Neville stared at me with wide eyes as I took the seat next to him the next morning. Part of me wanted to skip breakfast entirely and do what I could to avoid the others. The larger part of me wanted to give them a very public cold shoulder. Malfoy's don't hide.

"Good morning." I kept my tone pleasant and eyes off of the entrance to the Great Hall.

"Morning." He mumbled, looking embarrassed. He looked around the room, confused. "W- What are you doing over here?"

"What? Am I not allowed to sit with my friend?" I asked, leveling my gaze on him. Neville blushed and shook his head, turning back to his breakfast.

I took a long sip of tea, trying to settle my nerves. Ron and I bickered. Hermione and I had some tiffs but never anything huge. What hurt the most was Harry being so adamant about it. That stung more than I thought it would.

At least last year we had proof that Snape was involved- never mind the fact that we were wrong in the end. This felt like a personal attack. Wrong on so many levels.

"I'm dreading DADA today." I said, setting my cup down. "Did you do the homework? I don't know why he makes us read his books when he has us reenact them throughout class."

"It is a bit silly, isn't it." Neville agreed awkwardly.

I smiled at the boy, trying to ease his nerves. Seamus and Dean made their way over to us, looking at me surprised. The two slid onto the bench across from us.

"What's going on here?" Seamus asked, starting to pile his plate high with food. "I haven't seen you sit apart from the others in a long while."

Dean cleared his throat at Seamus' question, shooting his friend a look. Seamus, for the most part, looked clueless. I was surprised he didn't know about the fight the trio and I had last night. Most of the Gryffindor Common room had overheard it.

"Just hanging out with Neville. Is there a problem with that?" I challenged and Seamus paused, his mouth stuffed with food.

"No, just curious is all." He said, not bothering to finish chewing. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"Excuse him." Dean said softly. "He doesn't have any manners."

Seamus let out a squawk of indignation and immediately began to cough as he choked on his food. A laugh escaped me and soon Neville and Dean were joining in as Seamus thumped his chest, face flushed with embarrassment. Seamus and Dean fell into easy conversation while Neville and I sat back and listened. The Great Hall grew louder as students came in for breakfast before classes began.

"Lyra, can we have a minute?" I turned to see Hermione standing behind me, shifting her weight back and forth. Ron and Harry stood a couple of steps behind her looking guilty.

My lips pursed as I gave the three a slow once over.

"No."

Seamus and Dean's conversation stopped. I turned around, ignoring the tense expressions on everyone's faces.

"Please we just-"

"Not happening, Granger." I said, grabbing a piece of toast off of the plate in front of me. I slowly buttered it, keeping my expression controlled.

Hermione huffed behind me.

"Lyra-"

"Just leave her be." Ron cut Hermione off. "Come talk to us when you're done being a child."

My grip on my knife tightened at Ron's words. Their footsteps receded and I saw through the corner of my eye that they took a seat further down the table. All staring intently at me.

"Bloody hell," Seamus breathed, turning back towards me. "What was that about?"

"That's none of your business." I snapped and got to my feet. "I'm heading to class. Neville, are you coming?"

Neville looked at the boys across from us before nodding, hastily gathering his things. I didn't bother waiting for him, instead stalking out of the Great Hall.

"W-wait up Lyra." Neville panted, trying to keep up with me. I slowed my pace, letting him catch up. "Are you okay?"

I stopped at his question. His large brown eyes were staring into mine. My chest tightened at his expression. Why was I gaining a soft spot for Neville of all people.

"S- Sorry." He mumbled looking sheepish. "I just- I heard about your guys' argument last night and… are you okay?"

I shrugged, then shook my head as my throat tightened. Don't do it. Don't cry. I pleaded to myself. Swallowing thickly, I squashed my emotions down. The pressure on my throat started to ease.

"I'm fine." My smile was unconvincing.

"You don't have to lie to me." Neville mumbled and looked away awkwardly. "I just- we're friends right? There's no reason to lie."

I stared at him surprised. Neville was timid, clumsy, and not the brightest kid. Yet here he was, ignoring all the horrible things my brother and family had done to him. Using my words from this morning against me.

My chest ached at his vulnerability. Tears stung my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to force them down.

"Right, friends."

A smile spread across Neville's face and he nodded once.

"L- let's get to class."


Something ugly twisted inside me as I watched Harry, Ron, and Hermione for the rest of the week. None of them tried to approach me again, instead they sat hunched, whispering to themselves. Like they were conspiring. Once in a while they would glance at me, but none approached.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

My family was far from perfect. I wasn't naive enough to believe that they were. But to think that Father and Draco had something to do with the Chamber- the prank that had been pulled- it was mad. It made me more angry at the trio the more I thought about it.

They didn't need me, so I didn't need them.

Seeing how tense the trio made me, Neville didn't push the topic anymore. Despite his stuttering and self deprecating manner, he was surprisingly good company. It was nice to have comfortable silence compared to the constant drama and chatter that came with the others.

"Blimey, it's cold out today." Neville muttered as he and I found seats in the Quidditch stadium.

The air was muggy, grey clouds were steadily moving towards us. Even with the weather, the stadium was packed, buzzing with anticipation. It was the first Quidditch game of the year. Gryffindor vs Slytherin. Not only that but it was Draco's first game too. I was excited to see him play.

