adored by him | *under editing*

seventh year × 100

"Neville?!" The quartet roared with glee and confusion.

The gilded frame swung open revealing the beaten boy. His face was gashed and his eye was swollen. His clothes were ripped and torn.

"Neville. You look..." Harry began softly.

"Like hell, I reckon." Neville chuckled. "This is nothing. Seamus is worse. You'll see."

Neville gave a goofy smile before turning to Aberforth. "Hey, Ab. There might be a couple more coming through."

Aberforth nodded before sending the group back through the portrait.

The tunnel was dark with twists and turns at every corner.

"I don't remember this being on the Maurauders Map." Ron thought aloud.

"That's because it never existed till now. The seven secret passages were all sealed off before the start of the year. This is the only way in and out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and dementors." Neville explained the solemn situation though his tone was cheery.

"How bad is it, Neville? With Snape as Headmaster?" Hermione asked sadly.

"Hardly ever see him. It's the Carrows you have to watch out for."

"The Carrows?" Nadia repeated.

"Brother and sister; in charge of discipline. They like punishment, the Carrows." Neville tutted, pointing to the gash in his face.

The quartet's eyes widened. "They did that to you? Why?"

"Today's Dark Arts lesson had us practicing the the Cruciatus Curse on first years." Nadia's stomach immediately dropped.

"I refused."

"Good." Nadia said firmly. "No one should ever have to endure that." She whispered the last part earning an affectionate squeeze on the shoulder by Hermione.

"Hogwarts has changed." Neville stated. The quartet exchanged grim looks.

"C'mon. We're almost there." Neville continued to lead them through the passage until they came to the back of a portrait.

He turned back with a cheeky wink. "Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?"

He threw open the portrait and stepped out into the light.

From over his shoulder, Nadia could see a group of students, all battered and bruised, gathered admist hammocks and sleeping bags in the Room of Requirement.

"Oi! Listen up, you lot! I've brought you a surprise!" Neville called authoritatively.

"Not more of Aberforth's cooking, I hope. Be a surprise if we could digest it." Seamus complained.

Neville grinned and pushed the portrait open further, allowing the quartet to duck past him.

"Blimey." Seamus whispered.

Upon seeing Harry and the others, everyone in the room rose abruptly, breaking into cheers and applause.

"Nadia!" As soon as her feet touched the floor, she was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug by the two girls she had missed most dearly over the last year.

She squeezed back with just as much power, savouring the feeling of being in their arms again. "Sam! Ashton! Merlin, I missed you so much!"

The girls broke away with glossy eyes and wide smiles. "We missed you too." Ashton choked.

"God, we thought we might never see you again." Sam cried.

"Hey, I'm here. And I'm never leaving you again." Nadia said assertively, frowning at their split lips and bruised eyes.