Chapter Eight: Halloween

There are several dialogue quotes taken from JK Rowling's Chamber of Secrets in this book. This is to convey the same story she wrote, but from another character's POV. The quotes taken directly from the book have three quotation marks (instead of two) around them to signify she wrote them and that I am citing them. Because I am transforming pieces of her work into something new this falls under the Fair Use Act. Additionally, JK Rowling has stated that she is okay with noncommercial fan fiction. All direct quotes, the Harry Potter storyline, and the characters all belong to JK Rowling.

The next morning Draco was surprised and again unhappy to see Harry at the breakfast table pouring himself a glass of orange juice. Still a week later the four of them were discussing how it was that Harry escaped the rule crazed caretaker, Filch.

"Do you think he caught on, and didn't go?" Asked Pansy for the hundredth time.

"It doesn't matter whether he went, stayed, escaped, got caught. We all know they aren't going to expel him," mumbled Daphne grumpily.

"What happened to little Ms. Sunshine?" Draco teased.

"Nothing, I'm fine," said Daphne. "I just am getting really fed up over all these people swooning over him. I'm smart enough to suck it up and act friendly, but truth be told I can't take it right now. Especially in the morning," she yawned and stuffed a biscuit into her mouth.

"We're in the minority," mumbled Draco.

"We're not," said Blaise. "The effect is wearing off the other students too. Gryffindor might still be amazed by him, but the other houses are finding it annoying that Saint Potter gets all the attention. The Ravenclaws are mad that the teachers are favoring him when he doesn't have the best work ethic, and the Hufflepuffs are mad that he has been getting special treatment... Like that," said Blaise, pointing to Harry's recognizable snowy owl which was dropping off a large parcel.

"What are you getting at?" Asked Draco completely confused.

"He is a boy with no family Malfoy," said Blaise. "Who do you think is sending him parcels, Godric? I bet you anything it's a broom."

"What? No!" Draco spat. "They are not allowed for first years. My father tried everything to let me take mine."

"Suit yourself Draco, but I don't know what else that would be," said Blaise.

"Crabbe, Goyle!" Draco shouted. And the three of them got up and followed him on his command.

"Oh look what you started," said Daphne, ripping Draco's newspaper out of Blaise's hands and ripping it up out of spite. "Are you trying to start a riot?"

Blaise shrugged his shoulders and put the paper back together with a flick of his wand.

Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy speed down the hallway after Ron and Harry who were seemingly trying to sneak off to the dorms with the package. They jumped right in front of them, stopping them in their tracks.

Draco seized the package angrily and felt it. "'That's a broomstick,'" he said, jealously and threw it back to Harry, almost knocking him clean in the face. "'You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them.'"

"'It's not any old broomstick,'" said Ron with a huge grin. "'it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty? Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus.'"

"'What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle,'" Snapped Malfoy, who was now ready to pounce at any moment. "'I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig.'"

"'Not arguing, I hope, boys?'" Asked Professor Flitwick, butting into their conversation.

"'Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor,'" said Malfoy, unable to hide the disdain and jealousy in his voice.

"'Yes, yes, that's right,'" said Professor Flitwick, who beamed at Harry, and then gave a small smirk to Draco."'Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?'"

"'A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir,'" said Harry, with a smug look of triumph. "'And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it,'" Harry remarked before walking up the stairs laughing and hollering with Ron.

Draco stood there dumbfounded and angry. "Hey," spoke Goyle slowly. "I bet the special circumstances are that he made the Gryffindor team."

"Ya think, dimwit!" Draco barked, taking his anger out on him.

Draco stomped back over to the Slytherin table full of rage. This time no one made an effort to tease him or cheer him up. Draco's pure anger was radiating off of him, and no one wanted to mess with that.

Draco ferociously scribbled a note to his father.

Dear Father,

Despite Dumbledore refusing to let me take my broom to Hogwarts, and first years never making the team, Professor McGonagall herself bought Potter a broomstick... a nimbus 2000. How is this fair? Why should Saint Potter always be given special treatment? Dumbledore really is a right foul git.

Draco

Draco marched up to the Owlery himself and tied the letter to Niklaus's leg. He watched him fly out, and stared out the window for quite a while.

