The next morning, Harry, Ron, and Void were deep in conversation about what the three-headed dog could be guarding.
"It has to be something really important," Ron said, speculating as they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Maybe it's treasure or something dangerous," Harry suggested.
"Whatever it is, it's dangerous, and the staff are crazy to have it in school," Void added, shaking his head.
As they took their seats, the mail arrived. Hedwig swooped down, dropping a package in front of Harry. He opened it to find a first-class broomstick along with a note from Professor McGonagall summoning him to Quidditch practice.
"Wow, Harry, that's amazing!" Ron exclaimed, eyes wide with envy.
Void, sitting nearby, smiled. "Congratulations, Harry."
Malfoy, overhearing the conversation, sauntered over with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. "First-year students aren't allowed broomsticks, Potter," he sneered.
Harry shrugged, holding up the note from McGonagall. "Take it up with her."
Frustrated, Malfoy stormed off to report Harry to Professor Flitwick. However, Flitwick just expressed admiration for Harry's talent.
"Professor Flitwick!" Malfoy called out, "Potter has a broomstick. First years aren't allowed them!"
Flitwick turned to Harry and smiled. "Ah, Mr. Potter, I heard about your exceptional flying skills. It's quite an honour to have been chosen as a Seeker in your first year."
Malfoy fumed as Flitwick's admiration left him speechless.
Later, Harry met with Oliver Wood to learn the basics of Quidditch. Wood was thorough in his explanation, showing Harry the Quaffle, Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch.
"Alright, Harry, the main goal is to catch the Snitch. It ends the game and earns 150 points for your team," Wood explained. "But you need to be aware of the Bludgers; they can knock you off your broom. Our Beaters will handle them, but always stay alert."
Harry practised various maneuvers under Wood's guidance, including dives and sharp turns. Wood was impressed with Harry's natural flying ability and quick learning.
"You're a natural, Harry," Wood praised during practice. "With you on the team, we'll definitely win the cup this year."
A routine quickly formed for Void and his friends. Void was well-liked by all, even some of the Slytherins, especially the half-bloods who appreciated that he was the only Gryffindor not biased against them. Void earned house points in every class except Potions and History of Magic, as Snape never awarded points to Gryffindor, and Professor Binns, being a ghost, rarely awarded points at all.
Void trained every day from 3 AM to 6 AM, knowing that Halloween and the incident with the troll were approaching. His training sessions were intense and structured, focusing on both physical fitness and magical proficiency. He performed rigorous physical exercises inspired by Saitama's training regimen, including push-ups, sit-ups, and running around the Black Lake. This not only kept his body in peak condition but also enhanced his stamina and resilience.
Void used the Room of Requirement for his magical training. He practiced basic spells, ensuring he mastered them to perfection. The room provided him with various dummies for target practice, and he worked on improving his accuracy and spell control. He also studied advanced magical theory from the extensive library the room provided, preparing himself for any challenges that might come his way.
In his free time, if he wasn't with Harry, Daphne, and Tracey, or Hermione, Void continued his magical education in the Room of Requirement. He explored the room's vast resources, which included a potion-making station where he honed his brewing skills, a section with magical creatures for studying their behaviours and weaknesses, and a variety of plants for herbology practice.
Void also spent time meditating to enhance his magical core and control. The room adapted to his needs, sometimes creating an environment for magical duels where Void could practice defensive and offensive spells in simulated combat scenarios. He was determined to be prepared for anything, especially with the knowledge of the upcoming troll incident.
Void's dedication to his training was evident, and it did not go unnoticed. His efforts were paying off as he became more adept in his magical abilities, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Void's Detention with Hagrid
Void's detention with Hagrid turned out to be far more enjoyable than he had anticipated. As he arrived at Hagrid's hut, Fang, Hagrid's enormous boarhound, immediately bounded up to him, wagging his tail furiously.
"Blimey, Fang's taken a real shine to yeh, Void!" Hagrid exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "He's friendly, but I've never seen him warm up to someone this quick."
Void knelt down, scratching Fang behind the ears. "Hey there, big guy," he said with a smile. "I guess we're going to be friends, huh?"
Hagrid grinned, handing Void a basket. "We're off ter collect some ingredients fer Snape. Keep an eye out fer any interestin' plants or creatures along the way."
