A/N: This is a repost of this chapter, after some of my readers complained
about the way this chapter looked I took a look at it and agreed that
indeed, it needed to be replaced. Hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not anything in the HP world, only minor characters that appear in this story.
Chapter 7 ~ Halloween Planning
Halloween was approaching fast and everybody was looking forward to it, especially the seventh years as it was the last they would be celebrating at Hogwarts.
Lily and James met with the House prefects and Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore to do last minute planning for the Halloween Feast.
"Well then, now that everyone is here, any more recommendations for the Feast? Remember that there are only 6 days left to go." Commenced Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor, I thought about this the other day," started James but Lily cut in with a comment that was heard by all.
"You actually thinking? Really James your brain is not used to it, you're going to overwork it and you'll get sick, maybe you should take it easy." Exclaimed Lily.
James glared at her while the rest present chuckled. James cleared his throat and continued. "As I was saying." he glared at Lily again who just turned to look innocently at him. "This Halloween is the last we would be spending here at Hogwarts, and I thought it should be special. Usually, all the students over third year go to Hogsmead to spend the time until the Feast while the younger students spend the day doing work or anything else that takes their fancy. So I thought why not create a series of activities to bring all students together, the morning to do as they wish but the afternoon all taking part of the festivities. This way every one will have fun and will keep students entertained and won't have time to think of doing mischief."
"And so says the voice of experience!" Said a Hufflepuff prefect making the rest chuckle even James smiled at this.
"Because I know how much mischief somebody is capable of in just one afternoon is that I propose it. And it will keep Sirius entertained and out of my hair, he's starting to make plans for further pranks."
"That's reason enough to have it then, when Sirius is happy and busy elsewhere we are all happy." Exclaimed a Ravenclaw prefect.
"Too true." Smiled Professor Dumbledore, "and I think it a great idea. Does anybody have any suggestions for activities?"
"When I was in America some while ago, I saw a game at a harvest fair, they had this big barrel full of water with apples in it, 'Apple Bobbing' or something similar I think they called it. They put their arms behind his back and try to catch as many apples possible in a limited amount of time with the mouth. I had never seen anything like it, it was much fun." Said a Hufflepuff girl.
"I've seen that in the summer festival in the town near my home, I agree it is fun." Responded another prefect.
"Just make sure Sirius doesn't get anywhere near it, he will want to make it more interesting by putting a firecracker in the apples."
"That settles it, bad idea."
"No it's a good idea, we can have it, we just have to make sure that Sirius has no time to sabotage it."
"If we start to think of all the things Sirius might do," said James, "we'll be here all night and nothing will be done."
"Right, we just need to think of things that will keep Sirius entertained and that is relatively safe." Said Lily.
"What about a pie eating contest?"
"He can do that, he eats more than the whole school put together."
"That's one, it will not keep him entertained the whole afternoon however."
"We can have some dancing on the grounds, maybe near the lake."
"That's good!"
"Yeah, he likes to dance."
"Quidditch contest! See how many goals in a certain amount of time, or how fast the snitch can be caught, or how far the bludger can be hit."
"I like that! I wouldn't mind entering myself." Exclaimed James.
"We can do all three, and you cannot enter James because you will be too busy supervising it." Said Lily.
"That's good enough I suppose." Grudgingly said James.
"I think all of these activities would be fun and keep out students entertained before the Feast. I leave it to you to do the planning, and as Lily has been making notes, and James came out with this idea, I think it should be their privilege to organize it. I expect all you, prefects, to help and follow their directions. I recommend that you get the planning done this weekend to have it all set by Thursday. Now if you will all excuse me, I will retire. Have a good night." Said Professor Dumbledore.
"Good night Professor!"
"I will retire as well, please make sure you leave everything the way you found it, good night." Replied Professor McGonagall.
"Good night!"
"All right you lot! Let's meet at the Quidditch field after lunch tomorrow, it will be relatively quiet and nobody can hear us." Said James to the group as they prepared to leave the room.
"All right."
"Meet you there then."
"See you."
"Night."
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Asked Lily to James as they prepared to leave behind the group.
"Yes, I do. I reckon it will be fun, and I plan to enjoy it as much as possible, after all, this is the last Halloween we'll be spending here at Hogwarts."
Next afternoon, a small group could be seen at the bleachers of the Quidditch field. If anybody would have paid closer attention, they would've noticed that this group was formed by the House Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl.
"Very well this is the list of activities that we thought could be good for the Festival." James was passing around a copy of the list to everybody, the parchment read:
"FIVE MAJOR COMPETITIONS
The four major contests will be:
1. The Pie Eating Contest.
2. The Dance contest.
3. The Quidditch Contests
a. Catching the Snitch
b. Bludger Hitting
c. Goals tryouts
MINOR CONTESTS
1. Apple bobbin'
2. Fishing
3. Ring Tossing
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Open dance floor (before competition)
2. Food and snack stands
3. Memorabilia stands"
"I thought it would be a good idea to forbid the use of the wands during the Festival, we don't want things to get out of control." Said Lily as they finished reading the parchment.
"Does anybody want to add something or take something out to this list?" Said James looking at the prefects.
"No this looks good."
"This should be enough."
"This is going to be fun."
"Very well, let's decide on who is going to be in charge of which activity." Said James.
"It really doesn't matter."
"I don't care."
"Can I do one of the Quidditch competitions?"
"I want to do the food and snack stands."
"All right, I have it!" Said James. "Marianne," he said addressing a 6th year Ravenclaw Prefect, "you will be in charge of the pie eating contest. You'll have to go to the kitchens and get the elves to make pies for you."
"Leonard and Jonathan," Lily turned to a 5th year Slytherin and a 6th year Hufflepuff, "You will join James at the Quidditch competitions. Make sure to go to Madam Hooch to ask for whatever you will need for the competition, you might even ask her to be a judge, that will turn her up sweet."
"Right, Marissa," James turned to a 6th year Gryffindor, "You're in charge of the Memorabilia stands, we talked to some people and they said they might be able to come up with a logo for the Festival and make buttons, pins, flags and other things that students might want to buy, you need to go to them and see how they're doing they said they would volunteer to sell for some hours, but they do want some free time to participate in the Festival." Marissa nodded and took down the names of the students James had spoken of.
