It's Nice To Have A Friend

31) Costume Party

"How late are people getting here?" Mary asked, a little stressed while she tried to prepare all the food for their party.

It was the end of august, making it almost the end of summer. While for some people that wasn't necessarily their favorite time of the year, the gang had a lot to celebrate, which is why a days weeks ago they had decided it would be a nice opportunity to host a costume party.

Their lives had been very crazy with FP and Alice expecting their baby and Hermione and Mary having asked Fred to become the father of theirs. Besides obviously wanting to celebrate that, they needed something light, to remind them they were still young.

"In about ten minutes." Fred said, after having glanced to his watch.

"Can someone help me get this costume on?" Alice poked her head out of her bedroom, clearly frustrated with her outfit. Hermione immediately walked her way, seeing this as her perfect job.

"Poppy, don't forget the pies from the oven." Mary said to her, while nervously pacing around to fluff the pillows, check on the snacks and their drinks.

"Mare, relax, people will love this party." Fred placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged them, giving her a reminder that this was all about getting a break from their crazy adult lives.

"I truly hope so." She sighed a little, but then closed her eyes for a brief second while Fred massaged her shoulders.

"How is it going with you and Poppy?" She turned around to face him, and gave him a goofy grin.

"Lower your voice, FP might hear you." He shushed immediately, while looking around in panic to see if his best friend wasn't too close by. When the coast was clear, he turned back to Mary again.

"We kissed on the 4th of July." He whispered, his cheeks blushing slightly.

"And then again when you were at the hospital." Fred confessed, with a cheeky grin.

"You dog!" Mary gently swatted his chest, finding all of this way too amusing.

"Do you like her?" She asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Yeah, I like her a lot." Fred said, without missing a beat. Poppy was out of this world, to him. Beautiful, funny, kind, fierce... everything he wished for in a woman.

"It's sweet seeing you like this." Mary smiled sweetly. It had been a long time, and after hurting Fred when they broke up she was rooting hard for him to find love again.

"And a party might be exactly what you need." She wiggled her eyebrows, knowing very well how a bit of alcohol could help him loosen up.

"What do you mean? There are coming tons of other guys that she might like, the competition is going to kill me." Fred said insecurely, already fearing all these handsome men preying on the girl he liked.

"There's no competition if she only has eyes for you." Mary pointed out playfully.

"Come, time to party!" FP walked into the apartment in his costume and playfully wrapped his arms around Poppy and Alice, who were done dressing up too.

"So, we have The Joker, Catwoman and Wonderwoman... how cute." Hermione looked at the three in awe, loving to see them together again. It was like old times.

"Let me take a picture of the three of you." She grabbed her disposable camera and smiled.

"You make a cute Snow White, Mione." FP said, looking at her adorable costume.

"I didn't know Snow White dated Mary Poppins." Alice teased, when she noticed the costume Mary was wearing. They looked adorable together.

"Get in there." Hermione gestured for her fiance to get in the shot as well.