The Hogwarts Hocus Halloween Hextravaganza, Before Midnight.

[pumpkinpatchsir.livejournal.com]

((Okay, the party will be divided into two parts, one taking place before midnight, and one after the Halloween spell is starting to work. This is the first part, obviously. The other will be posted immediately afterwards but takes place roughly five hours later or so, in game time. Remember, this post is for partying only, and no people-turning-into-their-costumes crack!))

ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR THEE

Jack watched the words that were magically carved above the door to the Great Hall, in plain view of everyone entering it, and he smiled secretively. Everything was set. Tonight was going to be interesting. Who would have known magic could prove to be so useful? He made a mental note to investigate this even more for next year. Now that Sally was here, he'd be able to discuss it with her at great length. She always had such lovely ideas.

Since Jack was not exactly a beginner in the scaring people business he had carefully checked out the atmosphere of Hogwarts and gotten a distinct impression of what was considered frightening here. Outside the Great Hall the lights were out and shadows lurked in the corners. At irregular intervals (but always when one was least expecting it) the mad cackle of a deranged evil clown echoed through the Entrance Hall. Small cats black as midnight stroke around the walls, not speaking to anyone but constantly smiling evilly at anyone passing them, showing gleaming, pointed teeth. Also, because Jack never had it in him to resist the absolute classics, bats were hanging upside-down near the ceiling.

Inside the Great Hall, it was less dark and spooky, but still obviously Halloween. Cool white mist was trickling along the floor. Jack-o’-lanterns hovered in the air around an area cleared for dancing. Along one wall stood a large table with various Halloween treats: pumpkin pie, candy corn, toffee apples, hot cider, mini-cakes and a large bowl of punch.

The Halloween party could begin.

Comments

[totallyluminous.livejournal.com]

Mel nearly falls off her platform heels when the clown cackles for the first time as she waits for Brice in the Entrance Hall.

Not that she'd ever admit it, mind you. She is a flamenco dancer, sexy, sophisticated, and balanced.

Leaning on the wall nearest the Great Hall, she fusses with her hair decoration and then stands properly, ready to party.

If her shoes don't kill her first again.

[angelicbadboy.livejournal.com]

Okay, so the cackle was just a bit creepy. A bit, that's all. And Brice would never show that it freaked him out. He grinned widely, showing fake vampire fangs that glinted dully in the darkness, and sauntered up to Mel. She looked very, very... yum.

"Hey sweetheart," he said softly. "You look good enough to eat."

[catofcockney.livejournal.com]

Mungojerrie was quite proud of his costume. He wasn't sure how he achieved it, but somehow he managed all by himself. The ex-cat patched things together and stole a shoe or two from unnamed housemates. What burglar would he be if he didn't steal in order to get together a costume? And what a wonderful idea he had.

He was a court jester.

In nice, autumn colours with a painted white face, red circles about the eyes, and hair sticking out in three directions. He carried around a little jester wand just so he can continously bop Mistoffelees.

"Now where is the fairy?" Mungojerrie cursed and decided that waiting next to the food would be both a good and fufilling idea.

[cockneycat.livejournal.com]

'Jerrie?'

Teazer edges closer.

'We didn't go for the flattering option, I see.'

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Christine arrived fully dressed as the Queen of the Ball (http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21427&PCatID=adultcostumes&ccatid=adulthorrorgothic). She attempted to pull the low-cut bodice of her dress up and when that attempt failed, she settled for holding her half-mask up to her face and pretending that she was in costume.

She scanned the room, hoping to spot someone she knew. She hadn't been to many parties, not even opera galas, now that she thought of it, and the sight of so many people in one room was still a bit unnerving. At least in th opera theaters the lights were off in the house and you couldn't see the audience.

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

Camilla, too, had not been sure she would see anyone she knew. She had not been sure she would come to the party at all, really, and had done so on a whim. The costume (http://www.lordoftherings.net/film/cast/ca_cblan.html) she wore had been easy enough to throw together from things the house elves found, and one of them helped her charm her ears to an elven appearance.

