1. Maraudering Around at Halloween
The Original Marauders
James Potter nearly pinched himself when he approached the entrance to Gryffindor tower. The sight wasn't one he was usually accustomed to. It was even more fiendish than the decorations that Hagrid and Flickwick had spent yesterday evening putting up. Stood there, blocking the way to the portrait hole, was his cousins. Not just that though, the three women were wearing odd outfits. Delphine's dress had patches on it, her hair was messier than his and she had an ugly scar painted on her face. Taurina had her hair pulled up in a tight bun, was wearing black robes, half-moon spectacles were sliding off her nose and she had what seemed to be McGonagall's hat on her head. Feather included. Lastly was Daffodille who didn't have her usual glasses on. In fact, the only thing that was close to that was sat on her head. Goggles. Something that she usually wore on the Quidditch pitch. Speaking of which, she was wearing the Quidditch robes of her favourite professional team. The Holyhead Harpies. In her right hand she was holding her Cleanswept. Her left, however, was surprisingly empty.
"What the hell are you lot doing?" He eyed the three in suspicion, taking in their appearance. James suddenly felt under dressed as his other two cousins joined the group. Ryder was wearing long dress robes with a cape over his back and his teeth seemed to have pointed ends. Christopher looked like he was dressed up like Dumbledore, beard and pointed hat. Even his Eagle was perched on his shoulder, his feathers had obviously been transfigurated red. James wondered if this was to mimic a Phoenix. Of course it would take a lot for an Eagle to imitate such a feiry bird.
"Slughorn's decided to throw a Halloween party. A costumed one too," Taurina didn't sound particularly fond of the idea. James wondered why she was even participating anyway. "I remembered the Howler from Mum. She and Dad are insistent that I go to the little events that Slughorn throws." Despite him being her Head of House, Taurina wasn't really fond of Slughorn. This was probably why she was dressed like a mini McGonagall in the first place. "I didn't what I was meant to go as anyway. I mean, it was Evans who suggested going as Professor McGonagall since..." Taurina trailed off, a light pink dusting along her cheeks. It was not secret that she respected McGonagall since she excelled at Transfiguration. "I asked her to borrow this hat."
"I think it's a brilliant costume," Delphine grinned softly just as Lily Evans stepped out of the portrait hole. The red head was wearing an odd outfit. A long shirt with a frilly sort of top. Her long locks was pulled back into a bun and on her hands, she wore leather brown gloves. In her hands, she held a white parasol with frilly ends.
"Ah, I see you're dressed as Beatrice Potter." Christopher, the bookworm, pointed out with a smile. "You look great," he added making her visibly blush. James didn't like that. Not only did his cousin have better grades than him, was the better Chaser but he had made the love of his life blush.
"Whose this Beatrice Potter and why has she stolen our surname?" Ryder chorused in a puzzled tone. Normally he was very clever at common things but this just had him out of sorts.
"She's a Muggle author," Daffodille replied before his brother could. "Beatrice is more known for her character Peter Rabbit whose a real rabbit. It's a children's story. As for the surname, I hear that Potter is a popular name." Lily nodded her approval and James thought that Daffodille wasn't being herself. It was as though she was speaking like the red head or she was still taking Muggle Studies.
"Oh, so that was what you were reading the other day? That rabbit was wearing a blue jacket," an excited voice from behind James called. He turned to see a grinning Padfoot, Moony deeply interested in a book and Wormtail hiding behind Padfoot, sneaking shy glances over to Delphine. The blonde appeared to have not noticed Peter's gazes or was ignoring him on purpose. Delphine knew of his little crush but didn't seem to indulge him at all. Nothing like the Hufflepuff she was.
"We'd best be off," Daffodille announced after she and Sirius had engaged in an awkward game of staring. She, Lily and Delphine led the way down to the dungeons. Taurina glared at a squirming Wormtail, whilst Ryder and Christopher gave an odd look over to Sirius. He and Daffodille had recently broken up after all.
"So that's why Regulus and his girlfriend were dressed in odd outfits," Padfoot had commented as soon as they were inside of the common room. He explained that Regulus was dressed like an aristocrat and Anastacia was wearing a deep purple dress robe. The two looked elegant together. Not that Sirius cared of course. Although, he was originally meant to be going too. If weren't for the fact he didn't want things to be awkward between. Daffodille decided to ask Ryder instead after their last heated exchange of words.
"Delphine depicted a Werewolf after changing back in their human half perfectly." Remus softly commented settling himself on the sofa. Wormtail was sat shivering next to him, staring longingly at the fireplace. The fire was flickering and cracking now and then.
"Evans looked bloody gorgeous," James stated, a gleam of gold in his hand. The golden snitch sprouted wings and flew around his head. He caught it again with lazy ease, letting the wings flutter feebly in his clasped hand.
"Well she did a good job of her costume," Moony agreed not looking up from his book. His eyes then looked at the clock and then at his prefect badge. "I'll be back later. I forgot I had prefect duty tonight." With that said, Remus scrambled through the portrait hole once more.
"Daffy looked fucking brilliant," Sirius muttered to no one in particular. He didn't meet Prongs' eyes as he said that and it was very obvious why. Despite not being a couple anymore, Padfoot still held a candle for James' cousin. It was apparent that Daffodille had moved on, however. Although none of them that she had a secret boyfriend and hadn't told them because she knew that James would disapprove of it.
That night it was even thought about. Daffodille was having too much fun with her friends to give it a second thought.
