Synopsis: The dimensionally-travelled Neville is in his second year of Hogwarts. Though the general flow of the plotline was still in place, his arrival had already caused ripples inside the school: Hogwarts now had a Student Council, with Draco as the vice-president; Hermione's crush on Ron is her and Neville's mutually shared secret; and, even if Neville was unsure, the fissure between Harry and Snape showed promises of not being a lost cause? Either way, the second year must go on!

Hermione's once again mistook Ron and has once again fallen out with her supposedly insensitive secret admirer. On the other hand, Snape's memories of Lily were brought back due to Harry's slightly-turned positive attitude towards him. Neville though, had just been too busy with his own things to meddle too much…

Chapter 28 – The first attack.

Wolfing down dinner with the guys, all of whom ignored the disgusted looks the girls on the opposite side of the table threw them, Neville was atypically the first to finish and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

" Men! Are we ready?" Neville took up the role of leadership and puffed out his chest.

" Neville, I don't care if you're President or not, but our cheerleading club is not for you boys to just ogle!" Lavender harrumphed. " Even Draco isn't as perverted as you lot, and you call yourselves Gryffindors."

Seamus interjected, " We're not perverted! We just… wanted to pretend like this is as important as a Quidditch match."

" He's got a point there. This audition is for picking out the team members and it's the only reason we allowed the school to watch. We can't pick someone who chickens out during the games," Parvati reminded.

Neville could not contain his excitement, especially after hearing last night from a run-in with Penelope Clearwater that she was one of the candidates. It was also very entertaining to watch Percy's sour look for the past week, in complete disapproval of the club to begin with. Neville had heard from Draco that Percy had complained about the club to Dumbledore many a times – disorderly conduct and all that. Draco probably defended the club from Percy and used it to score a good few points with Lavender… At least, I hope he did.

Just as Neville was about to tell Ron to finish up, he saw Ginny walking into the Hall and decide to postpone his 'crusade' with the Gryffindor boys for a few moments. " Hey, Ginny, can I talk to you?"

" What is it?" Upon hearing his voice, the little girl immediately raised her arms and took a step back and to the sides.

" Seriously." Neville refrained from an eye-roll. " Anyway, did you talk to Hermione last night?"

" I did find her this morning." Ginny took a peek over Neville's shoulder.

" Well?"

" Well what?"

" What did you say?"

" Ah. I just spent it badmouthing Ron."

" It wasn't my intention to send you over and sabotage – you – no wonder she looked like that this morning at the common room." Neville would have asked more but Seamus and Dean were on either sides of him already.

" Come on, let's go! Not everyone's got front row seats reserved like you." Seamus pulled Neville away by the robes.

" We'll talk later. Ron! Let's get a move on!" Neville shouted back at Harry and Ron, the later still sitting on the bench.

" Can we, like… go later?" Ron asked with hesitation. Neville exchanged a look with Harry, who also shrugged at Ron's behaviour.

" Let me tell you something Ron. There's almost nothing more important than watching cheerleaders – maybe except a girl fight." Neville added the punch-line, though a bit sourly, " You even spent money to get tickets reserved remember?"

" Ah. Right, yeah. Let's go." With that, Neville pulled Harry and Ron towards the doors.

" B-bye Harry…" Ginny-the-pipsqueak peeped as Harry brushed past her. The girl was still nowhere near getting over her timidities with her idol and this time, her voice was even quiet enough for Harry to completely overlook her. Figuring there was nothing Neville could do for Ginny's disappointed look for now, he and the gang headed for the Quidditch pitch.

As they passed the door, they ran into Hannah. " Hey Neville, there's something about the script I wanted to ask your opinions on –"

" Not now Hannah. We are on a mission." Neville ignored her and strode on without missing a beat. He knew he would have to pay for that in Herbology soon, but he was already running late.

Neville could hear the crowd from the stadium already even if he had just stepped out of the castle. The occasion today actually sounded even rowdier than a normal Quidditch match. When he got there, he saw the stands were filled with both guys and girls. Even the teachers box was only half empty. Neville could clearly see Flitwick trying to use and hide his omnioculars at the same time. Flitwick you old dog!

Neville, completely abusing his Presidential power, as Su had put it, got a seat in the middle of the front row, just behind the judges' table. As he broke apart from the Gryffindors and headed for his seat, he spotted Penelope Clearwater in a quiet corner – disappointedly still unchanged. The reason was very apparent though, with Percy's mouth moving non-stop next to her, most likely lecturing about this not being decent behaviour.

