When Professor McGonagall rushed into the bathroom, she was greeted by a comical sight – a giant, wriggling mummified troll. It was tightly wrapped in layers of white linen, unable to move freely, and could only twist on the ground like a worm.
Next to it, Hermione, with tears still glinting in the corners of her eyes, was attempting to transform toilet paper into linen under Ye Ting's guidance using a Transformation Charm. She then used a Locomotion Charm and Levitation Charm to manipulate the linen and tie a bow around this "mummy."
The scene was eerie indeed. Even with Professor McGonagall's vast experience, it took her a moment to figure out what had happened here – two young wizards had actually defeated a full-grown troll!
Shortly after, Professors Snape and Quirrell puffed and panted their way in.
Both professors gazed at the restrained troll, equally stunned into silence.
"What sort of trick are you two up to?" said Professor McGonagall, her voice tinged with icy anger.
"You're lucky this time that it didn't kill you. Why weren't you in your dormitory?"
"That's what I want to ask," Ye Ting retorted in an equally angry tone. "Before I got here, Hermione was almost killed by this troll. If I had been a minute later, I can't even imagine what would have happened. Why did the school allow a troll to wander in the corridors? Where do you place the safety of your students?"
He wasn't pretending; he was genuinely furious. Part of it was self-blame; he felt that even though he knew this scene from the story, he hadn't protected Hermione properly and almost let tragedy strike.
Due to the butterfly effect, Hermione didn't have Harry Potter and Ron Weasley's assistance this time. If he had been a step slower, he would have truly faced a tragedy – one caused by his own butterfly effect.
If it were Harry or someone else who had been affected by the butterfly effect, he might have felt a fleeting sadness and then moved on – after all, it was impossible for a time-traveler to avoid causing a butterfly effect, and he didn't need to take responsibility for it. But this time, it wasn't a stranger who was affected; it was someone he cared about – Hermione Granger.
He vowed to be more cautious in the future. Additionally, he decided to start duel training with Hermione and Cho Chang, and if necessary, Penelope should join in too.
The three girls hadn't yet realized what kind of arduous training they were about to face.
On the other hand, he was also angry at Hogwarts' lax security – the Harry Potter series spanned eight years, and every year, Hogwarts faced accidents.
As a spectator, he found these accidents amusing, enriching the story's interest. But now, as a real student of Hogwarts with people he cared about here, these endless accidents made him feel that the future was fraught with crises.
He couldn't wait to increase his strength, thereby gaining the ability to protect others. At the same time, he hoped Hogwarts would take measures and be more cautious – although this was unlikely to happen.
Upon hearing Ye Ting's accusations, Professor McGonagall's attitude softened unexpectedly. She apologized to Ye Ting and began to calmly inquire about the incident.
In response, Ye Ting remained stubbornly silent, while Hermione recounted what had happened.
Then, she began to plead on Ye Ting's behalf: "Professor McGonagall, it all happened because I went to look for the troll. I thought I could handle it alone – you know, because I've read about them in books and I know a lot about them. If Ye Ting hadn't arrived in time, I might already be dead.
"Please don't be angry with him for what he just said. Ye Ting didn't mean to contradict you; he was just too worried about me and got too emotional. Can you forgive him?"
"Oh, if that's the case..." Professor McGonagall gazed at them thoughtfully and said, "Miss Granger, you silly girl, how could you think you could handle a troll as big as a mountain alone?"
Hermione lowered her head. She was the least likely person to violate school rules, but now, to get Ye Ting out of trouble, she had lied about breaking them.
What a wonderful little girl she was. Normally prideful and respectful of her teachers, she had learned to lie, argue, and plead for the first time.
"Miss Granger, Ravenclaw will lose five points for this," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you should hurry back to the Ravenclaw tower. The students are enjoying their Halloween feast in their own houses."
Professor McGonagall turned to Ye Ting.
"Well, I still have to say you're lucky. Not many first-year students can take on a full-grown troll. You've earned ten points for Ravenclaw. I'll inform Professor Dumbledore about this."
Ye Ting took Hermione's hand and left the room, heading towards their house. When they passed the first corner, out of the professors' sight, Hermione suddenly threw herself into Ye Ting's arms, hugging him tightly and refusing to let go.
The troll's fatal blow had scared her. At the scene, due to her excitement, she hadn't realized it at first. Now, as she calmed down, the thrilling scene lingered in her mind repeatedly, making her unable to forget it. So, she sought safety and security in Ye Ting's embrace.
Ye Ting kissed her forehead affectionately and semi-carried, semi-hugged her all the way near the Ravenclaw common room.
When she heard the footsteps and conversations of others, Hermione finally came to her senses, blushed, and left his embrace, rushing ahead to return to the common room.
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