The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 41: Weasley Wizard Wheezes

August 9th, 1996

"What do you mean that Fred has something planned?" Hermione scoffed, brushing her hair.

"I'm not sure," I mumbled, applying my makeup for the day, "But I just want to be prepared you know?"

"Erm, okay..." Hermione stammered.

I chuckled, continuing to apply mascara on my eyelashes. Only this past week I began wearing makeup again because my hands didn't shake as much anymore.

I was still a little upset that I wasn't allowed to visit the twin's joke shop. But looking on the bright side, I had the entire burrow to myself for the next couple of hours. I laid off the alcohol; it really only stressed me out more. Music and Quidditch quickly became my new methods of calming myself down.

The night terrors continued. I always found myself either at the battle watching Sirius die... or at the manor watching Bipsey die. It was always the same terrors... and the more they happened, the more frightening they became.

Remus and Tonks still haven't visited. It was a little upsetting. I was able to easily talk to Remus about the things that happened at the manor... the same way I used to talk to Sirius about my visions. I wanted to talk to Tonks about her parents. They seemed like good people; I wanted to get to know them.

"Okay, are you ready to go?" Hermione asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yeah..." I stammered, standing up from my seat, "Yeah, I'm ready."

Hermione nodded, and the two of us walked downstairs to the living room. Everyone else was already there talking amongst themselves.

"Did dad change his mind?" Ginny asked, "Are they letting you go now?"

I shook my head, "No... I just got dressed, so I didn't look like a loafer... Besides, I have to watch the house while you lot are gone."

Ginny groaned annoyedly, rolling her eyes at her father. Her attitude wasn't going to change Mr. Weasley's decision, all of us knew that. Shrugging, I took a seat next to Harry on the sofa.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked.

"Better, to say the least..." I scoffed, "Am I upset that I can't leave? Oh, most definitely... I understand that it's because of Remus's orders, but if he's going to control what I can and can't do, he could at least pay a visit."

Harry nodded slightly, "I understand where you're coming from because Dumbledore is doing the same to me... Did I tell you what he did before I got here?"

I shook my head, "According to Hermione, you kind of just appeared in the middle of the night. I do apologize though because I was asleep when you arrived!"

"It's alright," Harry chuckled, "Dumbledore made me talk to Voldemort's old Potions teacher... he wanted me to get information from him."

"That's absurd!" I protested, "He's practically using you, Harry!"

"It's for a good cause though, so I don't really mind..." Harry stammered.

I sighed deeply, "Harry... just be cautious around this teacher because you don't know his history with Voldemort... I mean, I thought Narcissa was safe, and then... she wasn't..."

"You're right..." Harry pondered, "But if Dumbledore trusts him, then he has to be somewhat trustworthy... right?"

"I mean, you're not wrong," I shrugged, "But the old bastard also-"

"Dawn..." Harry warned, cutting me off.

The trio... and literally every, single wizard that wasn't a deatheater... got offended whenever I referred to Dumbledore as such. Draco called him it once last summer, and it kind of just... stuck. I mean, I loathed Draco, but he wasn't wrong about Dumbledore. He was old and a tosspot... I've always thought he was a bit bonkers.