hair while everyone else laughed at the little girl's comment.
"So what exactly is your brother supposed to be?" Ginny asked.
"Dray is a vampire and I think Keiran is Lucifer," Astrid explained.
"Dray?" Ron questioned, casting a quizzical look at Astrid.
"Draco," Astrid quickly corrected herself.
"Since when does the devil wear a tuxedo?" Hermione asked to prevent further questioning of the girl on her name for her brother.
"Since Keiran decided to dress like him," Astrid explained. Sure enough, Keiran had chosen a black tuxedo complete with a pointed black tail coming from the seat of the pants. He had charmed two black horns to the sides of his head just above his ears.
"Of course, that's not much of a stretch for Keiran," Astrid continued.
"May I have your attention please?" Dumbledore asked from the head table. The occupants of the Great Hall fell silent and turned to face the old wizard.
"It's time to announce the finalists." Everyone in the hall began to cheer. Dumbledore raised a hand to silence them.
"When I call your name, promptly go through that door," Dumbledore said, pointing to the door where the Triwizard Tournament contestants had gone shortly after being chosen by the Goblet of Fire.
"Hannah Abbott," Dumbledore called. Hannah stood up and started towards the door. She took a full three steps before her wings began fluttering and she rose to just about the tables.
"Wow," Hermione said, "I'd like to know the spell she used to make her wings actually work."
"It looks like a Wingardium Leviosa from Ernie paired with something from Justin to make her wings move," Ron said with a laugh.
"What if they drop her?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I do believe Amanda is ready from their table to catch her, and Mandy has her wand out too," Ron said.
Blaise Zabini's at the Slytherin table," Harry said. They all looked over at him and noticed that he, too, was holding his wand.
"Is Blaise that trustworthy?" Hermione asked.
"Mandy seems to think so," Harry replied.
"As far as I know, he should be," Astrid said.
"Dennis Creevey!" Dumbledore called. Instantly the friends burst out with applause and cheering as the flowered sheet clad boy tripped his way up to the door.
"Pansy Parkinson!" Dumbledore called. The Slytherin stood up and started towards the door.
"Wow," came the general sentiment from Harry, Ron and George as well as most every boy in the hall. Pansy had charmed her already blonde hair to a level of white blonde achieved only by Veela and the occasional Malfoy. The ends floated a few inches above her shoulders in a smooth cloud. She wore a slinky white dress that ran over her slender figure like water. It had spaghetti straps and a square neckline. Sheer sleeves extended from the bottoms of the straps, leaving her shoulders exposed. The hem of the dress floated a few inches from the floor in a mirror image of her hair. To complete the costume, she wore a necklace made of small purple and blue fish that actually moved about her neck in a simulation of swimming.
"What exactly is she supposed to be?" Ginny asked.
"I think she's the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian Legend," Hermione replied.
"Who said anything about legend?" Ron asked, "King Arthur ruled right around the time Hogwarts was founded." Hermione's jaw dropped and Ron reached across the table and tapped her chin with two fingers. She promptly closed her mouth.
"Terry Boot!" Dumbledore called. Terry stood up and started towards the door. He wore a ragged robe and had long shaggy black hair.
"I think he's dressed up as Sirius," Hermione said, and quickly added "Black." Fred, George, Ginny and Astrid didn't seem to catch her stuttering at her familiarity with Sirius, so she, Harry and Ron all breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"Finley Alexander!" Dumbledore called. Finley stood and started to the door. She wore a simple brown robe. She had a large stick bound to her back with heavy ropes. The hem of her robes was engulfed in a non-burning, non-smoking fire.
"Impressive," Hermione muttered.
"I don't get it," Ron said.
"She's burning at the stake," Astrid explained.
"Oh wow," Ron laughed.
"Chelsea Ramsey!" Dumbledore called. A small girl jumped up from the Hufflepuff table and scampered towards the door. She wore a brown robe charmed to look like it was covered in dirt and a hat covered in large green leafage. As she ran through the door, she let out an ear splitting screech that caused most hands in the great hall to fly to their corresponding ears. Mandy seemed to be having a bit of trouble with which ears to cover up so her left hand was clamped around her left bunny ear and her right hand over her real right ear. Fred and George had reached around Hermione to cover their brother's ears.
"Wow, does she have banshee relatives?" Ron asked when the door closed behind the little girl.
"I think she's supposed to be a mandrake," Astrid replied.
"Really now, what tipped you off?" Ron asked.
"Was it the dirt clothes, the green hat, or the screaming?" Harry added. Astrid stuck her tongue out at both boys.
"George Weasley," Dumbledore called. George jumped up and scowled at the occupants of the Great Hall before stomping off to the door amid gales of laughter.
"Morag MacDougal," Dumbledore announced. The fifth year Ravenclaw stood up and started towards the door. She had her dark hair up in a bun and wore bright red lipstick. She wore a short turquoise robe and high-heeled ruby shoes with a white apron over the robe. She blew kisses to the students in the Great Hall and waved as she made her way towards the door.
