Hogwarts, The Charms Corridor. October 31st, Friday.
An uneasiness still lingered through Harry and Ophelia as they wandered through the Charms corridor. Eyes peered curiously at the two wherever they walked with fear and wonder.
While the glances were still cautionary due to their demonstration within the Great Hall, many stopped to pause and gaze at Ophelia with awe.
The brunette however was quite off-put with the attention, often returning a penetrating stare of contempt at the onlookers.
For a first-year, it seemed Ophelia had excelled in her intimation of the general public within Hogwarts. The background memory ingrained into their minds of the brunette's vicious nine-tailed fire whip had seemed to simmer any notion of approaching the pair.
"Honestly Harry," Ophelia growled as she directed a look of loathing at a second-year whose eyes seemed to stray on the form of the brunette too much for her liking.
The second-year quickly scampered off, Harry didn't blame the boy either. Ophelia with her grey and black slit eye could create quite the impression of terror in anyone who seemed to cross her. Temperamental was an understatement for the brunette's mood sometimes.
Ophelia continued. "I'm glad the wrinkly biddy permanently banned me from the Slytherin Quidditch team for the foreseeable future. It's laughable, no detention, no points deducted, not even probation for my behaviour. I'm off Scott free and little does dear old Minny know she did me a favour."
McGonagall's reasoning for Ophelia's ban had been that her flying was too dangerous for a 'school competition' and that her track record concerning her previous behaviour only demonstrated how unsuitable it was for her to even try for the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Snape being Snape hadn't even protested the ban, the dour Potions Master had instead accredited Professor McGonagall on her diligence in seeing that Ophelia couldn't cause further harm to students, even if one of those students was Eric Potter.
Harry nodded along. He knew Ophelia had been ecstatic to escape with what she called a slap on the wrist. 'Dear old Minny' as Ophelia now called their transfiguration teacher with sarcastic fondness had unknowingly, allowed the brunette through her punishment a reprieve from all the attention directed her way.
No one bothered to ask if Ophelia was joining the Slytherin quidditch team as they all knew the answer.
The 'flying fiasco' as it was now being described had been shared innumerable times by the duration of dinner, spreading like wildfire through the Hogwarts populace.
Ron Weasley along with Seamus Finnigan led the charge openly proclaiming that the brunette was Wronski reborn, describing in painful detail how Ophelia had duped Draco Malfoy and Eric Potter in her death-defying descent.
The veracity of the story had become so twisted in its telling that some second and third-hand parties upon hearing of Ophelia's of Wronkski feint had begun embellishing the tale, stating that Ophelia's school broom had combusted mid-air and she'd pulled the feint off on a flaming ball of fire.
Harry finally spoke. "At least the Galleons in your pockets make things bearable, I still can't believe Professor McGonagall decided that Eric should be allowed to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
Ophelia shrugged and spoke sourly. "While I do love taking your brothers and Draco's Galleons, the only downside is that his ego will be unbearable. I mean, youngest seeker in a century? He'll be intolerable."
Harry scowled. "Don't remind me, we'll have to listen to his gloating at yule."
Ophelia shrugged and mentioned blasély. "In my opinion, the more Eric gloats at Potter Manor, the more attention your parents will focus on him."
Ophelia continued. "Face it, Harry, Eric on the Gryffindor quidditch team with his Nimbus 2000 or whatever, keeps your father from bearing down on us."
"I know Ophelia," Harry said sullenly. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Neither do I," Ophelia replied before mentioning. "Although, while we're on the topic of Eric. Did you hear the rumour about his little wizards duel with Malfoy?"
Harry shook his head and spoke. "No. I haven't, why?"
Ophelia arched an eyebrow before sighing. "You really should pay more attention to the people around you, Harry. Pansy was gossiping about it at breakfast, Malfoy tipped off Filch about Eric and Weasley being in the trophy room at midnight and they were nearly caught because of it."
