Owen didn't say anything about Ron's apology because, frankly, he just couldn't bring himself to like the guy.
Everyone has pride, but when that pride turns someone stubborn and foolish—someone who gets punished twice in a row and still doesn't learn—it's hard to respect them. In comparison, Draco Malfoy was much easier on the eyes. At least the little snake knew when to cut his losses.
The word "Mudblood" had been completely erased from Draco's vocabulary. Sure, he was still arrogant, but now his arrogance was backed up by the fact that he was ranked seventh in the entire year.
That was a lot better than a certain redhead. And honestly, better than a certain Savior too.
"Um... Owen, isn't Dumbledore away from school? You just said..."
"Delivering letters. And yep, they were all Howlers!"
Owen winked mischievously, ignoring the two dumbfounded wizards, and headed straight back to his common room. The seminar had been short, but fruitful. He'd picked up over a dozen interesting spells, all recorded in his notes, ready to be discussed with Professor Flitwick during their weekend tutoring session.
After organizing his notes, Owen started pulling gifts out of his expanded pocket.
Halloween wasn't a major holiday for him, but a good meal was necessary. Instead of joining the feast in the Great Hall—he despised traditional Halloween food—he headed straight for the kitchens.
He didn't want to stand out by skipping the feast entirely, so the kitchen was the perfect compromise.
"Master Owen, you... you aren't going to the feast?"
Owen laughed and wrapped an arm around the house-elf's shoulder. "Nope. I'm celebrating right here with you guys."
A cheer erupted in the kitchen. The elves moved with renewed speed, prepping ingredients in record time. Centered around the young wizard, they started their own little holiday party.
Owen was about seventy percent full when a house-elf suddenly sprinted over, screaming, "Master Owen! There is a troll in the castle! The other young masters are heading back to their dormitories! You... you..."
"Don't worry. I know."
Owen shoveled the last bite of rice into his mouth and leisurely walked out of the kitchen. After a few steps, a small cat leaped from his robes. The moment it hit the ground, it grew into a large beast.
Molly was now as big as an adult Wampus Cat. If he let her roam the castle freely, no one would approve. So, he kept her shrunk with a Reducio charm and tucked in his pocket, only letting her out in the common room or during trips to the Forbidden Forest.
But now...
A troll getting into the castle on its own? Impossible. Even a first-year could figure that out. But if someone let it in... that made sense.
But who would ignore the safety of so many students just to smuggle in a troll?
Tsk.
Hard to guess, isn't it?
"Molly, do you smell it?"
Trolls are humanoid magical creatures notorious for their lack of hygiene. They stink. Everywhere they go, the smell follows. Although Owen couldn't smell it yet, Molly definitely could. Her sense of smell was dozens, if not hundreds, of times more sensitive than a human's.
Sneeze!
Molly caught the scent immediately and recoiled, burying her nose in Owen's robes. Meow meow!
"Alright, I get it. Why don't you go play in the Forbidden Forest for a while? Don't come back too soon; this smell won't dissipate quickly. Oh, and if you go to the forest, don't fight with Whitey. You can't beat him anyway..."
The big cat stiffened, ready to argue, but the young wizard kissed her on the head and then took off, hovering just above the ground.
Molly huffed a few times, then vanished in a blur of motion. Fine. The castle stinks anyway. Can't stay here. Perfect time to go beat up that smelly bird!
Owen flew fast, braving a stench strong enough to knock a person out, until he reached the dungeons. He didn't see the troll, but he did hear a girl crying.
"Hermione, is that you?"
The crying stopped instantly. Then, a small voice drifted out. "Owen? You... why are you here? I... I'm fine."
Owen laughed in disbelief. Are you telling me you can't smell that in the girls' bathroom?
"Come out, quickly! Something's happened!"
"No, Owen, you don't have to trick me..."
"Accio Hermione!"
Too lazy to argue. Owen cast the Summoning Charm directly. The red-eyed young witch flew out of the bathroom like a doll. The moment she landed, she clamped her hands over her nose. "What is that smell?! It's awful!"
"It's the troll. A troll broke into the castle, and..."
No need to explain further. The troll appeared right in front of them. Hermione shivered in terror and hid behind Owen.
Big body, tiny head.
It was classified as XXXX because of its pea-sized brain, but aside from intelligence, everything else was top-tier: height, strength, magic resistance.
Just as Owen raised his wand, a shout echoed down the hall. "Hermione, don't be scared! We're here!"
Owen closed his eyes in pain.
Why are you shouting?! It's a perfect ambush opportunity, and you announce yourselves?
Ron charged first and shoved his wand straight up the troll's nose. He got thrown back, but his wand stayed stuck.
Harry was even more extreme—he jumped onto the troll's back... A brave move Owen would never replicate. He had standards for hygiene.
Of course, with tactics like that, there was only one possible outcome. Just as the troll raised its foot to squash the two wizards flat, Harry and Ron felt a tightness around their necks. Suddenly, they were yanked backward, flying away from the spot just as the troll stomped down on empty air.
"Expelliarmus."
The troll's club vanished. Along with half its torso. Its head, however, remained perfectly intact.
The gory scene left the three young wizards stunned. Just as they were about to vomit, a chaotic mess of footsteps approached. Dumbledore and the professors arrived en masse.
Seeing the half-missing troll and the young wizard calmly pocketing his wand, McGonagall let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thank goodness Owen was here. Otherwise...
Just as McGonagall prepared to scold the trio, Dumbledore walked quickly to Owen's side. "Mr. Corlett, I hear you delivered the letters to my office?"
"Yes, Headmaster."
"Did you know they were all Howlers?"
Owen suddenly grinned. "I know. I watched Madame Maxime and the others write them."
Dumbledore smiled too. "Ah, how nostalgic. Mr. Corlett, I think we need to have a talk. Could you come to my office?"
"Now?"
"Now."
"Alright, Headmaster."
Watching the old wizard and the young wizard walk away, Snape prepared to spew some venomous remarks at the remaining students. But McGonagall exploded first.
"Mr. Potter! Mr. Weasley! Miss Granger! I want to know exactly what happened and why you are here!!!"
Snape quietly retracted his half-step forward...