"Oh, please, what's so exciting about Football anyway?" Ron was saying to Dean the night before Thursday, when flying lessons were about to start. "None of the players even fly!"
"Hey, quit that!" Dean said. "They're not going to move!"
Harry let the discussion roll over him as he lay in the comfortable four-poster bed of the dorm, smiling to himself. He was looking forward to attempting flight, though at the same time, did feel a little scared of it. He would have only a broom to support him, from everything he'd heard, and there wouldn't be anything below him, nothing around him to orient him in any way. At least the instructor would be there to help if anything went wrong, Harry thought, and hoped she'd treat him as she did everyone else.
Harry let his mind turn to other things as he lay in the bed, such as how warm and comfortable his sheets and blankets were, that the curtains, which were closed around his bed could also be used to block heat from exiting or cold from entering. It was very cozy and comfortable, and Harry anticipated climbing into bed each night. The only thing missing was Magic's presence, he always greeting her with joy when he came from the dorm and entered the common room. The first few times people had seen him do that, he'd received whispers and pointing by the students. For the most part, they were starting to get over the novelty of having a blind kid in their midst, not asking him so many questions or trying to be overly helpful. Harry was glad about this, and hoped he'd continue to be treated like everyone else. Hermione and Ron continued to help him when needed, and when she was free, Daphne watched him and asked some pointed questions of him, which Harry was glad to answer.
Ron and Daphne weren't getting along too well, though Ron wasn't getting along well with Hermione, either. Harry was friends with all of them, though, but was finding Hermione's endless fountain of knowledge to be grading. He'd told her about that once, and she'd simply huffed and said she was only trying to be helpful. Harry wasn't sure exactly how to handle the situation from there, so he didn't say much else about it. Daphne, too, remained silent, and Harry noticed she seemed to observe everything around her in case it was ever needed. It was a smart thing to do, he knew, as he did much the same thing.
Just as he thought she might, Harry heard Hermione giving a lecture about everything she could remember regarding flying at Breakfast the next morning, such as how to hold the broom, what to do to control it, etc. Harry listened as he ate with Magic next to him as always, keeping the things she said in mind. Everyone seemed relieved when the post came, however, putting an end to Hermione's lecture.
For the first time he could remember, Neville received something in the post. Harry listened with curiosity as Neville opened a package from his grandmother, excitedly telling them about it.
"It's a Remembrall!" He said. "Gran knows I forget things, this tells you if there's something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this and if it turns red oh..." Neville's voice trailed off for a moments pause. "You've forgotten something..."
The voice of Malfoy soon interrupted.
"Oh, would you look here." Malfoy said snidely.
Harry heard Ron jump to his feet, but within moments, Professor McGonagall's voice stated, "What's going on?"
"Malfoy's got my Remembrall, Professor." Neville responded.
Harry heard the sound of what seemed to be either glass or metal hitting the table, though it was difficult to hear which. Malfoy then stated, "Just looking."
"Yeah right." Ron grumbled as he sat back down.
"Problem?" Harry asked.
"Not unless Malfoy trying to steal Neville's Remembrall isn't a problem." Ron stated. "He'd have done it if Professor McGonagall hadn't come over."
"Well, he didn't, so it's all good." Harry said, then brought a fork full of eggs to his mouth, enjoying them as always.
That afternoon at three-thirty, the Gryffindor first years made their way along the grounds to a smooth field for their first flying lesson. The breeze was cool, and Harry could feel the sun on his face. It seemed like a pretty good day to fly. Ron was making sure Harry kept going in the correct direction with everyone else, and when they arrived, Harry heard the talking of other people, who were no doubt the Slytherins. Harry stood around with everyone else, folding up his cane and listening to the various conversations before footsteps announced the arrival of the flying instructor, Madam Hooch.
"Well, what are you all waiting for?" She barked. "Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."
"This way, Harry." Ron said, grasping his arm. Once Harry was released, he assumed he was standing next to a broomstick, though wasn't sure where it was. As he started to bend down to look for it, Madam Hooch spoke again.
"It's below your right hand, Potter, don't be ridiculous. Straighten up, chop chop."