I scanned the crowd, looking for Ron and Hermione. They were sitting a couple of benches below us, talking amongst themselves.

I'm sure they had visited Harry before the game. I felt sick at the thought.

"You're staring again." Neville muttered from my side and I looked away from them quickly right as Hermione looked back towards us.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I huffed, crossing my arms.

Both teams walked onto the field, the crowd around us roaring with excitement. A smile played on my lips as I spotted Draco sporting his silver and green robes. I knew just how much Quidditch meant to him.

"On my whistle," Madame Hooch said, her voice amplified for all to hear. "Three… two… one…"

The crowd roared as the students shot up into the sky. Harry and Draco flew high above the pitch. Both searching for the snitch no doubt.

"I overheard Ron and Harry talking last night." Neville continued. "T-they do miss you. I- I think you should cut them some slack."

I leveled a glare at the boy.

"Well, they sure don't act like it." I sniffed. "Anyways, why are you meddling? Tired of my company already?"

Neville's face went red and he turned his attention to the game. The boy stuttered an apology. A pang of guilt caused my frown to deepen.

Stop being mean to the one person who cares. I thought. Instead of apologizing, something caught my attention causing me to pause.

"That Bludger looks like it's been tampered with." I mumbled watching Harry try his best to avoid the black streak that was chasing him. Fred and George flanked his side, doing their best to protect Harry from the ball.

Madam Hooch's whistle rang through the air, Gryffindor calling a timeout. They must have realized it too.

"Is that possible?" Neville asked, his voice small. I shrugged, unsure.

Rain started to fall as Hooch's whistle rang through the air again and the players rose in the air once again. The older students around us cast a charm, blocking us from the rain. However, the growing storm made it difficult to see the players. Harry flew, his movements random as he tried to avoid the Bludger that was right on his tail. He was succeeding in keeping his distance but laughter started to bubble up from the crowd. He looked ridiculous.

I watched with bated breath as Draco flew up in the air near him. The two paused for a moment. Draco said something that none of us could hear. It was for a moment too long.

I gasped along with the crowd as the Bludger hit Harry with a sickening crack. He spun for a minute before stopping. His right arm dangled at his side. The Bludger pelted back towards him and Harry swerved out of the way just in time.

"I can't watch." Neville groaned next to me, covering his face with his hands. I felt like I was about to be sick.

My stomach dropped as Harry dove towards Draco. Draco managed to dodge out of the way but Harry was not slowing down. Only hanging on with his legs, Harry was rapidly descending.

"He's going to crash!" One of the students next to us yelled, the crowd now shouting at Harry to pull up.

With a sickening thud, Harry collided into the ground. For a moment he was still, then he rolled on his back holding up his good arm in the air.

"What is that- It's the Snitch!" Lee Jordan shouted into his microphone. "Harry Potter has caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!"

The crowd went wild as Harry's arm fell limply to his side. Players were landing rapidly, people rushing towards Harry on the field. I placed a hand over my heart, trying to remember how to breathe.

"He's okay, Neville." I grabbed Neville's sleeve, trying to convince myself more than him. "He'll be okay."

Harry was in fact, not okay.

A broken bone was an easy fix. A vanished bone- that was another story. I hadn't seen it happen. Neville and I had made our way back to the Gryffindor Common Room after the match, trying to beat the crowd of people. It wasn't until the Gryffindor Quidditch Team with Hermione and Ron arrived later than usual when we heard the story.

"Lockhart is incompetent." I hissed angrily under my breath. Neville nodded, eyebrows furrowed. "Why Dumbledore let him teach is beyond me. Vanishing the bones in Harry's arm. That man is mental."

"Why don't you go talk to them." Neville said softly, gesturing towards where Ron and Hermione were bent over a couple of tables over.

"I'm sure he's fine."

I desperately did want to go over and ask them how Harry was. Crossing my arms over my chest, I squashed those feelings. I wasn't going to be the first to break. Even if Harry had been seriously injured. The only reason why I wasn't demanding to know everything was because I heard Alicia Spinnet saying that Harry was awake and in good spirits.

Merlin, I was a terrible friend.

Neville chewed on his lip for a moment, looking like he wanted to say something. I sunk in my chair, hoping it would just swallow me up.

"Look, Lyra. W-what they said hurt you, I understand that but you have to look at it from their point of view." Neville said slowly, he was choosing his words carefully. I made a sound of protest but he continued. "Your- well, your family does have a reputation and your brother isn't exactly the nicest."

A pit formed in my stomach. He wasn't wrong. But I still loathed to hear it.

"Even then they shouldn't accuse my family- my brother of-"

"I know!" Neville squeaked, his voice cracking. He held up his hands in defense. "I- I know. I think you all need to apologize to each other."

Silence fell between the two of us. Neville fiddled with his hands nervously.

"Why do you care so much?" I asked, breaking the silence and he gave a shrug, his face growing red.

"I don't know… I- I guess because you do."

My own face went red at his admission. Neville Longbottom was going to be the death of me.


Author's note: Neville is such a sweet character who deserves so much love. I really enjoy writing his empathetic nature with Lyra's harsher tendencies.