Disclaimer : I do not own the rights of the Harry Potter series.

Harry was trying as best as he could, but no matter what, Hermione still didn't wake up.

Behind him, something was groaning. Harry tried to stop shaking, but he couldn't. She was dead because he was too late. He was pathetic and powerless.

As he was trying to shake those thoughts out of his mind, the groan behind him became clearer. Heavier. Rougher.

Eventually, Harry turned around and something dark fell on him.

'I'm dead.'

Harry stood up quickly as he suddenly woke up. His breath was heavy, and sweat was dripping out of his face. He took a few minutes to calm himself as he looked for his glasses. He eventually reached them and put them on. Immediately, his view was filled with white. There were multiple beds around him—at least a dozen; each of them had a bright red cross on them.

'Is that... The infirmary?'

As he was starting to think about how he ended here, someone came.

"Finally. I was starting to wonder when you would wake up, Mr. Potter." He looked at the older woman in front of his bed.

"Here take this." She gave him a potion that he immediately took. The matron smiled softly as she looked at him and actually chuckled at his disgusted grimace.

"Good. Now, could you tell me what happened exactly? Your friend, Mr. Weasley, told me that you were talking normally, and the second after that, you suddenly dropped. What happened exactly?" She asked as she was starting to check him out and running a diagnosis on him.

'What happened? All I remember is going to my classes... Then Ron made Hermione run away and... And...' His eyes widen up slowly as he remembers the last part. 'I died.'

He started to shake again as he began to hyperventilate again.

'I died. I died. I died. I died. I died. I died. I died. I died.' He could still remember how it happened. How her body was lifeless... How the club literally splashed him. The pain. Th-

"-otter ! Mr. Potter ! Focus on my breath ! Inhale and exhale. In and out." Harry slowly matched her breath as he calmed down.

"There you go, sweetie." Madam Pomfrey always had a soft spot for children. It was actually one of the reasons she decided to work here all those years ago. It was also why her heart was breaking when she had to help younger students such as Harry.

"Now... You don't have to tell me what happened, but you're more than welcome if you want to talk about it. Does that work for you?" He was silent for a few moments before nodding slowly. The matron smiled at him before she went looking for something at her office.

While she was away, Harry looked at his hands with a frown on his face.

'I don't understand… I died and I came back...? Then that means...' His frown became more pronounced as he came to a sickening realization. 'I also died before.' Surely people don't die and come back like that, right?

'Wait ! If I'm really back then... I can change it ! I can save her ! And Ron-' As he looked back at his 'second try,' Ron was actually acting more like Dudley than the first time. 'Don't tell me that because our circle of friends had more people in, he became... Dudlier ?'

Before he could dwell more on that thought, the matron came back with a cup of pumpkin juice. "I know the taste of certain potions is not that great. Here, it should help make the taste go away." Harry thanked her as he started to drink his cup.

"Now, you're physically fine, so I can't keep you here. However, feel free to come back, even if it's only to talk. Understood?" He merely nods as she smiles once more before leaving.

After he was done with his drink, he quickly got up and left the hospital wing. As he was walking back to the Gryffindor's common room, he noticed that some people were looking at him and pointing him out.

'Some things never change...' He started to walk faster, merely because he wanted to go back before anyone could ask him why he fainted. In a matter of time, he reached the fat lady's portrait.

"Password ?" She asked without even looking at him.

"Caput Draconis...?" He says/ask. It's been two months from his point of view since he last used it, and honestly, he didn't know if it was still it or if the password already changed. His questions were soon enough answered as the portrait opened itself, revealing the way to the common room.

As soon as he walked in, Harry spotted Ron playing chess with Seamus, and from the look on Ron's face, he was winning.

"Checkmate !" The redhead proudly says as the other student groans and leaves him a little bit angry at Ron. Ron only smirked at him before noticing Harry. "Harry ! I didn't know you were back? What happened last night, mate ?"