"Hmm…" Harry said. "So that's why Malfoy was more insufferable than usual last night, the blonde ponce wouldn't stop sniggering with Crabbe and Goyle."
Harry continued in exasperation. "Why am I not surprised that Eric would allow himself to be baited by Malfoy?"
Ophelia offered her thoughts helpfully. "Maybe the Killing Curse addled his brains a little?"
Harry nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's most likely it, I refuse to believe it's genetic."
Ophelia tried to make a clever quip, but the brunette suddenly became alarmed when they were interrupted by flashes of spellfire blaring off back down the Charms corridor.
Instinctively due to the tension Harry and Ophelia faced from their little display in the Great Hall, the duo swivelled around to meet the perpetrators. Both had iron-hard grips on their wands in preparation for an assault, however, it seemed Harry and Ophelia weren't the intended targets.
Further back down the corridor lay Delphini Riddle crouched upon the cold stone of the corridor. It seemed she was gasping for breath from a bludgeoning hex that struck her.
Stephen Challock, Joshua Sturton, and Samuel Croaker all had their wands pointed at Delphini.
Samuel gave his wand a twirl as Harry and Ophelia stopped to watch the exchange.
The stocky form of Samuel then audibly spoke in a voice laced with distaste and condescension.
"I wasn't aware they allowed junior Deatheaters to attend Hogwarts, but maybe you missed the memo."
Delphini glowered with defiance. "I'm not a Deatheater," the platinum-haired girl said indignantly.
"No." Samuel mused, the stocky boy seemed to consider this little snippet of outrage for a second. "I suppose not, but still I believe a debt is owed to you. I don't take kindly to people who bully my cousin."
"I've left Longbottom alone well enough, it's not my fault he faints when he sees me." Delphini spat, clearly furious at the allegation.
"Oh really?" Samuel inquired dangerously. "Then why does he come back shaken to the Gryffindor common room after potions class hmm?"
"That's Snapes doing." Delphini said dismissively "It's got nothing to do with me."
Samuel scowled and spoke annoyedly. "Sure sure, my cousin isn't someone you can bully into silence Riddle, I won't have it."
Harry watched the verbal exchange as the conversation began to heat up, he was curious at first but now he realised that Delphini wasn't leaving unscathed. His heart softened a little, while Ophelia had him, Delphini had no one. An outcast, even in Slytherin.
Harry sighed and decided to intervene as the exchange continued. It was the least he could do.
"Harry." Ophelia hissed as the raven-haired boy stepped towards the exchange down the hallway.
"What do you think you are doing?" The brunette pressed on.
"I'm offering a helping hand, she's got no one," Harry said and with that, he strode forward.
"You'd best leave Riddle alone" Harry spoke up coolly.
"Potter?" Stephen Challock said dubiously.
"Yes. The Slytherin one." Harry spoke and said tersely. "I'll say it again, leave Riddle alone. She's done nothing wrong."
Samuel turned to face Harry. "A little cursing won't harm her permanently Potter, now step away, my cousin isn't some toy for her to play with."
Harry didn't step away but ventured on. "You heard her Croaker, it's Snape that picks on Longbottom. If you have an issue with it, take it up with Professor Snape but leave Riddle alone."
"Oh?" Samuel said mockingly. "Just what are you going to do Potter? I'm not some third year you can knock about with a couple of spells. Don't make me send you to the hospital as well."
Harry smirked as Ophelia came alongside him. It was clear by the way her knuckles were tensing around her wand that she was itching for another fight.
"Are you so certain you want to find out Croaker?" Harry said coldly, the warning in his tone evident before he continued. "Do yourself a favour and just leave Riddle alone, walk away, she's done nothing to Longbottom."
Samuel's eye twitched. The boy was contemplating his options.
Samuel spoke quietly. "You're lucky I hold your family in high regard Potter or there'd be spellfire."
Samuel continued in warningly.
"I'll force the truth out of Neville tonight, but if I hear so much as even one word about Riddle harming a hair upon his head. I'll make sure all of Gryffindor knows that the daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange is continuing the tradition of tormenting Longbottoms."
