38 Sunday, October 27th

The long anticipated day of Kade's Halloween party was upon them. Clearly word had spread about it amongst the students.

As they sat in Hogsmeade, everyone around them was talking in hushed tones, glancing furtively around the room, their eyes and faces alight with excitement. Noelle wasn't sure whether it had been her own group who had spread word, the Weasley brothers, or if they'd simply been overheard. As it stood, however, practically everyone Noelle could hear was discussing how they'd be attending.

Kade was ecstatic, proclaiming that his party would be a wild success. "And you know, we'll have to move it now that there's so many people coming. It'll be too crowded and too noisy for the courtyard. Spread the word that we'll be doing it outside the castle walls!"

Noelle frowned. She had avoided the Slytherin's get-together that Friday, deciding to try and stay out of trouble and avoid the danger of it all. Because she hadn't been there, she didn't know when they would next meet, or if they'd be at Kade's party, or what. She also felt anxious being off the school property so late at night with no teacher to supervise. She didn't want to be a buzzkill, but what if they got in trouble? Or worse, something happened to one of the students?

"Are you sure that's such a good idea Kade?" She put forth the thought.

He frowned. "Why not?"

Figuring it best not to list out the many reasons that was a bad idea, she simply said, "What if not everyone can find us once we've moved? Or we get locked out of the castle?"

Paul leaned forwards. "The Weasley's told me that they'd keep everyone updated and they also told me, that there's a secret way in and out of the castle they can lead us to. Anyone not there on time… Simply won't be there." He smiled.

Noelle felt a stone drop in her stomach. She didn't feel good about this whole thing. But maybe she was just being paranoid. Seeing the happy looks on her friends' faces, she decided to keep quiet about her fears. She stood.

"I need to go and get my snack contribution before we head back to the school. I will see the rest of you shortly." She tried for a smile and hoped she managed to convince them she was fine.

Brooke was the only one who looked unsure but Kade spoke up before she could. "Alright! See you later!"

Noelle took the moment to step outside, relishing the cold of the snowy landscape outside. Her apprehension was fading away as her head cleared. She turned and headed for the shops, wanting to buy some Cauldron Cakes for the party.

A few minutes later, she walked out once again, this time holding her purchase tightly clutched in her hands. Other students were already making their way back and Noelle quickly raced to catch up to her friends, trying to spot them in the crowd. She grumbled to herself as she was unsuccessful and resolved to find them later, either before or at the party.

It was later that evening that she stood in front of her mirror, admiring her work. One of her roomates rolled onto her back, looking at Noelle upside down. "Where'd you even get that?"

Noelle smirked. "I didn't. Just a little spell. What do you think?" She turned and threw her arms out for appraisal. "Scary?"

Her roomate rolled her eyes and laughed. "The scariest."

Noelle looked at the other girls getting ready. She'd found out that most of the Slytherin house were planning to attend the party, whether they were invited or not. At least it kept them from other kinds of trouble.

Retrieving the cauldron cakes from the side of her bed, Noelle looked around the room once more before heading towards the designated meeting place. She would only be a few minutes early, and she imagined her friends would be waiting there, just as anxious.

She turned the corner and spotted Azraeyn talking to Kade, with Paul and Brooke standing by. She felt herself flush as she spotted them all, but couldn't back out as they caught sight of her. Paul and Brooke, as usual, were dressed as themselves, in casual clothing, not usually ones to dress up, and Kade had simply added vampiric teeth to his normal ensemble. Azraeyn, though dressed as a normal teenager for the most part, had a tiny baby pumpkin that was somehow staying put on his head, at somewhat of an angle. When he caught sight of her he smiled and pointed at it, as though she wouldn't have noticed otherwise. So he'd half taken her suggestion. She smiled back, flattered and embarrassed.

To distract from her own face, she held up the cauldron cakes. "I brought snackages!"

They each held up their own contributions with a grin and then, as she joined them, went over last minute preparations. Eventually, the group looked at her and then Kade did a double take.

"Why are you wearing a Gryffindor uniform?"

Noelle grinned wickedly. "It was the scariest thing I could think of."

Kade pretended to look upset and then laughed. "The scariest thing… Wow."

The rest of her friends laughed too, knowing about the normal hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin students.

As they all talked, slowly, other students began joining them, some dressed up in low-key costumes, and others not, trying to keep their voices low, but with time there were enough students where the noise continued to grow regardless. When it looked like the group had stopped gathering, the Weasley brothers, Fred and George, made their way to the front of the group, calling attention to themselves. They spoke one right after the other, a trait Noelle noticed they excelled at. She wondered if twins had some form of mind-reading as well.

"This way to the fun!"

"Stay close! There will be no search parties for any stragglers!"

The group's excitement, if even possible, continued to grow as they followed the brothers through a series of tunnels. Noelle lost track of the turns, wondering how the two had even come to know where they were going. Soon, they came to a locked door. She heard one, Fred she thought, cast Alohamora, and then everyone continued through it. George waited by the door to shut it behind them all.

The walls changed from the stone of the castle gradually to dirt as they walked through this new tunnel, and it got darker as they went. Several students lit up their wands, and Noelle could see Fred at the head of them all, outlined by shadows.

Turning towards what seemed to be a wall, he grinned at them all and then walked sideways through it. A secret way out was right, she thought. A non-existent wall that led to a locked door was pretty sneaky.

Everyone cheered and followed him. After that, the journey was simple. They were outside the walls of the castle and traveled down the hill till they found a grassy clearing in which to set up. Minutes later, there was a party.

