we could be the greatest thing that the world has ever seen || [n.l book two]

sixteen

It was over.

It was finally over. We were free, free from that burden that wore a black cloak and had no nose, just snake-like slits. Free from being in worry of our family and friends' lives being at stake. Free from the terror of waking up everyday thinking it could very possibly be your last.

I was standing next to Mr. Weasley, he had his arm around my shoulders, clutching my shoulder as I held his jacket and vest tightly.

"He's supposed to be here!" I cried out. I couldn't find Alex. He wasn't anywhere to be seen. I had asked loads of people if they had seen him, Seamus and Dean, Professor McGonagall, Luna, many, many students, and even random strangers I didn't know.

"He's probably coming here right now as we speak." Mr. Weasley soothed, rubbing my shoulder. I hugged him very tightly, him hugging back and kissing the top of my head. I sniffled before hearing a high pitch-like voice.

"Have you seen my big sister? She's a seventh year and about this tall and brownish blondish hair, and she's wearing a bluish shirt with long sleeves and a dark pink one under it. And converse sneakers, yeah yeah, black ones, with stars!" I heard the familiar voice say. I whipped around, nearly giving myself whiplash, and saw Alex as he was walking around, his short figure tugging at everyone's long flowing robes to get their attention. He had a cut that was bleeding from his forehead and the blood had dried up and was bandaged.

"Alex!" I yelled exasperatedly. He turned and lit up like a Christmas tree. He ran to me and hugged me insanely tightly, crying.

"I thought you died Jenni!" He wailed as he cried tears of happiness. I was lost for words, I couldn't have been more happy.

"I said I'd always protect you, didn't I? I never break a promise." I said, stroking his head multiple times. We were hugging for a long period of time, so long that it had gotten to the point where we ended up on the floor on our knees, still hugging.

"Where's Neville?" He asked quietly into my shoulder. I pushed him a little ways away so he could see me and looked down sadly. "Jenni, where's Neville?" He repeated.

"I-" I felt tears welling up. "I-I don't know, Alex, I don't know where he is." I began crying very hard into my hands and sat down on one of the benches. He held my hand and squeezed it tightly between his small fingers. Hermione had walked over and sat with us, Ron coming shortly after her.

"I'm sorry Jenni." She said, rubbing my back. "You know he loved you, right?"

"Yeah, he told me." I choked out in between sobs. "After he blew up the bridge." I cried into Ron's shoulder and he kissed the top of my head. "And now he's gone."

"We don't know that Jenni." Ron said quietly.

"He said he'd be here and he's not Ron!" I nearly yelled at him. "He's gone! I've lost Fred and now I've lost the love of my life!" I stood up and began to walk away. I wiped my eyes on my sleeve and cried out loudly.

"Not exactly." I heard someone say from behind me. I turned and, with the sword of Gryffindor in his hand, his head cut on the side and blood oozing down his temple, Neville stood twenty feet away from where I stood.

He dropped the sword and hot tears began streaming down mine and his faces. I dropped my wand, broke out into a sprint and ran to him, with the biggest look of shock and happiness. I ran into his arms and wrapped my hands very tightly around his chest and waist, putting my head in his chest. He put his head in the crook of my neck and his arms tightly around my neck.

"I never break my promises." He said, holding me whilst I cried.

"I love you Neville Flynn Longbottom." I whispered into his shirt.

"I love you too Jenni Trinity Emerson." He whispered in return. We stood in that same position for what seemed like forever, not sniffling out a single sound, apart from the occasional sniffle or sob sound.

"Neville!" Alex yelled excitedly, running up and hugging him from behind. Neville turned and his face grew into a wide grin.

"Hey kiddo!" He replied, picking him up and hugging him tightly.

"I knew you were still alive Neville!" He said, "I knew you couldn't die!"

"Yeah, I truly couldn't die and leave you and your sister all alone." Neville said, making Alex laugh and hug him tighter. I hugged the pair of them and suddenly felt at peace. This was it, this was going to be the rest of my life. I wasn't going to die at age seventeen, I would live my life to the fullest.