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*****

 Thirty-first October. What day is this? What does it mean to ordinary people? For magicians? For the Harry Potter universe? Personally for me? The answers differ so dramatically that you can't help but wonder: "why is this so?"

 For ordinary people, this day is something "mysterious", "intriguing", "mystical". After all, for them this is a holiday where they can have fun and dress up in a variety of outfits. In a word - have a good time. And for what? Previously, it was to honor the memory of the old pagan holiday, but now it is part of modern culture. But to summarize, Halloween for them is just another holiday in a series of similar ones.

 What does this day mean for magicians? Samhain. The festival of harvesting, as well as the day of conjugation with the sphere of the dead plane. This day is one of the few, if you perform certain rituals today, the result will be several times better than on any other day. If you are "lucky", then you can encounter the inhabitants of the lands of the dead, not the ghosts of Hogwarts, but those who terrify us, the living, by the mere fact of their "existence".

 What does this day mean for the Harry Potter universe? Another milestone in the war that took place not so long ago, just about ten years ago. What am I talking about? Today, on this very day, there should be an attack by the basilisk - the king of snakes, a chimera created by Salazar Slytherin himself. Another milestone - another adventure of the hero, a step in his formation.

 What does this day mean for a hero, a boy, an orphan? The most important thing is the day his parents died. It was on this day, many years ago, that Lily and James Potter left the world. This is the hero's day of grief, which not one of his fans will pay attention to. After all, they did not lose their parents that day. Also, this day is a new line, beyond which another "battle", "fight" with his "sworn" enemy will await him. At least this day will be so for the Hero, but what does it mean for our Harry Potter? The answer is unknown.

 What does this day mean to me, an ordinary guy who lives in magical England and studies magic? Well, first of all, rituals. Yes, today it is necessary to carry out a ritual; you should not miss it under any circumstances. The second is the attack of the basilisk. The fact is that this serpent is controlled by a little girl, whose world converges only on one person - the Hero of Light. What about me? My person is "enemy" for this hero. Could I get hurt? Yes I can. Do I need this? No. Therefore, just half a month ago, I decided to take the notebook from Ginny Weasley and take it to the teacher. Yes, it's risky, but I can justify myself with magical vision.

 However, I couldn't. The reason for this failure is simple - the girl is always in a crowd of fellow students and housemates, and the treasured notebook is always resting in her hands. No matter how hard I tried, nothing worked out for me (I even tried to get into the Gryffindor common room, but the protection there was so strong that a student who was not invited there simply would not be able to get through. So I couldn't either. Ask any lion trick me? Well, due to the fact that the Hero doesn't like me, all the lions also treat me quite cautiously.

 Today started as usual. Wake up, exercise, shower, breakfast and steam. Half the day flew by in an instant, and the rare free moments were "busy" with conversations with friends.

 After lunch we had herbology, after which Professor Sprout relieved Nev and me of today's "work":

 "Today is a holiday, relax and have fun," Sprout told us, stopping us at the very exit with a smile on her face.

 "But it's not difficult for us, professor," Nev, a plant maniac, objected to her. "My grandmother will pick me up in the evening, and Kol prepared everything himself," I confirmed his words with a roller. In the end, some of the "offerings" were taken directly from this greenhouse. I put a lot of effort into this, both physical and magical. Just for the "gift".

 "Don't argue," she said sternly, "angrily" resting her hands on the wasp's waist. — I said a day off, that means a day off.

 "But..." I objected.

 - I said everything. "Free," Sprout said sternly, and then smiled kindly.

 After exchanging glances with Nev, we only nodded obediently and headed out of the greenhouse."

 Hmmm, something like that. This evening's training session is cancelled. So Nev and I go to the library. We'll be there until about dinner, after which my grandmother will pick up my friend, and I... we'll see.

 "Why don't you want to spend Samhain with me and my grandmother?" — Nev asked me the same question again, walking next to me.

 - Hmm, why won't anyone let me leave the castle? - and it is true. While the students are in the castle, they are dominated by their dean, as well as the headmaster. Of course, aristocrats have every right to take their younger generation to certain holidays.

