(A.N.) Wow got a few people that dislike Ron and Hermione out there, course I already knew that, but anyway I'm surprised that no one guessed it correctly, some got half right (meant to kill once in this chapter…did it twice my bad), but no one guessed who I had originally planned to kill. Oh well you'll learn.

(Disclaimer: same as chapter 1)

(Beta read by wizardmon92)

The next morning at breakfast, Draco had a look of shock at seeing Ron, Harry, and as he liked to call it, Potter's mutt sitting at the Gryffindor table eating, and only looking slightly tired. Ron, Harry, and Kyuubi were paying no mind to Draco, being too focused on what the three-headed dog was guarding. After all, there would be plenty of time for revenge later.

"Well whatever it's guarding, it's either really important or really dangerous." Ron said while inhaling his breakfast.

"Don't forget that it could be both." Kyuubi added as he bit into a slice of ham. Seeing an overgrown fox eating at the table had somehow become a regular thing at Hogwarts, and no one (other than Hermione) took the time to reprimand the trio about manners.

Before Harry could throw in his two cents, the great hall was drawn by the noise of a large number of flapping wings and the sight of numerous owls flying in to deliver the morning post. However, a particular number of owls caught everyone's attention. A total of six owls were holding onto a long package and were flying down the Gryffindor table. As the group passed Harry, they dropped the package right in front of him. Before Harry could even reach for the package another owl flew by and dropped a letter on the package.

Grabbing the letter, Harry tore it open and read the note from Professor McGonagall, warning him not to open the package (which was a Nimbus Two Thousand) in the great hall and that he would have practice with Oliver Wood at seven that night. Other than the gift from Professor McGonagall, Harry also received a note from Sol'Lez, asking the usual questions of how he was, how he liked the school, was he making new friends, and to send his reply through Haku's familiar. Harry, Haku, Gaara, and Sasuke received a letter from their friends and mentors at least once a week and always were happy to reply, although the questions did tend to get repetitive at times.

Finishing his breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Kyuubi headed out of the great hall in order to put away Harry's broom. Right when they reached the doors that led out of the great hall, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle blocked their path.

"That's a broomstick!" Draco declared like he had located the Fountain of Youth.

Kyuubi was the first to reply with his sharp, witty, yet slightly vulgar mouth by answering, "No shit, Sherlock."

"First years aren't allowed to have broomsticks!" Draco said, ignoring Kyuubi's remark.

Kyuubi was about to repeat his earlier comment before Harry cut him off, "And your point being?"

Draco was about to say something before he saw Professor Flitwick and smirked before telling Flitwick about Harry's broom. Needless to say, he was shocked when Flitwick brushed it off and asked Harry what model it was. Frustrated at his failed attempt to get Harry in trouble, Draco and his "guards" stomped off.

The rest of the day passed by surprisingly fast and Harry went to the Quidditch Pitch to practice the rules of Quidditch as well as a few trial attempts at playing seeker. Harry impressed Oliver to no point with his natural talent for the position.

The next day was Halloween and Harry, Ron, Gaara, and Shukaku were in Flitwick's class. Kyuubi refused to participate in the class ever since the professor had him flying around the room. They group was just taking their seats when the professor spoke up, "Today class we will be practicing the levitation charm, which Harry's familiar was kind enough to help in demonstrating," He said with a smile and the class erupting in laughter. "Now you will be working in pairs when practicing this charm on a feather."

Soon the group was split up and Harry was pleased to find himself paired with Gaara, but felt sorry for Ron when he saw that he was paired with Hermione. After giving a quick review on the wand movements and the correct incantation, Flitwick left the class to work on the charm. Harry and Gaara were surprised at how difficult the charm was and by looking around the class; they noticed they weren't the only ones having trouble.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron said, but once again not getting any results with his feather. After his fifth failure Hermione went into lecture mode and pointed out Ron's errors in a slightly snobbish tone.

"Well go ahead and try it, if you think you're so much better." Ron said in frustration. Hermione turned to the feather and cast the spell causing the feather to rise earning ten points to Gryffindor, and add insult to injury for Ron. After the class Ron, Harry, Gaara, and Shukaku were walking down the corridor, heading to their next class.

"Pretty obvious why no one likes her if you ask me," Ron said to the others as they walked down the corridor. "I mean she is a bloody nightmare!"

After he said that someone pushed their way past Harry and Harry saw that it was Hermione. Tears were falling from her eyes.

"I think she heard you." Gaara said in his monotone voice.

"So?" Ron said looking a bit uncomfortable.

As they walked into their next class they noticed that Hermione wasn't there, and that she didn't show up for the rest of the class. Ron and Harry were becoming more uncomfortable when she didn't show up for lunch, and wasn't in the Gryffindor Common Room later that afternoon.

"She's probably fine, you'll see, she'll be in the great hall for the Halloween Party." Ron said unconvincingly.

"…yeah." Harry agreed hesitantly, somehow his instincts told him that something bad was about to happen…and his instincts were rarely wrong.

Later that night they headed to the great hall, and were surprised at the amount of effort the teachers put into decorating. In the air hung numerous Jack-o-Lanterns of all sizes, each with their own unique carving. Bats flew through the air, and the enchanted sky was pitch black with a full moon and ominous clouds. Walking and talking amongst the other Hogwarts students, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Back in one of the corners close to the entrance to the great hall stood the other elementals with their familiars, and the very pink haired Tonks. As Ron, Harry, and Kyuubi approached, everyone greeted each other with enthusiastic hellos. The group was starting to get into a very fun and interesting conversation when Michael, a.k.a. the moron that made Tonks cry on the Hogwarts Express came over.

"Well what do ya know? Little Nymphy, hanging out with first years. Guess you really don't have any friends." He sneered

"Michael don't you have anything better to do?" Tonks said clearly annoyed.

"Don't mind him Tonks he's just jealous," Harry said. "Hey Michael, I know just the first year for ya! You know Draco Malfoy? Short, platinum blonde hair, thinks he own the world."

"What about him?"

"Well, you two have a lot in common. You have big egos; have the I.Q. of a rock, not to mention that your faces can both pass for the hind side of a goblin." Ron answered.

"Ron! The idea was to insult him, his face is much uglier than a goblin's arse." Tonks said.

"You of all people would know what a goblins arse looks like Nymphodora." Michael sneered before walking off. Tonks looked like she was about to cry, the elementals and the familiars didn't know what made her sad, their vocabulary not being as extensive as the seventh years.

"Just ignore him Tonks." Sasuke said as he glared at the retreating form of Michael. Tonks had quickly joined the elementals in their tight bond of friendship, she was one of the only older students to treat them like equals, and for that they respected her. Harry had a few more older friends like Oliver Wood, the Weasley twins, and the others on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but only Tonks treated him as an equal rather than the first year that he was.

"I know, but God! Sometimes he makes me want to run, hide, and cry. Like that one girl did." Tonks replied.

"What one girl?" Haku asked.

"Oh…what was her name, she's a Gryffindor first year." Tonks said with a finger on her chin and a thoughtful look on her face.

"Hermione Granger?" Gaara questioned, using common sense to pinpoint which Gryffindor girl she was talking about, after all how many Gryffindor girls had skipped class crying about what others had said about them.

"Yeah her!"

"She was crying? Where?" Harry asked.

"Girls bathroom. Why?"

Before Harry could answer the doors to the great hall were thrown open and Professor Quirrel came in out of breath.

"TROLL! IN THE DUNGEONS," taking a deep breath he added. "Just thought you would want to know." Then promptly fainted. Chaos erupted in the great hall as students screamed and ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore bellowed and the entire great hall stopped instantly. "Prefects take your house to the proper common room and wait for word from a teacher.

Harry, Ron and Kyuubi were headed towards Percy, when Harry stopped and grabbed Ron. "Hermione doesn't know about the troll. We have to help her!"

"Are you crazy? We need to get to the common room!" Ron said.

"It's our fault that she isn't here; it's our responsibility to help her!"

"Kyuubi pleas tell me you're on my side." Ron pleaded.

"Sorry Ron, Harry is right. Hermione is in danger and it is your fault because of it. We have to help."

Sighing Ron conceded, "Alright fine, but we need to be able to get away from Percy."

Rushing into the corridor and hiding in the shadows when necessary, they made their way through the castle, using Kyuubi's nose to track down Hermione.

"Hide!" Kyuubi cried as they hid behind a suit of armor, a few seconds later Snape walked by.

"Where's he going?" Ron whispered when Snape was out of hearing range.

"The third floor! I'm sure of it." Harry whispered back.

"But, the troll is in the dungeon isn't it?"

"Who cares where the troll is let find Hermione and get back to the tower!" Kyuubi said as they continued to walk through the halls, making the occasional turn. The two kept their gaze on Kyuubi as the nontile took the occasional whiff of the air. All of a sudden, Kyuubi stopped moving.

"We got a problem." Kyuubi stated.

"What's the problem" Harry asked.

"Well, Hermione's scent is coming from the room three doors down the hall on the right side, however there is a big smelly problem blocking the way."

Looking up they saw that towards the middle of the hall stood a massive creature. It stood twelve feet high and its limbs were as thick as tree trunks. It was a sick green color, and its clothes resembled a bunch of rags. It was the troll.

"Why's it not in the dungeon?" Harry asked.

"Same reason we don't like the dungeon, it's dark, damp, and home to Snape." Ron answered. Harry was about to retort when the troll entered the bathroom and a loud shriek was heard.

"No time for jokes, come on!" Harry said as he pulled Ron towards the bathroom.

When they entered they saw Hermione cowering in the corner and the troll towering over her. Harry looked around for a way to grab its attention when he saw a pipe on the ground. Picking up the pipe he chucked it at the troll's head, hitting it dead on. The troll turned around and let out a loud yell at the trio. Raising up its club it was aiming to hit Harry when Kyuubi lunged and bit the trolls ankle. The troll now focusing on Kyuubi swung its club, but the nontile was much swifter and more evasive then the troll anticipated.

"Hurry get Hermione, and get out of here. Don't worry about me this dumb troll couldn't hit me, even if I was blind folded.

Running to Hermione, Ron and Harry quickly got her to her feet and ran out of the bathroom. They ran for ten more feet before they heard. WHAM, CRASH, and the cry a dog lets out when hurt.

"Kyuubi!" Harry said turning around he was about to head to the bathroom when Hermione grabbed him.

"We have to run!"

"NO! I'm not leaving Kyuubi behind! Head to the tower I'll be there as soon as I can." Harry said shrugging off Hermione's grip. Running back into the bathroom, Harry saw Kyuubi lying on the ground, blood matted to his fur and the troll raising up its club for the finishing blow.

The Next Morning

The next morning Harry woke up and was surrounded by white, looking around he saw that he was in the hospital wing. Starting to sit up, he was promptly pushed back down, by Madam Pomfrey.

"Lay down Mr. Potter, you have had a rough night. Now tell me, how in heavens name did you manage to kill a fully grown mountain troll?" She aske

Harry closed his eyes trying to concentrate on the events of last night. He remembered running through the corridors looking for Hermione, Snape heading to the third floor, the troll about to attack Hermione, getting Hermione out of the bathroom safely, the loud crash, Kyuubi about to be killed by the troll, then…then…

"I'm sorry I can't remember what happened last night. Wait! Kyuubi! Is Kyuubi alright?" Harry asked his voice full of worry.

Madam Pomfrey gave him a sad look before saying, "I'm sorry dear, there was nothing I could do…By the time your familiar was brought in it was to late."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, fearing the answer.

"Harry…Kyuubi is dead."

(A/N) HAHAHAHAHA never saw that coming did ya? Yes, I am evil and cruel and I don't care. Anyway there is one very important thing I wish to say I MADE A YAHOO GROUP FOR THE SERIES, it is still being worked on but when I have it completed it will have polls for story (and other stuff) and links to other fanfics, so you can try to locate other interesting stories. Anyway next chapter will be kind of depressing so enjoy.