23

Chapter XXIII: Ambush

(Neville P.O.V)

Being back at the castle was something that Neville enjoyed immensely. However, he was beginning to think he had enjoyed it a bit too much as not only had he woken up late, he had woken up quite ill. Neville turned to his alarm and groaned as he realized that he had missed not only breakfast, but Defense Against the Dark Arts as well. His mood was improved however upon realizing that he wasn't late for herbology and though his stomach was killing him, he raced for the Greenhouse looking rather shabby.

His luck seemed to grow even more, as once he had finished explaining his plight to his Head of House and Herbology Professor, she had given him two options, he could head to the hospital wing, or if he'd like, due to the fact the plant currently being studied was something that Neville had already studied extensively, he could head to the current DADA class to make up the lesson he missed. Knowing his grade of DADA was only in the acceptable range, he quickly made his decision and raced towards the third-floor serpentine corridor.

As he opened the door, he felt a bit embarrassed by his abrupt entrance, as Professor Lupin had just begun taking roll. "Ah, Mr. Longbottom, it seems you're running a bit late, specifically an hour late."

"Yes, Professor, sorry about that," Neville nodded, "I overslept, but Professor Sprout gave me permission to make up the class I missed now if that's okay?"

Professor Lupin nodded, "If Professor Sprout is okay with it, I see no reason to object. Find a seat, we're just beginning."

Neville nodded, and while the class was currently filled with Slytherin's most of whom had never shown him a lick of kindness despite his 'pure-blood' status, he did find some solace in the fact that the class was split with the Gryffindors, and sitting at the front of the class with his patented lazy-grin was Harry Potter. The seat next to Harry was currently empty as many students were too shy to sit in the front of the class directly after returning from break, but feeling confident from their winter break full of practice, Neville sat beside one of his best friends. It had taken Harry all of two seconds after Neville had sat before he whispered, "Jeez Nev, you look like crap. What happened?"

"I think I ate one too many Cauldron Cakes," Neville groaned, "If I didn't know better I'd say it was Corner's master plan to get back at me for beating him on the train."

Harry chuckled, but before he could respond, Professor Lupin continued, "Alright Class, so at the beginning of this year, I asked you all to help in reviewing proper dueling etiquette. Today, as it is the first day back from break, I believe it would be an opportune time to review what I consider to be one of the most important spells for defense in any wizard's arsenal, the disarming charm."

The class groaned as Lupin smiled, "I understand that many of you wish to continue progressing in your studies, and, for the most part, many of you showed great aptitude when demonstrating the Boggart-Banishing Spell, but reviewing the fundamentals is necessary for every great wizard."

Neville couldn't have agreed more, he had spent the entirety of winter-break since receiving his new wand in reviewing the fundamentals, and it had helped grow his confidence in his magical ability immensely, and while Harry, who knew every aspect of the disarming charm like the back of his hand, look a bit bored, he didn't say a word simply shrugging his shoulders in agreement.

However, others were not as passive in their objections as Theodore Nott stood up inraged, "Why do you insist on teaching us things we've already mastered. If I wanted to review I'd have my father hire a tutor!"

Professor Lupin didn't flinch, in fact, he didn't even move. Instead, all he did was cock his eyes brow before allowing a small smile to line his face, "Mastered you say? Very well, Mr. Nott, a mastered spell is one that can be done without incantation and nearly on instinct. Please come to the front of the class."

Slowly, Neville watched as Nott with a scowl walked to the front, though Neville did realize there was a distinct lack of eye contact between the Slytherin and Harry before Nott was now standing at the front of the classroom, "Mr. Nott," Professor Lupin spoke kindly, "You claim to have mastered the disarming charm, I would like to see you prove it. I will not move, I will not cast, and I will in no way defend myself, circumstances that you will never see when faced with real danger. However, if you silently manage to cast the spell you have 'mastered' I will move on without review."

"Whatever, if you're not going to try and move this will be a breeze," Nott said as he lifted his wand.

The entirety of the class seemed to hold their breath, except for Harry who simply leaned back in his chair bored and uninterested. It was clear to everyone that Harry and Professor Lupin shared a close connection, so Harry's lack of concern for the man was quite telling. In intrigue, Neville watched as Nott waved his wand in the flick-like motion, and yet nothing happened. Professor Lupin stood up there, if possible even more relaxed than Harry as Theodore Nott flicked and flicked his wand with no results. Finally, after an embarrassing two-minute display, the class watched in awe as with a swiftness that Neville's eyes almost couldn't follow, Professor Lupin flicked his wand and Nott's popped into his hand.