They set off into the Forbidden Forest, the dense canopy of trees casting eerie shadows on the ground. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures stirring.
As they walked, Hagrid pointed out various magical plants and creatures. "Tha' over there is Devil's Snare," Hagrid said, pointing to a writhing mass of dark tendrils. "Nasty piece o' work if yeh don't know how ter handle it. Loves the dark an' the damp."
Void nodded, taking mental notes. "Good to know. What else should I be looking out for?"
Hagrid chuckled. "Plenty, plenty. Keep yer eyes peeled. Yeh might see some Mooncalves dancin' in the moonlight if yer lucky."
They continued their patrol, the forest revealing its many secrets. Void was particularly fascinated by a small group of Acromantula skittering away into the underbrush. "I've read about these in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. Didn't expect to see them up close," Void remarked.
Hagrid laughed. "Aye, they can be a bit unnervin'. Best ter steer clear of the bigger ones."
As they ventured deeper, Void noticed a group of pale, ethereal creatures grazing in a clearing. His breath caught as he recognized them. "Thestrals," he whispered.
Hagrid looked at Void, surprised. "Yeh can see 'em, eh? Only folks who've seen death can see Thestrals."
Void nodded, approaching the nearest Thestral with a mix of awe and sadness. "Yeah, I can see them. They're... beautiful, in a way."
One of the Thestrals, the leader of the herd, stepped forward and nuzzled Void's hand. Hagrid watched in amazement. "Never seen 'em be so friendly right off the bat. Yeh've got a real gift with creatures, Void."
Void smiled, gently stroking the Thestral's neck. "I guess they can sense something in me. Maybe it's because I've experienced death in a way most haven't."
Hagrid nodded, a sombre expression on his face. "Aye, that must be it. Yer a special lad, Void."
After spending some time with the Thestrals, they continued their patrol and gathered the ingredients Snape had requested. By the time they returned to Hagrid's hut, the basket was full, and Void felt a deep sense of fulfilment.
"Thanks for the help, Void. Yeh did great," Hagrid said, clapping Void on the back. "An' don't worry 'bout Professor McGonagall. I'll let 'er know yeh were a big help."
Void grinned. "I actually enjoyed this. Anytime you need help, Hagrid, just let me know."
Hagrid smiled warmly. "I'll take yeh up on that, Void. Now off yeh go, and get some rest."
As Void made his way back to the castle, he felt a profound connection to the magical world around him. He knew that his experiences tonight were just the beginning of his adventures at Hogwarts.
When Void returned to the Gryffindor common room, he found Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville waiting for him. They were eager to hear about his detention.
"So, how was it?" Harry asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.
Void smiled. "It was actually pretty amazing. Fang, Hagrid's dog, took a liking to me right away. We collected ingredients for Snape and saw some incredible magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest. Even got to see Thestrals up close."
Hermione's eyes widened. "You can see Thestrals? That means... you've seen..."
Void nodded. "Yeah, I've seen death. But it's okay. It was a profound experience."
Ron shuddered. "Blimey, Void. You're braver than I thought."
Neville, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "I wish I could have seen those creatures. They sound fascinating."
Void patted Neville on the back. "Maybe next time, Neville. Hagrid's always looking for help."
As they settled in for the night, Void felt a deep sense of belonging. He knew he was exactly where he needed to be, surrounded by friends and magic.
Halloween at Hogwarts
On Halloween, the atmosphere at Hogwarts was nothing short of magical. The Great Hall was decorated with live bats fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, which mirrored a stormy night. Carved pumpkins of various sizes, each with unique faces, were placed strategically around the hall, casting an eerie yet festive glow. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, heightening the students' excitement.
In Charms class, Professor Flitwick stood on his usual stack of books, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Today, we will be learning the Levitation Charm," he announced excitedly. "The incantation is Wingardium Leviosa."
Void was paired with Hermione for the lesson. Both of them quickly mastered the spell, their feathers floating gracefully above their desks. Hermione's feather soared higher with each precise flick of her wand. Her feather was already soaring through the air, earning her a proud smile from Professor Flitwick.
"Well done, Miss Granger! Ten points to Gryffindor," Flitwick cheered.