"Christopher," a 5th year Ravenclaw turned to look at Lily, "you and Norman," a 5th year Hufflepuff, "will be in charge of the minor activities, the ring tossing, the fishing and the apple bobbing, James and I sent requests to businesses in Hogsmead for donations for prizes. We received some positive responses, we will sort through them and give them to you on Halloween before the festival. For now I need you to start finding volunteers to run them and to build the stands you will be using."
"Dave," James looked at a 5th year Gryffindor, "and Lucy" he turned to a 6th year Slytherin, "you two will be in charge of the Food and snack stands, the Three Broomsticks donated some cases of Butterbeer and some food, the elves in the kitchens will also prepare some light snacks, you need to make arrangements for them and to get volunteers for the stands to sell and to build. We will have an area for tables with umbrellas for students and guests to rest and eat. You will also need to get that area ready. Lily will be working on the Dance floor."
"Yes, I was planning on having bleachers on one side of the dance floor for spectators, and benches on another side for the dancers, the judges will have the front area of course but that doesn't need to be put up until the end of the evening for the competition. Well, I think that is all, I wanted to talk to Jordan McClellan from Ravenclaw, I know he has a band and I thought of asking him to play for us." Said Lily.
"Oh, he'll like that." Said Marianne. "He's always complaining that they don't get much opportunity to play while at school."
"Yeah, and he's driving us all mental with his complaints." Replied Christopher. "Could you get him to practice somewhere quiet, where he can't bother anybody?"
"He can use one of the unoccupied dungeons, he will be out of the way there." Said James looking up from his notes.
"Could either one of you ask him if he could play for us?" Asked Lily looking at the Ravenclaw Prefects, when they nodded she continued, "thanks, if he accepts, tell him to see me."
"Good, now that we have everything settled, Lily and I will make the announcements and you lot can post them in your common rooms. We will get them to you by Monday." Said James.
"Don't forget to let us know of any changes in Passwords before you leave." Reminded Lily.
"If there is nothing else?" James waited to see if anybody had something to say. "Very well, this meeting is adjourned."
All the prefects stood up and filed out of the Quidditch field leaving James and Lily behind at the bleachers as they made final notes.
"We should do the notices in the common room, more comfortable. My back is killing me from sitting here too long." Complained James.
"It's your own fault, you decided to have the meeting here, we could've had it in one of the empty classrooms."
"Thank you for making me feel better."
"You're welcome."
"Come on, let's go to the castle, it's almost time for dinner." He offered his hand to help her down the bleachers, which she took, and together they walked toward the castle.
All students were buzzing with excitement Monday night when the notice for the Halloween Festival was posted.
HOGWARTS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
You are all invited to participate in the upcoming Halloween Festival that will take place on the School grounds near the lake on Halloween prior to the Feast. Festivities will commence at 11:00 a.m. with an al fresco luncheon that will last until 1:00 when the competitions and activities will start.
The activities are:
FIVE MAJOR COMPETITIONS
The four major contests will be:
1. The Pie Eating Contest.
2. The Dance contest.
3. The Quidditch Contests
a. Catching the Snitch
b. Bludger Hitting
c. Goals tryouts
MINOR CONTESTS
1. Apple bobbin'
2. Fishing
3. Ring Tossing
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Open dance floor (before competition)
2. Food and snack stands
3. Memorabilia stands
Those who wish to sign up for any of the MAJOR COMPETITONS (including the Dace Competition which will take place at 5:00 p.m.) will need to do so from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with their respective House Prefects, there will be tables set up in the grounds for this occasion. The Dance floor will be open to all from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for dancing or practice for the competition.
Awards will be given at the end of the Festival to those with the highest scores for each of the MAJOR COMPETITIONS. Awards include:
An autographed quaffle by England's National Team
England National Team robes, signed by star beater Ludo Bagman
A brand new Cleansweeps 1000 series broom
Two tickets for the Magnum Wizards Concert
Certificates for FREE food at any Diagon Alley restaurant worth 100 Galleons
All minor activities will also award a variety of small prizes throughout the afternoon, there is no need to sign up for these.
Please see Prefects or Head Students for a copy of the rules and regulations, you must have a signed copy to present at sign up. Participants must take note that wands will not be accepted during the Festival there will be a designated area for wand storage and students are urged to leave them in their dormitories.
We hope you enjoy yourself and good luck to all the participants.
"Oy, why didn't you tell us about this James? This sounds a lot of fun! I'm definitely signing up for everything." Said Sirius as he finally caught up with James who had just entered the common room after a very busy day of planning.
"Because it was a last minute idea and have been too busy organizing to say anything about it." Responded James, and smiled at feeling the exuberance radiating from his friend.
"Well now that you are here, I want one of those rules copies, I want to make sure I get one before you are besieged by others." Exclaimed Sirius waiting for James to look through his books for a copy of the rules and regulations parchment.
"We're glad you're finally here, James, Sirius has been bouncing around the tower looking for you that he nearly drove us mental." Said Remus as he and Peter came into the common room.
"So I see. Do you want some of these as well?" Asked James as he retrieved a stack of parchments from his bag.
"Yeah, might as well, it does sound fun and somebody has to keep an eye on him." Said Peter as he looked toward a buoyant Sirius running to sit at one of the tables.
"Don't worry about looking out for him, he'll be too busy to notice, and I don't think anybody will be able to keep up with him." Said Remus as he grabbed a copy from James.
"Yeah, I suppose. I don't know what I want to do though, if Sirius is signing up for everything, it would be a waste of time competing against him." Said Peter as he started to read his copy.
"There is still the open dance floor before the competition." Replied James putting away the copies. He grabbed his bag and walked over to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. He sat and swung his feet over to the side putting them on top of one of the arms of the chair and cushioning his head with the other. "Ahhh! That's better, boy am I tired."
"Where is Lily?" Asked Remus as he and Peter went to sit on a couch near James.