Draco didn't hear back from his father until the morning of Halloween.

Draco

While I am appalled at Dumbledore for allowing such favoritism, I am just as appalled with you for not making... for not even trying out for the Slytherin quidditch team, as Dumbledore informed me. When you let some filthy muggle raised half blood out-do you, it reflects poorly onto this entire family. I feel disgusted, and I am glad I have over a month to collect myself before I have to deal with my failure of a son. I tried reasoning with Dumbledore, but seeing as you did not even bother to try for the Slytherin team, I really had no grounds to get you your broom.

Lucius Malfoy

Draco glumly tossed the letter in the trash, regretting his decision to bring his father into this. Suddenly, an unfamiliar owl landed next to Niklaus with another letter addressed to Draco. Draco untied it despite the hoots of protest that Niklaus gave him.

Draco opened the letter.

Draco,

Could you meet me in my office at 10:00am? The password is licorice.

Professor Dumbledore

Draco's heart beat fast. As much as he didn't like Professor Dumbledore, he didn't want to confront him. He was deep in thought when Niklaus angrily nipped his finger. "Ow" snipped Draco. "You don't have to be so ruddy jealous all the time." Niklaus stared Draco down before flying off.

"What's that?" asked Pansy.

"Dumbledore wants to see me," Draco grumbled.

The Slytherins looked back at him with a mix of shock and horror. "You don't think you're getting in trouble do you?" Asked Blaise.

"You don't think he knows about our plan?" Asked Pansy.

"I don't know, but I better get over there. It's already 9:45," said Draco.

Without another word he got up to leave. Crabbe and Goyle instinctively got up too, to which Draco snipped, "Bugger off you two."

The pair shrugged and sat back down. Draco made his way to Dumbledore's office trying to keep his cool as he walked up to the large Gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's entry way.

"Licorice," said Draco and the gargoyle sprung to life allowing Draco to pass and go up into Dumbledore's office.

Draco was about to knock on the door when it suddenly opened on its own. "Come in Draco," said an old wise voice.

Draco made his way across the office to Dumbledore who was sitting at a large mahogany desk. The two of them stared at each other in silence for a moment until Dumbledore spoke, "Is there something you wanted to discuss with me Draco?"

"Sir? You asked me to come here," said Draco, who was now completely confused.

"Indeed I did," Dumbledore sighed. "I hear that you are concerned about the way a certain student has been treated."

Draco was completely flustered. As much as he had mocked Dumbledore, it was quite intimidating to be in his presence. Dumbledore was powerful, you could almost feel the magic radiating off of him. "Sir, first years are not allowed brooms, or to be on quidditch teams," Draco blurted out, his face turning red. "Students are not allowed to fight, or break curfew, or ride the school brooms when the teacher isn't there. I work so hard in school."

"You do work hard in school Draco," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Professor Snape in particular has spoken quite highly of you, though I have good reason to believe all your teachers are impressed."

"So why-" Draco cut himself off, completely flustered and red with anger. "Never mind" he grumbled.

"So why is Harry Potter doted on by the staff and students." Dumbledore finished for Draco, but he said it more as a statement than a question.

Draco looked at him and he sighed a long sigh. "You and Harry have different strengths. You work so hard to be the best all the time Draco. It is okay to relax, have fun, make friends, and enjoy your time here at Hogwarts. I'm not going to sit here and deny the appeal that many have towards Harry, to do so would be foolish... It's okay to be angry at the injustices in the world, it's okay to be jealous."

"I'm not jeal-" Draco snapped, shouting at Dumbledore, before calming and fixing his tone. "I am not jealous," said Draco, this time much more composed.

"You've grown up in harsh circumstances Draco." Dumbledore continued. "In some ways much worse than Harry. It's not about being the perfect person Draco, I don't expect that from anyone. It's about learning from your mistakes, and not letting others dictate who you are."

Draco sighed and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "That is why," Dumbledore could no longer contain a small smile as he spoke. "I have allowed both Harry and you to stay at this school despite your rule breaches."

