Nothing But You // N. Longbottom

Seven: Dumbledore's Army

"So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had real experience defending themselves against the dark arts." Hermione spoke a bit too quietly. A few trusted, reliable students sat in the shrieking shack. Some of them didn't know why but others did.

"Why?"

"Why? Cause you-know-who's back you tosser!" Ron spat out, looking at the kid like he's stupid. To be fair, Norvina agreed with Ron. It's obvious that Voldemort's back. Cedric's dead body was all the proof she needed, the same went for Neville.

"The point is...where's the proof? Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed." Another boy spoke. Norvina hated to admit it, but Harry really hadn't given out many details about Cedric's death. Only that Voldemort had been the one to do it.

"I'm not going to talk about Cedric, so if that's why you're here then you might as well clear out now." Harry said harshly. Neville, who was sitting next to Norvina, held her hand. She watched as his hand intertwined with hers, and she smiled. Neville seemed to do the same.

"Is it true you can perform a Patronus charm?" Luna Lovegood asks, in her soft, sing-songy voice.

"Yes," Hermione answered for Harry, "I've seen it."

"Blimey Harry! I didn't know you could do that." Dean Thomas commented, stunned. Every one began encouraging Harry by telling him everything he had done. The basilisk included.

"Look, it all sounds great when you say it like that...but the truth is most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time, and I nearly always had help." Harry spoke, looking down at his hands. They all knew what Harry was capable of. Harry was their best hope of surviving Umbridge and most certainly beyond that. Norvina just knew it, call it intuition or blind faith, Norvina Evergreen believed in Harry.

"Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow. But out there, when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes...you don't know what that's like..." Harry spoke, his voice getting lower as he continued. 

"You're right, Harry, we don't. That's why we need your help because if we're going to have any chance of beating Voldemort, we need you." Hermione said, mostly talking to Harry. Everyone agreed and began to feel excited.

"Let's do this."

X

After about two weeks of practice in Dumbledore's Army, the group name they had decided to create to learn how to defend themselves, everyone seemed to be progressing rather nicely.

Norvina had managed to not get in any more trouble with Professor Umbridge. She had decided it wasn't worth it, especially if she began looking into her illicit extracurricular activities. Norvina did not want to be the reason why their group was disbanded or even worse; interrogated and tortured by the pink beast.

"Alright..." Harry began to speak, "Norvina and Neville." They two were snapped out of their daze when they heard their names being called. Neville walked to the opposite side of the room that Norvina went to, standing ready to duel.

Norvina smirked at Neville before tossing a rather nasty spell his way, "EXPELLIARMUS!" She was successful in disarming him. Satisfied with herself, she moved back to the line. 

"Nice one, Evergreen." Neville spoke proudly, whispering in her ear. Norvina smiled, feeling butterflies flutter in her stomach. A feeling she had become all too familiar with.

"No need for compliments, Longbottom." She smirked, fighting her growing urge to slam him against the wall and kiss him. She knew far too many people were in the room, otherwise she probably would have.

X

After one of the longest days of working with disarming charms, the only two people left in the room were Norvina Evergreen and one Neville Longbottom. She was gathering her belongings, searching for her notes in the meantime.

"Hey." Neville spoke, walking up behind her and hugging her. Norvina smiled as she felt him kiss her head before turning her around.

"Hey." Norvina smiled at him, forgetting what she had been doing previously, not that she cared too much anyway.

"I'm so in love with you, Norvina Evergreen. I have been since the first time I laid eyes on you." He spoke, brushing a stray hair behind her ear delicately. She smiled as soon as she felt the warmth radiating from his fingertips. Norvina craved his touch now more than ever.

"What has gotten into you, Mister Longbottom?" Norvina smiled, turning her head curiously. She felt her stomach turn with a giddy nervousness.

"Look up." Neville spoke with a slight smirk. She looked up and there it was.

"Mistletoe."

"My girlfriend told me she wanted me to kiss her under the mistletoe, and I just can't say no to her." Neville smiled mischievously and walked towards his girlfriend slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

When their lips touch, Norvina takes her hands around his face, feeling the slightest stubble of his growing beard. She ran her fingers through his dark hair, causing him to smile against her lips. Their bodies shifted together, as she could feel his hands wandering around her body, not that she minded it. Norvina welcomed the feeling with open arms.

X

Everyone had been working diligently on their Patronus charms; the spell everyone had been so eager to learn.

All of a sudden, the room of requirement seemed to rattle and rumble. It was as if an earthquake had shaken its way into the room. A hole began to appear in the entrance wall, and with that came a flash of pink. Great, it was Professor Umbridge back to destroy everything the group had all worked so hard for thus far.

"I'll make short work of this." Umbridge shouted, pointing her wand at the hole, making it explode. Neville was quick to notice what the woman was doing and grabbed the girl, holding his hands around her head protectively. He feared the lengths that Umbridge would go to make them pay. Neville Longbottom was certain of one thing, if Umbridge hurt his girl again then she would be getting karma for everything. He might not know it right this second, but karma would be coming to get her.

Umbridge burst her way into the room, sending Chou and Harry to Dumbledore's office. Leaving the rest of the group to wander in silence on the way back to the common rooms with dread of what was to come.