Chapter Text
Neville walked with his grandmother through the streets of Diagon Alley quickly, both sensing something was off, dark, and that if they weren’t careful something bad could happen.
“You sure we need all this?” He asked as he tried to catch up to his grandmother, who was anything but old and frail, despite how she looked.
“Yes, and we just need some parchment paper before we can go. Now hurry, boy.” She called over her shoulder, heading to Scribbulus Writing Instruments.
The two bought everything and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron to take the Floo express home and were back home after being gone for about two hours.
Not even an hour later they heard about the attack on Diagon Alley and the kidnapping of Olivander.
“Well, I’m happy for your brother.” Neville said to the fireplace where Ginny’s face was seen.
“Why? He’s marrying Phlegm!” Ginny replied, laughing as she spoke. Neville chuckled with her. He had heard of this nickname for Bill’s fiancée last year at the beginning of the school year.
“Well, he’s getting married. People should be happy when others are getting married, especially with everything going on.” Neville said, becoming a bit more somber, and wiping the laughter from Ginny’s face completely.
“Hmm, true. I am happy for them. I just hope everything goes well.”
“Why would things not go well?” Neville asked.
“Well, things have been too quiet, you know? And I think Harry and the others are planning something, but I don’t know what.” Ginny said with a bit of a pout.
“Well, it’s Harry, of course he’s planning something, but I don’t think anything will happen during the wedding.” Neville heard his Grandmother call to him. “Anyway, I have to go, send me an owl about the wedding and everything, okay?”
Ginny nodded and the fire returned to normal. Neville went to see what his grandmother wanted.
Hello Neville, hope this owl finds you well.
Neville smiled at the letter in his hand. Luna finally sent him an owl after the summer had almost completely finished. He thought she had the prettiest handwriting, an almost dreamlike scrawl.
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to send you anything, and I’m even more sorry I didn’t send you anything on your birthday. Hopefully this message will be a good make up.
I haven’t heard from Ginny since the wedding attack, and I am slightly worried. Hopefully you heard from her.
Also, I’m going to be giving you your gift from me when we see each other on the train, okay?
Father has been listening to the radio rather closely lately, and his articles are becoming very interesting. I’ve sent you my copy of the most recent. I am really proud of Father for his bravery on this stand, even after what happened at the Ministry.
Neville looked at the magazine by his side, looking at the headlines on the Quibbler. “Daily Prophet no longer reliable. Death Eaters now own almost all forms of knowledge.” He was rather surprised Luna’s dad would bravely put that as a headline, as well as a slightly smaller headline of “Quibbler fully supports Harry Potter.” He worried that if the Death Eaters truly had almost complete control, Luna and her father would be targeted just for what the Quibbler publishes.
He went back to the letter.
I hope you are well, and look forward to seeing you in September.
Luna
And on the bottom, a small, almost absentmindedly made heart. Neville’s smile came back full force. He needed to see Luna and his other friends soon, and he hoped school would be fun this year.
Chapter Done!