Void, having successfully levitated his feather, began helping other students around him. Hermione focused on assisting Harry and Ron. By the end of the lesson, thanks to Void's help, many students managed to get their feathers to float, even if just a little. Professor Flitwick noticed Void's efforts and awarded him 5 points for his helpfulness.
"Excellent work, Mr. Potter, for assisting your classmates," Flitwick praised.
"Remember, it's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar," Hermione corrected Ron, who was struggling with his feather.
After class, as they were leaving Ron, frustrated and embarrassed by his lack of success, muttered under his breath, "It's no wonder she hasn't got any friends."
Hermione's face fell, and she ran off in tears. Harry, feeling a twinge of guilt, watched her go but didn't know what to say.
Void noticed Hermione's distress and gave Ron a disapproving look. "That was uncalled for, Ron," he said firmly. "Hermione's just trying to help."
Ron looked down, muttering, "Yeah, well..."
Just then, Void, Daphne, and Tracey came up behind them and saw Hermione running away. They heard what Ron said, and Void smacked Ron upside the head. "If you don't apologize to her, then you and I are not friends. I will not be friends with bullies," Void said, his voice filled with anger. The students around them stopped, thinking Void was about to hurt Ron.
Ron rubbed his head, looking shocked and ashamed. "I... I didn't mean to make her cry," he mumbled.
At that moment, Professor Flitwick approached and asked, "What happened here?"
A student quickly explained the situation. Flitwick turned to Ron and said, "I do not condone bullying. Twenty points from Gryffindor for bullying a student who was doing her best to help."
Ron looked devastated, his eyes wide with regret. "I'm sorry, Professor," he muttered.
Flitwick nodded, his expression stern. "Go apologize, Mr. Weasley."
Void's expression remained firm. "Go apologize, Ron."
Ron nodded reluctantly and hurried off to find Hermione. Daphne and Tracey exchanged glances, impressed by Void's stand against bullying.
Tracey whispered to Daphne, "Void really stands up for what he believes in. I admire that."
Daphne nodded in agreement. "He's different from the others. He doesn't care about house rivalry."
As the day went on, Ron tried to find Hermione to apologize, but he couldn't locate her. By the time of the Halloween feast, Void was boiling angry at Ron, as Hermione had not attended any other classes. Void felt an ominous sense of urgency, knowing that the troll incident was imminent. Despite his efforts, he was unable to find her before the feast, so he reluctantly joined the festivities, hoping to protect them from any unforeseen accident.
The Halloween Feast
That evening, the Great Hall was transformed into a Halloween wonderland. The stormy night sky continued to rumble above them, and the floating candles cast a warm, flickering light over the students. The feast itself was a spectacle, with tables overflowing with a variety of delectable dishes.
As the feast progressed, Harry and Ron enjoyed the festive atmosphere, but their thoughts kept drifting back to Hermione, who had not shown up since Charms class. Suddenly, the doors of the Great Hall burst open, and Professor Quirrell, the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts, staggered in, his face pale with fear.
"Troll—in the dungeons!" he gasped. "Thought you ought to know."
He then collapsed to the floor, sending the Great Hall into a state of panic.
In his senile wisdom, the Headmaster decided to send the students back to their dorms with the protection of only the prefects while all the teachers went to the dungeon. The prefects quickly began leading the students back to their dormitories.
There was an uproar. It took several purple firecrackers exploding from the end of Professor Dumbledore's wand to bring silence.
"Prefects," he rumbled, "lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!"
Percy was in his element.
"Follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now. Make way, first years coming through! Excuse me, I'm a prefect!"
"How could a troll get in?" Harry asked as they climbed the stairs.
"Don't ask me, they're supposed to be really stupid," said Ron. "Maybe Peeves let it in for a Halloween joke."
Harry and Ron, realizing that Hermione didn't know about the troll, decided to find her and warn her, as Harry heard from a fellow Gryffindor that Hermione was crying in a bathroom. Void, noticing their departure, followed to ensure they didn't get into more trouble.
Ducking down, they joined the Hufflepuffs going the other way, slipped down a deserted side corridor, and hurried off toward the girls' bathroom. They had just turned the corner when they heard quick footsteps behind them.
