A very battered and haunted looking Harry Potter was standing across from him. Neville felt his words fail him as he stared completely transfixed at his friend he thought to be dead. He didn't know whether to raise his wand or lower it, he didn't understand. Had Harry returned as a ghost? No he was too solid. He was very much alive.
Not having time to contemplate the impossible, the sound of footsteps approaching was getting louder. He couldn't tare his eyes off Harry, he looked haunted and deadly thin, as if his very life had been slowly draining away. Neville's heart raced, and it wasn't just because he'd been running. This couldn't be happening.
Harry's face betrayed anguish and torment, and Neville's mind raced to try and understand what had happened. His eyes met Harry's, however his now dim green eyes were staring behind him at the door.
"Move" Harry said, his voice sounded tired and anxious.
Neville barely had time to react before the door burst open and to his horror the three Slytherin's filled the doorway. Neville felt his heart stop, this was bad, very bad.
They immediately raised their wands, all triumphant at their catch, however this soon changed as they noticed Harry standing slightly away from them.
They looked as stunned as Neville felt as they stared.
"What the hell?" Crabbe exclaimed, finding his voice first, his face was twisted in an unpleasant scowl. Goyle also had a dumb struck expression on his face, probably similar to how Neville had looked just seconds ago as he realised Harry was very much alive.
The silence stretched on and it was apparent Harry wasn't going to address either himself or the Slytherin's. Neville followed Harry's gaze and oddly enough it was focused on the other Slytherin who had entered the room who had yet to say anything.
He choose his moment to speak now, his face expressionless.
"It was the Dark Lords orders" Malfoy said stepping forwards and pushing Crabbe's wand down firmly.
Neville immediately understood and he couldn't feel but feel sick at the revelation. Voldemort had taken Harry. That was the only answer, the only reason his friend was standing before him.
Crabbe didn't protest at his arm being shoved down, it seemed he was too shocked. He turned to Malfoy and said accusingly.
"You knew?"
Neville also couldn't help but stare astonished at Malfoy who had yet to take his eyes off Harry in turn.
Malfoy nodded without turning his head. Unnervingly and surprisingly Harry seemed to have relaxed.
Neville couldn't believe what he was hearing, Malfoy had known all this time. After months of taunts about Harry's death, to find out that Malfoy had known all this time.
It seemed as if they had seen each other judging by Harry's reaction. Neville didn't know whether to feel angry or impressed by the Slytherin's daring.
"Come on, let's go" Malfoy said sharply turning away and gesturing for them to follow.
"What? We're just going to go?" Crabbe spluttered still staring at Harry in shock. Harry was observing them carefully, but didn't make any obvious gesture that he was going to reply.
"Yes" Malfoy said forcefully. "That's exactly what we're going to do, unless you'd rather take it up with the Dark Lord" No one replied.
Neville felt his stomach twist awkwardly, this was all wrong.
"What about Longbottom?" Crabbe said pointing towards him as if they'd only just remembered that he was here too.
"We're leaving" Malfoy tried again as he turned towards the door. Neither Crabbe or Goyle moved as they stood rooted to the spot.
"You knew he was here at Hogwarts?" Goyle asked, his ugly face twisting into a sneering gesture.
"Yes" Malfoy responded, clearly annoyed that they weren't just going to drop it. "He was at my home during the summer." He added sharply.
Neville didn't know what to say, he couldn't believe was he was hearing as he continued to look between the dumbstruck Slytherin's and Harry.
Crabbe's brain seemed to be working overtime as he stared at Malfoy coldly.
"You're lying" He hissed. "The Dark Lord would never trust you with this"
Malfoy had no chance to retort as someone else added to the conversation.
"Are you jealous?"
Everyone snapped their attention back to Harry as Neville felt his blood run cold.
Harry was now smiling coldly at Crabbe, his eyes darkening a shade. Neville felt his heart leap uncomfortable at how demented and unnatural Harry looked.
Crabbe only started back dumbstruck as Neville watched, he found himself unable to contribute to the conversation.
Crabbe found his voice fast as he snapped.
"Jealous of what?"
Harry only titled his head to the side, watching Crabbe.
"That Voldemort trusts Malfoy more then you." He smiled coldly, now locking eyes with Malfoy. "That he's a good little death eater" He taunted.
Neville was stunned as he saw Malfoy flush furious, however he didn't retort back, he only clenched his fists and glared at Harry. This was just getting more and more interesting and more and more confusing.
Harry continued, as they struggled to answer, mouths gaping open wide.
