I do not own any rights to (anything) Harry Potter, or it's character's/plots etc.
Also, definitely, not making any money by writing this fanfiction (unless personal satisfaction is now a currency).
This is (as usual) Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. So much advice! It's a shame I'm lazy sometimes :-D
Alsoo... I put the rating up. I'm not 100% sure if I needed to, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So if any of you don't like reading more violent, er. . . bloody? scene's then just a heads up, I'd probably skip this chapter.
Side note: Aggghhh! My poor little first years! I really do feel quite sorry for them in this chapter, but I mean, realistically . . . it IS a troll. . .
ANYWAY! . . . . A Crackling Weekend to You All!
Let me know if it passes the muster. I really haven't written many fighting scene's before. or, er, ever ;-)
-G
Draco ran forward, grabbing Harry's hand quickly, and tried to pull him from the room.
"We need to get out of here, Harry!" he exclaimed, panic returning. "Come on!" he urged, tugging on Harry.
Harry barely moved from where he stood. "…What?" he asked, green eyes dull. Draco couldn't help but note how bad the bags under Harry's eyes had become. "No. Wait, Draco. I'm not going to the Feast. I'm staying here, alright." He said, gaze darting back to the mirror behind him, as he tried to pull his hand from Draco's.
"There's a troll loose, Harry! It's in the dungeon's!" Draco hurriedly explained, clasping desperately at his friends hand, trying to pull him forward. "We need to leave!"
Blaise called impatiently from the door. "Oy! You two, hurry it up! Professor Snape's going to be furious when he finds us gone!"
". . . A troll?" Harry asked in disbelief, finally stumbling forward as he allowed himself to be yanked by Draco.
Draco pulled him from the room hurriedly, darting nervous glances down the empty hallway.
Unsure what else to do for now, Draco and Blaise ushered Harry back the way they'd come towards the Great Hall. They were just pelting round a corner, about half way back, when they suddenly froze in place, hit with a blast of putrid stench.
They trembled where they stood, mere feet away from the troll towering above them.
Chapter 21: A Long Night
The three small first years stared up at the troll, unaware of the dull grinding sound behind them that signalled moving staircases.
". . . I thought you said it was in the dungeons" the words slurred from Harry's lips, as he looked up with dazed green eyes. Even as the words slipped out Harry snapped his mouth closed, his expression clearing then paling in horror as reality struck him.
Draco shivered beside him, clutching Harry's hand so tightly that his fingers were almost as pale as the Malfoy's. The blonde darted a glance behind them, getting ready to run, when his eyes widened in horror. The others, sensing his distress, flickered a glance backwards, cheeks paling in fear. The staircase they'd just come up had shifted. They were stranded in a narrow corridor, and the only way out now was blocked by the troll.
They watched petrified as the troll, reacting to Harry's voice, slowly turned around to face them.
Draco's voice came out in a terrified whisper, "Blaise?" he questioned.
Blaise was already shaking his mutely. "I – I don't." he choked, panicked voice barely audible. "I'm not - The spells Ma taught me wouldn't - " he stuttered, knowing that the spells he'd learnt wouldn't do enough damage (at least not quickly enough) for them to escape. They were blocked in.
Draco's hand clenched tightly in fear, and something in Harry snapped.
"I'll distract it. You two run." Harry said, voice suddenly clear and focused. "Find Dad." He added, voice wobbling slightly at the thought of his Godfather, though he was unaware of what he'd said.
If anything Draco's hand squeezed tighter, desperately grasping onto his friends hand, unwilling to let go. "We're not l-leaving you with the troll, Harry!" he insisted wildly, pulling Harry closer.
Harry flickered a glance at his friend. His heart constricting painfully in his chest, as he warred between two strong emotions: part overwhelming awe that someone (Draco!) caredabout him, and part terror at what he was about to do. "Yes" he said quietly, afraid but resolute. "You are."
There was a small wisp of magic and Harry's hand somehow slipped from Draco's tight grasp, like a bar of soap. Draco's hand instantly darted forward, just missing Harry's as the raven haired boy stepped forward out of their reach, resolutely meeting the troll.
Bright green eyes defiantly clashed with the monster as he held his wand aloft. A faint fluttering sound started in the corridor, like the beating of wings.
"You're not hurting my friends." Harry said quietly, standing protectively before Draco and Blaise, dropping his school bag to the group. The fluttering sound grew louder, unnoticed by either boy.
"Harr-!" both boys shouted in alarm, moving to drag Harry back when his school bag suddenly swelled beyond its limits, the disturbing fluttering bursting from the pocket in an explosion of movement.
They shrunk back, shouting in alarm as a swarm of white exploded from Harry's carry-bag into the air around them. A chaotic cloud of movement sent their hearts racing with adrenalin, even as their eyes finally deciphered what they were seeing.
Paper cranes.
Harry had somehow charmed a swarm of paper cranes.
The troll lurched back in surprise, almost tripping into the right side of the corridor and Harry snapped into action, his wand whipping forward.
