Hallowe'en (PS)

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Hallowe'en is the tenth chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Nimbus

Draco is stunned to see that Harry and Ron weren't expelled. The pair has been discussing what could be in vault 713, without coming to any conclusion. Neville and Hermione don't seem interested in conjecturing with them. In fact, she has stopped talking to Harry and Ron altogether (to their relief), and the two boys focus, for the moment, on getting back at Malfoy.

About a week afterwards, during breakfast, six owls bring a long parcel to Harry; a seventh bird carries a note, signed by Minerva McGonagall, which reads, "DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE. It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven o'clock for your first training session."

Ron and Harry quickly leave the Great Hall in order to unwrap the broomstick. They meet Draco, Crabbe and Goyle in the Entrance Hall, however. Malfoy taunts Harry, saying that the boy will be expelled, because first-years are not allowed them (PS5).

"It's not any old broomstick," Ron retorts. "It's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?"

"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Draco snaps. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig."

Before the argument can continue, Flitwick arrives. Draco immediately tells on Harry, but the professor is not surprised; he smiles at Harry, and mentions that McGongall's filled him in. Harry then informs Flitwick the model of his broomstick, and that he obtained it thanks to Malfoy (PS9). The Slytherin is outraged.

Hermione passes by near the boys soon afterwards and angrily asks, "So I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?"

"I thought you weren't speaking to us?" Harry asks. "Yes, don't stop now," Ron adds. "It's doing us so much good."

Hermione stalks off, and the pair leave the Nimbus in their dormitory.

For the rest of the day, Harry has some trouble focusing on classes. He only manages to unwrap the broomstick after dinner. It is sleek, shiny, with a long tail of straight twigs and a mahogany handle; it has 'Nimbus Two Thousand' written in gold near the top.