Halloween 2014 Costume and Backstory

Neville

          The year started off just like every other year at Hogwarts, with the grand feast after all of the first years got sorted into their houses. Of course, since I was in my third year and already in Gryffindor house I was more interested in catching up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We all swapped stories of how our breaks were, Ron went with his family to Diagon Alley, Hermione reread all of her spell books (probably for the fifth time), and Harry? Well who knows what he does at home, he never talks about it. Then there’s me, I spent my break helping my grandmother (oh the joy). At a break in the conversation I took a quick glance around the room and at first didn’t notice anything in particular, but then out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful witch I have ever seen. So I quick turned back to the others, “guys,” I asked excitedly, “who is that over there” as I casually pointed towards her.

            “No idea,” Harry and Ron said in unison.

            “Oh come on you two,” said Hermione in her usual condescending tone, “that is Levycia Malfoy the new beater for the Ravenclaw house.”

            “A girl as a beater?? That’s bloody crazy! She would probably get hit once and start crying. And wait, you said Malfoy? Like Draco Malfoy?” Ron exclaimed.

I took another look back at this new Beater who had some strange connection to the awful Malfoy family, true she looked rather small with her dark red hair and blue-gray eyes but still I wouldn’t want to mess with her. I felt a sudden flash come over me as she glanced my way and shot me a smile.

            “Oh, it looks like our boy Neville’s got his eye on her.” I heard Harry say.

            “What? No I don’t!” I retorted back, “besides,” I muttered under my breath, “she is surrounded by guys already.”

It was true, she was surrounded from guys of all types, from the nerdy wizards to the Quidditch all stars. Though strangely on one side sat Luna Lovegood, even more strange was that this beauty, though surrounded by brilliant wizards all trying for her attention, was completely occupied by her conversation with the witch who everyone thought was a little off her nut.

Levy

          “Now remember Levicia, you are a Malfoy and even though you did not make it into Slytherin house, which is a bit of a disappointment, you need to make sure that you make us proud. When you get there Severus will be in charge of keeping an eye on you so don’t go getting into any trouble.” This was my mother talking again, and like always giving me her famous uphold the family name speech. I mean really I am a Malfoy, my family has basically created a reputation that will be impossible to break…… But whatever, I was chosen to go to Hogwarts and play Quidditch so that is what I am going to do, even if I have to deal with my rotten cousin Draco and the glorified babysitter Professor Snape. Oh well I better hurry my mother’s speech is going to make me late.

                                                      ********

           Well this is an interesting start to my first year at Hogwarts. I nearly missed my train because of my mother, and once I got on the train that devil of a pygmy owl Tarek escaped from his cage (I have no idea how he does it) and proceeded to fly throughout the train. Luckily another witch from Ravenclaw managed to grab him; she said her name was Luna, Luna Lovegood. She seemed a bit odd but hey what’s a witch or wizard without an imagination….. Anyways Luna and I hit it off right away and became fast friends; she told me tale after tale about Nargols and other fanciful creatures, and I told her about playing Quidditch at my old school and blowing up my backyard shed with a new potion I was trying out. Once the train stopped Luna and I disembarked and were shown into the grand hall. And then just like at my old school I became the center of gravity for dozens of planets of male-hood; this always happens, it’s frustrating, they are like dogs so excited to see their master yet always underfoot. Most young ladies would relish the attention but not me I am here for two reasons: to learn as much as I can about magic and to play Quidditch. I made sure to keep Luna with me as we found ourselves a table and she seemed happy to oblige, and of course the flock followed. Amidst all of the commotion I caught a glimpse of a Gryffindor wizard looking over at me, not in like a creepy way just sort of sweet and innocent not like these vultures that are circling. So I flashed him my best smile and chuckled as he blushed and turned away.

Neville

          As the feast concluded the houses all dismissed to their Common Rooms and I watched as Levicia, Luna, and her posse went up to Ravenclaw tower. I secretly crossed my fingers in the hope that I would have one class with her. That way maybe I could make some effort to talk with her… or I could go to her first Quidditch match to cheer her on…. Or brew her up a potion to help her study and surprise her with it? Or more than likely do none of those things, huh what would be the point anyways, she probably won’t even remember me.

Levy

          Ravenclaw tower is even better than I imagined, there are places to read and study, beautiful artwork on the walls, and I even got to bunk next to Luna which was awesome. And I decided to let Tarek out to take a look around and haven’t seen him sense, blast that creature he is lucky he is cute. As soon as I was settled I was swarmed by my housemates who wanted to know everything about me.

          “Where are you from? How long have you known that you were a witch? Are you really going to play Quidditch for us?” The questions never stopped.

          “I am from Wiltshire just like the rest of the Malfoys, I have known since I was ten, and yes, I am going to be one of the new Beaters for the Quidditch team.” I tried to answer them all as quickly as possible.

          “Alright students,” we heard Professor Flitwick say, “why don’t we let our newest member get some sleep before you ask her more questions than our door knocker.”

          “Aww alright, see you in the morning then Levicia!” They all chimed.

          “Please call me Levy, I always hated the name Levicia.” My mother and father had wanted a boy so that they could name him Lucius like my uncle but they got stuck with me instead. I headed to my bed and thankfully closed my eyes after a very long day.

 **********

          And so another day begins with my first class, and wouldn’t you know it it’s with Professor Severus Snape. Needless to say that even with his completely boring, monotonous voice it was a great class.

          “Psst..” I heard a voice say. I looked over and there was this weird redheaded wizard leaning towards me.

          “Can I help you,” I said without trying to be too rude to him.

          “Yeah, do you see that strapping young wizard over there??” He asked in what I assumed was his charming voice.

