Halloween costumes

Lily and James Potter fanfic

“Lily! Lily!”, Hestia Jones burst into the room. Lily Evans, her best friend, was sitting on her bed in the dormitory and reading a book. As Hestia called her name, she looked at her and asked: “Hestia, calm down. What is it?” “I've got a costume for you!” Hestia was beaming. Lily frowned. Of course, the party. A few days ago, Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, had announced that the usual feast that took place at Halloween would be replaced by a costume party this year. Everybody had been happy about this – except Lily. She hated parties, especially those where she had to wear a mask which made it hard for her to breathe. As well, it was useless to conceal her face if her dark, red, unique hair made her very recognizable, face hidden or not. “Look, you're gonna be Red Riding Hood!” Lily laughed. “How do you know about that Muggle story?” Hestia's eyebrow nearly vanished underneath her hair. “Lily, you know that I've been sitting next to you for nearly five years in Muggle studies? And we've already covered Muggle fairytales.” Of course, Hestia was right. As always. “Ok then. But I'm not going to attend this party, so there is no need for a costume. I'm sorry, Hestia.” “Oh yes, you should be. Definitely. And you are going to come with me, in your costume and wearing your mask. Do I need to tell you why?” Lily sighed. “Go on. Tell me.” Because Sam Sheperd, the boy you're in love with, will be there, too. Dressed as a wolf.” Suddenly, Lily was in a hurry to be ready in time.

The party took place in the great hall, which was already crowded with students and teachers, dressed up as monsters, the Muggle version of vampires, pumpkins, bats, and ghosts. The difference between a real ghost and a fake one was easy to tell. Lily was craning her neck, looking for a hint of fur which might show her where Sam was. He was a Hufflepuff, so she didn't know when he left his common room. Hestia, as a mummy, was looking around, too. She wasn't looking for somebody but just staring at all the costumes and wondering who might be underneath the mask. She was still the first one to see Sam, a tall guy covered in fur and wearing a mask with a wolf's snout. She pointed him out at Lily and then vanished into the crowd. Lily straightened up her hood and made her way to Sam. She wasn't as recognizable as she thought, her hair was completely covered by the hood.

“Hello”, she said, trying to sound misty and mysterious. The wolf turned to her and smiled. The mask didn't cover the lower half of his face, just as hers did. “Hi”, he said. “And who are you?” She grinned and shook her head. Then she said: “Red Riding Hood. I hope you're not gonna eat me.” “What the heck is Red Riding Hood? You know more than I do!”, he complained. She laughed and began to tell the fairytale. “Once upon a time...” He listened attentive. Then he laughed. “I'm sorry, but I can't make any promises. You look far too yummy! Wanna dance?” She nodded happily and followed him onto the dance floor. He was good at dancing. She must have looked like an idiot next to him, like a mummy hopelessly shaking her head showed her. But it was great fun, and finally there was the very thing she had waited for. A slow dance. Gleefully she sank into his arms. They turned slowly on the spot, swinging from one side to the other. He was taller than in her memory. She frowned. As the song was over and a faster one started, she led him out in the entry hall. “Who are you? Are you really Sam Sheperd?” The wolf shook his head and took off the mask. It was James Potter, the boy she hated the most, Head Boy. “Potter! Why did you do that? Where is Sam?” She was trying to look over his shoulder to find out where Sam was. “Lily, please, listen. Let me explain. You know how much I like you, Merlin, the whole school knows. Professor Dumbledore told me to hurry up yesterday, or you would be in love with someone else.” “Well, you're too late!”, Lily snapped. James sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Merlin, how she hated this movement. “I promise that this is my last try. I persuaded Sheperd to change costumes, told him that it was a bet. He believed it. S now I'm here, as a wolf, you're Red Riding Hood and.... I'm sorry, Lily. I'll leave you alone from now on. I hope you're gonna be happy with Sheperd. He's a bat. Bye, Lily” He kissed her, softly, just on the cheek. The look in his eyes was heartbreaking. It made her wanting to run after him, tell him that she was sorry, that it was her fault and that she loved him as well. But she couldn't. The kiss, the shock had paralysed her and as soon as she was able to move again, she remembered why she hated James Potter. The strange feeling was over.

She returned to the party, but she wasn't in the right mood any more. She found Sam, but something stopped her to go over and talk to him. She just went to bed and cried herself to sleep.

Hestia waked her the next morning. “Lily, dear, what is it? What happened yesterday? What happened to Sam? I saw you dancing – you really have to practice – but suddenly he was gone and it was just you, completely alone. Please, tell me. Merlin, why did you cry?” Lily had looked at her friend which had forced Hestia to ask that last question. Lily could just imagine what she looked like. Maybe a vampire, a real one, with deep red eyes. “Oh Hestia! It wasn't Sam! It was James! He mocked on me, just as he always does. Told me again that he loves me. As if I wouldn't know...” Hestia sighed. “I never understood why you don't give him a chance. He is really cute, you know, good looking, smart and funny. A lot of girls would commit a murder to be in your position!” If last night hadn't happened, Lily would have given Hestia a list of reasons, longer than all the homework she had done over the years. But now, nothing came to her head. “I don't know”, she said feebly. “So why are you still here?”, Hestia shouted. “Go on, ask him for a date! Kiss him! Marry him! Whatever you do is good, as long as you don't just sit here, crying!” She was right. Lily jumped of her bed, sprinted down the staircase – and she was lucky. She bumped right into James who was just leaving his dormitory. “James!”, she cried. He didn't look at her. “Sorry, it was my fault”, he muttered and wanted to leave. She grabbed his sleeve. “No, James, wait. I have to talk to you.” He still didn't look at her. “I told you last night, I won't try any more. She shook her head. “Because you don't have to.” Now he looked at her, puzzled. She kissed him. He was surprised, but that wore off quickly. He put his arms around her and returned the kiss.