Please note that I do not own Dungeons and Dragons,their relevant editions, Pathfinder or Harry Potter. Dungeons and Dragons are owned by Wizards of the Coasts, Pathfinder is owned by Paizo and Harry Potter and its franchises are owned by JK Rowling. The following story is just for my enjoyment and hopefully yours as well.
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Chapter 10: Hallow Troll
As the weeks and months pass and Aloxam confirming his message was delivered –Loranna was still in the Abyss, of all places!- his classes were like a shooting star with no end in sight. The opposition had dissipated with Lucius Malfoy's quiet actions, allowing Ira a free hand in continuing his classes without pure-blood supremacists trying to expel him from Hogwarts. He had been true with the Elder Malfoy and was actively feeding him information on new magical theory. While he couldn't work this world's magic, he could still extrapolate from the existing lore and using his own considerable knowledge, innovated several sections of their magic.
Their art on Ancient Runes had some merit, as it was similar in many aspects to rune magic. Using that as a baseline, he developed -or at least in theory- several items for the use of wizards of this world. Light-globes that could be activated on command, items that could potentially hold singular spells as well and the possible use of other magic focuses that could radically alter their dependency on wands. It was a crude beginning but it was still something, as these people had all the resources they needed to advance their magical technology, but somehow for one reason or another, they always seemed to stall.
Halloween was in full swing in Hogwarts and to Ira, the very idea was not exactly sane. From what Ira learnt, the holiday was about dressing up as wizards and witches and asking for candy, the concept alone boggled the mind. As they sat in the Great Hall, enjoying the fine dinner, Ira mused about what the Headmaster would do if he found out one of the castle's elves was missing. Not missing in truth, merely taken in by Ira for experimentation of their magic.
The magical creatures of this world could work wandless magic quite deftly, why couldn't the sorcerers do so? Ira would get to the bottom of it or rather his copies would. Of necessity, he had made 3 more simulacrums, now a total of 5, who worked on many projects he had no time for, now that he was a professor. Bonded telepathically, they would be able to feed him information and Ira would be able to add his own growing knowledge if there were any unforeseen circumstances.
Seated next to the Headmaster, Dumbledore leaned in, whispering, "I hear Lucius Malfoy has been slowly disassociating with the other prominent pure-blood families. He seems to be very confident in surviving on his own without their aid, I wonder why?"
Ira whispered back, "If Lucius has grown a spine and refuse to cater to their nonsensical agendas, wouldn't it be more beneficial for you to appreciate that? Even I daresay congratulate and aid him?"
Dumbledore's eyes seem to twinkle, "Quite right. I have sent some letters to him and he has replied. He wants to keep any alliances secret for now, until he has a grip on his new situation. The others will not take it lightly I fear"
"Their fears are justified. With Lucius no longer their spokesman, how long before they get someone as idiotic as the rest to advocate for them? With Lucius on your side and the Ministry as well –from what I heard- it should be of little concern anyway"
Dumbledore nodded, "There may be consequences though. One wonders how Lucius came to this decision. He must have a powerful backer, or at the very least a capable ally"
Ira smiled, "I'm sure he does"
That's when Quirinous came in screaming about a troll, after which he promptly passed out. Everyone started screaming, and Ira cast a spell. Like the roar of a dragon, it drowned out all other noises and when the auditory illusion faded, everyone looked to Ira and the Headmaster.
Dumbledore gave quick orders and Ira volunteered to hunt for the troll. The last thing he noticed was Snape, already leaving like a hell hound was on his heels.
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"Are you sure about this Harry?" Draco asked, as they hurried through the hallways. Ron had motioned to him and they slipped away from the rest, now they ran to somewhere in the castle where supposedly, Professor Snape –of all people!- was going to steal the Philosopher's Stone, a magical item that could do something with gold or lead, or both. Hermione had breathed everything out so fast, it was all a blur.
"I'm sure Draco. We can't let Snape have the Stone, he must be after it. A troll making its way into Hogwarts just as we saw a three headed dog guarding a secret entrance?" It was too much coincidence to Harry that it made them all feel uncomfortable.
"Sorry mate," Ron said punching Draco lightly on the shoulder, "We know how you feel about Snape, though I don't see the bloody appeal"
"He's a good professor and I don't think he would try for this Stone. Why would we? He could probably make a potion or something?"
