Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

81

Neville leads the others down the passage.

"I don't remember this being on the Marauder's Map." Ron said, looking around at the passage.

"That's because it never existed till now. The seven secret passages were sealed off before the start of the year. This is the only way in or out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors." Neville said.

"How bad is it? Severus as Headmaster." Cayden questioned.

"Hardly ever see him. It's the Carrows you have to watch out for." Neville answered, giving the Hufflepuff a sympathetic look of which he ignored.

"The Carrows?" Harry questioned.

"Brother and sister. They're in charge of discipline. Like punishment, the Carrows." Neville said, pointing to a gash on his face.

"They did that to you? But why?" Hermione asked in horror.

"Today's Dark Arts lesson had us practicing the Cruciatus Curse. On First Years. I refused. Hogwarts has changed." Neville said.

The others look shocked by this.

Neville grins. "Aw, c'mon. Don't be grim. We're all used to it by now. And the thing is, it helps when people stand up, gives everyone hope. I used to notice that when you both did it." He said, glancing at the Potters before glancing away."C'mon, we're almost there."

The four exchange glances and follow Neville who leads them up a short flight of stone steps to a door, pauses, looking back at the four.

"Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?" Neville whispers to the four before pushing open the door. "Hey! Listen up, you lot! I've brought you a surprise!"

"Not more of Aberforth's cooking, I hope. Be a surprise if we could digest it." Seamus said from somewhere.

Neville looks back, jerks his head towards the open door.

Cayden, Harry, Ron and Hermione step forward, ducking through and emerge into a large room that looks like a sumptuous tree house. Faces turn and blink at the sight of the four. It was silence.

"Blimey." Seamus said, breaking the silence.

And voice explodes through the room. Madness ensues as the four is swallowed up in a scrum of backslaps and handshakes. Many familiar faces are present. Luna. Dean Thomas. Cho. Lavender.

"Okay, okay! Stand down! Let's not kill them before You-Know-Who gets the chance!" Neville exclaimed, arm wrapped around Marcus' waist. "Right then. What's the plan?" He asked, looking at Cayden and Harry who both looked at each other before looking at the crowd.

"Okay." Harry began. "There's something we need to find, something hidden here in the castle. It could help us defeat You-Know-Who."

"What is it?" Neville asked.

Harry was about to answer, saying that he doesn't know but he was stopped by Cayden who placed his hand on his shoulder.

"It's Ravenclaw's diadem." Cayden answered, he sees Dean Thomas about to open his mouth to ask where it is but starts talking again. "We don't know where it is, but I think we could ask Helena Ravenclaw."

Harry nods, thinking about it. He looks up when quick footsteps are heard and Ginny appears atop the staircase, watching her stops and staring at him.

"Harry." Ginny said.

"Hey there." Harry said, a small smile on his face.

Ron smiles, about to speak, then notices Ginny's eyes have not left Harry. He frowns, speaking to Cayden and Hermione. "Six months she hasn't seen me and it's like I'm Frankie First Year. I mean, I'm only her brother."