Chapter 3 - Warnings:
Luna entered the mouldy smelling carriage with Harry in tow. She felt rather pleased with herself, having been able to put both her and Harry's minds at ease. She had concluded with conviction that since they could both see the creatures drawing the carriages, they were both most obviously not insane, due to the fact that Harry Potter of all people could not be crazy, regardless as to what the Daily Prophet had printed over the summer.
Luna glanced quickly at Harry, and saw how uneasy he still appeared as he looked outside the carriage window, at the creatures, their fearsome bodies reflected dully in his eyes. She felt that maybe she should say something reassuring. She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Ginny.
'Did everyone see that Grubbly-Plank woman?' Ginny peered around at the three others in the carriage. 'What's she doing back here? Hagrid can't have left, can he?'
For the first time today, Luna felt a ripple of annoyance. Being friends with the half-giant was one thing, but actually believing that he was a good teacher, actually wanting him to take classes was something that Luna found beyond reason. Anyone with even half a mind could tell that the man was incompetent at teaching; nearly all of the creatures he had brought out to her class last year were downright dangerous. For sure he was great with animals - Luna bet that if anyone could finally spot, capture and then keep a Crumple-Horned Snorkak, it would most likely be Hagrid – but giving him the job of the Professor of Care of Magical Creatures was something that Luna felt was utterly unreasonable.
'I'll be quite glad if he has left, he isn't a very good teacher, is he?' She stated as much.
'Yes, he is!' retorted the Gryffindors, hotly.
But out of the corner of her eye, Luna had noticed that Hermione had remained silent.
Under Harry's glare, Hermione relented, 'Erm . . . yes . . . he's very good.'
She still could not believe how blinded her fellow students were. To support someone out of friendship was fair enough until you began to completely deceive yourself as to their competency.
'Well, we in Ravenclaw think he's a bit of a joke.'
Ronald Weasley glared at her, irritated. 'You lot have a rubbish sense of humour, then.'
Loyal to a fault, Luna mused. She searched Ronald's face for a while, not sure of what she was looking for, but certain that she'd just unearthed something new about him. He was willing to defend his friends even though they were clearly not deserving of his defense. That sort of loyalty was admirable; however, blind trust had the disastrous potential to lead him to sticky situations.
Luna quietly probed her thoughts. Was this loyalty considered to be a strength? Or was it rather a fault, a flaw in his character? Perhaps it was neither, or both.
As she came to this rather unsatisfying conclusion, the carriage drew to a halt outside the huge stone steps. She got out first, and stood at the base of the steps for a while, drinking in the sight of the wonderful place – it calmed her, being near Hogwarts again. It was almost as though she could feel the magic emanating from the walls of the Castle.
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Neville stepped out of his carriage and began to peer around in the near darkness. The brightness of the torches made faces indistinct which made finding friends very difficult. He spotted Ron's red hair, and sure enough, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and even Luna were about to start making their way towards the castle's stone stairs. He turned and waved goodbye to Hannah and Ernie, then rushed in the gathering cold towards his friends. He glanced towards the Black Lake, and vaguely noticed thunderheads forming just behind the mountains. The moon cast an eerie glow over the rippling water. He shivered.
Neville glanced at his plant carefully, and then made sure Trevor was ok. He weaved and ducked his way through the students, eager to be with his friends. Rain from earlier on during the day had made the ground slightly slippery, so he had to be careful. He nearly slipped once, but luckily a second year Slytherin was there. Neville grabbed him roughly, unintentionally, mouthed an apology when he received a furious glare, then continued on his way. The cool wind turned a bitingly wet as he reached his friends, and the first of the thunderstorms broke out over the lake. The storm was closing in fast. He rushed with his friends towards the warm, welcoming Entrance Hall of Hogwarts.
He nearly tripped again on the stone steps, as the first light pattering of rain made them even more dangerous than the ground. Harry steadied him, and as one, they entered the hall. They crossed the stone floor and went through the double doors into the Great Hall. Neville was looking forward to start-of-term feast. He looked around delightedly.
