The Protector

We Got Caught

After one of our sessions, everyone left. Except for Neville. Harry and I were fixing things up when I noticed he was staring at a picture by our mirror.

I walked over to him, "You good, Neville?"

There was silence, but I didn't move. Harry came up on the other side of me. Neville took a deep breath, not taking his eyes off the picture, "It was 14 years ago when Bellatrix Lestrange used the cruciatus curse on both of my parents. She tortured them, hoping they would give away information. They didn't say a word."

I gave a small smile, "I understand."

"I'm so proud I'm their son," Neville turned to Harry and I. "But...I don't think I was everybody to know. Not yet."

"That's alright," I nodded. "Give it time." I looked back to the picture, "Can I tell you something, Neville?"

"Sure."

"My grandparents were at their house with my parents and me 14 years ago. Voldemort and Bellatrix came in. Tortured them in enough time for my mother, my father and I to escape. They were killed moment later. And..." I took a breath, "when I was five I was playing outside. My father went into the house to grab something. He came back out and Bellatrix was messing around with me. She killed him on the spot. I don't remember most of it. All I can remember is green, my father lying on the ground not moving, and this overwhelming feeling of sadness when my mum came home."

"I'm so sorry, Bridget," Neville put his hand on my shoulder.

"Why didn't I know that, Bridge?" Harry asked.

I ignored both of them, "And this summer, I came home to my mother bleeding out on the family room floor from multiple gashes. She told me Bellatrix did it. She died in my arms while we were waiting for the Ministry," I turned to him. "So I understand what you're going through. I'm here for you if you need anything. Okay?"

He gave me a hug. I hugged back. I felt bad for Harry. He was standing there, awkwardly waiting for us to stop.

We let go of each other and Harry smiled to us, "We'll make them proud."

"Promise?" Neville asked.

"Promise," Harry and I nodded in unison.

•••

"This memory needs to be strong," Harry and I were walking through the students. "Stronger than any other memory."

"It's cannot be the time you tasted a food and thought it was holy," I chuckled.

"It's got to fill you up with light and warmth," Harry smiled.

"Keep going guys," I nodded towards a group of first years. "You got this."

"Expecto Patronum!" One of then shouted. A light came out of his wand and his face lit up.

"That's more like it!"

"A fully formed Patronus is by far the hardest to produce," Harry explained aloud.

"Shields are just as useful," I added.

The kids were starting to make full bodied patronuses. That made me so happy to see. "You need to stay focused if you want it to be strong enough to protect you."

Everything was going great. Until the walls and lights began to shake and flicker. I shushed everybody, "Quiet."

We huddled around the entrance of the room. Harry and I were up front. "Wands out," Harry instructed.

Nigel went up to the wall to see what was going on. There were loud banging and thunder as something was hitting the wall. The glass from the wall shattered and fell. Nigel went up closer.

"Nigel back up." He turned to me with a confused look. The sound was getting louder. "Nigel, back up!" I grabbed his arm and pushed Harry and his behind me. "Protego!"

The wall exploded. Shards of glass and stone were going everywhere. My shield spell worked mostly. The force knocked most of them on their feet. I was still standing.

I turned to make sure everyone was alright. They seemed fine. Just slightly shaken up. I turned back. The dust cleared away. Umbridge, Filch, and the Inquisitorial Squad were standing at the enterance.

Draco's face dropped to a frown when he saw me. I expected this to happen. I heard all the kids whispering behind me. Crabbe and Goyle held Cho Chang in their fists.

"Shit," I whispered.

"Get all of them," Umbridge demanded.

"You will not touch those students," I pulled out my wand. "There's not reason too. I made this group. You take me."

"And me," Harry came next to my side.

"Nobody else," I spat.

"Works for me," Umbridge smirked. Filch and Draco came in. Draco grabbed me and Filch grabbed Harry. They escorted us to Dumbledore's office.

Umbridge and Cornelius brought us in, "I had been watching them for weeks because I could sense something off. See, Dumbledore's Army. Proof that they're in a rebellion."

"No, it's not Dumbledore's Army!" I shouted from the back.

"Then why does it say that on this paper?" Fudge turned to me.

I wiggled my way out of Draco's hands. He tried to grab me but I was already on my way up there. "We didn't know what else to call it. You don't understand! We weren't getting taught useful spells to fight Voldemort so we did it ourselves."

"Voldemort has not returned!" Fudge scolded me.

"Yes he is!" I was fed up. "Give me Veritaserum and I'll show you I'm not lying."

He ignored me and looked the sign up sheets.

"If you keep acting like this you're going to get us all killed."

"Ms. Meadows," Dumbledore shushed me. "Stand aside please."

"You had them create this army so you could seize control of the Ministry," Umbridge accused.

"Obviously."

"He had nothing to do with it," Harry was now starting to argue back.

"How brave of both you and Ms. Meadows to protect me, but as you all can read, it says Dumbledore's Army. Not students."

I turned to Harry, "I told you we should've gone with a different name! I told you this would happen!"

"Since my name is on it," Dumbledore continued, "I organized them to form the group. I take full responsibility for their actions."

"No, he doesn't," I tried to defend him.

"I've heard enough. Shacklebolt, Thomas, please escort Dumbledore to...Azkaban."

My stomach dropped, "No! You can't! Take me!" I leapt in front of them. Blocking them from Dumbledore.

"He will await trial for conspiracy and manipulation of the Ministry," Fudge continued.

"I was hoping this would happen," Dumbledore went around and sat at his desk. "And I would like you to know I have no intention of going to Azkaban."

"That's quite enough!" Umbridge tried to take a step forward. I stepped in front of the four people again. With the wave of her wand, Umbridge pushed me out of the way. I fell onto the steps. I looked up. Dumbledore winked to Harry and I. Phoenix flew over him. Next thing I knew, a bright orange light lit up the room. Dumbledore was gone. It knocked the four adults to the floor.

I stood back up, as well as the adults. Kingsley turned to the Minster, "I know you probably won't like the sound of this, but you gotta give it to him; Dumbledore's a badass." 

"Shacklebolt, take Mr. Potter and Ms. Meadows to their common room. Weasley, take Cho back to hers. We'll discus this later."

I couldn't even look at Harry or Cho as we walked back. All I could think is, Well...we're screwed. Thanks Harry.