After Quidditch tryouts, the newly elected team wasted no time. Under Oliver Wood's relentless training schedule, they pushed through exhausting drills and scrimmages nearly every evening. Muscles ached, brooms wobbled, but progress was undeniable.
Yet Oliver, ever the perfectionist, insisted they still weren't ready.
And so, time pressed on—until at last, Halloween arrived.
Today was October 31st. Halloween at Hogwarts. Cael Vale had already noticed the castle buzzing with energy as he made his way down the dimly lit corridors toward the Great Hall, the faint sound of music drifting from ahead.
"Well, it's Halloween," the System's voice chimed casually in his head. "And if I recall, Hogwarts' Halloween is never peaceful, right?"
Cael exhaled quietly, adjusting his cloak. "You're right. I just hope for once, we stay out of any drama."
"I doubt that."
As Cael entered the Great Hall, the sight that greeted him was nothing short of magical.
The vaulted ceiling reflected a stormy October sky, dark clouds rolling ominously above with the occasional low rumble of thunder. Not a single drop of rain fell, of course. Hundreds of jack-o'-lanterns floated through the air, casting flickering orange light across the four House tables. Silvery cobwebs stretched elegantly between the towering columns, and giant spiders—thankfully just illusions this year—crawled silently along the walls.
Tonight was more than just a feast. This year, the professors had arranged something special.
A Halloween Masquerade Ball awaited the fourth years and above, while younger students enjoyed a Pumpkin Charm Competition and an enchanted sweets scavenger hunt.
Music drifted through the enchanted hallways, the floating instruments playing themselves. Even the castle's portraits had joined in, offering snarky commentary on costumes as students passed. A group of daring Slytherins had disguised themselves as Grim Reapers, while Gryffindors donned roaring lion masks and bright crimson cloaks. Ravenclaws floated by with elegant owl and star-themed masks, and Hufflepuffs proudly sported pumpkin hats and cheerful orange accessories.
Professor Dumbledore himself had made a brief appearance earlier, wearing robes patterned with dancing skeletons. His beard glittered with silver bat-shaped charms that jingled as he walked.
Honeydukes had gone all-out this year—the enchanted sweets hovered just out of reach, giggling mischievously unless the right spell was used to summon them down. First-years scrambled after floating candies with wide-eyed amazement.
Even the ghosts were unusually lively.
Nearly Headless Nick drifted among students, offering ghostly waltzes, while the Bloody Baron hovered silently near the shadows, his eerie silver bloodstains glowing faintly in the dim hall.
As the evening wore on, Professors McGonagall and Flitwick hosted a Transfiguration Pumpkin Contest, awarding prizes to the most creatively charmed pumpkins. The suits of armor that lined the hallways were animated to dance awkwardly to the music, their metal joints clanking rhythmically.
Near the Charms corridor, the faculty had prepared a temporary "Haunted Hallway" filled with illusions—flickering poltergeists, moving walls, and eerie whispers that tested the bravery of passing students.
Of course, no one could quite tell which decorations were school-approved and which were the work of Peeves the poltergeist, especially when confetti bombs occasionally exploded from rogue suits of armor.
The night stretched on—filled with laughter, harmless pranks, glowing pumpkin juice, and that faint, creeping chill that hinted at approaching winter.
Cael settled in at the Gryffindor table beside Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell, watching as the upperclassmen danced under floating candles. Some danced casually, others… romantically. Cael noted it with detached curiosity, more focused on his pumpkin juice than the social rituals.
Finally, the music quieted as Professor Dumbledore took the center of the hall, his usual twinkle firmly in place.
"Welcome, everyone!" Dumbledore began, raising his hands. "I do hope you've enjoyed the festivities thus far—and do remember, your happiness is the best medicine for us old professors."
A wave of soft laughter rippled through the crowd, though most students exchanged tired glances—many were full of candy and ready for the real feast to begin.
McGonagall cleared her throat sharply from the staff table.
Dumbledore chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "Ah, yes. I can see those hungry eyes, though I must remind you—you've already devoured half of Honeydukes tonight, you naughty children!"
More laughter followed.
"Very well," Dumbledore declared, clapping his hands.
At once, the tables filled with food—platters of roasted meats, steaming potatoes, glowing pumpkin pastries, and candied apples materialized as though summoned by magic… because they were.
Students eagerly tucked in, the hall filled with the sounds of cheerful conversation and clinking goblets.
An hour passed.
But then—a sharp, hacking cough cut through the noise.
Heads turned as Professor Line, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, pushed back his chair. His face was pale, his expression strained.
Snape stood beside him almost immediately, his usual scowl even more severe as he attempted to steady the man.
But Line staggered once—then collapsed entirely.
A wave of gasps swept the hall.
Snape knelt, checking for a pulse. His expression darkened.
"He's dead," Snape announced grimly, his voice low but carrying across the silent hall.
The chatter died instantly. Fear and confusion rippled through the crowd.
Dumbledore reacted at once. "Prefects, escort your Houses back to their common rooms. Quickly, now—no lingering."
The students moved, guided by nervous prefects.
Back in the Gryffindor common room, the mood was tense. Whispers of speculation filled the air.
"Poison?" someone muttered.
"Was it a curse?"
"Who would attack a professor—on Halloween?"
As Cael settled into a corner chair, the System's voice returned, low and amused.
"Well, well… looks like someone fell victim to the famous Halloween curse."
Cael's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
Soon enough, the prefects ushered everyone to bed, though few truly slept. The events of the night weighed heavily, lingering like a shadow over Hogwarts.
The Halloween that had started with floating pumpkins and harmless pranks… had ended in death.