The days passed and soon they became weeks. Harry continued to spend every other Saturday with Professor McGonagall, slowly working on trying to banish the void and see what was hidden within. Every time he felt the void recede a bit more as the red and gray lights both seeming to chase it away.
Classes were mostly fun, but Harry's new favourite was History of Magic. Thanks to his "prank" on the professor, the ghost had started to explore the old parts of history. When October began, the ghostly professor explained about things such as Atlantis' nobles and how the empire was structured across the world, mixing magic with the world at large.
Harry was always so excited to hear more about it, but it seemed like November would finish up the exploration of Atlantis with its fall and the effects of the empire's collapse.
As the month continued further, he explored more of the castle when he was alone. The rest of the time was spent with his friends. Neville seemed to open up a bit more to Harry after the accident, especially when Harry started to teach his friend the Accio spell.
Meanwhile, rumors about Harry were spreading like wildfire. Some claimed he was the second coming of Merlin, while others dismissed him as a mere fraud seeking attention. Harry noticed that most Gryffindors leaned toward the latter opinion, a sentiment even echoed by some upper-year students in Slytherin.
It was mid-October when Harry headed back to the Slytherin common room with Draco. As they walked down the dimly lit hallway, an unexpected sound caught their attention. Crabbe and Goyle, ever watchful and self-proclaimed "Guardians of the Heirs," tensed immediately but remained steadfast, sticking close to Harry and Draco as they continued their wanderings.
"What's that?" Harry asked softly, hearing the sound of voices up ahead. The sound was coming from an unused hallway close to the Dungeons.
"Not sure, Potter. We should check it out—make sure none of those Gryffindors are trying to prank us again," Draco whispered, his voice barely audible. Gryffindors were notorious for their so-called 'pranks' on Slytherins—crude, spiteful jests that often left more than bruised egos in their wake.
Motioning for Crabbe and Goyle to be silent and wait, they walked to the side of the hall. Harry and Draco quietly moving to the corner as they peered past.
Down the hallway, Harry saw two third-year Slytherins and a single first-year Gryffindor. Harry recognized her; it was Parvati Patil, the Gryffindor Patil twin. "What're they doing?" Harry whispered as one of the Slytherins flicked his wand. Harry saw the blue magic slide out of the wand and strike the girl in the face, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I think they're teaching her who is superior," Draco replied. "Can't have a Gryffindor think they're better than us Slytherins, after all."
Harry's face scrunched up as if he'd eaten a lemon. He harshly jabbed Draco in the side with his elbow, whispering, "Draco, that's bullying!"
"It's not bullying if the Gryffindorks deserve it. You saw how Weasley treats you, and how much the Gryffindors prank us. If they are going to make our underwear shrink until it leaves welts, or spell our trousers so we can't take them off to go to the bathroom, this is fair." Draco sniffed.
"It's not right. We're members of Magical Houses. We should be above this, and instead try to guide them."
The comment made Draco sneer as he spoke, "Why? If they're too stupid to live by our example, then we should teach them why they should."
Harry didn't bother to continue the conversation, and instead pushed past Draco with fury in his eyes. He marched down the hallway, looking at the two Slytherins. "Hey!" Harry's shout was short, but the anger in it was obvious.
The two Slytherins stopped, but smirked when they saw Harry's green and silver colored robes. "Here to have a little fun too, Potter?" One of them asked.
The other grinned. "I'm still sore from that underpants prank they pulled on us last week. Fair's fair. they mess with us, we mess with them."
Harry shot a glare at them before his eyes shifted to Parvati. She was staring back at him, her face swollen from stinging hexes, and her legs hung limply beneath her, as though they could barely support her weight.
"I demand you leave. You have made your point." Harry said, turning back to the two bullies.
The two Slytherins seemed surprised, looking at each other, before the first one spoke up once more. "And who's going to stop us if we don't want to, Potter? You?"
"Slytherin are meant to be united. I will stop you if you force my hand, but this is not how a proud snake holds themselves." Harry pointed, speaking using the words he had read in his book on Pureblood mannerisms and etiquette.
Harry knew a direct fight wasn't an option. The spells he'd learned so far were minor at best, and his knowledge of Runes seemed purely utilitarian—practically useless in combat. What enemy would stand still long enough for someone to carve a rune onto them? That left Harry with only one choice: he had to bluff.
However, the two Slytherins weren't buying it, "You can't do anything to us, Potter. You beating Rowle was a fluke… you don't know any spells. So if you want to save this foreign witch so badly, why don't you take the curses meant for her? We'll let her go then."
Harry looked at them and scowled. "If you can land them on me, then go ahead."
The two Slytherins looked at each other, grinning. "Fine, but on one condition. You can't use your wand."