The mass of paper cranes suddenly seemed more sharp than harmless to Draco and Blaise as they shot towards the troll, whipping violently around it's head like a flock of murderous birds. Within moments they had almost entirely obscured the beasts face from view. The troll bellowed in fury, moving to swat them down like flies. It would only take a few hits from its massive hands to take out the entire swarm.
Suddenly, without warning, an urgent gust of wind shot Draco and Blaise forward. They were lurched far down the corridor with cried of alarm, pushed past the small gap in the corridor the troll had inadvertently made when tripping into the opposite wall.
They landed roughly on the stone floors down the far end of the corridor, their stop buffeted by the same breeze that had propelled them.
As Draco's head cleared from the sudden movement, his eyes shot up, desperately searching the corridor.
"Harry!" he cried in alarm, scrambling uncoordinatedly to his feet, about to race back towards his still trapped friend. A sudden pull on his sleeve jerked him to a halt, he turned impatiently, furious words waiting to be spat from his mouth at Blaise but he was interrupted.
"I'll help him! Go find Professor Snape! Just be-" Blaise ordered, his eyes were wide with panic but steely in their determination.
Draco's head was already shaking stubbornly, blond hair whipping about his face. "I'm not going t-!"
A thunderous crash jerked them both their words to a halt, and simultaneously they both surged forward, scrambling back down the corridor, desperate to get close enough to see if Harry was alright. The troll had slammed it's club into the floor, dust and debris obscuring the area from view.
They both paled as they realised Harry was nowhere in sight.
"Harry!" Draco screamed.
The troll's hefting it's monstrous club from where it's become wedged in the floors, the stones grating against rough wood as the troll prepared to slam it down once more.
Draco was still scrambling forward, feet tripping over his cloak. No thoughts in his brain except "NO!" he screeched, voice ricocheting off the walls. "HARRY!"
A pulse of magic, crackling with power, suddenly shot from the shadows behind Blaise and Draco. It whipped past them, purple and bright and dangerous, brutally impacting the towering monster at the end of the corridor.
It was closely followed by a vicious volley of spells, magic sizzling through the air, vibrating threateningly. The boys flinched, ducking down towards the ground, listening with wildly beating hearts as a deafening roar was wrenched from the troll. A protective blue shield suddenly engulfed both the boys, partially muting all sounds, as someone raced down the corridor towards them, footsteps slapping urgently against the stones. Draco turned to see his Godfather, magic building and crackling around him, his dark eyes intent in their fury, and entirely centred on the beast before him. He paused briefly when he reached the two boys, dark eyes glancing at his Slytherin students, in obvious concern and assessment, before snapping back to the end of the corridor.
Draco watched as the dark man, in the moment of surging forward again, snapped his wand towards the troll. Pale fingers clutched tightly around the wand as one last spell, fizzling loudly like a firework, spat forward. It slammed into the troll, shoving it back against the wall, then exploding outward in a dazzling yellow web. First engulfing then constricting tightly, binding the monster in place.
The troll let loose another ear-splitting screech, which was cut off by the tightening bands containing it. It thrashed in place, desperate to break free from the magic confining it, but only caused the webbing to slice into its tough skin. Blood was dripping freely down from it's shoulder's, chest and thighs now as Severus sprinted forward. A wordless charm immediately banished all dust and debris, and Draco cried out in distress as Harry's small body came into view, crumpled motionless on the floor.
"Harry!" Severus called out in alarm, swooping forward, knees crashing to the floor beside his ward and Godson. The bound troll was ignored completely as, without pause, the potion masters wand was once more put to use. The strongest scanning charm Severus knew was immediately used to analyse Harry for injury. Dark eyes scanned over Harry, quickly reading the results that flashed in the air above the small unconscious boy.
The dark-haired professor shuddered, relief swamping him, tears pricking at his eyes, as he double checked the findings again to be sure. He had some bruising, slight magical exhaustion, and a serious concussion, all of which could be very quickly treated.
Harry would be fine.
Quickly firing off some spells to ensure it was safe enough to move him, Severus scooped up the small boy from the floor. He was just turning to add some extra wards and bindings spells to the troll when there was a rush of movement down the farther end of the corridor.
"Oh my goodness!" Pomona cried as she took in the scene before her, rushing forward. She crouched down near Draco and Blaise, dismissing Severus's powerful shield with a flick of her wand. "Are you alright? Are either of you hurt?" she questioned, her eyes sweeping over them systematically.
Light, rapid footfalls soon followed, a slightly out of breath Professor Flitwick caught up. "My Ravenclaws are secured. Minerva has settled the lions, and is checking the wards for disturbances now. Pomona, I'm assuming your Badgers are also tucked in?" He checked, receiving a definitive nod in response. Flitwick's sharp gaze had analysed the situation in moments, and he sagged slightly in relief. "I've called in the Magical Beast Control, a unit is on the way." He informed Professor Sprout and Severus as he strode towards the potions master. "I'll stay here and secure the troll, Severus." He reassured the man "You had best get Mr Potter and these two boys to the hospital wing." He said, casting a worried look at the small unconscious boy in Severus' arm.
Severus nodded in gratitude, straightening his shoulders as he shifted Harry's into a slightly more comfortable position.
