Half-Blood Princess Book Seven

Chapter 11 - Lost Loyalty

Third-Person POV

20th October 1997

It has been three weeks since The Carrow's punished Tilly until an inch of her life. The last three weeks after been great for almost everyone, no one had any trouble with the siblings, and the two devil teachers had kept to themselves. Tilly and Neville were working together in the library, quietly to themselves, when Tilly felt Harry trying to reach her. Tilly takes out her booklet and watches as his words leak on the page.

"Hey, Lill, everything's going fine here. We haven't gotten very far with the Horcrux hunt. We've been on the move basically since you left, and like I said before, no luck. I hope to see you soon hope you are alright, and everything is all perfect back at school. Ps, tell Ginny and everyone we say Hello. – James" Tilly smiles at the message, quickly writing back before Harry looks away.

"Hi, James. Sorry about the no luck with the Horcrux's; thanks for keeping me updated on your whereabouts. I'm sure that will help me when I come back to you. As for my end... well, let's just say it's been wild. I'll tell you all about it when I see you soon, hopefully. Send my Love, and everyone's to Hermione and Ron. Ps, Ginny says Hello back. - Lill." Signing off her name Tilly, closed the book, sighing, looking happy for once in the past month.

Neville notices the girls happy look and asks her about it.

"What are you smiling about?" Neville asks as he packs up their books.

"The Trio says 'Hello'. I got a message from James, telling me how they are and all." Neville laughs when a question comes to his mind.

"who is it? The person you're dating?" Tilly huffs, expecting this question to come back to her.

"It's Fred Weasley. He makes me forget about all the bad and see the good." Neville nods lightly, thanking about everything Tilly and the Trio go through.

"I don't know how you do it." Tilly frowns, not following. "How you risk your life day after day for us. Some people of which would rather have you dead." Tilly pats Neville's shoulder.

"Take it from me; it doesn't take much to risk your life; it's a pain you feel when you see the effect it can have on the ones you love." Tilly's gaze falls to the floor. "Sometimes you see the pain in their eyes or watch as they put themselves in a dangerous situation because of you." Tilly takes a deep breath, holding in her whimpers thinking about Draco. "Most people would say the worst feeling might be when you see them dead, but for me, it's thinking about the pain they go through because of me, after my death, and I can't do anything about it." Neville looks down at the girl bring her into his side, holding her into his side.

"We all care about you, Tilly, just as you care about us. And I promise I'll be brave if you die."

"Thank you, Neville. Stand tall and proud for me when that day comes." Tilly says light-heartedly.

"If that day comes." Neville corrects, not believing Tilly could die.

"Right, of course." Tilly leans into the boys as the two walk swaying in each other's arms to the Gryffindor Dorms.

1st November 1997 – 1:)

Tilly had received word from Harry that they needed her back and given her their current location, so she knew where to go. Tilly had packed up the moment Harry requested her return, and she had planned to meet her Dad in The Headmasters Office in the middle of the night, along with Draco. Tilly had said goodbye to Neville and a few others who were aware of her movements, so they would cover for her while she was gone.