Summary: Life at Hogwarts is all but cheerful under the Carrows' reign. One of the changes that hurts the students worst, some even worse than torture, is the ban on Quidditch. Dumbledore's Army wouldn't be themselves, though, if they didn't find a way to bring some life back to the castle, even if it only lasts a couple of hours. But can even the best of matches wipe away mistrust and resentment?
This story was written by the Incaff Military Athletic Division for the 2011 Quidditch World Cup on the Beta Boards. It won, too! Our alternate was hestiajones. Many thanks to the referees, who set this wonderfully inspiring prompt that gave us weeks of drabbling-frenzied fun. The prompt for this match was:
"One Last Match: When Harry was on his extended camping trip, I don’t think his thoughts extended much to Quidditch, but for those at Hogwarts it did. Under the new regime, however, the sport was banned. For the pupils at Hogwarts, this became a focal point of rebellion. They decide to play one last match, an inter-house match, in the spirit of Dumbledore’s Army. The two teams will not be from one house but a mixture."
Categories: General Fics Characters: None
Warnings: Violence
Challenges: Series: None
Chapters: 2
Completed: Yes
Word count: 10051
Read: 3351
Published: 03/23/12
Updated: 03/23/12
1. Chapter 1 by Karaley Dargen
2. Chapter 2 by Karaley Dargen
Chapter 1 by Karaley Dargen
The hallway was silent as they waited, wondering when their turn would come. Ginny appeared from the doorway and squeezed Neville’s hand as she staggered to the bench. At least she could walk without assistance. That wasn’t always the case lately. Neville stiffened as his name was called and started toward Alecto’s office. Sympathetic eyes fixed on the back of his head, because none of them were under any delusions about how their rebellion would be dealt with. He took a deep breath before entering and hoped that with so many students waiting, they wouldn’t spend long with each one.
A hand grabbed him by the back of the neck as the door slammed shut behind him. He was thrown into a chair, cold chains snaking themselves around his arms and legs until he could barely move. Neville looked up into the menacing eyes of Alecto Carrow and, before she could say a word, smiled.
–Hello, Professor. May I have a cup of tea, by any chance? I’m parched.â€
–SHUT IT,†screeched her brother, Amycus.
–Now, now,†said Alecto. –Only one person in this room is going to be screaming when we’re done.â€
Raising her wand, she stepped towards him. Neville felt his heartbeat quicken, but he was far too used to this procedure by now to let them sense any discomfort on his part. What he did worry about were all the others. Even though they hadn’t caught everyone who was involved, there still hadn’t been this many people in trouble at once since the start of the year. This certainly wasn’t the outcome he had been hoping for.
–Let’s get this interview started, shall we?†Alecto said, standing so close to Neville that he had to breathe in the thick air of must around her. –Crucio!†she screamed.
***
–Look at them,†Ginny said, nodding towards a huddled group of sombre-eyed first years. –Can you imagine what it must be like, first year here and it’s like this? I wish they’d been able to see the real Hogwarts.â€
Neville tried to remember what it had been like to be eleven. Hogwarts had been a wonder - full of surprises and a thousand ways to get lost, of course, but always better than his Gran’s house, with stuffy relatives always looking for signs of magic. –Halloween’ll be coming up soon,†he muttered. –No chance there’ll be a proper feast, I suppose.â€
–Knowing the Carrows, we’ll have to force-feed the first-years tarantulas or whatever we made in Potions,†she muttered darkly.
Neville continued to look over at the younger students. They were standing by the common room fire, passing around what looked like Chocolate Frog cards. Someone must have managed to smuggle them in.
–They’re missing out on so much,†he said. –And not just the important stuff like defence, either. The fun things, the things that make Hogwarts really magical.â€
–Like Quidditch,†replied Ginny. –The Quidditch season should be starting soon. I didn’t realise how empty Hogwarts would feel without it.â€
"It must be worse for you," Neville replied, glancing wistfully into the dark beyond the windows. "All the training and preparation... I only ever watched, and still I really miss it."
Ginny fiddled with the corner of a pillow for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "I don't think it is worse for the players, actually. Quidditch means a lot to the people here. And - can you imagine looking forward to Hogwarts, and watching your first proper Quidditch game, and then you arrive to... well, to this?"
She chucked the pillow at an armchair and hugged her knees.
–I hate this,†she said dully.
***
Neville tried to walk with some semblance of dignity when he was released from Alecto’s office, but it was hard with every bone in his body aching. Only when he reached Ginny’s side did he allow himself to collapse with a sigh of relief.
–They’re really determined to find out who else was involved,†Neville murmured.
Ginny nodded. –At least the first years escaped,†she said, her voice a whisper. –Now we just have to hope no one here talks.â€
***
Neville spent a lot of time wandering the corridors these days.
Perhaps it was another form of rebellion, another way to prove to the Carrows that they didn’t own him, that he was free no matter how hard they tried to control him. But really, Neville just needed to be reminded of the Hogwarts he grew up in and why the fight had to go on.
So, it wasn’t really a surprise when he found himself standing before the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy in the seventh floor corridor. As the memories of Dumbledore’s Army flooded his turbulent mind, he began to pace.
–We need to get our spirits up,†he thought.
Once past the tapestry.
"We need to get our spirits up."
Twice past the tapestry.
"We need to get our spirits up."
He held his breath as he looked up at the wall. Sure enough, there was a door. But it was small, like one of the rooms where Filch kept his mops and buckets. Neville didn't know what he had been expecting. His thoughts had still been on the conversation with Ginny, and his instructions to the room had been rather vague. Maybe there just hadn't been enough to work with.
Tentatively, he pushed down the door handle.
With a loud clattering of wood on stone, several somethings fell out of the apparent cupboard. Neville threw up his arms instinctively and managed to catch a few more, with the result that his nose was now rather sore but he had prevented more noise.
He realised, tardily, that the Room of Requirement had given him broomsticks. Four lay on the floor, three more were in his arms, and it looked like the same amount had remained in the room. Enough to outfit two Quidditch teams.
He grinned, suddenly understanding what the Room wanted him to do.
***
The dungeon where they were all being held was cold and damp, and there was an incessant dripping noise that was beginning to drive Neville mad. A pained shriek echoed throughout the dungeon and Ginny flinched beside him. He leaned back against the wall, fists clenched.