Professor Lupin cleared his throat as he spoke, "If anyone else among you would like to demonstrate their mastery of the disarming spell, they are welcome to come up to the front and try. For the rest of you," A wave of the Professor's wand banished the desks to the sides of the room, clearing the space in the center of the class, "Partner up and begin practicing. Silent casting is not required though you are certainly welcome to try it."

Neville felt relieved as Harry turned to him with a grin as he spoke, "Ready?"

Neville nodded and together they made their way to the center of the class. Slowly, Harry lifted his wand and Neville did the same as the two boys began to circle each other. With alacrity that Neville had never seen before from Harry, he juked backward in a counter-clockwise motion momentarily causing Neville to lose him before his wand had been popped out of his hand at Harry's word, "Expelliarmus."

"How did you do that?" Neville asked amazed at Harry's vanishing tactic.

"Simple optical illusion," Harry said, "I forced you to focus on what was in front of you, following me with your eyes, then with a swift step back, your eyes lost focus of me, giving me just enough time to land the spell. Don't feel too bad though, it takes time to master the exact timing."

Harry tossed the wand back to him and with a determined look on his face, Neville nodded as Harry spoke, "Remember, it's just a small flick, don't overdo or you'll lose time."

Once again, the two began to circle, and this time there was no trick from Harry, just a simple spell cast that Neville had just managed to dodge before with a flick of his own, he spoke, "Expelliarmus."

The entire classroom watched in shock as Harry's wand flew into his hands, and while some watched in silent awe, others began to laugh. Of course, he knew Harry was holding back, the lack of movement that Harry displayed this time around was proof of that, and yet Harry still nodded as he spoke, "Nice one, Nev. That was a pretty fast flick, good aim, you're definitely getting better."

Neville tossed the wand back to Harry trying to ignore the chuckles aimed at the two of them, with phrases like, "Did I just see Longbottom disarm Potter? What a joke," and "Wow, Pity Potter let Neville get a win, it's almost sad really." However, Harry looked undisturbed as he spoke, "Just stay focused Nev, this isn't about anyone else."

Neville nodded and just before they were about to continue, a snarky voice that could only belong to Malfoy spoke, "Absolutely pathetic Potter. You strut around this castle like you're some hotshot wizard, but you just got disarmed by a squib. Everyone knows Longbottom is more of a danger to himself than others with a wand, I can't believe people think you're a talented wizard."

"Don't you have a window to kiss somewhere Malfoy?" Harry said with a sigh, "And for the record, Neville could take you down in a heartbeat. He's a powerful wizard, unlike a certain self-obsessed idiot."

"How dare you even think about the idea that a blood traitorous squib could ever defeat me," Malfoy said angrily.

"Think about?" Harry asked, "This isn't a question, I know it to be a fact. Neville is a better wizard than you are. If you two dueled right here, I bet my place on the quidditch team that he'd beat you."

"Is that an honest wager Potter?" Draco said sinisterly.

"Don't do it, Harry," Ron called out, "We might actually have a chance to win the Quidditch cup, Neville's a better bloke than Malfoy no doubt, but he can't do magic."

"Relax," Harry called back to the worried crowd, "Neville, you want in?"

"I- I um," Neville said struggling. He wanted to do it, he wanted to show Malfoy, to show everyone that he wasn't the squib everyone had tormented as for the past two years. He wanted to show everyone that he was a powerful wizard like his parents and grandmother. But now, the stakes were high, and his nerves were on edge. He didn't want to be responsible for the hate that could fall on his friend's shoulders if he failed, "I don't know Harry, what if I fail?"

"You won't fail," Harry said as certain as he was that rain was wet.

"How do you know?" Neville asked still a bit worried.

"Because unlike the Malfoy's," Harry said staring down the Blonde that had led much of his torment the past two years, "You don't come from a family of cowards."

The entire class gasped at the insult, while some reveled in the animosity between Harry and Draco, many other Gryffindors, like Ron were beginning to get worried about losing their chances at both the Quidditch and House Cup. The pitiful looks of the class, the look of pure lacking belief in Neville had set a fire in him. He wasn't the weak timid boy that Hogwarts had made him out to be this past couple of years, he was better now, he had a wand, he had his friends, and he was done running away. He swallowed hard as he nodded, "Okay, I'll do it."