It never changed. It was like a solid rock in a maelstrom. Neville felt himself relaxing, and a grin stole over his face. A huge fireplace roared to the side, but Neville was sure that the hall was kept warm by magic. A house elf appeared with a dry and gloriously warm towel. Neville grabbed it to pat his clothes and hair dry. Hermione stepped forward and started towards the Gryffindor table, with the rest of them following. He saw Luna give them a smile, which Ginny and Harry returned, and then a small wave, before heading towards the Ravenclaw side. Neville waved belatedly, then feeling foolish, followed his friends towards the table. He saw a fourth year girl call out Ginny's name with delight, and Ginny rushed over for a hug, chattering as soon as she reached her friends.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville moved down the table a little further, then found a row of seats that were empty. Hermione sat down next to Nearly Headless Nick, Harry next to her and Ron, with Neville following, seated where Parvati and Lavender were to left. Neville put Trevor and Mimbulus Mimbletonia on the desk in front of him as he heard Parvati and Lavender say 'Hi Harry' in unison.
He turned around and greeted them. He heard Harry say something indistinct about someone not being there, and wondered who he meant, but quickly diverted his attention to the two girls.
'So how were your holidays? Anything interesting? I got myself a Mimbulus Mimbletonia!' smiled Neville with pride, gesturing at his plant.
Lavendar lifted an eyebrow with amusement. 'Well, I see that. I suppose that's an . . . interesting and rare plant? Anyway, I, as usual, had the most boring holidays ever, as I was telling Parvati here. But Parvati went to India! Tell him about that Fire Dragonet, go on!'
At this, Parvati took out a picture of a small, red, winged lizard. 'I met one of these. It was a pet of the Indian wizard that we stayed with for a week. Isn't he gorgeous? He's a cousin to the dragons, but smaller in size… and heart.' At this Parvati and Lavender giggled madly, and the creature in the picture opened its eyes balefully, clearly offended. It made as if to walk out of the frame, and Neville quickly pointed that out to Parvati.
Parvati grabbed the frame and spoke in a conciliatory tone. 'It's very clever, mind! Beware what you say to him, he understands every word. He blew a small gust of flame at me in India, when I laughed at him for being scared of a cat.'
At this, the creature eyed her then plopped down lazily, closing its eyes and falling to sleep. Lavender burst into giggles again.
Neville shook his head with despair. Why must they be giggling all the time?
Then all three of them sobered up as the door near the staff table opened, and Professor Grubbly-Plank came in, followed a few seconds later by Professor McGonagall with the first years in tow. Neville gaped at them.
The professor had a stool with the Sorting Hat on it, but the first years always surprised Neville. They looked so small! And scared. Neville wondered if he'd looked as scared when it had been his time. Apparently, he wasn't the only one to be thinking these things, as the chattering in the Great Hall faded to a whisper, then died down. The first years lined up in front of the staff table facing the older students. Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them, then stood back to observe.
The whole school waited, breath held.
Suddenly, there was an awful, tearing peal of thunder, and the sky crackled with the noise of wood splintering. Everyone gave a sudden start, and Neville heard several girlish screams, quickly cut short. Dumbledore waved his hand, and the sound abruptly cut off.
Neville felt someone poke him viciously. He looked down with a muted sound of protest, and saw Lavender pointing to the other side of the table with a glare. The person sitting opposite him had received a dose of metallic coloured Stinksap.
Neville's mouthed formed an o of shock. What the…
He frantically mouthed an apology as the Sorting Hat started singing its song in the background. He mouthed the spell to the girl that would clear it up then cleared his own side of the table and as far onto the other side as he could. It seemed the Mimbulus Mimbletonia threw out metallic Stinksap to protect itself from lightning strikes.
By the time Neville had finished cleaning the mess up, and turned his attention to the Sorting Hat, it was winding down. Neville listened with interest.
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though / must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you. . . .
Let the Sorting now begin.
Neville thoughtfully applauded, and wasn't the only one. Whispers and subdued conversations had broken out throughout the hall. While everyone clapped, looks were exchanged, and Neville noticed many people as confused as he was. He turned to Harry, Ron and Hermione, to see what they thought of the message.
Ron had a bemused expression his face, eye brows raised. 'Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?'
Harry was looking a mixture between relieved and worried. 'Too right it has.'
Neville looked at him carefully. Why relieved? Most odd.
'I wonder if it's ever given warnings before?' said Hermione, sounding as if she wanted to be in the library, looking up books. But that wasn't out of the ordinary, she was always fretting over the safety of her friends, and apparently the best way she'd found to help her friends was to look in books. Neville felt a smile creep across his face. She really was nice, and he was glad he had her as a friend.
