Hey guys. It's been awhile! But thanks to everyone who's reading right now! I love you guys! : D

Chapter Pairings: America x England (one-sided), mentions of Prussia x Canada

12. The Witching Hour Part 1 (England)

England fastened his cloak under his chin and smirked at his reflection in the mirror. "Damn, I look good," he muttered, turning slightly so he could see himself better. He attempted to flatten his hair a little, but in vain.

Despite his confident words, however, he was feeling a bit anxious for tonight, the eve of his favorite holiday; Halloween.

Because this wouldn't just be a regular Halloween night. With any luck, the plans he, Canada, and a few others had made would help him get a little closer to America. And even if it didn't quite accomplish what he hoped, it was a good excuse to spend some time with him outside of school, and to show off some of his…hidden talents.

"Well someone's looking especially sexy tonight, hm? Going on a hot date?" France, England's annoyingly pervy roommate, was leaning against a nearby wall, arms crossed. The little smile on his face and the sarcasm in his voice irritated England, and to make things worse, he felt himself begin to blush, embarrassed.

"Nobody asked you, frog," he growled, wishing that his cheeks weren't flaming red and knowing that, unfortunately, they were.

"Well if he dumps you, remember you'll always have me." He winked and walked away, laughing. God, that guy always knew just how to infuriate England. He'd been horrified when he'd found out they were roommates this year, but he'd been unable to get a new one, despite his continual begging. He swore that secretary had a personal grudge against him and refused to put his request through.

But he wasn't going to let France ruin his mood tonight. He'd felt, since he was very small, like Halloween had been made for him, and he always made the best of the special evening. Of course he'd gone trick-or-treating when he was young, but that hadn't been the draw for him. Instead, it was the tradition and the legends of the real Halloween that he loved.

With another look in the mirror, he felt a twang of doubt. He hoped he wasn't going over the top with the cloak. It was made of a sturdy, dark green material and he kept it for practical use, not to make a fashion statement. Underneath it he was wearing completely normal clothes, black jeans and a blue button-down shirt, but he'd wanted to wear the cloak tonight. It always just got him in the right mood. Not to mention…that. He fingered the custom-made clasp, which housed a small, amber colored gem. This stone had belonged in his family for generations, and he strongly believed that it could aid him in channeling energy, which might prove useful tonight. He'd keep the cloak.

Finally tearing his gaze from his reflection, he left the room and then the dorm building, venturing out into the crisp, Halloween night. It was beginning to get dark, even though it was not very late. Children and parents roamed the neighborhoods surrounding the campus, but England hardly noticed them as he struck off down a quiet side street.

From this residential neighborhood he cut through a side yard or two and transitioned to a dirt path leading through a grove of trees (too small to really be called a forest). It was a little eerie in the dark under the trees, but it was only a short walk, and then he came upon his real destination; the South Church Cemetery.

Named after the nearby church, it was a large, beautiful cemetery, a few hundred years old and still going strong. He'd found the path that led from a street near the school to this graveyard back when he was a freshman, and he'd been coming here on walks ever since. He'd never been afraid of cemeteries, but rather, found them peaceful places, so he came whenever he needed to clear his mind.

But even though he wasn't afraid as he walked through the dark, deserted graveyard, he did feel some sort of chilling energy in the air.

After a couple minutes of walking at a brisk pace, he left the paved path and cut across the well-maintained grass until he came upon a building in the middle of the cemetery. It was an old, abandoned church; not South Church, but the one that had been used before the current one had been built. It was no longer in use, and sat dark and empty. Most of the time. Tonight, there was a gentle flickering light shining through the stained glass windows. England smiled as he watched his plan coming together.

He made his way to a side door, which he'd discovered had a faulty lock back in sophomore year. It was already open a crack, so he slipped inside and into the main part of the church.

There was no furniture here except one low, round table that had been left in a corner but was now in the center of the floor, a few lit candles on its surface. Around this table, a few of England's friends and acquaintances were sitting, waiting for him, just like they'd said they would be.

Canada, who'd (rather unwillingly) given him the idea for this little get-together was there, looking even paler than usual in the candlelight. His boyfriend, Prussia, was laughing and whispering something in his ear. Spain and his friend Romano had also come, as well as China. And of course…America. England's chest tightened as America looked up and saw him.

"Dude! It's like, freaking creepy in here!" he called as England crossed the room towards the small group. He took a spot on the floor between America and Canada.

"That's kind of the point," England said to him before looking around at all their companions in turn once again.

They were all here for a reason, some more valid than others. Canada looked nervous; he knew what the plans were for tonight, having helped form them. Prussia had come for moral support for his lover, and was holding his hand tightly under the table. Next was Romano, who was frowning sourly, but that was just his usual expression. He'd just come along when he heard Spain was going, because he 'didn't have anything fucking better to do, anyways'. Spain had been essential to the plan, because he'd been the one to convince America, his roommate, to come with him to the graveyard. China had overheard England and Canada talking and had seemed excited, so they'd invited him as well. America, of course, was the only one who'd come to the church totally ignorant of the night's upcoming events.

