TFA: Chapter 9: Samhain Part I

> *"AVADA KEDAVRA"*
>
>

— Amelia Hurst cordially greeting a mountain troll.

## Summary:

Harry Potter meets with Peter Pettigrew and James Potter in Hogsmeade. He gets permission to go to the Weitts Samhain Gathering, and while exploring the school on Samhain, runs into a troll.

## Plot:

**September 20th, 1991:** Fred and George Weasley carefully approach the Third Floor Corridor, using their limited knowledge of Cursebreaking to detect for wards. They throw a ball to trigger any they can't detect, and when nothing shows up, they move in. They use the unlocking charm on the door, see the Cerberus, and run.

**September 23rd, 1991:** Harry Potter receives a letter from James Potter telling him he is approved to go to Hogsmeade, and informing him of a secret passage into the town. Harry then explores that secret passage with Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass. Harry ponders the reading that Professor Hurst assigned him, and how he agrees with it, and how it has helped his spellwork. He also considers how both his, Daphne's, and Tracey's ability with several offensive jinxes. They then discuss the Weitt's Family Samhain event, and Harry explains that he intends to go if he gets James Potter's permission or the meeting goes so horribly he couldn't imagine being cordial to James and thus ignore his fathers permission.

**October 11th, 1991:** Harry Potter proceeds to the secret passage into Hogsmeade, where he meets Peter Pettigrew. He is rather affable, and Harry likes him, but has an uncertain feeling about him. They discuss their school years, and Peter talks about how they were part of a little group that played pranks, and how James could be a bit of a bully some times. Peter takes him to Honeydukes and buys him a bag of assorted handy, before conveying him to the Three Broomsticks to meet with James. Peter leaves, because he has other business, and Harry proceeds into the meeting.

James Potter and Harry are quiet for a moment, before James greets Harry. He apologizes for what happened at the hands of the Dursleys. Harry gets in some minor jabs about what the Dursley's did to him, and then asks James why he did it. James responds that he wasn't mature enough to raise him and made a mistake. Harry doesn't forgive James, and explains he may never forgive James, and that his time with them was far worse than just being told his father was dead, but that he can accept that James had good intentions, and accepts James's reasoning on the condition he never return to 4 Privet Drive. James agrees.

Harry suggests that they start over in their relationship, and introduces himself. James returns the gesture, and then Harry asks about Lily Potter. They discuss things for a while, learning about his time at Hogwarts and as many of the secret passageways as Harry can.

When Harry asks to go to the Weitt's Family Samhain Gathering, James is initially reticent, but eventually concedes and permits Harry to go, after some emotional manipulation of James on Harry's part.

**October 31st, 1991:** Harry reflects on his progress thus far. He has advanced quite well, and is even working on the Shield Charm. He is in the position of being one of the best in the school. Charms, for him, is a let down, because he has already done all of the practical, and understands most of the theory involved with the class. When working on the Levitation Charm, he is the first to do it, and then helps Blaise come in third by explaining the importance of the intent behind the spell. After Charms he has Flight, in which he is one of the best students there.

Daphne reflects on how she likes the Great Hall, but is disappointing in it's decorations, as they are catered to muggleborn students to an unreasonable degree. Before the feast, Argus Filch runs into the Great Hall screaming about a troll on the marble staircase. Daphne reassures Tracey, until she reminds Daphne about Harry.

Harry is wandering the castle, exploring and contemplating the results of ten years ago, as well as the upcoming gathering. He runs into the troll, and, as he can't run away due to the trolls speed, fires off a knockback jinx at it. That has little effect, so he follows with a Wood Levitation Charm (Presumably on its club) and a Full-Body Bind. Neither of these is effective, so, as the troll is swinging down, he successfully casts a 'Protego' Shield Charm. This buys him time to withdraw, and he resolves to use his last resort, presumably some unspeakably dark spell, as he contemplates preferring vilification to death. Before he can use it, Professor Hurst uses the Killing Curse on the troll, and softly calls him by his first name.

## Characters Introduced:

Fred Weasley.

George Weasley.

Chronological Order