A Harry Potter Fanfiction~Falling For The Boy Who Lived.

Chapter Thirty~Reunited With Neville At Last.

The next day, we apparated to Hogsmeade. An alarm wailed immediately as we arrived due to Harry's appearance there. We quickly ran for shelter as spells were being shot at us when someone offered us help. We followed him inside. We were in Hog's Head. The man was Aberforth Dumbledore, Dumbledore's brother. He provided us with food and drink quickly. Harry realised it was Aberforth who had the mirror and had sent Dobby. Harry explained our need to get into Hogwarts. They argued about Dumbledore for a while. Harry kept insisting how important it was that we needed to be at school. Aberforth beckoned to the large portrait of young girl to help. She was Ariana, their little sister who died very young.

We waited an hour until we saw her coming back, but she wasn't alone. The portrait swung open to reveal Neville behind it. He jumped down and I ran into his arms. He span me around. He had grown quickly lot taller from the time I saw him last, his face was covered in wounds, his eyes were red from lack of sleep or stress, and yet, a goofy grin still stretched across his face. "I've missed you so much! How did you get here?" I asked, whilst sobbing from being overwhelmed with shock and joy. "A new passage through the room of requirement. It's how we've been getting food and supplies, I don't know where we'd be without Aberforth." He smiled. Aberforth shrugged his shoulders. "We've got a few more people coming by the way." He added. Aberforth nodded, as if he expected him to say that. "Follow me, everyone will be so excited to see you." Neville grinned before leading us through the secret passageway. "How's Gran?" I questioned as we walked through the narrow, cold tunnel. "Fine, absolutely fine. She misses you. Mum and dad are okay too. Gran was very angry about the article. She said that she has never been so furious before. She's determined to get revenge. She's proud of us. She said I'm finally making mum and dad proud with my bravery." He told me. I beamed at him.

We finally heard distant chattering before entering the room of requirement. It had now transformed into a room full of beds and hammocks and Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw banners hung from the walls. A roar of cheers erupted as we entered the room. We hugged everyone and it felt great to be in everyone's company again. "How do you keep the room the same exactly?"  Ron wondered. "As long as one of us stays in here, it stays a proper hideout. No one can get to us, the door won't open. We've just had to make sure the loopholes are shut. The room provides more beds for every new person who joins us and it made that passage to Hog's Head itself so we can get food. It's incredible. It was Neville's idea to come here." Seamus explained. I was really impressed with him. "So, Harry, what are you doing back here?" Dean inquired. Harry inhaled a very deep breath. "There's something hidden, in the castle, something that can help destroy You-Know-Who. We need to destroy it. It will be something to do with Ravenclaw." He said. Everyone began to think. Luna then put her hand up excitedly. We all laughed. "Sorry, automatic reaction when it comes to Ravenclaw questions. There's a lost diadem, it's a kind of crown." She informed us in her dreamy voice. Harry nodded. However, the word lost worried us. As we stood in silence for a few seconds, Ginny ran into the room. "Snape knows Harry was in Hogsmeade. He wants us all in the Great Hall for questioning." She said. We all looked at Harry. "Then let's give him what he's looking for, but with a twist." He smiled before we made our way to the hall.

We all walked to the hall. I, Ron, Hermione and the DA waited outside with the order. We heard Snape ask of Harry's whereabouts. Harry confronted him and we all walked in surround him. "You seem to have a security problem here Professor. How dare you stand where he stood after you murdered him." He shouted. Snape raised his wand before McGonagall stepped forward and duelled with him until Snape apparated out of the smashed window, coward. Harry explained to her that Voldemort was coming and that he needed time to find an object on Dumbledore's orders. She and the order and other teachers proceeded to cast strong enchantments to protect the castle with a huge shield. McGonagall used a spell to bring the statues to life to protect the school. It was amazing magic. "Harry, Ron and I think we know where we can find a Baslisk fang, the chamber of secrets! We can destroy the cup while you find more about that diadem. We can just find you on the maurader's map afterwards, we'll have something to destroy the horcruxes then!" Hermione stated. "Great. Be careful. See you soon. I hope." He smiled before grabbing my hand as we made our way to the Ravenclaw tower. "Wait!" We heard Luna call from behind us. We span around. "Not a person alive has seen the diadem, you should talk to someone who's dead, the ghost of Ravenclaw, she's my friend, she will know. She will be in the courtyard by now." Luna explained. We thanked her and made our way there.