Here is chapter 14. I hope it is satisfactory! Please review!

CodeRomance

Chapter 14: Halloween

"Give me the boy

"Give me the boy!" a voice shouted in the darkness.

"No!" a woman screamed.

"Then you will have to die, but first, CRUCIO." There was high pitched laughter and then a scream.

Harry woke with a start, clutching his scar. He wiped the sweat from his brow and shook his head. He shivered as he slid from under the covers. He padded across the floor and into the bathroom. Harry splashed some water over his face, looking in the mirror at the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. It was bright red and stung a little from his nightmare. It was the first one since arriving at Hogwarts. He'd had them a few times as a young boy, but this was the first one since he was eight. He had always had them around Halloween. Harry sighed, and then yawned. He went back out into the room. He looked at his watch and sighed again, 5 am, way too early to be up. Well, now that he was up he might as well get in the shower. Harry walked over to his trunk and pulled out some clothes for the day. He started to make his way over to the bathroom again when he heard a voice.

"Harry?" Ginny called from her bed.

He smiled slightly. Go back to bed, Gin.

She shook her head, No, what are you doing up this early?

He grimaced, Nightmare.

Oh, she looked around and then back at him as she pushed the covers down the bed. Want to talk about it?

Harry shook his head. No, I've had them periodically for years. They nearly always occur around Halloween. Though I think the last one I had was when I was eight, so not always.

Ginny got up and stumbled over to him. Come sit down. She pulled him over to the couch by the window. Harry set his clothes on the arm of the couch and sat down next to her. She pulled his head in her lap and ran her fingers through his hair. Harry sighed contently.

They always start out the same. There is a voice that says, "Give me the boy." And then there is another voice that says, "No!" then sometimes it changes. Sometimes I hear screaming…other times, nothing. Harry shuddered as he remembered.

Ginny continued to run her fingers through his hair and Harry drifted off to sleep again. She thought she might know who the voice was, but she wasn't sure. It would make sense though, for Harry to have nightmares about his parents' murders. She would bet anything that it was You-know-who's voice he was hearing, as well as his mother's screams. It was only normal for these things to happen. She would try and help him through it, though. She hoped that she could help. With this thought she drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later, the sun broke through the room and Ron woke slowly. He rolled towards Hermione's bed and smiled sleepily. Hermione was curled in a tight ball, just like a cat. He stretched his arms and peered around the room. His eyes landed on the couch where Ginny and Harry lay. Harry's head was still in her lap while Ginny's head rested on the sofa's arm. Ron growled for a second and then turned his head and sighed. He really had no reason to be protective. He knew Harry would never do anything to his sister. They were bonded like Hermione and him.

He got out of bed and padded over to Hermione. He shook her arm and whispered in her mind. Time to get up or you'll be late for class!

Hermione shot out of bed and looked at a clock, RON, you prat! It's Saturday! She punched him in the arm. He winced, but then grinned.

I know, but I couldn't resist. Besides I'm starved.

Hermione laughed as she grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom. It was then that she noticed Ginny and Harry on the couch. She arched a brow and then tilted her head. An evil grin spread across her face. She set her clothes down on the coffee table and slowly made herself float. Then a brilliant thought struck her and she rushed into the bathroom, still hovering several feet from the ground. She grabbed a cup and filled it with water and rushed back out to the room. She floated up and over Harry and Ginny and then dumped the water onto them.

Shouts filled the room as the water hit Hermione's targets and they jumped up hitting their heads on the other's, shaking the water from their bodies.

They looked up and saw Hermione floating near the ceiling with an empty glass in her hand. Ron was on the floor rolling and laughing.

"HERMIONE!" Harry and Ginny shouted as they glared up at her.

Hermione burst into a fit of giggles, rolling around in the air. Then as suddenly as she had reached the ceiling she was back down on the floor. She landed with a thud and a groan. Harry and Ginny laughed uproariously. Ron continued to laugh hysterically on the floor.

"It's not funny!" Hermione cried. "That hurt!"

Ginny and Harry hiccuped, "Well, that's what you get for spilling water on us!" Then they started to laugh again. Ron was still rolling on the floor, his face as red as his hair. Hermione got up from the floor and rubbed her arm. She glared at her friends and stormed into the bathroom with her clothes. Ron's laughter dissipated as he felt her anger and hurt.

Hermione! He called.

Go away, Ron! She yelled.

But, Hermione, it was funny. Ron felt her glare even though he couldn't see it. And besides if you can't handle what you dish out then you shouldn't be pranking anyone.

