Brave

Breakout

The Gryffinfour sat in the Great Hall, quickly devouring their breakfast. It was a couple weeks after everyone returned from Christmas break, and the new part of the school year was in full swing. As Aurora was eating her French toast, an owl swooped in, placing a newspaper between her and Hermione, whom she was sitting across from.

Hermione nearly spat out her water, which was full in her mouth. Luckily it didn't, for it would have gotten all over Aurora's face, and the girl would rather not have to deal with that. 

"Look at this," Hermione said in a trembling voice. Aurora took the paper from her, and she and Harry, who she was sitting next to, read it. 

"Mass breakout in Azkaban?!" Harry exclaimed worriedly. As the two read out loud further so that Ron could hear since he was sitting next to Hermione, the group learned that Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolhov, and eight other Death eaters escaped. 

The friends had no time to talk about it, however, since it was then time for them to go to their first class of the day, Transfiguration.

* * *

"Where is Mr. Longbottom?" Professor McGonagall asked. It was fifteen minutes after the class started, and Neville was nowhere to be found. 

"I can go look for him if you'd like me too, Professor," Aurora spoke up. She was worried about the boy and wanted to know what was wrong. He seemed fine at breakfast, so she was curious about what could have happened.

"Please do, Miss Lupin-Black. If you haven't found him within ten minutes, please return to class. I wouldn't want you to miss too much of the lesson."

Aurora quickly left, not wanting to waste any time.

It seemed no time had passed when she found Neville. The first place she looked was the Astronomy tower, since that was the place where most students seemed to go when not in class when they should be.

The girl rushed over to Neville when she saw that the boy was crying. Not knowing what to do, she awkwardly cleared her throat and said his name.

Nevile sniffled and wiped his tears, not looking at her, "Hey, Aurora," he greeted, "What brings you hear?"

"I was looking for you, Neville," Aurora explained, "I saw you in breakfast, and everyone in McGonagall's class was wondering where you were, so she let me go looking for you. Are you okay?"

Neville motioned for her to take a seat next to him, not wanting her to be standing up the whole time as he informed her what was going on.

"Bellatrix Lestrange escaped Azkaban," he started, "although I'm sure you already knew that. 14 years ago, when You-Know-Who was at his prime, she tortured my parents with the Cruciatus curse."

"Oh, Neville," Aurora sighed, feeling sympathy for the boy.

"It's just, now that she's out, I'm kinda scared you know. Like, what if she tries to do something to someone else in my family, like my grandma. I don't wanna loose them, too," Neville sniffled, "I know it's bad I'm saying this, since I'm supposed to be a Gryffindor-"

"Being a Gryffindor doesn't mean you can't be scared. It doesn't mean you're not brave or courageous. Sometimes, we will feal fear, to the point where it takes control of us, but it's the fear that makes us keep going, makes us keep trying, because one day, that fear will morph into more and more bravery, and we're all going to stop Voldemort.

Everyone's scared, Neville. In fact, I'm so so scared. I'm scared that one day, I'm going to wake up and hear that one of my parents are killed, or something bad happens to my friends. It's that fear that keeps me going. I know that the more I turn that fear into determination and bravery, we will eventually live in a world where we don't have to be scared for our lives.

You're going to avenge your parents, Neville, and we're all going to help you."

"But I'm not brave," Neville admitted.

"You are so brave, Neville. I know you don't see it yet, but you are one of the bravest people I've ever met."

The two students hugged.

I don't own Harry Potter. The series belongs to J.K. Rowling. I only own Aurora and anything you don't recognize from the books or movies.