by CharmofLove
© July 15, 2002
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its entities belong to J.K. Rowling and anyone else she may have shared the creativity with. No infringement intended.
Rated: PG
Genre: Humor
"I still think we need to go to Professor McGonagall," Hermione stated with a decisive nod. "She'll be able to do something, she's brilliant that way."
The four Gryffindor's sat huddled together, eating breakfast at the big dining table.
"It was probably some obscure spell that Draco picked up on one of his many vacations this past summer," Ron grunted.
"Or from his father," Harry pointed out with distaste. Lucious Malfoy, Draco's father, had been one of the many present at the end of his fourth year when Voldemort had tried to kill Harry – again. Mr. Malfoy had done nothing to step in and prevent any injury or harm being done to the young Potter boy who went to the same school as his son. There were no questions as to where his loyalties were directed.
"'Oooh, I'm evil Malfoy. I tried to kill Neville but he turned out to be the student who lived!'" Ron stopped and grimaced. "Sorry, Harry. Didn't mean anything by it."
"No problem," sighed Harry at the joking reference to his title of 'the boy who lived'.
"But he thinks he's rather clever, that one," Ron sneered.
"Ron, don't be so flippant," Hermione gave her friend a stern look and shook her head when she was rewarded with a shrug and a half smile that hid a mouthful of food.
"I don't want to go to the Professor. I don't want any of the Professors to know!" Neville cried.
"Oh, Neville, really!" Hermione sighed.
"No! It'll only cause more trouble." Neville replied mournfully.
"You mean things could get worse?" Harry asked sarcastically and rolled his eyes, grinning.
"Things have been really bad between us and Slytherin for days now since our last Quidditch match!" Neville continued, "If I can just stay alive through this year and the next two, I won't have to worry about Draco or his Crabbe and Goyle goons. I can do that, right?!"
"Stay alive at Hogwarts? Well, you have a better chance than Harry does," Ron snorted. "Er, sorry Harry. Only joking."
"You're not responsible for the house rivalries, Neville," Hermione sighed. "It's all so childish and pointless."
"She has a point," Ron stated. "Harry's responsible."
"Thanks a lot!" Harry roared, elbowing Ron. "I honestly didn't mean to tackle Malfoy instead of the snitch (though I did finally get the snitch). It just sort of happened!"
"Yeah right," Ron snorted again. "Right after he hit you in the face with the tail of his broom midair!"
"Neville, you don't want to be sprouting horns or talking in haggish rhymes, do you?" Hermione pointed out. "There still could be something waiting to happen to you. Not all spells are designed to be immediate in their effects."
"You three can help me!" Neville looked hopeful. "Can't you? Hermione, you're good with books – you can do the research! And Harry, you're the braves one of us all – you can fight anything, even a curse! And Ron-"
Ron looked at Neville with raised eyebrows, waiting for his upcoming description.
"Please?" Neville ended.
"Ron's the loyal one," Hermione whispered.
Ron glared.
Harry sighed and rubbed his forehead.
Hermione smirked.
Then, as if not even having to think on it, they all said "Alright" at once and agreed to the task of helping Neville.
"We'll start today, after potions," Harry decided.