Hermione's glare slowly disappeared. I suppose you're right. Hermione sighed. But it did hurt.

Ron smiled slightly. You'll be ok. Besides, it was kind of your own fault. You were the one laughing and lost control up in the air.

Hermione rolled her eyes but nodded in her head as she started the shower. Yes, I know. Alright well tell everyone to start getting ready.

Hermione, we have to wait until you're done in the shower to get ready completely.

Oh, I know! She huffed. She jumped in the shower. "Be done in five," she called.

"Ok," Harry shouted back, "I'm next," he told the others. They nodded.

Twenty minutes later the quad headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Neville joined them on the stairs.

"Hi, Neville," they chorused.

"Hello, guys," he said smiling, "Anyone hungry?"

"Starving," Ron said. They all laughed.

As they entered the Great Hall, lovely Halloween decorations could be seen. Orange and red streamers floated magically from the ceilings, and bats fluttered around the room, flapping their wings and battering some of the students who were eating their breakfast.

They sat down for breakfast and Ron eagerly grabbed at the food, loading his plate full. Hermione rolled her eyes while Harry and Ginny laughed. Neville just shook his head. Ron looked up at them, his mouth full of food.

"Wha?" he mumbled. Hermione groaned, Ron!

He looked at her and shrugged sheepishly. They all burst out laughing.

Just then Oliver Wood came over to Harry. "Hey, Harry," he said quietly. "We have practice today after breakfast."

Harry looked up and nodded. "Ok, I'll be there." The first quidditch game was in a two weeks against Slytherin and Wood had been keeping practice under wraps like McGonagall wanted, but he was still maintaining a hard schedule. No one outside of Gryffindor knew that Harry was the new seeker and they all wanted it to be a surprise for the first game. Wood nodded and said something to Ron, Ginny, and Hermione and then moved on to the twins and several others at the table, just to make it look like he was talking with everyone and not just Harry.

They all finished up breakfast and then headed back up to the dorms so Harry could get his broom. Professor McGonagall had given Harry a Nimbus 2000 a few weeks ago, saying it was just a school broom but he was to use it.

After practice that morning, Harry and his friends enjoyed lunch before heading up to the common room to do homework on Hermione's insistence. She told them they weren't allowed to slack off and now was as good as time as any to get their homework out of the way. They sat down in front of the fire and worked on the floating charm they had been learning in Charms class earlier in the week. At some point Ron fell asleep with his face in his book, and Harry's eyes went cross.

"Ok, that's enough," Ginny said. "It's almost time for the feast and the boys have practically lost it."

"But, we're not finished yet." Hermione argued.

"Perhaps, but Hermione, look at them," Ginny pointed to Harry and Ron. "I don't think they're going to learn anything if they can't stay awake. Besides you know Ron, if he doesn't get something in his stomach soon he'll drive us all crazy!"

Hermione giggled. "Oh alright," she looked over at them. "Come on boys, time for dinner."

Ron and Harry jumped up. "YES!" Ron yelled. "FOOD!"

Hermione and Ginny laughed. Harry rolled his eyes, even as his stomach growled. "Alright, let's go."

As they sat down at the table Neville came in. "Hey Neville," Ginny said. "Where were you at all afternoon?"

Neville blushed a bit. "Oh, I was out at the greenhouses helping Professor Sprout with some plants just brought in."

"Oh that's great, Neville." Ginny said. "You're great at Herbology." Neville blushed some more.

"Thanks."

Neville sat down just an owl came in and landed next to Hermione.

"Hermione, why are you getting an owl at dinner?" Ron asked his mouth full of food. "The mail comes at breakfast."

Hermione scowled at Ron and then looked at Ginny and giggled. Harry looked puzzled.

"Ron does have point." Harry agreed. "So what is that then?"

The girls laughed even harder. "Just Witch Weekly." Hermione smiled big. "Come on, Ginny, I've got to go to the loo."

Ginny grinned back, "Right, I'm coming."

Harry looked from Hermione to Ginny, What did I miss?

Ginny just shook her head, Girl stuff. She and Hermione got up, whispering and strolled out of the Great Hall. Harry looked bewildered.

"'Mione, where you going?" Ron mumbled out loud and in his head. Bathroom was the only reply he received. Ron shrugged.

Ron, Harry, and Neville just turned back to their dinner muttering, "Girls."

