Hey Potterheads! So this chapter is from dedicated to my friend maisyisapenguin! This is finally from Neville's POV! So, enjoy and I'll see ya at the end!
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-Neville-

I was leading her to trouble. I mean, come on, what kind of wackadoo takes a girl through the woods and to a violent tree? I am messed up. But I guess it's too late now.

We scurried through the clearing and finally we saw the ferocious tree. The Whomping Willow.

"The Shrieking Shack?" Luna guessed. I only nodded, my lower lip quivering. Before I could say anything she spoke again. "What's wrong?"

I wanted to tell her everything then and there, but I settled for, "It's my grandmother." She gave me a confused glance, then stared back at the tree.
Wow, great way to explain, Neville.

"Is she alright?" Luna asked, her voice full of concern. I shook my head, earning me a worried side glance from her. She faced me again, completely ignoring the now swaying tree. "Is she ill?" I shook my head again.

"She was talking about a necklace. A... cursed necklace." I informed her quietly. Her eyes widened in slight fear. "I think she's a Death Eater..."

"That's a pretty serious thing to say, are you sure?"
I nodded.

"There have been other things," I continued unsurely, causing Luna raised an eyebrow. "She talked about a task, she talked to her, B...Bellatrix Lestrange. A...and she said...she said she...helped torture my parents. She was trying to convince her of something, and she reminded her of all these horrible things. Well, I was ready to leave for Hogwarts once I'd overheard that. I...I just don't know why, she betrayed them, them, my parents. She...she...is partly why they're stuck in St. Mungo's! And I thought she defended them!"

Luna looked at me sadly. I tried to chuckle and make it seem like it didn't matter, but it came out as a depressed cry. I turned a bright scarlet, and looked away from her.

"So," Luna wondered hopefully. "How can I help?" I smiled gratefully, and gestured to the tree again.

"They went there." I pointed to the tree, and the secret hidden passage way. Luna grinned broadly and ran up to the tree. Before I could stop her, she patted it fondly as if it were an old friend. My eyes widened in shock, for the tree had stopped all movement, and succumbed to stillness.

"Come on!" she hollered. I hurried after her, and we crawled inside, since the tree hadn't violently swooped us in.

In the darkness, I reminded her, "This isn't the whole task thing, just...I want to know...if maybe they'll lead us to the bigger problem and task, the one involving the trio-and Harry Potter." I thought I saw her nod in the darkness.

"Yes, but I think Harry has enough on his kind for now, but possibly later." she suggested kindly. "Let's go, before they leave." We went along in a quiet fashion, occasionally looking out for any obstacles.

"We're here!" I announced proudly, then realized I'd practically screamed. Great.

"I figured you'd do that," Luna explained softly. "I put a silencing charm on us for the last five minutes. We're fine."

How many times will this girl save me? Ughh...

"Let's go," she whispered. We finally reached the clearing, and we stood up and ran.
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Up the steps, across the hall, we heard pleas for mercy.

"Please, no, Bellatrix, Augusta..." Snape's voice drifted off into mere syllables. It sounded like they were torturing him. I nodded at Luna. My grandmother was one of them. They were targeting Snape.

"I suppose he is right," Bellatrix drawled. "We shall leave him for the Dark Lord..." Snape whimpered and we tip toed closer to see that she had her wand pointed at his neck.

But why? He is one of them, right? But he's a spy...

I threw Luna a questioning glance. She held up her wand, and began to write in midair with it.

THEY HAVE THEIR SUSPICIONS ABOUT HIM.

I exhaled loudly, receiving me a death glare from Luna.

"Sorry," I mouthed. She nodded, and motioned for me to follow her. We crept down the hall, hurrying away from the Death Eaters. Just as we had escaped around the corner, footsteps echoed from the room.

"I'd say we have company, Bella." my grandmother said softly.

"Oh, yes, but dear you're slow, I've on on that for quite some time. The Dark Lord will be pleased, I am quite sure. In that moment, my grandmother whirled around and saw us. A cruel, thin smile played across her lips.

"Neville, I see you've discovered my secret." she hissed. We both jumped back in alarm, preparing to run. "Oh, no, you can't leave. The party has just begun."

"You betrayed them!" I yelled as she cast a spell to bind us tightly. She nodded slowly.

"He's quite powerful, and you're parents they just weren't."

"Don't say that! You're lying!" She smiled cruelly again.

"No, Neville, you're lying to yourself. Why couldn't they defend you or themselves if they were so great?" she mocked.

