Troll Aftermath
Even though neither Harry nor Hermione were injured (physically, at least), both of them were kept in the Hospital Wing for another two days. According to Madam Pomfrey, it was to ensure they had sufficient time to recover away from the chaos of their Common Room and to ensure that there were no injuries. According to Tom, it was because she was checking Harry for anything indicating possession.
'Yup, shouldn't have use the curse on the troll', he commented when Madam Pomfrey cast a spell over him. 'Now Poppy is pinching and probing us to figure out if I'm not just a figment of your imagination.'
'In how much trouble are you if she finds you?', Harry asked.
Tom shrugged. 'It's stupidly difficult to remove soulshards from their vessels without damaging them, and this likely goes triple for live vessels. As far as I know, Dumbledore doesn't know how to pull that off, so he'll have to be content with throwing some additional wards to keep me contained and occasionally using Legilimency on you.'
'That seems... light', Harry observed. 'Except for the wards, maybe.'
'Like I said, removing soulshards from vessels without damaging them is extremely difficult', Tom said. 'And considering I have never once heard of a fragment being placed in another living being, I seriously doubt it's even possible to accomplish that. As for the wards, well, I think I can easily bypass them, and it assumes that they even knows the exact nature of our bond, which I suspect at least Poppy does not.'
'What makes you say that?', Harry asked as the mediwitch cast yet another spell over him.
Tom thinly smiled. 'Because she is using spells designed to find full-blown possession', he answered. 'Essentially, Poppy - and by extension, likely Dumbledore - is acting under the assumption that I am either the sole or the more dominant soul in your body, and because of that, they won't find anything.'
'So... they think you're the one controlling me?', Harry asked to clarify.
'Essentially', Tom smugly answered. 'Rather hilarious, all things considered, especially because I seriously doubt there even is enough of me to accomplish a full possession.'
'Because you're just a fragment?'
'Exactly', Tom confirmed as Madam Pomfrey cast yet another spell. 'And a fairly small one at that, all things considered. Even with me leeching off your own power, I think it would take at least a decade for me to possess you even partially against your will.'
'Do I want to know how you figure that?', Harry grumbled.
'Oh, don't look at me like that - I had to figure out just what exactly I was, and how I could maybe escape my little prison. So yes, the idea crossed my mind at some point - and was discarded for obvious reasons.'
'Well, at least something', Harry commented.
And it appeared that Tom was correct in his assessment of the matters; on the morning of the second day, he found three new wards placed around the scar, which he noted 'were a minor nuisance' - and bypassed so quickly that Harry seriously questioned if they were even present in the first place. If they were, both Harry and Tom suspected they had been placed overnight, when Harry had been asleep, something that really, really angered him - did Dumbledore not have any sense of privacy?
The wards also confirmed what Tom had been suspecting - apparently, these wards had been designed to push Tom back into his scar, indicating that whoever had designed and cast them had thought that he was somewhere outside of it, when that was not the case. From that, he gathered that Dumbledore - as he was the most likely culprit - did seemingly consider the chance that Tom was somehow controlling Harry.
'Good thing too', Tom commented at one point. 'That way, I didn't need to dissolve the wards, something that would have been noticed.'
'So they are still in place, because they're useless?', Harry asked.
'Precisely. They're a bit annoying, admittedly, but the risks of dismantling them far outweigh the benefits.'
'Great.'
One thing that absolutely surprised Harry during his two-day-stay was the number of visitors he and Hermione received. Back in primary, whenever he ended up in the infirmary (usually due to Dudley and gang), the only who ever bothered to check up on him was the school nurse, and usually only the odd teacher came by to chastise him for getting into trouble again. For Hermione, it wasn't all that different, minus the part where teachers would chastise her. However, to say that things were different this time around would be a major understatement.
It seemed as though half of the Hogwarts population was trying to squeeze their way into the Hospital Wing, inspite of Madam Pomfrey being adamant about limiting visitors to no more than six people - Hagrid counting for three. Neville was one of the first to come by, nervously explaining that he had taken it upon himself to collect assignments from classes for the both of them for the duration of their absence - nevermind that not even Snape had so far made any demands about homework and the likes being completed.
Neville was also the one to inform them that Harry had been awarded fifty points for saving Hermione's life, though there had been a ten point deduction due to his recklessness - Harry didn't quite care, as he was simply glad he wasn't in any more trouble.
