Chapter 8: Haunting Preparations

                                    

                                          
As October descended upon Hogwarts, the air crackled with the spirit of Halloween. The castle was adorned with cobwebs, pumpkins, and flickering candles that danced in the shadows. Elara could feel the excitement bubbling among the students, a palpable energy that thrummed through the corridors as they anticipated the Slytherin Halloween house party.
In the common room, the atmosphere was electric. Blaire, Theo, and Blaise had gathered around a table strewn with sketches and notes for costume ideas, their voices rising in animated discussions about their plans for the party.
"I'm telling you, I'm going as a vampire. It's classic but always works!" Blaire declared, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Blaise smirked. "You mean you're just going to wear black and say you're a vampire? You'll blend in with the shadows!"
"Oh, please, Blaise! It's all about the accessories," she shot back, a grin breaking across her face. "And besides, I'm not the one who's going to show up in a reused costume from last year."
Elara chuckled, grateful for the lighthearted banter. "I still think you should dress up as a ghost. I'm sure it would suit your personality," she teased, shooting a wink at Blaise.
"Very funny, Elara," Blaise replied, rolling his eyes dramatically. "I'll have you know that I'm going as a zombie. It'll be a true work of art!"
"Make sure to leave some of your brains behind," Theo added with a laugh, earning a playful shove from Blaise.
As their laughter filled the room, Elara couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging wash over her. Slytherin had become a second home, and her friends were her family. But as the days crept closer to the Halloween party, she couldn't shake the tension that accompanied her encounters with Draco Malfoy.
Draco, it seemed, had become the center of attention, particularly for Pansy Parkinson. Elara often spotted Pansy lurking near him, her efforts to get closer to Draco growing more apparent each day. With her perfectly styled hair and designer robes, Pansy had taken to initiating conversations with Draco whenever possible, her laughter ringing out like a siren's call.
"Are you sure you want to go with that? I think you'd look much better in something more... traditional," Pansy suggested one evening as she leaned casually against the wall beside Draco, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that Elara found irritating.
Draco arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. "And what do you mean by 'traditional'?" he asked, his tone teasing.
"You know, something that befits your status. A true pureblood," Pansy purred, her voice dripping with charm. "You could even consider going as a dark wizard. It would suit you perfectly."
Elara suppressed a snort, feeling a pang of irritation. Just because they were both from pureblood families didn't mean they were meant to be together. She found it infuriating how Pansy sought to align herself with Draco, trying to boost her own social standing by associating with him.
"Thanks for the suggestion, Pansy, but I think I'll stick with my own ideas," Draco replied coolly, glancing away from her, though a smirk played at the corners of his mouth.
"Suit yourself," Pansy said, feigning nonchalance, but Elara could see the frustration brewing beneath her composed exterior.
As the days passed and the Halloween party drew nearer, the common room buzzed with excitement. Students brought in decorations, transforming the space into a haunted wonderland filled with flickering jack-o'-lanterns, eerie music, and a haze of anticipation for the night ahead.
Elara found herself spending more time in the common room, joining in the preparations and allowing the festive atmosphere to engulf her. She brainstormed her costume with Blaire, who had settled on a sultry witch ensemble, complete with a pointed hat and a flowing black cape.