"Percy!" hissed Ron, pulling Harry behind a large stone griffin.
Peering around it, however, they saw not Percy but Snape. He crossed the corridor and disappeared from view.
"What's he doing?" Harry whispered. "Why isn't he down in the dungeons with the rest of the teachers?"
Quietly as possible, they crept along the next corridor after Snape's fading footsteps.
"He's heading for the third floor," Harry said, but Ron held up his hand.
"Can you smell something?"
Harry sniffed and a foul stench reached his nostrils, a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean. And then they heard it — a low grunting, and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. Ron pointed — at the end of a passage to the left, something huge was moving toward them. They shrank into the shadows and watched as it emerged into a patch of moonlight.
Encounter with the Troll
It was a twelve-foot mountain troll, with thick, lumpy grey skin, a small bald head, and short legs like tree trunks. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long.
Void stepped in front of them with his wand in hand, ready for anything that the troll might try. "What is that thing?" Ron whispered, his eyes wide with terror.
"We need to get out of here, now," Void urged, trying to keep everyone calm. He kept his gaze locked on the troll, who was looking at Void with a curious gaze. Even Void did not notice that his Druid gift was helping him by making the troll not attack them on sight.
They managed to back away slowly and escape the corridor, but as they rounded another corner, they heard a scream. It was Hermione.
Without thinking, they rushed toward the sound, finding Hermione cornered by the troll in the girls' bathroom.
"Leave her alone!" Harry yelled, distracting the troll. He picked up a pipe and threw it at the troll, hitting it on the shoulder. The troll roared and turned its attention to Harry.
"Come on, we've got to help her!" Ron shouted, and he, Void, and Harry moved quickly to engage the troll.
Hermione was frozen with fear. Void grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the troll's reach. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Hermione nodded, trembling. "I...I think so."
The Battle with the Troll
The Battle
The troll swung its club with immense force, smashing the sinks and tiles in the girls' bathroom. The room echoed with the sound of destruction. Void, Harry, and Ron managed to dodge the initial swings, but it was clear the troll was not going to be easily subdued.
"Harry, Ron, get Hermione and get out of here! Find the teachers!" Void shouted, his voice filled with urgency.
Harry and Ron hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in Void's eyes, they grabbed Hermione and fled the bathroom, leaving Void to face the troll alone.
The troll turned its attention fully to Void, its beady eyes filled with rage. Void stood his ground, wand at the ready. "Alright, you big brute. Let's see what you've got."
The troll roared and swung its club again. Void dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. He cast a quick spell, "Stupefy!" The stunning spell hit the troll, but it barely seemed to notice, shaking its head and growling louder.
Void knew he needed a different approach. He cast another spell, aiming at the troll's legs. "Petrificus Totalus!" The troll's legs stiffened for a moment, causing it to stumble, but it quickly regained its balance and charged at Void.
With no other option, Void decided to get up close. He ran towards the troll, dodging another swing of the club, and slid between its legs. As he passed under it, he aimed his wand upwards. "Bombarda!" The spell hit the troll's underside, causing it to stagger and roar in pain.
The troll turned, swinging its club in a wide arc. Void barely had time to react, raising a shield charm just in time. The impact of the club shattered the shield, sending Void flying into the wall. He groaned in pain but forced himself to stand up again.
"Come on, you ugly beast!" Void taunted, trying to keep the troll's attention on him and away from his friends. The troll charged again, its club raised high. Void rolled to the side, avoiding the blow, and cast another spell. "Expulso!" The explosive spell hit the troll in the chest, causing it to stagger backwards.
With the troll momentarily dazed, Void saw his chance. He aimed his wand directly at the troll's mouth. "Bombarda Maxima!" he shouted. The powerful spell flew true, hitting the troll's open mouth and exploding with a deafening roar.
The troll's head snapped back, and it fell to the ground with a thunderous crash. Void stood over it, panting heavily. Blood dripped from a wound on his forehead, and he felt pain in his ribs, but he had done it. The troll was dead.
Just as the troll collapsed, the teachers arrived. Professor McGonagall and Snape rushed into the room, their wands were drawn. They froze at the sight of Void standing over the dead troll, injured but victorious.
