Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
There was a moment of stunned silence before the room erupted with shouts and screams. It took Dumbledore several tries before he got everyone's attention. "Everyone keep calm. No running. Prefects, lead your Houses back the dormitories. Slytherins, as the dungeons are not safe you will be sorted with the other houses. First and second years, go with Gryffindor. Third through fourth years with Ravenclaw. Fifth through seventh, with Hufflepuff."
"Come on," Harry pulled Draco towards the Gryffindor table. "Percy is already gathering the first years."
Draco was still in shock that he would be going to Gryffindor Tower. He supposed it was only fair that he got to see Harry's common room since Harry got to see Slytherins. But still...Gryffindors.
"First years, stay with Percy," Marcus ordered as he supervised everyone following the correct house. "Do what he tells you."
"But we don't want to go with Gryffindor," Theo complained.
"Tough," Marcus said without sympathy. "Do you want to talk to Professor Snape about it?"
"No," Theo sulked.
Harry glanced at the professors who were talking among themselves, serious looks on their faces. His dad caught him looking and nodded towards the door. "Do you think my dad will go after the troll?" He asked nervously as he stood with the other first years as Percy barked orders.
"Probably," Ron shrugged, eyeing the Slytherins warily. "The trolls in his dungeons, he'd want to protect it right? Is he good at dueling?"
"The best," Harry said proudly, although he hadn't seen his dad in an actual duel before. But he knew his dad was a powerful wizard. "Right Draco?"
"Right," Draco said loyally.
"Stay close behind me," Percy called as he lead them out of the hall. "Make way, first years coming through! Hey, don't give me that look, I'm a prefect!"
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Harry chuckled. "Your brother is in rare form."
"Tell me about it," Ron rolled his eyes.
"How do you think a troll -" Neville started to ask.
Harry suddenly stopped walking, letting everyone pass him.
"Hey, come one," Draco said when he noticed.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Hermione. She doesn't know about the troll!" Harry said.
"Oh Merlin," Neville whispered.
"Where is she?" Tracey asked in concern.
"She's in the bathroom. She was upset about something," Harry said, glancing at Ron who was biting his lip.
"Just tell your prefect," Blaise said.
"Yeah, you guys go ahead and do that," Harry nodded. "I'm going to go get her."
"Are you mental?" Draco demanded. "There's a troll loose in the castle!"
"Hermione's alone," Harry said.
"We'll go tell Percy," Tracey said and she and Blaise raced to catch up with the Gryffindor prefect.
"I'll go with you," Ron told Harry. "It's my fault she wasn't in the Great Hall."
"I'll go too," Neville said bravely.
"Are you coming?" Harry asked Draco.
"You should let a prefect or professor go," Draco sighed. He noticed Theo lingering nearby.
Theo smirked. "Turning into a Gryffindor, Draco? Going to chase after a lion impulsively? Maybe you should be resorted."
Insulted, Draco stepped away from Harry. "Go ahead and break the rules. I'm going to the Tower like I'm supposed to," Draco said.
Theo grinned as he walked with him to follow the others. "I was worried for a second. You made the right choice."
Draco was second guessing himself and feeling guilty. Had he made the wrong decision? What if Harry got hurt? They were going to be brothers...what kind of brother let the other head into danger?
HP
Hermione sniffled as she left the bathroom and headed for the Great Hall. It was dumb to cry over what that dumb boy had said. So what if she didn't have a lot of friends? So what if she liked learning? There was nothing wrong with that, was there? She blinked and stopped walking when she saw Harry, Ron, and Neville running towards her. "Why aren't you at dinner?"
"We were looking for you," Harry said, relieved she was okay.
"Why?"
"There's a troll in the castle!" Neville said with wide eyes. "We have to get to our dorms!"
Hermione's eyes widened. "A troll? How did a troll get in the castle?"
"No clue," Ron said as they walked quickly down the corridor. "They're supposed to be really dumb. Probably Peeves let it in as a prank."
"Ugh, what's that smell?" Neville wrinkled his nose.
Suddenly they heard a low grunt and shuffling steps. Slowly the four of them turned around and looked up.
Standing at least twelve feet, was the troll. Its skin was gray and its body lumpy with a small head. It held a wooden club, which it dragged across the floor as its arms were too long.
"Run!" Ron yelled and the four of them sprinted away from the troll.
"It's following us!" Harry said as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Oh no!" Neville tripped over his own feet. He whimpered. "I hurt my ankle!"
