Neville became a key ally over the following days, he kept the boys in the loop. He would sit and listen every night to what the Gryffindors would say while McGonagall was away. Neville kept quiet, and took note, luckily it was mostly petty gossip, nothing about Sirius, not yet. Not that Harry had actually told Neville… Malfoy had convinced him it was for the best, especially if they needed to play it off as Ron making up bullshit. If possible it was the best way they could protect Sirius.

McGonagall made good on her promise. No one spoke badly to Harry, though they did actively cut Harry out of Gryffindor at every public chance they had. Namely the whole house seemed to refuse to let Harry sit at the house table. People would shift when they saw Harry enter the hall and 'accidentally' cut him off if he approached the table- even at the most barren sections of the table.

Harry thought it was a small price to pay considering what was on the line. Cedric had waved him over to the Hufflepuff table several times, Harry was sure it was just because he had warned Ced about the dragon but he made for pleasant conversation.

Not wanting to reignite the fire, Harry and Malfoy worked hard to keep away from each other and to act indifferent to one another during classes. Despite all this the three boys -Neville, Harry, and Malfoy- had fallen into a bit of a routine over the last week or so.

In the morning they ate breakfast in the empty classroom and practised shields. At lunch Malfoy would hang out with his friends while Harry and Neville would walk around the lake. Neville would get them dinner while they finished detention with McGonagall and all three would eat dinner together. Neville would go back to Gryfindor common room after a couple hours while Malfoy and Harry would practice summoning spells late into the night.

Today however was Saturday and several things had thrown the boys off schedule. It was a Hogsmeade visit and the Great Hall was particularly empty with most people getting a quick snack before leaving. Neville had convinced Harry to use the opportunity to get a proper meal in.

Neville and Harry hadn't planned on going originally, having thought it a good chance to start upping the anti with practice. Malfoy was going to spend some time with his friends and more importantly be seen with them. Even if he left early, what mattered was him being seen going there. At breakfast however, Hedwig arrived with an unsigned letter tied to her leg.

At the place where Moony was safe.

Harry's heart was in his throat, he hadn't warned Sirius. With the Gryfindors keeping their cool for the time being he hadn't wanted Sirius to unnecessarily worry. He had been trying to avoid this. Harry hadn't expected his Godfather to be mad enough to come to Hogwarts again. Unless it was a trap, maybe the first task was taking too long to get here and whoever wanted Harry dead was getting impatient.

Harry realized too late he was staring open mouthed at the letter. Neville had turned a slight shade paler and was now staring at him.

"I- I think I need to go into Hogsmeade today."

Neville calmed slightly, still unnerved he raised an eyebrow, "What's up?"

Harry furrowed his brows, "I don't know… Come on I need to tell you something."

Harry grabbed his cloak and bag taking off in a hurry, Neville scrambled to follow. They left the hall and started trudging up the grand staircase. Once they were on a travelling staircase away from portraits Harry stood close to Neville whispering the sad tale of Sirius Black.

Neville took it the best out of everyone seeming to take Harry on his word alone. "So this letter, you think it's really from him?"

Harry shrugged, "I mean the handwriting looks identical but…"

"Handwriting can be forged," Neville finished for him.

They were headed towards the hospital wing, Harry going to grab his winter cloak.

"Are we going to go check then?" Neville didn't sound thrilled about the idea. Harry really couldn't blame him for it, what if it was a trap.

"If you want you can lag behind and get help if things go sideways." Harry suggested, turning back to give a different suggestion when a figure came darting around the corner.

"Harry what happened?" Malfoy seemed angry as he and Harry caught eyes. Neville jumped, at the sudden voice and all three stopped. Harry looked at the portraits in the hall, frowning, "You remember my Uncle?"

"Weasley didn't- No my Uncle's apparently been up to something. Me and Nev are gonna head down to Hogsmeade and send him a letter." Harry gave a big wink to indicate that he was lying.

Malfoy was frowning, he seemed to only get angrier, "What am I supposed to do with that information Potter you've told me nothing. Those sentences meant nothing."

Harry huffed and continued to the Hospital Wing, the other boys reluctantly following. Harry gave a wave to Madame Pomfrey who was tending over a second year who apparently had the flu.

"Are you going to Hogsmeade then young Potter?" She asked, as Harry got on his knees rummaging through his trunk.

"Yeah thought it might be a nice way to spend my last weekend as a whole man." He grabbed the cloak and stood up turning to find Pomfrey frowning at him.

"I'm sure you will be able to survive the first task just fine. Please Mr. Potter, try to have some fun with your friends." Pomfrey had a forced smile, looking quite anxious. Even she couldn't pretend Harry's chances were good.

"Don't worry Madame, Nous protégeons les nôtres." Draco said from the door frame, Neville standing behind him like an oversized shadow.

Pomfrey turned to him, "Bonne Chance, Ç'est un fauteur de troubles."

Draco let out a sharp laugh, "Oui C'est vrai!"

Harry looked between the two uncertain what had transpired. He pulled his cloak tight around his shoulders giving Pomfrey another wave. "See ya Mame!"

"Good Luck Mr. Potter, tell those other two to keep an eye on you for me." She called turning back to the second year, who had burst into a coughing fit.

As Harry shut the door he let out a sigh. "What did she say about me that time?"

The blonde smiled mischievously, "Why should I tell you? You haven't exactly been forthcoming with information."

Harry glowered at him, "Fine we'll leave through the clock tower. Less nosey portraits.." He gave a particularly nasty look to the portrait closest to them. The two men were practically staring and Harry had had enough of that.

Malfoy and Neville followed closely behind hoods up, Harry raised his own and moved them towards a section of the tower few students went to. The pendulum was loudest here and made it difficult to hear one another. It also made it difficult for others to overhear.

"Sirius has come for a visit." Harry spoke softly and both boys needed to lean in to hear him.

Malfoy paled almost yelling, "He what?"

Neville cut in now speaking softly and much harder to decipher, "Potentially it may also be someone pretending to be him."

Harry huffed, "Who would know to pretend to be him?"

Malfoy glared, "Anyone who can intercept an owl."

Harry's eyes grew, "I have to check! What if it really is him?"

"What if it's a trap set by Weasley? Off school property McGonagall could never know for sure." Malfoy gave Harry the same heart wrenched look Harry was trying to give him.

Neville sighed, "Draco you go with your friends, when it's time to go I'll bump into you. We'll need you to go with Harry into this, maybe trap. Send up sparks if you need help and I'll run to get it. I'm a better runner than caster, especially in a panic."

All three boys seemed to come to a hesitant agreement on this. Harry had never heard Neville take over making a decision like that. He felt proud of him, it was nice to see him so assertive.

As they walked back Harry noticed something, Malfoy was on edge. He kept looking behind them and side to side, he searched the face of every student who passed them. He was looking at portraits and clenching his fists. Harry had thought Malfoy was frustrated or angry at first but now it was obvious. Malfoy was afraid.