Chapter 28: Another Year, Another Problem

I realized that Neville must have gone after Harry, I cursed to myself as I continued to shoot spells at the tangles. I was just about to try something else when I heard it, Neville's voice echoing to me…it made my blood run cold at the agony in it. I forgot all about everything else as my feet carried me swiftly toward the sound of Neville's screams. I heard them stop suddenly and could barely hear his sobs, I ran faster, I needed to be there to help him.

I burst into the room, panting with the fear running through me. Neville was laying at the feet of the woman from before, her eyes staring at him, her smile sent a wave of hate through me, I hated this woman…with everything I was. I would end her for hurting Neville. I moved in the shadows, inching my way to her, I would tear her limb from limb before she could even raise her wand at him again.

I was so close to her, almost there…just a bit further…when suddenly spells were being shot off by more people joining us in the room. The woman moved as I grasped at her, my fingers barely missing her mess of hair. I dove out of the way of a spell, letting a hole of flames where my head was. I searched for Neville and saw him as he lunged out and shoved the wand into a death eaters eye hole that was holding Harry in the air.

He dropped Harry and Harry stunned him, sending him crashing back. A lot was going on as I made my way toward them, focusing on Neville and when he was hit with a spell, his legs began to move uncontrollably. A man came to their rescue and told them to run as I was almost at them, Harry was help Neville up. It didn't last long as a man lurched at them, knocking all them down.

Harry tossed the orb to Neville, who barely caught it, holding it close to his chest. His legs were still twitching and moving around as I met up with them finally. We were told to get the others and run. Harry was unable to get Neville to his feet because of the spell and I moved him to the side, facing Neville. "Take my hand." I told him, feeling nervous about if he would actually do it. Without missing a beat, his warm hand hit mine and gripped tightly.

I felt a surge of electricity run through me as I lifted him with ease and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, slipping my arm around his waist. I nodded to Harry and we began to move toward the stairs. When we started up them, Neville's feet continued to kick in all directions as we dodged spells and went up. I lost my footing as a spell hit the step I was on and Neville slipped from my grip and the orb went flying from his pocket, smashing against the ground.

Neville instantly began to apologize and Harry was just trying to get us all to safety now. "Dubbledore!" I turned to where Neville was craning his head and saw Dumbledore standing in the doorway. He rushed into the room and quickly began to round up the death eaters with ease as Harry took off down the stairs, apparently seeing something that drew his complete attention. I leaned Neville back against the wall and looked at him for the first time since everything happened. "So…hi." I breathed out a huff, unsure of what to say. His eyes just took me in, from the dried blood on my mouth to my outfit.

It had been years since we saw each other and here we are, seeing each other after years of no contact at all. Last time we saw each other we were facing the Basilisk in the school and I had almost died as he ran for safety. Who knows what he thought happened to me, he probably thought I was dead this whole time. Probably moved on. I did see how much he had changed, he wasn't a little boy anymore. He was changed so much, his face was less round and more handsome. I was staring when I heard everyone screaming for Harry.

A man came toward us and undid the spell on Neville before taking off after Harry again. Neville just stared at me as the fight died out and we were left alone. "Are you hurting?" I asked, my eyes seeing how bad it was swollen. He still didn't speak, but I could see tears welling in his eyes. "Neville, please. Say something…anything." I felt like I would explode if he didn't say anything to me. Without warning, his arms grabbed my waist and jerked me to him and hugged me tight.

"I thought you were dead!" he cried into my hair as I wrapped my arms around him, feeling so full at this moment, he cares still…I hope. He pulled back after a minute and looked me up and down, making sure I was unharmed. "What happened to you?" I shook my head, pointing around. "Now is really not the time, let's get the others. And get to safety first. Then I promise…we'll talk about everything." he agreed and held his nose as we made our way to the others, where the adults were gathering us.

*Next Day*

We were moved back to the school by the members of the Order of the Phoenix as I was told. Hermione and everyone was in the Hospital Wing, but only Hermione was forced to stay as she was hurt the worst. Neville's nose was fixed easily as was Ginny's ankle. Hermione was reading the new paper when I was called over by the Nurse. "The Professors are gathered, wishing to speak with you now." I nodded and glanced over my shoulder at the group, seemingly happy and free of worry for the moment.

I started to leave when Neville's voice stopped me, I turned and saw he was already half-way over to me. "Where are you going?" "The teachers need to see me." he could sense to fear in my voice and slipped his hand into mine, "We'll go together. Afterward we still need to talk." I knew he wasn't going to let me go alone and smiled, feeling happy that he seemed braver now. He let my hand go as we walked, our shoulders brushing every so often. They were gathered in the office of Dumbledore and I heard mumbles as they quickly noticed Neville at my side.

