Moonlit Feasts and Magical Beasts
Reese found herself caught in the swift current of time, carried away by a torrent of relentless obligations. The passing of the subsequent fortnight resembled a dizzying blur, where moments blended seamlessly into one another. Like a skilled tightrope walker, she navigated the precarious balance between her unyielding workload, intense study sessions, and a self-imposed seclusion that shielded her from the clamor of the world beyond her close-knit circle of companions.
As Halloween drew near, an undeniable sense of foreboding permeated the air, casting an eerie shroud over the landscape. The impending arrival of this macabre holiday manifested as a specter on the horizon, its menacing aura growing more palpable with each passing day. And as if in collusion with the sinister atmosphere, the full moon ascended, its radiant disc looming above like a witness to the impending terror, foreshadowing another bone-chilling and excruciating night that mirrored the torment of its forerunner.
On a crisp October day, Reese made a deliberate choice to immerse herself in the nurturing embrace of the Gryffindor common room, seeking solace and intellectual camaraderie. The room, suffused with an aura of ancient wisdom and vibrant energy, offered a sanctuary from the tumultuous world outside its doors. Bathed in the warm glow of the crackling hearth, Reese, Lacey, and Lavender engaged in their own study session, although the term "studying" seemed somewhat inadequate to describe their activities—more-so tutoring.
Meanwhile, Hermione, a luminary in her own right, was consumed by a different narrative. She embarked on her own ventures alongside the inseparable duo of Ron and Harry, their minds ensnared by a tapestry of mysteries that extended far beyond the confines of textbooks and parchment. Together, they embarked on a daring quest, fueled by insatiable curiosity and an unwavering commitment to justice. In the face of dark forces that threatened to unravel their world, they stood resolute, their attention absorbed by the enigmatic riddles that lay before them. Reese had no idea what the hell those enigmatic riddles may include, but it consumed them nonetheless.
A collective sigh of frustration wafted through the air as Lavender's whine pierced the tranquil ambiance of the Gryffindor common room. "I don't get it!" With a pout etched upon her lips, she bemoaned the futility of their current pursuit. "Reese, we don't even need to learn this rubbish. It's not like we're getting quizzed on it."
"Yes, we are!" Reese reminded her yet again.
"Don't worry, Lavender," Seeking to assuage Lavender's doubts, Lacey, her quill gliding a doodle idly across the parchment where she was supposed to be writing an essay, interjected with serene confidence. "We'll be the smartest Gryffindors!"
"That seems like a lot of work, I reckon."
Reese groaned, "Guys, we have to get this done. Try to focus."
"Hello, ladies!" Amidst the backdrop of collective exasperation, a vibrant voice cut through the air, infusing the scene with a jolt of spirited energy. Dean, the embodiment of lighthearted charisma, bounded into their midst with a melody of greetings dancing on his lips. He leaped effortlessly over a sofa, his presence injecting a burst of vivacity into the otherwise somber atmosphere. With a mischievous grin, he playfully ruffled Reese's hair, only to be met with a swift swat, a testament to her exasperation.
"Sod off," Reese admonished, her voice a delicate blend of resignation and irritation, the timbre echoing with a tinge of fond familiarity.
"What are we doing?" Undeterred, Dean positioned himself with nonchalant ease, maneuvering between Lacey and Lavender, his limbs sprawling languidly in a display of relaxed nonchalance. In a swift motion, Reese snatched her cherished books away from the encroaching vicinity of his carefree feet, preserving their sanctity upon her lap.
"Wasting our time," Lavender bemoaned the tedium of their tasks, lamenting the waste of their precious lives. "This is so boring!"
"Hush, take out the Standard Book of Spells." Reese said levelly.
Lavender frowned and flipped open her textbook. Dean tilted his head in thoughtful consideration, his eyes dancing with a curiosity that mirrored the flickering flames of the hearth. "Hey, no one invited me to this study session,"
"Well, it's not like you've accepted one before." Reese countered while patiently assisting Lacey in finding the correct page.