"Didn't Voldemort tell you?" He said, a cold smile of his face. "Or was Malfoy not allowed?"
No one missed the jibe, as they both continued to stare coldly at each other
Malfoy answered before either Crabbe and Goyle could speak.
"You're a delicate situation Potter. Of course the Dark Lord didn't want anyone to know." He sneered.
Harry's eyes flashed something dangerous as they remained with their eyes locked, as if oblivious to the other occupants in the room.
Neville felt like he should speak up, add something to ease the horribly rising tension but he couldn't find his voice.
Harry continued to smile coldly, his eyes glinting madly "I suppose you still feel bitter about having to bring me food, like a house elf." He added.
"I wouldn't have to if you-" Malfoy began but he stopped mid sentence as if catching himself.
Harry was staring at him coldly, however it was almost as if they reached some immediate unspoken agreement as Malfoy fell silent. Neville frowned confused, wondering what Malfoy had been about to say.
"Come one" He said abruptly to Crabbe and Goyle as he glared. "We're going now" He commanded.
Harry only kept his eyes locked on Malfoy as he continued to address the other Slytherin's. "We leave now. Unless you want me to to contact the Dark Lord himself." He rolled up his left sleeve threateningly.
Neville stared in horror as Malfoy held his own hand slightly above what was clearly the dark mark.
Thankfully, both Crabbe and Goyle shared confused glances before they finally relented. They could not refuse.
Malfoy was the last to leave as he shot one last shadowed glare towards Harry, he completely ignored Neville. Neville let out an uncomfortable breath he didn't even know he had been holding as he turned to observe Harry properly.
Harry's whole demeanour instantly changed now the Slytherins had left, he no longer looked as on edge as he stared at the door almost blankly as if suddenly lost. Neville felt like he should speak but he couldn't find the right words.
Neville was left with Harry who only turned away from him and moved across to the window where he stood awkwardly, staring out the window.
Neville was so confused, he didn't understand. Harry was alive, alive after all this time. The realisation was slowly starting to sink in, he should be happy, he should be celebrating, but Harry's reactions and behaviour were so unnerving and wrong he didn't know how to react. The silence stretched on, as Neville finally managed to speak.
"You're alive?" His own voice sounding distant to him.
Harry didn't reply, instead his eyes darkened just a fraction, Neville knew it had been a pointless question. Harry had responded to Malfoy immediately, but it was almost as if he had shut himself off to Neville as he stood there almost standoffishly. Neville's heart was racing as he nervously asked the question he was worried to hear the answer too.
"What happened?"
Still Harry didn't make eye contact with him, he was silent and it was worrying Neville to see his friend so suddenly unresponsive. It was after an awkward pause when Harry finally replied.
"I got caught" His answer was short and blunt.
Neville was in two minds, part of him wanted to rush out and find the Gryffindor's and tell them the unbelievable news, but the other part kept him still. Harry looked terrible and Neville was desperate to know if he was okay and what had happened to him.
"How long have you been at Hogwarts?" He asked hesitantly, relieved when Harry responded although he didn't mean his gaze.
"A few days, I think" Harry replied blankly.
"Are you okay?" He asked observing Harry carefully, he knew he wouldn't get a yes, of course he wouldn't be, after months of being locked away anything could have happened to him.
Unsurprisingly Harry remained silent, however his eyes suddenly locked onto his own with such an intensity that Neville couldn't find his own voice. Of course he wasn't okay, he shouldn't have asked, he felt stupid.
There was another awkward pause where neither of them spoke. Harry instead turned and moved up onto the window sill he had been standing by, drawing his legs up and sitting back. Again Neville debated whether to stay and speak to Harry or as fast as he could to Gryffindor tower to tell everyone Harry was alive. They needed to know at once, but Harry's sudden mixture of expressions, and the lost look he currently showed caused him to remain. He shouldn't be left alone.
Neville didn't know what to say, he didn't even know where to stand. He stood awkwardly in the middle of McGonagall's office, completely unsure of how he had ended up here with his friend he thought to be dead.
Harry was looking out of the window again, as if completely unaware of Neville's own awkwardness, how he had changed interactions like that was unnerving and it was apparent Harry wasn't even aware.
Neville shifted slightly from side to side anxiously. He had been walking the Hogwarts corridor not that long ago, how had things ended up like this.
Before Neville had decided to move Harry spoke.
"Lock the door" Harry said.
