Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. No money is made from this.
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I started my new job and had my volunteer training at the hospital. But here is another chapter. Please review!
Chapter 9: Gryfindor knows no loyalty
Draco's POV
We stayed up for most of the night swapping information and going over the plan for next Potions class, which was next week. Until then we had a plan so that Neville will never be alone without one of the five of us. We don't want to risk another Gryfindor attack.
The next morning we all decided to go to the medical wing to see how Neville was doing. Surprisingly he wasn't in there alone. Dumbledore was there with the golden trio. I whispered for them everyone to remain quiet while listening.
"Neville are you sure you don't remember who did this to you?" asked the headmaster
"No I don't. I don't remember anything from that night, do you know who did this?"
"I'm afraid not my boy. I will converse with the other Gryfindors to see if anyone saw anything suspicious."
"Sir, I saw Malfoy and his two goons in the Gryfindor hall that night. Maybe they have something to do with this." Harry said.
"I see. Well I'll have a talk with Mr. Malfoy as well then. I must leave. Get better soon Mr. Longbottom, I'm sure your friends here will update you on what you missed Friday. Good day."
"Well Neville you have two essays to write. One for Herbology and one Charms other then that you missed nothing. Your lucky that you were missing class so close to the beginning of the year, the professors still haven't gotten up to teaching the new stuff yet. Except for potions but we didn't have that yesterday." Hermione said with her know-it-all attitude.
"Thanks Hermione. Harry could you maybe get my stuff from the tower so that I can start these assignments? I really don't want to fall behind."
"There is no way I'm getting your crap from the tower. Who do you think you are ordering me around like that?" Harry nearly screamed.
"I…I.. didn't. I only asked if you could my stuff from the tower. If you don't then fine. I'll simply ask the nurse and she could get a house elf to do it. Merlin what is you problem this morning Harry? And Ron stop looking at me like I just killed your best friend."
"Listen to me you little traitor. I want nothing to do with you and nor does anyone else for that matter. I have no idea how you got into Hogwarts you are barely above a squib." Ron yelled while his face reddening to the colour of his hair.
Neville just sat there trying to digest what was said. Before he could say anything back to Ron, Draco and his friends came in.
"Hey you guys, glad you came by." Whispered a relieved Neville.
"What are you doing here Malfoy. You are not wanted here!" Ron screamed.
"What is going in my ward? Why are you screaming Mr. Weasley?"
"The slytherins have decide to drop by and cause trouble Madam and they won't leave."
"This is not true Madam. My friends and I simply came to see how our friend Neville was doing. And while we were here Potter and Weasley here have done nothing but yell at us and Neville."
"Is this true Neville?"
"Yes Madam. I would like it if Harry, Hermione and Ron left."
"Very well. You heard him out you three. Now Mr. Longbottom please take these potions. Yes I know they taste horrible but rather that then pain hmm."
"Umm Madam Pomfrey could you please help me get some of my books from the tower I don't want to fall behind."
"Why didn't you ask one Harry or Ron?"
"Ummm…."
"Neville don't worry about it we'll share our books and get that homework of yours done, alright?"
"Thanks Pansy. You're the best."
"I'll just go and get them. Blaise come with me."
"So how are you feeling?" asked Vince.
"Fine I guess. My mind feels like it's in a fog or something. As for the rest of me. I'm fine just a bit numb from all the potions."
"Do you know when you'll be let out?" asked Draco.
"Tomorrow morning if I sleep through the night without any problems. I kind of don't want to leave because I have to go back to Gryffindor tower. I have this feeling that I should not go back there but it's almost an irrational feeling. Unless the rest of house feels the same way Harry and Ron does."
"Don't worry we'll think of something for your sleeping arrangements. Otherwise we have devised a way so you are not alone during that day." Said Draco.
"I doubt I could stay anywhere else. There is no way Professor Snape would let me stay in Slytherin. He almost hates me as much as Harry."
"Don't be stupid. Professor Snape is a lot of things but he doesn't deliberately try to hurt his students. Besides I don't think he hates you anymore. Especially since you have been putting an effort in his class. I want to discuss what happened that night you … you got hurt but not now, we'll wait until we are in a more private setting where no one passing can here alright?"
"I don't want to think about it, but you're right I should talk about it. Thanks you guys."
"We're back with the homework. It's really not long or hard. We'll have you done in three hours." Said Blaise.
"What took you so long? Your hair is completely messed up Blasie did you do something other then get your books Pansy." Smirked Neville.
"None of your business. We should really get started." Pansy said with a small blush.
"In three hours it will be supper. So we'll leave you alone for now. We will also bring up supper for you guys after we make an appearance in the Great Hall."
"That's right Draco. You wouldn't want the other Slytherins to get the idea that you're not in charge now would you."