"Madame Rosmerta!" Harry and Ron both laughed. Astrid turned to look at them over her shoulder.
"She runs the Three Broomsticks," Hermione explained.
"Gregory Goyle!" Dumbledore called. Goyle jumped up from his seat and lumbered towards the door. He was dressed identically to the Mountain Troll the friends had defeated during their first year.
"I'm impressed," Hermione said.
"What's the bet that Draco did his costume?" Astrid asked.
"What's the bet that he smells like a troll too?" Ron queried. Hermione shook her head at the two of them.
"Amy Madison!" Dumbledore cried. A sixth year Ravenclaw stood up and began walking towards the door. She was dressed as the muggle interpretation of a witch, complete with a green face, warts and a pointed hat. Hermione looked to her friends for their comment, but they stayed silent.
"Eloise Midgen!" The Hufflepuff girl stood up and started towards the door. She had charmed her hair to be red and curly and wore a brown robe and matching brown cap.
"What's she supposed to be?" Ron asked.
"The female version of whatever Neville is," Ginny quipped.
"She's Helga Hufflepuff," Hermione spat.
"Only you and Dumbledore would know that," Astrid laughed. Hermione leveled a glare on the little girl, who immediately silenced her laughter.
"And finally," Dumbledore said, "Fred Weasley!" Fred stood up and walked to the door in a stately fashion, peering down at all of the students through his square glasses. McGonagall flashed a rare smile at him.
"Alright," Dumbledore said as soon as the door closed behind Fred. "I'm going to call each contestant back out here by their costume. Clap for the ones you like best. The one who gets the most applause wins. In the spirit of Halloween, I've charmed this pumpkin to monitor the decibel levels of the applause." Dumbledore pointed to a pumpkin hovering in the center of the hall equally above everyone in the hall.
"The Lady of the Lake!" Dumbledore called. Pansy stepped back into the hall and over towards the center of the staff table. The Slytherin table and the majority of the male population of the hall broke out into cheers. Pansy smiled sweetly at everyone before stepping over towards the other end of the staff table.
"Joan of Arc!" Dumbledore exclaimed. Finley followed Pansy's trail to the center of the tables. She pointed her wand at the hem of her skirt and was quickly consumed in the fake flames. The cheering was a little louder for Finley's bit of pyrotechnics.
"Mountain Troll!" Dumbledore called. Goyle lumbered in after Finley to a chorus of cheers from Crabbe and Draco. A quick glare from Draco caused the rest of the Slytherin table to clap politely.
"Mandrake!" Chelsea ran into the hall with another loud screech. Everyone at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables cheered for her, while most of the Slytherins and Gryffindors covered their ears.
"Helga
Hufflepuff!" Eloise made her way back into the hall to a chorus of polite clapping
from the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors.
"Fairy!"
Hannah stepped through the door and was instantly lifted off her feet by Justin
and Ernie's spells. Harry and Ron both jumped to their feet, yelling and
clapping for their friend. Amanda and Mandy were working to make enough noise
for four people, as Justin and Ernie couldn't clap because they were
concentrating on keeping Hannah in the air. Most of the rest of the hall
cheered too, at the fact that Hannah was actually flying. A few of the boys
were excited because they almost got a look up her short dress. They cheered
louder than most.
"Sirius Black!" Terry stepped back into the hall and everyone not in Slytherin clapped dutifully, although his costume paled in comparison to Hannah's.
"Witch!" The Slytherins actually went so far as to boo Amy for her misrepresentation of the witch. The noise caused by their booing made the pumpkin meter elevate to put Amy right behind Hannah, Finley and Pansy in rankings.
"Madame Rosmerta!" Morag stepped back into the hall and pranced over to join the line. She showered the occupants of the hall with kisses and waves. Most of the boys whistled at her while the girls rolled their eyes. She fell into the rank right above the little Mandrake.
"Mattress!" Dumbledore cried. Dennis tripped back in to the hall amid gales of laughter at Dumbledore's misinterpretation of Dennis's ghost costume. The Gryffindor table all cheered especially loud for their little Hawaiian print ghost. The pumpkin meter put him in a position right between Finley and Pansy.
"Professor Snape!" Dumbledore cried. George stomped through the door and smiled broadly at the Slytherins before turning an ice-cold glare on the rest of the hall. The less intelligent Slytherins clapped for the accurate representation of their head of house, while the rest of the students cheered loudly for George. However, their cheers weren't enough to boost him over Hannah before Dumbledore called "Professor McGonagall!" Fred stepped through the door and walked over to the end of the line next to his brother. The cheers for him weren't nearly as loud. He glanced at George. George cast a Snapeish smirk at his brother before placing his right hand on Fred's left cheek, laying his thumb across Fred's lips. Fred put his left hand on George's right cheek and the two boys mashed their thumbs together. George leaned over Fred and to everyone in the Great Hall, it looked as though Severus Snape had just kissed Minerva McGonagall. The students and the majority of the faculty howled with laughter. McGonagall even managed to chuckle out loud. Snape looked positively irate. In the midst of their cheering, Ernie and Justin lost their grip on Hannah and she landed neatly on the floor courtesy of a quick catch by one of the teachers. Dumbledore raised his hand to silence the students and Fred and George finally separated.
