Neville's head was buzzing as he walked towards McGonagall's office that evening. It had been one of the most surreal days he had ever experienced.
The castle had been absolutely chaotic as the news of Harry had spread. Fortunately Harry's location had remained a secret which had only confused Neville no end, he had suspected the Slytherin's would be telling everyone.
It was with an uncomfortable chill that Neville had realised Malfoy must have been the reason for their silence. But he just couldn't figure out why.
Most of the DA had skipped out on classes as they had spent the best part of the morning trying to figure out their next move. Ginny had taken a long while to calm down and in turn convince that seeing Harry was not the best for him.
A few members of the DA had wanted to halt their attack on the Slytherin as his movements around the castle would undoubtedly change. But Neville had shot them down, mostly for Ginny's sake, if they weren't going to act tonight, then he had a horrible feeling that she would move irrationally.
Both himself and Ginny had been in detention almost every day of the week for something relating to the DA, but they had both gotten off very lightly considering. Neville didn't want to imagine what might happen if Ginny acted alone. The DA together were much stronger as the teachers were never certain in who to punish.
Neville just didn't want the same mistake happening like at the start of the year and he certainly didn't want Ginny doing something she regretted. He sighed heavily as he continued towards McGonagall's office.
Neville had been filled with hundreds of questions to ask Harry, but he couldn't help but disregard them now. He had explained what Harry must have been through, but it seemed people still missed the point. They wanted to know how Harry was, they wanted to tell him about the DA, they were excited for him to be back.
In all honesty Neville knew he would have acted similarly if he hadn't seen how broken Harry was, and as a result Neville had ended up listening to everyone who was curious and wanted answers.
He had hardly received much of a response last night, he knew asking would only result in Harry distancing himself.
He arrived and knocked, waiting anxiously as the door opened. His head of house only nodded curtly to him as he stepped inside.
He wasn't surprised to see Harry sitting up on the window sill once more, who only glanced briefly in his direction. He looked tired and even worse then last night. Neville felt his stomach churn in horror, he hadn't expected Harry could get any worse.
He was surprised as McGonagall made to leave. "I will be back shortly." She said quietly to him. "There is something I must attend to".
Neville only blinked in response as she left, he hadn't expected he to leave so promptly, he heard a click of the lock behind them.
He swallowed awkwardly as he moved across to the sofa and sat down. What did McGonagall want him to do? She had spoken about getting Harry to open up but he didn't really have a clue about how to go about this.
How could he help Harry when he didn't even know what to say. He hadn't even said hello yet.
This was going to be difficult, Harry was seemed content in just sitting in silence. Neville wasn't sure if he should encourage this or break it.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Harry was exhausted, even after his complete lack of sleep he had barely closed his eyes today. He stared blankly out of the window, his eyes unfocused and lifeless as he forced himself to stay awake. Maybe soon he would be able to rest without the constant stream of nightmares.
Madam Pomfrey had been absolutely strict in giving him dreamless sleep potions and because his appetite had been almost non existent this was also restricting his recovery. He had contemplated asking McGonagall to knock him out with a stupify, but he didn't think she would even consider it.
His nightmares had been unrelenting, filled mostly with dementors. Harry had hoped that being away from the manor would be a relief, however the few times he had drifted off naturally his visions had been terrifying, he had woken up drenched in his own sweat, eyes wide and panicking. McGonagall had been by his side all day, asking few questions and handing him water when he needed, it had been a nice change. Particularly because his Professor wasn't treating him like a broken doll, she was just there, by his side.
Harry had also in turn been surprised with Neville, he had thought he would be bombarded with questions, invading the small space of freedom he now had, but the Gryffindor had done anything but.
Neville had now moved across from the door and was sitting on the sofa, Harry pretty much ignored him, he was just too tired to even attempt conversation right now. His head was burning and his whole body ached constantly.
The lake was still with the giant squid deep in it's depths as Harry only vaguely took in his surroundings.
