Chapter Twenty

Halloween Shenanigans

It wasn't long before rumors got around that Professor Weasley had arranged for special entertainment for the Spectral Ball because it was a ticketed event. But when the students began to arrive, their hopes were quickly dashed; the musicians chosen were more in line with the older guests preference rather than the students who got in for free.

Still, it wasn't all bad; there were tables set out selling Halloween trinkets and candy, and the Order of the Owls were selling pumpkin ice cream cones with spooky jack o'lantern faces that screamed loudly the first time they were licked or bitten into. Quintin wondered if they were going to have to worry about Oscar, who made an immediate bee-line towards the candy booth. But most of the guests were already there, and Conner Donovan wasted little time getting an arm around his son so that he could guide him over to where his brother Oswald was waiting to see him.

"Quintin, I'm going to go find Mindy, okay?" Jeremy said.

"Have fun," Quintin said, and Jeremy went over to a rather large group of Hufflepuff girls, attempting to coax her out of the crowd. Quintin chuckled and simply put up his arm, not at all surprised to feel a cold chill on it twelve seconds later. "Good evening, Bethia! It looks like there's a string ensemble tonight, so there will be lots of traditional dancing," Quintin pointed out, and the ghost maid appeared next to him, nodding and smiling at him. "You don't mind if Sir Hat comes too, do you?"

"Good evening, Miss Bethia," the Hat said. Bethia stared at the strange top hat with the price tag for a moment, but then nodded and smiled again. "It has been a long time since I've done any sort of dancing."

"Bethia loves to dance. Don't you, Bethia?" Quintin said, and Bethia nodded again with a smile. "Let's go over to the ghosts' table to get you some rotted pumpkin punch while we wait for the music to start."

As they walked to the back corner, Quintin felt a prickling sensation on his neck and looked around. But with all of the costumed individuals moving in and out of groups, it was difficult for him to pinpoint where it was coming from.

Worley Maxxen stood in full traditional Scottish dress, his tartan proudly displaying his family's pattern of moss green and brown. Next to him stood a little girl with her blonde hair pulled up in tight, high curls and a very elaborate Little Bo Peep costume, complete with a crook. Her expression was just as deadpan and unreadable as her father's as she scanned the crowd speculatively.

"There is the Snape boy, Griselda, the one in the ridiculous hat with the ghost girl," Worley pointed out, and his daughter gazed at him and then sighed.

"He is a blank wall, Father, just as unreadable as the Auror," Zelda complained. "Where are his friends?"

"Anyone who is a member of that new house would probably do, but it is difficult to tell with everyone costumed," Worley replied. He then noticed that Eben had just come in, dressed as a Muggle farmer. Worley made certain he kept in plain view.

Yes, Father?

Tell your sister who some of the Snape boy's friends are, Worley ordered.

Eben nodded, glancing over at the girl only a split second before continuing to the ice cream booth. Zelda nodded with a smile, becoming quite distracted while her father turned his attention to the crowd and stepped over to a group of individuals he recognized as members of the school board. A soft murmur from Tonks was enough to get them all to look over in his direction, and Minerva used the excuse of promising to join Jennifer as a reason to step away.

The older wizard, who was wearing a Victorian gentlemen's outfit with a cane, gazed at him uncertainly despite his polite nod. Beside him was a wizard wearing the tailored green grasshopper costume, and had streaks of white in his blonde hair that betrayed the fact that he was older than he looked. He smiled warmly at Worley, impeccably polite despite their opposing views in politics.

"Ah, Mr. Maxen," Eric greeted him. "How is your wife doing?"

"Coming along, due in January, thank you," Worley replied in turn.

"Ah yes. Eighth, I believe?" Norman Balmweed inquired, leaning on his cane.

"Ninth," Worley replied. "Of course, my oldest two had a different mother, and Delilah had twins first."

"And who is this with you?" Eric asked.

