"For your actions tonight, I hope my decision won't give you the wrong impression," said Professor McGonagall, her tone stern and measured.
It sounded very much like a warning.
Harry, Ron, and Malfoy all instinctively pursed their lips, looking for all the world like condemned men awaiting their sentence. Qin Yu couldn't help but think they looked ready to stretch out their necks for the axe, all bracing themselves for the punishment to come.
But Qin Yu knew their expectations were about to be upended.
Sure enough, Professor McGonagall's expression softened just a touch as she looked at them. "Each of you will earn five points for your house."
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
The three boys, who had been wilting with dread, all jerked their heads up in unison, staring at the usually severe witch in shock.
Wait—points? They were getting points?
For a moment, none of them could quite process it.
Seeing their bewilderment, Professor McGonagall relented, offering a rare explanation: "It's not often one sees students your age display such courage in facing, and defeating, a troll. Of course, there are a few exceptions." As she spoke the last part, she cast a meaningful glance at Qin Yu, making it clear who she meant.
Qin Yu just shrugged, unbothered. To him, taking down a troll wasn't anything to brag about. Sure, he couldn't match such a magical creature in brute strength, but defeating it was hardly a challenge.
"Now, off to your dormitories, all of you. The Halloween feast isn't over—it will continue in your house common rooms," Professor McGonagall announced, ushering them toward the door. She turned to Qin Yu: "Qin, escort them back. Make sure there's no more trouble."
"Yes, Professor McGonagall," Qin Yu replied with a nod.
He gathered the group and led them out of the wrecked storeroom, leaving the unconscious troll behind.
...
Once outside, Qin Yu led the four Gryffindor first-years up front, while Malfoy trailed behind, looking anxious and out of place.
After all, he was now the only Slytherin in the corridor—outnumbered and isolated.
When they reached the fork where the path split toward Gryffindor Tower and the Slytherin dungeons, Qin Yu stopped and turned back to Malfoy with a friendly smile.
The gesture made Malfoy freeze, even more uneasy.
"Need me to walk you back, Malfoy?" Qin Yu offered, his tone warm.
"No!" Malfoy blurted, shaking his head a bit too forcefully. Realizing how abrupt he sounded, he quickly added, "I—I'll be fine on my own. It's really close to the Slytherin dungeons from here."
"All right, then. Stay safe," Qin Yu said, not pressing the matter.
If anything, trying to escort Malfoy would only make him more nervous.
Sigh, can't people trust each other just a little? Qin Yu mused as he led the Gryffindor students left, while a visibly relieved Malfoy hurried off to the right.
"Another draw this time," Ron muttered, watching Malfoy's retreating figure.
Harry paused, then caught on and nodded. "Yeah. We lost five points, gained ten, Slytherin got five, so in the end, it's all even."
So annoying—they still hadn't managed to pull ahead of Slytherin!
Both boys looked just a bit disappointed.
Still, they had to admit, Malfoy had earned his five points fair and square.
Thinking back on what had happened, they couldn't deny that when things got dangerous, he'd actually stepped up.
"I've heard that going through something big together brings people closer," Qin Yu said, turning to Harry and Ron with a wink. "So, after what just happened, are you and Malfoy good friends now?"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Harry and Ron shook their heads in perfect unison, every bit as emphatic as Malfoy's earlier refusal of an escort.
And as soon as Qin Yu mentioned "good friends," both boys couldn't help but imagine themselves frolicking with Malfoy—the very thought sent a shiver down their spines and goosebumps up their arms.
"Even if there was only one wizard left in the world, I wouldn't be friends with Malfoy!" Harry thought, scowling. Even after today's events, he still didn't have much fondness for that prat.
"Same here. I'd rather face a dragon than deal with him!" Ron declared firmly.
One had banished all other wizards from existence, the other would rather battle a dragon—Qin Yu was tempted to ask if they'd considered how the rest of the wizarding world (or the dragons) might feel about that.
But he kept that to himself.
"I was just curious," Qin Yu said, waving a hand. "All right, let's get back. I barely ate at the feast before the troll interrupted us. Here's hoping there's still food left."
At his reminder, both Harry and Ron felt their stomachs rumble. The fight with the troll might have been short, but it had used up every bit of their energy. Now they were hungrier than ever.
They quickened their pace.
When the group returned to the Gryffindor common room, it was already buzzing with excitement.
It wasn't every day something like this happened at Hogwarts. For most, the thrill far outweighed any fear—except, perhaps, for the more timid students.
Everyone was talking about the troll: How did it get into Hogwarts? Which professor finally took it down? Someone suggested that if Headmaster Dumbledore had been there, he'd have handled it in a snap—a sentiment that drew plenty of nods.
Ron listened for a while, feeling a bit smug. That troll was defeated by me and Harry and, well, some other not-so-important guy, he thought.
He was just about to say something to Harry when he spotted Percy approaching with a stern look.
Ron's heart skipped a beat. He froze on the spot.
His big brother was always strict—and now, as Gryffindor prefect, Ron was in for a lecture.
Nearby, his other brothers—George and Fred—showed not the slightest sympathy. In fact, they looked positively gleeful at the prospect of Ron getting an earful.
"Be strong, Ronnie!"
"Don't worry, Percy won't eat you!"
With that, they slipped away before Percy could reach them.
"Ron, I heard what happened," Percy said, stopping in front of him.
"Percy, I…" Ron stammered, wearing a look of pure misery.
"I hope next time you'll think about the risks before you act, instead of charging in blindly," Percy admonished.
"I—I understand," Ron mumbled, head down.
Percy's expression softened. "I'm just glad you're all right." Then he straightened up, his voice going brisk again. "But don't think I'll cover this up for you—I'm telling Mum and Dad."
"No, Percy! Mum'll kill me if she finds out…" Ron groaned.
But Percy was unmoved. He moved on to find Harry, Adam, and the others, reminding them to talk to their teachers if they ever ran into trouble.
...
The unconscious troll was soon dragged away by Hagrid.
Apart from the mess in the storeroom, there was little real damage.
All in all, the incident was resolved rather satisfactorily.
But late that night, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, angry snarls echoed through the darkness.
"It's all because of that Harry Potter! That wretched boy!"
"Master, Master… this time it wasn't just him. There were—there were two others…"
"Do you really think the other two matter? Fool!"
"Yes, I was wrong."
"Find a way. We must get rid of him! He's a stumbling block—always meddling in my plans!"
"Yes, yes, Master!"
"Damn it all!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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