CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
the monster mash
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MARY AND FALLON INSIST THAT GOING to the Ravenclaw Halloween party would take her mind off of her nagging problems — though, Cove doesn't quite see the logic behind that since the most blatant problem in question will definitely be there. And yet, despite dragging her heels at first, Cove now finds herself spending her Samhain night dressed up and going to a party instead of making offerings to her ancestors like her colony would've wanted her to. Sorry, ancestors.
It doesn't help that her powers, of sorts, start acting up around all the different festivals in the Wheel of the Year. She's not exactly sure why, suspecting that it's to do with her primal instincts as a selkie causing her to gravitate towards nature during significant dates on the pagan calendar. Maybe. She's had it explained to her before but her mind is truly like a sieve when she's feeling bored. Typically, it's the same side effects as when she hasn't transformed frequently enough — her body trying to convert desperately to her seal form, yearning to break free of her mortal chains with webbed hands and blackening eyes. She decides that she'll just have to pull a Cinderella at the first signs of that occurrence and flee from the party before it's too late, hopefully with both of her shoes firmly on her feet.
The three of them stand before the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, knees aching from the spiralling staircase they had trudged up to summit the tower. A pure bronze door knocker in the shape of an austere raven peers down at them, evidently unimpressed. Mary scoffs and her vampire teeth poke past her scarlet lips, which are curled in disapproval. She turns her nose up at the door.
"Sorry, but I'm not answering any bloody riddles," she says. "What is this, a school?"
Cove frowns. "Yes?"
Fallon tuts. "Oh, whatever. Suit yourself. I'm cracked at riddles," she boasts. Her fairy wings rustle when she turns to the metal raven. "Hit me with your best."
It stares at her, unimpressed.
"When you need me, you throw me away. But when you're done with me, you bring me back. What am I?"
Her face scrunches. "What the fuck?"
"Wait, I think I've heard that before," Cove says. "Er, excuse me, Mr Raven, is it an anchor?"
The door swings wide open.
"...That was going to be my next guess."
She pats her on the shoulder sympathetically. "I know. I know."
The party is in full swing by the time they get there, fashionably late as always. Bronze and blue silks drape across the tall windows, adorned in paper cobwebs and pumpkins. One of the lightbulbs upon the chandelier has been transfigured into a disco ball that spins around in unpredictable circles, casting squares of opaline light around the grand room. The painted stars upon the deep cerulean ceiling have also been charmed to glow vibrantly, radiating a vague strobe effect that causes Cove to blink the disorientation out of her eyes.
As opposed to the last party they went to, Cove sticks like glue to Fallon's side, even grabbing onto the hem of her floaty dress so that she doesn't stray too far. Mary excuses herself to go and chat up some Slytherin that had caught her eye, leaving them to cling to the wall and observe their peers — which really just translates to gossiping about them all.
Cove shakes Fallon's arm wildly. "Oh my days, is that Struan McNab? Did he no get expelled for decking Matthew Wood over a quidditch match ages ago?"
"Nah, just suspended." Fallon makes a face. "I'll do you one better. Is that Avery snogging Venetia Selwyn? Is he not with Alecto Carrow?"
"Really? Last time I heard, he was going with Katie Parkinson," she says sagely.
"Ew. Are they not cousins?"
Cove shrugs. "That wouldn't surprise me. His family tree is a circle."
"Ugh, wizard tories."
"Scum of the earth."
She hums, nodding her head.
"Oh, look, there's Marlene," Cove says, turning to inform Fallon only to see that she has somehow completely disappeared, most likely on the prowl for firewhisky. So much for sticking to her like glue. "Wow. Fabulous. Hi, Marlene."
"Hiya, Cove," Marlene says cheerfully, words slightly slurred. She reaches up to fiddle with the cat ears atop her head. "Alright?"
She's dressed up as Melody from an old American cartoon, Josie and the Pussycats, her blonde hair crimped within an inch of its life. Cove remembers watching a few of the episodes at a friend's house when she was in primary school, entranced by the vibrant colours and catchy music. She suspects that Lily and Dorcas are going as Josie and Valerie — assuming it's a group costume, that is. Though, Marlene's outfit choice does make her wonder where she managed to find a cheetah print leotard in the first place...
Marlene's an enigma. She respects that.
"I'm good. I like your costume," Cove compliments. "Very nostalgic."
"Cheers! That's what I was going for. What're you supposed to be?"
"Oh, I'm a bowtruckle," she says. She points at the green hairband she's wearing, fake leaves growing off the top of it. "I know it's not really the best. I just had a green dress lying around."
"Aw, no, it's class," Marlene replies, her grin infectious. "Anyways, have you seen Lily about? I went to get her a drink but I think she ran off with James somewhere."
"Um," Cove pauses, looking around. Her night vision is acting up because the lights are all turned down low, so she can easily spot Lily from across the room. "Aye. She's over there, see?"
"Ah, right. Silly me. Ta very much."
"No worries!"
She watches as the Gryffindor goes blundering through the crowd to get to her friend, elbowing people out of the way without a care in the world. Cove can hear their delighted screams from across the room when Mamma Mia by ABBA starts to play.
A cold hand touches her on the shoulder and she practically jumps five feet in the air, releasing a small scream that's drowned out by the blasting music. She pulls down the sleeves of her light green cardigan, swaddling herself tight to recover. Mary and Fallon are stood behind her, drinks in hand.
Fallon grins. "Cool your jets, Vee. Am I really that scary?"
Cove glowers. "Terrifying."
