Back in the World

The sun was setting to the west, a clear bright evening with the hard pinpricks of stars shining above a deep violet horizon. There had been some rough weather earlier in the day, but the winds had pushed the threatening clouds farther east and left the grounds of Hogwarts in a nice day, a soft breeze blowing from the west and the fresh smell of grass and turned earth heavy in the air.

Students were heading back to the castle as the sun began to set. Dinner was being served and after a hard day of enjoying a break from school they were all filing into the Great Hall. The flushed and excited air that had been brought in from a day spent outside was immediately smothered as students began filling the Great Hall. Professors stood at their seats at the head tables, causing a small stir. Usually the professors didn't eat with the students during the weekends, but after what happened during breakfast, no one was asking why they were there

Many faces were missing from the all the house tables, many sat with sober faces and a few were gingerly moving about. Bandages hiding slaves and newly healed injuries. Not all were from what everyone was calling the Battle of the Great Hall, the Slytherin Quidditch team had its own run ins with the rough weather. Three students sat nursing newly healed arms after they had collided in a training exercise.

Luna Lovegood scanned the tables and noted all those that were missing. Surprisingly there was almost no one missing from Ravenclaw, which she found kind of disappointing. The only face that was missing was Cho Chang and no one knew where she had gotten off to. No one had seen her since the morning and people were beginning to worry as she hadn't arrived for lunch and now dinner. There was also a rumor going around that Neville Longbottom was also missing. The two rumors themselves were causing a little stir and worry. The stir was from a minority who were saying Neville and Cho had run off together, but Luna dismissed that. Did Neville even know Cho? The larger rumor was that Cho and Neville had been kidnapped and that was causing a lot of worry from many of the students.

Try as she might, Luna hadn't been able to get in touch with anyone, Ron, Harry, or Ginny. The Hospital Wing was locked down, no one going in unless they had business there. She knew that Ron hadn't left the Hospital since Ginny had been taken there. Harry on the other hand wasn't to be found anywhere. It was said that he had been locked away with McGonagall for hours after the minor injures he had suffered were healed. Rumors were flying about that he was going to be kicked out of Hogwarts to he had dropped out and fled the school. No one knew and the rumors kept growing more ridiculous every hour.

Luna sat at her table, stirring the pea soup set before her. Things were happening, Luna could almost feel it. Something was about to happen and she didn't know what she could do.

A lot of things had been happening in the last few weeks. Harry had been in and out of the Hospital Wing, Hermione was still being held there, unconscious. Ginny had been taken there during the Battle of the Great Hall, attacked by who no one knew. Now Neville was missing. Things were happening.

Suddenly there was a shrill scream, echoing loudly in the entrance hall. Immediately the low buzz of conversation died and all heads turned to the Great Hall entrance. Luna was one of the first to her feet and heading for the entrance. After a moment so did everyone.

Professors began shouting to clear the way. Luna skidded to a stop as she entered the entrance hall, staring in horror.

Several other students were gathered, three female students also staring in horror and one still screaming. No one was doing anything, they were all just standing there and staring. Luna rushed to the two figures lying upon the marble floor, pulling back tattered robes and revealing a face.

She held back her gasp of surprise as Neville peered up at her. The whole side of his face darkened with a massive bruise, his eyes fluttered open and stared at her. He reached out his hands and Luna grabbed it instinctively. His grip was weak and his hands shook in hers.

"Cho. She's hurt. Help her." Neville croaked and then let out a sigh of breath, eyes closing.

Luna stared at her hands, they was smeared with blood. As she looked around she saw blood pooling beneath the two. The screaming still rang in the entrance hall.

XXX

Until Next Chapter!!!