The Seventh Year

Hideout

Neville slowly made his way to the Headmaster's Tower. He leaned against the wall in Gargoyle Corridor and waited. It baffled him that Snape pulled stopped Alecto from giving him a detention.

Footsteps distantly echoed, and Neville perked up. He readjusted his jumper, slightly nervous. 

"Longbottom, come with me," Snape ordered. His strides were long but quick. When he reached the entrance to the office, he said, "Lily." Moving stairs appeared and spiraled around the gargoyle. 

Snape climbed the stairs, his cloak dragging behind him. Neville hesitated but fell into step behind him, following up to the doorway. 

"Wait here," Snape commanded. Neville eyed the greasy-haired professor as he disappeared behind the heavy wooden door into his office.

Neville heard objects rustling and clattering, but he patiently remained still. Snape appeared reemerged from the office and motioned for him to enter. 

"Take a seat, Longbottom." Neville obeyed and walked to the chair in front of the headmaster's desk. "We have several things to... discuss." Snape took his seat across from Neville. The pair stared at one another for an uncomfortably long amount of time before Neville spoke up.

"Erm, sir. Did- did you have anything to say? Or did you steal me away from Alecto just for the fun of—?" Snape held up his hand to stop Neville from speaking.

"I'm thinking. Be quiet," he grumbled. Another excruciatingly awkward five minutes passed before Snape met Neville's gaze.

"Sir, if this is about Ginny, I'm not sure where she is." Neville knew he implicated himself more by being the first to mention it, but he wouldn't allow Ginny to be in danger because of him.

"That's not why I've called you here. You see, Mr Longbottom, I have a matter that needs... resolving. Unfortunately, that means I must kick you out of Hogwarts, which I simply cannot do under the Dark Lord's instructions." He paused uncomfortably, and a loud silence hung in the air.

Neville's heart began to beat much quicker. Was Snape considering using the Killing Curse on him? "Sir, please," he began to plead. "Please, I'll get away as far as possible." Snape rubbed his temples, contemplating what to say next.

"You have one hour. If you cannot get away, I'll have no other choice but to turn you over to the Carrows, and you seem to have an idea of what will happen then." His face softened, disturbing Neville. "Now go." 

Neville looked at the clock and abruptly stood, rushing out of the office. 12:15. Frantically, he ran to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady attempted to make conversation, but he insisted she let him in. Believing him to be rude, she refused and wouldn't open. 

"Please, I promise it's not me being rude. Please!" he implored. She shook her head and crossed her arms, still refusing his entry. 

Neville was in luck as he heard Seamus running up the stairs. 

"Oi, what's got ye in a mood?" he said, smiling.

Neville tugged him away from the Fat Lady and said, "Snape's given me one hour to leave Hogwarts before he turns me over to the Carrows—and so you know, they will kill me. I need to get into the tower, but she won't let me through."

Seamus' face drained of color, and he slowly nodded. "Erm, right mate. I'll get ye in. Jus', tell me where yer goin'?"

"I'm not sure. My last resort will likely be the Room of Requirement," Neville responded in a hushed voice. "Don't tell anyone what's happened unless they need to get out, too. I'll change the Galleon and tell you where I am when I decide to leave." Seamus nodded and went back to the Fat Lady.