Harry grimaced, the Longbottoms were well-loved before being tortured into insanity. There wouldn't be a stone in Hogwarts Delphini could walk upon unscathed without a Gryffindor cursing her if she dared to harm Neville.
"That's acceptable. I'm sure Riddle understands the consequences." Harry said tensely, it was reasonable enough the raven-haired boy thought.
Delphini looked up with steely eyes of anger but nodded all the same, the platinum-haired girl was scowling but accepted the agreement nonetheless.
"Good," Samuel said satisfied.
With the matter settled Samuel nodded his head towards Harry and strode forward, deliberately knocking Delphini face down onto the floor before disappearing up the corridor alongside Stephen Challock and Joshua Sturton who'd remained quiet during the exchange.
Delphini groaned before sapphire blue met emerald green with an accusatory stare.
"Your help wasn't required Potter, I had everything under control." The platinum-haired girl said icily.
"Sure seemed like it" Ophelia muttered sarcastically.
Delphini decidedly gave Ophelia an icy glare at the brunette's sentiment. Harry, however, just gave Delphini a friendly smile and replied.
"A thank you would be nice."
"Bugger off Potter." Delphini voiced angrily as she rose from the stone floor and continued venomously.
"Stay away Potter, the daughter of Bellatrix is better off alone."
Before Harry could formulate a reply, Delphini stormed off and disappeared up the many passages and corridors of Hogwarts.
Ophelia arched her eyebrow and asked curiously, "Remind me, Harry, why did we just waste all our effort for someone who doesn't want it?"
Harry sighed. "Because she's had a troubled past like us, Ophelia. We at least have each other to ease the burden. Delphini has no one."
Ophelia nodded in recognition and sniffed airily. "I still don't like the idea of sticking our necks out for someone else Harry. You and I, that's all we need."
With that Ophelia too walked off up the corridor with Harry trailing behind. They did have a history lesson to get to after all...
Halloween at Hogwarts arrived later that night. Animated bats fluttered through the expanse of the Great Hall, jack-o'-lanterns coughed out brilliant flames from orange glowing candles, even the tapestries that draped the walls of the Great hall depicted black cats meowing and skeletons chattering.
While most of the Hogwarts populace feasted, a majority of students from the more Ancient Houses participated in the Samhain rites. Candles with large luminous flames glowed brightly in the expanse of the hall, allowing anyone who wished to communicate with the flames to hold a prayer and whisper to the spirits of the dead the past, recent news of the year, and well wishes for deceased loved ones.
Harry and Ophelia were decidedly helping themselves to the array of food provided when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, his turban was noticeably slanted and horror painted across his face.
All eyes descended upon the Defence Professor as the pale man rushed up towards Dumbledore's chair, slumping and panting on the stairs.
"Troll, Troll in the dungeons, thought you ought to know..."
Quirrell then to the shock of all the onlookers passed out into a dead faint.
Chaos immediately reverberated through the Great Hall, as the occupants began yelling, screaming, and shouting.
Dumbledore seemed unfazed, however, shooting out bright red sparks from his wand with deafening bangs.
Firecrackers, Harry thought. Whether it was a conjuration or some flare charm he couldn't quite say.
"Prefects," Dumbledore boomed throughout the expanse of the hall. "Lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately."
Ophelia gritted her teeth. "Does the buffoon realise the Troll is in the dungeons?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't think he expects us to take the scenic route."
Ophelia seemed to consider this for a moment but her thoughts were interrupted by Draco Malfoy's outcry. "Where's Delphini?"
The usually cocky demeanor of Draco had paled drastically upon the realisation that his cousin wasn't present with the rest of the Slytherin cohort.
Harry turned his towards the far end of the Slytherin table, the usually silent form of Delphini Riddle wasn't in her usual seat.
"Damn." Ophelia hissed as she turned to Harry and gave the raven-haired boy a look of concern.
