A Different Halloween
Devlin decided to leave it alone for now. He didn't have enough knowledge or influence to make a difference he feels. Besides, the golden trio formation was a necessary connection that was needed to be made in order to conquer what is to come. He decided his priority first is to make sure that he can protect himself and those close to him. He is not a hero to the world, and he has overpowered strength to conquer everything. The best he can do is train himself.
Two months have passed and Devlin was getting use to life at Hogwarts. He's gotten close to Stan and Ernie as roommates. He also has became close to Esme from Slytherin. Due to her conflicts with Malfoy, she hasn't made too many close connections with her fellow Slytherin housemates and somehow stays in company with Devlin. Devlin has spoken with Ron, Harry and Hermione every now and then, but due to the difference in schedule, they don't see each other much besides in the joint classes. As expected, at this stage, Hermione is still not getting along with Ron and Harry as every now and then he sees them bickering in the halls.
Spells were starting to become more familiar and theoretical knowledge is starting to become more actionable. Devlin was now sitting at his desk staring at a match.
Devlin waved his wand and tapped the match and the match turned into a long silver needle.
"Well done Devlin. Points for Hufflepuff." Professor McGonagall said. "Esme! Please do not try to light the match on fire and transfigure it already!" The class giggled a little at the panic of Professor McGonagall.
Class had ended and Devlin was walking about with Esme and Stan towards the Great Hall for the Halloween feast. The tables were filled with Halloween themed food with pumpkins decorating the halls and black magical clouds floating about in the ceiling.
"Any news about the dueling club?" Devlin asked. He noticed Esme speaking to Professor Flitwick in a pleading voice after every charms class but always looks upset afterwards.
"Nope! He said first years like us aren't ready for something like a dueling club. If one were to start, it'd have to be 2nd years and above!" Esme complained. "How can that be? I'm confident I can defeat any 2nd year student right now!"
Devlin laughed. "He has a point. I mean, most of the class just learned how to levitate a feather and we have yet to learn a new spell in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"That's what is so frustrating! I mean come on Professor Quirrell..Show us something! Stop talking about how you rescued some person from zombies!"
Professor Quirrell then came sprinting into the hall with a frightened look on his face. Everyone stared at him as he reaches Professor Dumbledore's chair and gasped, "Troll...in the dungeons...thought you ought to know."
He fainted on the floor. Students caused an uproar and panic rose in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore then stood up and waved his wand. Purple firecrackers exploded in the air which caught the attention of everyone in the hall as everyone became silent and turned their attention to him.
"Prefects, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!" Professor Dumbledore ordered. He turned around and spoke something inaudible to Devlin to the teachers and started rushing towards the dungeon.
"Hufflepuff this way!" Gabriel Truman stood up and caught the attention of the Hufflepuff students and started leaving the Great Hall.
"I'll be on my way with my house. Take care of yourself!" Esme patted Devlin and Stan on their shoulders getting ready to go.
"You too.." Devlin said and Stan nodded beside him. Devlin started to look for Ron and Harry as it was about that time they sneaked off.
"Wait!" Esme this time grabbed onto Devlin's sleeve. "What are they up to?" Esme pointed in one direction and noticed Harry Potter and Ron Weasley sneaking off to a deserted side corridor.
"That...I don't know." Devlin pretended not to know as they stared at the duo as they snuck off.
"That's suspicious..." Esme then smiled. "Lets go follow!" Excited for an adventure, Esme gestured to Devlin and Stan to follow.
Devlin hesitated but then decided. "Okay..Stan, stay here and cover for me just in case. I'd ask you to come with me, but it's better to sneak around in smaller numbers." Devlin turned to Stan. Stan nodded.
"Okay! Let's be careful and not get caught." Esme and Devlin went and snuck off following in the direction of Harry and Ron.
"Where are you guys going?" A familiar voice spoke and it was Ernie lined up with other students.
"Sorry Ernie! Cover for me! Stan will fill you in." Devlin said as the duo went ahead and snuck away before Ernie could respond. They then turned the corner towards the empty corridor close to the stairs. Devlin then heard some footsteps and gestured to Esme to stop.
"Shhh...footsteps.." Devlin and Esme hugged the corner of the wall so as to not to be seen. The footsteps then were heard as it was walking up the stairs. Devlin took a peek and as expected, it was Professor Snape headed to the third floor.
"Okay phew.." Devlin said after verifying that it is clear.
"That was Professor Snape." Esme said. "What's he doing going to the third floor when everyone is headed to the dungeons?"
"I don't know." Devlin bluffed. "But lets go look for Harry and Ron." Devlin and Esme walked slowly and silently so as to not get caught while looking around for their Gryffindor friends. Devlin continued to lead Esme as they walked towards what he remembered was the location of the female restroom. A crash and screaming was heard in that direction.
"What was that?" Esme grabbed Devlin. "It's coming from around the corner there!" Esme pointed towards the women's restroom. As they turned the corner and ran down the hall towards the restroom, they heard a loud thump.
Devlin and Esme entered the restroom only to find Harry exhausted on his feet and Ron standing there with his wand still raised and an unconscious troll with a wand up its nose.
"Is it..dead?" Hermione not noticing Devlin and Esme entering the restroom.
"I don't think so..." An exhausted Harry said. Devlin and Esme walked towards the unconscious troll then all of a sudden a loud bang was heard as the bathroom door was destroyed as a club came through.
"Another..one???" Devlin panicked. This was not what was supposed to happen. The troll roared in anger towards the students and swung its club towards Devlin and Esme who were closest to it.
"MOVE!" Devlin grabbed Esme and they both ducked out of the way. The troll roared in anger, turned and swung it's club toward Esme and Devlin. Harry and Ron moved toward the corner of the room where Hermione was out of range of the second troll.
