HPDBC Chapter 32 – Damn, Quirrell runs fast
Chapter 32 – Damn, Quirrell runs fast
Hoare was so dizzy he could barely stand, and he had no idea where his spell had landed.
Gripping the doorframe beside him, he struggled to steady himself and peeked outside.
"Oh, Merlin..."
Hoare couldn't help but exclaim.
The trio, hearing Hoare's remark, curiously leaned out. True to their Gryffindor nature, they were fearless.
Hoare was nearly squashed into the doorframe by Ron's eagerness.
"Merlin above."
"Merlin's smelly socks."
"Merlin's beard."
The trio kept exclaiming, showing no signs of fear.
At this moment, what stood before them was no longer the approximately five-meter-tall troll. It seemed to have taken steroids, suddenly swelling and breaking through the ceiling.
However, the spell cast by that person was too forceful, and now the troll was completely stuck in the opening, with half its shoulder reaching upstairs.
The trapped troll angrily waved the club in its hand.
The trio's position had become extremely dangerous, with no door to shield them; the troll's club could strike them at any moment.
Sensing the danger, Hoare ducked and rolled over the rubble beside him, just as the club smashed into the spot where he had been standing.
"Henry!!!" Hermione exclaimed in shock.
Hearing the shout, the troll raised its club and swung in that direction.
The club was about to hit Hermione.
"Ahhh!!!" Hermione screamed.
With a strong push, Hoare shoved Hermione into the corner, avoiding the troll's attack.
Inside, Harry and Ron were practically doing parkour, screaming as they dodged the flying debris.
Hoare quickly approached, grabbing each of them by the arm, tightening his abdomen, and with a forceful heave, tossed them into a bathroom stall.
At least they could hide for a moment.
"What do we do now? We're out of potions!" Harry paced anxiously.
Hoare glanced at the spot where he had last seen Quirrell, but he was nowhere to be found. He must have slipped away during the chaos.
Hoare wasn't one to easily lose his temper, but if someone tried to kill him and he just let it slide, wouldn't that make him a saint?
As Hoare's murderous intent rose, he suddenly remembered that Dumbledore hadn't yet cleared him of suspicion. If Quirrell died here, wouldn't he be the prime suspect?
Besides, to prove his innocence, he needed to show that Quirrell was the man with a snake face in disguise.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from ".
Damn it, Hoare cursed inwardly.
Luckily, Quirrell had run off quickly.
The troll's ears were incredibly sensitive; even the slightest sound could reveal their hiding spot.
The troll, now realizing its abnormality, let out a high-pitched, almost pitiful cry.
It squinted its painful eyes, spinning in place as if trying to understand why it had changed.
"Levitation Charm," Hoare cast, and the troll's club floated up.
It struck the troll's head with force.
Even though the club had shrunk to a normal size, its power remained.
The Shrinking Spell affected only the external size, not the weight.
The troll, hit by the club, immediately turned and tried to flee.
Hoare wouldn't let it escape, and with two more solid hits on its head, the troll spun three times before collapsing to the ground, stars dancing in its eyes.
The ground shook with a heavy "thud."
"What happened here?" a stern female voice came from the doorway.
"Professor McGonagall!"
"Professor McGonagall!"
"Professor McGonagall!"
The trio, covered in dust, peeked out from the bathroom stall. Confirming who it was, they excitedly rushed out.
"Professor McGonagall."
Hoare followed them out, and two more people entered behind Professor McGonagall.
Snape, the headmaster, and Dumbledore, the headmaster.
The headmaster limped over, and Hoare frowned inwardly, realizing he had been bitten by the three-headed dog.
Hermione had already explained the situation to the professors.
"You mentioned there was someone else here?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Where is that person?"
"They ran off," Hoare replied.
"Did you handle this troll all by yourself, Henry William?" McGonagall's expression was very serious, and to someone unfamiliar, it might seem like she was interrogating him.
"Yes, Professor, and Henry used wandless magic!" Hermione couldn't wait to blurt out, sounding like an excited fangirl.
Hoare scratched his cheek.
Too charming, it's embarrassing. That's just how captivating I am.
Even McGonagall, usually so stern, showed a surprised expression at Hermione's words. She turned to look at Dumbledore and Snape, whose faces remained unchanged, but their eyes betrayed their shock.
McGonagall turned back, concealing her surprise, and said, "For leaving your group without permission, Gryffindor and Slytherin will each lose 5 points."
Hoare was displeased; he was alone, while Gryffindor had three people. How could the point deduction be the same?
Then McGonagall continued, "But for your bravery—"
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, you each earn 5 points for Gryffindor."
"As for you, Henry William, for your outstanding wandless magic and bravery in saving your friends, Slytherin earns fifty points."
Hoare flashed a bright, charming smile at Professor McGonagall.