The corridors of Hogwarts were exceptionally quiet.
Moonlight filtered through the windows, casting a long shadow behind Linus.
Having just escaped from Professor McGonagall, he still had to return to the dormitory to continue tonight’s Halloween festivities.
*No casualties tonight.
How wonderful,* he thought happily, looking out the window at the moon.
Clambering through the portrait hole opened by the Fat Lady, Linus had barely stepped into the common room when he was met with a deafening roar of cheers.
Fred and George were standing on the central round table, shouting at the top of their lungs, “And now, let us welcome tonight’s star—the Savior of the Savior, Mr.
Linus Sangwood, to give a speech!”
Before Linus could react, the Gryffindor lions hoisted him up in a flurry of hands and threw him into the air.
As he came down, Harry whispered in his ear, “I told everyone how you saved us tonight.
If the professors find out the truth tomorrow and want to punish us, they can take the points back.
I couldn’t let everyone think you were selfish.”
*Judging by the intensity of these cheers, I wonder how much Ron exaggerated the story.* Suspended in mid-air, Linus caught sight of Ron nearby, speaking with grand gestures to Neville.
Words like “mountain-sized,” “world-shattering,” and “the nick of time” slipped out of his mouth every now and then.
Linus was then pulled to the center of the room, right between George and Fred.
George handed him a rolled-up notebook acting as a microphone.
“Say a few words, Linus.”
Linus took the notebook microphone and shook his head with a laugh.
“Merlin’s beard!
I thought the troll was the most terrifying thing tonight…”
He paused, looking at Fred and George, “…until I was ambushed by the ‘mid-air toss’ planned by these two geniuses!”
Amid the crowd’s laughter, the twins bowed dramatically.
Linus then turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, his voice sincere.
“But in all seriousness—if we learned anything tonight, it’s that when a troll swings its club, a Gryffindor never leaves a friend behind!”
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted.
Hermione blushed slightly, while Ron puffed out his chest.
Linus winked at Ron.
“Of course, I also learned something new from Ron…
like how the troll we fought was apparently ‘the size of a mountain’?”
This time, it was Ron’s turn to blush.
“Now—let’s save the thrilling tales for Chocolate Frog cards.
I propose a toast to this unforgettable Halloween!”
Linus raised his pumpkin juice.
Amidst the boisterous cheers of the crowd, he held his cup high, his gaze locking onto the girl with the slightly prominent front teeth in the crowd. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Her face was flushed, and she was watching him with rapt attention.
He nodded to her, then downed his pumpkin juice in one go.
*So sweet,* he thought.
On the day of the Quidditch match, the entirety of Gryffindor was exceptionally excited.
*Is this really the first match since term started?* Linus thought.
He was supposed to be sitting in the library enjoying his lovely holiday, but Ron had dragged him to the Quidditch pitch.
“This is Harry’s first Quidditch match.
You can’t miss it.”
“I almost thought you were saying, ‘This is Harry’s first wedding, you must be there,'” Linus said, shaking his head.
“It’s no different.
Both are monumental moments in Harry’s life,” Ron insisted.
“Alright.” Linus looked at Ron, who was shivering with cold yet insisted on sitting in the stands to cheer for Harry.
“Why aren’t you wearing a hat and scarf?”
Ron sheepishly tucked his hands into his sleeves, pretending to be nonchalant.
“My mum didn’t make me any.
Even George and Fred are wearing hand-me-downs from Charlie and Bill!”
Linus didn’t pry.
He simply flicked his wand.
“Incendio.”
“Wait a minute!
Are you trying to set us both on fire?” Ron squeaked, startled.
But the flame that sprang from Linus’s wand tip didn’t spread.
It simply hovered quietly between them, glowing with a bright, warm yellow light.
“Wow, brilliant, Linus!” Ron said excitedly, clapping his hands.
“It’s much warmer now.”
Spectators continued to flood into the stands.
Groups of young wizards quickly turned the entire spectator area into a sea of red and green.
Indeed, today’s opponent was Slytherin, the arch-nemesis of the little lions.
Spotting Snape sitting in the distance, Ron crept closer to Linus and lowered his voice to a whisper.
“Did you know?”
“Are you trying to imitate Professor Snape?” Linus asked, a bit puzzled.
“No!
Harry wanted to tell you yesterday, but it was too late by the time you got back from the library,” Ron said urgently.
And Snape mentioned something about ‘three heads’!”
“And?” Linus asked patiently, already guessing what Ron was driving at.
“On Halloween, Harry and I also noticed Snape heading toward the three-headed dog.
This means he was trying to get past it but failed.
He must have been the one who let the troll in on Halloween!” Ron said, spilling Harry’s entire theory in one breath.
Linus thought about it.
“I’ve been attending Professor Snape’s advanced Potions class every week.
I’ll keep an eye out for you when I can.”
“Terrific, Linus!
You’re not like Hermione; she thinks all teachers are saints.” Ron pumped his fist excitedly, his voice rising in volume.
“I also highly respect all our teachers,” Linus said, looking at Ron helplessly.
“I get it, I get it,” Ron said, winking.
Not far away, Hermione marched quickly toward them, looking annoyed.
“Ron!
Didn’t you say you’d bring Linus to our cheering section once you found him?”
“Oh, right!
I almost forgot the main event.” Ron slapped his forehead.
He dragged Linus along behind Hermione to the very top row, where everyone was holding a “Potter for President” banner.
The banner, made from a bedsheet, had a large, magnificent lion painted on it by Dean Thomas.
“Me?
Do I have to hold it too?” Linus asked, his smile faltering.
“Come on!
We saved the middle spot just for you,” Hermione said, waving him over.
Seeing the players entering the pitch below, and a small Harry looking rather weak-kneed, Linus had no choice.
He walked over to the center and helped them hold up the “Potter for President” banner.
Today’s commentary was provided by Lee Jordan, with Professor McGonagall keeping watch.
Of course, in Linus’s eyes, Professor McGonagall’s primary job was to prevent Lee’s heavily biased commentary from starting a riot among the students in the stands.
Beside him, Ron and Neville cheered loudly for every Gryffindor goal and roared in fury at every Slytherin foul.
Curiously, whenever Gryffindor fouled, they went completely silent.
*Is justice defined by one’s allegiance?* Linus mused.
Beside him, Hermione was also ecstatic and thrilled by Harry’s play.
She kept clawing tightly at Linus’s robes, and in her excitement, she would occasionally pinch the flesh of his arm.
His face contorting in pain, Linus began to contemplate the meaning of life, completely oblivious to Hagrid’s arrival.