A/N: ok here is chapter 12 please review! when you're done! Thanks!

Previously on HPTL:

Neville looked at her and then back behind them. "Oh crap!" he grumbled quietly. He pulled them up some stairs and down a long corridor. They came face to face with a door. He tried the handle but it was locked. He looked at Hermione. "It's locked," he whispered.

"Move aside." Hermione said, "Alohomora." The door clicked open. They all rushed in. the shut the door and stopped to breath. Ginny looked up then, her eyes wide and she screamed.

Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville turned around to look straight into the eyes of a giant monster growling at them.

Ginny continued to scream. GINNY! Its ok, but you HAVE to be quiet, Harry shushed her.

"H-Harry, it's a, a dog." She squeaked out as she stopped screaming. Hermione was shaking uncontrollably next to her.

Harry cleared his throat, "Um, yea by the looks of it."

Someone whimpered. They turned and saw Neville shaking uncontrollably.

"It's ok Neville, we'll be fine," Ron said, trying to sound brave, but his voice just came out high pierced.

"Yea, fine," he whispered. The dog growled at them again. Ron, Neville and the girls shuddered. Harry looked around the room; he had to figure out how to get them out.

"Hermione, open the door again, please," he said as calmly as possible. But he was still very scared of this thing in front of them. He was going to kill Malfoy when he got out of here. Stupid coward, he thought.

"Hermione, the door!" Harry said starting panic as the dog/monster started to move closer to them, its growling getting louder.

"Harry! It won't open!" Hermione had her back to the monster and was trying to open the door. "Alohomora," she whispered again and again, but nothing happened. "It's not working!"

By now everyone was backed up against the door. Hermione turned around, "Harry I don't know what to do."

Ginny was clinging to Harry. At the sound of Hermione's voice, she let go and turned to Hermione. She wasn't a coward, or a wuss or anything in between. "We'll have to distract it or maybe, maybe…we'll have to kill it." She whispered to Harry.

"No we just need to distract it," Harry said quietly. The dog/monster was almost on top of them now. "Ok Ron, Hermione, when I say go make a run to the back of the room; Ginny, Neville I want you to follow but I want you to run around the other side instead."

"Um Harry, what are you going to do?" Ron asked quietly.

"I'm going to distract it." NO! Harry you could get hurt! Ginny shouted in his head.

Ginny, I have to it's the only way to get you guys out here.

"Once you guys are on the other side of the room, I'm going start moving the way Ginny and Neville went. I'm gonna shoot spells at it and you guys are going to run around back to here and try and the door to open again. And when you have it open make a run for it. Don't worry about me, just run and get help."

"Harry, mate we can't leave you here!" Ron growled.

Harry looked at Ron, "Yes you can, now GO, run Ron, Hermione!"

Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, and then ran around the dog. Harry shot a spell at it. It growled and lunged for him, "NOW Ginny, Neville!" Harry shot another spell at the three headed beast as Ginny and Neville made a dash around it the other way. Harry dodged the beast's teeth and rolled out of the way. He shot another spell at it. The dog lunged again Harry and this time it grabbed his arm with its teeth. Harry cried out in pain.

Ginny screamed, Harry! She took a step toward him, and then another. She could feel the pain from Harry and she was going to help him no matter what.

Ginny NO, stay there, Harry groaned in pain, please, just go!

NO Harry! Ginny shot a curse at the beast. It whimpered and let go of Harry. He collapsed on the ground. Bats of bogeys were flying all around the beast. The beast growled and whimpered in frustration. Ginny rushed to Harry. Oh Harry are you ok? Please tell me you're ok!?

I'll be fine Ginny, but why didn't you listen to me?

Because I wanted you to be safe! I can't loose you, Harry, so don't ever ask me again to let you do something like that on your own.

Harry looked up into Ginny's eyes; he smiled slightly and then winced when he tried to move his left arm. He looked down at his arm to see blood coming out of his arm. Just then there was a piercing scream. Harry quickly looked up but Ginny was no longer there. Instead she was in the mouth of one of the heads of the beast. "GINNY!" Harry shouted. He used all of his strength and stood up. He threw his right arm out and the beast dropped Ginny and went flying backward. Ginny fell but Harry levitated her and summoned her to him.

"Ginny, Ginny!" Harry sobbed as he pulled her close. He sank to the ground with her, ignoring the pain in his arm. "Are you alright? Please tell me you're all right!"

I'm ok, Harry, or at least I will be if you stop squeezing the life out of me! Ginny scolded him lightly.

Harry sighed and loosened her grip. There was blood on his arm from Ginny. "You're bleeding," he said quietly.

"So are you. I'll be alright, I promise." She smiled slightly at him. "I'm strong, remember?" Harry buried his face in her hair. She was so tiny and he almost got her killed.

You did not, Harry! I came of my own free will and nothing you could have said or done would have stopped me! Ginny growled at him as the other came rushing over.