–Come on, Demelza,†he whispered to himself. –Just hold on a little longer.â€
–She shouldn’t have to hold out,†said Ginny, raising her voice and looking around at everyone. –We need to stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Someone snitched on us.â€
–Yeah,†agreed Seamus, loudly. –And we all know who it was!â€
–Do we?†asked Summerby.
Seamus raised his eyebrows. –It’s obvious, isn’t it? Look around! Which house doesn’t have anyone sitting around in this dungeon right now?â€
Neville felt his heart sink. This was worse than being tortured. They weren’t supposed to fight and suspect each other like that. Surely, the Carrows hadn’t planned to divide them this way, but if they went on like this, they’d make a good job of it themselves.
–Just because there aren’t any Slytherins here doesn’t mean that it’s their fault,†Neville said cautiously.
–Oh come on,†Ginny replied. –Look at the facts, Neville.â€
***
Neville shoved the brooms back into the cupboard and watched the door seal itself. Hurrying back to the common room to tell Ginny, excitement at the thought of reclaiming Hogwarts from the Carrows, however briefly, and right under their noses threatened to overwhelm him. It was better than any Cheering Charm, but the last thing he needed was for the Carrows or one of their snitches to wonder what he was up to, so Neville continued along the corridor, looking down at his feet all the while until the portrait appeared.
–Phoenix,†he said quietly to the Fat Lady’s portrait.
Once he was inside the portrait hole, he allowed himself to smile. He spotted Ginny immediately, in one of the good chairs near the fire, and joined her there.
–Ginny,†he whispered excitedly. –I’ve got an idea. To give the first years a taste of the real Hogwarts.â€
Ginny’s eyes lit up and she leaned forward as she asked, –What is it?â€
–Quidditch game, in the Room of Requirement. It’ll produce brooms and everything.â€
–Neville, that’s brilliant!†Ginny exclaimed, then clamped a hand over her mouth, barely covering her grin. –Oh, but we’ll have to be careful,†she added.
"I know," Neville replied. "But I think lots of people would be up for it, and it could also be a great way of showing them that Dumbledore's Army isn't going to give up that easily."
"We might be able to use the old D.A. coins," Ginny mused. "But not a lot of the original members who are still at Hogwarts have ever played Quidditch..."
There was a short pause as she counted in her head.
"But there are lots of students who have played - we might even be able to recruit some of them for the D.A.!"
***
–That doesn’t prove anything. The D.A. was found out and there were no Slytherins involved,†Neville said.
–Then what else could have happened?†Ginny asked quickly. –Think about it, Neville, you have to admit that it’s the only explanation that makes sense.â€
–Not necessarily,†Susan said, looking up. –Didn’t you see how happy Astoria was to play? She’s never had the chance before, so why would she ruin it? She told me that she did try out for her house team two years ago and her father sent an owl telling her that she’d better not do it again.â€
–Vaisey, then,†Ginny snapped, holding Susan’s gaze challengingly.
–All right,†Neville broke in, –that’s enough. Can we at least talk about this calmly and not fight about it? Can’t you see they win if we’re all fighting?â€
Ginny looked away from Susan, though it was clear the anger hadn’t gone out of her. –I still think it was one of them,†she muttered. –We can’t trust them.â€
***
Neville and Ginny had talked to the other members of the D.A., who had in turn promised to talk to Quidditch players they trusted. Ginny had recruited five Gryffindors besides herself and Neville.
During breakfast two days later, Parvati slipped onto the bench next to them.
"Hi Ginny," she said casually, picking a piece of toast from a stack and buttering it. She then threw a quick glance around and lowered her voice. "So, Padma tells me that Hannah gathered up quite a bunch of people in Hufflepuff. She's not flying herself, but there's Summerby and Cadwaller, and Susan Bones, and a few people who are really keen to watch."
Ginny considered for a moment. "I've never seen Susan fly, is she any good?"
"I suppose so." Parvati shrugged. "But there's someone else..."
–Who?†Ginny asked quietly as she glanced around the room.
When Parvati didn’t answer immediately, Ginny began to ask again, but before she could finish her question, she felt Parvati kick her foot under the table. She looked up and saw Alecto staring down at her from the staff table. Alecto whispered something to her brother and then his gaze fell on Ginny as well.
Ginny looked around the room again and took a sip of pumpkin juice before saying in a whisper, –I’ll leave now. Wait five minutes and then meet us in the common room, okay?â€
The common room was dead silent, Ginny, Parvati and Neville its only occupants.
–So who is it? This other person?†Ginny asked.
–Hear me out,†Parvati said (bad way to start, Neville thought, noticing Ginny’s wariness). –He misses Quidditch as much as we do, and he’s nice, and I trust him.â€
Ginny’s voice was hard. –And what’s the catch?â€
–He’s a Slytherin,†Parvati said quickly. –But he’s not like the rest of them, I promise.â€
–Absolutely not!†Ginny’s voice was shockingly loud to Neville’s ears.
–Just think it over,†Parvati pleaded. –At least let the rest of the D.A. decide.â€
"So, assuming I agree to this," Ginny said, scowling, "who is this Slytherin? Because I swear, I'm not flying with Malfoy!"
"You won't have to fly with anyone. There will be two teams, remember? We can just put him on the other team," Neville interjected.
He nodded at Parvati, who went on, "It's Jonathan Vaisey, and like I said, he's really all right. He's been on the Slytherin team before, and he's really decent. He doesn't care much for the Carrows at all, and would rather just have everything back to the way it was - including Quidditch. So?"
Neville nodded.
–I think we can trust him. This is about rebelling against the Carrows, right? And doing something we enjoy? If another student who loves Quidditch just as much as Ginny wants to join in and happens to be a Slytherin, then aren’t we just as bad as the rest of them if we don’t let him play?â€
Ginny continued to scowl.
–I still don’t like it,†she said. –But if you trust him and he’s not on my team, then…†She shrugged.
Parvati beamed.
–I don’t think you realise how much this is going to mean to him.â€
–I really hope you’re right, Parvati,†Ginny said.
–I know I am,†she replied, smiling. –You’ll see.â€
–Okay, we’ll figure out a time and then we can start letting the rest of the D.A. know. They’ll spread the word around. You’ll tell Vaisey then, Parvati?†Neville asked and she nodded. –Just be really careful, okay? I don’t want you getting into trouble.â€
–I know. I will be, and don’t worry, he can keep a secret. We’d better get to class before we’re late and in detention. You can’t afford that with how badly they’ve been on your case lately, Neville.â€
***
Demelza reappeared, clutching her side and walking gingerly, a rapidly swelling bruise around her left eye. She eased herself onto the bench next to Lavender, not speaking.
