Again, thank you to everyone who has reviewed! New update! RxR!

(Monday, January 5th)

The first day of the new term flew by quickly, surprisingly. The halls were significantly less crowded as well, due to the amount of students that had gone into hiding with their families. The only person that Neville was positive didn't go into hiding, yet wasn't at the castle, was Luna. He didn't belabor it too much though. He just figured she'd be back in the Room when he went there later that day. Neville passed Emolly and Blaise in the hall and felt like socking the git square in the face. That was another thing, Neville still hadn't figured out how to remove Blaise from the situation but he was constantly trying to come up with something. He realized that every moment she was with him things were getting worse so he was anxious. He wanted to help her, he genuinely did, he was just at a lose for the moment. The Gryffindor decided to head back to Army Headquarters, knowing the atmosphere would clear his mind for the time being. He walked back to the Room of Requirement and was glad to see another alumni occupying a cot. Cho Chang was dressing a bed while talking with Nielah. The two Ravenclaws turned to see who had entered and Cho smiled when she saw Neville. He walked over to them and hugged her hard, happy to see her alive and well.

"Cho! So great to see you! When did you get in?"

"Late last night but I stayed in the Ravenclaw tower. I came back to the wall, I figured the Room would still be headquarters, but the doors wouldn't appear. It wasn't until Nielah found me, and told me about the password encoded ward, that I was able to get here."

"Right. Have you seen Oliver? He's here too."

"Really? I haven't seen him yet. Oh!"

The witch searched through her pockets until she revealed what she had been looking for. It was a piece of tightly folded parchment with the Quibbler seal on it. She extended her arm and handed it to the wizard.

"This is for you."

His heart started beating as it all came full circle. 'Luna.' If Luna wasn't going to come back, well, the Army would fall apart. She was one of the instructors, someone who the younger members looked up to. She had to come back, she just had to. He ripped through the seal and quickly flattened out the paper. He quickly scanned the words, praying for the best but expecting the worst.

Neville,

Christmas break was rough. I contacted a total of ten alumni but I have no idea how many are coming back. I tried my hardest, I can assure you. Cho was the last one I contacted and since she immediately agreed, I decided to send this letter back with her. My father has been under constant fire and is always under death eater watch due to the fact that he openly supports Harry and his cause through his magazine. Evidently he had been approached by a few snatchers a week before my arrival. They told him that they would hurt his family if he continued to print the Quibbler. Since I'm his only family, it is apparent whom they are targeting. He did stop his publication, but that doesn't mean that I'll never run into the snatchers over break. I just wanted to let you know so that if something does happen to me, you at least have a vague idea. Hopefully I'll see you at the start of the new term.

D.A. Forever.

Luna.

Neville read the letter once, twice, three times. He couldn't believe it. Luna was gone, most likely taken hostage by death eaters or snatchers, and most likely stuck in a cell or dungeon. Neville felt himself getting choked up as he folded the paper up and put it into his pant pocket. Luna was one of his best friends, what the hell was he going to do without her? Yes, he was friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione too, but this was different. She had been there for him all year when the Golden Trio couldn't. She was the one that kept him level headed and kept spirits high for the Army. His mind started racing as the realization hit him. This war was coming quickly, and he might actually lose the ones he loved. He thanked Cho and said good-bye to the two ladies before heading out of the Room. The first thing he needed to do was tell Ginny the news. After all, she was the third instructor for the Army and this would affect her just as much as it did him. He paced through the halls, looking for the youngest Weasley. Library? Nope. Great Hall? Not there. Gryffindor Common Room? No where. Where could she possibly be? In a desperate last attempt, he checked the owlry. He walked up snow-covered steps and walked through the threshold. Sure enough, he immediately spotted his best friend's bright orange hair.

"Gin."

The sixth year whipped her head around to see Neville standing there with a piece of parchment in his head.

"Hey."

"You need to read this."

He walked over to her and handed her the letter. He watched her eyes widen as she read the note in its entirety. She looked up at wizard with a troubled look to her features.

"So she's…"

"Not coming back."