The view had been a comfort to him over the last few days, it's huge expanse totally different from the claustrophobic room. Harry longed to go outside, to just feel fresh air but the cold reality of his confinement kept him feeling lost and uncertain. His nightmares had been disgusting, he just wanted to sleep, he just wanted to be away from all this.
He had contemplated McGonagall's suggestion a few times now about leaving the castle. Harry could run, he didn't have to go on. Dumbledore had left him with this impossible task, who could ask more from him.
Ron and Hermione would run with him of course, Harry knew they would. He hated himself for even considering this option, he should stay, he couldn't leave. The Horcrux's had to be destroyed.
Even if he did escape, would his nightmares stop. He felt sick as his eyes remained unfocused.
He wasn't sure if he heard Neville speaking, everything was so jumbled and confused as he stared out the window, when had living become so difficult.
"Harry"
Harry hadn't been paying attention, he was jolted from his trance as he flinched horribly, fear spreading through him instinctively as he jerked himself away from the hand that had come to rest on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry" There was suddenly a hasty retreat as Harry struggled to understand what had happened. He blinked as his thoughts swam, his heart pounding, fiercely as he drew himself close in on himself defensively.
It took awhile for Harry to grasp his barrings and to realise he wasn't in danger.
"I was just saying about the attack on Malfoy" Neville spoke apologetically.
Harry only blinked at him, completely confused, the attack on Malfoy.
"Sorry?" He barely managed to say.
"The DA, Weasley products, you know to get back at Malfoy" Neville said, as if Harry should understand what was going on.
"The DA are going to attack Malfoy?" He questioned, his head buzzing as he looked at Neville.
Neville was standing away from him now awkwardly, as if worried his proximity had been too uncomfortable for Harry. He only nodded a slight grin on his face.
"Yeah, tomorrow night. Just up from here. It should finally set him in his place" Neville added.
Harry couldn't place the tone of his voice, he only listened and didn't respond.
Neville had been quite eager to speak about the DA last night and again today. Harry felt himself feeling anxious, he had no idea how to react to this.
Of course the others would now know that he was alive, but perceiving his own involvement in the situation was a weird one. Would they expect Harry to go back to them, back into fighting against Voldemort. Harry dismissed the idea completely, he would not think about it, the Horcrux's were the target, nothing else mattered. He would not return to the manor, the DA would not change this
"Harry"
Harry turned to Neville once again lost in his own thoughts.
"Are you hungry?" His friend asked, his eyes full of concern.
Harry shook his head, he felt to sick to manage anything right now, too tired. His head continued to throb painfully.
"The DA" Harry found himself speaking, despite his lack of coherent thoughts.
"Do they expect me to fight?" He turned and stared at Neville hard. This was important.
Neville's lack of answer was all Harry needed to feel annoyance. He didn't reply as Neville seemed to fumble over an answer.
"Everyone is wanting to see you Harry" He started, with what could only be an attempt at a comforting smile
Harry couldn't help but frown as he observed his friend carefully. He had completely avoided his question and that only made his expression darken.
"Haven't I done enough?" Harry asked coldly, his head tilting to the side as he felt his anger rise.
He watched as Neville flinched under his piercing gaze.
"Of course you have Harry" Neville started, "It's just-"
The fact that Neville continued only caused Harry to snap.
"Just what?" He asked pointedly. "That everyone wants to see me fight Voldemort." He hissed "That's what they all expect isn't it?"
He lashed out, moving off the window sill as he glared at Neville furiously.
"Haven't I done enough?" He repeated again, barely registering himself speaking, his whole body shaking uncontrollable. He had the Horcrux's to deal with, how could anyone expect him to fight for the DA as well.
Neville was standing across from him, his eyes wide, his mouth agape. Harry didn't care. He just wanted him to go.
"Harry, no one expects anything from you" Neville answered, as he stepped away cautiously.
"Really?" Harry demanded, he knew he shouldn't feel angry but this was all he expected. He had of course started the DA.
"Harry please" Neville insisted. "We can help you. All of us can" He had raised his own hands up as if this would help his point.
