Harry Potter's : Fantastic Beasts Guide

"Harry, there's only a troll in there, not Hermione," Ron whispered, trembling as he peered into the bathroom.

"Then let's shut the door!" Harry exclaimed, pulling it shut quickly.

"Wait, Harry!" David called out, rushing forward with Hermione in his arms. He had just managed to lift the spell concealing them, revealing both himself and a terrified Hermione.

"Whoa! How did you do that?" Ron asked, his fear momentarily replaced by curiosity.

"I'll explain later," David replied, setting Hermione down gently against the wall. She was still pale and trembling from her encounter with the troll. "Right now, we've got bigger problems."

"We should run," Harry suggested, his voice laced with panic. "It's huge! We're no match for it."

David shook his head calmly. "Trolls might be big, but they're not very smart. If we use our heads, we can handle it. Besides, it's not like we can outrun it."

He turned back to the bathroom, his wand at the ready. With a swift motion, he muttered, "Aguamenti." A stream of water flowed from the tip of his wand, spreading across the floor in front of the bathroom door. He flicked his wand again, and the water froze into a slippery layer of ice.

The troll roared inside the bathroom, and David, with a daring grin, shouted a taunt, mimicking the troll's lumbering movements. Enraged, the troll stomped toward the door. As it stepped onto the ice, its massive foot slipped out from under it. With a loud CRASH, the troll landed flat on its back, its roar turning into a groan of pain.

Harry and Ron burst into cheers.

"See? Trolls aren't so tough," David said, brushing off some of the ice shards that had scattered from the impact. "They've got strength, but no brains. The best way to deal with them is to outsmart them."

The troll flailed on the ice, struggling to regain its footing, only to slip and fall again. Its massive club lay just out of reach.

"Ron," David said, turning to him with a sly smile. "Do you remember the Levitation Charm?"

Ron blinked. "Uh… yeah, I think so."

"Good. You're going to use it to finish this troll off," David said, pointing to the troll's club.

"Me?" Ron's voice cracked. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," David said confidently. "Come on, you've got this. Just aim for its head."

Ron gulped, took a deep breath, and raised his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The club wobbled slightly but then lifted into the air. Slowly, Ron guided it upward until it hovered above the troll's head. With a flick of his wrist, he released the spell, and the club plummeted down, striking the troll squarely on the skull with a loud THUD.

The troll let out a pitiful moan before collapsing, unconscious.

"You did it, Ron!" David said, clapping him on the back.

"Brilliant!" Harry added, his face lighting up.

But before they could celebrate further, a sharp voice echoed down the hallway. "What on earth is going on here?"

Professor McGonagall appeared, her face a mixture of anger and worry. Behind her were Professor Snape, who looked unimpressed, and a very nervous Professor Quirrell.

"You could have been seriously hurt!" McGonagall scolded as she approached. "Do you realize the danger you've put yourselves in?"

David stepped forward to explain, but Hermione, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

"It was my fault, Professor," she said shakily. "I… I went looking for the troll, and they only came to save me."

McGonagall's stern expression faltered for a moment. "Is that true?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Hermione nodded earnestly.

After a moment of silence, McGonagall sighed. "Well, Miss Granger, I'm not pleased with your reckless behavior, but I suppose I should commend your honesty." She turned to the boys. "And for your bravery, Gryffindor will earn five points."

Hermione looked at David before leaving, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Once she was gone, McGonagall addressed the boys again. "Harry, Ron, you're dismissed. Go enjoy the Halloween feast. As for you, David…" Her voice turned icy. "You'll be joining me in my office."

David winced. "Yes, Professor," he said quietly. As Harry and Ron walked away, he whispered to Ron, "Don't forget to apologize to Hermione."

Ron nodded seriously.

David followed McGonagall to her office, his mind racing. She wouldn't really write to his grandmother about this… would she?

Inside the office, McGonagall shut the door with a loud thud.

"David Scamander," she began, her tone firm. "Should I inform your grandmother about tonight's escapades? Or perhaps I should include your little trip to the Forbidden Forest?"

David's eyes widened. "No need, Professor!" he said quickly. "Grandma's getting on in years. We don't want to worry her over… minor incidents."

"Minor incidents?" McGonagall repeated incredulously. "David, do you have any idea how dangerous your actions were? You could have been seriously injured—or worse!"

David looked down, muttering a quiet apology.

McGonagall sighed, her tone softening. "You're just like your grandfather, always taking risks and keeping secrets. But secrets can be dangerous, David. If you're ever in trouble, you must come to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor," David said sincerely.

McGonagall studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You may go—but remember what I said."

As David left her office, he couldn't help but smile. He had narrowly avoided a letter home—and saved Hermione from the troll. All in all, not a bad Halloween.