A Gathering Storm (Harry Potter love story)

Chapter 24: Not now

Slamming the newspaper on the table, in the great hall I let out a frustrated sigh. Just days after Harry had finally started talking to us again, the news broke.
Bellatrix Lestrange and many other followers of Lord Voldemort had broken out of Azkaban.
I had heard many stories, about Sirius notorious and cruel cousin from him over the years and I know that this was not what any of us needed. Especially him.
And especially Neville.
Knowing that the women, who murdered his parents was out. Free. Must have been a nightmare for him.
More and more of 'his' forces were gathering together, breaking out and that set everyone on edge. Including me. Especially knowing that one of those escaped death eaters was my parents murderer.
I let out a loud sigh I had been holding in as Neville and Luna approached the table.
"May we join you?" Luna asked, smiling me my face. Glancing down at Luna's hand interwoven with Neville's and the slight blush on his cheeks. I smirked and gestured for them to sit down.
"How are you holding up, Neville?"
Luna glanced at him quickly.
"I-I'm alright. What about you?"
I let out a sigh. Neville along with Luna and Leo, knew that my parents's murderer had escaped Azkaban. I had told him hours after we had read it in the parent. I had found him curled up in the courtyard and just needed to tell. I didnt want him to feel alone, because i knew what he was going through.
When you think that your past is behind you it starts to creep back up on you no matter if you want it to or not.
Since then both me and Luna had been there for him. Whenever he needed us to be.
"Ive been better". I huffed.
"Have you talked to Harry about it?" Luna questioned me adjusting the clips in her curls. I looked down at my plate.
"No, I haven't".
Neville glanced from Luna to me, "Wait Harry doesn't know that he escaped?"
I nodded, "He doesn't even know who killed them". Neville's eyes widened at my statement.
"Why haven't you told him?"
I had wanted to tell Harry. I had gotten so close to telling him many times, but i would always panic and decide not to.
While my parents killer wasnt well known, he was a savage death eater and sooner or later he'd find out who he was. And i hoped that it was later.
"I just-he has a lot on his mind lately and I don't want to add another worry". It was true. Harry had so much going with his this year, from the Dumbledore's Army, to all his visions/ dreams and Dumbledore's rare appearance that i didnt want to add fuel to the fire.
Maybe i was wrong to not tell, after everything that happened with him before, but i was willing to risk it and say nothing.
Even if he would never forgive me for it later.

Another normal day of defensive classes had began and all of us were looking forward to it. Especially Leo, who seemed to be eyeing up, Ginny a few times during the time. I wasnt even sure that Leo had a thing for her, until he smirked her way and she just rolled her eyes. Ron slapped him across the back of the head when he saw him making faces at his sister. As Ron looked from Leo his eyes fell to mine and i just shrugged.
As the lessons went on i found something becoming more comfortable with how i was casting my spells. I grew in confidence and strength. Proving to others that i was not damsel. And not someone to mess with. Harry was eager to point it out, several times to the other students, who all rolled their eyes cheerfully. If they couldn't already figure it, it was crystal clear now that that me and Harry were an item. The twins, particularly making it harder to just try to act natural. Especially when even time Harry did something they would send me a wide smirk and wiggle their eyebrows. How Ginny and Ron endured them all these years, i would never understand.
"Alright everyone that's it for today. I'll see you all tomorrow". Harry stated. Everyone began to gather up their books and quills. As i had turned to leave i felt a pull. Spinning around i spotted a grinning Harry. I smiled back at him and as i was about to say something to him the room shook softly. Not like a raging tidal wave, but like a mini shake. Both of us glanced up to see the chandeliers in the room slowing dancing back and forth. I looked back at harry and we both could sense it. Something was wrong. Looking around everyone seemed to hold on to one another. Harry's hand melted down my arm to my hand and i felt myself move closer to him.
Neville was the only brave one among us to walk over to where the main entrance usually was. He began to lower his head as if he noticed something wrong with the wall. Then like a spark of flame igniting a fire the wall exploded. The explosion wasn't massive but it did send Neville flying across the room. Luna and Leo rushed to his side to help him.
"well, well".

Since this is the last part I had written while snowed in for three days, it might be a bit before I write the next one. But I'll try to have another chapter up soon.