Since the incident with the three-headed dog, Hermione hadn't stopped talking about it. She was unfailingly interested in what it could possibly be guarding, and why such a valuable item would be hidden at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin with. Aralynn listened eagerly to her thoughts but said nothing. She wasn't sure if she wanted to offer her theories. Not because she wanted to keep them to herself, but because she didn't want to make a fool of herself by suggesting a dead-end theory. Harry and Ron didn't seem to be quite as interested in what could be hidden under the trapdoor. Ron was too preoccupied with the thought of Halloween. He was constantly going on about the upcoming feast and the candy that would come with it. It was uncertain where Harry's mind was, but it surely wasn't with the rest of them.

As they walked to their Charms class together, Hermione told them all about the charm Professor Flitwick told her that they would be learning about. "It's the Levitation Charm," she told them. "I mentioned it a few weeks ago. We're finally learning it. Aren't you excited?"

"Oh, bursting at the seams," Ron said sarcastically. "It's just another charm, Hermione. How excited can you really be?"

Hermione blistered. "Exceedingly excited, considering I happen to value my education."

Ron rolled his eyes. "We get it, Hermione—you're smart. There's no need to rub everyone's nose in it."

Aralynn lodged her elbow into Ron's side. "She's not rubbing our noses in it, Ronald. She's simply excited to learn more. There's nothing wrong with being excited about classes."

Hermione offered Aralynn a small smile. "Thank you."

The redhead gleamed at her friend, shuffling through the door to Professor Flitwick's classroom. She took her seat next to Harry. She placed her Standard Book of Spells textbook on the table before her, waiting for the professor to begin his lecture. Harry seemed somewhere far away. Aralynn eyed him. "You okay, Harry?"

Harry jerked his attention over. "Oh, yeah," he told her. "I'm alright. Just thinking about that dog. You and Hermione said that it was guarding something, but I can't help but wonder what it's guarding."

Aralynn bit her lip. "I have a theory."

His attention was focused on her now. "What's your theory, Aralynn?"

"You mentioned that Hagrid picked something up from a vault at Gringotts when he took you to Diagon Alley," she began. "He said that it was important, and then… someone broke into that same vault—after it was already emptied. Someone really wanted it. Maybe that's what the dog is guarding."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows, turning Aralynn's words over in his head. "It's a fair theory. You could be right."

Professor Flitwick, a very short man, climbed atop a large stack of books he had piled on top of his desk. "Attention, class!" he called out. He waited for the students to settle. "Today we will be learning the Levitation Charm. We've been practicing the precise wrist movements these past few weeks, and today we'll be attempting the spell itself. Now, remember—swish, and flick. Go on."

Aralynn picked up her willow wood wand, following the swish-and-flick movement the professor had ordered them to practice. He noted Hermione and Aralynn's smooth actions, asking the rest of the students to follow their example. Aralynn blushed.

"Don't forget to enunciate very clearly. There is no room for error when it comes to charms," said Flitwick. "Say it with me: Wingardium Leviosa."

The students repeated the incantation with him several times. "Very nice, now try to make the feathers before you levitate. Remember: Wingardium Leviosa."

Before Aralynn could speak the incantation, her eyes were drawn to Ron. He was almost smacking the feather with his wand. "Wingardrium Leviosar!"

Hermione grabbed his wrist. "Swish and flick, Ronald. If you keep waving your wand like that, you're going to poke someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Wingardium Leviosa, not Wingardrium Leviosar."

Ron scowled at her. "You're so full of yourself," he grumbled. "If you think you're so smart and clever, why don't you do it? I bet you think you're the only one who could."

"No," Hermione said, smiling over at Aralynn. "I'm sure she could, too."

Aralynn stammered over her words, trying to express that she really wasn't sure she'd be capable. She knew that she was bright, just as Hermione was, but she had been doubting herself quite a bit lately. "Oh, I don't know," she finally managed.

Hermione shook her head. "Nonsense. Come on, do it with me, Ara."

Aralynn glanced over to Harry, finally picking up her wand when he nodded encouragingly. She watched Hermione, moving her wand in unison and repeated with her: "Wingardium Leviosa."

Their feathers began to levitate, rising higher and higher per their wand's beckoning. Ron shook his head and looked away, resting his head atop his textbooks. They slowly lowered their feathers back down. Professor Flitwick clapped his hands. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Look, class—Miss Granger and Miss Weasley have done it! They have successfully demonstrated the charm! Well done, dears."

