Rating:
PG-13
House:
Riddikulus
Era:
Multiple Eras
Stats:
Published: 10/31/2001
Updated: 10/31/2001
Words: 2,465
Chapters: 1
Hits: 3,047

Happy Hallowe’en

Lissanne

Story Summary:

Chapter Summary:
A response to a challenge on the Seven of Quills yahoogroup, it's the Dream Team's final year at Hogwarts, and this Hallowe'en Feast promises to be bigger and better than ever...with Draco Malfoy finally getting what he deserves.
Posted:
10/31/2001
Hits:
3,047
Author's Note:
This is a stand alone fic not linked to anything else I’ve written – this was merely done for a laugh. Please feel free to come over and join Seven of Quills at

The challenge elements: 1. Someone must say the line "Yes, but only if you read him his rights first". 2. Someone must do the hula. 3. Someone must say the line "Well, I would have milked the cow, but I was too busy yodelling". 4. You must mention two delicate solid gold combs encrusted with red rubies. 5. Someone must mention the book "Thirteen ways to destroy your enemies and amuse your friends". 6. Someone must mention the following object, using the exact words: An Ancient Artifact of Great Import. 7. Someone must play the tambourine

 

 

October 31st, 1997

Hermione straightened her hat one last time before turning on her heel and trotting downstairs to the common room where Ron and Harry were waiting patiently for her. The looks on their faces as they stood up to greet her told her they approved of her costume.

"Wow, Mione, you look great!" Harry leaned over and kissed her cheek, earning himself green lips for his effort. Hermione smiled and reached up to rub the makeup off his lips with her sleeve.

Professor Dumbledore had decided to make the Hallowe’en feast this year one to remember. After discussions with the Head Boy and Girl (who’d relayed everything to Ron, of course) they’d decided to have a Muggle Hallowe’en Fancy Dress Ball. Everyone had taken the news cheerfully, and many a discussion had taken place late at night as to who was going to wear what costume.

"Oi, Potter," Ron said with a grin. "You finished kissing my girlfriend or what?"

Harry raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously. "No, actually," he answered, grabbing Hermione around the waist. "I’m not."

With that, he dipped a giggling Hermione, who’d placed her arm around his neck, and kissed her with great aplomb. The kiss didn’t last very long, because Hermione broke into loud laughter. With a smirk, Harry straightened her up and looked up at Ron, who stood there with a horrified look on his face.

"You…you…" he spluttered, unable to articulate the words. His face was redder than his hair. Finally, he managed to point a finger at Harry. "You kissed her!"

"Not much gets past you, huh?" Harry retorted.

Hermione elbowed him, and reached up to stroke her boyfriend’s hair soothingly. "Oh honey, he’s just teasing," she said, moving forward to put her arms around his waist.

As she tipped her head back slightly, her hat fell off, but Hermione paid no attention; she stood up on tippy toe and brushed her lips against Ron’s. He instantly relaxed and smiled, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Hermione then gave him a kiss that left no doubt as to whose girlfriend she was.

"Oi, Weasley," Harry broke in, the smirk still plastered on his face. "You finished kissing my best friend or what?"

This comment made both Ron and Hermione laugh, and they pulled apart. "For now, Potter. For now." The three of them stood grinning at each other, and Hermione took the opportunity to examine their costumes.

She’d decided to dress as a Muggle witch. She’d charmed her hair black, and had teased it to be even bushier than normal. She wore a long, black dress, all visible bits of skin had been covered in green makeup for effect.

Harry was a vampire, complete with slicked back hair, pale face and fangs. He was dressed in a billowing black cloak, black pants and white shirt.

Ron had chosen to go as a cowboy, getting into the spirit with a check shirt, jeans, cowboy boots with spurs, a vest, and a lasso hanging off his belt.

Standing in between her two best friends, Hermione hooked an arm through each of theirs.

"Shall we go?" she asked. They both nodded, and all three friends were in high spirits as they exited the common room.



* * * * *


The party was in full swing when they arrived in the Great Hall. Hermione looked at her surroundings, amazed at the length to which Dumbledore had taken the decorating. Although this was her seventh Hallowe’en Feast, this year was something special.

Bats hovered around the room; floating black and orange candles added appropriately spooky reflections. Pumpkins of every shape and size were strategically placed around the room, haunted faces carved into them; there was a group called the Dancing Skeletons set up on a stage in one corner. They appeared to be the night’s entertainment; all members were dressed in skeleton costumes.

Hermione watched as they launched into their next song; the singer picked up a tambourine and shook it enthusiastically. It was shaping up to be a good night.

"Here you are!" A voice accosted them. Turning around, they found the youngest Weasley standing in front of them, her hands on her hips. "I thought you’d never get here!"

Ron looked her up and down, frowning. "Where’s the rest of your costume, Ginny?" he asked in a serious tone.

Ginny smiled. "This is it, Ron."

Ron’s eyes started to bulge. "What? You’re only half dressed!"

Ginny waved a hand. "This is what mermaids wear!"

Ron opened his mouth to protest some more, but Ginny held her hand up. "You sound just like Percy."

This was enough for Ron to shut it again.

Hermione thought Ginny looked great; she wore an ankle length skirt made to look like a set of fins that, in the light, looked pearly. Made of a shimmery material, they were multicoloured, the red, white and blue blending together nicely. She had a tail that curled around the back. A bikini top with carefully placed shells of the same colours kept her modest. She’d left her hair out, but had swept the sides up with two delicate solid gold combs encrusted with rubies. Overall, the effect was stunning.

"I think you look great, Gin," Hermione said with a smile.

"Me too," Harry chimed in, giving her an appreciative glance.

Ginny grinned. "Thanks, guys. You too!" With that, she gave them a wave, and disappeared back into the crowd.

After grabbing a drink and something to eat (at Ron’s insistence); the trio sat down next to a rather large pumpkin, and watched as their friends and classmates shimmied and shook on the dance floor.

Hermione grinned as she spotted their fellow seventh years in a variety of costumes. Lavender Brown was dressed as a milkmaid, resplendent with plaits on either side of her head and an appropriate outfit. Hermione had to laugh when she overheard her telling an enthralled Neville, "Well, I would have milked the cow, but I was too busy yodeling!".

Parvati Patil was dressed in a grass skirt and bikini top, with a lei of plumeria around her neck. She was busy showing Dean Thomas how to do the hula. Her movements were flowing and graceful - unlike Dean’s, which would be described as anything but.

Hermione smiled as Seamus Finnigan made his way over and sat down at their table.

"How come you three aren’t up there dancing? Not a good example from the Head Boy and Girl," he teased, winking at Hermione.

She laughed, then hooked a thumb towards Ron. "He was hungry," she said.

"Ah," Seamus nodded knowingly. "What else is new?"

"Hey!" Ron protested, his mouth full of pudding. "It is dinner time, you know!"

Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted when the music stopped. All eyes watched as Professor Dumbledore strode up onto the stage where the Dancing Skeletons played from.

"Good evening," he began, the ever present twinkle in his eyes. "Welcome to the Hallowe’en Feast for this year." A cheer went up from the crowd. "I do hope you’re all enjoying yourselves!" Another cheer erupted, this one louder than the first.

"I’ve been asked to make an announcement by Professor Trelawney, who has kindly graced us with her presence tonight." He gestured to his right, and the professor in question glided forward.

Harry was surprised she’d put in an appearance; he was even more surprised to see that she, too, was in costume - she was dressed as a Gypsy. "As you may notice, she is holding an ancient artifact of great import." Harry looked to see that she held what appeared to be a crystal ball.

"Professor Trelawney has agreed to read the fortunes of those brave enough to want to see their future. If you’re interested, please step forward and form an orderly queue." No sooner had he finished the sentence than Parvati and Lavender bolted across the room, fighting over first spot.

Hermione tutted. "Honestly," she began. "Who’d want a reading from that old fraud?"

Ron grinned and leaned over, kissing the side of her head. "Don’t worry, babe," he said. "She’ll soon run out of ways for people to die."

"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "That’s a horrible thing to say!"

"But true," he answered amenably. Hermione’s face softened somewhat as he reached out a hand and gently caressed her cheek. "Come on, let’s dance." He weaved his fingers through hers, and Hermione allowed him to lead the way. As she reached the edge of the dance floor, she stopped and turned around.

"Harry, you coming?" she asked, holding out a hand towards him. He smiled and got up to meet her, taking her hand as she pulled him through the crowd.

They danced up a storm, changing partners regularly. Hermione couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. However, the dancing was taking its toll, and she was ready to catch a breather when the Dancing Skeletons decided to play a slow ballad, instructing the crowd to grab that someone special to hold onto.

Hermione immediately looked for Ron, and their eyes met as he walked towards her, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her waist. She locked her arms around his neck, and they kissed softly, oblivious to their surroundings.

"Enough to make you want to be sick, isn’t it?" A voice interrupted Harry’s reverie, and he blinked to find Ginny standing in front of him. "Dance?"

Harry smiled. "Sure," He placed one hand around her waist, the other holding hers gently. Ginny had long gotten over her crush on Harry, and they were now firm friends who enjoyed each other’s company. They swayed in time to the music, and Ginny rested her head on Harry’s shoulder.

He looked around the dance floor, and his eyes drifted to the corner in front of him, where he found a pair of cool grey eyes staring at him. Malfoy. Harry couldn’t make out what type of costume he was wearing, even though there was plenty of light surrounding him. He was dressed totally in black.

As usual, Crabbe and Goyle flanked him on either side. Crabbe sat with his usual blank expression, but Goyle, most surprisingly, had his head buried in a book. Harry craned his neck to look at the title: Thirteen ways to destroy your enemies and amuse your friends.

"I’m sure that’s just for show. We all know Goyle can’t read." Ginny said, following Harry’s gaze. Harry laughed, then whirled Ginny around so they no longer had to look at the Slytherins.



* * * * *


An hour later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were thoroughly worn out, so they agreed to go outside and get some fresh air. Shutting the main doors behind them, they made their way outside. Hermione sighed happily; it was a beautiful night. The stars twinkled above them, and it was unseasonably warm.

"Don’t look now boys," a drawling voice said from behind. "It’s Potty, Weasel and the Mudblood."

The trio spun around to see Malfoy and his cronies leaning against the wall. Malfoy stepped forward, looking Hermione up and down. "What’s the matter, mudblood? Couldn’t find a costume?"

Ron and Harry immediately drew out their wands, but Hermione was quicker, waving her wand gently and muttering something under her breath. There was a burst of light, and Malfoy disappeared. Ron and Harry gasped.

"Hermione, what have you…" Harry never got to finish his sentence; his jaw hit the ground as Hermione bent over and picked up something off the ground. The entire group was amazed to see it was a toad.

Ron stared at it for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Oh, please tell me that’s Malfoy," he said, holding his sides.

Hermione nodded and smiled sweetly at Crabbe and Goyle, who were slowly backing away. After they’d gotten out of reaching distance, they turned and scurried back into the castle.

"Nice friends you’ve got, Malfoy," Hermione said, holding her hand up in front of her face. The toad wriggled as if it was trying desperately to get out of her grip. "Now, now. We don’t want you hopping away just yet. Don’t you want to know how to get back into your human form?"

The toad instantly stopped moving. "Aww, poor Malfoy," Hermione cooed, stroking his skin with her finger. "He almost looks scared…do you think I should turn him back?"

"Yes, but only if you read him his rights first," Harry quipped. This comment earned him a glare from Ron.

"No. You should leave him as he is; it’s a definite improvement." Ron folded his arms and glared at Malfoy, which kind of lost its effect, considering Malfoy now fit in Hermione’s palm.

"Okay, Malfoy. Here’s the deal. You’ve got until midnight to find someone to kiss you. If you do, you’ll turn back into your human form. If you don’t," Hermione leaned forward until her nose was centimetres away from the toad. "at midnight, you turn into a pumpkin. Good luck."

Without warning, she kissed him. "Oh, and before you hop away? Another thing. It can’t just be any old person - it must be a pureblood." She grinned evilly and set him down on the ground, where he hopped away as fast as he could. "Oh, Malfoy!" she called out. "One last thing…it doesn’t have to be a girl!"

But Hermione didn’t know if Malfoy had heard her; the toad disappeared into the castle, and Ron and Harry cracked up laughing again. It took several minutes before the boys were able to compose themselves.

"Oh, Mione," Harry said, shaking with laughter. "That’s the most brilliant thing you’ve ever done!" He reached out and patted her back.

"Will he really turn into a pumpkin if he doesn’t get someone to kiss him?" Ron asked.

Hermione grinned up at her boyfriend and shook her head. "No. It’s only temporary. He’ll be back as the Malfoy we all know and hate in about half an hour. No amount of kissing will change him back."

She grinned mischievously at her best friends, then impulsively hugged them both, just glad to be there at that moment in time.

 

Happy Hallowe’en everybody!