CHAPTER TEN
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

     WINNIE'S BROWS creased as she tried to focus on the book she was reading as Louise chattered on about how she could really make a statue make strange noises when someone passed it. Every is often, Winnie would tell her that it wouldn't be advisable to do that again and Louise would ignore that.

     "It could work, I would only have to pick a statue that's less important to everyone. Maybe that ugly old witch..." she trailed off, pursing her lips in thought as the wind ruffled the pages of Winnie's book. The courtyard was beautiful today and Louise had insisted on coming with her while she read her book.

     "If it isn't our favorite ladies..." a voice suddenly chimed in. Winnie's eyes snapped up from her book and she let out a sharp breath at James and Sirius' stupidly excited faces.

     "To what do we owe the pleasure?" Louise questioned with a grin, Winnie frowning and turning her attention back to her book.

     "Winnie, don't look away so soon! We've got the opportunity of a lifetime for you!" Sirius exclaimed, shoving a piece of parchment under her face, effectively forcing her to stare at it.

     Below her she saw what looked like an invitation, reading, 'YOU ARE HEREBY REQUESTED TO HAVE THE BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE — A MARAUDERS HALLOWEEN EVENT'. Below the words were enchanted drawings that had replaced various monsters heads with their own.

     Winnie assumed the lack of Peter and Remus indicated that they weren't exactly the main proprietors of this Halloween extravaganza idea.

     "What does 'marauders' even mean?" she questioned, staring up at Sirius with a look that she really hoped looked unimpressed. She was still making an intense effort to stay mad at him. Detention a second time, in just a matter of weeks! The nerve.

     Sirius simply winked at her while Louise replied loudly, "We'll be there!" as she snagged two copies of the invitation from Sirius. Winnie shot her an incredulous look and she grinned at her, shrugging.

     "Can't wait to see you there!" James told them as the two walked away back into the castle smugly.

     "We're not even Gryffindors," Winnie pointed out, closing her book in defeat. Every distraction possible was working against her. "We won't even be able to get in."

     "We're just lucky, then. Look at the parchment — it's down by the lake where our little friends are throwing this get together," Louise countered, wiggling her finger at the line on the invitation in question. "Besides, even if they weren't we'd be able to get in." She winked.

     Winnie stood up from the bench she was sitting on and shook her head. "I don't know if I want to even go, Louise," she said, starting to walk away. Louise was quick on her heels, practically breathing down her neck in desperation.

     "I told them we would and we aren't rude, now are we? The Winnie I know always keeps her word!" she scolded belligerently.

     "If you want to go so bad, why don't you go alone?"

     "Winifred! The very thought. I can't simply go without my best friend!" Louise gasped in mock horror, clutching her chest in an exaggerated fashion. Winnie stopped and pulled out her own fake gasp.

     "You can't possibly be full-naming me right now! Over Sirius and James' stupid party!" Winnie grumbled, trying to be mad but her grin was slipping through.

     "Louise! Winnie!" Lily Evans called out from down the hall, a similar dark piece of parchment in her hand to that of what Louise and Winnie held in theirs at that very moment. "Did James give you an invitation to their Halloween party?"

     "Why yes he did, Lil," Louise confirmed, revealing her own piece of parchment and gesturing at Winnie's. "And Winnie thinks she's just not going to go."

     "I'm not either," Lily decided concisely, looking about ready to burn the parchment on the spot. Louise's eyes widened and she shook her head violently.

     "Not another one! Another absolute stick in the mud! Or rather, the sticks are no longer in the mud, and shoved right up your arses!" Louise complained severely loudly, causing both Winnie and Lily to look around to see if anyone had heard.

     "Louise! It's not that—" Winnie began, but was immediately interrupted by her best friend.

     "You both need to stop worrying so much about James and Sirius. You're going to miss out on something fun just because of those twats and it's stupid," Louise interjected with a raised brow, her gaze darting from Lily to Winnie accusingly. "Live a little!"

     There was a pause before Lily crossed her arms. "Only if you guys and Marlene and Dorcas go."

     Louise's face broke out into a wide, victorious smile and she looked at Winnie expectantly. "I suppose..." Winnie conceded, knowing that on some level, whatever level that might be, Louise was right.

     "Yes! We're actually going to do something fun for once!" Louise cheered, pulling both of the girls into a tight hug. "I promise you won't regret this!"

     "Here's to hoping," Lily mumbled, unconvinced.