"The comm from Rebel Command is ready." Hermione voice had taken on an odd tenor as she made the announcement. Master Dumbledore had pulled his attention from Neville slowly. The spell work he was teaching Neville was very intense and required all of his attention as Master Dumbledore trained Neville to focus his power.

He had explained that words and movements had very little to do with magic or magical ability, but were a means of focusing the power in a Wizard or Witch. It was the focus that mattered in spell work. You had to really want to do whatever it was you were intending to do.

Neville had become distracted once already thinking about Draco's mother and the fact that the Dark Lord had willingly murdered her in front of her child. Master Dumbledore had cleared his throat gently and Neville, chastised, had returned his attention to learning how to accio or bring items to himself.

He had not shared Draco's story with Master. He felt a little guilty because of the omission, but it was Draco's story to tell and it was not up to Neville to share it. He had slept fitfully after Draco left last night, but had become energized after a hearty breakfast. He'd only seen Draco in passing as he worked on the ship or grabbed snacks in the galley.

He and Hagrid had been taking turns in the cockpit and attending to the other needs of the ship. Hermione had been watching their practice quietly until she received the message that they were now gathering to watch.

Draco nodded and smiled at Neville as he entered the common area to hear the transmission. Master Dumbledore and Hermione had looked strangely at one another when a comm message had requested the presence of the ship's crew for a live transmission, but had called in Draco and Hagrid to join them for the appointed time.

Once the group was assembled, Hermione opened the comm projector in her cybernetic arm and held it out for the group. The face of a rather severe looking woman popped into existence. "Master Dumbledore," the woman greeted with a nod of her head.

"Madam McGonagall," he greeted in return.

"I'm afraid we have some bad news." Master Dumbledore and Hermione's eyes had met briefly at the statement while Draco's shoulders stiffened.

Neville leaned forward to listen to Madam McGonagall's tinny voice. "Harry Potter and his party have been captured." She said with little inflection. Dumbledore had opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by Hagrid, "Ginny was in that party." He looked to Draco who had crossed his arms in front of his chest. He made no response, but his eyes flicked to Master Dumbledore.

"Are you sure they are still alive?" Master Dumbledore asked gravely.

"Our contact says that they were taken alive."

"The entire crew?" Draco asked pointedly, "You're sure they are all alive?"

"In order to keep a low profile we kept the unit small, only Commander Weasley, Dobby," Hermione made an audible gasp, "and Mr. Potter were on board the ship. Our informant tells us that they were all alive when the ship was taken."

"Apparently, they were set upon by a Ministry Destroyer and Commander Weasley surrendered when they were unable to outrun the ship."

"According to our source, Lord Voldemort's command was informed that an Alderaan politician's son had been seen boarding a ship with a known rebel solider, Commander Weasley. We don't think they know who Mister Potter is, but we do know that the Dark Lord's next in command, Master Snape is on board the ship to interrogate the party."

"Snape!" Draco hissed viciously, before clenching his jaw, "If Snape is there, they're already dead."

"We don't know that!" Hermione said.

"Is there any hope of rescue, Minerva?" Master Dumbledore cut in when Draco and Hermione both began to open their mouths at the same time.

"We don't think any of our ships can get there in time Albus. Your ship is the closest and the fastest in the area."

"No." Draco said plainly.

"Master Dumbledore, if you would speak with Mr. Draco about the matter I'm sure we can come to some financial.." Mistress McGonagall went on as though Draco had not spoken.

"Bugger finances Draco, that's Ginny they're talkin about there. I've known her since she were born." Hagrid cut in sharply. "She's Ron's sister and your friend." He continued his voice rising. "And, we will help her!"

Draco shot Hagrid a glare as his hands came to his side to clench into fists. Neville didn't think Draco would be foolish enough to try and start a fight with the giant, but readied himself to rescue Draco once Hagrid trounced him..just a little.. for being a prat.

Draco exhaled slowly unclenching his fists and jaw. "That bounty-hunter back at the port said I had a Ministry bounty on me." He shook his head ruefully, "I suppose my loyal shipmates hear could try to collect it by turning me in. It would get us on the ship anyway." He finished, shaking his head like he couldn't believe the words that were coming from his mouth.

Hagrid's body visibly relaxed as a small smile crept across his face. Neville caught Draco's eyes and offered him an encouraging smile. Draco nodded before returning his attention to Mistress McGonagall.

