A/N - So excited, I just heard over the weekend that Matt Lewis is coming to my hometown for a Pop culture convention. I plan to go and see him and get a photo taken with him. So, in celebration, Im posting another chapter, which is one for all the Neville fans. This one and the next one have been my faves to write. Next chapter is one Im sure a lot of you have been waiting for. I hope you like them, Im loving all the comments.

Harry, Ginny, Tonks and Neville went into the Leaky Cauldron. "Hi guys," called Hannah Abbot from behind the counter.

"I didn't know she was working here," said Harry.

"Just started this summer. She's still coming back to Hogwarts," said Neville.

"Nev!"

The three of them turned to see Daphne Greengrass calling out to him. She was sitting at a table with Astoria. To Harry's surprise, Neville blushed and waved back. "Seems a lot went on this summer," he murmured to Ginny as they made their way over to them.

"You have no idea," she said. She greeted Astoria, who giggled as Daphne and Neville shared a kiss.

"Hi Harry, Ginny," greeted Daphne. "How's your summer been?" Neville slid into the chair next to her.

"Good. It's gone too fast, though," said Ginny. Harry pulled out a chair for her, then sank into one next to her, keeping his arm on the back of her chair. They quickly persused the menu and ordered when Hannah came over. Harry noted that Tonks sat at the bar, talking with Tom, the owner. She was keeping an eye on the entrances, and them, yet giving them some space, which Harry appreciated.

"Our summer has been horrid. We've had to stay close to home, same with all our friends. It's because of what happened at the end of last year," said Astoria, with an embarassed look at Harry.

"You mean because Voldemort is back," said Ginny, flatly. Astoria flushed and nodded.

"We were supposed to go to the Malfoys; it's something we do every year. But they cancelled by owl, saying they had guests from out of town staying with them. Mum owled back, inviting them and their guests over to ours, but we never got a reply," said Astoria, glumly.

Harry and Ginny exchanged a look. No prizes for guessing who their house guests were. They were interrupted by Hannah who brought their food to the table.

"Have you heard who they'll get to replace Hagrid? I reckon Professor Grubbly-Plank. She replaced him earlier, so she'll probably do it again, don't you think?" asked Daphne.

Neville nodded sadly. "It won't be the same though. She's good, but, well, I always think of it as Hagrid's class. Remember when he got you to ride that Hippogriff, Harry."

Daphne laughed too. "Yeah, I remember that. Poor Hagrid couldn't understand why none of us wanted to get close to it."

Harry nodded, thinking of Hagrid. The hurt was still too much. "He loved all actually raised an Acromantula from a baby. It lives in the Forbidden Forrest, and it's now huge."

"Don't tell Ron that. He hates them, doesn't he?" laughed Daphne.

Ginny nodded. "When he was only three, our brother Fred turned his teddy bear into a spider."

Astoria shivered. "I'd hate them too if Daph did that to me."

They tucked into their meals, talking about the coming school year. Finally they finished and decided to head into the alley to get their school supplies. Daphne and Astoria had already got theirs, but agreed to accompany the others. Tonks followed at a reasonable distance.

Daphne and Neville headed for Madame Malkin's as Neville needed new robes. Harry and Ginny, along with Astoria, said they'd meet them at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes in half an hour. Harry wanted to stop off and get Hedwig some owl nuts for a treat. Albus had offered to keep her at Hogwarts while they were away, and so far she hadn't returned to Grimmauld Place. Thinking of Hedwig made Harry think of Hagrid, which made him feel sad. Ginny slid her arm around his waist and squeezed lightly, offering small comfort.

"We need to bring her home," she said softly, reading his thoughts. He nodded and went to pay for Hedwig's treats.

They quickly went to get their books from Flourish and Blott's. It seemed most students had already been in, and they didn't have to wait long.

They met up with the others and all had fun looking around Fred and George's new store. Ginny hugged them, telling them how proud she was of them. They told Harry to help himself to any products he wanted. At Ginny's querying look, Harry confessed that he had given the twins his Tri-Wizard winnings. He hadn't wanted it, and Mr Diggory had refused to take it.

Daphne and Astoria giggled at the range of love potions, while Ginny patted a Pygmy Puff. Harry took note and nodded to George to add it to his small bag of goodies. He told them they'd pop back and pick up his stuff before they left, knowing Ginny would like more time with her brothers.

