There was screaming followed by more running.
He wasn't sure of the old tunnel's whereabouts. With piles of stone reshaping the landscape it was hard to distinguish where they were. He assumed with their victory it had been sealed but he would tempt his luck and keep going. There was another winding turn, more howls of pain and a spell that barely missed his left ear.
The group was dwindling but he wasn't concerned with that now; he sees light up ahead and pushes his worn limbs to move faster.
"Help!" The command is sharp and Neville doesn't need to look back to know it's Cho. She would be another fallen.
He's nearly there at the light when he feels himself being pulled back.
He wakes with a jolt pressing his back into the worn sofa he's sweaty and shaking. Fleur doesn't acknowledge his state and merely squeezes his shoulder before letting her hand fall; she stands.
"They're ready," she whispered quickly before turning on her heels leaving him in the small room.
He sat up cradling his head for a moment.
Neville's palms were damp and he wiped them on his faded jeans. His shirt clung to his body making him cold. The young leader quickly pulled his wand and vanished the wetness away embarrassed Fleur had witnessed his nightmare. The jeans and crew neck tee now hung slightly on his bulky frame his muscles peeking from beneath the short sleeves.
Neville stood and walked over to the dingy mirror on the far wall giving himself a once over.
With a slight nod at his reflection he followed after her.
He entered the room to applause and could only give a small smile he feared anything more could be misinterpreted as arrogance.
Neville raised his hand.
The hush that fell over the crowd was hypnotic a signal of the power and respect he had garnered since taking over Dean's post as the Resistance's frontman.
He breathed deep pausing before speaking.
It was never like this with the Order, he was a nobody then. If Voldemort had been given a different address he would have been regarded as the Chosen One but he was seen as no more than a bumbling idiot in his youth.
Now, look at him.
He led a force that was nearly a thousand witches and wizards strong, and that counted for something. If the Dark Lord and his gang wanted to fight dirty they would oblige.
The twenty or so gathered in the small room of the muggle inn were the select few that reported and received direct orders from him from there they would report back to their respective areas delivering his wishes.
His speech was brief but his words were delivered with power and as each team lead made their report pride swelled within him.
But joy didn't come until Blaise relayed his news, McNair had been killed in the last Ministry raid.
All gathered cheered Neville clapped the smile on his face stretched from ear to ear. It only faltered when his eyes landed briefly on Ron, Fleur and Kingsley. Blaise's expression hadn't changed the news was delivered with the same lifeless and dull tone.
They were the only ones that did not share in the excitement of taking down another one of Voldemort's henchmen.
The young man momentarily became angry before he schooled his features taking mental note to speak with them once everyone had left.
The meeting lasted for another hour before they began to shuffle out of the small room some eager to relay Neville's new orders others taking the young man's indifference to the increased violent tatics as a sign to continue on.
"Ron, Kingsley, Blaise, Fleur, can I have a word?" Neville called their names his eyes landing on each of them briefly. Seamus lingered clearly peeved at not having been called; after the last member left he closed the door standing near as he warded it.
Quietly, he took a seat on one of the worn stools in the far corner; if asked he would leave until then he would remain in the shadows.
Blaise looked around and was the first to speak, "what's this about Neville? Voldemort has called a late meeting tonight at the castle. Given that McNair was killed there has been upheavel within the ranks and he's going to address everyone."
"Don't worry Blaise, I won't be long." Neville stated and sighed.
"I didn't want to say anything given all that has happened as of late," he paused his gaze falling on Ron, "but some of you haven't been mentally present. As this war intensifies we need all hands on deck. We need everyone present. I have heard whispers that some have been questioning my authority and the tactics the Resistance employs."
Ron pushed himself off the table on which he had been leaning, "your authority, and why did you look at me when you said that last bit?"
Neville stood up straighter, "yes, my authority, I am the leader here and everyone has noticed your distance your lack of participation. You leave during meetings, you don't say much, you're cold sometimes even rude."
Ron scoffed, "are you fucking kidding me?" he was on the verge of yelling.
Kingsley stepped up putting himself between the two, "Neville what's this about?"
"It's clear Kingsley, Ron has a problem with my authority."
"No one is questioning yer place." Fleur chimed in curious as to why Neville had chosen now to bring up Ron's absence and dismissal from meetings the last couple of months.
"Then what is it Fleur? All of our victories Ron has sat quiet, sullen. We are finally gaining ground on this lunatic and he's acting as if he lost his damn dog!" Neville shouted.
"Excuse me Neville if I don't celebrate killing innocent people. And what was that shit with Hermione and Bellatrix? Killing her baby, Neville the Order was never about this! Harry would have never agreed to something so heinous!"
Neville was fuming and his tone matched that of the red head's.
"Oh, so that's the issue. Hermione, Bellatrix," he stated mockingly, "You didn't see to mind that night when the crazy bitch told us what she was going to do! And what about Bellatrix why do you keep bringing her up? Wait, did you grow sweet on the old broad?"
Blaise watched Ron carefully as he noted Ron had paled slightly before regaining color in his cheeks.
"That's enough!" Kingsley spoke looking between the two. "The enemy is out there."
"Kingsley, stay out of this. Ron is just upset that he didn't get to Hermione first. What all of those nights in the forest cuddled by the fire that she would have at least put out. I don't know, maybe she didn't think you were man enough. Must make you see red knowing Voldemort of all people was the first to have her; to know that another man's baby was in her belly."
Ron clenched his fists.
Fleur spoke uncomfortable with Neville's implications, "Hermione didn't have a choice Neville. Why are you saying this?"
