Neville watched as nervous glances and fearful expressions walked passed him, as he waited for Hermione and the others. He stopped his eyes from darting to Pansy and satisfied the need by finding her green, high heeled boots in the crowd. Once spotted, he turned and followed the flow of people through the huge doors of the great hall and down the corridor to Flitwick's office.

The hallway was filled with people milling around as almost three year-groups hovered outside of the classroom. Neville was easily one of the tallest as he leant against the wall, people watching. His stomach growled again, and he really wished he'd grabbed that chocolate pastry.

His eyes passed over the others as they sat and stood in their small groups. Ginny was draped pathetically over Luna in one of the window arches as Hermione and Blaise leant against each other by the pillar to the window arch. Neville stood, slightly apart as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. His eyes caught a glimpse of Pansy's long black legs and trademark miniskirt before glancing away. He was sure that at the top of those stockings there would be lace. He felt her eyes on him and bit the inside of his mouth to stop from grinning. He knew that she'd noticed when she bit her lip in his peripheral vision before turning away.

The door to Flitwick's classroom opened as Professor McGonagall stepped out, her navy blue gown flowing behind her. He expected to see Professor Flitwick next; however, a pair of uniformed Aurors appeared. The crowd fell into silence at the sight of the Aurors. If they were here, things were serious. He caught the taller one's eyes and in an instant recognised Ronald Weasley.

With his smart new grey uniform and his hair slicked back, the redhead was virtually unrecognisable. He had also started growing a beard which made the nineteen-year-old appear older. Ron noticed him and offered an almost imperceptibly before focusing back on the captive audience before him.

"Good morning. If I may have your attention please," Said the older Auror. The wizard stood a couple of inches shorter than Ron, but what he lacked for in height he made up for in his bearing. The older man stood with a determined and formidable stance that exuded experience and confidence. Neville could see that the Auror was burly and with a build-up of stubble on his jaw, he looked quite intimidating.

The crowd remained silent as they waited for him to address them. "Thank you, I am Senior Auror Fernsby, and this is Junior Auror Weasley. We are here to ask a few questions, take a few statements and possibly a few memories for our investigation."

"What are you investigating?" A Ravenclaw boy from the seventh year asked.

"I'm not at liberty to go into details. However, I can tell you that a student has been attacked."

The students erupted into gasps and whispers at the statement.

"Who?" Someone called

"What attacked them?" Someone else shouted.

"Is it dangerous?" Cried a third.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Please!" McGonagall shot, bringing them all back to attention.

"Thank you, Professor." Fernsby nodded before continuing. "It was not a beast attack, and no there is nothing dangerous lurking about the grounds. That I can confirm." He assured them as he raised his hands to subdue them. "Now, I need the following people to wait in Professor Flitwick's classroom. From there you will be brought into the Professors office so that we can talk. The rest of you. I may need to ask you further questions. However, for now, you are free to go."

Neville looked around as everyone was poised, waiting for their names to be called. Neville watched with idle curiosity as he considered what to do with the rest of his day. Looking at Ginny and Luna, he considered going back to Hogsmeade to pick up some pepperup potions. He wondered whether he would be able to convince Pansy to make a break for it. At the thought of Pansy, he turned. She looked as white as a sheet and was trembling, as were most of the Slytherins in the crowd. He wished he could hold her and tell her everything was going to be alright.

"David Anson, Korsty Barnes, Ian Birdwhistle, Jasper Bloom," The Auror started to read. Neville looked to the students who had been called. Their already ill faces looked deathly as dread pushed them towards the door of Flitwick's classroom. McGonagall offered each a quiet word as she guided them into the room.

"Hermione Granger, Wayne Hopkins, Kora Kunkel, Mark Laker," He continued. All eyes pointed to Hermione as she looked around, her eyes wide and fearful. Blaise squeezed her shoulders as he let her go. Neville watched her go as McGonagall offered her a shoulder pat as she passed.

