A/N: Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry for taking so long. A combination of work and burn-out with Harry Potter fanfic. But I think we're back in business. So, enjoy!

Blooming Flowers

Time flies, Harry was no closer to figuring out what was going on with him towards Fenrir, and it's a week before their first trip to Hogsmeade.

"Have you thought about what kind of costume you're wearing for Halloween?"

"I'm hoping to find something in Hogsmeade actually."

"I have an outfit, but I want to get some accessories to go with it!"

The door opened and the class went silent, Severus easily glided into the room "I imagine you all are excited about the upcoming events in October," he said as he turned to face the class. "So, to save me all the trouble, today's lesson will be thus."

With a wave of his wand, the instructions appeared on the broad, then he went over to his station. "Today we will be creating what is essential." He paused, and then took a deep breath, "glitter bombs."

He wasn't sure how he felt about the way his students lit up.

~.~.~.~

It's often said that Winter was when you saw Hogsmeade at its best.

Soft snow adorning rooftops of shops decorated with the greatest of festive, the smell of baked sweets and warm drinks in the air enticing you to come in and sit for a spell. Anyone who disagreed would certainly change their minds this year.

Hogsmeade had been a sight to behold, even the weather had decided to play along, with clear skies and a large full moon. And the shopkeepers, they had really outdone themselves, the stores decoration could rival those done during the winter holidays. And that was just the little village.

Hogwarts itself was another thing to behold.

Halls decorated with cobwebs and lit with dim candle lights; rattling suits of armor you swear had not been there. Creaking doors, and glowing eyes blinking from the shadows. Filled portraits one minute, the next empty.

The children dressed in so many colorful, and imaginative costumes, eagerly running down halls and peeking into classrooms. Eyes lightening up with anticipated delight at what was within. And within, their professors, equally dressed up, and their classroom particularly unrecognizable, were more than happy to give the kids a good scare.

"Not sure who's having more fun." Severus thought as he listened to the surprised screaming and delighted laughter echoing through the halls of the castle.

Also, the less said about glitter bombs, the better.

He side-stepped a group of screaming students being chased by a wailing ghost, rounded a corner and found a fairy, a clown, a lion, and who he believed to be Merlin trading candy with each other. Severus paused for a moment to do a bit of trading himself before continuing on his way to the Great Hall, quietly humming a spooky little tune.

He couldn't help himself.

The Great Hall doors opened, and Severus walked into a room filled with floating glowing jack-o'-lantern, each craved by a student or staff member. Owls flying through them with ease and grace, some landing and hooting at each other from said pumpkins, or on the shoulder of students. Some students were at a long table, taking their pick of the concernedly large variety of candy. Ghosts, some of Hogwarts usual residents, others, visitors on invite, floated above and through the crowd; occasionally stopping for conversation. There was music, naturally, the ghostly musicians were currently playing a tune that had the Potion Professor pausing to listen; trying to figure out why it sounded so familiar. It's only when one of them started singing that he got his answer.

~Their house is a museum

When people come to see 'em

They really are a scream

The Addams Family.~

Pomfrey looked a little startled when the Hall echoed with simultaneous and rhythmic snapping of fingers, all from the students. Severus snickered and continued over to Remus, the Werewolf dressed in a red shirt, and black pants. A basket dangling from one hand, he was also wearing a red hooded coat.

The costume had been Jacob's idea.

"Ah," Remus smiled upon seeing the man, "finished your rounds, have you?"

Settling next to the other, Severus nodded, before taking out one of the traded candies, "Have you seen the children?" He asked before popping the chocolate ball into his mouth, humming happily at the sudden burst of fudge.

"No, but Flitwick told me he did."

Nodding again, Severus popped in another candy as he surveyed the crowd, Albus was talking to Sprout, the Headmaster was dressed as Santa Claus, while Sprout was dressed as Fauna, apparently someone had been talking to the Herbology teacher about Disney movies, the Potion suspected it was his children.

"Speaking as such."

His children had finally arrived.

Heads turned as the four passed, heading straight for Severus, and Remus. And Severus suppose he couldn't blame the students. His children did look quite dashing in their pirate outfits.

"I think the children just made half the school go through early puberty." Remus whispered to him, amusement in his voice.

Severus snorted, just as the kids finally reached them, "Jack Sparrow." He greeted Hermione.

"Captain Jack Sparrow." Hermione corrected.

"My mistake," he grinned, then looked at the others.

Draco was dressed as Elizabeth Swan the Pirate King, Harry as Will Turner the Flying Dutchman, Ron as Barbatos, and finally, Luna as Calypso.

"Had a good plunder?"

"Very good." Harry grinned, showing off said plunder.

~.~.~.~

Leaving Remus and Pomfrey to attend to both his children and students, Severus left the Great Hall around eleven. He passed a few students, either going toward the Great Hall, or heading, hopefully; to their dorm room. He arrived at his personal chamber, and made a straight line for the bathroom, greeting the Founder Fathers-dressed as each other- as he went. He allowed himself to relax and soak a bit. Enjoying the scented bubbles and warm water.

After getting out, and drying, he brushed his teeth, before leaving the bathroom with the towel around his waist and into his bedroom. His clothing for the night, laying out on the bed. First came the white short sleeved front tie top, then the very short leather skirt that might as well have been painted on. The matching garter, and black heels that he nearly broke an ankle in during practice with Lucius. Hair up in a messy bun, and lip gloss applied to lips. He was done.

"If we weren't portraits, we'd be fucking you silly right now." Helga purred when Severus showed them his outfit.

Cheeks going a little warm and sending a good luck to any future self-portraits of his that ended up in Hogwarts, Severus thanked them, grabbed the last item of his costume, and headed for the floo.

"Right where Narcissa said you'd be." The wizard thought fondly as he quietly entered the room, dark eyes on the figure deep in late night work at his desk.

With his back to the door, it was easy enough for Severus to sneak up and sit on the desk.

"Good evening," he purred when red eyes looked his way.

Severus crossed one leg over the other, and red eyes followed, smirking, he slid his leather riding crop underneath the Dark Lord's chin and tilted his head back up. Smirk turning devilish, the Potion Master leaned in close.

"Trick, or Treat?"

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