Chapter 131: Chapter 131: "Troll Aftermath Part - 1"
Harry and his friends paused to address the professors who had just arrived on the scene. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and Quirrell were all there. Quirrell, visibly shaken by the sight of the defeated troll, let out a faint whimper and quickly sat down against a nearby wall, clutching his heart as if deeply distressed.
Snape approached the troll to examine it closely, while Professor Flitwick looked around with wide eyes, his expression one of shock at the chaos before him.
Professor McGonagall, however, fixed a stern glare on the group of third-year students who had defied instructions and taken matters into their own hands to confront the troll. Her face was etched with anger, and she seemed ready to scold them severely.
Just as she was about to express her frustration, Charles, Ron, and Hermione emerged, limping and battered, from the girls' bathroom. Seeing them in such a state momentarily diffused her anger.
McGonagall took a deep breath, visibly calming herself before addressing the students. "What happened here? Mr. Diggory, please explain."
Cedric took a moment to gather his thoughts before explaining the entire sequence of events to the professors. He began by detailing their initial intent, which was to inform Harry about the troll's presence within the school. However, their plans changed abruptly when they heard screams along the way. Concerned, they rushed towards the noise, which led them to the bathroom where they heard more screams and the grunts of the troll. It was clear that immediate action was necessary to protect the lives at risk.
Cedric continued by explaining that before engaging the troll, they made sure to send Elvinia and Arabella to fetch the professors. The rest of the group then focused on defending the first-year students from the troll. He openly shared the fear and danger they encountered during the ordeal and highlighted how Harry arrived just in time to help subdue the troll, ultimately ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
The professors listened intently to Cedric's account, their expressions turning from concern to understanding as they absorbed the details of the harrowing encounter. They nodded appreciatively, clearly recognizing the courage and quick thinking displayed by the students throughout the incident.
Despite their initial reservations about the students putting themselves in danger, the professors couldn't help but express their admiration for the adeptness and bravery with which the situation was managed. Their faces showed a mix of relief and reluctant admiration for the daring actions that had likely saved many lives.
Professor Flitwick then spoke up, his voice filled with a blend of praise and caution. "Good work dealing with the troll. This is a great example of inter-house unity. However, I must also admonish you. I knew from Mr. Potter's demonstrated prowess in my classes that he could handle himself. That is why I assured you he could manage on his own. We also knew he would be in a safe place during the feast, so we were not overly worried. But nonetheless, great work, everyone. Especially you, Mr. Potter. Excellent use of the levitation charm, summoning charm, and the freezing charm, all used at the right moments."
Professor McGonagall followed with her own commendation, though not without a hint of her characteristic sternness. "And an impressive display of conjuring, which is a skill taught in NEWT-level transfiguration. It appears you do not need to attend my classes, Mr. Potter."
Harry responded with humility, "No, professor, I still very much need the classes. They help me solidify my basics and perfect my spells, ensuring I can perform them effortlessly."
The professors nodded and then conferred quietly among themselves for a moment.
After a brief discussion, Snape spoke up. "I really don't like how you all acted today. However, it was good that you had a backup plan with Miss Thornwood and Miss Whitlock going to fetch the professors. Although it was wrong to put yourselves in danger, and I believe there should be consequences, the other professors feel your actions in saving the three first years should be rewarded. Therefore, fifty points will be awarded to each house for your display of what I must call foolish courage."
The group was thrilled by the recognition and the points they had received.
Professor Flitwick then chimed in, "And I will add twenty points for Mr. Potter for his impressive display of magic and for handling a fully grown troll while saving many lives."
Harry gratefully accepted the points, and the group's spirits lifted even higher as they celebrated together. The professors observed the festivities with smiles on their faces, pleased with the outcome despite the initial danger. Meanwhile, Quirrell watched quietly from the sidelines, his thoughts remaining a mystery to everyone present.
Professor McGonagall turned toward the younger trio from her house, her expression one of stern disappointment mixed with anger.
