Et Serpens album

Part 18 b

The week droned by, on Wednesday morning Vivienne brought Neville of them to a secluded area and showed them her invisibility cloak, "Where did you get this," Neville asked her holding the translucent material in her hands. 

"I don't know who gave it to me, but it belonged to my father," Vivienne said proudly."I want to lend it to you tonight so you can get the dragon to Weasley without altercations," 

Neville thanked her, his Slytherin friend always has some way to lessen his burdens. 

"Unfortunately I can't join you tonight," Vivienne said. as she handed Neville the cloak. 

"What, why?" Neville asked her confused, she gave an exhausted sigh, "Draco has reported me to Snape and I will have to explain my insubordination of the house," 

Neville paled he didn't like the thought of Vivienne and Snape in a room alone, he had twice tried to kill him. "Don't go," he said 

Vivienne folded her arms "I would but if Snape busy questioning me he wouldn't be stalking the halls like the bat of the sad dungeons he is, besides the less time he has to steal the stone the better"  

Neville could not argue with her logic whatever way you cut it it is beneficial, he is just worried about her safety, if he is willing to throw him off a broom, he might crack a pot over her skull. 

"Just be safe ok," he said. 

"Ok,"

That night found Hermione and Neville sitting alone in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to bed. The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open. Ron appeared out of nowhere as he pulled off Harry's invisibility cloak. He had been down at Hagrid's hut, helping him feed Norbert, who was now eating dead rats by the crate.

"It bit me!" he said, showing them his hand, which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby. "

There was a tap on the dark window.

"It's Alice!" said Neville, hurrying to let her in. "She'll have Charlie's answer!"

The three of them put their heads together to read the note.

Dear Ron,

 How are you? Thanks for the letter, I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.

Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.

Love,

Charlie

They looked at one another.

Neville pulled out the cloak and Ron and Hermione's eyes light up in curiosity "What's that," Hermione asked. 

"Vivienne lends us her invisibility cloak, so we can sneak around the castle," Neville said, Ron was in awe at it. 

Hermione shakes her head and asked "So where are we meeting Vivienne," 

Neville mood immediately shifts as he admits "She was being counselled by Snape," The mood became anxious. 

Hermione asked "Will she be ok ?" scared of whether Snape found their mastermind and decided to eliminate the risk. 

"I hope," Ron said, Neville nods.

 "We've got the invisibility cloak," said Neville. "It shouldn't be too difficult - I think the cloaks big enough to cover two of us and Norbert. "