Year Two

Chapter 12: Pour Some Sugar

It was almost Halloween and Maddy and Violet were neck deep in studies. For some reason, all of the professors had assigned something due that week and it was wreaking havoc on the second years as they scrambled to finish everything and at least get an A on it. It was Thursday night and Maddy and Vi had been ensconced away in the library since half past five working on the last essay due for their double potions class tomorrow morning with Professor Bedivere. The Professor had assigned thirty centimeters on the properties and methods of the sleeping draught.

"Your head of house is just cruel," Maddy muttered as she measured her essay only to find out it was three centimeters too short.

"He's practical," Vi replied still scribbling away. "Besides, I'm not sure how you're not going over thirty centimeters! I'm already at thirty four."

Maddy turned to face her friend, eyebrows level and lips pursed. "I hate you a little right now."

"That's fine, just finish your essay," Vi replied absently. She continued writing furiously until she felt Maddy lean against her arm. The Ravenclaw looked over to find her friend peeking over her shoulder at what she was writing. "And no cheating!" Vi covered up her essay quickly.

"Oh come on! Just give me something! I only need three more centimeters!" Maddy pleaded. "I helped you with the Charms essay, didn't I?"

Violet rolled her eyes and sighed, but didn't argue. Instead she held out her hand and Maddy gave her the essay. "Thank you!"

Vi quickly read over what her friend had written and handed it back. "You can expand a bit on the properties of valerian here, and here with lavender." She handed the essay back and went back to her own writing.

"Thank you!" Maddy rushed to fill in the information and when she measured her essay ten minutes later she was at thirty one centimeters! Violet took another twenty minutes to finish her essay though, and by the time she was done it was at forty two centimeters. The girls headed off to bed then, glad to call it a night and excited for Halloween the next day!

The next morning dawned cloudy and grey. The trees had lost nearly all of their leaves and the air had a brisk chill to it. Inside the Great Hall though, the students of Hogwarts were excitedly chattering away about the Halloween feast that would be held later that evening. Madeline and Violet had been reminiscing about Muggle candies that they would be missing out on over breakfast. "Oh! What about Fruit Pastilles?" Maddy said.

"They're okay. I'm more of a Jelly Babies fan," Violet shrugged.

Maddy chuckled, "You would be."

"Hey, you like Doctor Who just as much as I do!"

"True," the Slytherin shrugged.

"You guys do know we have chocolate and candy stuff in the wizarding world?" Allison Longbottom mentioned from across the table.

"Yeah, but it's not the same. You can't magic everything. Somethings just need to be left alone to enjoy the full flavors that confectioners come up with!" Maddy protested.

Allison rolled her eyes realizing she wouldn't win this argument. Terry Brooks, a muggleborn from Ravenclaw, was seated next to Allison and leaned over. "What about Galaxy chocolate bars, huh?" he grinned.

"Mmmm, Galaxy chocolate…"

"Mmmm, Galaxy chocolate…"

Both Maddy and Vi murmured at the same time. "JINX! ONE, TWO ,THREE, YOU OWE ME A SODA!" Maddy shouted.

Violet burst out laughing! "Fine! I'll buy you something when we go home for Christmas break."

The girls glanced up to find Allison and a couple of the other purebloods giving them strange looks, one eyebrow arched. "It's a muggle thing," Maddy shrugged. "You say something at the same time as someone else and whoever says the jinx first gets a free soda from the other person."

"Muggles can jinx each other?" Allison said slowly. "But they don't have any magic."

Madeline burst into laughter at this. "It's not actual jinxing. It's just what you say!"

"I don't get it," Isla Desjardins, a Slytherin pureblood seated next to Maddy commented.

"Just trust me," Maddy chuckled. "It's a muggle thing."

Isla and Allison didn't quite look convinced, but didn't ask any more. They finished their breakfast a few minutes later and were just about to leave the table when Vi's owl, Crone flew in with a large package attached to her claws. She landed heavily at the Ravenclaw table (where they were seated for the morning) and hooted at her owner. Violet gave the package a curious look and untied it from Crone's claws quickly before giving the owl some leftover bacon. Crone hooted in thanks before taking off again. "What's that?" Maddy asked inching closer.

"Dunno, let's find out," Vi replied starting to tear open the packing paper tied with string. Inside the paper was a box and a letter. Violet pulled out the letter and flipped it open. "It's from my brothers, and all it says is Happy Halloween."

"Should we be worried?" Allison asked, leaning back from the parcel.

"I am," Maddy replied leaning away as well.

"Chickens," Vi snorted. The brave Ravenclaw tore open the tape holding the box closed and peeked inside. A large grin grew on her face and she shoved the box towards Maddy for her to see.

Maddy hesitantly leaned over to peer in. The Slytherin girl's eyes grew wide and she grinned as well. "I love your brothers, Vi," she mumbled.

Inside the box was a treasure trove of candy and chocolates! Maddy saw Fruit Pastilles, Spangles, Jelly Babies, Galaxy Chocolate, Mars Bars, Polo Mints, and Strawberry Laces to name a few. "What is all that?" Allison asked leaning closer now.

"Only the best Halloween ever! We are so getting a sugar high tonight!" Maddy grinned.

"Muggle candy? What's so great about muggle candy?" Isla asked, peering over as well.

"Everything," Violet smiled as well, closing the box before she rose from her spot at the table. "Come on then! Time for class!" she called out.

"What? But I want candy! Come on, Vi! Just one Spangle!"

"Not till tonight!" Violet replied, shoving the box in her bag with her books. It didn't really fit as it was quite large, but it would do until she could hide it away in her dorm after Potions.

"But…. CAAAAAANNNNDY!" Maddy wailed as she trailed behind her friend.