Hogwarts: Neville’s Insert (A Neville SI)

Hogwarts: Neville's Insert Chapter 66

As Astoria passed, Neville's eyes followed her.

"Get going, Longbottom. You've got a class to attend," Snape barked over his shoulder without stopping.

Neville gave a small nod and turned toward the group of first-years.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had lingered behind, standing beside him.

"You lot go ahead," Neville said. "I'll come after I take them to Charms."

Hermione folded her arms. "You're just going to skip class again, aren't you?"

Harry gave him a look. "Weren't you the one who said we should stick together to stay safe?"

Neville didn't answer straight away, walking alongside the first-years as they started down the stairs. Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed a few steps behind.

As they reached the next landing, Luna appeared, drifting beside them like she always did—calm and dreamy.

"Hello," she said, voice soft as ever.

Neville nodded in greeting, and Harry asked, "Hey Luna, do you know what happened to that girl?"

Luna shook her head. "No. She just fainted. I wonder if Astoria saw a Whisper-Wyrm. They grow inside walls, you know. I've seen her staring at the stone like she's listening to something."

Neville raised an eyebrow, watching Luna curiously. 'Listening to the walls?'

He glanced back toward the corridor where Snape and Daphne had taken Astoria, his mind turning.

…

Monday Evening, 15th February 1993 – Gryffindor Second Year Boys' Dormitory, Hogwarts

The sun dipped low over the Scottish Highlands, casting a warm orange glow across the castle. The last rays slipped through the tall windows of the second-year boys' dorm, filling the room with soft light before the shadows took over.

Neville sat cross-legged on his bed, wearing a worn Gryffindor jumper and black trousers. One earbud was tucked in his ear, the other dangling free. He held a book on runes in his hands, but his eyes weren't really following the lines. He was humming lazily along to the music, mind elsewhere.

'How in Merlin's name am I gonna sneak into the Hospital Wing without getting caught? There's no way Madam Pomfrey'll let me in just to check on Astoria…'

Next to him, Lumina was waddling around the bedside table, fussing with random odds and ends she'd collected. The little magical rooster still hadn't grown any feathers, and her bare pink skin made her look oddly vulnerable—but the tiny scarf Hermione had knit for her gave her a bit of charm. She let out a soft peep, then poked at a button she'd found.

Hermione was sitting right beside Neville on the bed, her legs tucked under her as she worked through a hefty revision book for their final exams.

They'd gotten used to studying in the boys' dorm now, what with curfews still in place and the common room constantly packed with upper years. And since boys weren't allowed up the girls' staircase, the second-year boys' dorm had become their unofficial study den.

Across the room, Harry was perched at the desk beside his bed, quill scratching as he hurried to finish up his Potions essay. He let out a quiet sigh and scratched his head, staring down at the last paragraph.

The door swung open suddenly, and Ron came strolling in with Dean and Seamus following behind, still mid-conversation.

"Blimey, you lot still buried in books?" Ron said with a frown as he walked over to his bed. He knelt down and flipped open his trunk. "Don't know how your heads haven't exploded yet."

Hermione looked up from her book, raising a brow. "Some of us actually enjoy learning, Ronald."

Neville blinked, pulling out his earbud. "Huh? You lot just back? Thought you were off playing Gobstones or something." He glanced around. "What time is it, anyway?"

Ron huffed. "It's been over an hour," he said, his voice a little sharp. "Where were you—daydreaming again or what?"

"It's six-forty, mate," Seamus added with a grin. "Come on, everyone's gathering outside the common room to head down for dinner."

Neville's eyes widened slightly. "Already that late?" He turned to the window, surprised to see the sky fully dim, the sun well gone. The dorm was now lit more by lanterns and the fading sunset glow than anything else. He stretched, a long yawn escaping him.

"Well… I suppose we should head down soon, then," he muttered, closing the book on his lap.

Hermione gave a little nod, still scribbling down a note in the margin of her parchment.

