The Fox In A Snake Pit!

Trolls and Bathrooms!~Edited November 2025

That afternoon, Hermione and Jade were noticeably absent from class, and they also skipped all their other classes that day. Draco found himself wondering where Jade had gone and what she was doing; it wasn't like her to miss classes. Draco dismissed Hermione's absence as unimportant, but Jade's absence was concerning to him because she was his best friend. He knew Jade wasn't exactly Hermione's friend, so why was she skipping classes? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry mixed with curiosity. 

~

As Draco approached the Great Hall for the Hallowe'en feast, he happened to catch a Gryffindor student telling her friend that Hermione had been crying in the girls' toilets, and Jade was comforting her. He paused, his expression thoughtful. Jade comforting Granger? That was unexpected. He filed the information away, wondering what had transpired between them. As he entered the Great Hall, he was greeted by a breathtaking view.

The walls and ceiling were adorned with a thousand live bats, their wings fluttering in a mesmerizing dance. As he looked around, he spotted another thousand bats swooping above the tables, creating dark clouds that made the candles in the pumpkins flicker wildly. Amidst this mesmerizing display, the feast appeared magically on the golden plates, filling the hall with tantalizing aromas. Draco had just started to eat a jack-o-potato when the tranquil moment was suddenly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Professor Quirrell.

The professor burst into the Great Hall, his face twisted with terror as he stumbled toward Dumbledore's high table. Struggling for breath, he managed to utter a few chilling words: "Troll—in the dungeons—thought you ought to know." Then, in a dramatic turn, he collapsed onto the floor in a faint. His sudden collapse sent a wave of shock through the Great Hall.

Students and teachers were thrown into a flurry of anxious whispers and worried looks, unsure of how to handle this unexpected crisis. Chaos erupted instantly—screams pierced the air as students scrambled from their benches, knocking over goblets and plates in their panic.

A burst of purple firecrackers exploded from Dumbledore's wand, instantly silencing the room. His authoritative voice cut through the air, capturing everyone's attention. "Prefects," he commanded, his tone steady but urgent, "Lead your respective houses back to the safety of the dormitories immediately!"

Draco rose with the other Slytherins, momentarily forgetting his earlier concerns about Jade as the crowd surged toward the exits. His eyes scanned the panicked students—still no sign of her jet-black curls or pale face among the emerald robes. A cold dread prickled his spine, but he refused to acknowledge it. Crabbe and Goyle flanked him, their usual dull expressions sharpened by alarm.

"Think it's near the common room?" Goyle muttered, his knuckles white around his wand.

"Follow along! Stick together, first years! There's no need to fear the troll if you follow my directions. Stay close to me." The Slytherin Prefect's voice cut through the clamor, cutting Draco off before he could voice his suspicion. "Make way—first years are coming through! Excuse me, I'm a Prefect," he called out, his voice strained but commanding. "Keep moving! Don't stop!"

"How in Merlin's name could a troll get in?" Draco caught someone asking as they pushed through the corridor crush. "Don't ask me—They're supposed to be really stupid," He said, his voice tight with irritation. He kept scanning the crowd, his grey-blue eyes sharp. "Maybe Peeves let it in for a Halloween prank." He was trying to sound unconcerned, but his knuckles were white where he gripped his wand.

He felt a sudden jolt when Daphne grabbed his arm tightly, her face filled with worry. "Draco," she whispered urgently, her voice barely audible above the crowd's noise. "I just remembered something—Jade!"