They left the twins and headed off to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Ginny and Harry decided to detour to the stationery shop for some new quills and ink while the other three continued on, eager for an ice-cream. It was a happy coincidence that the stationery shop was next door to Quality Quidditch Supplies, and they went there next. Tonks waited outside for them.

They were discussing the pros and cons of the different brooms when Harry froze. "Gin, look! It's Draco and his parents." He gestured to Tonks and when she joined them, he told her what he'd seen.

They watched the Malfoy's walk past. "We should follow them," said Ginny. She grabbed Harry's hand and they left the store. Thy had to walk back down the alley. As they passed Florean Fortescue's, they could see Neville and the girls still ordering. Harry shook his head at her querying look. They didn't have time to stop and explain things to Neville.

As the Malfoy's turned into Knockturn Alley, Harry began to get a sense of unease. Ginny must have felt him tense for she grabbed his arm. "Shall we send a message to Sirius?"

They looked to Tonks. She nodded. "I'll send one to Kingsley and Remus. Do it, Harry." She sent off her Patronus.

Harry nodded, and sent off his Patronus. "Gin, if I tell you, you get the hell out of here, understand?"

Ginny scoffed. "Like hell I'm leaving you. Don't ever ask me that again, you noble prat." She grabbed his shirt, pulled him to her and kissed him hard.

"Oy, is this the time?" said Tonks, shaking her head.

"Sorry, not sorry," grinned Ginny, releasing him. He grinned back at her.

They turned back to watch Draco and his parents walk down the dirty alley. Draco held the door open at Borgin and Burkes for his mother. Harry saw Narcissa and Fenrir Greyback inside, waiting for them.

"That can't be good," he murmured, exchanging worried glances with Tonks and Ginny.

The door closed, and the blinds on the windows fell. A sign on the door changed from 'Open' to 'Closed'.

"We need to see what they're doing in there," said Harry.

Tonks was looking around. "Up there," she said. There was a ledge with a small window that had no blinds. "Wait here," said Harry to Ginny. "Keep cover."

"You need to teach me how to apparate," said Ginny to Tonks. With a grin, Tonks and Harry apparated to the ledge and looked in.

Bellatrix and Greyback appeared to be talking heatedly to Mr Borgin. Lucius and Draco appeared to be simply looking around, although they seemed quite interested in an old cabinet. Narcissa looked uncomfortable, as though she wanted to be elsewhere. Harry noticed she kept a close eye on Draco.

"Psst," hissed Ginny. She gestured to them to come down to her.

"You go, I'll keep an eye on these," said Harry, gesturing to the group inside.

Tonks apparated down to Ginny. "What's up?" she asked.

Ginny looked worried. "I think I heard screams coming from Diagon Alley."

Tonks sent her Patronus to the Auror office. "I'll let Harry know. Stay down."

Ginny stayed down, her wand out in ready.

Albus and Sirius sighed in relief as Hufflepuff's Cup released a dark mist before returning to it's

full glory.

"Another one. Gin asked earlier if he felt it when they got destroyed. What do you reckon?" asked Sirius, picking up the cup and looking it over.

"I would think now that we have destroyed nearly all of them he would be feeling weaker," said Albus. He started as Hedwig flew in.

To both Dumbledore and Sirius's surprise, she picked up the Sword of Gryffindor and took off with it.

"What the hell?" asked Sirius.

Just then, Harry's Patronus came bounding in. "Suspicious happenings in Knockturn Alley. Can you come?"

Albus and Sirius looked at each other before apparating away.

Meanwhile Neville was enjoying his outing with Daphne and Astoria. They sat outside, eating their ice creams and talking about the school year ahead.

Neville heard cries, but thought they were just kids crying out in fun. However it didn't take long to realise they were screams of terror.

"Come on," he called to Daphne and Astoria. "Let's try and get back to the Leaky Cauldron." he grabbed Daphne's hand and pulled her along.

"Where's Harry and Ginny?" asked Astoria.

"Believe me, they can look after themselves," said Neville. As he went along, he noticed shops shutting their doors. "Get inside," he yelled to people, gesturing to the shops.

They made it to the Leaky Cauldron. "Neville, what's going on? We heard screams," asked Hannah, fearfully.

