Shadows of Hogwarts - Neville's POV
The Room of Requirement had become a sanctuary, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos that had taken over Hogwarts. The moment Neville, Luna, and the rest of Dumbledore's Army had returned, the Room had transformed itself once more—this time, into a hidden command center. Its walls were adorned with maps, secret passage diagrams, and faded photographs of happier times at Hogwarts. Makeshift beds lined one corner, while shelves brimmed with supplies: potion ingredients, spell books, and enchanted artifacts—all ready to be deployed immediately.
Neville Longbottom stood at the center of the room, his expression a mix of grim determination and quiet resolve. Gone was the awkward, unsure boy who had struggled with spells early on. In his place was a young man who had endured and survived the terror of the Carrows and the crushing pressure of leading a rebellion. He had become a leader, a symbol of resistance for the students trapped within the walls of their beloved school.
"All right, listen up!" Neville called, his voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation. Around him, the members of the DA fell silent, their faces tense but eager. Some were battered and bruised from encounters with the Carrows, others wore the haunted look of those who had seen too much for their age.
"We've got our orders," Neville continued, holding up a piece of parchment inscribed with Harry's familiar scrawl. "We're the Hogwarts team, and that means we're looking for the Horcrux hidden somewhere in the castle. We believe it's connected to Rowena Ravenclaw—the lost diadem."
There was a ripple of whispers at that—some curious, others apprehensive. The diadem was a legend, a ghost story whispered about in common rooms and dormitories. Finding it seemed impossible.
"We need to be smart about this," Neville said firmly. "The Carrows are watching us like hawks. If they catch wind of what we're doing… Well, let's just say I don't want to think about what'll happen. So we move in pairs or small groups—never alone. We stay in contact, and if anyone's in trouble, we get them out. No exceptions."
Luna Lovegood stepped forward, her usual dreamy expression replaced with one of startling intensity. "We'll need to start by searching the older parts of the castle," she said softly. "Places where students don't go often. The Owlery, the Trophy Room… maybe even the Forbidden Forest, if we can get out there without being seen. Hermione also said that if we can find some basilisk fangs in the chamber of secrets we should retrieve them and send them back to Headquarters"
Neville glanced over at Seamus Finnigan, his face still bruised from his latest punishment for talking back to the Carrows.
"Right, let's divide up," Neville said briskly, gesturing to the large, tattered map of Hogwarts laid out on the table. "Luna, you take Anthony and Padma and start with the Ravenclaw Tower. See if you can find any clues about the diadem's location. Check the library too—there's got to be something in one of those old books."
Luna nodded, her silver eyes thoughtful. "I'll ask the Grey Lady," she murmured. "She's the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter. If anyone knows where the diadem is, it's her."
"Good idea," Neville said. He turned to Seamus and Katie, who stood side by side, their expressions grim. "Seamus, Katie—you two take the dungeons. Search the Slytherin common room if you can get in, and keep an eye out for the Carrows."
Katie raised an eyebrow. "What are we supposed to do if we find them?"
Neville's smile was humorless. "Keep them busy."
Seamus's grin was wolfish. "Nowthat'ssomething I can do."
"Dean," Neville continued, turning to his best mate. Dean Thomas, who had returned to Hogwarts only a few weeks ago after a narrow escape from Snatchers, looked gaunt but determined. "I need you and Susan to search the Astronomy Tower and the Owlery. Look for anything out of the ordinary—hidden compartments, secret rooms, anything that might point to the diadem."
Dean nodded, his expression serious. "We're on it."
"And I'll be checking the Chamber of Secrets, Harry specifically asked to see if we can retrieve basilisk fangs from there." Neville finished, glancing around the circle. "I'll need backup, though."
"I'll go," Hannah Abbott said immediately, stepping forward. There was a quiet strength in her gaze, a steadiness that belied the nerves she must have been feeling. "If you think there's something down there, we'll find it."
"Thanks, Hannah." Neville met her eyes, grateful. "All right, everyone. You know your tasks. We move out tonight, after curfew. Be careful. And remember: if you find anything—anything—you send up a signal. We regroup, no matter what."
