Cinder strolled about the base, leaving her office from the long day of work she'd had. She was forced to make Harry stay with Emerald and Mercury, as she was busy doing paperwork, and making a surprise for Harry. Tonight was Halloween... She knew he was still afraid of going outside after the incident...But surely free candy would be enough to convince him. Of course she made a mental note to memorize where every house was, in case she needed to burn down the home of some disgusting monster who ruined children's candy by putting razor blades and poison in it... If anyone had the balls, they would soon lose them. With that thought in mind she entered Harry's bedroom where he was lying on Emerald's lap, giggling as she tickled him relentlessly. "I got you!" she laughed at him.

Cinder smiled and shook her head at the scene. Emerald, Mercury and herself were the only ones Harry was willing to trust now. It was both heartwarming and upsetting. She stepped in and made herself visible. The clinking of her heels made them look over towards her, and Harry's eyes widened and a grin came to his face. "M-Miss Cinder!"

Emerald let him down and Harry dashed towards her and hugged her legs. Cinder's smiled widened as she picked him up. "Hello there, dear." She said gently.

Harry quickly leaned close to her, soaking in the body heat she sent off. "Mercury and Emerald and I read books, and played games, and Mercury said you had a surprise for me!" He babbled happily.

Cinder smirked and ruffled his hair. "Ah, did he? Well I certainly hope he didn't spoil anything."

"Uh uh! He just said you made me something." He replied. Cinder nodded, then pulled a bag out from behind her back.

"Harry, tonight is Halloween. Do you know what that is?"

Harry blinked. "Um...Dudley always had a lot of candy on Halloween. I don't know where it came from..."

"Well..." Cinder began, sitting down in her rocking chair. "Halloween is when you put on a costume and go out into the neighbourhoods, asking people at the door for candy. Then they give it to you."

Harry stared at her. "They just...LET you have it?"

"Yes, it's a perfect time for children."

Harry didn't look all that convinced. "But...But I don't like outside..." He tried to say.

Cinder sighed deeply. "Please, Harry...Just do it...For me?" Harry froze up for a moment...but he nodded. He was gonna go...if it meant Cinder was happy. Cinder grinned. "Perfect! Now...try this on." She said, grabbing the costume out of the bag. It was a small Grimm outfit, a Beawolf.

Harry looked at the costume with wide eyes and a tilted head. "Heeey, you said he'd wear the panda costume I got him at the store!" Emerald whined.

Cinder shook her head. "I spent all week on this. If you want someone to wear it, wear it yourself." She said, changing Harry's clothes to get him all set up.

"It won't fit me..." Emerald muttered. She was feeling very cross.

Cinder smirked knowingly and helped Harry through his last sleeve. Soon he was all dressed. Where the Beawolf's mouth was, was Harry's face. She stood and left Harry on the floor. He looked all over the costume while Cinder pulled out her Scroll. Mercury and Emerald stood behind her and watched, as Cinder said,

"Harry..."

"Huh?" he looked up at her.

"Roar." she said. The boy didn't get her request at first, but then raised up his hands, and said,

"Rawr!"

"AAAAAAAGH! STOP, MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT!" Emerald said dramatically, clutching at her chest and falling on her back. "Aaaand now I'm dead."

Harry blushed and covered his eyes, and Cinder moved forward and picked him up. "You look great dear. Are you ready to go out and trick or treat? I bet you'll be a big hit." Harry let out a squeak in response. Cinder just laughed. "I'll take that as a yes, then?" She looked towards Emerald and Mercury. "Are you two coming?"

Emerald nodded, and Mercury shrugged, "Sure I guess."

"See, Harry? Emerald and Mercury will be there too. There's nothing to be scared of."

Harry nodded, and hugged closer to her, wrapping his arms around her neck. Cinder rubbed his back and left the base, hopping into a "Borrowed" car and zooming off into the sunset. The sky was cloudy and all the leaves were on the ground. Harry was peeking out the window timidly. It was dark out. He didn't like it dark. But he felt a gentle squeeze from Cinder and he relaxed. He like Miss Cinder...she was so warm... She had fire powers. Is that why she was warm and toasty? Whatever the reason, he loved it. The car stopped suddenly. "Okay kiddies! Check it, rich neighbourhoods!" Mercury laughed.

