In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 68: Missing Lord saviour and his sidekick -2

When the door had closed behind her, both boys jumped on the sandwiches and thanked their lucky stars. They kept chomping down on these plain sandwiches that tasted way better than those candies they ate in their car.

“We won the house cup,” said Ron excitedly after taking a big bite of the sandwiches.

“Amazing,” replied Harry while grabbing the juice.

“Who do you think won the personal award, the ones Professor mentioned?” asked Ron.

“It must be Neville and Dean and even Seamus might also be a part of it. Those three did help a lot last year when everyone was injured.” Harry replied after thinking for a minute before both boys pounced on the plain dinner.

Somehow they were slightly jealous of the praise and attention Neville and his group received and Ron felt he also deserve some award after experiencing the hellish nightmare he went through from the unforgivable charm of the one who shall not be named.

He had to spend a whole month on the bed before he could finally feel like he was back in his body. The pain, the twitching and the burning sensation, it was all the worst. And yet, he is going to receive detention while Neville and his group got an award.

They started discussing their failure in entering the barrier and somehow both concluded it must be related to the ‘Draco’ or ‘Slytherin Scum’ or both.

“Wish we could’ve gone up to the feast…” Harry muttered.

“She didn’t want us showing off,” said Ron sagely.

“Doesn’t want people to think it’s clever, arriving by a flying car.”

After eating as many sandwiches as they could (the plate kept refilling itself) they rose and left the office, treading the familiar path to Gryffindor Tower. The castle was quiet; it seemed that the feast was over.

They walked past muttering portraits and creaking suits of armour, and climbed narrow flights of stone stairs, until at last, they reached the passage where the secret entrance to Gryffindor Tower was hidden, behind an oil painting of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

“Password?” she said as they approached. “Er —” said Harry.

Harry looked at Ron and Ron looked back at him. Both were late, missed the feast and had no idea about the password. Thankfully someone still remembered them. Someone who was not in good mood.

“Tell me, Gryffindor did not lose points because of you,” said Hermione who came running.

“Well, we only got a detention,” Harry assured her.

“Awesome, Should I praise you for this? ” asked Hermione, sounding almost as severe as Professor McGonagall.

“Skip the lecture,” said Ron impatiently, “and tell us the new password.”

“It’s ‘wattlebird,'” said Hermione, “and next time, watch your tone, Mr Weasley,” She pushed the boys aside as the portrait of the fat lady swung open and there was a sudden storm of clapping.

It looked as though the whole of Gryffindor House was still awake, packed into the circular common room, having a party. Hermione left the duo and joined her new group of admirers.

After all, she is one of the youngest authors who wrote books in her first year of Hogwarts and her fame is no less than the three Gryffindors who won a special award.

“Here they are!” The twins shouted immediately and the crowd went silent and all eyes focused on the duo who entered.

Fred ran to Ron and grabbed him by his hands, “Tell us, do you lost any points?”

Annoyed at his elder brother’s antics, Ron said impatiently “No. We didn’t-” however his words were cut off and Gryffindor students cheered loudly.

“This year, we must win again!” A loud thundering voice came inside the common room that ignited the festive mood.

“We must!” yelled Lee Jordan.

“This year shall be our year, the year of Lions! —”

“Nice entrance, the perfect for tonight,” said a fifth year Harry had never spoken to; someone was patting him on the back and someone patted his shoulders as though he’d just joined them on a legendary cruise.

Fred and George pushed their way to the front of the crowd and said together, “This night belongs to Gryffindor and so does this new year!” The crowd went nuts and everyone cheered loudly.

“Ron come with me!” Percy’s voice startled Ron who followed his most annoying brother outside the common room and back to the fat lady.

However, there was a bigger surprise awaiting Ron.

“Bill!” Ron shouted loudly seeing his oldest brother and ran into his arms.

“Hey, Ron. It seems your entry was the most amazing one since the Hogwarts started.” Bill talked to Ron for a few minutes and just lightly cautioned him in actions before sending him off with a few candies and small trinkets.

Percy was still standing on one side and watched as Ron hopped back into the Gryffindor common room.

“You should not promote his behaviour, Bill. You know this will reflect badly on our father.” Percy said.

“I know. But for now, let him have his moment. I will talk to Mom. Let Ron enjoy his school as a kid. He is too young to understand many things and too young to experience that kind of pain…

You know, once I was robbed in Egypt and someone used the same curse on me. I spent almost a month suffering from the pain. That is not something anyone should go through. For now, keep an eye on Harry Potter, Percy.”

“Harry-” Percy wanted to ask something but Bill cut him off.

“They will always be together and Harry is someone who is leading our brother, not the other way around. As long as you can keep an eye on Harry, you will know where our brother is. Unlike Harry, our brother is not a saviour. He will need our savings.” Bill said before leaving Percy to his thoughts.

Finally, the party ended as the excited but tired Gryffindors went back to their caves and peace came upon the Hogwarts.