The Scarlet Witch °Neville Longbottom

°0.8°

0.8 |Dumbledore's army|

WALKING through the snow Vera peered at the quieter part of Hogsmead with a soft smile.
"This is mad. Who'd want to be taught by me. I am a nutter, remember."
Vera turned to look at Harry walking beside her and shook her head.

"Look at the bright side. Can't be any worse than old toad face."
The Ivanov girl chuckled at Ron's comment while pulling her grey beannie over her ears.
She shivered a bit from the cold while snow crunched under her feet. Something she had never seen.

The four students arrived and stepped inside the empty bar.
Rex who sat on Vera's shoulder made a small sound seeing the goat at the bar of the room.
Both Ron and Vera looked around the place and then at each other before both saying their thoughts.
"Lovely spot."

***

"Uhm, hi. So you all know why we are here. " Vera gazed at eveyone sitting in front of them while Hermione was talking. "We need a teacher. Proper teacher. One who's had real experience defding themselves against the dark arts."
A boy, Vera couldn't recognize, asked why and she rolled her eyes.
Ron's annoyed voice spoke her exact thoughts.
"Why? Cuz you-know-who's back, you tosspot."

Vera looked down to the ground trying to hide her smirk.
"So he says."
The girl sighed at another boy's comment and stood up as well.
"So Dumbledore says." her tone was defensive and Harry gently tugged on her coat for her to sit down.
She turned to her left a little to look at him before sitting down while others were saying stuff about wanting proof.

"If Potter could tell us more about the night Cedric died."
Vera glared at the same boy from earlier while this time Harry stood up wanting to leave.

"Is it true you can produce the patrons charm?"
Luna's soft voice interrupted the boy from leaving.
Vera and smiled at the girl as a thank you and she returned the favor while Hermione confirmed her question.
Some people already let out sounds of approval.
"A-and he killed a basilisk with the sword from Dumbledore's office."
Vera made eye contact With Neville and nodded in gratitude while he dared to quickly smile back.
"Third year he fought about a hundred dementors at once."
After Ron finished Vera cleared her throat and decided to support her friend aswell.
"And last year he really did fight off you-know-who."
She grabbed his hand in hers.
"And that's why he's the only chance we've got."

Soon enough all students gathered in the bar formed a line and one by one a new name was written on the paper for Dumbledore's army.
Vera was the one standing behind the table with the paper, observing each new member and her smile grew when she saw the infamous Weasley twins.
"Glad you could join us, gentlemen."

More names appeared and Vera smiled at some students passing by like Luna, remembering wanting to speak with her some time. She could be an interesting friend. The white-haired girl petted Rex's head much to his delight before walking away.
Next in line was Neville and he quickly scribbled his name down.
"Nice to see you're joining us aswell, Neville. And thank you for defending Harry."
He smiled feeling a bit more comfortable around Vera and even managed to pet Rex after some internal debating.

***

A small group of students were walking back to Hogwarts whilst discussing the new matters.
Vera walked in front of the twins with Neville beside her.
"Right, first we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find out."
Ginny,who was infront of her suggested the Shrieking Shack but it would be too small.
Hermione suggested the forbidden forest but Ron refused immediately making Vera laugh a little.
Ginny lowered her pace and wondered out loud.
"Harry, what happens if Umbridge does find out?"

"Who cares? I mean, sort of exciting, isn't it? Breaking the rules."
Vera's eyebrows raised at Hermione comment.
She wasn't wrong though.

***

The next few days were dedicated to finding the right spot for these defense against the dark arts lessons.
Vera was a little worried because it truly meant using her wand. She didn't have to do it much so far, to her luck since she wasn't the best.
She of course had to practice with her other magic aswell.
Dumbledore's army would benefit the most from her if she didn't use her wand of course. But was she ready to show all those others what she could do?

Walking through the crowded halls she spotted Neville and she fastened her pace while calling for him.
She considered him a friend now, after some small talks and him even teaching her some things about Herbology one night. She just wasn't sure if he thought of her the same way.

"Good afternoon, Neville."
She slowed down once she was beside him but he was still walking quite fast.
"Do you have to be somewhere? You're going so fast."
Soon enough Vera was knocked to the side while two boys bumped harshly into Neville.
"Watch where you're going, Longbottom."
Vera huffed in anger and quickly snapped her hand to the left.

The two boys both got knocked down to the left and fell down hard.
Neville frowned wondering what made them trip while Vera just smirked lightly before walking back to the boy.
"Are you alright, Neville?"
He nodded while walking further.
"Are you? Goyle hit you pretty hard aswell."
She smiled up at him while pulling on the sleeves of her black vest.
"I'm perfect."

She stopped in her tracks with a frown and Neville beside her did the same.
She turned towards him while he was staring at the wall.
"Do you hear that aswell?"
He didn't answer so Vera turned to see what he was so intensely staring at and her eyes widened.
A large door emerged from the wall and Vera's mouth fell open in amazement.
She grabbed onto Neville's arm not knowing what was going on and soon enough the doors opened.

An empty room appeared in front of them and Vera laughed in triomph.
She shook Neville's arm and he tore his gaze from the room to her with a confused look.
"Neville, we did it! We found the perfect place to practice."
She laughed again while still holding onto him.
He started to smile aswell finally understanding what he did.
"Y-yeah, we did it."