Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween
“James? James!?” Lily shouted as she rushed up the stairs, trying to catch her breath as she did so. Where was he when she needed him? “James?” She repeated as she stepped into their shared bedroom. “Oh. There you are.” Lily sighed as she stared at the scene before her.
On their bed was James. Lying flat out in fancy dress, with a sleeping Harry tucked into his side. Harry had one bare foot, and was half dressed. They must have had a battle.
Lily smiled to herself as she tiptoed over to her sleeping beauties. She bent down so her face was right in line with James’ ear. “Boo.” she said.
“ARGH!” James bolted upright, eyes wide and glasses askew on his face. “WHAT?! WHERE?! WHO?!” He asked, breath heaving. Lily laughed, unable to contain herself. James looked around in shock. “You?! Lily, how could you?!” he pouted, folding his arms across his chest. Lily righted herself and wiped the corners of her eyes.
“Sorry love, I couldn’t resist.” She padded over to the end of the bed, where James was now sitting. She set his glasses straight again, placing a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose. James hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her down towards him.
“James!” Lily laughed, letting out a small squeal as the two of them tumbled back onto the bed. “Honestly- I gave you a job to do! I’ve got to go and get everything ready.” she chastised jokingly, turning over to scoop a babbling Harry into her arms. “And you, mister. You had a job to do. And you let your dada fall asleep!” She smiled at him, stroking his head. Harry grinned his toothless grin contentedly.
“How long until they all arrive?” James asked, gently moving a loose strand of hair out of Lily’s face. He gazed at her lovingly. “About forty five minutes.” Lily supplied, sitting up once more. “So get a move on.”.
Getting up off the bed, Lily passed Harry back to James. She looked him up and down. He was wearing a brown suit with black shoes and gloves. And amidst his mop of black hair, a pair of rudimentary antlers stuck up. In his arms, the bundle that was Harry was half dressed in a pale brown all in one. He was also meant to have a mini pair of antlers - but evidently things hadn’t got that far yet.
Lily stepped back over to the two of them and reached up to place another kiss on James’ cheek. “You look great. Now get this one dressed and come and help me prepare.” Lily instructed, stroking Harry’s head again before turning and making her way down the stairs.
Lily pottered around the kitchen, making sure the buffet and drinks were set up. She peered around at the elaborate decorations that she and James had put up earlier the same day. Black cobwebs were hanging from the ceiling, plastic spiders were strewn around the house, and pumpkins littered every room. They had done Halloween properly this year.
Lily had just finished adding chocolate spiders to the buffet table when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock and frowned. Twenty minutes early.
She opened the door to a smiling punk rocker and a grinning academic. “Remus! Sirius!” She grinned, opening her arms to embrace them both. “You’re early!” She remarked, taking in their costumes. Remus had donned Sirius’ beloved leather jacket, a Sex Pistols tshirt, a pair of old wrecked jeans and some classic battered Doc Martens. Sirius, on the other hand, had gone full Remus. He was wearing a beige cable-knit cardigan, a pair of dark corduroy trousers, a plain whit shirt and there were a couple of books in his hand. They had come as each other. “Brilliant.” Lily stated, opening the door wider for them to come through.
Sirius placed a bottle of wine on the kitchen counter. “I’m not sure about this look, but I’ve decided I’m rocking it for tonight.” he remarked, gesturing down at his attire. “This one, on the other hand…” Sirius trailed off, gesturing at Remus with a raised eyebrow. Remus blushed deeply, pulling the sleeves of the leather jacket over his hands. “You look great, babe.” Sirius smiled lovingly at his partner.
Lily smiled as she watched them. “Thanks for coming, you both look absolutely stunning. Feel free to help yourself to some snacks. I’ve just got to go up and get changed, but James and Harry should be down in a minute.” she explained before heading upstairs once more.
“James, love, Sirius and Remus are downstairs” Lily told him as she walked into their bedroom. James’ face lit up. “Oh, great! C’mon Harry, let's go show Uncle Padfoot and Uncle Moony your costume.” He said, picking Harry up and whisking him out of the room.
Lily grinned as she heard the loud laughter and exclamations coming from the kitchen. She picked up the dress she had laid out on the dresser and put it on. James had insisted on coordinating the costumes for the family, and secretly, Lily loved it. She looked at her outfit in the mirror, taking in the pale brown dress and matching boots. Lily placed a headband with a pair of antlers on her head and smiled to herself. Her face was aching already.
As she made her way downstairs, the doorbell rang again. She opened the door to greet the next guests. It was Marlene and Dorcas. “Hiya Lils!” Dorcas greeted, leaning in and gathering Lily in their arms. Marlene gave Lily a kiss on the cheek. “Oh wow- you look amazing!” She said, looking down at Lily’s dress.
“Thanks Marls! You look gorgeous! Both of you” Lily replied, stepping back to let the two of them in. They had also gone for a couples costume, but of the more traditional kind. Dorcas was wearing a fitted suit that was completely white, tall heels on their feet. Their frizzy brown hair held up a thin white halo. Marlene, true to herself, was the devil to Dorcas’ angel. She wore a figure hugging bright red dress, a pair of tall red heels to match. There was a pair of red horns nestled amongst her blonde hair, and vivid red lipstick on her lips.
Dorcas and Marlene walked past her into the kitchen, starting up a new round of chatter. Lily was about to close the door when Peter appeared. “Hiya Lily!” He said, smiling his crooked little smile. “Hiya Pete” She replied, letting him through. He had decided to come as their old headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Lily stifled a laugh as Peter nearly tripped over his fake beard as he made his way into the kitchen.
Lily walked through to the chatter from the living room, finding people in all corners of her kitchen. James had been answering the door, and several other people had arrived. She spotted Frank and Alice in the corner dressed as Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, with a tiny Neville in their arms dressed up in a tiny suit, as Moriarty. Lily giggled to herself. Over by the buffet table, she spied Mary and Emmeline, as a vampire and a vampire hunter. Which might make more sense if they hadn’t been sucking each other’s face off.
At some point, classic Halloween party music had started playing, and people had begun dancing. Dorcas and Marlene were doing the monster mash in one corner of the room, while James and Frank talked animatedly about something Lily couldn’t quite make out. Fabian and Gideon appeared in the doorway, dressed as Victorian Gentlemen. Lily didn’t want to know where they got that idea.
Lily relaxed into the flow of the party, quietly monitoring everyone’s activities. She passed James a couple of times, having a kiss placed on her cheek without fail each time. She was having fun.
“Heya Lils. Great party. Are you having fun?” Remus appeared at her side, holding a cup in his hand. Lily realised for the first time that he was wearing black nail polish. He had really committed to his role as Sirius. “Yeah I am. Are you?” She replied, nudging him with her shoulder as she took a sip from her own cup. Remus’ face crinkled into a smile. “I am.” he answered, looking around at the room. “Thanks for putting this on. I don’t usually like Halloween, but it’s nice to have something fun.” He said, a smile still plastered on his face. “Thanks for coming. You look great, Rem.” Lily said, resting her head on Remus’ shoulder. She watched as James danced around to Thriller with Harry in his arms and Sirius at his side.
Lily felt herself sigh with joy as she realised how happy she was. She should’ve known she would get soppy with all her friends gathered in one place. Lily decided she was allowed to be soppy, just this once. “Love you.” She whispered, nudging Remus again. Remus took hold of her hand and gently squeezed. “Love you too Lils,” he said quietly, “Happy Halloween”.