Neville entered the dark classroom cautiously. He could feel the nausea taking over again. It was dimly lit and the windows were covered by maroon curtains. Only tiny streams of light peeked through them. All in all, it was a gloomy room.
He slipped next to Seamus at a wooden desk and took out his textbook hoping for a theory lesson instead of a practical.
"Well, what an interesting class we have here," a voice boomed at the back of the classroom.
Everyone turned around. Neville's eyes landed on a hulk-like figure. The figure marched up to the front of the class with a leering expression.
"Well I hope you guys are up for the Dark Arts," Professor Carrow announced.
Neville felt a slight vibration next to him and saw Seamus hand covering his mouth to stop himself laughing.
"The Dark Arts is a tool that the Dark Lord wants you to learn-"
And it was here that Neville decided he cannot be bothered listening to the false praise of the Dark Arts. It was certainly a waste of time. He started to dwell his thoughts on the D.A, Dumbledore's Army. Without Harry, the D.A does not have a leader but Dumbledore's Army...wasn't the purpose of it, to learn defensive spells against the Dark Arts when no-one could teach them? What perfect time would it be if he could restart it?
It could give people hope. It could give him hope. He reflected on the brilliant times he had 2 years ago with different people he met with one common goal. If they could unite against Umbridge, they could definitely be able to unite against the Carrows. But he could not do it alone. He needs help. He knew that Luna and Ginny would be on board with it.
A sudden nudge awoke him to the shady classroom again. He saw Professor Carrow staring down upon him with an evil glint on his eyes.
"I take it that you are Neville Longbottom," Professor Carrow sneered.
"Y-y-yes," he stammered.
Neville mentally kicked himself for stuttering. He shouldn't be afraid!
"I see you are day-dreaming in my class?" Professor Carrow smirked.
Neville stared up at him, his mind blank.
"Get up," Carrow said.
He remained firm on his seat.
"GET UP!" Carrow shouted and suddenly dragged Neville up with steely force.
He waved his wand and floated Neville in front of the class. Neville looked around the class. He saw pity on the Gryffindor's expression while glee shone on the Slytherin's.
"We are learning the Cruciatus Curse today," Professor Carrow said, "You will be expecting to use this as punishment for people who disobey orders. The Cruciatus Curse is a curse that causes extreme agony and torture. I shall demonstrate!"
Professor Carrow's black eyes fell on Neville. Neville could only dimly register that he was the guinea-pig before he felt the overwhelming pain. He smashed against the floor as imaginary searing hot knives cut and slashed at his skin. It felt like he had been tossed into a blazing inferno. He could feel something like a blunt rustic axe sawing away at his body parts. His mind was about to explode and deteriorate... and suddenly it was gone.
Neville rolled over on his back. He could still hear the echo of his screams vibrating in the silent air. Tears started to form in his eyes as he thought about his parents. How his parents reached the point of their derailing due to this curse... How his parents bravely fought the Death Eaters who tortured them to insanity and it was this thought that cleared his mind and gave him the strength to stand up again.
He wiped away his tears and faced the Death Eater. He won't be put down like this.
"Oooh, tough are we," the Death Eater taunted, "tough like your parents? But I am not here to make you as stupid as them. I am here to teach. I am here to teach you and your peers the fine art of the Dark Arts."
Professor Carrow leered down at them and smirked.
"Slytherins partner up with the Gryffindors. We don't want friends torturing friends, do we?" he laughed, "Slytherins, take your pick and perform your best Cruciatus Curse on your enemies."
Neville looked around the classroom and saw his friends...down...squirming feverishly with their tortured screams echoing throughout the room. He turned around to face his assigned partner, Crabbe. He saw Crabbe smiling slightly and a fresh wave of pain flooded into him as he was hit for the second time...