It was finally the morning of Halloween, with many awake to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors.
Currently, Emma was arguing with Ron about which holiday is the best. So far it's between Halloween and Christmas.
"Ron, for the millionth time, Halloween is better than Christmas."
"No Emma, Christmas is better. You don't understand that it's the best time of the year."
"You know what? I'll ask Harry which is better?" Emma said as she turned to Harry.
"Yeah mate, which is better? Christmas or Halloween?" Ron faces Harry, who gulped of being stuck between two great holidays.
"Well, I mean Halloween is great.." Harry pauses, and Emma laughed.
"Ha, I told you, Ron." Emma exclaimed, but Harry continued.
"But, Christmas is also a great holiday." It was now, Ron's turn to laugh.
"See, he knows what's best." Ron proclaimed at her.
"Who's side are you on, Harry?" Emma said angrily.
"Just trying to be on both," Harry said nervously.
Emma and Ron looked at each other then laughed and faced Harry once more.
"As if, Harry. You can't be on both!" Emma exclaimed, still laughing, but then calmed down a bit.
"Well, you know what Ron? Christmas is okay, but Halloween is my type of holiday. Spreading some tricks, hexes, and horror to others."
"Like if you are that scary." Ron challenged.
"You really want to go there, Ron? Because I can show you how scary I really am." Emma continued as her eyes darkened and she smirked. Ron was trying not to back down but was failing miserably.
Luckily, Justin came to his rescue. Who was near the boys, touching their shoulders.
"What are you guys talking about?" Justin asked curiously.
"Oh, just how I'm going to prove to Ron how scary I can be," Emma said as if it was something normal. Justin laughed at the boy, then became serious as he said, "If I were you, run. Emma is scarier than you think."
He then leaned to the boys and whispered, "Trust me what I'm about to tell you. Emma can't be controlled, so once you challenge her, she can unleash her true power."
He then continued, "Because, when she was seven, she almost burned the manor down, to nothing but ashes. But, we luckily used some powerful magic to avoid that incident, again."
Ron and Harry widened their eyes. They were shocked that Emma almost burned an entire building to nothing. Now, even Ron was more scared than ever.
"Well, what made Emma want to burn down the manor?" Harry asked nervously.
"She was furious that I call her a scary cat, so she lost control of her powers," Justin said as he shuddered about the event.
But, before Emma was going to use her powers, the bell rings and students started to shuffle out of their seats and head to class.
"You're lucky, you got saved by the bell," Emma said, as she got up and punched Ron's shoulder.
He winced at the pain and saw that Emma had already left. Both boys looked at each other, now wanting nothing more to be in Emma's good side at all times.
First came Charms Class, with Professor Flitwick. Who announced that they were ready to start making objects fly. Emma smirked at the idea, already liking the start of Halloween.
Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice. However, her smirk went away when she was partnered with Draco, again. Emma really wanted to go with anyone else but Draco. But, there was no use, everyone else was paired up.
Emma noticed that Harry's partner was Seamus Finnigan, but Ron, however, was to be working with Hermione. She can tell that Hermione was still ignoring the boys.
"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing!" squeaked Professor Flitwick at the class, who was perched on top of a pile of books.
"Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick." He announces to the class. Emma was looking on the other side of the class, where
Harry and Seamus swished and flicked, but the feather just lay on the desktop.
From the Gryffindor side, was Ron, who wasn't having better luck than Harry.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted, waving his long arms like a lunatic.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Hermione snaps at him. "You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar."
Towards the Slytherin side is where Emma turned to her partner and saw he was struggling, but was trying to hide it.
"Do you need help?" Emma asked, which caused Draco's ear to perked up when he heard her call his name.
"No, I don't need help from a filthy half-blood!" Draco snapped at her, regretting it soon after. Emma glared at him, before answering calmly.
"Just to let you know, I'm a pure-blood, and you don't have to be such a spoiled brat, and might as well act like one." Before she continued, "It's easy, you just swish it before flicking it. Here I'll show you."
Emma used her wand, but she really didn't need to anyway. Yet, she was still using her wandless magic.
Just then Ron snarled, "You do it, then, if you're so clever,"
Hermione rolled up the sleeves, flicked her wand, and then both girls said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Their feathers started at first to quake, but then was slowly levitating to the air. The feathers soon hovered above both girls heads, in which caused many to look at it in awe.
Emma looked up and saw Hermione also do it. She smiled and then turned to Draco, who was giving her a rare small smile.
"Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick, clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Moore and Miss Granger's done it!"
Finally, was the end of the class, and Emma walked with Harry and Ron. Emma could practically feel Ron's anger and frustration but have no clue of what it is.
"It's no wonder no one can stand her," he said to Harry and Emma as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, "she's a nightmare, honestly. "
Someone knocked into Harry as they hurried past him. It was Hermione. Emma suddenly felt furious at Ron, for even saying that to Hermione.
Emma went to Ron, before smacking him with her books on his shoulder. He winced and quickly searched to see who did it.