It was with some relief that she caught sight of Christine. "Your costume is lovely," she said, sincerely. "Have you been planning it long?"

[battlefranky36.livejournal.com]

Franky had only started work on a costume that morning, so he had to go with something a bit simpler. But, being Franky, he would still need a super costume. Something that would turn heads. Something that didn't involve pants. Something he could pose in.

He was going as Tarzan.

He had managed to make his hair into dreadlocks. Blue dreadlocks, but still dreadlocks. The only article of clothing he was wearing was a relatively small loincloth, made from an abandoned rag.

Franky strolled over to the table covered with food, deciding to wait a bit before moving over to the dancing area.

[teamseaslug.livejournal.com]

Osaka stares. When on the way to the food table and presented with a guy with blue hair and a metal nose wearing almost nothing, it's hard not to stare. Finally, she pipes up from where she's blended in with the wall. "Aren't you cold?"

[mr-vera.livejournal.com]

Jayne had heard of Halloween - some sort of holiday back on Earth-That-Was - and thought it sounded like fun, or at least an excuse to eat a lot and get drunk. He thought it'd be funny if he dressed as... well, an authority figure, so with a little help from the house-elves, he gussied himself up (http://www.wvah.com/programs/theinside/adambaldwin.jpg), stuck a dueling pistol in each pocket (just in case), and swaggered off to the party.

[carri3-whit3.livejournal.com]

"Hi," Carrie said, approaching the big man in the suit. "What're you dressed as?"

[wickednessa.livejournal.com]

It was finally Halloween! Having now learned when and what it was, Nessa was confident that this would be the best party she'd ever been to. Or rather, the only party she'd ever been to. Oh well. At least she'd probably get noticed for being green. Elphaba always seemed to.

Ooh. Candy and cider. Nessa went over to the refreshment table, where there seemed to be quite a few people. She cackled a bit- she'd been practicing, and felt that she was coming along quite well.

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

Camilla was at the punch bowl, dipping a drink for herself. The sight of an elven queen with a ladle and a disposable cup might not have been the most harmonious thing in the world, but she managed to work around the 'hand' in the bowl deftly enough.

A green-skinned witch seemed normal enough fare for a Halloween party, and she smiled at the girl who was coming up to the table as she set the ladle back in its bloody bowl. "We've not met, I think. Camilla Macaulay, Gryffindor."

[carri3-whit3.livejournal.com]

Carrie pulled her shoulders back and chin up and strode into the Great Hall in the red dress Damien Thorn gave her, (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/783392.html) with a note attached with Revelations' description of the Whore of Babylon.

She'd put on the Secrets Board that part of her liked the dress, and that part of her scared her. (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/905496.html?thread=44430360#t44430360) What better, or safer, way to exorcise her attraction to the whore's dress than wear it for Halloween?

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Christine, dressed almost coquettishly as the Queen of the Ball, bounced over to Carrie.

"Oh, hello!" she said brightly, covertly tugging the low neckline of her dress up. "You're Carrie, correct? I met you at my Sorting. You look... lovely. Red goes well with your complexion." Christine often relied on polite, cheery compliments when she didn't know what else to say.

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

It had taken some convincing, but Laura Palmer had managed to talk Alan Grant into dressing up for Halloween. Her first suggestion of Indiana Jones had gone over like a lead balloon. However, her offer to transfigure his clothes for the night so that he could go as his favorite movie character had been gladly accepted. For the first time in his life, and probably ever, Grant willingly donned a tuxedo to enter the Great Hall as the world's greatest spy.

Call him Bond. James Bond.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Walking into the great hall beside him was a stunning blonde in a flowing golden gown (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/per1etwo/h_h/edressme_1917_20750987.jpg) - the freelance superspy Malena Marble (taking a break from her secret identity as mild-mannered student Laura Palmer).