"This is my little treasure, Griselda, although most call her Zelda for short," Worley said.

"What a lovely costume," Eric said cordially, while Zelda sized him up speculatively. "Why, you must be Little Bo Peep looking for her sheep. Is that right?"

"Yes, it is," Zelda agreed with a thin smile. "But I think I might find them by the end of the night," she decided.

"I see," Eric said with a chuckle, wondering if some of her siblings were dressed as sheep. "Well, I hope you have a good time."

"Yes, do run along for a moment and find your siblings, Zelda. I will meet you at the punch table," Worley suggested, and Zelda nodded and slipped into the crowd. "I don't want to bore my favorite child with trivial politics, but I was wondering, Mr. Dalance, what the board's opinion is over the abrupt addition of a new house? I have had several colleagues that came to me after the last Council meeting, expressing some alarm. It was such a shame that the Minister of Magic refused to table concerns over the matter."

"That's because the Ministry has little to do with the school administration, Mr. Maxen, we are an independent council with our own rules and regulations," Eric replied calmly. "And while we would have liked more notice on the matter, there were already rules on the books for adding a new house if the school needs more. So far, no rules have been broken, and I doubt they will be."

"I see. Thank you for your reassurances," Worley said with a thin smile that betrayed the fact that he wasn't reassured in the slightest. "Tell me, how often are members of the board members replaced? Surely some of you must be thinking about retirement by now." Norman Balmweed had no hope in the world of hiding just how displeased and insulted he was by that remark. Even Tonks looked at him with deep suspicion, wondering if that was some sort of veiled threat.

"Not often," Eric said evenly. "And when they are, we only allow school alumni in, and only by board member or headmaster recommendation. Then they are voted on by the current board to ascertain whether or not they're suitable for the position. But if you don't mind my saying so, Mr. Maxen, I think it'd be advisable to simply let the matter go, especially when not even the Headmaster himself hadn't known that such a thing could happen on its own. As for all of the written protests about the Sorting Hat that you and your colleagues have written to the Artifacts department, let me assure you that I am aware of each and every one, but neither the Headmaster, the Minister of Artifacts, nor the board itself has any intention of ever removing that Sorting Hat from the school. If Professor Craw had any concerns about the Sorting Hat, I am certain she would have mentioned them."

"Why don't we ask? I'd like to hear it for myself," Maxen suggested unpleasantly. Eric glanced around reluctantly, then happened to make eye contact with her.

"Very well," Eric replied. He turned directly towards her and away from Worley and smiling in a very telling way.

Jennifer stepped up in a lovely, eighteenth century French dress with her hair bundled on her head and auburn tendrils hanging down around her ears.

"Good evening again, Marguerite St. Just! How is everything going?" Eric asked. Worley immediately noticed that her thoughts were even better protected than usual and frowned slightly.

"Fairly well at the moment, although I haven't quite handed off security to my assistant yet. I'm making certain that everyone has arrived so that we can secure the place," Jennifer offered.

"How very transparent," Worley said. And deliberate.

"We like our guests to feel safe and comfortable," Jennifer replied unconcernedly.

"Jennifer, I was wondering if you had finished those final tests on the Sorting Hat yet?" Eric inquired.

"As a matter of fact, I have, Eric, and I can say with all honesty that the Sorting Hat is working just as the original creators intended," Jennifer informed him.

"And when will we see this report?" Worley asked suspiciously. Eric glanced at him quizzically, already guessing her reply.

"Oh, that, no. As it turned out, I can't give one," Jennifer replied. "You see, the Artifacts in Hogwarts are often tied to school security, and all Artifacts that fall under that category are protected from public releases. In fact, they have been protected in both Ministry law and school code for centuries now. I was planning to do a theoretical paper on how the device worked without mentioning the security details and its Hogwarts quirks, Eric, but after conducting experiments on reconstructed models, I found out that I can't separate one from the other," she admitted. "Severus and Wind Elk both tried to warn me that it wouldn't work, so I suppose it was a bit of a waste of time. But at least now I can say without a doubt that I know that the Hat is working properly. In fact, I have more respect for the Sorting Hat now than ever."