The brunette grimaced, worry etched on her face. "Delphini spends most of her spare time in an abandoned room down in the Dungeons."
Ophelia continued hesitantly. "If there's truly a troll down there, then there's a good chance she won't make it out in one piece."
"Right," Harry said in acknowledgment knowing the words unspoken by Ophelia.
It was unlikely anyone bar a teacher would stick their necks to help out the daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Harry gazed up towards the front, where the entire Hogwarts staff sat. All that met the raven-haired boy's eyes however were empty seats.
Harry sighed, realisation dawning upon him as he spoke. "I guess it's up to us, Ophelia. I can't see anyone else that would be willing to risk their lives for Delphini. We've already done it once today anyway, so where's the harm in another?"
Ophelia nodded, she knew even Draco was a lost cause. His concern wouldn't stretch to saving Delphini if his life was at risk.
"Fine." Ophelia gritted out, the girl was a little unsettled by the turn of events.
The brunette spoke glumly. "I know It's the right thing to do. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm telling you, Harry, we grab Delphini, and we bolt. I'm not sticking around any longer than need be."
"Agreed," Harry said, the raven-haired boy knew without a shadow of a doubt that staying any longer around the troll for longer than necessary was a recipe for disaster.
Quietly, Harry and Ophelia split away from the unobservant eyes of the Slytherin cohort.
The two chose to bypass the third-floor route to the dungeons entirely, choosing instead to trail behind the Ravenclaws as they journeyed back to the safety of the west tower common rooms.
"Here." Harry finally said after a couple of minutes of trailing the Ravenclaws, the raven-haired boy was pointing to an open-faced staircase that verged away from the corridor towards the west tower.
Ophelia gave an accepting nod, quickly following after Harry as the two descended the smooth spiral staircase; escaping the huddle of Ravenclaws led by Penelope Clearwater.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Ophelia questioned as the two continued to descend the staircase, taking two or three steps at a time.
The brunette then called ahead to Harry, trying to be helpful. "I think the abandoned room is just next to the girl's bathroom."
"Yes," Harry replied in acknowledgment, calling behind to Ophelia. "This is the staircase that leads up to the astronomy tower and down to the dungeons, we should come out near the hall where the deathday party is being held."
Ophelia called ahead again to Harry. "Good best avoid that but we're in the right direction then."
Harry paused at the bottom of the staircase turning back to Ophelia to ask the question upon his mind.
"What do we do if we encounter the troll?"
Ophelia, emerging behind Harry, stopped to consider this before she replied. "I imagine we run Harry, I don't fancy trying to bring it down even if we could."
Harry nodded considering this, before gesturing to Ophelia to lead the way. The two continued to creep along, the cold stone and flickering torchlight of the dungeons.
Harry sniffed, a rancid stench was upon the air. The smell he couldn't quite place, however, only run-down urinals seemed to come to mind. Ophelia, though, quickly latched her hand onto Harry's arm, pulling him away from the direction of the smell.
"Stop." Ophelia hissed in warning. Immediately Harry complied, he knew Ophelia's tone was serious.
The brunette then pointed at the wall adjacent to the pair and muttered. "The troll is in that direction, I can see its aura through the wall."
"And Delphini?" Harry asked gravely, they were too near the troll for his liking.
Ophelia considered this before she replied. "She's in the same direction, maybe one room short from the troll, it's hard to tell."
"Alright." Harry said as his brow creased with worry, "let's grab her and run then."
Eventually, the two came upon the entrance to the abandoned classroom where Delphini was occupied. The platinum-haired girl in question barely acknowledged Harry and Ophelia as they paused at the doorway.
"Delphini." Ophelia called in alarm, "There's no time to explain but we need to go, now."
Delphini turned to look at Ophelia curiously before brushing her worry aside.
"Tell me," the platinum-haired girl said curiously, "do you see the same thing as I do?"
Ahead of Delphini laid a mirror, an ancient, ornate mirror with beautifully shaped clawed feet and a golden frame. The words 'erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi' lay inscribed on the base of the silver mirror.
