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Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 519
The Damage Would Face (The Healing Would Begin)
The room was charred and blackened, but it was still there. Neville let out a sigh of relief. He knew he was being ridiculous, being so attached to a room, but he couldn't help it.
If it hadn't been for the Room of Requirement, and the safe haven it had presented as, he was utterly certain that he'd wouldn't have lived to see the final battle.
He looked around the room, wondering how to even begin with fixing it. Could he just… wish away the damage?
He tried and found he couldn't, which meant he needed someone far more skilled than he. He wanted to help, he really did, but he knew his own limitations. This was a too-big job for him to do alone.
He also knew that given the damage to the rest of the castle, the room would be low on the list of priorities.
"Neville?"
He spun around, his wand in his hand before he'd even realised that he'd pulled it from his pocket.
Harry stood by the door, his hands raised in front of him, an understanding look on his face.
Neville blushed and stowed his wand, muttering an apology.
"We really did a number on this place, didn't we?" Harry said, looking around at the smoke damage to the walls. Everything that had been inside had been burned to a crisp. "Is it fixable, do you think?"
Neville nodded. "It's still here. I think that means we can fix it."
"I hope so," Harry said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Hmm? I'm fine," Neville replied, frowning. "How are you feeling?"
Harry seemed to consider him for a moment. "I don't know. A lot. It's… it's all a lot. I think I still can't believe that it's… done."
Neville nodded because that made sense. It had been a long year for Neville, but Harry had been living this for much longer than a year.
"I think we can spell away the smoke damage, right?" Harry asked, looking at the high walls. "And then… maybe Professor McGonagall, or Professor Flitwick can help with the rest?"
Neville nodded, taking his wand from his pocket. He saw Harry doing the same. They worked in silence, but it was comfortable. By the time they were done, Neville was sweating with exertion.
He'd never really had to cast the same spell for so long, and he hadn't realised how draining it was.
"It looks like… less of a catastrophe now," Harry said, his lips tugging up into a smile. "That's something."
"Should we nip down to the kitchens?" Neville asked. "I could do with a drink and something to eat, and the house elves are back down there. The kitchens didn't take much damage."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. He stowed his wand and Neville did the same, glancing up at the now ivory walls. He felt better, now that he'd done something.
It might not be fixed, but it was improved. It would get there, eventually. The damage would fade away, and the pain and the hurt and the grief would heal.
For now, Neville was content.
Written for:
Funfair - Apple Picking - Tree 3 - 1. Fade
Monster Mash - Legs/Feet - 2. Mechanical leg - The Room Of Requirement
Masque - Fabric - Catastrophe
365. 272. Ivory