Abruptly, Neville felt as if he'd been doused with icy cold water. He winced as he saw Nearly Headless Nick leaning through him. 'Yes, indeed. The Hat feels itself honour bound to give the school due warning whenever it feels-'
Abruptly, he stopped talking. Neville looked around to see what had happened, and saw Professor McGonagall glaring at them with looks that could melt steel.
As the professor started reading out the list of first year students, and the Sorting Hat sorted them, Neville's mind drifted.
Our Hogwarts is in danger, from external deadly foes…that can only mean Voldemort, right? And the Sorting Hat doesn't want to split us into Houses. Does that mean it's advising us to let go of inter-House rivalry? We must unite inside her…I think it is saying that. Hmm…You know, now that I think of it, I don't have any friends from the other houses, do I? Neither does Ron, or Hermione. Maybe Harry has one or two, like Cho. I wonder what Gran would say to me now?
I remember her saying that Slytherins were not inherently evil, and that, in any case, trying to rid the world of evil had historically been the most evil force itself. I'm not sure what she meant by that, I'll write and ask her. But the Sorting Hat is wise, isn't it? And Dumbledore hasn't criticised it. In fact, Dumbledore trusts it. In fact, Dumbledore said pretty much the same thing at the end of last year, and Gran had agreed with him.
'Neville, dear boy, every human is a facet of the same jewel we call Home. We are not like a stick, a birch of a tree, easy to break with a snap of your fingers. We must stick together, a bundle of sticks is very hard to break. We are a community of subjects, not individual objects. You might not understand me now, but keep my words in mind. Collectivity is the weapon that will defeat Voldemort,' she had said.
Abruptly, Neville was thrown out of his thoughts to find the Sorting ceremony over, and Dumbledore speaking in a loud, ringing voice, a big smile on his face. Neville thought the headmaster looked rather pleased.
'To our newcomers, welcome! To our old hands – welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!' And with that, he sat down.
As people laughed and clapped those fine words, Neville just looked thoughtfully at the Ravenclaw table, seeking out Luna Lovegood.
She's a little strange, but I've met her. And she doesn't seem the type that would rebuff a friendship. Perhaps I can buy a Quibbler, and discuss it with her? And I'll meet her friends, get acquainted.
Trevor croaked. Neville blinked, then the heavenly smell of the food hit him, and he forgot all thoughts as he dug into the magnificent feast.
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Luna sat at the Ravenclaw table surrounded by her fourth year peers who were chattering amongst themselves happily and digging into the last vestiges of the welcoming feast. She smiled contentedly as she helped herself to the chocolate ice cream, determined to enjoy the dessert.
Hogwarts made her feel complete, somehow. At ease… peaceful.
Dumbledore spoke. 'Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices.' He paused a moment, sending swift looks throughout the great hall.
'First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students – and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too. . .' Luna stared at Dumbledore, examining his attire. He wore heavy deep purple velvet dress robes with silver stars and moons embroidered throughout that glittered entrancingly, reflecting the starlight shimmering down on them all from the enchanted ceiling.
Luna wondered vaguely how her father would look wearing robes like that, balding slightly, with a rather large waistline. She chuckled quietly at the thought, earning her a swift, disapproving gaze from Athene Teirnan, a fellow fourth year Ravenclaw.
Luna quickly gazed down at her food avoiding Athene's icy blue eyes, making an effort to sidestep any confrontations. It was far too early in the school year yet for anything unpleasant to happen, and she was determined to enjoy her return to Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was still speaking. 'We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!'
There was polite, scattered applause up and down the Ravenclaw table, most students of whom seemed rather relieved by the replacement Care of Magical Creatures teacher. However, Luna's eyes scanned the high table purposefully.
She found herself astounded that she hadn't spotted the new teacher earlier- her attire was dreadful. She was wearing a frightfully bright pink cardigan, and her white skirt was obviously too tight. Luna squirmed uncomfortably, inwardly shuddering. Suddenly, the thought of eating made her feel faintly ill. She frowned in consternation and pushed her plate away.
Dumbledore continued, 'Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the – '
At this point he stopped. Luna looked up curiously too see his staring in a surprised manner to the side. She looked over, and saw the new teacher had stood.
