Chapter 8: Private Lessons and Trolls

"You got permission for this?" Hermione asked yet again as she followed Harry, who was carrying two brooms.

"I did. It was at the same time I asked to continue lessons for a bit in Flying Class," Harry answered her.

"She said yes to this?" Hermione confirmed.

She wanted to make sure they had permission for this. It seemed most irregular to her, but then again Harry did pretty much ace their flying lessons. Maybe Madam Hooch figured a little tutoring with a classmate would help Hermione with flying.

"She did. She was very grateful I returned Neville's Remembrall like that and maybe she was a bit more agreeable as a result," Harry said as he led the way.

They were soon standing outside the castle. "So how do you think this will help?" Hermione asked.

"I hope getting you used to a broom will help some at least. I know you mentioned you don't like heights, but hopefully getting a little more comfortable with a broom will help when it comes to flying. You also don't have to worry about anyone else seeing you while we do this and we can take your time," Harry said.

Hermione was in thought over all of this. She eventually nodded and said, "I suppose it is worth a shot. I don't want to be literally grounded my whole magical life."

Harry gave a chuckle to her. "I think the first thing we can try is you riding on my broom with me. You won't have to worry about controlling it and can just get used to being on a broom. Do you want to sit in front of me, or behind me?" he asked.

Hermione blushed as she shied away just a little bit. "I'll sit behind you. That way I can hold on tightly," she answered.

Harry nodded and positioned himself on his broom a little more to the front than usual. Hermione took in a calming breath and climbed on back. She wrapped her arms around him. Harry just stayed still while she settled in on the broom. "Are you ready?" he finally asked.

"As ready as I can be," she answered with a sigh.

Harry started drifting upward as she let out a cute "Eeep" sound and wrapped her arms around him tighter. Harry put up with it and kept their balance. She did ease up a bit after the initial shock. Harry drifted upwards a little more.

"I'm going to start out slow," he said to her before moving forward.

Hermione pressed herself up against him and gasped as she closed her eyes tight. She finally opened her eyes after a few minutes. She peered over his shoulder and gasp for a different reason this time. "It is kind of beautiful up here," she said looking around under the starry night sky.

"I like that part too. I mostly like the freedom flying offers though. Once you have a broom and learn to fly it, you can go anywhere! I also like how fast you can go a broom and how the wind feels against your face and hair, but I won't put you through that… at this time," Harry said with a teasing air to his voice at the end.

Hermione gave him a playful frown, but realized he couldn't see it. "You better not," she said with a playful humph at the end. Harry chuckled to that. She smiled pleasantly to herself and enjoyed riding a broom with a boy, even if they were just friends and she definitely did not totally for sure almost maybe have a crush on him.

As Harry continued to fly, Hermione found herself enjoying holding on to Harry like this too much. It was nice feeling how solid and strong his body was. Harry was also enjoying this more than he thought he should. He hadn't fully counted on what it would feel like having Hermione pressing her body up against him like this while wrapping her arms around him. It had actually caused him to blush a little at first, but fortunately Hermione couldn't see him.

"What do you think?" Harry asked her after a moment.

"Can I just call you up whenever I need to fly somewhere?" Hermione asked with a cute pout. She wouldn't say if the extra pout was intentional or not.

"I wouldn't say no such a request," Harry said with a chuckle. He then asked, "But what if I can't be there soon enough?"

Hermione gave an overly dramatic sigh. "I suppose you have a point." She then gave him a light squeeze as she said, "It isn't too bad like this. I'm not sure how it will be when I'm on my own though."

"If you want, we can shift positions. Maybe that would help?" he asked.

"We can try for a bit. Might be a good idea so I can't just focus on your back," she admitted.

The two then shifted positions. It took a little work, but Harry and Hermione found a way to have it so he was sort of reaching around her to hold the broom while she leaned back against him. Hermione gasped a little as they flew anew. It was much different experiencing it like this. She had more of a view, but it was a bit scary not being the one in control.

"I think I want to try it on my own broom now," she said rather quickly.

"Alright. I suppose feeling more in control would help you out by this point," he said as they landed.

