Today Was a Wonderful Night

Harley and Hermione made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

The common room was buzzing with activity as the Halloween Feast was underway. Harley and Hermione only ate a little before returning to their dormitory.

Neither of them smelled particularly bad, but the Troll's stench was so foul that just thinking about it made the two girls feel sick.

Earlier, everything had been so urgent that they hadn't cared—or perhaps they simply hadn't had time to react.

But now that they had fully relaxed, thinking back on it made them feel disgusted.

After washing up, Harley lay on her bed in her pajamas, admiring and playing with a Magic Mirror.

That very mirror had played a major role in the battle, sending Harley a considerable amount of power from a distance and making the whole fight look so effortless.

Just then, Hermione suddenly pulled open the curtains around Harley's bed and climbed in, hugging her pillow.

"What's wrong?" Harley asked, a little surprised, and put the Magic Mirror away.

"Nothing," Hermione whispered, so softly she was almost impossible to hear. "I just can't quite fall asleep, so..."

Harley shifted to the side to make room for Hermione. Luckily, the beds at Hogwarts were large enough for two people to sleep in without any trouble.

But Hermione only tossed her pillow aside before throwing herself onto Harley.

Her unruly hair had been washed clean and dried with magical flames.

Now Hermione rested her head on Harley's smooth stomach. It tickled, but felt very nice.

"Thank you, Harley," Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible. She seemed terribly embarrassed.

"Thank you for not abandoning me and for saving me. If you hadn't been there, I would have died."

"It's nothing." Harley carefully slipped out from under Hermione's head and moved it onto her thigh.

As she chatted with Hermione, she absentmindedly began playing with her hair.

That unruly brown hair was the most stubborn hair Harley had ever seen or tried to tame, which made it hard for her to stop touching it.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you alone. I'll always be your best friend and closest confidante, and I'll always be by your side.

"That will never change." As she spoke, Harley gently brushed Hermione's cheek with the back of one hand.

Hermione's face turned red and began to grow warm. After hesitating for a moment, she asked timidly, "But why does everyone else hate me?

"This afternoon, I managed to do it too.

"But all the other students went to you for advice. No one came to ask me how to cast the spell.

"I don't think Ron was just talking nonsense. The other students really do see me that way.

"And..."

Hermione seemed unable to go on.

Harley's hand slowly slid down to Hermione's collarbone. Drawing on her past experience, she gently coaxed, "What's wrong? If something's weighing on your mind, you can tell me."

"...And I've been thinking about it all afternoon," Hermione said. Before long, she felt limp all over, utterly comfortable and relaxed.

Her cheeks grew burning hot, and in a daze, she let all the thoughts in her heart spill out.

"Harley, I feel like I'm really not as good as you. Your grades are better than mine, you're good at sports, and you're so skilled at using magic. And everyone likes you so much!

"But what about me? Other than getting good grades, I'm good for nothing!

"I'm no good at sports. I can barely ride a broomstick. When it comes to studying, all I can do is memorize things by rote. I'm not good at putting magic to use.

"More importantly, I... I feel like everyone in Gryffindor House hates me!

"Why? Why are they like this? I'm working hard to earn points for the house, doing my best for Gryffindor's honor.

"But they waste the points I worked so hard to earn, while giving me the cold shoulder.

"My people skills aren't great, but I'm not stupid. How could I not notice all these little things? I just don't want to think about them most of the time..."

As she drifted in and out of focus, Hermione poured her heart out to Harley, voicing all her feelings. Tears had unknowingly welled in her eyes, and she seemed on the verge of crying.

Harley smiled and patiently listened until Hermione had finished. Only then did she speak.

"Hermione, you just expect too much from them. The people around you are all only eleven. That's the age when people are least willing to be lectured.

"Believe me, if you stop holding everyone to such high standards, things will get a lot easier for you, too.

"Hermione, don't worry. There's plenty of time, isn't there? We still have time to change.

"Don't worry. I'm here with you. Go to sleep. After a good night's rest, you'll forget all these worries."

Spirituality stirred inside the curtains, and Hermione fell into a deep sleep.

Harley let out a long breath. Helping a young girl through her problems really wasn't her strong suit!

Besides, Harley couldn't tell Hermione the truth. Was she supposed to say, "The world isn't just black and white; there's gray in between"?

Hermione's behavior did seem right, and it followed the rules.

But Gryffindor House wasn't exactly known for caring about rules, so Hermione naturally stood out and was ostracized.

There were other reasons Hermione wasn't popular, too, but they weren't easy to explain.

Fortunately, Hermione was asleep now, sparing Harley the headache of trying to solve all her emotional problems.

"Finally asleep," Harley murmured to herself. "But at least all that effort finally paid off! A soul this pure and untainted would make an excellent Anchor, or a good ally to cultivate for the future.

"And... never mind. I shouldn't think about it. I need to get to sleep, too. Ah, tonight will be a wonderful night!"

As she spoke, Harley carefully shifted Hermione onto the pillow, then reached over and put out the light in the dormitory.

Meanwhile, in Dumbledore's office, the headmaster was in for a sleepless night.

"...I understand, Minerva." Professor Dumbledore looked through a detailed report in front of him and spoke softly.

"I'll handle things from here. You should go and get some rest."

Professor McGonagall nodded from where she stood in front of him, then promptly left the Headmaster's Office.

Professor Snape, however, remained in the Headmaster's Office.

"Severus, did you notice anything unusual tonight?" Dumbledore asked, eyes still on the report. It contained the findings from the Troll's autopsy by three senior professors.

"No." Professor Snape answered without a hint of hesitation. "Tonight, I noticed Harley hadn't attended the Halloween Feast.

"So I figured she must not know a Troll had gotten into the castle, and went straight to look for her. On the way, I ran into Weasley, which happened to confirm my suspicion.

"So when my spell was triggered on the fourth floor, I didn't get there in time."

Professor Snape sounded so utterly matter-of-fact that the corner of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He looked up at him.

"Severus, I have to remind you that Harley isn't Lily..."

Before he could finish, Professor Snape cut him off.

"I know," Professor Snape said coldly. "But she is one of the few traces Lily left behind in this world.

"So if anyone dares to hurt her, I'll kill them! Even Voldemort. I mean it!"

Dumbledore sighed and fell silent.

What a headache. I only just managed to get this written. I hate being sick.

I was in terrible shape tonight. I'm not sure how good this turned out. If there's anything you're unhappy with, just tell me—or let me know in the group chat. I'll take another look and revise it when I get up tomorrow.