Pandora Malfoy and the Philosopher's Stone

Chapter Thirty-Two: Friends and Theories

Harry got to his feet, shaking and out of breath. Ron was standing there with his wand still raised, staring at what he'd just done.

"Nice one, Ron," I said, giving him a slight smile. "And you, Harry."

"Is it — dead?" Hermione asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't think so," Harry said. "I think it's just been knocked out."

He bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll's nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy grey glue.

"Urgh — troll bogies," he said, wiping it on the troll's trousers.

The sudden sound of a slamming door and footsteps made the four of us look up. I hadn't realised what a racket we'd been making, but of course, someone downstairs must've heard the crashes and the troll's roars. A moment later, Professor McGonagall came 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.

Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at Harry, Ron, and me, angrier than I'd ever seen her before. Her lips were thin and white. I bowed my head slightly, trembling, as she she spoke.

"What on earth were you thinking of?" she demanded, with cold fury in her voice. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your common room?"

I tried to formulate a response that wouldn't lead to punishment, but all my brain could come up with was 'it's my fault' and 'I'm sorry'.

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, and I glanced up in surprise. Hermione Granger, telling an outright lie to a professor?

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Pandora tried to get me out, while Harry stuck his wand up its nose, and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and get anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."

That much, at least, was true.

"Well, in that case..." Professor McGonagall said, staring at the four of us. "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"

Hermione hung her head. I was speechless. Hermione was the last person to do anything against the rules, and here she was, pretending she had, to get not only me, but also Harry and Ron out of trouble. It was as if my father had told me he loved me.

"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," Professor McGonagall said. "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 common rooms."

Hermione nodded, and left without saying another word. Professor McGonagall turned to Harry, Ron, and me.

"Well, I still think you were lucky, but not many students 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'd climbed two floors up. It was a relief to be away from the stench of the troll, quite apart from anything else.