Harry looked up from his huge pile of books. "Mm?" he said, taking a slightly chewed quill out of his mouth. Nevil was standing on the other side of the library table, clasping and unclasping his hands. "Look, Nevil-" he said softly, before being interrupted. "P-Professor? C-could you..." he trailed off into silence and looked sadly at his shoes. Harry readjusted his glasses on his nose and moved some books off a chair a movement vary reminiscent of Hermione. "Sit down Nevil, and don't call me Professor, I'm a student," he said softly. Nevil looked up slightly bashfully and took the offered chair. Nevil looked like he was just about to start when Ron came over. "Harry," said Ron, looking angrily at a large roll of parchment, "Could you let me off this essay?" Harry looked apologeticly at Nevil and addressed Ron, "No," he said bluntly, "You of all people in the class need to do that essay the most." Ron glared at him mockingly and returned to looking through the shelves. Harry turned back to Nevil. "I-I was w-wondering the s-same thing as R-Ron," said Nevil to the desk. Harry sighed deeply. "Nevil, I set it for the class because that way you could learn the theory behind it so you don't kill eachother or something, you have to understand how dangerous it is," replied Harry, "Ron just doesn't want to do it because it keeps him inside, I know you can do it, why don't you want to?" Nevil didn't move his gaze from the edge of the desk. "Well?" said Harry. In a move of great boldness, Nevil lifted his eyes to level with Harry's. "I-I got a l-letter thismorning," stuttered Nevil, tying to whisper, "G-grandma is d-d..." his voice trailed off and he returned his gaze sharply to the table. "Missing in action," said Harry softly. Everyone was 'missing in action', Ron's father, Gorge, McGonigal, Snape... he could count them off on his fingers.