I do not own Harry Potter. If I were J.K.R., why would I not be publishing my own fanfiction as canon? Just a thought.

Neville stood by the clock in the common room and stared out the window into the Forbidden Forest. It was midnight, and the chimes were just fading away, but yet, the full moon made it seem light as day. He shivered at a sudden draft, and drew his blanket closer. He yawned, and considered going back to his nice warm bed. No. Somehow, that idea didn't sit well. It just didn't feel right. His place was here, watching, and waiting. The silent sentry on the castle wall. He heard a creak far off in the distance. His heart froze and leapt to his throat. Was it them? He stood still, struck dumb with an irrational fear. What if they should see him? He turned, and dashed for the stairs. He took two at a time in his haste. He reached the room, and calmed himself. Slipping the door open quietly, he snuck through, closing it behind him. On stealthy, cautious feet he crept across the room and into his bed. He closed the curtains, wincing with every rustle, and deepened his breathing. In… out… in… out…

Then Harry and Ron stumbled in through the creaking door, whispering in hushed tones. They bade each other 'good night', and settled into their respective beds. Soon, their breathing deepened. Only they were asleep, and Neville was not. Neville smiled faintly. Those two were always up to something, even in the middle of the night. No, they were up to things at midnight because it was midnight. It was the witching hour, that hour of black dark and still night and shadows of the moon. And of him, the silent sentry on the wall. And of them, the solvers of black cloaked mysteries in the night. Oh, they tried to be secretive about it, but Neville noticed. He noticed more things than they gave him credit for. But he knew that those three, Ron, Harry, and Hermione, would always be three. There was no room for a fourth. No room for him. But that was okay. Neville would be their backup. He would watch their backs, protect them from the threats they didn't notice but Neville did. And if they ever needed help, he would be there. Because he knew, that one day, they would be there for everyone. And on that day, they would need all the help they could get. And he would be there to watch their backs.

Just as he did every night.

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-D. Runes