Chapter 3 - What I Wouldn't Give For A Keyblade

"You must be the youngest House player in about-"

"-a century. I know. Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, told me about it." Harry said in between bites. His eyes sparkling imagining what it would be like to play on the actual game. "Lou, how'd you know they'll let me in the team?"

"Ah, well..." She fumbled, her mind came up blank for any explanation for her slip up. "Woman's intuition? And you really look natural in the air you know." Louise made an awkward smile.

"Pfft." Ron, the child that he is, interrupted with a food-filled mouth "You? A woman?"

"I knew you're close-minded, must be hard for you to be blind too." She retorted back.

"Trouble in paradise, Weasley, Potter? You're happy being expelled then judging by your smile." Malfoy rudely entered the conversation with Crabbe and Goyle at his side. "Take Stephens back home too, will you. We don't need her kind here."

"For your information Malfoy, Harry here got himself a slot in the Quidditch team." The annoying redhead proudly stated. "And Louise isn't going anywhere."

She hid her smile at that. Even with the two of them arguing at least Ron still stands by his beliefs. Now if only he stops pressing those beliefs to others.

"Leave us Malfoy. We don't need any of your racism. And can't you intimidate others by yourself? Need a hand from those bodyguards of yours?" Harry nodded his head towards the blonde's goons.

"I challenge you." Malfoy started with gritted teeth. "To a wizard's duel. Crabbe will be my second. Oh, right you don't know what a wizard's duel is? Want me to explain?"

"Of course he knows what it is. I'm his second." Ron foolishly accepted, glaring at Malfoy. "Where and when?"

"The trophy room. At midnight." Malfoy left Crabbe and Goyle running after him.

"Are you an idiot? You are, aren't you?" Louise whirled to face Ron. "What right do you have to accept Malfoy's challenge without even consulting Harry?"

"I'm his friend!"

"Yes, you are! But you still-"

"Enough! Will you guys stop fighting? And Lou I'm perfectly fine with it. We do have to drag Malfoy down a peg or two." Harry stops for a moment. "What's a wizard's duel?"

"Arghh!" She facepalm. Trust him to accept things without any explanation. "You know what I'm going!"

"Where Lou?" Asks Harry.

"To the library! Doing homework like a normal student. Not getting into fights like a delinquent. And DON'T GO TO THE DUEL!" Louise stormed off.

*****

"Where's Google when you need him?" She sighs down at her Potions homework. In her past life, she has taken for granted the ability of her parents to educate her properly. She intends to change that in this new life but she never did use the library for research purposes, instead, she uses the internet like crazy copy-pasting articles and research.

"Who's is this Google?"

Louise nearly bolted from her chair. She turns around seeing Zabini looking at her, in his hands is what looks like a finished Potions homework. The temptation to ask for his work is growing.

"So?"

"Huh?" She asked back dumbly. This is unbelievable. A Slytherin talking to a Gryffindor. No. A pureblood Slytherin talking to a muggle-born Gryffindor. "Oh, you mean Google? Its... It's a muggle thing. You won't know it."

"That's why I'm asking. Who's Google?" He asks more firmly. He proceeded on invading her space taking a seat next to her.

"Well..." She paused for a moment debating if she's gonna tell it or not. Louise came to a decision to answer the question since Zabini wouldn't dig any further than what she'll tell right now since he's a pureblood. "Google is like... this library but it is not limited to what's inside the library. So, if I ask what a... bezoar is, it will tell the definition, its functions, where to get it and even where to shop it and where that shop is located. Do you even get what I'm saying?"

"Partly. And muggles invented this... Google?" Disbelief is evident in his voice.

"Yes." Not yet at least. "Umm, so why are you here?"

"To do homework, obviously." Zabini taps his work and the books in front of him. "I see you're having problems with yours."

"I do. This library's system is chaotic. It's hard to search for what I need. It doesn't help that Madam Pince is nearly inconsolable and we can't log out any books."

"Let me see your work." He scoffed at her look at him. "You are my partner for Potions for the whole year. It wouldn't do me any good if your grades drop, it will make me look bad."

"Thanks." She handed her shameful work. It was a bunch of nonsense composed of paraphrasing sentences already used. "Sorry in advance."

"That time... in Defense. Why did you say that?" Zabini asked. His eyes reading her writing on the parchment. Though it looks like he's focusing on the homework, she feels that he's actually judging her, and her answer to his question will be the ultimatum.

"I... I don't like the concept of labels. You categorize someone when they can't do anything about it because they're born that way. I do not care if you are practising dark magic or if you're a dark wizard. You could be white, black, or homosexual for all I care but... I won't tolerate someone hurting others for pleasure or for making themselves feel better." She started with a bit of confidence then shame filled her. She can't look the other in the eye. Her eyes center on the wooden table, hands fumbling the edge of her robe, shoes rubbing each other. "But I am weak. I admit to that fact. I can't defend myself much less other people. That's why it is fine if I am the one taking the hit. Rather me than others, because I know I can take it."

