Trick or Treat

Author's Notes: For a real treat, take a look at this picture by Sigune: "Next Time Choose 'Treat.'" http://pics.livejournal.com/sigune/pic/0002kt62/g1 It was the inspiration for the story.

Splat!

"Oof! Damn!" Severus swore as he pushed himself into a half-sitting position and looked around. He was cradled by several large pumpkins. These companions of the ones that had smashed at his rather hard landing were giving off a bright orange glow. Sounds of Halloween merriment could be heard in the distance.

He had no idea where he was.

"If I had only known," he sighed, and thought about the events that led up to this moment.

He had spent the day working out the tricky nuances of a heretofore nonexistent counter-curse to a particularly nasty jinx. All of the junior staff at Spellbinders had taken on this challenge. Severus was certain he almost had it and was determined to be first.

He hadn't expected the knock at the door, nor to see Florence standing there, burdened with several baskets and grocery bags. She wore bright orange robes decorated with jack-o'-lanterns and ghosts which were flashing into and out of sight. He blinked and asked, "What's all this?"

"I have the evening off. We're going to celebrate. It'll be just like Hogwarts!"

"Sorry, luv, I have work," he said, relieving her of a couple of baskets and following her into his kitchen. "Halloween is for children."

"Not always," she said, smiling. "Go on, then. You can work while I get everything ready. We'll celebrate afterwards."

So he did. He went back to his desk in his study and tried to ignore the sounds of pots and pans. Eventually the aroma of dinner began to remind him of Halloween at Hogwarts. That only served to fuel his ambitions and he pushed on in his efforts.

He could hear sounds of decorating: things being moved, bumps and such. From the corner of his eye, he could see the flicker of candlelight.

She had popped in twice to ask how much longer. He knew she was annoyed that he was working so late. She should know, he had thought, that I do not, cannot, quit in the middle of spell-work. He was tired and frustrated and he only wanted to finish the night's work. Then he could dedicate himself completely to her.

What had Florence been thinking when she tiptoed in behind him and called out 'Severus, trick or treat?' Without looking up he had snapped, "I don't have time for treats. Just play your trick and go on."

A sharp intake of breath was his only warning. Before he could react, her silent hex hit him. His wand had flown from his pocket; the room had spun; he had a quick glimpse of Florence, in the briefest of Halloween outfits; and splat! He was in the middle of this pumpkin patch.

Severus produced another round of swearing, then let himself fall back. His hand landed on a small, round pumpkin, which only served to heighten the image of his all too brief glimpse of Florence's all too brief outfit -- black, lacy, inviting.

"Idiot!" he said to himself. "Next time, choose 'treat'."