Authors note: Time leap. I know. But if I keep letting myself write every scene of this freaking rebellion we will never get to the good stuff! So I'm kickin' it into a higher gear. Let's get serious here, Never, and get to writing. I don't always like time leaps in stories, but I want the story to accelerate, and I just can't see big evil masterminds coup detat's happening in like one minute, this stuff takes time, right? So, since my main characters are all split up, we'll probably switch POV's and start moving along at a faster pace.

Warnings: Uh none this is a catch up, getting back into my writing groove chapter.

Disclaimer: Nothing, absolutely nothing, is mine.


In the months that followed the abandonment of the castle, Harry made less progress than he would have liked. They had to move around, there were groups of wizards looking for him, and they kept things interesting. On full moons, the wolves hunted them, baying for blood.

Draco had made it very clear to all of them that looking back, returning, or even speaking of the refugees hidden in the depths of the wrecked Malfoy Manor was something that could not be allowed. It had to appear for all intents and purposes abandoned, and having people skulk around in the area wouldn't help anything.

They were all tired, and Hermione was in an unspoken fight with Ginny, Dean, and Seamus over the whole animagus debacle. Ron was strained by the fighting, and had grown short tempered, and Harry himself was hardly a ton of fun to be around, feeling like the whole world was counting on him, and simultaneously feeling like if he could just ask someone for help maybe this wouldn't be a disaster.

And of course, poor Neville was doing his best as peacekeeper, but even he was growing tired of never sleeping easy, and always being on edge, hunted.

It was hard to admit, but he missed them all, even the Slytherins, and their ability to joke and jibe, and keep things bearable, where as now, without them, they all felt strained. The other four had a quiet, strong bond that left Harry puzzled. Ginny seemed to find more comfort in the other three boys, than in him or Ron, which was odd, since she used to adore Harry, and Ron was her brother.

When they spoke amongst themselves, they still called each other the weird names Malfoy had called them by, and some of the cryptic, quiet things they said were obviously Zabini, Malfoy or Parkinson's thoughts. It was almost like they were homesick, which was ridiculous. They had only been at Malfoy Manor a few months, and Malfoy and his lot were hardly an overwhelmingly happy family.

Harry sighed, shifting closer to the fire, watching Neville's face flicker in the firelight. They were up, keeping an eye on their surroundings, watching for any headhunters.

"Neville?"

Neville raised his eyes to meet Harry's and gave him a worn, but friendly smile in acknowledgement.

"Do you miss Malfoy and all them?"

The silence that followed was thoughtful, and Harry felt almost uncomfortable as Neville scrutinized him.

"Yeah," the other boy said eventually, his tone slightly guarded. "I know it's weird for you guys, but them, back at the manor, that was our family. It's not like my gran or anything, but it's sort of like we all wanted the same things, and all listened to each other it was like having a lot of brothers and sisters to help keep you safe. And they helped us get out of Hogwarts. After you lot left, it got bad there. Dumbledore was gone, all the teachers that counted were sacked, and the classes were weird, and sometimes we were just locked in the great hall for ages, and they got us out of there, and then didn't make us stay."

"I know Hermione hates it, but it was exciting getting to try all the spells, all the magic. I wish I could be an animagus, but I just can't get it, and without Pan, well, I don't want anything to go wrong, and Hermione to tell me I told you so," he said in a light tone, a small smile on his lips.

After that, Neville fell quiet, but Harry felt like he hadn't gotten the answer that he wanted. But he kept his mouth shut, trying not to let his hair stand on end as a long, angry wolf call sounded in the distance.


Authors note, the second: But why is Hermione pissed about the animagus thing? Ok, well supposedly the reason there aren't more animagus is because well yeah it's hard (but if Peter Pettigrew worked it out, it obviously isn't exactly rocket science) but also some sources cite the fact, that if you mess up you can be stuck as an animal forever. I imagine that this is one of those things like how not many children juggle fire, not that there have been many recent fire juggling tragedies, but that parents teachers and guardians don't think its safe or worth it, and don't let the kids have access to the ability to learn these skills. Also it's awesome and if I could be an animagus I would be (also I would like to win the lottery in this dream world, while we're at it). But since it's illegal, and you could get stuck as an animal forever, Hermione is against it, because yeah, it is dangerous, but the rest are young reckless, and feelin' good.