MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 19

Thursday 31^st October

Hallowe’en was amazing! I had to put the apostrophe in otherwise the Apostrophe Princess, Josie, would probably tell me off – she’s been reminding me all day. Okay, so first off, yesterday’s Flying lesson was cancelled, due to Hagrid carrying in the huge pumpkins (but I’ll get to that in a bit) ready for the display in the Great Hall. I’m a tad disappointed that our Astronomy class has been cancelled for this evening, but I’m glad in a way, because it means that I can catch up on sleep.

Professor Quirrell was acting rather peculiar (for him) in this morning’s Defence Against the Dark Arts class. He was rather upbeat, bouncing about the room on the balls of his feet, encouraging us all to take part. The most amazing thing was: he taught us three out of the six main defence spells for this year. Okay, so I can’t exactly do them, but at least I know how to do them now. And what exactly they are.

I think that witches and wizards must really believe in all that spooky monster stuff that I was always taught was nonsense when I was a kid. Quirrell seemed to want us to be able to protect ourselves from werewolves, vampires and bloodthirsty death hounds. Now I see why I’ve always loved the old-fashioned monster movies, because a part of me, somewhere deep down, knew that they were real – well at least based on something real. I took so many notes this morning that my wrist was absolutely killing me before second period even started.

The professor even let us all have a go at practising the new spells. I seriously have no idea how we managed to cram so much into an hour and a half. We learnt Protego (pronounced pro-tay-go) which is a charm used to shield yourself from dark charms. This spell involved moving your hand in a strong, straight, vertical line. Then there was Everte Statum (pronounced ee-ver-tay stah-tum) which is a spell used to send an opponent staggering backwards – maybe even off their feet if you try it hard enough. You keep your wand pointed at your opponent and if you perform it right, an orange spark should shoot from your wand. The third spell was Petrificus Totalus (pronounced pe-tri-fi-cus to-tah-lus) which paralyses your opponent, allowing only their eyes to move. I think that this one is the most deadly of the three. It seems absolutely terrifying. It involves some tricky wand manoeuvring too – like a horizontal hook.

When it came to performing the spell, Quirrell even taught us a weak dark art hex: Stingktum Alosca (pronounced Stink-kuh-tum al-ose-cah), which creates a slight tingling sensation on your opponent. It’s not too harmful and can’t cause any damage, but it does sting more than pins and needles and you still feel it for a while afterwards – I’ll explain how I know in a sec. Anyway, Professor Quirrell only taught us that spell so that we could practise shielding ourselves and casting defence attacks.

For the Practical, Quirrell paired us all off. I was with Scarlett. He wanted all of the boys to be paired with each other and the same for us girls – he claimed that at a young wizarding age, when one is only just beginning to discover their powers, boys are usually the ones who don’t know their own strength. He was worried that the power of their hexes and defence attacks might be too powerful against us girls. I’m not entirely sure that’s true – because I bet I could stir up a pretty strong Stingktum Alosca hex. But then again, if bigger meant stronger – I’d hate to be paired up against Vincent Crabbe; his spells must sting like an electric eel.

I’m glad that I was paired off with Scarlett. I never noticed it before, but I think that we’re quite well matched in terms of magical ability. We both seem to know what we’re doing and get the pronunciation and wand movement right, but it isn’t very often that anything other than colourful sparks shoot out at one another. It was kind of fun working with her. We kind of both encouraged each other to do better. We got there by the end of the class too. It’s scary to think that the stinging hex was easier to pull off that and of the defence spells. Seriously, the hex hurt way more that the defence attack. Well, like I said earlier, it didn’t hurt exactly, it was more like the after sting that affected me the most – well it affected everyone. Leaving Professor Quirrell’s class, all of us had shaking legs and throbbing wand arms.

*

None of our other classes did anything special for Hallowe’en though. Well, Professor Flitwick did dress up in a black cape, wore very pale make up and a set of fangs. He did look really cool – a little, mini vampire. The best part of the day though, was the evening feast. Entering the Great Hall in the early evening with Jed and Josie I gazed up at the ceiling. Where the outside whether is reflected, groups of bats swooped in and out of one another. I have a feeling that they were fake and just part of the sky’s illusion too, but they really added to the Hallowe’en atmosphere. The walls were all lined with black and orange striped streamers that looped around the pillars, clung to the walls and draped from the tables. Humongous pumpkins sat in the four corners of the room, as well as one in the centre of each of the houses’ tables and one at the teacher’s table. Humongous isn’t even the word to describe it. I have never seen one so big. If I were to have thrown my arms around one, my fingers wouldn’t have even hugged half of the pumpkin. I don’t know how Hagrid does it, but these pumpkins are the most amazing things that I have ever seen. Each one was carved with a different spooky looking face on it.

