The Third Floor

My remaining month of vacation wasn't so bad.

The Dursleys mostly avoided me and only spoke to me if necessary, which I had no problem with. I spent the majority of the time in my room, reading my school books and writing letters to Cedric. He sent his first letter by Muggle mail until I sent off the reply with my owl, Hedwig, and thus we became penpals by owls. Hedwig was very affectionate with me and before I knew it, it was time for me to go to Hogwarts.

Uncle Vernon agreed to give me a lift as he and Aunt Petunia were already taking Dudley to the hospital in London to get rid of the pig's tail. However, they all left me at the station cackling with laughter when they realized that my platform, nine and three-quarters was no where to be seen and I had ten minutes to get on the train. My heart sank. Crap, what was I going to do?

Hedwig was already attracting attention, but then again so was I because I was an eleven-year-old girl still carrying a stuffed dog. I found a guard and asked him for the train that left at eleven o'clock, but he said there wasn't one and went off muttering about stuff. Feeling desperate, I looked for Cedric, but then I remembered that in his last letter, he'd written that he'd be waiting by the train, so I couldn't find him.

Then I saw a family of redheaded people and the word 'Muggles,' so I followed them and watched two of the oldest-looking boys disappear into the wall. I shook myself before I walked over to the mother.

"Excuse me!" I said. "Excuse me. Could you tell me how to—?"

"How to get onto the platform?" said the woman, kindly. "Oh, not to worry dear, it's Ron's first time to Hogwarts as well. Now, all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between Platforms Nine and Ten. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous."

"Thank you," I said, gratefully.

I started running and then shut my eyes as I ran into the wall and then came out onto the other side. I was relieved by this and a feeling of excitement crept into me. The train was red and black with the words Hogwarts Express on it in gold lettering. I then tried to put my things into the luggage compartment and failed miserably as it was quite heavy.

"Hey, do you want a hand?" said one of the redheaded boys from before.

"Yes, please."

"Name's George Weasley, by the way. Oi, Fred, c'mere!"

The twins helped me and then I thanked them. At that moment, they noticed my scar as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

"Blimey, you're her, aren't you?" said Fred. "You're Helena Potter!"

"Oh, yes, I am," I said, blushing slightly. "Nice to meet you."

"Fred, George, dears, what's the holdup? Why aren't you on the train?" said their mother, as she came over to us.

"We're helping out our new friend here," said George. "Mum, this is Helena Potter. Helena, this is our mother."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," I said, as we shook hands. "Thanks for your help earlier."

"Not a problem dear. I'm sorry I didn't realize you were by yourself. You were so polite before. Can I get you anything, sweetheart?"

"No, thank you."

She smiled at me and then we got on the train and waved good-bye. I got changed into my robes in the bathroom and then went looking for Compartment C when I got on the train and eventually found it and Cedric, who was looking for me and already in his robes as well.

"Hey," he said. "I've been looking all over for you. It's great to see you. How're you?"

"Good," I replied. "I've missed you. How're you doing?"

"Fine, I supposed. It's been crazy at home for a while now. My dad found out we'd met and exchanging letters last week and went bonkers with excitement. He seemed to think that because you and I'd become penpals, it might help me later on."

"Sorry," I said, apologetically.

"Not your fault. Helena, just curious, but do you always carry that dog with you?"

"Yep. Snuffles always goes with me. Until I met you and Hagrid, he was the only friend I had." I blushed at having said this, but Cedric just nodded.

"I'm sorry things were so hard for you," he said.

"It's okay." I bit my lip as I placed Snuffles into my bag. "Cedric, there's something I've been concerned about for a while. Does it really matter if you're raised by Muggles? Does that make a difference at school and stuff?"

"Not in the slightest," he replied. "Don't worry, okay? Some of the best witches and wizards were Muggle-borns and they were brilliant. You'll do just fine at Hogwarts and I'll be there to help you."

"Thanks," I said, smiling. "What House do you think I'll be Sorted into? I hope it's not Slytherin."

"I highly doubt you'll go to Slytherin. You don't seem to be the type. My bet is that you'll be in Gryffindor."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Just then, there was a tap on the door and a redheaded, freckle-faced boy poked his head in. He too was dressed for school. "Excuse me, do you mind?" he asked. "Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all," I said.