Harry faulted, a mad expression on his face. "Help?" He actually laughed. "How can you help?" He stepped forwards again, Neville didn't answer, he only stared blankly at him. Harry felt everything inside him crush. He actually wanted to know, he desperately needed to be free of these nightmares, he only wanted to sleep. It just wasn't fair.
"Get out" Harry snapped. He knew he shouldn't be angry at his friend, he knew he was truly trying to do what was best for him, that he shouldn't lose patience. His own silent company had been a comfort but right now he felt the whole pressure, the whole demand of the DA before him in the form of Neville.
He just wanted to be alone.
"Get out" Harry hissed again, barely able to focus as his vision blurred.
Neville hesitated. "McGonagall would want me to stay" He argued, but Harry only stared at him coldly, not saying another word.
They kept their eyes locked on each other, before Neville finally turned and gave up, leaving abruptly, Harry was sure it was just to appease him, just to make sure that he would be okay, it was what he had asked for after all, but as the door closed hurriedly in front of him he couldn't help but feel a stab of regret. Maybe he would sleep soon he thought dully in the back of his mind.
Xxxxxxxx
Neville entered the quiet Gryffindor common room, it had taken him a long while before he had managed to bring himself back to his friends. He had spent the last half and hour waiting outside McGonagalls office for her to return and then found himself wandering around the castle aimlessly in a daze, shocked at what had happened.
McGonagall had narrowed her eyes shrewdly at him when she had returned but had said nothing else as she only nodded and stepped inside to see Harry, closing the door behind her.
Neville took this as his cue to leave.
He hadn't wanted to leave Harry alone, but staying with him had just caused him to become agitated and nervous.
The DA was completely out of the question now, Harry's own voice echoing in his head.
"Haven't I done enough?"
Neville felt sick to the stomach, Harry should never have needed to ask that question. Of course he had done enough. Voldemort had destroyed Harry completely, how could the DA be waiting for him to return. This was all so wrong.
Of course Neville also wanted Harry to return to the DA but he hadn't expected such a negative response, there had to be more to Harry being distant then just not wanting to talk and Neville had to find out why and fast.
Parvati, Lavender, Seamus and Ginny were sitting by the fire, there anxious faces, silhouetted against the flickering fire was enough to have Neville tense, however they all looked eager at his return.
Neville had been out long after curfew, he was lucky not to run into any of his teachers as he briefly observed the empty common room.
He tried to keep his expression guarded as he forced a small smile on his face.
"How is he?" Ginny burst out saying before he had even sat down. She was watching him carefully, impatient for him to answer.
Neville was sure they would cotton on to his fear, but no one did as he answered, his voice strained as he lied. "Okay"
They would all be crushed if they found out that Harry was worse than before, and the fact that he had reacted so negatively to the DA would be such a kick in the stomach. They had been fighting for Harry after all.
He felt nothing but guilt and disgust as they watched him.
"How long before Harry is back in the common room?" Parvati interjected excitedly before he could expand.
Neville hesitated, before finally managing to answer. "You know Madam Pomfrey" He shrugged. "Whenever she decides to release him"
He watched as Ginny smiled, now sitting back in her own chair as she relaxed.
"And what did Harry think about attacking Malfoy?" Ginny asked her eyes shinning. Neville felt his stomach churn uncomfortably as he focused on staring at the fire instead of her. He was sure he looked terrible but it seemed nothing would shake her good mood.
"He didn't say" He replied, trying to act light hearted. The DA meant everything to them all, particularly Ginny, it would crush her. He wished he could explain.
Ginny only grinned. "Malfoy is going to get what's coming to him."
Seamus nodded. "Everything is ready to go then?"
Ginny nodded, but she was still focused on Neville, he couldn't meet her eye as he stared distantly into the fire.
"I'm going to bed" Neville stated suddenly, standing up abruptly, startling them. He couldn't do this, he couldn't really say everything was alright and he left before any of them could protest.
