Chapter 10: A twin, a troll and broken bones.

After the third sharp jab to the shoulder from his irritated roommates in response to his unwelcome wake-up call, Pansy had given him a five-minute heads-up before she would head out for some breakfast.

As she closed the door behind her, Jakob settled into his chair at his desk and retrieved a feathered pen. He dipped it into the inkwell, carefully jotting down a few words on a note before placing it in his pocket. With his task accomplished, he joined his group of friends and proceeded to the great hall for breakfast.

The first-year group of Slytherins ascended the dungeon and continued through the dimly lit corridors, following the scent that caused their stomachs to growl in hunger.

As they entered the massive doors, the group of Slytherin's first years couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur that lay before them.

The entire space had been transformed for Halloween, adorned with cobwebs and ghosts hanging from every corner, flickering jack-o'-lanterns casting an eerie glow over the tables, and a colossal candy centrepiece piled high with a tempting array of treats.

They took their seats and indulged in the distinct but inviting Halloween-themed breakfast that Hogwarts had prepared for them. Bowls brimming with "Boo"-faced pancakes and waffles, their jam faces playfully leering at the students who dared to pick one up.

French toast lay scattered along the centre, dressed as different Halloween mascots with various jams and syrups.

Platters faded under the weight of crispy bacon strips, serving as a savoury counterpart to these sweet treats. Pans overflowed with eggs cooked in various eerie styles - scrambled, fried, and otherworldly omelettes - huddled together. For those seeking a lighter option, there were mounds of fresh seasonal fruit glistening like enchanted jewels, accompanied by pitchers filled with freshly squeezed orange juice or steaming spiced cider drinks that beckoned invitingly.

While Jakob took a bite into a piece of toast that seemed to enjoy being eaten, he couldn't ignore the spooky decorations that adorned the castle for the occasion.

He and Goyle exchanged stories about their favourite Halloween treats, but Draco's comment about his father abolishing Halloween in favour of the ancient Samhain festival made the larger boy pause in the middle of sharing a special treat he truly enjoyed with Jakob.

When Jakob was back home, Samhain was the festival they celebrated, and he found joy in those traditions, too. However, the prospect of a feast was universally appealing. As long as they all had a good time, Jakob couldn't find it in himself to care much about the specific occasion they were celebrating.

The Malfoy-hosted parties were simply unbeatable, leaving the Quades and other houses in the dust. However, Hogwarts was undoubtedly putting up a commendable effort to rival them.

"It's all because of the mudbloods," Jake overheard his best friend hiss to Pansy, who nodded in agreement beside him. Jakob rolled his eyes, snatched a piece of bread from Crabbe's plate, butter and all, and sent it sailing towards Draco with a flick of his wrist. The bread collided with Draco's right arm, leaving a scattering of crumbs and butter in its wake. Startled, Draco turned to face the culprit, only to find a dark-haired boy seated across the table and to the right, wearing a mischievous grin.

"Come on, mate. Think of the feast tonight," Jakob encouraged Draco, who sighed dramatically and reluctantly picked up the piece of bread from his plate.

He chewed it slowly, the taste seemingly unsatisfying to him. "It won't be nearly as good as our Samhain parties," he mumbled in protest. Jakob gave a slight nod in agreement.

"True," he replied thoughtfully. "But come on, let's not ruin the mood, even though we won't get to spend the evening at your wonderful mansion tonight," Jakob continued, understanding that in order to get his friend to enjoy the coming evening, he had to boost the blond boy's already high self-esteem.

When Draco heard his friend's comment, he sat up a bit straighter and declared, "At least we still have the winter solstice to look forward to!" Jakob raised his goblet, and his other friends followed suit.

"To the amazing winter solstice party at Malfoy Manor!" Jakob declared, his words igniting a fire of enthusiasm in his friends as they began discussing their favourite parts of the legendary celebration. They exchanged stories and shared experiences, each one adding their own flair to the conversation.

The blonde boy contributed a bit to the various conversations but mostly sat back, enjoying the smiles and laughter on his friend's faces.

Jakob sighed in amusement, pleased to see how easily he had managed to uplift the mood of his best friend.

Draco was a Malfoy, and the Malfoys were known for their showmanship. They held power in the wizarding world, rivalled only by House Quade and a few other ancient and noble houses. Despite the long-standing alliance between House Malfoy and House Quade, they were quite different.

