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

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

She thought about that for a minute. She knew that before, she'd been very reticent about the whole subject, but for whatever reason she didn't wish to be quite so much so now.

"Perhaps," she said. "Somewhere in Ravenclaw, maybe; somewhere private. It's...I don't recall all the details, but it's complicated. I shouldn't think anyone but me really has to worry, though, because of the...unique nature of the person and dangers involved."

[fm-elric.livejournal.com]

"I know," he said, "But if one person can find a way around the rule... Who knows who else might try it."

His mind immediately went to Voldemort, even though You-Know-Who hadn't been seen in awhile. "Nobody ever seems to go into the lab in Ravenclaw anymore," he added.

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

"Well, unless someone else can get their hands on a weapon like the one I'm thinking of, it's not much danger," she said. She knew Teatime had a sword like her grandfather's, though she still didn't know how in hells he'd gotten hold of it. "And from what I remember, he's saving it for me." She shook her head, not wanting to think about the implications of that one. "We should meet in the lab...sounds as safe a place as any."

[fm-elric.livejournal.com]

"...So someone's out to kill you. And he's got some kind of weapon that work around the magic here," Ed said, stunned. "I guess your costume makes a lot more sense now."

The idea of that weapon, whatever it was, was unnerving to Ed. It had been awhile since he'd had someone actively trying to kill him, but he could still sympathise with Susan.

Of course now he was a bit concerned for her wellbeing- and, he had to admit, just a bit eager for something to break up the monotony.

"Right, not safe here... When?," he asked.

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

"I'm still not entirely sure he could kill me on school grounds," she said. "The rules are pretty...definite...about that. But there's little preventing him from getting me off school grounds, somehow, and then...well, 'and then' pretty much covers it."

Susan thought about it, sipping more punch under the veil. "Tomorrow, maybe," she said. "I'm staying somewhere safe, for now--somewhere he doesn't know about--but it should be easy to get to the lab." Best not to tell anyone where she was staying, even Ed, lest someone overhear. Paranoid? Maybe. Sensible? Definitely.

[fm-elric.livejournal.com]

Ed nodded. "Right, tomorrow." He idly looked at his pocketwatch. "It's getting pretty late- if I stay out much longer my little brother will come looking for me."

Okay, that probably isn't true, Ed thought. He was still nervous though and he didn't understand why.

"See you then?", he asked, "I'm sure we can figure something out."

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

"That sounds like a plan," she said. "I could use some...fresh perspective, I guess." She could feel his tension, and she didn't blame him--her story wasn't exactly reassuring. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. And, though it goes without saying, don't tell anyone else. I don't want word getting out, yet."

[fm-elric.livejournal.com]

"Right. Thanks," he said awkwardly (That damned tension again. Fear did strange things to people), "I mean... nevermind, see you tomorrow." He retreated from the hall, all too anxious to get back to his quarters and be assured that everything was still alright.

[usethepoker.livejournal.com]

Bugger, she'd made him all worried. "Tomorrow, then," she said. "And don't worry--really, I think I'm the only one who's got anything to fear. And I'm pretty good at taking care of myself." She watched him as he left, wondering what--who--he was so concerned about. Clearly he had someone he worried for, and she doubted it was he himself.