Once class had ended, the students piled out of the room and into the courtyard. Ron was walking alongside Harry, and Aralynn was walking with Hermione. Ron must not have realized the girls were behind them, because he had begun mocking Hermione. "It's Leviosa," he mimicked. "Not Leviosar!"

Some of the boys walking with them, including Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas snickered at his attempt to duplicate Hermione's voice. Neville, on the other hand, was frowning. Ron continued, though Aralynn wished he hadn't. "She's so pretentious, I swear. She's a nightmare. No wonder she hasn't got any friends."

Hermione's eyes had begun to well with tears. Aralynn rubbed her back gently.

"Aralynn is Hermione's friend," Neville pointed out.

Ron scoffed. "No, she isn't. Ara just pities her. She thinks Hermione is annoying, too. She's only being her friend because she feels bad for her. She knows that nobody else has interest in Hermione. Really, she's the only reason I've been letting her hang around at all. I couldn't stand to hear her bossiness otherwise. She's like my mum… Except I actually like my mum."

Hermione jerked her attention to her. "That's not true," said Aralynn.

"I know," Hermione nodded, wiping at her eyes. "I want to be alone." She quickened her pace, shoving through the boys, trying to mask the sounds of her weeping as she hurried away.

Aralynn's blood boiled. She, too, shoved through the boys, whipped around, and stopped directly in front of Ron. "What is wrong with you, Ronald?" she demanded. "You're so insensitive! She could hear you!"

Ron's ears went red, but he shrugged it off dismissively. "So? At least now she knows."

Even though Aralynn knew that he didn't quite mean that, she was still livid. She couldn't bring herself to think rationally. "You're an ass, Ronald Weasley!" She took her Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them textbook and bashed him upside the head with it. "You had better find Hermione and apologize immediately! Frankly, you owe me an apology, too!"

She turned sharply on her heel, storming away from the boys. She spent the rest of the day trying to find Hermione, but she couldn't. She checked everywhere she could think to look—classrooms, the courtyard, the grounds, but she was nowhere to be found. The last place she could think to look was in the girls' lavatory. She reached out to open the door before Parvati Patil exited. She stumbled, then looked over. "Oh, Aralynn. I was about to come look for you. If you're trying to find Hermione, she's inside. I guess she's been in there crying all day."

"Thank you, Parvati," Aralynn said, entering the loo. She went to the only stall where the door was closed and knocked gently on the wood. "Hermione?" she called softly. "Are you alright?"

Hermione sniffled. "I-I'm fine," she said. "I don't mean to be rude, but I-I kind of want to be alone right now. Is that okay?"

Aralynn frowned, gently touching the wood. She wished she could console Hermione. "Of course," she said. "I'll leave you be. If you're feeling any better; come to the feast, okay? You should eat something before the night is over, and besides… it's a holiday."

There was shuffling from inside the stall. "Thanks, Ara."

The Weasley girl sighed. "Try to feel better," she said before turning and leaving the lavatory.

The Great Hall was buzzing with the loud chatter of students and faculty who were enlivened with the celebrations underway. Lit jack-o-lanterns were levitating in the stead of the usual candles. The ceiling, enchanted to mirror the night's sky, was clear and twinkling brightly with stars. The walls were decorated with streams of banners, and spooky decorations of all kinds—crows, bats, and undead creatures of any sort. The Hogwarts ghosts were even sporting costumes. The tables blossomed with dazzling shades of colors; centerpieces of candy lined the center of each house's seating area. Aralynn strode over to Ron and Harry, who were gorging themselves with the prepared feast.

Aralynn sat across from the boys but made a point to ignore Ron. "Just so everyone here knows—I found Hermione. She's in the girls' bathroom. She's been crying all day."

Ron went red but remained silent. Harry was frowning. "Is she okay?"

Aralynn shrugged. "I can't say. She wanted to be alone." She gave Ron a pointed look.

Harry grabbed an empty plate, beginning to fill it with food. "Well, we can save this for her. I'm sure she'll be hungry when she's feeling better."

"That's a great idea, Harry," said Aralynn, smiling.

"Tell her 'Happy Halloween' for me, will you? Happy Halloween to you, too."

She nodded. "I will. Happy Halloween, Harry."

Ron cleared his throat. "Well, Ara, you should really eat something."

Aralynn shifted her blazing eyes towards Ron. "Don't talk to me until you've apologized. You've been nothing but cruel to her this semester. She's a very kind person. She cares about all of us, even though I don't think we really deserve it."

Ron looked away, returning to the feast before him.

Aralynn gathered some food and began eating. Fred and George ambled on over, sitting on either side of her. They huddled together, doing their best to squish her. "Hey there, Flame Brain," they said together. George added: "How's school going?"

