Web: DaphneNeville
Word Count: 508
Daphne nearly screams when she feels hands grip her shoulder and pull her inside an empty classroom.
"Are you insane?" Daphne demands. "What the hell are you doing?"
Neville Longbottom stares at her, and Daphne pauses, realizing he's been hurt. His injuries aren't exactly severe. The Carrows have done so much worse over the past few months, but it doesn't matter. It's enough to break her heart.
"I thought you were someone else," he mutters apologetically, cheeks glowing a warm pink.
Daphne shrugs and draws her wand. "Yeah, well. I'll have to do."
…
She doesn't mean to get close to him. He's Neville Longbottom, the closest thing that Hogwarts has to a hero with Harry gone. They ought to hate each other on principle, but they don't.
"Tea?" Neville asks, already pouring the steaming liquid into a floral-patterned teacup.
"Yes, please."
They are friends. Against all odds, they find a way to make it work.
…
"Any news?" Amycus Carrow asks.
Daphne shakes her head. She knows she should be a good girl and cooperate. During this dark reign of terror at Hogwarts, all eyes seem to be on her and her sister, and she thinks that maybe her House knows the truth about their loyalties.
"The rebels' whereabouts are unknown," she reports.
It isn't true, of course, but she will never betray them. Neville trusts her, and that's good enough for her.
Amycus nods. "Very well."
…
"You don't have to go," Neville says.
The Room of Requirement is dead silent, except for the occasional snores the fill the air. Now is the perfect time to leave and get back to her dormitory before anyone grows suspicious.
But she can't seem to move. Daphne swallows dryly, trying to figure out why she's suddenly trembling. "You want me to stay?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes."
…
As he holds her in an affectionate embrace, Daphne realizes that they are so much more than just friends. Maybe she doesn't love him yet, but she knows this could easily turn into something that deep.
They aren't meant to be. So many circumstances should drive them apart. And yet, here they are, and it just feels right. One accidental encounter has changed their course forevermore.
"Goodnight," Neville whispers, pressing a chaste kiss to her cheek.
She smiles. "Goodnight."
…
She wishes she could stay. Being around Neville and the rest of this ragtag army feels more natural than anything else she has ever known. Unfortunately, she has a role to play, and that role means she has to carry on. "Thank you for letting me stay," she says.
Neville takes her hand and lifts it, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I'm glad you did."
She may not be able to fight the way the others do; her talents may lie behind the scenes, in spinning lies to keep them safe. Still, as she leaves the Room of Requirement and carefully makes her way through the corridor, she can't stop smiling.
At least she's doing something.