Having arrived at the Great Hall early (because I was too excited to see the decorations that I could not wait and dragged Jed and Josie along with me) we all sat together on the Ravenclaw table. There weren’t many students about, and Josie still seemed a little scared about nearing the Slytherin table, so Jed and I sat with her. As Jed and I sat down opposite her, I noticed a collection of regular-sized pumpkins piled up nearby. Staring at them a smile broke across my face. A hand thumped me on the back. I gasped. My heart pounded. Spinning my head around my eyes met with a massive brown, fur coat. I looked up. Letting out a breath I smiled. It was Hagrid. “You can help me out if ya want,” he smiled. “There’s enough pumpkins ta go around.” Handing me a pumpkin, Hagrid placed on in front of Josie too and slid a knife towards us both across the table.

“This is-” I began.

“Amazing?” Josie said with a giggle and a raised brow. “You’ve been saying that word all day.”

“Have I?” I laughed. “I hadn’t noticed,” but I guess it was because everything was amazing. Gazing at the pumpkin, I scrunched my mouth up into the right corner. What to make? There were so many different things that I could carve. But what would be the right one?

Hearing someone call Josie’s name from the Great Hall entrance, I spun around. It was Fabian. With a huge smile on his face, he dropped himself down next to Josie. “So?” he said as he gave a stretch. “What cha guys doin’?” I smirked. He didn’t seem fazed at all that Jed and I were sat at the Ravenclaw table. Maybe it is only Slytherins that care about that stuff?

As Josie explained to Fabian that Hagrid was letting us help carve pumpkins for the display, I watched as Jed stared ahead at Fabian. His eyes seemed to focus so intensely on one spot that after a while he shuddered.

“You okay?” I asked him as I poked his left arm.

“I’m fine,” he mumbled and folded his arms. Staring down at the table, his eyes flickered over to Josie and Fabian, before they locked with mine. “If I tell you something,” he muttered. “You have t’ promise not to judge me.” I nodded slowly. “Okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed, stiffening my back. He’s never judged me in any way and I’m Muggle-born, so why would I judge him?

“I’ve never carved a pumpkin,” he whispered.

“Really?” I asked. He nodded. I gave him a smile and a little shrug. “Then get ready Mister Edwards, for today you shall become Jack the Pumpkin King.” Josie laughed from across the table.

“Love it!” she exclaimed. “Or should I say: amazing!” Wow. She got my joke. Now that really was amazing. I didn’t think that anyone here would get it.

Teaching Jed how to carve a pumpkin was so much fun. What was the most fun, was knowing that he enjoyed it too. In the end, the two of us had carved an almost symmetrical, traditional jack-o-lantern. It had two triangular eyes, a triangular nose and a cute, curvy mouth with three square teeth (one at the top and two at the bottom). Josie and Fabian did a little bit more intricate carving than me and Jed. Theirs had slanted, evil looking eyes and a cave full of spikey teeth. It was pretty frightening, actually. “Do you like it?” Josie giggled as she and Fabian twisted it around to show us.

“Wow!” Jed gasped. “Yours looks amazing.”

“Maybe next year we’ll give you a run for your money,” I joked to Josie and Fabian.

“I hope you keep to your word,” Fabian laughed. “Because I love a challenge.”

“And now for the final touch,” said Hagrid as he appeared behind me and Jed. He handed me and Josie a tea light. “Wow, now these two are master pieces,” beamed Hagrid.

“Theirs is better,” Jed laughed, pointing a thumb at Josie and Fabian’s pumpkin.

“Now Jed – I like ‘em both,” said Hagrid with a huge smile. “Yer can never go wrong somethink simple and traditional. I fink it works the best.” At this Jed’s smile softened. I think he really appreciated Hagrid’s comment.

