The Halloween Party

Daisy had to admit, she was glad for the distraction the annual Quidditch League Halloween Party brought. Part of it seemed a bit frivolous with everything going on, but another part of her felt she needed to keep the balance. Her life couldn't stop because of whatever threat the Network posed. She was finally getting used to her security detail. And she had won enough games to prove to herself that she wasn't letting it get to her on the pitch which was more than she could say about last season.

Lucy rushed into Daisy's old room at the Wood flat, stopping as she saw Daisy's costume.

"Haven't you already done a pixie?" she asked, grinning. Daisy gave another tug at her short green dress and checked her hair, which was now blonde and piled up in a bun on top of her head.

"I did a fire pixie. This is different. I'm Tinkerbell," she replied, frowning slightly. "Besides, I thought it would be rather hilarious to get Wills into a pair of tights." Lucy laughed as she shook her head, her cowboy hat nearly falling off. "Really, Toy Story?"

"I thought it was cute," she said. "You should see Ryan's space outfit." Daisy laughed and shook her head.

"Come on then. Let's go," she said, walking out of the room and into the crowded living room. They were all waiting until the auror team sent word that the location of the party had been checked and deemed safe for the Woods to arrive. While annoying, it was the price they had to pay if they wanted to leave the flat at all.

"Any word yet?" Daisy asked, her pixie wings flapping behind her.

"Not yet," Jamie said from where he was sitting at the table next to Lila. The couple was dressed as Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Lila's usually short hair now long and hanging around her shoulders while a quiver of arrows was strapped to Jamie's back.

"Was it really necessary for me to wear tights with this?" Wills asked as he pulled at them, then did a few squats, appearing not completely comfortable in them. Daisy chuckled to herself.

"Yes," she said, skipping over to him. "But you make a very dashing Peter Pan."

"I know," Wills said, grinning. Daisy looked around her room, seeing the rest of her brothers with their dates as well as Kelly. Alan was decked out as the Mad Hatter - large top hat included - while Bridget stood next to him in a blue dress, her blonde hair in soft curls with a headband - the perfect Alice. Remus and Laura were dressed as clowns, which Wills found hilarious though it creeped out Daisy. Kelly could barely move around in the giant space suit he was wearing. Didn't help that he kept pressing a button on his that would release wings. He nearly took out Remus the first few times.

"Oh good, you lot haven't left yet," James said, rushing into the flat. Everyone turned to face him, gawking at his costume.

"Oh, please tell me that you are who I think you are," Lucy said, starting to grin as she glanced over at Daisy, who was already frowning in annoyance.

"Come on Pix, give your dear ol' dad a hug!" James shouted in a rather poor, but hilarious, imitation of Oliver's accent, his arms out.

"No. Please, Merlin, no," Daisy said, her eyes wide. "It's bad enough having Da." James grinned as he looked down at the old Puddlemere United uniform with Oliver's number he had donned for the night.

"You have to admit it's pretty good. Come on, Pix. It'll be fun!" he said, walking towards the liquor cabinet, displaying "O. Wood" on the back.

"Where did you get that? It's not Dad's old uniform, is it?" Alan asked, slightly impressed.

"Sadly, no. Freddie and I had a grand plan to sneak into the country house and get it, but the aurors caught us," he said with a sigh.

"Sure Mum and Dad enjoyed that," Daisy said, rolling her eyes.

"Aunt Iris found the humor in it. Uncle Oliver, not so much," James said before taking a sip of his whisky.

"Should of asked us for help," Remus said. "We'd of gotten it for you. Granted I don't think it would have fit. Dad's a bit taller than you."

"And, well, just bigger," Alan added. Daisy glanced over at Remus, who was grinning at James and shivered at the unsettling sight.

"Seriously, Remus, the clown thing freaks me out," she said. Remus looked over at her and grinned even more, making the whole effect creepier.

"What? Little Pixie doesn't like clowns?" he asked, starting to hop towards her.

"Stop it!" Daisy shrieked as she ran to hide behind Wills.

"Does the little Pixie want to play?" Remus said in a creepy voice as he tried to hop around Wills to get to her.

"REMUS I WILL JINX YOU!" Daisy shouted.

"CHILDREN, ENOUGH!" James shouted. "REMUS LEAVE YOUR SISTER ALONE!"

"Blimey, he sounded almost like Dad that time," Alan said, eyes wide. Remus stopped trying to catch Daisy and looked over at James, Daisy peeking out from behind Wills.

"This is going to be interesting," Daisy said. Wills glanced down at her before wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Could be fun," he said, smiling at her.