The students nodded, their faces set in determination. There were no jokes now, no whispered conversations. Just the quiet, deadly resolve of soldiers preparing for battle.
"Good luck," Neville murmured, his voice low. "We'll need it."
As the groups began to break off, gathering supplies and whispering last-minute strategies, Luna lingered beside Neville, her gaze soft.
"You're doing well," she said quietly. "Leading us, I mean. Harry would be proud."
Neville swallowed his throat tight. "I just want to do what's right. For Harry. For everyone."
Luna's smile was gentle. "And that's why we'll win."
With a final nod, she turned and drifted away, her blonde hair glowing like moonlight in the dim Room.
Neville took a deep breath, steeling himself.
"Let's go," he murmured to himself, gripping his wand tightly. "For Hogwarts."
And with that, he turned and led his team into the darkness, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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The castle was quiet, a hushed and eerie silence that seemed to thrum with tension. The corridors, once bustling with laughter and chatter, were now empty, their stone walls cold and forbidding. Only the flickering torchlight illuminated the twisting hallways, casting long, wavering shadows that seemed to watch the students as they moved.
Neville led the group cautiously through a secret passage behind a tapestry of a goblin rebellion, his wand tip glowing softly in the dark. Hannah was just behind him, her eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. There was no telling where the Carrows or their informants might be hiding. A single misstep and their entire operation would be blown.
"Are you sure this is the way to the Chamber of Secrets?" Hannah whispered, glancing over her shoulder. They'd taken so many turns and hidden staircases that the path was starting to blur in her memory.
"Positive," Neville murmured. "It's not far now. I've been studying the castle's layout every chance I get."
The passage opened up into a narrow corridor lined with ancient suits of armor. Neville peered around cautiously before beckoning Hannah forward.
They moved quickly but carefully, every creak of the floorboards making their hearts race. As they rounded a corner, they froze. A tall, dark figure stood at the end of the hallway, half hidden in shadow.
"Who's there?" Hannah breathed, gripping her wand tightly.
Neville's grip tightened on his own wand, his body coiled like a spring, ready to fight or flee. But then the figure stepped into the dim light, and Neville felt his tension release in a rush of relief.
"Michael?" he whispered, staring at the familiar face of Michael Corner, his hair disheveled and his eyes wide.
"Shh!" Michael hissed, glancing around nervously. "What are you doing out here, Neville? The Carrows are patrolling—if they catch you…"
"We're looking for something," Neville replied, his voice low but steady. "What are you doing out here?"
Michael hesitated, then glanced over his shoulder as if to make sure they were alone. "I—I've been watching them. The Carrows, I mean. I think they're onto something. They've been spending a lot of time down in the dungeons, talking about some—some hidden treasure or relic. I don't know if it's connected to what you're looking for, but—"
"It might be," Neville said, his mind racing. If the Carrows were after something in the dungeons, it could be the diadem… or maybe another Horcrux. They couldn't afford to ignore it.
"Can you show us?" Hannah asked quietly, her eyes fixed on Michael's.
Michael bit his lip, then nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I can. But we have to be careful. The Carrows have been setting traps—cursed staircases, false doors, you name it. One wrong step, and…"
"We'll be careful," Neville promised. "Lead the way."
They followed Michael through the twisting corridors, their footsteps soft and silent on the stone floor. The air grew colder as they descended, the walls narrowing until they were almost claustrophobic. Every sound seemed amplified—the drip of water from a distant pipe, the faint rustle of something scurrying in the darkness.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the dungeons. Michael paused, his hand resting on a rough-hewn stone in the wall.
"They've been going in and out of here," he whispered. "But I don't know what they're looking for. I've heard them muttering about something hidden—something dangerous. It might be what you're after."
Neville nodded. "Stay here," he whispered. "If we're not back in fifteen minutes, go and get help."
"What?" Michael stared at him, his eyes wide. "You—you can't go in there alone! The Carrows—"
"Michael," Neville interrupted gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If they're hiding something, we have to know what it is. We'll be careful, I promise. But if we're not back… tell the others. Tell Luna."
Michael swallowed hard, then nodded. "Be careful."
"We will," Neville murmured, his gaze steady. Then he turned and slipped through the narrow doorway, Hannah close behind him.