With our jack-o-lanterns lit, the four of us sat in the Great Hall waiting for the rest of the school to appear. I watched Josie bite her lip as she glanced over towards the entrance. I spun my head around to see what she was looking at. Priscilla and Scarlett came in with Pansy on Blondie’s arm a little behind them. I don’t think they noticed us as they sat down at the Slytherin table. “Don’t go yet,” Josie blurted out as she bounced up. She disappeared down the table and reappeared with two cups. “Now I’m not trying to show off,” she warned, as she glared at Jed. Jed threw his hands up in a sort of surrender. He wasn’t in the mood to pick a fight. That was good. “I just thought I’d show you something fun. It kind of suits the party-like atmosphere anyway,” she said as more students began filing into the Hall. “I haven’t done it with two before, so bear with me,” she said as she inhaled a deep breath. Holding her wand out, Josie moved it in a sort of jagged ‘n’ shape and projected, “Tarantallegra!” Both of the teacups began vibrating. You could hear their crockery surfaces tapping against the table. Then they began to bounce. Leaning against the far side of their rim, the surface of the teacups tapped against the edge of the table, before tipping over to the other side.

“Wow!” gasped Fabian clapping. “That’s the hardest First-Year charm. And you did it with two cups!” he exclaimed. Josie’s cheeks turned pink as she smiled at him. “Impressive,” he said as he patted her shoulder.

Upon hearing the china clattering and Fabian’s explosive comment, some of the students began looking over at Josie’s dancing teacups. The handles to both of the cups pressed themselves together and the cups began spinning around in circles.

Hearing someone huff behind me, I turned around to see Pansy pouting while Blondie tried to push her off his arm, as he tried to stand up to see what was going on. I rolled my eyes at them. If they weren’t centre of attention, then they weren’t happy. As I turned back around, Professor Flitwick appeared at my side and began clapping fiercely. “Bravo dear,” he said as Josie stopped the spell. “I see good things for you. Good things.” He shook her hand vigorously, before making his way up to the teachers’ table. Pinching her lips in Josie lowered her head and with her hand tried to hide her face from the many students that had gathered around. I guess she was only trying to show us and didn’t plan on the entire school watching. Worried that Jed would be irritated by how the whole thing turned out, I spun myself around to face him. My eyes widened with surprise as I saw that he started clapping. Fabian joined in too. Then others did. Pretty soon everyone who had witness the dancing teacups was applauding Josie. With her cheeks turning even more red, Josie pressed both of her hands up to her cheeks and leant into Fabian’s arm. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaning towards her whispered in her ear. I have no idea what he said, but it made her giggle.

Being as the Great Hall was growing full, as students came in for dinner, Jed and I retreated from the Ravenclaw table and re-joined Slytherin. Even some of them were talking about Josie’s magic. I was so happy for her that I could not stop smiling. My cheeks began stinging.

Once everyone had settled down, Professor Dumbledore silenced the Great Hall to make an announcement. “Tonight, is one of the most sacred nights on the wizarding calendar,” he announced. “It’s the day where we respect the living and toast to the dead. Before we begin tonight’s feast, I would just like to thank our Grounds Keeper, Hagrid, for his excellent work in both growing and carving these pumpkins.” The professor held his hands out in front of him to clap and everyone else did too. “Also,” he added. “I am aware that a few students have helped him this evening, carving a pumpkin or two, so I would like us all to thank them as well.” As the Hall broke into applause again Professor Dumbledore looked in my direction and smiled. My stomach tingled, as did my cheeks. “I know that some of you may have witnessed the little magical treat that occurred a few moments ago,” he said and glanced towards Josie. I turned around and smiled at her. “I just want to take the time to let all of you First-Years know how impressed I am with the quality of magic that you are producing. All of your teachers have been reporting to me with good news… yes good news,” Professor Dumbledore’s voice seemed to trail as though he wasn’t quite sure what to say next. “I also want to wish all of the Quidditch teams good luck with the new season just around the corner, especially Gryffindor and Slytherin, whose first match is this Saturday.” The room burst into applause and cheers again. “And on that note…” he said with a smile. “Let the feast commence.”