Master Dumbledore and Hermione looked relieved as McGonagall continued in a very pleased sounding voice, "Excellent plan, Draco. I'm sure your shipmates will do a fine job."

"And, we do have a way to get you out...our informant believes that once you've gotten Mr. Potter," She raised her voice when she saw Hagrid open his mouth to protest, "And the rest of his party. That they can provide a route of escape. They will contact you once you're on the ship. I'm sending the encrypted code to you Hermione. They will use it to identify themselves to you."

"How reliable do you believe this informant to be Mistress." Hermione questioned solemnly.

"As reliable as any spy, Hermione." McGonagall replied. Neville noticed Draco bristle out of the corner of his eye.

"I have sent you the coordinates Hermione. Unless you have more questions, I will leave you to your planning." Master Dumbledore looked to each of them and once everyone had responded 'no' with a shake of their head, bid Mistress McGonagall farewell.

The rest of their day had been spent in planning. If everything went according to plan and the Ministry ship stayed on course they would intercept the ship is about 6 hours. Once on board, Draco was to work from the inside of the holding cells to find Commander Weasley, Potter and Dobby.

Hermione, Neville and Master Dumbledore would conceal themselves on the ship while Hagrid turned Draco over to the Ministry. Hagrid was to provide a distraction, so they could leave the ship, make their way to the Holding Cells, free Draco and the others and find their contact. Hopefully, their contact would come through with an escape route and they would be off the ship in under an hour.

They had all decided to get some sleep and rally at minus 2-hours to eat and go over contingencies. Neville hoped that he wouldn't let Master Dumbledore or the others down. He'd made a great deal of progress, but had yet to use his power in a battle situation. He knew the others were concerned as well, but none had voiced them. Though he did see a worried glance or two from Draco as they planned.

Draco, who would be risking his life. Neville flipped over to his stomach. He was grateful that Hagrid had been able to convince Draco to participate in the rescue. He'd been having serious doubts about his level of involvement with the man when he initially refused to help in the rescue. He wondered if Hagrid knew of Draco's history with the Ministry.

Neville flipped onto his back again. How was he supposed to rest knowing that they were getting into a situation that could prove fatal for them all. With a sigh, he sat up. Draco had not come to his room after they retired, but he had seen him heading to his stateroom down the hall. Neville didn't bother with shoes or a shirt as he crept down the hall.

He stood for a moment in front of the door debating. If Draco was resting and he disturbed him, he would never forgive himself.."Uh!" Neville stepped back in shock when the door slid open.

"Well, how much longer were you planning to stand there?" Draco asked, his shoulder falling against the door jamb as a smile spread across his face.

Neville just shook his head for a second. "I could hear you thinking all the way down the hall." Draco said, his expression amused.

"You knew?" Neville felt his brows draw together. Draco drew himself out of his leaning position in the doorway, becoming visibly uncomfortable. "I'm ah, not powerful or anything, but my mum taught me a few things growing up. She had some magical ability and I guess I do to." He said, shrugging his shoulders.

"But Hermione said that children with magical ability are taken to be trained for the Ministry's army. How?" Neville stopped, stepping closer as a dark look crossed Draco's face. "My father is rather high up in the Ministry. The Dark Lord had no doubts about where my family's allegiance lay and I was allowed to stay with them. I think that fact that I was coming close to being considered of age to join the Ministry's army was one of the reason's my mother became a spy." Draco clenched his jaw, "She never wanted that for me."

Neville brought his hand up to cup Draco's jaw running his thumb across his lower lip.

"You know, we really should rest."

Neville shrugged, "Can't we rest together?"

Draco turned his face kissing the palm of Neville's hand. "Sure, come on then." He said, taking Neville's hand and pulling him through the door._This felt even more intimate than having sex with Draco. Neville's heart fluttered as he and Draco lay in his bed curled around each other. Neville shivered and Draco pulled the coverlet up to his shoulder patting him as he lay his head back down on the pillow they shared.

They had spoken for the first hour or two as Neville shared stories about his life on the farm with Gran. Draco had laughed and called him a liar when several of the stories Neville had told about his Gran's audacity and shear pig-headness seemed too unbelievable. They had drifted in and out of light dozing after that and Neville had woken to see Draco's eyes softly studying him.

They were just lying here looking at one another, Neville stroking Draco's hip under the cover. "I wish.." Neville began and stopped himself. Of course having more time would be wonderful, but he was quiet sure they didn't have time to..to … well, have sex didn't seem like the right term.

