There are many types of wondrous magic in the world. The types taught alone are immensely broad and only seem limited by the imagination. However the most esoteric and mysterious are the ones that have been forgotten by modernity. Some are rightly for their costs are inhumane or downright inhuman. Though some are not widely known at all. Some are so rare that the current generation have never known of them.
This is a story of one such type of magic. In a world recovering from the British Wizarding War against the Dark Lord Voldemort this type of magic would not be as common since those who sided with the self-styled Greatest Wizard of All had to scramble to hide their leanings and proclivity for cruelty except the truly twisted who sought him after his defeat. After that war the British wizarding world's population had suffered immensely, many family lines being wiped from existence. Not just families fighting for good, but some of those on the other side as well. Life turned from a struggle to survive to the slow and arduous task of rebuilding a shattered society. There was one major problem with the efforts though. Those who had followed the Dark Lord actually retained a majority of the wealth and political power they had seized during the war, meaning that there was no progress as a society from the ideals that made a dark lord rising possible in the first place.
It also meant that there was no chance for this particular type of magic to really be examined when there was so much else that needed addressing.
Because this was such an unusual type of magic it was not thought of immediately when a boy with black hair and glasses struggled to get to his feet in the damaged girl's bathroom. Had he done the foolhardy thing of jumping on the troll's massive back he likely would have been much safer. Instead, Harry Potter was lying on his side while Ron Weasley let out a terrified cry at his friend's condition. Harry Potter had had no time to think as he saw the club raised over the terrified girl. No time to do anything except rely on his instinct to protect someone who was scared and frozen as she watched the beast prepare to crush her like an insect.
Instead of that, Hermione Granger was forced to watch as a boy she had rarely spoken to dove into her. His outstretched arms wrapping around her as they tumbled out of the reach of the troll's club. "Harry?!" She cried out as the impact against the sink gave him just enough time to let go of her and try to distract the great beast by getting to his feet. "Hermione, get to Ron!" Harry called to her slightly out breath from tackling her out of harms way as he tried to draw his wand. Ron was hurling bits of broken stall and brick at the beast to draw its attention, but either it was too strong or too stupid to piece together what was happening. It was getting angry though as the dull eyes narrowed on Harry. Enraged that its prey was taken away the troll and this small thing was going to pay! The girl was sprawled on her back just outside the reach of the monster, and seemed too terrified to listen.
Harry was the new focus of attacks now, the troll's massive foot catching him as he tried to dodge away. A pained gasp left him as the force lifted his body from the ground and sent him crashing into the wall a good ten feet away. "HARRY!" Ron realized it too late. They were out of their depth, and Harry and Hermione were about to die. Only when he saw the figure of his friend tremble as Harry tried to get back up again did he panic. His glasses were gone - lost when he hit the wall- so now he couldn't even properly see. Harry knew the brown and green lump standing over him was the mountain troll, but he also knew he was not going to be able to get back up if he took another blow of any kind. Though he didn't know it, several of his ribs had been bruised. He had trouble breathing deeply but still tried to call to his friend. "Ron? Ron take Hermione and get a teacher!"
A scrabbling hand managed to get his glasses and he put them back on just in time to see the giant club being brought back down towards him. His eyes widened and injured as he was he couldn't entirely get out of the way. He blurted out the only spell he could think of in that moment. "Wingardium Leviosa!" His voice wasn't as strong as normal, but he managed it. The spell hit the club and it started to fly upwards, making the troll stumble in confusion. Harry drug himself between Hermione and the troll that was looking up and snatching for its club. Harry managed to keep it barely out the thing's reach as he heard the sounds of running feet. Ron hadn't bothered trying to get Hermione. He would have had to run around the troll to grab Hermione.
No Ron ran for a staff member screaming for help and managed to catch the attention of McGonagall as she and Snape were dashing along the corridor. "PROFESSORS! HARRY AND HERMIONE ARE TRAPPED IN THE BATHROOM WITH THE TROLL!" The two looked at each other and sprinted towards the still ajar door only to witness the lumbering brute slip in water spraying from the bashed plumbing. The body of the falling beast was moving towards the back wall. They both raised their wands only to see the shape of a student, a small body indicating a first or second year, being pushed out of the way. The wild mane of Hermione's hair gave the pair a second of recognition before she screamed.
The floating club neither teacher had noticed suddenly fell as the spell holding in up cut off with a cry of agony from a young boy. "Potter!" McGonagall realized as she saw the boy's upper body on the ground, his arms out towards Hermione. Snape, less emotional and more pragmatic, directed the falling club with a jab of his wand to smash harder than it would normally into the troll's face as with a bone rattling thud it fell onto its owner's head. Threat neutralized for the moment, the sallow professor moved in right behind his colleague who was pale. The Scottish woman had Granger in her hands and turned away from Potter. Snape's eyes momentarily lost that gleam of ill intent he usually had when looking at Potter as he realized what had happened.
Harry was lying face down in a small puddle of water trying not to make any noise. He seemed to be pale, and with good reason- the troll had fallen and crushed both of his legs just below his waist to his feet. The fool boy had thrown himself at Granger to save her life. Given she was still barely coherent and crying from the ordeal her Head of House was trying to lead her away from the troll when Snape suddenly saw her turn towards the sound of a barely conscious Harry Potter weakly trying to look for her. Snape felt his usual sneer fade from his expression. He quickly flicked his wrist and the troll lifted from the boy's legs. He didn't need to be a Healer to see they were likely broken in several places from the shoulder of the beast landing on him. The boy was likely in intense pain, yet he seemed to only be searching for the two other first years to make sure they were safe.
Severus Snape did not like the way Harry Potter looked exactly like the boy's father. He didn't like the quiet and unassuming nature of Potter, believing it was a front and beneath it was an arrogant little toerag like his father before him. Instead he saw something that Lily would do. Kind and gentle Lily Evans would have done the same thing. While James would have been after the glory, Lily would have been doing it because it was right. That pang in Snape's chest at the memory of his lost unrequited love made him act. He stunned Potter, then levitated him while turning to the other professor. "I'll take Potter to the hospital wing, Minerva. Bring the other two for Calming Draughts so we can learn the full story." The expected coldness was less apparent in his voice than Minerva anticipated as the teachers brought the three students to the Madame Pomfrey's domain.
~~~~~
Harry woke with a start, his eyes wide as he suddenly blurted out two names. "Hermione! Ron!" Only to have a firm hand ease him back down. He blinked, still stuck in the moment of the restroom battle. He saw the school Healer staring down at him with a stern but not unkind expression. He felt her lift her hand off his shoulder as she waved her wand over his body for a moment as he saw behind the matron the two people he had called for, looking anxious. As soon as Madame Pomfrey was finished she looked at Harry in the eyes and a faint smile was on her lips. "Now Mister Potter, as brave and commendable as it was to try and save your classmate from a dangerous creature please do not make a habit of it young man. You were in very rough shape when Professor Snape brought you in here. You're very lucky young man. Wizards and witches far older and better prepared than you three were have died facing a troll."
Harry remembered the intense crushing pain as his legs were trapped under the unconscious troll but then remember the teary eyed brunette paralyzed with fear. "Three of us... Madame Pomfrey, does that mean Hermione is ok? And Ron?" The Potions Professor helping him was a bit surprising, but the important thing to him was the two people that the matron allowed to come over to his bed. "I am going to release you after your Head of House speaks with you lot. Professor McGonagall will be here in a few minutes. Keep it down and rest until she arrives." The stern Healer gave them all a quick look before bustling off and checking the other beds further away before entering her office. Left alone, Hermione was the first to break the silence.
"You saved my life Harry." For once Ron didn't mind the girl speaking first, in fact he looked at Harry with a mix admiration and trepidation. He needed a bit longer to get his thoughts together judging by his expression. Hermione kept speaking in a very soft and quiet voice. "Why? We barely know each other Harry... why did you save me?" Harry gave her a slight smile and gave a response that made the young girl's eyes widen.
"Because I couldn't leave someone to get hurt. Because when I saw how scared you were I couldn't live with myself if I let anything happen to you." Ron shook his head as Harry spoke, remembering how despite his best efforts he couldn't help his best friend. How he basically abandoned them because it was impossible to do anything. Sure he managed to get the teachers, but Harry was incredible. Even knowing he couldn't win, even after taking two hits from a mountain troll he had struggled to protect their year mate.
While Hermione felt her eyes watering again because the fact that someone had remembered her, then put himself to come and rescue her, then was terribly hurt to save her life... it was a fairy tale! It was a story book event that she only now was far more terrifying in person. But the thing that struck Hermione Granger most was how brave this boy was. How thoughtful and brave and heroic... she suddenly lunged at him, pulling him into a tight hug. Ron finally broke into a chuckle as Harry flailed for a second at the sudden embrace before he settled down and seemed to awkwardly return the hug with one arm while Hermione sniffled against his shoulder.
"You know mate," Ron started with a small grin, "you may not like being the famous Harry Potter but you definitely acted like a hero." At Harry's halfhearted glare and Hermione's faint giggle he just laughed.
"This was no laughing matter, Mister Weasley." The strict Transfiguration professor was standing behind him, causing Hermione to let out a startled gasp and jump back from Harry. McGonagall gave the three of them a hard stare, making all three look away and squirm for a bit before she continued. "However, this is something that took immense courage and while incredibly foolish was definitely the only reason Miss Granger is with us right now. So while I am taking five points from both you and Mister Potter for disobeying the instruction to return to your dormitory," all three flinched at that. The house cup was fairly close this year and they were looking at dropping from second to third place with that. "I am going to award Mister Potter twenty points for saving his housemate and embodying the spirit of Gryffindor house. However!" She stopped the looks of relief with a raised hand, her stern gaze keeping them in place. "You two will serve detention with me tomorrow evening. While I may be amazed and proud of you both, I cannot let you get away without punishment."
Harry and Ron both sighed, looking properly chastised. Hermione started to say something, but stopped when the professor turned to her. Her eyes flicked back and forth between Harry and Hermione for a moment before she spoke in a slightly gentler tone. "Miss Granger, I sympathize with your situation. Because you were not in the Great Hall when the call to return to the dormitory was issued you will not receive any punishment. However Professor Dumbledore does wish to speak to you and Mister Potter regarding this incident. Mister Weasley, please come with me back to Gryffindor tower. The Headmaster-"
"Will ensure your other two Lions manage to get back before curfew Professor McGonagall." The friendly voice of Dumbledore broke in as he walked towards the small group. His gentle smile and twinkling eyes were relaxing, making the nervousness lessen in the two children. "I promise I shall not keep them overly long." Professor McGonagall gave him a polite nod, then offered a rare smile to the three kids.
"I am proud of you Mister Potter, Mister Weasley." With that she ushered a stunned Ron in front of her and out of the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore chuckled to himself as he waved his wand and a comfortable armchair appeared that he eased himself down into. He steepled his fingers and leaned towards the two children. "Mister Potter, Miss Granger... I apologize for keeping you from returning to your dormitory for the moment, but when I heard the situation from Professor Snape I had a few questions I felt I should I ask. I promise that you are not in trouble." He added, seeing the panic building in Hermione's eyes. The elderly wizard merely smiled reassuringly. "I think that there is a potential situation that may have arisen from Mister Potter's actions this evening. Please tell me what happened. Miss Granger, if you would go first, then Mister Potter, then I believe Miss Granger may have to fill in some blanks since Professor Snape told me you lost consciousness Harry?" At the nods he received, he leaned back and gave Hermione his full attention.
Hermione flushed slightly, feeling a bit put on the spot. However she dutifully started her side of events, explaining how after Charms someone had said something that had really hurt her feelings. How she had fled to the bathroom, looking a bit embarrassed as she spoke, and then how when she was trying to clean her face at the sink she smelled something awful. She recounted her fear when she saw the troll in the mirror and the way she had screamed and tried to duck into one of the stalls. That she had crawled through the shattered remains of the wooden stalls after the club tore through them. That she saw Harry and Ron come running in as the troll smashed the sink next to her hiding place, making her scramble away but freeze as she saw the club raising over her. Then how Harry had rushed in and dove at her, barely avoiding the club himself. She admitted she had locked up and been too terrified to really help or even do more than crawl backwards towards the wall until she saw the troll kick Harry as he tried to get up, crashing into the wall next to her. How Ron had tried but failed to draw the attention to himself, then ran for the teachers while Harry tried to club out of the troll's reach. When Harry faltered from the pain in his body and the troll managed to snag the club once again he had tried to guide her away and circle around out of danger. How the troll overbalanced and toppled towards her, only for her to suddenly feel Harry pushing out the way with remaining strength.
"Then Professor McGonagall pulled me into her and wouldn't let me see Harry when the troll fell. I heard," Hermione paused and swallowed hard as her eyes began to tear up once more. "I heard him scream." Her voice was very small, and she looked down at her lap unable to look at either of them. Harry tried to put a hand on her shoulder, a sign of support and his way of showing he was fine now. Dumbledore smiled, a bit of sympathy in his electric blue eyes.
"Miss Granger do not feel ashamed for being frightened. You are a first year student coming from a nonmagical family. That was, unless I'm much mistaken, your first time even seeing a troll in person." Dumbledore discreetly used a silent Cheering Charm one the brunette. Not powerful enough to make her moods fully turn, but enough to stop any kind negative thought taking root. He may not be a Healer, but Albus Dumbledore had lived a very long life. He knew that trauma could spiral into a terrible cycle of self-doubt and self-recriminations. He was using the charm in conjunction with his words to help the two feel more positive as he encouraged them. "I believe for now that is quite enough, my dear. I will have Mister Potter share his story now. Please rest for a while while I hear his side of events. Harry? Would you be so kind?"
Harry nodded a bit reluctantly. He expected to be in serious trouble, even if his Head of House had already handed down her own punishment. "After the order to return to the dormitories I remembered hearing Lavender and Parvati discussing how they'd seen Hermione in the bathroom before dinner. That meant she didn't know about the troll, and Ron followed me to the girl's loo. When we got close we saw the troll entering the bathroom." Harry picked at a loose thread on his robes a bit worriedly, but he met Dumbledore's eyes. They made him feel as though the wizened headmaster could somehow see through him. "I saw how it was cornering Hermione and how every time it swung she was having a harder time getting away. I saw..." his expression showed a bit of the determination that had saved Hermione Granger, "I saw how scared she was. I couldn't leave her. My body moved before I even had a plan, I wasn't thinking about anything except helping her get away sir. I tackled her out of the way of the club, but the troll kicked me into the wall and winded me." Harry ran a hand through his untidy hair, wincing slightly at the memory pain. "Ron was doing everything he could, but we had never planned to actually fight the thing. We didn't even know how to... i yelled at him to get Hermione while it was focused on me, but Ron couldn't get past the thing. I the told him to find a teacher. I heard him running away, and when I saw the club coming back down at us I used the Levitation Charm Professor Flitwick had taught us." Harry shook his head a bit embarrassed. "We're lucky it was so focused on trying to get that thing back. I held out as long as I could, but I was hurt and my focus slipped. Lucky thing, the troll did too." Harry gave a half smile at the headmaster as he gestured to his now repaired legs. "It almost crushed Hermione when it fell. I didn't have enough strength to get us both clear this time. I pushed Hermione out of the way and the last thing I remember is..." Harry flinched at the fresh memory of the weight of the beast crushing his lower body.
"You did a very foolish thing Harry." Dumbledore gently chided. "You very easily could have died. However thanks to your actions a life was saved." He gave the young boy a warm smile, peering over his own glasses at Harry. "However, it is that very act that we need to discuss. Miss Granger?" She straightened up, looking worried that Harry was about to get into more trouble. "Did you say anything to Harry about what he did this evening?"
Hermione flushed a faint pink but nodded. "I told him he saved my life. So if you're going to punish him, please let me take it instead Professor Dumbledore!" She quickly spoke, ignoring Harry's wide eyes on her. However Dumbledore held up a hand to forestall any further self-sacrificing words.
"You misunderstand Miss Granger. Harry is not in any kind of trouble with me. I believe your Head of House has handled that. No, I need to explain a very old magic that I believe was invoked by Harry'd actions this evening." Dumbledore saw confusion on both faces. He chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "When a wizard or witch puts themself in mortal danger specifically to save the life of another witch or wizard there can be a special kind of magic invoked. Mister Potter selflessly and without expectation of any reward went into a situation that risked his own life to save yours, Miss Granger. You acknowledged his act, allowing the magic to come to being. The simplest name for this type of magic is called a Life Debt." He saw Hermione's eyes fill with curiosity, and he could tell Madame Pince would be fielding request for information on this topic soon. "It is an ancient magic, before the time of Hogwarts or even magical education in general. This will have no real effect on either of you, so do not fear that this will change things or you as people."
"A Life Debt in simplest terms is a magical balancing act. Mister Potter can only invoke the magic under very specific circumstances, and I highly doubt any of those will be arising before you two graduate from this school. In truth, I owe you both an apology." Dumbledore admitted, making the two students gape at him as if he sprouted a second head. "The way I handled the troll was to try and protect the students after Professor Quirrel had made such a loud and panicked statement. I assumed that you would be safer away from the location of the troll. I should have had the Heads of House do a check to ensure nobody was still in the halls or working in the library. Just because there is a feast doesn't mean that every student will attend. In fact I could easily have gone alone to take care of the matter, but to save time on the safety measure I just mentioned I took all the teachers to try and create a safety net of sorts and prevent the troll reaching any student populated areas. It was in hindsight an error in judgement that put you both in danger."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other in disbelief for a moment. Neither had ever had a teacher or authority figure admit to fault so openly. They stared at each other for a few seconds before they both tried appease Dumbledore at the same time.
"It's not your fault-"
"Professor Dumbledore you couldn't know-"
"-honestly it feels more like Professor Quirrel shouldn't have made a spectacle, Professor."
"-really it isn't like you let the troll loose yourself."
Hermione and Harry's placations just made Dumbledore chuckle before he spoke up, making them both stop to listen. "I will be writing a letter to your parents Miss Granger to inform them that there was a situation and that you are unharmed. Given the situation if you feel unsafe then I will be happy to facilitate a visit to them to help everyone feel reassured. Mister Potter," Dumbledore gave Harry his grandfatherly smile, "I would very much like it if you would rely on the teachers and staff to help keep you and the other students. While this time tragedy was avoided, I believe we should take it as a lesson. I shall do my utmost to ensure that Hogwarts is the safe haven for learning it has been since I became Headmaster so many years ago. I would greatly appreciate it if you took this as a lesson in how easy it is for our words to harm others. After all, this all began over unkind remarks to you Miss Granger." He stood, and the two first years understood their meeting with the headmaster was over. "Please come with me, I would appreciate pleasant company to Gryffindor Tower. It is a bit of a walk, and these old bones find the trek easier with friendly faces."
~~~~~
Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk, deep in thought. He had nearly forgotten about Life Debts. The War against Tom Riddle had been quite devastating, and many of the altruists had died in that conflict. Life Debts were not often acknowledged let alone had time to truly be more than a bond of trust between friends as often the Debt would be repaid in the next battle or the one after. However, after ten years of peace Dumbledore realized he had fallen into the same trap as Cornelius Fudge- he had allowed the time of peace to soften him. While Fudge only came to power after Tom's defeat, Albus knew that the man was at least smart enough to ask for help when he felt out of his depth. A decent man during peace time, but he would never last if Dumbledore's suspicions were correct.
Unlike the Minister of Magic, Dumbledore believed that Tom Riddle had not been truly slain. No body, no explanation for the rebounding curse (though he had figured that one out himself), and only the word of the supposedly Imperioused Death Eaters that they had woken from his control. In truth it was a terrible time, and had he not been busy with keeping an eye of Harry between his three posts at the ICW, the Wizengamot, and Hogwarts he would have been far more proactive in seeking out the rumors of the spectral shade Voldemort had become. No, this was a wake up for Albus Dumbledore. Ten years ago he never would have been so careless as to have so many moving pieces during an emergency. Sealing the Great Hall, having half the staff with him and the other half safeguarding the children in after ensuring there were none missing. He sighed as Fawkes raised his beautiful golden plumed head to gaze at Dumbledore. The bird trilled a gentle melody that filled the aged Headmaster with a warmth that made he smile at the Phoenix.
"I really am growing older, my friend." He confided to Fawkes with a sigh. "It is time I finally pull on resources and take the initiative back." His hands gently stroked the magnificent bird as he spoke. "I believe that twice ancient magic being invoked Harry is no coincidence. I wish I knew exactly how Lily invoked her protection, so I can see if it relates to the formation of Life Debts in any way. After all... if it is a power Tom knows not, the ancient magic around love and sacrifice that aren't based around increasing one's own strength could be a major blind spot. Tom Riddle was born without the capacity to love thanks to the love potion that lead to his conception. "Love... I had already believed it to be the greatest source of power that Harry could access. I honestly would be terrified of a student creating a debt if I didn't know young Harry as well as I do. Yet the plan to draw Voldemort out of hiding relies on me bringing him here. Given how Quirrel has been acting when he thinks none are watching, I can tell that there is something dark inside him that was not there before term started. Combined with the unicorn attacks... the picture is slowly clearing. I believe that Quirrel is either acting under a curse or is possibly even hosting a dark symbiotic creature. Or shade, if his hunch was correct.
"I think it is time I made some allies before things devolve into mistrust once more." Albus nodded to himself, slowly reaching for parchment and quill. "I will not let the darkness claim our world again, but this time I plan to ensure those who need to stand with me are aware of my suspicions and plans. This troll debacle will be the last incident where I fail my students."