"I don't know, I lost track of her after dinner. She has way too much energy; I get tired just watching her."
"You two have been spending a lot of time together lately." Slyly said Sirius finally putting away his signed copy.
"Of course we have, there has been a lot to plan, and there is also the planning committee for the Graduation Ball, not to mention all the report meetings, and I have no idea what else. Ugh! If I would've known how tiresome this Head Boy business was going to be, I would've done less in class just so I wouldn't be chosen."
"Are you saying that you haven't even held her hand or tried to kiss her after all this time that you have spent alone?" Asked Sirius.
"Of course not! Why would I want to do that?"
"Just because you could! Geez James, this is your opportunity to woo her."
"Woo her? Sirius are you mad?! She would skin me alive if I even tried any of those tactics with her."
"How would you know if she would feel that way, you haven't even tried." Said Remus joining in the fun, it wasn't everyday they could tease James into a state of confusion.
"But why would I even try?"
"Because you like her." Replied Peter, catching on to what the other two were doing.
"I do not! At least not as anything more than a friend."
"Oh come James! You think she's attractive, you've gone out with other girls just as attractive and some that are less, but not with Lily, I think there is a reason to that."
"No there isn't, we're just two busy people who just want to be friends, nothing more." By this time, James was sitting on the chair looking at his friends with temper rising.
"How do you know what she wants?"
"I know."
"How?"
"I - Just - Know!" James growled.
"Hello what are you boys doing?" Greeted Katie, as she and Emma entered the common room.
"Trying to give James here some courage to ask Lily out." Said a grinning Sirius.
"Indeed!" The two girls exclaimed as they turned to look at James with speculation in their eyes.
"I am not going to ask her out! I don't like her that way! Lord! You're worst than my mother." Groaned James as he sprawled back on the chair.
"You cannot do any better, she's attractive and smart, socially active, what more could you want?" Asked Emma, sitting beside Remus and getting ready to make her argument.
"Don't you two start matchmaking, this lot is enough for me." Complained James as he pointed to his friends.
"But it's true, you are considered an eligible parti in wizard society, she is sought after by many in both, wizard and muggle, you two are the perfect couple." Replied Katie.
"We are not a couple and we are not going to become one." Said James through gritted teeth, he was trying hard to control his temper so not to call attention from the other students that had started to congregate in the common room.
"Oh, poppycock! You'll see, you will end up together sooner or later." Said Katie.
"We are only trying to hook you up, it's for your own good." Replied Sirius, he was really enjoying seeing his friend losing his customary self- control.
"Hook me up! I'm not a damn fish for Pete's sake."
"Hi! What are you lot up to?" Lily said as she spied the group by the fireplace.
"Nothing!" Said the whole group in unison. This caused Lily to eyed them warily they never did just nothing. She shook her head and turned to James.
"Where have you been? We were supposed to meet at the Transfiguration classroom to go over our notes."
"I knew I had forgotten something." James hit his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Never mind, let's go to your dorm, I'm sure the boys won't mind leaving us alone for a while." She turned to look at the others who smiled and nodded to her.
"Of course we don't mind, take all the time you need." Smiled Sirius as he smiled to the couple.
"Maybe you should change into something more comfortable Lily, you have been wearing those robes the whole day after all, I wager a change of clothes will help." Urged Katie.
"Good idea, maybe James should do the same, no sense working on a bed if you're not comfortable."
James glowered at Sirius for his comment, while Lily, who luckily didn't hear Sirius, was considering Katie's suggestion.
"Hmmm.you are right, I would like to tidy up a bit. I'll meet you in your room James." And she walked up the stairs to his room.
"Way to go tiger! Now it's your chance, go on." Urged Sirius.
"Shut - up!" Growled James as he scowled at the group. He got up and started to walk toward the staircase. "If I hear another peep out of you, you will regret it." He turned and started to climb the steps.
"Peep!" The whole group said and laughed.
"That's it!" James turned back, pointed his wand to them and said "sudicius" the girls screamed and the boys groaned, they were covered in mud. "I warned you!" And James stomped off to his room.
"I think we went a little too far." Said Remus as he got his wand out and prepared to clean him self.
"You think?" Was Katie's sarcastic reply.
"Ugh! My wand is so dirty I can't even use it." Wailed Emma.
"Here let me help you." Offered Remus who had finished cleaning him self.
"Thank you, I owe you one." Sighed Emma as she looked up and smiled at him.
"I won't let you forget." He said with a sly smile.
"If you two lovebirds are done?" Smirked Sirius as he put his wand away. When Remus and Emma, blushing, looked away from each other, he continued. "We should start planning for Halloween. What are you girls signing in for?"
"Dancing." Both girls replied.
"If we can find partners that is." Said Emma as she eyed Remus beneath her lashes.
"Will you be my partner for the Festival?" Asked Remus putting out his hand.
"Of course." Emma responded putting her hand in his. Her eyes widened as Remus lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles after which he gave her a beguiling smile.
"What about you Katie? What about you with me?" Asked Sirius with a hopeful expression.
"Are you asking me out?"
"Will you say yes if I am?"
"I might."
"Well then, Katie, will you go with me to the Festival?"
"Hmmm.all right then, I'll go with you."
"You won't regret it." Said Sirius with a roguish smile.
"I'll hold you to that." Smiled Katie.
"Oh Lord!" Groaned Peter as he saw the scene developing in front of him.
Lily walked down the hall that led to the boys' dormitories. For an unknown reason she was felling very excited and apprehensive at the same time, she couldn't understand why, Why should I feel like this? she thought, it is only James, and he won't try anything. Would he? She didn't know why a sense of disappointment went through her instead of relief. She stopped in front of a door, she hesitated for a moment and then knocked.
"James, are you decent?" She asked.
"Yes, come in."
"Oh good, I was afraid I would catch you at an inappropriate moment." Said Lily as she entered the room. She was wearing a two-piece silk pajamas, emerald green bottoms with floral prints, and her top was a solid emerald green. Above her pajamas she wore a semi-transparent robe.