"WILLS! TAKE YOUR BLOODY HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER!" James shouted, causing the couple to glare at him while the rest of the room lost it, laughing hysterically.

"I take it back. This is not going to be fun," Wills said.

"Ehm, in case you all care, just got the owl. We can head to the party now," Kelly said, holding up a parchment.

"Let's go before James attempts to jinx Wills in the name of staying in character," Daisy said.


Daisy smiled as she and Wills made their way down the red carpet entry to the party, stopping to answer questions here and there. They had nearly reached the end when James jumped in and started yelling at Wills to unhand his daughter, creating a ruckus among the press.

Daisy practically shoved Wills into the old manor, glaring over her shoulder at James as her eyes flashed red.

"That was a bit of a show. Suspect it'll make the front page," Dominique said, walking up to the two in the foyer with a grin that showed off her elongated canines. She was wearing a crimson and black Victorian dress with her blonde locks pulled up in a messy updo. Paul wasn't far behind, wearing his own dark Victorian garb.

"I swear, if he's going to do that all night, I will jinx him," she said, looking towards the front door, where James had just appeared. He looked around and then marched off in another direction, no doubt searching for his team.

"Lighten up, Pix. It's Halloween!" Wills replied. Daisy scowled at him.

"It's bad enough I had to talk my actual father out of being here," she grumbled. "Now I have to deal with his Mini Me."

"Uncle Oliver was going to come? He and Aunt Iris haven't been in years," Dominique said, surprised.

"Wanted to make sure I was safe," Daisy said, rolling her eyes.

"As if the 40 aurors weren't enough," Dominique muttered glancing around. Daisy followed her gaze, noting there were a couple placed around the various entrances, windows and such in the room, scanning the crowd.

"Sure this is not how they wanted to spend their Halloween. It gets a bit wild," she said, looking back at Dominique, who just shrugged.

"I'm just happy it's not me," she said. "Come, lets get a drink before James decides to lecture you about something."


"Pix! Why's your cousin running around dressed as your dad?" Blanks asked, walking up to her a bit later in a suit. Wills had just left to get them more drinks and she had been enjoying the break from James, who always seemed to find her no matter which room she escaped to. She reckoned she didn't have much time before he reappeared, barking orders at her or threats at Wills.

"Suspect he's keeping up with tradition. Last year he dressed up as his dad. Perhaps next year, he'll do a Weasley," she said blandly.

"Think I saw a few Harry Potters running around, actually," Blanks said, looking around the room.

"There's always a few," Daisy replied. "By the way, who are you supposed to be?" Blanks grinned and pulled a toy guy out of his pocket, posing with it.

"Bond. James Bond," he said, causing her to chuckle. Suave and debonair were definitely two words that did not describe Blanks.

"Going for the pixie look again, are we?" Nigel Broadmoor asked as he walked up.

"Might as well stick with what works," she replied.

"How'd you get Wills in tights?" he asked, looking around the crowded room for the chaser.

"Wasn't that hard," she said, laughing softly. "He'd probably wear anything I told him to." Nigel chuckled.

"I'd believe that. Nice work in that match again the Magpies, by the way. We were a bit worried after that opening match with Puddlemere, but seems you're doing all right," he said.

"Worried? Thought you'd be celebrating," Daisy said, looking at him a bit dubiously.

"Sure we all want to beat you, but only at your best. Except Hardwick, that is," he replied. Daisy just shrugged.

"Life goes on. And there'll always be quidditch," she said. "I'd like to get my hands on MVP again. Or at least seeker of the year."

"Still out to beat your dad's record?" Nigel asked.

"Of course I am," Daisy replied with a snort.

"Pix! Pix! Has anyone seen my Pix!" James shouted from another room. Daisy's eyes widened as she scanned around, looking for a quick escape.

"I'm going to kill him," she said, seeing James' unruly hair through the crowd. Even with all the hair potions and spells he borrowed from Lily's stash, he still couldn't get his mop to settle into Oliver's curls.

"Door. That way," Nigel said, pointing.

"Thanks, Nigel. Tell Wills if you see him," she said, quickly running towards the door and ducking through it.

"PIXIE!" James shouted again.

"For Christ's sake," Daisy muttered as she made her way down a deserted hallway. She wasn't quite sure where she was going but figured if she kept at it, eventually she'd come to one of the other rooms. She vaguely remembered there being a large ballroom around this direction. Perhaps she could slip in there and hide in the crowd.