"And you think snatchers have her?"

"Either that or death eaters, yeah."

"Holy shit."

Ginny leaned on the railing for support. This was all too real. How were she and Neville going to run the Army, just the two of them? It was hard enough with three instructors. She looked back at the letter. Maybe this was some kind of sick joke and Luna was just hiding in the castle somewhere. No, she wouldn't do that. It was definitely Luna's handwriting and the Quibbler seal was authentic. That was it than. Her friend was gone. Ginny felt her eyes start to water up. 'Damnit. No! Go away tears.' She hated crying because she saw it as a sign of weakness. She couldn't help it though. They were going to force their way out of her eyes whether she liked it or not. She sniffled hard and Neville quickly brought her into his chest. She clutched onto his coat and let them flow freely while he held her tightly.

"I know Gin…I know."

o.O.o

Word of Luna's capture spread like a fiendfyre throughout the Army. By the end of the night, almost every member knew and it really affected the mood in the Room. When Neville walked in after dinner, there was an eerie silence that lingered in the air. Aubrielle came rushing over to him and draped herself around his neck. He swopped her up into his arms and buried his face in her wild waves.

"Please tell me it's just a nasty rumor."

"I wish it was Aubs."

He lightly lifted her, so her feet just barely dangled above the ground, and carried her over to the cot that they shared. She clung to him the entire time, not wanting to lift her head up from his chest. He set her down on the bed, but she still didn't let go. He could tell that she wasn't crying, however, so he came to the conclusion that she was just scared. Hell, they were all scared. This had happened to one of their own; someone who went to school with them and was their age. Aubrielle blindly reached for her boyfriend's hand and squeezed it tightly the moment she found it. He finally was able to separate her from his body and looked into her scared hazel eyes. He took a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear.

"Well, guess I should talk to everyone, eh?"

"That's a good idea."

"Right."

Neville gave her a quick kiss before standing up. He walked towards the center of the floor and cleared his throat. Everyone perked their heads up and turned towards his direction. He scanned the students; some had blank faces, most were crying.

"As most of you know, Luna Lovegood isn't here. While her location and exact situation is unknown, we are almost positive that she has been taken by either death eaters or snatchers."

There was a sudden increase in volume as members started whispering to each other. Neville cleared his throat again, but it wasn't enough. Oliver stood up next to the seventh year.

"Oi! Shut your mouths."

Neville gave the wizard an appreciative nod as the noise died down, "Thank you. Here's the deal, as much as I want to go out there and search for her; that would be unreasonable and stupid on my part. There is nothing we can really do to help her. I know you all are concerned or scared or confused. You need to realize though that this is a very troubled time in our world and things like this will happen. It's times like these that we need to start looking out for each other. Is that clear?" The members nodded their heads. "Now, since so many kids left over break to go into hiding, I've brought back some old friends and Hogwarts alumni."

Figuring that was her cue, Cho stood up and walked over to Neville and Oliver. The Gryffindor turned to smile at them.

"Why don't you two introduce yourselves?"

Oliver stepped forward, "Right. Well, hey. My name's Oliver Wood; I graduated four years ago. I was sorted into Gryffindor while I was here and I'm a Quidditch fanatic."

A couple of the older students laughed, knowing that the last statement was all too true. Cho stepped forward next and waved to the crowd.

"Hello, I'm Cho Chang. I graduated last year from Ravenclaw," she reached into her pocket and pulled out a shiny coin, "and I was a member of the original D.A. when it was formed two years ago."

She gave a pleasant smile, and the current members applauded for the two graduates. They went back to their cots and were approached by a couple curious young ones. They talked about their past experiences at Hogwarts, but kids mostly wanted to know what it was like outside of the school. Neville went back to Aubrielle and slumped down on the bed. He was mentally and emotionally exhausted. Aubrielle rested her head on his chest and fiddled with his tie.

"Have you thought about the Emolly thing?"

"Yeah."

"Have you come up with anything?"

"Not yet."

"Me either."