Harry stopped. "Keep running," He told Ron and Hermione as he turned to help Neville.
"We aren't going to leave you," Hermione said as she and Ron also turned around.
"Can you stand?" Harry asked Neville.
"Yeah, but I don't think I can run," Neville said. "Just leave me here."
"Don't be silly," Hermione said. She paled. "The troll!"
Harry wished he could remember the disarming spell, he'd seen his dad use it once but he couldn't remember how to say the spell.
Ron pulled out his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The club flew suddenly above the troll's head and then dropped onto it. The troll slowly swayed and then began to fall.
"Ron, look out!" Harry rushed over and pushed his friend out of the path of the falling troll. He moved fast but not fast enough and was knocked down when the trolls arm flung out as he fell.
"Ahh!" It felt like all the bones in his leg had shattered.
"Harry!"
"What in the world?" McGonagall and Severus were rushing towards them.
Severus stalked over and immediately knelt next to Harry. "Where are you hurt?" He demanded.
"My leg," Harry said weakly. "Neville's hurt too."
"Mr. Longbottom?" McGonagall ran her wand over him while Severus ran a diagnostic on Harry. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger are either of you hurt?"
"No," Hermione said tearfully. "They saved me."
"Harry pushed me out of the way when the troll fell," Ron spoke up.
"My goodness!" McGonagall exclaimed. "Off to the infirmary with all of you. I'll deal with the troll."
"Your leg is broken," Severus said, lifting Harry into his arms. "Why were you children not in your dormitories? What in Merlin's name were you thinking?"
"We just wanted to get Hermione," Harry said, the pain making its way known. "She wasn't at dinner and didn't know about the troll."
Severus didn't say anything as he carried his son to the infirmary, with Ron and Hermione helping Neville. When he had received word that Harry was missing, his heart had stopped. And seeing his son next to that troll... He was furious and relieved at the same time. His son was hurt, but he was alive.
"What happened?" Poppy demanded when the group entered the infirmary.
"The children thought it would be fun to tangle with a troll," Severus said sarcastically as he gently laid Harry on a cot.
Poppy helped Neville onto another cot and began running diagnostics. "This one will need a strengthening balm for his ankle and a pain reliever," she said briskly. "Mr. Potter will also need a pain reliever after I fix his bones. All four should have calming draughts and then go straight to bed."
McGonagall entered. "Before they do, I would like to hear what happened." She said, looking stern.
"The troll?" Severus asked.
"The Headmaster and Hagrid are taking it out of the castle," McGonagall said. "Now, Miss Granger why were you not at dinner?"
"I was upset about something," Hermione said softly. "I was in the girls' bathroom. I didn't know about the troll."
"Harry realized it and we went to get her," Ron said.
"Tracey and Blaise went to tell Percy," Harry added quickly. His dad looked very upset.
"You should have gone with them," Severus said. "You should have told Percy immediately."
"But Hermione,"
"It was for an adult or prefect to deal with, not you first years," McGonagall said.
"But they saved me," Hermione insisted. "Ron even got the troll to drop his club by levitating it."
"But it dropped on his head and he almost fell on top of me," Ron said. "Harry pushed me out of the way."
"I just fell while we were running," Neville sighed.
"Well," McGonagall cleared her throat.
"You shouldn't have placed yourselves in danger," Severus said in frustration. "Miss Granger, you should have been at dinner or at least let one of your prefects know where you were. Five points from each of you."
McGonagall eyed them. "I must admit, I am a little impressed you four faced a troll and survived." She ignored the glare Severus was sending her. "Ten points to each of you for sheer dumb luck."
"Minerva," Severus said in exasperation. "They should not be rewarded." He gave Harry a stern look. "I expect you to follow the rules. Draco did, why didn't you?"
Harry looked away as Poppy began the spell to fix his leg. He winced but didn't make a sound. He felt like crying, his dad was disappointed in him but proud of Draco. He had messed up.
"Drink this," Poppy said, giving him a pain reliever. "And then a calming draught." She gave Severus a pointed look. "Now is not the time to scold your son, Severus. He has been through a traumatic experience and is injured."
"I know that, that is why I am upset!" Severus snapped at her. He sighed when he realized Harry was avoiding looking at him and had shut his eyes. "Harry," He began more gently.
"I want to sleep," Harry whispered, keeping his eyes shut. He didn't want to talk to his dad right now.
Poppy handed out the calming draughts and guided Ron and Hermione onto cots as well. "It's better if they all rest here," She said quietly.
