The Eve of the Feast (a JMDC response)
‘It happens,’ said Harry, between his teeth, ‘to be the anniversary of my parents’ murders.’
‘And a commercialised, American, Muggle bastardising of, at once, Wizarding traditions and the Feast of All Saints,’ snapped Draco.
‘But … but there are costumes. And sweets. Rhubarb and custard pips. Ice pigs. Liquorice torpedoes, white chocolate thickies, gems, jelly raspberries, strawberry whirls, Pontefract cakes, Parma violets, Chelsea whoppers, pear drops, Blackpool rock -’
‘Curly Wurlys - Curly Wurlys, mind you! TurkishDelightWhispaBarsBlackJacksBlackcurrantFizzySherbetsSpaceDust -’
‘Yes,’ said Draco, repressively. ‘Ladling out treats for all the little Witches and Wizards in absurd ghost costumes or dressed - poorly - as those filthy vampires. Making mock of every tradition -’
‘Sweets! Sweets! Do you really not grasp the point -’
‘Think of it! Chocolate oranges, jelly bones, ginger boiled sweets -’
‘Nougat, Highland toffee, Monkey Bars, ice cups, Wham Bars -’
‘Greed; the two of you running about on sugar highs; the two of you sicking up from greed and sugar - do you think we’re mad?’ Harry was stern.
‘I promise we won’t!’
‘You won’t regret it - we’ll behave ourselves.’
Harry and Draco exchanged a glance. So long as they were left out of it….
‘Oh, damn it all, all right,’ said Draco.
‘Do not make me regret this,’ said Harry. ‘I’ll tolerate it - this once - if only to have some buggering peace. But if this goes as utterly and thoroughly tits-up as I fear it shall do, it’ll be the very last time….’
Their interlocutors, their wheedling and begging having prevailed, beamed at them with improbable innocence.
‘You won’t regret it, I promise, mate.’
As Harry and Draco caught Hermione’s eye, and looked back, sourly, at a triumphant Teddy and Ron - already visibly eager to go and bring the glad news to Hugo, Rose, Jamie, Al, Lily, and Scorp - they made quite certain they already did.