"PIXIE!" she heard faintly from behind her. Daisy groaned and quickened her pace, turning a corner and finding herself in a large hall outside the ballroom where groups of people were milling about.

"Daisy! There you are! Wills is looking for you," Lucy said, glass in hand. Daisy walked over to her and took the glass, emptying it. "Hey, that's mine!"

"I know, but I need it. Just managed to run from James. Again," Daisy said, looking over her shoulder. Lucy and Kelly chuckled.

"He's really takin' it to a new level this year," Kelly said.

"There you are," Wills said, walking up to the group, two glasses in hand. Daisy reached out and took one as she sat the empty one on a side table. "Just managed to dodge James. He started yelling something about us getting married over his dead body and I turned and ran."

"I really am going to jinx him before the end of the night," Daisy said.

"Not if I do it first," Wills said.

"Somebody wants to jinx?" Remus said, popping up behind Daisy, causing her to jump and shriek.

"I'm gonna bloody jinx you, you twit!" she shouted, smacking him in the arm as he laughed.

"Remus, I'd be careful," Laura said from next to him.

"Laura's isn't that creepy. Why'd you have to be a creepy clown, Remus?" Daisy whined.

"Because this is more fun," he said, winking at her.

"I hate brothers," Daisy said. "Why couldn't you have been sisters?"

"There's my darling Pixie!" James shouted as he ran up to the group with a lopsided grin, obviously several drinks in. Daisy stared at him a moment before she started to lunge at him, Wills grabbing her around the waist and holding her back.

"Easy, Pix," he said.

"You know I don't need a wand anymore," she said, narrowing her eyes at James. His eyes widened as he smiled nervously and started backing away, his hands up.

"Alright, I get it. I'll lay off," he said.

"Better," Daisy replied as Wills let her go.

"I can't believe you dressed up like Oliver Wood," John said, walking up, his arms and face covered in hair. He laughed at James and shook his head.

"You know that's not how werewolves really look, right?" Remus asked.

"This is how they look in the movies," John replied.

"I believe they wear tweed and worn robes," Lucy said, tapping her bottom lip as she tilted her head to the side.

"Or have scars down their face," Dominique said, walking up. John looked back and forth between the two.

"How would you know?" he asked. The Woods and Weasleys started laughing.

"You do know that Teddy's dad was a werewolf, right?" Kelly asked.

"And Dom's dad was attacked by one," Paul added. "But I thought you said he wasn't turned."

"He wasn't, but still has a bit of… wolfy tendencies," she said. "Rare steaks and the like." John just blinked as he looked around the group.

"Seriously?" he asked. "How did I not know this?"

"Not like it pops up at the dinner table," Daisy said with a shrug. "Suppose everyone else knows because they studied it in history class."

John just shrugged and looked around.

"Come on, Pix. Let's go dance," Wills said, pulling her towards the ballroom. Daisy reached out, handing her glass to Lucy.

"Seems I'm dancing," she said, grinning.


Later on, they found themselves in one of the front parlors, laughing with the Arrows and Puddlemere. Daisy looked up at Wills, grinning.

"Finally having fun, are we?" he asked, leaning down to her. She nodded and kissed his cheek.

"Now that I finally got James to drop the Dad act," she said, her eyes flashing.

"Good. You deserve a good night out," he said. Daisy chuckled and turned back to the group, leaning against him.

"Looks like the famous Pixie has come in her true form," a slurred voice said loudly. Daisy bristled slightly, recognizing it. Her eyes flashed red before she turned around and faced a smirking Hardwick. And here she had hoped they'd make it through the party without any incidents.

"Dear Hardwick. Thought you'd learn your lesson by now," she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Pix," Wills started.

"Shut it, Wills," she snapped. He frowned at her.

"Seriously, Wills. You know better to get in the middle of this," Alan said, cautiously watching Hardwick and Daisy.

"There's the fiery pixie we all love. Or love to hate… if you're me," Hardwick said, stumbling towards her. Wills started to move in front of Daisy, but she stopped him.

"To what do I owe the pleasure? Was the arse-beating I gave you in our match not enough?" she asked, a smiled tugging at her lips. "Or are you just a glutton for punishment?" Hardwick glared at her.

"Don't get too full of yourself, Wood. You might not always find yourself on top," he said.

"Watch yourself, Hardwick," Wills said, moving closer to stand behind Daisy.

"Or what? You going to kick my ass as well?" he said, turning his eyes towards the tall blonde player. He then suddenly grinned and laughed. "You lot are a bunch of wankers, you know that? Everyone bows down to Oliver Wood's Golden Little Princess and Princes."