"Don't even go there. See you later, and if you get tired relax. I doubt the professors are actually expecting your homework done for Monday anyway. Bye."
After supper in the Great Hall
Still Draco's POV
'My plan for this evening was to talk to Neville about tomorrow and bring food, but alas nothing goes the way I plan it. I had to send Vince and Gregg with everything to the hospital wing while I went to the Headmaster's office. The idiot is probably going to accuse me of beating on Neville simply because he will believe anything his golden boy tells him. Honestly who does he think…'
"Headmaster I need you to approve this petition. I have all the Gryfindor's signatures." Said Hermione.
"You want to kick out a fellow Gryfindor? May I ask why?"
"Headmaster. That is beside the point. According school rules a student may be evicted from their house and be resorted into another house. If no other house wants them then the school may provide other rooms. We have a petition."
"That rule has only been used when the student was a threat or if that student was threatened from their house Ms. Granger."
"Headmaster. Mr. Longbottom has become friends with the Slytherins. He is obviously a Death Eater in training. He is a threat to Harry and all other Gryfindors."
"I see. Have you spoken to your head of house about this?"
"Of course. She said to bring it to you."
"Of course. I don't approve. Mr. Longbottom will not be removed from Gryfindor tower."
"Fine. It is also within students right to petition in front if the school. If the other head of houses agree with us then the petition goes through."
"I have the last word Ms. Granger. Besides is it fair to accost Mr. Longbottom in public after just being released from the hospital wing?"
"This is a democratic society sir. As for him being accosted after being released from the hospital, then he should have thought of that before becoming friends with enemies. Good night Headmaster, see you tomorrow morning."
'What? The Gryfindors are petitioning to kick out Neville. Well their goes loyalty. Technically loyalty is a Hufflepuff trait. I'm going to have to see Severus tonight about this after I give a heads up to Neville. It wouldn't be good to experience that kind out betrayal without warning. Alright now let's get through this meeting in one piece.'
"Jollyranchers"
"Come in Mr. Malfoy. Lemon drop?"
"No thank you sir."
"How is school?"
"Fine sir. Look I have to be somewhere so if we could."
"Straight to business then I see. Your father was the same way."
"Well I do have half of his genetic material so it would make sense to have some similarities to him now wouldn't it."
"Yes of course. It seems that you were seen if the Gryfindor hallway the night Mr. Longbottom was attacked."
"I'll make this easy for you. I nor any of my friends have been anywhere near the Gryfindor hallway this year. We have no will towards Neville. Do not think of accusing me or any of my friends of attacking Neville without evidence. Personally, with the way the Gryfindors are acting perhaps the attacker is a little more close to home sir."
"I have to go. Good evening Headmaster."
"Good evening Mr. Malfoy."
'That was easy. For the first time ever the truth worked for, that never happens. A bonus to telling the truth is that you can't refute it. Slytherin is not guilty this time and the Gryfindors are, this is definitely one for the history books. Now how to tell Neville that his so called friends have petitioned to kick him out of Gryfindor, his home for the past five years. There is no way to soften a blow a like that.'
"Hey guys. Have you finished your homework Neville?"
"Yeah. Thanks for supper and all. The nurse only gave me porridge and soft foods it was getting annoying. I heard you had to see the Headmaster; what did he want?"
"He followed up Potheads lead about me being in the Gryfindor hallway the night you were hurt."
"What? You were not even there." Yelled Blaise.
"I know and I told him that. Essentially I told him to leave me alone unless he has physical proof. Anymore accusations from just conjecture I will get legal representation. I will not be accused of physical assault and risk expulsion especially if I didn't do it."
"You're not telling us something. I sense that there is grave news for someone." Gregg whispered.
"As always Gregg you are correct. I just don't know how to tell you this Nev."
"How about you just say it so I have longer to accept the situation?"
"I over heard Granger speaking to the Headmaster before meeting with him. She has a petition with all of the Gryfindor signatures to have you removed from Gryfindor house."
No one spoke for a while. Until Neville asked "What will happen if it goes through?"
"You could be placed in another house I think. But I'm not sure how this will work."
"So if the Headmaster declined the petition what will she do?" whispered Pansy.
"She said tomorrow morning she will present the petition to the school."
"Don't worry Nev we'll be there for you." Said Draco while giving him a one armed hug.
"Thanks. I'm tired I'm going to go to sleep alright. Will I see before breakfast?"
"Absolutely. We'll bring you to breakfast but you may have to sit at the Gryfindor table."
"OK. Night."
"Night Neville." Said everyone.
Everyone left to wait outside while Draco tucked in Neville . 'He looks so vulnerable when he is asleep. I wonder if he would …no he does not need a relationship right now. Maybe someday soon.'
"Night Nev." Draco said while giving a Neville's forehead a soft kiss.