"I... was only sick. I didn't want to worry you. Guess it backfired on me, huh?" He nervously chuckled as he let his hands run in his hair. He didn't know why he was lying, but at the moment he felt like it was the thing to do.

"Yeah, right. Next time, just go see Pomfrey or something instead of dropping like yesterday. You bloody scared me." Harry could only smile as he said fake apologies and sat in front of him.

"Nothing can cheer you up like chess! I'll let you start." Ron says as he rearranges the pieces.

'I guess even Ron knows when to stay silent. Either that or he's much too simple.' Harry mused at himself as the chess game begin.

'This time I'll go past Halloween!' With that said, Harry's first, and hopefully this time, two months begin.

His first month went the same as the two previous loops. Yes, he decided to call them loops because, honestly, it was way too annoying to call them anything else.

Also, for the first time since, Harry took some time to go to the library. He wanted to see if what happened to him already happened before or was at least mentioned anywhere. It was not anywhere to be found. It's almost as if he was the only one that had ever lived something like this.

In the meantime, Harry tried to socialize more with Ron. Because of what he saw, Harry knows that if he doesn't do a thing about him, then in the future, not only with Halloween's case, he will have troubles.

In the meantime, Harry also thought about the Twin's previous offer in the last loop. It could be interesting to learn from them, but after how the previous loop ended… his mind wasn't actually on pranks or such. Maybe later ?

Harry shook his head as he started eating his dinner. He was excited, as he knew this was the day he would get his first broom. Earlier that day, Harry managed to impress McGonagall once more and got on the team for the third time.

If events play correctly, then his broom should be here soon ! He smiles as he recognizes the owl that delivered him the broom coming his way.

As soon as the package arrived, Harry opens it and smile brightly as he look and mouthed the words 'Thank you' to his head house.

"Think you're special, Potter ?" Of course everything couldn't go as well as he wanted.

"Got something else to say ?"

"You shouldn't have a broom to begin with! You don't deserve it !" Harry rolls his eyes; this Draco was way dumber than the previous one.

"Well, if you think so, then feel free to talk about it with Professor McGonagall. It is thanks to you technically that I earned my place in the team after all," He says as he finally looked at him.

"If you think you're so special, then... Then-"

"If you've got something to say, then say it and stop wasting my time." If Harry was right, then...

"That's it ! I demand a duel !" Draco says, as his face was bright red.

"Sure. Do you have any place or an hour in mind?" Surely the prat will go with the same location as before.

"The trophy room, midnight!" Bingo. Compared to last time, Harry does have a plan.

"I'll be Harry's second!" Annnd that was not part of the plan.

"Ron?" He asks as he looks at his best friend.

"It's a part of Wizard's Duel. I'm sure Malfoy didn't want to tell you about it." Harry looked at him in disbelief. Did Ron think he was dumb? Of course, he knew that Malfoy didn't say it because he wanted to trap him!

"... Thank you, Ron." Plans can be changed.

"Well- Crabbe's my second! Come on, you two, let's leave Scar Head and his 'friends'," Draco says as he leaves the Gryffindor table.

"You're going to be in trouble." A feminine voice came.

"No one asked you!" Ron yelled to Hermione as he sat back.

"You're going to make Gryffindor lose the points I earned today !" She answers back.

"Hermione." Harry says. "Look, no matter what you say, we'll go."

Apparently he either says it with too much conviction or Hermione was easily convinced, although he was pretty sure she wasn't, because she looked at him in silence for a few moments.

"Then," She starts as she finally finds something to say. "I'll go with you two ! It should limit the damage... I think"

"No bloody way ! You can't just come along!" Ron yelled at her.

"You can't stop me from coming!" She answers back.

"But it's none of your business!" He countered as he stood up.

"Since you're going to, stupidly, by the way, lose points for Gryffindor. It's technically the entire house problems." At this point, Harry had his hands on his face as he loudly groans.

"Both of you, Stop." He asks as he keeps his hands on his face. "If she wants to tag along, then so be it, but stop arguing during Dinner for the love of Merlin."