She took a deep breath and exhaled. There was a new vibe this term. Something was out of order. It was almost as if the pressure was building and building and needed to be released soon. The Ravenclaw cringed. She didn't know when everything was going to blow, but she wasn't looking forward to it when it did.

(Tuesday, January 6th)

"Em! I've missed you so much."

Aubrielle stood up and bear hugged Emolly as soon as the witch walked past the bookcase. The blonde practically threw herself at her best friend. She hadn't seen the Ravenclaw for a month and she desperately needed to talk to her about her holidays with Blaise. The two seventh years sat down at the table before getting too wrapped up in conversation.

"How was your break with Blaise?"

"Interesting."

"How so?"

"Well for one thing, his family was absolutely ecstatic to see me. They've always loved me so to hear that we were back together made their holidays."

Aubrielle snorted. "Do they know why you're back with him?"

"Of course not. The funniest thing is that they praise Blaise whenever they can. They think he's a little angel."

"Ha! If only they knew."

Emolly chuckled, but Aubrielle could tell that is wasn't a happy laugh. Emolly had her head hung and her hands in her lap. Aubrielle studied her while they sat there in silence. She had no bruising or scars on her face; that was a good sign, right?

"Emolly, please tell me what he did to you over break. I-I need to know."

"The usual."

"Specifics."

"It was mostly just violent sex. There was one really bad fight that we got in, however."

"Em-"

"I'm getting there, I'm getting there. It was one night while everyone was out. Blaise was in his father's study while I was tidying up for bed. When he called me in…I knew what he wanted but I was exhausted. I was literally on the brink of collapse because I was so tired. I couldn't do it, I just couldn't. I went to the study anyway to try and talk him out of it. I thought that maybe if I begged and pleaded with him, he would find some hint of respect for my wishes. Gods I was so stupid."

"So what happened?"

"I went to the study. He put down his newspaper and was instantly upset when he saw me wearing my pajamas. He exchanged some…nasty words with me but I was beyond caring that night. So, I simply turned around and walked out. I was heading upstairs to the guest room where I was staying but he caught up to me and grabbed me by the wrist. I tried to wriggle free but he just held on to me tighter. I managed to kick him in the shin pretty hard and he let go of me for an instance. I sprinted up the stairs and right as I got on the landing, he tackled me. He had me pinned on the floor with my hands above my head. I squirmed under him but he just put all his weight on me. He threatened me again, told me I had to do whatever he said or he would hurt me. Well, I said no and that set him off. He got off of me and hoisted me to my feet. I tried to make a run for it again but he grabbed me by my shirt and forcefully threw me backwards…all the way down the stairs."

Aubrielle gasped loudly. He threw her down the stairs? What the Hell? Emolly rolled back her robe sleeve to reveal a brace on her wrist.

"I got a bad concussion from the fall and blacked out. I woke up in St. Mungo's with this cast o2n my wrist and a pounding headache. It's fractured in three different spots."

"Emolly! What did Blaise's family say?"

"They think I tripped going down the stairs-"

"You're breaking up with him."

"What? But he'll rape-"

"Emolly stop being so bloody stubborn! I don't give a damn about what he'll do to me! Can't you see what he is doing to you? You're being abused! You're growing weak…"

"Yeah? And how do you propose I do this? 'Oh, hey Blaise. Listen…I don't want to be with you anymore so you can go rape my best friend now. So…uh…see you around!' You're out of your mind Aubrielle!"

"Listen Emolly, Neville and I have been thinking of a way to get him expelled from school so he can't-"

"WHAT? Neville and I?"

"That's another thing, I told Neville everything. I told him why you're with that git, what he said about me; he knows everything. And we're going to do something about it. You need to stop thinking that you can do this on your own. You can't Emolly. We're going to help you whether you like it or not!"

The Ravenclaw stood up as her friend started to protest. She wouldn't hear it though; her word was final and she was going to take control of this situation since, clearly, Emolly was too kind hearted to do it herself. The Slytherin leapt up from the table and cut her friend off at the bookcase.

"Please Aubrielle…don't do this."