When Draco caught up with his friends they all gave him a knowing smile.
"Don't look at me like that."
"It is so obvious you like him. He likes you too." Said Pansy.
"Even so now is not the time."
"You're right Draco he is going through stuff right now. He doesn't need more emotional confusion added to it. However these events could trigger the relationship, one never really knows." Gregg pondered out loud.
"You scare me sometimes Gregg." Blaise said while laughing a Pansy's confused expression.
"I have to see Professor Snape about what I told you about. He may be able to help. I'll meet you in the common room."
In Professor Snape's office
Still Draco's POV
"Hello Uncle Sev."
"Good evening Draco. Is this a social visit or do you need something."
"A bit of both I guess. So what's up with you?"
"Nothing new. Just finishing off the last of the medical potions the hospital wing ordered."
"How fun."
"Potions are fun Draco. But you are right, brewing potions I can brew in my sleep can be boring."
"I heard Mr. Longbottom will be released form the hospital wing tomorrow. Have you been to see him yet?"
"Yes, my friends and I went today actually. The golden trio was there too. Pothead actually had the audacity to tell the Headmaster that I was in the Gryfindor hallway the night Neville got hurt."
"Really? Let me guess the Headmaster followed the lead and gently insinuated that you were guilty?"
"Yes! Then I told him I wasn't and not to bother me until he had physical evidence."
"Good. No evidence means no conviction you would think the Headmaster would have learned not blindly accuse people with only circumstantial evidence. But the evidence was provided by Potter so he probably thought it to be very true."
"This is the first time the truth works in my favour. I was rather weird actually."
"I'll bet it was Draco. Do you ever tell the truth?"
"I resent that. I speak the truth. But then we can get into a philosophical discussion about what it is truth."
"Alright, alright. I didn't mean it as a personal insult. Why are you here anyway."
"I over heard Granger asking the Headmaster to accept her petition. The petition has the Gryfindor signatures and it is to remove Neville from their house."
"Unbelievable. A house rejecting a student has not happened in decades. Usually they occur under serious circumstances."
"That is what the Headmaster said. He refused to accept the petition. But Granger now plans on petitioning to the school tomorrow morning."
"Right after Neville is released from the hospital wing?"
"Yes."
"That is rather low. Even for a Slytherin."
"What happens now? If the house no longer wants him there is it dangerous to force him to stay?"
"Yes it would be. But then he would have to be resorted, but that requires the Headmasters permission."
"Will he get his own rooms then?"
"This the Dumbledore we are talking about. He will not give Neville his own rooms. The problem I see is if no other house willing accepts him in."
"Well the Ravenclaws ignore him because he is not a threat to their academic superiority like Granger, the Hufflepuffs hate him because he is better at herbology them all of, and the Slytherins.. I'm not sure about us."
"You are not sure about the all the Slytherins then."
"Yes. I mean most won't care. He is a pureblood so that offers some acceptance by default. His public defense on Slytherin house also offered more Neville supporters, but there are still people who will never see him beyond being a Gryfindor. Especially those who are Voldermort supporters."
"I see. I am not sure how this will play out. However the safest place would be in Slytherin regardless of those who would not like him. He could stay in your dorm since I moved Nott out of there."
"That would be great actually. That way we can keep an eye on him."
"As I said Draco. I have no idea what can happen since I have never witnessed someone being removed from house. I'll look into the rules to see if a Head of House can offer to take the student in. However if it gets ugly the Headmaster may still refuse but then I could offer Slytherin house as temporary residence until Gryfindor house settles down. Especially if there is some belief that the student is unsafe."
"What if the Headmaster refuses anyway? Then my hands are tied. But then you can do things against the rules I suppose. But then that is up to you and your friends. Do not tell me anything so if I'm asked then I have plausible deniability on my side."
"Thanks uncle Sev."
"You're welcome. Go get some rest since I'm assuming you'll be picking up Mr. Longbottom from the hospital wing tomorrow morning."
"How do you know these things? You sometimes have this Dumbledore thing going on and it's a bit unsettling."
"As long as I don't have that infernal twinkle in my eye then I can live with having Dumbledore's intuition. It's helped me keep people out of trouble."
"Don't look at me like that. I do not get in trouble. Ha Ha. Fine I'm leaving now before you recite me all my disobedient conducts in chronological order."
"Good night"
"Night"
Next Morning
Neville's POV
'It's morning already. Dammit. Why is morning so bright? Today is the day I can finally get away from the dragon lady, no more gross potions, no more cardboard sheets, and no more porridge. But I really don't want to go to breakfast. How today will end is anybody's guess. I hate feeling so out of control. There is no predictability in my day today and it is freaking me out. Alright stop thinking Neville, you are giving yourself a headache. Ouch!'