Draco huffed, "I do to. Let's just say when you rescue me you're in for one hell of a reward." Draco said, his voice going husky and filled with all sorts of promise. They both started slightly when three beeps rang out in the room. "That's our wake-up call, I do believe."

"Yeah." Neville answered quietly. "I..uh.." Neville tugged Draco back down as he began to rise from their huddle. "How about we seal the deal with a kiss?" Neville suggested.

Draco smiled at him cheekily. "I don't know providing a reward before the rescue...but perhaps we can think of it as an incentive." He said, leaning down so that the last words ghosted across Neville's lips.

His lips were just a gentle press at first, but when Neville pressed back Draco moaned and increased the pressure bringing his hands to Neville's face grazing his temples before they threaded into his hair. Neville made a small whimpering sound when he felt Draco begin to pull back. As there lips parted, he could feel the smirk curling Draco's mouth. "We had better go or I will spend the next two hours shagging you instead of preparing for this mission."

Neville only response was a sunny smile that made Draco roll his eyes at him as he pulled himself out bed.

Neville's focus was waning. They had kept up the magical shields concealing them from not only tech scanners, but the Ministry troopers that had ransacked the ship once Hagrid had handed over Draco. Things had not gone as planned at all. Instead of just taking Draco, the Ministry troopers had stunned Hagrid and dragged them both away for questioning.

Only Master Dumbledore's strong magical force had kept Neville from dropping their shield as Draco screamed at the men who stunned Hagrid. The sound had left a pit where Neville's heart had been.

The last trooper was finally leaving the ship. They had overheard a trooper, responding to orders, say that the ship was to be left undamaged as Master Snape would be taking possession of the vessel.

Hermione and Master Dumbledore had shot a glance at one another at the statement, but Neville did not want to risk voicing his questions.

The ship went dark as is was powered down. It felt so strange, almost as if the ship had been a living thing, but now was just an empty shell. Neville felt the lurch as Master Dumbledore withdrew his power from their shield and gratefully dropped his power as well. "It is fortunate that Master Snape did not come to inspect the ship himself, Young Master Longbottom. I am quite certain he would have sensed our power." He turned his head to regard Hermione, "I do find it odd that he has laid claim to this ship in particular."

"As do I Master. Perhaps our contact will have some information on why the Ministry is so interested in this ship and apparently in Hagrid and Draco as well."

"Yes, perhaps." Master Dumbledore shot Neville a small smile that Neville was sure was meant to be reassuring. He could feel that his face had become tight with worry. "Do you think they're alright Master?"

Master Dumbledore chuckled lightly, "I can sense Draco's outrage quite plainly, Young Master. He is alive and I believe that Hagrid is as well."

"Well," Hermione said, projecting the schematics of the ship, "I do hope that will make it easier for us to find Draco and hopefully Harry and the rest of his party. Can you follow Draco's feelings and lead us to them?"

"Easily, Hermione. Young Master Longbottom if you would?" Master Dumbledore nodded to Neville, who took a deep breath and tuned in to his power.. He began by reaching out through the ship to make sure it was clear, his consciousness leaving the walls of the ship for the first time. "There are two guards at the hanger doors, but they are focused on not letting anyone in to the area. A maintenance technician is on another ship, but he is busy with the repair he is attempting. There are sensors on the deck, but they seem to be for climate control."

"Nothing that will pick up my tech?" Hermione asked.

"No, not that I can sense."

"Very good Master Longbottom." Master Dumbledore said, "Shall we?" He asked and when both Hermione and Neville nodded they head to The Falcon's fore, where a storage room lead to an access point that would provide them cover as they disembarked.

They made there way through the ship silently. Using their senses to guide them through the darkened ship. When they finally emerged from the darkened ship Neville and Hermione both threw up their hands as there eyes readjusted to the light. "I believe that is our access point there, Hermione." Dumbledore said, pointing to an access panel on the wall.

Neville reached out once again to make sure it would be safe for them to make their way the 10 yards or so to the panel. At his nod, Hermione ran to the panel using her cyber-arm to open it. Neville moved next and by the time he landed next to Hermione, the panel was already open. "Nice trick that." Neville whispered to her.