The true reason he says that was that he was rethinking his plan.

"But Harry," Ron started before sighing as he sat back again. "Fine, she can tag along with us... But don't you dare interrupt us !"

Hermione merely nods as she starts eating again.

The plan was supposed to be simple: Get the duel, then trap Draco so that he was the one being found!

Now either Harry declines the Duel and starts being called a coward, which he won't do, or Harry goes with them and hopes that he comes for the Duel.

One thing that Harry never took into account was that Draco would probably never come, meaning no matter what, Harry couldn't have trapped him.

"You don't have to actually come, y'know." Ron says to Hermione as they were making their way to the trophy room.

"And let you ruin our chance of winning the cup ? No way." She says back at him.

Leading the way of the trio was Harry. Since he knew those corridors from last time, it was easy for him to find the trophy room.

"Nobodies are going to ruin our chance! Heck, I'm sure McGonagall will give us points for winning a duel!" At this, Hermione rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, she's definitely going to reward a duel that happened after the curfew." She says it sarcastically. "I'm probably sure Duels are regulated at Hogwarts."

Eventually they reached the trophy room.

Harry entered the room first and looked around for Malfoy. He sighed as he couldn't find him.

'Looks like I got fooled again. There goes my plan, I guess.' He thought as Hermione and Ron finally entered.

"Where is he ?" Ron asked as he looks at him.

"I don-"

"They are inside? Are you sure, Mrs. Norris?" A rough voice says, follow by a meow.

Harry felt himself starting to sweat. Filch wasn't supposed to be here until a little bit later! Besides him, both preteens gasped as they paled.

"Come!" Harry whispered to them as they left the trophy room in a hurry. The trio run in the corridor as they were trying to avoid the caretaker or his cat.

Their luck seemed to be short as they quickly reached a dead end.

"I know you're somewhere!" Filch's voice comes from afar.

The trio looked for somewhere to hide before Harry noticed a door. He immediately tries to open it, but the door was locked.

He was gently pushed away by Hermione as she took her wands. "Let me try something. Alohomora!' With a flick of her wand, a soft 'Click' was heard.

The three of them pushed open the door with bated breath, the sound of its creak cutting through the eerie silence of the forbidden corridor. The dim torchlight cast long, flickering shadows on the stone walls, but it wasn't the shadows that made them freeze.

Towering above them, its three heads snarling in unison, was the most enormous dog they had ever seen. Its massive paws were like tree trunks, its eyes gleamed menacingly, and drool dripped from three sets of glistening fangs. The beast let out a growl so deep it made the floor vibrate under their feet.

"Bloody hell!" Ron stammered, stumbling back a step. His face was as pale as the moonlight streaming through the high windows.

Hermione's sharp intake of breath turned into a gasp as one of the Cerberus heads snapped in their direction, its teeth gnashing with terrifying intent.

"Back up, now!" Harry ordered, stepping in front of them instinctively. His hands were outstretched as if he could shield them from the monster.

"What are you doing?" Hermione whispered urgently, clutching his sleeve. "You can't fight that thing!"

"I'm not going to let it hurt you!" Harry shot back, his voice trembling but resolute. He glanced over his shoulder, eyes darting to the door. "Just—run when I say!"

'I'm not going to let anyone die again ! Not if I can do something about it!'

The three headed dogs lunged forward, all three heads snapping toward them. Harry barely had time to grab Ron and shove him toward the door. Hermione followed, dragging Harry behind her as the dogs massive paws thundered against the stone floor.

The door slammed shut just in time, the force of the Cerberus charge rattling the wood. They stood there in the hallway, panting and staring at each other with wide eyes.

"WHAT was that?" Ron finally managed to gasp, his voice shaking.

"A Cerberus," Hermione whispered, her hand pressed to her chest. "A three-headed dog. They're supposed to be incredibly rare."

"Rare or not," Harry said, still catching his breath, "we're not going back in there unless we absolutely have to."

"I second that," Ron muttered, but his voice cracked as he spoke, and his knees wobbled slightly.