Aralynn exhaled shortly, struggling to breathe from the pressure of her elder brothers pressing into her sides. "It's going well," she told them. "I've gotten excellent marks in my classes so far. They could be better, but I'm catching up."

"Mum will be proud to hear that," said Fred.

"Oh, ecstatic," agreed George. "We've been writing with Charlie and Bill."

"They're always asking about you," said Fred.

"Ron, too," George said, but in passing.

"Why haven't they sent me an owl?"

The twins shrugged. "Can't say," they said together.

At that moment, Amete came fluttering in. She rested and sat upon Aralynn's shoulder, nibbling at her hair a few times before flying away. Aralynn laughed. "I guess she wanted to say hello."

Fred and George turned their attention on Ron. "What about you, baby brother? Have you failed yet?"

"Coming soon," George snickered.

"The Weasley Family disgrace!" laughed Fred.

Ron snarled. "Shove it! I'm doing okay in my classes!"

"What about exams?" asked Fred.

George grinned. "They're at the end of the year, Ronnie. D'you think you'll pass those?"

Ron furrowed his eyebrows. "I have time."

The boys rolled their eyes. Fred was looking around, trying to figure out what was missing from the table. "Hey—where's the smart one?"

"Hermione," Aralynn said. "She's in the bathroom."

George raised an eyebrow. "Upset stomach?"

Aralynn shook her head. "She's been crying."

"A shame!" Fred exclaimed. "Why is that?"

Aralynn looked at her twin brother. "Ronald was talking to the boys after Charms class and said that Hermione was a nightmare who has no friends."

"You're her friend," George pointed out.

"Yes, well, he said that I was only pretending to be her friend because I pity her. We were behind him. She heard everything. She's been in the loo since."

Fred and George turned on Ron. "Why would you say something like that?"

Ron reddened. "I… was annoyed."

"You ought to be nicer, Ron," said George.

Fred nodded. "We may be jokesters, but they're harmless."

"I didn't mean it!" Ron shouted.

"I'm sure it felt like you meant it," said George.

"I'm telling Mum," said Fred.

Ron paled. "No, please!"

The twins shook their heads. "Expect a Howler soon, Ickle Ronniekins."

When they wandered away, Ron huffed at his sister. "Why would you tell them? Now Mum is going to send me a Howler!"

"It's no less than you deserve!"

Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall flew open. Professor Quirrell came running down the center aisle, looking flushed and panicked. "TROLL!" he shouted. "TROLL IN THE DUNGEON! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!" Just before the platform where the faculty sat, he came to a stop. He stood stagnantly but swayed uneasily. "Thought you'd ought to know." Then, he toppled over, having fainted.

The room was silent while everybody processed the information that had just been thrown at them. Once they fully realized what Quirrell had said, the students collectively erupted with blood-curdling screams that filled the hall. Students were standing, running around frantically, panicking as much as they could panic.

Headmaster Dumbledore stood, raising his hands. He raised his voice more than any of them had ever heard before. "SILENCE!" he called to the hall. The students came to a faltering, and silent, stop. Their eyes were now on Dumbledore. "Please, do not panic. This situation will be handled. Prefects, please lead your houses back to their dormitories immediately. Faculty, I would have you accompany me to the dungeons."

Percy Weasley gathered the Gryffindor students together, leading them out of the Great Hall. "Stay together!" he ordered. "Keep up!" The students were huddled close to Percy, following as he led them away from the Great Hall. Ron and Harry were somewhat behind the group, but still close enough. Aralynn moved with them, then suddenly stopped. She remembered that Hermione was in the restroom and had no idea what was happening.

She turned, running down the hall. Harry had moved to speak to her when he noticed that she was running in the opposite direction. He grabbed Ron and dragged him after her. "Aralynn!" called Harry. "What are you doing?"

"Hermione doesn't know!" Aralynn called back.

Alarmed by this, Harry and Ron ran quickly to catch up with her. They turned a corner, hearing screaming coming from the girls' bathroom. They shuffled inside and stopped in their tracks. With its back turned, there stood a gigantic mountain troll who wielded a large club. The stench coming from the creature was foul and putrid. The stalls had been damaged, presumably from great swings at Hermione. Aralynn looked to the sinks, where some were broken. Hermione was curled into herself, hiding underneath one. The troll, who had noticed her, was getting ready to strike yet again.

"Hermione, move!" Aralynn called.