England smiled after his eyes had passed over the whole circle. "I'm glad to see you've all come here tonight. Right now children are celebrating Halloween by begging candy from strangers; well, I've invited you here to show you what this night is really about." He could feel the American on his right shift uncomfortably.

"Dude, wh-what does that mean?" he asked nervously.

"You'll see," England muttered impatiently. Then, to the entire group, he said, "I'm sure you've all heard the stories about what makes this night special. It is tonight, on All Hallows' Eve, that spirits can return to the world of the living for only a brief time."

"Spirits?" America breathed.

England ignored him as he continued with his explanation. "Many of the magical arts can be easily performed on any day, at any time. Things like reading the Tarot are relatively simple tasks because the prime conditions for doing them are so easily met. However-"

"Oh, can you do Tarot readings?" China asked from across the table. England glared at him, not wanting to be interrupted while he was in the middle of his speech.

"Yes, I can. Now, as I was saying-"

"Could you do one right now? I doubt it," Prussia interrupted loudly, smirking.

"Actually I could, but we've got other things planned for tonight," he said, his brow furrowing. This conversation was taking a turn in a direction he hadn't expected.

Now Spain spoke up, too. "But why not? It sounds fun!" There was a general murmur of agreement from everyone else in the circle.

"Guys!" England said, getting frustrated at his audience's short attention span. "Let's just get on with the original plan, yeah? We can do Tarot some other time."

He felt a tug on his cloak and turned to meet a pair of blue eyes sparkling behind their glasses. "Come on, England, please! I think it sounds like a good idea too. I wanna hear my future!"

"I…I mean…" England could feel his resolve weakening under that gaze. Damn it. When America begged like that he couldn't say no. His face felt a little hot as he looked away, muttering, "Fine, I'll do it." He cleared his throat and said more loudly, "But just one! I'll only do one reading tonight, for America. The rest of you can get in line." The others agreed grudgingly, with various degrees of discontent muttering. But none of them were as unhappy about it as England was.

Why he'd even brought his Tarot cards with him here tonight he couldn't remember. It had just been out of habit, he supposed. He took them along like a good luck charm nearly everywhere he went, so he must have just grabbed them without even thinking about it. Now he pulled the well-worn deck out of his pocket with a sigh, resigned to do a very quick reading and get back to what he'd prepared for.

"America," he said as he began to look through his deck, making sure all the cards were facing the same way. "A reading is a very personal experience. If you want your friends to hear about your past, present, and future, that's your choice, but you don't have to."

"Ah, it's alright, they can stay."

"Okay." England looked up at everyone. "But you guys have to give us a little space, and be absolutely silent." The other boys all obeyed, scooching back a foot or so from the table without making a noise. They were all watching with a burning fascination, their eyes locked on the cards and their lips glued shut. But as England turned back to America, he completely forgot they were even there. It seemed like it could be just the two of them, alone.

"You have to pick the subject of your reading," he said. "Either a specific question or just a broad topic will do."

"Okay…so like, would romance be alright?"

England's heart nearly stopped and he almost dropped the cards in his hands. "Wh-what?" he stammered.

America blushed a little. "Oh, you know, like, who I'm gonna marry and that stuff."

England's cheeks flared red to match his friend's and his stomach churned. This was not going how he'd hoped. "Uh, wouldn't you rather hear about, like, money? Or about what university you'll go to?"

"Nah, that stuff's easy. But I'm kinda hopeless at love," America admitted, grinning sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head.

England swallowed past a lump in his throat and sighed. "Okay. It's your choice. Concentrate on your question, and shuffle this deck," He handed over the cards. He would do what America wanted, as uncomfortable as it made him to think about what the cards might say. But he would put all personal matters aside, because he took these arts very seriously and wouldn't allow his emotions to interfere. He took a deep, calming breath and continued.

"We're going to do a very simple pattern," he explained as America began shuffling the deck. It was important that the questioner understood what the reader was doing during the entire process, from start to finish. He always described every step as he went. "First, cut the deck, and give it back to me."

America did as he was told. As he took his cards back, England spared just a second to look at his face, and saw the eyes of a total believer. America wasn't doing this just to be funny, or half-heartedly; he was participating earnestly in the reading, which would make England's job a lot easier, even if he still didn't like the subject matter.

"We're doing just three cards; Past, Present, and Future," he said, laying three cards face down on the table between them as he said them. "And we'll begin with your past." Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath and lean forward to see the first card as England turned it over.

The picture showed a person sitting upright in a bed, hands covering his face in fear or despair. Behind him, against the dark background, nine swords were laid horizontally one on top of the other. The card was facing America, so reversed from England's perspective.