"Hey Nev!" Pansy said
"Shhh! How can you possibly be so cheerful in the morning."
"Not a morning person are you?" Asked Vince.
"That would be obvious. Can someone please get the nurse so I can get rid of this headache I gave myself."
"Sure I'll get you a potion." Gregg said.
"How did you give yourself a headache?" asked Blaise.
"Thinking to much."
"If thinking gives you headaches how do you get through school?" teased Draco.
"Very funny smart ass."
"We brought you some clothes so you we can get to breakfast. So get to it Neville." Said Pansy.
"Here is your potion."
"Thank you, thank you. Now I'll get changed."
"Neville what's taking you so long." Demanded Draco.
"It's been only five minutes. I highly doubt you should talk about taking a long time to get ready. Rumour has it takes you over an hour."
"No it doesn't. I take forty minutes."
"Is that on a good day Draco." Teased Vince.
"Whatever, I'm hungry. We can tease Draco later about his grooming practices later." Remarked Gregg.
"Alright. Before we go in Neville remember we are there for you. Don't forget that. We gave you the heads up so don't panic. Be calm it will annoy them the most since they are clearly trying to break you. See you after breakfast, we'll go out by the lake and practice DADA alright?"
"OK. I'm ready, let's do this."
As soon as they walked in they separated to their respected table. There was nowhere for Neville to sit so he decided to sit at the end away from everyone else. His housemates gave him a wide range of looks, some gave him ugly sneers, other gave him guilty looks, and surprisingly some even looked sypathetic.
'Perhaps not every Gryfindor hates me. I suppose if Harry wants something he will get it because very few people ever question him. You would think that after second year Harry would know what being shunned felt like that he would not want others to feel that way, but he clearly doesn't. I never betrayed him or called him dark when he could speak parsletoungue, and I helped him during the Triwizard tournament, so why does he hate me? Maybe he only liked me when I fit into his ideal role of groupee. It doesn't matter Draco, Pansy, Blasie, Vince and Gregg are my friends. They have been nicer to me then anyone in Gryffindor has ever been and I would love to be allowed to spend more time with them without having to worry about Gryfindor loyalties. I just wish it didn't have to end up this way.'
Before Neville even began picking at his food Hermione, Harry, and Ron stood up in front of the Great Hall and began their presenting their petition.
"Gryfindor House demands that Neville Longbottom be removed from out house immediately. We have the signatures of everyone in the house and now wish to present our case to the other Head of houses since the Headmaster refuses to accept our demands."
"What has Mr. Longbottom done to deserve this?" Drawled Professor Snape.
"He no longer fits in with the rest of us. His loyalties have changed and because of this he is a threat to Harry and all other Gryfindors."
"Are you suggesting that Neville is a Death Eater Ms. Granger?" shouted Professor McGonagall.
"We are not. We simply feel that he would be more comfortable in another house since he is now friends with those we consider the enemy. Merlin knows what information he has.. accidentally passed on that was considered confidential to Gryfindors to the Slytherins."
"Do you have any proof of this? As far as I'm concerned Mr. Longbottom is the one who is unsafe not you." Replied Professor Flitwick.
"No we do not sir." Stuttered Harry.
"You may a valid point Filius. If Gryfindor is so adamant of getting rid of Mr. Longbottom perhaps he truly is unsafe there. If that is the case relocation may be best for his safety Headmaster." Professor Snape logically deduced.
"Severus are you saying that Gryfindor House is unsafe." Demanded Professor McGonagall.
"Yes I am."
"Severus may have a point unfortunately Minerva. Is there a house that can accept a new student temprarily?"
"What do you mean temporarily? The petition should be ignored." Said Professor McGonagall.
"I will allow for temporary relocation until the Mr. Longbottom's attackers have been identified. If these perpetrators are not from Gryfindor house then he will be returned; until then this is the best course of action for everyone. All those in favour say aye"
"Aye!"
"Well that covers it. How will take in Mr. Longbottom?"
"I could sir. There is space is my house and he already has friends there. It may be best." Offered Professor Snape.
"Alright then. Everyone Neville Longbottom will now be temporarily resorted into Slytherin until further notice. Keep in mind this is temporary."
'I can't believe this I'm a Slytherin now. I have nothing against Slytherin house, quite the opposite I have learned to respect them quite a bit. But now the Gryfindors will definitely hate now more then ever. But on the brighter side I get to stay with my new friends. It's so quiet, you could probably hear a pin drop. I better leave before the Great Hall erupts in loud chatter with him as the topic of conversation. How would my parents feel knowing that there son is no longer a part of the house they were in. Would they be disappointed or angry? This is too much too fast I have to go.'
Neville left the Great Hall and headed towards the lake where his going to meet everyone. As he sat down he pulled his knees up and did something he didn't even do at his Grandmum's funeral. He cried.