10/28/1989

O'Connor remained frosty towards Snape for almost two months after their discussion on Steam. Surprisingly, he did not think it was him that she was angry with. He wasn't sure what it was about her strange abilities and the bon fire that was so different; but she was clearly very upset that he had seen those things. So he had left her to stew in peace. There was no point is grilling her for more information lest he wanted to start a fight. With their similar tempers it was best to just let it go.

Come the weekend before Halloween she seemed to be in better spirits. Her face looked less like a storm cloud and her eyes weren't so hostile. Whatever problem she had with him seeing her in the forest seemed to have worked itself out and she was back to her usual self. She'd even decorated her classroom for the holiday and was offering house points and candy for the best costume of each year; done without magic of course and school appropriate. Votes would be cast throughout the day of the Halloween Feast and the winners would be announced that night.

Friday and Saturday saw a slew of costumes from both the wizarding and muggle world. There were werewolves, gorgons, ghouls, clowns, pirates, super heroes, Weird Sisters, and Sanderson Sisters. O'Connor had apparently let her classes off the hook that week and let them watch Halloween movies and it had prompted a number of costumes that were never seen or heard of for many in the castle. Regardless they were impressive enough that they garnered votes anyway. Snape had to admit he'd never seen the castle so lively and excited about Halloween before.

Somehow the woman had even gotten the teachers involved. Whichever one of them came up with the most creative costume earned themselves a bottle of their favorite drink and a gift card to the store of their choice. He had been surprised to see Madam Hooch dressed like a cow and wearing a halo; Professor McGonagall dressed as a cat with a mask and a bag labeled valuables; and Professor Sprout sporting a crown and yellow and black striped robes. Dumbledore's participation was unsurprising. He was dressed as a mouse with blacked out glasses and a cane. Flitwick was dressed as a red and white striped toad with a Honeydukes label for a belt.

"I can't say I didn't hope my prizes would tempt you to join us." O'Connor seated herself beside Snape for lunch. She wasn't including herself in the running for a prize but she had still dressed up. Like Dumbledore she was a mouse, but she was blue with icicles hanging from various places. Her belt also looked like a Honeyduke's label.

"Did you really expect me to participate in such pointless frivolities?"

"No, but a girl can hope." She selected a chicken BLT from the sandwich platter before her and a scoop of crisps from the bowl. "And it's not pointless. Everyone is having fun. That is the point."

He rolled his eyes and took a sip from his goblet. They were silent for awhile as they ate, their thoughts occupied. Then…

"Snape, I want to apologize for my attitude. I…"

"There is no need. I cannot say I have not done the same when people pry into my private life. I am still curious, but I will wait until such a time as when you are ready to tell me."

She looked surprised for a moment then smiled down at her lunch.

"Thank you."

Camilla Whitehall was at it again today. She and her stupid flunkies wouldn't stop teasing me about my robes and my acne. I had another bad flare up this morning and of course it's the day of the costume contest. So instead of looking like Winifred Sanderson I looked like the Wicked Witch of the West. Bette Midler has never been done so little justice. L I tried just ignoring their insults like the teachers tell me but they just wouldn't let up. They kept telling me someone should drop a house on me and that Aurelio would never look twice at me. So I ran away. They chased me, but I eventually lost them on the fourth floor and hid in one of the old classrooms. That's where I found it!

Sitting on one of the shelves of an old bookcase was a small jewelry box. There were these really elegant and curved ruins on top. Inside was the prettiest bangle I've ever seen! It's gold and decorated with rubies and sapphires with curved etchings in the band. I've never seen anything like it! I'm going to wear it to the feast tonight. My robes may be second hand but I bet Camilla has never had a piece of jewelry as pretty as this!

Abigail was practically bouncing as the students finished their dinner and Dumbledore motioned for her to start announcing the winners. Several students laughed as he pretended to have difficulty finding his seat and sat in McGonagall's lap. She rolled her eyes and shoved him towards his own seat with a small smile.

"First off I want to thank all of you for your participation in the contest. I've never seen so many wonderful costumes in one place. You all did a great job making them as well. I'm so proud of you." She smiled widely and held up her cards. "Now for our winners. For the First Years our winner is from Gryffindor. Will Maggie Clark please come forward?"

There was burst of girlish squeals and cheers from the table as a young girl stood up and made her way to the front of the hall. Her costume was quite impressive. Her long hair had been twisted and pinned up in coils and decorated to look like very realistic snakes. She was done up to look more snake-like herself and dress in a Greek gown. Abigail smiled and hugged her; handing the girl a basket of Honeyduke's Candy.

"That's twenty-five points to Gryffindor. Congratulations Maggie. How did you make your hair look so realistic?"

"Thank you, Professor. One of my friends painted a pair of nylons and then we pulled them over each twist."

"It looks great! Good job!"

She gave the girl one last hug and sent her on her way.

"Next we have the Second Years. Will Jonathan Adley of Slytherin please come forward?"

A chorus of whoops rose from the table and several people stomped their feet. A young man dressed in all black stood up holding a sign saying lost dog and when he started heading for the front of the hall laughter broke out behind him. As he joined Abigail it was apparent why. A stuffed white dog had been glued to his backside, of which had been stuffed until it was quite large. Minerva covered her mouth to smother her laughter while Filius laughed freely. Several teachers praised his creativity.

"Twenty-five points to Slytherin!" Another hug, another basket of candy. "This was very clever."

"Thank you, Professor. I saw it in a comic strip over the summer." The boy spoke quietly and shyly. He seemed nervous to meet her eyes. She had a feeling why. There were some in Slytherin house who wanted nothing to do with her contest because of the subject she taught. Hopefully they weren't being too nasty with the rest of their house members.

