AN:

Hey all. This chapter is going to move quickly, or it should at least. I've got a lot I want to cover here, and I don't want to write a novel of a chapter to do it.

Halloween is coming, and this makes me happy, and hence why I've picked certain events that happen on Halloween in the HP books to base this chapter on.

Now, on with the chapter.

Chapter 8, Halloween Happenings

Harry thoroughly enjoyed helping Hagrid in the mornings. Sure it was cold, and there was a lot to do in a short amount of time, but since he was up already, why not use the time wisely? He helped Hagrid feed some of the sick animals he was caring for, made sure there were brooms ready and waiting for flying lessons, helped Hagrid trim the various trees and shrubs around the castle's grounds, and heard a lot of very interesting stories about his parents and their time at Hogwarts. When Harry got cold or tired, Hagrid had an ample supply of tee always on his stove, and Harry was welcome to help himself. Harry felt lucky, all things considered. He figured he was much better off than Malfoy who had to clean toilets, and was always moaning and groaning about the injustice of it all to anyone who'd listen.

Harry's classes were going well too. He had made some more acquaintances in his classes from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, but still no Slytherins. The professors were amazed at his practical work, andHarry was just happy that there was always something new to learn.

Quidditch was also something new for Harry to enjoy. He was taken out to the pitch by a fifth year named Oliver Wood, and shown the basics. Madam Hooch was correct, Wood was very detailed in how quidditch was played. Harry was soon diving, spinning, and swooping along with the rest of the team. The Weasley twins were also on the team, and this definitely lightened up the tough practises Wood insisted upon.

Harry's first quidditch game would be just after Halloween, and he was looking forward to it, as it would be against Slytherin house. He wanted to make friends there, but they were very resistant to go agains Malfoy. Maybe a win would change their opinion of him. Either way, he was looking forward to his first game.

In charms class, Harry and the Hufflepuffs are working on levitating objects. Harry was assisting Neville who was having a really hard time.

"I'm honestly not sure what you're doing wrong Nev," he said. "Your wand movement looks good to me, and you're saying the incantation correctly. It's so weird."

"Problem here boys?" asked Professor Flitwick coming over to their desk.

"I can't seem to get this silly feather to fly professor," said Neville ashamedly.

"I don't think it's the swish and flick or his incantation that's the problem either Professor, it's like his wand isn't working or something," added Harry.

"Maybe it is the wand," said Flitwick. "Would you two be willing to swap wands?"

"Sure," said Harry and Neville together as they swapped wands.

Harry noticed something as soon as Neville's wand touched his fingers.

"It feels … dead or something Professor," said Harry. "I know that wands are supposed to be matched with their wizards, but I've never felt a wand this … well … off before."

Neville on the other hand was bouncing excitedly in his seat, while the feather they'd been practising with floated gently above their desk. " I did it! I did it!" shouted Neville smiling happily.

"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed Flitwick. "I think that wand needs replacing."

Neville quickly looked sad. "It's my father's though professor," he said.

"Then keep it as a memorial to his bravery, and stop using it. Many wizards go through more than one wand in their lifetimes, accidents to happen after all. If I were you, I'd write to your stubborn old grandmother right now, and demand that she takes you to Ollivander's over the weekend."

"I know you said she's a bit strict Nev, but it's time to tell her how you feel," added Harry.

"Yeah, you're both right," said Neville. "I'm the heir of a most ancient and noble house, and it's time I acted the part. Thanks both of you for your help."

Flitwick soon moved off to help another student having difficulties.

"You might as well use my wand for the rest of the class Neville, I've been able to levitate objects for a while now," said Harry.

Neville was soon levitating feathers with ease, and was levitating textbooks when the class ended.

On the day of Halloween, Harry was just making his way to the great Hall for lunch, when he his ears caught the sound of raised voices. Turn the corner, he found the youngest Weasley boy furiously telling off a Ravenclaw girl, who's name he thought was Granger.

"You're just an uppity no-it-all!" screamed Ron. "Look at me! Look at me! Pick me! I know the bloody answer! Maybe if you'd stop showing up the rest of us, you might have some friends!"

"That's enough!" said Harry stepping in between them. "Some of us actually care about our grades Weasley. I've seen Ms. Granger studying off an on, and if that's what she likes to do, than that's her choice. I've also seen you in classes I have with the Gryffindors, and all you do is talk to your class mates, and moan and grown about how your older siblings are so much better than you. Well wah wah wah, how about doing something to change that. Instead of maybe asking her for some help to get you on track, your standing here and making a scene. Why do you just shut up, and go fill your face. That's what you're good at after all."

By then, there was a crowd. Harry was usually quite easy going. One thing though that was guaranteed to set him off was a bully.

"You're quite right," said Fred coming up on Harry's left.

"Although a little to overly enthusiastic," added George on his right.

"Off you go Ronnikins, or we'll be sending a letter to Mom telling her about you picking on little girls," said the twins in unison.

Ron though was flushed and quivering with anger. Coming to a split decision, he lashed out at Harry, with his left fist. Harry though was very aware of his surroundings, and with a very slight tap and a flick of the wrist, sent Ron to his knees.

"Silence!" hollered Professor Flitwick coming down the stairs. Mr. Weasley, I've had quite enough of your moaning, groaning, and picking on others. You'll serve detention with Mr. Filch for a week. Also, you've lost Gryffindor 30 points for your behaviour. Mr. Potter, I'd caution you to go a little easier next time. However, your defence of another student is worth 10 points to all four houses."

Ron walked off in to the great hall, no-doubtedly to drown his sorrows in a mountain of food.

"Thanks professor," said Harry.

"Are you okay MS. Granger?" asked Flitwick kindly to the sobbing girl behind Harry.

"Yes professor. I think I need to just go and lie down," she said tearfully.

"Well, why don't you go and do that my dear," said Flitwick squeezing her shoulder.

The rest of halloween was quite uneventful, aside from a troll somehow getting in to the castle. The Professors quickly had that dealt with, and Harry joined the Gryffindors to finish the Halloween feast.

A week after Harry's encounter with Weasley and the troll, he was mounting his brand new Nimbus 2000 broomstick for his first quidditch match. Wood and him had strategized, and thought that Harry's best bet was to keep out of the main game, and search for the Snitch, while the rest of the team worked on wracking up the score. Harry lazily patrolled the pitch, and listened to the commentary done by one of the friends of the Weasley twins. Gryffindor was up 20 points, but the Slytherins were doing their best to get back in to the game.

Suddenly, a glint of fluttering gold and silver caught Harry's eye. He quickly checked his angle, and dove, scattering the Slytherin chasers while doing so. He was just about to grab the snitch, when his broom started to swerve, and loose control. All Harry could do was hold on tight, as his broom tried it's best to throw it's rider to the unyielding pitch 120, no, 130 feet below.

Up in the Hufflepuff stands, Neville and Hagrid were trying to decide how best to help Harry land safely. Quickly scanning the many students and teachers in the stands, he saw a peculiar thing. Professor Snape was very intendedly focussed. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be concentrating on - something. Neville tossed the binoculars he was using back to Hagrid, and made his way down the stands. Once he was away from the crowds of students, he quickly sped over to the stairs up to the professors box. On his way to see Professor Sprout, he accidentally tripped over Professor Quirrell.

"Sorry Professor," he cried as he got to his feet and raced towards his head of house.

By the time he had made it to Professor Sprout though, Harry had regained control of his broom.

Back up in the air, Harry had just regained control of his broom. He was just getting back in to the rhythm of his flying, when he caught sight of the snitch once again. He raised forward, went up and overtop of the Slytherin Seeker, and clamped his hand around the small silver winged Golden snitch.

The crowd whooped and cheered, as the score board read 220-8. Oliver Wood lead the team as they all surrounded Harry in an aerial team hug.

The team was soon drinking hot mugs of coco, and feasting on many sweets and snacks from the kitchen. Harry felt proud of his performance, but he still wondered what the heck had happened to his broom.

Several floors down, in a certain professor's office, things were not going at all well.

"Imbecile!" said Voldemort. "That's the best you could come up with? Kill the brat while he was flying? What happened to being discreet. Now the whole school knows, or is wondering if someone is out for the brat who lived."

"I'm sorry master," whined his host piteously. "I know the boy's destruction is what you strive for always, and-"

"Silence worm! I don't want your snivelling excuses, I want results. How goes the retrieval of the stone? Did you learn anything while the troll I possessed distracted the professors?"

"Yes master, I did. There's a big three headed dog guarding the entrance, and I think that's the guard set by the oaf Hagrid. I'll come up with a way to get past it I'm sure," said the host.

"Very well," said Voldemort. "However, the longer this goes on, the seeker I get wasting energy on you. I fear that if I don't have the stone by June at the latest, you're body will just have to do."

"It'll be done master, it will. I promise it," said the figure, getting to his knees in front of the smoky outline of Voldemort.

"It had better servant, our patients is nearly at it's end."

The servant froze in fear, the last part of that sentence had a second voice to it, and it was a voice of pure undiluted evil.

AN2: I'm sorry I wasn't able to do quidditch justice. I'm not a sports fan, and I don't think I could do the commentary for the game properly.

As you've probably seen, I'm not really a Ron fan. He gets jealous way to often IMO, and he'll only be a minor character going forward, as will Hermione.

Happy Halloween everyone, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.