2nd March 1998

The Room of Requirement was slowly emptying out as DA members snuck out into the corridor and ran back to their dormitories in hopes of getting there before curfew. Overall the meeting had been a success. People were now duelling each other at a standard which surprised even Neville himself. Furthermore, their small rebellion was clearly working as they had successfully managed to graffiti yet another of the castle floors with messages and drawings. Their ability to move around the castle with such ease was mainly thanks to Neville who, having been trapped in the Room of Requirements for almost a week, had found a way of asking the Room to grant them access to various parts of the castle.

For the past few months, the Room had served them all as a sort of home. It was a place untainted by the Carrows new reforms and to Neville as well as most of the others it was a room, which protected the last of Hogwarts as it had been before Voldemort. As the year progressed, the Room of Requirement had acquired a new appearance. Yellow, blue and red banners adorned the brick walls. Images of badgers, eagles and lions moved between the banners consolidating the idea of unity between the houses – the ones whose students had joined. Furthermore, photos of Harry, Ginny, Luna and all of the other students who were still alive and fighting littered the room which added to its general feeling of family, friendship and hope.

Neville's eyes flitted to the moving photograph of the original DA back in his fifth year and then to the new one that they had taken this year. A feeling of pride overtook him as he thought of everybody, from whatever year, had decided to fight for what they believed in and had become family to him.

The sound of a closing door echoed through the Room and Neville sighed. Too tired to clear the pillows he had placed on the floor in order to cushion falls, he walked back to his small mattress in the corner of the room. Despite the new wave of hope and excitement which had taken over him during the meeting, it still did not mask his underlying sense of dread as he thought of the whole day and a half he would have to spend alone before the next DA meeting. Picking up the small basket of food the others had brought him from Hogwarts' kitchens, Neville dragged it forlornly to his corner.

'It's nearly past curfew. You should go,' he said quietly. Turning around he saw Hannah Abbot who was only a few steps away from him. Apart from them two, however, the room was empty.

'Come back with me, Neville,' she said simply, 'Come back with me. We can get McGonagall to help you or Professor Sprout or-or - '

'No,' answered Neville shortly.

'Somebody will help you and give you protection so just –'

'Hannah nobody will be able to give me protection even if they wanted to! And if anybody from the DA or a teacher tried to protect me then I would be putting them in danger. This is the best option,' he said with a sound of finality in his tone.

The room was silent for a moment. Hannah's eyes bore straight into Neville's and they stared unblinkingly at each other for a minute before Hannah suddenly burst out. 'You can't stay in here forever, Neville! You need food, water – and don't you dare tell me that we have that sorted because we haven't!' she snapped when Neville looked at her moodily, 'We can't keep stealing food for you from the kitchens. The elves will not be able to stop themselves from telling Snape if he asks.'

'We'll figure something out,' he said weakly, 'I mean, never say never right?' he added, trying to joke, however, his smile disappeared almost immediately. He knew she was right, as these very same thoughts had been plaguing his mind for days now. However, not wanting to accept defeat, he shrugged and repeated, 'We'll figure something out.'

'Malfoy knows about the Room of Requirement. He could tell the Carrows – Neville, just please listen to me!' she said desperately when Neville turned around. Hurrying up to him she placed her hand on his shoulder, 'This is starting to get dangerous now –'

'It's always been dangerous, Hannah.'

'Not like this, this is different. At the start of the year, pure-bloods were never as punished as much as the half-bloods. Now, they are being punished just as much and just as badly. Your status as a pure-blood is not protecting you anymore. If they find you or even still if they catch one of us then nothing is stopping them from… from… Look Neville, and please think about it: you are a great leader. You're passionate, determined and to be quite frank as good as and perhaps even better than Harry. I know Harry was great, incredible even,' she added quickly when Neville opened his mouth, 'But you have managed to direct and lead an entire group of students against ruthless Death Eaters mostly by yourself. Sure we give you ideas and help execute them but you are the one that is keeping us together, keeping our hope in Harry and all those fighting out there! Don't you ever forget that! We need you Neville but if Malfoy talks then we are done for.'

Neville looked at Hannah for a moment, digesting everything that she had just told him.

'You're right. Okay so I have a day and a half to think about this situation before the next DA meeting, right? If I don't think of anything then as a group we'll come up with another plan…'

'Do you know, maybe there's a passage that leads straight from this room to the kitchens.'

'I doubt there is. And I doubt there's a passage the Carrows don't know about. Sometimes I wish the twins were still with us,' he chuckled. Passing a hand through his hair he closed his eyes, 'Ah, what has the world become?'

'A mess.'

Neville laughed, 'Yes, I suppose it has,' then suddenly his eyes widened as he remembered, 'It's nearly curfew! You have to go!'

Hannah rushed to the door; 'I'll bring you some food tomorrow!' she called from the other side of the room.

'You don't have to!' shouted back Neville.

'I know but I will anyway,' then, smiling sadly Hannah added, 'Thank you.'

'For what?'

'For everything. You have had to deal with your grandmother and your two best friends disappearing. Not to mention all of the other things that have changed over the past few years… That's difficult. But remember this Neville: you are not alone.'

Neville opened his mouth to answer but she had gone before he had thought of an appropriate answer.

So I hope whoever is reading this likes the story so far. I also just need to ask a quick question which is: how much more do you want me to write? Should I stop the story before the Battle of Hogwarts begins or after? Feedback is always welcome :) Have a great day and Happy New Year! :)