The Seventh Year

Two Weeks Later...

a/n: this chapter is so short because it would be tedious to detail each day neville spent in the room of requirement. 

After Neville's first food run to Hogsmeade, he returned to six more students in need of shelter. Soon after, groups of ample numbers trickled in. The room continued expanding in size and adding beds and hammocks, anticipating their stay. 

Neville lightly kicked the portrait open and saw the Room of Requirement.

"'ey, Nev, jus' in time! We're starving, mate!" Seamus called. Several students surrounded Neville as he began passing out bread. 

"Seamus, shut your trap! You've been here for a week, and I've fed you every day. I went for three days without anything. I think you can go a few hours without a snack!" Neville joked. 

After everyone received their share of food, Seamus pulled Neville for a private conversation.

"How long do ye think we can stay, mate? Surely Snape'll fig're it out eventually," his tone full of concern. 

"I- Call me crazy, but I have this gut feeling that Harry will be back soon. Just bear with me for a little longer, okay?" Neville patted Seamus on the shoulder and returned to the group. 

It was the night that marked Neville's two-week sojourn. He went to talk with Colin Creevey and Terry Boot.

"Oi, Terry, how are ye? Looks like you took quite a beating. Was it the Carrows?" Neville asked.

"What this?" he asked, pointing at his purple eye. "Did you read about the Gringotts break-in? I must've gotten too excited 'cause they beat the bloody hell out of me. But Potter really was up to something, eh?" He nudged Neville, and they continued sharing theories about Harry's epic escape. 

As the night carried on, several people began preparing for bed. Neville heard the recently added showers turn on, and he grabbed a towel and change of clothes to check for a vacant stall. 

When he stood, he noticed Ariana's portrait watched over them. That's odd, he thought. Usually, the painting remained blank. Strange. 

All the shower stalls were occupied, so Neville weaved through the beds on the ground back to his corner. 

"Neville, Aberforth would like to see you," called a soft voice. Everyone grew silent, and Neville stopped dead in his tracks. 

"Wh- what?" he asked, checking to see if he heard Ariana correctly. 

"Come," she said, her voice soothing. "It's urgent. No one's life is in jeopardy, but you must hurry."

Everyone stared, waiting for a further explanation, but she turned and walked along the trail in her painting, ignoring their gazes.

Neville threw his things on the nearest bed and climbed the ladder. What could be so urgent that Aberforth sent Ariana to retrieve him? 

He swung the portrait open and called to Seamus, "Mate, you're in charge!" He gently shut the painting and walked at a much faster pace than usual. Eventually, he broke into a run.

He slid down the tunnel's steeper section, similar to a child going down a slide at a playground. He neared the entrance to Aberforth's home and quickly brushed himself off, preparing for what he would encounter on the other end.

He gently tapped the portrait, and it creaked open.

The euphoria Neville felt when he found Harry, Ron, and Hermione staring at him was indescribable. 

"I knew you'd come! I knew it, Harry!" Neville yelled excitedly.