In The Shadows

by Happykitty5620

What happens when Voldemort chooses to kill Neville's parents? What happens when He is the chosen one? This story focuses on how we grow up and who we are friends with can change who we become. When Neville becomes the chosen one, will growing up surrounded by fame get to his head? Harry's been living in the shadows all of his life. When will he finally emerge into the light?

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9 – A Fraud

I AM SOOOOOO SOOO SOOOO SOOO SORRY! I know, I know it's been FOREVER since my last update. I had technological issues…again. I know that is not a good enough excuse but that's all I got. I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Ron's POV

A few days earlier

Neville was walking in the halls with Ron. Classes had finished, and he wanted to do something, not just sit around in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Any ideas on what to do today Ron?" Ron was excited that Neville wanted to hear his opinion but was also nervous that he would say the wrong thing. If Neville didn't like him then he could socially blackball him in the blink of an eye. He just wanted to be popular and have friends.

"Maybe we should see what's on the forbidden third floor?" As the word were coming out of his mouth, Ron immediately regretted them. He didn't want to go on the third floor and get in trouble, but the suggestion made him look cool in front of Neville.

"Perfect! Let's go!"

They walked up the moving stairs to the third floor. Then, they walked through the door and looked behind them to see Filch's cat. Everyone knows that where there is Mr. Filch's cat, there is Mr. Filch.

"Crap Ron! Run!" Neville said. Doing as Neville told him, Ron ran but was soon passed by Neville. They ran until they came to a door. They tried to open the door, but it was locked. Filch was close behind them now, they needed it to open.

"What are we going to do?" Ron asked.

"Don't worry I can open it using that charm we learned today. Get out of the way!" Neville whisper-screamed while pulling his wand out from his pocket. Ron moved out of the way and Neville began to recite the spell while moving his wand around in a circular motion.

"Alohomora!" He whisper-screamed but the door didn't open.

"Alohomora!" The door remained locked.

"Alohomora!"

"Why isn't it working?" Ron asked. Filch was getting closer, soon he would be behind them, taking them to Headmaster Dumbledore.

"I don't know! This spell must not work!"

"Here let me try!" Ron said while pushing Neville out of the way.

"Alohomora." Ron said, and the door popped open. Neville looked at him, confused. He didn't like how Ron was better at magic than him, which made Ron nervous. If Neville didn't like something or better yet someone he got rid of them. Just look at Harry and Hermione.

Once they were inside, they breathed a sigh of relief. They made it, with no repercussions. However, they turned around and their breath was, again, caught in their throat. A giant, three-headed dog was peering over them. It didn't matter whether Filch was still out their or not, they needed to get out.

"You look for Filch, I'll fight off the dog," Neville said. Ron was a little worried, after the lock incident he was starting to lose faith in Neville. Neville always said that he could do basically everything, and Ron believed him. He was starting to realize that Neville was all talk and no game.

"On it!" Ron replied. He creaked open the door peering out with only his head, then his torso, then his entire body. Filch was gone.

"He's gone!" Ron called when suddenly Neville screamed.

Ron was petrified. If Neville was hurt, then not only would they get in a TON of trouble, but the Chosen One would be hurt. Not to mention his social execution. He had to save Neville, no matter what. Ron whipped around, into the room, to see Neville's shirt in the dog's teeth, lifting him high above the ground.

Ron struggled to remember what they learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts that day. Something about Stupidity. Stupidly…. Stupi-…. Stupi-…. Stupify! That's it! Remembering the spell, Ron took a deep breath and recited it, pointing his wand directly at the dog.

"Stupify!"

Neville fell to the floor then him and Ron ran out of the third-floor corridor and into the common room. When Neville told everyone how heroic he'd been, Ron didn't deny it. He even began to tell the fake story himself. He knew what would happen if he told anyone the truth. He knew he'd be stuck with Harry and Hermione and he would rather hang out with Harry and Hermione. But it was too late now. He was in too deep with Neville.

-HappyKitty5620