"What do you see Delphini?" Harry couldn't help but find himself asking, the vision the mirror provided was enchanting. Want coiled inside of him, an alien bubbling need of emotions he'd never felt before. Could this be his future? Could fate truly provide him with this reverie within the mirror before him?
"Family," Delphini murmured in answer. "Family, a family I've never had is what I see. Love, happiness, security. I'm confronted with a reality I can't help but hope for."
Delphini gave Harry a soft look, her sapphire eyes no longer hard but tired, almost as if she'd just woken up from the delirium of sleep. The anger the girl once held was now met with acceptance.
The platinum-haired girl spoke again plainly. "The mirror offers me an escape away from a world of hate, of scorn and derision. I don't like coming here but I can't help it, the mirror makes me feel included."
Ophelia seemed edgy listening to Delphini's explanation, on one hand, she could relate as the daughter of Sirius Black, on the other hand; a hulking monstrosity of a troll was lurking around in the darkened corridors of the dungeons. So Ophelia's current sentiments towards the heartfelt conversation were polite at best. The brunette didn't understand what captivated Delphini so much. All she saw in the mirror was her and Harry, the same as always, young and enjoying their childhood as best they could.
Harry, however, could sympathise with Delphini. The mirror ensnared him and it took quite the amount of willpower to tear his gaze away from the image before him.
Harry gave the platinum blonde a sad smile and said ruefully. "Nothing good can come from dwelling Delphini, I don't think this mirror was meant for you to find."
Delphini looked at Harry for a moment before she spoke. "Hmm, perhaps you're right, the mirror seems to scorn me like everyone else. Perhaps the worst scorn of all, friendly scorn. The mirror provides a reality so clearly within my grasp but forever out of reach."
"Harry, Delphini." Ophelia voiced thinly with veiled annoyance, "now isn't the best time to continue this discussion, the troll is literally opposite us and I'm not in the mood to become a smear on the floor."
"Troll?" Delphini inquired, seemingly perplexed at the announcement.
"Yes," Harry said nervously. "There's a troll in the dungeons, it's why we've come to collect you."
"Oh," Delphini said now alarmed before slipping back into her cool disposition.
"Well Potter, Black just why didn't you ever say so?"
"Well." Harry said, a little frazzled, "Ophelia did say there was no time to explain…"
The platinum girl gave Harry a condescending stare and spoke thinly.
"Whilst I appreciate you two playing the heroes. Maybe next lead off with there's a troll in the dungeons hmm?"
"Yes," Ophelia said sarcastically. "You can be assured next time you're in imminent danger from a troll Riddle, we'll start with that."
Delphini nodded, seemingly accepting Ophelia's response as the heat of the moment, and said simply.
"Well since that's settled how do you plan to avoid the troll?"
Harry shrugged. "Ophelia's eye should help with that, just stick close and we should be able to get away."
Delphini gave Harry an approving nod before turning to Ophelia and said simply. "Well lead on Black, you'll have my thanks when you get us to safety."
The now-formed trio slinked out of the abandoned classroom, trying to keep as quiet as possible. The low grunting of the troll and shuffled footfalls were now audible, Delphini gulped, starting to realise the scale of the predicament she could've been in. Then they heard it, the shrill scream of a girl echoed out into the corridors of the dungeons.
"Good news and bad news." Ophelia groaned in annoyance.
"I'm guessing the good news is the troll won't be targeting us then?" Harry ventured helpfully. The girl's scream was some pause for concern, however...
"Even worse." Ophelia moaned and continued. "The troll is being distracted by none other than Eric and Weasley." The brunette's mouth then curled into distaste and said scathingly. "The girl screaming is Granger."
"Bloody Nora." Harry hissed in exasperation. "Are you telling me we'll have to rescue my arrogant prat of a brother and his idiotic redhead sidekick too?"
"Even worse," Ophelia said again and scowled. "We'll have to rescue Granger."