James wore a set of silk blue pajamas, he often slept in his boxers and nothing more, but on this occasion he decided to wear his rarely used set of pajamas.
"Er, yes. So what do we have to talk about?" Asked a distracted James. He was sitting on his bed, facing toward the door, pieces of parchment were lying next to him.
"We have to compare notes. Honestly! Your head has been obviously lost somewhere James. What is troubling you?" Asked Lily as she sat cross- legged on the bed next to his.
" Nothing."
"Girl trouble."
"No. Sirius trouble."
"When hasn't he been one?" Snorted Lily.
"Yeah, I guess. So, what do you have?"
"Here, this is the list of professors who agreed to act as judges." She handed him a parchment and then reached for a second one. "And this one is a list of Hogsmead residents who also agreed to judge."
"Did they tell you if they prefer an event or do we have to assign?"
"Most of them told me, see these little notes by their names?" Lily got up from the bed in which she was sitting and crossed to sit beside James. "Only Professor Sprout and Hagrid didn't say what they preferred to judge."
Hmmm...I think Professor Sprout could like the dance competition, Hagrid I'm not so sure...maybe one of the Quidditch trials."
"That would work, now we have an equal amount of judges in each of the major events."
"Right, now about the awards. Dumbledore has agreed to allow us to give them away during the Feast."
"Oh good, that would work nicely and we won't have to worry about planning a ceremony just for that then."
"Yeah, gives us enough time to gather all the votes from the judges and sort them all out we won't have to do it in a hurry. The Festival will be done by seven and the Feast starts at eight, that's enough time."
"Right. Did all the prefects get the copies of the rules?"
"Yes, I gave them out during dinner."
"Oh good, I was so busy trying to persuade Madam Hooch to judge the Quidditch competitions that I forgot all about the copies."
"All done."
"Now let me see, what else?" Lily started to scan her notes.
"I talked to Jordan," said James looking up from his own notes, "he started practice with his band this afternoon. I heard them as they did, they are very good."
"I know, I've heard them. Do you think we should build a stage for them?"
"It would be nice."
"Hmmm...you're right, I'll see if I can get volunteers for it."
"The Ravenclaw prefects reported to me that they have caught some students wagering about the outcome of the competitions, should we leave it alone or give detentions? I'm sure they will not be the last."
"There isn't much we can do about it, it happens all the time. As long as it's not coins changing hands I suppose it will be fine."
"I'll let all the prefects know then"
"What about decorations? Marianne said she could put together a group to take care of it if we wished."
"Some decorations would be nice but nothing too ostentatious."
"I thought so as well. I'll tell her." Lily let herself fall backwards on the bed. "I've never been this tired before in my life. I can't wait for all of this to be over." She turned to lay face down on the bed and rested her feet at the bottom of the bed. James followed her example and lay on opposite direction, facing her.
"So do I. At least we have the whole year to plan the Graduation Ball."
"Thank God! Let's not do anymore last minute events, I don't think I can handle another one." Said Lily as she rested her head on her arms.
"Neither will I. I'm going home for Christmas, mum has something planned, and we only have a month and a half until then so we'll have a nice break. What are you doing for Christmas?" She didn't answer.
"Lily?" He turned to look at her and smiled as he saw that she had fallen asleep. I should wake her and tell her to go to bed; but she's tired so I guess she won't readily wake up. I'm too tired to carry her, maybe I'll get the others to help me. He thought as he looked at her. Sirius is right, she is pretty, why didn't I noticed that before? Is not as if we don't get along, we are friends after all. Maybe that's why. I've thought of her as a friend and nothing more. Aaarrgh! But what am I thinking, this isn't going to take me anywhere, we would never work out. He closed his eyes and rested his head on his arms and continued ruminating. And if mother hears that I'm getting involved with anyone she'll move heaven and earth to make a match. She is so concerned with the entail and getting me married that. James had fallen asleep as well, as a result, he didn't hear his friends entering the room.
"It's quiet, they must be done, and James has probably gone to bed." Whispered Remus.
"Maybe." Whispered back Sirius. They walked further into the room, and noticed that James' bed didn't have the curtains drawn. They walked to the bed to check on him and smiled at the sight that met their eyes.
A dark and red head asleep facing each other, pieces of parchment all over the bed surrounding them.
"Awww." Sneered Sirius.
"They must've been very tired. Do you reckon we should wake them up? We can also carry Lily to her room." Proposed Peter.
"I don't think they will wake very easily, and I don't know about carrying her. If she wakes up as we're doing so, she'll probably think that we're up to something and scream." Responded Remus.
"Either that or be angry at being awoken and yell at us anyways." Replied Sirius.
"Then what?"
"I suppose we could leave them as they are. I don't think they have much energy to do anything more tonight."
"If they did, what a show that would be."
"Sirius!"
"What? Well, it's true."
"Let's just get ready for bed. I'm tired."
The three boys tried to make no sound as they prepared for bed until finally the lights went out, and curtains were drawn, except at one of the beds.
Lily slowly emerged from the nice dream she was having, through her eyelids she could see sunlight. It must be morning. She thought, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes widened as a pair of deep blue eyes opened in front of her.
"James? Oh dear!" Lily gasped and abruptly sat up on the bed.
"What? Lily, what.?"
"Good morning!" Said a cheery voice. Lily and James turned to look toward the voice and saw Sirius peering through the curtains of his bed. They also noticed two more faces looking in at them from the other two beds.
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Asked Lily as she tried to put her thoughts in order.
"You were too tired." Responded Remus.
"You could've carried Lily to her bed." Said James glaring at his friends.
"And have her scream at us if she woke up? I don't think so." Snorted Sirius.
"Oh really!" Snapped Lily as she gathered her things and got ready to leave the room. She quickly went toward the door but stopped before she left. "I think the lot of you are - are -"
"Idiots? Imbeciles?" Supplied James as he glowered at his friends.
"Exactly!" Growled Lily and stormed out of the room.
James groaned and lay back on the bed hiding his face with the pillow.
"So James, did you have a good night?" Leered Sirius.
"Sirius, shut up!"
