Chapter 12 - The Troll (1/2)

”What is that smell?” Hermione asked furrowing her brows.

”Broken toilet?”

”I can't be that, I was in the bathroom for. . . . Anyways, I didn't smell anything while I was in there.”

Arth frowned. ”Then it must be coming from somewhere down the hallway.”

”I'll go check.”

Hermione got up and walked down the hallway before looking to her left. ”Nothing on the left, nothing's there. And I don't think there is anything on the right as well-”

Hermione froze before slowly backing away. She continued this until she was past Arth and in the girls bathroom.

”What are you doing Hermione-”

”Shhhhh! Stay quiet! Just trust me and come inside.”

Arth made a face, ”I'm not going into the girls bathroom-”

And then he heard a low grunting, and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. Arth turned around and at the end of a hallway, something huge had just entered his sight.

It was twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long.

The troll stopped when it had completely walked out of the corner and peered towards Arth.

Arth opened his mouth but not a word came out. ”. . . . On second thought, I think a journey into the girls bathroom can't hurt one bit.

Arth slowly entered the girls bathroom while the troll gazed at him dumbly. Once he was fully inside, he shut the door quietly, before immediately proceeding to talk to Hermione.

”Why the bloody hell is there a troll in the building?”

”How am I supposed to know? I was with you.”

”Do you reckon the teachers know about this?”

Hermione shuddered, ”I sure hope they do.”

There was a boom as the girls bathroom door started to shake. Hermione whimpered before turning to Arth. ”Do you reckon she can break the door?”

Another boom and the sound of something slowly breaking answered her question. ”I believe it would be wise to hide.”

However, it was too late. The door gave away with a sad groan before falling to the floor. The troll entered the bathroom with a grunt and stared at Arth and Hermione with dull eyes.

Hermione tugged at Arth's clothes, ”do you think we should make a run for it? Before it. . . . Attacks us?”

Arth shook his head. ”That would just aggravate it more. The best thing to do is to not make any sudden movements. Maybe it's a friendly troll-”

The troll let out a ferocious roar before lifting its club and smashing one of the sinks.

”I guess it's a slightly angry troll.”

”Arth, duck!” Hermione pushed Arth out of the way as the club was swung over their heads. Arth and Hermione immediately hid in one of the stalls.