"Professor McGonagall also had a pretty strong word with Ron", Neville revealed. "He got into loads of trouble for his comments towards you, Hermione - lot of people think that had he kept his mouth shut, you wouldn't have nearly died."
Hermione blushed a bit at the fact that people apparently stood up for her. "I mean, he didn't know how the evening would go, so I don't entirely blame him", she said. "But... I do hope he actually starts thinking before saying something."
Neville laughed. "After the dressing downs he received from Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Harry and Percy, I'm pretty sure the lesson stuck. It's a bloody miracle his mum didn't send him a howler for it..."
"Wait, Harry talked to him? When?", Hermione asked confused.
Harry grinned awkwardly. "I, ah, may have had a few words with him right after Charms", he admitted.
Neville chuckled. "He called Ron a waste of a human being and an absolute joke of a wizard after shoving him into a wall", he gleefully revealed, causing both Harry and Hermione to groan a bit.
"Harry!", she chastised him. "This really was a bit much!"
"Yeah... I was a bit short-tempered that day. Maybe did go a bit far - he still kinda deserved it, though", he said. "Plus, Professor Flitwick already had a few words with me over the matter, so..."
"Well, in that case... And I guess he did deserve it..." Hermione shook her head. "Still, thank you, Harry", she added with a smile.
Percy also came by, though not quite as often - Prefect Duties, he apologized. Once he was sure that both Harry and Hermione were alright, though, he gave Harry a piece of his mind about not informing him that Hermione was missing.
"That was irresponsible, Harry, not just because of the troll", he chastised. "I know you thought you could solve the matter on your own, but Prefects don't just exist to swing their badges around and harass students - no matter what the twins may say."
"I'm sorry Percy", Harry apologized, actually meaning it. "I just thought it would take too long to inform you or Kate about it, and we were pretty close to the bathroom, so I figured that it was best if I got Hermione myself. Didn't count on the troll being there as well, and he entered the bathroom before I could think of a better solution."
Percy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I suppose I can't fault your intentions, given the circumstances", he grumbled. "Still, please do inform me or someone of similar authority next time there's a crisis and we're unaware that a student is missing - unlike most students, we can convey such information to the faculty."
Once Harry promised that he would halt and think next time such an event rolled around ('It better not', Tom grumbled), Percy felt that he properly chastised and dropped his prefect-ness as much as he could - granted, it wasn't much of a change, but Harry still appreciated it.
"The whole affair has caused quite the stir", Percy revealed. "A lot of rumours are flying around about what happened in the bathroom, and how you stopped the troll."
"What kind of rumours?", Hermione asked almost simultaneously with Harry.
Percy waved his hand in something between frustration and disinterest. "Bah, all sorts of nonsense from where I'm standing. Lee Jordan claims you knocked out the troll with its own club, I'm fairly sure the banes of my existence came up with the one in which you jammed your wand up the troll's nose so hard and high that it tore into its brain, causing a fatal injury... someone claimed you used some muggle explosive on the troll, and for some reason, a lot of people think you have some kind of death glare - according to that one, you simply looked the troll in the eyes and it dropped dead, as though you were a basilisk." He shook his head. "My favorite, admittedly, is the one in which you summoned a dragon and a lion which proceeded to tear the troll to shreds at your command - fairly sure Fred and George came up with that one, as well. There's also some people claiming you're just a gloryhound who arrived only after the troll was dealt with - that one's especially prevalent with some of the Slytherins, as you can probably imagine, and I have it on very good authority that Draco Malfoy created that one after hearing some of the other tales. Supposedly, he went white as a sheet when he heard the death-glare-story", he chuckled. "And according to Gem- ahem, ah, to my source, he nearly wet his pants when he heard the one in which you summoned the aforementioned menagerie of Hogwarts Crest animals."
Harry simply groaned, and Percy chuckled a bit. "Don't worry, just wait for the next accident in Care of Magical Creatures, and the rumour mill will focus on something else. And honestly, being a troll-slayer is not the worst reputation to have in Hogwarts - honestly, I'm a bit surprised you have not been given an Award for Services to the School yet, Merlin knows saving another student from lethal danger and eliminating said danger ought to qualify you for that..."
"I can do without, thanks", Harry grumbled. "I just really want to keep my head down and do my thing."
'That ship sailed the minute Voldemort's curse failed to kill you and blew him to the pieces instead', Tom snorted, with Percy saying something similar - Harry only groaned more.
