Disclaimer: Only the premise of this story belongs to me – the whole HP universe most obviously belongs to JK Rowling. I just like taking it all out to play with for a little while :-) - ES

Chapter 30

Between homework, flying lessons and the study sessions on the weekend, it seemed to Harry that the time since his arrival had just flown by. It was now only a week before Halloween and, although Harry was looking forward to the feast, he couldn't help but be worried that something would happen. He must have been more worried than he thought, because his friends noticed during one of their weekend meetings in the library and kept shooting him concerned looks, until Draco finally spoke up.

"Harry, are you alright? You look like you're really thinking hard about something and have been distracted all week."

"It's just that I'm not feeling well about Halloween. I know it's supposed to be a great feast and all, but it's the anniversary of my parent's death, so I guess I'm worried that something bad will happen again." said Harry, hoping his friends would believe his reply. In truth, he was upset to think that everyone would be celebrating while he would be thinking about his parents' sacrifice, but he was also concerned that Quirrell would try something similar to last time.

"Oh, Harry,"said Susan, "we must seem so thoughtless to be talking about what great fun it will be while you're thinking about your parents. I hope you can accept my apology." she said, as the others chimed in with their own apologies.

"That's alright guys. It's just that I don't feel like celebrating that much, it's not that kind of day for me. That shouldn't ruin your enjoyment of it." replied Harry

"No, you're right Harry, although it's Halloween, it's still an important day for another reason to you, and it seems a little thoughtless of the headmaster to announce it as being great fun. I mean, sure, people were even celebrating that day in 1981 when your parents died, because of the vanquishing of You-Know-Who and not thinking that you were now an orphan because of it." said Susan.

When Harry looked at her questioningly, Susan said, "I remember my aunt complaining every year that people have these grand parties on Halloween and shoot off fireworks, meaning she has to go out and arrest a few people who get carried away. And she gets upset that they don't remember that the reason they celebrate is the same reason you don't have your parents. She really was fond of your father, you know."

"Thanks Susan, I'll have to thank her for that next time I write to her." replied Harry.

"No problem, Harry. And I'm glad that you're writing to her, she was pleased to hear that you're back in the magical world and that we're friends."said Susan, blushing a little at that last statement.

"You know me, I have good taste in friends!" said Harry with a laugh. The rest of the table joined in at that comment and were happier that Harry was smiling again. 'I'll just have to keep my eyes and ears open for any mischief that night. Maybe I'll talk to Professor Snape.' thought Harry before mentally pulling himself back to his current task – finding a way to get Neville a new wand.

"So, can we talk about something I've been curious about?" started Harry. Getting nods from the others, he said "I want to talk about wands, where the materials to make them come from, why they match themselves with certain people, how they're made. That kind of stuff."

"There are a few books on wand-lore in the shelves, but I've not really read up on them yet." said Hermione.

"What? Something the great Hermione doesn't know yet? Impossible!" said Terry, with a smile as she smacked his arm playfully.

"I know some of that, but not much," started Padma. At their looks, she continued, "I was curious how Parvati and I could be identical twins and not have identical wands, so I asked my cousin Pramesh, before I came to Hogwarts. He's apprenticed to a wand maker in India, so while he was visiting for our birthday, I took him aside and he gave me a quick run-down." Seeing she had their attention, she said, "He told me that the cores and wood respond to our unique magical signature. He said that although Parvati and I are identical on the outside, we each have different magical strengths, and something in the wand calls to those strengths, which is why it's best to use a wand that has 'picked' you and not someone else's." she explained.

"Maybe that's why my wand doesn't seem to work so well," said Neville.

"What do you mean, Neville?" asked Hannah.

"Well, my gran is always comparing me to my father, and made me use his wand, saying that he was a great wizard with it..." he mumbled this last part.

"But Neville, if this is true, maybe you should see if you can get your own wand. If you're noticing that it doesn't seem to work as well for you, that could be holding you back from reaching your full potential as a wizard."said Terry

"I'll have to see if I can talk to my gran about it and get a better wand. You said there were books about this, Hermione?" Hermione nodded. "I'll have to see if I can borrow a book then, so she'll believe me and not try to accuse me of trying to get rid of it just because it's my fathers." said Neville.

"You should write to her and quote the book, so she can check for herself and not say something that mean to you." said Hannah, in an understanding voice.

'Looks like my plan to get him a new wand early will work.' thought Harry, satisfied that Neville had spoken up. 'He's becoming the brave wizard that I knew.' he thought, 'and much sooner than previously. Glad I thought to make friends with him that first day, it's obvious that he only needed a little confidence and us all working together is providing him with some of it.' Harry smiled at the thought that he was not only thwarting Dumbledore's plans for him, but also helping those he considered his friends.

After dinner that evening, Harry made his way to Professor Snape's office door and knocked. The door opened to reveal Snape sitting at his desk with some paperwork.

"Mr. Potter, what can I do for you?" he asked, while gesturing to the seat across from him.

"Well, sir, I was hoping to talk to you about something."Harry started.

"Go ahead."Snape replied.

"It's just, I know that everyone is looking forward to the Halloween feast, and I'm feeling a little anxious about it myself. It's not a pleasant day for me, and I feel like something bad might happen" said Harry.

"Ah, yes. I understand your feelings on the feast. I too do not like to see people celebrating when I am reminded of what that celebration cost us – the deaths of your parents is no reason to celebrate, in my mind, and of course, knowing this, you might feel anxiety that something else bad would happen to you." said Snape. Harry nodded at this statement.

"You might join me here if you wish, instead of attending the feast. I abstain from attending these superficial celebrations, instead using the time to mourn the loss of my friend and remember her achievements." seeing Harry's surprised look, he continued, "Your mother was a great friend to me, even before Hogwarts, and is worth remembering in this way. She always thought of others and had friends in all houses, much as you do. She would be very proud of you, Harry." said Snape.

"Sir, as long as you don't mind, I would like to join you instead of attending the feast." said Harry.

"Seeing as I have already invited you, I definitely don't mind." Snape replied, with a small smirk. "You can meet me here and I will take you to my quarters for dinner instead of the feast on that night."

"Thank you, sir." said Harry. 'I never knew he did this! I'll have to find out what else that old goat kept from me!' he thought, as he left the office to join his friends in the common room.

"What was that all about?" asked Draco, as Harry sat down next to him.

"Oh, I just talked to Professor Snape about Halloween, and he invited me to join him in his chambers for dinner that night instead of attending." replied Harry.

"That's nice of him. I know that he usually keeps to himself on Halloween, so you should feel lucky that he invited you."

Harry nodded and started setting up a wizarding chess set to play with Draco.

Soon, too soon, to Harry's mind, the weather changed from crisp autumn days to cold rainy ones. No more could his group of friends go outside to enjoy themselves on the weekends. No more walking around the grounds, unless they huddled under an umbrella, and none of them wanted to do that. So, they found themselves spending most of their time in the library together. The only problem that any of them had with that was that they couldn't talk loud or play any games. Harry decided that another visit to Snape was in order. Maybe he could help them.

Harry knocked on his head of house's door and was admitted. After being invited to sit down, Harry thought about all he had learned of his formerly least-liked Professor. About how he had told Harry stories of his mother's childhood on Halloween during dinner (until they were interrupted by an alarm – Harry should have known that Quirrell would still manage to get a troll into the school. No one was injured this time, thank Merlin, but still.) and how he treated his students with care. This was a far cry from what he was led to believe about the man last time.

"Earth to Mr. Potter. Are you okay?" said Snape, looking concerned.

"Sorry, sir, I was just woolgathering."

"That's fine. Now, can I ask what has brought you here this evening?" asked Snape

"Yes, sir. I was wondering if there was such a thing as an all-house common room? You see, with the weather now, we can't all get together outside and the library is somewhat restrictive with what we can do." said Harry.

"By restrictive, you mean that you can't talk above a low voice and no games are allowed, correct?" asked Snape with a smirk.

"Yes, sir. I mean, we do spend a lot of time studying together, but we want to have somewhere to have fun as well, and..."

"I believe I can help you out there, Mr. Potter. There are some empty classrooms on each floor. I'm sure that if you ask Professor McGonagall, she'll allow you to use one for your gatherings." seeing Harry's look, he continued, "As Deputy Headmistress, this falls under her domain." at this Harry nodded, "I can write you a pass if you'd like to talk to her this evening about it?"

"Yes sir, that would be great!" smiled Harry.

And so, after a brief conversation, McGonagall assigned an all-houses common room for Harry and his friends to use on the second floor. She even insisted on transfiguring the furniture herself and gave them a couple of couches, some love-seats, and a few single chairs and some tables. To Harry's surprise, she made them in neutral earth-tones and then finished by putting a small Hogwarts banner above the fireplace. She told him that the fireplace would be maintained as soon as she notified the Hogwarts elves, and put a small plaque on the door announcing the room's purpose as "All-house common room".

The following day, Professor McGonagall announced during breakfast that, at the instigation of a student, she was creating an all-house common room on each floor of the castle. She then awarded Slytherin 20 points for inter-house unity, all the while smiling over at Harry. When Draco nudged him, he smiled. He looked over at his friends and saw them smiling over at him, while Dean and Neville gave him a thumbs-up. Yes, things were definitely looking up.