It has been what must be considered a perfectly lovely weekend. And even the prospect of having to return to classes in the morning can't dim anyone's good mood this evening
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It's a singular experience, seeing your face immortalized (at least for a brief season) on a Halloween pumpkin.
Not quite on par with having your own chocolate frog card, but gratifying all the same.
(Gratifying also, due to the fact that the Marauders' seasonal prank has taken an amusing and benign bent this year. Because this could be the handiwork of none other but the Marauders.)
Students and teachers are still filing into the Great Hall, so Dumbledore has time to admire the handiwork.
"Delightful," he pronounces it, tapping his orange likeness on the nose. "Quite well done. I do believe those boys have some untapped artistic depth."
"And that would, of course, be the principle tragedy of an epidemic of dragon pox at Hogwarts -- the early ending of the Gryffindor Quidditch party," Lily says, laughing.
"Fortunately, that particular tragedy has been averted."
Remus opens his mouth to say something, then shuts it.
He nods. Quietly.
James shakes his head.
"Oh, no. We'll just ... hand her off to Blane. He's Head Boy. It's the sort of thing he should take care of in the event of Important Gryffindor Functions."
"I should probably get back to my seat before the feast gets started. But brilliant work with the pumpkins, all of you," she says, looking over at Black and Pettigrew, who have been almost unnaturally quiet.
Her smile shifts a little, gets softer, when she looks back to James. "And I guess we'll talk soon about plans for next weekend, yeah?"
There are only a few stragglers now making their way to their seats. Dumbledore takes the podium, smiles, and raises his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Greetings, greetings. And a Happy Halloween to one and all. I'd first like to thank everyone who has helped to make the Great Hall look so festive...."
Not quite on par with having your own chocolate frog card, but gratifying all the same.
(Gratifying also, due to the fact that the Marauders' seasonal prank has taken an amusing and benign bent this year. Because this could be the handiwork of none other but the Marauders.)
Students and teachers are still filing into the Great Hall, so Dumbledore has time to admire the handiwork.
"Delightful," he pronounces it, tapping his orange likeness on the nose. "Quite well done. I do believe those boys have some untapped artistic depth."
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That girl's got terrible timing.
"Well, that's a relief," James says. "If it's particularly contagious, imagine how many people she would've infected."
And how early the after-Quidditch party would have ended as a result.
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"Fortunately, that particular tragedy has been averted."
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All right, it sounds a little ridiculous.
But imagine what the rest of the school would say about that.
Gryffindor would be a laughing stock!
And they can't have that.
"Well, you missed quite a party, anyway."
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"Well, if Elinor has a crisis after your next thrilling victory ... Remus can deal with it.
"Can't you, Remus?"
It would be his turn.
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He nods. Quietly.
James shakes his head.
"Oh, no. We'll just ... hand her off to Blane. He's Head Boy. It's the sort of thing he should take care of in the event of Important Gryffindor Functions."
"So says the Captain?" Remus puts in.
"Exactly."
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"But you get to be the one to tell Cliona.
"Captain."
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"You two are horrible."
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"I should probably get back to my seat before the feast gets started. But brilliant work with the pumpkins, all of you," she says, looking over at Black and Pettigrew, who have been almost unnaturally quiet.
Her smile shifts a little, gets softer, when she looks back to James. "And I guess we'll talk soon about plans for next weekend, yeah?"
They have a date to go on, after all.
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Merlin's beard, they do.
James nods, his heart suddenly beating just a little faster in his chest.
"Right, yeah," he says, offering her a smile that more or less reflects hers.
(Be cool, Potter.)
"We'll absolutely talk soon."
The rest of the boys smile or nod (or in Sirius' case, waves a hand airily).
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She smiles one last time (mostly at James), and makes it back to her seat just as Professor Dumbledore stands to welcome them all to the feast.
(Perfecting timing -- it makes it impossible for her roommates to ask what she's been talking about with James ... at least for a few minutes.)
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"Greetings, greetings. And a Happy Halloween to one and all. I'd first like to thank everyone who has helped to make the Great Hall look so festive...."
Credit where it is due, after all.
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