What was a Hogwarts Halloween feast really like?
"I showed up late to last year's," Harry admitted, "and ended up facing a troll in the Great Hall. So I've never actually seen the setup."
"Then we've got that in common!" Ron grinned. "This year, no trolls. We can just dive right in..."
The castle's moving staircases were as unpredictable as ever—some widened or narrowed without warning, others swayed like pendulums, or had steps that vanished mid-stride. Portraits on the walls shifted too, their occupants wandering from frame to frame for a chat. Even the suits of armor joined the fun, clanking their feet in mock marches to spook passersby, perfectly timed for the Halloween mood.
After a few weeks, Luna had mapped out their quirks with a simple sketch. Before Vizette could finish her thought, Luna stepped forward with confidence.
The pair descended at a leisurely pace, like kids playing hopscotch, chatting as they went.
...
The downpour showed no signs of letting up; if anything, it was worsening. Rain lashed the windows in silvery sheets, fat drops like peas tumbling down in a shimmering veil. The grounds around the castle were sodden, a massive puddle pooling on the path to the dungeon.
Ron tiptoed around it. "Fingers crossed there's a fire down there. Otherwise, this is grim..."
Harry sounded doubtful. "Hope they notice us. It's a feast for the ghosts, after all."
Hermione tried to rally them. "Think positive! These are figures from centuries past. Ghosts with real history—fascinating, right?"
Harry sighed. "If Professor Binns shows up, I'll be out cold before I even sit down."
"It could be meaningful," Ron ventured, but Hermione's arched eyebrow made him backpedal. "What d'you reckon the food's like? Got any chicken legs?"
...
"Impervius!" Luna flicked her wand at her robes and boots, repelling the drizzle.
"Your turn!" She aimed at Vizette, casting the charm with exaggerated solemnity.
Vizette tested it by splashing through a puddle; the water beaded up harmlessly, dropping back like tiny marbles. "Spot on," he said, impressed. "You're a natural—better than me already."
Luna beamed, falling into step beside him. The Impervius Charm, straight from The Standard Book of Spells, made the target waterproof—and, if the notes were right, fireproof too. Vizette favored these practical spells over flashy combat ones; they actually made life easier.
A short walk later, they spotted Harry and his friends ahead, picking their way on tiptoes to dodge the splashes.
"Harry! Not at the feast yet?" Vizette called.
Harry turned. "We are—just not the usual one. It's Nick's deathday party."
Vizette nodded. "Sounds momentous. The ghost who invited you must think highly of you."
Harry managed a weak smile. "Nearly Headless Nick's throwing his five-hundredth. He cares, alright."
Hermione eyed their dry feet. "What charm did you use? The water's not touching your shoes."
"Impervius," Vizette explained. "Handy little thing from The Standard Book of Spells. Give it a try."
Moments later, Anthony jogged up. "Vizette! There you are. Penelope was asking—said you were right behind us, but you vanished before the Great Hall. Fred and George are already inside, though."
Their group swelled as they walked, Anthony gesturing wildly. "You won't believe tonight, Vizette. Dumbledore's brought in the Dancing Skeletons..."
At the Great Hall doors, Vizette waved to Harry and the others. "See you later—Happy Halloween!"
"Happy Halloween," they echoed back.
...
Harry and Ron peered into the Great Hall, its warm glow and festive lights pulling at them like a magnet.
Hermione tugged Harry's sleeve. "Nick invited you for a reason. Come on!"
The farther they strayed from the hall, the chillier it grew, warmth leaching from their bones. As they neared the dungeon, a shrill wail set their teeth on edge—ghostly bagpipes, by the sound.
Ron eyed Harry's paling face. "You look like you're auditioning for the undead."
Harry shrugged. "Right back at you."
Ron inhaled sharply—and retched. "Merlin's beard, what is that stench? Rotten eggs and worse!"
A gloomy voice cut in: "Welcome... dear living guests."
Nearly Headless Nick glided into view, his head wobbling on a ruff just shy of decapitation. "I never dreamed you'd come. I'm delighted! This way."
Under Nick's guidance, they slipped into the chamber—and the world turned spectral. Dim blue flames flickered from black-draped walls, eerie dirges filled the air, and translucent ghosts swirled in a macabre waltz overhead. It was a realm of the departed, straight out of a nightmare.
Winter might be weeks off, but each breath fogged the air like cigarette smoke, vanishing into the gloom.
"Brilliant—drumsticks!" Ron bolted to the table, then yelped. "Wait, no—maggots everywhere!"
...
Outside the Great Hall, Hogwarts had embraced Halloween with gusto. Giant jack-o'-lanterns grinned from every corner, while a swarm of bats looped across the enchanted ceiling like living shadows. The floating candles had morphed into sugary orbs; as they burned low, their wax dripped not as mess, but as chewy sweets.
Students glanced up between bites, hoping for a lucky drop.
"Got one!" Luna crowed, snagging a fist-sized nougat. She snapped it in two, offering half to Vizette. "Who knew Halloween could be this brilliant?"
"Not a hint of spookiness," Vizette agreed, passing her a fizzing chunk of honeycomb he'd just caught. As the feast kicked off, laughter echoed through the hall, the air thick with magic and mischief.
—