"Well, we're not all perfect and I am sure he already tried. The stone would guarantee any future endeavours with success, I wager," Hermione said. She was still upset with Ron but with Harry and Draco prodding him, he had made amends to her with some expensive Belgian chocolates courtesy of Draco and wildflowers courtesy of Harry. That did not mean she wasn't still angry with him but the ginger haired boy could be so clueless sometimes.
They hurried through the hallway and stopped when they heard a loud screeching. The sound became louder and louder, until finally the troll appeared around the corner. It's dumb, brutish face was overshadowed by the huge trunk that it dragged along with it. The four students screamed and ran, the troll following them.
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His Prying Eyes spell revealed nothing amongst the hallways of the castle. Ira had already summoned some air elementals to keep him informed as he stalked the hallways. One of them promptly flew to him, speaking to Ira in Auran about the noise coming from the hallway. He hurried, bounding across the stones, to the troll and hopefully anyone still alive.
As he came to the scene before him, he felt a beaming sense of pride. Hermione, Draco, Harry and even Ron were acting almost like a well-oiled machine, as they fought against the troll. They knew some basic charms that were fending off the troll but it was plain to see despite their efforts, the troll was slowly advancing, wincing at the discomfort being inflicted on it.
Ira sent the air elementals to harry the troll and continued to observe his students as they duelled against the troll. They were obviously scared but perhaps it was knowing they were with people they could trust, that they seem to be able to work together. Hermione blasted the troll with fire, an expert decision –though Ira wondered whether their trolls were the same as the ones he knew- as Harry hit it with hex after hex. Draco and Ron were like partners, alternating between taunting and hitting the troll with their best spell.
Ira decided that his lessons were in great part responsible for this. Their efforts together were commendable and he would need to improve this further. While he could not work their particular magic to aid them in this, theory and their own practice in his classes should suffice. Ira cast Disintegrate at the harried troll and it froze for an instant before turning to dust.
The students turned around in surprise as Minerva, Albus, Quirinous and Severus –who seem to limp- made their way to the group. "What is going on here?" Minerva asked. Severus seem to want to ask the same thing and then he noticed Draco and scowled. Draco pretended not to notice, as the students approached their professors.
"They were caught by surprise. The troll was dealt with by only myself Headmaster" Snape sneered, "Then where is this supposed troll? Surely you couldn't have killed it?"
Ira shook his head, "It's gone Severus. The troll will not be a bother anymore. The more pressing question is how could a troll get into the castle without there being any alarms? Aside from Quirinous's warning of course"
Quirrel mumbled and nodded while Minerva added, "Professor Kettleburn assures me the troll was not in the castle in the first place. It might have come from the Forbidden Forest, he says"
Albus coughed, "Well whatever the case, it's good that Professor Gold came and dealt with the situation. As for our intrepid explorers here, I think they should be in bed, no?"
The students *eeped* and wanted to bolt immediately, Professor McGonagall sighed and let the three Gryffindor's go with a warning and a reduction in House points, while Severus gave Draco indefinite detention. The punishment did not sting as he savoured the battle. The fact that he fought together with worthy friends who had his back, unlike those cronies and sycophants like Crabbe and Goyle made that fact all the more sweeter. The four students left their professors, their friendships stronger than ever.
Minerva motioned for Ira to follow, "You killed the troll Ira?" Ira nodded, "In a manner of speaking. It is that big pile of dust there"
Minerva looked aghast, "You transfigured into dust without proper protections? The students could have died!"
Ira frowned and asked for an explanation. When he was told, Ira chuckled and provided his own explanation on the differences between his own Transmutation and Minerva's Transfiguration.
Minerva let out a sigh of relief, "So there is no way it could come back? It's permanently dust?"
Ira nodded, "No chance whatsoever. The only thing that could bring it back is extremely powerful magic of my own variety, and it's doubtful my arts are taught here"
Minerva nodded, "Good then. I will deal with the mess. Thank you Ira, those students could have died and you saved them"
"Those students are stronger than you think, Professor. They are working together and that is a good thing"
"I saw their faces. They were quite friendly with one another. I have been hearing some rumours about that. Your doing?"
Ira gave her a look of mock disgust, "How could I? I'm not even from here"
Minerva smiled, "No I suppose you're not. Thank you Ira, once again it seems you saved more than lives"
Ira smiled and went on his way, intent on returning home and preparing for his next, exciting class.
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