Harry knew he didn't know any good shielding spells anyways, and nodded. "I accept."
Draco darted out from behind the corner, his movements brisk and purposeful. The two Slytherins eyed the Malfoy heir with surprise but didn't interfere as he made his way to Parvati. Without hesitation, he helped her to her feet, steadying her as he leaned in close to Harry, his voice a sharp whisper. "I really hope you know what you're doing…"
With that, Draco guided the unsteady Gryffindor girl down the hallway. Crabbe and Goyle quickly flanked him, offering their support. As soon as they rounded the corner and disappeared from sight, the remaining Slytherins exchanged sinister grins.
"You could have had the Malfoy brat take us while we were distracted. A true Slytherin would have." The first piped up.
"Merlin, Potter, you are barely a Slytherin at all!" The second added.
Harry was about to respond when he felt their magics surge to their arms. He leapt aside, a pair of hexes barely missing him. Harry started to leap to dodge, relying on the movements he had learned when he was a fox to twist and move his body.
"What sort of freak is he? He's moving like some sort of animal!" The second Slytherin shouted, a hint of panic in his voice.
His companion snarled with anger, "Just keep casting you idiot. Cut him off!"
As Harry dodged a jet of magenta light, he felt his body moving in ways he hadn't in a month, not since he had turned into his fox form. He missed it, oddly enough. Ever since the rituals had started, however, he hadn't had the nausea and thus didn't feel like he had to change. Perhaps that was for the best; McGonagall had said not to change until he was an animagus.
Harry felt a jet of violet light singe a few strands of hair past his ear, cutting off his focus. "Okay then, no distractions." Harry muttered to himself, dodging another bolt of light as it struck the stone by his hip.
Again and again, Harry darted out of the way, his movements growing more desperate with each passing second. He had no idea when—or if—the barrage would end. It suddenly struck him that he had never set a time limit, leaving this as a test of endurance. Either his opponents would tire themselves out, or he would collapse from exhaustion, and only then would this relentless "performance" come to an end.
Harry felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of his head, as he leapt to dodge another spell. Taking a deep breath, Harry realized the two students didn't seem to be getting tired. It was then that Harry heard a voice making him freeze. "What's going on here?" the cool, emotionless tone of Professor Snape asked as he suddenly rounded the corner.
Instantly, the casting stopped and Harry was able to gasp for breath. He needed more endurance practice, and badly, if he could only last a little over five minutes. Harry gasped for air, the two Slytherins seeming worried as they looked at Harry, then back to Snape.
When Harry felt his breath return to him, he spoke up. "Sorry, Professor. Me and my friends here were doing some dodging practice. They were casting spells for me to try to avoid, though I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to last too much longer. I need way more experience." Harry said quickly.
The two Slytherins' faces flicked with surprise, before they quickly made them neutral. Professor Snape peered at Harry, and then at the third-years. "Is this true?"
"Y-yes sir! We were just helping the firstie train, is all! We were using the empty hall because we didn't know if any of the classrooms were free."
The second Third-year remained silent.
Finally after silently staring at them for a few seconds, Professor Snape's eyebrow raised. "Very well, then. Next time, come to me, Potter, instead of having spells be flung in the hall. I can tell you of several classrooms that have not been used in years for your little training session. The two of you may leave. Potter, I will have a word with you."
The two third-years hurried to make their exit. Something about their retreat nagged at Harry, a suspicion he couldn't shake. Acting on impulse, he reached out and grabbed the arm of one of them, rising onto his tiptoes to whisper into his ear as the boy passed.
"And now you owe me."
The Third-year gulped, before hurrying to join his companion. Harry saw them exchange words, looking back for a moment and then disappearing around the corner.
"With me, Potter." Snape said, twirling in place as his robes billowed. Leading Harry down the hall, the two soon arrived at the Potions classroom. Leading Harry within, Snape walked through the door to his office, closing both the classroom door and the office door when Harry came through. Gesturing at a seat, Snape moved behind his desk.
As soon as Harry sat down, Professor Snape slammed his palms upon the old oak desk.
"What in Merlin's hairy bollocks was that, Potter?!" The last word was shouted almost like a slur, rage in the Potion Master's voice.
"W-what, sir?" Harry stammered out, jumping from the unexpected noise.
"All of that! Mister Malfoy passed me in the hall, carting an obviously-bullied Gryffindor to the Infirmary. It's obvious what you were doing, Potter! You were assisting them in bullying that girl, weren't you?"
Harry winced, suddenly realizing how it looked. "N-no sir! I swear!"
"Excuse me for not believing the word of a Potter. Your father was a bully too. It's obvious the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Snape sneered.
"I-I swear, sir! I was trying to stop them!"
"A likely story. I don't believe you at all. Fifty p-" Professor Snape started, but was cut off.
"I-I'll do anything you like to prove it! I-I could make an oath!" Harry shouted out, remembering how Snape had made him do that a month prior.
"You would willingly give me an oath, simply to clear your name, Potter?" Snape's eyebrow rose as he looked at Harry with a glare that made him shudder.
"Y-yes, sir." Harry said, lowering his head.
"You stupid, stupid boy! Oaths take fragments of your magic permanently! They are not to be made lightly, and only used in the most dire of circumstances! You would sacrifice some of your magic to simply prove to me that you tried to save a Gryffindor girl, who obviously would never do the same for you?!" Snape spat.
"I w-would." Harry said. He took a deep breath and looked Snape in the eyes. The resolute gaze of the boy made Snape stop for a second, before slouching back into his large leather chair.
"Stupid, idiotic, foolish boy." Snape muttered something under his breath, and went silent.
A tense silence hung in the room, heavy and oppressive, each passing second amplifying the discomfort. The stillness prickled at the back of Harry's neck, setting his nerves on edge. He refused to look away, his gaze fixed firmly on Professor Snape, who met his stare with an inscrutable expression.
"...Fine."Snape said after a moment, the icy tone of his voice making Harry shudder again.
"Sir?" Harry questioned, confused.
"I have a way that you can prove your innocence, without swearing an oath." Snape's black eyes stared directly back at Harry's. The potions Professor gave a smirk. "If you truly are telling the truth, this would be simple. If not, then I will know that my point is proven and you are nothing but a lying little brat."
Harry nodded. "I'll do it, sir."
This made Snape pause, "Oh? And you'd do it without even knowing what exactly I will do? You truly are a foolish little boy." Snape sneered with derision.
"W-what is it, then?" Harry stammered.
Snape stood up, turning from him to look at the large oak door leading to the potions stores.
"I have a special potion that makes it so you can only tell the truth. Magic will make it so that you cannot lie, even the smallest amount, for ten minutes per drop." His eyes were burning into Harry, almost waiting for him to deny, to refuse or get angry.
But Harry wasn't phased, shouting, "Then I'll take it!"
Snape quickly hid a surprised expression before he disappeared into the storeroom, bringing out a small, silver vial. Setting it on his desk, he looked at Harry.
"This farce of yours will not last much longer, Potter. Now is the last chance to go back. Once you have taken a drop of this, all of your secrets will be laid bare. And then I will have no choice but to punish you even worse than if you had just come clean." Professor Snape sneered.
"I said I wanted to do it! I'll take it right now!" Harry shouted belligerently. He wasn't about to back down now, not when he would be able to prove himself.
"Very well, Heir Potter. We shall begin." Snape said with a surprising formality.
Harry barely had a moment to process the unexpected use of the title before Snape pulled the cork from the vial. An intense, shimmering mist poured from the bottle, swirling in the air like a living thing. Snape, however, seemed unfazed, either unaware or deliberately indifferent to the strange aura that filled the room.
Walking up, Harry opened his mouth in anticipation and Snape roughly grabbed his chin. Making him stick out his tongue, Snape raised the vial and dripped a lone drop onto his tongue.
Suddenly, Harry felt an odd shiver through his body. It was like some sort of persuasive force pressing against him. His mind idly thought: was this how someone made Aunt Petunia and Dudley do what they wanted?
Harry shook off the thought. This sensation couldn't have been the same; it felt light and airy, and made him want to speak the truth. Professor Snape waited a few more moments, looking at the wall clock on his office wall. After another minute, he spoke. "What is your name?"
"Harry James Potter." Harry found that he couldn't say otherwise. If he even considered attempting to lie, it felt like he was like trying to move Hogwarts.
Snape's first question was careful and meticulous, "What happened at the side corridor in the dungeons, one hour prior?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry explained how he and Draco spotted the bullies, and the events that occurred before, during and after with all the detail he could. Snape's look went from anger to sheer confusion before Harry saw the emotions fade from the man's face.
A minute more passed then Snape placed his hands behind his back. "And why did you do that?"
"Because it was the right thing to do. Despite being purebloods, they act like common thugs. They bring shame to the Slytherin name, and the nobility that it stands for."
Snape seemed like he was about to faint for a second before looking at Harry once more. "And what would you have done if I hadn't arrived?"
"More than likely continued to dodge the spells until I collapsed and allowed them to continue cursing me until they were satisfied."
Harry felt the potion's effect fade as Snape peered at a wall clock. "The Veritaserum has worn off, Potter. You may leave now." Harry opened his mouth to say something, but quickly stopped when Snape spat, "If you do not leave now, I will make you wash out the potions cauldrons every day for the rest of the year!"
Harry hurriedly exited the Potions classroom, his footsteps echoing in the hallway, unaware of Snape's puzzled gaze as he left. By the time Snape glanced up, Harry was long gone. The Potions Professor, now alone, pulled out a small picture of a boy and a girl with ruby-red hair. His fingers trembled as he stared at the image, the weight of old memories pressing heavily on him. With a sigh, he sank into his chair, his expression softening into one of profound sadness.
The remainder of the week's free days went by quickly, with Harry spending the time reading, exploring, and otherwise hanging out with his friends. Ron was noticeably absent, Harry had come to find.
On Sunday at lunch, Harry made his way over to the Gryffindor table, noticing Ron was noticeably absent from his seat.
"Pardon me, Miss Parvati?" Harry asked, approaching Parvati. As the Gryffindors turned towards him, Parvati looked at him and smiled.
"Hey, Harry! Thanks so much for your help yesterday."
"Of course, Miss Patil. I'm happy to help, but perhaps you can help me in return?" The comment was innocuous, but sent mutters up and down the Gryffindor table.
"She doesn't owe you anything, Potter!" Harry heard one of the Gryffindor second-years shout.
"I… cannot promise anything, Potter, but I'm willing to listen," Parvati said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Harry caught the subtle shift in her tone, the way she had suddenly addressed him more formally. A nagging feeling stirred in his chest. Had he said or done something wrong?
"Well, my friend, Ronald Weasley, has been absent from meals for the past couple days. I was wondering if you could inform me where he could be?" Harry asked, making sure to mind his manners as best he could. Most of the Gryffindors seemed to hate him; there was no sense in giving them more fuel by not being polite.
The Indian witch seemed to relax, and looked happily at him before she responded, "Sorry, Harry. He won't be able to really do anything until next month, more than likely. All the Professors are furious at him for refusing to turn in homework. He doesn't even have time to come to the Great Hall for meals. The food is brought to him while he makes up for the missing work." Parvati recounted, tapping her cheek with a finger. After she finished talking, she looked back at Harry, "Is that all you required, Harry?"
"Of course, I just didn't want to bother you with a question without having a reason to ask it." Harry gave a polite bow, making some of the upperclassmen Gryffindors snicker, "Pompous poncy snake."
"Oh, it's no problem, Harry! Thanks again, too!" Parvati smiled.
Harry turned and walked away, brushing off the mocking comments from the Gryffindors. His mind was swirling with confusion as he made his way back to the Slytherin table, though he kept his expression neutral. Had he done something wrong? He had followed the etiquette in the book to the letter—why were the Gryffindors always so hostile? He had tried his best to follow Pureblood customs, sticking to the basics, but it never seemed to matter. What more did they want from him?
Harry didn't know, and he hated not knowing things.
As the day of Halloween rolled around, Harry felt a bit morose. He knew this was the anniversary of his parent's deaths, but what hurt him the most was he didn't even know where they were buried.
"What's eating you, Potter?" Draco asked as he hopped out of bed. "Not looking forward to Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
Harry shook his head. "No, it's not that, even though I'm not looking forward to the rescheduled class." He grumbled as he thought of the announcement their class was to be moved to today when Professor Quirrell had stated he felt ill on Tuesday. Harry moved to get up and take a shower.
On returning, Draco seemed curious. "Why ARE you moody today?"
Harry sighed. He wanted to get angry, but he didn't have the energy and simply moved to the door. "My parents died today."
Draco's disposition shifted quickly, "Oh. Oh right." Draco's face grimaced as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Potter."
"It's… it's okay." Harry said after a moment, before heading out of the dorm. Making his way down into the Commons, he could see a small group of Slytherins glaring at him, looking about how he felt. Wondering what their problem was, Harry wisely decided to leave the Commons room.
Draco hurried to catch up, his two guard-friends trailing behind. "Wait up, Potter."
The two hurried to Herbology, and after a class about a special type of rose called Breath of Magic, Harry found himself heading to lunch early, skipping his normal reading.
"Wow, you must really feel bad if you aren't going to the library for your before-lunch reading." Draco said, sticking with his friend. "Listen… Potter. If you need to talk, then I'll be here, alright?"
"Mhmm." Harry nodded, thankful for his friend. At the moment, he didn't feel like saying anything more. The Great Hall was busy as always, and Harry noticed with surprise that Ron was back and eating again at the Gryffindor Table. Once more, the other students avoided looking even close to him while he ate. "Hey, Ron," Harry said as he waved to him. The Weasley boy gave him a half-wave back. Seems he wasn't fully forgiven yet, so Harry moved to sit at the Slytherin table.
After a light meal, Harry and Draco made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry couldn't help but notice that their professor, the timid man who always seemed on edge, was even more jittery than usual. He kept glancing nervously toward the door, his eyes wide as if expecting something—or someone—at any moment. Harry felt the familiar throb of a headache creep in again as they entered the classroom, the same dull ache that always seemed to hit him during this particular class.
"I am telling you, that's not normal. You should at least go see Madame Pomfrey." Draco said as they left the classroom. As they went out the door, they saw Hermione rush up, noticing Ron and heading over.
"Ronald! I just heard the news. Why didn't you tell me you weren't doing well in your classes? I could have offered you some tutoring, and see if I could help at all."
Ron scowled. "Seriously? Tutoring? That's even more work! I don't want to just be in books all the time like you and Potter!"
Hermione looked angry as she gave a belligerent huff. "Ronald, I'm only trying to help! Sometimes you have to put a little more effort in."
"Oh, so now I'm not putting any effort in, am I?" Ron said, "I bet you think you're so perfect because of your high test scores compared to mine. It's been two months, you annoying little know-it-all! No one cares about test scores when we've barely been at Hogwarts for two months!"
Hermione seemed to take it harshly, looking like she was ready to burst into tears. Harry moved to try to stop Ron, before the redhead quipped once more.
"I bet Harry and Draco are just being nice to you because you do all their homework. That's why they have such high scores. If they weren't your friends, I bet no one else would be except that squib, Longbottom!"
Harry knew Ron didn't mean it. At least, he hoped he knew. But even still, Harry found his instincts kick in when Hermione turned and ran down the hall before she could be stopped.
Seeing his friend in such a state, the suppressed fox instincts that Harry had been keeping under lock and key boiled to the surface in a flaming rage. With a loud, angry foxlike screech, Harry launched himself at Ron, his fist connecting with Ron's face with a wet CRUNCH sound.
Ron was sent flying back, hitting the stone wall and slumping over. "By dose! I dink yu bwoke by dose!" Ron said in horror, blood streaming down from his nose.
Harry didn't even reply, turning to Draco. "You and those two had better get out of here. I'll face what's coming to me."
Draco rolled his eyes, exasperation clear on his face. "Seriously, Potter?" He sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Noble to a fault. You're more of a pureblood than any halfblood has a right to be." His words were meant as a compliment, and his grin made that evident. "But we aren't going anywhere. So stop worrying about it."
Crabbe and Goyle nodded in agreement. Harry, still processing Draco's words, turned to Ron, just as Professor Quirrell stepped out of his classroom.
"W-what's a-all t-this then?" The stuttering professor stammered out, Harry's forehead burning in a flash of pain. Just when it had disappeared, too.
"Darry boke bah dose!" Ron said, holding his face in an effort to stop the bleeding, but to no avail.
"M-m-mister P-potter… f-fighting in th-th-the halls is f-forbidden! A-a-and using s-s-s-such muggle t-t-tactics is a-a-absolutely ab-ab-abhorrent! T-t-twenty p-p-points f-f-from S-s-slytherin a-a-and d-d-detention w-w-with me o-onS-s-saturday!"
Harry could barely understand the man's babbling stutter as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Professor. I have detention with Professor McGonagall on that day."
"T-then S-sunday, w-w-with F-filch!" The stuttering Professor said.
Draco winced next to Harry. Filch was the worst to do detentions with. Harry sighed, and nodded, "Very well, Professor."
"N-now, W-w-weasley, l-let's f-fix t-t-that nose. Episkey!"
Quirrel took out his wand and flicked it at Ron's crushed nose, which made the bleeding stop. Harry noticed the man hadn't stuttered at all when he said the spell, but a sudden flash of pain from his head didn't allow him to think much about it.
"H-h-head t-t-t-to the inf-inf-infirmary and M-m-madame Pomfrey w-w-will sort o-o-out the bone." Ron staggered to his feet, obviously still in pain. He pushed past Harry and Draco with a rather angry shove, almost sending Harry falling to the floor. Crabbe and Goyle looked about to pummel him again, but Draco grabbed their shoulders and shook his head.
When Ron disappeared around the corner toward the Infirmary, Quirrell stuttered again, his voice shaking. "N-n-now off t-t-t-to the H-halloween F-feast, you t-t-two." Harry let out a frustrated sigh, his thoughts still clouded by the conversation with Ron. He made his way toward the Great Hall, seething with anger at Ron's words, the injustice of the detention, and the bitter frustration of losing control earlier.
By the time he reached the Slytherin table, he was no longer just frustrated—he was consumed with anger, and without thinking he plopped down in his seat, barely noticing when Ron entered the Hall a few moments later.
