Samhain Feast
Chapter Nine- Samhain Feast
It turned out Blaise was right, and Marcus could only be fought off for so long. So Harry had finally started going to quidditch practice. He didn't mind too much, spurred on by motivation from the trophy room and not wanting to get obliterated by the twins in his first match. He'd even slowly grown used to the trek, which wasn't as bad when he had Marcus and some of his other teammates chattering along the way.
He was doing well in classes and had gotten a letter or two back from Dripfang. Unfortunately, they couldn't discuss much over letters alone, and Harry couldn't exactly just leave Hogwarts. So his answers from the Goblin teller would have to wait, but for now he had asked for some more book recommendations and more about his account in general.
In other news, the only class he still struggled in outside of potions (which at this point was out of his control) was Herbology. Then he'd gotten the chance to partner up with Neville, who seemed to be a prodigy in the subject.
Even if he still felt a bit lost on "proper soil etiquette when dealing with intelligent saplings," it was an opportunity to take advantage of Neville's offer of friendship and truly get to know the boy.
Thankfully, his earlier shy demeanor seemed to slip away the more they hung out, and honestly, he struggled to ignore the comments under his breath that would typically make Harry burst out laughing. Not wanting to incur Professor Sprout's wrath.
Even Ellie had recommended him a dozen new books, including a few she had snatched from the personal Ravenclaw library for him to borrow while she continued researching his case.
There weren't any major "breakthroughs," though she began insisting on regular status updates should anything change.
It was going great.
….
Exactly why he should have known it wouldn't last.
___________
Draco had been more and more aggravating, seeming to reach a whole new level of annoyance since Harry had begun training for Quidditch.
Ron wasn't any better, seeming to take more after the twins than Percy in his hatred for “Slimy snakes”.
Harry could cope- he had been coping. But then he took it way too fucking far.
They had been in charms, and Harry sat between Theo and Neville as the professor instructed them to pull out their fluffy white feathers. Today's lesson was “Wingardium Leviosa,” the floating charm.
Harry had mastered it reasonably easily after just a try or two, probably helped by the fact he'd practiced it on his own with his other wand late at night. Mere moments later, he noticed Hermione and Draco had done the same.
He could hear Hermione talking to Ron but he tuned them out and turned his attention to Neville, who was beginning to hunch in on himself out of frustration.
“Do you want some help”? Harry offered, not wanting to butt in otherwise.
But Neville's face turned to utter relief. “Merlin Please- I know I'm bad at magic but even this is a bit much”
Harry wanted to refute the statement but he'd seen Nevilles “mishaps” with his own two eyes.
“Well, to start I think your main problem is saying it- it's Levi-Oh-Sa not Levi-OH-sa, does that make sense”?
Neville paused and refocused his wand onto the feather, repeating it with more emphasis on how it was said.
The feather twitched just a bit, then it began lifting a few inches off the desk. It floated for a moment or two before settling back down.
It wasn't much and yet Neville's face turned into an ear splitting grin “I did it, thank you Harry”!
Harry couldn't help but smile back, it didn't feel as strained now he'd gotten used to the sensation. “I just helped, the rest was all you”
A sharp buzz zipped up his spine, but as soon as it was there it had vanished. Harry glanced around but the rest of the class was more focused on their work. He brushed it off as a “misfire” and continued working with Neville on the spell.
Class ended with a bang, literally, Seamus Finnigan, a Gryffindor in their year, managed to explode his feather accidentally and singed his own hair in the process.
The professor helped put the smolders out and then told him to simply wash his face back in the dorm.
Daphne excused herself to accompany Pansy to the restroom and left a few moments after the bell. Theo helped him pack up but admitted he needed to drop off something to Ellie to which Blaise offered to tag along.
Leaving just him and Neville to make their way back to the dorms before the Halloween feast.
Right as they passed through another corridor he felt that same buzz again, only this time he felt Neville stiffen beside him. Before he could say anything he heard a loud scoff.
“Well seems the 'boy who lived' turned traitor has associated himself with yet another traitor” A familiar nasally voice growled out.
Ron stood in a cliche V formation alongside Dean and a still smoldering Finnigan. A few other Gryffindors stood off to the sidelines and watched silently.
Harry glanced around and cursed noticing he was the only one in green and silver, the exact thing he'd been warned against so many times. Yipee.
“What do you want, Weasley”? Harry narrowed his eyes, taking a half step between them and Neville.
Ron only smirked wider “I mean just to seek advice, since your so much better than the rest of us- I'm curious why you'd take pity on someone like Longbottom”?
Neville only shrunk down even more behind Harry, looking shamefaced towards the ground. “Harry doesn't pity me- he's my friend”
“Oh yeah”? Ron sneered condescendingly “Would he still be your friend if he knew you were almost a squib? My mum heard it all from your family”
Sure Nevilles magic wasn't the strongest, but even if Harry didn't fully understand what being a squib meant, it sounded half like a slur when coming from Ron. And that was unacceptable.
Neville somehow managed to shrink even further, his cheeks turning red from shame and yet he stayed quiet, not daring to talk back. It wasn't a good look on such a normally bright kid.
“Neville is brilliant, your a fool if you can't recognize that” Harry spat “Now if you don't mind we’re leaving, i'm bored of you all”
He gently grasped at the edge of Neville's sleeve and began to pull him away. But he only managed to get a foot or so when a hand clamped down on his shoulder and tugged back harshly.
Correcting his mistake from last time, Harry whipped out his wand the right way and aimed it right at Ron's stupid face. “Touch me again and i'll kill you”
Harry had dealt with bullies before, he'd known the twins wouldn't have taken his threat seriously and redirected it. He just ignored Malfoy until he got bored.
But Ron?
He was getting on his last fucking nerve.
"Kill" May have been a bit much, but it wasn't like he meant it. Though a part of him hesitated to think that.
It was worth it. For a split second he could see true fear in Ron's eyes.
