A gentle mist blurred the sky as the sun fell. Orange, pink, yellow, and red blended together in a beautiful ombré. Neville sat in the grass on top of a hill, Luna beside him. She lay on her back, staring at the sky with her hair strewn in all directions. Smiling to himself, he listened as she hummed contentedly. It was a comforting sound. He liked it when she hummed instead of making small talk. While some thought it was strange, he found it quite nice. It took away the pressure of trying to make conversation. Although, Luna was usually the easiest person for him to talk to. Around her, he didn't feel intimidated or bumbling, like he often felt. She understood him.
That's why he had fallen madly in love with her.
Of course, he had never told her that. He couldn't. It would ruin their friendship, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"Say, Neville, did you hear that?" Luna asked, breaking off mid hum.
"Huh? Oh! Um, I don't think so." He blushed, rubbing his ear. She always made him blush.
"That's peculiar." She laid back down, plucking a piece of grass from the lawn.
"What did-what did you hear?" He stuttered, biting his lip.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought I heard an afrate singing. They respond to humming, you know."
"Really? What do they look like?" He asked.
"I don't know, I've never seen one. My father has, though, and- are you feeling alright, Neville? You look awfully nervous."
"Oh! I- I'm fine. Thanks for asking, though." He looked at his feet, blush deepening. Why was it that he could stare into the eyes of the Dark Lord and refuse to back down, but he couldn't even tell Luna how he felt about her?
"I'm glad that you are feeling fine!" She beamed, gazing dreamily into the sky. "I think things are going to get a whole lot better."
"You do? Er, I mean, I hope so."
"Well, things already have gotten better! We found you!"
He nodded, smiling awkwardly.
"You really don't talk very much, you know."
"Oh, um, I'm sorry!"
"No! Don't apologize! I like the way that you don't talk very much. Maybe someday we can go looking for thumblings together! They don't come out if people are too loud."
"I would love too!" He exclaimed. Then, realizing he sounded a bit more excited than he meant to, he looked away to hide his blush.
"I would love to also!" She smiled, sounding equally enthusiastic. "It would be quite fun-"
Unable to contain it any more, he burst out, "I like you a lot, Luna!" Instantly, he regretted it, as felt his stomach drop. This was it. He had officially ruined his closest friendship. Cringing, he avoided her gaze.
A moment of silence passed. Then, he heard a happy sniff.
"Thank you so much, Neville!" Her flighty voice exclaimed, "I've never had a friend who really liked me! Only friends who sort of liked me! I really like you too!" And, to his shock, she sat up and threw her arms around his neck. After the surprise had worn off, he placed his hands awkwardly on her back. Blushing, he noted how nice she smelled; a mixture of lilac and something very clean.
"You are a wonderful friend, Neville!" She beamed, pulling away.
"Yeah. You are too, Luna." He nodded, trying to hide the many emotions in his voice.
"I wish there was a ball we could go to, as friends, like the Yule Ball! Harry and I went, as friends, you know, and it was very fun. Although, he only asked me because Cho said no. And he was too afraid of asking Ginny. I think that's sad. He quite liked her, but it certainly took him a long time to tell her that."
"He probably didn't want to ruin their friendship." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. It's quite sad to talk about Harry, isn't it?"
Neville nodded. "It's still hard to believe he's gone forever."
"I felt the same way about my mother when she died. And I'm sure you felt like that about your parents, even though they're still alive."
"Yeah. I do- wait, who told you about my parents?" He asked suddenly, turning to face her.
"I met them at St Mungo's Hospital. My father and I used to pass out The Quibbler there. After we became friends, I realized that they were your parents, so I sat and talked to them for a bit. I liked them a lot."
"You...talked to them?"
"Oh yes! They just sat and listened, but I could tell that they heard me because they smiled. I'm very proud to have met them. They fought against You-Know-Who long before any of us did."
Neville felt a smile growing on his face as an image of Luna sitting beside his parent's beds and going on about some fantastic creature filled his mind. "Thank you, Luna." He whispered.
"When the war is over, we should visit them together!" She nodded happily. And, with a smile, she went back to humming.
Dennis was awoken by screams. Cries of pain rang out, mixed with the crackling of fire. Smoke closed in around him. Choking and sputtering, he jumped out of bed and ran to the other side of the tent where Ron slept, heart beating wildly.
"Wake up! We've gotta get out-" he coughed, gasping for air, "we've gotta get out of here, Ron!" He shook the older boys shoulder.
"Hey...what's- is something...burn..." Ron muttered, rolling onto his side. Then, his eyes flew open. "Bloody hell, what's happening?"