I could probably get an article written about her, Luna mused to herself.
'Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of wisdom.' Luna's frown deepened in puzzlement. The girly, high-pitched and simpering voice that had come from the professor was unusual and uncharacteristic of a woman of her rather toad-like stature . . . how strange. Indeed, Professor Umbridge resembled something similar to an overgrown fat amphibian with a large, stretched mouth, and a pair of small and widely spaced eyes.
Perhaps, similar to stories of princes turned to toads, she was the opposite - a toad turned, most unfortunately, into a fairly repulsive woman. Luna smiled at the thought.
'Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!'
Luna's grin slid off her face, to be replaced by a small frown. Happy little faces?
Glancing around her table, she noticed that even Athene seemed to be annoyed at this woman's address, despite the fact that she was a professor- a figure, according to Athene, to be respected and revered.
Umbridge . . . Luna thought to herself. . . . Where have I heard that name before? . . .
For the third time that day, Luna found herself dismayed, her memory being slow to cooperate.
Professor Umbridge continued, ignoring the looks of irritation and disbelief on the student's faces. 'I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!'
'The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance . . .'
Luna frowned at Professor Umbridge once again. So she was from the Ministry of Magic. Her father had always been suspicious about the Ministry. Indeed, he had run through with Luna many times over dinner that holiday a series of conspiracy theories he and his fellow writers and researchers at The Quibbler had come up with, including plots to take over the entire muggle world. Apparently Cornelius Fudge was a power hungry vampire, and those who served him faithfully were his enchanted vampiric underlings. Maybe Umbridge was among one of them, and wanted disciples at Hogwarts?
Luna shook her head. Dumbledore would have seen right through her.
Luna decided that at this stage, if that was all that this new professor wanted to say, then her time would be spent better mulling over better things, like developing new schemes for catching a Crumple-Horned Snorkak with her father.
Luna resolutely reached inside her robes, and took out The Quibbler, and only looked up again when Dumbledore's voice cut neatly through her thoughts.
'Off to bed!' he said, and then the hall was filled with the sound chairs scraping against the stone floor.
Luna stood up quickly and pushed back her own chair, peering around the other fourth year Ravenclaws.
Athene and Edith Kwan, both standing near Luna, were arguing heatedly. Athene seemed to be rather agitated, her cheeks flushed red while Edith remained outwardly calm, her brown eyes watching Athene's face carefully. Edith pushed back her dark hair and began speaking slowly, as though she was explaining something that should have been obvious.
Luna moved closer to the pair.
Edith seemed resolute in her beliefs, 'The Ministry is clearly trying to interfere with Hogwarts . . . Professor Umbridge is most likely present not for the purpose of being the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, but rather to monitor the other professors, and report to the ministry! It fits. The first thing she does when she gets here had nothing to do with the neither the subject nor teaching. She approached students asking for their help! My parents have told me about her. She's a force not to be reckoned with lightly- power hungry while at the same time, not overly moral. Not a safe combination.'
'That's beside the point. She's a professor, now. She asked for our help! We must oblige.' Retorted Athene loudly, earning a few curious gazes from people around her. She had the decency to blush slightly, and then lowered her voice. 'I don't care what you decide to do, but I'm going to do what is right. I'm helping her.'
Luna didn't hear Edith's reply, as she'd spotted Tegwen Wiston and Elvina Nolan walking toward her. She smiled and waved at them both, but only Tegwen grinned back.
'Hi, Luna!' She said, 'how was your summer?'
Luna fell into step beside Tegwen. 'Oh, it was quite enjoyable. . . How was yours?'
Tegwen smiled quickly, 'Our family went on a holiday to Australia! We saw a lot of their native magical creatures. It was amazing, Ares got stung by a Billywig, and our tour guides had to float him back into the de-hovering center where they dosed him up with potions to bring him back to the ground again. Turned out he was allergic to them.' She grinned wickedly, relishing her brother's embarrassment. 'It was great to watch. He was hovering all out of control until the guides took over. I'm never going to let him forget it!'
