The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 50: Replacements

October 1st, 1996.... three days later.

"I think she's waking up guys..." a voice whispered as I slowly opened my eyes.

"We can see that, Ron..." another voice snapped.

The first thing I noticed was the trio and Ginny standing above me in, what appeared to be, the Hospital Wing. The second thing I noticed was the amount of pain my body was in, but I managed to force myself up straight.

"Erm... what happened?" I asked.

"You got hit in the head with a bludger and fell off your broom," Ginny explained, "Thankfully, 'Mione acted fast enough and managed to slow your fall, but you were a bit far from where she was sitting, so you still hit the ground pretty hard."

Ginny gave me a mirror, so I could see my injuries. I had bandages wrapped around my forehead and the side of my face was bruised badly.

"Here, Dawn," Hermione said, handing me a bag of ice, "This should help with the swelling until Madam Pomfrey gets back."

I smiled slightly, taking the bag and holding it to the side of my face, "Thanks, 'Mione..."

"Erm... what happened out there?" Harry asked.

"I... I got distracted..." I stammered.

I remembered exactly why I fell, it was because of Neville. I was distracted by him and Hannah Abbott in the stands. It was all over the Daily Prophet a month ago... Her mother was killed by deatheaters, specifically Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange. She must've returned that morning because she was dismissed the moment the news reached the school. 

But that wasn't what distracted me. 

The thought of Neville and Hannah together still angered me. It didn't make sense at all. Well... Neville hated me, and I guess they shared a traumatic experience since both of their parents were harmed by my mother... but it almost felt like he was rubbing it in my face; like he just wanted to remind me how horrible I was... or how horrible my family was... or how I bloody cheated on him even though I didn't because we were broken up.

It was horrible... Neville was horrible.

"I told you it was McLaggen, Harry," Ron seethed, "He was trying to get underneath our skins!"

"No, I just saw something in the stands, that's all..." I hesitated, readjusting the ice on my cheek.

"I told him not to come... that stupid git!" Ginny scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, cocking his head.

Ginny gave me a concerned look before whispering something into Harry's ear, causing him to purse his lips as clench his fingers.

"You're joking?" Harry asked. Ginny shook her head in response.

"What is it?" Ron asked, "Come on, share with the group."

"Neville was there at tryouts with Hannah Abbott..." Harry sighed.

"Oh, yeah... I forgot she was back..." Hermione stammered.

Ginny quickly faced me after Harry said this, "Don't worry, Dawn, they're not together! I've been keeping a tally on their whole... friendship... for these past couple of days. I think she likes him, but I don't think he likes her!"

My heart sank when Ginny told me this. She was hiding this from me for a reason because she knew that I would've been upset. There was no way this whole thing between them had been going on for a few days... Neville didn't have the confidence to move things that quickly. He must've reached out to Hannah once he heard the news, comforting her through her mother's death.