A Very Harry Halloween

I'm not really big on Halloween. I absolutely was in the days of my youth, and I like to think I'll enjoy it more when I'm married and have babies of my own who I can dress up...but...Halloween just isn't my holiday.

My friends Lindsey and Dave hosted a Harry Potter Halloween party last Friday, and wouldn't you know? If somebody attaches a Harry Potter theme to a Halloween party, I'm suddenly all over the idea of Halloween. (Silly Gina.)

I was just going to dress up as an average Hogwarts student...

...and, nerd that I am, I took a Hogwarts House sorting test online so as to be sure to buy the right color of tie.

I was sorted into Hufflepuff, FYI. And, like the HP nerd that I apparently am, I was really bummed about it. Still am, matter of fact. I honestly think I was sorted into Hufflepuff by default: I'm not nearly brave enough to belong with Gryffindor, I'm not clever enough for Ravenclaw, and I'm not shady enough for Slytherin. Ergo...Hufflepuff. I'm still trying to talk myself into embracing it, telling myself I must have a kind and loving heart, stuff like that.

Anyway, I purchased a Hufflepuff House costume (tie and cloak) like a month ago, and nothing happened. The week of the party was upon me, and my order was still being processed. I was finally able to get a hold of someone, and they responded that they didn't, in fact, have Hufflepuff costumes. Sketchy, if you ask me. And it seems like, maybe, false advertising? Whatev. I canceled my order and got a refund and set about trying to figure out who I could dress up as. ("Creating my own costume" is possibly the number one reason I do not love Halloween.)

I texted Brooker, and she gave me a stellar idea...

Nymphadora Tonks!!!
I totally had a pig snout, too, but it made me feel ugly...

Other people who came to the party are all about creativity. Go ahead and see what I mean:

Rose was Hedwig (loved this!), and Ryan was a (very friendly) Death Eater

Lindsey was Professor Cybil Trelawny.
Totally owned it, too!

Lovely ladies! Beth was a squib, Keri ended up being The Gray Lady, and Brooke was a witch in lovely dress robes.

MAD EYE MOODY!
Can't tell you how much I love this costume.
Ross even made it himself.

Most of the crew (some people had to leave early).
Tasha was a witch trying to dress as a muggle, and Dave was Dumbledore.

They sorted us into houses...I was sorted into Slytherin (because when Dumbledore drew my name out of the sorting hat, it was Slytherin's turn) along with Rose. We played HP trivia, looked for the most hidden golden snitches (which we were supposed to leave them where we found them, but as a Slytherin, I had no choice but to sneak them and put 'em in my pocket; somehow, Slytherin found the most snitches), ate some HP themed foods, and other stuff!

Dang it, Harry Potter Halloween parties are fun!

Thanks for hosting, Dave and Lindsey! It was stellar!