HP: The Arcane Thief-Chapter 76: Halloween and Raising a Flag

'Why is it taking so long?' Thought Axel as he stood in front of the Ravenclaw Tower. Wearing a formal suit he had bought on his shopping spree this summer, he was currently waiting for Daphne, who was taking too much time to come and he was now getting impatient. Every time, the door would open and instead of Daphne someone else would step out, increasing his annoyance.

"Sigh…"

Axel thought back to why he was doing this. If you look at the situation, it could easily be seen that he has no reason to go to the party. In fact, there are a lot of ways he could be putting his time to better use right now. But still, here he was, wasting his time on this silly event. Why?

It was certainly not just because of Daphne's spoiled behaviour. Well, maybe that played a part, but it was more due to the realizations he has had lately.

The first thing he realized is, it's actually quite easy to kill someone. And of course, that means it's equally easy to get killed as well. He has learnt that in his training with Akiko, who is really going all out in teaching him.

And, if it is so easy for him to die, he thought, 'Would I be reconciled if I just die just like that?' 'Has my life so far been worth it?' 'Have I lived enough?'

And that's when he realized — Living enough? What a joke. He hasn't lived at all!

For as long as he could remember, things have always been difficult for him. They were difficult when he was at the orphanage, they were difficult when he was at the muggle School, and they are difficult now, with the new enemies popping up. But he has always been a fighter. He wouldn't stay satisfied with the lousy cards that life had offered to him. And so, he fought….he struggled….and he worked hard, to climb higher in life and not settle with the sorry excuse he had gotten for a life.

And so, for as long as he can remember, Axel has never been able to stop for a moment, and live. At all. To the point that he even has forgotten the worth of his life. What's a life in which he has to keep working hard every single day until you either defeat all of the growing list of enemies, or die trying?

His future was getting bleaker and bleaker. Before getting tortured, he had been living a much simpler life. He had a goal to open a simple business, get rich, and enjoy life. And it was a very easy and reachable goal, one he could achieve with little effort and with little risk. He had high hopes.

But now? He first has to deal with the organization, and if he survives, there's still Voldemort and his army…

Is this still a life he would endure inhumane torture for? Is this still the life he would give his all to protect in an extremely desperate situation, just like he did it the last time when he was under the Crutiatus? He was afraid that he might not.

That's why, he has decided to take a little break. To have a little taste of what could be a better life, to find out things that he would enjoy doing, to have some things to look forward to. So that when he gets back to work again, he would know exactly what was at stake.

But of course, the break would be short. He doesn't have the luxury to have a bigger one.

And that is how, he is finding himself here today, standing in front of the Ravenclaw Tower to wait for Daphne. He hadn't thought of wasting his break for this, But, Daphne had been very… persuasive. Anyways, if there's someone who can endure his rigid attitude and get him to have even a modicum of 'fun', it would be that girl.

As he waited, the entrance opened once again, but this time, rather than students, no one came out. The doors just opened and closed. And once again, Axel smelt a familiar aroma move past him.

"Martina," he murmured in realization.

There was a sound of someone tripping, or almost tripping before Martina's voice sounded. "Axel!"

'Oh,' Axel had somewhat forgotten about it, but he had lowered his presence a little until now, in order to not draw attention. Looks like he just now scared the girl, again.

Martina made herself visible, looking stunning in her Halloween Costume.

"Why are you sneaking around?" Asked Axel.

Martina shrugged helplessly. "The costume was attracting too much attention, and I didn't want to be surrounded," she said, looking back at the common room entrance.

Axel looked at her outfit. She had on a red vest, a red coat, and black spandex with red lining. Her feet were covered with black boots, and her hands had fingerless black gloves with red details.

"What costume is that?"

Martina looked at herself. "Oh, I'm Scarlet Witch. It's a muggle comic book character.'

Axel was still scrutinizing her costume, "It doesn't look ordinary," he commented, activating Arcane Eyes. It was filled with runes and magic.

Martina's eyes lit up in pleasant surprise, "You can tell? Of course it's not ordinary," she said, coming closer to whisper to him. "I used some of the Basilisk materials to make this. It's just a prototype, and I'm still experimenting, but let me tell you, this is amazing! I've made one for you as well. It's almost complete."

Axel nodded, extremely interested, "What are its features?"

It looked like Christmas had come early for Martina, being able to talk with someone about it, "Oh you won't believe it," she said excitedly, a privacy charm settling around them even as she spoke, "Since Basilisk Skin has very high resistance to magic, I've been able to salvage some of that property using runes! Really effective against dark magic. And then I can change it to any costume I want—"

Martina was still talking when the door to the common room opened yet again, and this time, Daphne finally stepped out, taking away Axel's focus.

Daphne was wearing an off-shoulder royal blue gown that fit her body perfectly till knees, after which it flared out to resemble the tail of a mermaid. Her cheeks had light traces of blue scale patterns complementing her features and she had matching earrings to go along with it. Her hands were wrapped in blue gloves that reached above her elbows and click-clack sounds reverberated from her heel hidden under her dress. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was a mermaid tonight.

"...."

Axel didn't properly register Martina's words since he looked at Daphne with perplexity. He didn't know why, but looking at her gave him a feeling of naturality.

Daphne had brightened up as soon as she had seen Axel waiting for her. As he had promised, Axel was not wearing any costume, but he did put on a brand new trending suit, looking extremely dashing. But, her expression dimmed when she saw who he was talking to. She looked at Martina and then herself, and couldn't help feeling insecure, making her steps falter. She gripped her dress and looked down as she tried to walk steadily in her high high heels but at this moment, a hand gripped her glow-covered wrist, stabilizing her.