House Malfoy had strategically cultivated an image of power through social connections and significant wealth. The head of House Malfoy had successfully forged a strong alliance with the Minister of Magic and harboured ambitions of one day assuming the position of the Minister himself.

While the Malfoys sought political power, House Quade had strategically ventured into the realms of business and industry. They had constructed a vast empire, acquiring resources in various corners of the world. House Quade stood as the wealthiest of all noble houses in Britain, a position unchallenged for generations. It was only natural that these two prestigious houses forged an unbreakable alliance.

Several generations in the past, the heads of the houses formalised this alliance, crafting a set of rules that enabled their collective prosperity. The strong connection between Jakob and Draco mirrored the bond between Lucius and Thomas before them, stretching back through their forefathers. These two houses harmonised remarkably well, carefully avoiding intruding on each other's territories. Their collaboration was a testament to their strategic agreement.

But there was another house, an ancient and noble one that had followed a path Jakob often wished his own house had embraced.

The Potters were known warriors, feared by many. They had a reputation for producing fierce fighters, and the current head of the house had strong connections with the influential House of Black, which had garnered them a large group of followers.

However, a significant change occurred when the current head of the Potter house shifted from the Grey party to the side of the light.

This change tarnished their image as warriors, as they now seemed to prioritise defence over offence. But underestimating the formidable family magic of House Potter would be a mistake. Although they had abandoned dark magic, their magical abilities extended into many non-dark areas.

Jakob was aware that both his father and Lord Malfoy silently appreciated that both House Potter and House Black had opted to align with the side of light. If they had chosen the dark alliance, they would have emerged as formidable rivals for House Quade and House Malfoy.

As Jakob's thoughts turned to House Potter, his eyes instinctively drew towards the Gryffindor table. There, he saw the three golden boys sitting together, seemingly oblivious to the devastation they had caused Hermione. A surge of anger coursed through his mind, eclipsing any rational thoughts.

"Are you alright?" Vincent's voice broke through, and Jakob snapped back to reality, shifting his gaze to his right, where Crabbe was sitting, looking a bit concerned and casting glances between Jakob and the Gryffindor table.

"Yeah, mate, I'm fine," Jakob replied, his voice cold and emotionless as he sipped from his cup. "Why do you ask?" he inquired, maintaining his calculating stare on the Gryffindor trio.

Vince started hesitantly, words escaping slowly from his mouth. "You just seemed like..."

Crabbe hesitated, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with his friend's intense scrutiny. He needed to extricate himself from this awkward situation quickly.

"No-nothing," he stammered nervously, shaking his head with a forced smile. "I must've been seeing things." He added, abruptly turning away and shifting his attention to the porridge on his plate as if it had suddenly become the most fascinating dish in the world.

Once breakfast had concluded, Jakob scanned the room for an opportunity. He noticed that Ivy, who was currently surrounded by a group of Gryffindor girls, was preparing to leave. This was the chance he had been waiting for.

He rose from his seat and, with calculated precision, maintained a cautious distance as he trailed the redheaded girl from the great hall. Along the way, he deftly shouldered past a group of oblivious first-year Hufflepuff classmates who happened to be in his way. One of the students began apologising, but their words died on their lips when they observed the Slytherin boy's dismissive flick of his wrist, treating them as nothing more than an inconvenience.

"Ugh, he's so rude," one of the Hufflepuffs murmured, clearly annoyed by Jakob's behaviour.

He paid no heed to the comment, remaining focused on his mission. There was no point in engaging with them, not when he had a more important task at hand.

After trailing the small group of Gryffindor girls for a while, the Slytherin decided the moment was right.

Confident that they wouldn't be disturbed, he shouted out,

"Oi! Potter!"

The girl and her companions spun around, startled to find themselves addressed by a Slytherin. Ivy swiftly drew her wand, and Jakob immediately raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Hey now, I'm just the messenger," Jakob quickly responded, trying to defuse the tension in the situation. However, the redhead girl remained unconvinced, and she kept her wand pointed at her approaching foe, ready for any move he might make.

Jakob moved closer to Ivy, his hand raised and concealing a note behind it. With a swift flick of his wrist, he executed a trick that bore a striking resemblance to something Ivy had seen on the muggle television. It was the kind of sleight-of-hand trick that those fake wizards often performed with a deck of cards. This unexpected display momentarily caught her off guard, prompting a sense of curiosity.

"If this is just one of your cruel pranks," she spat, her eyes blazing with fury as they bore into him. The Slytherin gave a low chuckle.

"No prank, I'm doing this for someone else." With that, she reluctantly accepted the note. Jakob nonchalantly walked away, whistling a cheerful tune that stirred a faint memory in her.

As Ivy opened the note, her eyes widened for a moment. "Finally," she whispered.

Lavender, who stood beside her, couldn't help but ask, "What does it say?"

"Nothing," Ivy replied cryptically, her lips curling into a satisfied smile as she set the note ablaze. With that, she turned around to join her two friends on their way to their first class.

As Jakob entered the charms classroom, his gaze was immediately drawn to the half-blood professor. His face radiated warmth and hospitality as he surveyed the students.

"Welcome, everyone!" the half-goblin greeted them cheerfully. "Today, we will be delving into the levitation charm!" The Gryffindors couldn't help but smile with excitement, their faces lighting up with enthusiasm.

However, some of the Slytherins, unwilling to hide their displeasure, openly expressed their dissatisfaction with either an exasperated roll of their eyes or audible groans.

Jakob muttered to himself, wondering why his father had insisted on him learning magic spells before he even got to Hogwarts. He wondered if he would learn anything remotely useful this year.

With a sigh, Jakob took a seat next to Draco, mentally preparing himself for what probably would turn out to be another dull lesson.

As the class progressed, the students eagerly attempted to lift the feather from their respective desks. Jakob couldn't help but glance around as he heard the incantation "Wingardium Leviosa" being chanted in what seemed like various accents and pronunciations.

"It's an easy incantation," Jakob muttered to himself. "How hard is it to pronounce 'Wingardium Leviosa'? Are they all idiots?" He sighed in frustration and then reluctantly turned his attention to his own feather, feeling rather bored.

With a half-hearted tone, he incanted, "Wingardium Leviosa." The feather obediently began to rise, but Jakob watched it with a disinterested expression, lacking any genuine enthusiasm.

"Excellent job, Mr. Quade," praised the professor with a warm smile. "Five points to Slytherin!" Jakob acknowledged the praise with a subtle nod before turning his attention to assist Tracey, who was seated to his left.

Once Tracey had successfully made her feather levitate, Jakob found himself with little to do but observe the rest of the class. His gaze wandered, and he noticed that both the golden boy and his sister were adept at the spell, but only one of them appeared to take pride in it.

The girl shot Jakob nervous glances, possibly due to the note he had delivered, which led him to roll his eyes and look away in response.

He also took notice of Hermione, who had retreated to the back of the classroom and was deeply engrossed in a book about the charm they were learning.

When the class ended, Professor Flitwick's cheerful goodbye filled the room, and he wished them all a happy Halloween. Jakob lingered, observing as the Potter girl gathered her belongings.

As the last student departed, their eyes met in a silent understanding, and they slowly approached each other in the middle of the classroom.

"Where is it?" The redhead's gaze bore into the Slytherin boy with a hint of hostility.

Jakob's smirking face remained unchanged as if daring her to ask a second time. He mirrored her stance, crossing his arms just as she had done.

"It's safe for now," he replied deliberately, his voice carrying a mocking tone. "But how long will it stay that way? I wonder..."

"Is that a threat, Quade?" Ivy questioned loudly, her voice laced with anger, her arms falling to her sides as her fists clenched.

"You know full well it belongs to my family!" Jakob merely shrugged and started to walk away, savouring the moment of having the upper hand. But Ivy wasn't about to be deterred so easily. "Give it back!" she shouted after him.

In almost a blink of an eye, Jakob turned to face Ivy. He raised his wand, unleashing a potent knockback jinx that sent her tumbling into a pile of books beneath the professor's podium. He approached her with a menacing stride, and Ivy felt a wave of dread wash over her as she locked eyes with him, witnessing the intense hatred burning in his gaze.

The Gryffindor instinctively retrieved her wand from her robe but hesitated to raise it. She had it firmly in her grip and would have defended herself if not for the fact that the Slytherin boy in front of her held her father's cloak hostage.

The fear of what he might do to her father's invisibility cloak if she fought back made the idea of retaliation impossible. So, she remained on the floor, lying there and nervously observing Jakob's every move, her anxiety clearly visible.

"Let's make one thing perfectly clear, Potter. I'm the one in charge here, not you," Jakob hissed, crouching down to meet Ivy at eye level. His scowl conveyed a mixture of disdain and revulsion.

