Chapter 20

October flew by almost as fast as September had, and soon, the school was abuzz with All Hallows’ Eve preparations. Quicksilver set the Main Hall tables with pumpkin-and-leaf centerpieces and plastered the walls with red-and-orange tapestries—which, admittedly, weren’t terribly different in color scheme than the Emberstone ones. And all the talk between classes was of costumes and parties. The Primordium seventh-years were planning an Elemental Bash for the night of, and Alastair was carefully turning a blind eye to the arrangements.

He remembered how it was—the stolen mulberry wine snuck into the castle after hours, the party-hopping, the costume competitions. In his day, there was always a low-stakes rivalry between the wealthier students with enough money to buy whatever costume pieces they could imagine and those who prided themselves on making everything themselves on the cheap. Alastair had never been one to play dress-up himself, but Eloise and Juliana Fulton sure had gone all out.

One year, they did a tandem act as “bacon and eggs,” all made from paper mâché. Another time, they’d paraded themselves as a lion and ringmaster using a gold-trimmed red suit Eloise procured from the Brusklyn Thrift Store.

On that front, at least, things hadn’t changed much. As he made his way from House to meetings to the faculty kitchens, he passed students carrying bolts of fabric and piles of clothes they would no doubt rip apart and use to rebuild or refashion as something entirely original. One table of fifth-years spent every lunchtime assembling elaborate hats. Some used magic, but most did things by hand.

“Kids love All Hallows’,” Alastair said dryly to Eloise one day as they passed a second-year in a too-large bat costume.

“Kids do, indeed, love All Hallows’.”

The faculty were in the midst of planning the school’s “official” get-together—a relatively sedate, chaperoned affair that traditionally took place in the Main Hall. Alastair had suggested moving it outdoors, only to be immediately shut down by nearly all.

Teachers would be in attendance—punch, cider, and pumpkin doughnuts were served—and the whole thing was usually over by ten. Many of the older students would then scoot off to their Houses’ smaller parties, and the faculty would pretend to be unaware. Though in truth, they kept an eye out in case things went awry.

“How did we like the music last year?” Ms. Snapdragon asked. “I think the string quartet was lovely. Don’t you?”

There were a couple of soft groans.

“Maybe we can try to get someone a little… hipper?” Eloise said.

“Hipper?” Alastair said with a smirk.

“You know what I mean. Younger. Maybe something with drums?”

“Sounds loud.” Mr. Banner scowled. “Sometimes a man wants to enjoy a cider in peace.”

“But the kids should enjoy it too, right? I can’t see them having fun with classical music playing.”

“They loved it last year!” Ms. Snapdragon protested. “It was so cute.”

Alastair decided to break the impasse, “Let’s do both. Can we afford it? Some rock or something in the Main Hall, and we can put the quartet in the Entrance Chamber. There’s enough room in there for chairs, and it’ll be quiet enough for people to talk. We can even set a Buffer spell between the doors to keep sound bleed to a minimum.”

Eloise and Ms. Snapdragon both turned to him.

“That’s a great idea,” Ms. Snapdragon said. “Both!”

“Both,” Alastair confirmed. “If we have the money. I hear Henry and the Plotters might be available.”

“We would have been arguing for the next hour without you here,” she beamed.

The praise was a little much—surely Alastair wasn’t the only person who could have come up with this idea. At least it got the conversation on to the next topic. They discussed themes and refreshments. In light of Alastair’s solution to music, it would also now be two kinds of cider, for a change. Sebastian advocated for chocolate doughnuts in addition to the regular pumpkin flavor, and all approved.

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“We’ll have you make a speech, of course, Headmaster Meade,” Ms. Snapdragon said, clearly in her element. “And I’ll tell a scary story in the Entrance Chamber while the musicians take their break. And a dance at the end in the Main Hall, no doubt. We can have the band play a few, then broadcast Mage Radio. They do a special show on All Hallows’ Eve!”

“What kind of speech?” Alastair said, fixated on that bit.

He found himself longing for the simple All Hallows’ celebrations up at Glimmerglass. Student bands, gatherings in the school common rooms, a special meal, a bonfire if the weather permitted—and that was it. The students often celebrated in the woods after hours, but it wasn’t officially sanctioned by the school. Most teachers were off work and in their quarters by eight.

“A spooky speech, of course!” she said. “And make sure you wear a costume. Headmaster Ozelius always does something creative but dignified.”

“Okay.” He really wasn’t a costume person. “Creative but dignified. I’ll try to think of some ideas.”

* * *

Eloise helped him out in the end, coming by his office three days before All Hallows’ Eve with a variety of options.

“See, you could be a king,” she said, holding up a purple fur-trimmed robe. “It’s just your color.”

“Veto,” Alastair said. “I’m not even going near that one. Some kid will tell their parents, and I’ll never hear the end of it. ‘Interim Headmaster Meade thinks he runs Watermere like royalty’ or something like that.”

“But it’s got a cute crown… okay, okay. Next… vampire?” She showed him a long, high-necked cape. “I’d do your makeup.”