Harry did as he was asked, feeling a little embarrassed. That didn't last long, though, and he simply waited with anticipation, though hoped that the claims of the Weasley twins regarding the school brooms weren't exaggerated. He remembered overhearing how they said some of them vibrated if you got too high, or flew slightly to the left. Harry imagined there wasn't any way to adapt broom flight for the blind, though, so resigned himself with not going very far or too high.
"Stick your right hand out over your broom and say up!" Madam Hooch said at the front of the class.
"Up!" Harry called as he put out his right hand. Magic spoke along with him, and as one, their brooms seemed to jump into their hands.
Harry touched the broom, felt how some of its twigs stuck out at odd angles, and that it generally seemed in rickety shape. Even so, he felt something about the broom, something that seemed somehow strangely familiar. He wanted to try flying, but also felt somewhat nervous about it. Neville sounded terrified, as if he didn't want to leave the ground at all. Harry heard other calls from the class and guessed that not everyone was successful at getting their brooms to respond to him as he had. It was strange that he had such good success, even with his nervousness, Harry thought.
Madam Hooch then went around the class and showed everyone how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end, correcting their grips. Surprisingly, Harry, and by extension, Magic, were gripping their brooms correctly. Harry was delighted to hear that Malfoy had been doing it wrong for years, chuckling a little at that pronouncement.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, kick off from the ground hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. Three, two..." Madam Hooch announced.
Harry heard several people starting to chatter about Neville and Madam Hooch shouted for him to come back. Only moments later, Harry heard a thud and a crack. Neville was crying out in pain, and Madam Hooch hurried over to him.
"Broken wrist." Madam Hooch muttered. "Come on boy, up you get." There was a pause and she spoke louder, to everyone. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear."
Harry heard them moving off, Neville crying in pain. When they were out of ear shot, Malfoy burst out in laughter.
"Did you see his face, the great lump? Oh, wait! Potter here can't see a thing!" Malfoy cackled.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" Parvati and Ron snapped together.
"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" One of the Slytherin girls said tauntingly. "And Potter, too? Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies and blind nothings, Parvati."
"Look!" Malfoy said as Harry heard him darting forward. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."
"Give it here, Malfoy." Harry stated, his voice firm and cold with anger.
Malfoy laughed a little, then said, "I don't think so, Potter. Maybe I'll put it somewhere for him to find. How about up a tree."
"Give it here!" Harry shouted, then heard Malfoy's voice rising into the air.
"You want it, Potter? Come and get it, if you can see well enough to make the trip!" Malfoy sounded taunting, and while Harry wanted to fly, he didn't.
"Magic, make the Remembrall appear in my pocket." Harry said quietly, then felt the weight of the ball in the pocket of his clothes.
"Potter!" Malfoy shouted furiously, quickly slamming to the ground next to him.
"Why, Malfoy, I didn't know you'd know it was me." Harry said calmly, sounding bored.
"Wizards duel, right here, right now!" Malfoy shouted furiously. "I can beat you at anything!"
"Oh, please." Harry yawned.
"Do you think I'm joking, Potter? I mean it!" Malfoy shouted furiously.
"Well, I'd rather not." Harry said.
"Too chicken, Potter?" Malfoy asked.
"No, but you are." Harry stated. "You had to take Neville's gift from him and planned to taunt him with placing it somewhere you know he wouldn't find it. So, I'm not going to duel you. Not now, and not ever unless you start something. That way, everyone will know how things got started. Is that what you'd like?" In contrast to Malfoy's anger, Harry was calm.
"Don't embarrass yourself any further, Malfoy." Daphne stated in her cool calm. Malfoy, grumbling, stomped back over to where the Slytherins stood together.
"Mate, you've really got a way with magic." Ron said. "Where is it, anyway?"
"In my pocket." Harry quietly responded. "I'll get it to him after we're through here."
Madam Hooch returned within a few minutes to find everyone still on the ground. Satisfied, she said, "Right, then. No one gets off the ground before I blow my whistle. Pay attention."
She then repeated her previous instructions, and at the sound of the whistle, Harry kicked off as hard as he could. He thought he'd be nervous by the feel of nothing but a flimsy piece of wood supporting him, and nothing in the air, but he wasn't. He felt exhilarated, laughing and shouting with joy as he rose quickly into the air. The broom gradually slowed its ascent, however, and he became aware that he was in the air without any points of reference.
"Mr. Potter!" Madam Hooch called from far below him. "Lean forward, carefully!"