"What do you want?" Ivy inquired, still a bit shaken from the impact of the Knockback Jinx.

"I owe someone a debt, and I must make things right," the Slytherin lied. He couldn't let Ivy know his genuine concern for some mudblood.

"And you need me to do it? How very convenient," Ivy snorted, but her expression quickly turned fearful as Jakob pointed his wand at her once more, its tip glowing brightly. She reluctantly replied, "Alright, alright, what do you want?"

Jakob maintained his authoritative demeanour. "There is a girl in your house, Granger."

He noticed a sorrowful look briefly cloud Ivy's face before her temper flared up again.

"What? You want me to hurt her just because she's a muggle-born? She has already suffered enough-"

"No, you idiotic Gryffindor," Jakob interrupted heatedly. "You are going to ensure that her misery comes to an end."

Ivy was stunned. "You want me to... Wait, What?"

"You will put an end to it, and be quick, because I won't wait forever for her to be welcomed back,"

"Y-You want me to... do what?" Ivy stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief as if she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.

"You heard me," Jakob insisted, his tone unwavering. "And if you don't, I will ensure that the cloak is reduced to ashes right in front of your common room."

Ivy looked around the classroom in disbelief, her mind racing for a solution as her eyes scanned the surroundings. "I've tried talking to Ron about it," she admitted in a pained whisper, her voice revealing her despair. "But he won't listen to me."

She shot a glance at Jakob, who stood there looking at her as if he had just discovered she was a complete idiot. He had even lowered his wand, which made Ivy feel somewhat embarrassed.

"What?" Ivy asked, her voice filled with confusion and a tinge of defensiveness.

"Are you daft?" Jakob questioned, a genuine note of curiosity in his voice. "It's not Ron who holds the power in this situation. You need to talk to your brother," he instructed, annoyance subtly creeping into his tone.

Ivy's face contorted with frustration, and she retorted, "What can I possibly do to make him listen? He only listen's to what Ron says!"

Jakob felt a growing headache, and he sighed with exasperation. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to gather his patience.

Then, he pointed his finger at her, like a stern teacher reprimanding a misbehaving student, and said firmly,

"You," he addressed her directly, his tone carrying weight.

"Will tell your moron brother that if he doesn't stop his bullshit, I," Jakob continued, pointing to himself to emphasise his point. "Will burn his precious cloak and send him the ashes and jar with salt. Understand?"

The Gryffindor, still on the floor, looked somewhat puzzled. "Why would it be salt..." Her eyes then widened in shock. "You wouldn't dare!" she gasped.

"Try me," Jakob retorted coldly, then turned around and walked toward the door. He stopped for a moment, glancing back at Ivy.

"You have until tomorrow night. We'll meet on the third floor, and you'll tell me how you managed to make Granger a part of your house again."

"What's the big deal about her? Don't you Slytherins hate Muggle-borns?" Ivy questioned, but Jakob ignored her second question, his hand already on the door handle.

He spoke with a chilling finality,

"I don't care about her. All I'm doing is fulfilling a debt. If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will ensure your life here becomes a living hell."

Jakob stormed out of the room, leaving Ivy lying on the pile of books, her thoughts racing. She couldn't help but wonder why he was so furious.

Ivy had never seen him this angry before, and it appeared to be linked to the situation concerning Granger. But what was Jakob's connection to Hermione Granger, and why did it seem to matter so much to him?

As nightfall descended upon the Hogwarts grounds, the students gathered in the Great Hall to enjoy a Halloween-inspired feast. Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone indulged in the festive treats. However, one dark-haired boy remained distant, wrapped in an invisibility cloak.

"I hate having to give it back," he muttered to himself as he quietly headed toward the library. Possessing such a powerful object was a significant advantage, and the idea of handing it over to the enemy didn't sit well with him. Nevertheless, he understood that this was the best way to ensure Hermione's acceptance back into the Gryffindor house.

Still invisible under the cloak, he began scouring the shelves in the library's restricted section. The Slytherin's eyes moved over the dusty volumes, searching for a spell or incantation that would provide him with the safeguard he sought.

"Aha, here," he whispered to himself, finally locating a promising book. As Jakob gingerly extracted it from the shelf and turned its pages, a sense of anticipation swelled within him. This tome held the solution, an incantation that promised to be an unyielding defence should the Gryffindors backtrack on their end of the agreement.