The witch looked into the blonde's amber eyes. Emolly didn't want to admit it, but she desperately wanted out; she just didn't know how to say it. For right now, however, she was going to put on a brave face for the sake of her friend. But, in her eyes, Aubrielle could see the fear, the anxiety, and the misery. Aubrielle could tell that Emolly meant the exact opposite of what she was saying; she could see it in her eyes. The brunette quickly wrapped the seventh year into her arms and right then and there, Emolly broke down. The floodgates of her eyes were broken and the tears flowed like rivers. The Slytherin crumpled into Aubrielle's chest and clung to her robes. Aubrielle had never seen Emolly cry like this, ever. She held her as tightly as she could, understanding that her best friend needed her now more than ever. She quietly shushed her as she finger combed her long blonde hair.

"I want you to move back into the Room, tonight."

Emolly perked her head up abruptly and looked at the Ravenclaw through bloodshot eyes.

"Neville and I will figure something out and we'll deal with Blaise."

"O-okay."

She slumped her head back into Aubrielle's chest and tightened her grip on the witch's robes.

"Aubrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. T-thank you so much."

"Don't mention it. Now, go grab your trunk. Pack everything up. Lets do this right now."

The Slytherin let go of her friend and whipped her eyes. She sniffled but then regained her normal breathing before walking out of the library and towards the Slytherin dungeons.

o.O.o

She walked through the portrait with a newfound confidence. She was going to cut all ties with Blaise, and she was going to have her friends back her up. It was a wonderful feeling. She was happy to see the Common Room unoccupied, save for a little second year, and made her way up the stairs and into her dorm room that she shared with Pansy and Daphne. Unfortunately, the latter was lying on her bed, reading her potions book. The witch flashed a wicked smile as the blonde walked into the room.

"Hey slut."

Emolly didn't say anything, this was Daphne's usual greeting to her, but instead walked straight to her wardrobe and opened the doors. She started taking her clothes off the hooks and shoving them into her trunk. Screw being neat and tidy; she just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. She heard Daphne slam her book shut behind her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Leaving."

"What?"

"Don't worry Daphne; you won't have to share a room with a whore anymore."

"Does Blaise know about this?"

"That's none of your business."

"So he doesn't."

The blonde turned around to the witch with a defiant look in her eyes. She had been bullied enough and she wasn't about to take it from some self-riotous bitch.

"Like I said…none of your damn business."

Emolly went into the bathroom, grabbed her toiletries, and tossed them into her trunk before slamming the lid close and locking it. She went to wheel it out of the room but Daphne blocked the door.

"You're stupid for leaving Blaise."

"Yeah? Well let me make the 'mistake' than. Besides, you don't know what's been happening between him and I. Shove off Daphne."

"Oh I know what's been happening. You think I can't hear the moans and groans coming from his room? I know you're in it for the sex. I know you're opening your legs for him every bloody chance you get. Everybody loves you Emolly. You're little Emolly Goldster, the innocent blonde haired beauty who kicks ass in charms-"

"Just let me by Daphne."

"Everyone loves you! Everyone thinks you're an angel! If only people knew the truth, knew that you're a little sex-crazed…whore! You have the best guy in the entire damn school and you're throwing him away! What? Sex was too boring? Too routine!"

"If you want him Daphne, YOU CAN HAVE HIM!"

"I don't want your damn sloppy seconds! I'll probably get herpes or some shit like that."

"I'm not going to say this again. Let me pass."

"NO! You always get what you want! You get good grades, good looks, loyal friends, an awesome guy-"

"He's not who you think he is Daphne. Now…LET ME PASS."

"Blaise Zabini is a kind hearted, funny, charming-"

"HE'S BEEN RAPING ME! THERE! NOW YOU KNOW THE DAMN TRUTH!"

Emolly quickly shut her mouth. What had she just done? The girl who hated her the most, despised her, now knew the truth. Daphne's eyes widened as she took in the information. She wordlessly moved the to side so Emolly could rush out of the door and to the Room of Requirement.

I'm excited to see how this whole thing with Emolly turns out, yeah? Review!