James Potter and the Half Blood Hallway

Twelve

Two weeks latter James was up and about, but not once had he taken his eyes off the Marauder's Map and not one night did he get much rest due to the fact that he would always wake up in a cold sweat, feeling as if someone were watching him, waiting to kill him.

He shuttered.

"Are you alright?" asked Route Longbottom.

"What? Oh yeah fine," lied James. Route gave him a suspicious look.

"Alright," he said, apparently deciding it was the truth. "Well, you know there's a Quidditch game in two days right?"

"Oh really?" Normally James would have been overjoyed at the thought of a Quidditch game, though to be perfectly honest he just wasn't in the mood at the time.

"What's got you all sprawled up?" asked Route. "Not like you to not jump up and down in excitement at the mention of Quidditch. You look exhausted."

James shout him a fake grin. "Only joking!" he said, somehow or another sounding like his old self. Route laughed, going with it. It was a very convincing laugh, but he still wasn't convinced one bit. This year James had completely forgotten about the lot of friends he had in his own year. Or at least sense Christmas anyway. He had been shutting them all out ever sense he got back from his family and been spending all his time with his cousin, brother, and Malfoy. Something was up. Something was clearly bothering him and Route was determined to figure it out. He didn't like seeing his mates so distressed.

~***~                         ~***~                    ~***~

"I've been studying those symbols you wrote down, Scorpius," said Rose. "They seem to be in the same form of writing as that in the book from Trelawney."

"Which is?" asked Scorpius. Rose and Albus were on their way to charms, while Scorpius was going onto Transfiguration.

"Ancient Greek... I think. Maybe Latin."

"I thought that was a forgotten language or something," said Albus.

"Well, no. Not really," said Rose. "Actually, most of the spells we use here at Hogwarts are in Latin."

"Oh."

She shrugged.

"Anyway. I've been trying to figure out what they meant."

"And?" said Scorpius.

"Nothing," said Rose. "There's not one book on Latin pronouns, or Greek for that matter!" Scorpius looked defeated, but then an idea popped into his head. Albus could tell by the look in his eyes.

"Fine then," he said. "We'll switch. You take the book one night and I'll take in another. We can all work on the walk writing together." The other either nodded or grinned in agreement. Then came time for them to part.

~***~                             . ~***~.                                    ~***~.

"The dog," repeated Hermione. "If I'm right, it's a hellhound."
"And if you're wrong?'" asked Ron.
"Well, then I'm not really sure what it is," admitted Hermione.

"Alright," said Harry. "So, on theory Grimmarld place was attacked by a Cyclops and a hellhound, but what about the third guy?"
"Yeah he looked pretty normal," said Teddy. Hermione frowned thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure," she said. "He might have just been a crazy wizard on the lose."

"And what about those people in Harry's vision?" asked Ginny.
"I've been thinking about that," said Hermione. "Remember when Neville sat us down with Jackson? They both ran off in a hurry, but I don't think it was because of tutoring. Jackson ran off as soon as that evil looking man stepped in. The man followed, remember?"

The group nodded.
"And shortly after Neville ran off," Hermione continued.
"You think Neville knows something," said Harry.
"That would be my guess," she said.
"And say he does," said Draco. "How would we get him to tell us?" There was silence.

"Maybe we can't," said Hermione finally. "But I think I know someone who can."

~***~                           ~***~                                       ~***~

"Hello, Neville."

Neville turned, recognizing the voice immediately. He smiled at his old friend.
"Luna!" he exclaimed. She beamed at him. It didn't take long to find him. He was in the first place she looked, the greenhouses.
"How're you?" she asked him, sitting down next to one of the plants.
"Alright," said Neville, sitting next to her. "You?"
"I'm fine," she said. "I went to see Ginny, Harry, Hermione, and Ron just before I came here. Did you know they've befriended the Malfoys now?"
"Really?" said Neville, pretending he didn't know where this was going.

She nodded. "It's really wonderful," she said. "I'm glad they aren't holding any grudges against Draco." Neville nodded.
"They told me the Defense teacher this year was seventeen," she said.
"Yeah," agreed Neville. "But he's already seen two wars."
"Two?" she said in awe.
"Yup," said Neville.
"Would you introduce me?"
"Sure. Come on."

They found him by the lake, as it was Friday and all the students that were able were in Hogsmade. They sat on either side of him on the docks. He looked from Neville to Luna.
"This is Luna," said Neville.
"Hello," said Luna.
"Uh, Hi?" said Percy. He glanced at Neville, as if asking Does she know? Neville shook his head.

"The water's lovely isn't it?" said Luna.
"Yeah," agreed Percy.
"I hear there's a giant squid down there," she said.
"And mermaids too," said Percy. Luna nodded.
"So what brings you here?" asked Neville, changing the subject.
"I just thought I'd stop by and say hello to all my friends before I leave. I'm going to Rome to look for some Heliopath." At the mention of Rome, Percy flinched.

He remembered the fall...

The river...

The hopelessness....

Bob...

Damasen....

He shoved those thoughts away. He still wasn't ready to remember that place. Luna was staring at him, a guilty look on her face. Neville looked down, sympathy showing in his eyes. He knew that must've been hell.
Percy wasn't sure what to say.
"Bad memories in Rome?" Luna guessed. He nodded.
"You could say that," said Percy. Luna nodded understandingly.

"My mother use to always say things are only as scary as we imagen them. Sometimes we make things up, in our minds, and it's really nothing at all." Percy looked out across the water, watching the waves, but didn't say anything. After a few seconds Luna said,

"I should be going. There are a load of others to see before I have to leave again. I could come back tomorrow if you like." Both Percy and Neville agreed that that sounded great. She smiled and waved at them one last time before Apperating away.
Without saying anything, Percy got up and walked to the castle, reliving the worst memories of his life. Neville let him be alone. He probably didn't want to talk about it, but after awhile he had to get up and go to the Great Hall for lunch.

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Hey guys! What do you think of Route? :D I didn't know if Neville had any kids or not so I sort of just made him up, but all others of coarse belong to Rick Riordan and JK Rowling! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! As always leave comments below, vote, or maybe even follow if you really liked it. Best of wishes on your journeys young heroes!! XD