Appearing before Ron and Hermione was a Giant lying on the ground, covering itself.
Ron now understood why the Giant was howling as if venting—it was because it was in pain.
Above the Giant, a huge wooden club was floating.
"Hey." Harry noticed the two companions pushing the door open.
He didn't forget to gently wave his magic wand, the motion was small, and the wooden club heavily smashed down on the Giant's head.
The Giant could only let out a muffled groan before fainting away.
"Bloody hell…" Ron gasped in astonishment, "Harry, you… you defeated a Giant!"
"Oh." Harry stuffed the magic wand back into his pocket and dodged with a question, "Why are you two here?"
"Professor Quirrell said there was a Giant in the underground classroom. Ron remembered you went to the restroom and hadn't come back, worried about your safety, so he dragged me along to remind you of the danger," Hermione said in a rapid-fire manner, then looked down at the Giant again: "Now it seems, the danger wasn't really the Giant."
Harry felt a bit touched; he really hadn't expected that these two companions would still be willing to risk their lives to inform him of the danger despite knowing there was a Giant.
How else to say, truly worthy of Gryffindor.
"Thank you." Harry said sincerely, "Ron, Hermione..."
Before the words could fade, a sudden loud knocking on the door and loud footsteps caused the three people in the room to turn their heads toward the door.
Moments later, Professor McGonagall rushed into the room, followed closely by Snape, with Quirrell trailing last.
Quirrell only glanced at the fainted Giant before letting out a helpless sob, sitting on a toilet clutching his chest tightly.
Harry turned his head, showing faint disgust.
What a coward, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is such a person?
If this goes on, Hogwarts will become the laughingstock of the Magic World!
"What kind of nonsense are you up to?" Professor McGonagall said, her voice coldly angry.
Her stern gaze swept over the trio, finally fixating on the Giant lying on the ground, asleep: "You're lucky, not to have been killed by it—why didn't you stay obediently in the dormitory?"
"Sorry, Professor," Harry stood up to say, "They were looking for me; I had a stomachache after class and wanted to go to the restroom. I didn't expect the Giant to break in; they knew I was in the restroom and wanted to notify me of the danger."
Professor McGonagall's serious expression softened.
Since it was like this, it wouldn't be blamed on Harry.
Daring to stand out and take responsibility...
I think this child is like Lily, Professor McGonagall thought happily.
"With the help of Ron and Hermione, we defeated the Giant together," Harry added at last.
He decided not to be so conspicuous, after all, a first-year student defeating a Giant alone was just too shocking to say.
Upon hearing Harry's words, Hermione secretly pinched Ron, then acted as though that was indeed the case.
Ron followed Hermione's lead and nodded, seeming as though he had defeated the Giant himself.
"A decent Transformation Spell." Professor McGonagall noticed the shackles on the Giant's feet, and nodded at Harry with satisfaction, then looked at Ron and Hermione.
"Violating school rules, leaving the group without permission, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Gryffindor will be deducted five points because of you two," Professor McGonagall said sternly.
Hermione's head lowered; she hadn't expected Professor McGonagall to be so unsparing.
Ron also unwillingly pursed his lips, Merlin's beard, can't our head be as biased as the head of Slytherin?
But then Professor McGonagall supplemented: "For friends, risking life and limb, Gryffindor receives ten points."
Upon hearing the reward from Professor McGonagall, the two raised their heads in surprise, seeing Professor McGonagall smile slightly at them and Ron.
Finally, Professor McGonagall concluded: "Alright, I still want to say you're lucky; not many first-year students can take on an adult Giant and win, you've each earned five points for Gryffindor—I'll inform Professor Dumbledore of this, you may leave."
"Go on, go on." Professor Quirrell stood up from the toilet, stuttering, "I...I will handle the restroom, you...don't worry."
As the words just fell, the sleeping Giant snorted loudly.
Professor Quirrell was startled, reflexively jumping up.
Harry didn't look at Professor Quirrell; he noticed that since entering the room, Professor Snape had been intently staring at him.
He didn't think much of it since he had no hostility toward Snape, believing Snape was the same.
Old friend of mom and dad, he thought.
Walking back, all the way to the second floor, Harry turned around and said to the two companions: "Thank you both today."
Ron and Hermione exchanged looks, both smiling.
"Why thank?" Ron gave Harry a big smile: "Isn't this what friends should do?"
Harry was stunned.
He had always regarded Hermione as a pleasant classmate.
And for Ron, he always took care of him more because he was the descendant of an old friend.
But today, these two companions risked their lives to warn him, how could he not be moved?
"Yes, we are friends." Harry nodded heavily, opened his arms, hugged Hermione, then hugged Ron.
He accepted these two friends.
Perhaps a new beginning was needed, he thought, apart from old friends, there should also be some new friends.
"So, Harry." Hermione suddenly asked, "Why did you say to Professor McGonagall earlier that it was the three of us together who defeated the Giant?"
"Oh, just didn't want to be too conspicuous," Harry said a bit troubled, "You know, they always call me the Savior, and if it spreads out that I defeated a Giant alone, I'd be surrounded again like the zoo monkeys at the start of the term."
"So that's it." Hermione nodded, understanding Harry's explanation.
"Hey, buddy." Ron draped his arm over Harry's shoulder, asked, "How exactly did you defeat the Giant? That was really cool."
"Just used a combination of spells," Harry told Ron, "I've read some books about dueling skills in my spare time, and today I unconsciously used them; as you saw, the effect was pretty good—would you like to study together?"
He thought about the useless Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Even nowadays, Dark Wizards haven't completely disappeared, and Harry didn't think anything useful about defense against Dark Magic would be learned in those classes.
If so, why not revive the Dueling Wand!
Then… let's start with these two friends, he thought.