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We see how Harry receives great joy from his flying ability. That he has received a world-class racing broom, and is able to put it so lightly through its paces, is very heartening for him. Flying and Quidditch are quickly becoming his centering point; he can retreat to the air or the pitch when things become too confusing or stressful to bear.
This chapter marks when Hermione's personality begins to change, and we see her transforming into a more sympathetic character whereas, previously, she was an annoying, two-dimensional goody-two-shoes grind who seemed destinedon target to become yet another Harry nemesis. Another character could have allowed Harry and Ron to be punished when they were actually trying to help, but Hermione immediately steps in to protect them by assuming the blame, lying to Professor McGonagall. Slowly, she is learning that sometimes rules must be broken in order to make things right; we can see there is hope for her. Harry and Ron are so surprised by Hermione's generous act that they immediately lose their past animosity for her. This is also the first time the three work together and successfully combine their skills, indicating how powerful and vital this friendship will become in the greater story. The "Trio" has been born.
Once again, Harry has broken the rules, believing it is justified—to save Hermione. However, even though he and Ron only wanted to warn Hermione, their good intentions overruled their logic and judgment when, rather than inform a teacher or a prefect that a student is in danger, they instead take action to alert Hermione about the mountain trollTroll. The situation turns far more serious than they anticipated when, running headlong into the creature, they are forced to subdue it; Ron, despite his lagging confidence in his own abilities, shows budding magical talent and quick thinking here when he conjures a charm to disarm and disable the trollTroll. McGonagall once again rewards Harry (and Ron) for his actions, and punishes Hermione, even though she is the innocent party. Harry meanwhile, is even more suspicious about Snape after glimpsing him sneaking away, and suspects that he set the trollTroll loose, probably as a diversion so he could enter the forbidden corridor. That Snape is later seen limping could be evidence that the three-headed dog blocked him from getting into the corridor. Considering the many magical charms and spells in place to secure Hogwarts castle, it is indeed questionable as to just how a trollTroll could have penetrated those protective barriers, making it seem unlikely that it merely wandered in. The trollTroll not only reinforces the notion that the wizardWizard world is a dangerous place and is filled with fearsome creatures, but that Hogwarts itself is vulnerable; this may foreshadow more sinister threats invading the castle later in the series.
According to JK Rowling: "When we were editing 'Philosopher's Stone' my editor wanted me to cut the scene in which Harry, Ron and Hermione fight the troll. Although I had accepted most of the smaller cuts he wanted me to make I argued hard for this one. Hermione, bless her, is so very annoying in the early part of 'Philosopher's Stone' that I really felt it needed something (literally) huge to bring her together with Harry and Ron." [http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=8 Reference]
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