AN: Written for the Great Maze Challenge. My prompt was "You both stand awkwardly by the gate when you see a boy in fitful sleep nearby. How did you miss him before? He's round and pudgy and murmuring about his parents. What horrors is he seeing?" Note: This story takes place during Ginny's sixth year at Hogwarts, when the Carrows and Snape were in charge.
Ginny could barely keep her eyes open.
It was approaching two o'clock in the morning, and she was starting to worry that she'd fall asleep before finishing her Herbology essay. The combination of homework, avoiding the Carrows, and worrying constantly was wearing her out. And to top it all off, she was frustrated. Every day, more and more people disappeared, and all she could do was paint a few signs on the wall. It was only three weeks into the school year and she had no idea how she was going to survive it.
Her eyes began to slip shut. Hurriedly, she jumped to her feet and walked over to the fire, hoping the light would wake her up.
To her surprise, Neville Longbottom was lying in front of the fireplace, a heavy book resting on his chest, fast asleep. Ginny smiled at the sight of him. Neville had changed a lot, she thought. He was taller, better-looking, and more confident— very different from the clumsy boy who had taken her to the Yule Ball three years before. Already, he had established himself as the new leader of Dumbledore's Army, along with her and Luna.
Suddenly, Neville's body twisted. "Mum," he muttered, his eyes still closed. Ginny realized he was talking in his sleep. "Run…. no… get out of there… Bellatrix… run!" With the last word, his voice turned sharp.
Ginny's stomach felt sick. She still vividly remembered running into Neville at St. Mungo's, a year back, and hearing the horrible story about his mother and father.
"Dad, no… get out… run! Don't let her… Bellatrix… crucio…Mum!"
"Neville," said Ginny, grabbing his arm and giving it a slight shake. "Neville, wake up."
"Mum… no, no, no!"
"Neville!"
With a gasp, Neville sat bolt upright. "Snape!"
"No, it's Ginny," said Ginny, in her most calming voice. She realized that she was still holding his arm and released it. "You were just having a nightmare."
"Just a nightmare," said Neville. He blinked rapidly and ran his hand over his face. "Sorry about that, Gin. I've been getting that one a lot lately."
"Is it about your parents?" she said softly.
He sighed. "Yeah. I mean… sort of. Usually it's my parents being chased by a whole bunch of Death Eaters, and then they corner them and my Mum starts screaming and Snape is standing there, laughing…
He shuddered.
"I'm so sorry," whispered Ginny.
Neville reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "It's okay. We all have our ghosts."
For a moment, they sat there, the fire dying down to embers, holding hands. Then Neville broke the silence.
"Why are you up, anyways?"
"Herbology essay," said Ginny, getting to her feet. Somewhat reluctantly, she released his hand.
Neville stood up, too. "I could help you with that, if you like."
"You should sleep," said Ginny, shaking her head.
"I don't think I'll be able to," he said. "Besides, I'd like to help you."
"Okay," said Ginny, a slight, if tired, smile on her face.
Together, they headed over to her table and sat down.
In the fireplace, the embers continued to glow.