The Girl Who Remembers

chapter 33

It was five to three by the time we'd left the castle and started crossing the grounds to Hagrid's small wooden house. Reaching the Hut first I knocked on the door, I could hear Fang's excited barks from outside I smiled and glance of my shoulder Harry and Ronald were a bit rigid I thought I even saw Ronald jump when Fang barked once but I wasn't sure as a moment later Hagrid opened the door crack just enough to look out," back Fang!" he shouted.
I could tell my friend was struggling, "back! Get back, will you or I can't let them in!" Hagrid tried to reason with Fang, I heard another bark before Hagrid was able to open the door completely, "Come in you three!" Hagrid's smile, as friendly as ever, only faltered slightly as Fang pulled against his collar. Hagrid quickly closed the door behind Harry and Ronald before he released his hold on Fang, within seconds I was laid flat on my back with a drooling Fang on top of me. I giggled as the old dog licked my face, "Get off 'er ya bloody beast." Hagrid growled as he pulled Fang off me, I sat up laughing. Harry gave me a hand up off the floor, "S'rry Rosie, Fang's just real happy to see ya." Hagrid apologized before releasing Fang again, this time Fang sat beside an empty seat, I grinned and sat there. I started stroking his fluffy head, "It's a'right Hagrid, I missed him too," I told him, "Fang's such a good boy, aren't cha Fang?" I cooed at my canine friend.
Seeming satisfied, Fang walked over to Ronald who sat closest to the door, after a few sniffs Fang started licking his ears, tickling him and I could see both Harry and Ronald physically relax. About a minute later fang sniffed at Harry, who quickly diverted the licks to his hand rather than his face.
"This is Ron," Harry told Hagrid as the latter warmed up the water for tea.
Hagrid took a look at Ronald's hair and freckles, "Another weasley eh," he shook his head, "I've spent half me life chasing your brothers and Rosie here away from the forest." he chuckled, "seems rosie always has one of ya with 'er."
Hagrid set a plate of his tea cakes on the table, unfortunately this batch was too hard for us to eat so when he turned around I shoved one in my pocket. Fang sat between Harry and I resting his head on Harry's lap drooling all over his robes.
Ronald asked about Hagrid chasing after the twins, to which he chuckled and said, "they don't usually manage to get too far in before I catch them. Filch the old git always mentions dungeons as punishment, the foul git he is and what not," Hagrid finished with a Grumble, "and his cat too. I think she should meet Fang here if you know what I mean." he chuckled. I chuckled along, shaking my head, that cat was not one of my friends.
Hagrid asked about lessons and Harry told him about fathers class today.
" I swear Snape hates me, Hagrid I know he does." Harry said convinced it was a fact.
" rubbish harry, the only person in the school that Professor Snape likes is our Rosie here. He hardly ever likes anyone else, don't be taking it personal." Hagrid told him.
Unconvinced, Harry said, "it seemed he really hates me."
It was my turn now, "it might have felt that way Harry, but Father is just feeling conflicted right now, you'll see once he is more adjusted to you." I gave Harry a small smile and he nodded before looking at the floor and finding a newspaper.
As ye picked it up the look on his face changed, "Hagrid! The break-in, it says here it had been on the same day we visited gringotts! What if it happened while we were there?"
Hagrid stared down at his tea and grunted, feeling the atmosphere start to shift.
I drank my tea quickly before standing, "it's about time to be heading back. shall we come again, same time next Friday, Hagrid?"
Hagrid patted my head and nodded, "yes of course see you all next week. And good luck with practice, I look forward to your first match."
I gave Fang a goodbye pat then pulled one of Harry's and Ronald's sleeves to follow.
The walk back was quiet, Ronald and I exchanged worried glances at Harry. Once we returned to our common room I learned neither of them had started their potions assignment yet. As such I decided to help them until dinner, explaining how you can get different colored reactions and what they meant.
During dinner Ollie hovered over Harry and I, making sure we ate enough, it was suffocating. Luckily as the weeks went on Ollie became less of a mother hen and focused more on practice drills for Harry. I found out I miss Hermione's birthday and was terribly upset. I promised to make it up to her but she insisted I need to worry about it. I relented and told her I will prepare something amazing next year.
Between classes, training, and weekly tree with Hagrid nearly 8 weeks headphone by and it was October 31st, Halloween and the anniversary of our parents deaths. Father was always distant on this day every year and now I know why.
We woke up everyday that week to the smell of pumpkin, and today they had lots of pumpkin bread and pumpkin juice, always a favorite of mine. I was excited today. We were finally going to be trying to make things fly not just float but actually fly it. Today we were separated into pairs. Harry was with Sheamus, Neville and I were partners, and Hermione got paired up with Ronald. I could tell neither one was happy about it. Hermione had barely talked to Harry or Ronald over the last month. She was mad at them but she still talked to me all the time.