"That's sad. Don't you have friends to share the responsibility."

"I do have them. But they're my friends, I don't want them hurt." She shifted her look, startled when it clashes to the other's brown eyes looking intently at her. When Zabini let out a sigh, she tilted her head confused. "Anyways, any tips on the homework? A reference will do."

"Here." Zabini reached out with a book on his hand. "Its already curfew. I'll lend it to you. Bring it back in one piece that's worth hundreds of galleons, you can't pay me back I warn you now."

"What?! Then, why?! Ugh, fine. I promise I'll bring it back to you. Come on, let's go." She hurriedly packs her things shoving it inside her book bag. Seeing Zabini still seated his gazing eyes amused at her panic makes her huff a breath. "Why aren't you moving?! We're going to be late."

Impatient, she decided to skip over the bench they are sitting on. She lost balance on her last step threatening her to fall to a nearby shelf. A hand grips her wrist steadying her successfully. Clutching the hand back she pulled on it gesturing for the boy to stand up. When she tried to pull her hand away the grip tightens. She eyes the joined hands trying to shake it free to no avail. The owner of the annoying hand grinned at her proceeding to drag her out of the library.

"Remember to bring me back my book." The Slytherin waved at her, leaving without delay.

She ran like hell. One more corner till she reaches the Fat Lady. God, she's already sweating just from this running. Then, she suddenly bumps into someone.

"Louise, have you seen Ron and Harry?" Hermione frantically asks. "I overheard they're going to the trophy room. That's on the third floor!"

"What! I told them not to go!" The trophy room is on the third floor!? "Hermione lead the way!"

Those idiots! And her! How come she didn't conclude that the trophy room is on the Forbidden Corridor when in the book the trio flees to that particular floor?!

"You idiots!" She whispered scathingly startling the two sleeping boys in the corner of the room waiting for Malfoy. "When I said don't go, don't go!"

"Who are you, my mom?!" The groggy redhead answered.

"I'm a concerned friend! This floor is the third corridor, Ron! The Headmaster specifically told us not to go in here! What part of that can't you understand?!"

"Shhh!" Harry had the audacity to hush them. "Do you hear that?"

"It's the caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris!" Hermione shoved the three of us to run. Run they did. The four of us ran in circles trying to lose the damn cat. Unfortunately, they ran into a dead end with a locked door in front of them.

"No! Not that one!" Louise tried to push Hermione away from the door.

"Lou quite down." Harry covers her mouth with his hand to cease her yelling.

"Mhmmpp!"

"Alohomora!" The door creaked open. When Harry pushed her inside she stills. She never was good with dogs even in her past life.

It was sleeping. The dog occupies half of the room. Its three head laying on its paw. Foul odour evident when it exhales blowing her ponytail away. She tiptoes back prodding the other three back against the door.

"What are you-" She slaps her hand on Ron's mouth. Lifting a finger to her lips in a shushing sign. His brows furrowed when he notices her trembling breath.

"Back. Quitely. Now." Harry and Hermione detect the unwanted guest. Thankfully, the two followed my order advancing towards the door. Ron, not so much.

"Look! We have to stay here for a while!" He yells managing to get her hand away from his mouth. "That cat-"

Menacing growl awakens the adrenaline in her system. Ramming into the three got them out but the dog's teeth snagged her robe pulling at it. Fortunately, her robe is large enough for her to escape. Slamming the door close. A hysterical laugh comes out of her. Her friends drag her limping form back to the dorm.

When her consciousness zones in they were already at the door with Hermione slapping Louise's cheeks trying to get a response. The boys hover at the back worry in their eyes. Louise heads to her dorm room ignoring those idiots' yells of concern. Collapsing on the bed she blacks out.

*****

"Here, thank you for lending me this." Setting the book on the table she sat down her face pale, hair in a half-assed bun.

Placing the gathered ingredients on their table, her seatmate's eyes narrowed at his partner's appearance. "What happened?"

"Ughh. Don't ask. I don't wanna talk about it." She didn't get enough sleep because of last night's fiasco.

"Did Potter and Weasley did something to you? I saw you avoiding them since Charms class." His brown eyes drifted to the bench occupied by the said Gryffindors. The two were whispering furiously gesturing at the mismatched partners' table.

"What? No. It's just, they did some rule-breaking last night even when I told them not to." Her palm rubs at her eyes intent on shaking away her sleepiness. Slapping her cheeks she started helping the pureblood with the potion making, eyes squinting at the board for instructions.

"They should take care of you. Friends are meant to be treasured after all."

The girl's cheeks flushed at that. Her dicing of the roots sped up. In her embarrassment, she didn't notice Professor Snape creeping to their table.