After sitting for a while, Harry looked around. Hermione's bushy head of hair was nowhere to be seen at the Ravenclaw table, and a quick glance showed Neville was sitting at Hufflepuff with Cedric and no Hermione. "You think Hermione's okay?" Harry asked, whispering to Draco.
"No idea…" Draco said between bites of a large steak. Harry frowned. He had already betrayed one friend today. He couldn't live with himself if he did so to another. "We should go and try to find her after the Feast."
Draco swallowed, and looked at Harry. "Really? Do we have to?" Draco asked, frowning. Harry's glare at him made him give a quiet, resigned sigh. "Fine. She is our friend, I guess."
At that moment, the doors of the Great Hall slammed open with a deafening crash, and Professor Quirrell came rushing into the room. The stuttering man was in full panic mode, his eyes wide and his usual awkwardness replaced with a frenetic urgency. The room fell completely silent as Quirrell sprinted up the center aisle, drawing everyone's attention. His frantic movements and the wild look in his eyes had the entire hall on edge.
"T-TROLLLLLLLL! IN THE D-DUNGEON!"
Harry's eyes went wide as his head snapped to look at Professor Quirrell.
"T-thought you'd ought to know."
Quirrell crumpled to the floor, and Harry was almost certain he heard the sickening thud of the man's head hitting the castle's flagstone floor—though it might have been something else breaking under him. Harry barely had time to process the sound before the entire Great Hall erupted into chaos, the air filling with the shrill screams of students.
BOOM!
The Headmaster stood up, his voice loud and bellowing. "SIIIIIIILEEEEENCE!"
The entire hall immediately went so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. "Prefects and Heads of Houses, move the students immediately to their dorms and seal the entrances. Hagrid, guard the entrance of the castle. Professor Burbage, use the floo to immediately call the Aurors and inform them a dangerous magical creature is in the castle. Please request support from the Department of Magical Creatures."
Dumbledore clapped his hands. "All other Professors are to move in groups of two and attempt to hunt down the beast. It must not harm any of our students!"
The students immediately got up from their tables, herded together by their Heads of House and the Prefects. Harry could see the Princes of Slytherin discreetly move as well, taking positions around themselves and the other first and second years.
"Draco! What about Hermione?" Harry whispered.
Draco was already pale from the mention of the Troll, and turned so white that Harry swore that he could see through his body as if he was a ghost. "Y-you don't think she's dead, do you? I-I may not like muggleborns, but… Merlin, Potter, she doesn't deserve THAT!"
Harry saw Crabbe and Goyle nod at Draco's comment. Harry looked around, before grabbing Draco's hand. Crabbe and Goyle saw what he was doing, suddenly pressing themselves to the wall as the students left the Great Hall, Professor Snape and the Prefects too focused on watching out for the beast to notice the four firsties.
As soon as the group disappeared around a corner, Harry whispered. "How will we find Hermione? She could be anywhere?"
"Father always used a spell whenever he lost something. He would put his wand in his hand, like this…" Draco put his wand perfectly even in his palm. "And then he'd say something like…" Draco considered for a moment, then spoke. "Point me, Hermione Granger!"
Harry and Draco watched the wand spin for a moment, before pointing in a specific direction, the wand tip glowing.
"Let's go! Hurry!" Harry said, as he, Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco rushed down the hallway.
After few more uses of the spell later, the two made their way down a narrow side hallway on the first floor. The silence of the corridor was suddenly broken by a low grunt, followed by a shadow shifting down the hall.
"Uh… I don't think it's in the Dungeons anymore." Harry muttered.
"You think, Potter?" Draco whispered urgently. Using the spell again, the wand's tip pointed right towards the movement.
"Crap." Draco echoed Harry's sentiment as he shook his head.
"Potter, we can't take on a troll. We need to get an adult! Or six!" Draco whispered.
A familiar voice screamed from down the hall.
"No time!" Harry shouted, his heart racing as he darted forward, spotting the girls' bathroom with the door ajar. As he rushed inside, he barely managed to stop himself in time, narrowly avoiding crashing into the back of an enormous, tree-trunk-sized leg.
He heard three pairs of footsteps running to join him, just as the creature bellowed at a familiar girl in front of it, cornered next to a smashed sink. "I-I don't want to die!" Hermione screamed as she huddled into a tight ball in the corner.
Harry could see the enormity of the massive Troll. Mottled grey skin was stretched over a huge, muscular form. An enormous nose poked from its face, and a pair of large tusks poking out between its lips. There were huge and animalistic sharp teeth visible in its mouth, partially revealed by the tusks. In its hand was a four foot long tree trunk, obviously being used as a club.
"T-that's not a Mountain Troll! T-that's a Stone Troll!" Harry shouted, recognizing the creature from a book on magical beasts he had read back at Privet Drive.