Noelle marveled at how quickly everything was set up, and how most of it had been the product of magics. There were drink and food tables set up, music was playing, and floating lights hovered far above everyones' heads, giving a warm, almost romantic feeling to it. Carved pumpkins with scary faces sat here and there, there was a barrel for bobbing for apples, and an enchanted scarecrow was telling jokes and giving advice to passing students. Most impressive, she thought, were the carriage rides, being given to couples around the edge of the woods, driven by the invisible horses.

Noelle shook her head, lost for a moment before rejoining her friends and setting her snacks on the table among the rest. "Who set all this up?"

Kade spoke up. "Myself and the Weasley's for the most part. They're pretty great at getting stuff like this together. Especially when it's against school rules." He laughed awkwardly at that.

The brothers, overhearing, walked over and leaned over in front of Noelle so their faces were in front of hers, their arms linked around the other's shoulder. "You like it?" One said. "We thought the thestrals were a nice touch." The other replied. "We managed to borrow a few from the school's stables without much issue." The first grinned. "What do you think?" They said at the same time, straightening and spreading their arms wide.

What did she think? She thought they were a bunch of crazy, silly, showboaters. But, she had to admit, they were fun, and what they'd done had been pretty impressive. She nodded. "It's pretty fabulous."

They grinned, and she found it was infectious. "We're glad you like it milady." They responded, before turning away to greet more of the guests.

Her friends had disappeared to the drink table, and Noelle ran over to join them, accepting a drink Kade handed her. "Here, I made one up for you."

Noelle brought it up to her lips and then stopped, glancing down at its contents. "Is this alcoholic?"

Kade nodded, looking anxious. "But it's a party, so let's enjoy it!" He clicked his plastic cup to hers and the others did the same. She noticed Azraeyn had joined them and allowed herself an inward smile, glad he was adapting to their group.

When the others all took a swig of their drinks, Noelle did the same, figuring if they were going to get in trouble anyways, might as well go crazy. They all joked and laughed, making fun of teachers and students alike, antics in class, and more. They watched as Paul bobbed for an apple and failed the first four times, and giggled as Brooke had an existential conversation with the scarecrow. They were all having a great time, though, Noelle couldn't figure out why Kade kept glancing her way, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't read. Because of the drinks, she was finding it hard to use her ability and therefore couldn't just see his thoughts.

She finished her drink and had it refilled a few times, feeling it begin to take its hold on her as her skin heated up and she found it easier to laugh at everything. Their group reconvened at a clearing furthest from the other students, sitting on the ground next to the softly glowing jack-o-lanterns. As they all talked more, Noelle glanced at the thestral carriages, wondering hopefully if she'd get to ride in one before the night was over.

"Okay, let's play truth or dare." Kade suggested, setting his cup down at his feet.

Brooke nodded. "Okay, me first." She looked at Azraeyn and seemed thoughtful before speaking again. "Truth or dare?"

He thought about it. "Truth."

"What's the craziest thing you've ever done here at Hogwarts?"

He smiled slowly. "Once, when McGonagall left the room for a moment, I put a frog under her hat on her desk. When she came back and went to put her hat back on, I thought she'd nearly have a heart attack." He laughed and everyone else joined in. "Okay okay." He looked at Kade. "Truth or dare?"

Kade grinned. "Dare."

Azraeyn looked around for a suitable dare, tapping his chin. "Alright." His eyes lit up with an idea. "I dare you, to go and stand on one of the tables, and after you get everyone's attention, douse yourself with the water-making charm."

Kade's face fell. "But it's so cold!"

Azraeyn shrugged, his mind made up. Kade made a face but did as he was told, running over and climbing onto the table, pulling out his wand. "Hey everyone!" When most people had glanced his way, he pointed his wand down at his head. "Aguamenti!" Suddenly, water spewed forth from his wand and covered his clothes, soaking him. Many students laughed or hooted, cheering and lifting their drinks to him.

Sulkily, he walked back over to the group and sat down. Realizing it was his turn with a shiver, he visibly brightened, looking directly at Noelle. "My turn. Truth or dare?"

Noelle frowned, still curious why he'd been so targeted on her all night. Still, the drink haze around her mind wouldn't allow her to focus too much on it. "Truth I guess." She shrugged.

"Are you or are you not a legilimens?"

Noelle's attention shot to him, breaking through the haze. She started to protest, glancing at Azraeyn and wondering why Kade would even ask her that. "Yes." Is what came out.

Blinking, Noelle's brow furrowed in confusion. Why had she said that? Azraeyn looked more curiously at her. "Really? I've heard about them. Mind-readers right?" His eyes widened. "That's what the giant spider said."

She ignored him, looked down at her drink with wide eyes. At least they weren't close enough for any other students to overhear them. But still, why had she done that?

Kade wasn't done though, looking triumphant. "And do you or do you not have a thing for Azraeyn?"

Both herself and Azraeyn glanced at him and then at each other. Noelle felt herself unable to pull her gaze away as she answered. "Yes."

Brooke and Paul, silent this whole time, seemed mesmerized by whatever spell Kade seemed to have her under. Kade just grinned wider, clearly not feeling the vibe spreading through them all.

Azraeyn raised an eyebrow, unsure. "Noelle…"

She stood quickly, upsetting her drink and backing away, glaring accusingly at Kade. "What'd you do?"

Kade stood as well, now perhaps realizing his mistake. He pulled a vial from his pocket and showed it to her. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to help things along. It's the veritaserum, from class."

She felt like she'd been punched, the air sucked from her lungs. "You used a potion to make me spill my secrets? I asked you to leave it alone, as my friend." She tried not to look as Azraeyn and the others got to their feet. "Never mind, I-I need to go."

She heard them calling for her, but she ran, letting her feet carry her away from them all. She stumbled towards the castle, leaving it all behind and just hoping she would remember where the hidden wall was, trying not to think about the pit of horror and betrayal in her stomach.