" Swish and flick, remember the wrist movements, and saying the proper phrase is very important. Professor Flitwick reminded us. We all started, it took a few tries before I managed to complete the spell but I lost concentration almost immediately when an explosion happened the next desk over. There was smoke and a birthing feather at Harry's table. Same as had managed to set his feather on fire. A moment later I heard Ronald Shout, "You do it then if you're so clever."
A few seconds later a feather was seen flying above his desk, " oh, well done!" cried professor Flitwick, clapping. "everyone see here, Miss Granger has done it!"
I clapped and went back to my feather. I successfully levitated my feather and set it down again. The rest of class I focused on controlling the feathers movements I'd managed to tickle hairy with it, distracting him while he was moving his feather. Neville had issues the whole class his feather barely even moved, at the end of class one of the ravenclaws spells misfired and sent my glasses flying breaking them. After promising to catch up with the others I stayed behind for professor Flitwick to fix them, it only took a few minutes but it nearly made me late to Minerva's class. When I got there I noticed Hermione was absent.
After class I asked Harry if he knew where she was but he shook his head. Hermione hadn't shown for History of Magic so I took notes for the both of us. There was no sign of her at lunch and I even checked the medical wing but she wasn't there, I was Beyond worried. I must have shown it because during flying lessons Draco asked me what was wrong, when I told him, " I haven't seen Hermione all day and she never skips class, I hope she's all right."
Draco scoffed, "she's just a mu-," he paused briefly, "muggle-born, I'm sure she'll turn up eventually."
" She's not a pet dray." I snapped, glaring at him.
"I know that, I just meant she's not your responsibility. So you don't have to worry so much about it." he shrugged and put distance between us.
I knew he was partially right but I had a bad feeling, and continued to look for Hermione until dinner. I had searched the whole library. I was seriously considering asking Minerva or father for help when I overheard Pavarti talking to Lavender, " Granger is in the bathroom near the dungeons, from what I understand she has been there all day."
I interrupted them, "why is she crying? Is she hurt?"
Pavarti opened her mouth to say something then glanced at something behind me then closed her mouth and looked away. I looked in the direction she had and saw Ronald standing right behind me face plastered with guilt. I glared at him, "what did you do?" I growled.
He looked taken aback, "I-I only said she's a nightmare, no wonder she hasn't got any friends." he stammered defensively.
"Ronald you Prat!" I shouted, "if she hasn't got any friends then what am I? you dolt!" I pushed past him and ran all the way to Hermione, I was out of breath by the time I reached her.
I pushed on the bathroom door and went inside, there were five sinks and five stalls with only one door being closed.
"Herms?" I called out only receiving a sniff in response, "oh, Hermione, it's me Lia. Please come on out."
"I-I don't want to, I-I want to be alone." she cried.
"please come out, i heard what Ronald said, he is such a tosser!" I told her, "after all he is totally wrong, after all we're friends."
I heard her sniff again, "at least, I think we are friends, what about you?"
I heard the door unlock, "really?"
I gave her a small smile, "of course, ever since we met on the train."
She smiled back and started crying again, I pulled her into a hug and we started laughing.
We walked over to the sink and I took a quick look at her face, nose as red as my hair and her eyes were puffy too. I retrieved my handkerchief and after soaking it in cool water for a second I dabbed Hermione's eyes.
Sighing, I said, "this should help with the swelling a bit." Hermione nodded, and our stomachs growled at the same time.
I smiled and asked, "ready for the Halloween feast? You did miss lunch after all." she nodded slowly, brows narrowed.
I noticed, "Don't worry if Ronald tries to start anything I'll break his nose," I grinned as I leaned against the sink finally getting a real smile from her.
"I'll get my bag." Hermione ran back to the stall, I turned to look in the mirror, seeing my messy hair I reached for the handle when a horrid smell assaulted my nose. I quickly covered my nose and started searching for the smell when Hermione suddenly screamed. I quickly turned around and found that the source of the smell, a mountain troll, had entered the bathroom.