"Those things are nearly invulnerable to magic! What do we do, Potter!" Draco shouted.
Harry rushed forward, sliding between the creature's legs as he moved to get its attention. "Hey, stupid! Here!" Harry shouted, grabbing some rubble from the shattered porcelain sink.
As Harry did that, Crabbe and Goyle released blasts of magic from their wands. Draco flicked his wand, casting the only offensive spell he knew. "Diffindo!"
The slash of air that shot from the wand's tip struck the Troll in the back, but didn't even cause a scratch. The creature roared again, before raising the club, bringing it down towards Harry.
"Watch out!" Draco shouted. Harry leapt aside. The castle flagstones scattered everywhere, and Draco fired another Diffindo at the creature's legs this time.
"Crabbe! Goyle! Try to aim at the legs!" Harry shouted.
Seeing Draco execute the spell, the two quickly raised their wands, trying to mimic the motion. A much smaller slash of magic shot out, but as the three spells hit the troll's leg simultaneously, they managed to land a small cut on its thick skin.
Roaring in annoyance, the creature turned, making the three boys scream. Using the distraction to his advantage, Harry shoved Hermione. "Use that wand of yours, Hermione! You're the smartest witch in the school, use that strength and get me to its head! I have an idea!" Harry grabbed a sharp piece of porcelain from the ground.
Hermonie, tears streaming down her face, nodded and dug into her robes for her wand. Grabbing it, she flicked it at Harry, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Harry found himself lifted into the air, as he leapt forward, landing on the Troll's neck. He took out his wand and dug the porcelain shard deep into the Troll's forehead, carving a single, simple rune.
"Down"
Harry jammed his wand up to it and poured every ounce of his magic into the rune, just as the Troll reached up to try to grab him.
The rune shone with a glowing silver light, and Harry felt the same sensation he had when he was a fox flow into it. The glowing rune released a sound like a raven's screech for a second then the Troll was suddenly pulled forward with Harry still clinging to its shoulders.
Jumping off at the last second, Harry landed squarely on the back of the troll. The creature's massive face slammed into the ground with the force of the Hogwarts Express barreling down the tracks. But with Harry still clinging to its back, he pointed at the ground and shouted.
"ACCIO GROUND!"
The magic shot out with a burst of energy, reaching for the earth beneath them. But as the book he'd read had warned, when the spell couldn't bring the item to you, it would instead bring you to the item. And it did so with incredible violence.
With Harry perched atop the troll and the rune on its forehead glowing, the force of the spell yanked them both down, sending the troll crashing to the ground at a speed that felt like jumping from the Eiffel Tower. The collision shook the floor, and Harry felt himself jarred against the troll's back as the creature collapsed beneath him.
SPLRUNCH
Harry watched in grim fascination as the troll's massive head collided with the stone floor, the impact splattering the beast's face like the watermelon Aunt Petunia had once dropped in the kitchen. The mess was all too familiar—crimson splattered across the floor, a grotesque contrast to the cold stone. In the next instant, the creature's enormous chest hit the ground with a sickening crack, the sound of bone shattering echoing through the hall. Harry winced as he saw the troll's rib cage collapse inward, crushing its torso and organs with brutal finality.
Pushing himself up onto his hands and knees, Harry felt the rush of adrenaline begin to ebb away. His legs shook, a deep fatigue creeping into his muscles as the effects of the battle wore off. Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Hermione stood frozen, eyes wide and staring at him.
He was like some sort of god of blood and magic, coated in the Troll's blood. His robes were stained red on the front, the back mostly untouched. The air of magic and might seemed to reinforce the view, his magic swirling around him like a hurricane. Harry could see the familiar spectral gryphon and raven fly around him for a few seconds.
"W-we d-did it…" Harry stammered, trying to push himself to his feet. His foot slipped, and the ground came rushing up to meet him. Seeing him collapsing, Goyle threw himself to the ground under Harry, catching him with his girth and staining his robes red as well.
"We… we just killed a Stone Troll…" Draco said, awe and disbelief permeating every word.
It was that moment that Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore, and Professor Burbage rushed in, followed by six wizards Harry didn't recognize.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME HAPPENED HERE?!" McGonagall shrieked at the top of her lungs.
Harry picked himself up, helping Goyle up and quietly thanking him. Draco and Crabbe moved to them, Hermione standing behind them, "I'm sorry, Professor. I-"
"It's my fault, Professor." Hermione stepped forward. "I had thought that I would be able to take on a Troll, thanks to my studies. I came here looking for it, and almost got killed. If it hadn't been for these four, I'd be dead."