"I don't know. Can the girls use your floo?" he asked. Hannah nodded.

"What about you?" asked Daphne. Neville shook his head. "I need to go back and see if I can help. Go, I'll firecall you later." He kissed her goodbye before practically pushing her and Astoria through the floo.

"I reckon you're about to have a lot of traffic through your floo," warned Neville to Hannah. "I'll try and let you know what's going on. Any Death Eaters come in, you get the hell out of here, Hannah, understand?"

"Neville," cried Hannah, but it was too late. Neville had run out of the Leaky Cauldron and back into Diagon Alley.

He ran down the alley. "Get away! Get inside and put your strongest shields up," he yelled to shopkeepers and shoppers. He froze as he saw Dementors gliding over the Alley and Death Eaters firing random spells and curses at people.

He made it to WWW. "George, Fred, you all okay? It's me, Neville."

They came out from the back. "Nev, what's going on? We heard the screams," said Fred.

"Where's Harry and Ginny?" asked George, looking around.

"They're not here? Damn, they were supposed to meet me and the girls at Florean's, but they didn't show. I thought they might have come back here for Gin to spend more time with you," said Neville, worriedly. He turned around to go.

"Wait, we're coming with you," said George, with Fred nodding.

People were running and screaming past the shop. "No, I need you to get people in here, keep them safe. Put up your strongest shields. It's Dementor's and Death Eaters. I'll send people to you," he cried, before running out the store.

Neville ran back into chaos. Families who had thought they were spending a pleasant afternoon shopping, now looked for escape and were begging for help They were trying to protect their children, who had no idea what was going on, and they were looking for a leader to tell them what to do.

"Go to WWW," yelled Neville, pointing. "It's a safe place. The owners are friends of Harry Potter. Go," he cried, pushing them when they just stared dumbfounded at him.

He ran down the alley, yelling at people to get to WWW, or to get to the Leaky Cauldron. The Death Eaters weren't targeting any particular people, so Neville assumed they weren't looking for Harry. It seemed that this was just their idea of a fun day, which made Neville determined to stop them.

The coldness from the Dementor's made Neville shiver. He tried to think of a happy thought. The way his Gran looked at him now, with pride in his eyes. The friendship he'd found with Harry and Ginny. The unexpected delight of Daphne Greengrass' lips.

"Expecto Patronum," he yelled, pointing his wand down the alley. He had only been able to produce a non-corporeal Patronus in his lessons with Tonks, but now he saw a fully formed corporeal figure emerge from his wand. "Go," he yelled to it, not really sure of what was supposed to happen.

His lion Patronus bounded down the alley, snarling ferociously towards the Death Eaters."Huh, I did it," thought Neville, dazedly..

Being higher up meant Harry and Tonks felt the coldness of the Dementor's before Ginny did. They took a final look in the window, but all Malfoy and the others were doing was standing around, talking, or, it seemed more like, arguing. Tonks indicated down to Harry with a gesture of her head, and he nodded in agreement. The both apparated down to Ginny, who whipped around with her wand in front.

"Woah!" said Tonks, her hands in the air. "Careful."

"Sorry. Something's not right. The screams are getting louder. We need to go and see what's going on, see if anyone needs our help," said Ginny. She started to run off.

Harry quickly caught up with her. "Gin, wait, I-"

"Do not ask me to leave, Harry," she said heatedly.

"No, I wasn't," he lied. "Just, stay close to me and Tonks. That way, one of us can get you out of here if we have to."

"Over protective git," snarled Ginny, her eyes blazing.

"That's why you love me," sang Harry, grinning as they ran back to where Diagon met Knockturn Alley. "Shit!"

It didn't take much to see what was going on.

"Dementors," cried Ginny, looking up.

"Death Eaters," cried Tonks, putting up a shield spell.

None of them noticed a huge snake emerging from Borgin and Burkes and was now silently slithering toward them.

Sirius and Albus tried to floo through to the Leaky Cauldron. "They've closed it to incoming traffic," said Sirius.

Indeed, people were streaming out of the Leaky Cauldron, most were in hysterics..

"What is it? What's happened?" asked Dumbledore, grabbing one of the people who had come through.

"Death Eaters, Dementors. Hell, probably You-Know-Who himself. I didn't wait to see him," cried a witch, gathering her frightened children in her arms.