 But my parents are not representatives of the magical aristocracy, so I cannot go home for Samhain. Formally. But in fact, as soon as I disclose the information that I am an apprentice, I can leave the walls of Hogwarts at almost any moment. The truth is, as soon as I do this, the number of problems that have fallen on my head will simply grow at incredible speed.

 "Eh, that's true," Nev drooped after my answer. This was my last argument in this debate. Shouldn't I tell him that by performing the ritual in the vicinity of Hog I would get much more profit than any other place? And you shouldn't forget about today's event.

 Having passed through someone's open doors, Neville and I found ourselves in the kingdom of knowledge, books and the rustle of paper. Having nodded in greeting, the librarian (Grodno glanced at us, Miss Pince only nodded slightly, and then returned to reading a book) we went to our favorite corner. However, "our" place was taken.

 Astoria and Luna were already sitting in their usual places, quietly talking about something.

 - .... "Even he won't do it," Astoria stated confidently, looking at the Moon. She responded by shrugging her shoulders and looking behind her friend (Astoria was sitting with her back to us), and said:

 "The brainsnatches don't deceive me," she continued, looking at the ceiling and cheerfully swinging her legs. "I won," and a dreamy smile at the end.

 - What…? — Gringras began turning around, but when she noticed us she fell silent. - Tch, you're right again. Are you a clairvoyant or a prophet? — she asked her friend a question, but not having received an answer, she turned to us. - Ko-o-ol! Luna wins again! "She's never wrong," she said with a frown, but her eyes gave her away.

 "Hello to you, Astoria," I nodded to her and, putting my hand on the top of her head, and then stroking her a little (if she didn't like it, I wouldn't do it, but she likes it. You can't fool emotions), I continued: "You you know Luna, nothing can be hidden from her friends," I smiled slightly.

 Then I felt a light blow to my side. Looking at the offender (And it turned out to be Luna), I only raised my eyebrow in surprise.

 - What? - I turned to her.

 After staring at me for a while longer, she grabbed my left hand and placed it on her head.

 "Luna wants it too," she muttered barely audibly.

 Smiling a little, I started stroking her too.

 "So be it," in response to my words, Luna only smiled brightly. Well, what a small miracle.

 There was silence. The girls were thrilled (understandable. It's not every day that you get stroked using very concentrated, warm prana), but I was expecting something. What exactly? And Neville felt a sense of awkwardness, as well as a small amount of malice ("the snake" has a bad effect on him). How long will he remain silent?

 "Hmm," after two minutes he still couldn't stand it. Jerking sharply, Astoria looked in His direction (and Luna didn't care. She was again thinking about something of her own). - Um, am I not bothering you? - he asked stammeringly, scratching his neck in embarrassment. But I know that you are amused by Gringras' reaction (after all, it has a bad influence on him).

 "That's right," I nodded, removing my hands and sitting down in my seat. - Let's get on with our homework. Each of us will be busy in the evening, right?

 Seconds flew by, then minutes, followed by hours. Time flew by unnoticed, gradually approaching hour X.

 Having finished with the tasks, we silently gathered and headed to the exit from the library. Dinner is coming soon, which means my friends will be picked up by their relatives.

 Having said goodbye to Nev on the stairs, the three of us walked towards our living room.

 "Calder," Astoria suddenly called to me.

 - Yes? — I answered, continuing to walk.

 - You will be "celebrating" Samhain? - she asked, emphasizing the intonation of celebration. Only a deaf person would not understand what exactly she meant by this word.

 "Of course," I finally told her after a pause.

 "Could you invite Luna to your "holiday," too," they rushed a little, Astoria still said what she wanted. The girl she was talking about did not react to her words in any way. 

 "Won't they take her away just like you?" — I asked in surprise. And there was a reason. It is very rare that aristocrats leave their children in the castle for such major holidays. After all, family rituals are very beneficial for the entire family.