"Atta boy!" Harry said with a smirk before turning to Remus who seemed to look down at Neville with a nod. While not as favorited by Professor Lupin as he was with Sprout. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had always been very kind and supportive of him, and now, Neville almost saw what could have been a hint of pride at Neville wanting to defend himself.

However, still needing to be the teacher, he sighed, "Very well, Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Malfoy, you two will be each other's partners for this exercise. I've hope you've learned your lesson from the last time Mr. Malfoy. This is a disarming practice only, any more, and I will intervene."

While Malfoy's nod was laced with a sneer, Neville's was genuine, he didn't need to curse Malfoy into oblivion to prove his point, disarming would be more than enough. And opposed to Harry who had a far larger amount of offensive spells, Neville didn't like fighting, he'd prefer to settle things with words if possible, his defensive spells were a strong priority for him, but in a situation like this, he knew he needed to be prepared.

As he and Malfoy circled each other, Neville couldn't help but feel a sting of irritation at the concerned look on the faces of the Gryffindor students. If he lost to Harry or Michael, he could accept that, but he'd never cower to Malfoy, never again. Malfoy was fast with a wand as he bellowed, "Expelliarmus." But Neville had seen faster, he had spent the winter holiday working not just on his reflexes on the quidditch pitch, but dueling with both Harry and Corner who were no slouches when it came to swift spell casting. Quickly, Neville turned his body sideways, watching as the bolt of red jetted by him. He through his peripheral vision, he saw Harry smirking as he once again dodged another red bolt.

"What's the matter Malfoy," Neville said adopting some of the snark the exuded from Harry and Corner when faced in combative situations, "I thought I was just a fat squib? Don't tell me your aim is that bad?"

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted in frustration, though this time, Neville quickly shifted his head a confident smile breaking through his face as the bolt whizzed right passed his head.

"My turn," Neville said now lifting his wand, "Expelliarmus!" Instantly, and exactly on target the red bolt stuck Malfoy's chest sending his wand flying in Neville's hand as Malfoy toppled to the ground. The crowd of students looked down at the Prince of Slytherin in disbelief, before a roaring cheer was heard from the Gryffindor Students and a proud smile fell over his face, his hard work had paid off as he walked towards the fallen snake, "It's over Malfoy, you're done bullying me, clear?"

Neville looked down at his once tormentor, his foe's wand still in his hand before dropping it atop the snake. Despite Draco's glares, Neville didn't relent, yes, he wasn't a Gryffindor, but he had friends and those friends had shown him his self-worth. His time of cowering under those he once believed stronger than he was done. His trance was broken when he felt a calm hand land on his shoulder and squeeze it lightly. He turned to find Harry looking down at Malfoy himself before looking at Neville, "Nice one, Nev. Not bad at all."

"Thanks," Neville said with a small smile, "My flick was still too long though."

"We'll work on it," Harry said easily, "We've got time."

(Harry P.O.V)

"Focus," Dumbledore spoke, as with exhaustion Harry lifted his wand once more, "When practicing legilimency, your wand must be like a scalpel, sharp and precise, brute force is ineffective and gives away your position when invading one's mind."

"I know," Harry growled, irritated at the elderly man. It wasn't that Harry was failing, he was following all of the instructions to the T, but the old wizard's mind was an impenetrable fortress of secrecy. Eight times Harry had tried to enter the headmaster's mind and eight times he'd been repelled. Legilimency was the art he was far better at, and unfortunately was the one that was practiced less do to the overwhelming need to properly learn to deflect attacks. But as Dumbledore had given him the option to choose what they would focus on for his first day back, he knew he had to make good use of the time. Harry took a deep breath, and with a calculated tone, he muttered, "Legilimens."

Once again, Harry found himself in the daunting library that was Dumbledore's mind. The task was easy in concept, find, retrieve and read the red-book entitled, Objective in his mind. In practice, however, the task had alluded him many times. Harry readied his wand, as the pitch darkness of Dumbledore's occlumency set in once more as he whispered, "Lumos."

Cautiously, Harry roamed the dark corridors of Dumbledore's mind before a gale of red and gold feathers swooped by his face dropping him to the ground, Shit, Harry thought to himself, His mind is so bizarre. Each step he took, Harry felt his heart beating in his chest, Dumbledore was a renowned wizard and he had faced, apparations, pit-falls, trap-doors, burning books, and just recently razor-sharp feathers.