Seamus chuckled as he flopped onto his bed. "You lot need to relax. Finals are still three months off, Hermione. Bit early to be panicking, yeah? I mean—reckon they might cancel 'em anyway, with everything going on."

Hermione didn't even glance up from her notes. "That's exactly why I'm revising now. And no, they are not cancelling the exams."

Ron dropped onto his bed with a groan, frowning. "You really reckon we'll still have exams, Hermione? After everything that's happened?"

"I asked Professor McGonagall," Hermione said primly. "She said final exams are still happening. Why else would the school even still be open?"

Seamus blinked. "Wait—seriously? We still have to sit the finals?" He groaned and let his head fall back. "Brilliant. Just what we needed."

Ron snorted. "Yeah, fantastic. Bet the ones who've been petrified get out of it though, don't they?"

Hermione shrugged, flipping a page in her book. "I'm not sure. I suppose they'd have to retake the year if they missed too much."

Dean cleared his throat. "Er—Hermione, any chance you could give us a minute? I'd like to change my top before we head down," he said, looking sheepish.

"Oh! Right, sorry," she said quickly, cheeks going a little pink. She rolled up her parchment, gathered her books, and stood. "I'll just drop these in my dorm and meet you in the common room."

Ron looked over at Harry, who was still hunched over the desk, scribbling away. "Oi, you still at that? Aren't you coming to dinner?"

"Yeah, I will," Harry muttered without looking up. "Just need a second—nearly done."

Neville stretched and sat up, letting out a small grunt as he grabbed his sling bag from the floor. He shoved his rune book into it

A sudden chirp came from the table, and Lumina tilted her head at Neville, as if scolding him.

Neville sighed. "Yeah, I know, I know…" he grumbled, reaching over and gently picking her up. "Wouldn't dream of leaving you behind." He tucked her into the inside pocket of his jumper.

Seamus laughed as he pulled off his shirt. "Mate, that bird's clingier than a Niffler after gold."

"Tell me about it," Ron muttered. "That bloody bird never shuts up. Woke me up way too early this morning."

Neville rolled his eyes. "Better than sleeping with a rat."

The room burst out laughing.

Ron's ears went a little pink. "Oi—Scabbers is clean!"

Neville smirked as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah? Until he starts nesting in your socks again."

"That was one time!" Ron shot back.

They all laughed again at Neville's jab, while Ron muttered something under his breath, still looking a bit red around the ears.

Dean, pulling on a clean jumper, glanced over at Lumina, who had just poked her head out of Neville's pocket. "You sure there's nothing wrong with her?" he asked, brow raised. "I mean… you've had her for months, mate. Still no feathers. Not even fluff."

Before Neville could answer, Lumina let out a sharp, indignant chirp—loud enough to startle Seamus, who dropped a sock.

"Blimey!" Seamus muttered. "She understood that, didn't she?"

Neville sighed. He could feel her shifting slightly, like something was bothering her. 'Is she feeling insecure?' he wondered, gently rubbing the top of her soft, bare little head with his thumb. 'What kind of bird gets self-conscious?'

"I think she's fine, mate," Neville said softly. "Just… taking her time, that's all. I've got a feeling we'll know what's going on soon enough."

Truth be told, Neville had given up trying to figure her out weeks ago. He reckoned when it mattered, he'd get his answers.

Dean shrugged and yanked the jumper down. "If you say so."

Seamus clapped his hands once. "Right! I'm starving. Hope there's apple pie today. Didn't get any yesterday—bloody third-years took the lot."

"Right behind you, mate," Harry said as he slotted his essay into his bag. He stood up and gave a long stretch before glancing over at Neville. "You coming?"

Neville grabbed his wand off the dresser and nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

The four of them made their way down the spiral staircase, stepping into the warm, noisy bustle of the Gryffindor common room. Students were trickling out through the portrait hole, chatting and laughing as they lined up in the corridor to be escorted to the Great Hall.

Neville, Harry, and Ron paused by the portrait hole, waiting near the exit. It wasn't long before Hermione came hurrying over. "Come on, boys," she said.