It was clear Alecto hadn’t got what she wanted, because she came out and called, –Bones, in here.â€
Susan stood, her hands clenching at her sides, clearly terrified. No one dared speak, only watch in silence as she entered Alecto’s office.
–It’s them we should be angry with,†Neville said. –They’re the reason we did this in the first place, and they’re the reason we need to stick together now more than ever.â€
–Maybe there are some people I don’t want to stick together with,†Ginny began again.
–Maybe there are some people we shouldn’t trust from now on.†Seamus got up from the bench. –This was just a Quidditch match, and look how much we’re paying for trying to boost our morale. Imagine they caught us doing something really important with the D.A.â€
Ginny frowned slightly as Seamus talked about Quidditch as though it didn’t really matter, but as he finished, she nodded. Trying to sit up straight, but flinching as she did, Ginny went on.
–Stop being so fair and noble, Neville! We need to find out who did this. Seamus is right; if we’re going to continue the rebellion then we can’t surround ourselves with people who aren’t trustworthy.â€
–But don’t you see-â€
–Neville!†interrupted Lavender who was tending to Demelza. –Look around you. I think we can agree that none of us are responsible and of all the people who got away, who could it be but the Slytherins? Luna? Michael? Jimmy Peakes? As if they'd snitch.â€
–And the younger students would be too scared to go near the Carrows,†said Terry.
–So it had to be Vaisey or Greengrass,†Terry concluded. –But which one? Even though Susan thinks Greengrass wouldn’t snitch, look at how she got involved in the first place. She threatened to go to the Carrows if we didn’t let her play.â€
–But what would be the point in that?†Neville asked. –She already knew, so if she wanted to tell, she could have done it anyway. Why ask to play unless she really wanted to? I think you’re wrong about her, Terry.â€
***
The chief organisers met the day before the match to review their plans one last time.
–Have we got the teams nailed down?†Neville asked first thing.
Ginny and Paul Summerby, who were acting as captains, both nodded.
–I’ve got Mark, Seamus and Demelza for Chasers, Jack and Padma as Beaters, Susan as Keeper, and me as Seeker,†Ginny said.
–I’m Seeker as well,†Paul said. –Vaisey, Iwan and Terry as Chasers, Jimmy and Ritchie as Beaters, and you as Keeper.â€
–Okay, so there’s that settled,†Neville said. â€What about security? Have you got your plans in place?â€
Michael nodded.
–Some of us will be outside around the place, keeping lookout from all access points to the seventh floor corridor. Parvati is in charge of the first years and other spectators inside the Room of Requirement and the rest of us will have our coins on us at all times.â€
–Yes,†said Parvati. –And Ernie is doing the commentary, so he’ll be able to notify us all as soon as something comes through on the coin.â€
There was a loud clatter and everyone jumped.
–Just my quill,†said Neville, leaning down to pick it up from the floor. –Parvati, does anyone else need to be told about the match?â€
–No, everyone who should know already does. We’re ready.â€
–Good,†he said, watching the group begin to leave the room in twos and threes to avoid arousing any suspicion. –Be careful heading back. They’ve been prowling around the entrance to the common room more often, and it’s getting close to curfew.â€
–Aren’t you coming back now?†she asked.
–In a minute. I need to return a book to Professor Sprout, and then I’ll be there.†Neville headed down the stairs as quickly as he could without running.
As Neville walked through the corridors, he tried not to think about the possibilities of what might happen if they were caught. They were planning for the eventuality, of course, but there was always the possibility that they might not be alerted fast enough, might not get out in time, might be caught between the Room and their common rooms, might somehow be found out later…
But wasn’t it worth the risk? Didn’t he repeatedly get put in detention for mouthing off, all in the name of raising morale? Wasn’t a secret Quidditch game right in line with that philosophy?
He wasn’t just risking himself this time, though. There were innocent first-years involved.
But he thought back to that evening with Ginny when the topic of Quidditch had been first brought up, and the memory of the glum, hopeless faces around the common room. They could pull this off. He knew it.
–Longbottom.â€
Neville stopped, instinctively slipping behind a suit of armour.
–In here.â€
He recognised that voice. Zacharias Smith. Neville moved out from behind the armour and walked into the classroom.
Smith was waiting for him, leaning against the desk at the front of the room.
–What’re you doing?â€
–What do you mean, what am I doing?†Neville asked.
–Not just you,†Zacharias replied. –I mean the whole D.A. lot. You’re up to something, aren’t you?â€
Neville quickly pulled the door shut behind him and hissed, –Careful, Smith, you know that the Carrows have their ears all over the place.â€
He considered the other for a moment. Almost everyone from the D.A. who was still around would be part of this, but they had all agreed about Zacharias Smith.
–And no, we’re not up to anything right now. I’ll let you know when we have a plan.â€
Smith looked as if he was going to argue further, but Neville cut him off. –I promise you, if there’s anything you need to know, I’ll tell you, or one of the others will.†Smith continued to glare, but Neville had stood up to far worse people than Zacharias Smith.
–Fine,†Smith said, and left without another word. Neville breathed a sigh of relief. That was one hurdle cleared, at any rate. But if Smith had noticed something was up, other eyes might have seen it as well, and that was worrying. They’d have to be more careful.
***
Neville paced back and forth in the dungeon, trying to remain calm. He needed to be strong for everyone else, and with Susan’s screams echoing around the stone walls, his leadership was more important than ever. They needed to stick together. If one of them cracked, then…
–I can’t do this,†said Ginny, interrupting his thoughts. –I can’t just sit here and listen to this. We need to do something, give them false information.â€
There was a loud bang and silence descended upon them all. The sudden absence of Susan’s pained cries was even worse.
–The only thing I want to do right now is hex some Slytherins,†Seamus said savagely. –Vaisey and Greengrass deserve it. We trusted them and now look what’s happened. They need to pay for whatever is happening to Susan right now. Look at Ginny, and Demelza, and you, for that matter, Neville! How may times have you been hauled in here after some Slytherin snitched on you for something? I’d do it in a heartbeat, punishment or not. It would be worth whatever the Carrows did to me.â€
–Seamus-†Neville started, but he was cut off by another scream.