" Well if it isn't Penelope! Why are you still standing out here? Shouldn't you be getting ready for your tryouts?" Neville 'strolled' by, his George Clooney smile once again attacking at full strength. " Then again, I don't think a tryout is necessary for someone as pretty as you."

" Oh Neville!" Penelope smiled radiantly with all her pearly whites and turned back to Percy. " See Percy? Even Neville is in full support of the cheerleading club – and me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get changed and practice my routine!"

" Of course he supports them – he gave them permission! Penelope! Wait! You're making a big mistake Penelope!" Unlike most times, Percy actually faltered in chasing after her and turned back on Neville. " Neville, you must halt the activities of this cheerleading club immediately! This type of club will only bring rowdy and crude behaviour to the school and its students!"

" Have you seen a Quidditch match Percy? They have mascots, like the Irish having Leprechauns for example, and it's the same idea." Neville stoned his face and recited, " The purpose of the cheerleading club is to boost the moral of team members during a competition and also rally up the audience to boast the excitement and enjoyment of the match. This is stated in the essential contract upon the establishment of any club or society in Hogwarts, and complies with article five-hundred and ninety-eight of the school rules. If you like I can get the headmaster to show you the signed parchment in his office."

" There is no article five-hundred and ninety-eight in the school rules!" Percy gave a short laugh in triumph.

" Actually, I was the one who wrote it and the headmaster passed it last week. It helps deal with the definition of a school club and its validity." Neville could not help but smile at the look on Percy's face. " Just because there hasn't been an establishment of any new clubs for the past decades, that doesn't mean there are no need to revamp the rules. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take my seat. Oh, and you really should find one as well or else you'll be standing here all day. With the whole school down here supporting this wonderful cause and all, the stadium is quite crowded."

Rendering Percy white and speechless, Neville blew out a breath and internally congratulated himself. Seriously, sometimes being Council President really isn't all fun and games as people seem to think… Trying to get that rule, or any in fact, past Dumbledore was definitely a massive headache in itself.

" I'm surprised you got here so late – and without popcorn." Draco, one of the judges, turned around when he spotted Neville coming.

" Who do you take me for? I'm the President." Neville had always wanted to say that in his past life.

" Hey Neville, can you cast your loud speaking charm thing on me?" Lavender asked. She had sat out from being a judge, giving her Gryffindor place for Parvati. Neville had asked Draco to keep a house-equalled commanding level for the cheerleading club. The other judges were Padma and some senior Hufflepuff girl. Lavender's role today was to organise backstage in the changing rooms, calling out names, keeping things in order et cetera.

" I'll do it Miss Brown! Ah yes! This reminds me of the time I was the judge of the Miss French Witch Pageant. A great night it was when I dazzled a hopeful girl so much with my smile she fell off the catwalk!" Lockhart's overzealous appearance on the pitch and his threat of putting a charm on Lavender were quickly diverted as Dumbledore beckoned him to the teachers box. " Ah yes, quite so! Students should run these things themselves headmaster. Very good idea. Brilliant!"

" Ah-hem… Okay, now may each candidate come out in front of the judges and perform a short routine." Lavender's voice was safely amplified by Neville. " We will call the candidates out in order of surnames… First is Leanne Amber."

" Are… those really robes she's wearing?" Draco stammered to Neville, who was surprisingly apathetic.

" You guys are not only judging on the routine, but the clothing as well right? Seriously, this girl just took her old robes and snipped off the sleeves. She's even wearing shorts underneath!" Neville complained.

" Fashion faux-pas or what sister!" The Hufflepuff judge had heard Neville and nodded in agreement.

" Please… don't call me sister again…" Neville never studied art or fashion or anything. He was just honest and knew what a guy liked to see – and his talents seemed to be somehow recognised by the other three female judges. After all, their club members needed to come up with ideas for new cheerleading uniforms to wear during the matches as well. Draco was trying to stop a nosebleed, probably due to too much blood rushing to his face when one of the candidates thought he was 'the weak target' in the panel and had sat on his lap. Lucky kid.

Another thing apart from the modified witches clothes that were different from muggle cheerleading tryouts were the routines. One of them almost set the grass pitch on fire and another girl did about fifty summersaults in midair by bouncing on the ground several times before Padma told her to stop. Everyone still enjoyed the show and by the time it was over, the entire school was looking forward to the first Quidditch game where the cheerleading squad would make their debut. It was getting late and the students all filed back to their respective dorms since it was very close to curfew.

