|
|
(Kate) Ate Too Much
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 10-31-10 14:51
Like at all special school meals, it didn't take very long for Kate to fill up on the delicious dishes prepared for the Halloween Feast. She always tried to pace herself, either by chewing slowly or just allowing herself one or two bites per dish, but it never failed that she filled up before she'd tried everything she'd absolutely wanted to taste. And then there was dessert to consider. She hadn't even tucked into any of it yet and she was already ready to pop.
It looked like the Feast was nowhere near over yet, so perhaps if she just took it easy for a while and allowed whatever was already in her stomach to digest a little, she'd find room to sample some of the decadent dessert dishes before she had to return to her dorm room for the night.
Not having grown up in the Muggle world herself, Kate didn't know very much about the tradition of dressing up in costume for Halloween. She had since learned that in some countries, children not only dress up in costume, but they also go door to door and solicit candy from their neighbors.
When she heard that fancy dress was optional at Hogwarts this year, Kate wrote a letter to her cousin Bronwyn, who grew up with a foot in the Muggle world on account of her Muggle mother. Kate and Bronwyn had exchanged a few letters on the subject of costumes and then one day, a package had arrived from Bronwyn containing the most beautiful outfit Kate had ever seen.
It was a Renaissance period dress of gold and crimson fabric that fit Kate's developing body flawlessly. It came with gold ballet flats, a crimson pendant in the shape of a teardrop hanging from a golden chain, and a crimson headpiece detailed in fine golden thread. Bronwyn's letter called the ensemble "Juliet" from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Kate wasn't familiar with the play or the playwright, but she thought she might see if the library had a copy so she could read it sometime.
She'd gotten several compliments on the costume, though many people didn't know who Juliet was either. Kate didn't mind, though. She felt beautiful, even if she'd eaten too much and had a belly ache at the moment!
Still Hungry
Author: Marzipan
Date: 10-31-10 15:31
Initially, Marzi had thought she might attend the Halloween Feast alone. She and Weston had recently officially adopted Carter and weren't sure if he could sit (or sleep) through the entire evening. Weston had planned on staying behind in their quarters with the baby, while Marzi, as a Hogwarts professor, would attend the feast in the Great Hall.
Marzi and Weston changed their minds only hours ago after more deliberation on the subject. They decided that if Carter became too fussy during the course of the evening, then Weston would take him back to their living quarters. Marzi didn't feel obligated to stay at the feast and would just as well leave with the baby if needed, but she supposed she would see what might happen as the evening progressed.
So far, so good. The new family had all dressed up for the occasion. Marzi wore a long-sleeved black T-shirt and black leggings. On her back were beautiful orange, black and white butterfly wings. Weston had dressed up as a professional Quidditch player, wearing the uniform of the local team, the Hogsmeade Humbatas. Little Carter wore a green bodysuit and had pink flower petals around his face. He was asleep in his carrier.
It felt strange to be parents so unexpectedly soon, but both Marzi and Weston found that having Carter with them now provided them with excellent practice in anticipation of the birth of their own child. They still felt at times like they had no clue what they were doing, but surely those feelings would pass in time!
The baby stirred in his carrier but didn't wake, despite all the noise in the Great Hall. Everyone cooed over him, and rightly so. He was extremely cute.
Weston had already stuffed himself silly, but Marzi was still hungry. She normally filled up fast herself at the feasts, but today she was eating for two, and good thing too! Now she could taste everything she wanted without worrying about getting too full!
In Fancy Dress Too
Author: Declan
Date: 10-31-10 16:06
Back during the last staff meeting of the previous school term Professor Dumbledore had mentioned he'd like to have fancy dress optional again for the next Halloween feast. Because of that, Declan had thought on and off through the summer what, or who, to dress as if he were to go in costume. He'd finally decided upon Herger Torgrimson, a Scandinavian wizard who once single handedly defended an entire Muggle village from a troll attack during an unusual occassion when several trolls had banded together. Declan had also decided that any student, no matter what year, who successfully figured out who he was dressed as would get a treat. Declan took the treat idea from something he'd learned last year from Aaron Miller.