He clenched his fists at the sound, took a deep breath, and decided to change course.
–Let’s forget who we think did what. What matters right now is to minimise the damage and get us out of here. Ginny, what kind of false information are you thinking about? We can’t give them any names...â€
–They know we were playing Quidditch,†Summerby said. The broomsticks that they hadn’t been able to get rid of in time were leaning against one of the corners, tied together with a spell. –And they know we must have been fourteen for that.â€
–Unless...,†started Lavender. –What if we were just practising? You know, say it wasn’t a real match. We could say we found a few old brooms and decided to have a little fun.â€
–Yeah. We’ll still be punished but it might throw them off finding out who else was involved,†replied Demelza who was still leaning heavily on Lavender.
Terry, Paul and Neville all nodded, grimacing as another torturous, almost inhuman sound echoed around the dungeons but Ginny and Seamus remained silent.
–What are they doing to her?†spat Ginny.
Seamus looked ready to punch a wall.
–Lying to protect the others is all well and good, but that doesn’t change what they’ve already done to us because the Slytherins betrayed us,†he growled. –We need to make them regret it. They need to know that they can’t get away with this.â€
–We’re at war,†Hannah said, speaking up from the end of the bench. –They can’t have it both ways. Either they’re on our side or they’re with the Death Eaters.†Her mouth twisted. –They made their choice, and now look what’s happened.â€
As if to punctuate this statement, another scream echoed in the silence.
***
Neville spent the day of the match going through everything in his head. They had two full teams with Ginny and Paul as captains. Parvati was going to be in the Room of Requirement to look after the first years and evacuate them in case the Carrows found out about the match. Neville had made use of the previous afternoon by practising giving the Room instructions, and had managed to create four exits that led to places near the respective common rooms. Michael Corner was in charge of patrolling the corridors in shifts with some of the other D.A. members.
Everything was in place and ready, but that didn’t stop Neville from tapping his quill nervously against his thigh during his classes. He even found himself biting his nails during lunch, a habit he had not indulged in since fourth year, until he caught the eye of a Slytherin girl who gave him a sly smile. That seemed to bring him to his senses and he immediately dropped his hand back onto the table.
When the time finally came for the Gryffindor group to leave for the Room of Requirement, the tension in the common room was almost tangible. Everyone invited to the game was watching as Neville and Ginny stood and left the common room. They would follow, in drips and drabs, over the next half-hour or so, so as not to raise suspicion: first years and a few older students who Neville and Ginny were considering approaching to join the D.A. Only people who could be discreet - by this point it was pretty clear who talked and who didn’t.
When they arrived before the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, Neville concentrated on an indoor Quidditch pitch with stands that would fit thirty and all the necessary equipment.
He was glad now that he had taken the time to practise this beforehand - otherwise he might have been too nervous to get it right at the crucial moment. Ginny stood next to the tapestry, her gaze flickering between Neville as he started pacing past the hidden door, and the two ends of the corridor. They had had lookouts in front of the staffroom before making their way upstairs, and the Carrows were safely away seven floors below. Everything was going just as they had planned.
After what seemed like ages, Neville completed his final pace. They both looked up.
The door in the wall was small and unassuming. Ginny shrugged and walked forwards, pulling the handle and stepping into the Room of Requirement. Neville followed behind closely.
He closed the door and turned around to face the pitch, letting out a loud whoop. The room had expanded until it was just as large as the real Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. A vast stand lined the pitch along the right side of the room, with a rather imposing commentator’s box and a score board of golden brown wood on the left.
Ginny flung herself down upon the grass with a blissful smile.
–This is perfect,†she said, turning that smile on Neville.
–Thanks!†he said. –The equipment should be under the stands; it was last time.†He ran across the pitch and found the large trunk where he had expected it to be.
–Here,†he said, unlatching it and opening it once he had brought it over.
–Cleansweep Sixes!†Ginny exclaimed. –These are really decent brooms.†They dug the broomsticks out, counting fifteen (–One for the referee, I expect,†Ginny said; it hadn’t occurred to Neville, but he supposed ‘necessary equipment’ covered that) before they uncovered the balls, strapped to the bottom.
–Wow,†sounded a voice from behind them, and they spun around to see Seamus and Parvati standing in the entrance.
–There’s actual grass here!†Seamus exclaimed. –This is brilliant. Neville, you’re a genius!â€
Parvati looked around at the stands. –Plenty of room for everyone,†she said. –So, where are those emergency exits?â€
–I don’t really think we’ll need them.†Ginny beamed. –This is going to be so perfect!â€
Neville grinned. –Well, I hope you’re right, Ginny. But just in case... come on, I’ll show you where they are. You just have to make sure that everyone gets out in time.â€
He led them over to the commentator’s box, where four wide doors were evenly spaced across the wall behind it, each with a house crest carved into the wood.
–Just make sure everyone knows where they are when they get here,†said Neville. –The doors each lead to a different part of the castle near each Common Room.â€
–Great,†said Parvati. –I’ll tell the younger students when they get here.â€
–Looks like some of them are here already,†said Ginny, pointing over to the main entrance. Parvati moved towards the other Gryffindors, herding them over to the stands.
People slowly trickled in: Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Within a few minutes, most of the players had arrived, but there was no sign of their solitary Slytherin yet.
The last of the spectators were arriving when Vaisey finally appeared, looking none too pleased. The reason became apparent when a second figure appeared in the doorway behind him.
–What’s he playing at?†Ginny hissed.
–I don’t know,†Neville said, frowning. It was the Slytherin girl who’d smiled him at lunch earlier - Amelia? Fifth year, he thought.
She should definitely not be here. What in the world has possessed Vaisey?
Neville looked at Parvati, now sitting on the stands with the first years. She had vouched for Vaisey, and Neville had readily believed her. But they had agreed that they couldn’t trust the other Slytherins, and here Vaisey was, with this girl...
–What the hell, Vaisey?†Ginny interrupted Neville’s thoughts. –I knew we shouldn’t have let you in on this. We had an agreement!â€
–I didn’t want to bring her here,†Vaisey started through clenched teeth.
Ginny squared her jaw, her hand dangerously close to her wand. –What’s she doing here then? Why did you tell her about the match?â€
The Slytherin girl laughed and Ginny turned to her with a look so fearsome that Neville had the urge to step back, or cast a Shield Charm at least.