"Well, it's good to hear you got something out of it," Eric commented with amusement.

"I'd best get back to work. Good evening, Eric, Norman, Mr. Maxen," Jennifer said, wandering over to check on Andrew at the back door.

"Confident, wasn't she?" Worley noted suspiciously.

"Yes, and quite honest," Eric replied.

"Agreed. She really isn't the best liar in the world," Norman confirmed. Worley pondered that, seeing quite easily that the two of them really were convinced that she wasn't lying.

"Well, I suppose that closes the book on that matter! Let's go do our part to support the school, shall we? I believe I see Eigil over talking to Aurelius, Norman. I'm sure Stella is bound to be nearby," Eric suggested. "You'll pardon us, I hope, Worley, we really need to touch base with some of the other board members."

"Of course," Worley said, noting which members in particular that Eric was looking for while ignoring his obvious desire to get away. Were all of the board members here, Worley pondered, looking around the room. He was more than a little frustrated that he couldn't get a seat at that table. Even with the traditionalist view in the minority, he was certain that it'd only take a little mental push to make some changes...

"Good evening, Worley. Plotting are we?"

Worley looked up in guarded surprise, then saw it was Peter Gamban, looking at him questioningly. Peter Gamban was another individual that was nearly impossible to read, but it wasn't a mystery as to why in his case. His father, Ludo Bagman, had been on the run for years now, and unlikely to ever be caught despite the reward attempts and kill-on-sight orders.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here this evening," Worley admitted.

"I'm not staying long," Peter replied. "Deacon and I came to touch base with a few people, then I'm off to the Craw's children's party to see Abby. Deacon just didn't think you'd approve if he came over, so he went to mingle elsewhere."

"He's right, the filthy creature. I really don't see how you tolerate him, especially after all he's done," Worley muttered with disgust, his eyes darting over to where Deacon was floating in his Ultra-lites and talking to Ambrose and Maurice Craw. "And he seems to spend more time in reformist company than he does in traditionalist company these days, or have you noticed that?"

"Considering my own situation, so do I," Peter shrugged. "My son's a Reformist and I work for the Ministry as a legal consultant. It isn't as if we aren't outnumbered four-to-one these days. In fact, I've been hearing a lot of rumors within traditionalist circles that a brand new party is forming."

"That's all we need! Another party to further split the vote. If we're not careful, it'll go the way of Equinox," Worley scowled.

"Not necessarily," Peter said calmly. "Just because a new party is forming, it doesn't mean that it won't vote in similar ways. It's simply that the traditional party has such a tainted reputation now that it seems to be losing old members while not gaining enough new members to compensate. What it needs is a bit of rebranding, without the specter of a party that is associated with purists or filled with wizards who sided with the Terrors. It's time to get past all of that and move on." Worley squinted at him.

"What are you saying? Is this some party that you are forming?" he asked.

"No, not I," Peter replied.

"It will go nowhere. No one is going to leave the Traditional Party when there's so much on the line right now," Worley replied.

"Suit yourself. But when the ship is sinking, it's unwise to stay on board, especially when the rats left years ago," Peter warned, then wandered off to let him seethe.

Worley looked around to see where his children were. Why did they not grow up faster, he brooded impatiently.

I want lists of all your classmates, Worley projected, especially those in high social positions.

Yes, father, each one replied in turn.

"Are you all right, Eben?" Elliot asked thoughtfully when he froze in the middle of putting another cone together.

"Yes. It's nothing, really," Eben said, privately wondering what had gotten his father worked up this time. He then glanced over at Aurelius, who had a hand on his head as if he had a headache. Had he picked something up just then, Eben wondered. But as he was still watching Aurelius, Cadha walked up to the booth.