At least I seem to be getting through to some of them, if not all.

The third and fourth year prizes went to Hufflepuff for a very realistic looking pirate and an impressive interpretation of a Sphinx. The fifth year prize was really quite impressive and went to Camilla Whitehall of Ravenclaw. She was dressed as the Queen of Hearts and being gifted at sewing and such things had made a very elegant gown and realistic crown. Her collar was made up of large playing cards, all of the heart suit of course. One of her friends had helped her with her make-up and made her look like she came right off the set of a play.

Sixth year was given to Gryffindor for a realistic Ebenezer Scrooge. He had called in a favor from his grandfather for an old maroon robe and had made little figurines of each of the ghosts to sit on his shoulders. When he came up to get his prize he gave a remarkably frightening moan and rattled the chains draped over his shoulders. The hall cheered loudly at his demonstration. None of the costumes however were quite as striking as the seventh year winner.

Connor Davenport of Slytherin, one of the few in his house who truly enjoyed Abigail's class, had dressed as one of the characters from a horror movie they had watched during the week. IT was a favorite of hers and she thought it would be fun to show to her older students. Now she was regretting it. The boy had enlisted quite a bit of help from his classmates and looked like he had been pulled from the projector screen; red balloon and all.

The boy walked slowly to the stage giving a perfect impression of the character from the movie as he stared around at his classmates. Several Ravenclaw girls screamed as he jerked their way and bent down to be at their level. His laugh was exactly the same as Pennywise. He was even capable of moving his eyes in two different directions. The girls squealed as he did so. Several people laughed as he jumped away and danced his way up front.

"Aaaagh!"

O'Connor startled violently and gave a quiet shriek at the unexpected snarl and sharp prosthetic teeth he'd placed in his mouth. Several of the teachers joined the students as they laughed at her expense and she buried her face in her hands in embarrassment. Connor stalked around her and she cringed away as he offered her the balloon; his lips pursed in a small o and one of his eyes wandering off to the side. The boy was downright terrifying.

"I believe you have some candy and points for me Professor." He giggled.

"Take them! Twenty-five points to Slytherin! Take the basket!" She laughed. He gave her a regular smile and a one armed hug before returning to his table. More screams and squeals followed him the entire way.

"Now for the winner of the teacher's costume contest. This was very close but the winner is Professor Levitsky for his impression of "A Bump in the Night!"

The new Alchemy teacher stood; an embarrassed smile on his pale youthful face. He was dressed in a wig of long black hair, a black dress with stars and a moon on it, and a pillow stuffed down the front of the garment. The Great Hall erupted in a chorus of cheers and laughter as he moved around the table with a believable pregnancy waddle, one of his hands pressed against his lower back and the other supporting the "bump".

His fellow teachers clapped and laughed with the students. Dumbledore, Filius, and Hagrid were particularly in tears. Minerva and Pomona were giggling with their heads together. Snape rolled his eyes, but O'Connor could see the upward twitch of a smirk on his lips. The man had to turn his head all together in the next moment though to hide a full on smile.

Nikolai had held out his hand to accept Abigail's congratulations and the blue pillow dropped out the bottom of his dress. He shared a shocked expression with her and then held up his arms with a goofy smile.

"It's a boy!"

The hall was immersed in a tide of uproarious laughter.

Ugh! I can't believe it! Camilla won the fifth years costume contest! Pretty Camilla! Rich Camilla! Perfect Camilla! She just can't go wrong can she!? I worked so hard on my costume! Just once can't I do something better than her? She gets better grades, better clothes, better skin! I'll never hope to get Aurelio's attention with her around. I wish she'd just disappear!

Abigail was awoken early the next morning by two flashes of fire bursting over her bed. She jolted into a sitting position expecting her duvet to be on fire and instead found two slips of parchment innocently resting on the comforter. Beside her Nikolai propped himself up on his elbows, still half asleep, and mumbled something unintelligible. She grinned at his sleepy-eyed look and the way his chestnut hair fell into his face. It was entirely too kissable. She could imagine what their colleagues would say if they knew.

She wouldn't call herself a floozy nor was she particularly promiscuous, but she was a woman; a woman in her sexual prime no less. She didn't know how her fellow teachers managed ten months out of the year at the school. Then again most of them were well past that point in their lives. Her mind strayed to Snape. How did he manage? He was only two years older than her and a guy.

Abigail wasn't one for relationships but she wasn't the type to go out and pick up groups of men either. She had the now and then one night stand but usually stuck to short casual flings. Her independence was important to her. She liked to be able to pick up and go at a moment's notice. She liked being able to have her house her way, do what she wanted to do, spend what she wanted to spend, and go where she wanted to go. There wasn't anyone she had to confer with beforehand. It was pure, unadulterated freedom.

"What an interesting combination… This double line indicates that you live a double life and that you will find your soul mate! How strange! You're heart line shows you have little interest in romance."

"Crazy coot. Has no idea what she's talking about."

"Whazzat?"

"Nothing Nikolai. Just remembering something someone said to me." She reached forward to pick up the papers as he started kissing his way up her side. A moment later she was fighting to get out of her tangle of covers as fast as she could. Nikolai looked bewildered.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

She flung her hand out to hand him the two papers, one addressed to him and one to her.

"Dumbledore has called an emergency staff meeting. Camilla Whitehall was found in a coma this morning."

Hah! You didn't think I was going to make their relationship all quick like now did you? Have patience! They have some things to sort through before it happens. They'll get there. Eventually.