–He didn’t tell me anything,†she said. –I overheard him and that silly Patil whispering in the library yesterday. Well, they weren’t just whispering.â€
Neville groaned.
–Look,†said Vaisey, desperately. –I didn’t have a choice. Astoria was threatening to tell the Carrows unless I brought her along. What was I supposed to do?â€
–Oh, I don’t know,†said Ginny. –How about keeping your mouth shut in the first place, you twit.â€
I wasn’t yelling about it,†Vaisey said, annoyance clear in his voice, –I just didn’t realise she was there.â€
–And here I thought you Slytherins were supposed to be cunning and sly, and all that, but how stupid do you have to be not to at least check who is around before you start blabbing? Unless you two are supposed to distract us until the Carrows get here and round us all up,†Ginny said, accusingly. –That’s it, isn’t it? I knew we couldn’t trust you, Vaisey! I wonder if anyone here is good with memory charms,†Ginny said, threateningly.
–If I wanted you to get caught, trust me, you’d be in the dungeons already. I just want to fly, like the rest of you, and I’m not stupid enough to think that you’d let me if I just asked.†Astoria’s tone was victorious, as though her participating in the match was settled. This only seemed to infuriate Ginny further.
–Oh yes?†she asked. –And why’s that?â€
The other girl raised her eyebrows. –I thought you’d understand, since you play yourself. Slytherin girls don’t play for their house. I tried out once, and had to bear the consequences for weeks.â€
Ginny seemed to struggle with this, her nostrils flaring and wand half-raised.
–Fine,†she hissed. –But you’re not on my team and if anything happens, anything at all, we know who to hold responsible.†She looked at Vaisey. –You, too.â€
Vaisey held up his hands with a scowl.
–Whatever. I’m just here to play Quidditch.â€
Astoria grinned, looking around. She pointed over at the pile of Cleansweep Sixes lying on the pitch.
–Ha. You’d think we’d get something better than those.â€
–Scared you won’t win unless you’re on the Firebolt daddy gave you?†retorted Ginny.
–Bring it on, Weasley.â€
Paul stepped forward then. –Right,†he rapped out, business-like, –who wants to give up their spot and join security?â€
His team members looked at each other uneasily, and Neville was about to volunteer when Terry called out, –I will.â€
–Good. Iwan, I know I can trust you to play your best no matter who you’re playing with. Vaisey, you’re housemates, you should get along. Jimmy and Ritchie, I’d better not catch you slacking off on her protection. We can’t afford injuries, especially not to a Slytherin. The Carrows would take it personally.â€
That taken care of, Paul nodded to Ginny.
–I’ll let Ernie know,†Neville said, and made his way towards the commentator’s box. He was glad that Paul had reacted in such a practical manner. That was Ginny’s one great weakness - although there was only one thing they could do, she let her prejudices and principles get in the way.
Just before he reached the box, he heard her hurrying up behind him.
–I’m glad I could get away from them.†She pulled a face. –I swear, if anything happens, I’m going to strangle them both personally.â€
–Let’s just hope nothing happens in the first place,†Neville muttered.
Chapter 2 by Karaley Dargen
The dungeon door clanged open and their heads snapped up to see a pale and weak Susan stagger through the door. Immediately, Terry and Neville rushed forward to help her sit down. Neville felt her fall against him, her breaths short and sharp.
–I’m fine,†she whispered.
–No,†said Ginny, kneeling in front of her. –You’re not fine. None of us are fine.â€
Suddenly, the door opened again to reveal two dark figures. Neville felt the bile rise in his throat as Goyle stepped into the dungeon dragging someone else behind him, wand held tight against the victim’s throat.
Vaisey.
Seamus started up from his seat, and though no one spoke, the looks Vaisey received were uncharitable at best. Goyle released him roughly, then left quickly, locking the door behind him.
–You,†Seamus said. –We never should have let you in. This is all your fault.â€
Vaisey glared up at Seamus. –It wasn’t me. You think I’d be stupid enough to risk my own neck just to expose you? Breaking the rules is breaking the rules, and you never know which way the Carrows will swing.â€
Ginny let out a cry of disbelief. –As if they’d really punish you.â€
–You don’t think they’d punish me?†Vaisey growled, then pulled aside the collar of his robes.
Hannah gasped, and Lavender clapped a hand to her mouth. Running along Vaisey’s shoulder was a long cut, barely healed.
–That’s what I got for not knowing where my mother is,†he barked at Ginny. –You know, you chose to rebel and go against them. When they catch you, it’s because you chose to take the risk. I didn’t choose for my mother to run away just as Scrimgeour died, and I still had to suffer the consequences.†He took a deep breath.
–He’s lying,†said Seamus, although he sounded rather unsure of himself.
–But look at that scar-â€
–Oh come on, Hannah!†interrupted Ginny. –The Carrows may be thick as a brick but even they can fake a scar. He’s been planted in here to get information from us just like he planted himself and Greengrass in the match to snitch.â€
Neville shook his head and walked over to stand next to Vaisey.
–Parvati was the one who approached us about Vai-†Nevilled paused. –Jonathan, I mean. I trust Parvati and she trusts Jonathan, so I trust him too.â€
–Then who do you think did it?†Ginny demanded, whirling on him.
–I don’t know,†he said grimly, –but I don’t think it was Jonathan.â€
Ginny glared, but Neville stood firm next to Jonathan. She huffed and returned to her seat. –I still don’t trust him,†she muttered. –And he is not one of us.†Seamus eyed Jonathan uneasily, but he went to join Ginny without a word.
–Thanks,†Jonathan said quietly to Neville.
Neville shook his head. –I think you did keep our trust. It’s bad enough what’s going to happen without adding hatred from us on top.â€
***
Everyone was seated in the stands now and Ernie was waiting in the commentator’s box for Neville’s sign. Michael had his two groups patrolling the corridor outside in shifts, and they, as well as Ernie, had their old D.A. coins. If anyone got close to the Room of Requirement, they would know instantly.
Neville took a deep breath as he stood next to his broom, letting the energy and the pre-match tension flow through him. When he had first sat on a broom at Hogwarts, it had been a disaster. But so much had changed since then.
He glanced over at Ginny who had a look of sheer determination on her face. A whistle blew and the captains walked towards the referee for the coin toss. Hannah stood in the middle of the pitch, hands on her hips, and looking very different to how Neville was used to. She caught his eye and smiled and Neville felt the heat rise to his cheeks.