"Mr. Potter!" McGonagall exclaimed, her face pale with shock. "What happened here?"
Void, struggling to stay on his feet, managed to speak. "Troll... attacked... had to stop it... Harry, Ron, Hermione... safe."
Snape's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, but even he couldn't deny the bravery displayed. McGonagall hurried to Void's side, her wand already casting healing spells to stabilize his injuries.
"We need to get you to the hospital wing immediately," she said, her voice firm but kind.
Void nodded weakly, his strength fading. "Just... glad they're safe," he murmured before everything went dark.
Aftermath in the Hospital Wing
"I'm so sorry, Void," Hermione began, tears welling up in her eyes. "If I hadn't gone to the bathroom, none of this would have happened. You wouldn't be hurt."
Void, despite his injuries, managed a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, Hermione. You couldn't have known about the troll. We're just glad you're safe." He then turned to Ron, his expression serious. "And you, Ron, need to apologize to Hermione."
Ron, looking thoroughly chastened, nodded quickly. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I was a right prat. You didn't deserve that."
Hermione, though still tearful, managed a small smile. "Thank you, Ron."
Daphne and Tracey exchanged glances, clearly impressed with Void's resolve to do the right thing and his magical skills. Daphne thought to herself, Void could have claimed a life debt from both Ron and Hermione for saving their lives, but he didn't. She admired his selflessness and integrity.
While Void did not acknowledge the life debt or put a claim to it, the castle's ancient magic ensured that a bond was still formed. This magic, designed to foster loyalty and reduce betrayal among students and staff, created a small but significant bond between Void, Hermione, and Ron. This bond was stronger with Hermione and Ron, who had been directly saved by Void, than with Harry, who was already like a brother to him. Subconsciously, Void rejected the life debt with Harry, feeling their bond was already unbreakable.
"You're a rare one, Void," Daphne said softly. "Most would have taken advantage of the situation."
Void gave a small smile. "I just do what I think is right."
Hermione looked at Void with newfound respect and gratitude. "Thank you, Void. You really are a true friend."
Interrogation by Dumbledore and Snape
After Harry, Ron, and Hermione were asked to leave by Madam Pomfrey, Void lay quietly in his bed, gathering his thoughts. Soon, the door to the hospital wing opened, and Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape entered, their expressions serious.
"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore began, his voice gentle but firm, "we need to discuss the incident with the troll. Specifically, the spells you used and where you learned them."
Void sat up slightly, wincing from his injuries. "I'll answer your questions," he said, "but first, I have some questions of my own."
Dumbledore and Snape exchanged glances, clearly taken aback. "Go on," Snape said, his tone cautious.
"How did the troll get into the castle in the first place?" Void asked. "Why did you, Headmaster, instruct the students to return to their common rooms with only the prefects, instead of keeping them in the Great Hall where the teachers could protect them?"
Dumbledore's face grew pale, and he shifted uncomfortably. Void continued, his gaze unwavering. "Why were all the teachers needed to go to the dungeons to deal with the troll? Why didn't you, the greatest wizard and leader of the light, handle it with a few others, while the rest stayed with the students to keep them safe?"
Dumbledore hesitated, his eyes filled with an uncharacteristic uncertainty. "These are... valid questions, Mr. Potter. However, the situation was complex."
Void interrupted, his voice strong. "If you're going to answer with non-answers, I won't answer any of your questions. And if you try to force me, Harry and I will transfer to another school. I've read the rules of Hogwarts—they were made by the Founders and can't be changed."
Dumbledore took a deep breath, his discomfort evident. "Mr. Potter, I assure you, our primary concern was the safety of all students. The troll's presence was unexpected, and we acted in the best way we could at the moment."
Void remained silent, waiting for more.
Dumbledore sighed, "We believed that spreading out the teachers to search the castle while the prefects led the students to safety was the best course of action. I realize now that it may not have been the most effective plan."
Snape, sensing the need to defuse the tension, added, "As for your spells, Mr. Potter, we are merely curious about your education and your safety. You displayed a remarkable skill for a first-year student."
Void finally relaxed a little, seeing the sincerity in their eyes. "I've read up on them while staying with a Gringotts healer," he said simply. "I want to be prepared for anything."