Draco looked up at Dumbledore completely stunned. He had definitely underestimated the headmaster, who clearly knew everything that really went down. He had never considered that Dumbledore may be aware that he had broken rules… and he was so focused on Harry, Draco barely realized himself that he had broken several rules as well.

Draco just nodded and left without saying another word. In potions his friends asked him what had transpired, and Draco told them that it was just about his extra work with Snape. Although they had their doubts about this, they didn't press him too hard.

After class ended they waved goodbye, and Draco spent an hour or so with Snape delving into the reasoning as to why certain potions work, and how magical properties affect each other when put together. When they were done Snape handed Draco a brand new supplemental potions book for him to read.

Halloween finally dawned upon the spectacular castle, and despite Draco's love of learning, he couldn't wait to finally relax and enjoy the festivities. Over the past month the castle was slowly decorated with enormous pumpkins with garish faces carved into them. Skeletons were enchanted to tap dance in hallways. Live bats made their nest in the ceiling and fluttered about anytime you opened the door to a dark room.

Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Daphne were ready for their adventure to find the secret object Hogwarts was hiding. They had spent the last few weeks perfecting the disillusionment charm and used it to sneak up and scare each other as well as other unsuspecting first years.

They had a plan. First, they were going to enjoy the festivities for a little while; have a bite to eat and establish an alibi. Then, they were going to slip away as the others were getting full and sleepy. They just had to sit on their hands and wait for the moment to come.

Everyone seemed to be having a hard time concentrating in classes as the Slytherins sat their way through History of Magic, which dragged on even longer than usual. Finally class let out and the four Slytherins were walking down the hallway when a bushy haired girl pushed her way through, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Was that Granger?" Asked Daphne.

"What the hell do you think that was for?" asked Pansy.

Draco just shrugged. "Probably just realized how insufferable she is. She has literally read Hogwarts: A History cover to cover. Did you know that? Seems like she compensates for her lack of friends." Draco scoffed.

Daphne raised her eyebrows at Draco. She had been his play mate since they were both very little, and Daphne knew for sure that Hogwarts: A History sat on Draco's book shelf. Not only that, but in the section he kept all his favorite books. However, the Slytherin witch decided not to out her clearly uncomfortable friend.

Later that day, after their last class, Draco declared that he was going to the library to revise for transfigurations. His friends were quite shocked, as most people were making their way to the Great Hall, but Draco assured them he would be there soon.

Draco walked down the long corridor towards the library. He had no idea why he felt the need to do this now, but something inside him just wasn't ready to join the feast. As Draco passed the lavatories, suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a young girl crying. No, not just crying, but uncontrollable sobbing and hyperventilating. He heard her gasping for breath, and possibly dry heaving.

Draco knew these sounds all too well. He had experienced moments like these often throughout his life. He thought back to when he was just a young boy hiding from his father in the china cabinet.

Draco managed to continue walking just a few more feet before he stopped, pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and whispered, "Shit."

He walked back, made sure no one was looking, and cracked open the door to the girls lavatory. It appeared empty aside from one stall which was locked shut. The noises were coming from in there. Draco thought about letting someone else deal with the situation, but everyone else would be at the feast by now, and he hated the sound of... this.

Draco didn't know what to call it, but he knew it was hell. It felt like there was no more air left in the world, and like you were dying with no way of stopping it. Draco had never heard or seen another person in this situation, and the sound pierced his brain and hurt his heart on a physical level, despite the air about him.

"Hello?" Said Draco, and immediately the girl clearly tried her hardest to stop crying. She lost the battle with her body, and ended up gasping and choking for air not a second later.

Draco walked into the bathroom and sat down outside her stall with his back pressed up against the door. "Granger I know it's you," he spoke in a soft voice. "I get like this a lot too. Ever since I was little. I don't know why. I actually didn't know anyone else experienced this. You just have to wait it out- but you probably know that... but I'm here."

Draco continued to sit there a while, and eventually her breath grew quieter and quieter. He no longer heard her dry heaving, and the sobbing reduced to a quiet cry. "It's called a panic attack," Hermione finally said, to Draco's surprise.

He felt the stall door open from behind him and he turned around to see Hermione red faced and puffy. She sat down on the floor next to him. "A panic attack?" He asked with a doubtful look.