–Teams, mount your brooms!â€
Neville felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. His flying had improved but he was nowhere near at the same level as many of the other players.
–Captains, shake hands,†Hannah said, and Paul and Ginny stepped to the centre and obeyed. Ginny’s team, arrayed behind her, was dressed in purple robes (good practice for Transfiguration classes that barely mattered these days); Paul’s was in grey. The teams waited, poised for takeoff.
And then Hannah released the balls, and a sudden and loud cheer rose from the stands as Neville and the others took their places on the pitch, the Chasers streaking off after the Quaffle. Mark Bradley narrowly beat Astoria to it, and passed it on to Demelza.
–And purple takes possession!†Ernie cried.
Neville watched nervously as Demelza streaked up the pitch toward him. Ritchie slammed a Bludger in her direction which managed to throw her off course. She swerved to the left to avoid being hit and lost her grip on the Quaffle. Neville cheered as it slipped from Demelza’s fingers and was caught by Astoria, who was flying just a few feet below her. She quickly passed it to Iwan. There was no one between him and the goals but Susan, the purple team’s Keeper. He took a shot at the centre hoop and watched as it sailed though.
Susan sent the Quaffle flying to Demelza, who caught it and lobbed it over to Seamus. Neville grimaced as Jack Sloper hit a Bludger towards Vaisey, who was tailing Seamus closely. Vaisey flipped around sharply and let out a jubilant whoop as the Bludger whistled past. There was a collective gasp from the stands at the quick manoeuvre.
Seamus streaked towards Neville and he took a deep breath, readying himself. Seamus pulled his arm back, aiming the Quaffle towards the left hoop, but Vaisey stretched forward suddenly and snatched it away just as the ball left Seamus’s hands.
A mixture of boos and cheers came from the stands, and Neville found himself going a bit limp with relief as Vaisey turned away with the Quaffle. Seamus and Bradley closed in on Vaisey from either side, their strategy apparently to simply keep up with him and catch the Quaffle the moment it left his hands. They were so close they nearly knocked elbows with him, but stayed just this side of a foul, zooming on towards Susan’s goalposts together.
Vaisey came to a sudden stop midair and chucked the Quaffle to Iwan, who had circled behind.
–Nice play by Jonathan Vaisey,†Ernie said, somewhat grudgingly. –Cadwallader in possession, he passes to Greengrass. She takes the shot, but she’s forced to swerve by Padma Patil’s Bludger. Nice aim, Padma! Now Greengrass to Vaisey. It looks like he might score, there goes the Quaffle, and Susan saves it!â€
The first years were going crazy. It didn’t seem to matter who did what, they were just overjoyed to be watching their first match. Any remaining fear of discovery the younger students may have felt at the start of the match had been forgotten.
–And the purple team have possession.â€
Mark and Demelza zoomed down the pitch, lobbing the Quaffle back and forth at a rapid pace. Astoria swooped between them and intercepted the ball. There was a loud screech of frustration and Neville looked up to see Ginny circling the pitch, scowling down at Astoria as she took a sharp left and flew back towards Susan. She nodded at Padma, who took aim and sent a Bludger hurtling towards Astoria, who was so focused on the goal that she didn’t seem to notice.
–Watch out! Bludger!†he shouted without hesitation.
Astoria’s head whipped round as she heard Neville’s yell, and she swerved to evade the Bludger. Her reflexes, unfortunately, weren’t quite as good as Vaisey’s and she caught a glancing blow to the arm that made her drop the Quaffle. Demelza caught it and zipped away towards Neville, Quaffle tucked firmly under her arm, determination in every line of her body.
Neville’s hands clenched on his broom handle, and he held his breath as he tried to ready himself to move quickly. Demelza drew ever closer, dodging Coote’s Bludger, outstripping Iwan as he tailed her.
Neville watched her every move, hoping for some indication as to which goal she would try for. He was unprepared when she flew straight toward the centre goal, but threw the Quaffle to the left. There was no way Neville could get there fast enough, though he tried, only to have a closer view of the Quaffle soaring through.
–Purple team scores! Ten to ten,†shouted Ernie as Neville chased the ball.
Grey and purple swirled in front of him as he threw the Quaffle as hard as he could to the closest grey robed player.
Ginny pulled up beside him for a brief moment, giving him a friendly grin.
–Better luck next time, Longbottom!†she said with a laugh, speeding off across the pitch before Neville could reply.
–And Vaisey has the Quaffle!â€
Neville watched as Vaisey, Iwan, and Astoria wove around the purple players, lobbing the Quaffle between them. Iwan sped up, heading for the left goal before flipping the Quaffle behind him to Astoria as Susan jerked her broom in response to the false goal. Astoria threw the ball through the right hoop with a triumphant whoop.
–Ten more points for the greys!â€
The stands erupted in cheers again as the Quaffle was thrown back into play. Seamus caught it and threw it down the pitch to Demelza. She headed for the goal again, but a Bludger whizzing past in front of her face stopped her momentarily - long enough for Iwan and Vaisey to get between her and Mark, further along the pitch. She tried to get around Iwan, but he blocked her; the same result when she tried to go round Vaisey, or through the middle.
–Come off it!†she shouted, annoyed, and Vaisey and Iwan exchanged smug looks.
This moment of inattentiveness was enough. Jack hit a well-aimed Bludger right between their heads, so that it struck both their cheeks. In the split second that it took them to realise what had happened, Demelza dived underneath them and zoomed across the pitch until she was close enough to pass the Quaffle to Mark.
"What a move from Jack Sloper!" called out Ernie. "The grey Chasers better hope he doesn't keep up this aim! And Bradley makes for the goal..."
Demelza spun around again, and Seamus joined her to block the two other Chasers.
Neville blanched. Mark was coming at him too fast. His hands slipped from the broom and he swung around underneath it, struggling to hold on to the handle with just one hand. His feet flailed about as he tried to get back upon the broom, twisting around behind the hoops. He could hear Ernie in the background but with the blood rushing to his head everything else was a distant buzz.
–Bradley shoots…â€
With one final heave, Neville’s foot kicked out, right through the centre hoop as the Quaffle flew in from the other side.
–Foul!†cried Seamus.
