The Seventh Year

Attacked

Since the "Support Harry Potter" party, Ginny had continued to go in and out of detention. Unlike his flaming-haired friend, Neville did his best to lay low and steer clear of trouble and stay off the headmaster's radar. 

He sat in the Gryffindor common room by the fire with his homework scattered on the floor. Ginny was in detention again, so he stayed up to wait for her. 

He was nearly finished with his potions essay when the portrait swung open. Ginny limped through and sat beside Neville.

"Hey," she said quietly. Neville turned his ear towards her but didn't look at her. "How long have you waited for me?"

"Er- not long," he lied. He continued to scribble on the parchment, looking back-and-forth between his notes and the essay. "Reckon we should go back to give Hagrid and Buckbeak some more food?"

"Yeah, let's get up early tomorrow and go," she replied. They sat in silence for several moments before footsteps sounded from the stairwell. Neville swiftly grabbed each of his assignments and stood abruptly.

"Let's go to bed," he yawned. "If we're getting up early, I don't want to be in a bad mood." Ginny winced from pain as she struggled to get up, too. All she could manage was a nod. 

Neville reached over to give her a hand, but she brushed him off and nearly lost her balance.

"Nev, I'm fine," she said harshly. "Let's just get to bed." Neville, still concerned, left her alone and slowly made his way to the stairs. 

As he followed the spiraling staircase, he bumped into Lavender Brown. Mascara ran down her tear-stained face. 

"Oh- hi, Neville. I'm just going to get a glass of water," she said shyly and pushed past him. 

"Lavender, what's wrong?" he said and grabbed her arm, genuinely concerned. When Ron dated her during their sixth year, he thought she was obnoxious and attention-seeking. After their breakup, though, she became more introverted and stopped talking with most of the Gryffindors. 

"It's none of your business," she shook him off and pushed past him. They heard the portrait swing shut, and Neville turned to Ginny, confused. 

"What's that all about?" he asked curiously. "I know she's changed since Ron, but I'm not even sure what I did to upset her."

"It's not you. She's got quite a bit on her mind at the moment," Ginny defended her. "I don't want to give details, but there's been a few family issues plus Death Eaters running the school. I think she's had too much." Neville understood and continued up to bed.

----

Ginny shook Neville awake, but all he did was roll over to the other side of the bed. She tried again, shaking him harder, but this time he slapped her. Thinking of the best way to wake him, she struck him as hard as she could.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL?" he yelped in pain, jumping out of bed with his fists in the air. She jumped back to avoid being punched. 

"Sorry, you wouldn't wake. We need to go feed Hagrid," she said and headed for the door. 

Neville looked out his window to see the starry night sky and a bright crescent. "Bloody hell, it feels earlier than usual," he groggily said and rubbed his eyes. He dawdled in the direction of the door and followed Ginny down the stairs.

She and Neville hurried off to Hogsmeade, staying in the shadows and darkest roads. It was early spring, and the chilly air made Ginny shudder. They continued down the path until they reached the Shrieking Shack.