"Back in the muggle world my parents took me to a doctor that specializes in disorders of the brain because I was having a hard time," she spoke. "I was diagnosed with anxiety and the episodes are called panic attacks. I'm not sure if there are these kinds of doctors in the wizarding world, but it sounds like you have it too."

Draco definitely did not believe the young witch or her stupid muggle doctors, but he was not about to fight her right now, so he changed the subject. "What happened?" He asked.

"Ron sai-" she started.

"Ugh Weasley?" Draco scoffed, cutting her off.

She gave him a stern look and he muttered, "sorry," under his breath.

"He called me a nightmare," said Hermione. "I try to make friends in my house, but it's so hard," the witch cried as she spoke. "They are just so different from me. I love books and learning and so many things that the others don't care about. But you-" she said, grabbing his hand. "You are like me, I know you are. It's like that day in the book shop-"

"I told you. That was a prank," Draco protested, pulling his hand from hers.

"I know you've read Hogwarts: A History many times," Hermione insisted. "You like to learn and read, and I know that you don't always feel comfortable admitting that because you want to look good for your friends, but maybe you... we need better friends," Hermione looked at him hopefully.

"You should forgive Ron, and become friends with him and Harry," said Draco, refusing to look her in the eye. "We're not friends, and we never will be." Draco quickly stood up and left the lavatory without another word.

Draco finally entered the Great Hall and sat down next to Blaise and Daphne.

"Finally," said Daphne. "What took you so long?"

Draco was about ready to spit out some excuse about not being able to find the right book, when Professor Quirrell sprinted in with a look of absolute terror plastered to his face. "'Troll — in the dungeons — thought you ought to know.'" He managed to shout before passing out dead in the middle of the floor.

Everyone started screaming and hollering until Dumbledore silenced everyone by emitting purple firecrackers from the end of his wand. "'Prefects,'" he roared, "'lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!'"

"What the hell?" Erick shouted in disgust. "Our dormitories are in the dungeons," he shouted, but no one seemed to listen. "Ugh, follow me. I'll take you guys someplace safe."

Erick led the students up the stairs. "I am taking you guys to at least the fourth floor," he spoke. "Far away from the troll."

Draco, Pansy, Daphne, and Blaise looked at each other, and all came to the realization this was their chance. They let themselves sink to the back of the crowd and casted the disillusionment charms on themselves. They then peeled off from the group as they reached the third floor.

They were walking down the long corridor when they heard footsteps behind them.

"Shit," mumbled Blaise, and Pansy stomped hard on his foot as a warning.

They pressed themselves against the wall and tried their hardest not to move or breath too loud. They watched as someone crept down the corridor, looking behind them constantly, as if they were sneaking around.

When they passed by, it was Daphne who made a sound. She gasped and immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. It was Professor Quirrell.

He clearly heard something as he stopped dead in his tracks and looked around. Finally he must have decided it was nothing as he continued down and went inside the door at the end of the hall.

The four of them were about to head back, when another person came bounding down the hall, but with a confidence Quirrell did not possess. They craned their neck to see who this was and although they didn't think it was possible, they were even more surprised when they saw Professor Snape.

As soon as he walked through the same door Quirrell did, Draco whispered "Run!" in a low but powerful voice.

That is exactly what the four of them did. They sprinted down the hallway and up the stairs until they saw the other Slytherins camped down the hall of the fourth floor. They snuck their way back to the end of the crowd, and removed the disillusionment charms when they were no one was looking.

They sat there a while until Professor Snape came up and told them that they were safe to come down to the Slytherin dormitories. He then complimented Erick on his quick-wit and sensible decision to disobey Dumbledore's direct orders. "It's not often that I encourage my students to break rules," he spoke in his normal slow, boring voice. "But you used your basic logic Silverling. Ten points to Slytherin."

The Slytherin students understood that this was quite a compliment coming from Professor Snape, and Erick blushed profusely as he led the students back down the stairs with his chest puffed out a bit more than before.

As the group disembarked down the stairs, Draco noticed something peculiar. Snape was limping... badly. He tapped Daphne, Blaise, and Pansy on the shoulder and pointed to his injured leg. They looked at each other incredulously, but none of them dared to speak.