It had been nearly a month since the incident with Fluffy, the three headed dog. Things in the first year Gryffindor classes had been tense. Y/N and Ron had refused to talk to each other.

Hermione and Y/N had become even closer, they were practically inseparable at this point- very, very rarely would anyone see one without the other.

Harry had tried his hardest to keep neutral in the Y/N/Ron feud but constantly felt he had to side with Ron. Ron didn't really have many friends except Harry, Y/N though was extremely popular. He would be seen speaking to people from other houses regularly, as well as other Gryffindors. Harry had noticed that Ron would constantly talk badly about Y/N when they were together. Harry also noticed that those rare times he was able to talk to Y/N and Hermione they hadn't mentioned Ron once.

The most time Harry and Y/N got to spend together was at Quidditch training. Harry was learning the moves and drills of a Chaser very well, while Y/N seemed to be getting quicker and quicker at catching the snitch. Hermione never missed a training session rain, hail or shine and was always cheering from the stands.

-~-

It was finally Halloween, marking (almost) the two month mark since the students had started at Hogwarts. Everyone was excited for the Halloween feast bar Harry. He wasn't sure how to feel. Halloween marked not only the anniversary of Voldemort's downfall but also his parents' murders.

The students were sitting in Charms class, the last class of the day, and the first years were learning the levitation charm. The only exception was Y/N, who was sat in a corner by himself practicing Avis after getting private instruction from Professor Flitwick.

The rest of the class had been split into pairs and unfortunately, Hermione had been placed with Ron.

Y/N was focused on his bird summoning, twelve small avids flying around his head before he heard Ron talk to Hermione in an extremely disrespectful tone:

"You do it if you're so clever! Go on! Go on!"

Wingardium Leviosa

Hermione's feather flew high in the air. Hermione looked over at Y/N, who was staring at her with a proudly with a big smile. She blushed slightly before Professor Flitwick noticed her success and called out to the class:

"Look everyone look- Miss Granger's got it. Oh well done. Well done!"

Hermione blushed again before...

Bang!

Seamus had managed to somehow blow up his and Harry's feather, covering both boys in soot and ash:

"Professor I think we're going to need another feather over here" Harry said calmly.

-~-

Class had ended and Y/N and Hermione walked out together, behind Harry, Ron, Seamus and Dean.

Y/N was gushing praise onto Hermione, she looked down immensely proud, whispering: "Y/N stop!" with a small giggle. Her happiness wouldn't last though as the pair heard Ron speak loudly ahead of them:

"It's Levi-o-sar not Levio-sar. Honestly she's a nightmare. The only friend she has is Y/N and he must be sick of her too."

Ron cruelly taunted Hermione's accent. She instantly ran off in tears. Y/N called out "Hermione wait!" before looking at Ron and seeing red.

He rushed up knocking both Seamus and Dean to the floor. Ron looked at Y/N terrified and then...

CRACK!

Harry and the rest of the courtyard flinched as a sickening noise signalled Ron's jaw had likely been shattered. He was on the floor, unconscious and in a bloody mess.

Harry looked at Y/N in fear, closing his eyes and waiting for his turn, but it didn't come. Harry opened his eyes and looked at Y/N to see... sadness in his eyes.

"I thought better of you Harry. I really did".

Y/N turned and, after given Ron one last look of disgust, quickly left the courtyard, heading in the direction Hermione had fled. The students who had watched on looking away in fear, moving to keep out of his way.

Harry felt an incredible surge of guilt. Y/N was right. He and Hermione had been nothing but nice to Harry. Y/N had protected him. They had tried to look after Harry when he or Ron made stupid decisions and how did Harry repay them?

He looked down at the unconscious form of Ron in front of him and suddenly thought to himself: "what am I gonna do?"

"Hey I saw what happened. Are you ok?"

Harry looked up to see a tall Hufflepuff walking over towards him. The taller teen held out his hand which Harry shook, saying:

"I'm Cedric Diggory, I'm a friend of Y/N's"

"Harry Potter"

Cedric looked down at Ron's unconscious body and placed two fingers on his throat:

"Well he's alive at least. Let's get him to the infirmary hey?"