"Aethna, this talk is private." Snape said and he eyed Neville, who took a half-step back before stopping himself. "If it is about myself, I feel it's time for Neville to know. I mean he caught a glimpse in the Ministry yesterday. It's easier if you are all helping me explain it. I trust him to know. Please." I blurted out before I could lose my nerve and heard more whispering. "Very Well Aethna, the choice is yours." Dumbledore said in finality, silencing the others. "Would you care to begin with telling Mr. Longbottom of your history?"

I turned to Neville, taking a few steps back just in case. "Neville, I'm not what you think I am. I'm not…human…" I felt my words trailing off as finished my sentence. Neville's eyes went wide as he watched me chew on my lip. "What do you mean?" he asked and I shrugged, unsure of how to explain it. "Ms. Chesmino is human, but only partly." Dumbledore cut in, sensing my hesitation. He stepped down and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'll let her explain that to you afterward, but for now please take a seat and we'll be along shortly."

Once Neville was out of the room, Dumbledore gave me a hug. "Aethna…it is so good to see you!" I returned the hug, feeling my body warming at his heat. "Yes, it's lovely to have her back. The question remains where has she been?" McGonagall said and Dumbledore took a step back, his eyes still twinkling. "Well, I escaping the shack I was staying in and found a way back to the school. I had come across Neville and heard the Basilisk coming for us, I got him to safety and I wasn't so lucky."

They began to whisper again as I continued, cutting off their comments. "I stared directly at the beast and my body began to die." "But how are you still here then?" I nodded and pointed to my head. "I was dying, when my father's voice came to me, telling me to dig deep and find my immortal vampire powers. I didn't want to, I was ready to die, I refused to be like him. But his voice changed and overtook everything in my mind, forcing me against my will. Soon after I wasn't human anymore, I was just a vampire. I left the school and went to him, I wasn't able to fight it, he had used my dying human part and forced me into nothing but a thought, unable to do anything."

I paused and rubbed my arms, feeling chilly. "He made me do terrible things, I remember everything, but was unable to do anything to fight. He was in complete control of me. This went on for years and slowly over time I began to become more myself, but unable to take control of my body. My mind grew stronger each day until finally yesterday I was able to use my inner magic and broke free, running as far as I could. That's when I saw the others heading to the Ministry. I wasn't sure what was happening and I followed. That's all I can say."

I finished and looked at the ground while they stood in silence, taking in everything I had said. I waited for what seemed like forever when Snape spoke up, "Well then, I expect you to be in my class first thing next year for your classes. We need to work more on blocking your mind from your father. I will not have a dangerous student roaming the halls. I will be keeping a very close eye on you…as always." then he left without another word. A few of the others left after voicing their comments.

Finally it was just McGonagall and Dumbledore and myself left in the room. "Terrible things?" I nodded, hoping they wouldn't ask for details as I wasn't ready to have them judge me. "Where will you go for the Summer?" she asked and I shook my head. "I'm not sure. I mean I'm safest here at school. I'm not sure where I can go where he won't find me. He's probably looking for me now." Dumbledore asked McGonagall to ask around to anyone that may be able to help shield me.

She left to do as he asked and I blinked at Dumbledore. "I must also speak with Harry Potter about a few things so excuse me, Aethna. I am very glad to have you back and can not wait to see what joys you bring next year. I expect Mr. Longbottom to be waiting for you outside. I will send Professor McGonagall to find you when the arrangements are finished." he patted my shoulder and led me out. Neville was indeed waiting on us outside, his hands wringing together.

I began to walk, Neville hopping up and rushing after me, we walked in silence until we came to the lake. I sat down on the dock and my toes barely brushed the surface, creating ripples. Neville sat beside me and just watched me as I looked at the dark waters, unsure of how to just tell him. He was going to freak out and run from me forever. "Aethna, you can tell me anything. You know that. I've missed you." my heart fluttered at his words and I pushed my long hair behind my ear.

"Neville, you're so nice to me. That's going to change once you know what I am." "I swear it won't. Nothing can change how I feel about you." I blinked and turned to him, curious about how he meant that. "What do you mean by that?" "I've been lonely for a while. Ever since that night you saved me, I wondered what happened to you. I wanted to make sure you were still here, still okay….but you never came back. You were gone. No one knew what happened. Years went by and I still hoped to see you every year at school. I couldn't stop myself from hoping…somehow you would be there. I have never stopped thinking about you…never."

He blurted it all out so quickly that it caught me off guard, I meant a lot to him…even after all these years. "Neville…I…" "Then out of no where, you're there. Saving Harry and me! And it was like you never left, all the feelings were there again! It was so amazing! You hit that man so hard and then…" he stopped and remembered what I did. "So what are you anyways?" he asked and I sighed, he was so sweet. "I'm..uh…half-human and…um…half-vampire." I mumbled it out, knowing I wouldn't be able to take them back.