A/N: I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has taken the time to review my story! It means more to me than you could ever know; I greatly, greatly appreciate reviews. I am currently working on Chapter 17 and I've got the entire thing all plotted out, though JKR keeps inspiring me with new plot twists with every tidbit she releases about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I can't wait for it to come out, it sounds fantastic! Sorry it has been a while since the last chapter, and I recognize that based on the definition of a Squib, Petunia can't be one…but there's more to this than meets the eye, so please don't think I'm being stupid and that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Thank you very, very much for reading my story and please continue! Reviews are GREATLY appreciated! I love them! Please take the time to review when you read it, even if it's just to say whether or not you like it!
-Thanks again, Casey (padfootmoony13)
Chapter 8- An Unexpected Roommate
It was the same room that he and Ron had shared last year, two four-poster beds standing majestically against the dull yellow walls with a dark wood floor that was cold to the touch under their feet. There was a small wooden table resting against the opposite wall, complete with two hard wooden chairs. A tall wardrobe still stood against the back wall, bottom drawers cracked open with socks and shirts hanging out from when Ron was too lazy to do anything but shove his clothes into them. Next to the wardrobe, the aged, large portrait of Phineus Negellus still hung, currently just a framed blank piece of canvas; Phineus must have been off visiting in other paintings.
However, as soon as Harry closed the door behind him and Hermione and turned to assess the room, he was greeted with a huge surprise. Sitting at the table with Ron, who had apparently grown even taller and had his thick red hair growing untamed, down to well below his neckline, and bent over a game of wizards' chess in deep concentration, was a slightly round, pudgy boy with a brown toad set on his shoulder: Neville Longbottom.
Harry stood stock-still, looking at Neville in complete confusion. What was he doing here?
On his left Hermione, still smiling, oblivious to Harry's shock, said, "Ron, Harry's here!"
Both Ron and Neville, who had been so focused on their game they hadn't noticed anyone come in, now looked up from their game to where Harry and Hermione stood.
Ron beamed at him as he came over, saying, "Hi Harry, mate. It's been a while." He put a hand on Harry's shoulder, gripping it tightly in welcome.
Harry tore his eyes away from Neville, who was still sitting back at the table, smiling shyly at him, and grinned back at his other best friend, slapping him hard on his back a couple times. "Yeah, it has," Harry said. "I don't think I've ever missed you guys as much."
Ron and Hermione's smiles lit up even more at his words. Meanwhile, Neville had shuffled over, and as Harry shook his hand he said, "Good to see you again, Neville."
"Good to see you too," Neville replied.
"Um, not to be rude, or anything, but, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"Oh, my Gran and I are staying over this summer; she's helping Ron's mum finish cleaning and refurbishing the house. She's officially a part of the Order of the Phoenix now," he concluded, with pride.
"Oh, that's neat, Neville. Which room are you staying in?"
It was not as if Harry disliked Neville; he liked him a good deal, especially after he helped in Sirius's rescue attempt last year. He had not forgotten how brave Neville was that day, and the fact that Neville was involved, in some ways, with the Prophecy, bonded Harry to him even more. It was just that he wanted to talk to Ron and Hermione so much; he felt he would burst if he did not discuss everything he just learned with them right away. He just did not feel comfortable sharing his fears and private thoughts with Neville; they weren't close enough.
"Oh, I'm staying just down the hall," Neville said.
A wave of relief swept through Harry at this news; he could talk to Ron and Hermione alone after all.
Hermione, apparently sensing that Harry was anxious to talk to them, but was hesitant to share anything with Neville, offered, "Ron, why don't you and Neville finish that game tomorrow."
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry thought to himself.
Ron began to argue, "Oh come on, Mione, we're almost finished-"
"Tomorrow, Ron," Hermione interrupted, eyes staring straight at Ron so he would understand her meaning. "Harry needs his rest."
Ron opened his mouth again, saw Hermione looking at him meaningfully, then throwing her eyes towards the door to indicate that Neville should leave, and changed mid-word, "But Hermione, he can wait a few minut- I mean, yeah, you're right."
Ron looked back at Hermione, to see if he did what she wanted, and when she gave a slight nod of her head, continued, "Sorry, Neville. Hermione's right. We'll finish the game tomorrow, though."
"That's alright," Neville said, completely oblivious as to what was going on. "Goodnight everyone!"
"Goodnight Neville," the trio muttered together, fake smiles plastered on their faces, as Hermione held open the door for him and Ron began to gently push him through.
