The Fifth House
Disclaimer: Honestly… assuming you've read the other chapters first, maybe because they go in order that way, makes me think that you know what would generally be in my disclaimers.
Author's Note: I have begun to understand that this story is royally confusing. This chapter may not have a ton of importance, I'm winging it, but I'll try to clear some things up. You see, the master plot has only just been introduced, so I'm trying to work everything together. It's just really hard, you know, because there's just so much to the plot, I'm trying to bring it in slowly so that it isn't one huge thing. That would be even harder to understand, I think. Plus, it would mean that I would have to type one very long chapter. Also a difficulty is that there are different points of view that I need to bring equal attention to.
Thanx for all the reviews so far! I haven't gotten one flamer! *dances in triangles*
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Um…yeah.
Chapter Fourteen
Harry had bad luck with Halloweens. His first year at Hogwarts he had encountered a troll in the girls bathroom on Halloween, the next year the Chamber of Secrets had been opened. The past two years hadn't been too bad, but Harry just had a feeling that something was going to happen.
He wasn't the only one.
Yes, t'was almost Halloween again, and very easy to tell by the atmosphere of the school. Never had Hagrid had to carve so many giant pumpkins in his life. Lit pumpkins floated around the school, replacing the usual torches and candles. Students thought it was nice to get so into the holiday. Peeves the poltergeist, on the other hand, saw it as a beautiful opportunity. He would make himself invisible and drop pumpkins over students' heads. Let's just say he spent some quality time with the Bloody Baron during the month of October.
The ghosts seemed particularly involved in the holiday spirit. Many of them would frighten the first years with the tragic, horrifying tales of their gruesome deaths. Some of them preferred to come out of nowhere and shock students to a point of greatest terror. It was the one time of the year that the ghosts ever got especially into the spirit of the season. This year, however, the ghosts were more into it than in past years, it seemed.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years had been suffering a heavy workload of homework. Having to do an essay for almost every professor every week was getting to them in a bad sense. Even Hermione had said it was unfair, and she was the one reminding everyone, "But we take O.W.L.s this year!" The fifth years did take their Ordinary Wizard Level tests this year, but they were in June, not November. Plus, it was a practically proven fact that when homework was annoying Hermione Granger, it had to be really bad.
There was one exception, though. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was unable to teach for the first two months of the school year. No one knew who the teacher was, and no one knew why he or she wasn't there at the beginning of the year. But the students didn't mind as much, it meant no homework in that subject for two months.
"But it's not even really homework, since we aren't technically at home," Ron complained to Harry and Hermione one day after Snape had assigned a massive potions assignment. "See, it just doesn't seem right. Maybe we should protest or something?" Ron continued.
"Ron, you talk so much about homework these days, and it's always bad things about it for some reason," Hermione commented, looking confused at the fact that anyone could find in their heart no appreciation for a nice, long essay.
"Anything to get out of homework," Ron answered.
"But you're not actually getting out of it," Harry pointed out. "And only bad things come from it," he continued.
It was true that Ron complaining about the homework had only made matters worse. Snape had said that he should consider it to be 'dorm work' and gave Ron a detention. Ron had almost argued why he'd been given detention for speaking his mind, but no one liked to argue with Snape.
* * * *
One week before Halloween, on a stormy night during dinner, Albus Dumbledore made an announcement to the school. It went like this:
"Good evening, my students. I have two announcements to make tonight, on the twenty-fourth of October. First, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be teaching classes starting November first. She will arrive on Halloween night, when I will be introducing her to all of you. Second, also about Halloween night, I have decided that since the Yule Ball was such a success last year, that we will have a Halloween Masquerade this year. All students in all years are invited to attend. The masquerade will begin at 8 o'clock and end at midnight. You will not have to come with a partner because if you are in costume, you may have trouble finding each other. There are other reasons, which will be mentioned on a later date. You do not have to wear a costume, but I would suggest it. More information will follow. Thank you."
Sounds of interest spread throughout the hall. None of the students ever remembered having a masquerade before.
"Well, that should be interesting to go to," Hermione said. "But I'd much rather finish my homework in the peace of the library."
"Can't you skip homework for one night? And it could be worthwhile, you never know…" Ron's voice trailed off.
"It'll definitely be interesting, seeing everyone in costume,' Harry said.
