Halloween was Remus’s favorite holiday. It was the one day where he actually looked forward to the party that would come at night, and he adored costume shopping.
So just like every year, he and the other Marauders went shopping together and found the perfect costumes. Sirius and James dressed up as Dumbledore and Mcgonagall, Peter as a disturbingly realistic tree, and Remus as the Phantom of the opera.
You weren’t as obsessed as Remus, but you did enjoy the holiday. You went to a party here and there with your friends, and usually dressed up, but that was the extent of it. Even as a child you didn't go trick or treating since your parents were always working.
However, like tradition, you and your two friends, Lacy and Genevieve, went costume shopping together. Lacy was dressed up as a fairy, Genevieve as a quidditch player, though you weren’t sure which, and you were dressed as Christine from Phantom of The Opera.
You were sure no one would get the reference. Wizards and witches usually weren’t brushed up on Muggle media, and it had just come out. But you just couldn’t help yourself. Christine’s dress was beautiful and when you saw a replica in a shop you had to have it.
Before the party, you and your friends got ready in your dorm. Lacy was covered head-to-toe with glitter— which matched your room that was also now completely covered in glitter. Even if you cleaned it with magic, you knew you’d be finding specks of glitter for months.
The great hall was packed with people in costumes. Even Dumbledore was dressed up as an astronaut. The hall was also beautiful, with floating pumpkins and gorey decorations. They even had someone playing an organ– or maybe it was charmed– you had no clue as there wasn’t an organ in sight. Genevieve made a beeline for the drink table, pulling you and Lacy along with her.
“Think anyone has spiked this yet?” Gen asks with an evil glint in her eye.
“Of course we have, gotta be quicker than that.” You and your friends turn around to see James and Sirius dressed up as.. Dumbledore and Mcgonagall.
“Interesting couple’s costume.” Gen responds with a smirk. “What’d you put in there?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” James crosses his arms (getting a fair amount of beard hair in between). Lacy reaches over and grabs a cup, quickly downing it.
“Tequila?” She asks. The boys stare at her and Sirius nods.
“Well we’ve got firewhiskey in our dorm, party in the dungeons tonight, see you there?” The boys smile and nod.
“See you there, ladies.” James replies.
“Hey aren’t you dressed up as that one girl from that one musical?” The raven haired boy asks, pointing at you.
“Oh, yeah, Christine from The Phantom of the Opera.”
“No way! Moony loves that musical. He’s dressed up as the guy with the mask.” You giggle slightly.
“As the Phantom of the Opera?”
“Yeah, the guy with the mask.” You shake your head at Sirius but don’t respond. Sirius looks around the hall before he locks eyes with someone and waves them over. Before you know it, the Phantom of the Opera.walks over to you. Your jaw drops slightly.
“Hey! Christine!” Your face breaks out into a grin.
“Hi! Oh my gosh, I didn’t think anyone would know my costume! And you’re all dressed up as him!” You fangirl.
“I didn’t think anyone would get it either! Your dress is so similar to the one she wore on broadway.” You nod.
“I know right? I saw it in a window and I couldn’t stop thinking about it so I spent basically all my life’s savings on it.” You laugh nervously.
“I’m glad you did. You look great.” He looks you up and down, taking you all in, before meeting your eyes and freezing. “I mean– um.”
“Do you wanna dance?” You interrupt. He sighs and nods. You grab his hand and pull him away from your friends, whom you may have forgotten about. The dance floor was incredibly crowded, and definitely less romantic as you hoped.
And yes, you hoped. It wasn’t every day that a guy dresses up as the romantic interest of the person you’re dressed up as. You were definitely meant to be. Plus, you’ve always thought Remus was cute. When his hands landed on your waist, it took everything in you not to jump on him right there on the dance floor. Instead you put your hands around his neck and swayed with him.
“Favorite song from the musical?” He hums.
“Hard one, Wishing You Were Somehow Here always makes me cry, but I also love Wandering Child.”
“Extremely great choices.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“Masquerade. It’s just so fun to sing.” He nods.
“You’re right, my Mom and I were singing it nonstop after we saw it.”
“That’s wonderful, I can imagine it now, Remus Lupin and his Mother singing and dancing to Masquerade.” Remus laughs.
“Don’t imagine it. It’s embarrassing to admit it as it is.” He replies playfully. You shake your head.
“I think it’s cute.” A silence falls between you for a moment.
“How long have you known Geneiveve and Lacy?” You glance over at your friends, Lacy was drinking another glass of punch and Gen was flirting with Sirius.
“I’ve known Lacy since we were in diapers. We’re cousins on my Dad’s side, and my Mom is good friends with her Dad— they were both Slytherins back in the day. Gen came along in first year, great thing too, Lacy and I are far too shy to make friends without her.”
“You don’t seem shy.” You blush.
“That’s because I’m talking to you.” He smiles.
“Oh really? Am I special or something?” You roll your eyes.
“Don’t get cocky, Lupin.” You glance over at your friends again, they’re still occupied. “Wanna get out of here?”
“Where would we go?” You hum in thought.
“Bell tower?” He smiles.
“Sure.”