But it was gone right after and replaced with a sort of smug confidence only a stupid teenage boy could have.
“Oh, why not just make it an anniversary, it wouldn't be the first time you killed someone on Halloween now, would it”?
“What”? It was Harry's turn to freeze. He'd read about it before, of course he had. But somehow it had never clicked.
October 31st, The day the “Dark Lord” was defeated.
The day his parents died…. and he became “The boy who lived”.
"I mean really I knew Slytherin was nothing but a bunch of Deatheater spawn but your parents were heroes and yet you stand among those smug bastards" Ron took Harry's silence as him "winning" and took a step closer.
"My mum knew your parents and said they'd probably hate you for ending up a snake."
Rons mom sounded like a cunt for all he cared and yet Harry was frozen stiff.
He knew from the start becoming Slytherin had been "unexpected". His parents may have been disappointed if they didn't understand, but surely they couldn't hate him.
Right?
"Ron, that's too far- I could say the same thing for your uncles"! He heard Neville try defending him, but Harry was long gone.
Other voices joined in, and soon he was surrounded by a cacophony of sound, it was too much. He just wanted to go.
Another part of him wanted to scream at Ron, demanding him answer for his disrespect. But maybe he was right. Not like Harry knew- and with that one realization, all the wind left his sails.
He grabbed Neville again and without another word, ran.
_______________
It wasn't until he recognized the towering hourglasses, each adored with their house's creature and filled to the with multicolored balls, he froze.
They were just outside the grand hall- when had he gotten here?
Harry registered Neville's concerned expression. He still had one hand gripped tightly on his robe sleeve, the other gripping his wand.
“Shit sorry, I didn't mean to drag you all the way over here I just-” Harry cut himself off, letting go and slowly placing his wand back in his pocket.
The feast was soon, he needed to calm the fuck down or he'd ruin Halloween for himself and his friends.
Not that he'd ever really celebrated it before anyways, he was only allowed to go trick or treating just so that Dudley could get double the amount of candy.
“Harry it's fine- Ron was being a jerk and I don't blame you for freaking out just a tad” Harry leveled him a look “Really it wasn't that bad, I was just impressed you didn't sock him”
Harry huffed “I threatened to kill him”
“And yet you didn't fire a single spell,” Neville corrected, smiling and knowing he was right. It was a little relieving knowing he had not upset Neville, he'd been doing fairly well at keeping his emotions in check outside of the minor breakdown in the trophy room.
But Ron seemed to have a way of getting under his skin, add onto that talking about his parents and well.. It wasn't that surprising he freaked.
“...I don't think I can do this tonight-” Harry admitted “But I don't want to miss dinner either”
He expected some sort of confusion or maybe even an accusation he was being dramatic, that he should suck it up and deal with it for the sake of not ruining the night for everyone else. But of course that didn't happen, this was Neville after all, and his expression only seemed understanding.
“I dont think your the only one skipping, i've heard people are doing their own Samhain traditions back in the dorms so I don't think you need to worry much”
Harry had read about Samhain, but only through muggle books- and he'd heard plenty of people mention it but no one explained what exactly it was.
“So Samhain is a traditional holiday, why isn't it celebrated alongside Halloween”?
“Well because they are the same in essence-” Neville paused, tilting his head to the side “My Gran said when the statue of secrecy was passed and the worlds divided, they couldn't exactly remove a whole holiday without some issues”
“So muggles were left with all the traditions- just not with magic being real” Harry clarified
“Im guessing after a while most of the traditions changed, and well the school used to celebrate Samhain back when my Gran went here, but from what i've heard it was changed back when Dumbledore first took over to make muggleborns feel more accepted”
Neville snickered waving his hand “Either way I find it neat, and who doesn't love an excuse to gorge yourself on candy even if you regret it later”
He was technically in the same boat as muggleborn, but he couldn't help but mourn the opportunity to celebrate something new. But maybe it was the fact he'd never quite felt comfortable with Halloween in the first place, today making it even worse.
“Could you tell the others I'll just be in the dorms? I might wander the dungeons a bit but I really would rather not celebrate tonight”
Neville grinned and gave Harry a small salute “Of course, let me know if you need anything, i'll talk to you soon”?
“Mmhm-” Harry let his shoulders fall “Thank you Neville, Really”
Neville pulled away from Harry and stood by the doors “Ron is wrong about a lot of things you know, I might not know your parents either, but I know you- and I think they'd be proud”
He then left through the double doors as if he didn't drop yet another emotional bombshell on Harry. At the very least, he didn't have to act like he wasn't crying for the night.
Harry ignored the stinging in his eyes, turning and beginning the descent back to the dorms.
________________
Harry was late, something that normally wasn't a big deal, they all sucked with directions and he was no better. But it was a feast and despite being weird about food, he'd never skip a meal even once.
“Stop with your tapping Theo you're making me nervous-” Daphne whispered, holding the chalice of water up to her lips “He's probably just freshening up, he was within blast range of Finnegans little… accident”
Theo had to make the conscious effort to stop tapping his fingers against the wood of the table as the hall filled. There was still no sign of him.
He wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't already scanning the crowd, but he spotted Neville motioning towards them.
He stood up, ignoring Daphne and Blaise's shocked protest and tried to act casual as he wove through a crowd of other students and towards Longbottom.
“Where's Harry”? Theo demanded, feeling Blaise and Daphne join beside him moments after.
Neville avoided his gaze but kept his shoulders squared “Ron tried messing with me and Harry got dragged into it, and well-”
If that Weasley had so much as laid a hand on Harry? Theo was going to kill him.
“When Harry tried leaving Ron grabbed him, he flinched pretty hard but whipped out his wand and threatened to kill him if he tried it again”
Good on him, didn't mean Theo couldn’t double kill him.
Blaise gave an impressive whistle and Daphne waved him on to continue.
Neville suddenly looked even more hesitant, and Theo was fighting between not wanting to scare Harry's only friend besides them and quickly losing his patience.
