(Impressive fanfare) Hello again, everyone! This goes along with the chapter; Halloween! Now, on with the story! 1, 951 words...this is shorter then I thought...*sigh*
As they passed a bathroom, Haley summoned some of her robes to change quickly. Soon they were down to breakfast. Nick glided over.
"Haley, dear, would you mind coming to my death-day party?"
"Sorry, Nicholas. I don't think I can this year. You already know Halloween's a hard night for me, and I don't think I can be at a death-day party without losing it this year."
"Perfectly understandable. What about you, Miss Tee?"
"I'm sorry, Sir Nicholas. Not this year. If it would make you feel better, though, I'll come next year. What about you Haley?"
"I guess I could manage. Hey, Nicholas, if you want a real idea, you should invite Harry and maybe his friends, too. Next year, anyway. I think Harry's still trying to get the hang of the wizarding world this year."
"Quite right, Haley, quite right," He said, gliding away. Haley frowned.
"I hope I didn't upset him. But I really did mean it."
"Since you're not going this year, would you come to the feast? Please? It would make me really happy."
"I think I can manage. Halloween feast is happy."
"I know, I know, don't expect to see you before then. I'm fine with that. But this year, let's just go to the feast, and have a good time."
"You're the best, Kris," And Haley hugged her. Kris smiled, before noticing the long, thin package headed for Harry.
"Hal, is that -?"
"It is!" She smiled, jumping off the bench and running over to the Gryffindor table. Kris followed, although she was more calm.
"Whatisitwhatisitwhatisit?" By the way, she's saying 'what is it?' really fast. Haley asked, jumping up and down, completely forgetting about Halloween. Harry's grin was wide as he passed her the note. She squealed, before snatching the broom and rushing to the hallway. The other three caught up. Haley couldn't stop jumping. That is, until she saw Malfoy coming up the hall. The others gathered around her, all scowling at Malfoy.
"What's that?" Malfoy asked.
"None of your business," I snarled.
"Haley," Kris warned.
"It's my business if I want it to be," Malfoy retorted. Crabbe snatched the package from her. Thankfully, Kris was holding onto her robes.
"Why do you need a broomstick?" He asked, throwing it back.
"It's not hers, it Harry's -" At this point, Kris had to begin dragging Haley away, to keep her from tackling Ron, "And it's not any old broomstick, it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?" Ron turned to Harry to explain, "Comets look flashy but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."
"What would you know about it, Weasley," Kris's grip loosened, "you couldn't af-" Kris didn't even need to here the whole word. She turned Haley loose. Haley didn't even get a chance to screech at him before Flitwick rushed over. Apparently he'd seen her temper flaring.
"Not arguing, I hope?"
"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," Malfoy accused quickly.
"Yes, yes, that's right," Haley relaxed, "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"
"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," Malfoy had a look of horror on his face. Haley felt a strange satisfaction, and smiled evilly, "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here I've got it," And they all left upstairs, smothering laughter.
"Oh, man. Best torture ever. Tell your arch-nemesis they just helped you achieve one of the best moments in your life, and it's the absolute truth!" When she laughed, it was musical, like birdsong.
"Oh, so it's good that he got a reward for breaking the rules?" Haley made a dismissive noise.
"When it comes to flying, there are no rules to break."
"Haley," Kris sighed, used to this attitude.
"You know that I have always held that as the complete and utter truth. Since I was six."
"Six?" Kris asked.
"Age I learned to ride a full-sized broom."
"Honestly, you keep getting more and more interesting," She mused.
"So do you," Haley smiled. Hermione had marched away by this time, nose in the air.
"I know she doesn't like us, but is this attitude really necessary?" Haley asked.
"Of course not," Kris answered the rhetorical question. Haley gave her a look, but they went about their business.
On Halloween morning, Haley was nowhere to be found. Harry even asked Kris where she'd gone.
"She's never around on Halloween. Promised me she'd come to the feast tonight, though."
"Why isn't she around on Halloween?"
"She says it's a 'bad night'. I've asked her at least twice why. Won't tell me. And to actually answer your question, I'm not exactly sure. Professor Dumbledore's the only one who can find her on Halloween, usually."
"Oh," Harry said.
"Sorry," Kris apologized, "Mousey, how many times have I told you; don't eat the eggs," She suddenly snapped at the mouse, startling Harry, "Sorry," She said again. He nodded.
Haley, at this moment, was in Dumbledore's office. She had a bedroom in there; it was hidden behind a bookcase, like in a cheesy Muggle mystery movie. Except you had to tap it with your wand, not pull out the right book. Right now, though, she was in the actual office, brooding. Fawkes nudged her hand, singing a few notes.
