DISCLAIMER: THE BOOK BELONGS TO J. I HAVE ONLY BORROWED BOTH CHARACTERS AND PLOTLINE.

CHAPTER 9

It was Halloween and the great hall was decked in ancient chandeliers with cobwebs draping them. Tall silver, black and orange drapes lined the walls.

Cho was excitedly talking to Harry about the new broom her parents had promised getting her if, she did well in her exams. Filling up his plate with food Harry began to dig in happily laughing at Cho's antics.

Everyone at the table were having a discussion on muggle Halloweens and whether it more fun. Even Harry for the first time had lost his inhibitions and was waving a large chicken leg in Zacharias's face, loudly argued with him that muggle Halloweens were fun. He and Darren had gone two or three times and tricking people it had been so hilarious.

Suddenly the doors of the great hall crashed open and in ran a frantic quirrel, "Troll! Troll!" he cried and promptly collapsed.

Everyone stayed silent in shock for moment and then pandemonium issued, children were running everywhere likethey were possessed , "Silence!" Dumbledore's enhanced voice rooted everyone in their positions, "prefects round up your house members, you will walk back to your dorms with your respective heads."

Soon everyone were moving in an organized manner. Harry was the last person in his line so he was able to watch last of Gryffindors disappear to their common room when he saw three figures emerge from out of the group and head out in the opposite direction. His heart topped Darren was in that group, he was sure of it, no one had hair like his, not even Ron.

Deciding to follow them he cast a disillusionment charm and silently stalked them they were heading to the girls bathroom. Suddenly there a loud piercing shriek rent the silence of the corridor, which made Harry's blood run cold. A girl was trapped in the bathroom with the troll!

Harry stood back as he saw Darren, Ron and Hermione stand before the troll raising their wands almost simultaneously,they all yelled out three different curses at the troll, but the stupid creature on reflex blocked it with his club. He swung it down catching Ron off guard and flung Hermione who had latched on to club to hit the wall on the opposite end of the bathroom.

Darren stood alone in front of the monster as if petrified." Darren run away get help!" came a frightened cry from the bathroom.

Harry seriously hoped Darren was smart enough to heed the girls advice. Instead it had the opposite effect on him, on hearing the girl's voice it was as if his insecurities had died down, he was once again facing the beast with a determined expression.

Oh no, thought Harry it was time he joined the fight. Running towards the troll, Harry saw Darren shoot a disarming spell at the it . The creatures club suddenly flew from his hand and towards Darren unable to stop it he jumped to the side nevertheless managing to catch it just as it went past him on the side of his head. The hit was effective enough to knock him out.

Harry was furious and was feeling a bit crazy he had almost let out a hysterical laugh, what his brother had done was so stupid and yet so desperately brave. People should start reading more about magical creatures he thought. A Troll's weakest part was their nose and eyes attacking those features gave him the best chance.

So dropping the disillusionment charm which was consuming a large part of his energy, he shot a confounding spell at the troll using his wand as the magic had to be precise. The troll which was stupid before now stood stock still unable to make any decision knowing that would happen, Harry chose that moment of vulnerability and cried out 'fiat lux', there was a flash of blinding light and the troll lost his bearings and fell to the floor utterly defeated.

Just for safety sake Harry stood over the fallen troll and said 'somnus', the troll slipped into a deep sleep snoring quite contentedly. Hearing the running footsteps of the teachers Harry used the disillusionment spell once again and before escaping he 'enneverated' Darren and fled.

The next day he saw that the Gryffidor score had risen by ten points and looking over at their table he saw Ron animatedly discussing the night's events. By the end of the day the story had reached the point where the three Gryffindors had obliterated the troll in their united attack. Lavender who had been the girl trapped in the bathroom stayed silent. She was quite sure she had seen Darren being knocked out but who had really saved her she'd never know.

Harry walked over to the Gryffindor table after breakfast asking Darren if he could speak to him in private nodding Darren followed him out.

"Why?" harry asked, "Why was it so necessary for you to take down the troll? Why didn't you inform anyone about it? Lavender and the three ofyou could have all died yesterday." he knew the truth of his own words, had he not been there Darren would have…

"Harry I'm sorry I know you're angry but seriously we had it under control," Harry couldn't help scoffing at those words, "Hermione had read up on trolls so we were prepared, actually no one knows this, but we hadn't wanted to out Percy. We had told Percy about Lav but he didn't do anything about it, as others had seen her in the common room before, so we acted on our own."

Harry just hugged Darren really close and softly whispered "Stupid brother."