Second chance a new choice

Halloween Mayhem

October thirty-first arrived.

In the Great Hall, bats darted between floating candles, giant webs glittered with crystal spiders, and huge pumpkins lined the tables and leered with spooky magnificence at the students. At the strike of nine, as everyone received dessert, self-activating fireworks stuffed inside each pumpkin would blow. But only three Gryffindor boys knew that.

Orange and black confetti littered the teachers' table, and striking black curtains hung behind it. Only two Slytherins knew, tucked behind that curtain lay a cage, humming with a half-dozen Doxies. Honey – just enough to attract honey-loving Doxies – dotted the nearest teacher's chair.

In the halls, skeletons wearing old shackles slumped in corners. Extra candles floated everywhere – some black instead of the customary white. In the dungeons – on the side of the castle opposite Spinner's office – was a faint, ominous rummaging.

"You're sure it's safe?" Lily wrinkled her nose as the small troll Severus lured from the forest hammered its cage bars and grumbled a wave of foul breath at her.

"I would never put students in danger," said Severus. "I've put wards around the troll. If it comes too close to anyone under seventeen – except for you and I – it'll fall over."

"That's clever."

"Have you set the hourglass?"

Lily nodded. "Alarm's ready."

"Good. I'll meet you soon – after it's done."

"Take care, Sev!" Lily poked him. "Or I'll make you pay."

"Your disappointment would be payment enough."

Lily blushed and tiptoed closer. She kissed him on the cheek. "For luck," she whispered.

Severus' other cheek still burned from the kiss planted there some weeks ago. His heart leapt, and for the first time in his life the urge to dance in happiness rose. He shook it off, but Lily's sweet chuckle made it difficult. Concentrate on the mission.

He tried to say something but didn't and turned away before emotion took over.

A self-satisfied smirk crossed Lily's face as she caught his flicker of joy.

"'Bout time, Reg," Penelope said as Regulus shoveled through his dinner of kidney pie and baked potato.

"You really wanna do this?" Regulus muttered through his last mouthful.

Penelope nodded.

"Guess I'll be off." He squeezed Penelope's hand. "You take care, Pen."

"No, you take care. I couldn't forgive myself if you got hurt because of me." Sincere concern filled Penelope.

Regulus' chest swelled in happiness. I'll get the job done, don't you worry. He squeezed her hand once more before sneaking from the Great Hall. But all the happiness in the world couldn't dull the edge of bitterness. I'm not the one she feels that way toward...

Where are they? Remus scanned the tables. The farther he got without seeing the Marauders, Severus or Lily, the more scared he became. Something's wrong. Really wrong. What're they up to? Oh no... Did James talk Sirius and Peter into trying to apprehend Severus again?

Appetite gone, and overwhelmed by a sense of urgency, Remus left the Hall.

Peter skittered across Spinner's office windowsill, awaiting his signal.

Simple plan – get in, open the door for Sirius.

Wait. Pace. Wait.

Severus took a different route. Since he'd occupied Spinner's office for a year, he knew alternatives to entering through the front. His chosen entrance led through the private quarters of the Defence teacher. Fewer wards protected it. Spinner won't expect anyone else to know about this route.