Hermione climbed on her own broom and was more at comfort this time around. "This is a bit better," she admitted. She then blushed a little as she quietly asked, "Can we take it slow though?"

Harry smiled and her heart started beating much faster, but not due to being up in the air on a broom. "That's the whole purpose of these lessons," he easily replied.

Hermione nodded and the two continued flying at her pace.

As the night continued, Hermione actually grew more in confidence and even partly found herself enjoying flying, even on her own. She was still going really slow and the highest she rose off the ground was 20 feet, but it was progress. She was still a bit wobbly on her broom, but she realized that was something she would just work out like almost everyone else.

They continued to fly together. Harry even got her to do some slow weaves and more with him, but nothing too fantastic or exciting. The purpose was to get her used to flying and they were doing really well in that regard.

[-] [-] [-]

Harry and Hermione realized they had gotten a bit carried away with their private lesson once they realized how late it was. They ended up staying out until just after curfew. Harry had to still return the brooms, so they carefully made their way through the castle making sure no one caught them.

Once the brooms were secure, they had to get back to their dorm unnoticed. Sadly, the stairs were in a very playful mood and suddenly shifted around a whole lot. They had been going down towards Hufflepuff after returning the brooms, but the stair they were on decided to instead turn so they couldn't go anywhere and shift upwards a good bit.

"I hate these stairs…" Harry grumbled.

"Me too!" Hermione agreed. She then sighed and said, "At least we can take that one passageway Tonks talked about from here. We do kind of have to go close to the forbidden corridor though."

"We won't try to look inside the rooms or anything. I think we'll be fine," Harry said.

And they might have been fine, but they soon heard a voice shouting, "But I'm telling you I was setup. It isn't my fault! Draco challenged me to a duel. We were meeting in the trophy room. You have to believe me!" It was Ron and it seemed he was caught out past curfew.

Harry and Hermione froze. They thought about just sucking it up and accepting detention for being out late. However, they heard the voice speaking to Ron in return.

"You expect me to believe that, Weasley? Daft idea thinking about having a duel in the trophy room. Only a moron would fall for your trick. It is a pity they banned the old punishments. Ha! I'd bet you'd think twice about exploring the castle at night if you knew it meant you could spend two hours hanging by your thumbs!" Filch said to Ron.

Both Harry and Hermione then decided to move quickly. They didn't have much time though. Filch and Ron were nearby. There was no way they wouldn't be noticed trying to slip away, especially if Mrs. Norris was with them. They came to a locked door and after a frantic moment Hermione used an "Alohomora!" to unlock the room and they slipped inside.

Harry then paused in shock as Hermione quietly closed the door behind them. "That was a close call," she said to him in a whisper. She then turned around and froze in shock as well.

She was just about to scream when Harry placed a hand on her mouth and motioned for her to be quiet by placing a finger on his lips. She tried her best, but it was hard.

Right in front of them was a giant three headed dog! The three heads were snoring away and resting on top of a trap door in part of the room. They were lucky. It would have been bad if the dog was awake.

After a very intense moment that seemed to last for all eternity, they slipped back outside of the room. Harry and Hermione quickly and quietly made their way back after that without running into any more trouble. They then went straight to their room.

"What was that?!" Hermione asked loudly in her shock once their door was closed.

"A three headed dog," Harry said still in disbelief. Hermione gave him a quick look, but then relaxed and sat on her bed. She wasn't about ready to fall asleep yet though.

"At least we now know why the third-floor corridor is off limits. That dog and whatever it was guarding under the trapdoor," Hermione said after a few moments.

"I'm glad that thing didn't wake up. If it did… Filch might have been the better option," Harry said.

"We could have been expelled by him!" Hermione said excitedly.

"That's why I said it might have been the better option," Harry repeated with a chuckle. Hermione paused for a moment before giggling at his joke. Detention hanging by your thumbs with Filch before expulsion, or eaten alive by a three headed dog? It was a tough decision.