Xxxxxxxx
The next day had gone quickly and soon Neville found himself with Ginny and Luna, walking towards their targeted position. The DA had been excited, and nearly everyone was waiting for their return back in the room of requirements. Ginny had once again spent most of the time asking about Harry but he had shushed her, anxious that they would be heard.
Everything should be easy enough to set up in place, they still had around half an hour before the Slytherin would show up and they were confident no one else would be there or in the surrounding area.
However he couldn't have been further from the truth as they rounded the corner and Neville stopped automatically, freezing in shock and panic.
A very furious Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.
Neville nearly swore out loud, almost felt himself turning as if to run away, his brain somehow contemplating that they could get away with this if they left now.
However Ginny and Luna had reacted exactly like he had, pausing next to him, stunned at their Professors presence.
This wasn't right. They had no time to hide the Weasley products as McGonagall moved her wand fluently, causing everything to disappear from under their arms.
"In" McGonagall instructed sternly, gesturing to the empty classroom beside them.
They glanced at each other nervously before resigning themselves. Neville was sure they had just doubled the number of detentions he already had lined up.
Xxxxxxxx
Minerva observed the three students carefully in front of her.
Longbottom, Weasley and Lovegood had been constantly involved in most of the activities against both Snape and the Carrows and it was starting to worry her greatly. They were making themselves targets and the whole situation had changed.
"You have to act more cautiously" She began, her expression hard.
"Professor?" Ginny Weasley enquired confused, as she glanced at her fellow students. She knew that this was not the reaction they had been expecting but she continued firmly.
"I am aware, as is the headmaster, that you together are running Dumbledore's Army"
She continued despite their silent and blank expressions, as if they were trying to hide their intentions, despite what they had just been caught doing.
Neville however spoke up "What about it?"
Minerva noticed the annoyed glance that Ginny shot him.
"Any activities involving the DA must stop now." She said firmly.
"What?" Ginny demanded. "Professor, we can't stop. We have to fight, you know this?"
"I have turned a blind eye before, as have my colleagues" She said tight lipped. "However it stops now. You have pushed the boundaries too much."
Neville was silent, as was Luna who was looking thoughtfully around the room. Ginny however was fuming with the famous Weasley temper.
"We are at war." She all but shouted staring at her coldly. "If we give in, then we are resigning ourselves to You Know Who's regime."
"I am aware of the situation" She said sternly, watching them carefully "However circumstances change, and so must we."
"What circumstances?" Ginny demanded, she looked furious.
However Neville spoke up. "Harry?" He said quietly and Minerva was pleased that at least one of them understood the severity of the situation.
Ginny fell quiet immediately. Luna seemed to focus in now as she locked her gaze on Neville.
"Yes Mr Longbottom" She nodded firmly. "And it is for Mr Potter's benefit which I ask you to stop."
"I understand" Neville said quietly. However Ginny was quick to speak up.
""What, no. Harry would not want us to stop" She said fiercely. "Harry would want us to fight."
"Ginny, for crying out loud. I've told you before, Harry's not well, he cannot fight." Neville argued, his eyes locked on hers as if pleading for her to understand.
"Just because he can't fight, doesn't mean he doesn't want to" She said firmly. "Harry started the DA. He doesn't want us to stop it."
"She is right Neville" Luna spoke up for the first time. "I'm assuming the Dark Lord is now holding Harry a hostage in this situation?" She queried McGonagall
Ginny snapped her gaze to the young Ravenclaw, before back to her Professor.
"What? What happened?" She demanded.
"Exactly as Miss Lovegood explained" Minerva said quietly, her own heart racing. "Mr Potter's situation is a complicated one, we do not yet know the conditions of his imprisonment at Hogwarts." They all visibly flinched at those words, obviously they hadn't really understood before. "To make this easier for us all I am asking you to stop the activities within the DA" She added firmly.
However Ginny seemed to miss the point as she turned to her friend.
"Wait." Ginny said frowning, she turned to Luna. "You agree with me? That we should continue the DA despite the threat of You Know Who?"
