Chapter Two
Her Knight
-Savior of old, he hath slain thy evil pawn. Her knight any villain's con-
The 19th of September brought on a joyous time for the two youngsters, Hermione's birthday was celebrated with the good grace of their Housemates, Gryffindor house put on a small party for their resident bookworm and for the first time in her life Hermione felt like she truly belonged somewhere. Professor McGonagall joined the celebrations promising to give her favorite student a new novel to read, she would soon find out that years later said book was kept in a trophy case as a token of remembrance from the stern head lioness.
On the day of Hollow's eve, the mood turned rather sour as the Charms lessons were up and running, Professor Filius Flitwick was in all terms a half blood Wizard of Goblin decent, he taught with a grace like any other instructor would, and soon would be one of the favorite teachers of Harry and Hermione. On that day they were taught the levitating charm, Harry was being paired with Neville, while Hermione was unfortunately paired with Ronald Weasley.
"Stop, stop, STOP! You're going to take someone's eyes out." Hermione said finally having it with this slob, "And besides it's not Levi-o-sar, it's Levi-o-sa." Harry herd her know it all tone which he smiled fondly at.
Ron scowled at being corrected, "Well do it then if you're so clever." He drawled, "Go on, go on."
"Wingardium Leviosa!" She pronounced with a swish and a flick, and her feather flew up in the air.
The excitable professor looked pleased, "Ooh, look everyone Ms. Granger's done it!" Then he saw Harry's feather floating as well, "With Mr. Potter not far behind! Twenty points to Gryffindor both of you, and ten points for assisting as fellow student as well, Mr. Longbottom take five points for an adequate first attempt."
After class they walked to the dining hall, where their classmates congratulated them on their success, now it would have been in goodwill had it not been for a jealous red head. Ron had pushed past Hermione a long with Seamus and Dean.
"It's not levisoar, it's leviosa." Mocked the red head, "She's a nightmare honestly, no wonder she hasn't got any friends."
This stuck the bushy haired witch more than anything, she pulled herself away from Harry's grasp and ran. Harry was livid, how dare he! – he got up to Ron's face and held the collar of his shirt. Ronald was all talk, and Harry knew what jealous bullies were like, and here was a good example of one. He did not tolerate anyone who insulted Hermione, not even one he considered a friend of sorts.
Harry's voice dropped an octave, "What is your problem Wealsey? Do you take pleasure in treating other as if they are below you? I've seen the way you treat the girls in the upper years, and that's not a treatment I tolerate at all, insulting Hermione will see you in the hospital ward for a week."
"Now, young Harry violence is never the answer." Said the voice of Albus Dumbledore, a path cleared for the head master, "Let him go."
Harry did not ease his stance, "But sir..."
"Do as the headmaster says, Mr. Potter." Said Professor McGonagall sternly, "Then explain what has transpired here."
Harry complied to his head of house, but his stance did not weaver, not where Ronald Weasley was concerned.
"Now explain yourselves." Ordered the head lioness firmly.
Neville stepped up, "If I may Professors." Albus prompted him to continue, "Ronald decided that it was in goodwill to mock Ms. Granger for her prowess in charms, had he even considered what his hurtful words would have caused I don't think Hermione would have run with tears, Harry was livid and stepped up to defend Hermione's honor, we all saw her put Ronald right, and yet instead of thanking her for her helpfulness he chooses to insult her."
"Can anyone back up Mr. Longbottom's claims?" Asked the headmaster.
Everyone raised their hands.
"Ms. Patil, Ms. Brown please do check how Ms. Granger is doing and report back to me." Said McGonagall.
The two girls nodded and went off to find their dorm mate, hoping that she was alright.
Then the demure Professor turned to Ron, "Mr. Weasley, never have I heard of such disrespect. You will serve a two-week detention with me, and ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for your lack of tact, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Finnigan take five points for your part in this event."
This calmed Harry a bit, but he had to find Hermione, then a hand on his shoulder stopped him, it was Neville.
"Let her take her time Harry, she'll be back with us you'll see." Harry was far from placated by his friend's statement.
He shook his head, "I hope you're right Nev."