“Ron basically pointed out him making a tradition of killing on Halloween”
“He didn't.” Daphne sounded seconds from booking it over to the redhead and Theo wouldn't stop her.
“He did, and well- Harry didn't really care about the you-know-who thing, but it kinda… clicked that it was their death anniversary as well”
Shit. shit shit shit oh by the gods- did Harry not know? Was Weasley the one to fucking tell him!?
Theo felt Blaise hand rest on his shoulder, but it was firm, not giving him the opportunity to book it. His other was rested on Daphnes in much the same way.
“Where is he?" he demanded, keeping his voice steady and trying to filter out the building rage.
“He's alright-” Neville tried to assure. “He didn't feel like celebrating after that so he insisted on just staying in the dorms tonight, I told him it was okay since its likely he wasn't the only one opting out to celebrate Samhain”
“No he is-” Theo protested “Trust me, I tried, but apparently the headmaster has made this feast mandatory attendance”
Theo had been pissed, he'd heard from Ellie that you had to request to opt out in advance, he'd even planned on bringing Harry along to introduce him to the old ways.
He was always so excited to learn more about their culture and it would have been the perfect opportunity.
But apparently the headmaster had decided it was “promoting separation” to have kids opt out, and instead of giving a break from classes for both holidays just mandated Halloween.
“As much as I hate Harry dealing with his position in all this,” Daphne said in a hushed tone, a careful eye on their surroundings “I doubt the headmaster will protest the ‘boy who lived’ staying out of a festival on the anniversary of his parents death”
There was that at the very least- but still if Theo hadnt personally been cautioned about going against this new ruling, he would have left immediately.
“I know you're worried but Harry will be fine- besides we can smuggle him some dinner and treats later okay”? Blaise added, half gesturing to the rapidly thinning crowd as more and more people found their seats.
“Fine-” Theo huffed “Thank you Longbottom,”
The other boy nodded before scurrying back to the Gryffindor table.
Theo stormed off, regaining his seat and facing directly ahead, if he looked to the left he would probably see Malfoys smug face, and to the right the headmaster.
He couldn't see Ellies face, but he could see the top of her head hidden inside some giant book she surely smuggled from home.
Looking over at the Gryffindor table he could see Neville, an empty space between him and the Finnigan boy whose hair still looked like it had not recovered from Charms.
Ron was glaring, but instead of at the Slytherin table it was at his brother Percy who seemed to be lecturing him about something. He opened his big mouth and said something back, whatever he did was enough that Percy backed off.
Dumbledore did his introduction that Theo had all but tuned out, staring up at the stormy ceiling and glaring at the pumpkins.
The faces were all wrong, just random cuttings for what looked “spooky” without any intention behind it. It was abhorrent.
“I know you're pouting but you need to eat something or else you're a Hypocrite” Blaise didn't wait for Theos response before he began cutting up an apple and putting the slices on his plate.
“It's Samhain, they should have at least some sort of wild game instead of.. this sugar fest” Theo recoiled from the smell of the confectionary displays lining the entire length of the table.
Daphne and Blaise exchanged a look but didn't try arguing, probably assuming correctly he needed something to gripe about to prevent him from causing a scene. Slytherins behaved in public, or at least did not act stupid and get themselves caught so foolishly.
Theo felt a small bit of magic brush against his shoulder and he turned further up the table and caught the eyes of Olympia Sanscott.
Olympia smiled at him and held out a cloth across the table gesturing for him to take it. Theo paused but accepted as Adrien helped pass it over.
He gave her one last glance before slowly unwrapping it and oh thank the stars it was jerky.
Not just any jerky, it smelled spicy and had a dark tint that didn't look like normal beef “What is it?" He asked aloud but paused when he remembered, oh yeah deaf.
Thankfully Marcus had clued into their convo and leaned forward just enough to be seen over the table “Its elk, courtesy of Dimitris grandmother- though hes in the infirmary for… apparently reasons unrelated, he shared his stash”
Theo was half tempted to decline with how utterly suspicious that had sounded, but then again his mouth was practically watering at this point. He doubted Father would remember to send him anything.
“Thank you” he bowed his head and replicated the sign he'd seen Cassius do before, one of the few had managed to pick up.
Olympia lit up with a smile and pulled out another piece of jerky she began to tear herself. Theo looked down at the small pile and tore off a tiny chunk before popping it into his mouth.
It was tough, but that wasn't surprising considering it was jerky and the fact that elk are much leaner, not enough fat to make it super tender.
But it was delicious, a wonderful blend of spices though he could only identify a few by taste alone.
Salazar he needed to thank Dimitris grandmother for her amazing talent, just one bite and he already felt the night's tension ebbing away.
“You carnivore-” Daphne smirked, but she also seemed happy he'd found something worthwhile out of tonight. “Careful now or people will start thinking your a wolf man”
Theo rolled his eyes “In the old country being a wolf child was seen as close to magic as could be, blessed be the creatures that dwell in her woods” he half recited a Samhain prayer.
Blaise looked at him like he was crazy and Theo passed him a small chunk “Hey I didn't say I believed it, it's just legend stuff after all, same myths that say Hags and Banshees aren't half bad”
“Who on earth told you that”?
Well- he was kind of asking for it. Theo took the opportunity to begin the dramatic retelling of several of Ellies “theories” about the true nature of “so called dark creatures” and her one close run-in with a real Banshee.
______
The rest of the feast continued, happy chatter floating about the hall and Theo had managed to find some peace in enjoying a small Samhain treat and making his friends experience the headache that was living with Ellie all condensed into a few stories.
He finished a fair amount of the jerky and savored every bite, though he still made sure to pocket enough to share with Harry when they returned to the dorm.
Even the ghosts seemed to be enjoying the festivities. He'd spotted a few kids who looked like they'd become the newest victims of Peeves Halloween pranks.
