The Battle Inside {Completed}

Chapter 9

Hey Potterheads! So this chapter is from dedicated to my friend maisyisapenguin! This is finally from Neville's POV! So, enjoy and I'll see ya at the end!
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-Neville-

I was leading her to trouble. I mean, come on, what kind of wackadoo takes a girl through the woods and to a violent tree? I am messed up. But I guess it's too late now.

We scurried through the clearing and finally we saw the ferocious tree. The Whomping Willow.

"The Shrieking Shack?" Luna guessed. I only nodded, my lower lip quivering. Before I could say anything she spoke again. "What's wrong?"

I wanted to tell her everything then and there, but I settled for, "It's my grandmother." She gave me a confused glance, then stared back at the tree.
Wow, great way to explain, Neville.

"Is she alright?" Luna asked, her voice full of concern. I shook my head, earning me a worried side glance from her. She faced me again, completely ignoring the now swaying tree. "Is she ill?" I shook my head again.

"She was talking about a necklace. A... cursed necklace." I informed her quietly. Her eyes widened in slight fear. "I think she's a Death Eater..."

"That's a pretty serious thing to say, are you sure?"
I nodded.

"There have been other things," I continued unsurely, causing Luna raised an eyebrow. "She talked about a task, she talked to her, B...Bellatrix Lestrange. A...and she said...she said she...helped torture my parents. She was trying to convince her of something, and she reminded her of all these horrible things. Well, I was ready to leave for Hogwarts once I'd overheard that. I...I just don't know why, she betrayed them, them, my parents. She...she...is partly why they're stuck in St. Mungo's! And I thought she defended them!"

Luna looked at me sadly. I tried to chuckle and make it seem like it didn't matter, but it came out as a depressed cry. I turned a bright scarlet, and looked away from her.

"So," Luna wondered hopefully. "How can I help?" I smiled gratefully, and gestured to the tree again.

"They went there." I pointed to the tree, and the secret hidden passage way. Luna grinned broadly and ran up to the tree. Before I could stop her, she patted it fondly as if it were an old friend. My eyes widened in shock, for the tree had stopped all movement, and succumbed to stillness.

"Come on!" she hollered. I hurried after her, and we crawled inside, since the tree hadn't violently swooped us in.

In the darkness, I reminded her, "This isn't the whole task thing, just...I want to know...if maybe they'll lead us to the bigger problem and task, the one involving the trio-and Harry Potter." I thought I saw her nod in the darkness.

"Yes, but I think Harry has enough on his kind for now, but possibly later." she suggested kindly. "Let's go, before they leave." We went along in a quiet fashion, occasionally looking out for any obstacles.

"We're here!" I announced proudly, then realized I'd practically screamed. Great.

"I figured you'd do that," Luna explained softly. "I put a silencing charm on us for the last five minutes. We're fine."

How many times will this girl save me? Ughh...

"Let's go," she whispered. We finally reached the clearing, and we stood up and ran.
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Up the steps, across the hall, we heard pleas for mercy.

"Please, no, Bellatrix, Augusta..." Snape's voice drifted off into mere syllables. It sounded like they were torturing him. I nodded at Luna. My grandmother was one of them. They were targeting Snape.