The Great Hall rang and echoed with friendly chatter and the clattering of cutlery as students feasted. It had been quite normal so far. The Sorting Ceremony drifted passed like nothing has changed. Neville didn't know what to expect. Perhaps every time someone got sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, Professor Snape would suddenly banish them from the castle?
Neville chuckled. He should enjoy the feast while he can. He selected a chocolate pudding and smashed his fork into it, gobbling it up.
"Hey, Neville how was the holiday for you?" Seamus suddenly asked.
He looked up and swallowed the chocolate pudding quickly, causing him to cough. He grabbed some water, drunk it and cleared his throat.
"Sorry. Oh it has been quiet," Neville answered, "Gran and I mostly kept track of the news of what has been happening lately. Protection and new measures have been put up around our property when the Ministry of Magic fell."
Seamus expression darkened abruptly. "You don't reckon. I am amazed that there are this many people who came back to Hogwarts this year with our change of Headmaster."
"Didn't you hear the announcement that every young witch and wizard must attend?" Neville said.
"Of course I did," Seamus said exasperatedly, "I mean I am surprised that they are all still here. They can move abroad like to Australia till everything blows over."
"I guess," Ginny put in, "But it would be hard wouldn't it? The wizarding community is completely different to the muggle's. You can't just pack your wand and expect not to be questioned by muggle security as you leave the country. It would cause a whole bunch of problems. Long distance transportation is a bit troublesome for our society. That doesn't mean no-one left though. Just difficult and the chances are high that you could be caught."
"True that," Seamus said.
"Dean isn't here," Neville pointed out, "I suspect he had to go into hiding due to his blood status. All loads of rubbish, isn't it? All the muggle-born vanished. It is only half-blood and the pure-blood here now."
"I hope Dean is doing well out there," Seamus said.
"Well as they can be," Ginny sighed.
"There is one reason to stay at Hogwarts that doesn't involve being forced into staying," Neville said.
"What is it Neville?" Ginny asked.
"Hogwarts needs all the help it can get until this war is won."
"I 'spect you're right."
At the exact moment, the pudding and dessert vanished, leaving the silver platters clean and shiny. Silence fell amongst the students. Neville looked up to the head table where Professor Snape has risen from the headmaster's seat. He stared at Professor Snape with annoyance. He shouldn't be on that chair. Not after what he did.
"I have some announcements to make," he started slowly.
There was a slight shiver that rippled through the Great Hall as the people looked up to the bat-like figure that stood before them. No one dared to make a sound.
"Great changes have been made and are in place ever since I was appointed headmaster," Snape continued, "I would like you to welcome Professor Carrow who would teach the changed subject of Defence Against the Dark Arts as just the Dark Arts. He will also be serving as my deputy headmaster-"
Mutterings started to arouse from the students. Neville glanced at Ginny and Seamus in alarm. Ginny had her mouth open and Seamus nearly fell off his chair. The Dark Arts? Seriously, they were going to bring in the Dark Arts as a class and to top it all off, they are making a Death Eater to teach it? Neville did not know what to think.
"Silence!" Professor Snape's voice rang out sharply. "I would also like to introduce Professor Carrow's sister, Professor Carrow, who would be taking Muggle Studies as a compulsory subject-"
This time, Neville felt like he needed a good long trip to the bathroom to get rid of the nausea he was feeling. He could picture the chaos and the derailing of this school already! He saw Professor McGonagall with an extremely sour expression. He saw Professor Sprout with her head bowed down on the silver plate in front of her.
"-your loyalty lies with this school and its staff," Snape ended, "Get some rest and you shall resume your magical training tomorrow."
There was hustle as a sea of black streamed out the Great Hall. There were whispers and comments on what Professor Snape had just announced.
"What do you think about the whole thing?" Seamus inquired.
"I think Hogwarts definitely needs our help," Neville responded.
It was late in the night but Neville couldn't sleep. He could hear Seamus soft snores and the faint patter of rain outside. He looked at the two empty beds that Harry and Ron usually occupied if they were here. He wondered where they and Hermione were and what they were doing. They told no one. Even Ginny doesn't know.
He imagined it was something to defeat You-Know-Who, something that could bring the war to its end. Neville believed in Harry. His eyes flickered over to the next bed that belonged to Dean Thomas. He hoped Dean was ok and...alive.
With a shaking sigh, Neville closed his eyes, mind still swarming with worry.