October 31st

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Petunia Evans, now Dursley, never had liked Halloween.

As a child, the scary masks and haunted houses never much appealed. She would rather look out of place as a princess or ballerina, the cutesy dress that never seemed to let her look as beautiful as those same characters in a storybook.

As a pre-teen, her younger sister would get all of the attention, and Petunia, nearly always close to tears, would dash back home to pass out candy with her father, who made her feel better with little nicknames based on her outfit, but could never fully take away the sting.

As a high-schooler, she was on the bottom of lists for invites to parties, rarely being asked to dance even as a last resort for those who were turned down by others.

As an adult, Petunia's Halloweens were marked by news of tradgedies, and pain. Her best friend, hit by a passing car, unable to walk for the rest of her life. The letter from her sister, saying their parents had left them days ago, forever. And her sister, and her sister's husband ... and the reminder on her doorstep that next day ...

Yes, Petunia hated Halloween.

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Lily Evans, married Potter, always thought Halloween was one of the best days of the year.

As a child, she wore her favorite costume over and over again, looking the part of the 'good witch' perfectly, but never knowing why. She couldn't understand her sister's attaction to frills and pink, or why the girl would rather stay at home then stay out late at night, but Lily would always bring back extra candies, loving the chance to make Petunia smile.

As a pre-teen, she experienced a different culture's -- different world's kind of Holiday, loving every minute of it, learning new things and laughing about her 'perfect costume choice' that she now knew wasn't so pretend.

As an young women, Lily's future husband finally grew up, and when he asked her out for the she-didn't-know-how-many-times, she finally excepted, and couldn't have made a better choice.

As an adult, Lily's Halloweens were marked by chances to move ahead and make life better. James' proposal of marriage, taking all of his lion-like courage. The news of her pregnancy, and of her good friend Alice's unborn child as well. And keeping themselves safe, she, her husband, and their young child ... Halloween would be the day they set in motion the plan to keep themselves hidden ...

Yes, Lily loved Halloween.

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Petunia's son came to love All Hallow's Eve, and all things that were a part of it -- scaring others without fear of punishment, free candy, and a chance to once again prove how much better he was than his cousin. His Mother's most hated day was easily among his favorites.

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Lily's son came to hate All Hallow's Eve, and all the things it represented -- his parents' death, his godfather's wrongful inprisonment, their betrayer's escape, and his confinement to his Aunt's care. His most hated day was once one of his Mother's favorites.

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