"Hm, well, I don't have that book with me," Dean said, his tone casual as he scooted closer to Lacey and peered over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of her textbook. Lacey quickly turned away, guarding her pages from his prying eyes.
"Reese, tell Dean Thomas that I am not speaking to him until he admits that Quidditch is better than football," Lacey declared with a determined tone, her eyes fixed on the words in her book.
Dean groaned in exasperation, throwing his head back dramatically. "I can't believe you're still upset about that!"
"Say it!" Lacey, undeterred by his resistance, stood firm in her conviction, her voice a resolute declaration.
"It's not a big deal—" Dean began to argue, but Reese, feeling the pulsing ache in her head, interjected impatiently.
"Dean," Reese sighed, "Just—say it, so we can get back to work."
"What is football, anyway?" Lavender chimed in. "Is that, like, a muggle thing?"
Dean grinned, ready to extol the virtues of his beloved sport. "It's only the greatest sport on Earth—"
"Take it back!"
"Alright, Lacey, I take it back." Dean feigned surrender before shooting a smug glance at Reese. "Quidditch is better than football."
He whispered to Reese, "She's the second person to fight with me about football and Quidditch just this week!"
As twilight descended upon the dormitory, Hermione materialized, her presence an enchanting addition to the dimly lit chamber. Her gaze, like a restless comet, traversed the room, exploring the countenances of her companions with a sense of purpose and contemplation.
"Where've you been?" Lacey inquired, idly shuffling a deck of cards that had failed to entice any of them into a game. Hermione, her fingers rifling through the contents of her wardrobe in search of suitable pajamas, paused momentarily.
"Yeah, I thought you'd be with Harry—or Ron," Reese's voice dripped with acrimony, more than she intended. Hermione let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'm not speaking with them."
"Why?" Lacey probed, her head hanging down from her bed, her eyes trained on Hermione's pacing figure.
"They're reckless! They are always getting into trouble, never thinking before acting, it's rubbish!"
Lavender yawned, "I'd deal with that to be able to hang with those boys all the time, too—"
"Did you see that kid get a Nimbus Two Thousand?" Lacey spluttered, sitting up and stuffing the cards into their box. "Who could buy that for him? He hasn't got any parents—"
"Lacey," Lavender chided, "that's rude."
"Sorry," she mumbled. That was the last word for the night.
With a sense of urgency gnawing at his core, Dean hastened to Reese's side, his features etched with concern, deepening the lines upon his forehead.
"You should help me find Hermione." Dean implored, his words laced with an undeniable urgency. "Neville said she hadn't been around all afternoon, and Parvati Patil is encouraging that she'd been seen weeping for hours in the common room."
"Did you check?"
"Lacey did, she's not there. Either Hermione disappeared rather quickly or it was just a rubbish rumor."
Her face twisted in contemplation. "Alright, we have some time before dinner."
Amidst the winding corridors of the ancient castle, they embarked on a relentless quest to unravel the enigma of Hermione's absence. Every nook and cranny became their canvas, as they meticulously scoured the forgotten alcoves, the forgotten sanctuaries of knowledge, and the forgotten chambers of solace. Yet, like a wisp of elusive magic, Hermione remained a specter, evading their fervent pursuit with each passing moment.
His anxious gaze flitted across the expanse of his lower lip, nibbling at the fringes of uncertainty. "Maybe she's already in the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast," he suggested, his words laced with a hint of longing.
"Are you sure that's not just you wanting to go to dinner?" Reese eyed him knowingly and he nudged her arm.
"Come on, get on with it."
Immersed in the symphony of animated conversations that reverberated within the cavernous Great Hall, the air itself seemed to hum with anticipation. The tantalizing fragrance of delectable dishes wafted through the air, teasing their olfactory senses. Dean and Reese, having explored the castle's labyrinthine corridors in their quest for Hermione, finally discovered respite at an unoccupied spot amidst the sea of third-year students. To their astonishment, the mischievous countenances of Ron's identical twin brothers greeted them from across the table, their eyes glinting with mischief and mirth.