Neville looked at him surprised as Harry continued still gazing out of the window. "McGonagall had to go out" He said quietly, "You should probably lock it again or she'll be worried."
Neville gaped. This explained so much, this explained why the teachers had been acting so oddly, why McGonagall had hardly attended her own classes over the last few days. He should have realised this as soon as he saw Harry was alive.
"The others" Neville said, shaking his own head as he stared at Harry. "They're never going to believe me"
Harry was silent, however Neville continued watching him carefully, choosing his words carefully.
"The DA is doing great you know" He said, trying to force his own voice into sounding warm and encouraging, despite the horror in his own stomach. "We've been trying to cause the Carrows and Snape as much trouble as possible." He added attempting conversation.
Now Neville was surprised when Harry reacted. "I heard. Gryffindor's sword wasn't it?" He asked, briefly flicking his gaze towards him.
Neville looked stunned. "You heard about that?"
Harry answered. "You annoyed Voldemort"
Neville opened his mouth in amazement. He almost couldn't believe it, in the DA they had always tried to have some sort of influence. Although their victories where small, they had always forced themselves to believe they were making a difference. His eyes glinted.
"Really?" Neville couldn't help but smirk in delight. This was better then he had imaged. He was also pleased to see what might have been a slight smile on Harry's face.
"Guess we are making a difference after all" He mused.
Again he was pleased when Harry responded. "Minimum punishment Snape suggested. To convince you that you're playing nothing but games."
Now Neville grinned ear to ear at that, actually feeling genuinely pleased. "I like the sound of this minimum punishment."
Again Harry looked like he was almost going to smile, however it almost looked as if he'd forgotten how.
"Did you hear about us blowing up the Defence Against the Dark Arts Class?" Neville continued, watching Harry.
However Harry only looked blankly at him.
Neville continued anyway. "The Carrows; Amycus and Alecto are death eaters. They teach Defence and Muggle studies" He explained.
Harry had turned his gaze away again. Neville faulted slightly at this reaction, perhaps Harry already knew.
He really couldn't get a grip on the conversation, so he found himself automatically trailing off into silence. He suddenly realised he was still standing in the middle of McGonagall's office.
Harry must have been thinking along similar lines for he just said without looking towards him "If you're staying, lock the door"
Neville didn't move as his stomach twisted uncomfortably. "Do you want me to stay?" He found himself asking hesitantly. He couldn't tell what Harry wanted, he was acting so unpredictable.
Although Harry answered, it wasn't answering his question.
"McGonagall would want you to" He said. "She didn't want me to leave me alone."
Neville blinked. If anything that just raised more questions, but he had a funny feeling Harry would not answer in any more detail.
Of course he was staying. Most of his classmates would be asleep anyway and how Harry was reacting was enough of keep him here. It would be best to remain, just encase any Slytherins came calling.
He raised his wand and locked the door with a quick wave.
Harry hadn't moved. Neville took this cue to move across to the large comfy sofa, he perched down as if in a daze.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Neville hadn't slept and it seemed that Harry had been staring out of the window all night, he was still curled up on the window sill seemingly quite happy to just sit in silence. Neville had avoided engaging Harry in conversation, it seemed like speaking had only made him uncomfortable and Harry had clearly preferred the silence. Whatever this currently was, it wasn't a normal situation and Neville wanted to avoid agitating Harry. It also gave him plenty of time to get his own thoughts in order.
Harry didn't seem to mind his silent company, if anything he appeared to be comforted by it, so Neville had just stayed quiet, just sitting in McGonagall's office near Harry.
A knock at the door jolted them both suddenly.
McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey entered and immediately Madam Pomfrey rushed over to Harry who had looked up at them as the entered, she completely ignored Neville.
"You are supposed to be resting" She fussed taking out her wand as she felt his forehead. "Have you been up all night?" She accused "Into bed now" She demanded. Neville watched as Harry moved silently across to the room towards the back door.
"I ran out of dreamless sleep potion" Harry answered.
She sighed heavily "I'm sorry Potter but I don't want you overdosing, specially with the exhaustion you're suffering from. You've got to be careful with the potions you mix" Harry only nodded in response as they both moved into the other room. Neville couldn't help but stare. It had been odd to see Harry so defenceless, but it was even stranger to see him doing exactly what the healer wanted him to do.
McGonagall cleared her throat and gestured for Neville to take a seat opposite her at her desk. He did so warily, anxiously glancing back in the direction Harry had just left.
He expected to be scolded but her expression was only that of concern and the first thing she asked surprised him.
