Halloween Cat

The time passed slowly as the day of Halloween arrived. Agustus sat with Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis on his left side, while his friends occupied their respective house tables. The whole Great Hall was decorated spookily, and ghosts wandered freely, scaring students.

Daphne Greengrass who is usually cold was glaring at her best friend for some reason, the later though was smiling and enjoying Daphne's display of emotions.

The atmosphere was one of celebration, with students enjoying the festivities until Professor Quirrell burst through the door, running as if his life depended on it. He fell between the tables and gasped, "Troll in the dungeon, thought you ought to know," before losing consciousness.

Agustus smiled at Quirrell's Oscar-worthy acting, while students looked horrified and began to panic, he had already expected this to happen and was very excited to see Quirrell's act.

Dumbledore stood up from his seat and commanded, "Silence! Prefects, take the students to their common rooms. Professors, follow me to the dungeon."

Hearing Dumbledore's orders, Agustus couldn't help but sigh at the stupidity of the situation. He stood up and remarked, "But the Slytherin common room is in the dungeon. Is it safe for students to go there?"

Everyone stopped and looked at him, and Dumbledore hastily praised him, "50 points to Slytherin for Mr. Peverell's quick thinking. Slytherin students, remain here. Prefects, take care of them. The rest, go to your common rooms."

---

[Hermione Granger's POV]

Why did it have to come to this? Am I going to die here?

Everything was going well. Nobody was disturbing me from reading. I was minding my own business until Weasley decided that I was the one who told McGonagall that he cheated in his essay. Is he that dumb to think he could deceive her with that essay? Well, after that, he confronted me and said some things that everyone tells me when they get jealous of me. I have no friends, and I'm an insufferable teacher's pet.

I know he was in the wrong, and he's a burden to his own family. With an attitude like that, he won't even get better at anything and would remain a disgrace that he is, quite harsh I know, he deserves it. But his words still strike my insecurity. I didn't wanted to cry in front of him so I ran here.

As I looked at the troll who was about to hit me, tears poured down my face as I accepted what was coming. I can't do anything about this. I'm powerless.

Magic. I was so excited to learn this. When Professor McGonagall came to my house, I was ecstatic to find out about magic. Maybe I would find people like me who like to learn stuff, talk about magic, and explore. But all I got was the same stupid stuff: gossip about girls' hair color, who likes who, etc.

I keep telling myself I'm 11; I would find out about everything eventually. I will make friends and good memories with them. But who am I kidding? No one wants to be friends with me, not even my roommates.

---

[Agustus's POV]

I looked at the little girl in front of me who was motionless in front of the incoming strike. She looked so fragile, the same girl who was going to be the strongest Minister of Magic in the future and would change the fate of an entire race of creatures, was crying her heart out, and it hurt to watch her like this.

I never cared about canon and stuff. All I wanted was to live life with my loved ones to the fullest. But in this process, I did hurt a few innocent people. I wouldn't change that as I am not someone who would think of others before acting, I'm quite selfish. All I can do is make them happier.

Hermione Granger was supposed to make friends with Ron Weasley, who was now more insecure than ever. Harry Potter, who now has a godfather and less depressed.

The three of them were the golden trio, who would cause the downfall of the second attempt of Voldemort to capture Britain's wizarding world.

But here we are. Harry and Ron didn't come to save Hermione; they couldn't care less about her as she is not that important person in their life.

I stopped time and slowly walked in front of her and erased the troll out of existence, then resumed the time.

I looked at her head as she waited to be hit. She waited for 2-3 seconds, her balled fists were shivering. She opened her eyes but still couldn't look up.

---

[Hermione Granger's POV]

I felt a hand on my head. Wait, only one person had patted me like this.

I looked up and saw my senior, Agustus Peverell, patting my head.

He smiled at me, and I couldn't take it anymore. I hugged him and cried.

He just continued patting me, and I didn't want him to stop.

After a few minutes, I calmed down and stopped hugging him, but his hand remained on my head.

Trying to regain my composure and erase my embarrassment, I said, "You can remove your hand now. I'm fine."

He smiled and replied, "Don't wanna. I like patting my cat."

I glared at him and retorted, "Who's your cat?"

I attempted to remove his hand, but he was too strong; I couldn't even budge it. He laughed at my attempts.

"How are you so strong?" I asked him.

"I exercise. Are you getting dumber after coming to Hogwarts?" he teased.

Once again, I glared at him as we continued our banter. Just then, Professor McGonagall and Snape, along with Headmaster Dumbledore, arrived at the dungeon.

Professor McGonagall looked at us and inquired, "What are you two doing here? And Mr. Peverell, you were at the Great Hall. How did you arrive here before us?"

I glanced at them and remembered that I was just about to die. His presence and actions had calmed me. I appreciated his presence and the foolish banter, but I wasn't about to admit that.

"I believe Professor Quirrell got everything wrong. Maybe he was trying to scare the students for Halloween, but there is no troll in the dungeon," I explained.

"But—" I couldn't complete my sentence as I looked around and saw all the damage caused by the troll fixed, as if nothing had happened.

I looked at him, and he winked at me smugly. Even the professors were now suspiciously looking at me. What do I say? I seriously don't like him.

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Sup! Next chapter on 15-16.

And I found out that I don't really like concerts.