Disclaimer: I just had four teeth pulled, so if I so around saying I own Harry Potter, blame it on the laughing gas.

Review thanks: Lily 101, my favorite reviewer. So diligent, and always with welcome comments carefully worded so as not to offend. I look forward to the day when she writes a fanfic so I can write her some fantastic reviews.

Chapter 8: Neville's Decision

Luna allowed Harry and the rest of his inner circle to borrow her fireplace to floo to Neville's house in the country. After all, she was going anyway, so why shouldn't they come with her? They arrived in Neville's family room soot-covered and coughing but otherwise perfectly fine. Neville looked up from the Daily Prophet and greeted them with surprise.

"Harry! Ron, Hermione, Ginny? What are you doing here? I was expecting Luna, but the rest of you have never been to my house before. Why are you here?"

Harry was just about to launch into his explanation when Luna beat him to the punch.

"Nevvie, darling, Harry has invited us to join him in his quest to defeat Voldemort."

"Us? Why?"

"Well, now, that is a very good question. Harry, why do you want us to come?"

Harry didn't really have a good answer for that. He had just assumed they would jump at the chance to be a part of history. Out of the blue, he came up with an answer.

"I want you to come because you helped us when the Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts. We asked every member of the DA to come, and only you came. I know that we can count on you when it really counts, and that's the most important thing."

"I don't know, it sounds pretty dangerous, and I'm not very good with a wand."

"We don't necessarily know that's true. You never get as good results with another wizard's wand, and you've been using you father's, right?"

"Yeah. Gran was hoping that I would turn into my dad if I had his wand, I guess. What do you want me to do about my wand, though?"

"Before we get going, we'll have to stop in Diagon Alley to stock up on supplies anyway. While we're there, it won't be a hassle to get you a wand, one that chooses you, not your dad."

"Wait a minute; we haven't even agreed to come yet."

"I have."

"Luna. You would go without me?"

"I think is really important, and I'm more than willing to risk my life for the future of the wizarding world. Will you come with me?"

"Now, Luna, there's still a lot we need to talk about. How will we take care of ourselves while we're out fighting? Will we sleep on the ground, out in the open just waiting for an attack? If we're injured, how will we cure ourselves? I don't trust St. Mungo's so much anymore, and I don't think any of us can perform a proper healing charm or brew a decent healing potion. How will we buy food? And surely Voldemort is going to figure out what we're doing eventually. What then?"

"Neville, calm down. I have money in the bank to buy food and pay for rooms at inns while we're traveling. Hermione is perfectly capable of healing us; I got her some books on the subject for her last birthday. We'll continue training like we did in the DA, using defensive spells, but we'll also learn jinxes and curses. Trust me, we won't be waiting for an attack. We'll be so far ahead of Voldemort that by the time he realizes we're after the Horcruxes he'll be human."

"All right, you've convinced me. I'll go."

"No you will not!"

Woo, exactly 8000 words, according to my processor. Hope it doesn't take me so long to update, I'd really hate to leave you all wondering what Nev's Gran is going to have to say about all this.