"At least no one seems to think of me as the girl who got herself cornered by a troll and needed saving", Hermione commented. "That would've been a bit embarrassing, even if it is technically accurate."
Percy waved his hand as he adjusted his glasses (by now, Harry seriously suspected they were actually sitting correctly and that Percy only had some nervous quirk) as he answered. "It's usually mentioned as an afterthought", he admitted. "Depending on who tells the story, you were either already out of the bathroom, or, well, you were the classical damsel in distress. Your dormmates are actually quite good at countering that second one, though - I heard Lavender Brown tell a tale in which the two of you teamed up and used your combined magics to knock the troll into the realm of dreams. Nevermind that that's not how magic works, there's enough people who do think you did more than cower in a corner and scream your lungs out - ahem, so to speak."
Hermione blushed at that, though Harry wasn't quite sure if it was because Percy had hit the nail right on top, or because she was flattered that people were in some way standing up for her by countering the actually accurate rumours of her predicament.
The next time Percy came by, he was not alone - he had brought his youngest brother with him.
"Ron here has something to say to you, Hermione", he said with an even sterner tone than his usual prefect-ness included (Harry hadn't thought that that was possible). "Doesn't he?"
That question was directed at the abashed looking Ron, who hadn't dared look up until now, and who was now thoroughly blushing ('Good Lord, that blush clashes with that hair of his, I almost feel sorry for the Weasel...') as he undoubtedly felt his older brother's gaze upon him.
"I'm really sorry for what I said, Hermione", he finally said. "I was... well, I was behaving like a right prick the whole year 'til now, especially towards you... a-and I'm sorry I made you cry after Charms because of what I said, and that..." He winced. "That you could've died because of me."
Hermione looked at the boy for some time before sighing. "I was only trying to help you", she eventually said. "Now, I admit that I can come of as a bit bossy, and I know that this can annoy people, but... your comments really did hurt me."
"I know", Ron replied, eyes downcast again. "And I'm really sorry for that. I... I guess I should work on my temper a bit."
Hermione looked pensive for a moment, before sighing again. "I accept your apology, Ron", she finally said. "And... you're not to blame for the troll in the bathroom, or me nearly... nearly dying because of it. At least, I don't blame you for that."
"You're probably the first", Ron grumbled. "I... I appreciate it."
Harry winced a bit. "I, ah, I think maybe I owe you a bit of an apology as well, Ron", he admitted. "I shouldn't have blown up on you the way I did, I think."
Now it was Ron's turn to wince. "Yeah, I think I deserved it", he admitted.
"Kinda", Harry shrugged. "But I still shouldn't have shoved you into a wall, or call you an absolute joke of a wizard."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "But calling me a waste of a human being was okay?", he asked.
"Maybe a bit strong, granted, but... I really don't like bullies. So..." Harry shook his head.
Ron sighed. "Ah, I guess I was behaving like one", he admitted. "So, ah, can't exactly argue there. Still... thanks, I guess."
Eventually, the room fell into an awkward silence, until Percy cleared his throat. "Now, Ron, I think you should get back to classes", he said, and Ron nodded and shuffled out.
"Thank you both for hearing Ron out", Percy then said after he was gone. "I know he didn't exactly make the best first impression" - 'That's putting it mildly...' - "but he's not a bad person, just..."
"He's just a boy", Hermione completed with a somewhat uncharacteristic giggle.
Percy's mouth twitched a bit. "Yes, well, that may be a part of the issue", he replied. "Still, I am glad that some level of peace was made here. It would have made for some awkward seven years if this rift had carried on."
'Mmph, with his attitude, I doubt anyone would've given a damn about him anytime soon', Tom grumbled. 'Apologizing to him for speaking your mind wasn't the best move, I think.'
'Technically, I only apologized for the way I spoke my mind', Harry answered. 'And I'm not in the mood to completely burn bridges with one of my dormmates. 'Sides, I think Percy is right - Ron doesn't strike me as a bad person, just...'
'He's simply an idiot', Tom eloquently completed. 'And you know how well their lot usually learns their lessons.'
'Well, his apology was pretty sincere, from what I can tell, so I do think he did learn something.'
'I'm not holding my breath', Tom grumbled.