"Mmmm" Luna nodded. "I think if Harry was better, he would agree with you."
Minerva was anxious, this wasn't how she wanted to this to go. "I must ask you to reconsider" She said tightly.
Neville was silent as he stood their awkwardly. Minerva wasn't aware of much of his and Harry's conversation from the previous night but she knew enough.
Snape had made it very clear that when Harry had recovered she was to go and speak to him regarding the situation and if that was the case McGonagall wanted to have absolutely no reason for Harry's removal from the school and this included everything to do with shutting down the DA.
Even if they did continue to fight, every action would have to be subtle move from now on and she wasn't yet sure if she wanted to risk it.
Xxxxxxxxx
Neville walked back to the room of requirements in silence despite Ginny's frustrated mummers along side him. Luna was also walking along silently as if too lost in thought.
Neville was so confused, he didn't know what to do, could he really stop fighting. McGonagall hadn't even given them any detentions which again was odd, nothing was making sense any more.
Harry had said often enough that it was necessary for sacrifices and risks, but how far was he prepared to go. Would he potentially gamble Harry's freedom for the fight. That's one thing he didn't think he was prepared to do.
"Ginny, we can't do this" He said quietly, as they continued to walk.
Ginny turned on him and sighed heavily. He was surprised to see the doubt in her face, she had seemed so confident before.
"We have to still do something" She said quietly. "Everyone else is doing something. Everyone else is fighting for what they care about, for those they love."
"Ginny, wouldn't that be what we were doing? By stopping, we'd be protecting Harry."
Ginny expression was hard as she argued. "That's not even guaranteed and it would only be for the short term. Honestly, do you really think Harry will want to live like this forever? Trapped in Hogwarts?"
"You think we should continue?" He asked lightly, his heart racing at her determined expression.
Ginny nodded slowly. "Yes, we can see what the others think but I don't think it's worth considering."
Neville couldn't help but disagree, everything was getting stupidly complicated.
They entered the room of requirements to a group of excited faces. At once Lavender had bounded forwards.
"Did you do it? Did it work?" She asked excitedly.
Before Neville could answer Ginny had stormed forwards, sparks flying from her wand. She was furious and Neville could understand why, she had been only momentary distracted with McGongall's suggestions but now there was another important matter to address. One which he too was anxious to get to the bottom of.
"Someone told on us" Ginny glared, scanning everyone who gasp in shock as they stared in disbelief.
"Who?" Seamus demanded along among the deadly silent group.
No one spoke, Neville's own thoughts were racing as he scanned their expressions. He felt frustrated as no one gave anything away.
"Did anyone say anything to anyone else?" She demanded, getting straight to the point. Everyone shook their heads furiously, locking eyes with each other as if trying to work out who would have betrayed them.
"What happened?" Lavender asked, chewing her lip anxiously.
Ginny seemed to angry to answer so Luna filled them in calmly.
"McGonagall were there" She said to the horrified reactions. "She knew."
Neville noticed Seamus staring coldly at Zacharias Smith, holding his own wand lightly.
Smith noticed. "What?" He snapped offended. "You think I would give myself detention?"
"It depends what else you might get out of it?, after all you weren't actually planting anything" Seamus said all too lightly, the implications were not missed.
"Whoah" Neville said, stepping in between them, raising his hands to block them both as they squared up against each other. "Let's not jump to conclusions" He said, flicking his eyes between the two, he gave Seamus a pointed look.
Seamus pushed him away angry. "Well someone snitched on us" He snapped.
"Or someone overheard us" Luna answered. "It's more than likely"
"Fine" Ginny concluded, she held her wand firmly in her grip. Neville couldn't help but watch her anxiously, an uncomfortable feeling building in his stomach, she had wanted revenge on Malfoy for so long and it had been snatched away from her at the last minute. Ginny had been acting so irrationally over the last few weeks, her anger blindly driving her. Neville had only encouraged her to act so he could not blame her. Perhaps it was because Harry had rejoined them that he was more concerned then before. The rules were different now, however Ginny continued sharply.