"Ah.." Harry said, eyeing Ophelia curiously. Rescuing Eric and Weasley was a stress he didn't want to deal with. Granger was just an inconvenience to him, he still didn't fathom the extent of Ophelia's dislike for the bushy-haired witch.
"Well," Delphini said, chipping in. "I suppose since you did come to rescue me, it'll be rude of me not to offer my assistance."
"Fine," Ophelia said in resignation. "Let's go rescue the idiots and the stupid bossyboots."
With that the three of them charged towards the screaming and shouting, preparing themselves as best they could for their encounter with the troll and their possible demise.
"Oy, pea-brain!" came the voice of Ron as he threw a metal pipe at the hulking form of the troll.
Harry just rolled his eyes and groaned internally. Trust Weasley to use muggle methods to fight off a troll.
"Do you know the blasting curse Delphini?" Harry called and added quickly. "The incantation is Confringo."
"Don't patronise me, Potter." Delphini's voice came in annoyance. "I'm not some dimwit."
"Alright then Delpini, hold your horses. I'm just trying to help. But if you're so confident, let's knock us down a troll." Harry yelled.
"Have no fear Tweedledum and Tweedledee," Ophelia exclaimed excitedly. "Help has arrived!"
"Oi, I resent that!" Eric replied hot-headedly, the brown-haired boy in question didn't reply further however as he was busy trying to avoid the swinging club of the troll.
"Confringo!" Came the joint shout from Harry, Ophelia, and Delphini.
Orange bolts blasted from their wants into the granite hide of the troll, Harry blinked however as instead of three spells hitting the troll simultaneously, the troll was met with four.
"You can dual wield Delphini?" Harry yelled curiously into the chaos of the girl's bathroom.
Delphini stood in the powdered ground of the girl's bathroom, twin wands clenched in both hands, and shot back bitingly.
"What can I say, Potter, I have a gift. Now less talking, more casting, the bloody thing still isn't dead yet!"
The Troll in question had stumbled from the four conjoining blasts but hadn't fallen to the barrage. The only damage that could be seen was Its iron-like leather skin seemed a little worse for wear but overall, all Harry, Ophelia, and Delphini had done was piss it off.
The troll bellowed its fury in annoyance, swinging its gnarled club in an overhead swing before venting its frustration down upon the foundations of the bathroom. The room gave a terrible shudder from impact.
"Nice going!" Eric yelled.
"Yeah." Ron joined in. "nice going making the bugger even angrier."
Harry didn't blame Eric and Ron for the retorts, both of them were quite occupied dancing around the legs of the troll.
The troll swung its club again, this time the oversized weapon crashed into the stalls of the toilet. Clearing the whole lot of them in one swoop.
Hermione's scream reverberated from the porcelain toilet she was seated upon, terror white upon her face as the bushy-haired girl had been inches from her existence being snuffed out.
Harry, Ophelia, and Delphini wasted no time resuming their combat.
"Lacero, Inhaere, Afflicto, spasmus musculi." Cutting, Cleaving, Cramping and Bone Breaking curses spewed from the trio's wands intent on downing the target.
The troll groaned in pain as lashes of red started to streak down the exterior of its body, all Harry and Ophelia had done, however, did little more than to irritate the troll further.
Delphini though had been productive, the platinum-haired girl had been intelligent in aiming for the club the troll grasped. The swift combination of the Cramping and Bone Breaking curses had left the troll unable to maintain its grip upon the club.
The Troll again bellowed its fury as its club clattered to the floor. The troll, grunting from the pain induced by the three newcomers, charged towards its attackers intent on barrelling them all into oblivion.
"Fuck this," Harry yelled, panic welling inside him at the lumbering form of the troll about to make a collision.
"Letalis Videns!" Harry called desperately.
The Dark Sawing Curse surged from Harry's wand with vicious intent as it flew towards the troll. A God-awful splat followed as the charging troll was vertically torn in half. Grey mucky blood rained from above, showering the occupants of the bathroom.
