Chapter 006

"Hermione didn't know about the troll because she had been in the bathroom, Professor. Neville and I ran to get her but the troll was already here. It was trying to kill Hermione so Neville distracted it while I fed it my activated Extravagance Rune Show." Harry looked down and grimaced. "I didn't mean to kill it," he continued softly. "I designed the Extravagance Rune Show to emit a lot of bright lights and sounds to scare my cousin if he started in on me but I had to base it off of some of the Thunder and Explosion runes to get the cluster to work. An Extinguisher rune stopped the whole thing completely so I took it out. I knew adding in a Soften rune in conjunction with the Extinguisher would get it to work perfectly, but I only figured that out this morning and haven't had enough time to etch it in with the others. I knew the cluster was still pretty explosive and that's why I kept it in my bag. I didn't want anyone playing around with it while it was still dangerous…I didn't really mean to kill the troll. I just didn't know what else to do…" Harry trailed off.

Hermione gave him one more squeeze and finally let go. She turned to the gathered staff that had been joined by Professor Babbling at some point. "Please don't punish, Harry or Neville. They were only here because of me. I should be the one punished. It was going to kill me and they only did want they could to help. I'm the one who deserves punishment," she pleaded. The tears threatened to fall again and Harry reached out and squeezed her hand.

"Mr. Potter," Professor Babbling said with a note of awe evident in her voice, "do you mean to tell me that you designed an entire rune cluster fully understanding the interweaves, chained reactions and inherent complexities of the completed scheme without even fully finishing the etchings?" Harry nodded still looking at the floor. "100 points to Gryffindor for ingenuity, brilliance and having the foresight to keep a potential hazard from others. 25 points from Gryffindor for carrying a potential hazard on your person around others." At the massive point awards Harry jerked his head up catching a huge smile on the woman's face. Snape on the other hand, was turning cherry red.

"And 50 points to Gryffindor to you both for immediately coming to the aid of classmate in trouble and triumphing over incredible odds," Professor Flitwick commented as he poked at the troll's body. Snape's mouth clenched so tightly Harry was amazed his teeth didn't shatter. "This is amazing. Mr. Potter that was quite brilliant thinking. You would do exceptionally well in the dueling circuit I think. If you are ever interested let me know. Oh and 15 points from each of you for not informing a prefect or teacher that Miss Granger was missing." Harry stared in shock at the small man. After his comments in class earlier Flitwick was praising him? That was...wow.

"POTTER!" Snape had apparently finally regained his voice. He was practically spitting and his face was so red Harry wondered for a moment whether the man was about to pass out. "DETENTION! Dangerous, forbidden magical constructs are prohibited!" Harry just nodded; for once that was actually a totally warranted punishment.

Professor Babbling scowled at Snape. "Runic clusters are not forbidden magical constructs! They require care yes, but if they were 'forbidden magical constructs' then you might as well arrest me and the entirety of my NEWTS class, Severus!"

"Mr. Potter, you will serve that detention with me," Professor McGonagall glared at Snape before turning to Harry and the others with a far softer look. "We will discuss carrying around a potential hazard at that time. As disappointed as I am that you did not come to one of your seniors, I do understand that the troll was not initially reported as being in this section of the castle." She paused before continuing softly, "I have never lost one of my lions before and I am extremely glad that, because of your actions, I do not have need to revise that statement. I am very proud of all three of you." Three sets of jaws dropped open before snapping closed again. "Now, run along back to the Common Room and get yourselves cleaned up. Mr. Longbottom, I will contact your grandmother to arrange a date over the weekend for you to acquire a new wand."

The three students nodded and started to leave the bathroom. "Potter?" Professor Babbling said with a smile. "Whenever you get a chance stop by to see me. Nothing urgent. I think I can help you though if you'd like." It was all Harry could do not to gape at the woman as pride surged through him. He damped it down a bit and nodding, proceeded to follow his friends out.

Harry, Hermione and Neville trooped through the portrait hole and into a crowded Common Room. "There you are!" Percy Weasley immediately yelled out. "Where have you three been? The troll – "

"Is dead," Hermione stated. "Harry killed it. Neville helped. They saved my life." Percy's mouth dropped open. The rest of the room immediately went quiet.

"The Professors already know," Neville commented. "Excuse us, but we smell horrible and I really need to go and lie down."

"Hermione, you okay?" Harry asked before she could sprint away again.

"I'm fine, Harry. Thank you," she hugged him once more and turned to go up the stairs to her dorm. "See you tomorrow?" she finished in a quiet, questioning voice.

"Yeah," Harry said, giving her his warmest smile possible. "Definitely."

As Harry walked to the showers he chuckled slightly. For Halloween, this day actually hadn't really ended too badly.