I. social casualty | blaise zabini ✔️

ARRIVAL

CHAPTER 7

ARRIVAL

Lyra left the second Moody's class ended. She trailed after Neville, who had ran halfway up the passage and was staring at the stone wall across from him with the same horrified expression.

"Nev?" She said, tentatively, "Are you alright." She didn't dare reach out to touch him again.

He looked up at her, his expression was still terrified, but his shoulders weren't as stiff anymore.

Suddenly, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were next to her. 

"Neville?" Hermione asked softly.

Her turned to look at them too. "Oh hello," he said, his voice was higher than usual. "Interesting lesson wasn't it? I wonder what's for dinner, I - I'm starving, aren't you."

"Are you ok?" Lyra asked again. 

"Oh yes, I'm fine," He responded int he same unusually high pitched voice, "Very interesting dinner - I mean lesson - what's for eating?"

Then they five Gryffindors heard a loud clunking sound behind them and turned to see Professor Moody limping towards them. And in a must more gentle growl then they had heard before he said, "It's all right sonny, Why don't you come up to my office? Come on, we can have a cup of tea..."

Lyra broke at the frightened and desperate look on Neville's face at the offer. And at his pleading look reacted quickly and said, "Actually, professor, me and Neville were going to the library."  

Moody looked right at her with both eyes, as if he saw right through her lie. And Lyra had never regretted lying to a professor until that moment. 

"Knight is it?" He said, his voice gruff but still gentle, as if he knew that a louder voice would startle Neville.

Lyra swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.

"Yes, I know your father. How's he been?"

"He's alright, sir." She responded, she had to fight her hand from twitching

"Be sure to send my greetings." When she nodded again his eyes turned to Harry, "You all right, are you Potter?"

Harry stared numbly at him, "Yes."

"You've got to know. It seems harsh, maybe, but you've got to know. No point pretending... well... not to worry Knight, I'm just borrowing Longbottom for a few minutes. I have some books that might interest you."

Neville looked pleadingly at Lyra, then at the other three Gryffindors. When no one said anything he allowed himself to be steered by Moody's hand on his shoulder.

"What was that about?" said Ron, watching Neville and Moody turn the corner.

"I don't know," said Hermione, she looked pensive.

"Maybe I should follow. Make sure Neville is gonna be fine." Lyra said, preparing to walk after them.

"No Lyra," Hermione said, grabbing Lyra's elbow to hold her back, "He'll see you with the eye and you'll only get Neville and yourself in trouble."