Ila stared at the plate of food in front of her, eyes dead, unfocused.

Harry's reaction was valid, it would have hurt, it certainly would hurt her if someone told her something like that. But she wished he'd just listen to her.

And Theodore. He was... A pain in the arse... 'Sorry mum'.

Even after he gave the pencil, he acted cold. He only spoke when spoken to.

But.. He then had the audacity to say,
" Hey, you okay? " He held her shoulder softly.

" I'm fine. See you at dinner. " Ila answered curtly, shrugging his hand of.

If he cannot admit he'd like to be friends, then Ila would rather not waste her time. She had more important things to do.

Which leads us back to where she stared at her dinner, playing with the rice on the plate.

" Do you not want to eat tonight? " Daphne asked her.

Ila shook her head, " No.. I was just thinking of something. "

But she realised she couldn't stare at the plate forever.

"I'll get to the library. I have to finish the herbology essay. " She said, pushing back as she left the hall in a flurry.

" Ila! " Neville said, though he looked a bit weary of her.

Ila's patience was beyond the roof today she didn't really want to yell at Neville, but if he even hinted at the house rivalry or anything of the sort, she'd have committed her first murder.

" Hi Neville... How -"

" - could you please get to the girls bathroom? Parvati said Hermione has been there all afternoon, crying. She wasn't even there for herbology." He said urgently, " Please, you're her friend. Could you help her? I'd go myself but -"

" - it's fine. Yeah, I'll just go. " Ila mumbled, sprinting over to the bathroom.

As she walked out of the hall, the chilly winds ruffled her robes. She huddled her hands close to conserve heat.

She could hear the hustle and bustle of the hall. But her mind was far too occupied in rehashing the day's events for her to care.

⏟

The bathroom was just as cold as it always was, the lights dim.

" Hermione? " Ila called.

She heard a sniff, then deep breaths, " Y-yes? Is - is something wrong? " She asked, her breath was short as Ila followed the sound to a mirror.

It's heart broke, " Hey, you okay? " She asked softly, while Hermione bobbed her head.

" Yeah I'm fine. Just.. Nothing. " She shook her head, wiping tears.

" Come on, you can't actually feel bad about what Ron says. He's an idiot -"

"- it's not just about Ron! " Hermione snapped, pressing the heels of her palm into her eyes, " It's everyone who looks at me like I'm a freak. That I'm a know-it-all. As if it's bad to have knowledge. I - I don't want to be looked at like that... " She said angrily.

" Then why don't you look at those who admire your knowledge? Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout -"

" - yes Ila, all professors like a studious student -"

"- Neville, Padma, Parvati,... Me.. " She finished with a whisper.

" But -"

" - Hermione, " Ila said firmly, leaning in front of her. " You have to make your mark here. People are foolish. They think your blood makes you different. They think you are a freak of nature. But nature chose you to be here! You just have to be yourself. That will solve your problems. " She said.

" I know that. " She answered.

"Then stop being an idiot, get out of the self pity. You're Hermione Granger. No one can stop you. " Ila replied sternly.

Hermione gave her a watery smile, but then, they heard a deep thump.

" What's that -" But before Ila could finish the sentence, the deep smell of rot filled her nose.

" Ew! " Hermione said, as the girls covered her nose.

But what approached was far more dangerous than a toxic smell.

There, stood at the gate of the girl's bathroom stood a giant troll, nearly 30 feet high. The ground shook with thunder as it stomped over, his eyes crossing the two girls.

" Run! " Hermione screamed, though they hadn't the time. The troll dumped his giant mace at the gate, crashing the door.

The attack of the mace sent flying shards of tiles in all directions, prompting the girls to cover their heads.

The smell, oh Ila realised how her mother now felt finding her dirty socks. But this was worse. So much worse.

As they pressed closer to the remaining tiles, the cold calmed Ila's mind enough to look around for exits.

"There's no way out. " Ila whispered.

" Inside! " Hermione urged, dragging her into the bathroom stalls, even as the troll smashed the one next to them.

The girl's screams carried across the silence of the bathroom as they his behind the only standing wall.

" Hermione! " She heard Harry's sharp voice. Ila breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately then, fear filled her heart.

"No! Stay out! " Hermione screamed. "Call a professor -" But before she could say anything, the troll, alerted by the new humans spinned, grabbing Harry by his ankle.