[must_be_bunnies]

Anya had been wandering around the castle in her banshee costume. She had managed to scare a few people with an unexpected eerie scream and a look at her demon face. It was fun, but all the screaming was making her thirsty. She decided to take a break and go to the Great Hall to get something to drink.

[pumpkinpatchsir.livejournal.com]

Jack caught sight of Anya by the table and strolled up to her.

"Ah, Anya! Enjoying Halloween?" He grinned and raised his glass of punch at her.

[ian-ma1co1m.livejournal.com]

Ian Malcolm wasn't much of one for Halloween, but he took a break from his work to stretch his legs and let his new kitten Fractal get some fresh air. In the main corridor, Fractal jumped from his shoulder and raced ahead of him through an open doorway - into the Great Hall.

Ian chased the kitten into the room and scooped him up just inside the doorway. They both flinched at the shrieking laugh of an evil clown, then proceeded inside to check out the party.

[estebanmd.livejournal.com]

Stephen saw no need for elaborate costuming. He simply put on one of the suits of clothing he had brought with him to Hogwarts from the 19th century.

In effect, he was dressed as himself.

He had arranged to meet Jack Aubrey at the party, since they lived in different Houses. When he arrived, he looked around for his friend, and did not see him; perhaps Jack had bestirred himself to achieve some greater height of costuming? Anything was possible. Jack had once told him that as a young midshipman, he'd played the role of Ophelia in a shipboard play ...

In the meantime, Stephen would have a look around. He wondered idly whether anyone here did not know he was originally from the 19th century, and might actually think he had gone to some trouble.

[slothbefouler.livejournal.com]

Jack had no idea people were supposed to wear costumes for Halloween. He had attired himself splendidly in his full dress uniform (http://www.militaryheritage.com/images/rn_capt1.jpg), which he had never had occasion to wear at Hogwarts. On his way to the party, he amused himself by thinking of how Killick would carry on if he spilled so much as a drop of wine on the spotless fabric.

Upon entering the hall, he saw that it was, in fact, a fancy dress ball, and felt a bit abashed. Why hadn't Stephen told him? Oh well - maybe people who didn't know him would think his uniform was a costume.

"Hello, Stephen!" he called happily, catching sight of his particular friend. "How goes it with you this evening, brother?"

[perverted-kappa.livejournal.com]

Gojyo sauntered into the Great Hall dressed as a Sanzo priest (http://pics.livejournal.com/perverted_kappa/pic/000dk8fe), complete with a fake red chakra mark centered on his forehead, pervy black leather monk underwear, tabi and zori, gold chest piece, fake sutra, crown with a veil (http://pics.livejournal.com/perverted_kappa/pic/000e5a4t), and even, yes, what he'd previously referred to as 'a dress' -- the white robes. He'd tried out the costume several times before Halloween night in order to become accustomed to the many layers, and also to develop a way of preventing the robes from tangling around his legs as he walked. Evidently all that practise had paid off, as he looked surprisingly at ease in the costume as he headed straight for the refreshments table, hoping to find some alcohol.

[worldly_monk]

Sanzo caught a glimpse of very familiar robes out of the corner of his eye, and his heart seemed to freeze in his chest. Then he saw the red hair and realized who it had to be. He wasn't sure if he was going to kill Gojyo for imitating a Sanzo priest, or for almost giving him a heart attack. Luckily for Gojyo, the absurdity of the situation won out over the anger and shock, and Sanzo was laughing as he walked over.

"I have to admit, you've got balls of steel, Gojyo. Those had better not be my robes." Up close, he could see that Gojyo's costume was just a very good imitation. He even had a hand-drawn 'sutra' over his shoulders. Sanzo looked closer, and his eyes widened. "What the hell do you have drawn on there?"

[dinos-eat-man.livejournal.com]

Ellie wandered into the Great Hall, feeling a little lonely. Earlier in the day she's gotten an owl from her husband, with pictures of her two children dressed for Halloween. Isabelle, who was five, was dressed as a ladybug. Charlie, eight, was Darth Vader. She was sad that she wouldn't be able to take them trick-or-treating. Still, it would be nice to go to a Halloween party and mingle with adults for a change. She was wearing a burgundy dress (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Catremistrae/G183607_b.jpg), which was the best she could do for a quick costume. As she made her way to the punch, she spotted a few familiar faces (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/969905.html?thread=47853745#t47853745).

