Chapter 13: Halloween

In early October, Snape brewed the potion. With the assistance of Mr Filch, a volunteer, Schuyler and Snape collected various potion data to serve as the foundation for Snape's potion improvement.

On Halloween, Snape provided Salim with the third enhanced activator. Eager to verify the effect, Salim made a resolute decision to skip the herbal medicine class and the afternoon flying lesson after the initial transformation class.

Notably, Salim hadn't attended any flying lessons since the school year began. Afterwards, however, Harry excelled in the flying class and garnered attention from Professor McGonagall, ultimately being recommended to join the Quidditch team.

About two corridors away from the Slytherin common room lay a concealed room often utilized by Salim for potion practice. Today, it served as a temporary laboratory to monitor Filch's progress.

"Argus, the first two attempts worked quite well; this is the third time, and the results should only improve," Salim assured, producing the bottle Snape had given him that morning. He uncorked it and placed it in front of Filch. "Go on, you know what to do."

The mana stored within Filch's body resembled a boulder obstructing the entrance of a tunnel. During the first experiment Snape conducted, the potion acted like dark powder with limited effect. The second time, it was akin to TNT—effective, yet caused Filch's body to ooze blood from his pores after consumption.

Had Snape not been present, Salim would've been at a loss for handling the aftermath. Nevertheless, the second trial marked a breakthrough: Filch could harness a fraction of his magical power. This offered Snape and Salim an alternative solution: instead of relying on potent potions that could harm the body, they could explore gentler options.

Salim held a positive outlook for the current potion. Even if its effects fell short of the second attempt, or if progress was slower, safety outweighed the other factors.

Without uttering a word, Filch picked up the potion. Despite the complications faced during the second experiment, Filch could now wield magic. To him, the ability to practice magic and transition from being a Squib to a wizard was worth any cost.

"You're not concerned about mishaps this time," Salim remarked, their familiarity allowing for small jests.

"You're no Squib; you can't understand how I feel," Filch replied, seated on a chair and adhering to the established protocols after several experiments.

Arching an eyebrow, Salim remained silent. True, he wasn't a Squib. But without his knowledge of Squib-related experiences, would he be capable of grasping Filch's current emotional state? Salim maintained his neutrality.

Subsequently, neither of them engaged in conversation. Salim jotted down notes and sketches in his small notebook, while Filch shut his eyes, focusing on his own body. This routine was commonplace; after all, this marked the third trial, and both knew their roles.

As Salim and Filch left the room content with their progress, dinner in the Great Hall was nearing its conclusion. Hurrying to the auditorium, they realized they hadn't eaten yet.

"Wait, Argus, do you smell something?" Salim halted Filch. "This scent... somewhat resembles that of a troll."

Turning to Filch, Salim inquired with urgency, "Is there any Halloween activity scheduled for tonight?" The words were scarcely spoken when Salim berated himself internally. Amid his busy schedule, he had forgotten that trolls might surface on Halloween. After all, Salim... well, he was unfamiliar with Western festivals.

"Filch, it appears something has occurred. Go to the auditorium and inform the professors. They mentioned mountain trolls in the castle; the exact count remains unclear."

With a swift wave, Salim added, "Don't worry about me; it's just a mountain troll. I'm more concerned about younger students encountering them. That would be disastrous. Go on." He cast a Bubble Charm for both himself and Filch—the smell was truly unpleasant.

Salim paid no mind to Filch and rushed to the girls' restroom. True to his suspicions, a juvenile mountain troll had been lured by cries from within the bathroom and was leaning toward its entrance.

With a deft movement of his left hand, Salim pointed his wand toward the looming creature, muttering, "Avianus Flock." A multitude of birds streamed forth from his wand, directly towards the troll. The troll's attention was diverted by the birds, and it hesitated to enter the restroom.

Perhaps vexed by these small birds, the troll swung its club haphazardly, yet found it ineffective. Angrily roaring, the troll's frustration was palpable. Inside the bathroom, Hermione, drawn by the commotion, emerged while drying her eyes to discern the cause.

"Ah!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" The little girl's scream reached shrill levels, particularly during moments of terror. The troll, along with Salim, was taken aback by the piercing sound.

"Oh my god~ this could be used as a charm," Salim muttered, a tad exasperated.

"Hermione! Get back in!" Seeing the troll's attention drawn by Hermione's scream, Salim called out urgently, only to cringe inwardly at his own choice of words. He hadn't accounted for the possibility of trolls on Halloween due to his unfamiliarity with Western traditions.

"Filch, it seems something is indeed amiss. Make your way to the auditorium and alert the professors. They mentioned mountain trolls in the castle; I'm not sure of the exact number."

With a wave, Salim quickly added, "Don't worry about me; it's just a mountain troll. My primary concern is for the younger students potentially in harm's way. Off you go." He conjured a Bubble Charm for himself and Filch, as the stench grew unpleasant.

Salim ignored Filch and dashed to the girls' restroom. His suspicions were confirmed—a young mountain troll had been lured by the cries emanating from within the bathroom and was on the verge of entering.

With a swift motion of his wand, Salim pointed it toward the troll and muttered, "Avianus Flock." A swarm of birds surged forth, heading straight for the troll. The troll's attention shifted to the birds, causing it to hesitate in its approach to the bathroom.

Seemingly irritated by the birds, the troll swung its club ineffectually. Frustrated, it bellowed in anger. Inside the bathroom, Hermione, curious about the commotion, emerged while drying her eyes to investigate the source.

"Ah!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" The little girl's scream reached a high-pitched crescendo, especially during moments of fear. The troll, along with Salim, was taken aback by the piercing sound.

"Oh my god~ this could be used as a charm," Salim muttered, slightly irritated.