"Seriously, Hardwick, you're startin' to ask for it," Daisy said through gritted teeth, sensing her brothers moving closer to back her up. The room had fallen silent around them, though the aurors were starting to close in on the drunk seeker.

"Oh, I'm askin' for it?" he asked before laughing again.

"Sir, you need to come with us," one of the aurors said, grabbing his arm. Hardwick looked over at him and laughed again.

"Oh, so I say a few words to Pixie Wood and I get arrested, is it? Gonna send me to Azkaban?" Hardwick spat. Daisy narrowed her eyes at the Falcons seeker, peering into his head. It was muddled, thanks in large part to the alcohol. She saw snatches of him meeting with someone - the face blurry. She couldn't make anything out. Frowning, she stepped back away from him.

"It's not worth it," she said, glancing at the aurors. They gave her a look which just caused her to roll her eyes. "Leave it," she nearly shouted as she turned and started walking out of the room. Hardwick started laughing. Wills tossed a glare at him before following.

"What was that about?" John asked, walking up to them as the triplets quickly followed.

"You still think he's involved," Jamie stated. She looked at him and nodded.

"It was the same as before. It was muddled. I couldn't make out the face of who he was meeting with," she said, glancing over a Hardwick, who was now laughing with a few other Falcons, the aurors watching him closely. She looked around the room, her eyes falling on James, who was flirting with one of the Magpie chasers.

"James!" she shouted. He looked over at the group of grim faces and rolled his eyes before saying something to the chaser and walking over.

"Why do I feel like you're going to ask me to do something?" he asked with a heavy sigh.

"You owe me for the hell you put me through earlier tonight," Daisy retorted. "You still been watching Hardwick?"

"Not really. For all his bluster, he's a bit boring. Only talks about quidditch and birds in the locker room. Doesn't even try to buddy up to me anymore," he said. His face then lit up suddenly. "Why? You want me to follow him?"

"No," the triplets said in unison. James looked disappointed.

"But I could do it!" he almost whined.

"Leave the following to Teddy and the aurors," Jamie said.

"So, what is it you want me to do?" James asked.

"Keep an eye on him at practice and outings. Tell us and Teddy if you hear anything or if he starts showing any interest in Daisy," Jamie said.

"You mean more than usual?" he asked. "Everyone's obsessed with her."

"They are not," Daisy shot back.

"Are to. Ever since you all came out of the Prostatis closet, it's all everyone can talk about," James said. Daisy glared at him and opened her mouth to shout something, but Wills placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

"Stay focused," he said. She just nodded and crossed her arms in front of herself.

"I'll inform Teddy. See if we can spare anyone to check into him," Dominique said. "If anything, I'll do it myself."

"Are we even sure he's involved? There was no connection found before," Alan asked.

"There's got to be a connection," Daisy said. "Why would someone be cloaking themselves in his memories?"

"And Hardwick's always had it out for Pix," Wills added. "Wouldn't put it past him to be involved somehow."

"I feel like I'm having bloody deja vu," Jamie muttered. Daisy shot him a look. "Don't look at me like that, Pix."

"Okay, so Dom will look into it from the Ministry side. And James will tell us if he notices anything. That should cover it," Wills said reasonably.

"Wish I didn't have a bloody guard detail or I'd follow him myself," Daisy said, glancing over at the seeker with narrowed eyes.

"Absolutely not," her brothers and Wills said at the same time. Daisy looked back at them, eyes wide.

"Didn't say I was going to do it!" she said. The four men just stared at her, causing Dominique and John to chuckle. "Really!" Jamie looked over at Wills.

"Might want to keep a closer eye on her. Wouldn't put it past her to try and sneak out," he sent. Wills nodded.

"I heard that, you know," Daisy said, scowling at Jamie.

"Just trying to look out for you, Pix," Jamie said.

"I know, I know," she muttered.

"Well, that was lovely. Can we return to the party now?" James asked, already looking around for the chaser.

"Suppose so," Daisy said with a sigh. Wills shook his head and started dragging her out of the room. "Where are you taking me?"

"To dance. You need to loosen up," he said. Daisy just rolled her eyes and smiled slightly.

"See you lot on the dance floor!" she called out to the group.


So, mostly a fun, fluffy chapter, but threw in a bit of plot there in the end. Next chapter we get back into the Network and learn a lot of information... so I promise I will make up for the large absence the past few chapters. So much coming up.

And honestly, once I got the idea of James dressing up as Oliver Wood, I knew I had to write the Halloween party.

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing.