Chapter 22
Halloween

"Get up Harry," Ron shouted shaking him furiously. "We're going to be late to Transfiguration."

The last couple of weeks had been particularly hectic for Harry and he was trying to milk every second of sleep that he could. Ron had increased the frequency of Quidditch practices since their first match with Hufflepuff was coming up and between that, DA meetings, homework, checking on Dumbledore, and learning how to apparate, Harry could hardly even remember what day it was. And there was always the trouble with Neville to deal with. Neville and Harry had told Hermione about his memory charm theory and Hermione was working on trying to break it. It is widely known that memory charms are very hard to break even for the most powerful witches and wizards so Hermione was adamant that they read every piece of literature on the subject. So in the little free time they did have, Harry and Ron were helping Hermione search through every book dealing with memory charms.

Of course things were beginning to let up. After a couple of more sessions with Hermione, they all successfully learned how to Apparate. Neville was the last to get it, although it didn't take him much more time than the others to master it.

Dumbledore seemed to be getting better too. Harry had started to check on him every other day and had once been present to the screams that Myrtle had warned him of. Dumbledore kept screaming, "It can't be you" over and over again. Strangely enough, it actually had made Harry feel better to hear his voice.

In an effort to alleviate some of the pressure on Harry, Aberforth had suggested that Harry entrust Dobby to help take care of Dumbledore. Harry knew that Dobby was fiercely loyal to him and Harry made it clear that Dobby wasn't to tell anyone of the situation. So Dobby began checking on Dumbledore every day and popping in on Harry every night to give him a progress report. Harry knew that Dobby would do a good job taking care of Dumbledore. Dobby felt very grateful that Dumbledore gave him a job and Harry could tell that the elf would probably do just about anything for him.

"Come on Harry." Ron urged. "I don't feel like cleaning the owlery again." Harry and Ron had been late to Transfiguration twice already this year and ended up cleaning up after the owls without the benefit of magic. McGonagall was acting more strict than usual this term and Harry agreed that he didn't want to test her again.

Harry groggily opened his eyes and noting the time quickly woke himself up and began getting his things together for class. Ron continued to urge him on and within a few seconds they were both tearing through the common room. Harry noticed a crowd assembled around the bulletin board but they didn't have time to see what they were looking at.

They entered class out of breath and went to towards the front of the class where there were they found Hermione sitting by herself with a vacant chair to her right. Behind her, Neville was also sitting with a vacant chair available. Ron quickly grabbed the seat next to Neville, which left Harry sitting next to Hermione. It didn't really surprise Harry. His two best friends were having one of their patented quarrels lately although neither of them would say what it was about. Ron just said that Hermione was being a know it all like usual when Harry prodded him and Hermione said that Ron was being a prat as usual. Harry knew that there was probably a lot more to the story but conceded that they would tell him when they felt like it.

"Thank Merlin we're not late." Ron said as he was catching his breath.

"Actually you are late," Hermione responded without even looking at Ron. "But McGonagall hasn't shown up yet. Although as a prefect I could take off house points for you being tardy... and an insensitive prat."

"And as a prefect I could take house points from you for being such a bloody know it all." Ron replied.

"Before Gryffindor ends up with no points." Harry jumped in. "Why don't you guys tell me what this is all about?"

"Nothing." They both said loudly in unison. Harry was going to try and prod them further but just then Professor Flitwick came bounding into class.

"Quiet down everyone." Flitwick said as he climbed up on top of McGonagall's desk to address the class. "Professor McGonagall is a little under the weather so as I have this period off, I volunteered to take her class today."

"I didn't think old McGonagall could get sick." Ron said softly. Harry chuckled a little. This was there sixth year and he couldn't remember McGonagall ever missing a class.

"Now then, Miss Granger what is it that you were to study today." Flitwick asked.

"We were supposed to learn partial animal transformations." Hermione responded. Harry had actually forgotten that they were going to learn this and was now very excited. While doing his readings in preparation for this class, they had found that partial animal transformations sounded very exciting. For instance, a person could transfigure their hands into talons if they needed something sharp. Of course, complete animal transformations were much more difficult and took a lot more training. Harry had always loved the idea of becoming an animagus like his father, but he just didn't have that kind of time, especially not now.

"Of course." The small professor responded. "A very useful tool for a witch or wizard. Now everyone watch me. We will start small. We will all attempt to transfigure one of our hands into the paw of a lion. Now the correct wand movement is a swish followed by two taps on the hand. And the incantation is Mano Leone. Come on now everyone try it."

Excitement spread through the classroom as they all began saying the incantation and attempting the spell. Professor Flitwick began walking around to observe.

"It's very important that you visualize what you want to happen with any transfiguration spell." Flitwick added. "It is not enough to just wave the wand and say the spell." Harry did as the professor said and after a couple of times was able to perform the transformation flawlessly.

"Well done Mr. Potter well done." Flitwick said with a big smile on his face. "Everyone else keep trying." Harry was starting to become very accustomed to Dumbledore's wand and found that it was getting easier and easier to work with it. His Transfiguration skills specifically had greatly improved.

"Mano Leone!" Hermione shouted and ended up poking her hand very hard instead of tapping it. Harry laughed to himself. Normally Hermione probably would have been the first to complete the task but her fight with Ron had apparently gotten to her. When class let out and Ron had completed the task and she still hadn't, she stormed out of the room without saying a word to anyone.

"I wonder what her problem is." Ron said while scratching his head with his big lion paw. Harry couldn't help laughing as they made their way out of class.

