Aftermath-2

(Present time)

"Problem solved" Draco muttered under his breath. He turned around to see a shell shocked Hermione who has a wide open mouth to fill a whole damn egg.

"Close your mouth, stupid" He chuckled.

This seems to break the spell she was under, and she said angrily, "Who are you calling stupid?"

"No one.." He was unable to complete his sentence because they are not the only ones here.

"Drake, is that you?" Pansy's voice sounded out. Her voice which is usually quite voice is now full of affection.

"Yeah it'sme, Pans. You can come outside now. I have dealt with the Troll" He said hoping that his words calm her down.

In the next second, a click was heard and something came crashing down to him.

"Drake are you alright? Did you get hurt? Do you feel pain anywhere?" Pansy asked, her tone is filled with urgency.

"I am all right Pans. What can I say, luck is in my favor and I came out without a scratch" Draco said offhandedly.

Pansy scoffed at the lack of fear or gloating in his tone, "You know you are the only first year in Hogwarts that could deal with a troll. Not even Dumbeldore could do it".

"No big deal. What about you? Are you okay?" he asked her in a concerned tone.

"I am fine" She answered sweetly which swiftly turned into a cheeky one, "Worried about me, aren't you?"

"Well you know..."

"Sorry to interrupt you two but we have one more victim there" Hermione said pointing her finger at the fourth person in the room.

The girl looked beautiful if described in a word. She has pretty long black hair, a freckled nose and is somewhat taller then them which gives her seniority if not her being an unfamiliar ravenclaw.

'Pretty' Draco thought honestly.

'Wait why do she look familiar?'

"Seen enough?" Pansy barked.

"Cough... it's not that. Just got lost on the path of life" He tries to make his way out of the situation.

"Sorry about those two. Are you okay?... My name is Hermione. Hermione Granger from Gryffindor. What's yours?"

"Um.. My name is Cho Chang from Ravenclaw. But I don't think any of you would know me as I am a second year, that means your senior". Cho said nervously.

'Shit isn't this Potter's girlfriend before he get together with She-Weasely. Why is she here?' Draco can't seem to comprehend the situation in front of him.

Suddenly they heard footsteps nearing their location. Soon the stoic face of Professor Snape along with Blaise and Theo come into view, with a fuming McGonagall with Harry and Ron in tow. Although the students of both houses pretend that the other didn't exist, unfortunately their respective house heads don't have such privilege.

After staring at them for three seconds, Snape bent over the troll. McGonagall looked at the four of them with a menacing stare. With cold fury in her voice, she said, "What on earth were you thinking of?"

"Why aren't you in your dormitory. You are lucky you weren't killed".

"A quick and refined Stupefy with such accuracy on the vulnerable part of a XXXX creature. Such precision and knowledge... who is the one to defeat the troll?" Snape said in his usually low voice. Although his voice betrayed no emotions but there is a answer of his question somewhere in his mind.

Draco knew he is in deep shit and he has no idea of how to get out of this mess. Seeing Pansy's and Hermione's sparkling eyes on him, he knew he has to answer otherwise they would surely answer instead of him.

Resigning himself to his fate, he decided to bite the bullet.

"It is me, Severus. As the headmaster of this institution, I think it's my duty to protect these young ones" The voice of Albus Dumbeldore came in which surprised everyone.

He came out of nowhere which caused all to look at him in awe. Well except Draco who is not at a grateful for his timely intervention and just scoffed at him.

'Pretentious as ever' he thought.

Seeing Pansy and Hermione about to burst out, he gave them a silent 'Shut up' and signal to talk later.

"This makes it even a more grave mistake as to why are they roaming" MCGonagall said furiously but the concern in her voice is evident.

"We don't know about the troll sir. We are just exploring the castle. I mean me and Draco" Hermione said in agitation.

"I am just trying to find Draco before I came across the troll and Cho" Pansy said in a huff. 'This shameless old coot, he really stole Drake's achievement'.

MCGonagall looks a little less then convinced, Albus gaze at them in amusement while Snape looks like he does not belong here.

Seeing MCGonagall trying to again scold them, Albus intervened, "Now, now Minerva they are just children. They love thrills and adventure, didn't we are also like them at some point. We should not be so strict with them. Besides this fault is on our part".

"But Headmaster..."

"Let it go Minerva" Dumbeldore said in the same gentle voice.

"You are all dismised" Severus said.

"Can I have a moment with you Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbeldore said with a smile.

"Sure, sir" Draco forced a smile. He waved at the smiling Pansy and Hermione and a blushing Cho.

Wait, blushing? He would have mistaken. There is no way, right.

But first deal with this man 'for greater good'.

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Hey guys, how are you? Hoping that you all are doing good. Thanks for the support you readers have shown me. Have a terrible cold, but your comments motivate me to write this.