Iwan and Ritchie helped him get back onto his broom properly, and within moments he was safe, if a bit winded. His face felt hot, and he was probably red as a beet. He’d known going in that he wasn’t as good as the others, but actually falling off his broom and getting a foul by accident was more than he’d expected.
–And the referee’s awarded team purple a penalty shot for Flacking,†Ernie said over the noise of the crowd.
Neville straightened, pushing away his embarrassment and nerves. Third time’s the charm, surely, he thought.
Mark took the penalty, but to Neville's relief, the Quaffle soared past the goal hoops at least six feet too far on the left. Now Vaisey, who had been in the exact right position, caught it and sped off with it, Astoria and Iwan on either side. A Bludger, hit by Padma, zoomed across all three of them, but they lay flat on their brooms and avoided it. Jack aimed another Bludger right at Vaisey, but Ritchie flew in and intercepted with his Beater's bat, giving the three Chasers the time to manoeuvre around the Beaters.
–And Vaisey passes to Greengrass who passes back to Cadwallader… and the greys score!â€
Neville punched the air without thinking and Paul swooped down to pat him on the back, briefly.
–Thirty points to ten for the grey team.â€
Neville, forgetting his previous embarrassment, steeled himself as the purple Chasers pelted towards him. Seamus held the Quaffle tightly against his side as Astoria and Vaisey tailed him closely. Suddenly, Astoria spun away with a yelp as Seamus’s left elbow made contact with her ribs. Above him, Neville heard Ginny laugh.
Seamus shoved past Vaisey and the ball spun towards Neville.
***
An uneasy silence had fallen over the dungeon, punctuated only by Terry’s cries of pain from Alecto’s office. A clear division had formed, those who distrusted Jonathan silently grouping together, and those who were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt rallying around Neville and Jonathan. The tension had curdled by this point, and even Ginny’s glares were losing strength.
–Psst.â€
The hiss came from the doorway, only just cracked open. Several heads shot up, but Neville was the one to answer softly, –Yes?â€
–I’m here to help, but I’m not sure how,†the voice murmured.
"Well, we need to get out of here," Seamus said, the disagreement about Jonathan temporarily forgotten.
Neville moved to the door and tried to push it further open, but the person on the other side still seemed reluctant to step into the dungeon. Removing his hands from the door, Neville instead asked, "Is any of the Carrow's pets in the corridor outside keeping a look out?"
There was a brief pause. "Not as far as I can tell," the voice replied. "Are you very badly hurt?"
At that moment, Neville caught a glimpse at the person's eyes.
–You?†he whispered in disbelief.
–Who is it?†asked Ginny crawling over to the door and crouching behind Neville. –I can hardly see in here, it’s so bloody dim.â€
–Yes, me,†replied the voice. –And there’s no need to sound so surprised.â€
***
The Quaffle hurtled through the right hoop and Neville groaned as the stands erupted with cheers and whistles.
–Purple score!†shouted Ernie with glee, not even bothering to mask his obvious support. –Thirty points to twenty for the greys. And Cadwallader has the Quaffle, passes to Vaisey… and he’s dropped it! Nice Bludger there from Sloper.â€
Mark scooped up the Quaffle, and passed it off to Seamus, who bulled down the pitch and scored a goal on Neville. Astoria took possession of the Quaffle when it went back into play, but the purple Chasers used the grey team’s own tactics against them, Seamus and Demelza blocking Astoria while Mark circled below. Padma deflected the Bludger meant for Seamus, and this time it ended in a tussle and a penalty to team purple for cobbing.
Demelza made the goal, putting purple ahead of grey for the first time. After that, the competition grew more intense.
Neville felt beads of sweat trickling onto his brow. He couldn't let another Quaffle in. Already, Seamus was zooming towards him again, and now there were no grey Chasers around to block him. They were all being held far off by the Bludgers Padma and Jack were lobbing at them. Seamus got ever closer, leaning forward on his broom. Neville didn't even dare blink. There was a split second when nothing seemed to move, and then Seamus threw - and Neville caught the Quaffle safely in both hands. With all his strength, he threw it across the pitch.
Astoria zoomed up the pitch and plucked the Quaffle out of the air as if it were a feather. All the other players were far behind her as she approached Susan. She zigzagged towards the goals and sent the Quaffle flying through the center hoop as Susan lunged to the right.
–Greengrass scores!†shouted Ernie. –That leaves them tied at forty points each.â€
Suddenly, there was a collective gasp from the stands and Neville looked up to see a streak of purple and grey cut across the pitch.
–And it seems our Seekers have spotted the Snitch!â€
Neville couldn’t help but watch as Paul and Ginny streaked after the Snitch, neck to neck. They soared up to the ceiling of the Room of Requirement, then swooped sharply towards the stands, skating at the edge of the boundary line, almost close enough to touch the spectators. The cheering from the crowd rose to a deafening volume as the Seekers closed in on their quarry, inching past one another by turns.
–This is going to be a close one!†Ernie enthused, his voice nearly drowned out by spectators.
The Seekers were flattened against their broom handles now, hands outstretched.
The whole match paused as everyone watched the two seekers. Paul had longer arms, and his fingertips were almost grazing the Snitch now...
***
Ginny's mouth opened in surprise. "But then-"
Whatever she was going to say was interrupted as a shriek came from the other side of the door.
"Put me down, you oaf!" the voice was screaming.
"Gotcha," came a deep grunt. Then someone kicked the door to the dungeon fully open, and all around the room, people got up and stared in disbelief.
Standing there was Gregory Goyle, trying to hold a kicking and screaming Astoria.
–Ooh another traitor!†crowed Goyle as he threw Astoria into the dungeons and slammed the door shut behind her. They could hear his grunty laugh echo down the corridor as he no doubt left to inform the Carrows of their latest prisoner.
–What in Merlin’s name are you doing here?†demanded Ginny with a blazing look in her eyes.
–What in Merlin’s name does it look like, Weasley? I didn’t realise you were as thick as your brother,†Astoria hissed back. –I was trying to help you idiots escape.â€
–What’s in it for you?†asked Seamus.
–I felt guilty, okay?â€
–It was you, then,†Ginny said, her voice dangerous.
–Me?†Astoria asked.
–Don’t play innocent,†Seamus said impatiently. –You told.â€
–I didn’t!†Astoria said. –I just felt guilty because you got caught and I didn’t. Everyone knows what the Carrows are like.â€
–A likely story,†Seamus huffed.
