CHAPTER 13: CONFLICTS AND CONVICTIONS

As they made their way back to the common room, Tracy couldn't resist teasing Harry. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"

"And an idiot," Daphne added with a playful smile.

Harry chuckled. "To my defense, I'm well aware of that."

The prefect accompanying them joined in with a laugh. "All Potters seem to have a touch of madness, don't they?"

"It's just a shame that you're somehow crazy enough to get yourself killed," remarked Daphne, her tone laced with concern.

Harry shook his head confidently. "No, I'm going to live a long life."

"How can you be so sure?" Daphne inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Harry stifled a yawn. "I've done plenty of crazy things over the years. If I were going to die, it would've happened long ago."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

Harry shrugged. "Not really."

With a sense of relief and gratitude, they finally reached the Slytherin common room, ready to put the day's events behind them and rest, knowing they had faced danger and emerged victorious, together.

As Snape's inquiry lingered in the air, Harry couldn't help but feel the weight of their attention. He took a deep breath before recounting the events as they had unfolded.

"Well, sir," Harry began, addressing Snape's question, "apparently the troll wasn't in the dungeons anymore. Perhaps the Gryffindors would like to give their version of what happened first."

Snape nodded in agreement. "Very well. What happened next?"

Adrian stepped forward, his voice steady as he provided their account of the encounter with the troll. "Hermione wasn't in the Great Hall. We heard about the troll and went to look for her. When we found her, the troll was already there."

McGonagall's expression softened with concern. "My goodness, Miss Granger, are you alright?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, Professor. They helped me escape. We started to run, and then the troll followed us."

Tracy interjected sharply, her tone accusatory. "And you led him straight to us!"

Snape raised an eyebrow, directing his question to the trio. "What do you mean?"

"The troll followed these three, and they ran straight towards us and the other Slytherins!" Tracy explained. "Without Harry, we would have been in big trouble."

Dumbledore's curiosity was piqued. "What did Mr. Potter do?"

Daphne, now composed after the earlier kiss, stepped forward to offer her account. "He saw the troll coming and told the rest of us to get to safety. Then he ran towards the trio and the troll. He managed to get past them, and when the troll attempted to strike him, he dodged and kicked it from behind after blinding it with a Lumos spell. Following that, he hit it with an Incendio and a Stunning spell to the back of its head."

McGonagall interjected, her tone stern. "That was very foolish of you, Mr. Potter. Did you really think you could stop a troll alone?"

Harry shook his head earnestly. "No, Professor. I thought I could divert its attention away from everyone else."

Daphne added, "And he succeeded. The troll chased him, and he led it away from the rest of us. I don't know what happened after that."

Dumbledore turned his attention to Harry, his expression contemplative. "Mr. Potter, what happened next?"

"I led the troll up the stairs," Harry replied, his voice steady. "I believe it was around the fourth stair where I stopped and cast a piercing curse into its eye. Then I did the same to the other eye and cast a Reductor curse between the troll's legs. After that, I jumped off the stairs, and..."

"You did what?!" Several voices exclaimed in unison, their astonishment evident.

As Adrian's exclamation hung in the air, Harry stood firm, his expression resolute yet tinged with a hint of amusement.

"A little," Harry admitted with a sheepish grin, acknowledging the truth in Adrian's assessment.

Dumbledore's tone was stern as he addressed Harry. "Mr. Potter, you've caused immense damage..."

But before Dumbledore could continue, McGonagall interjected firmly. "Mr. Potter saved lives! Forget about the stairs; they can be repaired."

Dumbledore hesitated, considering McGonagall's words, before Snape added his agreement. "I concur. Mr. Potter has risked his life to save many students today."

McGonagall turned to the golden trio, her expression softened. "Each of you would have received five points if you had attempted to save Miss Granger." She then directed her attention to Harry. "First, I would like to award you ten points for advanced magic, twenty points for saving friends and fellow students, and an additional twenty points for defeating a troll."

Harry's smile widened gratefully. "Thank you, Professor."

"You're welcome," McGonagall replied warmly. "Now I want all of you to return to your dormitories."

Harry nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, ma'am."

As they made their way back to the common room, Tracy couldn't resist teasing Harry once more. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"

"And an idiot," Daphne chimed in with a playful smirk.

"In my defense, I actually knew that," Harry quipped, his tone light despite the seriousness of the situation.

The prefect chuckled, offering Harry a fond pat on the shoulder. "You're a crazy kid, Potter."

With a shared sense of camaraderie and relief, they continued on their way, ready to put the day's events behind them and grateful for the bonds of friendship that had seen them through.

Harry chuckled at Daphne's retort, shaking his head at her teasing. "All Potters are crazy in some way," he replied with a wry smile.

Daphne rolled her eyes, playfully jabbing him in the side. "It's just a shame that you're somehow crazy enough to get yourself killed."

Harry's smile remained unwavering as he shook his head again. "No."

"No?" Tracy raised an eyebrow, curious.

"I'm going to live a long life," Harry stated confidently, his gaze steady.

Daphne raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How did you figure that out?"

Harry let out a tired yawn, his eyelids drooping slightly. "I've done a lot of crazy things over the years. If I were going to die, it would've happened by now."

Daphne sighed, a mixture of exasperation and fondness in her expression. "Do I even want to know?"

Harry shrugged, his exhaustion evident. "Not really."

With a shared understanding, they continued on their way, their bond strengthened by the events of the day and the unspoken acknowledgment of the risks they faced as students of Hogwarts. And as they reached the safety of the Slytherin common room, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the friendships that had carried him through yet another perilous adventure.

Harry watched with a mix of amusement and bemusement as the rumors about his encounter with the troll spread like wildfire throughout the school. Some claimed he had used dark magic, while others insisted he had vanquished the troll with a lightning bolt. There was even a wild rumor suggesting he had single-handedly thrown the troll across the room.

As Harry sat at the Slytherin table during lunch, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers that followed him. However, he paid them little mind, focusing instead on his meal and the upcoming plans with Tracy and Daphne.

"Harry," a familiar voice called out, interrupting his thoughts. Looking up, he saw his brother Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger standing beside the table.

Harry nodded politely. "Yes, can I help you?"

"We just wanted to thank you," Adrian said, gratitude evident in his voice.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For defeating the troll!" Ron exclaimed, his admiration clear.

Harry chuckled softly. "Yes, but why are you thanking me for that?"

Hermione stepped forward, her expression earnest. "We wanted to thank you for saving our lives."

Harry shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, well, I suppose so, but I didn't do it to save you."

"What do you mean?" Adrian asked, confusion evident in his voice. "You didn't do it to save us from the troll?"

Harry leaned back in his chair, meeting their gazes evenly. "You led the troll straight to me and the other Slytherins. I did it to prevent all of us, not just you three, from being killed."

Adrian's expression shifted, realization dawning on his features. "Uh, yeah, fair point."

Harry then turned to his brother, a sense of pride evident in his voice. "Actually, you said yesterday that you were looking for Hermione. First off, I want to say that you acted bravely."

Adrian's chest puffed out slightly, a hint of pride evident in his expression. "Thank you," he replied, a sense of validation in his tone.

Harry's patience wore thin as he addressed Adrian's lack of foresight. "Secondly, I want to ask why you were looking for her?" he spoke slowly, his tone measured.

Adrian glanced at his brother, who returned his gaze with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. "Well, uh, Hermione was crying in the bathroom."

"Why?" Harry directed his question to Hermione, his concern evident.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Well, I was a bit upset after what you and Daphne said about the marriage contract, and I heard Ron saying things about me, so I went there to cry."

Ron's expression softened with remorse. "Sorry again, Hermione," he whispered, genuine regret in his voice.

Adrian interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension. "But now everything's fine."

"No, it's not, you're an idiot," Harry retorted calmly, his disappointment palpable.

Adrian's brows furrowed in confusion. "What?!"

"Why didn't you tell a teacher?" Harry questioned, his tone firm. "Or a prefect? It would have taken a whole minute for you to do it, and Hermione could have been saved by some qualified wizards."

Adrian paused, considering Harry's words. "Uh, we didn't think!"

"No, you didn't think!" Harry's tone was tinged with frustration. "I couldn't come up with a plan in time because the troll was right there with us, and I had to get him away from everyone else. What's your excuse? As far as I know, one of the older Weasley brothers is a prefect. You should have told him."

"Look, we get it," Adrian sighed, his expression contrite. "And we're sorry. Why are you so upset?"

"Besides the fact that you led a troll to us?" Harry retorted sarcastically. "Do you know how worried my girlfriend was?"

"You have a girlfriend?" Ron asked, surprise evident in his voice.

Harry let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the weight of their misconceptions pressing down on him. "Our parents being Gryffindors doesn't define us, Adrian. We're individuals, capable of making our own choices and forging our own paths."

Adrian's expression softened slightly, a hint of uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "But Slytherins are cunning and ambitious. What if you use those traits for the wrong reasons?"

Harry shook his head, his tone firm. "It's not about the traits themselves, but how we choose to use them. Ambition can drive us to achieve great things, and cunning can help us navigate challenges. It's about making the right choices and staying true to our values."

Adrian frowned, clearly grappling with Harry's words. "But what about Voldemort? He was a Slytherin, and he used those traits for evil."

