Harry didn't remember exactly how he had returned to the dormitory. He only remembered that Ron and Hermione seemed to have argued a little.
He sat near the window, hugging his knees, staring outside.
The moonlight streamed through the glass, casting Harry's long shadow across the floor.
"Harry?" Ron noticed his friend's strange behavior. He had been like this ever since they returned to the dormitory, calling him repeatedly, and Harry only responded with a distracted "uh-huh," which worried him greatly.
Finally, Harry snapped out of his daydream and looked at Ron, smiling awkwardly.
"Want to play wizard chess, mate?"
Ron hugged the wizard chessboard. "I know you're upset, but Hermione didn't mean anything by it. She was just interested in the person with the same name as you, that's why she researched the books. She didn't mention the Mystic Man on purpose. Who would've thought he was right there next to him…"
"I know, Ron." Harry nodded, his mind still in turmoil.
"How about we go to Hagrid's hut after class tomorrow?" Ron asked, concerned.
"In a few days," Harry replied. "Tomorrow is Halloween Eve, and there will be a feast in the Great Hall tonight."
"Hmm, I heard the limited-edition Halloween pumpkin pies are delicious," said Ron. "If you like them, I can give you mine."
Harry felt a sudden sense of déjà vu.
It was there, in the same room, that Gareth had comforted him when he was homesick.
Now, hearing news about his old friend, he knew the other had passed away.
A century seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye for him, but for his friend, it had been an eternity.
"Thanks, Ron," said Harry, forcing a cheerful expression. "It's getting late; I should go to bed. I have Charms class in the morning."
"Hmm," Ron nodded heavily, but his brow remained furrowed; he was still worried about Harry.
The next morning, Gryffindor's first-year students were seen happily eating at the long table.
Halloween was on Friday — that is, tomorrow — and there would be two Potions classes with Professor Snape in the morning.
Holidays meant no classes, and a Friday holiday meant no Potions class.
No Potions with Professor Snape! What a relief for Gryffindor.
It was a shame that the afternoon flying lessons were also canceled due to the holiday.
It was one of the few opportunities young witches and wizards had to practice with a flying broomstick.
Even more exciting, Professor Flitwick said that after so much theoretical learning, it was time for the young wizards to learn to levitate objects.
"All right, and don't forget that subtle wrist movement we've been practicing!" shouted Professor Flitwick, perched atop his pile of books as usual. "A quick movement and a flick! Remember, pronouncing the spell correctly is essential — don't forget Baltheo, the wizard who said 's' instead of 'f' and ended up on the floor with a bison on his chest!"
Harry had always thought the wrist movements were just to indicate which spell to cast; in reality, when casting spells without a wand, gestures were unnecessary — it was enough to focus on the magic.
"Winguardium Leviosa!" Harry, wand in hand, pulled the table in front of him, making it float in the air.
"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic, Mr. Potter!" shouted Professor Flitwick, leaping happily over the books.
However, while trying to land, his foot slipped, and he fell backward.
"Leviosa!" In a moment of panic, Harry pointed his wand at Flitwick and cast a levitation spell.
The spell Winguardium Leviosa, though similar to Leviosa, was very different. Leviosa merely made an object float; Winguardium Leviosa allowed control over the object's levitation direction.
Flitwick waved his arms as if swimming and cheerfully said to Harry, "Ten points to Gryffindor! Excellent spell! Harry, you studied the textbook, didn't you?"
"Yes, Professor." Harry controlled the spell, gently setting Professor Flitwick back on the ground.
During the entire lesson, only Hermione managed to make the quill float — followed by half of Ron.
Under Hermione's guidance, Ron managed to keep the quill in the air but got distracted when Seamus suddenly made it explode, sending it back onto the table.
"You really should learn some Blast-Expansion spells, or other advanced spells," Hermione said to Seamus on the way back to the Great Hall. "I think your talent could be amplified in that area."
"Are you mocking me, Granger?" Seamus asked indignantly.
"Oh, mate," Ron quickly wrapped his arm around Seamus's shoulder. "No, no."
"Sorry, Seamus," Hermione quickly added. "I didn't mean that."
Since Hermione had apologized, Seamus had nothing more to say.
After the afternoon Herbology lesson, the long-awaited Halloween feast began.
Hundreds of magically enchanted bats flew along the walls and ceiling, forming a dense swarm like dark low clouds, weaving and dancing over the tables, their flames flickering around the Halloween pumpkins.
"Where's Harry?" Ron suddenly realized his best friend was missing.
"Harry said he was going to the bathroom," Seamus replied.
Ron couldn't help but worry. Was Harry still upset? Should he go check on him?
But his plate was immediately filled with a dazzling variety of food, catching his attention.
"I'll start with a chicken leg," he thought.
Suddenly, the door burst open violently, and Professor Quirrell ran into the hall, his large scarf askew, his face twisted in terror.
The students were all curious to see what could have caused so much panic in the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
"Troll! A troll in the underground classroom!" Quirrell shouted, running to Dumbledore. "I think… you should know…"
Then, he collapsed.
A moment of silence fell over the Great Hall, until someone screamed.
A troll! Good heavens…
Dumbledore pointed his wand at the professor's throat and commanded, "Silence!"
Perhaps intimidated by the headmaster's presence, the students immediately quieted down.
"Prefects!" His deep voice resonated. "Take your students to the dormitories immediately!"
"Come on, follow me." The prefects organized the students into a line and began leading them to the dormitories. "Do not fear the troll; the teachers will handle it."
Hermione was about to follow Percy when Ron grabbed her sleeve.
"Ron? What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Harry!" Ron whispered. "He's still down there in the bathroom! We have to warn him! He's in danger!"
Harry: Let's see who's really in danger!
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