"Well, we know where whatever it was Hagrid took out of the Gringotts' vault is now. I can see why he says Hogwarts is the only place harder to steal from than Gringotts. Not many, if any, would dare cross paths with a giant three headed dog and then fight it," she said.

"That doesn't even account for whatever is below that trapdoor," Harry said.

Hermione was surprised for a moment before she nodded. "You're right! Something that important would have even more security. I wouldn't be surprised if each of the professors added their own touch to the defenses," Hermione said excitedly despite herself. One of the few things she loved more than a good book was a good mystery to unravel. The mysterious item Hagrid retrieved was just such a mystery.

Harry and Hermione both talked a little longer as their nerves settled. After they got ready for bed, Hermione turned to Harry and smiled to him. "Thanks for tonight, Harry. Even with the giant dog and missing curfew and almost getting caught by Filch…" she started.

Harry sighed. "That is a lot for one night…" he muttered.

She nodded to him as she continued. "I still actually enjoyed our lesson. It was beautiful flying under the moon like that! I feel a lot better about flying. Though I'm not too sure how comfortable I would be flying completely on my own."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that. Not for a long time anyways. As long as you can fly on your own broom, even with others around you to keep you company, that should be enough for the class and a good start when it comes to flying in general," Harry said.

Hermione then blinked in disbelief. She then smiled again and shook her head. "That's the real reason you asked to take extra lessons, isn't it? To be there with me and to help me with that," she asked.

Harry smiled as he jokingly said, "Oops… Caught." It was obvious he didn't really care about her learning the truth. Hermione shook her head and giggled a little. Harry then added, "Though I also did want to fly more as well. I figured I might as well try to help you while I'm at it."

"Well. Harry Potter. I do appreciate it," Hermione said to him sweetly as she felt warm at his wanting to be there for her.

Harry nodded to her and said, "Goodnight, Hermione."

Hermione blushed unseen by him as she replied, "Goodnight, Harry." She was pretty sure she would again be seeing him in her dreams soon enough. She closed her curtains and got under her covers. As she fell asleep, Hermione really hoped Harry would be shirtless riding on a broom under a beautiful full moon in her dreams.

[-] [-] [-]

Halloween was almost here! Hermione only needed two more flying lessons before she passed and finished with them. She did make an excuse to Harry about needing another private lesson first though. That last private lesson was really wonderful and they didn't stay out past curfew that time.

"So… What are your thoughts about wizards celebrating Halloween?" Hermione asked Harry carefully.

Harry looked to her in thought before answering. "Mixed. I lost my parents that night, but growing up and thinking what the Dursleys told me was the truth, kind of had me less upset about it oddly enough. While I've been with the Street Knights, I've usually enjoyed Halloween."

"We have parties and costume contests and more. There's this really cool and fun arcade near where we live and they always have a big blast of a party on Halloween. There are even a few places near us that setup Haunted Houses. I've usually mourned and remembered my parents on All Souls Day instead, even though I'm not religious. So… I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what wizards do for the holiday," he said to her with a smile.

Hermione let out a breath in relief she didn't know she was holding. She felt relieved. She didn't want to upset her friend saying she was really looking forward to it herself. She could now enjoy the day mostly guilt free. "I'm glad to hear you're taking it so well. I feared you would hate this holiday. I'm still sorry you lost your parents," she said giving him a hug in comfort.

"I appreciate it, Hermione. I'm looking forward to the feast. I heard Hannah and some of the others talking about how Dumbledore always gets some great entertainment for the Halloween Feast," Harry said.

Hermione then gave a random giggle and he looked to her curiously. "Sorry about that. I just found it funny we are oddly enough dressing up as witches and wizards for the Holiday," she said.

Harry gave a laugh to that.

"What's so funny?" Susan asked them as they entered their dorm's living room.

"We were just laughing about how we're all dressing up as Witches and Wizards for Halloween. Some of the muggle world celebrate Halloween as well, even if for different reasons, and one of the go to costumes for dressing up is usually a witch," Hermione explained.

Susan and Hannah, who was sitting next to her, both laughed to that. "We even have the pointed hats and wearing all black thing down," Harry added. The group shared a new round of laughs.