 - Well, Luna's parents won't be able to take her. "They are abroad now," Gringras Jr. answered me, embarrassed, as if they were her parents.

 - Is the moon true?

 "Dad heard about new creatures in Australia and rushed there. "Mom went after him," she answered, looking into emptiness. For a brief moment there was a whiff of sadness from her, but then everything disappeared, leaving no trace. If I had not focused my attention on the Moon, I would not have noticed it at all.

 There was an oppressive silence. Luna continued to hum something to herself, happily walking towards the living room, and Astoria looked sadly in her direction. Hmm, it happens. It seems that not only Luna and her father are not of this world, but her mother is too.

 "Luna," after waiting until the girl paid attention to me, I continued: "Do you want to "celebrate" Samhain with me? — He asked her, smiling softly.

 For a moment, the girl's eyes widened in disbelief, and then tears flowed from them. Smiling back at me, she said:

 - Luna wants it very much.

 "Well, that's good," I exclaimed, lightly clapping my hands. - So it's decided. And Luna, there's no need to cry. If you have another problem in the future, just tell me. After all, we are friends," approaching her, I took her hand. - Shall we go?

 - Uh-huh - nod.

 We walked the rest of the way in silence.

 *****

 The large hall was impressive. Just like last year, "burning" pumpkins were flying above the children's heads, under the ceiling. Flocks of bats roamed the ocean of air. The light of the pumpkins illuminated the entire expanse of the stone hall.

 All the students who remained in the castle were sitting at four giant tables. I should note that about one fifth was missing. Many aristocrats left the school on this day.

 Dinner progressed as usual, as usual. The children ate, talked, laughed, had fun. In a word, they celebrated a holiday. I wasn't laughing.

 A quick inspection of the Lviv table showed that several people were absent from it. Namely: Potter, as well as the Weasleys in full (well, those that remained...). This means there will still be filling.

 It is not known how, but Potter still managed to get processed by Lockhart because at the moment he was also absent. Coincidence? I don't really believe it.

 Curiously, Seamus and Patil were present at the table. This once again confirms my theory about Potter's detention.

 Dinner was drawing to a close. Gradually, the children finished eating and were about to leave, but they were distracted by the sound of metal hitting glass.

 Turning to the teacher's table, all the children paid attention to the director, who, having tapped his glass with a spoon, stood up from his throne.

 "Dear students," he said, looking at us all with a kind glance. - I congratulate you on the occasion. Some of you call it Halloween, others Samhain. The name is not so important, because the holiday is one. It makes my soul feel warm just watching how you enjoy this holiday. But," here he fell silent. After waiting the necessary time (for the surroundings), the director continued. — In honor of today, we, the teachers and I, decided to put on a small show for you. In the ordinary world, this action is called fireworks. Therefore, I ask you not to disperse, but to follow your elders to the exit from the castle. Scene for our production: Black Lake.

 There was applause. The children were incredibly happy. Of course, it's a free show. I clapped with the others, while at the same time thinking.

 Is this action a way to lead the race to the scene of an attack, or is it actually a way to pamper the children? Not everything is clear here, but now at least it becomes clear how the children ended up next to Potter that day. Bravo Albus Dumbledore, bravo.

 In record time, the children gathered and trooped out of the Great Hall, walking right behind the prefects. Minutes slowly passed, and the walls of the corridors floated past us.

 A turn, another turn, a straight corridor. Two more turns and we should have ended up at the stairs, but...

 Around the first turn, the entire crowd stopped, looking ahead in horror.

 In front of all of us was Harry, looking at us with some shock. Next to them were his friends, and behind them hung the corpse of Mrs. Noris (it was exactly a corpse. For this I did not spare the Gaze of Life). And next to it, right on the wall, there was an inscription written in the blood of the same cat:

"The chamber of secrets is open! Enemies of the Heir, tremble!" 

 Well hello, a new round of adventures.

 And right in front of me, in the crowd of children, stood Ginny Weasley, who tightly clutched the dark diary to herself and looked at this inscription with shock.

 *****