[silk-simkin.livejournal.com]

Simkin, never failing to impress, decided to go with simplicity for his costume. A small pendant on a leather cord adorned his neck, made visible by his open velvet Pirate Shirt. For trousers, black leather (always stylish, dear boy. Always), and to top it off, knee high boots.

He also added a rapier, buckled to his right side, just for show.

Then, he strode down, past the Feegles and their bar, into the Hall. He was looking good, and he knew it. He looked around at everyone, remembering names and faces, and smiling broadly.
((OOC: For an idea of what Simkin looks like, at least on top, try here (http://www.duboseknows.com/Gateway/Flanery/SPF217.jpg)))

[worldly_monk]

Sanzo entered the Great Hall, feeling unusually self-conscious. He'd agreed to let Gojyo pick out a costume for him in a fit of insanity as an early birthday gift, and the kappa had brought him leather pants and a silvery mesh shirt. Gojyo had also insisted on "doing his makeup". The eyeliner wasn't bad, but Sanzo had decided to drawn the line at the lipstick. He wasn't really sure what the 'costume' was supposed to be, but he had a feeling that he looked ridiculous.

He looked around the room at the decorations, keeping an eye out for Gojyo or Hakkai.

[polite-sinner.livejournal.com]

Hakkai was dressed in the vampire costume that he had allowed Gojyo to choose for him, complete with a flowing cape and old-fashioned clothing -- which, Hakkai decided, could have been much worse (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/969905.html?thread=47864753#t47864753). To be honest, he was wondering why the choice had been so relatively sensible, having expected to end-up coming to the party cross-dressing as a female nurse or a cheerleader or anything along those lines. And he was still wondering why his suggestion to dress-up as a clown had been so vehemently denied until, as he was walking to the Great Hall, he was startled by an evil cackle at the Entrance Hall -- he put two and two together after that.

He walked a bit hesitantly into the Great Hall and immediately looked around for familiar faces.

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Christine spotted Hakkai and made her way to him. She was dressed as the Queen of the Ball (http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21427&PCatID=adultcostumes&ccatid=adulthorrorgothic) and felt as if she was about to play the Queen of the Night from Mozart's Magic Flute. She also felt rather exposed by the neckline, which was much lower than the one on any other dress she'd ever worn.

"Bonjour Monsieur Hakkai!" she called out, pulling her mask away and smiling up at him. "I'm Christine. We met at my Sorting. You look quite charming as a vampire."

[pumpkinpatchsir.livejournal.com]

Jack was in an excellent mood. So far the party was going splendidly, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and as far as he could tell, the punch was a big hit. This was shaping up to be a wonderful Halloween!

He sauntered around the Great Hall, making sure that everything was working properly. Occasionally he glanced at the clock and grinned to himself for every minute that brought them closer to midnight.

Whenever he caught someone's eye he gave them a polite nod, and raised his bowl of punch in a greeting.

[redbutnotrobin.livejournal.com]

""Hey!" Jason sauntered up to Jack, dressed as a giant popcorn kernal, head, arms and legs sticking out of the costume. He gave the skeleton a grin and held out his hand, "Sorry about never making it to your costume fitting, I ended up getting a costume before that."

He patted the crinkles of the costume with his free hand.

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

A good night's sleep had done wonders to clear up Susan's confusion. Her memory was still more than spotty, but she felt like herself again--sensible almost to a fault. She greatly disliked the necessity to disguise herself beyond recognition, but she knew it was a necessity, so she'd chosen her costume accordingly. The only thing that didn't fit the theme was the bread-knife concealed in her boot--after all, she wasn't stupid; she knew it was best to go armed.

