In front of Ron and Hermione, the troll lay sprawled on the floor, clutching its own body in agony.
Now Ron understood why the troll had been howling in pain — it was truly suffering.
Above it hovered a massive wooden club.
"Hey," Harry noticed as his two friends pushed the door open.
He discreetly flicked his wand, and the club struck the troll's head with force.
The troll let out only a muffled groan before collapsing unconscious.
"My God… what a nightmare…" exclaimed Ron, speechless. "Harry, you… you defeated a troll!"
"Ah." Harry slipped his wand back into his pocket and, nonchalantly, asked, "What are you two doing here?"
"Professor Quirrell said there was a troll in the underground classroom. I noticed you hadn't returned from the bathroom and got worried, so I dragged Hermione along to warn you," Ron explained hastily. Hermione then glanced at the unconscious troll. "Looks like the danger's over now."
Harry felt touched. He hadn't expected his two friends to risk their lives just to warn him, even knowing the troll was there.
Indeed, they were truly worthy of Gryffindor.
"Thank you," Harry said sincerely. "Ron, Hermione…"
Before he could finish, a loud knock echoed on the door, followed by heavy footsteps. The three turned toward the entrance.
Moments later, Professor McGonagall entered, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell trailing behind.
Quirrell glanced at the unconscious troll and let out a weak sob, slumping over the toilet, clutching his chest.
Harry turned, a faint expression of disgust crossing his face.
How weak! Was this really the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? At this rate, Hogwarts would soon be a laughingstock in the wizarding world!
"What kind of trickery is this?" McGonagall's icy voice cut through the air.
Her stern gaze swept over the trio before settling on the troll, sleeping soundly on the floor. "You're lucky not to have been killed — why aren't you in the dormitories?"
"Sorry, Professor," Harry said, stepping forward. "They were looking for me. I had a stomachache and needed to use the bathroom after class, but the troll showed up unannounced. They knew I was there and came to warn me about the danger."
McGonagall's serious expression softened.
It wasn't Harry's fault.
"The courage to step forward and take responsibility… this child reminds me of Lily," McGonagall thought, impressed.
"With Ron and Hermione's help, we defeated this troll together," Harry added.
He decided to keep things discreet; it would be far too alarming for a first-year to defeat a troll alone.
Hearing Harry's words, Hermione discreetly pinched Ron, giving him an "I knew it" expression.
Ron nodded to Hermione, as if he had defeated the troll himself.
"Not bad, Transfiguration spell," McGonagall remarked, noticing the troll's restraints. She gave Harry an approving nod, then looked at Ron and Hermione.
"For breaking school rules and leaving your group without permission, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Gryffindor will lose five points because of you two," she said sternly.
Hermione lowered her head; she hadn't expected McGonagall to be so relentless.
Ron made a reluctant grimace. By Merlin's beard! Couldn't the head of Gryffindor be as impartial as Slytherin's head?
But then McGonagall added, "For risking your lives to protect a friend, ten points to Gryffindor."
Upon hearing the reward, the two looked up, surprised, seeing a faint smile on her face.
Finally, McGonagall concluded, "Still, you were lucky. Not many first-years can fight and defeat a full-grown troll. Each of you earns five points for Gryffindor — I will inform Professor Dumbledore. You may go now."
"Go, go," stammered Quirrell, rising from the toilet. "I… I'll take care of the bathroom, don't worry."
At that moment, the sleeping troll snorted, making Quirrell jump in fright.
Harry didn't glance at him; he noticed Snape had been watching him since they entered. He didn't pay much attention — after all, he bore no grudge, and assumed Snape didn't either. They were friends of his parents, he thought.
Walking back to the second floor, Harry turned to his two friends. "Thanks for today."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look and smiled.
"Why thank me?" Ron said with a broad smile. "Isn't that what friends do?"
Harry was surprised.
He had always considered Hermione a good classmate, and Ron had always cared for him because of his parents' friendship.
But today, both friends had risked their lives for him. How could he not be moved?
"Yes, we're friends." Harry nodded firmly, opened his arms, and hugged Hermione, then Ron.
He embraced these two friends. Perhaps it was time for a new beginning; besides old friends, he should also make new ones.
"So, Harry," Hermione asked suddenly, "why did you tell Professor McGonagall that the three of us defeated the troll together?"
"Ah, I just didn't want too much attention," Harry replied, slightly concerned. "You know, they always call me the Savior. If word spreads that I defeated a troll alone, I'll probably be mobbed like an animal at the zoo, just like at the start of term."
"I understand," Hermione nodded, accepting his explanation.
"By the way, mate," Ron draped an arm over Harry's shoulder, "how did you defeat the troll? That was amazing!"
"Just a combination of spells," Harry told Ron. "I've been reading some duel technique books in my free time and ended up using them today without realizing it. Worked pretty well — want me to teach you too?"
He thought of his useless Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Even now, dark wizards hadn't disappeared, and Harry didn't expect to learn much in class.
In that case, why not start with the Duelling Wand?
"So… let's start with these two friends," he thought.
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