Defend

Chapter Forty-Eight The Return Of The Boy Who Lived

"The school year is almost over, what are we going to do when it's time to leave?" I ask Neville, who's tending to a second year's scraped knee. The younger students started an intense game of tag a while ago, and this one fell and scraped his knee.

Such a minor injury is almost refreshing in a sick and twisted way, compared to injuries of dark magic, and I watch in admiration as Neville gently kisses his head.

"All better." Neville says to the young student, who runs off to rejoin his friends. He turns to me, and I sit beside him on his cot. "I wish I knew. My best guess is hoping one of the seventh years knows how to apparate. Maybe they could take everyone to the Hogshead and apparate from there since you can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds."

"Good idea." I say, folding my legs. My sixth year at Hogwarts was completely wasted. Neville never bothered to learn apparition, and as much as I was looking forward to learning it, especially so I could prank the twins back, the Carrows didn't bother to offer apparition classes this year.

~~~~

"Eliza!" A panicked female voice causes my head to swivel around. Ariana's normally gentle face is twisted in anticipation, her knuckles white as she clutches onto the edge of the portrait.

"What's wrong?" I jump up and approach her portrait, the rest of the room silently watching.

"Harry Potter is here."

My jaw immediately falls open, and a collective gasp fills the room.

"Here?!" I squeak, running back to my bag. I snatch my wand and stuff the pictures of Cedric and I, along with the ones of Ginny and the Weasley's in my jeans's pocket, yanking my jumper down.

"You must come quickly." She says, and turns back around in her portrait. I turn to Neville, and we share a nod before rushing through the tunnel.

"Harry!" I yell, never more happy to see him.

"Eliza!" He says, and allows me to give him a smothering hug.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as Neville exchanges words with Aberforth.

"We're here to find the last Horcrux. It's not going to be pretty." Hermione says, and I dash away from Harry to hug her and Ron.

"Where's Ginny?" Harry asks, as Neville and I lead the trio back to the castle. I smirk at the thought of Harry missing her, before my smile slides off my face.

"She left after Easter break and hasn't returned. We promised to notify her if you came though."

"I'll set the galleon." Neville says, and we pray Ginny and Luna will see it.

The room of requirement practically clamours Harry, everyone ecstatic to see the Boy Who Lived.

A few minutes later, Luna emerges through the portrait hole, and Neville and I practically break our necks to embrace her. I eagerly wait for Ginny, pacing in anticipation. I don't know what will ensue, but all I know is I'm ecstatic to see my best friend.

I see a movement of fiery hair in the tunnel, and burst through to embrace it.

"Ginny!" I cry, and she hugs me back tightly.

"Eliza! You're alright!" She smiles and hugs me again.

"I am." I breathe, and realise that since I'm with Ginny again, right now, I am alright. She breaks away from me when she sees Harry, and I sprint towards the twins, who arrived with Lee and Cho.

"George! Fred! Lee!" I squeal as I hug them tightly. "I love you lot so much." I murmur into their chests, and they smile at me.

"We love you too." Fred winks and I don't want to separate myself from them. I haven't had a dose of their humour since the wedding, and I missed it terribly.