Chapter 130: "Troll Attack Part - 2"

Just a few moments before the current crisis, Harry had noticed his friends veering off from their usual paths and heading in a different direction. Instantly, he knew exactly what they were planning to do. A mix of pride and frustration surged through him. Internally, he scolded them for their recklessness, yet he couldn't help but feel moved by their bravery and unity.

It was clear to Harry that despite their distinct personalities, his friends were willing to put themselves at risk to help him out of a tough spot, even if it meant diving into potentially dangerous situations. This realization made him truly appreciate the genuine bonds he had formed at Hogwarts.

Still, the thought of them engaging in what he considered typical Gryffindor heroics irked him. He didn't want them risking their lives unnecessarily. Now, realizing that they might actually encounter the troll, he knew he had to get to them quickly. Given his knack for finding trouble, or trouble finding him, Harry was almost certain they would end up face-to-face with the troll.

Driven by a sense of urgency, Harry hurried through Hogwarts' echoing corridors. He kept his eyes on the Marauder's Map, which showed his friends making their way toward the girls' bathroom. His heart sank as he watched the scene unfold on the parchment.

Then, he noticed Arabella and Elvinia breaking away from the group, likely seeking help—a sensible decision. However, his brief moment of approval was cut short as he saw the others heading straight into the bathroom to confront the troll head-on.

Harry picked up his pace, his robes flapping wildly behind him. The sound of his footsteps mixed with the distant noises of chaos, heightening the tension. As he sprinted, he strategized, running through potential spells and tactics in his mind.

Although he was confident in his ability to handle the troll, his main concern now was ensuring his friends' safety without revealing the full extent of his magical capabilities. He planned to resolve the situation quickly using some of the simplest spells he knew.

As he turned the final corner, Harry arrived just in the nick of time. He saw the troll poised to strike down his friends with its massive club. Without a moment's hesitation, Harry whipped out his wand and executed a perfect "Wingardium Leviosa."

The troll's club halted in mid-air, leaving it bewildered and suddenly disarmed by Harry's quick thinking.

In the heat of the moment, with the troll dazed and confused, Harry quickly seized the opportunity to gain the upper hand. He cast "Accio Club," and the troll's massive club flew from its grasp towards Harry. The troll, caught off guard and suddenly defenseless, paused, its confusion giving Harry the perfect chance to act.

With a firm voice, Harry yelled, "Stupefy!" He launched a powerful Stunning Spell directly at the troll. While the spell didn't completely knock out the creature, due to its inherent resistance to magic, it successfully grabbed the troll's attention, which was exactly what Harry intended.

The troll, now focusing solely on Harry, turned with a growl. Upon seeing its club in Harry's possession, the creature was overcome with rage. It charged at Harry with full force. Anticipating this, Harry was prepared and quickly cast "Aguamenti".

A jet of water shot from Harry's wand, drenching the floor in front of the onrushing troll. Without missing a beat, Harry turned the water into ice with the "Glacius" spell. The troll's heavy foot came down on the slick surface, causing it to lose its footing. It slipped and began to slide uncontrollably toward Harry.

Water sprayed from his wand, coating the floor in front of the troll, which he immediately froze. The troll's next step landed on the slick ice, causing it to slip and slide helplessly towards Harry.

As the troll neared, sliding uncontrollably on the ice, Harry transfigured the troll's club into a smaller, more manageable size. Grabbing the newly sized club with precise timing, he then made a bold move. As the troll slid past him, Harry jumped onto its back and quickly climbed up to its head.

With the club in hand, Harry stood atop the sliding troll. He raised the club high above his head and, with all his might, brought it crashing down onto the troll's skull. The force of the impact was tremendous, and the troll's massive form crumpled to the ground, rendered unconscious by the decisive blow.

Panting from the exertion, Harry looked around at his friends, seeing their expressions of awe and profound relief as they stared back at him.

Cedric was the first to regain his composure, stepping forward with a broad smile. "Harry, you arrived just in the nick of time. Any later, and we might not have been so lucky."

Roger, still trying to shake off the effects of the encounter, commented, "That last swing of the club is going to haunt my dreams for a long time."

Harry offered a weary smile in return. "I'm just relieved I got here when I did. I didn't expect you all would be brave—or perhaps foolish—enough to take on a troll."

Reggy quickly clarified, "We didn't intentionally seek out the troll. We were actually looking for you to warn you about it roaming the corridors. We just happened to hear screams from this direction and knew we had to act since lives were at stake."

Harry responded, his tone a mix of gratitude and concern, "I appreciate that you care, but please, don't do something like this again. It's far too dangerous, and as you saw, I can handle situations like these."

"Sorry, but Harry, that was absolutely incredible!" Alicia couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes still wide with both fear and admiration.

Angelina, her voice trembling slightly from the adrenaline, added, "The way you handled that troll was amazing. Truly impressive."

Harry responded modestly, shrugging off the praise. "The troll is all brawn and no brain. I just took advantage of that. I'm just glad I got here in time to help."

Reggy chimed in, half-joking, "You really saved our skins, mate. I thought I was going to end up as a troll snack!"

Harry smiled, acknowledging their efforts, "You all did well too. I think today you saved some lives today. You were brilliant at holding off the troll, and from what I saw, you worked very effectively as a team. Now, let's check on the students inside the bathroom. I hope they're okay."

Together, the group turned away from the incapacitated troll and headed towards the bathroom to check on the students inside. Just at that moment, the professors, having been alerted by Arabella and Elvinia, arrived on the scene, fully prepared to handle the situation.