With determination, Jakob began to work on mastering the spell. He practised tirelessly, attempting it over and over again. However, despite his efforts, each attempt ended in failure, and frustration slowly rose up inside him after every failed attempt.

The celebration in the great hall continued, oblivious to the invisible Slytherin in the library. But Jakob was determined not to give up. He knew that he needed this spell to work.

"Cum Vis Aduri!"

The cloak crackled with the surging energy of magic, and Jakob sensed his magical core, the reservoir of his power, draining rapidly. He clung to his wand, his body growing weaker as the spell's intensity overwhelmed him. As he teetered on the brink of consciousness, a wave of panic surged through him.

"Damn, I'm pushing it too far," he said with gritted teeth, fighting to stay awake. His vision swayed, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Then, just as suddenly as it began, it was over—a sudden and abrupt end, and he snapped back to full consciousness.

He gripped the edge of the table to steady himself, gasping for breath, feeling a cold sweat break out across his skin.

"Bloody hell, that was creepy," he whispered to himself. "No wonder they don't teach those spells yet."

Jakob was well aware of the dangers, having experienced this sensation before when experimenting with some of his family's magic.

On the day he obtained his wand, he had pushed his magical limits. His father had warned him about the risks, explaining that attempting a spell that required more magical power than one possessed could be draining to the point of death.

Countless wizards had been discovered dead in their homes due to such reckless experimentation.

"Can't blame me for wanting to be the best," he chuckled to himself as he carefully stowed another book in his bag.

With the invisibility cloak still concealing him, Jakob made his way downstairs to satisfy his growling stomach. Hours of study had left him famished, and the Great Hall's delicious aromas beckoned him.

As Jakob descended the hallway, he noticed clusters of students hurrying past, their expressions marked by concern. Had the feast already ended?

The sight of Hufflepuff prefects rushing back to their common room with serious expressions made it clear that something important was happening. Intrigued, Jakob quickened his pace, determined to discover what was happening.

As he made his way toward the Great Hall, he approached a group of huddled students from different houses, engaged in hushed conversations. Overhearing their startled remarks, he couldn't help but grow curious.

"A troll? Really?"

"What's it doing here?"

"Can the teachers do anything about it?"

"Why is it in the dungeons? Poor Slytherins stuck in the Great Hall!"

Jakob's brows furrowed with intrigue, and his curiosity was stirred. He made the decision to move in the direction of the beast.

As he continued further along his path, he couldn't help but whisper in a light, musical voice, "To be so lucky when taking a stroll to get the chance to meet a living troll." His words were filled with genuine excitement, reflecting his childlike wonder.

However, his cheerful demeanour soon shifted as he detected a peculiar and disgusting scent in the air, indicating he was on the right track. With determination and a hint of caution, he approached the door to the girl's lavatory.

He came to an abrupt stop just as he was about to peer inside, his attention drawn by the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps from behind.

Spinning around, Jakob watched Harry, Ron, and Finnigan running towards him from further down the passageway.

They left no doubt of their intentions as their committed expressions spoke volumes. Harry, in particular, looked resolute and steadfast in his objective, leading the charge with conviction.

"You can't be serious, Harry!" Ron yelled as they rushed past the invisible Slytherin, who took a few steps back to avoid being trampled.

"We can do this, Ron! If we take down this troll, we'll be heroes and get back our house points!" Harry declared as the group of Gryffindors stopped and drew their wands.

Jakob chuckled quietly to himself, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he watched the trio. He wished he could somehow learn a spell to conjure popcorn, as their foolish misadventures would likely end in disaster.

As he silently approached the trio, Jakob whispered with a satisfied tone, "Oh, they're certainly going to get themselves killed."

He watched with a sly smirk spreading across his face as Harry, Ron, and Finnigan approached the lavatory, their wands at the ready.

"On three," Harry said, starting the count. Ron looked like he was attempting to gather his courage as Harry ticked off the seconds, while Finnigan seemed deeply afraid.

Jakob had no intention of intervening in this foolish attempt. He stood just behind the group, waiting to witness the inevitable disaster unfold.

He was all too familiar with the tales of Trolls and their thick, magic-resistant skin. Trolls were dull-wittedness and lacked emotions. A Troll would not discern between three thirteen-year-olds and an adult wizard. It would see only a threat and a potential food source.