"The tent's on fire-"
"Well, come on then!" He shouted, grabbing Dennis' arm. Quickly, he pulled the younger boy to the door. Then, drawing his wand, he pushed it open. Dennis let out a small cry. It wasn't just their tent that was aflame, it was the whole camp. People ran about in a panic, shouting for their friends.
"Ron!" Charlie yelled, sprinting to his brother. "Are you-"
"Here, take Dennis somewhere safe. I've got to find Hermione!" He breathed, taking off into the smoke.
"Alright, nobody panic! In groups of two, please apparate to our backup location!" Neville was ordering loudly, while standing atop a large tree stump. "Ron! Will you take-"
Ignoring him, Ron hurried past, crying out for Hermione. Soon, he came to the tent she shared with Luna and Ginny. Bursting through the door, he began waving away smoke.
"Her-Hermione? Ginny?" He wheezed, shooting water from his wand.
"Ron!" A voice behind him cried. Relief flooded over him as Hermione ran into his arms. "Thank Merlin I found you!" She cried.
In response, he kissed her cheek, pulling her into a tight hug, "Where's Ginny?" He asked after a moment.
"With Luna. They've both disapparated to the backup camp."
Ron let out a long breath of relief.
"Is Dennis-" Hermione began, pulling away slightly.
"With Charlie."
"Good."
"How did everything catch fire?"
Biting her lip, Hermione met his eyes. "Death Eaters."
Instantly, realization flooded over Ron's face. "Bloody... It wasn't-"
Hermione looked up at the smoke-filled sky, her face baring a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and disappointment.
"So...Draco..." Ron started.
"Gone."
"You mean...you mean to the other camp-"
She shook her head, eyes brimming with tears of frustration. "We... I...was a fool to trust him."
"No! You just-"
"No. I was stupid." Reaching out, she took his hand. "Let's go."
"When I meet that slimy piece of dragon scat again, I'm going to kill him. And no one will stop me this time." He fumed. And, with a final spew of curse words, he disapparated.
Pride and excitement swelled in Bellatrix' bosom as she tapped firmly on the imposing, dark door.
"Come in..." The high, chilling voice of The Dark Lord breathed.
Bowing her head, she slowly pushed open the door. "My great, powerful, Dark Lord, I have a most wonderful surprise for you."
"And what is that, Bellatrix?" He asked, cold eyes looking her over greedily from bottom to top.
"Oh, just a little token of my devotion that I happened to come by while destroying the camp of refugees." Moving closer to the desk, she leaned in and whispered hoarsely, "Would you like to see it?" A crooked smile creeped onto her face.
"Bella, what is it you have brought?"
"Something that will please y-"
"Just...answer..me." The words sliced through the air as he reached out and clutched her throat. Then, glaring, he slowly released her.
Cackling, she backed towards the door again. "Come on, my sweet. Auntie Bella has missed you so."
Slowly, a shadow appeared in the frame. Then, Draco Malfoy limped into view. A piece of cloth was tied tightly around his mouth and wrists. "He was hiding out with all of his wittle fwiends. Pity the other itty bitty baby's won't get to see the sunrise, isn't it Dwaco?" She crooned.
Suddenly, a jolt came through the young Malfoy. With a look in his eyes of pure hatred, he jumped into the air, kicking Bellatrix hard in the stomach.
"Crucio!" Voldemort hissed, lifting his wand lazily.
A muffled scream escaped the blond youth's mouth.
"Well done...Bella...you have proven yourself." A dead, serpentine smile slithered onto his face as he listened to the cries of pain. It was like music to him.
"Thank you, my Lord!" Bellatrix panted as she rose, clutching her abdomen.
"Now, what to do with young Malfoy... Crucio!" The light from the spell reflected in his eyes, as screams pierced the night air. "It would be a shame to waste him. No, Draco, I'm going to let you live. At least, until you beg for death..."
A/N Hey all! How's your week been? Mine has been crazy. Sorry it took me longer than usual to update! I almost broke my toe yesterday, so that was fun. :P Anyway, just a heads up, I may not be able to update next week because IT'S THEATER WEEK for the show I'm in!
I realized I've never thanked all the people who follow and favorite my story but don't review! Thank you for reading guys! :) It means a lot to me. I hope you are enjoying it so far!
Special thanks to DaOneInDaCorner, notsing, AllHellBrokeLoose666, and ElsaElphieGinny for reviewing! You guys never cease to make my day, so thank you so much for that. :) Oh, and how could I forget Buterfly? Thank you for that very charming, well thought out, constructive, lovely review! I hope you are having an amazing day.
Please follow, favorite, and REVIEW! And have a day that's as awesome as you are, my lovelies!
Also, if you haven't already, go check out The Quiz of Gildroy Lockhart by ElsaElphieGinny! It's so funny and amazing! Go review, follow, favorite, and all that jazz.