Professor McGonagall visiting was no big surprise to Harry, though he saw her walk up to him, he did for the briefest of moments fear some sort of reprisal for the whole mess - he blamed the St. Grogory staff for that. Unsurprisingly, nothing of the sort came; instead, Professor McGonagall informed him of what Neville had already said - the fifty points awarded and the ten deducted - and that she was glad that both he and Hermione were alright.
'Not a word on the curse', Harry noted.
'Like I said, the whole matter is being swept under the rug', Tom replied.
Professor McGonagall also voiced her appreciation for Harry and Hermione making their peace with Ron after everything, stressing what she had said before the sorting - "your house is like your family for the duration of your education, and beyond."
'You wanna know the crazy part?', Harry asked. 'Gryffindor - hell, Hogwarts - already feels like more of a home than the Privet Drive ever did. Guess she does have a point there...'
Tom snorted. 'No kidding! Though it would be nice if the bar wasn't set so low... ah well.'
The Gryffindor Quidditch team also popped in for a quick visit or two, usually all in one, in the case of the twins only the two of them, and while there was some grumbling about unnecessary recklessness from Angelina and Alicia - 'Gryffindors pissing on about unnecessary recklessness? I thought this was what this house is all about!' 'Okay, seriously, stop with the slander already.' - they were all relieved that he was alright and due to be released soon, with Fred and George sharing the wild rumours that had sprung up around Hogwarts - and their effects on certain people. Harry, having already heard most of it from Percy, simply smiled and nodded.
'You know, this would have been the perfect opportunity to quit the team', Tom mused. 'With all the trauma from the troll attack, I doubt anyone would bat an eye...'
Harry snorted. 'You'd like that, wouldn't you?'
'Yes. Yes, I would.'
The biggest surprise however came when Gregory Goyle came down to visit.
"Malfoy doesn' know I'm here", he opened, visibly nervous, and his dark blue eyes darting from side to side. "And... I'd appreciate it if you could keep quiet 'bout it."
Harry shrugged. "I mean... Don't see why I'd want to go blabbing to him."
Goyle relaxed a bit and took a deep breath. "Good... good. Look, I know you guys probably don' like me, and can't say I blame you, but... look, I just want to make it clear that whatever Vince and I do, we do it 'cause Malfoy barks, and we gotta jump. Neither of us has a problem with you, Potter, and if you manage to kill a troll, we really don' wanna get on your bad side. So, err, next time Malfoy does or says somethin', can you keep that in mind?"
"What do you mean, if Malfoy barks, you gotta jump?", Hermione asked. "I thought you guys were friends with him."
Goyle's look soured. "Our families have a sort of alliance with the Malfoys", he grumbled. "The ol' Lord Malfoy managed to give ours the short end, though, so we gotta attend to Draco, whether we want to or not."
'Ah, yes, the old alliances', Tom mused. 'Can't say I'm surprised Goyle's and Crabbe's were outsmarted, braincells were always in short supply with their families... Looks like the terms may have changed since I dabbled in these things, I wonder if that was Abraxas' doing...'
'Is there some way to one-up Malfoy by stealing away his goons?', Harry asked. 'I mean, if neither Goyle nor Crabbe want to hang around him...'
'Mmph, depends on what binds them - the fact that Goyle at least is inclined to get in your good graces tells me that it can't be too binding, but we gotta be careful, lest the ferret catches on. Play nice with him for the time being, and we'll see what can be done.'
"I mean, I appreciate it, Goyle", Harry said. "And I, ah, I'll keep it in mind, but honestly, you needn't worry about me hexing you into oblivion or something like that."
Goyle shuffled a bit. "Err, better to be safe than sorry, my mum always says. Dunno how you did the troll in, but if it comes down to you and Malfoy... I won't bet against you. Plus, there's the whole thing with the Dark Lord... I just wanna make sure you know that Vince an' I aren't against you necessarily, just..." He trailed off a bit.
Harry nodded. "Like I said, I'll keep all that in mind, Goyle. And I, ah, I appreciate you coming down here."
Goyle nodded, a bit uncomfortable. "Yeah, well, figured I'd get it out the way before Malfoy ropes us into something. I, ah, I'm glad you and Granger are alright."
With that, he quickly shuffled out the Hospital Wing, leaving a slightly bemused Harry behind. 'Did I just make a friend in Slytherin?', he asked.
'Maybe not yet, but it does look like it's headed there', Tom observed. 'Might be useful to have someone around the ferret who's more afraid of you than of him...'
'You are messed up sometimes, you know that?'
Tom snorted. 'You only realize that now?'