"Give them chocolate when they get home, it will help them recover," said Sirius, gently. "Is there many people still in there?" He worried for Harry and Ginny.

"There's a young man running around, trying to get everyone to safety. Most people are hiding in the shops, but there are some still running scared."

"Thank you, my dear," said Albus. "Go, go home and tend your children."

"Fawkes," called Dumbledore, and the magnificent phoenix magically appeared. "Grab hold Sirius. Fawkes, take us into the Alley please."

With a magnificent burst of fire, the phoenix disappeared with the two men.

"We need to help get the people to safety. Gringott's would be best," yelled Ginny, above the screams.

"Too late, looks like they've sealed it," said Tonks, grimly.

"I need to know if my brothers are okay," said Ginny desperately.

"Gin, you can't run across the Alley. We'll check on them soon, I promise," said Harry.

"What about Neville, Tori and Daphne," she cried, peering around the corner. Fortescue's was close by.

"Is that Neville?" asked Harry, in amazement, pointing at someone running toward them.

"What's he yelling?" asked Tonks.

It was Neville. He had helped get so many people to safety, and even taken down a Death Eater with his Patronus. He was all fired up, and ready for action. He happened to look up and saw Tonks, Harry and Ginny peeking around a corner.

At first he sighed in relief that they were okay. Then he happened to glance behind them and saw it. The biggest bloody snake he'd ever seen in his life was silently getting closer and closer.

"No! Move," he yelled to them, running toward them.

When they didn't move, he realised they couldn't hear him over the screams from the Alley. He ran as fast as he could, but he didn't think he would get there in time.

Something flew overhead, and his first thought was that it was a Dementor. He looked up. There was no fucking way a Dementor was taking him out before he got to his friends.

He almost stopped running when he saw what is was. "Hedwig?"

Hedwig screeched and flew over Neville, dropping something from her claws. Neville grabbed it and kept running.

It was now a matter of seconds, and a race to see who would get to Harry and Ginny first. Neville or Nagini.

Harry, Ginny and Tonks' eyes rounded as they saw Hedwig drop the Sword into Neville's hands.

"What the hell?" asked Harry, his eyes on his owl.

Ginny straightened, her face worried. "You guys, I don't think he's going to stop. Do you reckon he's been Imperiused and will attack us with the sword?" She started to back up, unknowingly bringing her closer to Nagini. The snake sensed it's prey was close; it's tongue flickered out hungrily.

Neville was running straight at them. Tonks and Harry stood up and moved in front of Ginny, unknowingly putting her closer to Nagini.

"Move," yelled Neville, his arms gesturing to them to spread apart. His face was full of determination and Harry and Tonks soon realised that his face was focused on something behind them.

They moved apart. Harry automatically reached back to grab Ginny's hand and pull her with him. As if in slow motion, they turned around to see Neville push Ginny towards Harry, and then swing the sword, just as Nagini rose to attack.

The snake's mouth was open, ready to attack Ginny. Venom dripped from its fangs. "Noooo," yelled Neville, swinging the sword with all his might.

Harry, Ginny and Tonks watched in amazement as Nagini's head rolled off to one side. The rest of the body recoiled several times, then finally stilled. A dark mist escaped from the body.

"Harry, Ginny," cried Sirius, rushing towards them.

An exhausted Neville almost fell to the ground. Sirius and Harry caught him just in time.

"Tonks!" cried Remus, coming up behind them. "Bloody hell, is that-?" He took in the huge snake.

"Hoo-oo," hooted Hedwig, coming to land on Harry's shoulder.

"Neville, you did it," said a shocked Ginny. She was shivering at how close she had been to the snake.

"Yeah mate, well done," said Harry.

"The Alley's clear, the Death Eaters have gone," said Albus, joining them. "Merlin, Tom's snake!"

"It was Neville," beamed Ginny. "He saved our lives."

Neville looked up at them. "I-I-I" He had no coherent thought right then.

Hedwig hopped on to Neville's shoulder and rubbed his cheek. "Thanks Hedwig. That sword came in really handy," he said to her.

Hedwig trilled before flying back to Harry. He rubbed her crest. "Missed you girl."

"She's definitely earned some treats," said Ginny. Hedwig hooted.

Fred and George came running over. "Gin, you okay? Harry, Nev, what's going on?"

"Do you still have people hiding in your store?" When Fred nodded, Nev said, "You can let them out. The Death Eaters are gone."

"Who cast that Patronus. It was bloody brilliant," mused George, excitedly.

"Er, that would be me," said Neville. The adrenaline was leaving his body and he felt weak.

"What was it?" asked Harry curiously. He had always been intersted in people's Patronus, and what shape they took.

"A lion," admitted Neville, sheepishly.

"You're a true Gryffindor, Neville. Well done, my boy," said Dumbledore, proudly.

"Thank you, Sir," said Neville, blushing.

"Its true. He sent loads of people to our store to keep safe, told us to put our shields up. Merlin knows how many lives he saved," said Fred, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Well done, Nev," said Harry proudly. Ginny hugged him tightly.

"Thanks guys," said Neville.

Tonks and Remus added their thanks. "I'd better go and check in with Kingsley and the Aurors, see what they know. I'll keep in contact. You lot should get out of here, before they start asking questions like why was Harry Potter in Knockturn Alley, yeah," said Tonks. She kissed Remus and left to return to Diagon Alley and find her fellow Aurors.

"She's right, we should go," said Sirius, anxious to get Harry and Ginny home.

"Nev, you coming?" asked Ginny. "You're welcome to come back to ours."

Neville shook his head. "I just want to go back to the Leaky and see how everyone is there. Hannah was amazing, letting people through the floo, and helping others to keep safe. And I want to make sure Daphne is okay."

"Well, come on over later if you want to," said Harry, "and give Hannah our thanks for helping everyone."

"I don't know how you do it, Harry," said a weak Neville, as they walked down the alley

"Do what, Nev?" asked Harry.

"Be the hero," said Neville. "It's bloody exhausting."

Ginny burst out laughing and hugged him again. Harry chuckled too.

"Well mate, what can I say? If we share the load, it makes it a little bit easier. Today it's you, tomorrow might be me, then it might be Albus or Sirius, then-"

"Hey, what about me?" pouted Ginny.

Harry slung his arm around Ginny. "-it will be Ginny," he finished, winking at Neville. He swung his free arm around Nev's shoulders.

"Good answer, Harry," chuckled Neville.

"Yes, good answer Harry," said Ginny, bringing his head down to kiss him.

Neville laughed. "So you guys are finally together?"

Harry and Ginny broke apart and looked at Neville and nodded. "About time," he sighed happily. "That's the best thing I've heard all day."

"Besides being called a hero?" said Ginny, arching an eyebrow.

Neville nodded. "You guys should go. Tonks is right, if you walk with me much further, you'll run into the aurors, and they'll start asking questions."

"You're sure you won't come over?" asked Harry as they all stopped.

Neville shook his head.

"I'm sure Daphne wants to know how Neville is, and to show her appreciation for his heroics," smiled Ginny.

Neville blushed.

"If we don't see you before, we'll see you on the train," said Harry.

"I, er, made Prefect, so I'll be busy patrolling. But I'll catch up with you somewhere," said Nev. He waved goodbye to them and strolled confidently down the street. They turned to walk back towards Sirius, who was watching them anxiously.

"Our little Neville has had a big day," chirruped Ginny, making Harry chuckle.

He stopped her. "Do you realise he just took out the fifth Horcrux? There's only two left, then Tom can be defeated."

Ginny slid her hands around his waist and leaned her head against his chest, feeling his heart beat. "And then we can truly begin our lives."

"Together," said Harry, putting his fingers under his chin to lift her head to look at him. He claimed her mouth, and she let him.

"Ahem. I thought the idea was not to draw attention to the fact that Harry Potter was in Diagon Alley today," teased Sirius. "You're putting on a bit of a show."

"I hate to say it but the old dog is right. Let's continue this at home, Ginny," winked Harry, to let her know he was stirring Sirius.

"Okay. Your room or mine?" quipped Ginny.

They both laughed as Sirius' jaw dropped open. Harry held Ginny tight as he apparated her out of the Alley.

"Damn kids, gonna send me grey," muttered Sirius.

A witch who had been observing them merely laughed at him. "Young love! It's hell on the parents. Good luck to you, Sir." She winked as she walked away.

"You don't know the half of it, lady," muttered Sirius, as he apparated home.