I bought a few coins randomly before I went to dinner today,
come back and see 17% increase in price.

I feel like both ETC/ ETH could go to the moon, or crash and burn over the next few weeks.
Maybe someone more familiar with the changes in the upcoming fork can make a prediction...
Congratulations! I always keep low ball bids out in different markets which has produced surprises like that.
I don't think the HF will be of any significant impact on price either direction.