In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 82: Lost in Thoughts

“Move! Move aside!” Professor Flitwick’s thunderous voice made students open a way and Professor Flitwick hurriedly approached the frozen student, Colin Creevey.

Professor’s face clearly showed the horrible condition of the student and a dozen of charms later, the professor can only confirm that the boy is not dead but indeed petrified.

This was not some petrification charm that attacked the boy as the power to unleash such an attack could only come from an old Wizard and not young students. Besides, the counter-petrification charm wasn’t working and that makes it trickier.

Neville, Dean and Seamus also arrived at this moment and out of everyone here, only Neville knew the true horror that was about to come.

“Neville, you go and bring Professor Sprout, Dean and Seamus, you will go to Professor Snape and Professor Weasley and ask them to meet in the infirmary at once. Hermione, you go and call Headmaster Dumbledore and let him know the situation.

I will bring this student there. Now, move and stop wasting precious time.”

Professor shouted and lifted Colin in the air and then carrying him in a safe fashion rushed for the infirmary.

Dean and other named students came into action, and each ran towards their respective goals. However, the other students who were left alone like headless chickens became scared and panicked instantly.

Everyone had fresh memories of last year’s attack and this new year is not even through mid-way and again, there was a student who was targeted and attacked inside Hogwarts.

Most of them decided to share the news with their seniors and ask for advice. Some wanted to release the owls to share the news with their parents, but their friends stopped them. They didn’t want to create additional trouble until they had any information.

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[Inside the Infirmary]

Madam Poppy was checking Colin and casting multiple healing charms across his body to give him maximum preservation but deep inside she was aware that this is only a precaution but not a cure.

“Severus, I already tried the counter charm, but it isn’t working. Headmaster, what do you think?” Professor Flitwick spoke after he found Professor Snape trying to use a counter charm that obviously didn’t work.

“It is not magic. Not in the true sense. I think we all noticed it. Madam sprout, I believe you have been growing Mandrake this year. How are they?” Headmaster Dumbledore spoke and all turned their eyes to Professor Sprout.

“Well, they are young but in due time, they will grow up healthy and can be useful for potions.” Madam Sprout replied with a beaming smile.

“Excellent then. In the meantime, I shall ask the portraits if any of them saw anything.

Others, please go back and make sure the students of your houses feel safe and stay in their dormitories or go in class, but they do not wander alone. I prefer they do not go out after the curfew time or move in groups.”

Headmaster Dumbledore spoke and all agreed on this course of action. Calming down students and making sure they stay safe is the main priority.

“This is not magic at all Headmaster. I am sure you will be doing something to make sure this doesn’t happen in future.” Professor snape spoke before leaving the room.

“Yes, Severus. You can be sure that whatever this is, won’t be free on our school ground for long. In the meantime, I shall do my best to make sure, no other student joins Colin here. Let us move now. The students must be panicking at this moment.” Headmaster Dumbledore spoke and then left the room first.

Others too left the infirmary and Madam Poppy was left alone with Colin. Madam Poppy was visibly upset as in the last two years, she found herself unable to help students during a time of crisis.

“I wish I could get potions like the last time. What was the name of the student …Neutrile…NO… Reptile …NO…Merlin!” Madam Poppy cursed her failing memory.

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“Neville?” Dean cried.

“What?” Neville shouted back angrily.

“Where are we going, Neville?” Dean asked worriedly.

Neville has been walking aimlessly and daydreaming ever since they all came back after informing Professors. Seamus and he have been calling him back but Neville kept walking in his own thoughts and now, they were standing in front of the girls’ bathroom on the second floor.

Neville looked at his friends and then back at the bathroom. Giving it a deep look, he closed his eyes and walked back.

“Nothing. Sorry, I was thinking about something. Let’s go back before someone catches up sneaking inside the girl’s washroom.” Neville said and without giving the boys a chance to respond, he ran alone towards the dormitory.

He needed to check Gryffindor students. Someone brought that Horcrux inside Hogwarts and whoever it was, that person cannot hide for long. But before that, Neville needs to make sure he found the target and his preparation is complete.

“Merlin! He was walking towards the washroom!” Seamus cried and ran.

Dean looked at his friends who left him alone and ran away. He was stunned at this childish behaviour. What’s the big deal? They didn’t mean anything anyway.

However, reality hit him and it him hard.

“Go away, Pervert!”

Someone used a levitating charm on him from behind and threw him across the corridor and Dean hit a Metal Armor Knight that was placed at one corner in the hallway.

“I didn’t mean anything……” Dean cried before his face hit the metallic shield in the knight’s hand and he lost his voice.

“Whoever that was…. she was rude. Powerful but rude…” Dean said before pinching his nose to stop bleeding from the impact.