The three of them crept down the corridor, hearts still hammering from their close call with the Cerberus. The distant sound of Filch's footsteps echoed faintly, making them freeze in place every few seconds.

"This way," Hermione whispered, tugging on Harry's sleeve as she led them down a narrow passage. Her voice was barely audible, but in the deathly quiet of the castle at midnight, it sounded far too loud.

"You're sure you know where you're going?" Ron muttered, glancing nervously over his shoulder.

"Yes," she hissed back, though her tone wasn't as confident as her words. "Just stay quiet."

Harry glanced behind them, his grip on his wand tightening. He could swear he heard Mrs. Norris's soft padding somewhere in the shadows. "Keep moving," he urged, his voice low but firm. "If Filch catches us, we're done for."

They rounded a corner, their footsteps muffled on the thick stone floor. Just as they reached the bottom of a staircase, a faint beam of light appeared at the far end of the hall.

"Someone's coming!" Ron whispered, his voice panicked.

Harry grabbed both of them and yanked them behind a suit of armor. They pressed themselves flat against the wall, barely daring to breathe as Filch's lantern light grew closer.

"I know you're out here," Filch's voice drawled, cold and menacing. "Students out of bed… always think they can outsmart me."

Mrs. Norris's glowing eyes appeared first, scanning the hallway as she padded past. The three of them remained frozen, hardly daring to blink. Filch's footsteps followed, the lantern swinging in his hand as he muttered angrily to himself.

After what felt like an eternity, the light receded, and his muttering grew fainter until it disappeared entirely.

"Close one," Ron exhaled, his voice barely above a breath.

"Shh!" Hermione warned, tugging him back toward the staircase. "We're not safe yet."

They climbed the steps as quietly as they could, the portraits on the walls seeming to watch them disapprovingly. Finally, they reached the seventh floor and skidded to a halt in front of the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked, her tone laced with boredom.

"Dragon scales," Hermione whispered quickly. The portrait swung open, and they scrambled through, collapsing onto the plush couches in the Gryffindor common room.

For a moment, none of them spoke. The room was warm and inviting, the fire crackling softly in the hearth, but the memory of the Cerberus heads loomed large in their minds.

"What in the world is a giant three-headed dog doing in this castle?" Ron finally asked, his voice filled with lingering terror.

"It's guarding something," Harry said quietly. He stared into the fire, his mind racing. "And whatever it is, it's important."

Hermione nodded, her expression grim. "But it's not our business, remember? We shouldn't have been there in the first place."

"Easy for you to say," Ron muttered, rubbing his temples. "You didn't almost get eaten."

Harry leaned back in the chair, exhausted but resolute. "Whatever's going on, I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of it."

Hermione stood abruptly, brushing dust off her robes. "Well," she said briskly, though her voice was still slightly shaky, "I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed. Or worse, expelled."

She shot them both a stern look before heading toward the staircase to the girls' dormitory, her footsteps fading as she disappeared out of sight.

Ron stared after her, his mouth slightly open in disbelief. "She really needs to sort out her priorities," he muttered, sinking deeper into the couch.

Harry couldn't help but laugh softly, though his mind was still racing with thoughts of what they'd seen that night. He shook his head, glancing at the fire one last time before standing. "Come on, we should get some sleep too."

The two of them headed for the boys' dormitory, the warmth of the common room fading as they climbed the stairs, their heads full of questions about the secrets of the castle.

The rest of the month went alright, at least as far as he could say. The following day, after their little adventure, Draco had a little smirk on his face. He was actually thinking that he would brag about it, but he never did.

In any case, as stated previously the rest month went well. Harry also took the time to think about Halloween.

Of course, he could do his best so that Hermione doesn't end up in the bathroom crying. He was actually thinking of doing that precisely. However, another thought made his way to him,

'What if the troll finds someone else?'

It was that ONE stupid thought that made him think all the way back. What if because he tries to save one person another one take the hit somewhere else?