"Hey, boy," She stroked him, and used her fingers to preen him a bit. He made a content noise, "What do you want?" He looked out the window, then at her, "You want to go flying?" He nodded. She gave him one last stroke and then stood up, sighing. She then transformed into a red-and-gold phoenix, almost identical to Fawkes, the only differences being a small marking on her forehead and slightly darker feathers around her eyes. As soon as she was done, Fawkes immediately launched into a conversation, ready to fly with her.
"Hello, my dear."
"Hi, Fawkes," They were soaring out a window. Haley let herself get lost in the feeling under her wings, of the wind against her face.
"You seem happy."
"I haven't done this in a while."
"We haven't flown together since last year, I believe."
"True," She mused, "Hey, want to go annoy the owls?" He gave her a look.
"A true daughter of James. But why not?"
"A true phoenix of Albus," He seemed to smile as they turned toward the Owlery. The minute one of the owls saw them, it groaned.
"Oh, no. They're back," It hooted.
"'Tis I! The wonderful Haley Dumbledore!" She sang as she glided in.
"Go away," Several owls said.
"Oh, come on, it's been at least a year since I annoyed you."
"You do it perfectly well as a human."
"I haven't. Not lately, anyway. And besides, the first year's owls haven't seen me like this yet."
"They've seen you. Leave," One owl said.
"What did I do?" She asked, sounding hurt.
"You're not so annoying this way, but then you two come up to send several letters. But you just...are annoying. You don't need to try, you just are."
"Party poopers. Hey, Fawkes, what should we do now?"
"Just fly and talk?" He suggested.
"Alright," And they flew away.
"So, how's Kris?"
"Doing well. I transfigured a teacup to a mouse for her."
"And how's Harry?"
"He's fine. He's brilliant at Quidditch, and he's really nice. He found himself an enemy; that Draco Malfoy. I don't blame him. That kid was just..." She made an angry noise, "When we met him at Diagon Alley. I've been sort of stalking Harry, but he doesn't seem to mind."
"He should. Does he know?" Fawkes asked quietly.
"No. And I haven't told Kris, either. But I have a feeling he may find out from Quirrell, the way Dad is planning."
"Then tell him."
"I know I should, but he's happy, and there's no real reason. This sounds like one of those typical Muggle fiction stories. So he is going to find out from Quirrell. Ah, well," They flew in silence for a while, singing a bit. Soon, it was getting dark.
"I suppose it's almost time for the feast."
"No deathday party this year?" Fawkes asked
"No. I don't think I could handle it without thinking 'bout ten years ago."
"You know that if you're going to the feast, something bad is bound to happen."
"Oh, thank you. So much," She said as she landed, transforming back. Fawkes landed on her shoulder, and seemed to grin as he sang a few notes.
"I know you said 'you're welcome,' cheeky," She scolded as she walked in. He flew off toward Dumbledore's office, as Haley entered the Great Hall, to see Kris waving her over, smiling. Haley held up one finger, running over to the Gryffindor table first. She saw Ron and Harry.
"Hey guys. Where's Hermione?"
"Er...she may be in one of the bathrooms."
"What did you do, Ron?" I accused.
"Oi!"
"Hermione overheard him…uh...ranting."
"Oh. Well, have a nice night, guys, I'm gonna go sit with Kris."
"Alright," They said. Haley sat down with Kris, they talked and ate, and then Quirrell came in.
"I'm gonna kill that bloody Phoenix," Haley muttered under her breath, as Quirrell panted,
"Troll - In the dungeons - thought you ought to know," And then he fainted. There was a panic, and it took several purple firecrackers from both Haley and Albus's wands to make them listen. Haley had gone up to the staff table.
"Prefects, lead you Houses to your dormitories," Then he continued to Haley, "Do you want to come with us, or help the students?" She looked between the staff and students, before running into the fray, shouting directions. Suddenly she remembered Hermione. She abruptly stopped shouting and ran. She found the one Hermione was in, and gradually began coaxing her out of a stall.
"Hermione?"
"Who's that?" She squeaked.
"Haley. You need to come out. At the feast, Professor Quirrell said there's a - oh, shit; I have the worst luck," The troll was in the bathroom. Suddenly the door slammed shut, and she heard a lock click. Hermione, startled, began to come out of the stall. She found Haley pointing her wand up at something. Hermione followed it up, then gave a bloodcurdling scream. Ron and Harry burst into the room. Haley was having a hard time thinking of a good spell, and just watched the battle unfold.
"You are bloody awesome," She told Harry as he wiped his wand on the troll's trousers.
"You could've helped," He said, a little irritably, as the teachers rushed in. They were accordingly scolded and praised.
"Uh, professor, before I go, is everyone in their common rooms?"
"Hufflepuff and Slytherin are making their way back. Yes, you may go check on Ravenclaw."
"You know me," I smiled, and ran off.
Ta-dah! Finished! Short, though... And we are approaching the end quickly. Not much else to say.