Grace Riddle frowned as the massive creature swayed about in the hallway, its arm reaching out to steady itself. Normally, such a beast would have dropped by now, the nurous injuries and spells weighing it down and draining its endurance.
A troll making its way into Hogwarts was concerning enough, but this one was different. Had it been given a potion or enhancent of so sort and if so, why? Why would soone…
Her mind ground to a halt, and a flick of her wrist dropped the creature to the ground, life leaving its eyes due to the smoking hole in its forehead. Without another mont's hesitation she rushed down the corridor, only to be halted along the corner as she almost ran into Dumbledore.
"The troll?"
"Taken care of. The Stone?"
Realization was obvious in the Headmistress' eyes and the professor secretly wondered how they had both missed such an obvious diversion. At least hers was justified, she had only heard about it from a passing student before sending them on to the Great Hall.
They turned, heading the opposite way but even in their haste it felt as if an hour had passed until they reached their destination. It was evident that their guess had been correct, without even looking Grace could sll the burning flora from the next room.
A glance between her and Dumbledore confird their plans.
Drawing her Wand, and giving a nod to Riddle, she waited as the younger woman moved to push the door open only for it to be pulled from the opposite side. Out trudged Harry Potter, an unconscious, and very bruised, Professor of Magical Creatures floating behind him.
The adults stared as the boy walked straight up to Dumbledore, grabbed her empty hand, and placed sothing in it. He then tossed the thief's Wand onto the ground, then stord off, muttering sothing about needing a shower.
From the corner of her eye, Riddle noted a warm smile on the Headmistress' face as she looked down at the shining red stone now in her hand, the ssage being obvious.
****
Harry dragged himself back to his own room, exhausted and needing to take what he imagined would be an hour-long steaming hot shower. That and sleep for at least a few days.
He was tired in the worst way, from his fingertips down to his very soul. It wasn't just Magical exhaustion, although he hadn't exerted himself in such a way for such a long ti he was still feeling just fine in that category, it was simply being tired of constantly fixing the problem.
Why was it always him? Why couldn't he just let soone else take care of the issues for once rather than charging in to save the day?
He knew why, naturally, but chose to ignore the voice deep down that whispered about what would have happened if the professors had been late, if the Stone had been successfully stolen. Soone had known about it, had wanted it enough to hire an imposter professor skilled enough to not just fool Dumbledore but get through all the defenses in a short amount of ti.
But who? Who would have that much information? Deep down he was still suspicious of Riddle, because no amount of Dumbledore's unending trust in the woman would ever erase what he knew Voldemort was capable of. Still, the Headmistress did have a good point. Why would his Head of House need to steal sothing that had been handed to her?
Was it to keep herself from suspicion? Did she still need other ingredients for her madness, things she still needed Dumbledore to inform her of?
Dozens of other reasons entered and left his mind before he could grasp and hold onto them. Finally, he found himself standing at the door to his shared room. Continue to the shower or sleep? He wanted both at the sa ti. Maybe he could just take a nap in the shower?
Instead, his feet decided for him, and he found himself curled up under blankets a mont later, eyelids heavy and mind pushing aside all the concerns and questions until he next awoke.
"Yes," he murmured, "Just a quick nap and deal with it later."
****
"I don't like this Dumbledore." Lily Potter repeated for the fourth ti, and for the fourth ti the older woman agreed. It was already bad enough that the Minister of Magic had demanded a photo op on Hogwarts grounds only a day after the event, as compensation for not being inford about the Philosopher Stone, but she had also insisted that the one responsible for her capture be present.
Soone had talked, whether it was the thief or a mber of the staff no one was sure but what they did know was Harry had been ntioned by na.
The forr professor was bound, having been transported back with an Auror escort, other than them it was Jas and Lily along with the various Heads of House. Originally there had been conversations about having the entire faculty and students present but the Minister had relented due to the impracticality.
Speaking of which, the woman was officially late, earning annoyed grumbles from not just the professors, but the Aurors as well.
Finally, she did arrive, with a group of reporters in tow, her expression never shifting from one of triumph. "Ah wonderful everyone is here."
"You're late Minister Cornelia"
Harry wasn't exactly sure why he was surprised that Fudge was a woman in this world, but there was still a mont of shock. "At least the pink nace isn't here" he mumbled. A mont later the politician walked straight up to him and took his hand.
"Ah, and you must be Harry. I've heard so much about you, such a lovely boy you are." She bent, presumably to kiss his hand as Bliss had done earlier in the school year but was interrupted by the Headmistress.
"I believe that is rather inappropriate, Minister."
____________________
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