Unique (Hermione x M! OC)

74. Confronting Old Foes

"Don't remember this on the Marauders' map." Ron whispers as travel through the cramped, dark cave.

"That's because it never existed till now." Neville explains, "The seven secret passages were sealed off before the start of the year. This is the only way in or out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors."

"How bad is it with Snape as headmaster?" Hermione asks, squeezing my hand at the mention of his name. A little bubble of anger forms in my chest.

"Hardly ever see him. It's the Carrows you really need to watch out for."

"Carrows?" Harry questions.

"Yeah. Brother and sister. In charge of discipline. They like punishment, the Carrows." He points to his black eye.

"They did that to you?" I question, "Why the fuck would they do that?"

"Today's dark arts lessons had us practising the Cruciatus Curse. On first years. I refused. Hogwarts has changed." Before long, we're at a door. "Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?" He opens the door and we're in the Room of Requirement. People are everywhere, there are hammocks all around and people on the ground, scattered across the room. "Hey! Listen up, you lot! Brought you a surprise."

"Not more of Aberforth's cooking, I hope. It'd be a surprise if we could digest it." Seamus jokes. Neville steps out of the way revealing Harry. "Blimey." A commotion erupts from the group of students as Harry steps forwards. Everyone stands and starts rushing us. Only getting more excited as Harry steps out of the way and the rest of us enter.

Neville spots Hermione's hand in mine, nudges us and says, "I've known from the beginning, you know. You two were made for each other." As people crowd Harry, hugging him and welcoming him back, Neville speaks up, "Okay okay! Let's not kill him before You-Know-Who gets the chance." Once Harry is good, Neville asks, "What's the plan, Harry?"

Harry looks at the crowd, obviously unprepared, "Okay, there's something we need to find. Something hidden here in the castle, and it may help us defeat You-Know-Who."

"Right. What is it?" Neville asks.

"We don't know." So much for the hero's welcome.

"Where is it?"

"We don't know that either." Silence. Hermione's hand tightens around mine. "I realise that's not much to go on."

"That's nothing to go on." Seamus replies.

"I think it has something to do with Ravenclaw. It'll be small, easily concealed. Anyone, any ideas?"

"Well there's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost Diadem." Luna answers. Didn't know she'd be here.

"Oh bloody hell, here we go." Ron mutters. Ava kicks him.

"Lost diadem of Ravenclaw? Hasn't anyone heard of it? It's quite famous."

"Yes, but Luna, it's lost. For centuries now. There isn't a person alive today who's seen it."

"Excuse me, can someone tell me what a bloody diadem is?"

I answer him, "Ronald, you uncultured swine, it's essentially a tiara. And there's a keyword there, Cho, alive. In case you forgot, this school is haunted out the anal cavity, for sake of first years, how many dead people in here, at least one of 'em gotta know about it."

We hear the door open and Ginny appears, Harry's eyes immediately fall on her. Ron waves to say hi, she ignores him. "Harry." She says.

"Hi there." Harry replies timidly.

"Six months she's waited to see me and it's like I'm Frankie first year. I'm her brother." Ron grumbles, annoyed. Ava giggles at this.

"She's got lots of those, though. There's only one Harry." Seamus replies.