I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good: Halloween

This is the first time that I've ever been in a place where there was a holiday, and I felt as though it were for me.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Halloween and Christmas at Hogwarts. The Great Hall was always decorated so beautifully, and sometimes I even got to eat some of the special food for the Feasts. But I ate it sitting at the git's feet, and I had to serve him same as usual. He usually got drunk on holidays, too, and treated me like shite. All of the festivities were intended for the real students of Hogwarts, the true wizards. Never for mudbloods like Hermione or me. The two of us could give small gifts to each other. And we were allowed to watch, but, no one ever wished us Happy Christmas, or Happy Halloween.

When this lock started, and we started to get to know you better, I don't think you have any idea what it meant for Hermione and me to have friends to exchange Christmas gifts with. It was a glimpse of what being treated like an equal would be like. You gave gifts to us, and we gave gifts to you, and both were thought over carefully and appreciated, and it felt so different to us than the way it had always been up until then. Not so much like a pat on the head you give to a house elf on Boxing Day, but more like an exchange between real friends.

But today, at the place where I'm safe, there was a Halloween party. And it was so much more humble than what happens at Hogwarts, but I loved it because it was meant for kids like me. Instead of carved pumpkins, we had carved turnip lights, and since food's sort of tight, all the turnips will be made into soup tomorrow. But there were games, and there was someone there to tell us our fortunes, and there were caramel apples and it was wonderful.

I would have loved to have seen you all there, too. But I'm sure you're having a grand time at the Feast, and at least I can use this Lock to say this:

Happy Halloween.

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The party for the children here at Moddey Dhoo was perfect. Dudley and I had the grandest time. He can't stop talking about it, in fact. No wonder: he hasn't had many chances to be at a party like that. In fact, I'm not sure if he ever has. I've been at the Halloween Feasts at Hogwarts, of course. And this was much simpler, of course, but just as special. Because it was meant for people like me.

Thank you.