"Who spoke about it outside the room of requirements?"
Again, everyone denied it. Neville didn't want to believe that someone had snitched on them but it was beginning to look like the only solution.
Seamus was still glaring at Smith, even others were turning to him now and Neville couldn't help but feel guilty in suspecting the Hufflepuff. He was the most likely candidate.
"Fine." Ginny snapped, her expression blazing "If no one wants to own up-"
Neville zoned out on her voice as as he felt everything stop. It couldn't be. He felt his insides freeze as he swore under his breath.
Ginny homed in on him immediately as did the others. All seeming to understand from the shocked look his face that he knew exactly what had happened.
No one spoke as he said quietly.
"I told someone" His heart was hammering wildly in his chest. Neville tried to ignore Seamus's disbelieving expression.
"Harry" Neville said, his voice sounding strangely distant as he managed to speak. "I told Harry"
Everyone stared at him in horror, it was if Neville had simultaneously kicked everyone in the gut.
Neville couldn't focus as he re-ran everything in his own mind.
He didn't understand, what did Harry have to gain from telling McGonagall, he hardly participated willingly in conversation so it was unlikely he had just brought it up. He knew Harry had been against rejoining the DA, but to actively do something against it, wasn't right. Something more had to be going on.
Even with McGonagall's warning that the DA should stop, he knew without hesitation that Harry would never have suggested this.
He felt a deadly chill flood through him as he finally cottoned onto a possible reason. Malfoy, they had planned on attacking Malfoy.
Ginny finally found her voice. "Harry betrayed us?"
Neville blinked at her tone of voice. She didn't sound sad, she sounded furious.
"Don't say that" Neville started, annoyed that Ginny had jumped to that conclusion above others.
"Why not?" She snapped furiously as she processed the information. "It's the truth, why else would he tip off McGonagall?"
Neville felt himself getting annoyed. He glanced around at everyone who were looking at him with either sceptic or accusing expressions, it only made him feel worse.
"I've told you before" He retorted. "Harry isn't well. The most lively I've seen him is interacting with Malfoy."
At least Luna nodded her agreement but that he didn't settle him.
"And your point is?" Ginny demanded.
"We don't know what happened to Harry, for all we know he owes Malfoy?" Neville said piecing his thoughts together. Harry obviously had a odd confinement going by his interactions with the Slytherin. Although Neville had only watched them that one time, it was truly unsettling to see the influence on him. Harry had shown more reaction to Malfoy then he had with himself.
Ginny laughed coldly, raising her arms in the air as if to exaggerate her point. "I don't care if Harry owes Malfoy his life. How could he snitch on us like that? Regardless of what McGonagall was saying either"
It seemed no one else in the room wanted to take a side, they were standing watching silently with guarded expressions as he and Ginny argued.
"You'll ask him why when you go and see him won't you?" She said her voice cold.
Neville just frowned, that wasn't going to happen. "Of course I won't"
Ginny was livid. "Yeah okay. You just prance off down to see Harry and have a great time while we all sit here trying to make a difference in this war."
Neville was stunned, she couldn't be further from the truth, she was acting totally and utterly irrationally, completely blinded by her rage, unable to make clear judgements.
"Ginny" He snapped. "You're not making any sense" He nearly drew his own wand to counter Ginny's who was still holding hers threateningly, her expression furious. "You don't understand what Harry has been through"
"Maybe if I was allowed to go and see him then" She fumed. Neville halted in his retort as he understood all her frustrations immediately. She wasn't really angry.
She was upset and struggling to cope. That was all, she had just found out that she had Harry back only not to have him at all. Neville hadn't considered how she would be feeling. It was only natural that she would be more upset then others that Harry had no desire to see her.
Neville softened as he spoke calmly, trying to calm her down. "Ginny. I know it hurts"
This was apparently the wrong thing to say, her expression faulted only briefly before she hissed.
"You don't know anything"
Neville knew all her anger was now directed at him, of course it would be. He had been allowed to see Harry, she was jealous.