Harry carefully leaned forward and felt himself starting to move down. His heart pounded and he felt as if he could fly in any direction, felt like he knew exactly what to do. He itched to go further and fly higher despite the fact that the only thing supporting him was a piece of wood, and imagined that, had he not been able to feel the magic that kept him in the air, he'd have been as terrified as Neville had been. He didn't fly higher, though, only lowered himself to the ground, though his feet hit with unexpected force and he stumbled slightly.
"That was fun!" Harry said with a wide grin.
Madam Hooch didn't comment.
"We will next be learning how to move forward and turn." She said. "When you next hover, lean your body, rather than the broom, forward, and to turn, lean in the direction you wish to turn. Everyone will first move forward a short distance and turn right. Again, on my whistle. Three, two, one."
Harry kicked off, a little less violently this time. His broom rose slower and he leaned his body forward, feeling the broom accelerate. He leaned to the right and the broom turned with him, responding to the directions he leaned. He grinned as he straightened and carefully leaned the broom forward with him on it, landing softly on the ground. He no longer felt any fear, and wanted to do more daring moves.
Madam Hooch took them through several more basic exercises before she let them do what they wanted, though told them not to go too high or too far. Harry, grinning, flew higher than the rest of the class, then looped upside down, and once his feet were aimed at the ground again, accelerated forward before sharply turning to the left, having come about a full U turn. He then went forward and up, the wind whistling through his air before he dove straight down for about two seconds, then leveled off, heart pounding. After a few moments, he landed, hearing Magic land next to him.
"What did you think, Magic, wasn't it fun or what?" Harry asked with a wide grin.
"You had fun." Magic stated, putting an arm around him.
"I'd have gone further if only I knew where things were. But, oh well, I suppose I won't be able to." Harry said. "Too many people and trees around, too many unknowns way up there in the air."
"Use me." Magic stated.
"It's a thought, for sure." Harry said. "Watch me."
He opened his link of knowledge with Magic and kicked off from the ground, hard. Her gaze was focused on him and what was around him, and with a shout of joy, Harry raced around the field using Magic's constantly updating knowledge as she watched him, looping and even coming close to a tree, feeling its leaves brushing his left cheek. He was oblivious to the panicked calls of Madam Hooch and Hermione, the joy of flight unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. When he landed next to Magic a few minutes later, he grabbed her in a hug, laughing.
"It's not Quidditch, but it's fun anyway!" Harry said joyfully.
"Harry, what were you thinking!" Hermione shouted from behind him, grabbing his shoulders and spinning him around. "You could have hurt yourself up there!"
"I used all my advantages, Hermione, as you prefer me to do. Magic knew where I was, so I did, too." Harry responded.
"How?" Daphne asked, a short, calm question.
"I just know where things are, what they are, and the specifics about them through Magic." Harry replied quietly, so only she and Hermione could hear. "For example, you stand one point five meters tall, and your hair is thirty centimeters long, colored blond. Your eyes are a light shade of blue, and your skin is fair. Your robes are Slytherin green with a crest for your house. Your standing on green grass, the blades of which vary in length from each other by point zero zero two centimeters. Your magic is about average from magic I feel from people, though that's not Magic's knowledge as I can sense that whether or not she's near, and you're blinking between two and eight seconds at random intervals."
"Interesting. Why, then, do you not use Magic for your sight all the time?" Daphne asked.
"For one thing, it's not sight in the traditional sense of the word. It's knowledge, pure data. It's like me writing all that down and you reading it from a piece of paper, but more complicated. For another, I'd get lazy depending on Magic. What if I didn't have her one day for some reason? I still need the skills of a blind person, because that's what I am. Blind." Harry said.
"I doubt you could ever lose your magic." Hermione responded. "It's impossible. I've never heard of that happening to anyone before."
"Well, it's good for me to know how to navigate without her knowledge, anyway. Besides, she's not always with me. See? She's leaving with the rest of the class mates while we stand here talking because I wanted an example to show you, so the knowledge she'd now have doesn't match with where I am, and the knowledge I just got about everything here won't be the same if anything changes. So, I still need my skills." Harry said. "I've got to reason things like this out, so I do. Trust me, I've spent a lot of time thinking about this."
"Interesting." Daphne said as Harry unfolded his cane, the trio making their way back to the school.