"Kira Lietmann, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood. Nessie Ludanyi," Neville felt the floor open up under him as his stomach did a somersault. Blaise and Theo looked at him before his eyes caught Pansy's. He turned away and walked to the door as he let Luna go before him. He squeezed her shoulder. He wasn't sure whether it was to offer her support or to stop himself from falling.

He looked at Ron as they passed, he nodded and smiled a grim smile which offered no comfort as they stepped into the large classroom. The room was silent as they waited. Neville spotted Hermione and rushed forward as she stood.

"What's going on?" She asked. Neville shrugged and sat down beside her, pulling her into a one armed-hug.

"I have no idea," Neville admitted. They could hear more names being called out as they watched the doorway.

"Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Padma Patil, Quinzee Rogers" Neville straightened as Theo and Pansy stepped through, their eyes searching for them. Theo pulled them both towards Neville and sat down. Neville couldn't help but look at Pansy. She looked ghostly white and wide-eyed as her fingers gripped onto Theo's arm. He could only imagine how the sight of the Auror would have affected them.

Theo didn't seem to be holding up much better. His adam's apple bobbed nervously as he gripped Pansy's hand with equal fervour. Neville released Hermione's arm and offered Theo his hand. Theo looked at the provided palm, and after a moment's hesitation, took it and gripped it like a vice. Neville threw his other arm along the back of the seat behind him and gently stroked the edge of Pansy's arm. She shifted and gripped his hand tightly.

Just feeling her hand in his loosened the knot that was forming in his gut. He noticed some of the others look at him as it appeared that he was cuddling up to Theo, but he couldn't have cared less. He ignored the confused looks from the other, younger students, probably wondering why a Gryffindor would get so close with a Slytherin. Now that he had gotten to know them as people, he didn't even think about their house any more. It was unimportant after all that they had been through.

Finally Ginny and Blaise appeared at the door along with a few others. Hermione made a noise next to him, and Nevile made room for the wizard to squeeze between them.

The door closed as the Aurors and Professors stood at the head of the room.

"Thank you for waiting patiently while we gathered you all together," Fernsby announced. "I just want to stress that none of you is in trouble. All we need is information to help us with our investigation." His eyes seemed to land on Neville and Theo's hands as they sat together. "I know some of you are terrified of going to or returning to Azkaban. I just want to assure you. Unless you have broken the law, that won't be happening." He finished with a nod. Theo's grip seemed to lessen on his hand slightly, allowing the blood to return to his fingers. Pansy's grip; however, seemed to tighten at the mere mention of the prison.

"Now students, I will arrange for your homework to be brought down to you so that you will not be wasting this precious time," McGonagall added. Most people groaned, but Hermione looked relieved.

"Could I see Pansy Parkinson first, please?" Neville's heart stopped as her grip tightened. He gave it a comforting squeeze before she released him. She looked around, her wide, pale eyes seeking him out as she stood up. He watched as she built up her pureblood mask, going from scared to indifferent in seconds. He shoulders set back, and her head held high. No one would know the true turmoil roaring within in her. Only her eyes gave her away. Her eyes were slightly too wide. He tried to encourage her with a smile as she walked towards the Auror with all eyes on her. Ron's eyes didn't look friendly as they looked at her and then back to Neville before they left.

Neville felt sick as the nerves bounced around his gut like jumping jelly beans. More than once, Theo had to put his hand on his leg to stop it bouncing nervously, and within minutes it would start bobbing again. Daisy, Korsty, Quinzee and Nessie huddled together as they worked on their homework. Neville glanced back to his ancient Runes essay and tried to concentrate, but the words just fazed in and out of focus. His mind darted between the party and now unable to focus on anything.

It felt like an eternity before the door to the classroom opened again. Neville almost stood up as he expected Pansy to reappear. When Ron appeared, he felt both hopeful and disappointed.