Later that day Harry still hadn't seen Hermione around, and he was getting seriously worried about her, he hoped she was somewhere safe from harm. His heart clenched at the thought of her tear stained face, he would bet any amount of galleons that had the headmaster not stopped him he would have caused Ron a weeks' worth of injuries. It was dinner time and still his best friend wasn't seen around the halls.
"Harry she's in the abandoned girl's loo in the second floor corridor, and she doesn't want anyone around right now. But I think otherwise, she needs you." Said Parvati with a sad smile to her friend.
Said boy stood and said, "Thank you Parvati, I'll owe you for this."
"No need to Harry, what are friends for." She smiled as he ran out of the hall.
Shame he hadn't been there when Professor Quirell announced the troll's arrival in the dungeon, but Harry was focused on finding Hermione, his entrance into the abandoned girl's loo was greeted by strangled sobs, this caused his ire at the blasted red head to rise. He came to the stall he heard the sobs from, only to find it sealed.
"Go away." Hermione said through her tears.
Harry shook his head knocking on the door, "No, when have I ever walked away from you? Hermione, please let me in."
"He's right. Why are you even friends with me?"
"No! He is not right; he couldn't have been any further from the truth."
He kept knocking on the door, not even considering the option of leaving her alone, she was his closest friend and not even a stupid comment can ever drive him from her. Besides, he didn't believe any of it one bit, he was sure Weasley would get a big kick in the ares from him, and he wasn't going to hold back either, he'll show that kid to mess with her.
"Now when have ever listened to you whenever you told me to leave you alone?" He asked rather playfully, this tactic had always worked with her.
He could here her stifle another cry, "You never did." She mumbled with a small smile.
"That's right. And nothing will ever stop me from going to you in your time of need."
"But…"
"No buts, ifs, or maybes. You are never getting rid of me."
"Oh alright."
Then a loud barge of footsteps came, a loud bang followed soon the doors of the stalls were crushed on the ground, Hermione screamed in fright at the sight of the troll. The troll rose its club, looking in their direction, then aimed it at Hermione, Harry was not taking this! He transformed into a big sabretooth feline, and ran at that beast, biting it in the leg causing the troll to howl in pain. The troll swung its club hitting Harry in the gut, the force through the feline to the tiled wall, he whined in obvious pain.
Hermione was about to run to him, "Harry!" The troll swung its club again, this time it hit the toilets, "Help!"
Harry sprinted in sheer speed, pushing THE beast off balance and into the opposite wall, lightning stuck the troll knocking it unconscious. Hermione ran to the limping Sabretooth, who met her half way she placed her arms around his neck, his snout nuzzled her neck in return.
"Thank you." She told him, smoothening out his fur.
The professors soon entered shocked at the scene, "Ms. Granger, what happened here?" Asked the Head Lioness of Gryffindor.
"Harry saved from a painful death, Professor."
"I think it is safe to say that the feline you are currently petting is Mr. Potter?" Inquired the head master with glimmering eyes.
Said girl nodded, "Yes sir."
"It would be advisable to have him change back, so that we could assess to his injuries." Suggested Severus Snape worryingly.
"Of course sir."
She held the furry head and caressed the fur, which caused a purr to rumble out its chest.
"Harry, turn back please." She whispered into to his ear.
He transformed in a matter of seconds, groaning in pain as he held his middle section.
He then said, "Did anyone catch the number on the bus?" Then passed out.
Professor McGonagall approached the boy cautiously, then waved her wand muttering the diagnostic spells. She frowned worryingly…
"He has a few broken ribs, a fractured arm, and a really bad concussion. Poppy can have these fixed, and the other injuries he had suffered prior to getting here." She told them with a frown.
Severus Snape looked livid, "Other injuries? Surely you don't mean he was abused by those relatives of his?"
"I am afraid that is what she means Severus." Said Albus with a sad look, his eyes dim.
"When I get my hands on them…"
"Now is not the time for that, now we must get Mr. Potter to the Hospital wing and Ms. Granger should also stay with Poppy for a night."