A/N: There you go, hope you liked it. Don't forget to review. : )
Disclaimer: I do not anything in the HP world, only minor characters that appear in this story.
Chapter 7 ~ Halloween Planning
Halloween was approaching fast and everybody was looking forward to it, especially the seventh years as it was the last they would be celebrating at Hogwarts.
Lily and James met with the House prefects and Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore to do last minute planning for the Halloween Feast.
"Well then, now that everyone is here, any more recommendations for the Feast? Remember that there are only 6 days left to go." Commenced Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor, I thought about this the other day," started James but Lily cut in with a comment that was heard by all.
"You actually thinking? Really James your brain is not used to it, you're going to overwork it and you'll get sick, maybe you should take it easy." Exclaimed Lily.
James glared at her while the rest present chuckled. James cleared his throat and continued. "As I was saying." he glared at Lily again who just turned to look innocently at him. "This Halloween is the last we would be spending here at Hogwarts, and I thought it should be special. Usually, all the students over third year go to Hogsmead to spend the time until the Feast while the younger students spend the day doing work or anything else that takes their fancy. So I thought why not create a series of activities to bring all students together, the morning to do as they wish but the afternoon all taking part of the festivities. This way every one will have fun and will keep students entertained and won't have time to think of doing mischief."
"And so says the voice of experience!" Said a Hufflepuff prefect making the rest chuckle even James smiled at this.
"Because I know how much mischief somebody is capable of in just one afternoon is that I propose it. And it will keep Sirius entertained and out of my hair, he's starting to make plans for further pranks."
"That's reason enough to have it then, when Sirius is happy and busy elsewhere we are all happy." Exclaimed a Ravenclaw prefect.
"Too true." Smiled Professor Dumbledore, "and I think it a great idea. Does anybody have any suggestions for activities?"
"When I was in America some while ago, I saw a game at a harvest fair, they had this big barrel full of water with apples in it, 'Apple Bobbing' or something similar I think they called it. They put their arms behind his back and try to catch as many apples possible in a limited amount of time with the mouth. I had never seen anything like it, it was much fun." Said a Hufflepuff girl.
"I've seen that in the summer festival in the town near my home, I agree it is fun." Responded another prefect.
"Just make sure Sirius doesn't get anywhere near it, he will want to make it more interesting by putting a firecracker in the apples."
"That settles it, bad idea."
"No it's a good idea, we can have it, we just have to make sure that Sirius has no time to sabotage it."
"If we start to think of all the things Sirius might do," said James, "we'll be here all night and nothing will be done."
"Right, we just need to think of things that will keep Sirius entertained and that is relatively safe." Said Lily.
"What about a pie eating contest?"
"He can do that, he eats more than the whole school put together."
"That's one, it will not keep him entertained the whole afternoon however."
"We can have some dancing on the grounds, maybe near the lake."
"That's good!"
"Yeah, he likes to dance."
"Quidditch contest! See how many goals in a certain amount of time, or how fast the snitch can be caught, or how far the bludger can be hit."
"I like that! I wouldn't mind entering myself." Exclaimed James.
"We can do all three, and you cannot enter James because you will be too busy supervising it." Said Lily.
"That's good enough I suppose." Grudgingly said James.
"I think all of these activities would be fun and keep out students entertained before the Feast. I leave it to you to do the planning, and as Lily has been making notes, and James came out with this idea, I think it should be their privilege to organize it. I expect all you, prefects, to help and follow their directions. I recommend that you get the planning done this weekend to have it all set by Thursday. Now if you will all excuse me, I will retire. Have a good night." Said Professor Dumbledore.
"Good night Professor!"
"I will retire as well, please make sure you leave everything the way you found it, good night." Replied Professor McGonagall.
"Good night!"
"All right you lot! Let's meet at the Quidditch field after lunch tomorrow, it will be relatively quiet and nobody can hear us." Said James to the group as they prepared to leave the room.
"All right."
"Meet you there then."
"See you."
"Night."
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Asked Lily to James as they prepared to leave behind the group.
"Yes, I do. I reckon it will be fun, and I plan to enjoy it as much as possible, after all, this is the last Halloween we'll be spending here at Hogwarts."
Next afternoon, a small group could be seen at the bleachers of the Quidditch field. If anybody would have paid closer attention, they would've noticed that this group was formed by the House Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl.
"Very well this is the list of activities that we thought could be good for the Festival." James was passing around a copy of the list to everybody, the parchment read:
"FIVE MAJOR COMPETITIONS
The four major contests will be:
1. The Pie Eating Contest.
2. The Dance contest.
3. The Quidditch Contests
a. Catching the Snitch
b. Bludger Hitting
c. Goals tryouts
MINOR CONTESTS
1. Apple bobbin'
2. Fishing
3. Ring Tossing
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Open dance floor (before competition)
2. Food and snack stands
3. Memorabilia stands"
"I thought it would be a good idea to forbid the use of the wands during the Festival, we don't want things to get out of control." Said Lily as they finished reading the parchment.
"Does anybody want to add something or take something out to this list?" Said James looking at the prefects.
"No this looks good."
"This should be enough."
"This is going to be fun."
"Very well, let's decide on who is going to be in charge of which activity." Said James.
"It really doesn't matter."
"I don't care."
"Can I do one of the Quidditch competitions?"
"I want to do the food and snack stands."
"All right, I have it!" Said James. "Marianne," he said addressing a 6th year Ravenclaw Prefect, "you will be in charge of the pie eating contest. You'll have to go to the kitchens and get the elves to make pies for you."
"Leonard and Jonathan," Lily turned to a 5th year Slytherin and a 6th year Hufflepuff, "You will join James at the Quidditch competitions. Make sure to go to Madam Hooch to ask for whatever you will need for the competition, you might even ask her to be a judge, that will turn her up sweet."
"Right, Marissa," James turned to a 6th year Gryffindor, "You're in charge of the Memorabilia stands, we talked to some people and they said they might be able to come up with a logo for the Festival and make buttons, pins, flags and other things that students might want to buy, you need to go to them and see how they're doing they said they would volunteer to sell for some hours, but they do want some free time to participate in the Festival." Marissa nodded and took down the names of the students James had spoken of.
"Christopher," a 5th year Ravenclaw turned to look at Lily, "you and Norman," a 5th year Hufflepuff, "will be in charge of the minor activities, the ring tossing, the fishing and the apple bobbing, James and I sent requests to businesses in Hogsmead for donations for prizes. We received some positive responses, we will sort through them and give them to you on Halloween before the festival. For now I need you to start finding volunteers to run them and to build the stands you will be using."
"Dave," James looked at a 5th year Gryffindor, "and Lucy" he turned to a 6th year Slytherin, "you two will be in charge of the Food and snack stands, the Three Broomsticks donated some cases of Butterbeer and some food, the elves in the kitchens will also prepare some light snacks, you need to make arrangements for them and to get volunteers for the stands to sell and to build. We will have an area for tables with umbrellas for students and guests to rest and eat. You will also need to get that area ready. Lily will be working on the Dance floor."
"Yes, I was planning on having bleachers on one side of the dance floor for spectators, and benches on another side for the dancers, the judges will have the front area of course but that doesn't need to be put up until the end of the evening for the competition. Well, I think that is all, I wanted to talk to Jordan McClellan from Ravenclaw, I know he has a band and I thought of asking him to play for us." Said Lily.
"Oh, he'll like that." Said Marianne. "He's always complaining that they don't get much opportunity to play while at school."
"Yeah, and he's driving us all mental with his complaints." Replied Christopher. "Could you get him to practice somewhere quiet, where he can't bother anybody?"
"He can use one of the unoccupied dungeons, he will be out of the way there." Said James looking up from his notes.
"Could either one of you ask him if he could play for us?" Asked Lily looking at the Ravenclaw Prefects, when they nodded she continued, "thanks, if he accepts, tell him to see me."
"Good, now that we have everything settled, Lily and I will make the announcements and you lot can post them in your common rooms. We will get them to you by Monday." Said James.
"Don't forget to let us know of any changes in Passwords before you leave." Reminded Lily.
"If there is nothing else?" James waited to see if anybody had something to say. "Very well, this meeting is adjourned."
All the prefects stood up and filed out of the Quidditch field leaving James and Lily behind at the bleachers as they made final notes.
"We should do the notices in the common room, more comfortable. My back is killing me from sitting here too long." Complained James.
"It's your own fault, you decided to have the meeting here, we could've had it in one of the empty classrooms."
"Thank you for making me feel better."
"You're welcome."
"Come on, let's go to the castle, it's almost time for dinner." He offered his hand to help her down the bleachers, which she took, and together they walked toward the castle.
All students were buzzing with excitement Monday night when the notice for the Halloween Festival was posted.
HOGWARTS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
You are all invited to participate in the upcoming Halloween Festival that will take place on the School grounds near the lake on Halloween prior to the Feast. Festivities will commence at 11:00 a.m. with an al fresco luncheon that will last until 1:00 when the competitions and activities will start.
The activities are:
FIVE MAJOR COMPETITIONS
The four major contests will be:
1. The Pie Eating Contest.
2. The Dance contest.
3. The Quidditch Contests
a. Catching the Snitch
b. Bludger Hitting
c. Goals tryouts
MINOR CONTESTS
1. Apple bobbin'
2. Fishing
3. Ring Tossing
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Open dance floor (before competition)
2. Food and snack stands
3. Memorabilia stands
Those who wish to sign up for any of the MAJOR COMPETITONS (including the Dace Competition which will take place at 5:00 p.m.) will need to do so from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with their respective House Prefects, there will be tables set up in the grounds for this occasion. The Dance floor will be open to all from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for dancing or practice for the competition.
Awards will be given at the end of the Festival to those with the highest scores for each of the MAJOR COMPETITIONS. Awards include:
An autographed quaffle by England's National Team
England National Team robes, signed by star beater Ludo Bagman
A brand new Cleansweeps 1000 series broom
Two tickets for the Magnum Wizards Concert
Certificates for FREE food at any Diagon Alley restaurant worth 100 Galleons
All minor activities will also award a variety of small prizes throughout the afternoon, there is no need to sign up for these.
Please see Prefects or Head Students for a copy of the rules and regulations, you must have a signed copy to present at sign up. Participants must take note that wands will not be accepted during the Festival there will be a designated area for wand storage and students are urged to leave them in their dormitories.
We hope you enjoy yourself and good luck to all the participants.
"Oy, why didn't you tell us about this James? This sounds a lot of fun! I'm definitely signing up for everything." Said Sirius as he finally caught up with James who had just entered the common room after a very busy day of planning.
"Because it was a last minute idea and have been too busy organizing to say anything about it." Responded James, and smiled at feeling the exuberance radiating from his friend.
"Well now that you are here, I want one of those rules copies, I want to make sure I get one before you are besieged by others." Exclaimed Sirius waiting for James to look through his books for a copy of the rules and regulations parchment.
"We're glad you're finally here, James, Sirius has been bouncing around the tower looking for you that he nearly drove us mental." Said Remus as he and Peter came into the common room.
"So I see. Do you want some of these as well?" Asked James as he retrieved a stack of parchments from his bag.
"Yeah, might as well, it does sound fun and somebody has to keep an eye on him." Said Peter as he looked toward a buoyant Sirius running to sit at one of the tables.
"Don't worry about looking out for him, he'll be too busy to notice, and I don't think anybody will be able to keep up with him." Said Remus as he grabbed a copy from James.
"Yeah, I suppose. I don't know what I want to do though, if Sirius is signing up for everything, it would be a waste of time competing against him." Said Peter as he started to read his copy.
"There is still the open dance floor before the competition." Replied James putting away the copies. He grabbed his bag and walked over to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. He sat and swung his feet over to the side putting them on top of one of the arms of the chair and cushioning his head with the other. "Ahhh! That's better, boy am I tired."
"Where is Lily?" Asked Remus as he and Peter went to sit on a couch near James.
"I don't know, I lost track of her after dinner. She has way too much energy; I get tired just watching her."
"You two have been spending a lot of time together lately." Slyly said Sirius finally putting away his signed copy.
"Of course we have, there has been a lot to plan, and there is also the planning committee for the Graduation Ball, not to mention all the report meetings, and I have no idea what else. Ugh! If I would've known how tiresome this Head Boy business was going to be, I would've done less in class just so I wouldn't be chosen."
"Are you saying that you haven't even held her hand or tried to kiss her after all this time that you have spent alone?" Asked Sirius.
"Of course not! Why would I want to do that?"
"Just because you could! Geez James, this is your opportunity to woo her."
"Woo her? Sirius are you mad?! She would skin me alive if I even tried any of those tactics with her."
"How would you know if she would feel that way, you haven't even tried." Said Remus joining in the fun, it wasn't everyday they could tease James into a state of confusion.
"But why would I even try?"
"Because you like her." Replied Peter, catching on to what the other two were doing.
"I do not! At least not as anything more than a friend."
"Oh come James! You think she's attractive, you've gone out with other girls just as attractive and some that are less, but not with Lily, I think there is a reason to that."
"No there isn't, we're just two busy people who just want to be friends, nothing more." By this time, James was sitting on the chair looking at his friends with temper rising.
"How do you know what she wants?"
"I know."
"How?"
"I - Just - Know!" James growled.
"Hello what are you boys doing?" Greeted Katie, as she and Emma entered the common room.
"Trying to give James here some courage to ask Lily out." Said a grinning Sirius.
"Indeed!" The two girls exclaimed as they turned to look at James with speculation in their eyes.
"I am not going to ask her out! I don't like her that way! Lord! You're worst than my mother." Groaned James as he sprawled back on the chair.
"You cannot do any better, she's attractive and smart, socially active, what more could you want?" Asked Emma, sitting beside Remus and getting ready to make her argument.
"Don't you two start matchmaking, this lot is enough for me." Complained James as he pointed to his friends.
"But it's true, you are considered an eligible parti in wizard society, she is sought after by many in both, wizard and muggle, you two are the perfect couple." Replied Katie.
"We are not a couple and we are not going to become one." Said James through gritted teeth, he was trying hard to control his temper so not to call attention from the other students that had started to congregate in the common room.
"Oh, poppycock! You'll see, you will end up together sooner or later." Said Katie.
"We are only trying to hook you up, it's for your own good." Replied Sirius, he was really enjoying seeing his friend losing his customary self- control.
"Hook me up! I'm not a damn fish for Pete's sake."
"Hi! What are you lot up to?" Lily said as she spied the group by the fireplace.
"Nothing!" Said the whole group in unison. This caused Lily to eyed them warily they never did just nothing. She shook her head and turned to James.
"Where have you been? We were supposed to meet at the Transfiguration classroom to go over our notes."
"I knew I had forgotten something." James hit his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Never mind, let's go to your dorm, I'm sure the boys won't mind leaving us alone for a while." She turned to look at the others who smiled and nodded to her.
"Of course we don't mind, take all the time you need." Smiled Sirius as he smiled to the couple.
"Maybe you should change into something more comfortable Lily, you have been wearing those robes the whole day after all, I wager a change of clothes will help." Urged Katie.
"Good idea, maybe James should do the same, no sense working on a bed if you're not comfortable."
James glowered at Sirius for his comment, while Lily, who luckily didn't hear Sirius, was considering Katie's suggestion.
"Hmmm.you are right, I would like to tidy up a bit. I'll meet you in your room James." And she walked up the stairs to his room.
"Way to go tiger! Now it's your chance, go on." Urged Sirius.
"Shut - up!" Growled James as he scowled at the group. He got up and started to walk toward the staircase. "If I hear another peep out of you, you will regret it." He turned and started to climb the steps.
"Peep!" The whole group said and laughed.
"That's it!" James turned back, pointed his wand to them and said "sudicius" the girls screamed and the boys groaned, they were covered in mud. "I warned you!" And James stomped off to his room.
"I think we went a little too far." Said Remus as he got his wand out and prepared to clean him self.
"You think?" Was Katie's sarcastic reply.
"Ugh! My wand is so dirty I can't even use it." Wailed Emma.
"Here let me help you." Offered Remus who had finished cleaning him self.
"Thank you, I owe you one." Sighed Emma as she looked up and smiled at him.
"I won't let you forget." He said with a sly smile.
"If you two lovebirds are done?" Smirked Sirius as he put his wand away. When Remus and Emma, blushing, looked away from each other, he continued. "We should start planning for Halloween. What are you girls signing in for?"
"Dancing." Both girls replied.
"If we can find partners that is." Said Emma as she eyed Remus beneath her lashes.
"Will you be my partner for the Festival?" Asked Remus putting out his hand.
"Of course." Emma responded putting her hand in his. Her eyes widened as Remus lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles after which he gave her a beguiling smile.
"What about you Katie? What about you with me?" Asked Sirius with a hopeful expression.
"Are you asking me out?"
"Will you say yes if I am?"
"I might."
"Well then, Katie, will you go with me to the Festival?"
"Hmmm.all right then, I'll go with you."
"You won't regret it." Said Sirius with a roguish smile.
"I'll hold you to that." Smiled Katie.
"Oh Lord!" Groaned Peter as he saw the scene developing in front of him.
Lily walked down the hall that led to the boys' dormitories. For an unknown reason she was felling very excited and apprehensive at the same time, she couldn't understand why, Why should I feel like this? she thought, it is only James, and he won't try anything. Would he? She didn't know why a sense of disappointment went through her instead of relief. She stopped in front of a door, she hesitated for a moment and then knocked.
"James, are you decent?" She asked.
"Yes, come in."
"Oh good, I was afraid I would catch you at an inappropriate moment." Said Lily as she entered the room. She was wearing a two-piece silk pajamas, emerald green bottoms with floral prints, and her top was a solid emerald green. Above her pajamas she wore a semi-transparent robe.
James wore a set of silk blue pajamas, he often slept in his boxers and nothing more, but on this occasion he decided to wear his rarely used set of pajamas.
