A/N: This chapter was beta'd by Thea and Face of Boe's Child (a reference I now get...).

Chapter 37: Halloween

Harry let out a very un bird-like sigh of relief. Everything was going to be alright. Albus turned and walked back towards the castle, his eyes still on Harry.

"You...are stuck," he guessed softly. Harry nodded.

They entered the building, and Harry gestured to go upstairs. With small motions and shifts in his talons' grip, he led Albus up to his tower. Only when they got there did he let go of Albus's arm and fly up through the open trapdoor. Albus soon followed him, drifting upward on a cloud of magic. Harry landed next to the book he and Minerva had nearly torn to shreds. Albus knelt beside him and picked it up off the floor. He skimmed the open page briefly before looking back at Harry.

"You need human sensations from someone acquainted with the aura arts." He took a breath. "Will this do?" he asked.

Suddenly, Harry felt fingers, skin, the twitch of a nose, the feel of wind whistling through ears, legs, arms, no wings. He grabbed onto the feelings and didn't let go. He dragged himself from his feathered shape, his claws, his beak, and into the flesh and reasoning and emotions of humanity. Before he knew it, it was his own lungs bringing him air, his Adams' apple bobbing up and down. His broad chest scratched against the rug on the floor, and a slight chill rippled down his un-feathered skin.

He stood up on his own two legs and grinned at Albus, flashing his human teeth. Albus's eyebrows shot up under his hair. His wand twitched at the same time as Harry wildly gestured a wandless spell on himself with both of his arms. The result was that Harry was bombarded with enough clothes to cover a Hogwarts field trip to Antarctica. He toppled to the floor, unable to see anything until Albus found him in the pile and helped him up.

"Welcome back, Harry."

"Welcome back, Albus."

"How on earth did that happen?"

"Why did you hire a muggle band from Liverpool? Minerva and I have been off our heads— Minerva!"

They exchanged a quick look and dashed to the trapdoor, hopped down, and tore off down the corridor like schoolboys from an angry teacher. They composed themselves briefly before pushing open the doors of the Great Hall. They spotted Minerva quickly. She was skulking under the punch table, trying not to get squashed by the partying students. Harry hurried over to her through the crowd and tried to pick her up, but she hissed and swiped at him with a paw.

"Come on," he said over the music of the muggle band. "I can change you back. We should go somewhere private, though."

She gave him a stern look before catching sight of Albus. A look of unmistakable horror crossed onto her feline features.

"Shall we?" Albus asked her, smiling lightly.

Minerva paused for a moment before slinking towards the door. Harry and Albus followed. She led them to a spacious wardrobe and waited outside for one of them to open it. Apparently it had occurred to her, unlike Harry, that she would not be wearing clothes when she transformed back. Albus opened the door of the wardrobe for her and closed it gently behind her.

"Would you rather Albus do it or me?" asked Harry.

They heard a violent hiss.

"I, then," said Albus. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Harry convinced himself he heard a slight whoosh of air, and then-

"Albus, I'm so sorry. I was completely irresponsible and I will understand if you think it's necessary to remove me—and Crockett, that is, from our posts and I will..."

Harry looked up at Albus and saw that he was laughing silently. Harry grinned.

"...And if you do decide to let me—I mean us—keep our posts, I will, of course, take on as many extra duties as...and well, I understand if this has to go to the Ministry-"

"Minerva," Albus interrupted. Harry was impressed at how he managed to keep his mirth out of his voice.

"...And I only hope that—Yes, Albus?"

"Why don't you put on some clothes, and then we can discuss this properly."

"I...Yes, Albus." She paused, and then continued sheepishly, "Albus?"

"Yes, Minerva."

"I left my wand in Crockett's room."

"Ah," said Albus quietly. Harry was horrified to watch Albus's smile fade to be replaced with weary disappointment. "I never thought I'd see the day when I found two of my most esteemed staff running around the grounds as animals. I confess, I am beyond shocked." Harry felt his face grow uncomfortably hot. "I can understand and forgive your quest for knowledge and magical betterment, but leaving your wands about, and leaving yourselves defenseless..." he took a breath, and Harry felt his throat tightening in shame, and he heard Minerva sniffed wetly inside the wardrobe. "I'm afraid this means you will have to forfeit your rights to pick your own Halloween costumes."

Harry heard Minerva sob briefly. He saw his future at Hogwarts vanish, and he looked at Albus and did a double take-

"Sorry, our Halloween costumes?"

Albus nodded.