Cedric picked Ron up after Harry nodded and they began to walk off. Cedric sniffed and pulled a face:

"I think he had an accident"

-~-

As the two walked the halls on the way to the Hospital wing Harry explained to Cedric what had happened. Cedric nodded:

"Uh Huh. I see. Well some free advice Harry. I was good friends with Dean and Penny when they were here and I'm good friends with Y/N now. Never ever hurt a L/N's woman."

Harry chuckled as he looked at Ron:

"You can say that again"

-~-

After arriving at the infirmary and finally convincing Madam Pomfrey that Ron had been injured in an accident playing with a bludger, Pomfrey was able to fix Ron's jaw. She even let him out for the feast. Ron was sore and bruised but healed. The two walked towards the Great Hall ready for the feast as Harry spoke firmly:

"You need to apologise to Hermione, Ron."

Ron looked at his best friend shocked and squealed:

"What? After what Y/N did to me?"

Harry's face turned angry:

"Yes. You deserved it. You've been really horrible to both of them and all they've done is try to help us. Either you apologise and start being nice Ron, or I don't think we can be friends any more".

Harry walked off, leaving Ron to think about his actions and choices.

-~-

Y/N had been chasing after Hermione, using legilimency on people he passed before learning she had ran into the girl's bathroom on the first floor.

Y/N ran until he made it there and looked around. Once the coast was clear he was about to enter when the door opened in front of him.

"Well hello handsome"

Y/N looked at the Gryffindor in front of him. She was Katie Bell, a second year, and on his Quidditch team.

"Uh, hi Katie. Is Hermione in there?"

Katie moved forward with a sweet smile, placing her hand on Y/N's chest as he backed up while she exited.

"I'm not sure. Someone was crying, but as it's the girls toilet and you can't go in there... why don't you accompany me to the Halloween feast. You can sit with me and my friends, it would be so much fun!"

Katie smiled sweetly at Y/N, batting her eyelashes and curling her hair around her finger.

Y/N raised an eyebrow in return:

"Uh... that's nice of you to offer but I'll have to take a rain check. I'll wait here for Hermione. Thanks though... I guess?"

Katie giggled as she smiled still at Y/N, placing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked down and then back up.

"I'll take you up on that rain check Y/N. See you at training".

She waved goodbye in a manner Y/N found... odd... as his thoughts returned to Hermione. The moment Katie was out of sight he quickly entered the girl's bathroom, relieved no one else was in there, other than the sobbing that was coming from one of the stalls. Y/N walked over and leant his forehead against the door, speaking calmly and caringly:

"Hermione, can you let me in please?"

He heard a shocked reply laced with sniffles come from the stall:

"What are you doing here Y/N?"

Y/N smiled.

"What do you think Hermione? I'm worried sick about my best friend"

He heard Hermione sniffle again:

"You heard what Ron said. You're going to be sick of me soon."

Y/N felt his heart break at the pain in her voice before he replied:

"Really, you're gonna listen to that? I thought you were smarter than that Hermione. I'm not going anywhere and I'm sure as hell not gonna leave you in here to cry alone".

"Y/N..." Hermione replied sadly. Y/N spoke firmly, not with aggression but with compassion that was evident in his voice:

"No Hermione. I could Alomohora the door open but I told you before. A gentleman always asks permission first. So I ask you again. May I come in and comfort my best friend. Please"

Y/N heard the door click open and Hermione emerged. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, she had tear marks down her cheeks. Y/N felt his heart break again as he wrapped her in a soft, caring, sweet embrace. Hermione leant into the hug and hugged back. Her previous worry, concern and hurt all completely disappeared in that moment. She felt safe, she felt warm, she felt.... loved...?

Y/N squeezed Hermione lovingly as he spoke:

"I will never get sick of you 'Mione. I will never leave or abandon you. You are my best friend. You mean everything to me. I care for you more than you can imagine. I don't know how to... I mean..."

Hermione smiled to herself. Y/N couldn't express exactly what he meant but she had a pretty good idea it mirrored how she felt. It comforted her enough just to know that he was feeling the same way:

"I care for you so much too Y/N. I'm sorry I got so upset. I just remembered primary school. I know you would never leave me alone. You're my best friend too".

They let go of the hug and smiled at each other before Hermione gently grabbed Y/N's right hand and carefully lifted it. She had noticed it was red and bruised. She looked up from his obviously injured hand to his gentle green eyes and asked:

"Y/N what happ... What did you do?"