"Yes, being kidnapped by the Ministry and forced to become their drone does have it's advantages." Her response was not said with venom, but Neville felt like he had insulted her. She smiled lightly, forgiving his thoughtless statement as Master Dumbledore silently bent next to them. "I shall go first." He said, "Hermione and then you Young Master." He instructed meeting their eyes in turn. He and Hermione nodded to Master Dumbledore then followed him into the dark passage.

They had been making their way through the access panels for a good 30 minutes now, taking breaks to make sure their schematics of the ship and Master Dumbledore's sense of Draco's location were in tune. Dumbledore was surprisingly agile for a man of his age Neville observed then berated himself, hoping that Master Dumbledore had not picked up on the thought.

They should be entering the security sector soon and would need to break into a comm panel just above the central command center for the sector. At this point, Hermione would send out the signal to their contact and wait for a response. They had been told to wait 10 minutes and if no response was made, to complete the rescue as quietly and quickly as possible. Without their contact it would likely turn bloody, but they hadn't come this far just to turn back.

Neville hoped that their escape would go as planned. They silently waited as Hermione sent the signal then connected to the comm panel accessing the list of prisoners and their locations.

"It looks like they have Hagrid in a cell by himself and that they put Draco in with Commander Weasley." She whispered, "Harry and Dobby have there own cell..." she trailed off as her eyes went distant for a moment before snapping back in focus, "..they've disabled most of Dobby's cybernetic implants, but he seems to be healthy." She finished, releasing a relieved sigh.

Neville opened his mouth to speak when a commotion loud enough to be heard through the metal separating them from the deck below caused them all to freeze. Neville could hear an authoritative voice barking out orders. There must have been responses, but they were so soft that they did not reach their ears.

Master Dumbledore looked at Neville assessingly and he felt the gentle prod of his thoughts. Concentrating he reached out to the deck below. There seemed to be around a dozen troopers in the process of switching posts.

The loud voice was coming from a man who seemed to be taking over the station. The men leaving their post seemed resigned and happy, while the group of troopers taking over where each tightly coiled and fraught with emotion. The man who was clearly barking out orders was filled with a myriad of conflicting emotions as well. Neville clearly sensed the man's fear and distress, but buried beneath he sensed, relief.

His attempt to push deeper ended abruptly when the panel in front of them began to buzz. It was a tool being used to open the panel. They readied themselves for attack only to stop when, "It's the signal. It's him." Hermione said, as a head popped through the panel.

The man's white blond hair was a shock in the darkness. "Master Dumbeldore," The man greeted with a smirk, "I had never thought to see you again in this lifetime."

Master Dumbledore's shocked gasp drew a worried look from Hermione as Neville readied to attack. "Young.." Master Dumbledore stopped then licked his lips shaking his head ruefully, "though perhaps not so young anymore, Mr. Malfoy. I must admit I am shocked." Master Dumbledore said as the man, Mr. Malfoy's, smirk turned into a look of regret. "Yes, well circumstances and people change. Do they not?" Mr. Malfoy said as he dropped back down to the floor below.

Neville peered at the hole left by the man's exit. "Can you.." Mr. Malfoy's words were cut off as Master Dumbledore moved forward toward the access point, leaping and landing soundlessly before him.

Neville and Hermione both looked down after Master Dumbledore. Hermione shrugged as Neville held out his hand. She grabbed it and Neville lowered her as far as his arm could reach. She let go and landed easily. She looked up offering to catch him. He hear a small huff escape Mr. Malfoy as Neville waved Hermione away. Concentrating he leapt, saying the words Aresto Momentum. He landed gently, a smile curving his lips.

He felt a blush cross his face at the look of pride on Master Dumbledore's face. "Gods." The man next to Master Dumbledore said reverently. "Is that the Longbottom boy?" Hermione tensed slightly and glanced at Master Dumbledore.

Master Dumbledore sighed, "Yes, he is. He is the picture of his mother is he not?" He said, turning his face to regard the other man. The man swallowed thickly, "Yes. Quite." Mr. Malfoy said, licking his lips. Master Dumbledore's face fell slightly, "I was sorry to hear about Narcissa." He said, sincerity lacing his voice.

Mr. Malfoy huffed, "Are you really? Or do you think it was no less than I deserve?"

"Even if I thought you deserved punishment for the things you've done Mr. Malfoy. I would never wish Narcissa's loss on you or your son."

Mr. Malfoy straightened and inhaled sharply slowing letting the breath out. "Luc is gone.." Mr. Malfoy's jaw clenched and something clicked in Neville's mind. Draco made that face when he was upset. Neville's eyes roamed over the man's light hair and eyes. His skin tone was darker, but..