"I do believe Fred and George Weasley, dressed as Professors Snape and McGonagall take this year's prize," Dumbledore announced. The cheering resumed at the Gryffindor tables, but everyone else was silent. Yet again, the Gryffindors had yanked a victory from right under the feet of the other houses. Then the Hufflepuffs noticed that Hannah didn't seem to upset by her loss but was instead hugging both of the twins, so they too began cheering.
"Alright, you may go back to your houses now!" Dumbledore called. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny started towards the door arm in arm with Astrid running in their wake. The four friends stepped into the Entrance Hall as Sawyer and Jason pulled Astrid away to go find Dennis.
"I can't believe the twins did that!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I thought it was quite hilarious," Ginny laughed.
"Harry!" someone from behind them called. They all turned to see Hannah trying to escape the throngs of people pouring from the Great Hall.
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed.
"Good luck," Ginny muttered.
"I told you things weren't screwed up," Hermione added.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Ron said with a sharp elbow to Harry's ribs.
"Thanks guys, I'll remember that," Harry said, and glanced back at the stairs. They took the cue and continued on their path to Gryffindor tower. Hannah finally struggled from the grasp of the little Mandrake and met Harry halfway up the stairs.
"I really like your costume," Harry said, smiling down at her.
"Yeah, yours is great too," Hannah said, "but looking at you like that is more than a little weird."
"Hold on," Harry said, and he pulled his wand from the pocket of his robe. He pointed it at his hair and muttered "Finite Incantatem." His hair re-shortened to its formerly messy black state. "Better?"
"Well, besides the much neater hair, the blue eyes, the lack of glasses and the scar, yes" Hannah said with a laugh.
"My hair is neater?" Harry asked.
"Only because you shortened it a little much I think," Hannah explained.
"But the lack of glasses is a bad thing?' Harry asked.
"Not necessarily, I'm just used to seeing you with them on," Hannah replied.
"And I'm not risking un-charming my eyes until I can get to a mirror," Harry said.
"I don't blame you," Hannah said.
"Now we just have to ignore the fact that I'm still wearing a skirt and girls blouse underneath this robe," Harry laughed. Hannah rolled her eyes at him.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm doing okay," Harry replied honestly. He hadn't thought much about his parents, but knew the conversation with Hannah was inevitable.
"Are you sure?" Hannah asked.
"I'll admit this Halloween has been a bit harder knowing exactly how they died and everything, but I've come to accept that they're gone and they're not coming back," Harry explained. The pair had walked to a small side hall off of the landing on the second floor.
"That's a good attitude to have about it," Hannah said. She smiled up at Harry.
"Thank you," Harry said.
"For what?" Hannah asked. Harry wrapped his arms around Hannah and pulled her into a tight hug.
"For putting up with me and besides that, just generally being great," Harry replied. He lifted her off the ground and spun her around a few times.
"What's the Gryffindor fascination with spinning people?" a familiar voice asked from the end of the hall. Harry returned Hannah to her feet and turned to face the source of the voice. He found a miniature Draco, a "mattress", a Quidditch player and a very peculiarly dressed Sawyer. Sawyer had charmed his entire body to be a warm shade of brown. He wore blue shorts that came just below his slightly larger stomach and a large Hawaiian print shirt that didn't quite cover his belly button. His belly button had been charmed to look perfectly round and vaguely plastic. His hair had been turned blue, elongated and charmed to stand up above his head in a cloud of blue.
"I don't know," Harry replied, shooting the little girl a look that said, "You just interrupted a moment."
"Um, exactly what are you supposed to be?" Hannah asked.
"A Quidditch player!" Jason cried.
"Draco!" Astrid said.
"A GHOST!" Dennis exclaimed.
"Mattress boy," Jason laughed under his breath. Hannah still looked at Sawyer for an answer.
"I'm a muggle phenomena called the treasure troll," Sawyer explained with a laugh.
"That's what I thought," Hannah giggled. She smiled benevolently at the three first years and Dennis, which was a direct contrast to Harry's icy glare. A loud shriek issued from the entrance hall.
"Well, bye Harry, I'll see you on Tuesday. I'm going to uncharm Chelsea's voice so she can't do that any more," Hannah said, and she took off towards the Entrance Hall. Astrid, Sawyer, Dennis and Jason all burst into laughter as soon as Hannah was out of earshot.
"You have five seconds," Harry said, glaring at the four children. "Run. And hope I don't decide to start after three."
Beta's Note: Hippie-chic is giving me this second to try to lure people to my ship. First person to get the Buffy references I provided for this chapter gets to be the first mate on the HMS Red Dwarf. We've almost got an outboard motor! Read and Review. I'm the one that's got to listen to her if there aren't any. J/K. --- Chosentwo4381