[-] [-] [-]

On the day of Halloween, classes were very hard to get through for the day. Everyone, including some of the staff, were excited for the holiday feast. The Gryffindors were extremely rowdy about the day. Harry overheard a few professors complaining about how Gryffindors were always the worst on Halloween.

The Slytherins were mostly pretending not to care about the holiday or only enjoying it in passing, but there weren't any of them blatantly hating it. A pretty wise move Harry had to admit. After all, the only reason you would hate the holiday is if you were deep into worshiping and following Voldemort.

That wouldn't look well for families who got off because of the whole Imperius Defense. If they were forced to work for him against their wills, they would love such a holiday. It was the day when they were finally freed from him. Their approach instead made it seem like they were just being more reserved than other houses about the holiday.

"Finally!" Ernie said as they finished with their last class for the day. "Merlin, I swear the teachers bewitched time to pass by slower just to torture us and keep us from properly celebrating," he said as several laughed in agreement.

"Any ideas what the entertainment will be this time?" Megan Jones asked. She was another Hufflepuff in their year. She had fair skin, brown hair and blue eyes. She was actually dorm mates with Ernie, Justin, Lilly Moon and Kimberly Haywood. Lilly Moon had dark blonde hair, hazel eyes and pale skin. Kimberly Haywood had black hair, brown eyes and slightly tanned skin.

"Not rightly sure. I heard he tried to get the Boneheaded Troupe, but they were already booked. He's got them for next year though, or so people have been saying," Ernie replied.

"Awww… That's too bad," Lilly Moon said with a slight frown. "I've heard they're really good," she added.

"Who are the Boneheaded Troupe?" Harry asked.

"They're a band of dancing skeletons. Very popular. Some others have tried to mimic what they do, but the originals have been at it for centuries!" she said with excitement in her voice.

"I still can't wait to see a wizard's Halloween," Justin added.

By this point, the other first year Hufflepuffs knew what Harry told Hermione concerning the day. They had all caught themselves a number of times almost being too excited about the day Harry's parents died, before he told them pretty much what he told her. Knowing he enjoyed the holiday, even if it was because he was lied to about his parents' deaths, was a relief so they wouldn't have to walk around on egg shells around him.

"Me too! Hagrid was talking about how great the pumpkins he grew for this year were," Harry added. He made sure to visit his friend a couple more times since that first visit.

"I don't doubt his word on that," Ernie said grinning in excitement as they headed back to Hufflepuff.

The group was soon joined by the last three of their house in their year. The last three were all boys who shared their own dorm. Wayne Hopkins was a dark skinned boy with dark hair and brown eyes and had a medium build. Kenneth Smith-Stone was a strong boy with a medium tan, dark brown hair and blue eyes. The last boy was Roger Malone, another dark skinned boy, who had hazel eyes. He was probably the second tallest in their year. They weren't sure if he or Dean Thomas from Gryffindor was taller. Ron was easily the tallest in their year and also very lanky.

[-] [-] [-]

Soon it was time for the feast. All of the students were wearing their black robes and black hats. They were required to wear the full uniform for feasts, even if the rest of the year the robes and hats were optional. The students all eagerly whispered to each other about how excited they were for the feast. The doors to the Great Hall finally opened up and everyone gasped as they entered.

There were large lit up carved pumpkins all over the Great Hall. They varied in size. The smallest were still big by muggle standards, while others were taller than some of the students. A couple close to the raised staff table were almost as tall as the professors. There were orange streamers hanging from the ceiling. Thousands and thousands of live bats were flying around the room in clouds from the ceiling to the walls.

"This is amazing," Justin said in awe as Harry nodded in agreement with him. He was looking all around the room. Several students were talking excitedly again, even the Slytherins were no longer trying to act indifferent about the holiday and genuinely enjoying it like everyone else.

It wasn't long until they were all seated at their tables and Dumbledore stood up silencing the hall. "It is once again Halloween everyone! It seems Hagrid really outdid himself this year with the pumpkins," he said while motioning to Hagrid. The giant of a man was grinning brightly and bowed in thanks for the praise as the students applauded him. "This year the school ghosts will be providing the entertainment after the feast," Dumbledore told them all.

