Time passed, Harry excelling the best he could in his classes and getting closer to his peers. Then the day finally came when Ron and Harry could explore the third corridor without interruption from Hermione.
"Okay Ron are you ready?" Harry whispered to his friend as Hermione walked to the bathrooms.
"Absolutely." Ron's eyes sparkled with mischief.
Both the boys quickly scuttled away towards the corridor, it was lunch time and no questions were asked about where they were going. They had already previously tried accessing the corridor from the charms corridor but the door was locked and Harry couldn't remember the charm that unlocked doors. So, this time they went to the door that lead into the corridor from the grand staircase, it was riskier as they were more likely to be seen trying to get into the corridor, however due to it being lunch time there was less people wandering around.
Harry and Ron tried to go as fast as they could, slowing down their paces slightly as they were passed by their peers. They once passed Professor Snape who had a horrid look on his face, but he just glared at the boys as they bobbed their heads down, luckily he made no comment.
They sighed with relief as they passed untouched by Snape and giggled with each other, high on adrenalin. They continued up the staircase and finally made it to the door, Harry took a big deep breathe in before he turned the handle, slowly and carefully.
The door clicked open and Harry looked at Ron with a face of astonishment, Harry opened the door further and slipped in, Ron quickly following.
"Close the door!" Harry whispered, Ron quickly nodded and closed the door quietly.
Harry looked down the corridor and saw nothing of the sort that would make the corridor out of bounds, however at end of the corridor there lay another door, Harry hurried towards it. Ron looked around a little anxiously, Harry wasn't really sure what he could be so afraid of, surely there wasn't anything that dangerous, this was a school after all.
"Alright you ready?" Harry asked Ron, hand on the door handle, Ron nodded slightly.
Harry took another deep breath and opened the door a little faster this time, this was perhaps the wrong decision to make for the noise of the door squeaking loudly open woke up the frighteningly large three headed dog that Harry and Ron were now frozen in front of.
The three headed dog quickly rose and snarled loudly, saliva fell from their large and flabby lips like syrup rain, Harry and Ron still stood before the growling dog frozen and terrified. Soon the adrenalin kicked in as the dog stooped down to them, snapping their jaws in warning.
"Run Ron!" Harry yelled and they bolted for the door, the door being old stuck for a horrifying moment but soon Ron managed to yank it open and Harry rushed in after him slamming the door shut just as the one of heads had snapped the air that Harry had occupied a second ago.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron cried out, breathing fast.
"I have no idea." Harry said, kneeling over hands on his knees. That was one of the most terrifying things he had ever experienced in his eleven years of life, however his curiosity was still greatly peaked.
"Hey, I think I saw that it was on top of a door or something." Harry said, trying to remember back to that short terrifying moment.
"Blimey I wouldn't know I was too terrified looking at the massive three heads!" Ron cried out; face still red but he seemed to have his breathe under control now.
"Come we better head back before we are late to class." Harry started to head for the door and Ron followed, they walked in silence, their brains still processing what they had just experienced.
The boys quickened their paces and made way to the great hall, they still had ten minutes left of lunch, enough time to grab a quick bite and make excuses to Hermione for the absences. They finally made it to the great hall, Harry quickly composed himself and gave a quick nod to Ron to see if he was ready. Both boys made way for Hermione who was animatedly talking to Lavender Brown, her plate half empty.
Harry sat next to Hermione who quickly stopped at the interruption of the arrival of Harry and Ron.
"Oh, there you two are! Where did you boys go wandering off two? Lunch is almost finished." Hermione crossed her arms like a mother chastising their child.
"Oh well we…" Harry began scratching the back of neck, he had forgotten to think of an excuse to give Hermione.
Lavender watched on with an amused smile on her lips, almost like she knew exactly where they had been.
"We had to go back to the tower to grab a quill I'd forgotten." Ron quickly jumped in, barely saving Harrys neck.
"A quill?" Hermione looked confused and not very convinced, "why didn't you just borrow one off me?"
"I don't know, didn't really come to mind." Ron shrugged, avoiding Hermione's gaze.
Hermione seemed a little bit hurt by this but she didn't show it and dropped the subject.
The bell rang and Harry hadn't been able to eat a thing.
"Time for Defence." Hermione sighed. They all sighed, Defence had easily become the most unenjoyable subject at Hogwarts, and that was saying something about History which was taught by a century old ghost. Harry liked reading the textbook it was interesting learning about all those dark creatures out there, but Quirrell had quickly proven himself to be an incapable teacher of Defence, Harry was really starting to question Dumbledores brilliancy as the headmaster of this school.
Lavender decided to walk with them, her and Hermione continued on with the subject that they were talking about before, which Harry came to learn was about Gilderoy Lockhart… whoever that was.
Ron started a conversation about Quidditch and Harry quicky jumped into the conversation. The day went with it ending with Ron and Harry exhaustedly walking to their dorm room, ready for a good nights sleep. Harry faceplanted into his bed with a groan and shuffled under the covers, he quickly fell asleep. However, it soon turned restless.
