Ginny was shaking with rage on Monday morning when she walked into the Great Hall and saw Harry sitting at the staff table whispering something to the Dungeon Bat.
They were laughing and smiling, touching each other under the table.
As they got up to head to the first class of the day Severus kissed Harry softly as they parted ways in the entrance hall.
It wasn't supposed to be like this she fumed stuffing things haphazardly into her bag.
Obviously the greasy git had conned Harry into giving him another chance and being the caring person he was had relented.
Transfiguration was her first class and she was in no mood for the Ferret. She dumped her bag on the floor beside her seat and slumped down in her chair.
Ginny didn't hear a word that Draco had spoken for most of the lesson.
When he called on her to answer a question she had no idea what it was to begin with the Professor scolded her and took house points for not paying attention.
'You'll pay for that ferret the redhead thought as she exited the room and walked to Defence against the Dark arts.
It was in this class while Professor Potter was explaining about Inferi and idea occurred to Ginny.
She looked around and spotted Michael Corner glancing at her, she gave him a small smile.
Pulling Michael aside after class she asked him if he would like to go for a walk around the grounds.
He accepted happily and they set off out into the afternoon sunshine.
She kept up the pretence of chatting away innocently all the while scheming and planning in her mind.
'Mentis Imperium' she said waving her wand at Michael when they reached their destination.
'You will Stupefy Professor Longbottom then beat him around the head with a plank of wood' Ginny instructed.
Neville's back was turned when they entered the Greenhouse.
He didn't see the curse coming only felt something hit is back before he fell to the ground.
She had never seen so much blood in her life it was everywhere including Michael.
Harry met up with Draco and Severus; they were heading down to the Greenhouses to meet Neville.
He had been working on a surprise for Draco and wanted Harry and Severus there when he presented it to his husband.
Walking the well-trodden path they trio discussed their day.
Draco told them about Ginny's behaviour in his class. Harry said she had been quiet in his class, which he was thankful for.
'Maybe she is learning' Draco said
'I doubt that very much' Harry scoffed
Walking into the Greenhouse Draco called out to his husband.
When there was no answer he went through the connecting door to the room where all the plants were kept.
'Merlin no Nev' Draco gasped in horror when he saw his husband lying unconscious and bloodied on the floor.
Harry sent his Patronus to Minerva and Poppy to coming quickly.
Severus checked Neville for injuries while they waited.
Lying next to his battered and beaten body was a plank of wood covered in blood.
Harry transfigured a pot into a bag and covered the plank.
Poppy and Minerva arrived and Neville was taken hurriedly up to the infirmary.
Harry and Severus had their arms around a shocked Draco as they led him up to the castle.
After running a diagnostic and casting spells to reveal injuries Poppy told all in the room that Neville had sustained serious damage to his head.
There was swelling on his brain; he would need to be sent to St Mungo's for specialist treatment.
Draco collapsed in a heap taking Harry with him when he heard the news. Harry held him as he sobbed and screamed.
Minerva went to fire call the hospital and let them know they had an emergency patient coming through.
In a matter of minutes a healer arrived to escort the patient to the emergency room. Harry and Severus went with Draco after the healer had left with Neville.
Minerva said she would contact Augusta Longbottom Neville's grandmother and let her know what had happened.
Kingsley and Blaise were just leaving the Ministry to head home after a long day when an owl from Hogwarts landed on his desk.
He read the letter and let out a shriek of horror.
'King what's the matter?' Blaise asked coming to his husband's side.
'Neville Longbottom has been badly beaten, they don't know if he will survive' Kingsley answered in disbelief
'Oh Merlin' Blaise breathed.
'I need to go to St Mungo's you had better come to Draco will be a wreck' Kingsley said grabbing his cloak.
'Right behind you' Blaise replied closing the office door.
Harry, Minerva, Severus and a distraught Draco Malfoy met Kingsley and Blaise in the waiting area.
When the blonde saw his old school friend he launched himself into Blaise's arms and sobbed hard.
Blaise rubbed Draco's back offering words of comfort.
'He's tough Drake he will pull through' Blaise soothed.
'There was so much blood' Draco sobbed
Augusta Longbottom arrived a short time later and gathered Draco up into her arms and rocked him gently.
'Has there been any news about my Grandson?' she asked rocking back and forth with Draco.
'Not yet Augusta, they are still running some tests' Minerva said quietly.
She eventually sat down on one of the chairs and pulled Draco onto her lap and continued to rock back and forth.
The Healer came into the waiting area and hour later and explained what the tests had revealed.
'He has extensive injuries to his brain, we have run a scan and there is considerable swelling. We have placed him in an induced coma until the swelling subsides. He also has a spell to help him breath.' The man said seriously
'Can we see him?' Augusta asked the Healer.
'Yes but only two at a time' he replied
No words were needed it was decided that Augusta and Draco would be the first to go in.
'Silence' Minerva shouted over the noise.
A hush fell over the hall and the students turned in their seats to look at the Headmistress and the Minister for Magic.
'I have some disturbing news to tell you' Minerva said gravely
'Late yesterday afternoon Professor Longbottom was found in the Greenhouse badly beaten and unconscious, he has been taken to St Mungo's where he is now in a coma.' Minerva explained to a stunned hall
Frantic whispers began to circulate among the students each wondering who and why.
Kingsley called silence for again this time. He rose from his seat and addressed the Great Hall.
'The nature of Professor Longbottom's attack was nothing short of vicious and will now be investigated by the Ministry. I must impress on anyone that may know anything in regards to this attack to come forward and speak to either Professor McGonagall or myself. If you are feeling uneasy about coming forward might I suggest talking to your head of house and they can inform the Headmistresses.'
As the students filed from the hall, Minerva called for Ron, Hermione, Dean and Seamus to stay behind.
'How's Neville?' Dean asked
'It isn't good I'm afraid' Minerva said solemnly
'Miss Granger I wonder if you would mind taking over Professor Malfoys class today?' Minerva inquired.
'Of course Professor' Hermione replied.
'Is Draco coping alright?' Seamus asked
'Blaise, Severus, Harry and Augusta are with him at the moment, he is deeply distressed and worried for his husband' Kingsley answered
'Can we see him?' Ron asked hopefully
'I am unsure Mr Weasley I will speak to the Healer when I go back to St Mungo's and see what I can work out, it my be that you could give Severus and Harry a break' Minerva countered.
'Anything we can do to help we will' Dean said and the others nodded in agreement
'Thank you Mr Thomas, now if you will come with me Miss Granger I will see what Professor Malfoy had planned for today. Keep your ears and eyes open for a whisper of who might be responsible for this.' Minerva stated as she rushed from the hall.
'We will Professor whoever did this to Nev will pay dearly' Seamus seethed