Harry felt his anger returning. He wouldn't let his friend get in trouble for his sake. "That's a lie! Hermione was only here because she was bullied by— someone!" Harry left out Ron, not wanting his erstwhile friend to get in more trouble. "Seeing such dishonor to her, I couldn't help but react. I retaliated at the aggressor, but Hermione had already left."
Seeing the Professors and the other wizards who bore the mark of the Ministry staring at him, Harry continued the story. "I saw she wasn't there during supper and when the Troll was revealed, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and I extracted ourselves from the Slytherin group. At my request they followed me to find Hermione."
Seeing all gazes on him, Harry quickly added, "If anyone should be punished, it should be me, for not informing a Professor as soon as I saw Hermione missing."
The Ministry wizards whispered amongst themselves but Dumbledore's eyes sparkled, a knowing smile on his lips. "Harry my boy, surely you cannot be saying YOU killed this Troll."
"He did!" All four of the others shouted at once.
Harry shook his head, and gestured behind him, "We all did. Together." Harry was calm, the adrenaline long gone. He felt a bit cold, but he wasn't about to selfishly take credit for something that he did with his friends.
Snape spoke up, his characteristic sneer missing from his face. "The House of Slytherin, while having a… less than stellar reputation in recent years, has always been said to be for those with cunning and nobility. While what he did was brash and more akin to a Gryffindor, perhaps Mister Potter's nobility is what drove him to such lengths tonight."
Harry blinked at Professor Snape's statement, confused. However, he didn't have much time to think about it when Dumbledore spoke up.
"What I can see here is a young man who led a rescue party to save someone who wasn't even from his own House. Loyalty of a Hufflepuff, Bravery of a Gryffindor, Cunning of a Slytherin, and judging by the remains of a rune on the Troll's forehead, the Knowledge of a Ravenclaw as well." Dumbledore gestured at the shattered skull of the creature, the rune still carved into the nearly-unblemished skin.
"A Rune? Potter knows Runes?" One of the wizards behind the Professors shouted. "That's a minimum of Third-year knowledge!"
"Indeed. It appears that Mister Potter is quite skilled indeed. With knowledge we know not." Dumblefore's eyes sparkled once more, seeming to hang on the final part of his statement. "I believe that this warrants an Award for Special Services to the School, Mister Potter. And this time, I do not believe you can refuse it."
McGonagall's eyes met Snape's, mouthing "This time?" as the man sneered in response and gave a shrug.
Harry sighed. "As long as it's for all my friends too. They helped as well."
"Done." Dumbledore said quickly, not wanting to give the boy time to refuse the award.
Draco stepped up. "As the one who defeated the Stone Troll, Harry Potter claims Rite of Conquest. The corpse belongs to him."
Harry whipped around, staring at Draco. "W-what?"
Draco held his hands behind his back, looking every inch the Pureblood prince.
Snape was the first to move, his dark, piercing eyes never leaving Harry as he stepped forward. "Indeed, Potter. You defeated the beast, and the corpse is yours to do as you wish with. I shall carefully render the beast myself in exchange for the creature's blood." The professor advanced, his sharp eyes already scanning the troll's lifeless form. With a flick of his wand, he deftly summoned the blood, which began to gather in a vial he quickly retrieved from his pocket.
"A-alright, Professor." Harry said quickly. "But the corpse should be split between all five of us." Harry said. He saw Draco smirk and nod, while Crabbe, Goyle, and Hermione all looked like they had just been given a solid gold statue of themselves.
Clapping his hands, Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then! I believe the crisis is over. I am sorry for wasting your time, Jameson. However, you and your men are welcome to enjoy a meal in the castle before returning to the Ministry."
The Ministry wizards seemed pleased with that. Snape had walked over, starting to cast spells on the creature.
"Come with me, if you would, Miss Granger. I will take you back to Ravenclaw. The Sorting Hat considered placing me into Ravenclaw, you know," Dumbledore said, offering his hand. The stunned witch couldn't do more than walk over to the Headmaster, taking his hand as he led her out of the lavatory.
"The four of you, come with me. I'll take you to the Slytherin Dorm's entrance while your Head of House is indisposed." Professor McGonagall said.
As Harry, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were escorted out of the bathroom and back to the dormitories, Harry caught a fleeting glimpse of another golden thread emanating from Hermione. It appeared just before she disappeared around the corner, Dumbledore walking closely behind her.
-Author's Notes-
Whoop! Almost forgot the Author's Notes. And so we hit Halloween. Unlike canon, this troll was much larger, and MUCH more dangerous. However, Harry's quick thinking did very well, and saved everyone from a messy end. After all, a fox needs to be quick-witted, and take down his enemies with skill rather than strength!
A special thanks to Kaminton and Angie, my two beta readers. If you want early access to the fic and are good to help with editing and pointing out mistakes, send me a message!
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.