Though he doubted the Bloody Baron would be caught dead “fraternizing with mudbloods on this blasted holiday” he'd probably see the spirit later on during more private Samhain prayers.
But the serenity was interrupted by the loud creak of the wooden doors, for a moment Theo wondered if someone had arrived late, maybe even Harry.
Then again why would anyone go through the main doors instead of one of the side passages, that just seemed inconvenient.
The doors creaking crescendoed into a roar as they swung open violently, banging against the stone pillars.
Professor Quirrell came barreling through, his robes a mess and the purple silk of his headdress half undone.
“TROOLLLL- THERE'S A TROLLLL IN THE DUNGEONS”!!! He screamed, his voice seeming even louder that the entire hall had fallen into silence.
“....I thought you'd want to know.” He spoke now as a whisper, but his voice carried. His eyes rolled back and the professor collapsed onto the marble floor.
A moment of peace, Theo met Blaise's wide eyes and Daphne's pale grimace before they, along with the rest of the hall, screamed.
Jumping up from their seats and not caring about the mess of the stupid decor as groups began to flee towards the nearest exit.
“SILENCE-” Another voice bellowed and Theo felt himself freeze, Blaise almost slamming into him as they turned their attention to the headmaster.
“Everyone please stay calm- now then” Authority rang from his tone, and yet Theo for one didn't feel that calm. “Prefects, please escort your students to the dorms, and Teachers follow me.. to the dungeons”
How on earth was he meant to be calm??
There was a troll in Hogwarts, even a baby could kill someone just from a misstep.
By the time Theo refocused on Daphne pulling him aside all of the Professors had left, including Quirrell, who he’d half assumed was dragged to the infirmary.
A loud whistle sounded out and Olympia waved her hands, gathering everyone's attention. She held her wand to her throat and mouthed the words of a spell. As she pulled her wand away a glowing yellow orb left her throat.
“Attention all Slytherin students” an almost robotic voice came out, but Olympia signed alongside the words, it was her voice, or at the very least a version of it.
“Due to the headmasters orders that would otherwise lead us directly in the path of the troll and to certain doom” Yup that was her. “We shall stay here, everyone please be seated”
Theo sat beside Daphne and Blaise and heard her mutter “First a Cerbereus and now a troll, what's next a dragon”?
“Please don't jinx us-” Blaise pleaded, fidgeting with the cuffs of his robes.
They really did have it out for them, but at the very least the professors could handle it and everyone else was safe and as far away from the dungeons as-
Theo shot up from his seat, ignoring the shout from Montegue, who he probably stepped on his foot.
But he didn't have time for apologies as he raced across the table and almost barrelled into Marcus.
“Jesus kid- you're tiny but not that tiny, now I know a troll is scary but that's no excuse to start-”
Theo cut him off, now addressing Cassius with a building panic.
“Harrys in the dungeon”!
Cassius froze, whipping around from where he'd been signing with Olympia to face Theo. Olympia had her hands over her face, expression warping into horror and the rest of the Slytherins had fallen silent as well.
“What do you mean he's in the dungeons”? Cassius demanded.
“It's the anniversary of the Potters death which he was so cruelly reminded of, he was upset and didn't want to celebrate-" Theo spat, the residual anger for Ron Weasley coming back full force.
"Longbottom didn't know about the new mandatory attendance and said it was fine, it was supposed to be fine-”!
God if father could see him now, he'd call Theo hysterical.
Emotions were a weakness, anything beyond what was “expected” gave away too much. But this was one of his..- and Harry could seriously get hurt.
He could feel Marcus grip on his shoulder tighten and he met Cassius' serious gaze who whipped around to address the group “Everyone stay put. I need to inform the professors-” Even Theo could tell his voice was shaky.
“Adrien, Terrence, make sure no one else leaves this room- we aren’t Gryffindors, there will be no daring rescues” Cassius got a strong nod from the both of them. Him and Olympia quickly bolted through the main doorway, still left open from Quirrell's original burst through.
“He'll be okay- it's Harry, that kid's tiny but he's got a fighting spirit alright”? Marcus was trying to be comforting but Theo already knew it was out of their hands.
Regardless of if Cassius and Olympia could reach the Professors, it was now a matter of if they or the troll would find him first.
In the name of the All Mother, Please keep him safe.
_____________________________
Harry had spent the past few hours silently crying. Would not recommend it.
He tried busying himself by practicing with his other wand, but he couldn't muster the energy to truly enjoy it.
He tried reading some non spell books, but after one too many books mentioned the “fall of the dark lord” he threw his entire trunk under his bed and vowed to sulk the rest of the night away.
He really didn't want to be alone right now, but despite his best efforts searching, the rest of the common room was empty. Only the occasional small creature floated by the tank was a sign that he wasn't the only living thing around.
All too soon the entire dorm felt too small, his room, the cavern ceilings and glass walls felt too constricting. But he didn't want to just wander the halls and risk getting yelled at by Filch.
That and all his friends were busy enjoying themselves at the feast, he could visit Hagrid but he didn't want to burden him with Harry's problems.
Hedwig.
Harry shot up the stairs, a new mission on his mind. He didn't have to be alone if he so chose, he could be with Hedwig. Outside in the far too noisy aviary, but it would probably feel much better than simply mulling around the halls.
But of course the castle could never make things easy, he swore he'd been going the right way only for the staircase to spit him out somewhere new.
Harry dodged past a pair of suited armor jousting as he continued trying to get his bearings.
He was in the west wing, over by the girls restroom and the giant unicorn statue. A bit sexist if you asked him since the boys room had a dragon, but then again this was built back in the mid century.
Right as he passed the aforementioned unicorn, he began feeling a small tugging in his chest just enough to make him freeze.
There was a sound, so soft he'd almost accredited it to just a sound of the castle itself.
Someone was crying. Rough wet sobs coming from the girls bathroom.
Harry couldn't recognize the voice, and he had half a mind to turn heel and walk away. He did take a few steps but the further he walked the more he had to emphasize each step forwards.
God he was hopeless.
"A true Slytherin my ass-" He mocked, pivoting on his heel and marching just outside the girls bathroom.
For being the restroom closest to the main hall, it was remarkably.. well unremarkable. From the outside at least.
Harry lifted a hand and knocked on the wooden door, hearing the sobs cut off with a loud squeak. He paused for a moment before speaking "Are you alright"?
"Y-yes I'm fine, one moment"!! She called back, and after a bit of silence the door cracked open.
He saw a bushel of unruly brown coils and a wobbly smile with big bucked teeth. Well- that sounded rude in his head but it was pretty recognizable. "Hermione"?
Hermione rubbed her now reddened eyes with her sleeve "What is it Ha- Potter"?
"You can just call me Harry," he insisted. "I was raised by muggles so I get it" He brushed aside lingering feelings of the whole train incident, but she was upset and he wasn't about to hold it against her.
Hermione scrunched up her nose and appraised him for a moment "I don't need your pity-"
Huh- guess she did have some bite "It's not pity, more… empathetic concern if you want to name it"
Hermione hummed but didn't reply. God this was so awkward. It wasn't like they were friends, he should get… actually he had no idea who Hermione's friends were. But he couldn't exactly walk away.
Apparently he'd been starring a bit too long and Hermione pointed a finger in his face “Would you cut out starring already, I know i'm a mess but you wouldnt look much better after crying”
Well isn't that just ironic “You look fine- and only reason I look any better is probably because i've had time to calm down getting lost on my way to the owlery”
Hermione leaned forward, her brows furrowed before pulling back “Why would you- Oh… oh I'm so sorry Harry,"
"It's alright, I hadn't realized either until Ron thought it good to remind me, albeit indirectly" Harry may be a bit bitter, hell.. maybe he had a use for the poison jellybeans much sooner than he thought.
Hermione sniffled "Rons a jerk- and I guess that means he's made two people cry on Halloween, so double jerk then"
Harry pressed his knuckle to his lips to muffle a small snort “That we can agree on”
Looking at Hermione, as annoying as she seemed to come off at times, it was hard not to remember she was his age, just a kid. But it's even harder to forget when you see her puffy eyes and streak marks over amber colored cheeks.
He wasn't Hermione's friend, but she could really use one right now and well- he'd even said he didn't want to be alone tonight. For all he knew she also had an owl, they could visit together, Hedwig would probably love a new face as well.
Harry took in a breath, ready to metaphorically reach out, but he couldn't. The words got stuck in his throat. A familiar buzz, but instead of just a short zap it was running up his spine and down his limbs in growing waves.
“Harry”? Hermione leaned down her eyes darting across his face , when had he hunched over? “Harry you're scaring me- whats wrong”?
Harry straightened so fast he felt his back strain just slightly and turned to Hermione with wide eyes “I-I don't know, but somethings wrong and-”
THUMP
A single sound echoed nearby, and both of them fell silent, listening carefully. The only sound was Hermione's slightly panicked gasps and Harry's shuttered breaths.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP
Her shoulders tensed
‘Footsteps’ Hermione mouthed, and wasn't that all the more horrifying, he wasn't hallucinating.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP,THUMP, THUMP, THUMP
They were getting closer.
Hermione grabbed Harry's sleeve and all but dragged him back into the girls restroom, quickly slamming the door behind her.
“What on earth was that”!? Harry hissed.
Hermione shook her head, pacing away from the door and leaning half against one of the porcelain sinks “No clue- lets just hope we don't find out until tomorrow”
That he could definitely get behind, but the buzzing did not subside whatsoever, maybe it would when whatever that thing was fully left?
Time passed and the echoing footsteps continued before seeming to fade away all together, but neither of them dared trying to leave just yet.
“Ugh what is that stench-” Hermione gagged, her hand quickly shooting up to cover her nose and mouth.
She was right, it was such a potent oder it was a wonder he hadn't noticed it before. It smelled even worse than when Dudley had locked him in the school gym laundry storage for a whole afternoon. It was enough to make someone's eyes water and pray to open a window.
A loud thud shook the room and in that moment, the rancid smell had become the least of their worries, now greeted with the source.
Harry looked down at giant calloused feet, covered in scabbed over blisters and spiked masses. The two toes that did have nails were crooked and badly yellowed. Its legs were similarly strong, but covered in boils and spikes as well. As was its body and all the way up to its tiny head with giant ears.
He'd read about them. A fucking mountian troll, stupid but dangerous nonetheless.
How the fuck did a mountian troll end up in Hogwarts!?
Harry saw as the creature caught his eye, tilting its head just a bit before its chapped lips opened into a wide snarl, drool trickling down its neck. Its arm raised, showing off a massive wooden club.
“Hermione move “! Harry screamed, already taking the opportunity to duck away, darting to the side and behind the creature.
Hermione shrieked but did bolt aside, dodging the sink right as it was shattered by the impact of the giant club. She slid across the tile floor, the monster standing between her and the exit she took a quick duck into the bathroom stalls.
Harry could only watch in horror as with one swing the top of every stall was destroyed, shattering into chunks of wood and splinters that flew around the bathroom. Thankfully he saw the edge of Hermione's robe against the ground as she army crawled between the stalls, desperately pushing away some debris.
There- a chunk of wood by his feet, Harry grabbed whatever he could, ignoring the sharp pain in his hand as he hurled it at the beast, screaming and waving his hands wildly.
It turned to face him for just a moment but then caught eye of Hermione bolting back towards the sinks, “Help me”! She screamed, once again barely dodging another shattered sink via the trolls club.
Harry didn't have time to think of a plan, but neither of them had time for anything else before it would get a lucky shot and shatter every bone in their body.
He rushed forward, gripping onto the end of its club. For once he was thankful for how tiny he was as he lifted up into the air, managing to drop down right on its shoulders.
Unfortunately it noticed as well and began wildly shaking around. Harry grabbed onto both of its giant ears and dug in with his nails, earning a loud painful roar as the troll began grabbing at Harry with his free hand.
“Do something”! He yelled to Hermione, feeling the scolding hot blood cover his fingertips as he held on for dear life. The troll began to swing at him.
“What should I do”!? Hermione yelled back, removing herself from under the sink and holding out her wand
“Anything”! Harry yelped cringing when the club barely missed him “Get rid of his stupid club”!
He was too focused on not falling or getting absolutely smashed into mush, he didn't pay attention to what spell Hermione cast. But the wood was gone.
Harry looked up and saw it now dangling a foot or so above the troll's head, and right above Harrys as well.
“Get down”! Hermione yelled, her brows furrowed as all her focus went into keeping the club in the air.
With the troll distracted enough by its now missing club, Harry let go of its now torn ears and somehow managed to drop himself down, half sliding down its back and falling roughly onto the ground.
It hurt- a lot, but he knew he hadn't broken anything.
There was a sickening crack as the club dropped, smacking right against the troll's skull. It let out a pathetic warbling and began stumbling back and towards Harry.
He tried scrambling away, but his legs still felt on fire and he couldn't get them to cooperate. Thankfully a hand latched onto his shoulder and yanked him aside right as the beast collapsed against the ground sending billows of dust up in the air.
Harry coughed harshly, feeling a bit lightheaded on top of everything else as he waited for the dust to clear and visibility to return.
Hermione had a deathly grip on his shoulders, panting as she looked down at him, her coils now dusted white from debris and Harry didn't even want to guess how he looked.
“You’re bleeding”? She questioned, gesturing to Harrys hands.
Harry flexed his fingers, grimacing at the almost toxic red colored blood “If it was mine id need a hospital” he rose to his feet shakily, dusting off his robes “It's from the things ears, had to hold on somehow”
Hermione hummed but still looked a bit shaken, now looking down at the troll “Is it… dead”?
Harry didn't really feel keen on approaching it to check out, but if the slowly growing pool of blood was anything to go by, then probably. “I don't think so, just knocked out” but Hermione didn't need to deal with that.
At the very least the buzzing had finally subsided, which was probably the only reason he was able to relax even just a tad. They both stood there, still catching their breath, and Harry could see Hermione's hands were shaking.
“Well- that's one way to distract from a bad night”?
Hermione let out a startled laugh “You are awful-” but now he knew she was joking.
Their peace didn't last long and soon Harry heard the rapid approach of heels clicking, unconsciously he took a half step closer to Hermione. To protect her or himself he wasn't sure.
But there was no threat, at least the physical kind. Instead Professor McGongall alongside Quirrell and.. Snape- had entered the doorway.
McGonagall let out a loud gasp as she laid eyes on the troll, the blood now puddling around its form “Oh sweet heavens- what on earth happened here, explain yourselves at once”!?
Harry looked at Hermione whose gaze was now trained on the ground and her fists clenched against the bottom of her robes.
“It was my fault professor” Harry spoke, surprising himself when the words came out as they did. He ignored the sneer from Snape as the teachers attention turned to him
“I.. didn't want to celebrate so I stayed in the dorm, but I didn't want to miss dinner completely, I was on my way over when I ran into Hermione just trying to go to the restroom”
He turned to the girl in question who was looking at him with wide eyes “We heard the footsteps and got scared, we hid in the bathroom but the troll found us and well-”
“Not wanting to celebrate… is no excuse for skipping out on a mandatory feast Mister Potter…” Snape hissed, picking up the edge of his robe that was now coated in dust with a grimace.
“I was told by Neville people always skipped to celebrate Samhain, I didnt see the big deal in just another kid gone” Harry couldnt help but snark back, hed just almost been killed by a troll for fucks sake and now they were grueling him?
“Not a big deal he says” McGonagall shook her head “And while it's true the mandatory celebration feast is new, incidents like this are exactly why you can't just go wandering off Mister Potter-”
Harry was fed up, and really all he wanted was something to eat and a hug from his friends. He let that frustration boil to the surface until he could feel his eyes watering, his throat was already sore from earlier so getting himself to cry again wasn't as hard.
“Well I'm sorry I wasn't thinking about policy when dealing with the anniversary of my parents death” Harry's voice went a bit shrill, but still full of residual flames.
The professors looked a bit shamefaced, good, even Snape was now avoiding his gaze.
It was Quirrell who spoke up first, glancing nervously at Harry “P-Perhaps the b-boy deserves a break, an honest m- mistake after all, and they have been through enough f-for one night”
Harry's gaze drifted, and he paused as his eyes landed on Snape. His clothes were torn, specifically his pants leg and there seemed to be a decent amount of blood.
Did they run into the troll on its way over here and had just failed to stop it?
But no- the wound looked like a gash and there was no way that kind of injury came from the club or even the claw of that creature.
Snape caught his gaze and quickly shifted his robe sleeve to cover the wound. Harry looked away.
They left the room with the troll soon after, McGonagall having awarded them both fifty points for “sheer dumb luck” and the assurance to never try something so dangerous again.
He'd seen Madame Pomphrey for just a moment, given a quick clean up and bandaged his hands as well as Hermiones, that had been cut up by the sink shards as she crawled around, before they were sent back to their dorms.
Snape had “Other business to attend” and left Harry with McGonagall to walk him back while Quirrell took Hermione. They shared one long glance and Hermione gave him a soft smile before turning heel and heading off.
McGongall had apologized for the whole incident and even rambled about how there was no feasible reason a troll could get into Hogwarts, far too stupid than to be sheer coincidence and that such a thing was unlikely to happen again.
Of course unless someone let it in Harry thought, but did not voice his opinion as they continued down the hall.
Despite the medi witch's work, his legs still hurt and so McGonagall accompanied him down the steps on the way to the dorm.
“I'm a professor Mister Potter, it's part of the job to take the time to escorting an injured student”
But both out of sheer spite and not wanting to appear weak in front of what was reasonably a stranger outside of classes, he insisted on not leaning on her.
There were two people, leaning up against the stone pillars over by the doorway. Harry had no shame in admitting he was debating if he could run on his sore ass legs, but decided against it as the figures came into view.
Cassius and Olympia.. Of course.
“Mister Warrington, a delivery for you” McGongall called out and Harry watched as both their heads popped up on a swivel and locked onto him. What was with people always running his plans?
Cassius had been half hunched over, supporting all his weight on the pillar and practically jumped up, speed walking until he was right in front of them. But he wasn't looking at McGonagall, he was looking at Harry.
“I will leave him in your care- hes already taken some potions and should be fine in the morning after some rest but careful down the stairs, he's a very lucky boy and I hope you keep an eye on him in the future”
If Harry had even a smidgen less willpower he would have glared at her, but he didn't want to cause any more problems.
“Of course- thank you professor” and with that she turned heel and left.
Harry met Cassius gaze, eyes wide with an emotion he couldnt put a name to and he hated it. He hated the constant stares, he could ignore them for sure but it had been a long night and he really wished to just be done with it all.
“Just get it over with okay, i'm tired” Harry hated how vulnerable his voice sounded.
“Get what over Harry”? Cassius bowed his head enough to be at Harry's height, or at the very least low enough he didn't struggle to meet his gaze.
“Yell at me, tell me how stupid and irresponsible I was, I mean the professors made that very clear but you could always make sure the lesson stuck in other ways” Harry knew he was goating, he wanted to set him off. It would make sense, finally let him understand why he was just so.. Weird.
But Cassius didn't tense, he didn't curl his hands into fists or even raise his voice, he just looked sad which was even worse.
“The professors are good teachers, but they tend to come off as assholes when dealing with a scared kid”
“I'm not a kid-” Harry protested weakly, but he had been scared, terrified even. He'd been so scared he would watch Hermione die and be too weak to do anything, and that he would be next.
Cassius did not respond, just reached out and hovered his hand above Harry's shoulder, when he didn't react he gently set it down and guided him towards the doorway.
Olympia opened the door using a weird looking orb thing to project a voice, Harry would have bombarded her with questions if he wasn't already exhausted.
They reached the bottom and right as the sound of the waterfall dampened Harry could hear hushed voices in the common room. Were people celebrating? It was fairly late- he didn't want to interrupt.
Surely if they were busy he could just sneak to his dorm, god he wanted a nap, and he still hasn't gotten anything to eat.
Never skipping a meal for over a month seemed to have the adverse effect of getting him used to not feeling hunger, and now the sensation was more uncomfortable than ever before.
“Oh my god Harry-” He heard Daphne's voice and watched as she almost threw Blaise from where his head had rested on her lap.
But despite noticing them first, it was Theo who reached him- staring at him with a mix of familiar anger and outright sorrow that hurt just to look at.
“Im so-” His words were cut off by Cassius gently shoving him forward and into Theos tight embrace.
The stress of the entire night seemed a little less overwhelming as Harry's shoulders dropped, simply leaning into the feeling.
Theo let up but still kept Harry close as Daphne and Blaise started fretting over him, half lecturing about if he was okay.
“Nice job little fang, not many can go up against a mountain troll and win” Marcus stood with his arms crossed, but he had the same look in his eyes Cassius had earlier.
“I don't think it counts as winning just… not dying”
“You survived against a Class three creature as a first year, that’s a win” Marcus argued back but looking at Harry's expression raised a brow “Wait has Professor Quirrell not covered the Creature Class Index yet”?
It sounded vaguely familiar, possibly from one of his books, but nothing he could recall off the top of his head at the very least. Though that meant he might need to review his personal texts when exam season comes around.
“The Garlic gives me a headache so if he has, I don't remember” Harry scrunched up his nose at the mere mention of the blasted veggie. It covered just about every inch of the Bloody defense classroom, he'd even found a clove or two inside his desk at least once a week.
“Dunno- his teaching has gone down hill since his break” Terrence commented, popping his head up from behind one of the couches “His vampire paranoia finally made him go cuckoo”
“Vampire”? Harry muttered, looking at his friends who just shrugged, though Daphne looked vaguely interested.
“Oh yeah- apparently he left a year or so back to Romania to study some artifacts but messed with a true born vampire and now he's forever paranoid it'll pop up around any corner” Adrien followed up, speaking about it a bit too casually for Harry's sake.
“You will all learn about Vampires in your third year, or of course you could always ask Elisen Nott” Cassius added, pausing from his interpreting for Olympia who was now miming a pretty funny vampire impression attacking him from behind.
“Nope no- if it's anything like her opinion on Banshees I would sooner go meet a vampire in person-” Blaise insisted, a haunted look in his eyes.
Daphne shuttered and Theo had a prideful smirk on his face. Harry was tempted to ask but was cut off by Marcus speaking up again.
“Now as much as I love some gossipy banter” He gestured out to the group with a sly smile “But seriously what happened”?
Harry opened his mouth but paused, he really didn't feel like a dramatic retelling right about now. One that would also have to admit to his own pouting and finding Hermione crying.
“Are you hungry”? Theo asked, and like a saint pulled out a handkerchief filled with dried meat “It's elk, wild meat is traditional for Samhain, it's already past the moon peak so this will have to count as a celebration, but we have some other stuff if you want”?
Harry picked up a piece and sniffed it before taking a bite. It was good, but it was also spicy. He was suddenly thankful he'd only taken a nibble as he began hacking loudly.
Right as his vision had gone all watery he felt a glass pressed against his lips and eagerly gulped down what he could. Olympia was holding the glass with a mixed expression of amusement and worry.
Harry pushed the glass away and did the sign for thank you “A bit spicy for me-”
Blaise let out a loud dramatic sigh “Ancients Theo, we just got him back and now you're trying to kill him”!?
Theo let out a wounded noise but responded by shoving Blaise back and earning a laugh from Harry.
“You've had a long night” Cassius began “We have some leftovers from dinner, you can stay up a bit longer and then get some sleep- whatever story you want to tell can wait until the morning”
Harry ended up seated in the common room. Alongside Theo and Daphne who had practically plastered themselves to his side, though he didn't mind.
Blaise had taken to cutting up fruit and handing it to him while complaining about the entire event.
“You really didn't miss much- except for Theo ranting about pumpkins and almost punching Malfoy for sneezing” Daphne stole an orange slice right from Blaise hand and popped it in her mouth.
“Wait why-”?
“It was either kill Malfoy or Ron, or maybe the headmaster- I wasn't picky”
Theo seemed very casual about his threats of murder, but then again so was Harry.
Daphne snickered, leaning forward and nabbing yet another orange slice from Blaise.
"You know you can just ask me to cut you some"? Blaise sighed as he handed Harry some apple.
"Where's the fun in that"? She teased back "And Theo was just hangry, Olympia saved us all with Dimitris elk jerky”
“It's heavenly and I will accept no other opinions on the matter” Theo defended, seemingly making his point by getting another piece out.
Harry finished off his apple slice and felt a yawn work its way out, stretching out his limbs and feeling the tension push back.
"You tired"? Theo asked and Harry just nodded.
“I just don't wanna get up- ‘ts comfy and my legs still hurt”
“We could carry him-”? Blaise offered “Though i'm not sure how far the castle will allow Daphne and he's tiny, but not tiny enough only one of us could”
Blaise held up his hands "He's tiny but not that tiny-"
"I can carry him, but I don't want to drop him" Theo admitted, sounding upset by the very notion.
Harry blinked, despite the sleepy haze over his brain he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed being practically babied by his friends.
The only reason he'd even allowed it so far was a mixture of lack of energy, and the fact that it was kind of… nice. That and it seemed to be their normal, so it wasn't hard to simply accept this was just his life now.
—-----------
His friends were idiots, well meaning idiots, but this had reached a whole new low.
Harry had zoned out for most of their debate, doing his best just not to fall asleep. When he did finally come too he was quickly informed that Blaise and Theo were going to carry him together.
He tried taking a few steps to prove he was really fine, he'd walked on worse. But according to Daphne he looked “Like a newborn deer” and they wouldn't take no for an answer.
That's what ended up in Blaise hooking under Harry's arms and Theo holding his legs as they shuffled their way down the hall. Daphne had been “directions” but as suspected, the castle's magic wouldn't let her go any further than the entry towards the dorms and she bid them goodnight, leaving Harry to suffer with the mess she helped create.
“Okay to the left- no no MY left, dammit Blaise you're going to hit a wall”!
“Well excuse me for trying to walk backwards, and you suck at directions”
“Hmm, remind me how we met the dog again”?
Harry couldn't see Blaise face but knew it was probably all scrunched up in annoyance.
“...What on earth are you two fuckers doing”? Cassius stood in the hall, the tip of his wand alit with a Lumos spell as he stared at them.
“Harry's legs still hurt, and he's too big for either of us to carry by ourselves” Blaise defended, jostling Harry slightly as he readjusted his grip.
Cassius looked just as exhausted and fed up as Harry felt and let out a long drawn out sigh as he moved over and stood next to them. “Alright hand him over, your going to end up dropping him”
Harry could only blink, he understood Theo and Blaise babying him but Cassius? “I-I'm fine really- I can walk” but despite his very sound protest he was just met with three disbelieving stares.
Cassius raised a brow “Yes or no, are you still in pain”?
Harry hesitated, just long enough for Blaise to butt in “He walks with the elegance of a baby deer-” He shot a glare at his friend but Blaise looked completely unphased.
Cassius placed his wand tip side up in his pocket so it still shined and then held his arms out to Harry “Would you prefer to hold onto me or Princess carry”
Harry had no idea what Princess carry meant, but regardless he would like to feel at least somewhat in control “I can hold on-” he said confidently.
After a bit of maneuvering on all their parts, Harry was now a backpack clinging around Cassius neck while Blaise and Theo went full steam ahead to the room.
Cassius didn't bat an eye as he walked down the entire length of the hall with Harry on his back, even entering the room with them. He glanced around and made a comment about first years always getting the “good furnace”. And asking Harry which bed was his.
Harry was all at once very thankful that he'd thrown his trunk under the bed earlier as Cassius approached, half kneeling down backwards so Harry could let go and be securely seated on the edge of his bed.
“Alright- now i've had enough chaos to haunt my waking moments for weeks, now as soon as you wake up, if your still in any pain have one of your asshole friends come get me okay”? He jerked a thumb back at Blaise and Theo who had already begun situating themselves on their beds
“It's really no bother, I'm fine” Harry insisted.
“It's not about being a bother” Cassius cut him off harshly “Now i'm going to bed, don't you dare leave that bed if your still in any pain tomorrow, we have potions for that- and suffering does not equate strength”
For a moment the words seemed.. different as if coming from someone besides Cassius. But maybe that was just because he was used to Cassius being weird but.. Logical. And that made no sense.
“I wont” Harry assured, just wanting to sleep at this point.
Cassius either seemed to believe him, or decided it wasn't worth the argument trying to change his mind and quickly left the room.
Harry wasted no time in wishing his friends goodnight and pulling the curtains closed. Today had been… a lot- but he wasn't wrong when he said the whole fighting a troll was a great way to distract from his parents well… everything.
He placed a hand on his chest, right above his heart and if he focused just hard enough he could barely feel the rhythmic thumping in his chest. It didn't matter what they would think of him now, he would be someone they could be proud of.
“The boy who lived” would earn his life, one way or another.
(word count- 10,030)