"Did you want a pokey hat, Cadha?' Eben asked, reaching for another cone.

"Actually, I wanted to find out if you're working the booth all night, Elliot," Cadha asked, and both of them gazed at her in surprise. "They're going to start with some country dances, and Culver has a date, so I was wondering if you'd be willing to team up with me for a dance or two? I'm sure Eben would more than happy to watch the booth."

"Sure, I don't mind watching the booth," Eben heard himself say. Should he warn Elliot that this wasn't really her idea? Then again, if he did warn him, she was sure to pick it up and report back...

"Of course, but only for a couple of sets, since I am committed to help out tonight," Elliot replied, not wanting to offend her by turning her down.

"I understand," Cadha said with a strategic smile. As they stepped away, Eben watched as Culver stepped out with Gloria, who was incredibly surprised and flattered when someone a year older than her had even asked. Since Jack was in the kitchen, Moira stepped out with Joey Black, and Douglas stepped out with Elmira Balmweed.

You will dance with Olivia Potter, his Father thought at him.

Yes, Father. At the first opportunity, Eben thought back, careful to restrain his emotions so that his father didn't pick them up. It was inevitable that he would be included, Eben brooded in resignation, and his Father's sudden move was quite revealing. He was getting frustrated and impatient. Apparently, making it on the Wizard's Council and manipulating his way to becoming the head of the Traditionalist Party wasn't enough; probably because the party was in the minority and had very little power at the moment.

Eben glanced over at Griselda, too busy manipulating the string ensemble to play the music she wanted to notice. Part of him was a little glad he was graduating this year and wouldn't have to attend Hogwarts at the same time as his little sister. Part of him was afraid of it, knowing that the rest of his siblings would suddenly find themselves at Zelda's beckon call. Then again, outside of Hogwarts, he would have to answer directly to his father, but at least he would be able to find out what was going on with Mari. And what was going on with those paintings? Why hadn't they gotten back to him yet?

"Eben?"

Eben looked up to see TJ standing there, stepping into the booth.

"Did my brother leave you all by yourself? That isn't like him," she said with exasperation.

"Oh, I insisted. My sister wanted a chance to dance with him, and she figured it'd be a perfect time to ask since she knew he didn't have a date tonight," Eben improvised.

"Really? I didn't even know that Cadha was interested," TJ said, then glanced out to where everyone was lined up. "I doubt Elliot is interested either. He's probably just trying to be nice and not offend her."

"Probably," Eben agreed. "But don't worry. I'm sure she's picked up on it by now. She won't get the wrong idea."

"That's good," TJ said with a smile, checking the ice cream maker and pulling out a finished container. "Who is that girl in the Bo Peep costume that seems to be watching them dance? Is she your sister as well? She looks a bit like Cadha."

"Yes, that's my sister Griselda. She's the most powerful Truth Seeker in my entire family," Eben explained solemnly.

"Really? Just how powerful is she?" TJ asked curiously.

Zelda turned her head and looked over her shoulder as if she had heard TJ's question, despite the music and the crowded room. With her piercing blue eyes still focused on Eben and TJ, she tapped her crook on the ground. The moment it hit the ground, nearly all of the students in the new house let out a bleating noise as if they were a sheep.

"That powerful," Eben replied grimly, and TJ felt a chill down her back.

Everyone on the faculty was startled, looking around the room in surprise. Quintin was especially surprised; he was the only member of his house who hadn't been affected by her mental suggestion.

It was that girl... the blonde one with the crook, the Sorting Hat warned inside Quintin's head. But Icarus Ravenclaw was already on the move, speeding over like a shot and materializing fully in front of her.

"If you do that again, you'll see what it's like when someone forces you to do something that you wouldn't normally do," Icarus told her sternly.

"Did I do something wrong?" the girl asked, Icarus not buying it for an instant. "I'm sorry. I just thought it'd be funny." Worley walked over to her, but Janus was quick to appear by Ick's side.

"Griselda? Professor, do you mind stepping back from my daughter? Surely you can see that you're scaring her," Worley said. Worley couldn't read ghosts, but the nonplussed expression on Ick's face spoke volumes.

"Alright, Mr. Maxen, it would seem that I need to escort you to the gates a bit early this year," Janus said firmly.

"Don't go by yourself," Icarus warned him.

"Janus? Professor Ravenclaw?" Jennifer asked as she and Aurelius hurried over.

"Professor Craw, this young girl caused the disruption among the new house members. Janus has already asked her father to escort her off the property," Icarus said.

"It was a harmless prank, Professor Craw. My daughter is quite young, I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it," Worley replied smoothly.

"Still not buying it," Icarus snapped.

"While she is underage, I'm sure you know as her trainer and fellow Truth Seeker that what she just did would have gotten her arrested for mind manipulation if she were an adult, Mr. Maxen," Jennifer informed him. "I hope, if you're planning to send her to Hogwarts next year, that you remind her that such behavior doesn't go far inside these halls, and she will likely find herself out of this school very quickly if it isn't curbed."

"Of course. Come, Zelda, I know you're disappointed. Perhaps I will take you trick-or-treating instead," Worley said. She brightened tremendously, and Worley gently turned her around and walked her out of the hall.

Watching the scene intently, Tonks put a hand on Eric's shoulder.

"If she's going trick-or-treating, I'm going to go warn Harry. Who knows what sort of mischief she'll cause in a Muggle neighborhood," she whispered.

"Yes, be careful," Eric murmured back, and Tonks slipped out to catch up with Aurelius and Janus.

Jennifer walked over to where Severus was standing near Minerva and Hermione, where they were watching the situation carefully. Severus and Minerva were both wearing regalia common in the Seelie Court, while Hermione was dressed as Princess Belle.

"I don't suppose we could just not send her a letter next year?" Jennifer whispered seriously, accepting her glass from Severus.

"Then he would just send her somewhere else, somewhere that might not be as well equipped to handle her," Hermione pointed out.

"I'm not so sure we're all that well equipped to handle her, to be perfectly honest," Jennifer replied.

"But at least we have staff here who can recognize what she's doing and call her out on it," Hermione replied.

"Hermione is right. As challenging as it's going to be, I'd rather have her here where we can keep her eye on things. At Hogwarts, we have a chance to educate them in different paths they can take out of their situation," Severus replied.

"It hasn't really worked so far. Even the ones that truly want to change don't seem to be able to break free of it," Jennifer said quietly. Severus glanced over at Eben, busy giving out change to one of the students.

"I haven't given up hope," Severus said after a moment, then glanced at Jennifer. "Surely you haven't either." Jennifer frowned at that.

"If Jennifer gives up hope, we really do know that the world is at an end," Minerva teased her.

"That would never happen, Minerva. If she actually felt that badly, she would start fixing things," Severus said with certainly.

"Alright, you both are laying it on thick, thank you," Jennifer protested with a smile. "Anyway, I need to talk to Zack Black about something, so I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Very well," Severus replied, and watched as Jennifer slipped out the back.

"You can hardly blame her for being alarmed, Severus. That was a planned demonstration," Minerva said quietly.

"All the more reason not to show that we were shaken by it," Severus replied.

"There hasn't been any real trouble from them so far, other than petty skirmishes in the corridors," Hermione offered. "But I have also noticed that they seem to take pleasure in other student's misfortunes, except maybe for Eben. Even Culver does it sometimes, although he will catch himself when he realizes he's doing it."

"At least that's something. At least it's a sign that he realizes what he's doing isn't acceptable. I am very grateful that we made that policy about twins when we did," Severus said.

"Me too," Hermione replied. Minerva nodded with an approving smile and then watched as everyone made an attempt at picking up where they left off.