I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

The Second War

Deathly Hallows

"Seamus has Lee updated at all?" I ask.
"Nah, sorry mate I know you're worried." Seamus replies.

Draco had left to go to Malfoy Manor days ago and hadn't returned since. I was starting to fear our plan had failed. Or worse he got hurt trying to help me.

I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Neville, you need to see this." Ginny says. I look up to see the tunnel Portrait door opening wide. Dobby hops down into the room.

"Dobby! What happened, where is a Harry?" I inquire. I run up to meet the house elf.
"Potter is off doing hero work again!" Dean exclaims as he climbs down after Dobby.

"Dean! Merlins beard you're alright!" I exclaim.
"Dean no way! I can't believe it's you!" Seamus yells. We pull each other into a group hug.
"Don't leave us out!" Luna yells as she jumps down as well.
"I always knew they had a thing for each other." Serenity jokes. Luna helps her down carefully.
"Chill Luna I'm fine!" She argues.

"Serenity." I say. I run up to her and lift her in the air. She pulls me into a long passionate kiss.
"Oh Nev I'm so sorry, I'm so freaking sorry." She sobs.
"If anyone is sorry it's me." I reply holding her tighter. Warm tears cover my cheeks.

"Where were you what happened?" I ask.
"We should sit, there are a lot of things to go over." She replies.

....

We sit down and she tells me about Hubar and the beatings. The truth about the secret Lucius had talked about all those years ago. She tells me about how Hubar saved Dobby and healed her.

"So Harry and all of them went to Gringotts to collect another Horcrux. Those things Harry has been collecting." She finishes explaining.
"Well, that certainly is an exciting few days you've had." I joke.
"Oh yes, quite an enjoyable holiday." She jokes back.
"What's next?" She asks.

"Well you said there is a Horcrux here possibly? So Harry will be coming here next?" I inquire.
"I believe so." She answers.

We hear a loud radio static.

"Hello? Hello is this on?
Hello?
I'm not sure if this broadcast will reach anyone, if you are listening.
This is an emergency broadcast. This is River with an emergency broadcast! I don't have much time.
Harry was spotted escaping Gringotts on the back of a dragon. His new location is unknown.
Order members, DA members, anyone willing to fight. This is the call to arms. Get ready for the second war.
This will be my last broadcast.
This is Lee Jordan. Signing off."

The radio turns to static again.

Everyone looks towards Serenity and I for direction. Serenity looks towards me.
"Well boss? What's the plan?" She says with a smile.
"I need you and Astoria to get the younger students to Aberforth the minute Harry gets here. He'll know what to do." She nods and makes her way over to Astoria.

"Ginny I need you to alert the order and tell them Harry will be here next, we will need their backup when Harry starts this." I explain. Ginny nods and runs off with Dean and Seamus.

"Luna, still feeling sneaky?" I ask.
"Always." She replies.
"I need you to tell our allies in each house to be ready." I say.
"You got it!" She replies.

....

An hour passes, no Harry yet.
"Seamus how are those bombs coming?" I ask, picking up a jar and examining it. He scrambled and grabs the jar from me.
"Careful! You are going to blow us all up!" He exclaims.
"Oh yeah I forgot, that's your job." I joke.
"No but seriously, if we can drop these from broom height they will come in handy." He explains.

"Good, I spoke with professor sprout a week ago and she said she had some ideas for plants as weapons." I add.
"Pfffft okay nerd." Seamus replies.
"Hey, watch it Seamus, I for one think that's an amazing idea darling." Serenity says as she rubs my back to comfort me. I smile up at her.

"Neville!" Astoria yells, she points to the portrait door. Aberforth's sister Ariana is now on it and waving me forward.
"He's here isn't he?" I ask her. She nods and walks away. I look back at Serenity.
"I will be right back I promise." I say.
"Okay." She replies. She squeezes my hand extra hard. Separating even for small moments feels almost wrong after what happened to her.

I make my way to the end of the tunnel. I hear voices inside Aberforth's home. When I push open the portrait I see Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hubar waiting inside.

"Neville!?!?" Harry exclaim.
"Hey guys! Happy to see me?" I joke.

"Blimey Neville you look roughed up, what happened?" Ron asks.
"Oh this?" I ask motioning towards my face and arms. "This is how the Carrows punish you when you don't behave in class." I explain
"Carrows?" Asks Hermione.
"Death eater siblings, they run things around here now." I explain as we make our way through the tunnel.

"This wasn't on any maps, where does this tunnel lead?" Harry asks.
"It's fairly new, Dobby helped me with it! We've been hiding out in the room of requirement. It's basically a safe house now." I explain.
"Brilliant." Ron replies.

When I open the portrait door to the room of requirement everyones eyes are on us.
"No presenting our guest of honor Harry Potter!" I joke.
Everyone claps and cheers for Harry and he begins to blush a bright red.

Ron, Hermione, and Hubar make their way into the room behind Harry and I.
Serenity sees Hubar and runs to him pulling him into a hug.
"Hubs thank Merlin you are ok." She says as he holds her in his arms. He closes his eyes and a small warm smile grows on his face.

I clear my throat and they separate.
"Sorry." Hubar says.
"You should be." I say as I pull them into a group hug.