Because of that Harry thought of another plan. Let Hermione... Cry and stops the Troll. From what he could gather Trolls are attracted to unpleasant scent which explains why he was there. Having Hermione there was also another way to keep it there.

Using someone like that made him sick. However he knew, it had to be stopped.

'Sorry Hermione, I promise to save you.'

Now after a month of thinking about that day, Halloween was here.

Since he woke up, Harry felt a little bit sick. Either he stops the Troll or he doesn't.

"Don't forget, Swish and flick."

Harry sat in Charms class, resting his chin on his hand. He had already lived this day before. He knew how it would go—Ron would struggle, Hermione would correct him, and by the end of class, Ron would be fuming. But this time, maybe he could stop things from getting worse.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron said, waving his wand a little too aggressively. The feather twitched but didn't lift.

"You're saying it wrong," Hermione said briskly. "It's Wi-"

Even from where he was Harry could see Ron's ears turning red. Hermione flicked her wand, and her feather floated effortlessly into the air. Flitwick clapped excitedly.

Ron clenched his jaw and stared at his desk. He didn't say anything, but Harry could tell he was embarrassed. The frustration in his eyes was the same as before—only this time, Harry was ready.

"Hey, Ron," Harry whispered, leaning closer. "Try loosening your grip a bit. You're holding your wand like it's a sword."

Ron hesitated but adjusted his grip.

"And don't force it," Harry continued. "Just a smooth swish and flick, like this." He demonstrated subtly.

Ron exhaled and gave it another go. "Wingardium Leviosa."

The feather wobbled, then slowly lifted off the desk.

Ron's eyes widened. "Blimey, I did it!"

Flitwick turned. "Well done, Mr. Weasley! Five points to Gryffindor!"

Hermione, still looking pleased with herself, glanced at Ron but didn't say anything.

Ron muttered, "Finally," under his breath, still embarrassed but now slightly less humiliated.

Harry sat back, satisfied. He couldn't change everything, but at least he could make things a little better.

After the class ended everyone left the room with a smile on their face or at least most of them have.

"Thanks mate" Ron says as they were walking to their next class. "At least you were helpful unlike that know-it-all. Honestly it's no wonder she had zero friend ! She's a bloody nightmare!"

Soon enough, they were pushed away as Hermione went past them with teary eyes.

"Looks like she heard you." He says as they looked at her going away.

"Yeah well..." Ron didn't say anything else as he looked a little bit uncomfortable.

For the first time since his first loop, Harry actually went to the next classes. The Troll should be there around Halloween feast. Which mean Harry had the time to warn the staff about it.

Harry's heart pounded as he sat in the Great Hall, his hands clenched into fists. He had lived this day twice already—twice he had died, crushed under the mountain troll in the girls' bathroom. This time, he wasn't going to let that happen.

As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking about Halloween festivities, Harry shot up from his seat and rushed toward the staff table.

"Professor, there's going to be a—"

But before he could finish, the doors burst open. Quirrell staggered in, his face twisted in staged terror.

"Troll! In the dungeons! Thought you ought know.." he gasped before collapsing.

The Great Hall exploded into chaos. Students shrieked, dishes clattered, and the teachers leapt into action.

Harry tried to push forward. "Professor, wait! It's not in the dungeon—"

But before he could say more, Percy Weasley grabbed his arm.

"Back to the common room, now!" Percy barked, shoving Harry toward the panicked crowd of Gryffindors.

Harry struggled, glancing at the staff table, but Dumbledore was already taking charge, shouting for order. His warning was drowned out by the storm of voices, and before he knew it, he was being dragged away with the rest of his house.

He gritted his teeth. He had tried. But fate wasn't making this easy.

As the Gryffindors were ushered up the stairs, Harry's stomach twisted. He knew where the troll really was. And if no one stopped it…

Hermione was going to die.

Harry's heart was pounding as Percy herded the Gryffindors up the stairs, but Harry knew he couldn't wait. He had already failed twice, and he wasn't about to let it happen again.

