Chapter One: Fides Quod Fortuna

Harry raced through the corridors and up a few flights of stairs toward Gryffindor Tower. Though his heart was racing, his mind was strangely clear. He knew what he had to do. He had to find Neville. When he turned the corridor and caught sight of the Fat Lady he shouted the password, never slowing his pace down. She looked at him confused and a little fearful, swinging aside for him instantly. Harry barreled through.

Ron and Hermione were sitting together in the common room, and she was the first to speak. "What does he want?"

When he dashed past her, she called after him again, "Harry, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he shouted back as he raced up to his dormitory where Neville lay abed reading through another herbological book, Fantastical Flora and Where to Find Them.

He hastily sought his trunk, flinging it open to grab his Marauder's Map and a pair of balled up socks. Harry felt Neville's eyes follow him, heard him close the book and leave the bed.

"Harry?" From behind, Neville placed his warm hand on his shoulder.

Harry whirled around to face him, taking Neville's hand in his. "I've got to be quick," he panted. "Dumbledore thinks I'm getting my Invisibility Cloak. Listen…"

Quickly he told Neville where he was going and why. If it had been Hermione and Ron, he'd have had to deal with Hermione's gasps of horror and Ron's hasty questions. Neville, however, remained silent, eyes locked on Harry's. Neville knew him well enough to know that there was more coming. There always was.

"…so you see what this means?" Harry finished at a gallop. "Dumbledore won't be here tonight, so Malfoy's going to have another clear shot at whatever he's up to," and here he was glad yet again that he wasn't pouring all this out to Ron and Hermione, the latter of whom would have interrupted him at this point- but Neville, he always had faith in Harry's instincts.

He placed the Marauder's Map in Neville's hand. "You've got to watch him and you've got to watch Snape, too. Get Ron and Hermione downstairs and use anyone else you can rustle up from the D.A.- those contact Galleons will still work, right?" Harry plowed on when he received the nod from Neville. "Dumbledore says he's put extra protection in the school, but if Snape's involved, he'll know what Dumbledore's protection is, and how to avoid it— but he won't be expecting you lot to be on watch, will he? Especially when you have Felix Felicis," and here he removed the bottle that was wrapped in his socks, placing it in Neville's free hand. "Share it between yourselves and Luna and Ginny, too."

Neville held the bottle of golden potion, his concerned eyes meeting Harry's once again. "But won't you need it, Harry?"

"I'll be fine, I'll be with Dumbledore," explained Harry. "I want to know you lot are okay… I want to know that you are okay."

The concern left Neville's eyes. Those beloved blue orbs were now lit with quiet strength and determination. "I'll be okay, Harry. We all will."

Harry's heart warmed with pride. Though he knew Dumbledore was surely waiting in the Entrance Hall by now, he lingered a moment- drawing Neville close for a kiss. The kiss was brief, but deeply felt.

"I'd better go, Dumbledore's waiting—"

"Don't worry about us, just take care, Harry."

"I will," he promised, stealing another brief kiss before he left, dashing out just as quickly as he'd dashed in.