Harry nodded solemnly. "Yes, Voldemort was a Slytherin, but he doesn't represent all of us. Every house has had its share of individuals who've made mistakes or chosen the wrong path. We can't judge an entire group based on the actions of a few."

Hermione, who had been listening attentively, interjected with a thoughtful expression. "Harry's right. It's unfair to stereotype an entire house based on the actions of a single individual. We should judge people based on their own character and actions, not on their house or family."

Adrian glanced between Harry and Hermione, his expression conflicted. "I... I guess I never really thought about it that way."

Harry offered his brother a small smile, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "It's never too late to reconsider your perspective. We're all here to learn and grow, after all."

As the conversation came to a close, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism. Perhaps, with time and understanding, he could bridge the gap between himself and his brother, and together, they could overcome the barriers that had divided them for so long.

"I'll speak about him however I please," Harry retorted, his tone firm. "Just because he's the headmaster doesn't mean he's beyond criticism."

"Harry, please," Adrian urged, frustration evident in his voice. "Just consider joining Gryffindor. We're your family."

Harry sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I appreciate the offer, Adrian, but Slytherin is my house. I've found my place here."

"But why Slytherin?" Adrian pressed.

"Because Slytherin values ambition, resourcefulness, and cunning," Harry explained patiently. "And those are qualities I admire and identify with. It's where I belong."

Adrian's expression softened, a hint of understanding dawning in his eyes. "Alright, Harry. I won't push you anymore."

"Thank you," Harry nodded gratefully.

As the tension between them eased, Hermione spoke up, her tone gentle. "Harry, we just want to understand. You've been through a lot, and it seems like there's so much more to your story."

Harry's gaze softened as he regarded Hermione. "There is, but some things are better left unsaid."

Hermione nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I understand."

With the air cleared, the group lapsed into a more relaxed conversation, the tension of the previous moments dissipating. Despite their differences, they were united by their shared experiences at Hogwarts, and Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging among them, regardless of their house affiliations.

"Of course, I'd fight," Harry retorted, his tone tinged with frustration. "But I'll fight for what I believe in, not just because someone tells me to. I won't blindly follow anyone, not Dumbledore, not Voldemort, not anyone. I have my own principles."

Adrian's brows furrowed as he struggled to find the right words. "But Harry, Dumbledore fought against Voldemort. He stood for everything good and just."

"And what about the things he did that weren't so just?" Harry countered, his voice rising with passion. "Dumbledore wasn't perfect, Adrian. He made mistakes, just like anyone else. Blindly following him without question is just as dangerous as blindly following Voldemort."

Adrian opened his mouth to respond, but Harry cut him off. "Look, I'm not saying Dumbledore was evil or anything like that. I just think we should question things, think for ourselves. That's all."

Adrian sighed, realizing the depth of Harry's convictions. "I understand what you're saying, Harry. I just... I just don't want to see everything fall apart again. We've been through so much already."

Harry softened at Adrian's sincerity. "I know, Adrian. And I don't want to see that either. But we have to be cautious. Blind loyalty can lead to disaster. We need to be smart about how we move forward."

Adrian nodded, a sense of understanding passing between them. "You're right, Harry. We need to be smart."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling between them. Finally, Adrian spoke up again. "So, what do we do now?"

Harry smiled, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "We keep fighting. But this time, we fight on our own terms."

"Am I supposed to be some kind of soldier to you?" Harry challenged, his tone edged with exasperation. "I'd rather remain neutral."

"Neutral?" Ron echoed, incredulous.

"Yeah, neutral. It means I wouldn't take sides," Harry clarified, crossing his arms.

"But you can't just stand by and do nothing," Adrian protested, his frustration evident.

"Why not?" Harry shot back, his eyebrow raised in defiance.

"Because you'd be abandoning us," Adrian accused, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"Am I supposed to be a hero to you now?" Harry scoffed. "Last time I checked, I didn't sign up for that. And besides, why are we even having this argument when Voldemort is supposedly dead?"

"But you're saying you wouldn't fight if he returned?" Adrian pressed, his eyes searching Harry's for a hint of certainty.

"Why should I?" Harry retorted, his patience waning. "I'm not obligated to be the savior of the world. If Voldemort resurfaces, it's your problem to deal with."

"My problem?!" Adrian's voice rose in frustration.

"Yeah, you're the little hero, remember? You saved us once; you can do it again," Harry remarked sarcastically. "And if you can't handle it, then Dumbledore can step in. So really, I fail to see why this is such a big deal."

"I don't believe you," Adrian shook his head, his disappointment palpable as he stormed off, Ron and Hermione trailing behind him. Harry watched them depart, a sense of resignation washing over him.

"And that," he muttered to himself, "is precisely why I detest social gatherings."

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