"Huh," Harry said in startlement as the muck painted him grey and voiced tiredly. "I don't feel so good, Ophelia."
Harry turned and slumped against an adjacent wall, the Dark Sawing Curse had taken a fair bit out of the raven-haired boy.
"What is wrong with you!" Eric Potter finally exclaimed, the boy tried to clear the coating of troll blood from his face before he replied further. "You didn't have to kill it. Knocking it out would've done the job just fine!"
Harry gave Eric an amused smile as he allowed himself to settle himself against the wall and sarcastically responded.
"All in a day's work protecting you brother dearest."
Eric scowled.
"Is it dead?" Hermione's shrill voice of horror sounded out.
Ophelia shrugged as she looked over the bisected corpse of the troll, grey blood still oozing out.
"Very dead I'd imagine." The brunette said cheerfully.
Ophelia continued. "Say, Harry, was that one of the curses we found for bringing down a Quintaped?"
"Yeah." Harry said grudgingly, "I didn't quite expect that though."
"Mhmm." Ophelia hummed and replied. "Well, that was a good little field test at least."
Ron's eyes bulged and voiced in shock. "Field test? You bleeding split it in half from head to toe, that's a little more than a field test ain't it?"
Ron largely went ignored.
"Say, Potter?" Delphini spoke up, eyes unmistakably gleaming with excitement.
"Yeah?" Harry replied tiredly.
"That was pretty badass. You have my approval," The platinum-haired girl said.
"What the actual fuck!" Eric finally screamed out. "Does no one care we just witnessed my brother slaughtering a troll?"
Ophelia gave a huff. "Considering he was saving your miserable life, no not really."
Footsteps suddenly interrupted the conversation. Increasing in noise, the louder they got closer. Eventually, after a few moments Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Quirrell came storming in.
"Oh my goodness gracious." Came McGonagall's voice, her shock at the scene before her eyes left her Irish brogue to slip in. "Just what in God's green earth happened here!"
Six grey and splattered forms turned to meet the daunting forms of the Hogwarts Professors.
"Professor McGonagall, please, they were looking for me!" Hermione's voice tried to reason.
"That doesn't explain the dead troll at my feet, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied, continuing on a tirade. "Just what were you thinking of? Facing down a troll, I'd say you're lucky to be alive but the troll at my feet points otherwise."
"Yes." Professor Snape said with a piercing voice, "do educate us on just why a mountain troll is torn in two."
"It was Potter, The Slytherin one. Professor Snape." Came the nodding head of Ron Weasley, "All from a single spell! Blimey, I've never seen anything like it."
The Potions Master turned to stare incredulously at the seated form of Harry Potter and voiced slowly.
"Is this true Mr. Potter? Were you responsible for what can only be called an evisceration of the troll before me?"
"Yes. Professor Snape." Harry said tiredly. "I didn't have any choice, it would've taken all of us out otherwise."
"Indeed." The Potions Master said neutrally as he swiveled around to meet the eyes of the six first years before voicing icily.
"I still fail to see how three of my Slytherins got entangled in the search for Miss Granger, after all." Snape continued sharply, "three Slytherins, three Gryffindors, and one dead troll. It seems like the beginnings of a bad joke Aberforth Dumbledore would tell."
Harry noticed Delphini's lips twitching ever so slightly before she spoke up cautiously.
"Professor Snape, the only reason Harry, Ophelia, and I are here is that Eric Potter decided to rescue Hermione from the troll. Harry was worried for his brother, you see? Surely you can at least sympathise with us trying to dissuade Eric from the idea of playing the dashing hero. It was only because of ill misfortune and Eric's foolishness that we all ended up in this scenario.
Snape turned to give a speculative look at Harry and voiced outwardly.
"Is this true Mr. Potter?"
Harry sighed, mentioning that he and Ophelia were trying to rescue Delphini would add too many complications, but adding a joint Slytherin front to escape the blame was quite clever from Delphini he supposed. It was something Harry could happily join in with if Eric took the fall.
