The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 35: Dumbledore's Secret Weapon

*CW: Sexual Assault & Violence*

Disclaimer: Scenes including the underlined content warning(s) have the first and last words bolded. Please read at your own risk.

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June 18th, 1996

"OKAY, EXAMS IN THE BIN!" Professor Binns shouted, floating down the aisle of desks, "EXAMS IN THE BIN! TIMES UP!"

I scribbled down one last answer before I stood up from my seat and placed my History of Magic O.W.L. in the bin on Professor Binn's desk. I didn't know why he had a desk - he was a ghost. But that was a question that would've remained unanswered.

I collected my things and placed them in my rucksack. Neville walked up to my desk and waited for me before grabbing my hand and walking out of the classroom.

"How do you think you did?" I asked him, beginning our trek back to Gryffindor Tower.

"I think I did good," Neville beamed, "What about you?"

"I'm sure I got an Acceptable," I pondered, "But hey, at least it'll be better than my Defense Against the Dark Arts score!"

"I still can't believe you did that, Dawn," Neville chuckled, "She could have hurt you, you know?"

"Oh, I'm fully aware!" I joked, "Old bat tried to use the cruciatus curse on me!"

"She what?" Neville shuddered, stopping me in the hallway, "You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking?"

"Why would I joke about that, Nev," I stammered, "But it's fine, Filch interrupted her before she ever got the chance to use it."

Neville bit the inside of his lip, pulling me into a hug. I was a little confused, but I went with it and hugged him back.

"I don't like that she threatened you," Neville whispered, "She shouldn't be allowed to get away with stuff like that."

I disconnected the hug, eyeing him worriedly, "It's alright, okay? You don't have to worry about her using it. Besides, she's currently busy with the twin's swamp anyways."

"I mean you're not wrong," Neville shrugged, taking my hand again, "But it doesn't excuse the fact that I don't like it. You know how I feel about that spell."

"Yes, I know..." I sighed, "But there's no need to worry about it any longer. We've only got about a week left of school, and after that we're free for the whole summer!"

"You're going to visit, right?" Neville asked, "I'm suspecting you're staying at the burrow?"

"I was actually thinking about staying with Sirius and Harry this summer," I explained, "Of course I'll visit the burrow, but Sirius is a blood-relative, you know? But you'll expect to see me a lot over the summer, I'll try and visit at least once a week."

"Good because I want to introduce you to gran," Neville beamed, "She'd really like you!"

Neville and I entered Gryffindor Tower. We expected the common room to be quiet or full of small chatter, but it was filled with panicked screaming. In the middle of the common room stood Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Luna Lovegood all screaming at one another. I was confused as to why Luna was there; she wasn't even in Gryffindor.

"What's wrong?" I asked as Neville and I slowly entered the room.

"DAWN, WHERE'S THE MIRROR?" Harry asked frantically.

"Which mirror?" I asked, "Sirius's mirror?"

"WHAT OTHER MIRROR WOULD I BE TALKING ABOUT?" Harry spat, "DID YOU HAVE IT LAST?"