The first student Declan encountered who named who he is supposed to be was of course Zabrynna Ravensdale. She hadn't even come over to speak to him as some students might have but with their history her coming up just to say hello and to have a look at his fancy dress wasn't really expected. What had happened was that when Declan first came into the Great Hall, there were clusters of students animatedly chatting and comparing costumes. A couple of students in one group called greetings to him just as he walked in. Zabrynna was in the group and as the others in the group followed suit to say hello she'd given him a half smile and nodded in his direction. Declan returned gave a general hello to the group as a whole and was out to comment on the fancy dress of those wearing costumes when one of them asked, "Who are you, Professor Douglass?"
The word, "Guess," was on Declan's lips to say in reply when Zabrynna said, "He's Herger Torgrimson, that Scandanavian guy that beat off a whole bunch of trolls."
Declan's head had bobbed up and down, "Yes, Zabrynna's correct." He'd then spent a couple of minutes talking with the group about their own outfits before continuing on, stopping to chat up others on his way to the head table. Once there he'd written down in a small notepad Zabrynna's name and that of second year Daisy Khan. As the night has worn on, Declan's written down a couple of other names, that of Stephen Hunt who's a seventh year Ravenclaw like Zabrynna, and that of fifth year Gryffindor Marjani Batuti.
Throughout the feast Declan's talked with his usual neighbors at meals, AJ and Kissy, as well as to the two sitting immediately on his other side, Celeste and Filius. By the time Declan starts on afters, choosing a small piece of a lemon chiffon cake and a small slice of pumpkin pie to start with, Declan is starting to feel stuffed. After the meal ends, there's more party with music from his understanding and where there's a party there's sure to be refreshments. It's easy to understand why all week long he kept hearing some of the girls saying they weren't eating so they would have more room at the feast.
Exhausted Pygmy Puff
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 10-31-10 20:26
With the feast winding down and the music and party getting ready to start, Saffron and I are going to take Nic up and get her tucked into bed and then one of the House Elves has agreed to babysit so that Saffron and I may return to the party as chaperones. Even though it's now past her usual bedtime, Nic is wide awake thanks to the festive atmosphere, the decorations, and all the costumes to see. I have to admit that even after all this time in Britain, when I hear someone refer to costumes as fancy dress I expect to see the person in formal wear.
There's an insistent tugging at my side then Nic holds her arms up in the universal symbol kids used to indicate they want to be picked up. I scoop her up and the fluffy pink pygmy puff costume tickles my face as she immediately squirms around and points to some of the desserts spread on the table. "Me want."
"You want what, Nic?"
"Dat."
"Which? This?" I point to a banana cream pie. "Or this," a platter of miniature fruit tarts. I go along pointing out several items specifically, pausing each time to guage Niccola's response. She finally points to the fruit tarts. "Dose."
"Just a little more. You've had too much already. A little more than it's bedtime."
Nic frowns, puckering her little rosebud lips. "No. Me no bed."
She gives a huge yawn even as she denies being tired. I don't bother telling her yes, bed because there's no point in getting her mad and having to take her out early. Instead, I get her better settled on my lap so she can eat the little bit of the miniature tart I've served for her.
Next to us on my left, I hear Albus Dumbledore saying to Saffron, "Earlier I answered your question about my outfit but I have not yet asked about your fancy dress. Niccola is a pygmy puff and based on your costume, which is identical to the Wizards trading card, you're Gunhilda of Gorsemoor?"
"That's correct on both accounts."
Professor Dumbledore looks past Saffron to me. "I confess I have not yet been able to figure out who you are, Aaron."
I look down at my striped outfit and then grin at the headmaster. "I'm Beetlejuice, a character from a Muggle comedy movie."
"As that is not one of your movies I have seen that would explain why I could not figure out your fancy dress," Albus says in that tone of his that carries an undercurrent of dry mirth. His voice carries more amusement when he nods at me to say, "Your daughter appears to have fallen asleep in a fruit tart."
Sure enough, Nic has passed out in a blink, her cheek on the last little bit of the tart. Gently easing her up, I hold her where Saffron can wipe off her face before shifting Nic to nestle against my shoulder. "With her already asleep, there's no need for us both to go. I'll get her in bed. You stay and finish your cake."
