Nothing But You // N. Longbottom

Seventeen: The Battle of Hogwarts

This was it.

The Battle of Hogwarts.

It was all or nothing.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

"PROTEGO!"

"BOMBARDA!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The spells rang out all around. The crowds hearing smashes, clashes, and making dashes for safety as they fought as many death eaters as they could. They seemed to keep coming, despite everyone putting in a great deal of effort to hurt them.

That was the key difference; the death eaters fought to kill, Hogwarts fought for freedom. 

Neville and Norvina moved swiftly through the chaos, their wands a blur as they cast spell after spell, driving back the encroaching Death Eaters. But as the battle raged on, Neville could see the toll it was taking on his beloved Norvina, her movements growing more labored, her face etched with worry.

Catching her eye, Neville made a split-second decision. Grabbing Norvina's hand, he pulled her into a nearby empty room, his eyes filled with a fierce protectiveness.

"You have to stay here," he said, his voice brooking no argument.

Norvina's eyes widened in shock, "What? No, Neville. I can't just let you fight alone-"

"Yes, Nora," Neville interrupted, his hand coming to rest gently on her swollen belly, "You have to take care of our baby."

Norvina swallowed nervously, tears prickling her eyes as she placed her hands atop Neville's, "Neville..." Her voice wavered with emotion.

"If I don't make it back to you-"Neville starts, but Norvina cuts him off.

"Don't you dare talk like that!"

Norvina let out a shuddering breath, her gaze locked with his.

"Norvina, I love you. You and our baby. No matter what happens tonight, I need you to know that." Neville smiled sadly, a tear escaping down his cheek.

"I love you, Neville Longbottom." He pulled her into a passionate kiss, savoring the taste of her lips, the warmth of her embrace.

As they parted, Norvina spoke one last time, her voice thick with emotion, "Come back to me."

Neville nodded, his expression resolute, "I'll always come back to you."

With one final, lingering look, he turned and rushed back into the fray, his heart full of love and determination.

                                                                                             X

Norvina's heart raced as she made her way to the Room of Requirement, the last bastion of safety left at Hogwarts. She knew there were still vulnerable children inside, unable to defend themselves against the chaos unfolding.

Rounding the corner, Norvina caught sight of a Death Eater patrolling the corridor. Without hesitation, she ducked behind the south wall, waiting tensely for the threat to pass. After a tense moment, she sprinted the remaining distance and slipped through the door of the Room of Requirement.

Inside, Norvina found a group of terrified, huddled children. Her heart clenched at the sight, and she tightened her grip on her wand as she addressed them.

"Alright, I need each and every one of you to listen to me very carefully. Can you do that?" The children nodded, their faces etched with fear.

One small girl, her cheeks stained with tears, spoke up, "I'm scared..."

Norvina bent down, meeting the child's gaze with a reassuring smile.

"I know. I'm scared too." She paused, giving the girl's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "But we're going to make it through this, I promise."

"How can you be so sure?" another child asked, their voice wavering. Norvina took a steadying breath.

"I just know." She smiled again, her tone firm yet gentle, "If I tell you to be quiet, you don't say a word. If I tell you to run, you run with no questions asked. Understood?"

The children huddled closer as Norvina positioned them against the far wall, hidden from the direct line of sight of the door. She gripped her wand tightly, prepared to defend them at all costs.  Just long enough for her to-

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Norvina braced herself, ready to unleash a volley of spells. But then she recognized the familiar voice.

"You can lower your wand, Miss Evergreen," Professor McGonagall said firmly, "We're in the clear for now." The kids rushed towards the woman, happy to see another person.

Norvina approached the Headmistress, her voice hushed, "Neville, is he...?"

Minerva's expression softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on Norvina's shoulder, "Waiting for you."

Norvina's heart swelled with a mix of relief and renewed determination.

Neville was alive, and she had to get back to him, her heart racing with the desperate need to find Neville and ensure he was safe.

X
Norvina's steps grew heavy as she made her way through the broken halls of Hogwarts, the weight of exhaustion settling deep into her bones.

The sunlight, once a beacon of hope, now filtered through the shattered windows with an eerie glow, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around her. Still, her eyes were searching desperately for that familiar face.

"Norvina!" The voice rang out, and she didn't need to see him to know it was Neville.

With a relieved smile, she broke into a run, ignoring the ache in her limbs, and flung herself into his awaiting arms. Neville held her close, his own fatigue evident in the slump of his shoulders and the shadows under his eyes as she engulfed him in a tight embrace.

"Neville, I'm so glad you're okay!" she exclaimed, tears spilling down her cheeks, her pregnancy hormones amplifying the rush of emotion. Neville pulled back slightly, his gentle fingers wiping away the tears from her face as he looked at her with deep concern.

"I was so worried..." he spoke, before panic set in again, "The baby, is the baby okay?" he then asked, his hand coming to rest protectively on her swollen belly. Norvina nodded, a watery smile spreading across her face.

"The baby's fine," she reassured him, pulling him close once more. Neville's arms encircled her, and Norvina felt a profound sense of relief and safety in his embrace. After the chaos and fear of the past hours, having him here, alive and with her, was all that mattered.

She never wanted to let go, to risk losing him again. Neville seemed to share the sentiment, holding her tightly, his face buried in her hair. They stood there, clinging to each other, as the sounds of the battle raged on around them. For this moment, it was just the two of them, safe in each other's arms.

"You came back." Norvina whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"I told you I would." Neville murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "I'll always come back to you, Norvina."

Norvina nodded, drawing strength from his unwavering presence. With Neville by her side, she knew they could face whatever lay ahead, and she was determined to keep him, and their unborn child, safe.

The Battle of Hogwarts was over.