Neville caught Ron as he shifted with the crowd and shouted to him for a bit of banter. " Hey Ron! Too bad you didn't sit beside me, but who did you think was the best? The one with the long slit up her robes was nice, but I still rank Penelope Clearwater up top. That girl sure is nimble."

" Yeah! It was excellent! To think I almost missed it because of some stupid note Hermione gave me." Ron's revelation made Neville's blood run cold.

" Please Ron. Give me the note." Neville took a deep breath as Ron, after searching all of his robes pockets, pulled out a very much crumpled piece of parchment with the edges slightly ripped. " She asked you to meet her at the library? The time the tryouts started? And you didn't go? OH MY GOD!"

" Hey Neville wha –" Ron was dragged by the arm in a mad dash back towards the castle. " Don't tell me you're dragging me to the library now! There's no way Hermione is still there. I mean, she was probably at the stadium herself – practically the whole school was here bar some girls."

" Actually, I did see Hermione at the stadium." Harry's words halted Neville for a moment. Harry jogged up to them and elaborated, " But she sat next to some other girls in her group for the play. I saw her… looking at Ron though –"

" When did you last see her?" Neville asked Harry, looking left and right aimlessly.

" Well… I was too absorbed with watching the tryouts by the time they got to Kimberly Darwin…" Harry bowed his head in a blush.

" We're heading to the library. Now. Knowing her, she'll go back there to give you a last chance to turn up" Neville pulled Ron on the mad dash speed again. " Seriously Ron! Today is the girl's birthday and you just ignored her."

" She hasn't been speaking to me since last night! And it was you who pulled me away at the Great Hall. I was going to wait a bit and see if she turns up…"

" Guys, let's just find her first and apologise. I do feel pretty guilty not celebrating with her…" Harry mediated and the three of them leapt up the stairs, two at a time towards the library.

" No running in the corridors!" Filch, who Harry bumped shoulders with as the three of them rushed past, shook his fist at their backs. The boys obviously ignored him and slipped into a shortcut Neville pointed out.

By the time they arrived at the library though, the doors were closed and it was a complete silence apart from their panting breaths.

" See? Now can't we just head back to the tower like the rest of the students? I'll make sure to say sorry to her. Maybe I'll even get her something Lockhart related." Ron shuddered at the thought though.

" Hey wait, did you hear that?" Harry put up a hand to stop the other two.

" What're you talking about mate?" Ron asked.

" Don't you guys hear it? It's a voice… This way!" Harry had already dashed ahead in his Saviour Mode. Neville could not hear anything out of the ordinary either, but he knew it was the Basilisk – he did remember something from the books – and followed right after him.

I'm sure the first attack wasn't so soon into the book… Right? …I can't be sure… I really should've took a good look at the timeline they had on the Internet…

" It's right up this corri – wah!" Harry slipped on a pile of water on the ground and rammed straight into a wall. " Why's the ground so –"

Harry looked down to find his robes stained with blood, and the same blood were smeared on the wall he had just collided into. It was exactly as Neville visualised it, with Mrs Norris hanging off a torch bracket, and the warning in blood. Neville also remembered the consequences that followed, with Harry outcasted as the prime suspect. This would be the first step to Harry's periodic isolation at Hogwarts and it had bred him into the moody, stubborn, and solitary individual for the later books. It was one of Neville's prime wishes to change that.

" We're going. Now." Neville pulled onto Harry's arm and was just turning around when an ugly shriek echoed around the castle.

" My cat! My cat! What happened to Mrs Norris?" Filch had his hands to his face, aghast at the scene in front of him. His widened eyes slowly fell onto the bloodied robes on Harry and his face reddened in a rapid contrast. " YOU! IT'S YOU!"

" W-wait!" Harry backed away and before Filch strangled him alive, a commanding voice boomed from the other end of the corridor.

" Argus!" Dumbledore arrived at the scene, but simultaneously with a band of students. The first student in the group was Draco.

With one glance at the wall, Draco read the message and his eyes widened. " T-the heir of Slytherin!"

Dumbledore quickly calmed down Filch and took down Mrs Norris, but by then, most of the school were here after hearing the news. Neville spotted Ginny somewhere at the back of the crowd, with her hands covering her mouth and trembling slightly. Why did the events speed up? Ginny, just because Harry didn't hear you at dinner you go and write in the diary for that? I wanted you to speak to Hermione damn it!