"Wingardium Leviousa!" Esme gestured as shards of the damaged sink from the floor flew up towards the Trolls face which cause it to flinch and caused it's swing to miss banging against the bathroom wall. Slightly stunned, the troll started shaking its head wiping his eyes making sure nothing got stuck in it.
"Through there!" Devlin saw an opening. "We need to run!" Devlin screamed as he gestured at the gap between the troll and the exit. Esme went ahead and ran through first and Devlin followed. The troll noticed them escaping, turned and swung it's club towards the escaping duo.
"Watch out!" Hermione screamed from the corner of the restroom.
Devlin caught on and noticed the swing. He then glanced at Esme who was in front of him. "This is going to hurt!" Devlin pushed Esme forward to get her further away from him and then faced the swinging club head on positioning his hands in front of the club.
Devlin didn't chant anything but he tried to force the club back using the levitation spell hoping to either repel the blow or at least redirect it but it only resulted in slightly slowing down the swing. Devlin felt the crushing blow against his arms and the force pushed him back towards Esme resulting in both of them crashing to the floor.
Devlin screamed in pain as he looked as he grabbed his wrist.
"Devlin!" Esme screamed who was protected by being pushed forward by Devlin.
Devlin shaking in pain. "R..run..get a teacher!" Sweat and tears were running down his face. Never has he experienced this kind of fear and pain in his life.
Esme stood up with anger ignoring Devlin's warning, "You bastard! You'll pay!"
Hermione, Harry and Ron peaked out the bathroom shocked to see what was happening.
"Expelliarmus!" Esme waved her wand causing the troll to lose its club. Esme grinned at her success as she then followed up gesturing another motion for a spell. "STUPEFY!" Esme screamed as a white glowing force flew from her wand towards the Troll. But this had no effect on the troll and only angered the troll as it threw a slapping motion towards Esme.
"ESME!" The golden trio screamed. But it was too late, Esme curled up in defensive pose and got hit full body as the giant hand of the troll smacked Esme as she flew down the hall. Esme screamed in pain as she then slowly passed out on the ground.
The troll started stomping towards the unconscious Esme, ready to finish its job.
"STOP!" The troll turned, seeing Devlin, struggling to stay up, he stood in anger with both of his arms hanging in front of him. "I'm right here!"
"Devlin!" Hermione, Harry and Ron yelled as they stood by him supporting him.
The troll started walking towards Devlin and the group. Ron quickly looked around.
"The club! I'll try and smack this one too." Ron looked around for the club but couldn't find it.
"Ron..." Harry said, staring in the air. Hermione who stood closest to Devlin supporting him noticed it as well. The troll's club was floating in the air next to them. Noticing the surprised look on Ron and Harry, Hermione noticed Devlin's angry look towards the Troll.
Sweat was rolling down his forehead, and frustration and anger can be seen through his eyes.
"LEAVE US ALONE!" Devlin screamed as the club flew towards the troll. The troll stood in shock as it stood still. The club flew violently towards the troll but misses the troll as it flies by it's head.
"N...noo.." Devlin tilts over losing consciousness. Harry and Hermione reacted quickly and caught his body, preventing him from slamming to the floor.
"What do we do now?" Ron whimpers as the trio stare at the troll in fear. The troll continued to walk towards the group.
"Confringo!" A voice was heard from afar. A blast explodes by the Troll's head as it falls instantly on the ground with its charred head crashing on the floor.
"Professor McGonagall!" The golden trio screamed as Professor McGonagall approached the students followed by Snape, and Quirrell from behind.
"Please, Professor McGonagall, help them!" Hermione screamed.
***
"Devlin! wake up!" A familiar voice was heard. Devlin opened his eyes, seeing his sister Kate with a worried look and puffy eyes looking at him. Behind her were the golden trio and Professor Sprout.
"Kate...everyone.." Devlin looked at everyone. "Esme! is she..."
"She's fine." Professor Sprout said. "She's over there healthy and getting a lecture." Devlin peaked across the room seeing Esme smiling energetically scratching her head while Professor Snape is giving her an earful with Professor McGonagall by him.
Devlin sighed in relief. "Thank God.." Devlin in relaxed mode noticed that he is no longer in pain. It looks like his wrist has been healed easily.
"THANK GOD NOTHING!" Kate screamed. "What the hell were you thinking? A troll? You faced off against a troll!???" Kate started pinching and punching Devlin in frustration.
"Devlin, I'm sorry!" Hermione said. "We would've been dead if you haven't been there. We already explained what happened and why you didn't have time to fetch anyone."
"Yea Dev, thanks for saving us." Ron also followed up.
"Thanks Devlin." Harry replied as well.
"Okay you three, Go report to Professor McGonagall now. I will take it from here." Professor Sprout said dismissing the three Gryffindor kids.
"Devlin Delwyn, that must've been the most stupid, irresponsible thing you could have possibly done! What were you thinking!? You are only a first year..." The lecture went on as Kate was nodding her head in agreement.
Devlin got lost in thought while he was being lectured. He needed to better evaluate the situation. The butterfly effect is happening. Or possibly because this is more like a real world, the story isn't totally reliable. A decision needs to be made.
"That said, Mister Delwyn! I'll be taking away 5 points for your stupidity!" Professor Sprout announced. "But 5 Points for taking on a full-grown mountain troll. And 10 points for protecting your friends. Now, rest up, Students are finishing the feast in their houses. I will ask someone to bring you some food." Professor Sprout and Kate left.
Devlin took a look at Esme who was giving an embarrassed smile towards Professor Snape as he continued to lecture her. She noticed his stare and looked back at Devlin and gave him a wink, gesturing that she'll be alright.
Devlin smiled and relaxed on his bed thinking of the events that occurred. What a hectic Halloween that was.