"Neville, you're going too far." Blaise stated. He speculated from the way Ron's body stiffened that a physical attack was imminent.
"No Blaise, Ron's not a true believer or maybe...he's jealous. Jealous that I have gotten us farther than the Order ever did! Even Kingsley can attest to that."
The tall bald wizard shook his head, "Neville it's not the same. That war is different from this one. It's not the same," he whispered, his shoulders dropped. He didn't have the energy for this.
"Why won't you admit it?" Neville's eyes were dark as he stared at Kingsley. "That maybe you and everyone got it wrong, Harry was never the Chosen One. It was me all along and all of you passed me over for him."
"Is that what this is about?" Ron stepped forward closing the distance between them, Kingsley locked his knees ready to stop Ron if necessary.
"You think Harry wanted that burden? You think he relished in the fact that his life was in constant danger?"
"From where I sat it didn't look as if he was too upset. He always had everyone's attention; Dumbledore's ear, you and Hermione following him around like two lost puppies. So, from the forgotten back corner where I sat things looked pretty good."
Ron laughed, it was dark and he ran his hands through his thick shoulder length hair. "Is that what this is all is about? You were jealous and angry that nobody held your hand at Hogwarts? So, now you think because your balls have dropped that you are some Messiah? The Chosen One? Is that what you need to hear? Do you feel better that you now have your moment in the sun?"
Ron hissed continuing his tirade, "all of this shit is going to your head! You're mad. When this is all over I want nothing to do with you."
Neville scoffed, "you don't have to wait until the war is over mate, you can leave at any time. It's not like your much help anyway."
"You don't mean that, Neville." Kingsley looked horrified for a brief moment, "we need everyone for this."
"Oh no I mean it. He needs to leave, tonight." Neville stood firm staring Ron down.
Ron looked around at all present before his gaze feel back on Neville. "I'll head back to base collect my things and I'll be out by dawn." He started to leave when Fleur grabbed his arm.
"Fleur don't. This may be for the best."
The tall blonde released him bringing her hands up to cover her mouth. Her cheeks were damp.
Kingsley could only watch as he left.
Blaise had taken a seat at one of the tables watching the scene unfold.
He was beginning to think joining the group may have been a mistake something done out of guilt more than a strategic move. His mind quickly went to the portkey in his pocket. It was set for a remote cabin in Ireland from there he would disappear to Japan.
The former Slytherin agreed to speak with Kingsley before he made any decisions or moved forward with his plan to speak with Talbot and see where the old wizard's loyalties lied.
"Neville," Fleur was about to plead with him but was silenced when Neville held up his hand.
"No Fleur, either you are with us or against us." With that he left leaving them all in silence.
A few minutes later Seamus left sticking to the shadows as the others sat contemplating and replaying the last moments of what they had witnessed.
Fleur followed her hand clamped over her mouth as tiny sobs escaped her.
Kingsley sadden could only join Blaise at the small fidgety table. He fell into the chair causing it to protest under the sudden introduction of weight.
Moments passed and Blaise took out his wand placing a silencing charm on the room.
Kingsley moved to grab his wand thinking this was an attack from the slender man across from him. Blaise immediately held up his hands and slowly placed his wand up his sleeve.
"I just want to talk."
The older wizard nodded placing his wand hand in his lap.
"Do I need to worry?"
"What do you mean Blaise?"
Blaise laughed, "what I just saw. Is it always like that? Because if the Resistance is falling apart at the seams I need to know so that I can cut contact before we are all exposed."
"'Cut contact?" Kingsley repeated those words frowning as if they tasted bitter.
"Yes, your boy is a loose canon. I have someone whom may be a great asset in terms of money, knowledge, spells. He has been a follower of Voldemort since before the first war but if the group is like this then I don't need to go through the trouble of making the contact."
Blaise sat back eyeing the older black man.
Kingsley thought on Blaise's words he didn't have any of reassurance. They were starting to unravel-all of them. He just thought they had more time before the cracks started to show.
"I think tonight was just a moment. Everyone is growing weary."
"This is no time to grow weary," the young man leaned forward his mahogany skin glowing in the candle light, "with Hermione by his side Voldemort is growing more dangerous, more powerful. The blow from Bellatrix was only temporary only a stumbling block but he has remained on his feet. I didn't want to say in front of the others but Hermione and Ginny are no longer close they had a following out a couple of days ago. Hermione has grown even closer to him. She talks of trying to conceive another child. She's all in with him."
Kingsley sat up, "where are you getting this information? Do you think Hermione would help him? Give him information to use against any of us?"
Blaise sighed ignoring the first question, "anything is possible. But if tonight is any indication of where things are headed with the leaders of the group then I will cut all ties with the Resistance."
"And you'll help Voldemort and fight against us?"
Blaise shook his head, "no, I have a contingency plan."
"Portkey?"
Blaise didn't answer, he only stood.
"I have to go. You seem very sensible, you've fought this type of war before. After tonight's meeting with Voldemort and the others I will contact you and you only Kingsley. They information that I relay to you do with it what you will. This will be my last meeting. He's more paranoid than ever and after tonight he will start tracking us."
"Are you sure? Blaise, it's dangerous. You need to use your portkey and leave." Kingsley was never a fan of the young man but he still worried they were all so young and unprepared.
"All of my sources are sound. Have a good evening Kingsley and good luck."
He nodded at the young man, "you too Blaise, and I don't know why you joined but thank you for all you have done. I don't think we would have made it this far."
Blaise only nodded before turning and leaving.
He sat silent as Blaise left.
For the first time in years he pulled the small flask from his robe pocket and drank draining its contents.