Neville rose abruptly. –Can we just stop blaming people?†he shouted. –We haven’t got any proof. Besides, there are more important things right now.â€
Ginny’s fists clenched, and Neville knew with a sick feeling in his gut that a blazing row was about to break out.
But then the door opened again.
Everyone stared as a terrified looking Zacharias Smith was pushed inside. Crabbe and Goyle seemed beside themselves with glee at the number of people they had managed to catch. –I hope we get to practice a few Crucios on you lot,†Goyle said as he laughed and shut the door behind them. Zacharias looked like he might pass out any moment.
–What are you doing here, Smith?†Neville asked, looking confused.
–I wanted to warn you that The Carrows found out what you were up to,†he replied defensively.
–Thanks for trying, but how did you know where we were?â€
Zacharias looked around at everyone, his breaths short, sharp, and panicked. He looked like he was about to wet himself any second.
–I knew something was up and just wanted to help, so when Susan and the others left the common room tonight I followed them-â€
He was interrupted as the door to dungeons opened yet again.
–Oh, what now?†yelled Ginny in frustration.
Goyle appeared once more, his wand pointing directly at Neville.
Hannah reached out to grab Neville’s hand, but before he could react someone grabbed him by the neck and he was dragged out into the corridor.
***
In Neville’s memory, time slowed down as Paul and Ginny closed in on the Snitch, nearly stopping. A long beat of his heart measured out the time between Paul’s hand closing on the Snitch and Ernie’s voice shouting, –The alarm’s been sounded!â€
In reality, it was a mess of actions all running together. There was general panic, the spectators pouring out of the stands towards the exits while the off-shift sentries tried to impose some kind of order. Parvati corralled the first-years and got them out first; that at least ran to plan. The rest was chaotic at best.
While Parvati directed the frightened first years who had forgotten which door they were supposed to leave through, the players all sped to the ground. Neville and Ginny helped get the Gryffindor first years out one exit, while Padma and Terry did the same for the Ravenclaws. Susan and Ernie herded the Hufflepuffs out through the door which opened closest to their common room. Neville knew he’d have to stay until the last person was out so that no one else could get in. He watched Vaisey grab Astoria’s hand as they sprinted for their own exit.
Neville rushed back to the stands to make sure everyone had left as the remaining members of Dumbledore’s Army rallied the last few stragglers out of the exits.
–Neville, come on!†Ginny yelled as she ran to the Gryffindor exit. –Everyone’s out. Get your bum over here now!â€
Neville sprinted towards her. He watched as Hannah, Susan, and Paul disappeared through the Hufflepuff exit and Terry through the Ravenclaw one.
His feet pounded across the pitch to where the last Gryffindors waited.
–Let’s go!†he yelled and they hurtled through the door.
There was a flash of red.
–Stupefy!â€
Neville couldn’t stop himself in time; he tripped and went sprawling over something large, squishy and rather warm.
–Oh Merlin, Lavender,†he said when he realised what it was he’d stumbled over. She was unconscious, but he realised a moment later that that was the least of their problems. Seamus was down too, and as Neville watched, Demelza fell to the floor, Stunned. He scrambled up to help Ginny fend off their assailants - Carrows’ goons, Crabbe and a pair of nasty sixth years - but they were outnumbered now, and within moments Neville too fell to one of their Stunners.
***
Neville was shoved roughly into a chair by Alecto. She had a murderous look on her face, like she was determined to break him this time. She started with a stinging hex to his face. –Tell me who else was there!†she screamed. I know there were more.â€
‘There weren’t,†Neville answered back. We were just practising, we thought we’d have a little fun-â€
–Lies!†she screamed. –Crucio!â€
Neville screamed; he couldn’t help it. White hot pain coursed through his body. She put all of her anger into the curse. When she stopped, she asked again, –Who else, Longbottom?â€
–There was no one!†Neville repeated. –We didn’t have enough people for two teams, so we just flew around a bit, that’s all!â€
When Alecto brandished her wand again, Neville twitched. This was of course not the first time that he had been in a situation like this, but the Cruciatus Curse was still close to too much for him to bear in this quantity. He gulped, clenched and unclenched his fists, and thought of his parents. He had to be strong for them. Keep up this lie.
He looked back up at Carrow. –You got us all, honestly.â€
Alecto sneered at him.
–That’s not what your little friend Zacharias Smith told us when he came running to my office this evening. Crucio!â€
Neville gritted his teeth as the pain burned through him. Smith! That pathetic, evil little boy. He had thanked him! Neville had thanked him for trying to warn them and…
–He’s lying!†gasped Neville. –He’s just trying to pay me back for not letting him copy my Potion notes.â€
Alecto grabbed him by the chin and yanked his face towards her own.
–Maybe one of your girlfriends will have something else to say. And if they don’t, we’ll have another chat with Smith. Take him back to the dungeons!â€
Neville returned to the dungeon, aching and barely able to walk straight, and the first sound that greeted his ears was Smith’s voice.
–…and I was looking for you lot to warn you, and they caught me.â€
Neville felt a jolt of rare red-hot anger go through him. He caught himself against the wall, willing his legs not to buckle, and said, –How dare you.â€
Smith’s eyes grew wide as saucers in his worried face.
–How dare you lie to us and try to ingratiate yourself with us when you were the one who gave us up to the Carrows?â€
–Hang on,†said Ginny. –Neville, what are you talking about?â€
Alecto shoved Neville into the room. –You’re up next,†she spat at Ginny.
–Neville, what’s going on?†Ginny repeated, not moving. –He was only trying to help, didn’t you hear him?â€
Zacharias fidgeted for a moment, then looked up and said, –Yeah, I was just trying to warn you. I knew something was going on even if-â€
–Just shut up and stop pretending like you’re a hero,†Neville groaned.
Alecto was pushing past him now to get to Ginny, who still stood rooted to the spot.
–Please,†said Smith, pathetically. –I didn’t mean for this to happen.â€
Neville had no idea what the others were reacting like; he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the boy who had risked them their lives. The Carrows made no excuses for their violence towards rebellious students and Smith knew exactly what he was doing when he ratted them out.
–You better watch out-†Ginny was cut off as Alecto pulled her from the room.
Zacharias fell to his knees.
–Please!â€
Neville turned to Seamus and cocked his head to the side in question.
–So, what shall we do with him?â€
End Notes:
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