After David recounted the truth about Voldemort's involvement, revealing the reality behind the night's events, the initial excitement in the Gryffindor common room deflated. Disappointment spread quickly as everyone learned that the villain wasn't Snape but rather the timid Professor Quirrell, who had been under Voldemort's control. The room erupted in groans of disbelief before the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only David, Hermione, Ron, and Neville behind.
Ron broke the silence first, his face contorted in confusion. "Quirrell? Really? I never would've guessed… He was always so timid and friendly to me and Harry."
David shrugged. "His acting was top-notch. If he seemed even the least bit suspicious, the other professors would've caught on. He had to be convincing. But, to be fair, he was also under duress." David paused for emphasis. "He was being controlled by Voldemort."
Hermione's eyes widened. "You mean… he had You-Know-Who inside him?"
David nodded. "Exactly. Voldemort was weakened and latched onto Quirrell like a parasite. He manipulated him to go after the Philosopher's Stone to regain his full strength."
Ron and Neville turned pale at the mention of Voldemort's name. "D-David," Ron stammered, his voice a whisper, "you defeated… him?"
"To be precise," David corrected, "I defeated a very weakened version of him. Not the all-powerful Dark Lord he used to be."
"But still!" Ron's eyes were wide with admiration. "You faced off against You-Know-Who and won! D'you think… d'you think I could do that one day?"
David glanced at his friend's eager face and smiled. "I don't see why not. You all have more potential than you realize. With a little training, you could all stand up to him."
Ron's face lit up with excitement. "Blimey… I'll be famous! Chocolate frog cards… interviews… I'd have a mountain of free sweets!" He was already lost in his imagination, picturing himself as the hero of the wizarding world.
David and Hermione exchanged amused glances. "Right… just as long as you don't get a big head about it," David teased.
Hermione, still worried, leaned in closer. "But… were you hurt at all?"
David shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "I'm fine, Hermione. And honestly, if you can't hurt me during our dueling practice, then Voldemort didn't stand a chance."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but the relief on her face was clear. "You're impossible sometimes, David."
After some more laughter and conversation, they decided to turn in for the night. As they made their way to their dormitories, David caught a glimpse of the sky turning a deep shade of midnight blue. He felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. It had been a long night.
The next morning, Ron dragged David out of bed, and they raced to the school hospital to check on Harry. Madam Pomfrey was adamant about her rules and only allowed them five minutes. Of course, they ignored this entirely, hiding behind the curtain as Harry recounted his experience with Voldemort.
Harry was halfway through his story when Madam Pomfrey pulled back the curtain, her expression a mixture of annoyance and exasperation. "Out. Now. All of you!" she ordered, brandishing a feather duster like a weapon.
They ran out, laughing as they dodged her playful swipes. "Sorry, Madam Pomfrey!" David called back, grinning. "We'll come back tomorrow!"
"Not if I see you lot sneaking in again!" she shouted, but the corner of her mouth twitched, betraying a hint of a smile.
Once outside, the four friends wandered over to the courtyard. The sun was shining brightly, and a light breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. They sat on the steps, letting the warmth soak into their skin.
"What do we do now?" Ron asked, looking around for ideas. "Fancy a game of wizard chess?"
David groaned. "Is that the only game you ever play, Ron?"
"It's the only one I'm good at!" Ron replied with a laugh.
Neville spoke up shyly. "We could play Exploding Snap. It's fun… and a bit chaotic."
Hermione's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Exploding Snap? I've never played that before."
David grinned. "You'll love it. It's a card game, but the cards have a mind of their own. Perfect for an explosive afternoon."
Ron and Neville offered to fetch the cards, leaving David and Hermione alone on the lawn. As they walked towards the grassy area near the Black Lake, David's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Hey, Hermione, want to see something interesting?"
"What is it?" Hermione asked, tilting her head curiously.
"You'll see," David replied, his grin widening. "Just wait here for a second."
He sprinted off towards Hagrid's hut, returning minutes later with a small bag of dried fish. "This way," he said, leading Hermione down a winding path through the reeds until they reached the edge of the Black Lake.
The water sparkled under the sunlight, reflecting the towering castle behind them. It was a peaceful spot, far away from the bustling school. David crouched down by the water's edge, scattering a few pieces of dried fish into the lake.
Hermione watched in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Just wait," David said, his voice a whisper.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the water rippled. Two tiny heads popped up, followed by long, serpentine bodies. They were sleek and shiny, their scales shimmering in shades of silver and blue. They looked like a cross between eels and dragons, their eyes curious and playful.
"Are those…?" Hermione's eyes widened in wonder.
"Plimpies," David explained. "They're harmless little creatures. They love dried fish."
One of the Plimpies darted forward, snatching a piece of fish before splashing back into the water with a happy gurgle. The other swam in circles, its tail creating delicate ripples on the surface.
"They're adorable!" Hermione whispered, her eyes sparkling with amazement. She sat down beside David, her gaze fixed on the playful creatures.
David smiled. "Yeah… I thought you might like them."
They watched in comfortable silence, the sun warm on their backs as the Plimpies danced in the shimmering water. For a moment, all the chaos and danger of the past few days faded away, replaced by the simple joy of watching funny little animals play.