Dumbledore looked Void in the eyes for a long time, a twinkle in his eyes as he subtly used Legilimency. However, he found strong shields in place—shields so robust that breaking them would harm Void. If others discovered that Dumbledore used Legilimency on students, it would create a backlash from purebloods, neutral families, and even some light families. He had no choice but to back down.
Frustrated and visibly angry, Dumbledore turned to leave, Snape following with an amused expression. He knew about the shields from Void's second detention, where he had attempted to delve deeper into Void's memories but stopped upon encountering the same formidable barriers.
As they left, Snape couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Void. The boy had managed to turn the situation to his advantage and protect his secrets—a cunning move worthy of the best Slytherins.
Void lay back down, satisfied that he had managed to maintain his autonomy and keep his friends safe. Despite the tension, he knew that he had earned a degree of respect from both the Headmaster and Snape, and that would prove valuable in the days to come.
Dumbledore and Snape's Concern
Meanwhile, in Dumbledore's office, the headmaster and Professor Snape were deep in conversation, discussing Void's recent actions.
"Severus, Void's involvement in the troll incident has complicated matters significantly," Dumbledore began, his eyes fixed on a spot on his desk.
Snape nodded. "Indeed, Headmaster. His skills are far beyond what we expect from a first-year. Where could he have learned those spells?"
Dumbledore sighed. "We need Harry to form strong bonds with his friends, especially Hermione and Ron. They are crucial to his future. However, Void's actions have altered the dynamics."
Snape's expression darkened. "And his magic… it's too advanced. He's learned spells that even our seventh-years struggle with."
Dumbledore nodded, his face etched with worry. "We must investigate how Void acquired such knowledge. But more importantly, we need to adjust our plans. Harry is the one destined to face Voldemort. His scar, the prophecy… they all point to him. Void's presence is an unpredictable variable."
"We should keep him occupied," Snape suggested. "More detentions. I'll handle it. It will keep him away from Harry, allowing us to guide Harry without interference."
Dumbledore agreed. "Yes, and we can keep him in the hospital wing for now. It will delay any further disruptions, especially with the Quidditch match coming up."
As they planned, Void lay in the hospital wing, unaware of the intricate machinations at play. He focused on his recovery and his studies, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead. The respect and friendship he had earned would be vital in the days to come, as he navigated the complex web of alliances and rivalries at Hogwarts.
As they concluded their meeting, Dumbledore gazed out of his office window, deep in thought. The path ahead had grown more complicated, and adjustments needed to be made. The safety and success of their plans rested on maintaining control, and Void was an unpredictable variable they had to manage carefully.
November Arrives at Hogwarts
As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy grey and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.
The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the House Championship.
Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Wood had decided that, as their secret weapon, Harry should be kept, well, secret. But the news that he was playing Seeker had leaked out somehow, and Harry didn't know which was worse — people telling him he'd be brilliant or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him holding a mattress.
Hermione's eyes were wide with shock. "No — he wouldn't," she said, shaking her head. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try to steal something Dumbledore is keeping safe."
"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"
Harry nodded, still processing what he had seen. "We need to find out. Maybe we can visit Void in the hospital wing tomorrow and tell him what we've discovered. He might have some ideas."
"Good idea," Ron agreed. "Void's smart. He'll know what to do."
They decided to visit Void the next day and headed to bed. However, Harry's mind was still buzzing with questions. Neville was snoring loudly, but Harry couldn't sleep. He tried to empty his mind — he needed rest; his first Quidditch match was in a few hours — but the expression on Snape's face when Harry had seen his leg wasn't easy to forget.
As he lay in bed, Harry kept replaying the events in his head. "What is that dog guarding, and why is Snape so interested in it?" he wondered, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. He knew that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, and with Void's help, they might just uncover the truth.
Hospital Wing
While all this excitement was unfolding, Void was confined to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was adamant about him staying put until he was fully recovered. "You need rest, Mr. Potter, and I will not have you wandering about in your condition. If I must, I will restrain you to keep you here," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Despite his confinement, Void kept up with his schoolwork. Professors sent assignments to him, and he diligently worked through them, determined not to fall behind. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Daphne, and Tracey visited him frequently, bringing news from the outside and keeping his spirits up.