They were just about to step out through the portrait hole when a loud, magically magnified voice echoed through the corridor.

"All students are to stay in their house dormitories and not to leave," came Professor McGonagall's voice, sharp and clear. "Prefects are to keep students from leaving their common rooms. All teachers, report to the second-floor corridor. Immediately, please."

The common room fell still for a moment.

Neville's eyes narrowed. 'Another attack?' he thought grimly.

The group slowly stepped back as students who had already exited began filing back inside, murmuring to each other with anxious faces. The prefects started shooing everyone away from the portrait hole.

Neville looked over at Harry. "Did you hear anything?" he asked as they started walking back toward the boys' dorm.

Harry shook his head, looking just as concerned. "No. Haven't heard a thing all day."

Hermione, close behind them, frowned. "Do you think it was another attack?"

Ron nodded as they reached the landing. "Most likely. Last time McGonagall made an announcement like that, it was."

"But Harry didn't hear it," Hermione pointed out. "Wouldn't he have heard the monster again if there was another attack?"

Ron shrugged. "Maybe it can keep quiet now? I dunno—maybe it's changed tactics or something."

They stepped into the dorm room.

Neville didn't join in the discussion. Instead, he began pacing slowly near his bed, brows furrowed deep in thought.

'Hold on… If there's been another attack, then Astoria probably doesn't have the diary. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have let her out of the Hospital Wing if she were still possessed. But then… why didn't Harry hear the Basilisk this time? He always hears it before something happens. What's going on?'

He stopped pacing, a chill running down his spine. 'We need to check. We need to know what's happened—before it's too late.' His eyes snapped up to the others. "We have to go check out what's going on."

Harry gave a firm nod. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing." He walked over to his trunk, flipped it open, and pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. "We can use this."

Hermione eyed the cloak doubtfully. "I don't think all four of us will fit under that."

Ron nodded. "She's right, mate. It barely fits two of us."

Harry started to say, "Then me and—" but Neville cut him off.

"That's fine. I'll use the Disillusionment Charm on me and Hermione. You and Ron use the cloak." He'd already pulled his wand out.

Hermione blinked. "Wait—when did you learn that?"

Neville shrugged. "Been practising since the start of term. Finally managed it over Christmas." He stepped toward her. "Now stand still."

Hermione straightened up, and Neville tapped his wand gently against the top of her head. "Illusiont."

A shimmer ran down her body, starting at her hair and moving all the way to her toes—until she vanished entirely.

"Wicked," Ron muttered under his breath, eyes wide.

They heard Hermione's voice, a little breathless. "That felt weird. Like someone cracked an egg on my head."

Neville held his hand out. "Hermione, grab my hand so we don't lose each other."

He felt her fingers close around his.

Turning to Harry, he added, "Go on ahead—we'll meet you by the stairs outside the common room."

Harry nodded, already pulling the Invisibility Cloak over himself and Ron. "Right. Follow me."

Neville tapped his wand to his own head and muttered, "Illusiont."

A wave of cold ran down his body as the magic washed over him, rendering him invisible. He gave Hermione's hand a gentle squeeze and began following a few steps behind Harry and Ron.

As they crept down the stairwell, Neville could hear the soft fumbling of Harry and Ron just ahead, the occasional quiet bump against the wall.

'How do these two always manage not to get caught?' he thought, shaking his head.

Pulling Hermione gently along behind him, they slipped into the common room. It was still busy with students returning and gathering near the fire or milling about, talking nervously about McGonagall's announcement.

Near the portrait hole, two sixth-year prefects stood firmly, arms crossed, watching everyone closely.

Neville suddenly bumped into someone's back. He heard Ron whisper, "Oi—watch it!"

Harry whispered next, "There are prefects near the entrance… think we can sneak past them?"

Hermione's voice came from beside Neville. "We'll get caught if we try. They're watching the door too closely."

Neville nodded, already turning them around. "Come on—back to the dorm. We'll think of something else."

They made their way back up, slipping quietly past groups of chattering students, and re-entered the dorm. As soon as the dorm door clicked shut behind them, Harry pulled off the Invisibility Cloak, letting it fall into his hands.

Neville let go of Hermione's hand and gave his wand a flick. "Finite."

The shimmer peeled away as the Disillusionment Charm lifted from both of them, revealing Hermione beside him,

"Well, what now?" Ron asked, flopping onto his bed.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I guess… we wait till everyone's asleep? Try again then?"

Neville's eyes flicked over to the window. "Or," he said, walking over to his sling bag, "we could use the window."

He bent down and pulled out the bag, reaching inside.

Ron stared at him like he'd gone mad. "Are you mental, mate? We'll fall to our deaths—unless you've invented a way to fly," he added, dripping with sarcasm.

Neville rolled his eyes and pulled out a small, shrunken broom. With a flick of his wand, it returned to full size in an instant.

"I don't need to invent it," he said, smirking slightly. "Someone already did."

Ron's jaw dropped. "You had that thing the whole year—and never used it?!"

Harry grinned. "That's brilliant, Neville." He walked over to his bed and picked up his Nimbus, resting neatly in its stand.

Ron looked between them, eyebrows raised. "Yeah, alright, but… we've only got two brooms." He pointed at them. "You forgetting that part?"

Neville mounted his broom, already swinging a leg over. "Hermione'll ride with me. Ron, you go with Harry."

Hermione crossed her arms. "You're forgetting something—I don't like flying."

Neville smiled, holding a hand out toward her. "Come on. You trust me, don't you?"

She bit her lip, clearly unsure, eyes flicking toward the window. "Fine. But if I fall, it's your fault."

Neville chuckled. "Fair enough. Get on behind me—and hold on tight. Just don't let go."

Hermione climbed onto the broom, wrapping her arms tightly around Neville's middle.

"Maybe not that tight," Neville muttered, feeling like he was being squashed. Hermione loosened her grip slightly with an embarrassed huff.

"You ready?" he asked.

He felt her nod behind him, so he kicked off from the ground. They soared out through the wide window, the night air whipping past them.

Harry and Ron followed right after, shooting out into the sky behind them.

Just as they flew out the window, the door swung open. Dean stepped inside, Seamus following close behind.

"Huh," Seamus said, glancing around. "They're not here either."

"You didn't see them in the common room, did you?" Dean asked, frowning.

Seamus shrugged. "Nope. Figured they'd be up here."

...

Harry flew up beside Neville. "So… where to?"

Neville kept his eyes on the towering walls of the castle. "We need to find an open window—somewhere we can slip in without being seen."

The four of them flew low around the castle, but every window they passed was shut.

After a few more passes with no luck, Neville pointed. "We'll land on the Astronomy Tower," he called.

They descended quietly, landing Astronomy Tower's telescope room.

Neville hopped off his broom and reached for his wand.

"Hold still," he said, and with a quick flick, he muttered, "Illusiont."

One by one, he cast the Disillusionment Charm on each of them. The shimmer passed down their bodies, cloaking them in invisibility.

"Alright," Neville said, now fully hidden. "Let's move. Stay close—and quiet."

They slipped through the tower, moving quickly down the spiral stairs. It didn't take long before they reached the second-floor corridor, where Professor McGonagall had called the teachers.

As they stepped into the corridor, it was empty.

"They must've already left…" Hermione muttered, glancing around. "But what are we even looking for, anyway?"

They turned the corner, and all of them came to a halt.

"Look," Harry said, his voice low. He pointed at the wall.

Right beneath the original message, there was a fresh line scrawled in the same eerie writing.

Hermione moved closer and read it out loud, her voice tight with worry. "'Their skeletons will lie in the Chamber forever.'"

Her eyes widened. "The Heir's taken someone into the Chamber."

Neville's stomach dropped. 'That's too early…' he thought, a chill running through him. 'Didn't Tom wait till nearly the end of the year to take Ginny in the film? And this—"both their skeletons"? Why would he need more than one person?'