"What on earth were you thinking?" she demanded, her voice filled with cold fury. Charles glanced at Ron, who was awkwardly holding his wand aloft, seemingly unsure of what to do next. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Both Charles and Ron looked down, embarrassed and unsure of how to respond. It was then that a small voice emerged from the shadows.
"Please, Professor McGonagall—they were looking for me," said Hermione, who had managed to stand up despite her evident distress.
"Miss Granger!" McGonagall exclaimed, her tone shifting as she addressed Hermione.
"I went looking for the troll because I—I thought I could handle it on my own—you know, because I've read all about them," Hermione explained, her voice shaky.
Ron dropped his wand in surprise. It was unlike Hermione to tell a blatant lie to a teacher. "If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Charles distracted the troll with spells, and Ron helped in the surroundings too. They didn't have time to fetch anyone. It was about to attack me when they arrived."
Charles, trying to defend their actions, mumbled, "We would have handled the troll ourselves if the intruders hadn't come and startled us."
This comment enraged the other group. Angelina snapped, "Is this the thanks we get for saving your butts?"
Charles retorted defensively, "We didn't ask to be saved. I had everything under control. Ron was about to take control of the troll's club, and we would have defeated it."
Roger challenged them, "A troll that five senior students struggled with, you two kids thought you could handle alone?"
Charles, filled with indignation, responded, "I am different from you. I am the Boy Who Lived and have been training from a young age. I have more experience in handling dark creatures."
Reggy, frustrated by Charles's arrogance, countered, "Okay, Boy Who Lived. Need I remind you that your title came not from defeating You-Know-Who but from surviving the death curse due to the sacrificial ritual performed by your grandmother? Don't let those fictional novels go to your head—they're just fiction. You're a normal student like us, just with a fancy title."
Reggy then turned toward Harry, looking slightly embarrassed about his outburst, but Harry just waved it off, indicating there was no need for an apology. Deep down, Harry found himself agreeing with Reggy's points, though he also recognized that Charles's claim about handling the troll could have been accurate.
In the canon, events unfolded just as Charles described. However, Harry felt that Charles's response was inappropriate given the circumstances. Cedric and the others had risked their lives to help, and Charles should have expressed his gratitude. There was a genuine risk involved, particularly with Ron's part in the encounter, which could have easily gone wrong.
Chapter 132: Chapter 132: "Troll Aftermath Part - 2"
Before Charles could respond to Reggy's criticism, Professor McGonagall intervened sharply.
"Miss Granger, five points will be deducted from Gryffindor for this," Professor McGonagall declared sternly. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not injured, you should head back to Gryffindor Tower immediately. The feast is still going on, and students are gathering in their houses."
Hermione, looking visibly upset by the reprimand, quietly left the scene to head back to her house.
Professor McGonagall then turned her attention to Charles and Ron. "Both of you need to go to the hospital wing now. You require medical attention," she instructed. "The decision to confront the troll alone was reckless and warrants punishment, but your intention to save a friend mitigates the situation somewhat. Therefore, no points will be awarded for this incident. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of everything that has transpired. Now, off you go."
After addressing Charles and Ron, Professor McGonagall looked over the group of students gathered around. Her voice was both stern and filled with a hint of pride as she spoke. "You all showed remarkable bravery today, but I must urge you to leave such dangerous situations to the trained staff in the future. Now, please go and join the rest of the students at the feast in your common rooms."
Feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion, Harry and his friends nodded in understanding. The day's events had brought them closer together, creating bonds forged through shared danger that typical school days could never replicate. With a quick pace, they hurried away from the professors, eager to avoid any chance of the faculty changing their minds about the points that had been awarded.
Once they were a safe distance away from the professors and out of earshot, Cedric turned to Harry with a curious expression. "Harry, I've been meaning to ask, how did you know we were in danger and decide to come help us?"
Harry, careful not to disclose the secret of the Marauder's Map, casually responded, "Oh, I just had a feeling something bad was about to unfold."
Elvinia, playfully teasing Harry, chimed in, "This feeling again? Are you sure you don't secretly have the talent of a seer, Harry?"