Fred and George saddled up to the boys, "So, Harry, Ron, Neville how about we let you in on a little trade secret." They said as they sat down next to them.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure," they said in unison. Neville just nodded and laughed at the twins antics.

"You see…back in our first year," Fred said.

"We got into a spot of trouble with Filch." George continued.

Ron and Harry exchanged glances. "Go on…" Harry raised his eyebrow.

"Well, we were in Filch's office…"

"and going through his drawers…"

"and of course one of them was locked…"

"so of course we had to open it to see what was there…"

"Well, what we found was this," George pulled a blank piece of parchment out of his robes.

Harry looked at Ron with a confused look, "A blank parchment?"

Fred and George grinned at each other.

"Ahhh, but you see this is," Fred started

"The secret to our success," George continued, while whispering something quietly with his wand pointed at the parchment. Writing appeared on the parchment and then lines spread around.

"What is it doing?" Ron asked in awe.

"It's a map," said Fred

"Of Hogwarts," finished George.

Harry looked at it with wonder. He looked up at Fred and George, "Do you guys know the things you could do with this map?" He turned and grinned at Ron, and then looked back at Fred and George, "Or rather the things you have done."

Fred and George laughed. "Righto, little Harrykins." Harry scowled at the name.

Ron just grinned because now Harry was part of the family if Fred and George were calling him that. "So can we be in your little group then?"

The twins gave each other meaningful looks, "Perhaps," said George, "When you're a little older."

Harry furrowed his brow. "Now hang on a sec! You wouldn't have told us about if you hadn't intended for us to help you!"

George looked at Fred. "Now whatever,"

"Do you mean?"

"Well, for one, we could easily go and tell Professor McGonagall, and two, you need us for something, don't you?" Harry grinned triumphantly as Fred and George paled considerably.

"I think, Gred, that little ikle Harrykins has us." George said to Fred.

"You know, Forge, I think you might be right." Fred replied back.

Ron just grinned at them. "So what is it then?" he asked.

"We'll tell you later." George said mysteriously.

Harry smiled knowingly and turned back to his dinner. Absentmindedly Harry wondered what was taking the girls so long. They had turned off they're communication. Probably want to go to the bathroom in private, he thought.

Just as Ron, Harry, and Neville were about to finish their dinner, there as shout from the Great Hall doors. Everyone's head turned to look. Professor Quirrell flew through the doors yelling something they could barely make out.

"TROLL, TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!" He paused midway down the aisle, "Just thought you ought to know." With that said he fainted promptly on the spot.

There was a moment of silence while everyone processed the information and then all chaos broke out.

Dumbledore's voice could just be heard over the loud screaming students. "Prefects, please escort your houses back to their dorms immediately, teachers, to the dungeons!"

Percy's voice could be heard among them as he called for all of Gryffindor to follow him.

Harry, Ron, and Neville all stood up and began to follow the crowd. Then Ron just stopped. "Harry! What about Hermione and Ginny?"

Harry stopped and looked at him, his eyes wide. "Oh no, they don't know about the troll because they've been in the bathroom and they blocked the connection!"

Neville looked back and forth between them. "Well, don't just stand there, try to contact them and get moving. We'll sneak away from the group and go find them!" He whispered frantically.

Harry and Ron nodded, both trying to get Ginny or Hermione to respond.

"Everyone, please follow me!" Percy shouted over the panicked voices. "Quickly and quietly!"

"Come on, I think they went to the second floor bathroom." Neville grabbed Harry and Ron as they pushed slightly through the crowd.

"Here, now's our chance," Neville stated quietly. The Gryffindors were breaking off from the main group to head to their common room so Harry, Neville, and Ron quickly back tracked and hid in a corner while everyone passed.

GINNY!! Harry called frantically in his mind over and over again.

Finally a frustrated Ginny answered. WHAT?

Harry sighed in relief. Ginny! You and Hermione have to get back to the common room! NOW! Harry yelled in a panic.

What? Why?

Ginny there's a troll!

WHAT?

No time to explain, just go!

Ok! Ginny turned to Hermione. "Harry says there's a troll in the castle! He told us to go back to the common room!" Hermione furrowed her brow.

"A troll?"

Ginny nodded her head. "Yes and he sounded really panicked about it."

Hermione looked at Ginny, "I wonder why Ron hasn't said anything…" Just then she heard a scream in her head.

HERMIONE! Have you listened to what Harry said yet! GO! I've been trying to call you for the past five minutes but I don't get an answer!

Hermione gasped. "Ok Ginny let's go." We're going now, Ron.