Severus levitated Harry from the floor, while Minerva lead Hermione out of the Girls' loo. They made their way to the infirmary, where upon entering the nurse instantly lead them to a bed, Hermione was handed a dreamless sleeping potion, while the healer assessed to her best friend.
"The details to your ordeal will be discussed tomorrow. Ms. Granger. For now, you and Mr. Potter should take your rest." Advised the age old headmaster.
Said girl nodded her acceptance, "Of course sir, and thank you."
"Your welcome."
The other two bade the sleepy girl a night, and left her to the care of the matron. Poppy looked at her two charges with a soft smile, how they reminded her two other students – bless their souls- who had now gone on to the afterlife after meeting death, she had hoped the Lily and James' boy would meet his match, and it looks as he did.
'it surely helps that he is more well-mannered than his father was'
Was her thought, James Potter did tend to be quiet arrogant in his youth, but his son, thankfully, attributed the kindness and modesty of his mother Lily Evens Potter. With one more check-up on the two, she called it at night, and headed for bed herself.
-The next day-
Harry had woken in a light daze, the sun's rays causing him to blink, he felt pain in his leg, he blinked his eyes to get used to the light. He felt a light squeeze to his hand. He turned to see Hermione, a saddened look on her face, he squeezed her hand back.
"Harry." She gasped turning her worried eyes to him.
"Hermione. What happened?!" He said groggily.
"What do you remember?"
"Well, I remember trying to comfort you in the loo, then the troll coming in. I felt so angry at it targeting you, that I bit it somehow…"
"Harry you turned into a sabretooth tiger and charged at it! It nearly killed you, then the second time you ran at it you knocked it out cold!"
"Really?"
"Really"
Than all his memories from the night before came back to him, like a rushing waterfall.
"A wonderful morning to you both." Greeted Albus as he entered the medical wing.
They greeted him simultaneously, "Good Morning Headmaster."
"Now why don't you both tell me what transpired in the Girl's loo last night?" He had asked gently.
They recounted their experience in the loo the night before, Hermione gave her view of Harry's fight with the troll. Harry had to hold her beside him, as she had cried while telling the story, he had wanted to comfort his friend. The kindly Professor looked at his students with concern and wonder, Albus was again awed by the boy, who he was becoming to love as a great grandson, he was the last heir to Godric Gryffindor, only Godric's heir could have that skill, and the talent of wandless magic. He needed to have another talk with Harry soon, he needed to tell him of his inheritance, and have his parent's will read to have him emancipated, the boy needed training as soon as possible.
"Very brave of you indeed mister Potter. To defend others only to save a life shows that our choices are far more important than our abilities in know who you are as a person."
"Thank you, sir."
"Forty to points should be awarded to you for your courage and care for others. And Miss Granger always remember that a true friend is one who always comes to your side no matter what the situation. Youth can only be jaded by experience, but innocence can be found if only one simply remembers to find solace within the care of another."
Said girl nodded her accent before turning back to Harry who looking at the headmaster with a small smile, and questioning eyes.
"Mr. Potter, Harry… may I call you Harry?"
"Of course sir."
"As it is, finding your current situation I would want to have some tea with you on Friday afternoon, if you have nothing to do then."
"I would be honored to, sir."
"You are free to come as well Ms. Granger."
"Harry and I will discuss it Professor."
"Alright, I best be off, lots of paper work to do."
He bade them farewell and left them do their own devices, to discuss their plans for the upcoming Friday.
Well that was version of the troll incident, I hope you'll like it. Your comments and questions are very much welcome! Ronald almost got a taste of Hurricane Harry, you'll very much find some very interesting scene between the two and Ron, this is not the common GOLDEN TRIO colored story.
Now questions from the previous chapter:
From Rajiv A, Rajaram:
Q1- Hermione goes out of the country for the summer, and they couldn't really talk about magic or Hogwarts due to the Statute of Secrecy (this was partly because of Hermione's high regard to laws and certain rules)
Q2- He read it from a book he had bought in Flourish and Blots, and though it didn't really explain what the word meant he just had an under laying feeling that it didn't mean well.
FluffyPandaShip: Thank you for the support!
WL17