True Love Conquers All (sequel to Loving You)

Chapter XXXI {The Return of the Four}

the glided frame swung open, revealing--in actuality--what the painting had replicated. Neville comes into the light drifting from the sitting room. he had long hair, a gashed face, and a swollen eye. clothes ripped and torn. 

"Neville, you're face.." i begin

"this is nothing. Seamus is worse. you'll see. Hermione! Ron! Harry!" Neville embraces them, then turns to Aberforth. "hey, Ab. there might be a couple more people on the way." 

we turn, see Aberforth standing in the doorway, watching Ariana drift back into the canvas. Neville turns to us, smiling.

"well? ready?"

"i don't remember this being on the Marauder's Map." Ron says as we walk through the tunnel

"that 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 explains

"how bad is it, Neville? with Snape as headmaster?" i ask

"hardly ever see him. its the Carrows you have to watch out for." Neville says

"Carrows?" Harry asks

"brother and sister." i say

all four of them look at me, confused.

"i've known them since i was a child." i explain

"they're in charge of discipline. like punishment, the Carrows." Neville points to the gash in his face

"they did that to you? but why?" Harry asks

"today's Dark Arts lesson had us practicing the Cruciatus Curse. on First Years. i refused. Hogwarts has changed." Neville says

we look at him, shocked. 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 did it, Harry. c'mon we're almost there." 

Neville leads us up a short flight of stone steps to a door, pauses. looks back and whispers. "let's have a little fun, shall we?" Neville pushes the door open. "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 says

Neville looks back, jerks his head towards the open door. we step forward, duck through, and emerge into a large room that looks like a sumptuous tree house. utter silence. then...

"blimey" Seamus mutters

...voices explode! madness ensues as we are swallowed up in a scum of backslaps and handshakes. many familiar faces are present; Luna, Dean Thomas, Cho Chang, Lavender Brown.

"okay, okay! stand down! lets not kill them before You-Know-Who gets the chance!" Neville says. everyone settles "right then. what's the plan, Harry?"

Harry gazes out over the expectant faces in the room, noting the hollow eyes and broken bodies and the desperate, almost palpable desire for hope.

for a moment, he seems lost, awed by the sacrifice his friends have made, much of it for him. finally, he speaks; "okay. 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 asks

"we don't know." i say

"where is it?" Seamus asks

"we don't know that either." Ron says

"i realize its not much to go on." Harry says

"that's nothing to go on." Seamus says

Harry falters, then his gaze happens upon the Raveclaw Banner hanging across the room, bearing the symbol of an eagle. he studies it, a notion forming. "i think it might have something to do with Ravenclaw. it would be small, easy to conceal, valuable. any ideas?" 

for a moment, there's no answer.

"well, there's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem." Luna suggests

"oh bloody hell. here we go." Ron mumbles. i hit him in the shoulder, giving him a glare.

"the lost diadem of Ravenclaw? hasn't anyone heard of it? its quite famous." Luna says

"yes, but Luna, its lost. for centuries now. there's not a person alive today who's seen it." Cho says

Ron frowns. "excuse me. but would someone tell me: what's a bloody diadem?"

"its a kind of crown. you know, like a tiara." Luna explains

as she says this, Harry frowns, trying to think if he's seen such a thing in the castle.

"Ravenclaw's were rumored to have magical properties, to enhance the wisdom of the wearer." Cho says

just then quick footsteps are heard and a girl appears atop the far staircase. she stops, staring at Harry.

Ginny.

"Harry." Ginny sighs

"hey there." Harry smiles

Ron smiles, about to speak, then notices Ginny's eyes have not left Harry. 

"six months she hasn't seen me and its like I'm Frankie First year. i mean, I'm only her brother." Ron says frustratingly

"what is it, Ginny?" i ask

"Snape knows. he knows that Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade." Ginny says panicky