They were silent for a moment before there was an alarming pounding from the inside of the wardrobe, accompanied by, "ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, you son of an orangutan's arse! "

Albus simply flicked his wand at the door of the wardrobe and it swung open. Minerva shrieked and tried to cover herself, but she was already fully clothed in-

"You Halloween sadist!" she hollered hoarsely. All but her face was completely encased in a thickly furred cat suit. The costume did not, in any way, resemble the classic Halloween cat suit with the tight black spandex and cute ear-headband. This suit made her resemble a giant, extra furry version of Crookshanks. The shape was not flattering; it made her look more like a teddy bear than a cat. The fur, on the other hand, was realistic and Harry suspected that it would have been quite silky if he'd chosen to run his hands through it. He did not run his hands through it, for fear that Minerva might have had claws.

"Please change it, Albus?" He smiled and shook his head. "Harry?" she pleaded.

"Oh! Harry, I forgot." Albus flicked his wand at Harry and Harry suddenly felt heavier. He looked down at himself to see that he wore a costume that made him look like a red version of Big Bird.

He glared at Albus. "You know that won't work on me."

"Won't it?"

Harry snapped his fingers to change the costume into something more dignified, but nothing happened.

Albus smiled serenely. "I thought so. I think part of you likes being a big red bird." Harry heard Fawkes' amusement and knew that Fawkes was keeping him from using his magic.

One of these days, that's going to get us into trouble, thought Harry.

Albus put a hand on each Harry and Minerva's backs, and with remarkable strength, he pushed them towards the doors to the Great Hall. "I think it's time to re-join the party."

"Please don't, Albus. Please. My students are in there," whispered Minerva hoarsely.

"And a lovely muggle band from Liverpool, who would love to know why you didn't greet them. Here, have a drink." He conjured a glass for each of them. They floated in the air and filled with amber liquid. They each caught theirs.

"To friendship," said Albus. Minerva had already downed her drink. Harry and Albus clinked their glasses and followed suit.

"Friendship, indeed," muttered Minerva. She wrenched open the door to the Great Hall and was almost through it before she turned around. She paused and glared a little. "It's good to have you back, Albus." She disappeared through the door.

"I knew she'd come 'round," smiled Albus.

"I think your fame has gone to your head," said Harry.

"Goodness, no. I've always been like this." His eyes twinkled.

"And always will be. So, tell me about your trip," said Harry, pulling the door open again. Albus followed him into the Great Hall, which seemed to have gotten even louder since they left. There were now girls clustered in front of the stage squealing and melting in delight every time one of the musicians bit his lip or made a provocative dance move.

"I went to a lot of different places all over the world, and each and every one of them was filled with pompous old witches and wizards like me." They picked a spot on the wall towards the back of the hall and "supervised."

"Pompous is the wrong word, Albus. You are more...eccentric. And you don't look old."

"Thank you, Harry, but I assure you, the company I was holding was distinctly pompous and old. Speaking of pompous and old, Nicolas was with me for most of the time. He is both a blessing and a curse, of course. He's a very entertaining man, but is unsympathetic with the tedium of a scholarly tour, being one in and of himself." Harry laughed. "So I explained our discoveries all over the world, and answered some questions, and didn't answer others, and had my photograph taken far too many times to count. I'm quite pleased to be home."

"Are you? That's nice," said Harry. He was a little bitter about the month he'd spent out of touch with Albus, worried that he'd said something to merit the absolute end of their friendship— and now Albus was back, and whatever had bothered him a month before didn't seem to be bothering him anymore. Harry had half a mind to confront him about it.

"How has everything been here?" Albus asked.

Harry took a deep breath. "Busy," he said. "Yeah, Minerva and I have been quite busy with our jobs...and the animagus thing. Minerva's been especially busy...Didn't know when you'd be back..."

Albus shifted uncomfortably. "I'm afraid I may have been rather brief with her before I left," he said quietly.

"Brief," said Harry, wondering if "brief" was the same word Albus would use to describe his and Harry's last meeting.

Their conversation halted. Harry knew that the smalltalk was over and that Albus was going to bring up whatever had made him so angry.

"Would you mind stepping in here with me for a moment, Harry? It's a little loud." He gestured to the door that led to an antechamber off the Great Hall. Harry followed him, and the door shut behind them, muffling the music. They adjusted to the quiet for a moment.

That's when Harry realized he wanted his friend back. His bitterness at being shouted at and then abandoned for over a month with no explanation wasn't important.

They both started talking at the same time.

"Albus, listen, I—"

"Harry, I owe you—"

"—don't know what happened but—"

"—an explanation for my—"

"—I hope that I can help make whatever I did better—"

"—outburst. I overreacted, and I want to—"

"—and I want you to have this watch."

Albus fell silent as Harry pulled out the watch he'd been carrying earlier and dangled it in front of him by its chain. Albus looked at it for a moment, caught off guard, and then back at Harry.

"A watch?" he asked weakly.

"Er...this watch," said Harry self consciously.