However, if Dumbledore's palace of trickery wasn't frightening enough, it was about to get worse as Harry began hearing footsteps. He had read that skilled occlumens, far beyond his level, had the ability to not only conjure elaborate mental fortresses, but apparitions to intimidate or fight their intruders. And as Harry turned around, he certainly felt intimidated. A middle-aged man appeared before him, with light blonde hair, cold blue eyes, and a thin white mustache. Harry gripped his wrist to keep himself from involuntary trembling. "Grindelwald," Harry whispered in both shock and confusion.

Harry was unsure why the figure frightened him. Yes, Harry had learned about the great battle between Gellert Grindelwald and Dumbledore, there was certainly no shortage of books on the man, and Harry while never wanting to fight one, had found war as a concept interesting. Battle tactics, propaganda campaigns, every aspect of war was both horrible yet fascinating, and the atrocities of Grindelwald was very well documented. But regardless the man before him was an illusion of Dumbledore's mind, and yet, his hand wouldn't stop shaking.

Get a grip Potter, Harry thought to himself, If Voldemort returns I'm going to have to face this for real. I wanted this, I want to fight him, I can't-, But before Harry even had a chance to finish his thoughts, a bolt from Grindelwald's wand sent Harry to the ground in order to avoid it. Harry smiled slightly, his mind might have still been coping with how to handle seeing such an imposing Dark Wizard, but his body seemed to remember how to move. Instinct was Harry's best bet.

Though his heart was still thrashing about in his chest, Harry turned to face the legendary wizard with all the courage he could muster, "Tenimago!" Harry shouted as the fountain of black flames burst forth from his wand tip.

However, to Harry's horror, Grindelwald simply brushed off the forever burning flames like they were cobwebs. Harry cursed, Right, mind dimension, not reality, different rules. A flick of Grindelwald's wand lifted myriad of the incredibly hot books in the air, and Harry groaned, "Aw, Come On!" As the mountain of 4000-degree books began flying towards him.

Using all of his seeker skills and reflexes, Harry managed to avoid the books, ducking and weaving as the onslaught seemed to continue without pause. A red-book, the one he'd been looking for flew right by his face, and without hesitation, he reached as far as he could, but the book was now way out of reach. He didn't even have time to mourn his loss, as before he could even rationalize what happened, a burning pain struck Harry's core, sending his to the ground with a groan as Grindelwald slowly approached.

Harry clenched his fist before jumping from the presence of a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly, the apparition of Grindelwald disappeared and in a kind Grandfatherly-tone, Dumbledore spoke, "Found you."

Harry put up little resistant as now for the ninth time, Harry was repelled from the headmaster's mind, falling into his chair with a thud. "What the hell was that?" Harry asked still panting from the exhaustion.

"My fail-safe in case of a skilled legilimens making it that far into my mind without resistance," Dumbledore said calmly, "A mental guardian or patrolman if you will." Dumbledore then popped a sherbet lemon into his mouth before asking calmly, "Now Harry, do you know why you failed to retrieve the specific memory you were looking for?"

"Probably because I came face to face with the second greatest dark wizard of all time in your insane mind fortress," Harry said his heart still pounding in his chest like a jackhammer.

"No," Dumbledore said, "It was because you lost focus."

"No," Harry repeated, "It's because I saw Grindelwald in your head."

"And why did you engage in combat with an opponent you could not beat?" Dumbledore said pushing back against Harry's normal snark. Harry clenched his fist in anger as he sighed and Dumbledore continued, "Harry, you are a talented wizard, you have an aptitude for legilimency, and your understanding of theory and practical uses of both offensive and defensive magic are far beyond what a boy your age should be capable of. However, you lack an essential part of understanding combat."

"You don't know when it is best to retreat," Dumbledore spoke, "You rely on your natural talent, bravery, and combative creativity to pull through when you need it. But sometimes, that is not enough, sometimes, missions require plans, and those plans must be adhered to, obediently."

Harry turned away, he never liked being talked down too, even though Dumbledore was doing it in a kind way. Even worse, however, Harry didn't like failing and certainly didn't like revisiting constant failures. But the worst offense of it all was that Dumbledore was right. "You had a mission Harry," Dumbledore spoke calmly, "Dive into my mind and retrieve the red-book, your mission did not involve entering combat with anyone, let alone an apparition of a wizard with far more experience than you. If Voldemort returns before we can stop him, war will break out."

