17 Chapter 15: Troll Attack

Trolls were described in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as "ugly, smelly, and dumb beyond belief", yet they were still designated as an XXXX rated magical beast. What made them so dangerous despite their missing brain and hideous, grotesque looks, was their unbelievable strength. Trolls were roughly twelve feet tall on average, bulky, and yet still stronger than they looked. 

Trolls were actually one of the only known magical beasts to strengthen their bodies with magic. It is unknown how they do this, but they are able to nearly contend with the likes of dragons and nundus when it comes to strength. Of course, they would still be killed with ease by such strong creatures, but it spoke of their power. 

Another reason was their incredibly magic resistant hides. In fact, they were only second to dragons and basilisks when it came to resistance. The go-to strategy for troll hunters was to conjure/levitate sharp objects, and then banish them into the troll's body. They were still resistant to blunt and penetrating damage but it wasn't nearly as strong as their magic resistance. 

Knowing all that, it made sense to simply take some of the weapons from the suits of armor nearby, levitate them, and then banish them at the trolls' vitals. Of course, wizards weren't known for their common sense. 

Over 15 wizards and witches decided to stand tall and fight, the number surprising me. Most of the defenders were from the older grades, fifth through sixth, but there was the occasional third or fourth year with their wand drawn in defiance. 

As the troll turned the corner, a glutinous grin gracing his ugly face and tree club at his side, tens of spells were launched from the students. Incantations were cried out as a rainbow of magical power was launched at the creature. Among the spells there were some I recognized, such as stupify, expelliarmus, impedimenta, and more, yet there were many I didn't recognize. 

As they hit the troll in a bright flash the younger students sat in awe of what magic could achieve. Truly, fifteen wizards and witches all casting offensive spells at once was a sight to behold. Yet, once the light dimmed down the troll was revealed to be unharmed. Triumphant grins turned into horror as the most powerful offense the students could muster was shaken off like a bug. 

The troll let out a menacing, almost perverted laugh as he noticed our fear. Suddenly the troll launched at the group with a speed that seemed impossible for his size. Before I could even react and draw my wand, he had reached the front line of students. 

Raising its club high, the troll swung it in a wide arc headed straight for the Head Boy. He managed to just barely conjure a shield in front of him before the club managed to turn him into a fine paste. The shield was shattered on impact, yet the club was stopped. The nameless Head Boy collapsed onto his knees, exhausted from the desperate spell. He had put everything he had into the one spell, and yet it barely stopped the troll. 

The troll looked at his club confusedly before seeming to remember the meal in front of it. The troll began raising his club once more, but before he could swing, the club was cut clean in two at the handle. 

The now useless piece of wood fell to the floor with a dull clatter as the troll tried to squish the Head Boy with nothing but the handle. Noticing its prey was once more alive, the troll looked at its trusty weapon. 

Rage took over its features as it saw the state of its old weapon. A roar left its mouth, shaking the armor and the castle alike. Over five students passed out right then and there, terrified at the sight of one of the deadliest creatures on the planet in a rage. 

Between it all I stood alone, with the students at my back and wand in hand. After seeing the Head Boy almost die I snapped out of my reverie and drew my wand. After that I simply waited for the time to best strike. I had run this scenario multiple times, on how I would defeat a troll if I was given no choice. I never thought it would happen though as the teachers were supposed to find it before it found me. 

The students who haven't passed out in fear began to run and yell for help. Some of the older students decided to stay and fight with me, yet the majority ran in terror. 

Noticing its rage, I quickly acted before the situation could get any worse. I levitated the club behind its legs and used the strongest summoning charm I could. The club flew towards me, passing straight under the feet of the troll and tripping it in the process. The troll fell on its back in a crash, shaking the hallway. Suits of armor crashed to the ground in a cacophony of noise. 

Some of the students who were in the process of running fell to the ground as what felt like an earthquake ravaged the halls.

'If that doesn't alert the teachers I don't know what will. Now all I need to do is stall until they come here. I might be able to kill it, but I'd rather not bet my life on uncertainty.' I thought to myself. I really had no idea how Harry and Ron were so lucky in the original storyline. This troll was way out of my league! One wrong step and I would be smashed to pieces. If a fully charged shield from a seventh year Head Boy was barely enough to stop a half asses swing, there would be no stopping its power. 

While I was stronger than anyone in my grade, and most likely had more overall magic reserves from what I could tell, I wasn't even approaching the older students in pure magical force. One has to remember that I had only been in Hogwarts for a little over a month! No matter how much better I had gotten, it wasn't enough to stand toe to toe with an XXXX designated magical beast. 

A grim look crossed my face as the troll got back on its feet in seconds angrier than ever. Another roar echoed through the halls as it took charge and came towards me. Thinking on my toes, I put almost half of all the magic power I had into a single spell.

"LUMOS MAXIMA!" I screamed. A second sun seemed to appear at the tip of my wand. Only a quick turn of my head in the opposite direction saved me from getting permanently blinded. The troll, however, wasn't so lucky. 

The troll stopped dead in its tracks, gripping its eyes in pain. I had successfully blinded the troll, yet its sight of smell was still enough for it to find me. Knowing I didn't have much time before it got its bearings, I quickly put my plan into action. 

While the troll began recovering and started sniffing me out, I worked over the club I had summoned earlier. It took me almost a full minute, but my spell was complete. The troll let out another roar, right in time for me to meet it. It had gotten my scent and began charging my way. 

The troll got closer to me, yet I still held off. 

'40 feet… 30 feet… 20 feet… 10 feet… NOW!' I yelled out in my head. 

With the last dregs of power I had left, I cast the strongest banishing charm I could. The spell completely exhausted the rest of my magic and I collapsed. The club turned stake flew through the air, faster than the eyes could track. The sharp point of the recently transfigured club punched straight through the gaping maw of the beast, exiting out the other side. The combination of a non magical attack with hitting a weak spot, the inside of its mouth, completely decimated it!

Blood flew through the air, painting the walls red. The troll dropped unceremoniously on the floor, blood pooling out of the newly formed hole. Normally I'd be racing to collect the spoils of my battle. Trolls blood was a powerful ingredient for many potions, especially strengthening potions. Now, however, I was way too tired to think about anything but sleep. The majority of the students had long since left, only Marissa, the Head girl, a few upperclassmen and the students who had passed out remained. 

The students looked at me in awe. Of course, they could all cast the same magic with far more efficiency and power, yet the strategy and quick thinking impressed them. Unbeknownst to me, they began to look at me as something of a hero, something that would shape the future months in the Hogwarts rumor mill.

Hurried footsteps could be heard racing towards the hallway as McGonagall, Dumbledore, and the rest of the teachers rounded the corner. McGonagall let out a quick shriek as she saw the corpse and the damage done to the castle. Snape looked as though he had been sucking on a particularly sour lemon, while Dumbledore somehow still seemed calm. Behind his calm mask, however, one could tell he was fuming.

'This is going to be a hassle'. That was the last thought I had before my head hit the ground, completely unconscious.