Later on that day, as Harry ate dinner in the Great Hall, he heard Malfoy speaking behind him.
"So, Potter, keeping secrets, are you? Not blind, perhaps?" Harry turned his head toward Malfoy.
Immediately, he felt pain near his left eye on his cheek, crying out and jerking back. Malfoy was laughing, but Hermione and Ron were less than amused. He could hear other students around them in the great hall gasping as well, and Harry reached up to touch his cheek, feeling a cut and some blood dripping down his face.
"You cut me, why would you do that?" Harry asked angrily as a laughing Malfoy started to leave, not stopping. Harry stood up, the blood on his face hitting his cheek in drops as he moved, turning to face him.
"Hey!" Harry called out. "Malfoy, I'm talking to you! Why did you just cut me!"
"Mr. Malfoy, is this true?" Professor McGonagall asked sharply.
"Not at all, Professor." Malfoy responded easily.
"Then what is that you're holding up your left sleeve?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Let's see it."
"It's just my wand, Professor." Malfoy responded.
"Mr. Malfoy, let's see what you have." Professor McGonagall said as Harry, unfolding his cane, moved closer, feeling the blood dripping down the left side of his face. Moments later, Professor McGonagall stated, "Fifteen points from Slytherin and detention tomorrow night, Mr. Malfoy."
"But Professor, that... Potter's not really blind! If you saw him on the field today..." Malfoy began.
Here we go with Malfoy being jealous, once again, Harry thought to himself.
"That's enough, Mr. Malfoy." Professor McGonagall stated sharply. "Back to your table. Mr. Potter, perhaps you should make your way to the hospital wing, that looks like a nasty cut."
"I've never been there before." Harry said.
"Then I will escort you. Follow me." Professor McGonagall said.
Harry moved toward her and put a hand on her arm, saying, "Will you lead me until we're out of here? There's a bit too much noise for me to follow your footsteps in here."
"Certainly, Mr. Potter, though I do have a question for you." Professor McGonagall said as they walked through the great hall. "Why not simply heal yourself? I do believe you're capable of that."
"Oh, I've done it before and I could do it again, but I won't have the opportunity to see the nurse, then. And, besides, what if I didn't have my magic one day for some reason?" Harry asked.
"In that case, you would be dead." Professor McGonagall responded.
"Well, I've learned it's best to prepare for the worst case scenario, and not rely on Magic unless there's no other way. Oh, this cut itches." Harry said.
"Don't scratch it, you will only cause yourself further damage, and possibly, leave blood on your hand." Professor McGonagall replied.
"I know." Harry stated. "So, Professor, question for you. If you thought I could heal myself, why tell me to go to the hospital wing?"
"Force of habit, Mr. Potter, as there aren't many students capable of healing themselves." Professor McGonagall responded.
"Ah." Harry said understandingly.
Madam Pomfrey was a no nonsense kind of woman, strict, but also caring about her patients. She clucked her tongue as she examined Harry's cheek, then Harry felt warmth spread through the cut before it faded, leaving his cheek feeling normal again. Within another moment, he felt the blood on his face vanish, reaching up and touching his smooth, unmarked skin. He now had more magic to duplicate, Harry thought to himself, always glad to receive new knowledge.
"I'm glad I didn't need stitches." He said with a smile. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."
"Do try to avoid class mates with knives in the future, Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey responded.
"Oh, is Neville here?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I'm here." Neville's voice replied from Harry's right.
"I've got something for you." Harry said as he moved over to him. "You in this bed here?" Harry's cane tapped the bed.
"Yeah, right here." Neville replied.
"Well, here you go." Harry said, holding out Neville's Remembrall to him.
"Oh, thanks, Harry!" Neville said, delighted. "I thought I'd lost it!"
"Malfoy tried to take it from the ground, but I got it back for you. How's your wrist?" Harry asked.
"Doing better. Madam Pomfrey wants to keep me here a bit longer, though." Neville said.
"You needn't remain, Mr. Longbottom. You may go with Mr. Potter if you wish." Madam Pomfrey said.
"Thanks." Neville responded, and Harry led him from the hospital wing after marking the location on his watch. Together, they went to the common room, and Harry found one of the comfortable couches. He sat down and listened to the chatting around him, taking the time to simply relax from his studies.