"Neville, come on." He called, Neville stood and swallowed. It was his turn to be the main attraction as everyone looked up. He met his friend's gaze before walking towards Ron. The redhead held open the door for him and then closed it once they were both outside in the corridor.

"What are you bloody playing at?" Ron hissed as the door closed.

"What? What do you mean?" Neville asked as he reared back.

"Going out with Pansy?" Ron scowled at her name "She's a Slytherin! She's Malfoy's Best friend!"

"So?" Neville shrugged with a frown. "The war is over, Ron."

"I know the battle is over, but the war still rages out here in the real world. Do you know how many of the death eaters got away?" He asked and then snorted derisively. "I probably know what's going on better than you do right now!" Ron sighed "She's… She just can't be trusted, mate!" He shook his head.

"Why not?" Neville asked, squaring up to Ron. "What has she personally done that is so terrible?"

"Erm, I don't know? How about trying to hand Harry over to Voldemort?" Ron replied sarcastically.

"And do you know why she did that?" Neville retorted.

"No, what excuse did she give you?"

"Voldemort was holding her family hostage."

"Her family was working for Voldemort," Ron hissed back.

"Doesn't mean he wasn't going to kill them if she disobeyed, does it?" Neville said as he crossed his arms."

Ron opened and closed his mouth a few times as his arguments dried up. "But it's Pug-face! She was always so rotten to you in school."

"Don't call her that! And maybe once or twice way back in second year."

"I don't mean to come across harsh, but you need to watch your back!" Ron said as he shook his head in exasperation.

"I don't have to, Pansy already has it." Ron rubbed at his temples before speaking again. "I love her, Mate."

"Love? Shit! She's going to fuck you over a barrel with that!" Ron searched his face before speaking again "I just can't understand what's happened. You're all so cosy with the Slytherins now, what in Merlin's saggy ballsack happened to get you lot together?"

"I was being bullied and Pansy, Theo and Blaise were there for me."

"Bullied? By who?" Ron frowned.

"Hannah Abbott, Stephen Cornfoot and Oliver Rivers,"

Ron blinked at him and shook his head before starting to walk towards the office door, muttering curses under his breath.

"So what's going on? Who's been attacked?" He asked as his heart pounded in his chest "Is Pansy alright?"

Ron sighed heavily before he answered "She's fine, she's gone back to the common room. I hear the new tower is pretty swish?" Ron nodded. "As for the details of the case, you know I can't talk about it. I'll let Fernsby fill you in. But make sure you mention about the bullying. He'll want to know."

"So you can't tell me anything about what I'm walking into?"

"Only that a student has been attacked and that you are a witness."

"A witness? I didn't see anyone get attacked" He frowned in confusion.

"Just talk to Fernsby, he's got the authority to tell you more," Ron said as they reached the door to Flitwick's office. "You need to be completely honest, Nev! I mean it, tell him everything. He's already seen some memories of what happened, and it'll make things worse if you're not. Fernsby is firm but fair. Rub him up the wrong way, and he's a complete twat!"

Ron gripped the door handle and was about to turn it when Neville grabbed his shoulder.

"We need to catch up! Hows the job?"

"Yeah, It's good," He hesitated "There's a lot more to it than I expected. Harry's loving it, though."

"How is he?"

"Yeah, he's fine, diving headfirst into it, you know what he can be like. You still coming to the Burrow for Boxing day?" Neville smiled and nodded.

"Sounds great. We really should write more."

Ron rolled his eyes and nodded, "Or we could just meet at the brooms?"

"let me know when you're back from training, and we should" Neville agreed. Ron smirked before letting Neville into the office, shutting the door behind him.

"Neville Longbottom, is it?" The dark-haired Auror asked, sitting beside the desk, The quick notes quill scribbling away furiously before coming to an ominous stop. The room seemed to shrink in and definitely felt too small to hold such a large man. He smiled, his stubbled jaw pulling taught to highlight a scar around his throat. "I knew your parents,"