Behind her, Ares scowled in annoyance at his sister, but upon seeing Luna, his face changed to a good-natured smile as he fell into step on the other side of Luna. 'Hi there Luna. Since I see my dear, dear sister has been filling you in about our holiday adventures, I'll be more than happy to tell you other things that happened. For example when Tegwen - '
'Oh, no you don't, Ares!' Tegwen cut in quickly.
'Maybe later, then.' He winked at Luna and then returned to his friends' side.
Soon the group of fourth years approached the entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower, a statue of a knight with a bronze eagle over his crest. Tegwen opened up the secret doorway with the word 'capacitor,' and they followed her into the common room.
The smell of fresh grass, and parchment lingered in the air. The stack of spare parchment near the entrance had apparently been replenished by the house elves, in anticipation of the students' return.
Luna smiled. It was good to be back.
They climbed the stairs on the left side of the common room together, up towards the fourth year dormitories.
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Neville pushed open the door to the common room, and was inexplicably relieved to find it unchanged, the same rugged, cozy, cheerful room with its warming hearth. It was like a second home, a home outside of home. Neville peered around carefully while clutching his plant protectively. A few people were warming up near the crackling fire, others lounging on the tumble-down spongy armchairs, or leaning against the shiny, albeit creaky, tables.
Neville saw Harry heading towards the door to the boys' dormitories. Neville decided to follow him, but first passed by the hearth to soak in a little warmth. He passed close enough to feel the heat, yet to the side so as to spare his plant from the bite of stinging flame; he was sure it would do something if it felt too much heat. He remembered the great hall, where it shot out metallic Stinksap in danger of lightning. It must have a defensive ability to modify Stinksap to do various things. The last thing he wanted was people covered in a variation of Stinksap, and worst of all, a hearth with no fire.
Neville eyebrows wrinkled in consternation. Neville resolved to show the plant to Professor Sprout as soon as he could. For the time being, all he could was stroke his Mimbulus Mimbletonia, and hope he was caring for it correctly.
He followed Harry into dormitory and headed towards his bed. He noticed Dean and Seamus pinning up posters upon the wall around their beds.
'Hi,' said Harry, and Neville echoed him.
Dean pulled on a pair of one of those bright muggle pyjamas. 'Hi Harry. Good Holiday?'
'Not bad,' replied Harry, slightly peevishly, 'You?'
Neville made his way over to his own bed, and shifted some of the clutter on his bedside cabinet to make room for his plant.
Dean laughed lightly. 'Yeah, it was okay. Better than Seamus' anyway, he was just telling me.'
Neville perked up his ears. 'Why, what happened, Seamus?' he inquired, then turned his attention to placing the plant carefully on the wooden surface. A long silence ensued. Neville carefully made ensured that the table was steady and that the plant was securely in place. He then turned around to see what had caused so much silence. Seamus was still fussing over his quidditch poster.
Seamus stepped back with satisfaction, then shrugged slowly.
'Me mam didn't want me to come back.' He said.
Neville gaped at him.
Harry went still with surprise too.
'What?' Harry asked.
'She didn't want me to come back to Hogwarts,' said Seamus neutrally. He turned around and started to change.
Neville closed his mouth with a snap, then started to change too. He felt his pocket for Trevor absentmindedly, at a loss as to why Seamus' mother would not want him to come back to Hogwarts. He thought of the dangers they'd faced over the past few years. Neville opened his mouth to ask the reason for his mother's reluctance, but Harry beat him to it.
'But – why?'
Once again, Seamus paused in his reply, then spoke in a neutral tone. 'Well, I suppose… because of you.'
It is the dangers we face? Or rather, the dangers Harry has had to face? His mum probably thinks Seamus is in danger if he stays around Harry Neville concluded.
'What d'you mean?' said Harry.
'Well, she… er… well, it's not just you, it's Dumbledore, too…'
Harry looked at him incredulously. 'She believes the Daily Prophet? She thinks I'm a liar and Dumbledore's an old fool?'
Seamus finally raised his eyes. 'Yeah, something like that.'
Neville's mouth fell open again with stupor and indignation.
His mum believes the Daily Prophet over Harry and Dumbledore? But, how can she not remember what he's done in the previous years? Seamus must surely have told her what he was like! Oh dear, grandma was right, some people are going to actually believe that newspaper. I'm surprised at Seamus' mum though, I liked her, she seemed a reasonable person.
Neville looked to see how his friend was handling it. Harry was clearly furious.
