The Joker and Her, Chapter 10

Part 2

Hallowe'en

The rest of the day went smoothly for Brienne. The Potions fiasco was soon forgotten- for the most part, at least. After lunch, Brienne had gone to Transfiguration, where she'd spent the lesson trying to turn buttons into badges. The rest of the day was normal, as normal as Brienne's life was at the moment.

As George had reminded Brienne, that day was Hallows Eve; Hallowe'en. When Brienne had had a mother- and the promise of many Hallowe'en themed desserts and snacks sent to her in Beauxbatons, for her to eat in the middle of the night and to watch the traditional light show out in the grounds, which the staff would perform- Hallowe'en had been one of Brienne's favourite times of year.

She wasn't sure how she would be able to cope with the knowledge that no special packages would be arriving in the post, no midnight snacks, and no light shows. Not this year. And not ever again. A consequence that led straight to the thing that Brienne had been trying to avoid- her mother.

Although, Brienne was still curious as to how the traditions at Hogwarts would differ from what she was used to. George had called Hallowe'en dinner "brilliant,"- let's hope so.

- - -

"Er, Brienne?"

"Sorry, what was that? I was just thinking."

"It's time for dinner, are you coming?"

"Oh, yeah."

Angelina and Brienne were sitting in the Common Room, finishing up on the load of Herbology homework they had received the day before. Brienne had fallen into deep thought and had only just realised that the sun was sinking over the tops of the trees of the Forbidden Forest, which she had been staring at through the window for the last two hours or so.

Angelina- her raven hair up in a ponytail today, which was ironic since Brienne's usual ponytail was loose- had stood and was leaning over the table. The Common Room was almost empty, nearly everyone had left for the banquet. Brienne stood to join Angelina, who was wearing a wide cloak of deep black; it made her look both sinister and very beautiful. Brienne had not nearly gone to so much effort, she best she could do was leave her hair loose, which didn't make her look either sinister or beautiful.

They made their way down to the Great Hall- having left their bags back in the dormitory- they could hear the chatter from four floors above. Angelina was leading, she seemed so drawn to the Hall, it almost worried Brienne. It seemed that this feast was better then people had described.

Entering the Hall, the girls could smell cooking pumpkins, wood polish and smoke. The bustling students issued an excited hum of conversation, full of anticipation. They could clearly see Fred and George, who had probably come up with the idea of dressing up- they were both wearing big black cloaks like Angelina was.

The breath caught in Brienne's throat as she took in the difference in the Hall from that morning. Hundreds of pumpkins were hanging in the air, magically suspended. Candles were in the centre of them, which scented the entire Hall with a pungent, fruity smell; the lights of the Hall had dimmed so the faces carved in the pumpkins were shadowed on the walls.

They hurriedly took their seats opposite Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who were rubbing their hands together in their impatience for the dinner; it was only then that Brienne noticed how hungry she was.

"Alright, girls? Having fun?" Fred greeted, flashing a smile to the unsuspecting Angelina, who then giggled and leant on Brienne as if for support. George rolled his eyes at Brienne, who smiled back, before he returned to his conversation with Lee. Fred had raised his eyebrows,

"Hungry, girls?"

Brienne nodded and rubbed her stomach, which rumbled as if in agreement. Angelina just grinned.

A few minutes later, Professor Dumbledore stood and wished the students a 'Happy Hallowe'en,' before waving his arms majestically in welcoming the food.

- - -

"Well, what did you think of that, Bree?" Angelina asked as the five of them ventured back to the Common Room, their stomachs so full they all had to waddle so not to upset themselves.

"That was..." Brienne attempted a reply, but couldn't manage it. She was just so gorged that a coherent response was simply impossible. George mumbled in agreement. Angelina laughed.

"Yes, it was nice, wasn't it?" she trailed off, hanging on Fred's arm absentmindedly.

Brienne smiled at the sight of them. She had indeed enjoyed their dinner; the roast lamb with mint sauce and potatoes, along with the rich gravy, with the roasted pumpkin and cream for afters. Her stomach was appeased, and Brienne felt like she would sleep well that night.

They were all pulled out of their daydreams when they heard Lee speak,

"What's going on?"

They had reached the seventh floor, where at least a hundred students were clogging up the corridor which lead to the Common Room. Angelina, who was the tallest, craned over the heads of the confused pupils to see what was happening, before shrinking back onto her heels, nursing her still-full stomach.

"The Fat Lady's closed. I don't think they can open the portrait."

"Why?" Lee asked.

"I don't know! I think..." Angelina gasped at us, "the Fat Lady's gone!"

"Let's go and get a better look." George began to step through the crowd, his brother and Lee following. Angelina stayed with Brienne, who huffed in impatience; she was looking forward to being in her bed, now it seemed there would be a delay.

Suddenly, there was a hush amongst the students as the Headmaster, looking regal in sweeping purple robes, marched down the corridor towards the closed portrait in which the Fat Lady was absent. On closer inspection, Brienne realised why there was a sudden solemn atmosphere- the portrait was hanging apart, slashed to pieces by an unknown criminal.

The students parted for the Professor to approach, and then closed together again after he had passed. Angelina and Brienne were still at the back, and didn't know where the Twins were.

"What do you think's happening?" Angelina mused as Brienne attempted to peer over shoulders and heads- but she was too short.

"I don't know- let's listen!"

There was such a hush over the corridor that they could hear the exchange between Professor Dumbledore and the passing Peeves, and before long the former had ordered the students to return to the Great Hall.

- - -

It was later, and the previous chaos had now subsided.

Brienne and Angelina were laying in the Great Hall, having picked up two squishy sleeping bags and were getting settled in a corner. The floating pumpkins were gone, as was the delicious smell that came with them. Many students were still pouring in from the Entrance Hall and the two girls were sitting, waiting for the Twins to appear. Brienne had taken off her shoes and robes, stuffing herself into her own berry-red sleeping bag before anyone could get a glimpse. Angelina was brushing her hair out with her fingers, still stood, her own forest-green bag still rolled up at her feet.

"Where do you think the boys are?" she said, concern in her eyes and in her voice. Brienne rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, Angie, they're fine," she yawned deeply, "It's not like they were attacked by that Black man."

"Sirius Black."

"Him. Come on, do you really think Peeves was being truthful?"

Angelina looked over again, blinking, "You don't think he's actually here?"

"Of course not." Brienne tried to keep the worry out of her own voice. She didn't think she could bear anything else happening to people she cared about.

It was then that the Twins finally became visible to the girls, two blue rolled-up bags under their arms. They spotted each other and waved.

"Cor, that bloody Peeves!" Fred exclaimed, rolling out his bag before getting in it, "I hate sleeping on the floor."

"Because you've done that so many times," George replied, yawning and setting himself up quietly.

Angelina, relieved, got into her bag.

"G'night," she said to the three others.

" 'Night," Fred mumbled.

" 'Nighty night," George said, yawning again.

"Goodnight," Brienne replied, hitching her bag up to her shoulders and staring up at the enchanted ceiling, which was a radiant navy blue.

- - -

Brienne stood before the windows in the Divination Tower, her arm holding up the thick curtains. She looked down at the grounds, the cold wind taking the leaves with them, skittering along the overgrown grass.

She sighed, a great heaving sigh, before turning back towards that table.

The four cards were still laying there. Hermit, Empress, Lovers, Justice.

Lonelyness. Hermit.

Grief. Empress.

Confusion. Lover.

Justice. Justice.

Tears swelled and spilt, and she threw the table over, the cards shimmering as they fell from sight.