Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: So it's been a minute yay? I hope I can finish this story now and that you like it. Thanks a bunch :-D

Gale,

Blue-eyes safe with red-heads.

Taking anyone who resists. You need to keep out of trouble.

Coming back soon.

Gale and Neville sat together in her little chamber, saddened but relieved as they read through the letter. Luna was safe with the Weasleys they assumed which may mean that Ginny was too because she didn't come back from Easter Holiday.

Gale looked up to Neville who seemed to be thinking. He met her gaze shaking his head. "I'm not sure what to do anymore, Gale. After Michael, people aren't going to want to do anything anymore. They're scared. I don't blame them."

The other girl nodded. Poor Michael. He had been very brave to try and free those first-years but it hadn't gotten him more than a trip to the Hospital Wing after the Carrows were through with him.

Gale picked up her wand, waving it into the air. That leaves you, she wrote, staring at him with worry.

Neville nodded. "But they don't have anything on me, not yet anyway. I'll keep quiet though," he reassured her when she took his hand. "I promise."

Turns out though, that wasn't necessary.

The owl post arrived the next morning, a brown owl landing in front of Neville's plate With Luna and Ginny gone, they had let Gale out of her prison, figuring maybe that her rebellious ways would be cut down without their team there. Gale was only intent on watching out for Neville and he for her.

Neville took the letter quickly, opening it. Gale leaned over to read.

My Dearest Grandson,

I'm writing to let you know your Gran's still kicking. They came after me the other night wands ablaze, but I'll tell you I still got a lot of power in these old bones.

I'm moving quickly but I just wanted to stop and let you know how proud of you I am. I've heard of all your doing up at that school of yours and figured it must be causing those lunatics trouble if they're coming after me. I'm so, so proud of you though and I want you to keep it up. Stay strong, Neville, and stay smart.

You are truly your parents' son, Neville. They would be proud.

Love,

Gran

Neville and Gale looked up at each other, grinning but then Neville's grin fell, looking just to the right of Gale's ear. Gale turned in her seat, their attention now directed to teachers' table. The Carrows were glaring in their direction. Obviously, news of the Death Eater's defeat at the hands of the old witch had reached them.

"I think we'll be expecting trouble today," Neville muttered. Gale only nodded before turning back to breakfast.

Neville and Gale sat in McGonagall's class, eyes ever watching. The whole school seemed tense, suddenly, as if they were waiting for something.

Snape and the Carrows had been discussing something that day, two days ago after breakfast, their eyes ever intent on Neville. Obviously they had planned this, going after Neville's Gran hoping to keep him from causing more trouble but graffiti continued to pop up around school. Even if it wasn't Neville, he was still the cause of it all taking place in the first place and for that, he was a threat.

The bell rang and everyone jumped. McGonagall cleared her throat. "You're all dismissed. Longbottom, Dumbledore . . . can I see you for a moment?"

The rest of the class headed out while Neville and Gale walked to the front of the class. McGonagall pulled down the blind on the door, turning to the two teens.

"You'll need to hide," she said, much to the surprise of the other two.

"Hide?" Neville asked. "But – but Professor, we can't just hide."

"There is a time for bravery, Longbottom and there is a time when one needs to realize that they have to stand down. The Carrows and Severus are angry. With your grandmother out of their grasp, they have nothing to hold over you anymore. They'll come after you and if you see that coming, you need to hide and take Gale with you. They'll come after her next without you here."

McGonagall smiled softly at them. "You have done well but now you need to be safe."

With those words, she opened the door. Neville nodded at her, taking Gale's hand and leading her into the crowded hallway.

"Hey!" Neville and Gale glanced back over their shoulders. The Carrows were heading straight in their direction, backed up by a gang of Slytherins.

"Not good," Neville muttered, moving faster through the crowd now. Students moved out of their way before crowding back together, effectively blocking the Carrows and the Slytherins.

"MOVE!" Alecto yelled, wand crackling with power. The others did that then, quickly backing out of the way.

Neville gave Gale's hand a mighty tug and they started running, their feet pounding against the stone ground. They ran up the stairs, gasping for air. Behind them, they could hear Alecto and her gang getting closer.

A place to hide! Gale screamed in her head. Where can we hide!

A door appeared suddenly to her right. She pulled on Neville's hand, pulling him back and flinging the door. They stumbled inside just as Alecto and the rest reached them, the door slamming closed and locking.

Neville took a deep breath. "That was close."

Gale nodded, turning. Her eyes widened in surprise and she tugged on Neville's sleeve. The boy turned around, just as shocked. Waiting for them, in a small room, was two red hammocks. The Gryffindor emblem stood out, proud, in the background.

Neville smiled. "Looks like Hogwarts was expecting us."

Gale grinned back.

You just had to love Hogwarts.

A/N: I hope you guys liked this. It's been a minute so it was hard to catch on. Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time.