"Though I hope to be a calming force," Dumbledore continued, "You are the Boy-Who-Lived, the one who first defeated Voldemort. The people will turn to you for leadership, and you need to learn to tame your recklessness, or it will get people killed."

Harry swallowed hard as he unclenched his fist, "Your right, but I can't change who I am, I act on instinct, it's in how I fly, how I train, how I fight, I'm not a great planner or a great tactician, I'm just Harry."

"And just Harry is certainly a very good young wizard," Dumbledore said with a nod, "But it is necessary that he learn to take guidance when needed, and for him to understand where his strengths and weakness are and make allies of people who can compensate for them. Something you have done quite well despite the fact you may not acknowledge it."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked tiredly rubbing his head.

"Your friends, Mr. Corner and Mr. Longbottom," Dumbledore spoke, "Mr. Corner is an exceptionally bright young man, though his marks suggest otherwise, he has a strength in strategy and his intelligence is a valuable asset to you. Mr. Longbottom while being fairly bright, and fairly strong is important as well. He is a calm and patient boy, patience being something you and Mr. Corner seem to lack. It is this patience and ability to calmly assess a situation that will prove instrumental to you should the worst arise," Dumbledore finished kindly, "Cherish your friends Harry, friendship is a magic second only to love."

Harry nodded tiredly, "Well, I have no plans on leaving them behind so at least I have that covered. Doesn't help me very much when I'm alone in your mind though."

"No," Dumbledore said with a nod, "Though spending time with them will eventually allow some of their charms to rub on to you and vice-versa. For now, however, it is getting late and the Great Hall will be in great debate if we do not arrive in time for dinner," Dumbledore lifted a small vial of liquid and handed it to him, "Here my boy, drink."

"What is it?" Harry asked a bit perturbed at the amber-colored liquid in the vial.

"A delightful drink I discovered this Christmas Holiday," Dumbledore said with a chuckle, "Redbull I believe the muggles call it."

Harry shook his head slightly at the old man's antics before downing the liquid he now recognized before stopping Dumbledore remembering the Headmaster's gift towards him, "Oh yeah, Professor Dumbledore."

"Yes, Harry?" Dumbledore spoke.

"Thank you," He said slowly, "You know, for the Christmas gift, it's really cool, and it being from my dad I-, I'm not really sure what else to say, so Thank You."

"Think nothing of it, my boy," Dumbledore said with a smile, "It is only right what is yours be returned to you."

Harry nodded, and as the door swung open allowing his exit from the Headmaster's office, Harry stretched and thought to himself, Maybe the Old Man isn't really all that bad. However, as if a cold front had just washed over him, his body froze as he saw the figure of Hermione running towards him looking rather disturbed, "Harry," Hermione called, "Thank god I found you, I've been looking everywhere for you and-,"

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, a nervous feeling tying up his stomach.

"Neville," Hermione said trembling, "He's hurt. I brought him to the hospital wing and-"

But before Hermione could even finish her sentence, Harry had jetted off to the infirmary. He didn't care what had happened at the moment, all he cared about was if his friend was safe.

(Hermione P.O.V)

It still felt like a dream as Hermione stood beside Neville's bedside, Michael and Harry watching over their friend with concern and anger as Neville's Grandmother, who carried the reputation of being fierce sat in a stool placed next to his Grandson's infirmary bed looking rather livid herself.

Her hands were trembling, her heart was full of guilt, she should have done something, she shouldn't have listened to Neville. Yes, she didn't really know much about being in a fight, but she shouldn't have abandoned him even if he had told her too. Neville was her friend, one of the few people that wouldn't shun her or laugh at her behind her back. She felt disgusting and angry at what she had seen and done.

"Hermione," Michael said, a tone she had never heard from her fellow Ravenclaw, a tone cold enough to make every muscle in her body freeze, "Who did this to him? What happened?"

"I, I, I'm sorry," Hermione spoke, "I should have-"

"Young Lady," Neville's Grandmother barked, "Unless you are responsible for what happened to my son, which seeing as you are about to break down near his hospital bed I don't think you are, I don't want to hear the words I'm sorry leave your mouth. Simply get a grip, and tell us what happened.