"I can't wait for tonight." Ron said as they made their way through the corridor. They had a break before their next class so they were heading back to the common room.

"Tonight?" Harry asked.

"Don't tell me you forgot." Ron replied. "The Halloween feast. It's my favorite of the year." Harry had forgotten because the days were starting to run together lately. But it would be exciting. The Halloween feast was always great.

When they got back to the common room, Harry went straight for the bulletin board that he had seen people looking at earlier in the day.

"First Hogsmeade trip Ron." Harry yelled to Ron who had taken a seat on the couch and was looking like he was going to fall asleep although this news seemed to perk him up.

"When?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow." Harry replied.

"That's great." Ron replied. "It will do us good to get out of the castle for a change." Harry nodded and thought to himself that it would be the perfect time to ask Ginny on a proper date. He just hoped it would go better than his last Hogsmeade experience with Cho Chang.

The rest of the day went very slowly. Classes always seem to drag on forever when there is something to look forward to like the Halloween feast. When it was finally time to go down to the feast, Harry came down from the sixth year boy's dorm and found Ginny waiting for him. He just couldn't help smiling every time he saw her.

"Hey Ginny." He said as he approached her. "You were waiting to walk down to the feast with me?"

"Maybe." She replied slyly. He just flashed her a quick smile and without even realizing he was doing it he held out his hand, which she quickly took. They began walking out of the common room following a swarm of students who were doing the same when Harry suddenly stopped.

"Wait, where are Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Oh they were having another row right before you came down." Ginny replied casually. "Ron stormed out of the common room and Hermione ran up to the girls dorm."

"Do you think we should go see if she's all right?" Harry questioned.

"Honestly Harry haven't you learned yet? When those two go at it it's best to just stay out of the way. I've asked them what's wrong and they both just keep telling me nothing.

"Yea, they say the same thing to me." Harry replied.

"See. Let's just let them figure this one out for themselves." She replied and once again grasped Harry's hand in hers. A couple of Gryffindor girls in Ginny's year that Harry didn't know giggled as they walked by the couple.

"So you know the first Hogsmeade visit is coming up." Harry said shyly avoiding Ginny's eyes.

"Yea, I saw." Ginny replied. They were both a little nervous and Harry could feel the sweet building up in both their hands.

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?" Harry continued.

"I'd love to Harry!" Ginny yelled stopping abruptly and throwing her arms around him. She went on to tell him about all the fun things they could do together. Ron had always said that when she was at home Ginny never shut up and now that she was becoming a lot more comfortable with him, Harry was beginning to see that side of her come out.

When they got to the Great Hall for the feast, Harry noticed that Ron was already sitting at the Gryffindor table and he and Ginny sat down next to him.

"Hey Ron." Harry started.

"What? Oh hey mate." Ron replied. He was peering around the Gryffindor table, which was starting to become full with students.

"Where's Hermione." Ron asked.

"She stayed in the girls dormitory Ron." Ginny replied. "No thanks to you."

"Hey don't blame me. She's the one that...." Ron caught himself quickly. "Nevermind. I've gotta go." With that he got up from the table and began walking quickly towards the door.

"But Ron the feast is about to start." Harry called after him. But Ron just kept walking and was soon out of sight. Harry could hardly believe that Ron would ever miss the Halloween feast; he looked forward to it every year.

"Just let him go." Ginny said smiling at Harry again. "We'll enjoy it without them." And they did enjoy it. Aberforth got up and welcomed everyone and with a clap of his hands the tables were full of every treat imaginable. Everyone was talking about his or her first Hogsmeade visit, especially the third years that would be going for the first time. And a lot of the younger Gryffindor's were coming up to Harry and Ginny and asking them how badly they were going to beat Hufflepuff in Quidditch.

"With Harry back as our seeker, I'm sure we'll win easily." Seamus yelled from the other side of the table as a Gryffindor cheer broke out.

Harry briefly looked over at the Slytherin table and tried to find Malfoy. He had not seen him since their encounter in the trophy room and he was looking forward to rubbing it in a little. But Malfoy was nowhere to be seen which Harry reasoned was probably for the best anyway.

When the feast ended, Harry and Ginny strolled gingerly back up to the common room intent on trying to find out what was going on with Ron and Hermione. But when they got there they were nowhere to be found. Harry and Ginny both checked their respective dormitories but came up empty.

"No sign of Hermione." Ginny stated as she made her way down the stairs.

"Ron either." Harry replied. "I think I'll go check my map just make sure they are all right." Harry added as he made his way to the stairs. But before he could the door to the common room swung open revealing one of the map's authors.

"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked. "What are you doing in here?"

"I have news Harry." Lupin said as he led Harry to an unoccupied corner of the room. Some of the students were taking note of the professor's appearance and were obviously interested to find out what they were talking about so Lupin got close to Harry and whispered in his ear. "We have him."

"Have who?" Harry replied.

"We caught Lucius Malfoy."

Author's Note: This chapter was particularly hard for me to write so I'm sorry if it is a little boring. There were certain things that I needed to happen in this chapter and I knew before I started writing it that it wasn't going to be very exciting. The next chapter should be a lot better. In the next chapter I will have my first Quidditch match. I am a little nervous about writing Quidditch because I want to make sure it's unique and exciting. Anyways please keep reviewing, you know I appreciate them.

P.S.: I made a change to the previous chapter in regards to the apparition question. I hope it is an explanation that satisfies everyone. Thanks!