12 New Friend

Arthur woke up to the sound of loud footsteps, still feeling pain. Seeing that he was still in the hallway under a dead troll, he concluded that he had passed out for only a few minutes.

Arth groaned in pain when he tried to pry the troll off him.

Seeing this, Harry ran towards him.

"You ok mate?"

"Yeah, although it seems as though I have broken my leg."

Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape and Ron, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart. Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at Hermione and Harry.

Arth had never seen her look so angry. Her lips were white.

"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. Arth glanced at Hermione, who looked as if she had just cried. Probably because she had

"You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"

Harry looked at the floor with a guilty gaze.

Then a small voice came out.

"Please, Professor McGonagall - they were looking for me."

"Miss Granger!"

"I went looking for the troll because I- I thought I could deal with it on my own. You know, because I've read all about them."

Ron dropped his jaw from behind the teachers and Arth almost forgot that he had a broken leg.

Hermione Granger, telling a downright lie to a teacher? That was like a house elf slapping his master in the face.

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Harry got me out of the Bathroom and Arthur killed the troll. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."

"Arthur? Mister Kingscrown is here? Where is he?"

Arth let out a bitter laugh.

"I'm over here, er... under the troll... think I might have a broken leg."

Professor Snape jumped back while Professor McGonagall flinched.

"And plus, Granger is lying. She was in the bathroom when Professor Quirrell warned us so she had no clue about the troll. Harry and Ron thought that we should at least try to warn her before going back to the dormitories. However, with our luck, we managed to stumble across the troll heading into the bathroom that Granger was in. Thus this result came to be."

"If that's the case, five points from Gryffindor, for lying to the teacher."

Hermione put her head down while Ron glared at Arth.

"However, I do see the reason behind your lying, and in fact, I admire it. Ten points to Gryffindor. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."

Hermione left happily not before glancing at Arth. Arth gave a weak wave from underneath the troll.

Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and Ron.

"Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. You each win Gryffindor five points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."

"Um," said Arth, intentionally raising his voice. "I'm really sorry but can someone please get the troll off me? It's starting to really hurt."

"Sorry Mr. Kingscrown, I'll get you out of there," Said Professor McGonagall a bit red. "I should've helped you earlier, my mistake Mr. Kingscrown."

After the troll was removed, Arth tried to stand however winced.

"Yep, my leg is definitely broken."

"I will take you to Madam Pomfrey, she will fix you up."

Arth waved goodbye to Harry, Ron, and Hermione and followed Professor McGonagall to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey, a rather nice yet strict woman, mended his bones and told him to sleep.

Arth sighed as he was looking forward to eating a turkey leg.

"What did I expect, even if she heals my bones in an instant, it is best for me to rest."

Arth glanced around for a book, and settled on one called One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. It was only when he had finished the book, did he feel the creeping drowsiness. He put the book aside and turned off the lamp right next to him.

The next morning he was released and went back into the Gryffindor common room where Ron, Harry, and Hermione were waiting for him.

Arth raised his eyebrows.

"I'm guessing that you two are chill with Hermione now?"

Harry shrugged.

"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and surviving a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."

"Though," added Ron, "it would considerably help a lot I she would tone it down a bit."

Which earned him a nasty glare from Hermione.

"On the bright side, I got someone else who can help us with homework," Ron revealed with a smug look. "You can no longer threaten us with that, because Hermione is just as smart as you. Maybe even smarter."

Hearing the compliment, Hermione gave a faint blush before looking at Arth as if she was challenging him. Arth just smiled.

"That is great! Absolutely fantastic! Now I have more time to read."

Ron dropped his jaw.

Arth patted Hermione on the shoulder with a warm smile. "Thanks Hermione, you truly are a great girl. Please do help them out with homework, especially Ron, he might need a little help. And remember, don't just tell them the answers, or let them copy off of you but make sure he understands the problem and answer. It'll help them learn."

"But that's not what I wanted-"

"He's right Ron," exclaimed Hermione, "You won't learn if I just teach you the answers."

Seeing Ron groan, Arth let out a devious smile. He was going to go down for food when Arth saw Harry holding plate. On it was a delectable looking turkey leg.

Harry scratched his head in an embarrassed manner.

"Well, er... yesterday you seemed like you wanted to eat it so, er... I saved some for you?"

Arth stared blankly at Harry before giving him a wide smile.

"Thanks man, you are one bloody good friend."

Arth took the plate and bit some meat off of the leg and ate with a fascinated look.

"Even though it's cold, it still tastes so delectable! Oh how fabulous. Thank Harry, you're a lifesaver."

Harry smiled. "If you really thank me, come and watch my game."

Arth stopped gnawing on the turkey bone and raised an eyebrow.

"You have your first game? When is it?"

"In about a week, on a Saturday."

"Ok then, I'll be there cheering you on."

It would be Harry's first game.