Neville had also spotted Hermione as well, who was with her group for the play and a worried expression was etched onto her face. No doubt about Ron – who I swear will hyperventilate soon.

Dumbledore had got the situation under control by now, instructing Professor Sprout to clean up and order the Prefects to settle the students, while bringing the three boys and Filch to the nearest office, Lockhart's, for questioning.

After Mrs Norris was found to be curable, Filch relentlessly attacked Harry, bent on forcing him onto a fate that was worst than being imprisoned in Azkaban. " He did it, he did it! You saw what he wrote on the wall! He knows… and his two buddies… He knows I'm a Squib!"

" I never touched Mrs Norris!" Harry protested vehemently

" Rubbish! You thought people without magic like me should not even be allowed at Hogwarts! I heard you with my own ears!" Filch spat back. " And you never touched her? Then why are your robes covered in blood?"

" Harry slipped and fell against the wall." Neville defended, boring a hole at the back of Filch's head through his eyeballs. " Everyone saw the puddles in the corridor."

" Ha! Slipped! Like you lot care about slipping with all the mud and rain you trudge into the castle with all the time!" Filch was not to be deterred as he continued. " And you brats were rushing somewhere! That murderer even rammed me out of the way! What was so important that you three didn't go back to your dorms like the rest of the students, huh? Killing my cat no doubt!"

" We were going to meet a friend outside the library." Neville produced the piece of parchment Hermione gave Ron, much to the latter's chagrin at its display. " We missed the appointment and wanted to find her to make up for it."

" Neville. Did you lead Harry and Ron away from the other students?" Dumbledore, no doubt having mind-read the other two, twinkled his eyes at Neville. He felt a tide of magic invading his Occlumency shields and gritted his teeth.

" I did. So?" Neville was in a very bad mood already without having to deal with the old fox's suspicions. He needed to see Ginny about that diary. Even Snape shook his head at what Neville threw at Dumbledore next. " There is no proof we did anything to the cat. We have the whole school as witness at the cheerleading tryouts, and unless you can validate the time of petrifaction to be the time we were unseen by other students, you have nothing to prove us guilty."

Of course, later Neville regretted his forceful attitude since bringing up blatant evidences as if it was prepared beforehand would only increase Dumbledore's suspicions of him to new heights. Since that day, Neville was unable to push past any more school rules he was boasting to Percy just before, for a very long time.

" Headmaster, as much as I hate to say it, Longbottom is correct. Innocent until proven guilty." Snape just had to add in after that, " Even if the deed is done by someone in this room Filch, such powerful magic can only be by a 'talented' individual and not the likes of – others."

Harry, obviously one of the 'others', was even more shocked than Ron at receiving an aid from who he thought was the teacher that hated him the most – even if it was hidden behind an implied insult. Neville seriously wondered if Snape was taking revenge for last night's lesson. Very well, I'll just have to tell Harry what I saw from your memory Snape!

The three were dismissed, with Neville feeling the heavy stare of Dumbledore on his way out, and they climbed back to Gryffindor tower. Neville remembered that he was missing a piece of the puzzle and asked. " Harry. About that voice you heard –"

" I'm not crazy Neville." Harry cut in defensively before Neville could finish. This was the type of attitude he needed less.

" No, I believe you. I just wanted to know when you first heard it." Neville patiently explained. Even Hermione and Ron in the books, though said believed him, truthfully still had doubts… I on the other hand know it's true and am able to provide my support a hundred percent.

From the smile Harry gave back, Neville's sincerity got through successfully, " It was actually the first day back to class. I heard it at the dorms."

" I see…" Neville thought back and a metaphorical light bulb flashed on top of his head.

The thing that changed during the first night back is Harry getting injured! I don't know how upset Ginny got from Peeves, but she must be unhappy about Harry getting hurt on her first day at Hogwarts. Then with Ron and Harry both missing her sorting as well… I guess it's high time the little girl listened and hand over that diary. As much as I'm a dog person and Mrs Norris isn't dead, whoever's the next victim might not be as lucky.

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" Ginny. I'm not kidding. Hand over the diary." Neville had managed to corner the girl, in risk of looking like a bully, and demanded once and for all.

" Are we on that again? How many times do you want to bug me about it? I said I don't have any diaries!" Ginny sighed exasperatedly.

" Okay. Can you tell me where were you when Mrs Norris was attacked?" Neville questioned, trying to make realisation dawn on the little girl, finally out of patience to coax her.

" I was at the dorms because I'm not stupid like you boys to watch some girls jumping about."

