The Halloween Troll

Professor Quirrel's words hung in the air for a moment, and then panic set in amongst the students. Professor Dumbledore set off some fireworks, but the diversion did little to diminish the mayhem or Padma's growing fear. She felt her heart begin to race, and she quickly scanned the Gryffindor table for her twin. Parvati's face mirrored the terror that was surely present on her own. A troll? At Hogwarts?

But before Padma could think anymore about it, she was being pulled to her feet by an older Ravenclaw.

"Come on!" the girl said, pointing towards the entrance to the Great Hall. "Follow Penelope — she's got that bright hat on — up to Ravenclaw Tower!"

Padma locked her eyes on the festive orange hat and began to follow the throngs of students that spilled out into the corridor. A few of the live bats brought in for the celebration had flown out, too, eliciting some shrieks. Padma might have found it rather amusing if she hadn't been so scared.

As she made her way to the Entrance Hall, she became aware of a voice calling her name. With some difficulty, she twisted and saw Lavender Brown, her sister's best friend, squeezing through the masses to get to her.

"Lavender? Where's Parvati?" Padma demanded as soon as the other witch was at her side.

"She's fine," Lavender panted. "She fell behind but I told her I'd make sure you were alright."

"Well, thanks for doing that," Padma said awkwardly. "You can tell her I'm fine, too."

Lavender patted her shoulder in response and disappeared back into the crowd.

...

Progress towards Ravenclaw Tower was slow until the hordes of students began splitting off to head towards their various common rooms. Padma quickened her pace, hoping to put as much distance between herself and the troll as possible.

Her thoughts drifted back to Parvati. She was worried about her, despite Lavender's report. What if something happened to her on the way to Gryffindor Tower?

Padma reached the top of the moving staircase and peered down. There was no sign of her sister, as far as she could tell. She sighed. Being in a different House, especially at a time like this, was difficult. She just wanted to know that Parvati was okay.

For the second time that day, she became aware of someone calling to her. This time, however, it was a male voice — belonging to fellow Ravenclaw first year Terry Boot.

"You alright, Padma?" he asked. "Blimey, can you believe it? A troll, here at Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, it's pretty incredible," Padma replied. "I do hope that Professor Dumbledore can get rid of it quickly."

"So do I," Terry nodded. "If anyone can, it's him."

"Right."

The two continued on to the common room in relative silence, a silence punctuated only by the occasional question about classwork or homework.

Once in Ravenclaw Tower, Padma bid Terry goodbye and headed to her dorm room, where she sank onto her bed. After a moment, she crossed to her trunk and pulled out a small glass marble. Her father had enchanted one for her and an identical one for Parvati, so that they could check in with each other. As long as Parvati was holding hers, and wasn't harmed in any way, it would glow green.

Padma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she let out a sigh of relief. The sphere in her hand was now bright green, signalling that Parvati really was fine.

Padma smiled. She could catch up with her twin tomorrow. For now, she was going to relax.

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