Chapter 20
The Black Lion
Chapter 20
Neville looks at Harry shaking his head in disappointment. Luna had floo called him to tell him she heard an explosion at The Burrow. When they rushed over all they found was Harry on the ground passed out and the Weasleys all surrounding him trying to wake him up.
“He needs rest.” he hears Molly say as she dabs a damp towel across Harrys’ head.
Neville growled and looked at Molly with hidden disgust. They both knew what was happening. While he ignored Molly kept going on and on he starts getting a headache, with a loud sigh he stops her holding up a hand.
“No, he needs to be with his family.” he tells her with a knowing stare.
Molly bristled. “He is with family!” she insisted, her voice sharp with indignation.
Neville’s jaw tightened. “No. He’s not.” His eyes flicked to Ron and Ginny, who were standing stiffly, avoiding his gaze. “You all say you care, but you’ve been isolating him, feeding him lies, and now look at him. His magic lashed out, and none of you even thought to ask why.”
Molly’s face turned blotchy. “How dare you—”
“I dare because someone has to!” Neville snapped, his patience unraveling he could feel his family magic sparking in his veins with anger. He glanced down at Harry, who was still unconscious, his face unnervingly pale. His magic was off, weaker than it should be. “Harry’s magic nearly collapsed in on itself, and you want to leave him here?”
Molly shakes her head silent fury in her eyes, “He just needs time to recover.”
Neville shook his head. “What he needs is answers. And you lot aren’t going to give them to him.”
A tense silence settled over the room.
It was Luna who finally spoke. “We’re taking him to Longbottom Manor.” Her voice was dreamy, but there was steel beneath it. “He needs proper care. His magic is out of balance, and if we don’t help, he might lose it entirely.”
Ron scoffed. “Oh, come off it. You’re acting like his magic is just going to—”
Luna turned to him, unblinking. “It will,” she said simply. “It’s already begun.”
Neville took a step forward, voice low and firm. “I’m taking him, whether you like it or not. And if any of you try to stop me?” His eyes gleamed with warning. “I’ll call the Blacks. Let’s see how Sirius and Regulus feel about this.”
Molly paled, and for the first time, she looked truly afraid. Then her face twisted into one of fury.
“You will not take him anywhere!” she yells at them.
Neville ignored her and crouched beside Harry, checking his pulse. “Luna, help me get him up.”
Luna moved gracefully, waving her wand to lift Harry’s unconscious form. “We need to move quickly,” she murmured. “His magic is still unstable.”
Ron stepped forward, face red with anger. “You don’t get to just take him—”
Neville shot him a cold look. “I do when you’re too blinded by your bitterness to see what’s happening to him.” His tone was laced with disappointment. “You’re supposed to be his best friend, Ron. But when was the last time you actually listened to him?”
Ron’s mouth opened, then snapped shut.
Neville turned away. “We’re leaving.”
Molly made a move to grab Harry, but Luna flicked her wand. A shimmering barrier formed between them and the Weasleys. “No,” she said simply.
Molly gasped in outrage, but before she could retaliate, Neville apparated with Harry in his arms, Luna following right behind him.
After some time, Neville stumbled into Grimmuland Place with Harry in his arms, Luna right behind him. He was barely able to keep Harry upright as he walked into the dimly lit drawing room.
A voice rang out instantly. “What the bloody hell—?!”
Sirius Black was on his feet, wand drawn, his sharp grey eyes narrowing at the sudden intrusion. Regulus, who had been sitting across from him with a book in hand, stood more slowly, his gaze flicking to Harry.
Hermione gasped from her spot near the fireplace, dropping the parchment she’d been reading. “Harry?”
Ignoring them all Neville moved swiftly laying Harry on the nearest couch a grim look on his face.
“His magic is unstable,” he said, breathless. “He passed out after trying basic spells, his magic isn’t responding properly.”
Regulus stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “How long has this been happening?”
Neville hesitated. “I don’t know. But it’s bad.”
Sirius knelt beside Harry, his face unusually serious. He placed a hand on Harry’s forehead, eyes darkening. “His magic is suffocating.”
Hermione’s stomach twisted. “Suffocating?”
Regulus nodded grimly. “It means his magic is rejecting him. Like a plant left to wither.” His sharp gaze flickered to Neville. “And you brought him here?”
Neville straightened. “I did. And before you ask no, I didn’t tell the Weasleys where we were going.”
Sirius exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Well, that’s about to be a mess.”
Hermione knelt beside Harry, taking his hand. “We need to help him.”
Regulus studied Harry for a long moment, then exchanged a glance with Sirius.
“We will,” Regulus said. “But first, we need to find out exactly what’s causing this.”