Holding his breath and preparing to follow, Jakob watched as the Gryffindor boys in crimson and gold barged into the room and attacked the unsuspecting troll.

Harry bravely stepped forward, positioning himself between his friends and the troll. With determination burning in his eyes, he aimed his wand at the beast and unleashed a powerful knockback jinx. However, to Ron's shock and horror, the spell had absolutely no effect on the massive creature.

Paralysed with fear, Finnigan stood frozen in place, unable to react as the rebounding spell shot past him, narrowly missing his head. Ron, standing nearby, shot Harry a wide-eyed look of alarm.

Unfazed by the failed attempt, Harry didn't give up. He gritted his teeth, tightened his grip on his wand, and cast the Knockback Jinx once more, hoping that this time it would work. But again, the spell simply bounced off the troll's thick hide, ricocheting wildly and striking a nearby wall with a resounding thud.

The troll, now fully aware of their presence, let out an earth-shaking roar of anger, its beady eyes narrowing as it approached the young intruders menacingly. The situation had just escalated from dangerous to dire in a matter of seconds.

"Impressive," Jakob remarked in a flat, sarcastic tone as the boy who lived continued to make the same mistake. In those moments, Jakob could understand why Snape was so often frustrated with his students. They were completely incompetent.

Jake kept his gaze fixed as he watched the Gryffindors dodging and weaving, evading the troll's club swings, which instead shattered toilets, sinks and even made a few dents in the girls' lavatory's tiled floor.

The three Gryffindors continued to send spells and jinxes that had no effect on the troll's tough skin, their words only eliciting confusion from the Slytherin. Did they really think hissing insults would hurt the trolls more than their spells?

"You stupid troll, Harry will kill you!" yelled the redhead. Jakob turned his bewildered eyes at the boy. Did he not understand that the troll was winning?

Harry skillfully evaded the troll's swing once more, rolling away just in time. He swiftly got back on his feet, raising his wand.

However, Finnigan, unbeknownst to the Boy Who Lived, had stealthily taken cover behind his saviour before Harry had rolled away and now found himself directly in the troll's line of sight.

As their eyes locked, fear gripped Finnigan's heart. He couldn't move, his body paralysed by sheer terror once again. In the blink of an eye, the troll's massive hand shot out with lightning speed, wrapping its fingers tightly around Finnigan's trembling form.

An agonising scream tore from the boy's throat as he was hoisted into the air, pain and terror consuming him.

The scene was chaotic, with Harry desperately trying to come up with a plan as Finnigan dangled helplessly in the troll's grip.

"Harry, help me! I don't want to die, please!" Seamus's terrified pleas echoed through the air, and the two Gryffindor boys finally comprehended the grave danger they had plunged themselves into and the peril their comrade now faced.

Desperation etched into their faces, Harry and Ron hastily began to hurl debris at the troll in a desperate attempt to free him. Despite their frantic efforts, it seemed that no matter how much they threw, it made no difference. Seamus remained trapped, with no sign of escape.

Tears streamed down Harry's cheeks as he continued to throw objects with a burning passion. His voice was filled with anger as he shouted, "You won't die, Seamus! I won't let it!" But the golden boy's tone had noticeably shifted from assurance to a desperate plea.

Sensing the impending horror, Ron slowly lowered his arm, the piece of stone slipping from his grasp. His face displayed signs of deep trauma, an expression of dread etched onto his freckled features. He knew that he was about to witness something truly terrible, and there was little he or even Harry could do to change their friend's grim fate.

Jakob closed his eyes, steeling himself for the punishment to come. A euphoric expression crossed the dark-haired boy's face as he braced for what was about to happen. Time seemed to slow down, and in that suspended moment, Finnigan's frightened eyes locked with the troll's.

Jakob opened his eyes, a wide smirk stretching across his face as he prepared for the unsettling finale.

"This is what you get for messing with my mudblood," he declared with a cold, vindictive tone.

The troll moved Finnigan closer to its face and released a bloodcurdling roar. In a slow, brutal motion, it closed its jagged green hand around the boy, the bones of his body crunching together painfully as he let out a horrifying scream of agony. Its grip only grew tighter, its fingernails digging deeper into his robes and skin with every passing second. He was being crushed alive by the beast, and he could do nothing but cry.

Finnigan's scream of agony slowly transformed into a gurgling noise as his lungs filled with blood. Harry was in hysterics, repeating spell after spell in desperation while Ron had slumped to the floor on his knees, his hands clasped over his ears as he stared aghast at the scene before him.

The troll, in its monstrous rage, hurled Seamus with tremendous force. The boy collided with the wall, a sickening thud echoing through the lavatory. The impact painted the wall in a horrifying display of blood, leaving Seamus sprawled lifelessly on the ground.

Harry's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he bore witness to his friend being tossed away like a ragdoll. His mind struggled to grasp the horrifying reality unfolding before him. The sheer terror in his friend's eyes, the sickening crack of his bones shattering, and the callous manner in which he had been discarded.

For a fleeting moment, the boy who lived remained frozen in shock, unable to fully grasp the horrifying scene that had unfolded before him.

It had all been because of Harry's burning desire to reclaim the mantle of leadership, to prove his worthiness by earning back their house points. His mentor and godfather had advised him that a truly heroic act would help him regain the favour of his house. But what Harry had done instead had only proved to be a horrible mistake.

This wasn't supposed to happen. They should have killed the troll and gotten their house points back. This wasn't like the stories, like what had happened when he was a baby. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"Seamus!" Harry yelled, jolting back to grim reality. He rushed over to the boy who had collapsed on the ground.

Ron, too, snapped out of his stupor, immediately responding to Harry's calls and sprinting toward Finnigan. None of them were aware of the troll steadily approaching them, its massive club trailing behind.

Jakob observed the shattered mental state of the two remaining Gryffindors with satisfaction. Still, he couldn't help feeling a slight irritation that the show had come to an end.

He wished the moment could have stretched on just a bit longer – like savouring one last cup of coffee after a particularly delightful meal.

However, if the beloved Boy Who Lived were to die here tonight, there would be a thorough investigation into what had transpired. The Quade heir had no desire to be implicated, even if he currently remained invisible.

The troll menacingly hoisted its club high above its head, preparing to deliver a crushing blow to the two Gryffindors who had turned their backs while tending to their fallen comrade. Just as the troll was about to strike, Jakob raised his wand and whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa."

The levitation charm seized the club, causing the troll's grip to slip. The large, dim-witted creature swung its arm through the air with an empty hand before realising it had lost its weapon.

Jakob's strength waned as he strained to lift the troll's club higher into the air. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he fought against his previous exhaustion. The spell in the library had really taken a toll on him.

The troll, bewildered by the sudden loss of its weapon, scanned the surroundings in confusion. When it finally looked up, its eyes widened in astonishment as it beheld the club defying gravity, hovering above. The troll, captivated by the levitating club, remained motionless, its entire focus fixed on the slowly ascending weapon.

Exhausted and disappointed, Jakob released the levitation spell, fully aware that the club wouldn't have reached a lethal height.

The club dropped swiftly, landing with a thud on the troll's head. The green giant emitted a feeble groan and collapsed to the ground, unconscious and defeated.

The two Gryffindors attending to their injured friend remained absorbed in their task. They didn't glance back as Jakob successfully executed his plan.

In the distance, he could now distinctly hear the sound of more people rushing toward his direction. Swiftly turning around, Jakob caught sight of the headmaster, Snape, McGonagall, and Professor Quirrell as they made their way toward him, or rather, the lavatory.

With a decisive nod, Jakob understood that this was his cue to leave. He silently turned around and made his way towards the great hall. In the background, the Slytherin boy could make out the adults' shocked exclamations as they stumbled upon the aftermath in what used to be a girls' lavatory.

Before tiptoeing into the Great Hall, the Slytherin boy carefully stowed the cloak in his bag.

Observing that the other students were back to feasting, he attempted to slip into his seat without drawing attention. However, a whispered voice suddenly reached his ears, exposing the fact that his attempt to remain hidden had failed.

"Where were you?" Pansy questioned her voice a mix of relief and irritation. Jakob, in response, swiftly piled his plate high with food and replied, "I had to use the restroom."

Draco watched his best friend in disbelief as he devoured his meal. Shaking his head, the blonde remarked, "Jake, mate, you really should stop having lunch with Crabbe and Goyle." Although the two large boys beside the Malfoy heir showed no offence at the comment, a trace of pride remained in their eyes as they observed their friend consuming food like a true Slytherin.

Author's note: I will respond to guest reviews at the end of each chapter.

Thank you, Shrewd123, for your review! I wholeheartedly agree and hope you'll join us on this new and improved journey.