Hermione quickly ran back inside her stall and locked the door, well I pressed myself against the wall. However the troll's attention was focused on Hermione, as it swung its large Club I yelled, "Hermione get down!" and the troll knocked over the stall Hermione was in in the one next to it, some of the wooden pieces flew my way. I felt helpless and angry, so I picked up some of the pieces of wood and threw them at the troll. He didn't even notice it. Just then the bathroom door swung open, Harry and Ronald appeared as the troll swung, knocking over the rest of the stalls, Hermione screamed terrified. I continued throwing every piece of wood I could reach, Harry did the same. The troll saw Harry and turned towards him, I yelled, "Hermione move!" gaining the trolls attention, I stared at it as Hermione crawled to me. Something hit the troll hard and I heard Ronald yell, "Hey, Pea-brain!" This confused the troll enough for Harry to run past it grabbing both Hermione and my hands trying to pull us. Unfortunately my klutziness kicked in and I lost footing on a piece of wood knocking Hermione and myself on to the floor. I heard the troll roar, I looked up and watched the scene in front of me in horror.
The troll was advancing on Ronald who had backed up into a corner. I watched as the troll swung its club behind itself and as Harry ran, wand out, then he jumped on the club. It seemed as if the troll hesitated giving Harry the chance to jump on the troll's head. The troll howled and stomped around as it turned, I saw what looked like his wand in the troll's nose. The troll twisted, making failed attempts to grab Harry off it, breaking sinks in its rampage. As pieces flew at us I covered Hermione, when I looked up again Ronald had his wand out, he shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The troll's club suddenly flew out of its hands, causing the troll to stop, confused as it watched the club rise far above its head. The club stopped and dropped hitting the troll's head, as it stumbled, Harry jumped off its back, and we watched as the troll fell. Harry moved first, he stared at the troll while I hugged Hermione then she asked, "is it dead?"
"I don't think so," said Harry, "I think it's just been knocked out." Harry walked around the troll and pulled his wand out of its nose. It was covered in a thick gray liquid, "ugh- troll boogies," he groaned and wiped his wand on his cloak.
Suddenly Minerva ran into the room, followed by father and professor Quirrell. As soon as Quirrell saw the troll he looked as if he'd faint, he sat on the toilet Hermione had been using earlier to cry. Father bent over the troll examining its condition, I wasn't even sure Minerva had seen Hermione or I as she was glaring angrily at Ronald and Harry.
"What were you thinking of?" she said with a cold Fury in her voice, I could tell she was angry but I knew she was worried too.
Harry glanced at Ron who was still holding his wand in the air. "you're lucky you weren't hurt. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Harry stared at the floor hand clenched around his wand.
I suddenly felt a hand tap my arm and Hermione spoke up, "please Professor McGonagall, they were looking for me." as I removed my arm Hermione stood and walked towards Minerva, I stood and followed her.
"Miss Granger!" Minerva exclaimed, surprised. Then she saw me, her eyes went wide before returning to Hermione as she talked.
" I went looking for the troll because I I thought I could deal with it on my own, you know because I've read about them." Hermione explained.
Ron dropped his wand, he was as surprised as I was, Hermione Granger lying to a teacher. I'd never imagined it.
Hermione continued, "if they hadn't found me I'd be dead now. Lia distracted it and shielded me, Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."
Minerva looked between the four of us and sighed, " well- in that case Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"
Hermione hung her head, I understood why Hermione lied. I looked over at Harry and Ron, their faces said everything.
" Miss Granger, Five Points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," said Minerva. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you are unharmed, you'd better get off to Gryffindor Tower, students are finishing the feast in their houses." Hermione nodded and left quickly.
Minerva eyed the three of us carefully, " well, I still say you were lucky, but not many First Years could have taken on a full grown Mountain troll. You each earn five Points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."
Ronald and Harry hurried out of the chamber, while I walked around the troll to where Quirrell was sitting and picked up Hermione's bag, then I ran after Harry and Ronald. I caught up to them on the stairs, after we had gone a few floors Ronald grumbled, "we should have gotten more than fifteen points."
"Ten, you mean, once she's taken off Hermione's that is." Harry corrected Ronald.
" It was good of her to get us out of trouble like that," Ron admitted, "mind you we did save her."
" she might not have needed saving if we hadn't knocked that thing in there with them." Harry reminded him.
"you what?" I screeched.
" It wasn't on purpose we didn't realize you girls are in there." Ron tried to explain.
" and we wouldn't have been in there if you weren't such a Prat Ronald Weasley!" I growled, to which he nodded, surprising me, as we reached the portrait.
"pig snot," Harry said, then we entered.
The common room was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating except Hermione, who stood alone by the portrait waiting for us. There was an embarrassing pause and we all said thanks then Hermione told me to get plates.
After that Hermione became friends with Ronald and Harry. We all get along well, there is just something that you can't share without ending up liking each other and apparently knocking out a twelve foot troll was one of those things.
Unfortunately the next day father was still quite cross with me after that instant, after potions class he made me stay over and lectured me for an hour straight. When I noticed he was limping he growled about not interrupting him again. After that we didn't have much time together outside of classes, father was always busy with one thing or another and I was busy helping Harry train for our first game.