          “Um, yeah, I saw him at the banquet he seems nice.” This was getting weird.

          “Well, I am glad that you think so because he has fallen head over heels for you.” Really weird….

          “Who hasn’t, and why isn’t he telling me this?” I was beginning to tire of his “wing man” routine.

          “Because he is super shy and he thinks you won’t like him since you already have so much other male company.”

          “Well if he is interested then he should tell me himself.” I was missing the whole lecture…

          “Oh come on, will you at least talk to him. He-“

          “Mr. Weasley would you like to come up and teach this class since you seem readily willing to share your thoughts with Miss Malfoy, who I am sure would love to be listening to this lesson.” I heard Snape’s voice as it scolded the red-haired boy. He quickly turned back to his notes as did I and I contemplated this new information about the boy from Gryffindor.

Neville

          I could kill Ron I swear! Seriously I turn my back for two seconds and he goes and blabs to Levicia that I like her. He tried to come up and talk to me after class.

            “Neville, Neville wait up!” Ron shouted after me.

            “I can’t believe you told her! Now she probably thinks I am super pathetic and creepy!”

            “She didn’t say either of those things. In fact she said that if it was true then she wanted to hear it from you.”

            “What!? Now what am I going to do! I can’t even talk to her! Let alone tell her that I Like her!” I was flabbergasted, what was I going to do? I was seriously debating on casting a spell to make myself vanish off the face of the Earth.

            “Don’t sweat it mate, here’s what you got to do. She’s got a Quidditch match tomorrow against Hufflepuff house right?

            “Yeah…?”

            “Well what you got to do is approach her before the game and tell her your true feelings.”

            “Well that is easier said than done….” I had to come up with something.

Levy

Well today is the big day! My first quidditch game as a Beater for Ravenclaw house! I put on my brand new uniform and headed out to the pitch with my teammates accompanied by the cheering of our loyal fans. We arrived at the pitch and gathered up our brooms and our competitive spirits, but before starting we got the usual pep talk from our head boy.

          “Alright guys, we are up against our biggest rivals the Hufflepuff house. And we all know that we have the skills to beat them, especially with Levy on our team! So let’s get out there and show them that no one messes with Ravenclaw house!”

          “1,2,3 Ravenclaw!” We all cheered in unison as we headed to our stations. A loud roar rose up from the spectator stands, especially from the Ravenclaw section. My teammates and I rose up into the air and as soon as the ref threw the quaffle in the air the game was on. Our two Catchers fought with the opposing team for the quaffle and I spotted the Seekers going after the Snitch, but I also spotted the bludgers flying into the fray. Some might think that when playing quidditch you should act first think later but it is actually a lot more complicated than that, it’s important to line up where the players and the bludgers are so you can inflict as much damage possible to the other team. So after scoping out the field I flew in as fast as I could and struck the bludger as hard as I could sending it flying into a group of Hufflepuff players. The players scattered like I knew they would, this gave the Ravenclaw Catchers a chance to grab the quaffle and score our first goal. This was going to be a great game.

Neville

Wow, Levicia was playing great today.  I mean the whole team was good but she was definitely a stand out. I was watching the game with Harry and Ron (those two never miss a quidditch match), Hermione decided not to come with (she was probably studying or something). The game was off to a great start with Ravenclaw house scoring the first goal, and then there were several heated skirmishes between the Catchers that were quickly broken up by some well placed bludgers. All in all the teams were playing great with lots of goals on both sides, several times the Ravenclaw Seekers got close to grabbing the Snitch but it was always just out of reach. After several fouls and many more goals made by both sides there was a dramatic turn of events as the Snitch zoomed past the main players, all of a sudden the Ravenclaw seeker tore through the main group and intercepted the Snitch, grabbing it and winning the game. A huge cheer rose up from the stands and I heard a scream coming from my own mouth too! This was my chance, the teams were group hugging on the sidelines and I knew that if I hurried I could maybe catch up with the wonderful Levicia.

Levy

That was the best match of quidditch that I have played in a long time. It was rough going at some points and often I thought that we would lose; but we pulled it off and managed to get the Snitch and win the game! We all landed our brooms and piled around our seeker in a huge group hug. The fans were cheering as loud as they could it was such a rush! As soon as we were somewhat calmed down we started to head back to our team room to change and go over the game. While I was walking back I heard a voice call out my name, I looked around and spotted the dark haired boy from Gryffindor house. He was standing off to the side away from the crowd and looking a little awkward, he seemed to be trying to get my attention. So I took a chance and I walked over to him.

          “Good job out there Levicia, I haven’t seen anyone play like that in a while.” He smiled and looked down at the ground.

          “Thanks a lot, your name is Neville right? You are in my potions class aren’t you?” I took a long look at him; he was actually kind of cute if you looked past the shy oddness.

          “Yeah, I just wanted to congratulate you and maybe ask you for a favor.” At this he blushed and crossed his arms.

          “Um sure? What can I do for you?”

          “Well I was wondering if you would like to go out to get a butterbeer or something with me sometime.” His face turned even redder, I didn’t know it was possible for any face to turn that color.

          “Sure,” I said and laughed a little; that is what all of the fuss was about? I don’t think I could have said no, he was so cute about it. “How about tomorrow at three o’clock, my classes are all done by then?”

          “That will work for me, I will stop by Ravenclaw tower and pick you up.” He looked up and smiled (he was definitely a unique wizard.)

          “Well I will see you then,” I laughed as I headed back to my team, “oh and Neville?”

          “Yeah?”

         “You can call me Levy.” 

(Me and all of my props: owl, wand, and starlight potion)

(Me and my messenger owl-Tarek)