Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Aftermath
POV Dumbledore: After the troll incident.
"Minerva, are you sure about Erik using 'Bombarda' to kill the troll?" Snape asked after examining the corpse, "The size of this wound on the chest indicates someone of your skill level. I can see the two wounds near its eyes which are both consistent with the spells Miss Greengrass and Potter used. Also judging by the internal organs and digestive muck over the floor I can tell that these poor beasts were starved for many days before being released."
Snape's revelation caused a gasp from Minerva and a short shout from Filius who followed it up with, "We need to find whoever let 5 trolls into the castle as soon as possible, it is clear that they care little for how much collateral damage and deaths occurs while they try to accomplish whatever it is they are doing."
"I couldn't agree more Filius however I am sure we all agree that none of the staff would ever let them in to harm the students and none of the students would be powerful enough or even know where to find 5 fully grown mountain trolls," I spoke making the manhunt falter before it even began, it is bad enough that one group of children encountered a troll but for 2 was insanely unlucky.
"Severus, I will leave the harvesting of the troll parts to your skilled hands. Obviously, Erik should be told about the gathered materials and asked if the school can use them. Minerva, you should head to the Hospital wing as one of your lions was hurt." I said to the pair before raising my hand to stop the latter from interrupting me, "He is not badly injured, just a broken arm. Poppy should have fixed it by now but I think you should check in to see."
"Who is it, Albus?" Minerva asked me when I finished, "It was Ronald Weasley who took a glancing blow while saving young Miss Brown when the troll came across your lions. Mr Potter acted quickly by levitating the club at the last moment so that Ronald didn't receive the full blow."
When Minerva left for the Hospital wing, I turned to the remaining two before saying, "I think we should announce what happened in the morning while also awarding those who have shown outstanding bravery and friendship. What would you both suggest?"
"Well, I would suggest 50 points each but Ronald was the cause of one of the incidents since he bullied Miss Granger. I think still giving him the points would be wise but also having Minerva talking to him as well so that the chances of this occurring again is slim." Filius said while rubbing his chin with thought.
"I would agree with that however I have the distinct feeling that Mr Bodewig and Miss Greengrass would not like to stand out. They have been putting the bare minimum work into their classwork and homework even when I can tell they already know the syllabus completely." Severus added while pointing out the tidbit about the Slytherin couple.
"Ok, this is what we will do. Severus, you will let your three know that they have received the 50 points each for their house but ask them if they want the attention of it being announced. Meanwhile, I shall depart to the Hospital wing to ask both Mr Potter and Mr Weasley the same question. Filius I would ask you to do one more round search of the school to make sure nothing is amiss, however, I am sad to tell you that your house will be knocked to 3rd after this event." I said in an authoritative tone.
POV Erik:
After having been escorted to the Slytherin common room by the lovely Professor Sprout who was like a worried mother the whole way, we were bombarded by questions as soon as we entered. "Daph would you be kind enough to answer their questions since that overpowered Bombarda took a lot of energy?" I asked her with my best puppy dog look. She looked unimpressed with my attempt to shift the attention onto her but she changed her tune as soon as I said, "I would owe you a favour."
The smile she had on her face was a sight to behold as she answered the Slytherin's questions with me lying on her lap. The questioning ended quickly as they had found out what they wanted to know, likely fuel for the Hogwarts gossip column. About 30 minutes of the heavenly lap pillow was had before the common room door opened again to admit Professor Snape, who made his way to the sofa Grace, Daph and I were sitting on.
"You three have earned 50 points each for Slytherin for your act of 'bravery and friendship', however, you have also earned another 25 points each for your excellent spell work against the troll. I have been asked by Headmaster Dumbledore to see if you want this announced in front of the whole student body. I assure you the information will be known to the whole school by breakfast anyway so denying will not lessen any attention you get." He said to the three of us causing those listening nearby to whisper to the rest, proving his point about the whole school ending up knowing.
"I do not care about it too much, Professor so I am fine being one of the three students. I am happy if Daphne and Grace's names were being mentioned over mine though." I said before getting a small elbow in the waist from Daphne.
Who glared at me before saying, "I am not overly fond of the attention anyway but having Erik named with the both of us should lessen the total amount we get right."Giving a small nod I knew she was not going to let me shrug off this because of her pinch on my side. "I suppose you are right. We agree to our names being told during tomorrow's breakfast Professor."