Harry blinked. "Huh?" Emerald chuckled.

"That means rich snobs'll give you more candy."

"Oh." Harry replied. Cinder pulled him out of the car and set him on the sidewalk, handing him s bag.

"Now...lets go." The raven-haired woman held his hand tightly and led him off. He looked around timidly. It was dark, and spooky, and there were so many people. Each one was in a costume...some of the costumes were spooky...he didn't like this. Not one bit. However, he felt a reassuring squeeze on his hand. Blinking, he looked up at Cinder. She smiled back at him. "Again, you have all three of us here to watch you. It'll be okay." She assured. Harry smiled and nodded.

"Okay, Miss Cinder..." He spoke softly. Cinder smiled brightly.

Cinder lead him up to his first house, and rung the doorbell. She knelt down next to him, "When they answer, say trick or treat."

Harry nodded and a kind looking woman answered the door. "Oh! Uh...T-Trick or Treat..." He squeaked, flinching slightly.

"Aww, aren't you cute!" The woman cooed, holding out a handful of candy shed taken from a bowl. Harry looked at it strangely until Cinder moved his arms so he was holding his bag open. The candy was poured in and the woman went back inside.

Harry smiled slightly. The nice lady gave him candy! Just like Miss Cinder got for him sometimes! "Miss Cinder look! I got candy!" He exclaimed happily as Cinder lead him off of the porch with a bemused smile.

"It seems you did. Let's collect more then, yes?"

Harry nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I like candy! It's yummy!"

Cinder nodded, smirked and took him to the next house, where Harry was rewarded with a heap of candy. He began to get happier and happier, bouncing up and down as he was paraded around. Cinder laughed each time as he grew happier and happier. It was good to see he was finally okay with being outside. It appeared he was forgetting all about the suffering he had gone through. SUCH a relief... After hours of walking around, Harry had a full bag of candy, and it was half an hour past Harry's bedtime. The boy was dragging behind as he clung to Cinder's hand. Cinder laughed at his antics. "Looks like someone is tired." She said mirthfully. Harry smiled brightly at her and nodded.

"It's past my bedtime! ...D-Do I get to eat the candy?" he asked hopefully. Cinder nodded, "Of course." and Harry reached into his bag and took out some chocolate.

"Buut...Let me check it first. I want to make sure it's safe..."

"H-Huh? Why wouldn't it be..?" Harry asked, suddenly worried. Cinder groaned.

"Some people...do bad things to the candy."

Harry's eyes widened. "But why? Are they just mean?"

"yes. Very mean." Cinder replied. Harry nodded and they entered the car. Harry sat on her lap happily, moving close. Cinder patted his head gently. Then she moved to study the candy. She was very thorough with each piece...and they all checked out, thankfully. No sign of anything bad. She handed the bag back to Harry and watched him dig into his candy with glee on his face. He was so happy! He only had three pieces, surprisingly. When asked about it, he said he wanted to savour it. That was a mature decision on his part. Cinder ruffled his hair with a smile on her face. "Good for you Harry. Now you won't be bouncing off the wall on candy." Harry giggled in response and snuggled closer to her. She smirked and stared forward. He needed to go to bed. "When we get home, i'll go ahead and read you your story. Then we'll go to sleep, okay?" Cinder told him. Harry smiled tiredly and clutched at her dress. She LOVED it when he clutched at her dress. It showed how close they were. She wrapped her arms around him again and hummed. Her singing voice was pretty good, and Harry liked it. So she continued humming. Eventually, the humming was so soothing it put him to sleep. He clutched tightly to his caregiver, dreaming happily. This was the best... Cinder's eyes widened and she let out the smallest sound of happiness. She held him closer, and kissed his head. "My little Harry..."