Chapter 3: Troll attack!

"Troll! In the dungeons! Thought you ought to know." Professor Quirrell fainted dramatically on the ground as the whole Great Hall erupted into chaos. While the students hurried to safety to their dormitories, Fred overheard Harry saying to Ron, "I've just thought – Hermione." He nudged his brother who was apparently non-existent.

"… George?"

In the girl's bathroom, Hermione threw her schoolbag viciously on the ground and sank down in a corner, sobbing quietly.

"It's no wonder no one can stand her, she's a nightmare, honestly."

"It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the "gar" nice and long."

She always knew of having a reputation of being an 'annoying' know-it-all but having the comfort of starting anew in Hogwarts was now shattered. Hermione gave a huge sigh and hugged her knees tightly, having no intention of moving from that spot. It was almost comforting, wallowing in self pity; it wasn't that she had friends who would care…

"Why of all places you would choose…" Startled, she stood up so quickly that the impact of her head with the basin was somewhat excruciatingly painful.

Upon finding it was George Weasley, she relaxed a little, but soon snapped, "What are you doing in a girl's bathroom?"

George ignored her question and picked up her schoolbag from the wet, slippery ground. "You're soaked, Hermione, come on and make up with my git of a brother."

She crossed her arms stubbornly and sat back down on the tiled floor.

"No." Raising his eyebrow with a rather expectant expression on his face, he turned to face her.

"No?" He grinned widely, crossing his arms as well.

"What do you care about a know-it-all?" She asked spitefully.

Smirking, he said, "Well, Granger, you see know-it-alls should co-exist with jokers, or how would there be jokers in the first place, am I right?

Hermione gaped at him, and spoke immediately "But-"

"Ah, I'm saying that know-it-alls are really important too…" She scoffed.

"What I'm saying is," He said loudly, "The world would be a boring place without people like you." Hoisting Hermione up to her feet, he patted her head knowingly and twirled her around to face the entrance of the bathroom door with a soft 'there you go' he disappeared as fast as he appeared.

A troll poked his head into the bathroom. The next moment she screamed and the bathroom door locked by itself.

"George…?" She whimpered.

Back in the Great Hall, George bounded cheerily towards his Fred, only to find that he was surrounded by panicky students all heading towards their dorms.

"What's wrong?"

"Troll in the dungeons." Fred said seriously.

"You're… not joking?" His twin brother frowned and shook his head.

George turned deathly pale and his mind went blank. He only got back from her minutes ago. How could he have missed…?

"Hermione."

He sprinted towards the same bathroom, with Fred hot at his heels, shouting after him. "OI GEORGE WAIT UP!"

They reached only to find Professor McGonagall looking sternly at the three of them, Hermione, Harry and Ron.

"I went looking for the troll because I – I thought I could deal with it on my own – you know because I've read all about them." George's mouth hung open so big that Fred cheekily snapped it shut with his hand. As soon as Professor McGonagall reprimanded her, she left, only to bump right into the twins.

"I'm sorry." Hermione smiled and said, "Don't worry, they came to save me." Still, he looked abashed.

"You saved me from something else, George." She reminded him, before walking briskly away.

Fred laughed, not really understanding what was happening. "Told you they'd be best friends – Hey stop having that stupid grin on your face, you look like an idiot."

A/N All rights belong to JK Rowling and Harry Potter.

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