He sat down across from us. "I'm Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley."

"Cedric Diggory and this is my friend, Helena Potter."

Ron shook Cedric's hand, but then his eyes widened at the sound of my name. "So, it's true? Do you really have the scar?"

I nodded and showed it to him.

"Wicked!" he gasped.

Cedric chuckled and then an elderly woman with a cart full of delicious looking treats rolled by. "Anything off the trolley, dears?"

Cedric and Ron declined, having brought some sandwiches, but I took out some of the money I'd brought and bought a bit of everything. Cedric insisted on paying half the bill and then we feasted on candy and sweets.

Except for splitting my birthday cake with Hagrid, I'd never been able to share anything with anyone, so it was all quite exciting and fun. The candy was delicious. Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, and much more.

We all exchanged Chocolate Frog cards; we joked and talked about our lives up until this point. I got along easily with Ron and liked his story, and Cedric was great and his story was interesting. Cedric and Ron found my story both exciting and sad and threatened to curse all three of the Dursleys into next Tuesday as soon as they could learn a decent one. I just laughed and told them it wouldn't be necessary.

Ron began talking about his little brown rat, Scabbers, who sat on his lap eating a box of Bertie Botts. "Pathetic, isn't he?" he said.

"Just a little bit," I admitted.

"Fred gave me a spell to turn him yellow. Do you want to see?"

"Sure," said Cedric.

"Yeah," I said.

Ron cleared his throat and was about to perform the spell, when a girl in her robes came in. She had bushy brown hair, large front teeth, nice features and brown eyes. "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."

"No," said Ron.

"Oh, are you doing magic?" she asked. "Let's see then."

Ron cleared his throat.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow

Turn this stupid fat rat yellow."

Sadly, the only thing the spell did was make a yellow light almost singe Scabber's whiskers. The girl did not look impressed and Cedric and I were disappointed.

"Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? I've only tried few simple ones myself, but they've all worked for me." She sat down in front of me and aimed her wand at the taped area of my glasses. "For example, Oculous Reparo." The tape vanished and my glasses were mended.

"That's better isn't it?" she asked.

"Much, thank you," I said.

"Holy cricket, you're Helena Potter!" she said. "I'm Hermione Granger. And who are you two?"

"Cedric Diggory."

"Ron Weasley."

"Pleasure. Well, I'd best be off and help Neville. Oh, Ron, you've got dirt on your nose by the way, just there."

Ron glared at Hermione while Cedric and I exchanged soft chuckles.

We arrived at Hogwarts shortly.

As Cedric was a third year, he'd been in the carriages while Ron and I and the rest of the first year students traveled up to the castle on the boats on the lake. The Hogwarts Castle was simply magnificent and stunning. I was eager to get inside and before long, we walked up a long staircase and met a woman in her sixties with graying black hair in a tight bun, half-moon glasses, and wearing a black hat and green robes.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "I'm Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor House. In a few moments you'll pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you can take your seats, you must be Sorted into your Houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, any rule-breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the House or as is the rare case Houses, will be awarded the House Cup. Wait here for a moment, please."

The minute she was gone, a boy with sleek blond hair spoke up, "It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Helena Potter has come to Hogwarts." And then the whispers about me began. The boy beckoned to his two apes in clothes. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron failed to stifle a chuckle.

Draco glared at him. "You think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours! Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley!" He turned to me. "You'll soon find out that some Wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks," I said, coldly.

Before Draco could reply, Professor McGonagall returned and had us all enter the hall. It was lovely with thousands of floating lit candles, four banquet tables with seats, a staff table with Professor Dumbledore at the head, and the ceiling was enchanted to show the sky outside. We eventually stopped walking and Professor McGonagall help up a battered old hat. "When I call your name, I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head and your House will be decided. But first, Professor Dumbledore has a few announcements."

Dumbledore stood up. "I have a few start-of-term reminders. First years, please note that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. And our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out-of-bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. That's all."

