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"Neville," Ginny Weasley whispered urgently, leaning across the breakfast table, "I think he's up to no good."
It was early February in 1999. The Great Hall was warm, loud, smelling faintly of toast and treacle and yet I felt a chill run down my spine.
I didn't even need to ask who she meant.
Draco Malfoy.
I turned slowly, like a proper Dumbledore's Army member, and found him near the entrance doors, standing much too close to Hermione Granger and whispering something in her ear.
Hermione covered her face.
That was all the evidence I needed.
My chair scraped loudly against the floor as I stood. The war might have ended, but justice never slept.
Harry and Ron weren't here to protect her but I was. If I could cut down Nagini, I could certainly handle a blond snake.
I marched across the Hall. Neither of them noticed me approaching which, honestly, said a lot about Malfoy's lack of situational awareness.
I placed a reassuring hand on Hermione's shoulder, raised my wand and declared, in my strongest voice, "Stop bullying Hermione."
Malfoy blinked. Then, he put his hands up, stepped back and left without saying a word.
Victory.
Hermione looked up at me with damp eyes and flushed cheeks like I was her saviour. "Thanks, Neville," she said softly. "You're a great friend."
I nodded modestly and returned to my bench, pretending not to feel extremely heroic.
💪
During Advanced Potions, fate tested me again.
Hermione had somehow ended up paired with Malfoy. I watched from my station as they leaned over the same cauldron, whispering intensely. Hermione looked flustered. Malfoy looked like he was enjoying himself.
I strode over.
"Do you want me to switch with you?" I asked Hermione, "I'm sure Professor Slughorn would allow it."
Hermione glanced at Malfoy, who raised his brow like he thought this was funny.
Not funny.
I straightened my shoulders and said, "Stop bullying Hermione."
Malfoy sighed, gathered his books and walked out.
Another point for justice.
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thanks for the offer, Neville but we're almost done. I'm just finishing up." She cast a worried glance toward the door. "You're a great friend."
I’ve saved her twice now. I began to suspect I might be very good at this.
💪
Advanced Herbology provided yet another opportunity for intervention.
I heard laughter coming from the Bubotuber section. Malfoy's laughter.
Immediately suspicious, I moved closer and discovered Hermione standing there, her robes covered in mud, her eyes shining like she'd been crying.
Honestly, what was wrong with him?
"Stop bullying Hermione!" I declared loudly, not caring who heard.
Malfoy stared at me with a look I couldn't quite interpret, admiration or fear, perhaps, before pulling out his wand and casting Scourgify on both himself and Hermione.
Then he stormed off.
At least he cleaned up after himself.
I turned to Hermione. "Are you okay?"
She looked at me sadly but smiled, "Thanks, Neville. You're a great friend."
Three times. I began to wonder if there should be a badge for this.
I had been awarded an Order of Merlin last year, my parents and grandmother would be proud.
💪
By Valentine's Day, I was hyper-vigilant.
"What do you think he's up to?" Ginny whispered, staring toward the entrance.
Malfoy was standing there with his hands behind his back, pacing like someone plotting something sinister.
Not on my watch.
I stood from the bench and walked straight into Theodore Nott's arm, which blocked my path.
"Not today, champ," he said.
"He's bullying her," I replied, already pulling out my wand.
"Whoa," Nott said, raising his hands. "Easy there, snake-slayer. You're going to poke someone's eye with that."
"I won't let you stop me," I said firmly. "I'll fight you."
Nott blinked. "That’s unnecessary." He sighed. "Just give him five minutes, yeah? He's been really bummed out lately. Mostly because of you."
I felt a surge of pride. Good. My anti-bullying efforts were working.
"He should stop bullying Hermione then," I said with dignity. "She's been through enough."
"Merlin," Nott muttered. "Just watch."
Hermione entered the Great Hall.
Malfoy immediately stepped forward.
I narrowed my eyes.
He reached into his robes.
If that's a wand, I swear I’ll—
There was a loud BANG.
Confetti exploded everywhere.
Some students jumped; some screamed in surprise.
Malfoy pulled out a shrunken bouquet and enlarged it with his wand before awkwardly offering it to Hermione.
She stared, then she smiled.
Not her you're-a-great-friend-smile.
A different one. She was in tears while smiling widely.
"Oh," I said quietly.
Nott snorted beside me.
I went back to my bench and sat down slowly, still watching the scene unfold.
Across the Great Hall, Hermione, cheeks pink and eyes shining, looked straight at me and gave a small wave.
I nodded back, proud.
Well, at least Malfoy has stopped bullying Hermione.
Thanks to me.