Saffron pats Nic's back. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure. Shouldn't take me long."
"Okay, but if she wakes up and decides to be a problem, send for me."
"Will do."
Nic isn't a problem, not stirring at all when I get her pink pygmy puff costume off and her pajamas on. I get her into her bed and then call out the House Elf's name who will be sitting. Within five minutes after that I'm walking back into the Great Hall.
One Year Later
Author: Griet
Date: 11-01-10 08:06
As Griet picked her way through the various dessert dishes offered at the Halloween Feast, she thought back to this time last year, when her secret relationship with Oberon had gotten discovered by Cornelia and Gervaise. That single event had kicked off a difficult year for all parties involved, though at least things were significantly better now.
As it happened, all four were seated together at the Slytherin table. Griet and Oberon, dressed as a gypsy and pirate respectively, sat opposite the other couple. Cornelia had dressed up as a mummy, while Gervaise was a zombie. The four had gotten the ideas for their costumes after doing some research on the subject.
Griet, for one, was glad to have things back to normal again. There may have been a time when she didn't care if she and Cornelia had a good relationship or not, but ever since Cornelia had gotten her throat cut and nearly died, Griet's whole outlook had changed.
Despite outward appearances, Cornelia hadn't liked fighting with Griet either this past year. She'd been jealous, and needlessly so. Gervaise had come around and finally seen what was standing right in front of him all along.
She reached over and took his hand into hers. He smiled at her, causing the fake blood around his mouth to stretch disturbingly across his face. Even as a horrific zombie, Cornelia found him the most handsome boy around!
Costume Party (Wenlocks)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-01-10 20:27
After the Halloween feast ended a fancy dress party began. Since the Great Hall was already being used and decorated, instead of the party with a live band being held in the common commons as many of the parties are since that room was made available to students, Professor Dumbledore waved his wand a few times sending the long tables away but having smaller tables with chairs appear around a dance floor. Where the head table is usually located a band now plays. There are refreshment tables as well though just after the feast ended few visited them. Once the party had been underway awhile, students began making trips to the refreshment tables for snacks and drinks.
The group of students collectively known as the Wenlock cousins all wore fancy dress to the Halloween feast and all have stayed for the party. All had also turned to their relative Aaron Miller for costume ideas. He'd even had some Muggle Studies Club meetings centered on Muggle Halloween traditions including ideas for costumes and explanations behind them. Even though Liannah and Marlow MacDougal were labeled as Nons under the old Ministry regime they were far enough from from the Muggle World that neither knew much about it. That's been changing as they've spent more time around Aaron and his family, especially his mother Frannie. Liannah had more knowledge about the whole fancy dress thing having been at Hogwarts the previous year but it was all new to Marlow. Still, it was Marlow who first knew what she wanted for her fancy dress. A couple of times at Aaron's Marlow watched a movie called The Wizard Of Oz. She liked it so much that after finding out from Aaron that the movie was based on one of a series of books, Marlow began reading those books. Even though the book the movie is based on differs some from the movie, Marlow wanted to be Dorothy from the movie, which means she's wearing ruby slippers this evening, not silver ones. Only after Marlow had announced her fancy dress did Liannah choose something. Going with Marlow's theme, Liannah decided she wanted to be Glinda The Good Witch, complete with a full skirted, sparkly ball gown similar to the one Glinda in the movie wears.
Not long after that their cousins Heather Rabnott and Eden Jenkins, who'd also seen the movie, decided to join in with Liannah and Marlow. Heather quite liked how the Wicked Witch Of The West has green skin so is now dancing around with green skin, fierce face make-up, and finding reasons as often as possible to cackle like the witch does in the movie. Eden is dressed in a manner similar to the outfits worn by the ballet dancing Munchkins, complete with a sort of pointy funny in a cute way matching pink hat.
Eden's brothers, Alastor and Jasper, decided to get in on the act. The fact that Alastor wanted to go along was something of a surprise to those in the know about his attitude problems of the previous year. While he's not obnoxious like he was last term or part of summer, he's also not been all that outwardly friendly to most of them. Eden didn't care about all that. She just thought it brilliant that Alastor chose to be the Scarecrow for his fancy dress. Jasper debated between the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, finally deciding that he liked the thought of being a lion more than a man of tin. Cousin Daniel Gelson decided to round out the group by agreeing to be the Tin Man.