I didn't know what to think, but I let it slide as Professor McGonagall began reading off the surnames on her list in alphabetical order. The list was quite long. Hermione went to Gryffindor as did Neville and several others. Malfoy was placed in Slytherin before the Hat even touched his head, no surprise there. When my turn came, I tried to ignore the feeling of dread in my stomach and focus on Cedric, who was smiling at me. I weakly smiled back as the Sorting Hat was place on my head and then it spoke to me.

"Difficult, very difficult, plenty of courage I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh, yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?"

"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin," I whispered. "Anything but Slytherin!"

"Not Slytherin, eh?" it said. "You could be great you know. It's all here, in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that. No? Well, if you're sure, better be…GRYFFINDOR!"

I let out a sigh of relief as I joined my classmates and Cedric gave me two thumbs up and mouthed, "Congratulations!" I smiled and waved to him. Ron soon joined me and then the Sorting was over and the feast began.

I couldn't believe all the food that was there. There were all of my favorites and more. I'd never really gone hungry at the Dursleys, but I'd never been allowed to each as much I'd have liked. We also met the Hogwarts ghosts. There were hundreds of them, but the Gryffindor ghost was a man with fifteenth-century looks. He was quite friendly, but quite annoyed having been denied the request of joining the Headless Hunt.

"I know you!" said Ron. "You're Nearly Headless Nick."

"I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind," he said, stiffly.

"'Nearly Headless'?" said Hermione. "How can you be 'Nearly Headless'?"

"Like this," he said, as he showed his head, which was half an inch from falling off. Some of us let out horrified gasps as Nick floated off.

I gave Hermione a dry look. "You had to ask, didn't you?"

Before she could reply, there was a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey," said Cedric. "Mind if I join you?"

"No, go right ahead." I scooted over and made room for him. He sat beside me and we began talking until I noticed one teacher whose gaze was focused on me as he spoke to Professor Quirrell.

"Cedric, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?"

"Oh, that's Professor Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin House," he said. "He teaches Potions, but everyone knows it's the Defense Against the Dark Arts position he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years."

"Why does he keep staring at me?"

"Don't know. Don't let him bother you. He's a bit coarse, but everyone says he's fairly nice underneath it all."

I bit my lip and then clutched my forehead as my scar burnt like someone had placed a white-hot poker on it. "Ow," I hissed.

"Helena, what's wrong?" asked Cedric.

"I don't know," I admitted, as the pain went away. "My scar just burnt."

"Should you see the nurse?" asked Ron.

"No, I don't think so. It's fine now."

Cedric and Ron still looked concerned, but didn't question me further.

When the feast was over, we all went to our common rooms and dormitories for some sleep. Percy, Gryffindor's prefect and Ron's older brother, led the way and instructed us on curfew and such and we got our class schedules. I went up to bed, but I didn't fall asleep. I stayed up for a while, thinking it all. I was still nervous, but I was also glad to be here because for the first time in my life, I felt like I was where I belonged. I was home.

Classes began the next day. Easily the most boring was History of Magic probably because Professor Binns was a ghost who never shut up. Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn't too bad but it wasn't like what I'd expected. Transfiguration was somewhat hard, but I was pretty good at it, not as good as Hermione, though. My favorite class was Charms as it was fun and I liked Professor Flitwick.

Then came the class I'd been dreading, Potions, because of Professor Snape. He proved to be quite strict the minute he walked into the dudgeons.

"There'll be no wand-waving or silly incantations in this class," he said. "As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the exact science and art that is potion making. I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death." He then read off a roll call and stopped when he came to my name. He walked over to my table and gazed at me. "Miss Potter, our…new…celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"A sleeping draught so powerful it's known as the Draught of Living Death," I replied.

He actually looked impressed with me and he ignored Hermione's waving hand. "Very good. Where, Miss Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"

"In the stomach of a goat. It's a stone that can save you from the most deadly poisons."

"Good. Now, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"There isn't any. They're the same plant known as aconite."

"Well, I must say, good work, Miss Potter," said Snape. "You clearly understand that fame isn't everything. Five points to Gryffindor. Now, let's get back to work."

I was instantly grateful I'd done so much studying of my schoolbooks before I'd come here. Snape was somewhat nice, but he still seemed to dislike me even though I'd done nothing to warrant such attention and I didn't like the idea of being taught by him. I tried not to let it bother me, but for some reason, it did. I found something odd a week after my first day. Someone broke into Gringotts Vault number 713, but it'd been emptied that very same day. What had been in vault that was worth stealing? But I didn't have to think about that as I was busy with my work.

I didn't mind the homework I was given by my teachers and spent my free time down with Cedric and Ron by the lake or visiting Hagrid. Sometimes I had study periods with Hermione, but she and I didn't speak much as she and Ron had a thorough disliking of one another. My only problem with Hogwarts was Draco, who seemed to make it his job to see to it that I was frequently teased and mocked. I ignored it as I'd endured worse at my old schools and made Cedric and Ron ignore it too.

Luckily, I only had to do Potions with the blond creep, so I wasn't bothered by him too much, but then I learned that the first-year Gryffindors had their first flying lessons with the Slytherins.

"Great," I muttered. "Just I always wanted, to make a fool of myself on a broomstick in front of Malfoy."

"Don't worry about it," said Ron. "I'm sure you'll do great."

"I know you will, you've had plenty of practice at your house," I said. "Why on earth would I be?"

"Blimey, talk about insecurities," said Ron.

"Helena, don't worry so much," said Cedric. "Flying is easy, trust me. You'll be a natural, I know it."

"Easy for you to say, you're the Seeker on your House team," I pointed out. Cedric and Ron had told me all about Quidditch.

"Look, Helena, just relax," said Cedric. "If it helps, your flying lesson's the same time as my break. I could come watch you and help you out if you'd like."

"Would you? That'd be great," I said, relieved.

"It's settled then," said Cedric, smiling.

Suddenly, I felt better about the whole thing as the Gryffindors and Slytherins lined up outside that afternoon. Cedric was watching as he'd promise and then Madame Hooch came up to us.

"Good afternoon, class," said Madame Hooch. She was a scary-looking woman with hawk-like gold eyes and spiky grey hair. "Welcome to your first flying lesson. Step up to your brooms, stick your right hand over your broom and say 'up.'"

"Up!" we all shouted.

My broom went right up me, as did Malfoy's, but no one else's did. Ron's actually went up and smacked him on the nose. Eventually, everyone got their brooms up and then Madame Hooch went on with her instructions.

"Now, I want all of you to mount your brooms and hold them tightly. You don't want to be sliding off the end. When I blow my whistle, I want you to kick off from the ground hard, hover for a moment and then lean forward slightly to touch back down."

But before the whistle touched her lips, Neville's broom suddenly took off without his permission and ignored his orders to come back down. Neville's broom jerked like it was trying to buck him off, it hit the castle wall three times, it spun him around and then took off quickly and he got stuck on a statue's sword. His robe then tore and he fell down onto a torch on the wall before he fell down to the ground with a loud, "Ow!"

Cedric and I ran towards him and gently helped him up. "Neville, you okay?" I asked.

"No, my wrist really, really hurts," he moaned.

"That's because it's broken," said Cedric. "Don't worry; Madame Pomfrey will fix you up in ten seconds flat."

Madame Hooch came towards us. "I'll take him, Mr. Diggory, Miss Potter," she said, as I slipped a Chocolate Frog in Neville's pocket. "Come on, boy. It's alright. Everyone will remain firmly on the ground while I take Mr. Longbottom to the hospital wing. If I see a single broom in the air, the one riding it will out of Hogwarts before they can say 'Quidditch.'"

Everyone nodded and watched her leave with Neville. Then Malfoy stepped up, holding Neville's dropped Remeberall. "Did you see his face? You think if the fat lump had given this a squeeze, he'd have remembered to fall on his fat butt."

I was about ready to slap him.

"Give it here, Malfoy!" Cedric ordered.

Malfoy shook his head. "No, I think I'll leave it somewhere for him to find. How about on the roof?" He got on his broom and flew up at least sixty feet in the air and started yelling at me. "What's the matter, Potter? A bit beyond your reach?"

I got onto my broom, but Hermione tried to stop me. "Helena, no way! You heard what Madame Hooch said! Besides, you don't even know how to fly!"

I ignored her and flew off. Cedric was right. I was a natural. I flew up and met Malfoy. "Give it here, Malfoy, or I'll knock you off your broom!"

"Is that so?" he sneered, dodging me when I tried to snatch it. "Have it your way, then!" He then tossed it into the air.

I didn't think, I just reacted as I sped off as the Remeberall flew into the air and then I took a fifty-foot dive. I swung over my broom and narrowly caught it before it hit one of the castle's windows. Feeling pleased with myself and surprised at how easily, I'd managed the job, I tossed it in my hands for a moment before heading back down.

The other students cheered me on, Ron especially and Cedric hugged me saying how proud of me he was. But then all the cheers fell silent when Professor McGonagall came into view. "Helena Potter!" she barked. "Follow me. No arguments, please."

Cedric looked as if he wanted to protest, but I held up a hand to silence him. I then swallowed painfully as I followed her. We walked into the castle and she led me to a classroom where she asked for "Wood," and then a fifth-year boy came out. "Helena, this is Oliver Wood. Wood, I have found you a Seeker."

My jaw dropped and Wood looked excited.

"Are you serious, Professor?" he said.

"Quite serious," said Professor McGongall. She held the Rememberall. "She caught this thing after a fifty-foot dive. Charlie Weasley couldn't have managed it and heaven knows we need a better team than last year, flattened by Slytherin, I couldn't look at Professor Snape for weeks."

"Professor, thank you. I-I'm really very flattered but I'm not that good and aren't first-years normally not allowed their own brooms?" I said, stammering slightly.

"Normally, yes, but I'll speak to Professor Dumbledore and see if I can't have the first-year rule bent a little and I'll have a broom sent to you. As for your talent, Miss Potter, you are quite good and I have a feeling that you'll better once you've had some training."

"What do you say, Potter?" asked Wood. "Will you be Gryffindor's new Seeker?"

"Yes, if you insist, but—"

"Then that's settled," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "I expect to hear you've been training hard, Miss Potter, or I might change my mind about punishing you." Then she smiled. "Your father would've been proud. He was an excellent Quidditch player himself."

I was stunned, yet again.

I met up with Ron, Hermione and Cedric at dinner.

When they asked me what had happened, I told them and they were all stunned. Hermione was somewhat disapproving as I'd only gotten the position by breaking the rules, but I didn't care.

"Seeker?" said Ron. "But first-years never make their House teams. You must be the youngest Quidditch player in a—"

"Century," Cedric interrupted. "Congratulations, Lena. I said you'd do great and it looks like I was right."

"Thanks," I said.

"Hey, well done, Helena, Wood's just told us," said Fred, startling me as he and George came up to me.

"Fred and George are on the team too, Beaters," Ron explained.

"Our job is to make sure you don't get bloodied up too much," said George. "But we can't make any promises of course, rough game Quidditch."

"Someone will vanish occasionally, but they'll turn up in a month or two!" said Fred, as they burst into laughter and walked off.

"Ignore them, Quidditch is great," said Cedric.

"And you'll be great too," said Ron.

"But I've never even played Quidditch!" I protested. "What if I make a fool of myself?"

"You won't make a fool of yourself," said Hermione, speaking at last. "It's in your blood. Come on, let me show you something."

We followed her to a trophy case. There, in the center was a gold badge with the words

James Potter

Captain and Seeker

"Helena, you never told us your father was a Seeker too!" said Ron, in awe.

"I didn't know," I admitted.

Cedric squeezed my shoulder and then we walked to our common rooms. Ron went on talking, saying, "It's spooky. She knows more about you, than you do."

"Who doesn't?" I said. Who honestly didn't know more about my past than I did, about my parents, everything? Just then, the staircase moved and locked onto the third floor on the right-hand side.

We all got up before the staircase moved again, but the minute we walked into the room, something felt wrong.

"Oh, crud," I muttered. "We shouldn't be here."

"We're not supposed to be here," said Hermione. "This is the third floor, it's forbidden!"

"Well, let's not stand around. Let's just go before we get caught," said Cedric.

No sooner had we turned around than we heard a meow and saw Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. Wherever she went, Filch was sure to be close behind. Normally, I liked cats, but not now. "It's Filch's cat!" said Ron. "Run!"

We all ran until we came to a locked door which Cedric opened with an Alhomora Spell, and then we got inside. We waited in the silence and darkness for a while.

"Filch is gone," said Hermione.

"He thinks this door is locked," said Ron.

"It was locked," said Cedric.

"And for good reason," I said, frozen in terror.

In front of us was a huge Cerberus, a three-headed-dog that was just waking up and underneath its paw was a trap door. The minute it woke up, it started growling as we started screaming and it tried to eat us. As quickly as we could, we got out and managed to shut and lock the door before running out back to our common rooms.

"What do they think they're doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?" said Ron.

"You don't use your eyes, do you?" said Hermione, angrily. "Didn't you see what it was standing on?"

"I wasn't looking at its feet! I was a bit preoccupied with its heads, or maybe you didn't notice, there were three!" said Ron.

"It was standing on a trapdoor," said Cedric.

"Which means it wasn't there by accident," I said. "It's guarding something."

"Guarding something?" said Ron, as we stood outside the portrait hole.

"That's right, now if you three don't mind, I'm going to bed, before either of you come up with another clever plan to get us all killed or worse expelled!" said Hermione, as she stormed through the hole.

"She needs to sort out her priorities," said Ron, shaking his head as he followed her inside.

Once Cedric and I were alone, we burst into laughter for an unknown reason and hugged each other. Maybe it was heat of the moment or the fact that we were glad we were safe. "Well," said Cedric, as we let go. "How's that for your first few weeks at school?"

"More than I expected, I must say," I said, as I stopped laughing. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said. "You?"

"Fine," I said. "But I wonder what's under that trapdoor. What's that dog guarding?"

"I haven't a clue. Maybe we'll find out later." He sighed and then smiled at me. "Hey, Helena, do you want to meet me down at the Quidditch pitch tomorrow at seven o'clock and I'll help you train?"

"Yeah, I'd love to."

He nodded and then waved good-bye before going off to his common room.

The next day, I got a Nimbus Two Thousand in the mail.

I thanked Professor McGonagall profusely for it before she told me it was not a problem and to do my best in practice and in the Quidditch game in November. Cedric and Wood helped me practice during my freetime and the team was welcoming towards me, especially the Chasers who enjoyed having another girl to talk to.

While things were good with the team and such, (even though Malfoy was furious) things were not so great with Ron and Hermione who seemed to be at each others' throats every two minutes. Cedric and I did what we could to maintain some kind of peace, but then, during a Charms lesson, Ron and Hermione were partnered up and all went south.

We were practicing the Levitation Spell and were supposed to be trying to make our feathers fly. I managed to get mine up in the air, but Ron was not having such luck. He ended up completely mispronouncing the incantation and Hermione got involved. Sadly, I couldn't help overhearing what they were saying.

"Stop, stop, you're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you were saying it wrong. It's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar," she explained.

"You do it then, if you're so clever. Go on, go on," said Ron.

I mentally winced. Ron was really asking for it. Hermione didn't seem fazed in the slightest and just said, "Wingardium Leviosa," and levitated her feather, much to Flitwick's pleasure and Ron's annoyance.

After class, Ron and I met with Cedric. Cedric and I gotten into the habit of waiting for each other and walking one another to our classes everyday. It was something I looked forward to. Hermione rarely joined us as she and Ron were not really on speaking term. We talked about the Halloween feast that night, which we were looking forward to and then Ron started venting about Hermione.

"'It's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar,'" he said, mockingly. "I know she's your friend, Helena, but she's a nightmare, honestly!"

Just then Hermione burst through us and I could swear I heard the soft sound of sobs.

"I think she heard you," said Cedric.

"Really, Ron, that was tactful," I said, annoyed.

Hermione was definitely upset over Ron's words as she didn't show up for the Halloween feast, which concerned me as she'd said she was going split some sweets with me and talk about her new book she'd gotten from her parents.

"Hey, Neville, where's Hermione?" I asked.

"Parvati Patil said she wouldn't come out of the girls' bathroom. She said she'd been in there all afternoon, crying," said Neville.

I glared at Ron, as it was his fault Hermione was upset. "Are you quite satisfied?"

"No," he said, looking ashamed. "I'll apologize to her the next time I see her."

"Good," said Cedric.

Just then, Quirrell burst in yelling, "Troll! In the dudgeon! Troll in the dudgeon! I thought you ought to know." And then he fainted and everyone started screaming and crying until Dumbledore silenced them all.

"Everyone will please not panic!" he said. "Now, prefects will lead their House back to their dormitories. Teachers will accompany me to the dudgeons." I followed Percy who kept telling everyone to stay alert. Cedric came with me.

"Not that I mind, but shouldn't you be off with the Hufflepuffs?" I asked.

"I don't care. I'm making sure you get back to the common room safely. I'm not leaving you when a troll's on the loose."

"Thanks," I said.

"This is all crazy," said Ron. "Trolls are really stupid. I'll bet Peeves let in as a joke."

"Oh, crap," I muttered, as I remembered something.

"What's wrong?" asked Ron.

"Hermione, she doesn't know!"

Without thinking, ran off to warn her and was followed by Cedric and Ron. We stopped in our tracks when the troll walked past us.

"I think the troll's left the dudgeons," said Ron.

"It's going into the girls' bathroom," said Cedric. "Hermione!"

"Come on!" I said.

We ran into the bathroom just as there was the sound of something large breaking and Hermione's scream. She was under some wood wreckage.

"Hermione, move!" I shouted.

Cedric and Ron kept throwing stuff at it, trying to get its attention as I tried to help Hermione get away. But I couldn't get near her without being blocked off by the troll.

"Hey, Pea-Brain!" shouted Ron.

"Help!" screamed Hermione.

Out of desperation, I grabbed the troll's club before it could strike at Hermione again and then found myself on the troll's neck. Foolishly, perhaps, I stuck my wand in its ear, causing it to yell in pain before it grabbed me and held me upside-down. It kept trying to hit me with its club and kept missing. "Do something!" I yelled.

"What?" said Ron.

"Anything!" I screamed. "Just do it now!"

"Ron, swish and flick!" said Cedric, reminding him of the Levitation Spell.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" said Ron.

The troll's club floated in the air and when the troll realized this, it looked up just as the club hit its head. It dropped me and Cedric pulled me back just as the troll collapsed to the ground. I grabbed my wand and cleaned it off.

"Is it, dead?" asked Hermione.

"I don't think so," said Cedric. "Just knocked out."

Just then, Professors McGongall, Sprout, Quirrell and Snape burst in looking both shocked and angry.

"Explain yourselves, all of you!" said Sprout.

"Well, what it is—" I began, but Hermione interrupted me.

"It's my fault, Professors," she said. "I went looking for the troll. I'd read about them and though I could handle it. But I was wrong. If Helena, Cedric and Ron hadn't come and found me, I'd probably be dead."

"Be that as it may, it was a seriously foolish thing to do and I'm very disappointed in you, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall. "Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your serious lack of judgment." She turned the three of us. "As for you three, well I just hope you realize how fortunate you are. Not many first or third year students could take on a fully-grown mountain troll and live to tell the tale. Ten points will be awarded to each of you for sheer dumb luck. Now, may I suggest that you get back to your dormitories while the feast is still going?"

We all nodded and then scurried out of the bathroom. I still couldn't believe it, fifteen points to Gryffindor and ten points to Hufflepuff for 'sheer dumb luck'? But then again, what did it matter? We were safe and that's what did matter. But I couldn't stop thinking about Snape's wounded leg. How had he gotten hurt like that?"

"It was good of you to get us out of trouble like that, Hermione," said Cedric.

"Mind you, we did save her life," said Ron.

"Mind you, she might have needed saving if you hadn't insulted her," I retorted.

Ron had the decency to look guilty before smiling a bit at Hermione. "What're friends for?" he said.

Hermione smiled back and then Cedric and I exchanged happy looks. We all apologized when we got to the portrait hole and then Cedric went to his common room after I assured him I was fine. After that night, Hermione was truly our best friend and that was truly worth fighting off a mountain troll.