Food instantly appeared on the table. All of the plates, cups, bowls and cutlery turned gold, just like they were on the very first night. Cauldrons full of soups stirred themselves at various points along the table. There were piles of pumpkin pies, jacket potatoes, carrots, peas and broccoli. Goblets were topped to the brim, full of orange, glowing pumpkin juice. And there were loads of sweets too. Green liquorish snakes, pastel swirled gobstoppers, sugary jellies shaped like bats, pumpkins, cauldrons and broomsticks, a tower of chocolate frogs and a huge cauldron full of ‘Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans’. “I bet we’ll be eating pumpkin all week long,” I joked to Jed. He agreed as we both piled more onto our plate.

“It’s not so funny you know,” came a voice. I jumped as the Bloody Baron appeared at my side. My heart raced in my ribcage. It wasn’t very often that he joined us for our evening meal. I guess being as today was a celebration, he decided to join in the fun.

“I-I’m sorry, Sir,” I stuttered, lowering my head. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Well offend me you did, young lady,” spoke the Baron in a rather harsh tone. “You see,” he said as he slid himself down between Jed and me. “It’s just not that fun being dead. Everyone jokes on and on about food, but me – I can’t taste the stuff. It goes in here,” he said pointing at his mouth. “And just comes out here,” he sighed pointing to the floor. Holding hands to their mouths, the boys tried hard not to snigger. “Well I never,” gasped the Baron.

The door to the Great Hall slammed open. Most students turned to see a stumbling Quirrell rush up towards the teacher’s desk. His turban was partially unravelled, and the fabric trailed behind after him. “T… t… t, t-t,” he stuttered all the while he fumbled past our table. Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair. “Troll!” yelled Quirrell. “T, t, t-troll!” Reaching the teachers’ table, he collapsed over it, in front of Professor Dumbledore. “In the dungeons… escaped…” he panted. “You need to know.” His body slithered down from the table into a heap on the floor.

“Troll!” some screamed.

“Run!” cried another. Everyone started shouting and wailing. Bodies were moving everywhere. People were crashing into each other. Foots were stepped on, hands were crushed. There was a bang. Followed by another. And another. Purple sparks shot up above our heads.

“Enough!” roared the Headmaster, after the seventh purple spark flashed through the air. In mid-motion, everyone froze. “Prefects!” he ordered, “lead your houses back to the dormitories immediately!”

Ivy and Vlad stood up, on the seats, to get our attention. “Everyone,” Ivy shouted. “Follow me.”

“We’re not going to the dungeon!” one of the Fifth-Years objected. “The troll’s down there. We’ll get killed.”

“Don’t argue with me,” Ivy roared, jabbing her wand in the troublemaker’s direction.

“We’re only followin’ the professor’s orders,” Vlad insisted. “Now everyone follow Ivy, quickly. I’ll make sure we all keep together.”

And that was it. Hallowe’en was over. Everyone was rushed out of the Great Hall so quickly that everything seems a blur. I remember being pushed past the paintings and even the people inside them had fled. My pulse pounded in my ears all the while. I had no idea what a troll actually was, but from all the screams, I had a feeling that it wasn’t like the little toys with different brightly coloured hair that I remember as a kid.

I guess Hallowe’en wasn’t totally ruined. I mean, we got food sent down to us and we got to continue the party, a little, in our Common Room. It was a little more cosy, but in a way that’s what made it kind of uncomfortable for me. Someone decided to blast music. I’m not quite sure how they managed to do that being as the wizarding world has no electricity. I did try to ask Jed, but all I got out of him was something to do with the ‘Wizarding Wireless Network’, which I have no idea what that means. I’m guessing it’s some form of wireless radio, but I really don’t know. Once the music started, the whole Common Room turned into a sort of disco. People were dancing on tables and jumping on sofas. I had tried to sit in the corner by the fire, but Pansy pulled Blondie into a nearby seat and sat on his lap. I really didn’t want to hang around any longer, so I made my way up to bed.

I guess I should try to get some sleep soon. I just wish there was a spell to block out all of the noise. It’s a shame really, because I was looking forward to the Hallowe’en party in the Great Hall – I’m just not a huge fan of out-of-control, no adult supervision, mad teenage parties. I just felt a little out of place. I wasn’t sure where to go or whom to sit with. And wherever I stood, I just felt like I was in someone’s way. The annoying thing is, they all know that they’ll get away with it too, because we saw Professor Snape getting whisked away for Troll catching duty. Ivy reckoned that the teachers would be out trying to catch it until at least ten o’clock. I just hope everything’s back to normal tomorrow.

- Josie -