"Harry! " Three screams of terror filled his ears, his blood rushing to his brain as he stared at Ila and Hermione crouching behind the stall.

Her heart caught in her throat as the troll swung Harry around like a rag doll, his hands flailing in the air.

"Ron!" Hermione screamed.

" Why aren't you doing anything! " He screamed back.

"Let's see Ron. We don't have our wands!" Ila snapped in anger, " Just do the charm! Lift -"

" I don't know how! " He wailed.

" Yes you do. " Hermione stared at him with fire in her eyes. "Swish and flick! Do it! "

Ron raised a shaky hand, even as the troll shook Harry around the room, his spectacles flying off right into Ila's hands.

" Ron! " Ila urged and he shivered.

"Wingardium Leviosa! " He shouted. The mace flew in the air.

" Now! " Hermione yelled as Ron dropped the club right on the troll's head.

Harry jumped as the troll fell, covering himself to save his skin.

The troll fell with a shuddering sound, the tiles on the floor cracking.

" Oh my god! You did it! " Harry exclaimed, pulling his friend into a hug.

The boy stared at the mace. Unbelieving.

Footsteps followed the silence.

" What is the meaning of this! When all students were evacuated, what are you four doing here! " McGonagall asked, indigant. But before any of them could answer, Hermione spoke up.

" It was my fault professor. I believed I had what it takes to fight a troll. If Ron, Harry and Ila hadn't saved me, I would.. Probably be dead. " She said, while Ila kept her hand on her shoulder.

The boys stared at Hermione in wonder. Ila couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Idiots. They forget she's a Gryffindor. She's loyal and brave... And she knows when to lie. Boys were idiots. Her mum was right. "

But Ila had no time to dwell on their idiocy. Snape's piercing stare would set her on fire it seemed, while Quirrel stood behind them. He was shivering.

" 5 points from Gryffindor Ms Granger for your foolishness , " McGonagall said, " And 5 to each of you, " She curled her lip, " For sheer, dumb luck. Off to bed. All of you. "

As they left the bathroom, Ila was pulled into a crushing hug by Hermione.

" Thank you, " The girl whispered as they walked towards the tower.

Ila's eyes lingered on the trio, more so on the boy in the middle.

He looked back, his eyes lingered on Ila. For a moment.. Ila hoped he'd come back. Listen to what she has to say.

But he simply looked back ahead and walked off.

"Miss Black. Do I need to dock off the points Professor McGonagall so graciously gave you or will you run back to your dorms? " Snape asked, his voice condescending as he stared down at her.

" No professor. I'm leaving. " She answered, walking away.

⏟

" Where were you? " Ila jumped back at the sudden voice.

" Who's there! " She asked into the darkness.

Theodore Nott walked out of the shadows .

" What are you doing here? " Ila asked, hugging as she crossed him to move to the dungeons.

" I could ask you the same. Where were you? All students were sent back to their dorms... "

" I went to the bathroom. " Ila answered. It wasn't a lie.. But it wasn't the complete truth, " Besides.. I don't think I need to tell you where I am going do I? "

He pursed his lips, thinking of a retort, but failing.

" Did you see the troll? " His eyes, if only for a moment lit up, as if it was part of a fantasy.

" ... Yes... " Ila mumbled, confused. His eyes were flickering with curiosity, before
he closed his eyes, " Well, you shouldn't have gone. You could have gotten hurt. Are you an idiot? " He said, eyes hardening in nonchalance.

" It's not as if you care for me Nott, so dont sweat over it. I won't die on you before we complete our Calming Draught. Don't worry. " Ila stared back at him. His eyes sharpened at her words, jaw tightening.

From afar, one would say two kids were fighting.

From close by, it was two people who were far too wise for their age.

" Forget I asked. " Theo said finally, walking away.

" If you want me to be your friend, you just need to tell me. This attitude disproves that! " Ila stomped her foot, walking past him as she hit his shoulder.

He stared ahead at her, closing his eyes in defeat as a tear fell past his eyes.

He'd driven away one more person who cared. Cared enough to speak to him.

'Mum was right again. Don't try to become friends with those who think silence is a personality trait'.

⏟

Finally 😭

This took so long.. My phone gave up on me the last three days.

Anyways, tell me how it was.

Much love♥