" Did you have any witnesses?"

" Are you accusing me of petrifying Mrs Norris? You're crazy." Neville could only watch as the little girl threw him a glare and left him in the empty corridor. Do you really want to wait until you've killed someone Ginny?

" Neville, what are you doing just standing here?" Hermione, much different from her earlier period of anger, led Harry and Ron towards him.

The morning after, Hermione worriedly asked the three boys if they were okay and what happened. Neville took the cue, and after a brief retelling, steered Harry away with him to give Ron and her a bit of space to talk it out. Though Ron said he just told the truth, Neville was sure he had accidentally said something to sooth out Hermione's heart for him again at her weakened worried state. Seriously, missing a girl's birthday and he gets away with it that easily… To think I even gave her a collection of magical encyclopaedias this year – under my name this time.

" Not much." Neville turned to Harry, " Hear any more voices?"

" No –" Harry was cut off by Ron though.

" Were you talking to my sister again, Neville?" Hello over-protective brother.

" Yes. She's just a first year and with her personality I don't want her to kill someone without knowing it." Neville spiked with himself to the bafflement of the others.

" Ginny's not that bad. I think she's a nice girl." Harry interjected and Ron looked at his two friends as if they had each grown an extra head.

They were heading to class and had just walked by the blood red words about the Chamber of Secrets. Ron wondered out loud, " Who could it be? Even with all your love for uniting the houses Neville, you know it must be someone from Slytherin."

" It must be a Slytherin. That's why they call him the heir of Slytherin right?" Hermione also agreed. People might overlook it because of her smarts, but she really did have that Gryffindor 'attitude'.

" I bet it's that Draco Malfoy. He probably knew the whole story already – he was the first one to say it was the heir after he saw the sentences on the wall." Harry continued to escalate the Trio's suspicions. Frankly, Neville knew all this was wrong but figured if this got them to brew the Polyjuice Potion, then it was good practice and training for them. Not to mention some detective work as well, and this was one way for them to mature.

" Leave me out of it. I'm not going to stop you guys, but I don't feel like helping much either." Neville stated his stance and the Trio all seemed glad for it.

" Good! Now if there's just a way to get evidence to prove that it is Malfoy…" Hermione talked aloud as they entered the Charms classroom.

By the end of the lesson, everything was going according to the books and they were going to trick Lockhart into giving them access to the restricted book on making Polyjuice Potions. They even had plans already on how to set up in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. This would give them plenty of time to get it right.

" Neville, can you stay behind for just a few moments?" Flitwick called and Neville controlled himself from smiling at the old dog, recalling his antics at the cheerleading tryouts.

" Yes, sir?" Neville liked the guy – initially only because he was shorter than him. Flitwick had taught him a lot of extra spells though and answered many of his out-of-syllabus questions.

" How's your non-verbal spells coming along Neville? I know how bored you must be in my class these days and I'd spoken to the headmaster about it." Neville's humour vanished instantly at the mention of Dumbledore. Although there was no way of proving it, he had a feeling his whereabouts were being tracked throughout the castle ever since Mrs Norris's attack. He did not know what magic Dumbledore used to know everything that went on in the castle, but Neville had been reducing his number of nightly strolls. I'm worried about going to the kitchen, or practicing my Jujitsu, or just plain spell practice. I can't even visit the Shrieking Shack as often anymore – who knows what sort of crime might be pushed onto me for leaving the school grounds? Damn that old fox! " Neville? So, is that a yes? Will you do this favour for me? Dumbledore said the exemption would be no problem."

" Huh? Yes, of course for my favourite professor." Neville of course had no idea what he signed himself into, having completely blanked out Flitwick's speech, but an exemption meant he would get more free time instead of doing essays on the fundamentals. " Sorry, but how should I go about doing this thing you were saying."

" Ah, yes, she's a Ravenclaw so you might not even know her. I'll get her to contact you after she comes back from St Mungo's and you can arrange a suitable time to tutor her between yourselves." Flitwick let on only that but Neville got the general gist of things. He was to tutor some girl who missed some classes – strangely enough, in Flitwick's house Ravenclaw.

Neville left the classroom and headed for the Great Hall when he saw Hannah running up to him in the corridors. " Hey! Why the hurry?"

" We've finished the script! We can finally host the auditions now for the parts!" Hannah exclaimed, her face pinker than usual from the running.

" Good job Hannah. You must've been pretty busy." Neville complimented while browsing the script she handed him.

