The Forgotten 7th Year

Rolf Comes Back

If I haven't told you a hundred times, I don't like my chapter names.

Neville's POV

I needed to talk to Hannah.

But I couldn't get her alone, and I would rather not say what needed to be said in front of everybody and their brother. But I would if I had too.

Lavender said she'd seen her down this corridor, so I searched. My footsteps echoed in the deserted hallway, and I suddenly felt very small; insignificant against the forces I was fighting. I couldn't do this, I couldn't beat the Carrows, I couldn't do anything. I pushed away my second thoughts, and looked though empty classrooms, and behind doors. It was painstakingly slow, but I didn't want to miss her.

I realized I was being too thorough, when I started checking desk drawers.

She's not hiding, you don't need to search the nooks and crannies.

Only a few rooms left, and I was giving up. I had half a mind to turn around right now. But I pressed on. I reached the final classroom, and hesitated before touching the handle.

She has to be in here. You can go in, but... do you really want to do this? You can turn around, right now, and just return to the friend zone. Just let go.

My hand fell away from the knob. Slowly, I turned away, and made myself walk. Walk away from the danger; away from the risk.

Away from her.

No!

I spun on my heel, and in several steps I was at the door. I softly opened it, and looked inside.

Empty

Just to be certain, I searched this room as meticulously as the others.

My heart crashed into my toes as my efforts turned up nothing. I'd endlessly rehearsed what would say when I found her, I but didn't spare a moment dwelling on what would happen if I never did.

I was about to give up, what else could I do? Lavender must have been mistaken. I left the classroom, with my head hung low.

But...

I saw a tapestry that was positioned in a weird way. It dipped backwards, and ruffled at the base.

Almost as it there was no wall behind it.

I knew I'd regret it if I didn't try. In one fluid motion, I pushed aside the tapestry, and saw her. She was in a small alcove, sitting on a block built in to the compartment.

But she wasn't alone.

She was making out with Ernie, with as much passion as Sally-Anne had been doing with me. And his hands were far, far higher than I'd like.

I resisted the hand that sought my wand.

They looked up, and I did the only thing that could have made this situation any more awkward.

I started to walk forward, but the floor behind the tapestry was raised slightly, and my foot caught. I hurtled into forward, and landed between them. I was basically sitting on Hannah's lap, and I felt blood rush to my cheeks.

"Umm, bye." I scrabbled to my feet, and ran, cursing myself all the way to Gryffindor Tower.

Ginny's POV

Rolf was back.

He appeared in the Hospital Wing, but Madam Pomfrey said he was just unconscious.

I signaled the DA, and within minutes we were all circled around Rolf. Hannah looked flustered, while Ernie looked a little smug.

Neville just looked miserable.

You didn't have to be a genius to guess what happened. Neville had walked in on Hannah and Ernie being affectionate, and felt like he had no chance. Hannah liked Neville, but he'd been so oblivious she didn't think he liked her.

Ernie probably knew Neville liked Hannah, and was glad to remind him who she chose. It was understandable, but because Hannah and Neville were meant to be, I resented that.

"Is he going to wake up soon, or are we just watching him sleep? Cause I feel creepy right now." Michael whispered.

"Madam Pomfey said he needs to rest, so he'll probably be out all day." Terry whispered back.

"Then why are we here? Are we just going to continue watching him sleep?" Parvati asked.

"Should we? So we're there when he wakes up."

"We do have the tree prank to plan. I think a better wakeup present for him would be another victory over the Carrows."

"Yes, but we haven't figured out if it's even possible yet. Growing one tree inside is a struggle, even with a few weeks. You want to grow a whole bloody forest in one night!"

"It's possible." Neville stated. "Dangerous, but possible."

"All hail the great Neville. Master of Herbology. Your wisdom exceeds-."

"Shut up, Michael." But Neville's voice carried a note of pride.

"So, we come back when he wakes up, and plan, agreed?"

"Agreed."