[4] UNREQUITED ENEMIES ━ Draco Malfoy

11. A Surprise

ELEVEN A SURPRISE

It wasn't long before Ariana returned with a figure behind her. He was limping beside her and the closer they got, Xander could see that it was Neville. He was beyond ecstatic to see a familiar face, even if it was as bloodied as Neville's. That was no surprise to Xander consider he had witnessed firsthand how much the Carrows enjoyed their cruel and unusual punishments. Neville seemed just as happy to see them as they were to see him. Xander knew they were nowhere near being done with this, but seeing Neville lifted just a little bit of the weight from his shoulders.

"I knew you'd come! I told them all! Harry Potter would never abandon Hogwarts!" Neville exclaimed, "Xander! You found Diana! It's so good to see you both, oh, Merlin."

The frame swings open, revealing the tunnel behind it and Neville steps out with that signature goofy grin on his face despite the aging scratches and blood on his face. Xander can't even begin to imagine what's been happening at Hogwarts while he's been gone. His heart aches for those he left behind.

"Neville," Harry mutters, "You look..."

The smile is not deterred, "Like hell? I reckon. This is nothing, Seamus is worse. You'll see. Hermione, Ron!"

Neville gives them all hugs and Xander revels in the warmth, glad to see his friend's morale has not been harmed by the grim setting amongst them. The boy is such a relief to see, he could hold onto Neville forever.

The boy pulls away from hugging everyone, turning to Aberforth and saying, "Hey, Ab. There might be a couple more people on the way."

Xander didn't even notice the man had returned, watching Ariana return to her place in the portrait. His gaze was distant, focused on his late sister. Neville turned back to the five of them with a smile.

"Well, ready?"

They enter the tunnel and nothing has changed from the few times Xander was in this place. It's dark and they light the way with their wands, no one really bothering with small talk or anything frivolous like that.

Ron is the first to speak, "I don't remember this being on the Marauders' Map."

"What the hell is a Marauders' Map?" Xander asked with a frown, turning to furrow his brow at the redhead who just shrugged.

"Long story," he mumbled.

"That's because it never existed 'till now," Neville began to explain, "The seven secret passages were sealed off before the start of the year. This is the only way in or out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors."