Chapter Eight

Severus was in the Forbidden Forest, it was very late at night, or should that be very early in the morning, the sun had not risen yet and the full moon was still high above. Severus was wearing his warmest, thickest cloak and he had in his hand a deep, woven, vine basket with a handle.

All of Severus attention was on the forest floor; he had conjured up a small ball of light that followed him whilst staying close to the ground. Severus reached a slender hand down and cut the stem of a small plant, it was only two-inches tall with palmate leaves that had silver veins, and a single, orb like, silver flower sitting on top of the stem. It was a mystical plant called lanterna de manes, or more commonly ghosts' lantern, that only grew on Halloween, it was reputed to be the lights that guided the dead to the mortal plane and then back to the shadow world.

Gently placing it into the basket Severus cut a few more, leaving a clump undecapitated. Walking further into the forest Severus followed the barely distinguishable path of lanterna de manes; every now and again he cut a few plants from large clumps.

Severus suddenly shivered; he looked up and around himself expectantly. He wasn't disappointed, out of the darkness came a pale silvery image. As it got closer Severus stood straighter and greeted the apparition, "Good morning, Margaret? How goes the day?"

The apparition stopped a few feet in front of Severus; she was a plump-ish woman with, in life, rosy red cheeks. Her hair was tied into a plait that fell down to her thigh; she was dressed in a long, loose dress.

"Good morning, Severus," she said, "And how are you my dear?"

"Fine thank-you," answered Severus, "are you looking forward to seeing your husband?"

"Oh yes," Margaret said, "It's a shame he stayed here rather than go to Elysium,"

Margaret was the wife of Hogwarts' only ghost teacher, Roboreus Binns. Halloween was the only time when the veil between the mortal plane and the shadow plane was at its weakest and ghosts could travel through it.

There was no clear cut explanation as to why some people went to the Fields of Elysium and others stayed in the mortal plane when they died. One of the most popular reasons is that only people who had freed themselves of all of their burdens at death could pass through the veil.

Although technically ghosts who can go through the veil remain on the mortal plane, though they are often tracked down and 'escorted' back to the shadow planes by Death Guards, who make sure that the ghost population remained small on earth and that the ghosts were not bothering the mortals. Not too much at least.

"You're not cutting all of the lanterns are you?" asked Margaret as she peered into Severus' basket.

"No, don't worry I only take what I need; I've left sufficient clumps to light the way back," Severus said.

"My apologise for being a bit short but I must leave now, I only see Roboreus once a year and for less than twenty-four hours," Margaret said.

"I understand," Severus said, "Go to your husband,"

The ghost nodded and floated in the direction of the castle.

When the basket was half-full Severus turned and started walking slowly toward the castle. The forest was alive with the sound of animals and beasts going about their nightly business, the moon was beginning to set and the stars were growing fainter.

When Severus arrived at the edge of the forest the day's first light was beginning to creep over the horizon, he stood looking toward it for a while, watching as the golden-orange colour expanded pushing the night away.

Shaking his head slightly Severus turned and continued he's walk back to the castle. As soon as Severus walked through the doors of the castle he frowned then allowed himself a small smile. The hall was decorated in orange and black crepe paper, cobwebs adorned the corners, black spiders scuttled up and down the walls whilst small leathery bats were roosting on the ceiling, the whole thing was topped off by the floating black and white candles that shone green and red.

As Severus walked down to the dungeons he paused every so often to peer around the corner of each corridor, the headmaster was known to go a bit over the top with the festivities, which included some years ago setting harmless but scarily over-enthusiastic monsters loose around the school.

When Severus made it safely back to the dungeons he noticed a large dark red box in front of his door, picking it up he entered his quarters and placed the box on the coffee table. After carefully storing away the lanterna de m?n?s Severus went over to the box and eyed it cautiously before picking up the envelope on top of the box.

Opening it he pulled out a square piece of black card, written in fancy golden script it read:

SS

It's fancy dress tonight; I took the liberty of choosing an outfit for you. I hope you like it.

-AD

Hesitantly Severus removed the top off the box and sneered before putting the top back on with a slight whack. Severus picked the box up and went into his bedroom and deposited the box in the corner before he sighed and picked the box up and placed it on his dresser.

Severus took his pocket watch out of his cloak pocket; flicking it open he looked at the time, it was 7:30am. His brow furrowed slightly before he snapped the silver cover back onto the face, turned and strode out of his quarters.

Severus was one of the first people to arrive at the Great Hall; except for a small group of seventh year Ravenclaws, they all had several books out and were holding an impromptu study session.

Severus poured himself a large cup of tea and picked up a copy of The Daily Prophet, he glanced at the front page before flicking to the next page.

"How's the world?" Remus asked as he took a seat next to Severus.

"Death and misery, the usual things," Severus said.

"As always," Remus said as he grabbed several rashers of bacon and some scrambled eggs, "not eating, Severus?" Remus asked casually.

"Later," Severus replied.

With a shrug Remus went back to his breakfast.

Only when Severus finished reading the newspaper did he start to eat, two slices of toast and some bacon. As Severus was half way through his meal Albus walked into the Great Hall; his insane smile bordered on the psychotic, and the twinkle in his eyes could have outshone all the stars.