"Hermione! Retreat!" Recognizing the troll's focus on Hermione's scream, Salim urgently called out, immediately regretting his phrasing. He hadn't considered the possibility of trolls on Halloween due to his limited familiarity with Western customs.

As the troll responded to Hermione's scream, Salim acted quickly, pointing his wand at the creature and casting a Stunning Spell. The troll ceased its advance and turned to confront its attacker.

"Stay inside the restroom, Hermione!"

Salim instructed. Hermione, now fully aware of the situation, quickly complied and sought refuge in a nearby stall.

"Finally, you're paying attention to me," Salim remarked as the enormous troll continued its slow approach, his wand aimed at the creature's brow. "Now, lie down quietly." Due to the troll's proximity to Hermione earlier, Salim wanted to ensure her safety when the troll eventually fell.

"Fiendfyre flickers!"

In an instant, the upper portion of the troll's face and part of its skull behind were engulfed in flames. After a brief pause, the troll collapsed heavily onto the restroom floor. Hermione, who had crawled behind Salim during the chaos, observed the entire scene, shocked but awake.

With a wave of his wand, Salim performed a cleansing charm on Hermione, removing the stains she had acquired while moving about the floor.

Just as Salim was about to guide Hermione out of the bathroom, a flurry of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Recognizing the footsteps of two individuals, Harry and Ron, Salim realized that they were not professors. However, upon the duo's arrival, the sight of the dishevelled bathroom, a troll on the floor, and Salim and Hermione standing, prompted them to inquire about the situation. Before Harry and Ron could voice their questions, a second set of footsteps—this time more numerous—echoed in the hallway.

Soon after, Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell arrived at the restroom. Professor McGonagall's stern expression scanned the chaotic scene, Professor Snape moved directly to the troll, and Professor Quirrell, while holding onto the door frame, exhibited a convincing performance of distress.

"Quirrell's really good at acting," Salim noted internally.

"What in Merlin's name are you all doing here? Do you comprehend the gravity of your actions?" Professor McGonagall admonished with growing agitation.

"Professor, it's me. I had read about trolls in a book and thought I could handle it," Hermione began, attempting to explain her actions before Salim intervened.

"Come on, Hermione. Your attempt at deception is rather feeble," Salim interrupted, placing his wand away as the professors had now arrived. "A well-crafted lie is more effective than a flimsy one. Tell the truth."

"Mr Selwyn, did you vanquish this troll?" Snape inquired, his tone carrying an air of certainty.

Salim nodded. "Yes, I did. Subduing a creature like this would have been more troublesome than eliminating it. Given Miss Granger's circumstances, I believed killing the troll was the safest course of action."

"You know what I am inquiring about," Snape fixed his gaze on Salim.

"Alright, alright. It was a weakened Fiendfyre Curse," Salim admitted, shrugging. He didn't expect to conceal this fact from anyone; the professors at Hogwarts were astute individuals who could identify such spells.

Professor McGonagall turned her attention from Hermione to Salim, scolding him, "Mr Selwyn, I thought you were an exemplary and responsible student. Employing such dangerous magic!"

Snape arched an eyebrow, awaiting Salim's explanation.

"As I mentioned, it wasn't the full Fiendfyre Curse. It was a simplified and weakened version, with a very short duration and a limited range of damage. It wouldn't cause significant property damage.

Professor Snape, you've just read that the size of the fireball is comparable to a fist. Furthermore, even though my magical ability is considerable, it's implausible for an eleven-year-old to cast the Fiendfyre Curse.

Even if I succeeded, extinguishing it would be impossible," Salim addressed Quirrell, saying, "Professor, as you're aware, a damage spell against an adult mountain troll wouldn't be especially effective. To manage the situation, I chose to eliminate it."

"Very well, Slytherin gains 20 points. Now..." Snape shifted his attention to Harry, his gaze piercing, "Can either of you explain your presence here?"

"We were concerned about Hermione; she didn't show up for dinner, so we decided to..." Harry began to explain, but Snape interjected with a sardonic smile.

"So you didn't notify a professor and took it upon yourselves to confront the troll?" Snape's smile remained, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps the renowned saviours believed they could handle a fully grown troll? Due to your rashness and Miss Granger's error, Gryffindor loses 30 points." Snape then turned to Professor McGonagall, inquiring, "Are you alright, Minerva?"

Professor McGonagall had nothing to say; she had assumed that she knew the extent of Gryffindor students' worry. Hermione might have been hiding something, but the recklessness of Harry and Ron was evident. She was tempted to scold them harshly.

However, she still had a point to make.

"These two children rushed to aid their classmate, which is commendable. For their bravery and sense of responsibility, I propose adding 10 points. What do you say, Severus?"

Snape cast a glance at Professor McGonagall, said nothing, and limped away.

Salim observed Snape, who now appeared "injured," and pondered. It seemed that Snape might have been bitten by a dog. Best not to visit his quarters tonight, to avoid causing further complications. Snape was likely in a sour mood, and the bite prevented him from demanding compensation. If Salim visited Snape's quarters that evening, Snape might not extend any favours.

"You two should return to your respective common rooms now and avoid any further trouble," Professor McGonagall admonished, glaring at the pair before leaving.

"You, you... No, no, don't worry about me. I, I can manage," Quirrell stammered as he rose from the ground.

Salim glanced at Quirrell as he passed, thinking, "Too bad."

"Come on, Hermione. It's Thursday; Neville and Draco should be waiting for us at our usual spot." Salim led Hermione out, dismissing the Gryffindor duo. "Tell me what happened. Why were you absent from dinner and how did you end up here?"

After hearing Hermione's explanation, Salim scoffed, "So you put yourself in danger due to the jealousy of a fool? Remember what I told you about Dark Arts? Jealousy is one of the most commonly employed emotions in Dark magic. Take care, Hermione."

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