Y/N chuckled. Busted! He smiled at Hermione:

"I may or may not have broken Ron's jaw."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock:

"What!!?"

"He had it coming 'Mione. You can't argue that. He was so cruel to you, and when I saw you cry... I just snapped"

Hermione knew she couldn't argue the point, instead she just hugged him again. Y/N returned it with a smile. They ended up just sitting in the bathroom for what seemed like hours talking. About her school and home life. About his training, things he had done. They lost track of time until Hermione smelt something rank.

"Ughh What is that smell?"

"Shit. 'Mione get in the stall".

Hermione looked up at Y/N confused. He wasn't looking at her. He was looking passed her.

"What do you mean Y/N? What are you doing?"

"Buying you time" Y/N replied as he stood with his wand out.

Hermione opened her mouth to reply as she turned, but nothing came out as she looked in horror at the bathroom entranceway.

A huge stinking mountain troll stood and stared at them, growling. Y/N darted across the other side of the bathroom and fired a conjunctivitis curse at the troll's eyes as Hermione shot into the stall and locked the door behind her.

The troll staggered back a couple of steps holding its eyes and roared. It swung its giant club, striking down the top half of the stalls. Hermione ducked and screamed.

"You ok Hermione?" Y/N yelled in panic. Hermione nodded as she ran across to where he was near the sinks. Y/N pointed forward:

"Make your way along the wall" Y/N yelled. Hermione nodded as he fired another hex at the eyes of the troll and then walked calmly directly in front of the troll, standing in the middle of the floor, staring at the giant creature in front of him with a pained expression.

"What are you doing?" Hermione called out in a panic.

"I've got an idea" Y/N yelled back as he continued to stare at the troll, who wiped it's eyes and looked directly at Y/N, roaring angrily.

Hermione slowly started to move forward along the row of broken faucets as Y/N stood staring at the troll. Begging it. Pleading with it. Not to make him do this.

Hermione made it to relative safety behind the troll and watched in horror as the troll roared and charged at Y/N.

Her mouth dropped, panic evident in her eyes as Y/N did the unthinkable. He charged as well.

Y/N ran forward and slid, right between the troll's legs. The troll looked down at the boy slide under him. The moment Y/N was out the other side he cast a spell, still laying down, looking up at the troll upside down.

Bombarda Maxima

The troll screeched in pain as it was struck in the back. It was sent forward several feet, the smell of rotten meat cooking filling the air and causing Hermione to gag as Y/N jumped to his feet and pulled her behind him.

The troll roared again as it turned, looking at Y/N with murder in its eyes. Y/N stood there looking at it as he edged backwards, trying to get Hermione to safety. In one last attempt he begged... pleaded with the creature, switching from the communication he had been making with it to words:

"Please. I'm begging you. Don't make me do this!"

The troll roared again as Y/N sighed in pain, Hermione hearing in her head:

Close your eyes. I don't want you to see this.

Hermione closed her eyes, burying her head in Y/N's back as she heard a single word.

Labefactum.

The bludgeoning curse...

Invisible blow after invisible blow struck down on the troll's head and upper torso. It screeched in agonised pain as Hermione wrapped her arms around Y/N's torso from behind. She felt him flinch at every impact, every growl and groan and cry of pain from the enormous magical creature. Hermione heard a loud thump, the troll falling backwards to the floor, dead.

-~-

Harry and Ron ran into the bathroom and were shocked at the scene of devastation. Just as they entered Y/N released the curse and fell to his knees, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

Hermione dove down onto Y/N, hugging him tightly, both of their heads buried into the other's shoulder.

Harry slowly walked up to the troll and saw what was left of its head and upper torso. Blood and bone and sinew and tissue was everywhere.

"Is it dead?" Ron asked timidly.

"Yeah" Harry replied, desperately trying to keep his stomach contents inside of him... "Definitely dead".

Right at that moment three teachers burst into the bathroom- Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell.
McGonagall looked at the scene in shock and gasped:

"Oh my goodness. Explain yourselves, the four of you"

Harry and Ron looked at each other speechless before Y/N spoke up, it was at that exact moment everyone except Hermione realised he was crying:

"I didn't want to kill him Professor".

Hermione squeezed tighter as the Professors looked at Y/N shocked. He continued:

"I had to do it to protect Hermione... but... he didn't have to die".

