Defend

Chapter Forty-Three The Sword of My Best Friend's House Founder

 I spend Saturday pacing through the castle, practising Bombarda. I'm talking to the Bloody Baron when Ginny rushes up to me, nearly knocking me over with her excitement.

"C'mon, since this was your idea, you're leading out! Neville and Luna are waiting for us outside the entrance to the dungeons."

"Oh alright, let's go!"

We run down to the dungeons and I stop by the Slytherin common room.

"I'll be right back, I just need to uh, do something real quick."

"Yeah yeah, go kiss your boyfriend goodbye, be fast," Ginny teases me.

I swat her arm playfully. "Shut up."

I run down the stairs and bolt up the dorm stairs, finding Draco on the way.

I slam into him, and we fall backwards from the impact of my speed. "Woah, woah, where are you going?" he asks, picking me up.

"Uh, DA stuff," I say hurriedly, kissing his cheek. I'm not telling the truth, but I'm not lying either. I just wanted to say bye to him in case this failed, but I never thought far enough to him asking where I'm going.

He holds my chin. "Okay, but promise to stay safe."

I hug him tightly, not wanting to let go. "You know I can't promise that."

"Fine. Bye love. See you at dinner."

"Yep," I say, bolting back out of the common room, not forgetting to smack Pansy on the way out.

"Diggory!" Pansy's shriek follows me out of the room.

"Quicker than I expected," Ginny says with a raised eyebrow.

"Let's go."

We walk down to the Headmasters office, which is what was originally Snape's office because strangely enough Dumbledore's office won't open.

Neville pokes his head and gives us the all clear.

"Make it quick, remember the signal," he says, ushering us in.

I run up the case and look for any small crack or hole in the glass. None. I'll have to be extra careful.

"Bombarda!" I whisper, pointing my wand to the corner of the case. It shatters, leaving glass all around our feet. Luna uses a spell and cleans it up. Ginny carefully grabs the hilt of the sword, buckling her knees from the weight.

I conscientiously grab the blade, carefully positioning my hands so the metal isn't cutting me. Luna grabs the guard, and we're all astonished at how heavy it is.

We start to carefully back out of the room, and a puff of smoke appears at the door.

We all freeze. Sparks meant anyone was coming. Smoke meant Snape was coming. Surely Neville did the wrong spell?

We hear footsteps coming and we're fully aware those are not Neville's footsteps. Still frozen in fear, we listen carefully.

"Longbottom, what are you doing outside my office?"

"I was, uh, taking a walk and practising spells, uh, sir."

"Step aside. I forgot something in my office and I'm busy."

"Uh, well..."

There's the sound of Snape pushing Neville out of the way. My heartbeat completely stops, which is the most terrifying feeling. The oxygen catches in my throat as Snape turns the doorknob and enters the dark room.

I almost drop the sword, and instead tighten my grip on it, as if I could save myself at this point.

"Well, look what we have here."