Albus greeted all of the staff in turn before sitting in his usual seat, "Did you get my parcel, Severus?" Albus asked innocently.

"Unfortunately, yes," Severus replied.

"What parcel?" Remus asked.

"None of your business, Lupin," Severus replied quickly.

"Do not worry yourself, Remus, no doubt you will see it tonight," Albus said.

"Tonight.the Halloween Ball.a costume," Remus said slowly.

Severus sneered but said nothing.

"What kind of costume?" Remus asked.

"You will see, Remus, you will see," Albus said.

"There is no guarantee that I will be wearing it, Albus," Severus pointed out.

"Not even to make an old man happy?" Albus asked sweetly.

"No," Severus said.

"I have a feeling you will, Severus," Albus said with a smile before turning to talk to Minerva who was sitting on his right.

"I dread to think what he has in store for you, Severus," Remus said.

"I do too," Severus agreed.

***

Severus stalked down the corridor to the Great Hall, his black cloak billowing behind him; he only stopped at the doorway because of the small crowd that was blocking it.

"Are you planning on blocking the entrance all night?" Severus hissed.

The group whirled round in surprise; it was the Gryffindor trio plus Remus and Snuffles. Harry was dressed all in black with a white ice hockey mask on his head and a knife in his hand; Ron was dressed in muggle jeans and t- shirt with various bloody wounds all over; Hermione wore a long, white, lacy dress, her face was powdered white with hints of black make-up; although Remus was wearing his usual faded black robes he had a grey bushy tail, a pair of pointy ears and yellow-green eyes; and Snuffles had a pair of black, bat wings that grew from his shoulder blades.

"Have you noticed the irony of your costume?" asked Remus with a laugh.

Severus bought his hands up to the velvety lapel of his black tuxedo in a defiant gesture and growled, baring sharp, elongated canines, which caused Remus to laugh more.

"What about the irony of your costume, Remus," retorted Severus as he entered the Great Hall.

All of the House tables in the Hall had been replaced by small round tables and chairs that were positioned near the left wall, the right wall held a long table laden with gruesome refreshments, and the staff table was also not present, it was replaced with a stage where a live band played.

The decoration in the Great Hall was spectacular, the ceiling showed a full moon surrounded by thick, dark clouds, bats were roosting in the rafters and cobwebs hung everywhere. The only illumination in the Hall was from drippy, black candles and the lightning that struck every so often outside.

Severus spotted Albus talking to a few teachers on one of the tables, he was wore a long dark blue gown that faded to a light blue near the hem, a floating rainbow coloured ring encircled his waist and a star shone above his head. Severus' frown deepened and he stalked over to the Headmaster.

"Ah, Severus, I see you have decided to wear the costume after all," Albus said.

"Yes, I did," Severus said leaning closer to Albus, "It did not help that all of my clothes mysteriously vanished,"

"Really," Albus said with a grin, "I am sure they will turn up. Possibly tomorrow,"

"They had better," Severus said darkly, "otherwise I will not be responsible for my actions,"

"I see you also have fangs, Severus," Albus commented.

"I don't do things by half measures, Albus," Severus said simply.

"I know that all to well," Albus said, "Shall we mingle, Severus?"

"You know I don't have much tolerance for these social gatherings," Severus said, "You go, Albus. You are after all the Headmaster of Hogwarts,"

Albus nodded and entered the crowd, almost disappearing except for the star above him. Severus' face took on his usual sneering mask as he stared out on to the middle of the room that was used as the dance floor; the band was playing a fast piano and violin duet.

After some time Severus decided to go and get a breath of fresh air but when he was half-way out of the Hall he felt the familiar jolt of pain that came from his left arm. Schooling his face back to neutrality he looked around for Albus.

Albus was on the stage just finishing presenting a prize to Ron for having the best costume. Severus walked toward the Headmaster and caught his eye, Albus saw Severus and made his excuses and walked off the stage.

"What is it, Severus?" Albus asked.

"He is calling," Severus stated, "I had better go,"

"Yes," Albus said slowly.

Albus placed a hand on Severus' shoulder and gave it a squeeze; Severus nodded, turned and walked out of the Hall.

At the entrance Severus turned around and eyed the black winged dog, "Will you stop following me," Severus said.

The dog growled at him and took a step forward.

"I'm going on a mission, now leave me alone," Severus repeated.

The dog stood motionless.

Severus threw his hands up in frustration and continued on his way, taking his usual route to the border of the apparition barrier. Severus pulled up his sleeve and touched the Dark Mark, he instantly disapparated.

***

It was well past the witching hour when Severus apparated back into the Forbidden Forest, he instantly crumpled to the ground. Leaning against a nearby tree stump Severus gripped his abdomen, his frown deepened.

Severus looked up toward the sky and winced at his actions, his eyes became unfocused and his eyelids fluttered before closing completely. His body fell sideways and Severus hit the forest floor with a dull thud.

Severus got up suddenly and quickly, his eyes wide, "I have to get to Albus," he said loudly, and then he disappeared.

*****

TBC