McGonagall looked at Y/N absolutely astounded. The stoic and strong boy she knew- this emotional, this vulnerable. She knew this was no act or manipulation. She could see Y/N's agony was genuine.

"Ms Granger please explain this immediately" She beseeched Hermione for some clarity.

"It's my fault"

Harry, Hermione and the Professors looked at Ron shocked.

"I was really mean to Hermione after she tried to help me and I'm sorry for it. She ran off crying and Y/N chased her. We hadn't seen them since and Harry and I came to warn them about the Troll" Ron explained.

"We heard the crashing and came here just as..." Harry stopped mid sentence, unsure what to say next.

"Just as I killed him". Y/N said as he raised to his feet, wiping tears from his eyes.

"How Mr. L/N? Trolls are especially resistant to magic" Snape asked, significantly more concern present in his voice then any other, besides Y/N, in the room had previously heard from the famously doer professor.

"I tried attacking his eyes with the conjunctivitis curse and the confundus charm. But it just made him angry. I tried to blow him back with Bombarda maxima but it only pushed him back a few feet. In the end I had to... use the bludgeoning curse" Y/N explained, emotion still obvious in his voice.

Quirrell shrieked at its very mention.

Snape and McGonagall looked at Y/N stunned as McGonagall stammered:

"M-Mr L/N that is NEWT level magic"

Y/N looked up at her. She could see the pain and devastation in his eyes:

"I didn't want to Professor. He was confused and angry and he didn't know why he was here."

"You spoke to him?" Hermione asked calmly as she rubbed Y/N's back. Y/N nodded.

"I tried to make him stop 'Mione I really did, but he just wouldn't listen."

Hermione wrapped her arms around him again and said gently:

"Hey it's ok. It's ok. You saved our lives"

Hermione could see he was distraught, the impact that killing a magical creature had on him. She felt her heart breaking for him. He did this to save her. She squeezed again as McGonagall spoke gently and warmly:

"Mr L/N I am sorry you had to do that. But Ms Granger is correct. You would have likely both died if not for your actions".

She turned to Ron:

"Mr. Weasley, I am taking 10 points off you for your cruel and rude behaviour. Mr L/N, I am awarding you 30 points for bravery, skill in conducting magic far far above your year level and finally for having the courage to make a terrible decision in order to save your best friend's life".

McGonagall smiled at the boy as he looked up at her, the pain still written on his face.

"This isn't the first time you've spoken to a Magical Creature is it Y/N?" Snape asked suddenly.

Y/N shook his head.

"No. I've also spoke to a number of Creatures when I've been volunteering in the Magical Creature Reserve. A Dragon, a Yeti, an Abraxan and a Fire Crab and also..."

Y/N trailed off. He looked Severus in the eyes as the potions master heard:

Fluffy

Snape's eyes slightly widened as he subtly nodded. McGonagall meanwhile was muttering to herself, stunned once more. She finally spoke slightly louder, saying:

"Incredible, Loquitur Animalbus. It must be..."

"Pardon Professor?" Y/N asked puzzled with a slight cock of his head.

"Loquitur Animalbus, Mr L/N. Beast whisperer. It's a very, very rare magical skill. You have the ability to speak to all magical creatures. You also feel an emotional affinity for them. It's why it was so hard for you to...."

"Murder one" Y/N said as his head dropped again.

Hermione squeezed him from the side as McGonagall put her hand on his shoulder.

"I understand this is hard for you, Y/N. Mr Potter and Mr Weasley could you please accompany these two to the hospital wing. I will have food sent to both of you, you must be exhausted. Just know I and the other professors here are very, very proud of you Y/N".

"Indeed" Snape muttered, a small smile breaking across his face. Ron and Harry looked at the Potions Master in shock, Hermione smiled and Y/N heard Severus's voice in his head:

Your suspicions about Quirrell were correct Y/N. I need to speak to you alone. Tell no one.

I understand Sev.

Another small smile broke out on the Potions Master's face. He hadn't been called that in nearly a decade, not since Tom....

The four students left the bathroom heading towards the hospital wing, Minerva closing the door behind her as she turned to her trusted colleague:

"The boy has immense power Severus."

"Indeed Minerva. I don't think anyone knows just how much yet."

Quirrell let out a whimper.