"Right, Ron?" he added quickly, snapping Ron out of a trance.
"What, oh, yeah, er, interesting. Yes, it will be," he said hurriedly. Hermione raised and eyebrow at Ron, and he blushed almost as red as his hair.
Harry had other things on his mind about the masquerade. Would he have to dance with someone? He'd danced with Parvati Patil a few times at the Yule Ball last year, but it wasn't really the same with a costume. And what would he wear for a costume? He didn't really want to go as himself, which would be embarrassing if everyone else was in costume.
After dinner he, Ron, and Hermione walked up the stairs to the common room. Harry half paid attention to Ron going on about the masquerade. I've still got time to figure this out, Harry thought to himself. It's a week away, after all.
* * * *
The Halloween feast was a very spectacular one. The table was covered with delicious looking sweets. Lollipops, candies, and several healthier things, like salad and soups were there to choose from. Hermione was muttering something to herself about what her parents might say if they saw this. Harry smiled to himself; he knew that her parents were dentists.
The surroundings were sensational as well. The ceiling, that was bewitched to look like the real sky, showed a storm coming in over the horizon. You could just see the sun setting. Harry looked up and saw several bats flying around, a little while later he realized that they were actually inside the building. Glowing jack-o-lanterns floated in the air to provide light.
The students were deep in discussion. You'd almost think that there was no actual eating going on because there was so much talk. Everyone seemed to be too excited about the masquerade that night to eat. Even the normally bookish Hermione could be heard talking about what she would wear, and that was a sight worth seeing {conversation worth hearing?}.
Then, it was time that Dumbledore introduced the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"It gives me greatest pleasure to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," he said.
Once Harry saw who the teacher was, he didn't even need to hear her name being said. He looked up at the woman that would be the teacher and nearly choked on his truffle in disbelief.
Mrs. Figg?
* * * *
"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"I know the new teacher, that's all," Harry said quickly.
"You do? So does that mean that we'll be like, her teachers pets?" asked Ron.
"I don't think so,' Harry said uncertainly. "Can we talk about this later? I still need a costume!" he continued.
It was fact that most students would be wearing costumes to the masquerade. Hermione was going to dress as Bathilda Bagshot, her favorite author. Ginny was going as Celestina Warbeck, the famous singer who was often featured on the WWN {Wizard Wireless Network}. Fred and George would be going in very original costumes, or so they said. They didn't really want to dress up too much, but it was probable that they would be unrecognizable. They didn't tell anyone what they were going as. Ron pointed out that maybe they didn't know yet, but Harry wasn't so sure. Ron was going as Aidan Lynch, the Quidditch player. He'd really wanted to go as Viktor Krum, but that would be difficult for Hermione, as she'd broken up with him on account of distance. Ginny was like Fred and George, and wouldn't say who she was going as. Or what she was going as.
Harry wasn't sure what he would go as, he hadn't decided yet, and it was the night of the masquerade.
"I reckon I could always just jump out a window and go as a ghost,' he said to Ron and Hermione as they left the Great Hall to prepare.
"But it wouldn't be a costume. If you jumped out a window, you'd probably die and be a real ghost," Ron said.
"Harry, we'll help you think of something," Hermione said, trying to sound sure of herself.
Harry shook his head sadly. It seemed hopeless. He, Ron, and Hermione kept discussing the matter while they walked up the staircase to the Gryffindor common room.
* * * *
It was the perfect time to make a move. Terces had it all planned. They would cause an effect, oh yes. Every Terces sodalis was attending the masquerade in a costume, but all eight costumes would have similar themes.
Enna sighed with joy as she slipped her mask over her face. Even if she still were a student at Hogwarts, no one would recognize her. The other sodalises had costumes that would make them unrecognizable as well.
Enna left the Atrium with confidence, she was sure that the plan would work. How could it fail?
Yes, there would be great results from this event. The school would be effected, all right, Terces style.
Curtains Close!
Author's Note: So, for all the reviewers who've had to wait, was it worth it? How are these chapters going over? If you review, I'll try to update sooner, I promise!
Words of Wisdom: A boy who makes you cry isn't worth crying over because a boy worth crying over won't make you cry.
So anyway, review!
Roses are red, violets are blue, I'll like it when you all review!
I love you all!
Ciao! {This may seem incredibly weird, but I am not Italian, and I don't speak Italian, either.
~Starry