A/N: Hello readers! Yes, you read the title correctly. I'm writing a Harry Potter fanfiction based on a song from the Hunger Games movie! Is this treason? Hypocrisy? Maybe. I just thought it would be interesting. I mean, how easy would it be to write a Hunger Games fic titled "Safe & Sound"? Anyhoo, please review! This is my first ever Hurt/Comfort fanfiction and I don't know if I'm good at it or not. Some CC is appreciated!
King's Cross was noisy, as it usually was. But today the voices of parents and Hogwarts students seemed magnified tenfold for some reason. Neville clenched his eyes and rubbed his temple with the hand that was not grasping the handle of his trunk. The fact that he wasn't even excited to go back to Hogwarts made the hustle and bustle of Platform 9 ¾ even more unbearable.
Going home for Christmas vacation and going back to Hogwarts afterward was like visiting the home front only to have to return to the front of the battle lines during guerilla warfare. It was a safe haven, and then you returned to a world where anyone and anything is at risk of an ambush. But that's exactly what this is, isn't it? Neville asked himself, a war. Of course it was a war, but why did the students of Hogwarts have to fight it? Most of them were just kids. Because, Neville told himself, if we don't fight there no one will.
Gran had already said her goodbyes to him and had stridden back through the barrier. He knew that she was becoming more proud of him. She said that he was finally living up to his parent's legacy. Neville knew that she loved him, but he didn't know why rebelling during the Second Wizarding War had to kindle her pride in him.
"Hello Neville," said a familiar voice by his side. Neville smiled and opened his eyes. He'd been waiting to hear that voice for two weeks.
Luna Lovegood was a vision of grace and comfort standing beside him. Her bright eyes lit up when she saw the smile play on his lips. She wrapped her arms around his waist in a long hug. He awkwardly returned it with a one-armed hug around her shoulders. "I've missed you. How've you been?"
"Fine," Neville said, releasing her as she broke away to look into his face. He couldn't keep the smile off of his face. He was just so glad to see her. "Gran said that she got loads of letters from the school, you know, regarding my behaviour. But she said that she wouldn't give it a second thought. That I'm finally making my parents proud…" He trailed off, his smile finally fading from his face. Luna looked up at him with mutual anxiety and concern. "So, how was your Christmas vacation?" The train whistle blew and they rushed into the nearest car. They searched the compartments, looking for their friend Ginny.
"It wasn't the same," replied Luna as they squeezed past a pair of fourth years. Neville recognised them as two newly inducted members of the DA: Mary and Rachel. They waved animatedly at him and Luna as they passed and Neville waved shyly back. The girls giggled.
They finally found Ginny in a compartment near the middle of the train. She beckoned them to come in with a wave of her hand. They stowed their trunks and sat down side by side facing Ginny.
"So, Luna," began Ginny, "My dad said that your dad's been getting threats from Death Eaters."
"He's what?" asked Neville, turning to face Luna who had on her usual dazed expression. She failed to mention that in any of the six letters she sent him over the break. Luna wasn't looking at him, though. She was still gazing intently at Ginny, as if she were an interesting Quibbler article about Blibbering Humdingers.
"Yes, that's what I was about to tell you, Neville. My dad has been getting threats from Death Eaters about the stuff he puts in the Quibbler. About supporting Harry. They told him that if he didn't watch out, they'll take the things most dear to him until he shuts up." She then began to stare out the window into the clouds where snow was lightly falling.
"Luna…they weren't talking about you, were they?" The thought of Luna being hurt in any way, shape or form made his blood boil. He knew that his facial expression must match the rage alight within him because Luna's expression now held more concern and comfort as she placed her hand on his.
A lot had changed since that train ride to Hogwarts at the beginning of the school year. Not only had Hogwarts become a living hell, but something was happening between Neville and Luna that was becoming a great deal more than just friendship. But Neville had to push feelings like that aside at this point in time.
The students of Hogwarts had more pressing matters to deal with now that Snape was headmaster and the Carrows were torturing any member of the DA that they could convict. But the torture wasn't too bad. The Cruciatus curse at the very most, and it was only for a few seconds. But Neville had gotten his fair share of the curse that drove his parents into insanity. He was now sort of the ring leader of the DA. Everyone looked up to him.
It was odd now that he was the one being looked up to. All his life he'd been looking up to others and not living up to Gryffindor standards. Then in his fifth year he made a true friend. An odd, quirky sort of girl who was also an outcast. Luna Lovegood always told him that he was brave and that his parents would be proud of him. He'd always told her that he loved the way that she was different and that he was glad to have someone like her in his life. He told her to never change.
One day he'd tell her. One day he'll just spill his guts and tell her how he truly felt about her. He knew that she felt it too, now was just not the right time…
"Neville," soothed Luna, squeezing his hand, "We were afraid that that would happen. We lived in fear all through Christmas break; that some Death Eater would come and take me. They never did. Don't worry." She tried to reassure him with a smile, but Neville still felt uneasy.
"They could still take you at Hogwarts," he replied urgently. "It's not going to be that hard since the school is run by Death Eaters."
What she said next shocked him the most. "Whatever happens, Neville; just let it happen. It'll all work out, I know it will." She went back to staring out the window, leaving Neville shaking with indignation. Just let it happen? How could he? Did she know how much she meant to him? How much he cared about her? If she did, she knew that he couldn't just stand aside and watch the brightest light in his life be snuffed out.
