The United

Chapter 5: Hallowe'en

The pumpkins were being rolled out and live bats being placed in the Great Hall, not to mention the papier-mâché of a giant troll outside the girl's bathroom. Albus had fitted in quite well for someone who didn't have any close friends in his house. His favourite subjects were Potions and Transfiguration. His dad was now better, his mum had never said what had illed him.

He went down to breakfast deciding to sit at the Slytherin table with Scorpius. They all sat where they liked except at dinner, after all there were no rules saying they couldn't and there had always been a few people who did have friends in other houses though none of these were Slytherins. Albus always felt a little uncomfortable at the Slytherin table because the Slytherins all looked at him as if they were frightened of him, Scorpius said he didn't ever notice this.

Marley leant over, bats dangling from her ears, to get some toast.

"Any tricks for Hallowe'en, Al?" she asked.

"No. I didn't think of anything." Albus told her passing the toast she was struggling to reach.

"Ah shame," She flashed him a grin, "I'll give you a treat instead."

"Thanks." He grinned back.

"Hang on a sec, I'll take those treats thank you," Scorpius said, "I've got the best trick ever!"

"Oh yeah? What's that then?" Marley frowned.

"This," Scorpius flicked his wand, "Serpentsortia."

A long black snake shot out the end of his wand it fell with a dull thud on to the floor, and slithered under the Gryffindor table. Heading towards someone's feet, Albus looked up.

"It's heading for Rose!"

"Oh bum," Scorpius scowled he took out his wand again but the snake was gone. They watched Rose in horror expecting her to start screaming or faint.

It was only near the end of breakfast that Rose acknowledged the snake. She walked over her long curled hair swung as she shook her head, "That was pathetic," she said, holding out her hand where the snake wound itself between her fingers. She tapped it with her wand and it vanished. With a superior swish of her hair she left. Scorpius seemed to look extremely pleased with himself as he got up to leave.

James had attempted to talk to Albus every break or whenever they met in the corridor, resulting in them finally not talking. James glared at him from across the hall but the Hallowe'en feast was the best. A thousand live bats flew in and out of the candles. Albus was very happy much to James's surprise and irritation; he loved munching on candy and laughing with his house. Rosina Greene was doing a mean impression of Professor Slughorn.

Then there was a sudden gasp from the teachers and students. All heads snapped towards the staff table. Professor Flitwick had toppled off his chair and was not moving, mouth slightly agape and eyes staring. Professor McGonagall ran to him from the middle of the table, while Professor Longbottom sprinted for Madam Pomfrey. Professor Slughorn asked the prefects to lead their house all back to their common rooms. Albus yearned to talk to the others but daren't risk it. He trooped off to his common room with the other Ravenclaws.

They all sat there waiting for news, some of the older girls were crying.

"He'll be fine, Flitwick will. He's been through much more than just a Hallowe'en feast." A boy in Year Seven reassured everyone.

"But, didn't you see him? He looked dead to me!" A second-year girl shrilled.

Suddenly their common room door opened. Revealing Professor McGonagall her nostrils flared and tears threatening to spill, she looked deathly pale and old.

"Ravenclaw, I'm here to tell you...that, that," Her eyes began swimming.

"Sit sown, Professor." Rosina told her, stirring her into a central armchair.

"Thank you. I have to tell you that Professor Flitwick was poisoned, by Basilisk venom and Madam Promfrey couldn't do anything to save him." Professor McGonagall.

"Murdered!" They all gasped.

"Dead, he's dead?"

"I must urge you to report anything if you suspected anything." Professor McGonagall sighed. She got up and told them all to go to bed.