"Ron!" Harry whispered urgently, grabbing his friend's sleeve.

Ron turned, eyes wide. "What are you doing? Percy's gonna kill us if we leave the group!"

"We have to warn Hermione! She doesn't know about the troll" Harry said, his voice low but firm. "She's in the bathroom, and the troll's still there. We have to go now."

Ron's face paled. "But the troll—"

"I know, but we can't just leave her!" Harry snapped, dragging Ron toward the door.

They slipped quietly out of the line of Gryffindors, careful not to be seen by Percy, who was already barking orders at the others. As soon as they were out of sight, Harry's legs moved faster. They ran down the hall, Harry leading the way, his mind racing with every second.

"She'll be fine," Ron muttered, trying to convince himself. "She's smart."

"Smart doesn't matter when there's a giant troll about to smash through the door," Harry replied, his voice tight.

Harry and Ron skidded to a halt in front of the bathroom door, their hearts pounding in their chests as they heard the troll's heavy footsteps echoing inside.

Harry's breath came in quick, shallow gasps as he and Ron crouched behind the bathroom door. The troll's thunderous grunts echoed through the room, its massive club swinging dangerously close to Hermione. Harry's eyes locked onto her—her back pressed against the wall, eyes wide with terror, looking for a way out.

This was it. The third time. The third time he couldn't let her die.

"Ron," Harry whispered, "We have to distract it. You ready?"

Ron's face was pale, but he nodded. His hand trembled as he gripped his wand.

Harry took a deep breath. He had already died twice today—once when the troll crushed him against the wall, once when it struck him with its club—but he couldn't focus on that now. He had to focus on saving Hermione.

The troll's eyes shifted, narrowing toward Hermione. It began lumbering in her direction, raising its club above its head.

"Now!" Harry hissed.

Ron yelled, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The spell hit the troll's club, lifting it just enough to make the creature stumble. But it didn't fall—it swung its club wildly, smashing it into the stone floor with a deafening crash. The troll let out a low growl, its attention shifting to Ron and Harry.

"Great," Ron muttered.

The troll let out an earth-shaking roar and charged toward them, but Harry didn't hesitate. He darted forward, grabbing Ron's arm.

"Distract it!" Harry shouted, pushing Ron toward a pile of cleaning supplies.

Ron hesitated but ran with it, knocking over a bucket and yelling desperately trying to distract it. The troll swerved toward him, its massive eyes locked on him.

"Come on!" Harry whispered to himself, rushing behind the troll. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the room. There—by the sink—was a long metal pipe wrench, heavy and sharp. Without thinking, Harry sprinted toward it. The troll's massive body blocked the way, but Harry's eyes were fixed on his goal.

He grabbed the wrench with both hands, the cold metal biting into his palms. Adrenaline surged through him, and before he could think, he swung the wrench at the troll's exposed back.

The troll let out a horrible bellow of pain as the wrench collided with the back of its head. It staggered, momentarily disoriented, but it didn't fall. Harry swung again, his hands shaking, the wrench connecting with the troll's skull with another sickening thud.

This time, the troll's massive club slipped from its grasp, clattering to the floor.

Ron saw the opening and acted quickly. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted, his wand aimed at the club.

The troll's weapon jerked into the air, and before the troll could react, Ron flung the club at the creature's legs, sending it crashing to the ground. The troll howled, struggling to rise, but its strength was fading.

Harry didn't wait. He rushed forward, grabbing the wrench again and swinging with everything he had. The final blow hit the troll right on the temple, and with a final, guttural roar, the creature collapsed, unconscious on the floor.

For a moment, there was silence. The only sound was Harry's ragged breathing.

Hermione, frozen in place, took a step forward, her voice trembling. "Is... is it dead?"

Harry, his breath ragged, wiped the sweat from his forehead before shaking his head. He looked to Ron, still standing near the door, staring at the fallen creature.

Ron's voice was shaky, but there was a grin spreading across his face. "Blimey. Thought we were done for."

