Halloween Banquet

No one knew what Klein and Dumbledore, one old and one young, secretly got up to after curfew each day.

The days went by.

At last, the mournful hissing stopped echoing through Salazar Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets.

And Klein now wore an inconspicuous little accessory.

"Look, Miss Parkinson was the first to succeed. That was a perfect spell."

Standing atop a stack of thick books, Professor Flitwick led the applause for Pansy's Levitation Charm. Setting aside the matter of their extreme views, Slytherin's first-years really did have the best talent of the Four Houses.

"Very nicely done, Pansy."

He gave the young girl an encouraging look and smiled gently before lowering his head to his own thick black book once more.

As a "special student" in Charms Class, he had Professor Flitwick's permission to study anything that interested him.

"Hehe."

Her heart felt as though it were full of honey, and Pansy's lips curled into a lovely smile before she could stop them.

With those words from Klein, she felt that all her hard work lately had paid off~

"Tsk."

Draco, who was paired with Pansy, curled his lip at her flushed, excited face.

He swung his Hawthorn Wood wand, focused, and recited the new spell.

"Wingardium Leviosa."

A flash of Magic Light, and the feather on his desk "twitch"ed before wobbling into the air.

"Too easy."

The Malfoy Young Master lifted his pointed chin and smiled smugly.

Under Klein's influence, studying hard had become the trend in Slytherin. Even Crabbe and Goyle, who had more muscle than brains, had improved. How could the great Draco Malfoy fall behind?

"Excellent, very good."

As more and more students succeeded in casting the Levitation Charm, Professor Flitwick's smile grew broader.

When even the two burly boys who usually came bottom of the class managed to make the feather float with a fit of spasms, the tiny professor waved his hand and awarded Slytherin ten points.

It was the first time in all his years of teaching that he had awarded points to a House on behalf of an entire class.

As an aside, Slytherin was now far ahead of the other Four Houses.

The Slytherins could hardly wait to claim their Academy Cup and secure a seventh consecutive victory~

When Charms Class ended, all the Slytherin first-years were buzzing with excitement.

For ordinary students, chances to earn points for their House were few and far between.

And there was another very important reason.

After the Halloween Banquet, Slytherin was holding its own Bal Masqué!

"Haha, we've been preparing our costumes for tonight for ages. You're going to be scared out of your wits!"

Crabbe and Goyle walked at the back of the group with their arms slung over each other's shoulders, confidently addressing Klein and Draco up ahead.

"Please. You're just going as zombies. What's so impressive about that?"

Draco gave them no quarter, turning to roll his eyes at them.

"Oh!" "Draco, you can't do that!"

Crabbe and Goyle stared at him in disbelief and wailed.

They'd spent ages secretly preparing those costumes!

"If you didn't practice your zombie groans in the dormitory next time, I think you'd be able to keep them a secret for longer."

Klein shook his head helplessly.

Those two jokers shouted and groaned in the dormitory every day. There was no mystery left to preserve.

"Boss Klein, what about you? What are you planning to wear to the ball?"

They were children, after all. They were only down for ten seconds or so before they were back to normal. Grinning, Crabbe and Goyle changed the subject to Klein.

At that, the noisy corridor fell abruptly silent.

Almost every Slytherin first-year discreetly pricked up their ears.

"Hehe, it's a secret."

Klein didn't answer.

If people found out in advance, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore.

It was his first time at an event like this, so he'd put a little thought into his costume.

"You're really keeping us in suspense." "I wish the banquet would end already."

Compared with the banquet organized by the school, Crabbe and Goyle were even more excited about Slytherin's own Bal Masqué.

Of course, that wasn't to say the bats and flying Pumpkin Lanterns in the dining hall weren't appealing.

But—

It was Klein's costume.

Who wouldn't want to see Klein dressed up as a monster?

The contrast would make it so much fun!

"You'll find out after dinner."

As he spoke, Klein walked into Hogwarts Dining Hall with Draco and the others, smiling mysteriously.

He found the Slytherin table and picked an empty seat at random. Then he chatted on and off with the students sitting beside him.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the hall. Everyone was caught up in the festive atmosphere.

"Happy Halloween, children!"

Once the students from the Four Houses had mostly arrived, Dumbledore raised his goblet on the dais and announced the start of the banquet.

When he finished speaking, the bats flying overhead flapped their wings and formed all sorts of amusing patterns. The Pumpkin Heads decorating the tables suddenly began to cackle, and delicious candies poured from their carved eyes and mouths.

Toffees, candy canes, Fruit Hard Candy, mints, gummy bears, caramels, honey chocolates...

The air was instantly filled with a sugary scent.

"You still love sweets as much as ever, Mister Headmaster."

Klein picked up a piece of Fruit Hard Candy and popped it into his mouth, smiling as he watched Dumbledore stuff chocolate into his mouth up on the dais.

These candies were someone's favorites.

Clearly, this great wizard, whose name couldn't be revealed, was "abusing his position for personal gain"~

Candlelight flickered, and laughter rang out.

The banquet proceeded merrily, but several of the Slytherin girls seemed a little distracted.

After eating a few bites of pumpkin pie, Pansy exchanged a glance with her friends. The girls nodded knowingly and slipped out of the dining hall without a sound.

It wasn't just them. Nearly every Slytherin left earlier than students from the other Houses.

After all, a Bal Masqué took time to prepare for.

"Hey, Klein, shall we head back to the dormitory and change too?"

Once Klein had finally finished his pastry, Draco could barely contain his excitement and spoke up first.

Klein had no objection. He put down his knife and fork and returned to the dormitory with Draco and the others, chatting and laughing along the way.

At the same time, in front of the entrance to Hogwarts Castle.

"This is our chance, Quirrell. Get the Philosopher's Stone for me!"

Voldemort's weak voice rang in his mind. Quirinus Quirrell's pale face was full of obsequiousness.

"Of course, my master!"

He replied, then turned around. His gaze fell on the monster not far away, who was clutching a huge club and staring vacantly. His eyes gradually turned sinister.

"Let's make Dumbledore's banquet a little more exciting."