Alexa Wenlock, on the other hand, went Wizarding for her costume inspiration, choosing to emulate the picture of Morgana, aka Morgan Le Fay, as portrayed on Wizard trading cards. Alexa hadn't known until recently that Morgan Le Fay is also in Muggle stories. She's now got on her to do list to read the stories of King Arthur to find out how the Morgan Le Fay in them compares to the stories of her in Wizarding history.
Heather's brothers, Hunter and Hadrian, also looked to the Wizarding world for their fancy dress. It was just coincedence that Hunter chose to dress as Merlin, someone also in the Muggle Arthurian legends. Hadrian, on the other hand, is dressed as famous Chinese Wizard Liu Daxin.
Jill Prewitt's fancy dress inspiration came from her South American cousins. She's in a very brightly colored feathered Samba outfit. It's far more demure than a typical Samba costume, with a flesh colored material covering her stomach and exposed back. Because of the October chill, even in the relative warmth of the Great Hall, Jill's also wearing flesh colored tights on her legs.
Her feathered headdress finally starting to feel as though it's weighing her down, Jill stops dancing long enough to remove it, grab some punch to drink, then returns to the dance floor just in time for the start of the next song. All around her, Jill's cousins are having just as much fun and none of them want the party to end.
Having A Blast (Assorted Hodfuffers)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 11-01-10 22:30
Augustus has been dancing to every song since the band started playing He'd not been dancing with anyone in particular. At thirteen he's not immune to a cute girl but at the same time he's not really given much thought yet to flirting and dating. Gus has danced with a few girls this evening but he's been dancing solo much of the time, just like his best friend Caerwyn Valentine. When they'd first talked about costumes Gus initially had been inclined to also come as an alien like Caerwyn but after more thought and after attending a Muggle Studies Club meeting Gus changed his mind. The only thing he wishes were different about his fancy dress is that like Caerwyn's it practically glow in the dark. That aside, glowing in the dark wouldn't be very practical for a French Muskateer. Gus's fancy dress is complete with a rapier and a cape he finds rather keen. For much of the feast Gus wore the hat with long dark wig, hair that apparently was a popular style for men back then.
Hot and thirsty and having worked up an appetite again after all the dancing, Gus excuses himself from Caerwyn and other friends to get refreshments. When getting some chilled spiced pumpkin juice Gus runs into his cousin Hydrangea. "Are you a flower?" he asks.
"Yes, a hydrangea, like my name."
"You look nice."
"Thanks! What are you?"
"It's from French history. A Muskateer."
"Didn't you have a hat with a feather earlier and long hair?"
"Yeah, but I got hot once the music started. Pumpkin juice?" Gus holds up a pitcher.
"No thank you. I like the punch so much I keep coming back for more," she replies, nodding at a frosted bowl full of dark liquid.
"I'll have some of that," Barontaine, Hydrangea's younger brother says to Gus as he reaches the same section of table. Gus obliges by pouring some pumpkin juice into the cup Baron was already carrying. "Thanks," Baron says. "Is that really a sword in your scabbard or just a fake pommel for show?"
Gus slides the rapier a little ways out of the scabbard. "Real."
"Cool!"
"Your fancy dress is pretty amazing."
Baron grins at this comment. "Thanks and also thank you for mentioning over the summer that Halloween might be fancy dress. It gave me the chance to do up a proper outfit."
Baron's dressed as a mandrake complete with pot and potting soil. Gus grins back. "At least we don't need to plug up our ears to be around you."
Baron, Gus, and Hydrangea exchange a few more words as they make snack selections from the wide array of food before returning to their respective friends and rejoining the dancing. Across the room their cousin Wiggy is dressed as the Muggle monster Frankenstein while Wiggy's sister Glori is kitted out as the Egyptian goddess Isis. Like their cousins Wiggy and Glori enjoyed themselves greatly during the feast and are having a blast hanging out with friends while listening to the band. Glori thinks it's too bad tomorrow is Monday as hardly anyone is going to want to get up for classes after partying so late!