Neville's heart sank with sympathy. To have gone through an attack by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and then to have witnessed a friend being killed, and then on top of that, to have the world not believe the warnings of danger . . .
As Harry climbed into the bed, Neville took off his shoes and pulled on his pajamas, and resolved to assure Harry that gran and him believed in Harry completely.
Just before Harry could pull the hangings closed, Seamus spoke up again.
'Look… what did happen that night when… you know, when… with Cedric Diggory and all?' he said uneasily.
Harry looked at him with disdain. 'What are you asking me for? Just read the Daily Prophet like your mother, why don't you? That'll tell you all you need to know.'
'Don't you have a go at my mother,' Seamus snapped.
Neville gulped, feeling uncomfortable in the sudden violent tension in the air. He turned around, patted his Mimbulus Mimbletonia soothingly, and set up his blankets.
Harry snorted. 'I'll have a go at anyone who calls me a liar.'
'Don't talk to me like that!'
Harry was clearly getting furious at Seamus. So much so, he picked up his wand. Neville wondered for a second if he should call a prefect or a teacher.
'I'll talk to you how I want. If you've got a problem sharing a dormitory with me, go and ask McGonagall if you can be moved . . . stop your mummy worrying-'
Seamus seemed equally furious by now. 'Leave my mother out of this, Potter!'
'What's going on?' queried a neutral voice from the doorway.
Neville's head whipped around to look for the person who suddenly interrupted. It was Ron. His eyes widened as he looked at Harry and Seamus, both of whom seemed almost ready to fight.
'He's having a go at my mother!' Seamus yelled. Neville thought he was looking slightly pale.
'What? Harry wouldn't do that – we met your mother, we liked her…'
Harry shouted into the silence. 'That's before she started believing every word the stinking Daily Prophet writes about me!'
Neville nodded with disbelief, although Ron was too busy trying to figure everything out to notice him. As the facts sunk into Ron, his face cleared of confusion, and he nodded with comprehension. 'Oh. Oh…right.'
Seamus glared daggers at Harry, his face growing paler by the second.
'You know what?' He said, 'He's right, I don't want to share a dormitory with him any more, he's mad.'
'That's out of order, Seamus,' snapped Ron. Neville noticed Ron started to grow red.
Neville saw Seamus channel his anger into words, his face flushed. 'Out of order, am I? You believe all the rubbish he's come out with about You-Know-Who, do you, you reckon he's telling the truth?'
'Yeah, I do!' replied Ron. To Neville he looked torn between disbelief and anger.
Seamus, in turn, looked at him with incredulity and disgust. 'Then you're mad, too.'
'Yeah? Well, unfortunately for you, pal, I'm also a prefect!' said Ron, and thumbed himself on the chest. 'So unless you want a detention, watch your mouth!'
Seamus glared at him for a few seconds then snorted with contempt. He jumped into bed, and flung the hangings shut, pushing his anger into the curtains. The curtains ripped from the bed and fell in a heap on the floor.
Ron turned his face to glare at Dean and Neville. 'Anyone else's parents got a problem with Harry?'
Dean shrugged. 'My parents are Muggles, mate. They don't know nothing about no deaths at Hogwarts, because I'm not stupid enough to tell them.'
'You don't know my mother, she'd weasel anything out of anyone!' snapped Seamus. 'Anyway, your parents don't get the Daily Prophet. They don't know our Headmaster's been sacked from the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards because he's losing his marbles-'
An outraged Neville interrupted him. 'My gran says that's rubbish. She says it's the Daily Prophet that's going downhill, not Dumbledore. She's cancelled our subscription. We believe Harry.'
At that, he decided to get in bed and sleep. The rest of them could sleep their angers off.
They'll be fine tomorrow, he thought.
Neville climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to his chin, then looked at Seamus.
'My gran's always said You-Know-Who would come back one day. She says if Dumbledore says he's back, he's back.'
With that, he turned his gaze onto his Mimbletonia, and slowly fell asleep.
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A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. We've had a busy 2 weeks. University interviews and exams etc. It was terrible! But here it is! We hope you like the third chapter. Now that we have holidays, we might begin to write more often. Please let us know what you liked and what you didn't, what you'd like to see and what you don't want to see. :-)
- Fiery & Sorrow