Ron sighed. "They're going now." He said to Harry and Neville. They both sighed.

"'Bout time!" Harry huffed. Just then a scream resounded throughout the castle and in Ron and Harry's heads.

Their eyes widened. "Ginny, Hermione!" They both shouted and took off running. Neville's mouth dropped and then ran after them.

Ginny and Hermione had just walked out the bathroom door to come face to face with a giant mountain troll. They both screamed.

The troll turned its head and stupidly swung its club. Both girls shrieked. They ducked and tried to pass around the troll.

Harry and Ron, with Neville in tow ran up the stairs to the second floor skipping over a trick step. They came to the top of the stairs when they heard another shriek. They turned the corner and skidded to a stop. There were Ginny and Hermione backed into a corner with the troll advancing on them. Without thinking Harry ran forward while Ron shouted.

"Hey, you stupid troll! Leave them alone!" The troll turned around and Harry pulled out his wand while still charging on the troll.

Harry!! Ginny screamed. The bat bogey hex!

Harry nodded and shouted, "Batus Mocus!" Flying mucus bats attacked the troll. The troll, angry swung his club again trying to get the bats off of his face caught harry around the middle and he went flying.

HARRY!!

"Harry!" Ron shouted. He charged forward and shouted, "Windgardium Leviosa!" The club rose in the air and just before Ron let the club go, Neville shouted a conjunctivitis curse that Hermione had them reading up on earlier that afternoon while they were sitting in the common room. The troll screamed, scratching at its eyes, and Ron took that time to drop the club on its head. The troll grunted and fell forward.

Ginny rushed over to Harry. Harry! Are you ok? Harry groaned. Ginny…my arm hurts.

"Well! If you hadn't been a stupid idiot and charged the troll this wouldn't have happened!!" She shouted.

I'm sorry, Gin, but I didn't want it to hurt you.

Oh, Harry!

"Ron!" Hermione shouted and rushed over to him. He was staring gob smacked at the troll that lay unconscious on the ground in front of him. "Oh, Ron!" Hermione threw her arms around him, sobbing. Don't ever be so foolish!

Ron smiled slightly at Hermione. "It's ok, Hermione." Just don't ever tune us out again! It scared me when we couldn't reach you and Ginny.

Hermione sobbed even more. "I know, I'm so sorry, we won't do it again!"

Ron wrapped her up in his arms. Neville walked over to them. He smiled slightly at Ron, "I think Harry hurt his arm." He pointed over to Ginny and Harry. Ginny was holding his right arm delicately.

Oh, Harry, not this arm too!

Harry chuckled. Well at least it's not my left arm again!

Ginny groaned. Don't ever, ever do that again! I will not tolerate you getting killed!

"Well, then don't tune me out again!" Harry glared at her. "You made me promise not to do it to you and then you went and did it to me! You can't have it both ways!" He turned his head away from hers.

Ginny's eyes widened. She had forgotten about that. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry. I forgot."

Harry turned back to her and glared. "Yea, well it scared me when you wouldn't even answer. I…I," he looked away again. He cleared his throat. "You're my other half," he whispered, "I can't lose you, Ginny."

Ginny whimpered and threw her arms around him. "I know, I'm sorry, never again," she sobbed.

There was a noise from the staircase. Professors McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore came around the corner. Professor McGonagall gasped at the sight and rushed forward, while Snape growled and stopped in his place. Dumbledore swept forward swiftly.

"Mr. Longbottom, please explain what happened."

Neville looked at the others nervously. They all nodded at him. "Well, after Professor Quirrell ran into the Great Hall and yelled about the troll we realized that Ginny and Hermione were in the bathroom and didn't know about it." Neville looked at Snape and then back at Dumbledore, hoping he understood what he was not saying. "We kind of panicked and went looking for Hermione and Ginny."

Snape narrowed his eyes at them as Dumbledore nodded his head. "Mr. Longbottom please escort your friends to the hospital wing please." He looked at Harry and sighed. "We will discuss your punishments at another time."

Ginny helped Harry up while Ron, Hermione and Neville walked quietly behind them.

Just great, more detentions, Ron sighed.

Hermione barked out laughing. "Oh Ron!"

Harry looked over his shoulder at her. "What did he say?"

"More detentions!"

The rest of them burst out laughing and that was how Madam Pomfrey found them when they arrived at the hospital wing.

"Students fighting trolls! What will be next!" she sighed and started to fix Harry's arm.

End of chapter 14

I hope you liked it! please review!

CodeRomance