"Ron was totally out of line with Hermione today, I gave him a reaming after class. I don't expect we'll be friends anymore. Make sure to let Hermione know that I don't think she's awful at all, and that I really appreciated her help. I'd offer to work with her on her flying, but I think you're better than me there." Michael laughs a bit and eases Harry's spirit. Harry makes a quick dinner for himself, just a few pork chops and some potatoes. He just finishes and begins gathering some food for Hermione when a voice echoes through the great hall.
"TROLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON! Just thought you should know." Professor Quirrel says, before fainting face first into the floor. A panic grips the hall as Headmaster Dumbledore points a wand to his throat.
"Quiet! Now, Heads of House, please gather your prefects and escort your students to their common rooms. Slytherin Prefects, report to Professor Sinestra since Professor Snape is currently away." Dumbledore's voice booms.
Glancing around, Harry sees Roger Davies, Penelope Clearwater, and the other Ravenclaw prefects make their way to Professor Flitwick. Harry leans over to Michael. "I've got to go get Hermione and make sure she makes her way back to the common room. Cover for me please."
Michael looks confused, but nods. "Alright, just don't do something stupid. The guys and I'll cover for you, it shouldn't be too hard."
Harry relays his plan to Padma, who looks equally as concerned, but doesn't speak up any objections. "I'll help Michael, just stay safe okay? I couldn't bear to see either of you hurt."
The confusion makes it relatively easy for Harry to slip out of the Great Hall and start making his way to the staircases and up to the second floor. As Harry makes his way to the bathroom, he smells something truly wretched. A mixture of old socks and a bathroom that's never been cleaned. Coming into the bathroom though, Harry sees the source of the smell, a twelve foot tall Mountain Troll, wielding a club, which has just taken a swipe over all the stalls in the girl's bathroom.
"Hermione!" Harry calls out, worried that his first friend may have been just murdered by this gross behemoth.
"Harry!" Hermione replies, and Harry's worries are momentarily alleviated. He's still in time to possibly save her.
"Hey ugly!" Harry calls out, shooting Red Sparks at the giant monstrosity. Harry's sparks land and burn some small holes in the creature's ragged tunic, but does little to actually damage the beast. Hermione scuttles behind the Troll's back as its attention focuses on Harry. With a mighty swing the Troll brings its club down on the ground where Harry was once standing, having sidestepped away, but was thrown off balance by the sheer force of the blow. The Troll winds up for another swing towards Harry, but Harry manages to roll under it as the troll takes out the toilets on the wall, spraying water all over the floor. "Glacius!" Harry calls out, freezing the massive creature in place for a moment. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Harry encants, levitating a shard of shattered porcelain in between him and the Troll. "Flipendo Maxima!" Harry screams, overpowering the spell to the greatest degree he possibly can. The shard of porcelain screams through the air as it enters the Troll's eye, then continues on its path straight into the brain, and then out of the skull of the massive creature. The Troll, now deceased, collapses in a small heap on the floor, and Harry, exhausted, falls to his own knees.
Hermione rushes over, wrapping Harry in a hug. "Oh Harry! You saved me, I was a goner but you saved me. Even though you don't like me at all you still saved me!" Hermione cries, tears streaming down her face as she continues to clutch Harry closer and closer.
"Of course I saved you Hermione. You're my best friend. I couldn't ever let anything happen to you." Harry says weakly, trying to wrap his arms around Hermione. Looking down, he sees that they are covered in bruises and splinters. He must have been hit by debris and didn't notice.
"I've found the students! And the Troll?!" Professor McGonagall says, adding the latter part in surprise at seeing the body of the troll on the floor. Professor's Flitwick and Dumbledore enter the room behind her, wands at the ready.
"Good work Minerva, I didn't even hear you cast a spell." Professor Dumbledore says, eyes twinkling.
"That's because I didn't was like this when I got here. Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, are you alright?" Professor McGonagall asks.
"I'm really tired all of a sudden, and my everything hurts, Hermione?" Harry says, weakly, before looking to Hermione.
"I've got a couple scratches, but I'll be okay." Hermione says between tears.
"Filius, please get these two to the Hospital Wing, they're your students after all. Albus and I will clean up here." Professor McGonagall says, starting to levitate and repair the bathroom stalls.
Harry doesn't remember much of the trip to the Hospital Wing. Professor Flitwick had levitated him with a spell he didn't recognize, and Hermione held his hand the whole way, but beyond that it was a blur. Once he was in the Hospital Wing though, Flitwick had given Madam Pomfrey, the school's healer, a summary of what had just happened.
Harry and Hermione both are given and drink a Calming Draught, and explain what happened to the best of their abilities. Madam Pomfrey also gives each of them a once over and heals the minor injuries they have. Madam Pomfrey however does say "Mr. Potter is suffering from severe magical exhaustion. Whatever he did, he literally poured everything he had into it. He'll need to stay here overnight. For safety's sake, I'd like for Ms. Granger to stay as well. Please inform their Professor's that they will not be attending classes tomorrow."
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