Chapter ─ 4 | The Bathroom Incident
After finishing our Charms class, Noelle, Barty, Pandora, and I spilled out into the sunlight of the courtyard, laughter and excitement bubbling between us. We’d just spent an entertaining hour practicing the Levitation Charm, Wingardium Leviosa, and the energy in the air was infectious.
─ Did you see Ezra’s face when his quill exploded? ─ Barty chuckled, shaking his head. ─ I thought he’d turn into a Bludger himself! ─
Noelle giggled, mimicking Ezra’s surprised expression. ─ He really needs to work on his focus! But I have to admit, it was hilarious. ─
─ Yeah, but at least he finally got the spell right in the end ─ I chimed in, grinning. ─ I’ve never seen someone celebrate a floating feather so much! ─
Pandora nodded, a wide smile on her face. ─ It’s great that everyone managed to pull it off. Who knew a classroom could be this fun? Though I could use some sun, ─ she sighed, stretching her arms overhead. ─ That classroom was freezing. ─
─ Maybe for you, ─ Barty teased, ─ but I feel like I’ve been on fire all day; charms just came too easy. ─
I rolled my eyes at Barty’s boast, but before I could respond, I spotted Emily already sitting beneath a large oak tree, absorbed in a book, legs crossed, flipping through the pages of what looked like a spell manual.
─ There’s Emily, ─ Noelle pointed out, already walking ahead. Her messy bun was coming undone, strands of hair framing her face as she rushed forward.
As we approached, Emily looked up from her book and smiled. ─ You’re late, ─ she teased, closing the book with a playful expression. ─ I was starting to think you got lost in the Charms classroom. Anyway, how did class go? ─
─ Brilliant, ─ Pandora said, dropping to the ground next to her. ─ Flitwick’s a genius, and Ezra’s quill exploded about four times. You should have seen his face! ─
─ Seriously, it was like he thought he’d blow up the entire classroom, ─ Noelle added with a grin.
─ Poor guy, ─ Emily chuckled. ─ I guess charms aren’t for everyone. ─
Off in the distance, Iyon, Cardan, Severus, and Lily were walking toward us. Lily had a basket in her hand, and when they joined the group, she opened it to reveal sandwiches, chocolate-covered strawberries, toast with jam, and a jug of pumpkin juice.
─ You can thank me later, ─ Lily said with a sly smile. ─ I thought we might enjoy a little picnic. ─
─ You’ve outdone yourself, Evans, ─ Iyon said, reaching for a sandwich as soon as it hit the grass.
─ You're a lifesaver, ─ Cardan said, eyeing the strawberries with excitement. ─ I could eat a Hippogriff right now. ─
─ Just don’t eat it all at once! ─ Lily warned, handing out sandwiches. ─ I didn’t make it for you to devour in ten seconds. ─
─ Don’t worry, I plan to savor every bite, ─ Cardan replied, grinning as he took a sandwich.
As we settled into our picnic, the atmosphere was light and full of banter. Noelle and I playfully debated the merits of different spells, while Barty and Emily took turns sharing funny stories about their classes.
─ I swear, I’m still trying to figure out how that Blasting Curse works, ─ Barty said, shaking his head. ─ The last time I tried it, I nearly blasted my own foot off! ─
─ Why are you even trying it in the first place? ─ Noelle laughed. ─ You should leave the explosive spells to Ezra! ─
We were deep in conversation when suddenly, a familiar, irritating voice cut through the air.
─ Look who it is! The Slytherin losers, ─ James Potter sneered, flanked by Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. ─ What are you doing? Plotting your next evil scheme? ─
─ Better watch out, Snivellus! ─ Sirius added, smirking at Severus. ─ You might scare away the little Gryffindor traitor! ─
Emily’s smile faded as she met their gaze. ─ I’m not a traitor just because I hang out with them. At least I know how to treat others with respect! ─
─ Traitor! ─ Potter shouted, pointing a finger at her. ─ You’re in Gryffindor, not Slytherin! What’s next? You’re going to start wearing green and silver? ─
─ Why don’t you pick on someone your own size? ─ Noelle shot back, rising to her feet. ─ Or are you too busy trying to impress your pathetic little gang? ─
─ Yeah, Potter! ─ Barty chimed in, standing beside Noelle. ─ Why don’t you take your little insults back to the corner of the train where they belong? This isn’t a playground for bullies. ─
─ Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be off practicing your magic skills? ─ James retorted, smirking at us.
─ Why don’t you go and practice your charming skills instead? ─ Emily countered, crossing her arms defiantly. ─ Oh wait, that’s right, you don’t have any! ─
The tension thickened in the air as Potter turned his attention back to Lily, who had remained silent. ─ Lily, come on. You know you want to hang out with us instead of these- ─
Before he could finish, Lily stood up, rage flaring in her eyes. ─ How dare you! You insult my friends and then have the audacity to ask me out? You must be delusional! ─ With that, she slapped him across the face.
