A Nighttime Journey

"Did Snape explain why he wanted to meet with us?" Lavender asked as she, Neville, and Parvati casually made their way down to Snape's office in the dungeons. Most of the students had retired to their common rooms or bed. If anyone asked where they were going after curfew, they could always claim some sort of detention.

Naeville shook his head. "No. He just told me to meet him and to bring a couple of others. I hate being in the dark about things, but sometimes it is the best way to go."

They arrived at his door, looked up and down the hall to see if anyone had noticed them, and then knocked quietly. The door opened to reveal Professor Snape who motioned them quickly. He too made sure that no one had seen and then closed the door and began to pace.

"I finally received word from Potter." Snape announced quietly. "During the battle he was indeed injured, but has made a full recovery. I replied and told about our side of the battle. He wrote back and would like you all to visit as soon as possible."

"When do we visit?" Neville asked calmly.

Snape stopped pacing and looked him in the eye. "Tonight. It's nothing serious, but the sooner the better. I would come with you, but You-Know-Who has called a surprise meeting. Before you go, there's some things you should know, and discuss with Potter."

"Which are?" Parvati said.

"The Order has put Weasley and Granger in charge of investigating this secret Defense club that seems to have sprouted up. I'm supposed to supervise and help them." Snape said, finally sitting down at his desk. "You'll have to ask Potter how that should be handled."

"We'll do that." Neville said. "How do we get there?"

A foot-long stick was produced from a desk drawer. "This should do the trick. The activation word is 'Polairix.'"

The three students grasped it at the same time and Neville spoke the word. "Polairix." The customary pulling sensation was felt by all, and they were soon standing in a comfortable office. They turned around and found Harry sitting at a slightly cluttered desk looking at them.

"Welcome to my humble home." Harry said with a smile on his face. He stood up and gave all their hands a shake as they approached the desk and took a chair in turn. "I expected Snape to come with you. Is anything wrong?"

"No," Neville replied, "he just had an unexpected engagement pop up."

Harry noted with amusement that Lavender and Parvati were ogling the elegant decor of the room. Personally, he thought the built in shelves loaded with books were a good effect. They were concentrating on the woodwork though. "I take it you like my new house."

The two girls gave him an abashed look. "It's wonderful. How did you find your way here?" Lavender said.

A full explanation of the events after the incident on Privet Drive soon followed. He tried to go through it as quickly as possible, not wanting to be the victim of the two girls' sympathy when he told about Azkaban and being mistreated. "So, here I am." he concluded. "I hear that you had your own battle. Why don't you tell me about that?"

Parvati then launched into a long narrative about Hogsmeade and how Neville managed to fight off the thirty Death Eaters. She also emphasized how the Order and Ron Weasley had mistreated them all after the battle. "Those who did the work should get the credit!" she said violently when she finished.

"If you worry about who gets the credit, the job won't get done." Harry sighed. "Unfortunately, who gets the credit for taking down Voldemort and other important things will affect the wizarding world's political system for the future."

"So what do we do?" Neville asked.

"Try to avoid notice for now." Harry said carefully. "Lend a hand when possible, but if the Order can handle these things, save yourself for another battle."

Suddenly, Neville remembered what Snape had told them before they departed. "The Order knows that a Defense group exists separate from DA. Ron and Hermione are supposed to track us down with the help of Professor Snape. He wants to know what he should do, and I'd like to know what PL should do."

"I suppose they've noticed that large groups of students disappear all at the same time." Harry mused. "It won't be long before Hermione puts two and two together and realizes who was taking the lead at Hogsmeade."

"I had not thought of that." Lavender observed.

Harry nodded slowly. "Avoid notice for now, but don't tell lies or do massive cover-ups. If you're discovered, try to keep them from realizing your connection to me. Tell Snape to not aid, but not hinder the investigation. At this point in time, his position in the Order and Voldemort's forces is more valuable than the secrecy of PL."

"What if the worse happens and PL and its connection to you is discovered? We could get into a lot of trouble, even expelled or put on trial, for being connected to a convict like you- nothing personal of course." Parvati inquired somewhat anxiously.

A grim smile spread across Harry's face. "I have a certain influence over the school. Whatever you do, don't leave the Hogwarts grounds. Flee into the Forbidden Forest if necessary. If there's any sign of serious trouble, send me an owl. Don't approach Snape. I'll come and deal with the situation personally."

"I'll remember that." Neville said carefully, not quite understanding what Harry was getting at. He trusted him to know what he was doing though.

A short silence followed as the teens all sat and pondered. Parvati's curiosity about the marriage of Harry and Bellatrix as explained by Harry earlier, overcame her. "So, how's married life treating you?"

Harry smiled at her. "It's wonderful. Bellatrix would be here to greet you, but she seems to have shut herself in the library of late. Some sort of research project." He then darted a glance to Neville. "Look, Neville . . . I realize the whole thing is awkward- what with your parents and all."

"Don't worry about it." Neville said reassuringly. "I know that she helped to . . . hurt my parents a lot, but from what you've told me, she seems to have tried to make up for her past actions. I'll admit that any interaction with her would be uncomfortable for me, but I'm sure that we can resolve it. I hold nothing against you for loving her."

"If you need to talk about anything, come to me anytime. By the way, how are your parents doing?" Harry said.

Neville shrugged. "The same."

"I hope that's a good thing." Harry said solemnly, not knowing that elsewhere, the Longbottom's health was being discussed.

.....

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