Dumbledore spoke gently, "Miss Clearwater, would you mind waiting a moment? There are a few things I'd like to clarify."
Penelope nodded quickly, falling silent.
Turning, Dumbledore addressed the staff behind him. "Professor McGonagall, if you please."
Lips pressed into a thin line, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, her gaze settling on Harry and his friends.
"Headmaster Dumbledore instructed everyone to return to their common rooms. When I went to check, Percy came running to tell me someone was missing..."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger—do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"
"The wall collapsed and buried you all! You're lucky none of you were hurt. But luck won't always be on your side!"
At the sound of their names, Harry, Ron, and Hermione jerked their heads up in unison, startled, then immediately bowed them again in perfect synchrony.
They glanced at each other, shifting nervously, but no one spoke.
It was Snape who broke the silence, his voice cold and flat, each word heavy with sarcasm. "The Boy Who Lived… always finding ways to make a spectacle of himself. I suppose being ordinary just isn't enough."
McGonagall's tone sharpened. "I want an explanation! Why didn't you return to your common room? Why stay on the first floor?"
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley—I saw you both in the Great Hall earlier. Why didn't you go with Percy and stay put?"
Perhaps Snape's jab stung, because Harry looked up, stiffening his neck. "Professor McGonagall, we had a reason for staying!"
Her tone softened, just a touch. "Then tell me, Mr. Potter. What was it?"
But in that moment, Harry's mind went blank. He couldn't find the words.
The truth was simple: Ron had said something unkind about Hermione, which left her unaware of the troll. He and Ron had gone to find her, delivered the warning, and Ron had apologized. The three made up—friends at last.
It should have been a happy ending, but the troll had found them first.
If he explained all this, Ron's harsh words about Hermione would come to light. For Harry, that felt like betraying his best friend.
No matter what, Ron was his first friend at Hogwarts, the one who'd risk everything for him.
Harry glanced at Ron, then at Hermione, making up his mind—he'd take the blame himself.
But before he could speak, Hermione stepped forward.
Her eyes were red, brimming with tears, her voice trembling. "Professor McGonagall, it was… it was my fault! I thought I could handle the troll by myself, so…"
"Miss Granger, I hope you're not lying to me," McGonagall said sternly, adjusting her glasses. "You weren't in the Great Hall earlier—how did you know about the troll?"
"I…" Hermione faltered, cheeks burning as tears spilled down her face.
"Professor McGonagall! It's all my fault!" Ron burst out, face red as a beet as he stepped in front of Hermione, squeezing his eyes shut. "I said awful things about Hermione! I dragged Harry along to help me apologize, but then we ran into the troll! If you're going to punish anyone, punish me! Write to my mum…"
Hermione quickly wiped her tears and looked up. "When the wall collapsed, Ron shielded me… Please, don't expel him."
Harry chimed in, flustered. "Professor McGonagall, Ron protected both of us! You can't make him leave Hogwarts!"
Fred and George exchanged glances, feigning astonishment. "Who are you and what have you done with our brother? Ron actually volunteered for a letter home!"
Each of the trio had their own secret dread:
Hermione was terrified of being expelled.
Harry couldn't bear the thought of leaving Hogwarts.
And Ron—he dreaded nothing more than his mum getting a letter about his mischief.
"Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore interjected, a pleased smile on his face, "since the children are unharmed, perhaps a mild punishment would suffice?"
McGonagall sighed, adjusting her glasses. "I see the light of friendship shining in all of you."
"But rules are rules. Gryffindor will lose thirty points. Percy, take them back to their common room."
Harry and Ron exchanged a look and let out a long sigh of relief. For them, this was the best possible outcome.
Hermione's eyes were still red, guilt gnawing at her for costing Gryffindor another thirty points.
Dumbledore stepped forward, turning now to the others. "And as for you—facing down a troll must have been even more harrowing. Why didn't you return to your common room?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, it was all an accident!" Fred replied, far calmer than Harry and his friends, even managing a cheeky wink.
George picked up without missing a beat, "We were just a little late… a few minutes, maybe a few dozen… half an hour tops, getting to the Great Hall. Who could've guessed we'd blunder into all this?"
"The Great Hall was totally empty when we arrived. Honestly, we were terrified—almost started crying!" Fred declared with theatrical flair.
George covered his face, nodding and howling, "It's true! I actually did cry… boo-hoo-hoo-hoo…"
Beside them, Penelope pressed her hand to her mouth, fighting back laughter.
Wyzett held his breath, struggling not to burst out laughing himself.
"And what, exactly, were you doing before all this?" McGonagall asked, taking a deep breath as if to steady herself. "Why were you with Wyzett?"
"Discussing magic…" Fred's eyes darted about before he blurted, "We were asking Wyzett about Potions."
"Asking a first-year about Potions?" McGonagall echoed, her tone skeptical. "You might at least—"
"Wyzett is more than qualified," Snape interjected, arms crossed, his tone as cold as ever. "These two aren't half as good as he is. That's a fact."
"Er…" George lowered his hands, nodding soberly. "As much as it pains me to admit, Professor Snape is right."
"Enough!" Dumbledore said, still smiling. "It's clear this was all a terrible accident. Everyone's exhausted. Let's call it a night, shall we?"
"In total agreement!" Fred and George chorused. "We're absolutely knackered! Good night, Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor… Snape!"
Not waiting for anyone to change their minds, they hefted their jars of green slime and bolted from the Great Hall like two sprinters at the starting gun.
As they vanished through the doors, they called back, "Wyzett! We'll never forget that you saved our lives!"
[No new terminology for this chapter. All names and spells referenced are canonical or previously established.]
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong