The Moon and Stars.

12- Fight! Fight! Fight!

  "What's the matter? You look terrible."

   The group looked up to see Harry walk into Gryffindor common. Ron was currently playing Hermione in Chess, the one thing he trumped her in. The rest of the group agreed loosing once in awhile was for her best interest. However, seeing the distraught look on Harry's face, he stopped the game.

  "Snape suddenly decided being a Quidditch referee was a good hobby."

  "Don't play." Hermione said at once.

  "Say you're ill." Said Ron.

  "Exploit an allergic reaction." Suggested Cass.

  "Pretend to break your leg." Hermione Said.

  "Really break your leg." Said Ron with an odd smile.

  "I know a friend that could do that for you. That friend is me if you're wondering." Offered Selena.

  "I can't. There isn't a reserve Seeker for Gryffindor. If I back out, Gryffindor won't play. I can't do that to my team." Harry said with a downcast look.

  "But what if-" Hermione began, but she never finished her sentence for at that moment, Neville toppled into the common room. His legs were stuck together with the Leg Locker Curse.

  Everyone started laughing, except for the small group of five. At once, Hermione undid the curse and Selena and Cass gave Neville a hand and with a great heave, they pulled him up off the ground.

  "What happened?" Hermione asked as he sat down with them.

  "Malfoy." Said Neville shakily. "I bet him outside the library and he said he'd been looking for someone to practice on."

  "Go to McGonagall! She'd put a stop to this for sure." Hermione urged.

  Neville just shook his head.
  "No. I don't want more trouble."

  "Neville, you've got to stand up to him! He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down and make it easier!" Ron said.

  "There's no need to tell me I'm not brave enough for Gryffindor." Neville choked out. "Malfoy's already seen to that."

  "Hey, don't say that. Malfoy is just a weak little boy who likes to pick on people to compensate for his shitty personality." Cass said.

  "Here, take this Neville." Harry said, pulling a chocolate frog from his robes and giving it to Neville, who looked as if he was going to cry.

  "You're worth twelve of Malfoy. The sorting hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin."

  "Besides, Malfoy is weak. You just say the word and I'll show him what happens when you bully one of my friends." Said Cass.

  "Me too. We've got your back." Agreed Selena.

  "I'm one of your friends?" Neville really was about to cry now.

  "Of course, Nev."

"Thanks, guys. I think I'm going to bed. Do you want the card, Harry? I know you've been collecting."

  Neville walked away.

  "I know you were trying to cheer Neville up, but try and refrain from insulting Cass's house please?" Said Selena with a raised brow.

"Uh, sure." Harry said, looking at his chocolate frog card.

  "It's just Dumbledore again. He's the first one I-" Then he gasped. "I found him! I've found Flamel! I told you I'd read the name somewhere, I read it on the train ride here!" He said excitedly, his friends crowding around him.