" Not as busy as you with –" Neville looked up as Hannah's voice stopped abruptly. They were just walking past the wall where Mrs Norris was attacked.

" Scary stuff huh?" Neville said in a light tone and a smile, hoping to raise Hannah's spirits up a little.

The pigtail-girl managed a laugh but they quickened their paces without looking back. Hannah took a deep breath after turning a corner and mumbled in chagrin, " It's just… very uncomfortable to think about it. What if… the next attack isn't on a cat but… you know – students?"

Actually, I think you're the only one anxious this early. Just typical Hannah… Fred and George are having a blast with their latest running-gag about petrified cats…

" Just remember to stay in a group Hannah. If you see anything strange, come to me." Neville offered the only advice he could for the girl.

" Okay…" Hannah bowed her red face and said quietly. " You know… It's almost Halloween. Didn't we discuss an event during summer for that?"

" Well, I guess it'll be a good morale booster. Let's call a Council meeting about it later. How about tomorrow?" Neville said, resuming his president role.

" I'm fine. I'll talk to Draco and Su." Hannah reverted back to normal and went onto a different order of business. " How's the Hoglake club doing? You were monitoring the start of that club, right?"

" I had worries about it being taken over by the Ravenclaws like the chess club, so I suggested some regulations to their contract and made sure they uphold them. It's picking up quite fast actually. They have to ask McGonagall and Flitwick to charm more masks again – especially since they're changing some rules as well for smooth gaming."

" Do you play as well?"

" Na, my great uncle does though. Seriously, he mentions it for at least two paragraphs every time he writes me." Neville shook his head, but had a smile on his face nonetheless. Old Al acts so much like a kid. Aunt Enid was woken up at two in the morning once just because he wanted a game of Hoglake with his 'board game' version.

" Do you need any help with the club? I have a bit of free time after this script's finished." Hannah offered just as the two of them ran across the Gryffindor Trio.

" Hey, you guys." Neville provided a small greeting and the group continued to head for the Great Hall together. " Actually there is something you can help me with Hannah. There aren't really that many Hufflepuffs at the Hoglake club, probably because of the bad tradition of the chess club, you know? Try and promote it a bit in your house and tell them it's not ran entirely by Ravenclaws, okay?"

" No problem. Oh, I'll probably be able to get back to you as to when we can get the Great Hall for the play's auditions by Wednesday. I actually have to confirm a few things about it with Ernie, so I'll see you later ok?" Hannah waved goodbye and made for her own table.

" You know, I never thought Hannah Abbot was the type to handle so much work like this. She leads pretty well though, from what Harry and I see being in her group for the play and all." Ron commented.

" She reminds me of you sometimes when she runs around sorting things out. That's what it's like working in the Student Council huh?" Harry said to Neville.

They made idle chat before Harry was dragged off by Wood for what would be another tiring night of Quidditch practice. The Slytherin game was drawing closer and Wood wanted to win even if it meant death. Ron was just speaking about this subject with Seamus and Dean when Hermione interrupted Neville's devouring of a haggis.

" Hey Neville. I saw you left your Potions essay last night undone because Draco suddenly dragged you out the library," Hermione reminded, " It's due in this week you know."

" I know, I know." Neville complained, " Draco dragged me out to ask if I should let the cheerleaders book the Quidditch pitch for practices – I mean, of course! Outdoor practices mean the wind and… Anyway… I'll eventually get round to finishing that damned essay. The Council stuffs just kept me from getting some references from the library.."

" You need some help with the essay?" Neville's struck of good fortune that was Hermione volunteering to help was interrupted though by a visitor.

" Neville, I want to talk to you about where we can store the backgrounds for the play." Su had a roll of parchment and asked as she scribbled something down with her quill. " The forest background is too big to be put into the empty classroom and –"

" Alright! Alright! Can't a guy finish his dinner in peace?" Neville took a last bite and picked up his book bag to go and look at the backgrounds with Su. He turned back to Hermione and apologised, " Thanks for the offer Hermione, but I really don't have time to do school stuffs for now. Don't worry though, I'll be sure to get it done later before the deadlines even if it means losing some sleep. Bye."

" Right." Hermione made a smile, " See you back in the common room then."

" Su, didn't you talk to Filch about extra storage rooms?" Neville had already walked away from her though and was checking the list of things Su's group started to make already.

" Yeah, but Filch's still mighty upset about his cat," Su rolled her eyes.

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A/N: A relatively quick upload to make up for the absence before. What you think of second year so far?