"How could you even say that? I thought you were better than Draco. Now, I don't know who's worse!" Emma demanded at Ron, not caring that people could practically hear her.
"And to let you know, I'm her friend." As Emma stormed out and started to search for Hermione.
Emma didn't care that she skipped classes, all she was worried about was Hermione. She knows for a fact that she can feel Hermione's pain and hear her weep in tears.
Finally, she heard a soft whimper in the girls' bathroom, thanks to her enhanced hearing. Emma went to the door, before knocking slowly.
"Go away!" Emma heard Hermione said softly, and she sheds some more tears.
"Hermione, it's me, Emma. What Ron said was not true." Emma tried to reassure her.
"No, but it's true. I don't have any friends and I'm such a know-it-all." Hermione answered quickly, but a bit louder.
"Well, you know what? Ron should know that he's wrong because I'm your friend." Emma said back, waiting for Hermione's answer.
"You're my friend?" Hermione questioned her.
"Then why am I here for? Wasting my time? No! It's because you're my friend, Hermione. In fact my first friend in Hogwarts." Emma defended.
Hermione was debating whether or not to open the bathroom door. Finally, after a few seconds, Emma could hear a faint click, in which Emma slowly opens it. She clearly sees Hermione in the corner, wiping her salty tears and looked at Emma.
"Look if it makes you feel any better, I hit Ron for being a git. He doesn't understand how amazing you are." Hermione laughed quietly, not believing what Emma told her. Emma then had an idea, in which Emma created some sweets with her wandless magic.
"Here, I know you want some," Emma said as she handed Hermione some.
She thanked Emma before started to eat the chocolates. She was glad that someone was her friend, nearly forgetting what Ron said about her. The girls stayed there for hours not caring about anything else, except that they are both there together.
The boys were heading to the Great Hall, forgetting about the girls. Although, Harry and Ron overheard Parvati Patil telling her friend that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom with Emma and wanted not to be bothered.
Ron suddenly felt a bit guilty, and Harry was having trouble focusing on what happened to the girls. The boys helped themselves with all different types of food and desserts in the table.
However, Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, with terror on his face. The boys stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore's chair, and gasped, "Troll! In the dungeons!"
Suddenly there was an uproar, creating confusion throughout the Great Hall.
"Prefects," Dumbledore rumbled, "lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!"
"How could a troll get in?" Harry asked as they climbed the stairs.
"Don't ask me, they're supposed to be really stupid," said Ron.
Harry suddenly grabbed Ron's arm, and said, "I've just thought about something. Where are Hermione and Emma?"
"What about them?"
"They probably don't know about the troll." Ron bit his lip.
"Oh, all right," he snapped. "Let's go before Percy sees us."
The two Gryffindors took off running towards the bathroom. As they ran down the corridor to the girls' bathroom, only to stopped as they saw a big shadow nearby.
The boys hide behind a wall.
"I think the troll's left the dungeon," Ron said as they watched the troll walking into the girls' bathroom.
" It's going into the girl's bathroom," Harry announced as they got closer to the bathroom.
Both girls were completely unaware of the current situation. Emma then had an idea, which caused her to turn to her friend.
"Why don't we head back?" Emma suggested, in which Hermione nodded to.
The girls walked to the door until they heard a low growl. That caused Emma to look down, only to see giant feet. Taking a gulp, she dared to look up and saw a Troll right in front of her. Emma knew at that moment her hair instantly changed to Ice Blue. Her fear was giving spreading, and so did it appear to Hermione as well.
Both girls slowly walked back going into the stalls, just before the Troll swung his bat at the stalls. Causing to two of them to duck down as debris fell on them.
Suddenly, Emma heard the door opened. The girls looked and saw Ron and Harry. "Emma, Hermione move!" Harry yelled at them. As both of them started to crawl along the floor.
"Hey, pea brain!" Ron shouted bravely as he threw a piece of wood at the Troll's head, causing the get the Troll's attention to him and Harry.
Hermione and Emma took their only chance and crawled under the sink. That was before the Troll turned around and swung his bat and crushed a sink that was next to them. Unfortunately, Emma got her leg impaled by the bat, causing her to yelp in pain.
"Help!" she screamed as she can feel her leg starting to heal itself, but not fast enough.
Harry look at Emma, and saw her leg puncture badly. He quickly then ran up to the Troll, grabbing onto its bat and was lifted in the air, causing Harry to be on its shoulders.
The Troll started shaking around, trying to get Harry off him but then Harry's wand went up in the Troll's nose. The Troll grabbed onto Harry and dangled him by his feet.
"Do something!" Harry yelled before dodging the bat that swung at him.
Ron looked around the place.
"What?" he asked scared.
"Anything!" Harry shouts again.
"Come on Ron, do something!" Emma shouted.
Ron than grabbed his wand out from his robe. " Swish and flick." Hermione reminded him.
"Wingardium Leviosa." Ron said, causing the bat to float in the air above the Troll.
The Troll looks up and the bat dropped on its head, making him to drop Harry to the ground. They watched the Troll stumble around before falling on the ground, a couple of meters away from Harry.