As the school year continued, Harry found their lessons getting more interesting. While he was able to perform the practical side of work with an ease that was the envy of many of his other class mates, understanding the theory and explanations proved to be more difficult. While Magic understood things quickly after reading about them and storing the theories within her perfect memory, he struggled to learn it himself while Magic watched placidly. The days passed, and Harry found himself able to keep up with his work, though only just. Halloween morning came up on him sooner than he thought it would, bringing the scent of baking pumpkin throughout the corridors, and in Charms, Professor Flitwick was ready to allow them to make objects fly.
While everyone else was excited about the prospect, Harry was bored listening to the professor talk about how important the wand movements and the words were, though he took it all in nevertheless. Harry was partnered with Seamus, and Magic, as she usually did, was with him. They were the only trio at a table. Ron, on the other hand, was working with Hermione, something he was annoyed about, as he didn't much like hearing her incessant chatting.
After Professor Flitwick reminded them of the wrist movements and the importance of pronunciation, they got to work. Seamus struggled, so Harry decided to help him, and as he couldn't do so himself, he wanted Magic to help. She responded as usual.
"You are flicking your wand too much." Magic calmly said.
"How would you know?" Seamus asked. "It's not like you, being a part of Harry, could see anyway."
"I am aware of everything." Magic replied.
"Look, are you going to be insulting, or are we going to get this done?" Harry asked.
"If you're so clever, why don't you do it?" Seamus asked. "You can do everything else anyway."
"In terms of performing the actual magic, yes, you're right. But I have difficulty understanding all the reasons behind everything. Trust me, Magic can explain this to you if you're willing to accept her help." Harry said.
"I can get it on my own." Seamus responded.
It wasn't long before the impatient Seamus set fire to the feather. Magic simply removed the oxygen within the space of the fire, quickly putting it out, though leaving it a little singed. Angrily, Seamus threw his wand to the table.
"You just have to concentrate." Harry said, exasperated.
"What do you think I've been doing the last twenty minutes?" Seamus snarled.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron shouted impatiently from another table.
"You're saying it wrong." Hermione said in a tone of voice that sounded as if she was explaining something very obvious to someone. Seamus picked up his wand and started to try again.
"Do you want my help?" Harry asked.
"Oh, fine then." Seamus said.
"Okay. Listen to Magic, then." Harry replied.
"Show me." Magic stated, and at the other table, Hermione's feather rose into the air.
"Oh, well done!" Professor Flitwick was clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!"
Seamus dutifully showed Magic, who corrected his wand movements with patient, emotionless, and exacting precision without touching his wand. By the end of class, Seamus had gotten the feather to twitch a little, but not much. He was in a better mood, but Ron wasn't.
"It's no wonder no one can stand her." Ron said as they pushed their way into the corridor.
"Who, Hermione?" Harry asked. "I can stand her, you just don't listen."
"Yeah, I do listen, she just has to stick her nose into everything. You're saying it wrong. She's a nightmare, honestly." Ron said, sounding much like a petty child.
Harry felt something knock hard into his shoulder and could hear faint sobbing.
"I think she heard you, Ron." Harry stated in a worried tone.
"So?" Ron said, but sounded uncomfortable.
"So, don't you think that was a bit petty of you?" Harry asked. "Did you even think about what you were saying?"
"Well..." Ron trailed off. "I just lost it a bit."
"Lost it a bit, right." Harry said with a sigh. "You've got to learn how to be careful about what you're saying to people, Ron."
"Bu..." Ron began.
"Look." Harry said calmly, his voice a bit quieter. "I know Hermione can be a bit bothersome, but that's just her way at the moment. She was trying to be helpful in the only way she knew how."
"I suppose." Ron muttered after a few moments, and Harry hoped he had something more to think about, and wouldn't be so cruel next time something such as that came up.
Harry didn't see Hermione in the next class, or throughout the afternoon. He was worried about her and hoped she was all right, and while he wanted to find her, he knew it would be a difficult task since he couldn't trace a person or their magic. As they headed to the great hall for the Halloween feast, Harry and Ron overheard Parvati telling her friend Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls bathroom. As Harry didn't know which one, he simply entered the great hall with Ron, seating himself at the Gryffindor table. Magic was beside him and gazing at everything in the great hall, though for Harry, it was rather unremarkable.