"My Snakes?" he asked softly, not wanting to disturb Harry.
"Ah, my apologies!" Filius said, rushing to reassure Severus. "They are also tucked in with my Claw's, I've done a temporary spacial expansion in the tower that will serve them well till the morning."
Severus dipped his head again "Thank you for acting in my absence." He said in relief. "My Prefects are quite level headed, but I dislike placing such responsibilities upon them."
"No worries, no worries. I believe the only thing they were put out about was the stairs climbing up." Flitwick said, a slight smile tugging at his lips, before his face clouded again.
"You'll need to speak with Madam Hooch in the morning." He admitted, voice lowered. "I'm afraid you were correct. There's . . . been a disturbance."
Severus' sharp gaze shot down to Professor Flitwick. "Indeed. . . I shall pay a visit to her before retiring this evening." He said before making his way over to Pomona and his two other snakes.
He stopped before the small group, listening as Pomona finished quietly talking and reassuring the boys before speaking. "Are you both well?" Severus asked with concern, glancing between his Godson and Mr Zabini. Draco's eyes were red and damp with tears, whilst Blaise was quite obviously pale and shaken, but both quickly nodded in response.
Severus felt a swell of relief. "Then, I'll ask you to follow me to the Hospital Wing. Poppy will be most insistent on seeing you both, and I myself will require a full explanation as to your involvement this evening." He informed them softly, conscious not to upset them further.
Draco and Blaise's eyes widened, and they paled slightly, but nodded easily enough in confirmation. The two boys stood shakily to their feet, moving to stand close to Severus.
Pomona also rose to her feet. "I'll bid you all good night, then." She said, smiling gently to the boys and Severus. "Minerva might need assistance, I'll head down to the wards with her now." She said, dusting some dirt from her skirt.
"You'll be alright on your own, Filius?" she called out, checking with the small half-goblin professor before departing.
Filius waved his hand spare hand, still busy fortifying the binding spells containing the struggling troll. "Yes, yes. Tell Minerva I'll send a patronus confirmation once this troll has been successfully removed from the school." He said, frowning mildly up at the roaring troll.
"To us too!" Pomona added, as she walked with Severus and the children to the end of the corridor before going separate ways.
Draco and Blaise were silent as started the walk up to the hospital wing with Severus and the unconscious Harry.
"Will he be okay?" Draco quiet voice, shook as scrubbed the last remaining tears from his face, walking close to Severus' right side, Blaise on their teacher's left.
Severus glanced down at his upset Godson, blonde hair partially obscuring the young boy's face. "Madam Pomfrey will likely want to do some further assessment, but from what I've seen Harry will be fine. I estimate he'll be out of the hospital wing by lunch time tomorrow." He reassured Draco.
Draco and Blaise's hopeful eyes swung up immediately to Severus, their shoulders sagging in relief.
"I am relieved you are both okay." Severus told them, his voice low and earnest. "That being said, you were all remarkably lucky to escape with such little injury." He continued. "I am . . . quite disappointed that you and Mr Zabini left the Great Hall." Severus said, voice tightening. He paused in the hallway, turning to look at the two boys. "You should have, as you both advised your friends, remained where you were and informed a teacher of Harry's absence." He said, dark eyes turning to focus on each boy as he spoke.
Severus sighed, shifting Harry slightly before continuing to walk up to the hospital wing, a subdued pair of first year's beside him.
…..
Severus sat quietly beside Harry's bedside, glad just for the sense of relief he felt watching both his Godson's sleep so peacefully.
Poppy had been concerned when he'd brought the three students to the hospital wing, immediately stepping into action. She'd soon confirmed Severus' analysis of Harry's injuries, treating him with quick efficiency before addressing Draco and Blaise. Whilst the other boys had been much better off in comparison, Blaise had received some bruising to his side, ad both he and Draco were treated for the symptoms of shock.
After making sure all three boys were settled in bed, he'd slipped away for an hour to talk with Minerva and Rolanda.
Madam Hooch had arrived just in time to prevent someone attempting to gain access to the third floor, however she had been unable to identify or capture the intruder. Minerva had similarly been able to confirm that there had been a disturbance to the wards, but after activating the safety measures, had been unable to detect any unwelcome presence in the school besides the troll and the members of the Magical Beast Control which had been called in. The Hogwarts Board of Governors and involved parents had been floo'd, and conversations had run long into the night. Both the Zabini and Malfoy family would be present come morning.
Overall the night had left the teachers of Hogwarts tense, weary, cautious and without answers.
Severus' hand reached forward, brushing Harry's hair gently back from his face. Green eyes flickered then slowly opened, blurrily gazing out into the dark room until they focused on Severus.
"Dad?" Harry's voice was rough with sleep.
Severus froze, then his heart melted. "Shhh" he soothed, hand trembling slightly as it once more combed through Harry's messy locks. "I'm here, Harry. Go back to sleep." He said softly, mind still reeling.
Harry pressed his head closer, comforted by the large warm palm, smelling faintly of potions ingredients. "m'kay" he mumbled, slipping back into sleep with ease.
Severus didn't move from his bedside for the rest of the night.