"Er, yes. So what do we have to talk about?" Asked a distracted James. He was sitting on his bed, facing toward the door, pieces of parchment were lying next to him.
"We have to compare notes. Honestly! Your head has been obviously lost somewhere James. What is troubling you?" Asked Lily as she sat cross- legged on the bed next to his.
" Nothing."
"Girl trouble."
"No. Sirius trouble."
"When hasn't he been one?" Snorted Lily.
"Yeah, I guess. So, what do you have?"
"Here, this is the list of professors who agreed to act as judges." She handed him a parchment and then reached for a second one. "And this one is a list of Hogsmead residents who also agreed to judge."
"Did they tell you if they prefer an event or do we have to assign?"
"Most of them told me, see these little notes by their names?" Lily got up from the bed in which she was sitting and crossed to sit beside James. "Only Professor Sprout and Hagrid didn't say what they preferred to judge."
Hmmm...I think Professor Sprout could like the dance competition, Hagrid I'm not so sure...maybe one of the Quidditch trials."
"That would work, now we have an equal amount of judges in each of the major events."
"Right, now about the awards. Dumbledore has agreed to allow us to give them away during the Feast."
"Oh good, that would work nicely and we won't have to worry about planning a ceremony just for that then."
"Yeah, gives us enough time to gather all the votes from the judges and sort them all out we won't have to do it in a hurry. The Festival will be done by seven and the Feast starts at eight, that's enough time."
"Right. Did all the prefects get the copies of the rules?"
"Yes, I gave them out during dinner."
"Oh good, I was so busy trying to persuade Madam Hooch to judge the Quidditch competitions that I forgot all about the copies."
"All done."
"Now let me see, what else?" Lily started to scan her notes.
"I talked to Jordan," said James looking up from his own notes, "he started practice with his band this afternoon. I heard them as they did, they are very good."
"I know, I've heard them. Do you think we should build a stage for them?"
"It would be nice."
"Hmmm...you're right, I'll see if I can get volunteers for it."
"The Ravenclaw prefects reported to me that they have caught some students wagering about the outcome of the competitions, should we leave it alone or give detentions? I'm sure they will not be the last."
"There isn't much we can do about it, it happens all the time. As long as it's not coins changing hands I suppose it will be fine."
"I'll let all the prefects know then"
"What about decorations? Marianne said she could put together a group to take care of it if we wished."
"Some decorations would be nice but nothing too ostentatious."
"I thought so as well. I'll tell her." Lily let herself fall backwards on the bed. "I've never been this tired before in my life. I can't wait for all of this to be over." She turned to lay face down on the bed and rested her feet at the bottom of the bed. James followed her example and lay on opposite direction, facing her.
"So do I. At least we have the whole year to plan the Graduation Ball."
"Thank God! Let's not do anymore last minute events, I don't think I can handle another one." Said Lily as she rested her head on her arms.
"Neither will I. I'm going home for Christmas, mum has something planned, and we only have a month and a half until then so we'll have a nice break. What are you doing for Christmas?" She didn't answer.
"Lily?" He turned to look at her and smiled as he saw that she had fallen asleep. I should wake her and tell her to go to bed; but she's tired so I guess she won't readily wake up. I'm too tired to carry her, maybe I'll get the others to help me. He thought as he looked at her. Sirius is right, she is pretty, why didn't I noticed that before? Is not as if we don't get along, we are friends after all. Maybe that's why. I've thought of her as a friend and nothing more. Aaarrgh! But what am I thinking, this isn't going to take me anywhere, we would never work out. He closed his eyes and rested his head on his arms and continued ruminating. And if mother hears that I'm getting involved with anyone she'll move heaven and earth to make a match. She is so concerned with the entail and getting me married that. James had fallen asleep as well, as a result, he didn't hear his friends entering the room.
"It's quiet, they must be done, and James has probably gone to bed." Whispered Remus.
"Maybe." Whispered back Sirius. They walked further into the room, and noticed that James' bed didn't have the curtains drawn. They walked to the bed to check on him and smiled at the sight that met their eyes.
A dark and red head asleep facing each other, pieces of parchment all over the bed surrounding them.
"Awww." Sneered Sirius.
"They must've been very tired. Do you reckon we should wake them up? We can also carry Lily to her room." Proposed Peter.
"I don't think they will wake very easily, and I don't know about carrying her. If she wakes up as we're doing so, she'll probably think that we're up to something and scream." Responded Remus.
"Either that or be angry at being awoken and yell at us anyways." Replied Sirius.
"Then what?"
"I suppose we could leave them as they are. I don't think they have much energy to do anything more tonight."
"If they did, what a show that would be."
"Sirius!"
"What? Well, it's true."
"Let's just get ready for bed. I'm tired."
The three boys tried to make no sound as they prepared for bed until finally the lights went out, and curtains were drawn, except at one of the beds.
Lily slowly emerged from the nice dream she was having, through her eyelids she could see sunlight. It must be morning. She thought, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes widened as a pair of deep blue eyes opened in front of her.
"James? Oh dear!" Lily gasped and abruptly sat up on the bed.
"What? Lily, what.?"
"Good morning!" Said a cheery voice. Lily and James turned to look toward the voice and saw Sirius peering through the curtains of his bed. They also noticed two more faces looking in at them from the other two beds.
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Asked Lily as she tried to put her thoughts in order.
"You were too tired." Responded Remus.
"You could've carried Lily to her bed." Said James glaring at his friends.
"And have her scream at us if she woke up? I don't think so." Snorted Sirius.
"Oh really!" Snapped Lily as she gathered her things and got ready to leave the room. She quickly went toward the door but stopped before she left. "I think the lot of you are - are -"
"Idiots? Imbeciles?" Supplied James as he glowered at his friends.
"Exactly!" Growled Lily and stormed out of the room.
James groaned and lay back on the bed hiding his face with the pillow.
"So James, did you have a good night?" Leered Sirius.
"Sirius, shut up!"
A/N: There you go, hope you liked it. Don't forget to review. : )