-~-

The four students walked towards the hospital wing. Harry and Ron walking next to each other, Y/N and Hermione arm in arm behind them. Hermione looked forward to Ron and smiled:

"That was very good of you Ron. I appreciate your kind words. I would like us to be friends."

"Me too. I'm sorry for being a pillock" Ron replied. The three all looked at Y/N.

"What? I'm not apologising for hitting him. He made my girl cry. No one gets away with that."

Hermione blushed as Harry chuckled and asked teasingly:

"Your girl?"

Y/N leant down and kissed the top of Hermione's head.

"Damn straight she's my girl. She's my best friend in the world".

Hermione lit up like a tomato.

-~-

After treating Hermione for her scrapes Pompfrey insisted Y/N stayed in hospital for the night to have a sleeping potion and recover. As she was walking away she heard a voice in her head, reminiscent of her school days:

Could I please have a Potion for Dreamless Sleep as well Madam Pomfrey? If I'm sleeping around others I will need it

Pomfrey stopped dead in her tracks and nodded without turning around. She would ask him the meaning behind his words another time.

There had been a number of arguements in the following hour before eventually Madam Pomfrey allowed Hermione to stay with Y/N. The matron tutted as she walked off before reaching her office, closing the door and chuckling:

"He's gonna have his hands full in a few years"

-~-

Lights were out in the infirmary and a whispered argument broke out in one of the cubicles:

"'Mione come here and take the bed."

"No, you can't do that"

"I'm not sleeping in a bed while a young lady sleeps in a chair. Take the bed or I'll lay on the floor."

Hermione's eyes narrowed at Y/N before a blush crossed her cheeks:

"Um.. how bout we share it?"

It was Y/N's turn to blush:

"Oh, um- are you sure 'Mione. Are you comfortable with that?"

"Of course, I suggested it" Hermione added with a shy smile.

"Ok then, great" Y/N said happily, but nervously.

Y/N lifted the blankets and scooted over, trying to give Hermione as much room as possible. They laid down with a respectable distance between them as the potions started to take hold.

"Y/N could you... hug me? I'm a little cold" Hermione said bashfully.

"Of course, I mean, as long as you are comfortable with that" Y/N replied with a sleepy voice. Hermione smiled and replied happily:

"Of course I am, as long as it is ok with you."

Y/N smiled as he wrapped his arm around her chest. She pulled it tight and cuddled into his muscles. She soon heard light snores behind her ear as the potions worked.

Best Halloween Ever! Hermione thought to herself as she felt herself drifting off.

-~-

Pomfrey was doing her last rounds for the night and realised she hadn't heard from L/N or Granger for a while. As she walked towards their cubicle she smiled. He was the splitting image of his father. That strong, smart, brave, funny, charming man.

Merlin how she missed him, her Tom. She saw so much of him in Y/N. She turned the corner into their cubicle and smiled to herself. Y/N was well under the influence of the potions she had administered and was sleeping peacefully. He had his arm wrapped around Granger and the girl was hugging it for dear life, laying there asleep with a great big smile on her face. Pomfrey chuckled as she tucked them in, saying to herself:

"Just like Dean and Penny used to be".

-~-

Harry and Ron finally arrived back at their dorm, exhausted, it had been a long day. They were jumped on almost instantly but Dean, Seamus and Neville; all wanting to know where they had disappeared to and where Y/N was. The pair sat on their beds and began to regale the other boys with the events of the evening.

"Y/N really... killed a Mountain Troll?" Seamus asked stunned as Harry nodded.

"Blimey" Seamus replied as Neville appeared to go pale.

Harry noticed Smoky, who had been laying on Y/N's bed, lift her head up, almost as if she was listening to their conversation.

"That's not the craziest thing though..." Ron gossiped excitedly "... Y/N spoke to it"

"Spoke to it? Like yelled at it?" Dean asked puzzled.

Ron laughed and Harry rolled his eyes:

"No, Professor McGonagall called it loquator ... something. Beast Whisperer. Apparently Y/N can talk to all Magical Creatures. It's really, really, really rare. He said he'd spoken to a dragon before in the Creature Reserve, but yeah, he begged the troll to stop so he wouldn't have to kill it but it wouldn't listen!"

"Bloody Hell" Seamus answered in stunned wonder.

If Harry didn't know better he would have sworn he saw a look of fear pass across Smoky's eyes.