"How is he?" She looked very concerned, her brow creasing and her eyes full of worry.
Neville didn't know how to respond. Everyone was acting so out of character than what he was used to so he just said "Different"
McGonagall's eyes narrowed as if he'd confirmed her own suspicions. She nodded gently.
"I don't understand" Neville said quietly, he couldn't place his thoughts together.
McGonagall was looking at him with a very different expression the what he was used to. "I don't think anyone does" She said softly
"What happened to him?" Neville asked, he couldn't keep the worry out of his voice. Something was horribly wrong with his friend and it seemed no one knew how to react around him.
She seemed to observe Neville carefully before she spoke very clearly.
"The Dark Lord has always been one for tormenting the minds of his prisoners, twisting and turning their very thoughts against themselves"
Neville was horrified "You mean he's broken into Harry's mind"
She nodded stiffly "Yes and it is not known to us to what extent"
"Will he be okay?" Neville asked as his mind raced with this new information.
She was silent and it seemed apparent that she couldn't reassure him.
"It is vital that Potter speaks to someone about his confinement" She said softly at last "Madam Pomfrey has been accessing his situation, she does not expect him to speak to any of us, but perhaps you could get through to him?"
Neville didn't know what to say in response.
At last he settled by asking something else.
"Why is Harry at Hogwarts?" He asked confused. "If You Know Who has been-" He paused before rephrasing. "I don't understand why Harry is here."
McGonagall sighed heavily and paced over to her desk. "Again, we don't know" She answered truthfully. "It seems Harry is still unwilling to divulge to us the true extent of what happened. It is only something we will understand in time."
Neville nodded slowly, trying to understand.
"I suggest you go and get some breakfast" McGonagall said after a short pause. "Harry needs to get some rest, however I suggest you come back in the evening. It would do him good to have some company."
Neville nodded absent-mindedly, he was thinking about how the hell he would be able to help. If Harry had been truly subjected to such horrors by Voldemort, Neville didn't know what he could do.
"We'll take care of him for now" McGonagall reassured him.
"What should I tell the others?" Neville asked hesitantly.
Here McGonagall frowned. At last she gathered her thoughts together.
"It is best if they did not attempt to contact Harry" She said firmly. "He's been in relative confinement from what we understand."
Neville felt his stomach twist painfully at this revelation, however she continued before he had long to ponder one this.
"So no visitors. And I mean that" She added sternly. "We do this at Harry's pace. Not at anyone else's."
Neville nodded in understanding. Madam Pomfrey appeared from the closed door. No sooner had it had shut did she round on Neville furiously.
"What were you thinking?" She demanded, she looked furious and she even waved her own wand causing angry red sparks to shoot out threateningly. Neville backed away hesitantly as she continued. "Potter clearly needs rest. You should have encouraged him to sleep for Merlin's sake"
Neville opened his mouth in surprise however McGonagall answered for him.
"Poppy. Mr Longbottom has only just found out that Mr Potter is safe. You understand that this is not normal circumstances?" She said gently.
However Madam Pomfrey didn't look like she was having any of it, however she remained quiet, fuming silently.
Neville took this as his cue to leave. "I will be back this evening" He said quickly, before taking off immediately to avoid the healers rage.
Xxxxxxxxx
Neville walked slowly towards the room of requirements as if in a daze. He had changed the coin in his own pocket to instruct a meeting immediately. This had been one of the first things the DA had done when they restarted. It had taken them awhile but now the coins responded if anyone changed the time and date on their own. He knew most students would still be at breakfast, but hopefully they realised that this was an emergency call. He kept playing the last few hours over and over in his head in disbelief, no one would have guessed that Harry had been alive this whole time, it didn't feel real.
He found himself running through scenarios in his head, how would he be able to break the news to everyone. It was great news, it was more then they could have ever hoped for, but at the same time it was all wrong. From looking at Harry, he was in no state to jump back into the fray, Voldemort had destroyed him.
Neville's thoughts spun. Why was Harry alive, Voldemort had always been so determined to kill him, but instead he had just his mind apart.
It wasn't long before he found himself outside the room of requirements. He didn't need to pace outside, people were all ready inside. He hesitated briefly before pushing the door open. His quiet thoughts were interrupted by a loud babble of angry voices. Blinking as if stunned he walked towards his friends.
"I am going to skin that ferret" Ginny was snarling, Neville had never seen her this angry. Others around her nodded furiously.
"What's going on?" Neville asked, his thoughts confused.