The only thing Harry heard was flapping wings, some type of animals obviously flying around. When he smelled the feast appear on the various dishes and plates, he asked Ron what items there were. He was just starting to tell him when Professor Quirrell sprinted into the hall, though Harry didn't know who it was until he heard him gasp, "Troll in the dungeons, thought you ought to know." Harry heard him sink to the floor, then just about everyone in the great hall began screaming and jumping up in panic until some loud bangs silenced them.
"Prefects, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!" Professor Dumbledore called out firmly.
Percy sounded like he was in his element as he called out, "Follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now. Make way, first years coming through! Excuse me, I'm a prefect!"
"How could a troll get in?" Harry asked Ron as they headed from the great hall and toward the stairs.
"Don't ask me, they're supposed to be really stupid." Ron began.
"Hermione." Harry said. "Magic, go, find her in the bathroom."
Magic expertly began swerving through the crowd as Harry opened his link to her. Ron pulled him off to one side, hopefully intending to find Hermione with him. Perhaps he had given him something to think about after all, Harry thought, or perhaps his own discomfort and guilt at what he'd said was catching up to him.
They quickly made their way up the stairs and through the crowds, Harry having folded up his cane so he wouldn't be noticed as much. They passed some Hufflepuff's going in the opposite direction, slipped down a side corridor, then hurried toward the girls bathroom, Harry leading them with his sense of Magic's location. When footsteps hurried behind them, Ron pulled Harry to one side.
"That's Snape." Ron whispered very quietly as he hurried past. "What's he doing here?"
"Dunno." Harry replied. "Come on."
They began to move along the corridor for a few moments before a stench caught Harry's nose. Ron smelled it,, too, and they stopped.
"Do you smell something?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, and it's disgusting. I couldn't even begin to describe it." Harry replied as the putrid odor filled his nostrils.
He heard a low grunting and huge, shuffling footsteps heading their way. Ron pulled Harry around a corner, and through Magic, Harry was aware of the giant troll, three point six meters tall, moving slowly along the corridor, dragging a club that was a meter long. It stopped next to the entrance to a room for a few moments before moving inside.
"It just went into the girls bathroom." Harry quietly said. "Come on!"
They sprinted toward the bathroom and Harry unfolded his cane on the way. As they entered, they heard a scream, Hermione's scream. Magic, who was in front of Harry, jumped forward and slammed into the troll with enough force to send it staggering. With a roar, it turned on her and hit her with its club, hard enough to send her flying across the room and slamming into one of the walls with a loud thud. Harry knew Magic was all right as she couldn't be physically harmed, and swung his cane against the wall near him hard enough to distract its attention.
"Oy! Pea-brain!" Ron shouted, and Harry heard something fly through the air and hit its tough skin.
A shrill whistle came after a few moments, then Daphne's voice shouted, "Harry get down!"
Harry immediately dove to the floor, the wind from the club swinging over his body sending terror through him. They needed to stop the troll somehow, and Magic sprinted at it, jumping up high enough to obscure its face as Harry rolled out of its way. It was the only thing he'd been able to think of quickly, and as the troll, enraged by the thing blocking its gaze, began hitting its club against Magic over and over, trying vainly to dislodge her, he desperately tried to think of anything else. He found himself almost frozen with panic, though, and shouted, "Ron, do something, Daphne, Hermione, someone!"
Harry next heard Ron and Daphne's voices shout, "Wingardium Leviosa!" He was aware of the club slipping from the troll's hand, rising into the air, then slamming down on to its head. Magic jumped off of it and pushed Harry out of the way as the troll fell with a thud to the ground, which sent vibrations through the floor.
"Is it dead?" Harry asked, trembling, his heart pounding.
"I doubt it." Daphne said, sounding shaken for the first time since Harry had known her. He felt her hand grip his arm, trembling.
"It's okay." Harry said, cutting off his flow of knowledge from Magic now that they were out of danger. "I think that was..."
He was cut off as he heard the slam of the door being pushed open. Several footsteps came hurrying into the room, and Harry heard Professor Quirrell whimper in fright.
"What on earth were you thinking!" Professor McGonagall's voice was more angry than Harry had ever remembered. "You're lucky you all weren't killed! Why weren't you in your dormitory?"