"Why, I believe those are Ronnie's friends, wouldn't you say, Georgie?" one of them commented airily. Dean and Reese exchanged peculiar looks.
"Yes, I'd say so, Freddie. They look particularly first-year-ish." replied the other, raising a sardonic eyebrow.
Reese's eyebrows pinched quizzically while Dean wasted no time engaging, "Yes, we're Ronnie's friends,"
Reese rolled her eyes at the nickname he was endorsing, as Dean introduced themselves, "I'm Dean—Thomas, that's Reese," he paused and nudged her in the side.
"Oh, Lupin." Reese finished.
"Nice to meet you, 'Oh, Lupin'." responded the other teasingly.
Dean laughed and Reese tried to manage a polite smile. "I don't know where, er, Ronnie is. If you're looking for him."
Dean was reaching for seconds and spooning some more glazed carrots onto his plate. "He's only 'round Hermione and Harry, isn't he?"
"Oh, that's right." George and Fred chimed together, their synchronicity somewhat unnerving. "Little Ronnie is just over there."
They peered across the table towards the front—Ron, Harry, but no Hermione. Reese and Dean seemed to have the same realization. They both shared looks of mutual apprehension just as twenty live bats from the ceiling swooped down between the tables, making several first-years shriek.
The twins snickered, "Every year.”
"Do you think they make nests in students' hair, or no—because magic?" Dean whispered, completely tone deaf to just how loudly he was speaking, and she nudged him in the ribs when Fred and George raised their brows amusedly.
"Bloody hell," Dean muttered, a mixture of surprise and concern etched on his face as Professor Quirrell, looking rather disheveled, collapsed in the middle of the room. They hadn't even heard what he had said, their attention consumed by the bats' chaotic descent.
Amidst the uproar and chaos that ensued, Professor Dumbledore's commanding voice rang out, slicing through the clamor like a beacon of authority. It took several hollering orders from the venerable headmaster to restore a semblance of order among the startled students. In the midst of the commotion, Percy Weasley swiftly rose from his seat, his demeanor filled with a sense of duty as he ushered them out of their seats, guiding them towards the designated exit.
"Where are we going?" Dean's alarmed question was swallowed by the cacophony of panicked students, their clamoring voices drowning out his words. The frenzied atmosphere enveloped them as students scrambled to leave their seats, desperately seeking an escape from the unsettling scene that had unfolded. The sense of urgency propelled them forward, swept along by the surging tide of their peers, their destination unknown amidst the chaos.
"Gryffindors, follow me! Gryffindors, hurry up! No need to dilly—excuse me, I am a Prefect!"
Dean made sure Reese walked in front of him until they reached the Gryffindor common room to ensure she wouldn’t straggle behind, and Reese had managed to stay acutely aware of where Lacey and Lavender were.
Lacey swung her legs on Reese's bed, her incredulousness palpable. "Can you believe it? A troll! I've never even laid eyes on one before."
Lavender chimed in, equally aghast. "Why would anyone want to? The big, ugly thing could crush you."
In that precise moment, the door emitted a low, melancholic creak, and Hermione cautiously peeked into the room, her eyes filled with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. A synchronized chorus of "Hermione!" reverberated through the air, and Hermione smiled coyly.
"Hello, everyone," Hermione greeted with a touch of weariness in her voice, as if the weight of her recent escapade still weighed heavily over her shoulders.
"Where've you been? Dean and I looked everywhere and Parvati said—"
"I'm alright, really, I just got caught up. I, um, thought I could stop the troll—I was wrong."
"Blimey," Lacey, her eyes wide with astonishment, shook her head in disbelief, encapsulating the collective sentiment of the group, "what a sucky Halloween all around."