Chapter Text
1 September, 1994
It was the first day of the new Hogwarts term. 1st years were screaming in excitement, lost of people were running, and some people looked lost. Neville was one of them.
When Neville tried to find a seat, suddenly Trevor stared to escape Neville's pocket and go somewhere else. Neville realized it soon enough and frantically goes to look for the toad. Neville shouts while looking for Trevor.
"Trevor, no! Where are you, Trevor?!.."
Thankfully, Trevor crawled into some pudding before crawling away, causing him to leave pudding marks all over. Neville sees the marks Trevor left and followed him to the backyard, and just after he saw Trevor and put him back into his pocket, he saw the Slytherins having a private conversation. Draco spoke nervously in a hushed tone.
"We have to be careful about this. You-Know-Who might get back on track anytime soon."
Daphne gulped. She spoke after Draco, trying to be calm but slightly anxious.
"But we're just students! How can we even know how to deal with him?!"
Blaise grunted, then said frustratedly.
Blaise:"I guess we'll have to pay attention in class then. Especially The Defense Against the Dark Arts. And maybe raid the library too."
Pansy scoffed. She then said, almost shouting.
"Oh please, you think classes would help this sort of thing?! Even the most powerful wizards couldn't conquer him, how come we could when we're just a bunch of 4th years?!"
Millicent spoke in a blunt voice.
"We can't. But maybe... we could when we all unite. Even if it means uniting with the... Gryffindors."
Some of the Slytherins nodded, some of the Slytherins gasped. Draco spoke up, appalled.
"Gryffindors?! Including Potter?!"
Millcent said annoyedly.
"Yes, Draco. Including Potter. This is NOT about you and him. This is about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named we're talking about!"
Astoria:"Well, Draco, how do you even know that You-Know-Who's coming anyway?"
Draco sighed. He was reluctant to say it, but he had no choice. He sighed, opened his mouth and spoke.
"I heard it when my father was talking to a close friend of his. He was saying stuff like how You-Know-Who's going to come back even stronger than he was before, and how he was just waiting for the right moment to do so."
The Slytherins were silent. Draco trembled slightly, with frustration and fear. He then continued to talk, but he got slightly louder.
"How can anyone not even think about this?! I don't get it. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY will stop and think about the possibilities of You-Know-Who coming back. But he's definitely coming back, I know it."
Neville couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't even want to. He was horrified. And he only knew one thing... He must talk to the Slytherins about this soon enough. Neville immediately started running back to the Great Hall while he held Trevor in his pocket.
Finally, Neville got on the Gryffindor table and sat on an empty seat while he panted. Ron saw this and asked curiously.
"You alright, Neville? You look tired."
Neville sighed and forced a faint smile, then he spoke.
"I'm fine, don't worry..."
The feast was delicious as usual. After the feast, everyone went to their common rooms. But then, Harry caught Cho's eye. Cho went to talk to him and smiled as she did so. Harry stuttered and blushed.
"I- I- er-"
Cho said, cheerfully.
"Hello Harry! How are you?"
"I- er- fine... Yes, fine. How about you?"
"I'm really good today! I'm really happy that I'm at school again, how do you feel about this?"
"I'm feeling good about this.."
"I'm so happy to hear that! Well, I've got to go. I have to help a friend with their project. See you later!"
Cho waved at Harry and went to the common room. Ron teased Harry.
"You like her, huh?"
Harry scoffs.
"You're saying that like you haven't had a crush before!"
Hermione intervenes, chuckling a bit.
"Now, now, you two... Let's go to our common room, and we could chat there."
The trio walked together, while Ron and Harry bantered and snickered. Hermione just rolled her eyes and shaked her head while she smiled at their banter.