The girl crawled away from the sink just in time. The troll had bashed the one she was under with its club only seconds later. Aralynn ran forward, grabbing a stray plank of wood that had belonged to one of the stalls. She threw it at the troll's head. Ron and Harry joined in, trying to get its attention.

"Over here!" cried Harry.

"Hey! Pea brain!" shouted Ron, throwing a discarded piece of sink at its head. It stalled, turning to look at Ron. The boy stumbled back, staring as the beast raised its club.

Aralynn jumped up and grabbed onto the club, shrieking when it lifted her into the air. "Harry!" she cried. "Do something!"

Harry pulled out his wand, trying to figure out what to do. "Get off the club!"

The girl glanced around, trying to figure out where to go. She crawled up the club and latched herself onto the troll's upper arm. When it noticed that she was there, it tried to smack her off. She screamed, doing her best to avoid being crushed by its massive hand. "Ron! Harry! Help!"

Harry grabbed onto the club when it came back down. The troll lifted it too quickly, causing Harry to fly off. He landed on the monster's shoulders, holding tightly onto its head when it tried to shake him off. The force of the troll's movement was so intense that it launched Aralynn off. She slammed into the wall, then hit the ground. She lifted her head up as well as she could, weary and pained from the collision. Luckily, she was still conscious.

Now, the troll had Harry's leg in its hand. It kept trying to hit Harry with the club.

"Ron, help him!" she said, voice hoarse.

"What do I do!?" Ron sputtered.

Aralynn thought for a moment. "Levitation! Ron, the charm!"

Ron looked desperately at Hermione, who showed him the wrist movement again. "Swish and flick!" she said.

"Enunciate!" Aralynn called.

Ron mustered up as much courage as he could. He waved his wand and shouted: "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The club was now hovering above the troll's head. It went to hit Harry again and was confused when nothing happened. It looked to its empty opposite hand, then up. The club came plummeting down, hitting it atop the head. It wavered before coming crashing down, now unconscious. Harry flew from its grasp.

Once he was on the ground, he stood up and brushed his robes off. He hurried over to Aralynn and pulled her to her feet. When their hands touched, she felt that unusual spark again—the sense of familiarity—some sort of bond. However, her body ached far too much for her to question it. Aralynn tottered over to Ron, patting him on the back. "Nice work."

Hermione emerged, meeting with the three of them. "Is it… is it dead?"

Aralynn shook her head. "Knocked out."

Professor McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell came rushing in. The three of them stopped, looking at the unconscious troll on the floor. McGonagall gaped. "Oh!" she gasped. "What happened!? Explain yourselves!"

Harry, Aralynn, and Ron stammered to find the right words—any sort of explanation to give. Hermione stepped forward. "This was my doing, Professor."

The three teachers looked at her. "I beg your pardon?" Snape sneered.

Hermione took a deep breath. "When I heard about the troll, I went looking for it. I've read about them—a lot about them. I thought that I would be able to handle it. I tried to battle with it, but it overpowered me. Harry, Ron, and Aralynn came in just in time. If they hadn't… well, I'd probably be dead."

McGonagall sniffed. "Miss Granger, I had expected better of you! Do you realize how foolish it was for you to seek out such a dangerous creature? I am taking five points from Gryffindor for your serious recklessness. Not many eleven-year-old children would be able to take on a fully-grown mountain troll and survive. As for you three—" She paused, looking between Harry and the Weasley siblings. "I award each of you five points… for sheer dumb luck! Back to your dormitories! Immediately!"

The four Gryffindor students shuffled out of the bathroom quickly. They didn't bother to look behind as they made their way back to the Common Room. They were all silent until they went through the portrait hole. Hermione moved ahead of the group, then turned to them. "I can't thank you all enough," she said. "I meant what I said to McGonagall. I probably would be dead if you hadn't come for me."

Aralynn smiled weakly at Hermione. "That's what friends are for."

Hermione glanced between Harry and Ron. "You're both my friends?"

Harry smiled brightly. "Of course, Hermione."

She looked at Ron, who was silent. Ron shifted his weight and rubbed his hands together. "Yeah," he said. "Best friends."

Hermione decided to take that as his apology.

That night, none of the four were able to sleep. They thought about their encounter with the troll and how they had somehow managed to survive. Moreover, they felt a strong bond molding between each of them. Perhaps before Hermione would have only regarded Aralynn as her friend, but now she thought of Harry and Ron as the same. Even Ron was holding Hermione in the same regard. They hadn't quite yet realized that this incident would be the mortar solidifying their lifelong friendship. One day, there would come a day when they realized that their friendships were more than random—but fate.