"I think we'll need to train your balance next," chided Axel as he helped her walk. "Or I'll be embarrassed to call myself your teacher."

Daphne felt so overwhelmed that she felt like passing out.

"Thanks... Um, you look great,"

Her makeup did its best to hide the blush that had spread on her cheeks, and she felt a scorching feel in her wrist where his hand was gripping hers, even through the glove.

'Wish I wasn't wearing those gloves,' an idle thought popped into her mind.

Axel shrugged, "You too. But why put so much effort? We're late now."

Daphne smiled brightly, "Because, I wanted to."

"Wait." She then rummaged through her satchel and produced a masquerade mask with would cover half of his face. "Here. Wear this. Fewer people will recognize you," she said, giving it to him.

"Oh, thanks." Axel gratefully put on the mask. With the match tomorrow, many people would likely come to bother him. It's very thoughtful of Daphne to bring a mask.

But Daphne breathed a sigh of relief. With how handsome Axel was looking, she was afraid he would attract too many vixens tonight. It would be better if he had his face covered all the time.

Axel glanced back at Martina, "Let's go."

Martina looked at Daphne's unwelcoming look and shook her head with a forced smile. "I still had a few matters to attend to. You two go first."

Daphne smiled, "Alright, we'll be leaving first then," she said, dragging Axel along.

Looking at the backs of Axel's and Daphne leaving together in perfect harmony, Martina somehow felt very lonely.

"I was still not finished about the suit..." she murmured to herself.

….

Like always, Hogwarts was really digging the Halloween theme. The Great Hall had undergone a total remodeling. The four long tables were replaced by smaller round tables, and the whole place had been festooned with confectionery-filled pumpkins, apples, black cauldrons of big lollipops, carrot cake, bats, orange streamers, goblets of coloured sweets, Pumpkin juice, and all sorts of Hallowe'en-related decorations.

The student population had gone bonkers over preparing their costumes for this event. Although it had already been said that students can prepare their own costumes using their magic or get others to do it for them, but of course, all of them only wanted the best costumes. Some of the students got their families to send them costumes while the others ordered online.

As a result, owl posts had been arriving non-stop at Hogwarts, making it a giant owlery.

"Looks like the party's started," said Susan Bones, who was wearing a pink pixy dress, with two delicate little wings attached which were fluttering on their own. Her costume was matching with Hannah, who was wearing a Fairy costume, with insect wings fluttering behind her.

"This is awesome!" Said Neville in a weird-looking plant outfit, looking around at the great hall. And indeed, the party was awesome.

Usually, the great hall is always illuminated very brightly with the numerous candles that are always floating under the enchanted ceiling. But tonight, the number of candles had been reduced to provide just enough light for everyone to see but also properly bring out the effect of the pumpkin lamps that were also floating around. Music suitable for Halloween played in the background, and sweets of all kinds could be seen everywhere. What was most eye-catching were the students who were wearing all sorts of costumes from scary ones to funny ones.

"Yeah, it IS Awesome." Said Rose, agreeing with Neville. "But Neville, what the hell are you wearing?"

"What? You can't tell? It's Mimbulus membletonia," said Neville defensively as he looked down at his own bulbous outfit.

"I could tell," said Hermione, "But I can't tell what your costume is, Rose. It's so cute!"

Rose looked down at her own costume. It was a beautiful dress and she had a pair of rabbit ears on her head which twitched from time to time. Rose was surprised, "You don't know? Oh, of course you wouldn't. I'm Babbitty Rabbitty. It's from a wizard fairy tale."

"Oh! Wizards also have fairy tales?! How have I not read them?" Exclaimed Hermione in worry, looking as she was about to rush to the Library right now.

Hermione herself had opted for a hag costume. With a dark cloak, messy hair, an elongated nose, and necklace of small skulls with glowing eyes, she definitely looked like... how she always looked.

Susan rolled her eyes, "Relax Hermione. They won't be coming in exams tomorrow," she joked.

"Now let's get moving. We have to show off our costumes! Who knows? Maybe one of us might win the Prize!" She said, dragging everyone in.

The group made their way into the Great Hall, looking around at everyone's costume. It looked like everyone had gone all out. And why wouldn't they? The event was being broadcasted and there was also a best costume contest as well.

While they were looking around, a loud party horn suddenly blared up right behind them, making them all jump. It was Fred and George, dressed as clowns.

"Hey Fred, it would seem that our Dark Lady has put on a disguise tonight," said George with narrowed eyes.

"Yes Georgie, and out of everything, she chooses to be the innocent Babbitty Rabbitty." Said Fred in surprise.

"I say it is a ploy, to make the enemy lower their guard."

"So that we can destroy them in the war which is tomorrow."

Rose was not impressed by the twins' antics. Not when there were already rumors about her being evil.

"I'm a dark lady in disguise? Alright, but I see that you two are still clowns."

The twins were amused. "That we are," said Fred, or was it George?

"We have always been," said the other.

"But tonight, we have the excuse—"

"To do the things which we have been wanting to do," they finished as they high-fived.

At this moment, a few people started looking and pointing at the entrance, making the group also pay attention.

"Hunt." Rose's teeth clenched at the sight of the masked guy walking in with Daphne. She had read the news, of course. So she knew what people were saying about herself and Axel being secretly in love with each other, and it vexed her to no end. 'ROXEL?! Are you fucking kidding me?!'

"Oh, this is Axel?" Asked the twins together. Then they grinned as they exchanged a glance. "Enemy spotted."

"Fred?"

"Yes George?"

"I know what we're doing today."

"Wait what?" Rose had a bad feeling about this. Really bad.

…

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