Before Harry could answer, the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears, and within seconds, the door to the bathroom flew open. Professor McGonagall and a few other teachers rushed in, their eyes wide with shock at the sight of the troll lying unconscious on the floor.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here?!" Professor McGonagall demanded, her eyes flicking from the troll to the three students.

Hermione, still trembling, opened her mouth to speak, but Harry beat her to it. "We—we had to stop it," he said quickly, his voice still shaky. "The troll was going to hurt Hermione. It—" He broke off as McGonagall's stern gaze cut through him.

"Stop it?" McGonagall repeated, incredulity in her voice. "You three, stopped a troll?" Her eyes swept over the students, her expression flickering between disbelief and an almost grudging respect. "Not many first years would even think of taking on a troll. And few, if any, have lived to tell the tale."

Ron, still wide-eyed, tried to explain. "We didn't exactly plan on fighting it... but Harry—he grabbed me to look for Hermione and—" He paused, unsure how to phrase it. "It kind of just happened."

McGonagall's eyes softened for a fraction of a second before narrowing again. "Kind of just happened?" she repeated sharply. "A troll nearly killed you all, and that's all you can say?"

"They saved me." Hermione said softly, her voice still trembling, but with a determination Harry could admire. "I... wouldn't be there if..."

McGonagall sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't know whether to be angry with you or impressed. You acted... rashly, but I suppose it worked out. For now." She paused, her gaze flicking back to the unconscious troll. "You three are incredibly lucky."

Professor Quirrell, looking pale and shaken, stepped forward, his voice tight. "T-t-t-t-that's... extr-r-r-r-raordi-i-i-inary," he said, though there was a clear hint of unease in his tone.

McGonagall turned to Quirrell, her expression softening just a little. "I don't think 'extraordinary' is the word I would use, Quirrell. Reckless is more fitting. But..." She glanced back at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I suppose you deserve some credit for saving each other. But next time, please don't try to fight a troll without a teacher present."

The trio remained silent, feeling the weight of her words. They were alive, but only by sheer luck, and they knew it. Still, they couldn't quite suppress the adrenaline that was still buzzing through their veins.

"I'll escort you back to your common room," McGonagall said finally, her voice returning to its usual brisk tone. "And don't think you're getting away without five points from each of you. Of course Professor Dumbledore shall be informed."

They nodded in unison, too exhausted and too relieved to say much more.

Once they reached the Gryffindor Tower, McGonagall paused and glanced at them one last time. "I expect you all to stay out of trouble from now on. You've had enough excitement for one night. Understood?"

"Understood, Professor," they replied together.

McGonagall didn't say anything more. She turned and left them at the base of the staircase, her footsteps echoing in the silence. As they watched her go, Hermione exhaled deeply, her hands still shaking slightly.

"I can't believe that we're alive"

Ron let out a long, relieved sigh. "Yeah..." He looked at Harry. "And you, mate, you're the one who hit it with the wrench. Blimey, I thought it was going to squash us all."

Harry shrugged, still feeling a bit dazed. "You distracted it so we're even"

Hermione smiled faintly, but Harry could see how shaken she was. Despite the victory, none of them would ever forget the sheer danger they had been in.

As they made their way into the common room, the weight of the night finally began to hit them. But for now, they had survived.

It was when he was in his bed that Harry realized.

'I did it! I... I saved her ! I lived !'

Hello there. Finally out of the Troll loops ey?

I know that Harry literally using Hermione as bait is like... Not-Harry like. Especially at this point. Trust me, I have two versions of this chapter and the one where I keep the meeting in the bathroom kinda worked better?

I hope you guys are glad to be out of the first loop... Or will it be the only one ?

We'll see next time I guess.

I'm trying to do longer chapters, hope it's alright with y'all?

I'm also using a tiny tool to correct me. Not a lot mind you but still. Like let's say out of 100 words it'll correct ~20 words. I'm still trying to use this as a personal exercise y'know but I figured it would be nicer if you have something worth reading.

Anyway, hope you like this chapter.

Love y'all.