Harry awoke with screaming echoing through the dorm. Harry shot up and looked around widely to where the danger was coming from, but everyone was looking at him with the same expression.
"What's going on?" Harry asked still confused.
"Harry mate you were yelling in your sleep." Dean spoke, giving him a puzzling look.
"I was?" Harry asked confused, he didn't remember having a nightmare of any sort.
"Yeah it was mostly gibberish but you woke us all up, except for stone head over there." Dean said, and Harry turned to the still snoring Ron.
"He's got brothers, he can sleep through mostly anything." Harry chuckled, trying to lighten up the atmosphere in the room.
"You okay Harry?" Neville asked softly.
Harry smiled lightly at him, having to slightly force it, "I'm okay thanks Neville, sorry for waking you all up."
"Nah it was about time anyways." Dean said, stretching and getting out of bed.
Harry got out of bed too and tried to think of a nightmare that he could of possibly be having, but he couldn't remember anything at all. Feeling perplexed he went to Ron's bed and shook him awake; Ron wouldn't be impressed if he missed breakfast.
"Ron oi wake up." Harry shook him, Ron stopped snoring and groaned swatting Harrys hands away.
"Just a little longer mum." He moaned.
"Ron you're gonna miss breakfast again."
At the word of breakfast Ron's eyes shot open.
"Have I missed breakfast?" Ron exclaimed, shooting up.
"No but if you don't hurry up you will." Harry threw the duvet off Ron before quickly rushing down the stairs, Ron narrowly missed his head with the pillow he threw.
Harry laughed and jumped the last two steps, but he stumbled and fell, smacking his face on the ground. Plain exploded from his nose and Harry rolled over hands over his face. His hands instantly became wet and Harry groaned, what a brilliant way to start his day.
Those who saw rushed to his side, Hermione was there first.
"Harry are you okay?" She rushed, then gasped as she saw the amount of blood gushing out of Harrys now broken nose.
"Hmmf yeah just… help me to the nurses wing." Harry groaned, Hermione nodded and helped Harry get up, Harry was suddenly very thankful for magic or he would have no clue how to get the blood off his only pair of robes.
This was perfect, Harry sighed to himself inwardly, he just hoped that he wouldn't have to miss the well enjoyed Halloween feast that everyone couldn't stop talking about. Hermione helped rush Harry all the way to Madam Pomfreys ward.
"Um Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione called out, Madam Pomfrey quickly shuffled out her office, her face set in a frown.
"Oh, what do we have here? uh Mr Potter, come come let's get that bleeding stopped." Pomfrey ushered Harry to sit on a bed, once he was set, she quickly shooed Hermione off.
"Go on, he'll be fine by afternoon classes don't you worry."
Hermione hesitated but she listened and gave Harry a goodbye smile.
With a few waves of her wand Harry groaned as he felt his nose move back into his place and then he sniffed, it felt good as new.
"There we go Mr Potter, now do tell me how you managed come upon a broken nose?" She said as she moved to a cabinet containing many bottles of potions.
"I jumped down the stairs and tripped." Harry said bashfully scratching the back of his neck.
"Boys boys." Pomfrey tutted, she came back with a potion.
"You might have a concussion, so drink this and lay back for a bit, you can leave by lunch."
Harry nodded and took the potion, he looked at it cautiously but with an encouraging nod from Pomfrey he downed the bottle in one swallow. Harry coughed, the potion was immensely bitter and very thick, he was glad that he had taken it quickly.
"That's a good boy, you'll probably feel a bit sleepy, that potion has a drowsy side effect, I'll wake up at lunchtime."
Harry nodded and got comfortable in the bed, the mattress was nothing like the soft pillowy mattresses of his dorm, but it sufficed and soon the affects of the potion over came him.
Harry awoke with a gasp. His heart was pounding and his whole body was shivering. He looked around feeling disoriented and quickly remembered that he was in the nurses wing.
Harry looked around but there was no sign of Pomfrey, feeling restless he quickly got out of bed. He didn't know what time it was, but he felt that it was much past lunch time. Harry grabbed his wand from the nightstand where Hermione had placed it and made his way towards Gryffindor Tower, hoping that Madam Pomfrey wouldn't be angry that he was taking his leave without her permission.
The hallways were empty, emptier than usual he realised, he took a look out a window, from what he could guess it was probably around dinner time. Suddenly his hopes rose, perhaps he would make it in time for some food, suddenly he felt famished.
Harry changed his direction and started towards the great hall, but when he was about to turn the corridor a great thud vibrated through the floor. Harry stopped. At first, he thought perhaps an earthquake had travelled through the castle, but then the thud happened again and again, this time a lot louder and closer to wear Harry was.
Harrys breathe hitched and his heartbeat quickened. His instincts screamed that whatever was coming towards him was no friend of his. But being the curios and mischievous eleven-year-old he was Harry had to peak around the corner and see who exactly was causing such great trembles through the ground.
Harry with his wand against his chest ready to fire the first spell that would come to his mind peaked around the corner, his breathe stopped, there stomping towards him was a great ugly Troll. The troll sniffed and picked it nose, its great large arms swung the club that dangled from his right hand and fell on its back, the troll was using it as a back scratcher.
Harry stood frozen, he had no idea what to do, he could quickly turn back and try to escape that way, but something told him that although the troll looked immensely dumb, it would most definitely hear and run after him.
Harry popped back from the corner, if he could somehow manage to not be seen by the troll he could quickly pop into the girls bathroom that lay just before him, but he would have to hurry, the troll was quickly coming up to his not so good hiding spot.
Harry took in a deep breathe, braved another a look around the corner, the troll too occupied with the booger that it had taken out of his nose did not notice him, Harry took this chance and ran across the hall, the troll looked up at the sound and roared. Harry barrelled into the door of the girls bathroom and slammed into one of the toilets. He locked the door and popped himself up on the toilet seat, however he soon realised that all the troll would have to do was look over the door and see him.
He was screwed.
Harry desperately thought of a way that would help him out of this very tight situation, his only hope now would be to attempt to hold his own against the troll before the professors could find him. He could fell the troll thundering towards him, he could only hope that the troll would be stupid enough to run past him.
Harry squeezed his eyes shut as the thundering came closer and closer, he cringed and waited for the impact of the troll breaking the door open, but it never came. The thundering soon became distant, the troll had gone past him. Harry sighed in relief, he quicky scrambled out of the toilet and waited by the door to make sure that it was clear before he opened the door.
Feeling satisfied he opened the door and quietly stepped out of it but gasped as he found himself facing a very angry troll.
"ARGH!" The troll yelled, it swung its mighty club and Harry narrowly dodged it by throwing himself to the side. The troll now even more angry stomped towards him, Harry somehow managed to roll away, missing his one chance to become Harry mush.
Harry stumbled and stood, still grasping his wand in his hand he now pointed it at the troll, but any spells that he remembered suddenly evaded him.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Someone yelled, Harry quickly turned and there was a red flushed Ron standing next to him along with Hermione.
"Did you know that you two are absolutely brilliant!" Harry yelled in relief.
Ron concentrating on the levitating club nodded and Hermione gushed. Harry turned back to the troll, the troll still angry but now confused by his lack of club looked around, for a brief moment he was confused but quickly he turned his attention back onto the three children.
"Ron quick drop the club on his head."
"What?" Ron exclaimed.
"Just do it!" Harry yelled. Ron confused flicked his quickly away from the club, ending the spell. The club now following the laws of physics fell, smashing onto the trolls head with a great, plonk! The troll roared, but it quickly stopped, swayed slightly and started to fall face first, Harry Ron and Hermione quickly ran out of the way or they were to be squished.
The troll dropped with one great last thud and began snoring.
"You did it Ron!" Harry cheered, giving Ron a high five. Ron smiled proudly and turned to the troll.
"This is for my best friend you ugly Troll!" and with that he kicked it on the head.
"Ron!" Hermione squeaked, afraid that the kick might have woken up the troll, but it continued to snore.
Soon steps could be heard rushing towards them, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape soon faced them with shocked expressions on their faces.
"What on earth is going on?!" McGonagall exclaimed, looking from the sleeping Troll to the three first years students.
"Professor I-" Harry began, but Hermione interrupted him.
"Please Professor McGonagall they were looking for me." Hermione spoke, a blush splotching her cheeks, both Harry and Ron turned to her with identical shocked expression.
"Miss Granger!"
"I went looking for the troll because I thought I could deal with it on my own – you know, because I've read all about them."
Harry looked to Snape who did not look impressed nor convinced.
McGonagall hesitated; Snape sneered.
"Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"
Hermione hung her head, Snape looked to Harry with a piercing look, he too looked to the floor.
"Five points taken from Gryffindor, if you aren't injured you best go to Gryffindor tower where the feast will continue."
Hermione nodded and rushed off.
"And you two, five points each for even though you were very lucky to have taken down a mountain troll, not many first years could have done so, now off you two go as well."
Harry and Ron both nodded and hurried after Hermione who was waiting for them at the end of the hall.
"We got five points each!" Ron gushed,
"Technically five after the points she takes from me." Hermione noted.
"Oh well, still five points." Ron smiled. They laughed and continued to the tower, the adrenalin of having survived a full-grown mountain troll still rushing through their veins.
"You are hopeless." The voice sneered.
"I…I'm sorry master, next time, I'll get him next time."
The voice simply hissed back.
AN. sorry for the long break, i was busy with uni :) I think from now on im only going to update once a week, which will hopefully mean better writing quality and longer chapters for you guys and more time for me. Thanks for all the support!
Much love,
Jess :)