[fm-elric.livejournal.com]

It would please Susan to know that Ed didn't recognise her in that costume. He lingered around the punch bowl, not knowing who the strangely clothed woman nearby was.

[schizowarrior.livejournal.com]

Molly hadn't been able to scrounge up a Regency-era costume, but she had managed to find one that would be more familiar to Jack than modern clothing. The corset was terribly uncomfortable--she had no idea how women had managed to do anything while wearing one--but the dress was nice, and she'd managed to tame her normally wild hair into something she thought was actually rather pretty.

Okay, I've gotta admit, you do clean up pretty well, the Narrator said grudgingly.

"Thank you," Molly said primly, and grinned.

[slothbefouler.livejournal.com]

Jack had initially thought the lady with the long skirts and shapely figure was Miss Daae, until he saw Miss Daae herself across the room (showing off a rather attractive bosom). Who, then, was this mysterious lady?

He went to fetch himself a glass of punch (the severed hand did not strike him as especially droll, given that he had known men who had lost entire limbs), and got a better look at the lady's face. "Good Lord," he said in astonishment, realizing who it was. "By God, Molly, you are beautiful." Remembering his manners, he set down his glass of punch and made his deepest and most formal bow. "How are you this evening, my dear?"

[world-builder.livejournal.com]

Slartibartfast had had no idea what this 'Halloween' business was, but after a little research he felt he'd figured it out. Flipping through several magazines he'd acquired from God only knew where, he'd settled on a costume he rather fancied, and had (somehow) managed to procure it. He probably looked ridiculous, but then he figured that was probably part of the point.

[tartan-pussy.livejournal.com]

"My, Slarti, that is the most ridiculous outift I've seen yet," Minerva said jokingly. She was wearing her normal garb with one addition- a pair of cat ears on her hat.

[teamseaslug.livejournal.com]

Osaka wanders around happily in her plaster wall costume. She's glad that it's really just camouflaged pajamas and paint (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/926085.html?thread=45741189#t45741189) since she's pretty sure that if it was an actual piece of wall, she wouldn't be able to eat. And she'd really hate to miss out on the punch and pumpkin pie. She keeps close to the walls and looks for familiar faces to jump up behind and scare.

[doctordweeb.livejournal.com]

Daniel's costume brought back memories--he'd actually acquired it in 1969, when a solar flare had bounced the team back in time almost thirty years. Jack, of course, had assured him he looked like an idiot, but it was easily available and he liked the glasses.

[dresdenfile.livejournal.com]

I hadn't dressed up for Halloween in years, but apparently the whole school was doing it, so I managed to dig up some armor that fit and decided to go as King Arthur. The armor reminded me of Michael, my friend and Knight of the Cross--it was a little bit of home in this strange place.

Against my better judgment, I'd brought Bob along with me. The skull was currently tucked under my arm like a football, and I hoped fervently but without much conviction that he wouldn't embarrass me too much.

[immunityordeath.livejournal.com]

Devi had had very little time to come up with something, but had somehow managed to scrounge up a fairy costume. It wasn't really her, but at least it matched her hair, and she'd painted on her face and arms a myriad of spirals in glitter. She'd probably blind somebody if she walked in front of a spotlight, but she kind of liked the effect.

[dr-fraiser.livejournal.com]

Janet felt like an idiot. She hadn't dressed up for Halloween since her first year of med school, and that had been more due to her then-roommate's threat to ban her from their apartment than for any inclination of her own. Still, she supposed you couldn't have fun without feeling at least a little stupid, and she'd probably be more conspicuous if she wasn't dressed up. So she had managed to pull together something that resembled a cowgirl outfit and was now sipping punch in a corner, admiring everyone else's costumes.

[doctordweeb.livejournal.com]

Daniel couldn't help but stare. He'd always thought Janet beautiful, but...wow. Hoping his eyes weren't bugging out of his head, he made his way over to her, bearing two glasses of punch.

"Hi," he said, doing his best not to stare at her cleavage--and succeeding, for the most part. "I...I like it. I really like it."