6

Chapter 6

The Troll

Halloween was coming and Ron and Hermione were fighting more and more. I was getting really sick of it. It wasn't until one day during Charms that things really got out of hand. And of course, Seamus Finnigan blew up a feather. After class, Ron started to mock Hermione.

"She's a nightmare, honestly! It's no wonder she hasn't got any friends."

My eyes went wide and Hermione pushed past them. I went after her but she just ran away. I scowled at Ron.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you? So she can be a little annoying, you can be too!"

I walked away to go find Draco.

Draco's POV

Lily was a little upset when she found me.

"You alright?"

"Not really, but it doesn't matter. How do you think you'll do on your exams?"

I knew she was dodging the conversation but I didn't want to upset her. I walked with her to her next class before saying goodbye. I figured someone must have bullied someone she knew. She absolutely hated bullying.

The Halloween feast was in a word, spectacular. Until Quirell came in.

"Troll in the dungeons! Troll in the dungeons!"

Everyone froze and I saw Dumbledore stand up.

"Thought you ought to know." Said Quirell.

He fell flat on his face after that, which would have been funny if there wasn't a troll on the loose.

Lily's POV

Everyone started to scream and panic.

"Silence!"

We all stopped when Dumbledore shouted.

"If everyone will please not panic. Now, prefects will lead their houses to their dormitories, teachers will follow me to the dungeon."

I looked at my dad, and there was something wrong. I watched him slip out a door in the back and frowned. I trusted he had a good reason for whatever he was doing.

"How could a troll get in?" Harry asked.

I shrugged.

"Not on its own, trolls are really stupid." Ron said.

I nodded but then stopped. Harry stopped too and we looked at each other.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Hermione! She doesn't know!"

We all ran back towards the girl's bathroom. We stopped and hid in a doorway as the troll came down the hall.

"It's going into the girl's bathroom!" I hissed.

We ran in behind the troll and found Hermione covered in debris.

"Hermione move!" Harry shouted.

The troll smashed the remaining stalls and I ran towards Hermione. The boys started to throw pieces of wood at the troll's head.

"Hey! Pea brain!"

I waved at Hermione to move but the troll saw. It swung and hit the sink, barely missing her.

"Help!"

Harry ran and grabbed onto the troll's club. I cast a small curse and it staggered back. It shook Harry off and then held him up by his leg. It started to swing its club.

"Do something!"

"What?" we asked.

"Anything! Hurry up!"

Ron pulled his wand.

"Swish and flick!" Hermione said.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron said.

He took hold of the troll's club and then let it fall on it's head.

"Cool."

Harry fell on top of me and then the troll fell to the ground. We stood up and Harry walked forward.

"Is it dead?" Hermione asked.

I shook my head.

"Just knocked out." Harry confirmed.

He pulled his wand from the troll's nose and I cringed.

"Ew! Troll bogies."

I heard hurried footsteps and then McGonagall, Quirell and my dad came rushing in. I was in big trouble. He looked at me and I looked down.

"Explain yourselves!" McGonagall demanded.

We opened our mouths but Hermione cut us off.

"It's my fault Professor McGonagall." She said.

We all looked at her in shock. My dad and the others didn't seem to believe it. It was Hermione Granger after all.

"Miss Granger?"

"I went looking for the troll. I'd read about them and thought I could handle it, but I was wrong. If Harry, Ron and Lily hadn't come and found me, I'd probably be dead." She said.

She was taking the fall. Harry nudged me and I saw what he was looking at. My dad had a bad cut on his leg and it was bleeding. He covered it with his cloak and glared at Harry. I was worried and confused. It looked like a bite mark.

"Five points will be taken from Gryffindor, for your serious lack of judgment."

McGonagall turned to Harry, Ron and myself next.

"As for you three, I just hope you realize how fortunate you are. Not many first years students could take on a fully grown mountain troll and live to tell the tale. Five points… will be awarded to each of you. For sheer dumb luck!"

I smiled a bit. Dad and McGonagall walked out and then Quirrel hurried us out.

"Lillian I want you in my office this instant."

Harry, Ron and Hermione all gave me concerned looks. I walked down to dad's office and he told me to sit.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in young lady?"

I didn't answer.

"You could have been killed tonight! Do you know what that would've done to me!? I lost your mother and I will NOT lose you too. I can't."

"I'm sorry daddy. I just wanted to help." I said quietly.

He sighed in frustration.

"I know. Sometimes you're too much like your mother for your own good. Do you know how scared I was tonight?"

I never thought my dad could be scared. He was always so brave in my eyes.

"You were scared?"

"Of course I was. You're my only daughter and I love you more than anything. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, Lily. Just the thought of it terrifies me."

He came and knelt down in front of me.

"I know you just wanted to help, but please, don't ever do something like that again."

I nodded and hugged him.

"I promise daddy. I'm sorry."

He put his arm around me and pat my back.

"You're alright, that's all that matters to me. Now let's go, I'm taking you back to your common room."

I nodded and we walked to the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Sleep well Lily."

I looked around and then hugged him quickly.

"Good night daddy." I whispered.

He stroked my hair and then I went inside. Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting up for me.

"You okay?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

They all looked at me.

"Well, I mean it is Professor Snape after all."

I smiled a little.

"My father is a good man. Yes I did get a lecture but I deserved. I've said it before, he just wants me safe… and alive."

They all smiled and laughed a bit.

"Well, I'm tired. Good night guys."

They said good night and I went up to bed.