"I suspect the Dark Lord killed him soon after his mother died. He never liked for those closest to him to have connections to anything outside of himself." The man said pursing his lips together.

"My apologies again. I had not heard." Master Dumbledore looked truly grieved as he spoke. "Thank you Master. Though if not for those events I would not be here now to assist you." The man finished solemnly.

"And will your men not wonder why their Admiral is on guard duty?" Master Dumbledore said looking to men surrounding them. Neville had been concentrating on their conversation and had neglected to read the men. He reached out, but Master Dumbledore lifted his hand bidding Neville to stop. Mr. Malfoy looked to Master Dumbledore. "These men are loyal to me. And as for my rank, I am but a mere Commander here. The Dark Lord's murder of my family didn't quite have the wished for results. I lost my rank and ended up here. Luckily for you."

"And, for the Rebellion." Hermione offered, stonily regarding Mr. Malfoy as she crossed her arms. Mr. Malfoy nodded at her arm, "Yes, well my loyalty was not forced on me as yours was, but the error of my ways has been made abundantly clear to me."

Mr. Malfoy looked at the men around him and ordered, "Keep an eye out men. If anyone comes down that hall after us. Kill them." He said, turning toward the hall he had motioned to when he made his order.

Master Dumbledore followed Mr. Malfoy as he head down the hall, Neville and Hermione falling in step behind them. "Do you know why they were looking for Harry?" Master Dumbledore asked.

Mr. Malfoy looked over his shoulder, "Actually, from what I can tell his capture was incidental. It was Commander Weasley they wanted." Hermione looked over at Neville with a questioning look on his face. "He is taking her and the ship you arrived in on some mission, which I no longer have the rank to know anything about."

Master Dumbledore nodded as they came to the first door. Mr. Malfoy touched a panel next to the door and it opened. A young man rose from the bedside of a tiny creature, turning to face the door. The look of rage on the man's face dropped when his eyes met Master Dumbledore's.

"Harry," He greeted. "Master Dumbledore!" Harry shouted, running to throw his arm around Master Dumbledore. Neville's eyes widened. He was sure he would never feel comfortable enough to put his arms around the man like that. Master patted him fondly smiling down at Harry's face.

Hermione slipped past the men in the door dropping beside the small creature on the bed. "Dobby?" She whispered.

Harry turned to her. "They have him on something to keep him out. He doesn't seem to be in pain anymore, but he was in bad shape after they removed his implants." Harry said, looking worriedly at the being on the bed.

Neville thought he was an elf possibly, but he had never seen one before, so he was unsure. Hermione said, "Yes, he would be. The nerves are looking for the stimulation provided by the implants. His body would interpret the lack as pain."

Hermione turned her head to Master Dumbledore, "Do you think we can move him?"

"We will have to child. Our time grows short." He said consolingly.

"I'll.." "I.." He and Harry began at the same time, looking at each other for the first time. A wry smile crossed Harry's face. "You must be..um my partner?" He said his eyebrows lowering in question.

"Yes, I suppose I am." Neville said smiling apologetically and hunching his shoulders.

"No, that's alright. I can take him." Hermione said, gently lifting the being from the bed. "Let's get the other's and get him to the ship so I can make him comfortable and run some diagnostics."

They moved out of the room silently. Mr. Malfoy crossed the hall opening another door. Hagrid was setting on the tiny bed, which Neville figured was probably the same size as the bed that appeared to be swallowing Dobby, but next to his frame it looked ready to fold.

"Master Dumbledore! Thank the Gods! The bastards.." Hagrid stopped short when he saw Mr. Malfoy. "They stunned me and put me in here ..they were after the ship and Draco." He added emphasis to the end of this statement.

"Why..?" Neville began, "so this has nothing to do with us?" Neville asked, looking to Master Dumbledore's considering face. "It would appear that Commander Weasley, Draco and The Falcon are of some importance to the Ministry. We will have to make sure we deprive them of their prizes as soon as possible, Young Master Longbottom."

Mr. Malfoy chuckled softly, "Yes, I hope I am present to see the look on Snape's face when he finds out he has lost them."

"The other two are being held at the end of the hall." He continued as Master Dumbledore regarded him, quickly straightening and turning from the look Master Dumbledore was giving him. Neville looked at Harry. He could tell that they were both thinking that if Mr. Malfoy were present on such an occasion it would be unlikely that he would survive the encounter.