Just as Ron made to push Neville through the door, however, Ginny came in through it. Her long red hair, attributed to her Weasley genes, and freckled face smiled as she stood, blocking the doorway. Ron shrugged as he stopped shoving Neville and Hermione briefly rolled her eyes.
Harry groaned as he felt his headache increase from the pressure of keeping so many ideas locked up for so long, but he put on a cheerful façade as he greeted Ginny.
"Hey, Ginny," he said, smiling for her benefit. Again, not that he was particularly unhappy to see her; it was just that he wasn't quite so happy to see her that very moment.
"Hi Ginny," Neville said, voice squeaking slightly. Harry noticed he was a bit more rosy-cheeked than usual.
"Hello Harry," she said, smiling up at him. "Neville, I just saw you ten minutes ago," she added, turning to Neville.
If it was even possible, Harry thought he saw Neville turn an even deeper shade of red, as he looked nervously at the ground.
"Oh, right," he squeaked.
If Ginny noticed Neville's odd behavior, she chose to ignore it. "Mum told me you arrived. I'm glad you're finally here."
"I'm glad to finally be here too," said Harry, smiling politely down at Ginny, but then flicking his eyes behind her. For one split second he thought he saw Hermione, standing slightly behind Ginny, glower at the back of her vivid head. But the next second, any trace of a scowl was gone. That was odd…he thought.
"Anyway," Ginny continued energetically, turning her attention from Harry, "Ron, mum told me to tell you Pig just arrived, downstairs. She wants you to go fetch him, since you're the only one who can seem to manage to get a hold on him; last I knew he was flitting around the foyer."
"Stupid git," Ron muttered, heading out the door and down the hall.
"Speaking of owls, Harry, Hedwig arrived a while ago. I think she's perched in the main-floor den, on the back of a chair. At least she knows how to sit still; you wouldn't catch Pig in one place for more than ten seconds," said Ginny.
"Alright, thanks," he replied. Then he realized that it was the perfect opportunity to obtain solitude with Hermione and Ron. "Um, Hermione, why don't you join me? Hedwig would love to see you again."
"Alright, sure," said Hermione, playing along.
They both made for the door, but just as they reached it two CRACKS sounded through the air, back-to-back, and they found themselves standing in front of the Weasley twins, Fred and George.
Harry skidded to a halt, sighing to himself and he rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. Why, in Merlin's name, did everyone come to greet him now?
"Hiya, Harry," said Fred, stepping forward and grabbing Harry's hand, shaking it vigorously.
George stepped forward and bumped Fred out of the way, pumping Harry's arm up and down as he said, "Pleasure to see you again."
Both were dressed in their fine dragon-skin jackets they bought at the end of last year, with slick brown pants and what appeared to be dragon-hide boots as well. Each wore a thick gold chain around their neck, and sported sharp sunglasses, glinting in the light.
"Business is well then," Harry said, eyeing their new clothes.
"Absolutely booming," Fred said, raising his sunglasses up onto the top of his head, where they flattened back his bold red hair.
"It seems to be a good market; Zonko's was threatened by bankruptcy, but we bought them up," said George.
"Wow," Harry said, "That's excellent."
"It sure is; we've rented a place in London. It's not too bad there either, even if it is crawling with muggles," joked George.
Fred added, "Yeah, and muggle beer could be worse as well."
Harry laughed; it sounded like Fred and George were enjoying their new life.
"Well, we just wanted to pop on up here to say hello," said Fred. "We'll be staying for dinner, so we'll see you there."
And with that, there were two more POPs as Fred and George disapparated.
"Well, Harry," said Hermione, inching her way towards the door again, "We should probably go tend to Hedwig."
"Right behind you," he said, as they both walked briskly through the door and down the hall, leaving Ginny and Neville behind them.
"Finally," he murmured as he and Hermione walked down the hall, and Hermione let out a slight giggle.
"I know," she said, smiling as they started down the stairs next to each other. "I didn't think we'd ever manage to get away, at that rate."
Another flight down they met Ron, returning upstairs.
"Where are you two headed off to?" he asked.
"We're going somewhere where I can explain everything to you both," Harry said, continuing down the stairs.
"Explain what?" Ron asked, following behind.
"Everything that happened to me tonight and what I learned."
"Huh?" Ron asked, as the reached the foyer, and Harry led them off towards the den.
"Oh, just come on, Ron," Hermione said, following Harry into the dark room.