HALLOWEEN
“Urgh - troll boogers.”
He wiped it on the troll’s trousers.
A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the three of them
look up. They hadn’t realized what a racket they had been making,
but of course, someone downstairs must have heard the crashes and
the troll’s roars. A moment later, Professor McGonagall had come
bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell
bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a
faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his
heart.
Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at
Ron and Harry. Harry had never seen her look so angry. Her lips
were white. Hopes of winning fifty points for Gryffindor faded
quickly from Harry’s mind.
“What on earth were you thinking of?” said Professor McGona-
gall, with cold fury in her voice. Harry looked at Ron, who was still
standing with his wand in the air. “You’re lucky you weren’t killed.
Why aren’t you in your dormitory?”
Snape gave Harry a swift, piercing look. Harry looked at the
floor. He wished Ron would put his wand down.
Then a small voice came out of the shadows.
“Please, Professor McGonagall — they were looking for me.”
“Miss Granger!”
Hermione had managed to get to her feet at last.
“I went looking for the troll because I — I thought I could deal
with it on my own — you know, because I’ve read all about them.”
Ron dropped his wand. Hermione Granger, telling a downright
lie to a teacher?
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