Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or Sherlock.
Chapter 1 Return
John stood by the desk in his room, looking outside his window. A knock came at his door and Harriet walked on.
"Do you want to go fly around?" Harriet asked.
"No," John answered, still looking outside.
"John, you haven't been out all summer," Harriet said as she crossed her arms.
"Yes, I know," he replied.
"John, please…" Harriet began to say.
She stopped when John finally turned around. He had an angry look on his face.
"I don't want to hear it, Harriet," John said.
"Kids, supper's ready," their mother called out.
"What excuse will it be today?" Harriet asked sarcasticly.
"I lost my best mate," John said.
Harriet's expression softened.
"And I'm sorry about that. Sherlock wouldn't want you doing this to yourself, though," she said.
John took a deep breath.
"Come on then," he said.
"Really?" Harriet asked, not daring to even smile.
"You're right. Sherlock would want me to keep on," John said.
Harriet reached a hand out and John took it.
"Let's go eat," she said.
On John's bed, there was a letter from Neville.
If you're serious about helping out, we'll talk more on the train. See you there.
John was looking forward to that conversation.
xxx
John was taking out the trash one night when he heard his name. He turned in confusion, wand at the ready.
"Who's there?" John asked.
"Just me," the familiar voice said.
Mary walked out from the shadows. John gave a small smile, but then his expression turned to panic.
"Did anyone follow you?" he asked.
"Don't be silly. I cover myself very well," Mary said.
"Good," John replied.
"Were you worried about me?" Mary asked, slowly walking up to him.
"Always," John said, still smiling.
He could not help it. Ever since the kiss, just thinking about her brought a smile to his face.
"That's sweet, but I can take care of myself," May said.
"Oh, I know you can," John replied.
There was a pause for a moment as Mary looked down at the ground.
"If you're so worried about me, then come with me," Mary said.
John's eyes grew in shock.
"As much as I'd love that, there's work to be done at Hogwarts," he said.
"Just a thought," Mary replied.
"A tempting one," John said.
Mary's smile then fell.
"I don't know what's going to happen after you go back," she said.
"We can always meet in Hogsmeade," John told her.
Mary nodded.
"That's a good idea," she said.
The conversation seemed over then.
"Take care of yourself," John said.
"You, too," Mary replied, leaning him to give him a quick kiss goodbye.
xxx
John and Neville sat across from each other in a compartment as the train made its way to Hogwarts.
"It feels strange, doesn't it?" John asked.
"Yes, but I'm sure our reasons are different," Neville said.
"I didn't see Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Did you?" John asked.
"No, I didn't," Neville said.
Ginny then walked into the compartment. She did not seem her cheerful self, which John could not blame her.
"Hey, Ginny," John said.
"Are you all right?" Neville asked.
"My home was ransacked," Ginny said as she sat down and crossed her arms.
"Is your family okay?" John asked.
"Yes, but I can't be sure about Ron," Ginny said.
"What do you mean?" Neville asked.
"Well obviously he's with Harry and Hermione," Ginny said.
John and Neville looked at each other for a moment.
"I hope they're staying safe," John said.
"Believe me. If something were to happen to them, we'd know," Neville replied.
It was true. Voldemort would not want to miss any moment of gloating if he had gotten Harry.
"So, any bets on who is going to be the new headmaster?" Ginny asked, trying to change the subject.
"It won't be much of one," John said.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Ginny replied.
"We all know it's going to be Snape," Neville said.
Everything to be normal as they exited the train and rode the carriages to the castle. The caretaker, Mr. Filtch, was waiting for them at the entrance.
"Straight line! All of you," he yelled.
"What's his problem?" John asked in a low voice.
"And no talking," Filtch yelled.
"This can't be good," Neville said.
The Great Hall was dead silent as they entered.
"And there's the reason," Ginny said.
Professor Snape sat in the middle of the staff table. They took notice of two new teachers.
"Who are they?" John asked.
"Death eaters no doubt," Neville said.
Their names were Alecto and Amycus Carrow. Brother and sister. Alecto would be teaching Muggle Studies. Amycus would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"I didn't plan on this. We're going to have to be careful," Neville said once they arrived in the common room.
"Screw careful," Ginny said.
"They wouldn't know about the Room of Requirement," John replied suddenly.
"John, that's brilliant," Neville said, a smile appearing on his face.
xxx
The three sat on a couch nearest the fireplace.
"What a laugh," Ginny said one day. "Defense Against the Dark Arts? More like just Dark Arts."
"What about Muggle Studies?" Neville asked John.
"It's more like a class as to why to hate Muggles," John said.
Neville suddenly stood up.
"That's it. Tonight, we go find the Room of Requirement," he said.
"I was all for it at first. I just don't know with all the security," John replied.
"We have to try," Neville said, giving the pair a desperate look.
"All right, then," Ginny replied.
This brought a smile to Neville's face.
"Great. Once we do that, we can start getting the rest," he said.
"Like who?" John asked.
"Most of Dumbledore's Army," Neville said.
As night fell, John, Neville, and Ginny snuck out of the tower.
"Where's Luna?" Ginny asked, thinking Neville would at least ask her to come.
"I wouldn't ask her," Neville said.
Ginny only nodded. She knew he would not want to put her in danger.