Ginny rounded on him as if he was the reason for her anger.
"Those little pieces of-" She seethed "We need to bloody tear those bastard Slytherin's apart"
Neville blinked, he still didn't understand.
"What happened?" He asked worriedly
Ginny however fell silent, her fists clenched. It was Ernie who spoke up "Weren't you at breakfast, I thought that's why you called us?" He asked puzzled.
Neville shook his head, his thoughts drifting back to Harry.
Ginny it seemed wasn't going to answer any more questions, her eyes had hardened and Neville could see the pain in her eyes.
Ernie continued uncomfortable, his eyes looking round as everyone else fell silent. "I can't believe you didn't hear..." He paused as Neville waited a horrible lump in his throat, he was beginning to suspect he knew what had happened.
"The Slytherin's are saying that Harry is alive" Ernie said glancing towards Ginny who had turned and walked away. Neville felt his chest constrict, he should have guessed last night that this would happen. He had been to preoccupied thinking about Harry to consider what the Slytherin's might say.
Ginny however turned around from where she stood away from the group "I swear if I hear them taunt us with his name one more time I'm going to tear down this school" Sparks flew from her wand.
Ernie however was watching Neville who hadn't even flinched at what he'd been told. Neville must have looked completely drained from the lack of sleep.
"Neville?" Luna asked staring at him intently, also catching on that he hadn't reacted how they had assumed.
Neville didn't know what to say.
He took a deep breath preparing for their reactions "They're telling the truth"
Ginny's head snapped up as no one spoke, everyone just stared blankly at him as if he'd just grown an extra head.
"Don't be stupid" Seamus said as firmly as he could "We shouldn't believe anything they say, they're just trying to get to us" People muttered and nodded in agreement.
"I've seen him, I've spoken to him" Neville said quietly, he shifted uncomfortably underneath their penetrating stares.
"I don't believe you" Ginny hissed furiously "This is sick" her voice was shaking, her whole body was shaking as she didn't move from where she stood.
Neville didn't know how to respond, the uncomfortable lump was reforming in his throat.
Ginny drew her wand and pointed it directly at Neville who didn't move. He couldn't take his eyes from hers, he needed her to understand. No one else dared moved as they stood transfixed, watching the situation.
Ginny had tears filling her eyes as she said forcefully. "Prove it" She wiped her eyes hurriedly trying to stay strong. "Now" She added angrily when he didn't move.
Neville fumbled, he didn't know how to convince them. They all waited, Ginny's expression demanding.
"I was running from the Slytherin's last night" Neville started to explain, however he was cut off sharply by Ginny.
"A story isn't proof." She pretty much hissed, sparks shooting from her wand.
Neville shook his head, holding his hands out as if to calm her.
"Ginny, you have to believe me. Please" He whispered. "I know this is hard, but trust me. That's why the teachers have been acting oddly all week. They know."
Now Ginny's expression froze as she attempted to piece together the information Neville had given her. Beside her the others stared on, seemingly unsure of how to react.
"Harry is alive, Ginny" He said as softly as he could. "I spent the whole night with him."
Ginny's steeled expression seemed to melt as her eyes seemed to cloud over. She seemed to be having a internal struggle with herself as she tried to understand.
"He's been with Voldemort all this time" Neville tried to explain, his voice barely keeping steady.
Everyone started in horror at him, clearly unaware if he was being serious or not.
"You're lying" She said, shaking her head. Neville saw everyone else watching him, as if trying to work out what was going on, if he was telling the truth or not.
Ginny seemed to make up her mind as she stared transfixed at him.
"Where?" She demanded, looking up at him her eyes desperate, she had to see him to believe it.
Neville hesitated, which was enough for Ginny to fume.
"Where?" She demanded again, sparks once again flying from her wand. Her eyes glowering.
"McGonagall's office" Neville answered, as he eyed her warily, knowing what her next action would be.
She stayed only briefly as Ginny made to rush out the room, she had dropped her wand in her confused state, so it was easy for Neville to block the door with his wand.
"Ginny, no" He said hurrying forwards. Everyone else beside him. "You can't." He pleaded, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. How could he get them to understand. It would be impossible.
Ginny turned furiously, tears were streaming down her face. "Don't tell me what to do" She said, her voice choking up.
"Ginny" Neville said firmly "He's not himself, you can't"
Ginny froze as she heard these words.
However it was Luna who spoke clearly. "What do you mean, he's not himself? What happened?" She enquired. They all wanted answers as they hung onto his every word.
