Crescent Moons ; J.S. Potter

5. halloween celebrations.

Daisy loved being a Prefect — except on Halloween night. Something about the gloomy night left students rebelling. She knew of five parties that were happening that night and she refused to participate in any of them.

Hogwarts curfew was at 10 o'clock in the evening and it was now 10:30. Daisy had already walked into three couples snogging in the corridors and she was ready to get to bed. Unfortunately, she spotted a Gryffindor student coming out of a dark classroom, just as she turned a corner

"Hey!" she called. "Why're you out this late at night?"

The student turned and Daisy realised he was James. She groaned.

"I had detention," he said, jogging towards her. "Longbottom forgot about the time."

"Fine, then head to bed."

He raised his eyebrows at her and cocked his head; he seemed quite interested for a reason that Daisy knew not.

"You're really going to go to bed this early?" questioned James. "Don't you know what tonight is?"

"I know it's Halloween but I don't understand all the partying," said Daisy, continuing to walk to the Gryffindor common room. James was stubborn, however, and he kept following her. "Why tonight? Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday."

"C'mon! It's tradition! Look, Daisy, the nearest Gryffindor party is in the Room of Requirement and it started around half an hour ago. I promise you you'll have a good time."

"No, I think you'll have a good time," said Daisy, attempting to walk away but James grabbed her arm. "Just go have fun, Potter. I'm sure you'll find a bunch of other girls to keep you company."

"What if I want you to keep me company?"

"Too bad."

"Do we have a problem here?" said a raspy voice. Both Daisy and James turned around and saw a very irritated-looking Filch coming their way.

"Er - no, not at all," said James.

"I don't believe you," said Filch. "Of course, it's a Potter. Do you know how many times I've got your father and his little friends trying to weasel themselves out of trouble? I won't let it happen again. I'm thinking a week's detention, maybe even led by me if the Headmistress gives me special permission."

"Oh, come on, just let me be with Hagrid!" argued James. "Maybe even Professor Longbottom!"

"Not a chance —"

"Wait!" exclaimed Daisy. She held up her Prefect's badge to Filch. "He — he's with me. I'm bringing him back from detention and making sure he doesn't cause any more trouble. We're heading back to our common room."

Filch looked at her menacingly, then her badge, then at James, his eyes filled with hatred.

"Fine but just this once," he said, turning away annoyedly. "Don't think you've seen the last of me, Potter!"

James sighed in relief.

"You saved my life."

"It was only some detention."

"Once, I had detention with Filch in second year," said James, practically shivering, "and he made me remove every speck of dust in Hagrid's hut."

"Wow, that's ... brutal."

James shrugged and began walking in the opposite direction of the common room. Daisy widened her eyes and ran after him. Once she had caught up with him, they were closer to the Room of Requirement than the Gryffindor common room.