Months passed, before the news came. After his constant bragging in their first year, Neville had figured out how to avoid Malfoy's discussions of Voldemort's conquests-the latest being his plans to form and infiltrate a united European muggle government. Neville had been blissfully unaware of this before the deputy meetings. Now he knew, in the last week of classes before Christmas break, that Voldemort's puppet state of Austria would soon be admitted to the European Union.
Neville blanched, sat, tuned out the buzz of Hermione and Cedric's discussion, though he knew Hermione would discuss muggle politics and Cedric would discuss Voldemort's political strategies in the past.
Neville couldn't think about what the politics meant, because he knew the next step of Voldemort's plan. He knew it because Hestia Carrow had pulled him aside before the meeting and whispered into his ear in a mockery of sensuality.
"The dark lord is coming back soon, and when he does, he's taking Azkaban." She had breathed into his ear and moved to bite it, but he had jerked away. She had giggled, then. "You know what that means! Bellatrix will be coming back!"
Lily ended their last meeting quickly, wishing them well for their break.
When they left, Neville, Cedric, and Hermione all found notes in their pockets.
"Meet me at the lakeside at 11:30."