Chapter 73 - Explanation
The bathroom was silent except for the dripping water from the broken sinks. The unconscious troll lay sprawled across the floor. Broken wood, shattered porcelain and puddles of water covered everything.
Then Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the silence.
"What on earth were you thinking?"
Her voice was sharp enough to make all of us straighten immediately.
Professor McGonagall looked furious.
Professor Dumbledore was as always very calm. Professor Snape, however, barely spared Harry, Ron, and Hermione a glance.
His eyes then settled on me. I immediately felt that he was paying far more attention to me than to the three first-years.
Meanwhile Hermione stepped forward and she did not even hesitate.
"I'm sorry, Professor," she said. "I went looking for the troll because I thought I could deal with it. Harry and Ron came to find me. Arthur only followed after he saw them leave the Gryffindor group."
The professors listened carefully.
Hermione continued explaining how the boys had arrived and helped her. She also made sure to keep me out of the entire affair.
According to her version, the troll had already been defeated when I arrived.
I remained quiet.
Professor McGonagall looked both angry and impressed.
"I never would have believed it of you, Miss Granger," she said sternly.
She then deducted points from Hermione for her foolishness. After that, she awarded points to Harry and Ron for the courage they had shown in saving a fellow student from a mountain troll.
The boys looked relieved.
Then Professor McGonagall turned toward me. But before she could speak, Professor Snape smoothly interrupted.
"Indeed," he drawled. "We also have a senior student present. A certain Mr. Arthur Dursley, brother of Harry Potter."
His dark eyes narrowed slightly.
"Perhaps we should hear his version as well."
The room became quiet. Professor Snape folded his arms.
"Speak, Mr. Dursley."
"Professor, I think they were simply children whose curiosity got the better of them."
Harry looked at me hopefully. Ron looked even more hopeful.
"Hermione wanted to see the troll. Harry and Ron followed after her. I followed after Harry when I noticed him leaving the student group."
I spoke calmly but did not tell the complete truth. There was no point. The lie was small and harmless.
More importantly, it protected the friendship forming between the three of them.
Some friendships were built through shared adventures and mistakes. Others were built through shared secrets. This one happened to be built through both. So, it was better to let the lie stand.
Professor Snape listened without interruption. When I finished, he simply nodded.
Professor McGonagall sighed.
"And you, Mr. Dursley, ignored Professor Dumbledore's instructions and left your assigned group."
I nodded. "Yes, Professor."
"Five points from Hufflepuff."
"Fair enough."
A few professors looked amused by my answer.
Professor Dumbledore stepped forward. His blue eyes moved over all four of us.
"It is fortunate," he said gently, "that nobody was seriously injured tonight. Now, I think it is time for everyone to return to their dormitories."
The relief on Harry's face was immediate. Ron looked as though he had just escaped Azkaban. Hermione also visibly relaxed. The three of them immediately started moving toward the door.
But I did not.
Professor Snape noticed at once. One of his eyebrow slowly rose. His expression seemed to ask exactly one question.
'What are you doing now, boy?'
I ignored it.
"Professor Dumbledore."
The Headmaster paused.
"Yes, Mr. Dursley?"
Every professor looked at me.
I took a breath.
"Professor, I would like an explanation."
The room became even quieter.
"An explanation?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly.
"Yes."
I pointed toward the unconscious troll.
"Why was a fully grown mountain troll, an XXX ranked dangerous creature by the Ministry Of Magic, roaming freely inside a school filled with children?"
Nobody spoke. My voice remained calm.
"If Harry, Ron and Hermione had been a little less lucky tonight, they could have been killed."
"What if another student had encountered it first? What if a student had been late for the feast or wandering the corridors alone and encountered the Troll?"
Professor Flitwick looked uncomfortable while Professor McGonagall frowned thoughtfully.
But Professor Snape's expression became increasingly amused.
Dumbledore folded his hands together.
"We shall certainly investigate how this happened."
I nodded.
"Thank you, Professor."
Then I continued.
"However, as the guardian of Harry Potter, I would also like to know what actions the school intends to take to prevent such an incident from happening again."
Professor Quirrell blinked.
"The guardian?"
I looked at him.
"My parents are Harry's legal guardians."
Quirrell nodded uncertainly.
"But they are Muggles. As the eldest magical relative currently living with Harry, I act as his magical guardian."
Several professors exchanged looks. Professor Snape actually looked entertained now.
I continued.
"I know I am not of age yet, but somebody as a guardian and an elder brother, I have to ask these questions."
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then Dumbledore smiled.
"Very well, Mr. Dursley."
His eyes twinkled.
"You shall receive an explanation."
I inclined my head.
"Thank you, Professor."
"And," Dumbledore added, "it is Mr. Potter's fortune that he has such a determined elder brother looking after him."
A few professors smiled. Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly.
"Now," Dumbledore said, "I believe all students should return to bed."
"Yes, Professor."
I finally turned to leave.
Then a low groan echoed through the bathroom.
Everyone froze.
The troll moved. Its massive arm twitched. It looked like it was waking up.
Harry immediately stepped backward. Ron nearly jumped and Hermione squeaked.
Before the professors started reaching for their wands, I reacted.
Years of practicing and training took over.
I spun around and my wand flashed. A stream of pale blue light shot forward. The air temperature dropped instantly.
Crack!
Ice spread across the troll's body. Up its legs, across its torso and around its arms.
Within seconds the creature was frozen solid from its toes to its neck. Only its head remained free.
The troll stopped moving completely.
Silence filled the bathroom.
The children stared at me with their mouth open and eyes which looked ready to pop out.
Meanwhile the Professors looked impressed. Professor McGonagall looked genuinely surprised and Professor Flitwick was delighted.
Professor Snape's eyes sharpened instantly and he gave me a nod, as if approving my work.
Dumbledore studied the frozen troll with great interest.
For several long seconds nobody spoke.
Then Professor Flitwick whispered softly,
"Remarkable control."
Professor Sprout was visibly the happiest as she saw my spell.
Professor Dumbledore said, "Ten points to Hufflepuff for Mr. Dursley's spell. Now, to bed."
I nodded and along with the children, got out of there. The children were accompanied by Professor McGonagall as she took them to their dormitories, while I went back alone.
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End of Chapter 73 - Explanation