"Ginny, Harry are you alright?" Hermione asked frantically.

Harry looked up at her, Ron and Neville. "Yes, we're fine," he paused, looking down at Ginny. "I think."

"Come on we had better get out of here before that thing wakes up." Ron said suddenly.

"Yea, what did you Harry?" Neville asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

Harry looked over at where the beast was laying, knocked unconscious from the blast he threw at it. "I don't know." He whispered.

"It doesn't matter how he did it, just that he did." Hermione said as if this was obvious. "Come on we have to get him and Ginny to the hospital wing."

"Hermione we can't do that. Madam Pomfrey will want to know what happened. And then we could get into trouble!" Ron exclaimed.

"Would you rather him and Ginny died because they bled to death!" Hermione shouted back at him. Ron paled significantly. Neville looked like he might faint. "Exactly, so come on lets get them standing." She pulled Harry up and he tightened his grip on Ginny. He winced from the pain in his arm. "Harry you need to let go of Ginny." She said soothingly. "Ron will carry her, but we have to get you two down to the hospital wing."

Harry nodded his head slowly. Ron gently took Ginny from him and started for the door.

"Um Hermione, do you think you could open the door?"

Yes Ron of course. "Alohomora," she said quietly. The door unlatched.

"Oh yea now it opens!" Neville growled frustratingly. Ginny giggled.

"Don't worry Neville, it will be ok." She smiled at him from Ron's arms. They all made their way out of the room. Just as Neville shut the door there was a sound from the end of the hallway. Three teachers rushed down the corridor. Ron paled. Professors McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore all rushed forward.

"What on earth happened?" McGonagall asked shrilly.

Neville looked at Ron, who looked at Hermione who was holding up Harry. "It's my fault Professor." Harry stated quietly. He looked up at them. Harry sighed. He was probably going to get expelled but he didn't care. "Malfoy and I had an argument earlier in the week. He challenged me to a duel and I accepted. Ron here he offered to be my second and then the girls, well you know we can't hide anything from them. Well when Hermione and Ginny found they tried to tell me that it was trap but I wouldn't listen. I had a feeling it was, but after what Malfoy said I-I just couldn't let it go." He looked at Hermione and then Ginny who was still resting comfortably in Ron's arms. He then looked back at the professors. "So if anyone should be getting in trouble, it's me."

Dumbledore looked at the five of them. "We will discuss that at another time, right now however I think you all need to be looked over by Madam Pomfrey." He looked at McGonagall, "Minerva would please escort Mr. Potter and his friends to the hospital wing?"

"Yes, Albus." She looked at the students. "Come along," she said stiffly.

"Professor, this is un-called for!" Snape growled at Dumbledore. "Those four should be expelled! Immediately!"

"Severus, I understand that they need to be punished but now is not the time. As you can see both Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley are injured. They have to be taken care of properly first. As I said before we will discuss this at a later date." Dumbledore looked at Snape, "I suggest you find Mr. Malfoy and bring him to my office."

"But, but what does Malfoy have to do with, with-Potter!" Snape spat out.

"If what Mr. Potter said is true, then it would seem that Malfoy has a great deal to do with what went on tonight."

Snape huffed and fumed and then stormed off. Dumbledore walked toward the door the quintet had just left. He walked inside and was amazed to see and unconscious dog. What did they do? He thought.

I do not believe it is what they did but rather how they did it.

Too true Minerva.

Dumbledore revised the animal and walked out of the room, locking it in the process.

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Meanwhile in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey was fretting over Harry and Ginny. They both had lost a lot of blood and were very weak. Hermione, Ron and Neville were all sitting on a bed opposite of them.

"Will they be alright, Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked.

"Yes dear they will be fine." She said as she gave both Harry and Ginny a blood replenishing potion. "They will have to stay in here over night but they should out tomorrow." She then started to mumble. Hermione couldn't understand her, something about letting eleven years olds fighting a huge beast. But Hermione didn't know, nor did she care. She was worried about two things, one whether Harry and Ginny would be ok, and if they would get expelled.

Hermione we're not going to get expelled. I promise. Ron tried to sooth her nerves.

I don't know Ron, after what we did I'm wouldn't be surprised if we did.

Yeah but Dumbledore wouldn't do that!

How do you know Ron!? We broke the rules AND almost got ourselves killed. He probably thinks we're a menace.

Hermione, if anyone should be expelled it should be Malfoy.

Why? I told you and Harry it was a trap. So all we had to do was not show! But NO you both had to play hero because of some name calling!

"THAT"S BLOODY RIGHT! You're OURS Hermione! Both of you! Just like we're yours! DON'T YOU GET IT!?" Ron shouted. "That means when something as vile as Malfoy does something like he did the other day! We won't let him get away with it! It has nothing to with name calling! It's more than that!"

"Mr. Weasley! I don't know what you're yelling about, but please be quiet!" Madam Pomfrey hissed at them.

Ron's ears turned red. He hadn't realized that he was shouting out loud. "Sorry Madam Pomfrey." He looked down, his face bright red. He heard a sniff and looked up.

Hermione?

She hiccupped. I'm fine Ron.

You don't sound fine. Why are you crying? Ron could feel her pain, her happiness and her joy.

Just what you said, I-I, thank you, Ron.

For what?

For caring, and-and taking care of me and Ginny. I-I'm glad your mine. She hiccupped again.

Ron smiled slightly and pulled Hermione into his lap. Shhh, it will be ok. I promise.

You seem to be doing that a lot lately. Making promises.

And they are ones I fully intend to keep.

Neville sat at the edge of the bed watching Ron and Hermione. It had been weird to see them just staring at each other intently and then all the sudden Ron was shouting. He knew they were talking to each other, inside their head. Neville sighed. He wished he had that kind of closeness with someone. He didn't care who it was. Well ok he did, he didn't want to be close to someone like Malfoy, but maybe someone who could understand him. He doubted that it would ever happen, but he could hope and wish for it even if it never came true. He looked over at Ginny and Harry. They too seemed to be having a silent conversation. He sighed again.

Harry? Are you ok? Ginny asked concerned.

Yes Ginny, I'm ok, just worn and tired. You?

I'm fine, but Harry?

Yes?

DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!

Yes Ginny, he said meekly.

I-I don't ever want to feel that way again. Next time we do things together! Alright! None of this "get to safety and leave me here to do it all!" NO, no, no, no, no!

Ok Ginny I won't I promise.

Ginny sniffed, ok good!

Harry looked up at her. I promise to always take care of you. Remember that.

She looked at Harry with narrow eyes. I DON'T need another brother! I can take care of myself. It's you who I'm not so sure about!

Harry laughed slightly. Ok Ginny, how about we make a deal. I take care of you and you take care of me. We will take care of each other. Ok? Does that sound reasonable?

Ginny looked down and then at Ron and Hermione who was sitting on Ron's lap, her head on his shoulder. She could tell they were talking. She looked back at Harry. Yes that sounds perfect.

Ok. Good.

"Now you two are to stay here in these beds until tomorrow!" Madam Pomfrey told them firmly. "I will give you both the dreamless sleep potion so that way you will get a good night's rest." She handed them a drink with foul smelling liquid in it. "Now drink up."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other, and then at Ron, Hermione and Neville. "Goodnight." They both said.

Hermione smiled slightly. "Good night, Harry, Ginny." Ron say goodnight so we can go up to our dorm.

"Goodnight, guys." Ron said. "Will you be ok?"

Harry nodded. "Yes." Ginny said. She crawled into the bed next to Harry's and then drank the potion. "Goodnight Neville, Hermione, Ron."

"'Night," Neville said. Harry nodded to Neville and Ron. He smiled at Hermione and drank the potion. His head hit the pillow and fell asleep immediately. Ginny was already asleep.

Come on, Ron, you heard Madam Pomfrey. They will be ok.

I know. It's just amazing, you know.

What is?

They risked their lives to save ours. They could have died. Ron looked at Hermione. His eyes had gone soft and he seemed particularly upset about it.

It's nothing you wouldn't have done for them either. Hermione smiled when Ron nodded his head.

I guess you're right.

When I am ever not right!

Ron looked at her as they walked out the door with Neville slightly behind them. "True you never are wrong."

Neville looked at them and laughed. Talking again, he thought.

As the three of them walked out the door, Madam Pomfrey watched them with narrow eyes. Something is up with that lot, and this lot in here too, she thought.

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Back in Dumbledore's office Snape and Malfoy were sitting in front of the headmaster's desk.

"Mr. Malfoy, I wish to ask you two simple questions. All I need are two yes or no answers and then you may go." Dumbledore said to Malfoy.

Malfoy gulped, but nodded his head, "Yes, sir."

"Did you and Mr. Potter get into a fight earlier this week?" Dumbledore asked calmly. Snape looked ready to murder someone.

Malfoy gulped again, "Yes sir."

"Did you challenge him to a duel?" Snape glowered even more at the question.

"Yes, Professor," Malfoy looked down.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy you may go back to your dorm now." Dumbledore looked at Snape, "Severus, will you please escort Mr. Malfoy back to the dorm. And please tell Minerva a meeting is to be held tomorrow at noon. I want Mr. Potter, along with his friends and Mr. Malfoy there as well and of course you, Severus." Snape glowered at him but then walked out of the room with his robes billowing behind him.

"Yes, sir." was all he said.

Dumbledore sighed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

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ok thats the end of chapter 12! arent you guys happy i updated sooner then i did last time. and i hope it wasnt too short! ok so now that you've read the chapter...what do you do now? REVIEW! PLEASE! that would be much appreciated! thanks

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