"The Nine of Swords represents your past," he said quietly, knowing he had everyone's full attention. However, he was beginning to wish more and more fervently that he had insisted the reading be done in private. This could get very personal, even with just three cards. But he cleared his throat and kept going. "This card, when reversed as it is here, represents various negative emotions; suspicion, doubt, shame. Usually directed towards another person, and…usually with good reason. In this case, it would probably be representative of a past love that didn't go well."

He glanced up at America and saw that he was concentrating hard on the card on the table before them. He was frowning slightly, but nodding along with England's words, apparently agreeing. He said he wasn't good with romance, England reasoned. Maybe he's had a bad experience. Well, better not dwell on it. "Remember, though, that this is in the past. As for the present…"

He flipped over the middle card. This one showed a young man standing atop a cliff, the sun shining in the sky behind him. He grinned in relief to see a more positive card, not to mention the beautiful irony. "It's the Fool. Your present is represented by the Fool."

There was a gentle, muffled snickering among the onlookers, and America also gave a good-natured laugh and glanced over his shoulder at towards friends.

"It's not quite what it sounds like, though," England said after the chuckling had completely died away. "The Fool isn't stupid, but merely innocent and beginning on a journey. So basically what it means is that you are willing to embrace the unknown, and start anew. It's a chance for a fresh start, a new love. It's a good thing in this case, yeah?"

"I guess so," America agreed. He was definitely happier with this card than he had been with the last. England could only hope that the same would hold true with the pivotal Future card.

"And now let's find out what your future holds," he said, trying to sound casual but nervous as hell inside. He was afraid his voice was shaking, but if it was, nobody seemed to notice. They were all staring at the third card, still face down on the table. Carefully, England turned it over.

He revealed a picture of a man in armor astride a white horse, holding a golden cup in his hand. England stared at the image for several seconds, unable to believe what he was seeing, his heart beating furiously against his ribcage. Of all the cards in the deck, this was perhaps the one he was least expecting, and the one he was least prepared to explain to his waiting inquirer.

"What? What is it?" America asked, probably noticing the look of shock on England's face.

"It's, uh…it's called the Knight of Cups," he said slowly, trying to keep his voice sounding normal. He swallowed thickly before going on. "Court cards often represent people…so this could be someone you'll meet in the future, but it may also be someone you already know. And Knights are supposed to be young, usually single, men." He paused for a moment, waiting for a reaction but not daring to look up at America. There wasn't a sound in the entire church besides his pulse pounding in his ears, so he went on. "This particular knight represents men with blonde or sometimes light brown hair, and eyes that are either blue or…uh, green."

He didn't know what else he could say into the silence that followed his statement. He didn't want to assume that the card represented him, but he couldn't help but think it. Surely America would see it too. Had he just made his relationship with America really awkward because of this stupid reading he'd been forced into? He waited for a response with a nauseous feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"So…" America said after a moment. "My romantic future involves some blonde guy?"

England nodded, still not looking directly at him.

There was a few more seconds of silence, and then a burst of laughter exploded from America's lips. The sound surprised England into looking up at him, shock probably plain on his face. "Sounds like it'll be quite the experience!" America said, still giggling uncontrollably. The other boys joined in his revelry after a few seconds, nervously at first, since they all knew how England liked America and had probably interpreted the card the same way the Brit had. But the laughter relieved the tension that had filled the room just a moment ago, and even England had to smile weakly at how they were all carrying on.

Eventually America wiped imaginary tears of mirth from under his glasses and heaved a huge sigh. "Ah, well. Some things are better left as mysteries. I guess I'd rather not know how this guy's gonna play a role in my future, am I right?" He grinned at England, totally oblivious that anything weird might have just passed between them.

God he's so stupid, England couldn't help thinking, but his heart pounded at America's adorable, blissful naïveté. He was enormously relieved, in any case. He'd found out some interesting information about America's future (though he tried not to make assumptions; that would be unprofessional) and America hadn't suspected anything. He was glad of that.

After a minute or two the whole group reconvened around the table, a little more relaxed and at ease with each other. It had been a necessary release of tension, considering what an odd collection of people they were. Everybody settled back down in their places and slowly the talk and laughter died away and the attention of everyone in the room was drawn back to England. They looked expectant and, in some cases, skeptical or fearful. America was the only one who looked confused, still being the sole person ignorant of what was about to happen.

"Uh…" America said after a minute. "Why are we all here? Really?"

England shot him a devilish grin, his eyes gleaming. "We're going to have a séance."

Technically this town is fictional, but…it's heavily based on my hometown. xD

Research for anything involving Tarot came from the books I have lying around the house (uh…no need to ask…? xD) so I know it's imperfect. I'm VERY much an amateur. Sorry. So if you're an expert, and I said something horrifyingly wrong, let me know. If I said something only slightly off, please just shake your head and let me go on my merry way. xD