Neville found he couldn't answer, the anguish and fear in Ginny's expression was too much, along everyone's intense gaze locked upon him. They all looked in a state of confusion and shock.
He couldn't hurt them with the terrifying truth, that Harry must have been subjected to such horrors that they didn't even know. Struggling to find his voice, he settled for the most basic explanation.
"Something is wrong with him" Everyone stilled, waiting for him to continue.
"What do you mean?" Lavender asked, her voice sounded like it was on the verge of trembling. It seemed everyone was starting to believe him.
"I don't know" Neville said shaking his head desperately, his heart racing. "But he's not himself...he's so disconnected." He tried to convey how Harry was, but he felt he could barely do it justice.
Ginny shook her head, he wished he could do more to comfort her as she stood there looking lost and confused.
Luna stepped close and embraced her comfortingly, it seemed Ginny barely noticed as she only blinked, her eyes wide towards Neville.
Ernie looked uncertain as he posed the question unasked by all. "Umm...how is he still alive?" He asked.
Parvati nodded, looking scared as she finally asked what everyone must have been thinking. "I thought You Know Who...wanted him dead?"
Neville nodded "I don't get it either." He steeled himself, there was only one thing they needed from this. "What matters is that Harry is alive" He said firmly, finding the strength in his voice.
Numerous people nodded in agreement, although it was great news, no one seemed to understand how to react. Maybe it would only sink in when they saw Harry for themselves. Neville was just terrified how the others would respond when they realised the extent of Voldemort's damage.
"You can't see him just now" Neville said to all of them, however it was obviously directed at Ginny. "McGonagall said we can't. Not until Harry is ready."
Ginny only stood beside Luna, blankly.
"So what do we do?" Ernie asked hesitantly.
Neville paused before saying. "We carry on with the DA. We do what McGonagall says, we wait"
"You mean we just continue with our plans against Malfoy?" Ernie asked, frowning. "How can we just act as if everything is normal? This isn't right" He stated. People around him muttered in agreement.
"Malfoy knew Harry was alive." Neville said bluntly, remembering Harry and Malfoy's exchange with worry. He had had plenty of time last night last night to replay their interactions with each other.
Ginny seemed to snap out of her daze. "What?" She demanded, suddenly furiously as if distracted from Harry's current situation.
"He knew?" Lavender gaped in horror. "After all this time?"
Neville nodded. "That's why he has been so obnoxious." He explained.
Around him his friends stood surprised. Neville had had most of the night to contemplate everything, although even he still felt numb. He wasn't sure if it was the lack of sleep which held him calm, it might have been his exhaustion which stopped everything feeling so outrageous.
"I will kill him." Ginny hissed, as she began looking around for her wand which she had dropped.
Parvati who had picked it up handed it her hesitantly, obviously nervous about what she would do.
However Ginny seemed to be in two minds with her focus as she started again. "McGonagall can't expect us not to go and see Harry?" She demanded furious as she took her wand from the seventh year.
Neville shook his head urgently. "Harry won't want to see you Ginny" He said softly, trying to make her understand.
"Why not?" She demanded, her face glowering in fury. It seemed the only two emotions she could manage were confusion and anger.
Neville didn't know how to explain, it was to difficult. Harry had once lead the DA, but somehow
along the way everything had become so broken. Everything had fallen apart.
Neville just shook his head. "Please Ginny. Harry is not well. Speak to McGonagall is you must, but you can't go running in on him."
Ginny chewed her lip, her eyes burning fiercely.
"Ginny" Luna said slightly "Neville is right" She prompted as the red head glared at her.
"We need to access the situation before we do anything rash. If Harry is alive then we need to act cautiously. He's spent months in imprisonment, most likely in isolation. If it was you, would you want a load of people suddenly bursting in on you demanding to know how you are."
Ginny and for the most part, everyone else stared at the Ravenclaw in shock. Neville raised his own eyebrows in surprise. Luna had always been astute, but it was almost frightening to see her home in on what Harry had most likely been through.
"It is most likely he's been tortured by You Know Who, both mentally and physically. We don't know what state of mind he will be in."
Lavender and Parvati gasp in horror, moving their hands to their mouths in sync. Everyone else gaped. It seemed only now people were truly understanding what Neville had failed to convey.
"I have to see him" She barely managed to whisper as her voice shook.
"I know" Luna responded gently. "I do too, but we have to do what's right for Harry."
Thanks for reading as always!
This was a tricky chapter, so I hope you all enjoyed it.