His mind raced. 'Wait… could this have something to do with Astoria fainting earlier? Bloody hell—has he taken her?'

"Who did the Heir take?" Ron asked, snapping Neville out of his thoughts.

"This is serious," Hermione said, stepping back from the wall. "We've got to tell a professor—we know where the entrance is now!"

Ron's eyes widened. "Wait—what? You lot know where the entrance is?"

Neville shook his head, frowning. "We don't have time to get a professor," he muttered. He sighed, shoulders tense. He really didn't want to do this, but there wasn't a choice. "If Tom's already taken someone down there… then he's got everything he needs to come back."

Hermione paled. "Come back? You mean—"

"I think he's trying to perform some sort of ritual," Neville said, pulling out his wand. With a quick flick, he cancelled the Disillusionment Charm, cloaking them. "Something to bring himself back to life."

'If I'm right… Then Astoria doesn't have much time left. He must've needed someone else to siphon life from…'

"Then we've got to stop him," Harry said firmly. "Before he comes back."

Neville gave a short nod and turned, heading quickly towards the nearby girls' bathroom.

Hermione hesitated for just a moment, then followed, biting her lip. "But it's too dangerous," she said. "It's not just Tom down there—it's the Basilisk too."

Ron spun around to look at her. "Wait—what? A Basilisk? What even is that?"

Hermione glanced at him, her voice grave. "It's a giant serpent," she said. "It can kill you… just by looking you in the eye."

Ron's face turned pale. "Bloody hell…"

Neville stopped in front of the bathroom door. "Which is why only Harry and I are going in," he said, pushing it open.

"Wait—what?" Hermione called out, hurrying in after him.

Neville ignored the protest, walking straight to the sink where a tiny snake was etched into the metalwork. He tapped it lightly. "Here's the entrance."

Harry stepped up beside him. "So… how do we open it?"

Neville looked at him. "Parseltongue. I think you can open it—try saying 'open' in Parseltongue."

Harry frowned. "But I've never done it on purpose. I don't even know how."

Hermione stepped closer, clearly getting impatient. "Neville, listen—"

Neville turned to her, calm but firm. "Hermione. You and Ron need to find a professor. Me and Harry will go ahead first—try to stall him."

"But—"

Neville cut in gently but firmly. "Hermione, listen. Harry's protected by his mum's sacrifice. It's still got power against Tom. And I can handle myself. But if we all go down there and something goes wrong, no one'll be left to get help. That's why you and Ron need to find a professor. It's the only way."

Hermione bit her lip, torn. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright… but both of you—please, be careful. We'll find someone and come back as quickly as we can."

Neville gave a small smile. "We'll be fine."

Turning to Harry, Neville pulled something out of his sling bag—a small, charmed tape recorder. "Right, try this. Imagine the sink's a snake or something. Just focus on that."

Harry nodded slowly, shut his eyes, and concentrated. He opened his mouth and hissed. Parseltongue. A moment later, the sink began to tremble—then slowly sank into the floor, revealing a wide, gaping pipe.

Neville quickly pressed on the recorder, capturing Harry's hissing perfectly. He handed it to Hermione. "Here. Just in case the entrance closes again, you can use this to open it."

Hermione took it carefully, holding it tight. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around both of them, hugging them tight. "Be careful. Both of you."

She stepped back and added softly, "Good luck."

Ron gave an awkward shrug. "Yeah. Good luck, you two." His face was conflicted, his tone stiff.

Neville grinned. "I've got a feeling, Harry and I'll sort this out before any professor gets here."

Harry smirked. "Yeah, we will be fine, guys."

Hermione gave them one last look, eyes shining, then turned and ran out of the bathroom, tugging Ron along behind her.

As soon as the door shut, Neville turned to Harry. "Right. Let's use our brooms—I'm not sliding down that slimy pipe."

Harry grimaced and nodded. "Yeah, good call."

They both mounted their brooms.

Neville muttered, "Well… here we go," and pushed off, flying straight into the pipe with his wand out, casting "Lumos" to light the way. Harry followed close behind."

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