They followed the man down the hall. Harry skirting around Master Dumbledore so that he was standing right beside Mr. Malfoy as he opened the door.

The door slid open and Neville heard an excited "Harry!" As two arms and a face framed by red hair came into his view. Harry wrapped his arms around the woman, who was smiling broadly. Neville also slipped pass Master Dumbledore and Mr. Malfoy. Draco was leaning against the far wall smiling at the hugging pair when his eyes landed on Neville.

It had been only an hour or so, but Neville thought he had to feel as relieved as Harry and Commander Weasley had at seeing one another. "Draco." Neville felt the smile cross his face as Draco came out of his casual pose and walked toward Neville, a leering smile that reminded Neville of the promise Draco had made, on his face.

"Luc?" A voice that sounded like it had been gutted said. Draco froze, the smile leaving his face. "Luc?" Neville heard a note of hope in the voice and turned to see that Mr. Malfoy had stepped into the cell an ecstatic look on his face. Harry and Commander Weasley had parted and were looking between the two men.

He didn't even need to reach out to feel Draco's shock. It was written all over his face.

Draco turned stiffly to Mr. Malfoy. "Father?" He said, breathless sounding.

A smile broke Mr. Malfoy's face as he stepped closer. "Don't!" Draco said sternly, causing the man to stop mid-step.

"Luc." He said again, desperately.

Everyone in the cell froze. "Lucius Draconius Malfoy, I presume." Master Dumbledore said.

Draco's eyes darted to Dumbledore as his lips pressed together, turning them white.

"I..ah." Mr. Malfoy said, a sharp breath cutting off his words, as he tried to compose himself.

"Dra..?" Commander Weasley began just to be cut off by Draco saying, "Let's.." he was breathing heavily and Neville decided to risk stepping closer. Draco's eyes shot to him briefly then back to Mr. Malfoy. "Let's get out of here." He said, his stare going blank as he moved suddenly to walk past the man in front of him.

"Wait." Mr. Malfoy said reaching an arm out to stop Draco. Draco quickly side-stepped the hand, not even looking back to acknowledge the man's outstretched arm.

"We should go." Master Dumbledore said softly, as everyone in the room watched dumbly. Neville heard Draco's steps down the hall and jogged past Master Dumbledore to catch up with him. He heard Hagrid call Draco's name softly, but he must have been in as much shock as everyone else because the voice held no real strength and probably didn't even reach Draco's ears.

Neville caught with him at the end of the corridor. "Draco, wait." He said, coming along side and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Draco turned a vicious glare at him, but stopped nonetheless. Neville searched his mind for a moment. "Don't you want to..he's helping us." He implored.

"It's too late." "He let my mother die!" He seethed, flinging his arm to indicate the man down the hall. Neville's eyes flashed to the group now making their way up the hall. Mr. Malfoy's face and body showing none of the bravado he'd displayed earlier.

"But, he's your father." Neville said in a pleading voice, slightly squeezing Draco's shoulder. Draco's eyes flashed and Neville's breath caught at the wave of power he felt from the other man. "He is nothing to me." Draco gritted out, turning to exit the corridor. Neville followed him into the room, watching the man's tight shoulders as he approached the command hub for the sector.

They were almost at the hub when a wave of dizziness came so suddenly Neville thought he legs were going to give out. He saw Draco hit his knees and instinctively shot out a shield against the attack. He made it the two steps to Draco, grabbing him before his entire body hit the floor.

He reached out and felt Draco's life force still going strong, but he also sensed several..several bodies that either where dead or dying silently around the room. He felt a great power emanating from somewhere in the room. It was so strong he thought it must be the Dark Lord. It felt like there was a black hole in the room sucking all the happiness and energy out of him. He knew it was a spell but was working so hard to keep the shield protecting them up, that he couldn't recall it's counter.

He swung his head looking for Master Dumbledore's assistance. Neville could sense that he had shielded himself and the rest of his party against the attack, but little else. When he found Master Dumbledore, he followed the man's eyes to what Neville is a moment of panic actually thought might be a blackhole. But, it was only a man, standing alone in the command hub. He had dark hair and eyes and was dressed head to toe in black. Neville had thought he saw the gleam and shape of a helmet, but was actually the man's thick, greasy hair hanging around his face as he glared through it at Master Dumbledore.

"Dark Master Snape."