Late Arrivals and Lifetime Rivals: Snape's Worst Halloween
Chapter 18: The Chamber Opens Once More
Severus Snape sat at his desk in the dungeons and stared at the invitation in his hand. Charon knew better than to attempt "losing" an invitation from the Dark Lord.
The invitation was glowing bright red where the eyes of the snake were at the very top of the enchanted piece of parchment. The rest of the invitation was green. It was long and undulated much as a real snake would.
His worst fears had just been confirmed. The Dark Lord was going through with his Halloween party. Even worse---costumes were mandatory. Failure to show up properly attired---Snape did not wish to dwell on it.
It was also noted that evil sympathizers or anyone with loyalties to the Dark Lord, anyone that could not stand either Dumbleodore or Harry Potter, could accompany Snape as a guest. With so many Death Eaters dying or being carted off to Azkaban, Snape assumed the Dark Lord was "networking."
Snape thought about it and then hurriedly put his invitation down.
He had been hesitating. He knew deep down it was inevitable, but he had pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. However, this invitation stated plainly that he would have to go through with it.
Snape arose from his chair and swept off to his stores, his black robes billowing out behind him.
He opened the door and reluctantly climbed up the narrow ladder and retrieved a dusty box from the very top shelf.
He climbed back down slowly and placed the old box on his desk.
He hesitated once more before opening the box.
He winced and bared his teeth.
He removed the top and placed it on his desk.
He looked down and all of the memories flooded back from last year at the dreaded Order of the Phoenix Halloween party.
Snape was looking down at the basilisk costume.