Harry found himself at a loss as to what to say. The truth was best, obviously, but he didn't know how to phrase his words.
"Please, Professor McGonagall, they were looking for me." Hermione's voice timidly came from a corner, and Harry heard her shuffling footsteps coming closer as he trembled.
"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall sounded appalled and rather disappointed.
"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." Hermione's voice was shaking. Harry heard the clatter of a wand hitting the floor. "If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. They all distracted it and Magic climbed up it to block its sight and Ron and Daphne knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to get anyone, it was about to finish me off when they arrived."
Harry still felt shock, though not from Hermione lying to a teacher. He was shocked that he'd even pulled something like distracting a troll off without getting hurt himself. Daphne's fingers twitched on his arm, though she was trembling less.
"You should have known better than to engage in such Gryffindor foolishness, Greengrass. Ten points from Slytherin for your reckless actions." Professor Snape stated as Professor McGonagall let out a sigh of irritation.
"I cannot believe what you have done. It was reckless, as Professor Snape said, and the five of you should be dead." Professor McGonagall stated, still sounding furious. "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you begin to think of tackling a mountain troll on your own? Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this. I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better go back to Gryffindor tower. The students are finishing the feast in their houses."
Harry heard Hermione leaving.
"Well, I still say you were lucky." Professor McGonagall said, and Harry heard her facing them. "Not many first years could have taken on a full grown mountain troll. I award five points to Gryffindor and Slytherin for your actions, to each of you. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."
Relieved, they left the bathroom and found Hermione waiting close bye.
"I... I wanted to say, thanks." She said.
"You're welcome, Hermione." Daphne said.
"Yeah. Thanks for... For helping, Daphne." Ron responded. "It's... Well, it was nice."
"If I had done nothing, Harry would likely be severely injured, or dead." Daphne replied. "It seemed reasonable to assist."
"Well, thanks." Ron said again, and Harry patted her shoulder.
"Glad you helped." He said with a relieved smile. "How did you find us, Daphne?"
"I noticed Hermione was missing from the Gryffindor first years, so I broke away from the Slytherins, followed Professor Snape in an attempt to tell him, but when he started going toward the third floor, I thought it would be more important to find Hermione first, especially since I saw you, Ron and Magic making your way toward the bathroom, too. And when I noticed the troll, I didn't think there'd be enough time to tell a professor."
"How Gryffindor of you." Ron said, sounding relieved. "But if you hadn't helped, we'd probably not have survived."
"Then I'll do the same in the future, Ron, Harry, Magic and Hermione." Daphne said.
"Great." Harry responded, relieved and glad to have someone else that would help him if he needed it.
Daphne then went down the corridor, headed for the Slytherin common room. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Magic wordlessly went up to Gryffindor tower, but all of them knew they would be friends forever. Facing the mountain troll together had ensured that, and had given Ron a great deal to think about. After entering Gryffindor tower, the friends finished the feast together, though didn't exchange many words. That didn't matter to them, though. Harry simply felt relief.
Later on that night, Harry sat next to Magic, the common room mostly empty. Her right arm was around his shoulders, and he leaned against her, basking in how glad he was that she couldn't be hurt. As he sat with her quietly, he reflected on why that was, felt the flame within him. He knew that his distance to Magic changed how the flame of magic felt within his chest, and had always figured that, since this was the case, her body couldn't ever be harmed, why she never needed sleep, and why, when she ate, she never needed the restroom like he did, and could remain dressed in the same clothes without showers, and remain perfectly clean. From what Magic had told him, it was what he'd wanted when he'd made her. While he'd only been aware of wanting someone with him on that basic level, his magic, she, had been aware of far more. Feeling the warmth of Magic's arm around him, Harry smiled and touched her very warm hand.
"I'm glad you're with me." He said, then shuddered in revulsion when he heard kissing sounds on the other side of the room. "I'm out of here."
"Okay." Magic said as Harry stood, quickly making his way to the dormitory. Harry had never liked hearing such sounds, and didn't understand why people had to kiss in the common room. After dressing for bed and laying in the warm sheets, Harry reflected on how Ron, Daphne, Hermione and he were all good friends with each other, and was glad that even Magic with her emotionless nature was also being accepted. He fell asleep that night with a smile, and despite the danger he'd been in earlier that night, his dreams were pleasant.