"O-okay," Hermione said tightening her tiny fists as she spoke, "It was right after lunch…"

As Hermione told the story, she felt her mind take her back where she was at the time. She and Neville had been walking towards Care of Magical Creatures. They were talking, and Hermione had begun feeling rather nervous as her palms began to sweat looking upon the Hufflepuff. He seemed more confident and sure of himself, and while he wasn't a model or anything like the way Harry looked when he flew, Hermione had always found Neville very cute.

Hermione was laughing at the stories Neville had been telling her that happened between the boys over the Winter Holidays when before they could even react, the two were pulled into the empty corridor beside the greenhouse. Neville had readied his wand, but her's had fallen to the ground from her pocket as she looked up to face not just Draco, but Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott.

"What do you want?" Hermione said, "You're going to make us late for class."

"You're free to go Mudblood," Draco spoke with a shrug, "I only have business with the Squib."

"You're going to leave us both alone, or I'll get Professor Hagrid and-," Hermione started before being rudely cut off.

"And what?" Nott spoke with a sneer, "The fat oaf can't even use a wand. Shouldn't even have a job at the castle really, after being expelled and all."

"Back off Nott," Neville said pushing Nott out of Hermione's face, "What do you guys even want?"

"What do we want?" Draco said in a snake-like hiss, "You embarrassed me Squib, if you think I'll allow that to go unpunished, you've got another thing coming."

"If you want a rematch that's fine," Neville said standing up, "One on One, everyone else goes. Fair match."

"No," Draco said with a smirk, "I don't care much for fair right now." Draco and the snakes lifted his wand and together they spoke, "Stupefy!"

"Protego Maxima!" Neville shouted as Hermione felt herself pushed behind him. The shield had held exceptionally well as Neville growled, "Get out of here Hermione! Go Get Help!"

"But what about-" Hermione started.

"I can handle them!" Neville said through a strained voice, "Just go!"

Hermione nodded, "I'll be back as fast as I can!"

Neville nodded, and as Hermione bolted towards the Great Hall hoping to find other Professors on the way to their classes, she had come across the Head of Hufflepuff House herself and with great haste, Hermione escorted Professor Sprout to the corridor where the fight had broken out, but she wasn't nearly fast enough, as laying on the ground all boil-filled, stunned, and with his knees reversed was Neville Longbottom.

"I shouldn't have left him," Hermione said, "I should have stayed and-"

"And what?" Augusta Longbottom spoke, "End up in the Hospital Wing with him much later as there is no clue when he would have been found if not for you. Nobody blames you, young lady, I'm sure Neville doesn't either."

"She's right," croaked Neville through the bandages, just waking up, "It's not your fault. It's Malfoy and his goons that are to blame."

Suddenly, the room grew quiet as Hermione watched in shock as Harry and Michael seemed almost to be having a full conversation with just a look. The animosity Hermione felt from their magic, and the visceral expressions in their face were enough to make her blood run cold before with one word Harry spoke, "Corner."

"Right." Corner said with a nod, his hands resting in his pocket as the two began to head towards the exit.

"Stop," Neville groaned out, "Don't."

"Nev-," Harry spoke.

"Don't attack them," Neville spoke, "It's not worth it."

"You're our friend," Corner spoke, "You're worth the suspension."

"It won't just be a suspension though," Neville said through a tired cough, "Malfoy's dad is on the board of governors, the others are all Pure-Blood with voices in the Gamot. Even with my gran there, we'll lose the vote of punishment, but you're a half-blood, both of you. And while Harry may have the cover since he's the boy who lived, a hex on a group of Pure-Bloods from you Corner will get you thrown out of Hogwarts, justified or not."

"So I just won't hex them then," Michael said with a scowl cracking his knuckles, "Harry and I will beat their asses the old fashion way."

"Please," Neville spoke tiredly, "You two are my best friends, I don't want me to be the reason I never see one of you at Hogwarts again. Don't attack them."

Hermione grit her teeth, Neville, unfortunately, was right, but there was nothing that Hermione wanted to see more than the people who put Neville in a stretcher in one themselves at the courtesy of Harry Potter and Michael Corner. Corner also seemed overwhelmingly frustrated as he spoke, "Well I'm not just going to sit there and let them get away with what they did to you! You deserve better than that Neville."

"I'm not asking you to do nothing," Neville said, and if possible that phrase seemed to set off a lightbulb in Harry's head as he nodded.

"Alright Nev, we'll do it your way," Harry said with a sigh, "Come on Corner."

"Where?"

"We need to find Fred and George if we're going to pull off something this big."