Chapter 7

Halloween was a Hogsmeade day for the older students, and many were headed to the village's rather large costume shop in the east end. Ginny, Chloe, and Colin made their way right after breakfast to pick up their costumes.

"It's still so weird to see Malfoy every day," Chloe said, once they passed the blonde who was watching the students from the main entrance.

"Uh oh, be careful, don't get Ginny started on that," Colin warned.

"Don't worry guys, you have to admit, it's not as bad as we thought it would be," Ginny replied. "How many words has he said to us all year?"

"Yeah, that's true. Do you remember the thing in Potions on the first day?"

"That was pretty funny," Chloe admitted.

"That must not have been too good for his ego. I know you remember what it was like when he was a student," Colin stated.

"Hey, I totally forgot to ask you guys, what do you think of the charm they're going to have on the hall," Chloe asked, changing the topic.

"I think it'll be pretty cool, I mean, we can talk to people without inhibitions because they won't know you unless they know your costume."

"I agree," Colin replied as they reached the shop.

"Hey you guys, the owner said she'd hold the costumed I owled for. While you guys are looking, I'm going t pick it up," Ginny told her friends. They headed to the back of the store to browse as Ginny stood in the small line that had started at the register.

"So have any ideas," Colin asked.

"Not really. You?"

"No idea. I'm not good at this stuff. Even before Hogwarts, I was never the one who made up the costume ideas."

"Well I think this would be perfect for you," Chloe responded, picking up a court jester outfit in green and white.

"You're kidding right," Colin asked.

"No, think about it, with you're smile, you'd look great. And besides, the green and white is totally Tudor."

"Chloe, you can't be serious."

"About the Tudor part? No. Just wait till Ginny gets back, she'll agree with me." They browsed for a few more minutes until Ginny caught up to them.

"Find anything good?" She was holding a green box under her arm as she came up to them.

Chloe got right to the point. "I haven't found exactly what I want yet, but don't you think this would look great on Colin," she said, holding up the jester costume.

"Yeah, Colin, it would. You should get it, before someone else does. It's starting to get crowded in here," Ginny replied.

"Fine, fine, I'll meet you two out front," Colin smiled. He headed to the front of the store as Ginny talked to Chloe about her costume. In a few minutes, they were outside with Colin, watching the large amount of people heading into the shop to get costumes for the evening. The three friends, each carrying a box under an arm, headed to the Three Broomsticks to get a bit of lunch before returning to the castle.

"So Lia, what are you planning to dress as this year," Jackie asked as she and her friend walked through the familiar costume shop.

"Hello girls," Mrs. Napier said from behind the counter.

"Hi Mrs. Napier," they echoed as they walked to the back.

As they began browsing, Lia answered Jackie's question. "I actually already have my costume, my dad delivered it last week. That box that was on my bed, Avalon delivered it. Loretta designed the costumes for a play at school, and she insisted it was perfect for this. And he picked up a mask for me while he and Mum were in Venice last month."

"Well, are you going to tell me about it?"

"You'll see it tonight dork."

" Lia, what about this one," Jackie asked, pulling out a vintage halter dress in deep red.

"Oh, that' looks great."

"Hey you two, I'll meet you outside, its beginning to get crowded in here," Kevin said, carrying the store's signature green box with him.

"Hey wait Kevin, wouldn't this look great on Jackie," Lia asked, holding up the dress.

"Yeah it would, go on and get it Jackie."

"I'll meet you guys outside then," Jackie said, heading to the line forming at the front of the store.

"Wait, Lia, aren't you getting something," Kevin asked.

"No, my costume's waiting at the castle," she told him. "So what's in the box?"

"Just don't tell Jackie, I want to surprise her," he said, and seeing the look that was about to cross her face, he added, "And none of that 'aww' crap, please." Andrea nodded her head and Kevin continued. "It's nineteenth century and muggle. A three-corner hat, blue vest, loose white shirt, black pants, and a grey sash. And Devon's got boots he said I could borrow."

"Mmm, swashbuckling scallywag, are we?"

"Aye, it's in me blood," he imitated, laughing with Lia as Jackie came out.

"Old Jane asked about you know, she says hi," Jackie told Lia. "Asked about your mother too." Mrs. Napier had run the costume shop since it's opening some twenty-five years ago, and she knew Ginny from when she would come to the shop in her school days.

"Oh, I'll stop and talk with her next moth when everyone is returning their costumes. She always loves to have help on those days," Lia replied as they made their way to the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

After a leisurely lunch, most of the students headed back to the castle to do bits of homework or gossip about the evening before them. There was an hour between the feast and the dance, which many of the older girls felt was not long enough to 'prep'. Once seven o'clock rolled around, no one complained as the Great Hall filled with figures form the past.