Agathokakological

The Swish and Flick

First Year

Chapter Fourteen

AFTER SWIFTLY 'LEVITATING' CRABBE'S PANTS DOWN RESULTING IN LEAVING HIM IN HIS UNDERWEAR, and earning herself detention on a Saturday morning to her dismay, Ariadne joined Hermione, who was waiting for her at the entrance.

''What happened with Crabbe?'' Hermione chuckled at what she and the rest of the class had witnessed. ''He said that I was a blunderbuss of nightmares. And then I simply demonstrated today's spell.'' Ariadne said, looking all proud.

''And got yourself in detention on a Saturday." Ariadne's smile dropped, and she glared at Hermione, who was laughing at her.

''It's Levi-o-osa, not Leviosar.'' Ron, who was walking in front of the girls along with Harry and other fellow Gryffindors. ''She's a nightmare, honestly. No wonder she hasn't got any friends.''

Ariadne turned to Hermione, who had quickened her steps, and knocked into Ron, hurrying past him. Ariadne could clearly hear her sniffling.

The boys stopped in their tracks, and Harry said. ''I think she heard you.''

''You think!'' Ariadne hissed. ''That was not nice, Ron.'' Ariadne quickly pulled out her wand, making Ron's eyes widen. ''Wingardium Leviosa.'' Suddenly Ron's books flew up in the air and scattered on the ground. Ariadne turned around and ran after Hermione.

''Hermione! Hermione!'' the crying girl turned around. ''I want to be alone.''

''Alright.'' Ariadne mumbled as she saw her crying friends disappear in the crowd.

Dinner was closing, and Ariadne entered the Great Hall along with Daphne and Tracey. She scanned the Gryffindor table for Hermione, who was nowhere to be seen, but overheard two Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown say that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom.

Ariadne didn't have much of an appetite and was listening to her fellow Slytherin's conversations, until they were interrupted by a pale Professor Quirrell sprinting into the hall. ''Troll in the dungeon! Troll in the dungeon!'' He reached in front of Professor Dumbledore. ''Thought you ought to know.'' he said and sank to the floor in a dead faint.

''Prefects,'' Dumbledore ordered, ''lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!''

Ariadne followed her prefects but then turned to the way leading to the girl's bathroom, she was soon accompanied by Harry and Ron, who were also worried about Hermione.

They hurried off towards the girls' toilets, and just when they had turned the corner, they smelled a foul stench; a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean. Then they heard a low grunting and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. They looked at the end of the passage and saw huge men moving towards them, holding a huge wooden club.

The troll stopped next to a doorway and peered inside. It waggled its long ears, making up its tiny mind, then slouched slowly into the room. ''The key is in the lock,'' Harry muttered. ''We could lock it in.''

''Good idea,'' said Ron nervously. ''No, you gits! That's the girl's bathroom!'' Ariadne hissed and ran inside.

Hermione was shrinking against the wall opposite, looking as if she was about to faint. The troll was advancing on her, knocking the sinks off the walls as it went. ''Help!''

''Confuse it!'' Harry desperately yelled. Ron seized a tap and threw it as hard as he could against the wall, gaining the trolls attention. Its eyed darted to Harry then went after him instead, lifting his club.