Rowan Haywood

Book 1: Chapter 12 - Friends

A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the four of us look up. We hadn't realized what a racket they had been making, but of course, someone downstairs must have heard the crashes and the troll's roars(what did I do to the Gods and Goddesses for this?). A moment later, Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Hasn't he defeated a troll before." I wondered before snapping out of it.

Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron, Harry, and I. I had never seen her look so angry. Her lips were white. Hopes of winning fifty points for Gryffindor faded quickly from my mind, replaced by dread.
　　
"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. I looked at and Harry looked at Ron, who was still standing with his wand in the air. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"

Snape was about to give Harry a swift, piercing look when he saw me and remembered the discussion we had the other day. Harry looked at the floor while I stared at the teachers straight in the eyes.

Then a small voice came out of the shadows.

"Please, Professor McGonagall -- they were looking for me."
Miss Granger!"
　　
Hermione had managed to get to her feet at last.
　　
I went looking for the troll because I -- I thought I could deal with it on my own -- you know, because I've read all about them."
　　
Ron dropped his wand.

"Hermione Granger, telling a downright lie to a teacher?" Is what he's probably thinking righ now.

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club while Rowan blinded it. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."
　　
Harry and Ron tried to look as though this story wasn't new to them. I tried to say something but when I saw Hermione glaring at me, I stopped immediately.
　　
"Well -- in that case..." said Professor McGonagall, staring at the three of them, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"
　　
Hermione hung her head. Harry and Ron was speechless. "Hermione was the last person to do anything against the rules, and here she was, pretending she had, to get them out of trouble. It was as if Snape had started handing out sweets." is what the two of them thought but I didn't care. I just didn't want her to get in trouble, but if it's what she wants, then it's her choice.
　　
"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."

Hermione left. I wanted to go after her to ask her why, but Professor McGonagall was blocking the door.
　　
Professor McGonagall turned to me, Harry, and Ron.
　　
"Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. You each win Gryffindor five points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."
　　
We hurried out of the chamber and didn't speak at all until we had climbed two floors up. It was a relief to be away from the smell of the troll, quite apart from anything else.
　　
"We should have gotten more than fifteen points," Ron grumbled.
　　
"Ten, you mean, once she's taken off Hermione's."

"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 locked the thing in with her," Harry reminded him.
　　
We had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
　　
"Pig snout," Ron said and we entered.
　　
The common room was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up. Hermione, however, stood alone by the door, waiting for us. There was a very embarrassed pause. Then, none of them looking at each other, they all said "Thanks," and hurried off to get plates while I casually waved while grabbing a plate because I was as hungry as a bear after all that excitement.
　　
Although I didn't know it then, but from that moment on, Hermione became their friend. I there are just some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.

I smiled, giving Lasair a strip of bacon. I know that Hermione doesn't have many friends because she's sometimes an know-it-all, but I know that deep inside her heart, she wanted to have friends who can support her. I looked over at Edith and I see her playing Exploding Snap with a fear, stressed because she's lost five times in a row.

"Hey! Can I join?" I asked.

"Yeah, come and help me beat Sakura." Edith yelled at me.

"OK, OK." I ran over.

"Ha! I win!" Edith boasted.
"You needed help." Tina pointed at me.
"I just gave her advice, it was nothing." I brushed it off.
"Let's go again! Me against you."
"Fine, but only one more time."

"I win."
"No it's not. One more time!" Tina insisted.
"No, and it's almost time for me to sleep."
"...Next time, let's play Wizard Chess..."
"OK, later." I left, Edith following me.
".....You know, your going to give her the wrong impression if you keep acting like that...."
"Like what?" I asked, confused.
"You know what, nevermind. If you get letters from every female at Hogwarts, don't blame me."
'Alright. Wait a second.....WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?!?!?"