An Acceptable Risk

Chapter Twenty-One

The seventh year students from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff made their way across the grounds towards the greenhouses for their Herbology lesson. The sky was tinged with a gray-green smoke, and the smell of sulfur hung in the air. The sight of the smoke rising up from what was left of Hogsmeade caused Harry to stop and stare.
"What's the use?" he muttered. "There's nothing I can do anyhow."
"Eh? What's that Harry?" asked Justin Fitch-Fetchley who had walked up beside him. "Did you just say something?"
"No, nothing," sighed Harry. He looked around at the students assembled for class. Professor Sprout opened the door and the students filed inside.
"Justin, where's Hannah?" he asked, referring to Hannah Abbott, another Hufflepuff.

"Oh, hadn't you heard? She's in the hospital wing," said Justin.
"Why? Is she sick or something?" asked Harry.
"In shock is more like it," said Justin as they began to dig in the soil. "Her mum and dad were staying at the Three Broomsticks. I guess her mum had bought her some new dress robes for the Yule Ball and they decided to bring them up to her instead of sending them by owl. It was supposed to be a big surprise. They gave her the robes the other day, and decided to stick around for the ball, and bring Hannah home with them for the holidays. You know, make a nice little holiday out of it. But instead, they got caught in the attacks. Professor Sprout told her about it last night."

Harry said nothing, but stood up from the patch of earth he had been digging in and approached Professor Sprout. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear. She smiled slightly and gave a small nod. He then walked over to Neville and said something to him in a low voice. The two spoke softly for several minutes and then Neville quickly gathered up his belongings and walked with Harry to the greenhouse door. Harry sent Ron and Hermione what he hoped was a reassuring glance, and then he and Neville left the greenhouse and began the journey back to the castle.
"I don't understand Harry," said Neville when they were clear of the greenhouse. "How did you find out about my mum and dad?"
"I found out by accident Neville, but then Dumbledore asked me to respect your privacy and not mention it to you. Neville, I'm really sorry that I never asked you before about why you lived with your grandmother. I was always so caught up in my own problems. I guess I wasn't a very good friend.
"But Harry," said Neville aghast. "You're the Boy Who Lived. You've always had so much going on in your life fending off attacks from You-Know-Who. Why should you even bother about me?"
"Right," said Harry bitterly. "I'm the boy who lived, you're the boy whose parents were tortured by death eaters, and now Hannah's the girl who's parents were killed by death eaters. We may not be able to do much for Hannah, but at least we can let her know that she has two people close by who understand some of what she's going through right now. We can be there for her, if she'll let us."

"Hanna doesn't have any other family except for her parents Harry," said Neville as they climbed the great stone steps to the castle. "She's alone now."
"She has me Neville, and she has you as well," said Harry. "I'm going to owl Mrs. Weasley and see if Hannah can come to the Burrow for the holidays.
"Don't," said Neville. "She's coming home with me," he said, his voice resolute. "Can I tell you something Harry?"
"Sure Neville."
"I love her you know."
"I figured as much. You two are almost always together," said Harry as they walked through the doors of the castle. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway as they made their way to the staircase leading to the hospital wing.
"I don't know what's going to happen next," began Neville. "As Professor Dumbledore said, we are living in a very dangerous time. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know that it will be easier to face with Hannah by my side."

Harry reached to open the door to the hospital wing when a voice behind them stopped them in their tracks.
"Where are you two going?" inquired Professor Snape. "I believe you are both supposed to be in Herbology right now. Flouting the rules again Potter? I expect no less of you, but you Longbottom – I'm amazed." Before Harry could open his mouth to say anything, Neville spoke up.
"We're going to see Hannah Abbot in the hospital wing Professor," he said in a clear, firm voice. "Professor Sprout gave us permission to do so. Now, if you'll excuse us, our friend needs us." Neville turned his back on Snape and walked through the door into the hospital wing, with Harry trailing behind him. As he walked though the door, Harry looked back at Snape who stood watching them. But instead of the look of loathing that Harry expected to see in his eyes, there was a glint of admiration.

After a visit to a distraught Hannah, the two boys returned to the Gryffindor common room, where Neville composed a letter telling, not asking his Grandmother about Hannah joining them for the holidays. They were just preparing to leave for the owlry, when Hedwig appeared outside the window. Harry rushed to let her in, and she landed on the window ledge. Harry quickly undid the letter that was fastened to her leg and gave her a treat. She nipped his fingers and ate the treat and waited patiently.
"Hedwig, I need you to take this to Neville's grandmother. Be as quick as possible, it's very important. The owl pecked at his hand as if to say that she never delayed, and took off out the window. Harry sat down in front of the roaring fire and opened the letter that Hedwig had delivered.

Dear Harry,

I'm all right,

Snuffles.

"Who's the letter from Harry?" asked Neville. Harry thought for a moment before answering and decided to go on.
"It's from my God Father," he said cautiously.
"I didn't know you had a God Father? Is he a wizard? How come you don't live with him instead of those awful muggles?"
"Well, he's not in a position where I can stay with him right now, but maybe someday it will happen. Look Neville, I really want to tell you about him, but I can't, not right now," said Harry "It's just that he's working against Voldemort, and I really can't talk about it."
"It's ok Harry, I understand," said Neville. "Listen, I'm going to go back and sit with Hannah for a while."
"Ok Neville. I'll be up later." Harry waited a few minutes until he knew for certain that Neville was gone and he left the common room and made his way to Dumbledore's office. He uttered the password and ran up the stone steps, Sirius's letter still in his hand. He knocked on the door leading to the office and when it opened, he rushed in.
"Professor, Professor, he's not dead! He isn't dead!" shouted Harry.
"Yes," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "I can see that for myself." Harry whipped around and found Sirius standing behind him