Chapter 29: Giant

Hermione was lost in her sorrow when she heard two soft knocks on the compartment door.

“Hermione… is that you?”

“Who is it?” Hermione choked out, voice trembling. “Are you here to mock me too?”

“It’s Padma Patil,” came the gentle reply. “The Halloween Feast has probably already started. Wade and Michael are waiting outside for you—they’re really worried.”

“Go… go enjoy the Feast without me. I just need to be alone for a bit,” Hermione said, wiping more tears from her cheeks, stubborn and quiet.

She’d already cried until her eyes were dry. She hadn’t stayed here out of physical need, but because her heart ached and she didn’t want to face the world’s eyes. But now, hearing her friend’s kind voice, the warmth of concern, her tears spilled over again.

Padma pressed her hand against the door. “Hermione, I know what Weasley said. But I don’t understand—why let one foolish boy’s unfair words break you, when you have so many who truly care? Everyone says you’re the smartest witch in the entire year. Can’t you tell what truly matters?”

Hermione’s sobs stilled. She said nothing for a long moment.

“Let me tell you a secret,” Padma said softly. “Those who speak ill of you behind your back—they’re often just insecure and jealous. You’re smarter, better, stronger in every way. They can’t stand it, so they try to hurt you by spreading lies. If you let their words destroy you, if you push away everyone who loves you… then they win.” She paused. “The best revenge? Ignore them. Shine your light. Don’t waste your energy on the shadows in the corners. And if you still feel the need to strike back? Go ahead—punch him in the face. After all, you’re a Gryffindor lion, aren’t you?”

Ziiiiip.

A moment later, the compartment door creaked open.

Hermione stepped out, eyes red and puffy, voice still thick with tears. “I’m not the smartest witch… Padma, you’re the truly clever one.”

Padma smiled and pulled her into a warm hug.

…

Wade and Michael had been waiting in the corridor for ages. When they finally saw the two girls emerge from the girls’ restroom, relief washed over them. They’d heard Padma’s words too—but no one said anything.

Michael spread his arms wide with a grin. “Need a big, enthusiastic hug, Hermione?”

The brown-haired girl wiped her eyes, then wrapped her arms around Michael with enough force to nearly break ribs. She released him instantly, then turned and hugged Wade just as hard.

“Thanks… sorry,” Hermione whispered.

Wade ruffled her hair, saying nothing.

“No need to apologize,” he said. “But I’m dying to get to the Halloween Feast. I hope they haven’t eaten all the desserts yet!” Michael rubbed his stomach. “Otherwise, we’ll have to sneak into the Kitchen for some food.”

Padma tilted her head. “The Hogwarts Kitchen? Where is it? I’ve never seen it.”

Michael’s eyes lit up. “The Kitchen’s hidden—unless you know the right way… unless you’re Theo or—”

Wade suddenly stopped. He raised a hand to halt the others, and the other hand already had his wand drawn.

“—What’s wrong?” Michael asked, lowering his voice.

Wade frowned. “Didn’t you hear that?”

Michael didn’t answer. Because now everyone had seen it.

A massive, gray-green hand gripped the corner of the corridor wall. A deep, labored breathing echoed from somewhere unseen.

Their faces turned pale. Padma gasped, “Merlin’s beard—what is that?”

From around the corner, a monstrous figure stepped forward.

It stood twelve feet tall, its head brushing the ceiling. Its weight looked to be at least two tons. Its skin was slimy and warty, like a giant toad. A huge, pot-bellied body, stubby legs, and a bald head with only a few tufts of hair. The stench rolling off it was unbearable. Long arms hung nearly to its knees, one clutching a thick wooden club, like a tree trunk.

“No way… the Castle… how could there be a Giant inside the Castle?” Padma whispered, her legs giving out. She only stayed upright because Hermione was holding her up.

The Giant lowered its head, catching sight of them. Its small, dull eyes gleamed with cruel delight. It took a heavy step forward, raising its club high.

Hermione’s hand trembled violently. She pointed her wand at the creature—but didn’t know what spell to use.

Michael fired off spells. “Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus!”

He wasn’t skilled enough. The spells hit the Giant like raindrops on a rhino’s hide—absolutely no effect.

Wade raised his wand, mind racing through every spell he knew.

He knew many spells. But the Giant had extremely high magical resistance, immense physical strength, and was nearly immune to adult-level magic. It was a creature of Danger Level XXXX—as dangerous as a Thunderbird or a Sphinx. Even without intelligence or magic of its own, it remained a threat on par with the most fearsome beasts.

Wade had thought the classification system in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was flawed when he first read it. But now, facing a creature taller than a house, the sheer weight of its presence pressed down on him like a collapsing sky.

Boom!

A bucket suddenly crashed onto the Giant’s head.

Harry appeared out of nowhere, shouting, “What are you waiting for? Run!”

Michael snapped back to life, grabbing both girls and hauling them away.

But Wade stepped forward. Wand raised. “Swarm of Birds!”

A storm of chattering birds erupted from his wand, diving at the Giant’s face. The creature, simple-minded, was instantly distracted. It let out a guttural growl and swatted at the birds with its massive hands.

Seeing the effect, Michael and the others shouted, “Swarm of Birds!”

But their spells did nothing—just a spark, a flicker. The Giant barely noticed.

Wade’s birds, however, swarmed in dozens, circling the creature’s head. The Giant roared in frustration, smashing the walls with its club, shattering decorations, but utterly unable to catch the agile birds.

Yet, as time passed, the birds began to fall—fatigued, one by one.

“Those birds only last ten seconds at most!” Michael yelled.

Wade slashed his wand through the air. “Slippery Surface!”

The floor beneath the Giant’s feet turned slick as ice. It slipped, crashed to the ground with a thunderous boom, shaking the entire corridor. The club flew from its grip.

Hermione, trembling and near collapse, found strength in desperation. She raised her wand and cried, “Wingardium Leviosa!”

The club shot upward—then came crashing down with a clang, striking the Giant square on the forehead.

The creature staggered, shaking its head, roaring as it tried to rise.

Hermione gritted her teeth. She willed the club to rise again.

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

Second hit. Third. Fourth.

The Giant’s eyes rolled back. With a final groan, it collapsed—unconscious.

Hermione dropped her wand, breathing hard. She turned, expecting to see fear or shock.

Instead, all eyes were fixed on her—wide, stunned, full of awe.

“What?” she said, face flushing slightly. She tried to play it cool, glancing at Padma. “Yeah… you were right. Punching it was satisfying.”

Padma stared, speechless. That… was my advice? She couldn’t meet Wade or Michael’s eyes.

Harry burst into the corridor, panting. “Hermione—Giant! There’s a Giant in the Castle! Go back to the Dormitory—quick—it’s—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

He stared at the scene: the unconscious Giant, the birds still fluttering, the girls standing tall, and Wade calmly lowering his wand.

His jaw dropped.

“What… happened?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end