Hermione got up from under the sinks and slowly walked towards Harry and Ron. Emma was struggling, so the boys helped her. As they carried her, she can see her blood dripping on her pearl-white leg to the bathroom floor.
"Is it dead?" Hermione asked, examining the troll closely.
Harry looked at the Troll as he and Ron carry Emma closer.
" I don't think so. Just knocked out." he said before he left go of Emma to grab his wand out of the Troll's nose. Harry's face scrunched up in disgust. "Troll boogers, ew."
Emma heard footsteps coming towards them. Her leg was already healing, but it would be suspicious that she can start walking again. Yet, her crimson blood was still staining her leg.
A moment later, Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, followed by Snape, and lastly Quirrell.
Snape bent over the troll, as Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron and Harry.
"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Before the boys answered, a small voice came out of the shadows of the stalls.
"Please, Professor McGonagall they were looking for me."
"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall gasped.
"I went looking for the Troll. I read about them and thought I could handle it. But I was wrong. If Harry, Ron and Emma hadn't come and found me, I'd probably be dead. It's also my fault for Emma's injury." she explained to Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall examines Emma, who was between the boys.
The boys were in complete shock, that Hermione would lie to a teacher.
"Well in that case..." said Professor McGonagall, staring at the four of them, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"
Hermione hung her head. Emma wanted to protest, but the boys looked at her, almost saying, Don't.
"Be that as it may, it was an extremely foolish thing to do. I expected more rational behavior and am very disappointed in you, Miss Granger. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your serious lack of judgment."
Professor McGonagall told Hermione before looking between Emma, Ron and Harry.
"As for you three children I just hope you realize how fortunate you are. Not many first year students could take on a Troll and live to tell the tale. Five points will be rewarded to each of you for sheer dumb luck." she said before leaving the bathroom.
"Oh, and do take Miss Moore to the Hospital Wing for her leg to be tended." As Professor McGonagall left, and Professor Snape leaves after her.
The boys nodded, but then became confused on how to get to the Hospital Wing. The girls sighed, before showing them the way. Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all worried about Emma's health. They were thinking about endless scenarios of what could happen to Emma. Especially, since they can see droplets of crimson blood staining the floor, every time they walk. Finally, after twist and turns through the corridors, they reached their final destination.
The Hospital Wing was very disperse, having at least six or more beds in each side. Some having more room than others, and some that have emerald colored curtains for privacy. Suddenly, someone came up to the four of them. Emma looked closely to see a middle aged woman with white-grey hair and deep blue eyes that have a look of worried.
"My goodness! What happened that caused this injury? Quick, let's get you to one of these beds." Madame Pomfrey demanded. The boys complied, and set her down gently on the neat bed. They went to wait outside, not wanting to intrude the nurse.
"My name's Madame Pomfrey, dearie. Let's see what you have, shall we?" Madame Pomfrey announces as she examines the injury.
"It seems that you been stabbed by some type of weapon, yes?" She insisted, as Emma nodded. Madame Pomfrey noticed that her wound was healing, intrigued that her body was already healing. She got up and went to the other students waiting outside.
Her friends were waiting patiently, until Madame Pomfrey came up to them.
"Don't worry, dearies. You're friend will be healed by tomorrow morning. She'll need to rest here for the night." She said reassuring. Hermione and Ron nodded, but Harry was unsure.
"Can we at least see her before she recovers?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, but you can see her tomorrow, at latest in the afternoon." Madame Pomfrey said. Harry nodded, as the trio walked back to the Gryffindor Dormitory.
It was quiet along the way, but Hermione was the first to speak.
"Well, uh, thank you for saving us with the Troll incident."
Harry nodded, and said, "Well, that's what friends do. They look after each other."
"Right. Well, now we will just have to wait to see Emma tomorrow." Ron confirmed, as they were at the entrance.
"Pig Snout" Ron said the password, as they walked in. Many students were eating in the common room, and others chatting. The trio having nothing else to say, yet again Hermione was the first to break the silence.
"Well, good night." Hermione said briskly as she quickly walked away.
With Emma, Madame Pomfrey was tending her injury with care. But, before Emma was able to rest, Madame Pomfrey asked her quickly.
"I noticed that your injury is becoming minimal. Is there a way that you were healing you body along the way here?"
Emma nervously swallowed her drink, before answering, "I actually don't know. I would alway heal myself when I ever get an injury."
Madame Pomfrey nodded, before standing up straight. "Alright, you settle in. I expect you to rest tonight, after that incident. I don't want you awake, you hear me?" She demanded gently, as Emma nodded slowly.
Soon, Madame Pomfrey was out of sight, in which Emma was already bored with being stuck in one place. However, slowly her drowsiness kicked in, causing her to fall into an abyss of darkness, just like the ebony night sky.
Without a doubt, that the boys have considered Hermione as their friend. Clearly, there were many things that friends do together. However, fighting a Mountain Troll wasn't one of them. Yet again, nothing is normal when it comes to magic.