As Snape strode away, Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and stepped in front of Harry and the other two.
"Based on the facts I have observed—"
Her sharp gaze fixed on the trio. "You three first-year students actually believed you could deal with a troll—something even a fully trained adult wizard would find difficult?"
"This is the worst, most unforgivable display of arrogance and recklessness!"
At those words, Hermione snapped her head up. Her eyes were red, tears shimmering as she trembled uncontrollably.
"Professor McGonagall, I don't want to be expelled!"
Ron stared at her in disbelief. Wait—that was the worst thing she could think of?
McGonagall paused, realizing her stern tone might have led Hermione to that conclusion. Her expression softened slightly, though her voice remained firm.
"Miss Granger, you are one of the brightest young witches I have ever taught. I expected better judgment from you."
To her surprise, Hermione began shaking even harder.
"Your curiosity not only put you in danger, but indirectly endangered your fellow students as well. Gryffindor will lose thirty points."
Hermione, who'd been bracing herself for expulsion with her eyes shut, froze. She looked up at McGonagall in shock.
Seeing that McGonagall's expression hadn't changed, Hermione finally realized that was the full extent of the punishment. She immediately blurted out, "Thank you, Professor!"
Several professors who were cleaning up the troll paused and looked over. It was the first time they'd ever seen a student thank a professor for losing House points.
Assuming Hermione was simply shaken by the ordeal, McGonagall turned to the boys.
"Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley. After discovering the situation, you failed to notify a professor and instead chose to confront it yourselves—placing both yourselves and your classmate in even greater danger."
"For that reason—each of you will lose fifteen points."
"But…" McGonagall continued, looking at all three of them, "for the bravery you showed and the loyalty you displayed toward one another, Gryffindor will be awarded twenty points."
Harry and Ron lit up with disbelief and relief, though when they noticed McGonagall still watching them, they quickly lowered their heads again.
"Now, all three of you will report to the hospital wing."
Noting the grime on their clothes and the stone cuts on their faces, McGonagall's tone finally eased.
"I'll take them," Professor Flitwick said, having just finished dealing with the unconscious troll. "Come along, my dears."
"Thank you," McGonagall replied with a small nod. She still needed to stay behind and deal with the aftermath.
When everyone had left the wrecked bathroom, McGonagall lingered at the doorway alone, her gaze resting briefly on the stone that had struck the troll.
She said nothing—only shook her head slightly before beginning to clean up.
---
Madam Pomfrey examined Hermione, Harry, and Ron carefully and concluded that they'd suffered only minor scrapes. After applying some healing potion, she sent them on their way.
Rock made his way calmly back to the entrance of Ravenclaw Tower. Just as he was about to answer the riddle, the door swung open on its own.
Penelope and another male prefect stepped out.
The moment Penelope saw Rock, she rushed forward and inspected him from head to toe. Only after confirming he wasn't hurt did she relax.
"Rock! Where on earth have you been?!"
There was a hint of anger in her voice—after all, she hadn't seen Rock in the Great Hall, and when Theo and Adam said he'd gone to the library to look for a notebook, she'd been completely stunned.
But as a prefect, she had to escort students back safely, leaving her no choice but to abandon the search for him.
"I'm sorry, Penelope… and sorry to you too," Rock said, glancing at the other prefect. "I went to the library to grab my notes and came straight back."
He lifted the notebook in his hand as proof. With his bag on him, pulling one out was easy.
As Penelope was about to say more, the male prefect interrupted, "Alright, Penelope. He's back safe. Let's let him in—we still have to report to the Headmaster's office."
Reluctantly, Penelope agreed.
"Thank you!" Rock said quickly, then slipped through the door at once.
"Kids these days…" Penelope muttered, shaking her head.
The male prefect chuckled. "Doesn't that just prove Rock's a true Ravenclaw?"
Penelope had no response. Honestly, if it were her, she probably would've gone looking for her notebook first too.
---
"Hey, man! You're finally back!"
Theo and Adam, who'd been pacing nervously around the dorm, rushed over and wrapped Rock in a tight hug the moment he entered.
Rock was jostled back and forth until they finally calmed down. He patted their backs, signaling them to let go.
"So," Theo said, not letting him off the hook, "how did it go?"
"Eh, not bad. I got there just in time to run into Hermione and the others—and the troll," Rock said with a helpless shrug.
"What?!"
Theo and Adam stared at him, then immediately bombarded him with questions.
With a sigh, Rock sat cross-legged on the carpet and told them everything. As he talked, Theo and Adam gasped repeatedly, completely absorbed.
"I used to think Harry Potter was just… average," Theo admitted. "But hearing this? He seems like someone worth being friends with."
Rock didn't comment. He'd always known Theo viewed Harry differently from most people.
Adam shook his head. "Did you not hear what Rock said? I actually respect all three of them. That was seriously dangerous—and they still went through with it."
Rock shrugged, starting to stand up—
Only to be pushed back down by both of them.
"What?" Rock asked, confused.
"Story time's over," Theo said, staring straight at him. "Now it's the real business."
"Exactly," Adam agreed with a nod.
"Real business?" Rock blinked. "I mean… I only really did one thing tonight."
"When did you learn the Disillusionment Charm?" Adam asked eagerly.
"And are you sneaking out every night?" Theo added, wearing a smug I-know-everything expression.