Students started to gossip a little in excitement. Apparently, the ghosts liked to do something special every two years or so. Harry overheard Cedric from nearby talking about how he heard their formation gliding was always something amazing to see.

Dumbledore raised his hand and everyone quieted down once more. "Yes. It is truly a wonderful day today, but first… A moment of silence for all those who sacrificed themselves fighting so we can be here today celebrating such a feast," he said.

Harry then noticed some people looked to him briefly before everyone seemed to bow their heads and close their eyes in remembrance. Some even seemed to say a silent prayer. Harry decided to join them as well. Perhaps it was good to also remember his parents on this day instead of just All Souls Day.

After the moment passed, Dumbledore spoke again. "We should never forget. Now then… Let us enjoy the feast and the holiday. So those lost will all know their sacrifice was not in vain! Happy Halloween, everyone!" the headmaster said as he raised a glass and everyone followed suit. With those words, the feast appeared on their plates. Harry guessed there were as many dishes tonight as there were for the Welcoming Feast. There might even be more!

[-] [-] [-]

The feast was amazing. However, it was not to last. Shortly after it started, the doors to the Great Hall flew open again. Professor Quirrell ran inside panicking as he held his turban tight. "Troll! In the dungeons… Thought you ought to know…" Professor Quirrell shouted before his voice trailed off and he then fainted forward, face down on the floor.

The great hall was dead silent for a moment. Then everyone started to panic and shout. Not even the too cool Slytherins were acting calm and collected now. Everyone was standing up getting ready to run for it when there was a loud bang sound coming from Dumbledore's wand.

"Prefects. Lead your houses back to their dorms. Use the emergency passageways. Teachers will follow me and we will look for the troll. It could have moved since Professor Quirrell spotted it," Professor Dumbledore ordered.

"But! He said it was in the dungeons! Our house is towards the dungeons," Justin said in worry.

Tonks was the one to answer as she and the other two RAs made sure to collect their first years. "That's why we're using the emergency passageways. They're near here and go straight to the common room for each house," she said.

"Couldn't someone sneak in that way?" a third-year girl asked in worry.

A sixth year Prefect shook his head as they gathered the students into lines. "Only us Prefects know where they are and we only remember them when the Headmaster or Head of House tells us to use them. Come on all of you. RAs, do you have all of your first years?" he then asked as they all three nodded. "Follow me," he said as they did so.

Harry suddenly found himself and the rest of his house in Hufflepuff. Hermione was holding on to him again. Susan and Hannah were also nearby and Tonks was taking a headcount again just to triple check. Harry couldn't remember how they got there, just that they followed a prefect and Dumbledore told them to use an emergency passageway.

"We're all here," a seventh year Prefect said assuring everyone they made it. "The teachers will deal with the troll. Don't you worry. The feast will be continuing here. Take a seat," he said as the tavern like tables and chairs seemed to increase in number and size. Music started playing as well. A few of the older students used magic to provide some decorations and soon everyone started to calm down and enjoy their revised feast plans.

"Too bad we'll miss the ghosts' entertainment," a fifth year said with a sigh.

"Maybe! But that doesn't mean you won't have good company!" the Fat Friar ghost then said with a smile. Some of the students brightened up to that.

"Indeed, you are right, Friar Puck!" a voice the first years hadn't heard from since the first night at Hogwarts said.

"Helga Hufflepuff! My Lady. You grace us with your presence as well?" the now named Friar Puck said.

"I figured why not. I may not be able to fly in formation, but that doesn't mean I am boring either, especially with you around," Helga's portrait said with a warm and friendly smile.

With that, the Hufflepuff Halloween feast began anew. Plates appeared piled high with various foods from the great hall. The Fat Friar and Helga Hufflepuff's portrait provided them a grand source of entertainment as they joked with each other and shared stories for all to hear. The two actually knew each other in real life and were good friends, since Friar Puck was one of the earliest students at the school. He started his study at Hogwarts three years after the school was founded.