─ Lily! ─ I exclaimed, taken aback by her sudden aggression.
─ Don’t you dare follow me, Potter! ─ She shouted, storming away from the group.
─ Nice going, James! ─ Cardan barked, stepping forward. ─ You really know how to treat a lady, don’t you? ─
Potter opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, Cardan flicked his wand, sending a spell that made Potter’s hair flop in all directions.
─ Let’s gather our things, ─ Barty said, urgency in his voice. ─ We have to find Lily before she gets too far. ─
We packed up quickly, and I turned to Emily. ─ You should come with us. She might need all of us. ─
─ Okay! ─ Emily nodded, her earlier enthusiasm returning. ─ Let’s split up. I’ll check the library. You guys search the corridors. ─
The group dispersed, searching high and low for Lily. We scoured the hallways, calling her name and peering into classrooms.
─ Lily! Where are you? ─ I shouted, my voice echoing against the stone walls.
─ I’ll check the common room, ─ Emily suggested, darting off in that direction.
We continued our search, with Barty and Noelle sticking together while I retraced our steps, hoping to find her somewhere nearby.
After what felt like hours of searching, we regrouped at the Slytherin table as the Great Hall filled with the smell of dinner.
─ Did anyone find her? ─ I asked, glancing around at the group, worry creasing my brow.
─ No, ─ Pandora replied, her voice laced with anxiety. ─ I heard from a Ravenclaw that she saw her and she was upset, but no one knows where she went. ─
Just then, a Slytherin girl overheard us. ─ I heard from my friend in Hufflepuff that Evans spended the whole afternoon the girls’ bathroom crying. ─
─ Of course she is, ─ Noelle sighed, feeling guilty. ─ We should have gone after her sooner. ─
Pandora opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, the door burst open. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor rushed in, panic written all over his face.
─ TROLL! The-There’s a troll in the dungeons! I thought you should know! ─ he exclaimed, before collapsing dramatically on the floor.
The Great Hall erupted into chaos, students gasping and murmuring in alarm. Noelle and I exchanged panicked glances.
─ We have to check on Lily! ─ Noelle whispered, fear gripping her. ─ If there’s a troll, she could be in danger! ─
The two of us rushed to the girls’ bathroom, adrenaline pumping through our veins. As we burst through the door, we found Lily, terrified and cornered by a massive troll.
─ Noelle! ─ I shouted. ─ We have to do something! ─
Noelle hesitated, her hands trembling. ─ I can’t control it like I did before! What if I mess it up? ─
─ Just focus! ─ I urged, trying to keep my voice steady despite the chaos. ─ You can do this! ─
Taking a deep breath, Noelle raised her wand, but as she concentrated, she felt the surge of magic overwhelming her. ─ Wingardium Leviosa! ─ she yelled, but it was too much.
An explosion of energy erupted from her wand, blasting the troll into pieces, confetti-like bits scattering everywhere as the creature vanished.
─ Did that really just happen? ─ I gasped, my eyes wide as the dust settled.
Lily stood there, stunned. ─ Noelle, you… you saved us! ─
─ I didn’t mean to explode it! ─ Noelle stammered, looking horrified. ─ I just wanted to levitate it! ─
At that moment, Professor McGonagall stormed in, followed closely by Slughorn and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, all looking flustered.
─ What on earth happened here? ─ McGonagall demanded, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the debris. ─ And where is the troll? ─
─ It’s… gone, ─ I managed, still trying to process what just occurred.
─ What? ─ McGonagall’s expression softened for a moment, worry crossing her face as she took in the scene. ─ Are you all right? Did anyone get hurt? ─
Lily stepped forward, her voice firm. ─ We were fine, Professor. If it weren’t for Noelle and Regulus, I don’t know what would have happened. They saved my life. Noelle was able to get rid of the troll. ─
─ Is that so? ─ McGonagall looked at us, her sternness easing slightly. ─ Very well, I will give you each five points for your house. But I expect you all to exercise greater caution in the future. ─
─ Thank you, Professor, ─ I said, relief washing over me.
She then turned to Noelle, who was still trembling. ─ You did well, but I must insist that you learn to control your magic better. Now, are you hurt? ─
─ No, ─ Noelle replied, still dazed.
─ Then go back to the common room, ─ McGonagall ordered gently, her tone softening even more. ─ I’ll accompany Miss Evans to the hospital wing and deal with the aftermath here. ─
As we left the bathroom, I put a reassuring hand on Noelle’s shoulder. ─ You did great, really. We wouldn’t have made it without you. ─
─ I just… I didn’t mean to explode it, ─ she whispered, still shaken.
─ It’s okay, ─ I said, trying to calm her down. ─ You saved Lily. That’s what matters. ─
─ I’m glad she’s safe, ─ Noelle said, her voice steadying a bit. ─ But what if something like this happens again? ─
─ We’ll handle it together, ─ I reassured her.
Together, we made our way back, a newfound bond forming between us as we processed the chaos of the day.
─ I can’t believe we dealt with a troll and a classroom explosion all in one day, ─ I said, shaking my head in disbelief. ─ What a way to start the week! ─
─ I just hope we don’t have to deal with any more trolls, ─ Noelle replied, glancing back at the bathroom door. ─ Or Ezra’s quill for that matter. ─
I chuckled, the tension easing as we walked in the direction of the common room. ─ I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day. Next time, I’m definitely sticking to just levitating feathers! ─
─ Agreed, ─ I said with a grin. ─ No more explosions for us! ─
I was replaying the moment Noelle blew the troll to pieces over and over in my head, her magic had been wild, powerful, and completely out of control. But it saved Lily’s life. I glanced over at her, noticing the way she continued fidgeting with her wand, still shaken.
Before I could say anything to calm her, we turned a corner and were abruptly met by Barty and Pandora. Their expressions were enough to make me stop dead in my tracks. They looked terrified, their faces pale as if they had just seen a ghost, or something much worse.
Pandora was the first to speak, though she could barely get the words out. ─ R-Regulus… Noelle… w-we- ─
─ What happened? ─ I asked, my voice low but urgent.
Pandora gulped, glancing at Barty for support, who was unusually quiet, his wide eyes fixed on the ground. ─ Barty and I… we got separated from the other Ravenclaws after class. We were wandering near the third floor… and that-that cat, Madam Norris, Filch’s cat, she spotted us. ─
Noelle’s eyes widened. ─ You were near the third-floor corridor? That’s forbidden! ─
─ I know! ─ Pandora stammered, her voice high-pitched with panic. ─ But we didn’t mean to go there! We were just trying to get back to Ravenclaw Tower, and we took a wrong turn. When that blasted cat saw us, we knew Filch would be close behind. ─
─ He was, ─ Barty finally spoke, his voice trembling. ─ We could hear his footsteps coming… so we ran for the nearest door. ─
Pandora nodded quickly, her eyes darting around as if Filch could appear at any moment. ─ It was locked, but I managed to open it with Alohomora… and we hid inside. ─
─ And did Filch find you? ─ I asked, glancing between them, sensing there was more to the story.
Pandora shook her head. ─ No, we were quiet enough, and he passed us. But… that’s not the worst part. ─
Noelle crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. ─ What do you mean? ─
Pandora took a shaky breath and continued, her voice barely above a whisper. ─ When I was sure Filch had gone, I turned to tell Barty… but he wasn’t looking at me. He was staring at something else, something huge. ─
Barty shuddered visibly, clenching his fists as he spoke. ─ It was a dog… no, not just a dog. A massive one. Three heads. And all of them were snarling at us. ─
I stared at him, processing what he’d just said. A three-headed dog? How? How could there be a hellhound in Hogwarts? It sounded impossible, but the fear in their eyes was real.
─ The thing was massive, ─ Pandora said, her voice shaky. ─ It started growling and moving toward us, like it was going to attack. I-I didn’t know what to do, so I just grabbed Barty and pulled him out of there. We barely got the door shut in time. ─
Noelle and I exchanged a glance, and for a moment, neither of us knew what to say.
─ A three-headed dog? ─ Noelle finally muttered, disbelief in her voice. ─ Why would there be something like that in the castle? ─
─ I don’t know! ─ Pandora almost wailed. ─ But it was there. I swear it. And it wasn’t just some illusion or trick of the light, it was real. ─
Barty nodded in silent agreement, his face pale and still full of terror.
─ Did you see anything else in the room? ─ I asked, my mind racing. ─ Anything unusual, aside from the dog? ─
─ No, ─ Barty replied. ─ I was too busy trying not to get eaten. ─
─ There’s something strange going on in that corridor, ─ Pandora added, her voice barely above a whisper. ─ It’s forbidden for a reason, Regulus. That thing was guarding something. ─
My mind was spinning, but I forced myself to stay calm. ─ We can’t let anyone know we were there, ─ I said quietly. ─ If Filch finds out… or worse, if the professors do… we’ll be in serious trouble. ─
Noelle nodded in agreement. ─ We need to keep this between us. ─
Pandora and Barty exchanged a nervous glance, but they both nodded.
Noelle, still not confident, ─ Are you sure you’re okay? I mean… you two could’ve been seriously hurt. ─
Pandora managed a weak smile. ─ We’re fine. Just… a bit shaken. ─
─ We need to figure out why that dog is there, ─ I said, my voice lowering. ─ There’s something going on in this castle… something bigger than we realize. But for now, let’s get back to the common room before we draw any more attention. ─
We all nodded in agreement, and as we walked back toward the dungeons, I couldn’t help but glance back at Barty and Pandora. Something was being kept hidden at Hogwarts, and it was clear that whatever it was, it was dangerous.