"Yeah, if they had courage to stand up for themselves, no matter What, I am proud to be their son!" I raged in her face as Luna attempted to pull me away. I flung my arm out of her grasp, and lunged at my grandmother. Bellatrix reached out with her wand, casting a spell that sent me spiraling backwards.

"Neville," Bellatrix scoffed regretfully. "I may not get along with her much, but she has proven useful to the Dark Lord."

Snape still sat huddled in the corner, but it seemed no matter his state, I was scared by the sight of him.

"Oh, we know your boggart. Quite ridiculous, Snape in my clothes."

I kept silent, and watched as Snape raised his wand quietly, preparing to send a spell spiraling toward them. He rose from his previous stance, and his black cloak billowed behind him.

I crouched back, and Luna followed-I figured Snape would strike us next. But Luna stepped forward a little, causing Bellatrix to direct her attention to her again. Luna stared at Snape, and Bellatrix whirled around to face him.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape bellowed just before she could disarmed him. He caught her wand in the air, then aimed his wand at my grandmother. He looked at me, as if to ask if it was okay for him to disarm her. I nodded grimly, then looked away as he repeated the spell. The witches were furious, and, as though we no longer existed, they lunged at him. I didn't notice that Luna had taken out her wand, aiming for Bellatrix, who seemed the more harmful of the two. I was grateful for this, since I wasn't exactly ready to watch my grandmother be blasted to smithereens.

"Stupefy!" she yelled, and before Bellatrix could fire back, it hit her square in the chest. She tumbled to the ground as she was shot backwards. I was impressed-Bellatrix was a hard witch to duel. My grandmother whipped her head around in awe, then aimed her wand at Luna. I stepped in front of her, trying to plaster a ferocious glare on my face. She cackled with glee. I watched as Snape aimed, yet again at an unaware victim.

"Stupefy!" he declared once more before she could fire a spell at the two of us. My grandmother fell to the ground and Snape walked up to us cautiously. I started to back away in fear, but Luna kept me from leaving.

"Neville Longbottom." Snape simply inquired. "Why must yourself and others into these things?" He gestured to Luna.

I looked at the floor miserably. "I needed help," I finally spoke. Snape nearly laughed.

"Anyway, you and Ms Lovegood should not be roaming about at this hour. I will escort you back, and don't think I'm not taking away points. Twenty points from Gryffindor, five points from Ravenclaw." Before I could argue, he mumbled, "It's not like Gryffindor needs the points, Dumbledore will find a way foe them to run anyway. And as for Ravenclaw, well, their smarts may not get them the win."

"Thank you, Professor." Luna smiled, despite everything. He only nodded briskly.

"Come along," Snape ordered. We hurried after him, leaving the Death Eaters in the room.
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[QUICK DEATH EATER POV]

Augusta and I looked around the room. We were in a daze, until I remembered what happened.

"Those little liars got away, they took my wand!" I screeched angrily.

Augusta was whining about how disappointed she was in her grandson. I tried to tune her out.

"Let us go back to headquarters," I demanded smoothly.

"Revenge! We need revenge!" Augusta protested and shrieked.

"We will get it," I assured her. "On them and the Potter boy, along with the blood traitor and the Mudblood, as well as anyone else who dares." She seed satisfied, and reluctantly let me take her wand for a moment to transport us. We swirled away.
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-Neville-

Snape dragged is back the way we came, though his route was shorter. I made a mental note to remember it incase I ever came back this way. Luna hummed softly, and though it slightly annoyed Snape, he didn't say anything about it.

"We're here," he droned. Little had I noticed that we were now inside the castle, and in front of the Fat Lady. I was a little disappointed that he had sent me back first, I didn't really want to face everyone. But nevertheless, I nodded and smiled at Luna and then turned to Snape.

"Umm...thanks..." I murmured. He manages a tight smile, and I faced the portrait.

"Password?"

"Tapeworm," I mumbled. The portrait door swung open, and I stepped inside. I heard it slam behind me.

"Neville, where have you been?!" Hermione shouted as she leapt across the room.

"I...I..." I stammered softly.

"Oh, never mind, everyone was quite worried, Neville. Oh, now, off to bed, hurry."

I only nodded, and headed up to the boy's dormitory, where the boys bombarded me.

"Neville!" Seamus exclaimed, playfully punching my arm. I let out a laugh, and dodged their questions nonchalantly.

"I'm going to bed," I finished loudly. We were all scattered in various places around the room, talking and laughing. I was truthfully tired, in fact. They raised their eyebrows, but waved me off and kept quiet. I nodded gratefully, then drifted off.
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I forgot. Christmas was in a week.

Helloooo again! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!