Harry, joining in the light-hearted banter, joked back, "Maybe I do. Didn't you know? I'm considered Professor Trelawney's star pupil."
Reggy burst out laughing, "Really? When did this happen? And how come the rest of the school isn't buzzing about it?"
Harry played along, "It happened during Divination class. Really, doesn't everyone know the story? Angelina, Alicia, you were there. Why haven't you told anyone?"
Alicia laughed softly, "Was there really something to tell? Wasn't it just the two of you predicting doom and gloom for each other? We all thought it was just Professor Trelawney taking a special liking to you, Harry, like she does with any student who shows a bit of interest. We didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary."
Harry, with a mischievous grin, teased them, "So, no one knows how I became her favorite? Well, that's your loss."
Roger, now caught up in the intrigue, urged him, "This sounds interesting. Tell us what happened."
Harry began explaining how it all started in the Divination class. "On the first day, Professor Trelawney was reading tea leaves to predict our futures. She went from one student's cup to another, making predictions. When she came to my cup, her expression changed dramatically. She looked really scared and told me that I had a dark omen."
Elvinia, curious about the prediction, asked, "Dark omen? Did she predict your death like she does every year for a student?"
Harry nodded, confirming her suspicion. "Oh yes, she said a double-faced monster would kill me this year."
Harry found the prediction surprising since the double-faced monster could be referring to Quirrelmort, but he wasn't particularly worried. Most of the predictions about Harry in the books were similar and quite dramatic, yet he had always managed to survive. Besides, he didn't see Quirrelmort as a serious threat to his life.
Cedric couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the prediction. "That's too funny. A double-faced monster. How did you retaliate for that, Harry?"
Harry smirked, "What do you mean by retaliate? I don't hold grudges or do things like that."
However, Roger nudged Harry playfully, not quite buying his innocent act. "Come on, Harry. Cut the act. We've known you for two years. We know you'd have a comeback."
Harry admitted with a grin, "Alright, you caught me. During the next class, when she asked us to predict her future, I took the chance to turn the tables. I mimicked her and declared I saw a bad omen about her. When she pressed for details, I told her she'd be hit by a stray arrow and lose something dear to her."
Reggy burst into laughter. "A stray arrow? In this day and age, where would she even come across a stray arrow? You should have come up with something more believable, Harry."
Harry explained his thought process. "Aren't you forgetting something? The centaurs in the Forbidden Forest use bows and arrows."
Harry's prediction was actually a twist on the idea that the centaurs might take over her job in the future, but Trelawney took his words literally and thought it meant the centaurs were out to kill her.
Arabella gasped, intrigued by the story. "Oh… What happened next?"
Harry continued, "She got all worked up and exclaimed, 'I knew it! I knew those horse creatures were after me. Now a second person has seen the same thing.' She was so convinced that she rushed off to complain to Professor Dumbledore about the centaurs."
Arabella, eager to hear more, urged him, "Don't keep us waiting. What happened after that?"
Harry chuckled, "Well, Professor Dumbledore didn't really do anything about her complaint, but it affected her behavior. She stopped going near the Hogwarts grounds, afraid an arrow might actually hit her. In class, though, she started treating me like her star student and had me make more predictions."
Cedric, amused, asked, "So what else did you predict?"
Harry replied, "I started making up riddles about things that will happen in the future. She loved them. But eventually, I got bored and began skipping her classes. Surprisingly, she didn't mind at all. She told me that seeing the future too often was a burden and that I needed to rest. She let me off without any fuss whenever I missed a class."
Roger laughed appreciatively. "Good for you, Harry. I should have taken Divination too. It sounds like you turned it into quite the entertaining class."
Elvinia, reflecting on the conversation, nodded thoughtfully. "You might really have some special abilities, Harry. You should trust your instincts more. They can save lives, as they did today."
Cedric added his thanks, "Yes, Harry. Thanks again for today. You really saved us."
Harry modestly waved off their praise, and then the group dispersed, heading towards their respective dormitories, eager to relax after the day's harrowing events and enjoy a well-deserved night's rest.
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