Ron was confused the whole day. He didn't really understand what Harry and Hermione were arguing about earlier but he knew that Harry messed up – like really messed up. Luckily, he had Neville to share his confusion with since the round-faced boy also wasn't following the argument. Ron reckoned that Victor had an inkling, though, as he looked thoughtful as the three of them made their way back to the castle.

After Hermione walked out of the group, it only took a few minutes for Harry to compose himself and decide to find Hermione. The three of them offered to help but Harry was adamant that they let him do this alone against their better judgement. ("I created this trouble, I should be the one to fix it," said Harry.)

However, Ron was growing steadily nervous as the Halloween feast began and there was no Hermione or Harry on sight. He heard Parvati and Lavender tell Sophie and Sally-Anne as they made their way to the Great Hall that Hermione was crying and being comforted by Harry – so Ron let that piece of information assure him that Harry has taken control of the situation.

Ron noticed that there were more people than usual in the High Table. He'd bet that some of them were new teachers that the school hired. Ron was both proud and embarrassed about his participation – which really, the whole idea was Harry's. Ron's mum had written him a letter telling him that his dad and her were proud of him for focusing on his studies – turns out Percy had been writing to their mother of the recent development in Hogwarts. Harry had received a letter from his mother, too – Neville, Hermione, and Victor too – which surprised Ron.

He saw Professor Dumbledore approach the podium to speak and the Great Hall immediately hushed into silence.

"A very joyful Hallows' eve to all! I'm sure you've noticed that there were more people than usual in the High Table. I do not know if you are aware but two months ago, we received a collective letter from the first-years expressing their displeasure and suggestions to make Hogwarts a more stellar educational institution," began Professor Dumbledore.

This was received with murmurs no doubt adding to the gossip mill of Hogwarts. The first-years in question were struggling between positive embarrassment and being mightily proud, although Ernie looked like he had no problem showing his pompousness and Daphne was resolutely unfazed.

The Ravenclaws looked vindicated at the news while Malfoy looked particularly sour. Ron couldn't help but celebrate silently at Malfoy's misery – although if Harry were here, he would have immediately admonished Ron for being rude and unfair. Ah, Harry is a good person, no one could ever measure.

Ron's ears then went pink as he realized the looks being sent towards his and Neville's direction – he was pretty sure they were looking for Harry but the school had established that he was often seen with him, Neville, Hermione, and Victor.

"Imagine our pleasant surprise when we received the letter," chuckled Professor Dumbledore, "but the staff agreed that the students were right – thus, Hogwarts welcomes these well-renowned wizards and witches as professors!"

A smattering applause was heard and Ron saw Percy sitting attentively – but very excited at the prospect of new teachers. He supposed that these new teachers were probably famous since he heard the upper years talk and gossip around him.

"Three of them, in fact, wrote the textbooks required in Hogwarts – Professor Bathilda Bagshot, a famed historian –" Dumbledore gestured at a jolly, stout old woman beaming at the student body "—she will be teaching OWLs students in History of Magic. Professor Binns, on the other hand, will focus on NEWTs and more specific subjects."

"Professor Newton Scamander, a famous magizoologist" – a bashful wizard stood up, bowing profusely while Bowtruckle hangs on his beard – "will be taking over Professor Kettleburn in Care of Magical Creatures as Silvanus will be focusing on desk work."

"We also have Professor Miranda Goshawk, a celebrated Charms master" – a kind-looking witch waved from the table – "will take over some Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology classes."

"We are also extremely honored to have Professor Nicolas Flamel," said Dumbledore as he gestured to the most ancient-looking person Ron had the pleasure of seeing, "a renowned potioneer and alchemist, will be teaching the first-year students in Potions and those who want to take up Alchemy in their NEWTs."

The first-years erupted into a cheer as they heard this news – to them, anyone was better than Professor Snape. And speaking of Snape, he even looked – Ron was ready to take pleasure at Snape's bitter face but he actually looked pleased? Ron had thought he would be anything but…! Although his face was closed off, there was no sign of displeasure etched on his features. Why?

"Professor Snape would now only be delegated to teach NEWTs students…" Ah. That's probably why he's not angry, he won't be teaching dunderheads anymore. Good for him, Ron thought.

"The rest of the OWLs students would be taught by Professor Horace Slughorn, a dear colleague of mine who agreed to resume his old post," said Dumbledore enthusiastically, the Slytherins were clapping loudly as an old man with an enormous, silver, walrus-like mustache stood up and waved.

The student body was yet to stop clapping as they cheered for the new professors that will help them further their studies. Ron supposed this might be due to Dumbledore bringing out the big wands but before the celebrations can continue, the massive doorway revealed a fear-stricken Quirrell as he sprinted towards the High Table screaming – "Troll – troll in the dungeons – thought you ought to know" – before collapsing cold to the floor.

The students reacted instantaneously as the hall erupted into an uproar. Deafening screeches and frantic screams were generated – it was a pandemonium. Hermione'll be proud that I can use pandemonium in a sentence now, Ron thought.

It took purple firecrackers exploding from Dumbledore's wand to quieten the students down – "Prefects! Lead your house to your respective dormitories."

"B-But isn't the Slytherin dormitory in the dungeons or was that changed since the last time I were here?" exclaimed Professor Slughorn. Dumbledore belatedly realized his oversight and amended his orders.

"Gryffindor and Ravenclaw – go. Slytherin and Hufflepuff, you stay here in the Great Hall until we sort out the problem."

Just like that the students moved again while Professor Dumbledore convened the teachers. Ron winced as a thought in his head registered. Poor new teachers, already having work to do despite this day being their first. The thought didn't last long as someone tugged on his robes – Neville.

"What is it, Neville?" asked Ron.

In a small but definitely steady voice, Neville answered, "Harry and Hermione, they don't know."

Bloody— Ron's eyes found Victor's who was at the tail end of the Ravenclaw line. Apparently, Victor had the same sentiment as Neville's. Ron had the urge to groan at the undertone of Neville's statement: Let's go tell them.

Victor had begun ducking down, making his way to Ron and Neville's trying to slip away unnoticed. As the two also slowed down and met with Victor.

"If we die trying to warn Harry and Hermione, I will haunt you in the afterlife."

Harry knows what day today is, of course. He vividly remembers this day and that's why he sent Ron, Neville, and Victor on their way and why he's trying to coax Hermione out of the room to no avail. The Troll Incident.

He didn't want the three to get involved and if worse comes to worse, Harry thinks he can defeat a mountain troll. Come on, he's defeated more fearsome opponents like Moldyshorts, he could take on a fully-grown mountain troll. Probably.

But it would be better if the point doesn't come to worse, and he and Hermione's out of the troll's range by the evening feast. But with his rotten luck, Harry should have had expected it.

"Hermione, look. I know I was out of line; I shouldn't have said that even if my frustration got the best of me. I'd understand if you don't want to be my friend and it's okay if you ignore me for all the time we'll spend in Hogwarts" – that's a lie, Harry would be heartbroken if Hermione wouldn't be his friend anymore – "just please… come out."

"Go 'way, Harry," a muffled, thick voice came from inside the room.

The conversation went like that for a while, a back and forth from him and Hermione, but she wouldn't budge. Harry knew when and when not to push, and because he was also equally tired, he settled on the floor, his head arched to the wall and let comfortable silence reign. Harry didn't know how long he listened to Hermione's quiet sniffles but he realized the sun has already set.

Cold dread settled in his stomach and Harry pleaded once more, "Please, 'Mione. I really am sorry; I didn't mean any of that. Just please come out of the bathroom…"

A shocked voice came out of the room.

"You're still there? How long has it been?"

Harry replied, "I care about you, Hermione. I'm not leaving if you aren't."

And again, silence. But this time, Harry's insides squirmed as the familiar stench of putrid smell reached his nose. Harry could almost see its silhouette in the corridor, a huge frame dragging a wooden club.

"Okay," Hermione softly said and the door unlocked. Harry did not waste time and entered the door, securing it shut.

"Harry!" reacted Hermione in a shrill voice, "This is entirely inappropriate!"

Harry's finger was on his lips, indicating Hermione to quieten down but the girl was confused.

"Do you smell and hear that?" whispered Harry.

Hermione listened closely as she sniffed, her face contorting into displeasure at the smell of old socks and a public restroom that no one seemed to clean. But there was no mistaking it, the troll was in this corridor – the shuffling footfalls of its giant steps is progressively becoming louder. As it nears, the grunt was unmistakable and Hermione squeaked.

"Harry… please tell me… that's not…" breathed Hermione.

"A troll? Yes… yes, it is," replied Harry urgently. "Let's hope it goes away soon."

It doesn't.

The troll barged in the bathroom – and Harry could now see the twelve feet tall beast, its skin a dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. Hermione let out a high, petrified scream.

The troll immediately reacted, turned its eyes to where Harry and Hermione remained rooted on the floor. Harry's mind was clear – he needed to take down the troll but Hermione would suspect him more if he casts upper-year spells. His mind argued: You're facing what might be your death and your worry is what Hermione would think?

Making up his mind, Harry brandished his wand at the troll's hands. "Relashio!"

The troll's fingers twitched but it didn't release the club it was holding – Harry belatedly realize that trolls, like giants are resistant to most spells. The troll grew agitated at this attempt and roared; Harry immediately pushed Hermione to move lest they get flung to the wall. Harry brandished his wand once more and casted a Knockback Jinx – it may not affect the troll but it can keep it at bay.

Hermione seeing Harry trying to fight wracked her brains, despite her terror, of advanced spells she had been reading. She pointed her wand, trembling, at the troll and with a cutting motion – "Diffindo!"

The Severing Charm did not cut the troll as she expected but it still made a mark. The troll's skin was hard therefore the Severing Charm wouldn't take effect – well, not until it was repeatedly used, Hermione thought. This was how Neville, Ron, and Victor found them both – casting spells and curses while ducking from the troll's flailing hands.

It was coming dangerously close to Harry and Hermione; they're almost cornered at the wall that Neville summed up his bravery and threw a piece of fallen cement at the back of the troll's head. The troll blinked stupidly at Harry and Hermione before turning around, and Harry inwardly groaned as he noticed the three newcomers. I sent you away so you won't get involved, Harry thought.

Taking the chance on this momentary distraction, Harry and Hermione's spells – "Confringo!" "Diffindo!" – hit at the same place at the same time. The troll let out a mighty roar as his hand slackened its grip on the club as a bruise formed. Its eyes flashed dangerously as it turned again to Harry and Hermione.

"Oy, pea-brain!" shouted Ron. The troll again looked at the source of the sound. Harry and Hermione clambered to get to their friends' side, the troll's menacing figure just behind them. The troll drew nearer and in the spur of the moment, Ron remembered their recent Charms lesson and casted – "Wingardium Leviosa!" – on the troll's club.

The club rose high into the air, dangling over its owner's head before falling with a sickening crack to its owner's head. For extra measure, Victor pointed at the ceiling over the troll's head and said – "Bombarda!"

A huge chunk of the ceiling fell into the troll's head right after the club and the troll fell flat on its face.

"Is it – dead?" squeaked Neville, his knees collapsing on the floor.

Harry shuddering a deep breath replied, "No. I reckon it's concussed, though."

This was how they were found by Professor McGonagall as she burst into the room, followed by Professor Flitwick, and then an unfamiliar teacher who had a Bowtruckle on his shoulders on the rear. Wait a minute – this wasn't how it went last time.

As the teachers took in the sight of a wrecked bathroom and five students looking as if they wrestled the troll into submission, their robes wet and dusty, the Charms master squeaked while like last time Harry remembered the scene, Professor McGonagall looking furious.

"Good Lord! The troll's knocked out cold!" exclaimed the unfamiliar professor as he checked the condition of the troll.

"Explain yourselves, the five of you! You're lucky you weren't bludgeoned to death!" reprimanded Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. No one spoke for a moment, terrified of Professor McGonagall's stern voice – ironic that they were more terrified of her than a fully-grown mountain troll.

"If I may, Minerva –" interjected Professor Flitwick, "we might want to discuss this in a more proper environment."

That was how they found themselves in the headmaster's office with Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and the unfamiliar man was Professor Scamander – as Harry found out on the way. The Charms professor charmed their robes clean to make them more comfortable.

"What were you thinking of taking on a fully-grown mountain troll?" seethed Professor McGonagall. She might have calmed down along the way but her voice was still filled with fury. Before Hermione can blurt out her tall tale about her looking for the troll all on her own – which admittedly was a good excuse last time – Harry explained.

"I-It was my fault, Professors," said Harry and Professor McGonagall's eyes landed on him.

"I – I upset Hermione, that's why she locked herself up in the room the whole afternoon. I went out after her to apologize and waited outside the room, so we both missed the feast and was not informed of the troll who managed to find itself in that corridor. We tried our best to hold out the troll but had Neville, Ron, and Victor arrived late, I don't know if we're alive much longer," said Harry, somberly.

Professor McGonagall seemed to soften at this, so did Professor Flitwick and Professor Dumbledore. Professor Scamander, on the other hand, seemed sympathetic – he particularly gave off the vibe that he understood that Harry was covering up for them. But Harry isn't covering up – it's the truth! Did Professor Scamander experience something like this before?

Then, said professor spoke up: "Well, that is all good. But what I'd like to know is how five first-years managed to defeat a mountain troll and fully-grown at that?"

Harry stilled. Oh damn, he was using spells not meant for first-years that time. Hermione was the one who regaled the teachers the tale before Ron interjected when it was their time to share their side of the story. Harry, Neville, and Victor were perfectly content in letting them talk.

The teachers were quite taken with the tale – Professor McGonagall clutching her chest most of the time while Professor Flitwick squeaked in excitement every time he heard someone casting an advanced spell – "Revulsion Jinx, Knockback Jinx, and Severing Charm! We're still yet to cover those in our class!" – and creative use of learned spells – "Oho, very ingenious use of the Levitation Charm, Mr. Weasley!"

"Indeed!" agreed Professor Dumbledore. "A wizard is dangerous when he knows appropriate spells to use but he is most terrifying when he's clever enough to make the most mundane of spells dangerous."

Ron's ears went pink.

"And Mr. Potter's use of Blasting Curse and Mr. Rosier's Exploding Charm – now that I think about it, where did you learn those spells?"

Harry's stomach turned lead before Victor answered, "Well, a little bit of advanced reading doesn't hurt."

Dumbledore nodded, accepting this. "Indeed, it doesn't, Mr. Rosier."

Neville looked embarrassed that he was the only person who didn't use his magic. Harry noticed this but before he could utter a word, Professor Scamander had acknowledged Neville's part.

"A wizard is also most impressive when he uses not his magic but his heart and earnestness in doing what he thinks is right," said he, smiling kindly at Neville.

"Indeed, no matter how foolish it may be," seconded Professor McGonagall, her stern voice softening as she glanced at Neville. Neville flushed red at these comments.

Professor Flitwick who had been deep in thought a few minutes ago, piped up excitedly as he caught Professor Dumbledore's attention. "What is it, Filius?"

"Seeing this five, I am inspired to bring back the Duelling Club, Albus! I could teach them more spells in advanced and seeing as we have Miranda helping me in Charms classes, I can turn my attention to the club. What say you, Albus?" exclaimed Professor Flitwick excitedly, his eyes sparkling in enthusiasm and anticipation.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore looked taken aback at this declaration before the latter smiled benignly saying, "I dare say that's an excellent idea, Filius."

Professor Flitwick rounded on them five with a stern expression.

"The five of you will be my first pupils. I will however remove you from the club if I ever hear you slacked off of your studies, do you understand?"

Hermione looked positively surprised but agreed nonetheless. Ron and Neville looked absolutely gobsmacked while Victor merely inclined his head but his eyes were showing the hunger to learn. Well – Harry thought – that solves his problem of starting off DA or a Duelling Club earlier than fifth year.

"Well then," said Professor McGonagall "you can now go back to your respective houses. I suppose there's no reason to deduct house points but I daresay the five of you deserve five points each for your sheer dumb luck."

Professor Scamander startled. "Five points for sheer dumb luck? Well then, an additional five points each for defeating a fully-grown mountain troll."

Professor McGonagall was about to argue but Professor Flitwick added, "Five points each for marvelous use of spellcasting and charm work!"

"Five points for your bravery and courage in the face of unsurmountable obstacle," Professor Dumbledore concluded.

The five of them stared at the teachers with mouths hung open as Professor McGonagall sighed and relented, muttering "this would only encourage reckless behavior" before loudly saying, "Fine. But this is not to be taken as a sign to go off meandering and find mischief like battling a fully-grown mountain troll or something equally dangerous next time! Am I clear?"

Professor McGonagall glared at them, daring them to say otherwise, but the five of them just nodded and replied in a synchronous manner: "Yes, Professor McGonagall."

On their way back, Hermione profusely thanked everyone before asking Harry if she can talk to him for a minute. Ron and Neville tensed, thinking the last time they talked lead them to a dangerous situation but Harry told them not to worry as he faced Hermione.

"Harry. I—I'm sorry –"

"No, Hermione – I'm the one who's sorry for being such a terrible friend. I shouldn't have said that to you. I upset you and because of that, had I not been there, I wouldn't like to imagine what would happen."

Hermione stared at him for a bit, her eyes watering, before choking out, "Thank you, Harry. Truly."

11/01/1991

Moony –

Harry felt giddy as he wrote down Remus' Marauder nickname to write a reply to his letter.

School is fine! I think Hogwarts is a wonderfully wicked place. I got sorted in Gryffindor and made it to the Quidditch team as the youngest Seeker in a century. I don't know if you're familiar with Neville Longbottom but we're friends and mates in Gryffindor with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

I'm making friends in different houses too! One is Victor Rosier, a Ravenclaw, who joins the four of us from time to time. Then there's Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Ernie Macmillan, and Justin Finch-Fletchley who are from Hufflepuff. Then, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis are my friends in Slytherin. I'm annoying Draco Malfoy into being friends with me, too.

We also have new teachers. It's cool that the authors of our textbooks are teaching us. Professor Bagshot, Professor Goshawk, and Professor Scamander – who I think is cool. Professor Flamel is one of the most ancient person I've ever seen and he's teaching first-year Potions and if anyone decided to do Alchemy next year. Professor Slughorn teaches the rest of the OWLs students in Potions, while Professor Snape handles the NEWTs. I think it's better this way.

Also, Professor Flitwick established the Duelling Club back and I'm one of its founding members – with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Victor. It's because he was impressed how we defeated a fully-grown mountain troll all on our own – Professor McGonagall was angry at us for an hour though.

(Remus Lupin wasn't a person easily surprised but when he reached the last part of Harry's letter – well it's safe to say that he almost had a heart attack.)