Hermione was torn by the turn the feast took. She wanted to ask so many questions, but she also wanted to enjoy the feast with her friends and hear the stories Helga and the fat friar shared. She also didn't want to be rude and interrupt them. This was their founder and one of the first students talking about Hogwarts! When she heard Harry let out a laugh, she decided this was better than trying to grill the portrait more about Hogwarts. She still had a lot of narrowing down to do with her questions anyways.

[-] [-] [-]

"Nice to see everyone still enjoying the feast," the students heard their Head of House speak after she entered through the main entrance. "I guess everyone is accounted for then?" she asked as a Prefect assured her that was the case. She then joined them and listened in on the stories the house ghost and their founder's portrait shared. The two even gained up on her to get her to share some of her own stories.

By the time the feast ended and the students went to their rooms, everyone felt sated and happy despite the tension from earlier in the night. People asked about the troll and Professor Sprout told them it was being investigated. Their theories ranged from Peeves letting it in as a holiday prank to the troll stupidly managing to blunder its way through, even if the latter theory was mostly refuted. She assured them no students were harmed and all houses had a full count of students and the troll had been dealt with before she returned.

As Harry and Hermione were getting ready for bed, Harry turned to her and asked, "How often do you think someone faints forward?"

She blinked for a moment and gasped. "Very rarely… Usually it is backwards or to the side. I suppose it can happen if they sway first, but he fell straight forward…" she said. Harry nodded in agreement.

"He also didn't stutter at all that time," Harry said.

"What do you mean? Stutters usually are unpredictable. They don't happen…" she started as her eyes widened.

"They don't happen in a manner where you can literally pick up on a pattern?" Harry finished for her. Hermione nodded. "I've noticed that for a while now. I've been around people who stutter. It is never as measured or seemingly intentional as Professor Quirrell's is."

"What does this mean?" Hermione asked in shock.

"I don't fully know. It is clear Professor Quirrell is putting on a show, but for what reason? I don't know. It could be he just cares that little for the class he teaches. It could be he wants to seem so terrified and useless he won't ever have any extra duties as a professor. Perhaps he fainted because he's so cowardly he didn't want to help the others face a troll. I don't really know," Harry said.

"We should tell someone!" Hermione exclaimed.

Harry shook his head. "We would need actual proof and not just something that can be explained away as coincidence. We are students. He is a Professor and member of the staff. Unless he is doing something personally to us, what we say won't count for much," he told her.

"What do we do then?" Hermione asked as she slumped in defeat.

"We keep an eye on him. We study him. We also keep a distance from him. We can't be too obvious about it, or it might tip him off. Pretty much do like we have been except pay more attention and have more awareness. For all we know, it could be he's using the whole stuttering thing as a means to slack off and make easy money as a professor for the year," Harry said.

Hermione nodded. It would be difficult, but she was going to do what she could. "Do we tell the others?" she asked.

Harry was in thought for a moment. "We can. Let's leave Tonks out of it though. She is very busy with her NEWTs. Maybe if we find out more, we can talk to her as well. If we discover something and need to report it, having a seventh year aiming to be an Auror could help our case," Harry said.

"Okay. This is all kind of shocking…" Hermione said.

"Don't think on it too much tonight. We need to get to sleep," Harry said to her kindly.

Hermione gave a slow nod and got ready for bed. She made mental notes to reanalyze everything she knew about Professor Quirrell and rethink their interactions thus far, even though they were very few. That was something for the morning though. "Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said again feeling pleasant warmth at saying the words to him.

"Goodnight, Hermione," Harry replied with a smile she couldn't see as he lay down and went to sleep. Tomorrow they would tell Hannah and Susan what they discussed tonight. Maybe later they could mention it to the other Hufflepuffs as well, but this was something that needed to be handled carefully. Being a Street Knight, Harry knew how to handle things carefully.

A/N: With this chapter, it was a little fun to think up a way to do Halloween. There was no way I could see them encountering the troll this time. Hermione isn't friendless and she wouldn't be upset enough to run to the Girl's Bathroom here. They also don't really need the troll encounter either.