Ilvermorny: Where Memory Sleeps

November 1st arrived with a whisper of wind and a sky streaked in silver. The Great Hall had been transformed overnight—its stone walls now draped in enchanted spider silk that shimmered between purple and midnight blue. Dozens of jack-o’-lanterns floated overhead, their carved faces shifting between cheerful and mischievous expressions, while glowing bats swooped low over the four long tables. The ceiling above reflected a star-drenched sky, moons in various phases drifting lazily between constellations.

Aevelle, Ruby, Serene, and Cassandra entered together, awestruck. Even Cassandra gave a rare, appreciative smile.

Every table was lined with platters of roasted pumpkin, cinnamon-dusted apples, spiced cider that refilled itself, and pies in every flavor imaginable—pecan, treacle, blackberry, and something purple that changed flavor with every bite.

But what caught Aevelle’s attention wasn’t just the food—it was the pale, translucent figures drifting into the hall.

Ilvermorny’s house ghosts made their rare appearance on Halloween night. Leading the way was Wandering Lynessa, the spectral founder of Horned Serpent, who floated in her scholar’s robes, her translucent form flickering with inked quill strokes that danced like feathers around her. She offered a polite nod to students as she passed.

The Roaring Wampus Guardian, covered in ghostly fur and armor of silvery mist, let out a soundless snarl of greeting, bounding along the rafters above the Wampus table with a prideful, protective air.

At the Thunderbird table, the Skyborne, a tall, quiet spirit with windswept hair and wings of cloud, glided gently behind the benches, pausing as if to gaze into Aevelle’s soul.

And from beneath the tablecloth at Pukwudgie’s table, a small, hunched ghost with acorn buttons—Old Buckley the Groundskeeper, long-since passed—popped out with a spectral pipe and offered candy corns to the giggling first-years.

Just as Headmaster Caelum Thorne rose to speak—his dark robes trimmed with star-thread and an amused twinkle in his eye—it happened.

POP!

Hundreds of tiny frogs burst from the centerpieces, leaping across platters and heads. They sparkled with glitter and fizzed like sherbet in midair, croaking loudly:

“Trick or treat! Trick or treat!”

Students shouted in surprise, some laughing, others chasing the harmless conjured frogs as they bounced across tables and chairs, trailing harmless bursts of sparkly smoke behind them. One landed squarely on Professor Wren’s hat and started singing in rhyme.

Ruby shrieked with laughter. “This is BRILLIANT—who pulled this off?!”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “Pukwudgie table.”

Aevelle followed her gaze. Sure enough, a small group of first-years sat smugly beneath the floating candles, high-fiving. Among them was a freckled boy with wild chestnut hair and glasses nearly sliding off his nose. His grin was pure mischief.

“Toby Marsh,” Serene said with mild amusement.

Ruby glanced over, then did a double-take. “Him?!”

“Charmed the library doors open last week and left a note correcting the hinge spells,” Serene added.

Ruby’s cheeks colored. “He’s kind of… clever.”

Cassandra didn’t look up from her pie. “Trouble, clearly.”

Toby, meanwhile, offered a wink in Ruby’s direction before hiding behind a sugar cauldron.

The frogs were finally corralled by a single sweep of Headmaster Thorne’s wand, vanishing into puffs of smoke shaped like bats and candy. A few house ghosts clapped faintly—Skyborne even let out a silent laugh, the wind rippling around her.

“Happy Halloween,” Thorne said simply. “Carry on.”

The feast resumed, more magical than ever—filled with ghost stories from Wampus upper-years, floating candies that danced midair, and music echoing from unseen instruments. Ruby kept sneaking glances at Toby. Aevelle sat with the warmth of the room glowing in her chest.

It was the kind of night that would cling to memory, like candle wax on an old table or laughter echoing through a corridor.

Somewhere far off, a wind howled like a song.

And the ghosts of Ilvermorny watched over them all.