She was almost worth not engaging, she wouldn't listen but he continued to try as everyone shifted anxiously around them.
"Ginny, please. I've said before. Malfoy-"
"Harry has no justified reason to defend that ferret" She interrupted. "Nothing you can say can change that"
"Harry is not well-" Again Ginny snapped, cutting across him as she glared.
"If Harry has to get better, then he needs to learn who's side he's on" Ginny hissed. "It doesn't justify snitching on us"
"Harry is on our side Ginny" Luna tried reasoning softly and Neville was grateful for her support, however Ginny only rounded on her.
"Then why did he choose Malfoy instead of us?"
Neville didn't reply, he had tried explaining before but she just didn't want to listen. He only gave her a sharp look at her as he moved out of the room of requirements, ignoring everyone's gaze. He was going to see Harry.
Xxxxxxxxx
Neville knocked and entered. He immediately zoned in on Harry who was as always sitting up on the large window sill, surprisingly he locked eyes with Neville immediately. Neville faltered, he hadn't expected to see Harry looking so concerned.
Neville was even more surprised to see McGonagall sitting at her desk, he hadn't anticipated her to be back in her office already. She didn't say anything, as her stern gaze only watched him. He felt immediately uncomfortable as he just froze confused. He knew he hadn't been expected but he couldn't justify their reactions.
Neville felt his heart thump uncomfortable as he stared at McGonagall, her eyes only flicked briefly to Harry and Neville finally cottoned on. He hadn't planned on bringing up Malfoy but it was apparent his friend had been anxious about his reaction.
Funnily enough Neville didn't know whether to feel pleased by Harry's normal reaction or concerned about how Harry thought he might react.
Neville stepped forwards but froze as Harry flinched back. McGonagall had stood abruptly, obviously she knew Neville would not hurt Harry, she was just concerned. Neville felt sick as he backed off slowly, he hadn't ever meant to scare Harry, he only wanted to show his genuine intentions. Instead he settled for standing awkwardly by the sofa.
"It's okay" Neville started. Harry immediately went from looking anxious and concerned to looking confused.
Neville elaborated. "You don't need to explain."
Harry didn't say anything as he stared at him from the window sill, Neville didn't think he'd seen Harry look this engaged as he was locked onto his every word.
"I don't understand, and I know the others don't either, but you don't have to explain."
Harry continued to look at him briefly before he only nodded and turned back to staring out the window. Neville felt relieved as he noticed Harry had relaxed.
McGonagall seemed satisfied for she only cleared her throat to get his attention as she moved on abruptly.
"I have somewhere to be this evening Mr Longbottom" She started and Neville felt his curiosity grow, he hadn't really known why he had really decided to come and see Harry. Perhaps it was because he was struggling to deal with Ginny right now, but it did seem that McGonagall had hoped he would stop by.
"I want you to stay with Mr Potter" She explained. Neville nodded, as she continued. "Do not fall asleep and if anyone attempts to enter contact one of your other Professors immediately."
Neville glanced at Harry who was now looking at her, again Neville was surprised that he was paying so much attention. He hadn't seen him this active or interested before.
"You're going to find them?" He spoke bluntly and Neville frowned confused, not following the conversation.
McGonagall only nodded. "I hope to be back before morning." She swept her wand down as her outdoor cloak flew towards her. "If I am not then please inform Professor Flitwick"
Neville realised this last point had been directed at him.
"Okay" He responded.
McGonagall was looking at Harry once more, her stern gaze had softened. "Is there anything else you want me to pass on?"
Neville only waited as Harry looked back to the window. "Tell them to be careful"
Neville finally understood as he opened his mouth as if he was going to say something. However he didn't and he closed it again quickly.
McGonagall was going to find Ron and Hermione.
Sorry this chapter was so slow paced, everything will pick up soon I promise!
I hope this chapter made sense...I've re-read it so many times now, but I'm anxious that it's still confusing.
Thanks for reading/reviewing/favouriting and following as always!