"Miss Stephens."

"Ay putangina!" Shit. Her hand slapped against her mouth. Eyes wide at what she said, the redness that should've to lessen conquered her entire face. The class stared gobsmacked at her and the Professor who's lips thinned at the foul words. "I'm so sorry Professor! I didn't mean to I was surprised it just came out!"

"Detention. After class, Miss Stephens."

"Yes, Professor."

*****

"I'm going to be late for the feast." She runs to the restroom to wash her hands after scrubbing the endless pile of dirty cauldrons. Arriving at the loo, she is greeted by someone sobbing inside one of the stalls. "Hello?"

"Louise?" Out came Hermione. Hermione. In the loo. During the feast. The Halloween Feast. Now aware of what's going to happen she can barely smell the troll coming to their location. Immediately, she grabbed the frizzy-haired girl to the last stall. "Louise! Wait a minute!"

Entering the stall with the girl, she instructed the other to crouch down. "Hermione lay low," Louise whispered. She pushed Hermione until her back lays on the floor. Hearing the thumping footsteps of the troll enter the room, she gulped framing her body on top of Hermione who flushed clearly misunderstanding the situation. "Stay quiet. Stay calm."

"What are you-" Hermione shrieked. The upper half of the stalls were destroyed by the troll. Well, there goes their cover.

"Hermione!"

"I'll be the distraction. Don't move." She rushes out tossing debris at the troll's head. Louise continues the hurling finally taking the troll's attention from the boys. "I'll be tank! Over here!"

"Lou! No!"

"Ron! Harry! Do something! Anything!" Hollered Hermione, her head sticking out of the rubble, she eyes Louise's dodging form. Harry scales up to the giant's back somehow managing to disgustingly stick his wand up its nose. "Swish and flick! Swish and flick!"

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron cast. The troll's club floated which made the owner look around confusingly. Suddenly, the large weapon drops hitting the head of the troll causing it to lose consciousness. "Cool."

"Eww, troll boogers." Harry moved in an attempt to wipe it in his robes.

"Don't be disgusting Harry." Louise tossed a handkerchief in his direction.

"Lou!"

"I'm still mad at you!"

"Why are you even angry at us? We didn't do anything wrong!" Harry's anger builds up. It was Malfoy's fault to begin with that caused them to incidentally meeting the Cerberus. Then Lou had to be friendly with a Slytherin of all Houses to pick from. She's their friend. The first one he made even before Ron.

"Because you're my friend! That's why I'm angry! You keep on going headfirst into danger without thinking of the consequences. What if you died back there?!" Frustration leaked into her tears streaming down her face. She sobs she didn't like crying especially in front of other people.

"I-I'm sorry." He apologized.

"I only accept hugs as an apology. You too, Ron." She huffed wiping at her eyes. "Not right now idiots! You're still filthy. You can hug me tomorrow!"

Hermione just laughed at their antics. Louise was waving off the boys' hands reaching out to her.

"Gasp!" The four stand at attention. Professors McGonagall, Snape and Quirell stared at the sight of the unconscious troll and the four visibly uninjured students. "Oh my goodness, Merlin! Explain yourselves! The four of you!"

They all fumbled for an answer.

"It was my fault, Professor. I read about trolls and... I thought I could handle it. Ron, Harry and Louise found and help me. If it weren't for them I would've died." They all gape at the honour student.

"Miss Granger that was an extremely foolish thing to do. I expect this... near-death encounter will be a lesson for you. All of you will be staying at the Hospital Wing for tonight to check for further injuries." The Deputy herded them out and into the Hospital Wing which is just around the corner.

"Madam Pomfrey!" Professor McGonagall yelled. "I'm sorry for disturbing your night but these four survived the missing mountain troll a while ago."

"Wouldn't it be amazing if we can cast spells like in the muggle games?" Louise leans into Harry who titled his head confused.

"Muggles can cast spells?" Ron asks wonder in his voice.

Even Madam Pomfrey, who is healing Hermione, listens in on the talk.

"I think Louise is talking about video games. Muggles make this fantasy video games where they cast spells left and right. Of course its just imagination." Thanking Madam Pomfrey, Hermione turned to Ron.

"But wouldn't it be great. The casting in the games is only one word, without a wand and instantaneous." Louise faced Harry, her hands spread out. "Like this, Heal! Then sparkles will come out and heal the target." Which it did. Sparkles surrounded Harry healing the scratches he got from the troll. They stare dumbfounded.

Madam Pomfrey drops what her doing to Ron checking in on Harry. "You're healed, Mister Potter. Miss Stephens, what did you just do?"

"I don't know? I was goofing around and then..." Louise glances at her hands. Scratches littered the small appendages. "Heal!" Scratches are gone. Turning to Ron, she raised her hands. "Heal!"

What the heck is happening?!