บท 104: Halloween!
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In the last two months, Harry had thoroughly explored the mysterious third floor corridor at Hogwarts. Despite his best efforts, he found no one else venturing there. The temptation to test the compelling zone by leading a student there lingered in his mind, but the potential danger held him back. The last thing he wanted was to be responsible for leading someone to their potential death.
As he navigated the complexities of Hogwarts, Harry's relationships with several students, who he saw as potential pawns in the larger game unfolding at the school, were evolving. He conversed with many, including Malfoy, Ron, Zabini, Nott, and others, always maintaining a helpful demeanor without crossing into boastfulness. His interactions were calculated, a blend of genuine interest and strategic positioning.
As October 31st arrived, Harry made his way to the Great Hall for the Halloween festivities, taking his place at the Slytherin table. He sat across from Daphne and Tracey, with Pansy Parkinson, to his surprise, sitting next to him. Pansy usually sought opportunities to jab at him, but tonight she seemed more subdued.
The Great Hall was magnificently decorated, with floating jack-o'-lanterns casting a warm, flickering glow over the students. The tables were laden with an assortment of Halloween treats, and the atmosphere was filled with excited chatter and laughter.
Harry's gaze swept across the Hall, taking in the merriment. He noted the presence of Professor Dumbledore, whose eyes twinkled with amusement and mystery, and Professor Snape, whose stern expression seemed even more pronounced amidst the festivities.
As the feast progressed, Harry engaged in light conversation with his table mates. Daphne and Tracey discussed the latest gossip, while Pansy occasionally chimed in with her typical snide remarks, though they seemed less venomous than usual.
Taking a sniff of pumpkin juice, Harry frowned and set his cup down with a deliberate motion, catching the attention of his friends. "I wouldn't drink that if I were you," he advised Daphne, Tracey, Pansy, Malfoy, Zabini, and Nott, who all looked at him with a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Why not?" Daphne inquired, her hand pausing mid-way to her cup.
Harry's eyes flickered towards the Gryffindor table, where Fred and George Weasley were barely containing their snickers. "I suspect someone's idea of a Halloween prank is about to unfold. Took them longer than I expected," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Malfoy, ever curious about potential mischief, leaned in. "What are you talking about, Potter?"
Harry smirked, his gaze still on the twins. "Just wait and watch. You'll see soon enough."
Leaving his companions to ponder his cryptic warning, Harry rose from his seat and made his way over to the Hufflepuff table, where Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott sat amidst their fellow housemates. "Good evening, Susan, Hannah," he greeted them with a polite nod. His presence was met with a warm welcome, a testament to the friendships he had fostered across house lines.
Cedric Diggory, the third-year Hufflepuff whom Harry had come to know, looked up from his conversation. "Potter, joining us for a change?" Cedric asked with a friendly smile.
"Just passing by, Diggory. But I couldn't help but stop and say hello," Harry replied, returning the smile. "How's the Quidditch practice going?"
Cedric said with a hint of curiosity, "Pretty well, thanks. Though I hear you're pretty fast on your broom. Planning to join the team next year?"
Harry chuckled, keeping his current Quidditch involvement under wraps. "I do enjoy flying, and a bit of speed adds to the thrill. Well, let's just say it's a possibility of joining the team is something I'm considering."
Cedric's eyes showed a spark of interest. "That's great to hear. I've always thought Slytherin could use some fresh talent on the pitch. Just don't get too good, alright?" he said with a playful grin.
"I'll try to restrain myself," Harry replied with a smile, enjoying the light-hearted banter. "But I do look forward to a friendly race through the skies someday."
Cedric nodded in agreement, "A friendly race sounds like a plan. It's always good to have some healthy competition."
Arriving at the Gryffindor table, Harry was immediately met with a mixture of reactions. The Lions, known for their camaraderie and pride, cast cold gazes in his direction. However, a few, like Neville and Twins, offered him warm smiles, countering the frostiness of the others.
Harry, undeterred by the less than welcoming reception, took a seat next to Neville and across from Parvati Patil. "Good evening, everyone," he greeted, his voice steady and calm.
Neville, always friendly, replied, "Hi, Harry. Good to see you here."
The others at the table, including Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil, Dean Thomas, Ronald Weasley, and the Weasley twins, offered varying degrees of acknowledgment. Lavender and Parvati whispered to each other, shooting curious glances at Harry. Dean and Seamus seemed more open, though still reserved.
Lavender, on the other hand, looked at Harry with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "So, Potter, what brings you to our table?" she asked, her tone slightly confrontational.
Harry, maintaining his composure, replied, "Just thought I'd say hello. It's Halloween, after all, a time for unity, don't you think?"
Neville chimed in, "Harry's been a good friend. It's nice to have him join us."
The Weasley twins, Fred and George, known for their mischievous nature, eyed Harry with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "Joining the enemy camp, are we, Potter?" Fred joked.
George offered a cup of pumpkin juice with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Here, this is delicious," he said, a hint of a challenge in his tone.
Taking the juice, Harry grinned and drank it all in one big gulp. "Delicious indeed," he remarked, setting down the cup with a satisfying clink.
The Weasley twins exchanged a look of surprise, clearly not expecting Harry to accept the drink so readily. "Blimey, Potter, you're braver than most Gryffindor," George commented, his eyebrows raised in amusement.
Fred chimed in, "Or maybe just more trusting than we expected."
Harry smiled, a touch of understanding in his eyes. "I just trust you," he said, appreciating the Weasley twins' brand of humor. Yet, his mind was elsewhere, partly lingering on the historical weight of this day. It was the tenth anniversary of the fall of Voldemort, a day of victory for many, but also a day of profound personal loss. Ten years ago, on this very date, Lily and James Potter had died, leaving Harry an orphan. It was a duality that the wizarding world often overlooked in their celebrations - the victory over a dark wizard and the demise of two brave souls.
His gaze shifted to Neville. The Longbottoms, too, had suffered greatly in the aftermath of Voldemort's downfall. Neville's parents, tortured into madness for information, were a stark reminder of the war's lingering scars. In the boisterousness of the Great Hall, Harry sensed a gap in empathy towards those who lost their loved ones to the war. It was a gap he felt compelled to bridge, at least for Neville.
"Where is Hermione?" Harry inquired, breaking the chain of his thoughts. Ron seemed to grow a bit bashful upon hearing her name, while Parvati and Lavender exchanged uneasy glances.
"What happened?" Harry pressed further, a note of concern in his voice.
It was Neville who answered Harry's inquiry about Hermione. "Earlier today, in Charm class, there was a misunderstanding between Hermione and Ron."
Frowning, Harry turned his attention to Ron. "What kind of misunderstanding made her miss the feast?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Parvati, overhearing the conversation, chimed in. "Padma mentioned she heard someone crying in the first-floor girls' bathroom."
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