To Harry's surprise and embarrassment, Albus turned red, and when he spoke, he was flustered. "Goodness, Harry. Why...why are you giving me...why are you giving me a watch?"

"Because it was my fault your other one broke...and I guessed you needed a new one...and this one was...well, it's for you," he said a bit defensively. He was worried Albus would keep asking questions and he'd somehow accidentally reveal something about the vault where he found the watch or that he already knew Albus would wear it forever...

Albus didn't look like he was going to ask more questions, though. His eyes had gone quite large and it looked like he was having trouble swallowing.

"Albus?"

He snapped out of it. "Harry, are you sure this is for me? I-"

"Albus. It's just a watch. It tells the time— or at least I think it does. I have a feeling this one does other little things too— but it's a watch. You said you couldn't fix the other one, so here's a new one. I...didn't mean to offend you. If you don't want it...I'll...I'll..."

He didn't know what he'd do if Albus didn't want it. It was Albus's watch, after all.

"Oh, Harry, I'm sorry. I'm being terribly rude. You didn't offend me. It's a beautiful watch. Thank you." He took it from Harry's offering hands. "I'll be happy to carry it...I just didn't expect...well...I didn't know you...it was that...you caught me by...so soon...Ah." He paused and listened for a moment. "The band's stopped playing. That means it's time for my announcement. I think you'll like this."

He opened the door back out into Great Hall for Harry and followed him out. He then went up on stage leaving Harry by the dance floor feeling like he was missing some piece of the puzzle. He'd never seen someone get so flustered over a pocket watch...or...any type of watch.

"Good evening students!" said Albus over the magically powered microphone the musicians had abandoned. "I hope you're all having a lovely evening!" The students cheered. "Why don't you give a round of applause for our band here, all the way from Liverpool, the—"

Minerva tapped Harry on the shoulder. "What's he doing?" she asked. The entire great hall erupted in piercing girlish screams, cheering for the musicians at Albus's request. Harry and Minerva quickly stuffed their fingers in their ears to block out the unearthly shriek.

"Dono," mouthed Harry.

"It's about time to send the first, second, and third years to bed," said Minerva when the screaming had died down. "Maybe that's what he's doing."

"Maybe, but he said something about an announcement..."

Albus continued over the mic. "I'm sorry to say that any first, second, or third years are soon to retire for the evening..."

Some of the crowd aww'd in disappointment.

"...but not before an important announcement. At the end of this term, before the winter holidays, Hogwarts will be holding an all school dueling tournament."

The hall was silent for a second before the students erupted into mixed cheers and loud conversation. Albus waved them into silence again.

"This will be a chance for you to show the magic you've been learning, and to learn from your fellow students in a competitive but safe environment. Anyone is welcome to participate or spectate as they prefer. There will also be a faculty bracket for any professors wishing to enter." His eyes met Harry's for a split second, and Harry felt his heart leap in excitement.

"This tournament is, of course, strictly optional, but you should consider it a way to bond with your classmates and progress in your classes. I know at least one subject in which you would benefit from your participation. There will also be a prize for the winners in each year, and a grand prize for the overall winner of the students. The faculty will be dueling for bragging rights."

The students laughed.

"He's saying all this in front of the muggles? What is he thinking?" asked Minerva.

Harry grimaced. "I...have no idea. I rarely do."

"Sign up sheets for the brackets will be posted in your common rooms by tomorrow evening. In the mean time, goodnight first, second, and third years."

This was Harry and Minerva's cue to start shooing the younger students from the room and to make sure none of them stayed or sneaked back in. They thought all of the students were out, until Harry spotted a pair of identical, rather solid ghosts idling in a corner. They were significantly taller than the Prewett twins, but the style was unmistakably theirs. Harry levitated the costumed twins out the door with a flourishing wave of his hands.

He looked back up to the stage to signal Albus that all the younger students were out and, instead, met four pairs of eyes popping out of their sockets. Apparently the musicians had either spotted his magic or were staring at him because of his Big Bird costume. He'd have put his wager on the first.

Albus was standing behind the musicians smiling serenely. Harry darted up to the stage and elbowed past the musicians.

"Albus...really. Why...what..." he gestured not-so-subtly at the four young men who were still staring at him.

"Oh, don't worry about them. Right boys?" Albus asked the band. "I don't think they mind."

"But...the Statute of Secrecy..."

"Ah, Harry...Music is a magic beyond all we do here."

"It's the 'all we do here' that I'm worried about..."

"There's nothing like a little magic for inspiration, Harry. I think they'll benefit from this little magical mystery tour."

Harry looked from the youthful foursome, three of them in particular, and looked back at Albus.

"Dear lord, Albus...What am I going to do with you?"

"I suggest you start by recounting exactly how you managed to get stuck as a Red Kite on Halloween," he smiled, and signaled for the band to resume their music.