"I'll go let their friends know that they are okay." Minerva said, exiting the room.
Severus dropped onto a chair next to Harry's bed and watched his son sleep. "I was scared, he could have been killed," He said after a moment.
"Yes, and you can talk to him about that when he is fully recovered," Poppy hesitated. "He seems very sensitive to criticism from you. Is that normal?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you see his expression when you were venting your displeasure? It was like his heart was breaking," Poppy frowned. "Is everything all right between you two? Is Harry handling your engagement well?"
Severus stared at her. "Everything has been fine." He said. "Harry loves Narcissa and she loves him. He has been happy with the engagement. Why would you think otherwise?"
"Severus, it's not my business," Poppy said kindly. "I'm just concerned."
"All you saw was a little boy who knows his father is displeased with his actions," Severus said defensively. "That's all. He and I will talk when he wakes and everything will be fine."
"I hope so."
HP
Draco was relieved when Professor McGonagall told the room that Harry and the others were okay. He only vaguely noticed Theo and Pansy give each other disappointed looks and whisper to each other.
"So Ron is okay?" Percy verified. He'd been worried sick since realizing Ron wasn't with everyone.
"Yes, he is resting with the others in the infirmary," McGonagall said. "He actually got the club away from the troll with the levitation spell. Unfortunately, when the troll was knocked out it almost fell on Mr. Weasley. Mr. Potter pushed him out of the way, which is how he got his leg broken."
"Harry's a hero!" Lavender Brown squealed.
McGonagall almost smiled. "Yes, well they all should have handled the situation differently. Now that the troll has been dealt with, you Slytherins are safe to return to your own dormitories. I will walk you back."
"I'm so glad they are okay," Tracey said as she and the rest of the Slytherins filed out of the Tower.
"Do you think they are in trouble with Professor McGonagall?" Blaise asked.
"No way," A second year Slytherin said. "I just heard McGonagall telling that prefect that she awarded them points. Gryffindors get away with everything."
Draco was conflicted as they returned to the dungeons. He was truly happy that Harry was all right but now he would be even more of a hero. And he got points for disobeying! Potter can do no wrong, he thought unhappily. Once again, Draco was inferior.
HP
Harry contemplated sneaking out of the infirmary early in the morning but he felt bad about leaving his friends. Plus his dad was sleeping in a chair next to his cot so...
"Would you like to talk now?" Severus opened his eyes.
"Oh, uh, good morning," Harry flushed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good. All better," Harry said, lifting the leg that had been broken and experimentally shaking it.
Severus nodded. "Good. Now, what were you thinking last night?"
"I just wanted to get Hermione," Harry said softly. "The troll was supposed to be in the dungeons but I didn't want to risk Hermione walking around not knowing about the danger."
"You and your friends put yourselves in danger," Severus said.
"I wasn't trying to," Harry said honestly. "I just was worried about Hermione. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
"You have to obey the rules, Harry and trust that the adults will take care of things," Severus said firmly.
"But no one knew Hermione wasn't with us," Harry said.
"Yes, so you tell someone immediately," Severus said. "If Percy had known, he could have put another older student in charge of getting all of you to the Tower while he went looking for Miss Granger. Or he would have gotten word to a professor quicker."
"I didn't think, I guess. Percy was way ahead of us when I remembered Hermione and I was worried. The troll was supposed to be in the dungeon...why wasn't it?"
"I don't know," Severus said with a shake of his head. "We don't know who let it in. Yet."
"Are you mad at me?" Harry asked timidly.
"Just don't put yourself in danger again," Severus warned. "Okay?"
"Okay," Harry said, breaking into a grin when his dad ruffled his hair.
HP
"I played my part perfectly!" The older wizard snapped, pacing.
"Yeah, but the troll didn't cause any damage! In fact, Potter and his friends defeated it!" The younger wizard said.
"That's not my fault. I did what I was asked to do. What have you done?"
"I jinxed the brat's broom!"
"And not only did the boy not fall off, he won the game!" The older wizard practically shouted.
"I know that! I was hoping he would be seriously hurt or humiliated and it backfired on me. Listen, my parents want us to cause chaos in the school. There is a an old story of a monster that resides in the castle -"
"We should just kill him outright. It's what the dark lord would have wanted." The older wizard sneered.
"My parents said we can't. The ones in charge want to deal with him themselves. We're just supposed to make his life miserable until they can finish him off." The younger wizard sighed.
TBC: