AN: Here's this week's chapter! I've unfortunately only got one full chapter left in the backlog after this, so unless I can really get some inspiration there'll end up being a hiatus. I do have all of first year planned out and written down, I just need to actually WRITE chapters. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Neville's improvement with his new wand was near instant. He's gone from being the weakest spellcaster among the Sphinx Club to being the second strongest, with only Harry being superior. This was doing wonders for his confidence though, causing a mild increase in grades even in the theoretical side of things. This shows through most in Potions class however, where Neville, for the first time, received an Exceeds Expectations for a Potion, as even the ever critical Severus Snape was unable to find a flaw in his potion.
By the end of October, the Sphinx club find themselves with incredibly firm grasps on every topic they are expected to cover in class up to the start of the new year, which both Professor Flitwick and McGonagall heap praise onto the dectet for.
The morning of Halloween, the Sphinx Club meets just outside the Great Hall for a quick meeting.
"Happy Halloween guys!" Lavender says, looking at the gathered group of friends.
"Happy Halloween Lavender." The group choruses, faces are mostly pretty happy, although Harry appears a bit glum.
"Okay, I had an idea. Since it's Halloween, we should meet in the Club room and tell scary stories and eat candy. I don't know how, but the Weasley twins have this massive stockpile of candy they're selling from. I think it'll be fun!" Lavender says, giving a small twirl after telling her idea.
"It does sound like fun, but all of that candy is bad for your teeth." Hermione says, touching her hand to her mouth.
"Okay, we'll limit the candy a bit, but still! Fun! Stories! Friendship! All that junk!" Lavender says, somewhat exasperated.
"It does sound like fun, we should do it." Harry says, murmurs from the group agree with him.
"Alright! Neville, Parv and I will bring the candy. You guys bring yourselves. Oh, it'll be SO MUCH FUN!" Lavender says, nearly bursting with excitement. Her energy is pretty contagious, and even the more glum Harry is seen entering the Great Hall with a smile on his face.
After breakfast, the Ravenclaws head to their Charms class, where Professor Flitwick welcomes them with a smile. "Greetings everyone, and Happy Halloween! Today we are going to be learning one of the more useful spells you will ever learn, and one of my personal favorites. It's the levitation charm, and its incantation is 'Wingardium Leviosa'. The wand movement is a simple swish and flick. Please watch my demonstration." Professor Flitwick then gets into a stance and casts the spell, lifting his desk towards the ceiling, with himself on top of it. "You will be attempting to levitate feathers, be mindful of your pronunciation and wand movement and you should have no trouble. More information can be found on page 93 of your texts. I will be coming around to assist those as I can."
Having practiced the charm before with the Sphinx Club, Harry, Hermione, Padma, Neville, Parvati, and Lavender have no issues performing the spell, although Harry and Neville are still working on proper power control, with Harry accidentally levitating the table they were sitting at, and Neville shooting his feather into the ceiling, causing it to stick. "Well done you six, remarkable casting. Boys you need to get that power under control, you're likely to put someone's eye out if you aren't careful.
"Yes Professor Flitwick." Neville and Harry say in unison, before chuckling.
"Would you six assist some of the others? I dare say you've got it down well enough for that." Professor Flitwick asks, as he makes his way across the classroom to Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, who have managed to set their feathers aflame.
"You've got it professor," The six say, and they head to a few of the other class members to assist their spellcasting.
Harry watches as Hermione heads over to Ron Weasley, who is sitting with Michael Corner. Harry would normally be concerned about this, as Ron has constantly been mean to Hermione on the few occasions they've spoken. With Michael there though, he's less concerned.
Of all the boys in Harry's dorm, Michael Corner is the one that Harry has taken up the most with, since they've both experienced being bullied for their size. Michael supposedly is on friendly terms with Ron, as they like to talk quidditch together, mainly about Ron's older brother Charlie, who was both Quidditch Team Captain and Seeker during the previous year. With his graduation, Gryffindor had struggled to find a replacement Seeker, as it was a notoriously difficult position. A second-year named Cormac McClaggen had stepped up to the plate and played the first game of the year, but gave a poor performance, causing the Gryffindor team to lose.
Turning his attention away from Hermione, Harry focuses on assisting Terry and Anthony with the Levitation Charm. After a few minutes, both have managed to lift their feathers a few inches, and Harry congratulates them.
"It's Win-gar-dium Lev-i-o-sa. You see, make the gar nice and long, and more emphasis on the 'O' less on the 'sa'" Hermione says and Harry's ears perk up. Ron's accent would give him some difficulty with that, given he'd be more likely to say 'Leviosar' than 'Leviosa'.
"If it's so easy, you do it then." Ron spits angrily. If Hermione notices his sour mood, she doesn't comment on it as she clearly enunciates the spell and levitates Ron's feather.
"See, just try the pronunciation again, you'll get it." Hermione says, her voice sweet.
"Ugh, you're such a nightmare, why does anyone hang out with you?" Ron asks angrily. Michael not so subtly knocks him in the back, which thankfully diverts Ron's attention away from the stare of total fury that Harry is throwing Ron's way. Any chance of them being friends was just thrown out.
Hermione's eyes well up with tears, as she moves back to her original seat. Harry, having coached his dormmates through the spell moves to go sit with her, when he is stopped by Lily Moon and Mandy Brocklehurst. "Can you help us next?"
Harry looks over and sees Hermione pack up her things and leave the classroom, sighing in exasperation, he sits down to help the two girls with their spell.
Charms lets out and Harry and Padma make their way to Transfiguration, and are startled when Hermione doesn't show up. They're even more concerned when they can't find her for lunch, DADA or History. Before the feast, the pair split up to attempt to find her. Harry had no luck in the Ravenclaw common room or the Sphinx Club room. Making his way to the Great Hall for the feast, he comes across Padma at the doors.
"Did you find her?" Harry asks, visibly concerned.
"I did, she's in the girl's bathroom on the second floor. She yelled at me to go away. I figure after the feast the pair of us can go get her and drag her to the Sphinx Club room and let her know that we think she's great." Padma says.
"You're right. Come on then. Let's eat something and grab Hermione a plate. I don't want to leave her in there for long." Harry says, and the pair open the door and make their way to the Ravenclaw table.
"Hey Harry, can I talk to you for a second?" Michael Corner asks as Harry sits down.
"What's up Michael?" Harry asks, looking at the black-haired boy.
"Ron was totally out of line with Hermione today, I gave him a reaming after class. I don't expect we'll be friends anymore. Make sure to let Hermione know that I don't think she's awful at all, and that I really appreciated her help. I'd offer to work with her on her flying, but I think you're better than me there." Michael laughs a bit and eases Harry's spirit. Harry makes a quick dinner for himself, just a few pork chops and some potatoes. He just finishes and begins gathering some food for Hermione when a voice echoes through the great hall.
"TROLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON! Just thought you should know." Professor Quirrel says, before fainting face first into the floor. A panic grips the hall as Headmaster Dumbledore points a wand to his throat.
"Quiet! Now, Heads of House, please gather your prefects and escort your students to their common rooms. Slytherin Prefects, report to Professor Sinestra since Professor Snape is currently away." Dumbledore's voice booms.
Glancing around, Harry sees Roger Davies, Penelope Clearwater, and the other Ravenclaw prefects make their way to Professor Flitwick. Harry leans over to Michael. "I've got to go get Hermione and make sure she makes her way back to the common room. Cover for me please."
Michael looks confused, but nods. "Alright, just don't do something stupid. The guys and I'll cover for you, it shouldn't be too hard."
Harry relays his plan to Padma, who looks equally as concerned, but doesn't speak up any objections. "I'll help Michael, just stay safe okay? I couldn't bear to see either of you hurt."
The confusion makes it relatively easy for Harry to slip out of the Great Hall and start making his way to the staircases and up to the second floor. As Harry makes his way to the bathroom, he smells something truly wretched. A mixture of old socks and a bathroom that's never been cleaned. Coming into the bathroom though, Harry sees the source of the smell, a twelve foot tall Mountain Troll, wielding a club, which has just taken a swipe over all the stalls in the girl's bathroom.
"Hermione!" Harry calls out, worried that his first friend may have been just murdered by this gross behemoth.
"Harry!" Hermione replies, and Harry's worries are momentarily alleviated. He's still in time to possibly save her.
"Hey ugly!" Harry calls out, shooting Red Sparks at the giant monstrosity. Harry's sparks land and burn some small holes in the creature's ragged tunic, but does little to actually damage the beast. Hermione scuttles behind the Troll's back as its attention focuses on Harry. With a mighty swing the Troll brings its club down on the ground where Harry was once standing, having sidestepped away, but was thrown off balance by the sheer force of the blow. The Troll winds up for another swing towards Harry, but Harry manages to roll under it as the troll takes out the toilets on the wall, spraying water all over the floor. "Glacius!" Harry calls out, freezing the massive creature in place for a moment. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Harry encants, levitating a shard of shattered porcelain in between him and the Troll. "Flipendo Maxima!" Harry screams, overpowering the spell to the greatest degree he possibly can. The shard of porcelain screams through the air as it enters the Troll's eye, then continues on its path straight into the brain, and then out of the skull of the massive creature. The Troll, now deceased, collapses in a small heap on the floor, and Harry, exhausted, falls to his own knees.
Hermione rushes over, wrapping Harry in a hug. "Oh Harry! You saved me, I was a goner but you saved me. Even though you don't like me at all you still saved me!" Hermione cries, tears streaming down her face as she continues to clutch Harry closer and closer.
"Of course I saved you Hermione. You're my best friend. I couldn't ever let anything happen to you." Harry says weakly, trying to wrap his arms around Hermione. Looking down, he sees that they are covered in bruises and splinters. He must have been hit by debris and didn't notice.
"I've found the students! And the Troll?!" Professor McGonagall says, adding the latter part in surprise at seeing the body of the troll on the floor. Professor's Flitwick and Dumbledore enter the room behind her, wands at the ready.
"Good work Minerva, I didn't even hear you cast a spell." Professor Dumbledore says, eyes twinkling.
"That's because I didn't was like this when I got here. Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, are you alright?" Professor McGonagall asks.
"I'm really tired all of a sudden, and my everything hurts, Hermione?" Harry says, weakly, before looking to Hermione.
"I've got a couple scratches, but I'll be okay." Hermione says between tears.
"Filius, please get these two to the Hospital Wing, they're your students after all. Albus and I will clean up here." Professor McGonagall says, starting to levitate and repair the bathroom stalls.
Harry doesn't remember much of the trip to the Hospital Wing. Professor Flitwick had levitated him with a spell he didn't recognize, and Hermione held his hand the whole way, but beyond that it was a blur. Once he was in the Hospital Wing though, Flitwick had given Madam Pomfrey, the school's healer, a summary of what had just happened.
Harry and Hermione both are given and drink a Calming Draught, and explain what happened to the best of their abilities. Madam Pomfrey also gives each of them a once over and heals the minor injuries they have. Madam Pomfrey however does say "Mr. Potter is suffering from severe magical exhaustion. Whatever he did, he literally poured everything he had into it. He'll need to stay here overnight. For safety's sake, I'd like for Ms. Granger to stay as well. Please inform their Professor's that they will not be attending classes tomorrow."
"I believe it for the best that we cancel all classes outright while we investigate how this could have happened. I imagine Minerva and Pomona will agree with me. I will inform them otherwise though. Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, would you please provide me with a memory of these events?" Professor Flitwick asks, pulling out two vials and his wand.
"Yes sir," Harry says, weakly thinking about the event and Flitwick pulls the wisp from his temple.
"Okay sir." Hermione agrees, and Flitwick performs the process again.
"Get some rest you two, you've certainly earned it. I believe that will be all. Madam Pomfrey, please keep me apprised of any updates regarding them." Professor Flitwick says, before readying himself to leave.
"Actually, if you would step into my office for a moment, there's something I need to speak with you about." Madam Pomfrey says, and Flitwick follows.
A few moments later, both Harry and Hermione pass out, their calming draught having been laced with a time-delayed sleeping potion.
The next morning, Harry awoke to find Hermione having laid herself on his bed, hugging him very tightly. "Ugh, g'morning Hermione… why are you crushing me?" Harry asks groggily as his best friend turns beet red and lets go.
"Honestly I'm just so happy you're okay. You fought a TROLL last night, an XXXX magical creature. That's really dangerous! You could have been killed. But you did it, and you did it for me, a bossy know-it-all who is a nightmare." Hermione says, her face dropping toward the end.
"No, I fought a Troll for my best friend, an amazing witch who I have it on good authority is 'the best'. Her mom told me so. Now if I hear you talk bad about yourself again, I'll have to fight another troll, and I don't know where to find a troll, so you're out of luck." Harry says, smirking at his friend.
Hermione flushes red at his words and Harry takes this as a victory. He's crushed by another Hermy-Hug.
"Well, Mr. Potter isn't screaming for air at the moment so I'll assume he's feeling better." Madam Pomfrey says, forcing Hermione to squeak and shoot away from the boy rapidly.
"What happened last night really? I barely remember getting here." Harry says, looking to the matron for answers.
"Professor Flitwick brought you in after your encounter with the Troll. Both of you had minor cuts and bruises on your bodies, but nothing particularly dangerous physically. You, Mr. Potter, were suffering from severe magical exhaustion. Whatever you did to that Troll, you certainly put everything into it. Both of you received calming draughts that were laced with a sleeping potion for after you were finished being examined." Madam Pomfrey says, before waving her wand over each of them.
"You're both perfectly fine now, classes have been canceled for the day, so I suggest you rest. I have no reason to keep you here, but if you feel like you need to stay here you are welcome to. Otherwise enjoy your day."
Harry and Hermione gather their things and make their way back to the Ravenclaw dorms, where they take a quick shower and change into some new clothes. Once they return to the common room, they find Padma and Michael waiting for them.
"So, what happened last night? You guys never came back. We were worried sick! Did you get attacked by the troll?" Padma asks, concern evident on her face.
"The troll had entered the bathroom where I was, and took out the stalls I was hiding in. Harry came in and distracted it, then killed it." Hermione says, eyes wide.
"Harry killed a Troll?" Michael asks, shocked. "Like, I know he's the best of all of us at Defense, and only behind you two in Charms, but to kill a Troll? That's wicked!"
"I got lucky. Honestly I'm just happy that Hermione's okay." Harry says.
"We've got to tell the rest of the Sphinx Club. Come on, they told me to wait for you two, but they were going to be in the room." Padma says.
"You guys have fun. I'm going to go tell the guys what happened. Guess you'll be Harry Troll-Slayer now!" Michael says, laughing as he makes his way to another corner of the common room, toward Terry, Anthony, and Stephen.
The Sphinx Club were equally as excited to hear the news that both Harry and Hermione were okay, and that Harry was now their resident Troll slayer.
"Ooh! We're going to be beating off the girls with sticks now!" Lavender says, looking at Harry. "Harry Potter goes and saves a girl from a Troll? It's so romantic! Every girl's going to want a piece!"
Harry flushes red. "I don't think it's all that impressive. I didn't do anything anyone else wouldn't have done."
"And he's so modest! Oh Harry you're going to be a dreamboat when you're older!" Lavender says, metaphorical hearts in her eyes.
"Implying he's not dreamy now?" Daphne snarks.
"He's a bit scrawny, wait for puberty, then we'll need the sticks." Lavender says, either not noticing or not caring about Daphne's sarcasm.
Harry shows that he should be in Gryffindor by turning an even deeper scarlet color. Lavender and Parvati laugh at his misfortune. Padma and Hermione look at Harry, and for just the briefest of moments, their hearts skip a beat.
Harry is currently however, simply trying to not pass out from embarrassment.
He did not succeed.