"Yes Professor." Harry replied, "it was Eric's foolishness that caused Ophelia, Delphini, and I to be here"
"Good, good." Snape voiced thinly before stating coldly. "Then the punishment and blame should fall upon the Gryffindor Potter. Clearly, my students didn't want to be involved in the young Potter's foolishness.
"But Severus." McGonagall tried to reason. "The troll is dead at the hands of your student."
"A troll that wouldn't be dead if not for the foolishness of your student." Snape rebutted.
"But Professor." Hermione's outcry came, "If not for Eric and Ron's actions I'd be dead by now." Hermione then lied through her teeth. "You see I went looking for the troll, I've read about them, I thought I could handle it on my own…"
"Miss Granger, you foolish girl" came McGonagall's shrill, "how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on her own?"
Hermione just hung her head dejectedly.
"You see?" Snape said, speaking up. "My students are just victims of circumstance, the punishment should fall onto your students, I'd advise you to ensure next time that they may have proper discipline."
"Very well Severus." McGonagall acknowledged. "Whilst I do feel that Miss Black, Miss Riddle, and Mr. Potter deserve severe consequences for their actions. I will let it go due to the fact they acted in saving others."
McGonagall sighed and continued. "Take ten points each to Slytherin for such brazen bravery in defence of others and take five points from Slytherin Mr. Potter for your choice of spell. Do not think I can't recognise a dark Sawing Curse Mr. Potter, if it wasn't for self defence you'd be facing a temporary suspension. Now is that acceptable Severus?"
"Indeed Minerva." Snape said smugly, "the points to Slytherin were a nice touch I will say."
McGonagall scowled and spoke plainly. "I only did so Severus so you wouldn't award more points in the wake of their actions."
McGonagall continued, still disgruntled. "And though it gives me displeasure to do so, as your head of house I will take 20 points each from Gryffindor for looking for danger Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Potter. I must say I expected better from the three of you. But do be assured that Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this."
Eric, Hermione, and Ron just hung their heads dejectedly.
Snape seemed almost disappointed that Eric hadn't bothered to protest.
"Now that's settled." Snape said, reassuming his composure and voicing smoothly, "Do be off, I believe thanks to the Gryffindor Potters foolishness that I have a Mountain troll to salvage for Potions ingredients."
The six first years quickly hurried out of the chamber, eager to get away from the smell of the troll and disapproval of the professors.
"Trust Snape to be an arse," Ophelia said gleefully as she skipped along the dungeon corridor. "It's so refreshing for Eric to get slapped around by Snape."
"Yes," Delphini said happily. "I can't imagine the trouble we'd be in if not for Snape."
Harry shrugged and voiced his opinion. "Snape is the good, the bad, and the ugly. But as long as he saves us from McGonagall and pins the blame on Eric, he's alright in my book."
"Pedigree," Ophelia said when they finally arrived at the bronze door of the common room.
Upon entering. The common room was silent, all eyes staring towards the grey-smattered forms of Delphini, Ophelia, and Harry. No reasoning was said, no reasoning was asked. But all within the common room understood at that moment that Delphini was safe thanks to Harry and Ophelia.
It was also at that moment that Delphini understood that seeds of friendship had been formed due to the actions of Harry and Ophelia. For the first time in her life, someone had looked out for her other than for the sake of duty. Delphini knew she'd be damned as the daughter of Bellatrix if she threw away the only chance of friendship she'd ever had.
I await a guardian: Glad to say another chapter is finished! I hope to post another delightful chapter in a week or so for you to enjoy. Thoughts, queries, and reviews are immensely appreciated. Reviews equal love btw! A review honestly keeps me going and it's free, so please spare me your thoughts, I'll only improve my writing as a consequence.
A side note: I am still scouting for a beta reader to assist me with the Odyssey of the Arcane universe. Feel free to send me a PM if you're willing to help me on this adventure. Also PM's in general will be replied to just please be considerate they I can't update every day is all I ask. Till next time, yours I await a guardian.