Work Text:
Croak.
Plop.
Croak.
Plop.
Another croak.
Another plo–
“Where do you think you are going?” said Neville as he reached down and grabbed Trevor with his dirt-stained hands. “You've been restless.” He gave Trevor a gentle rub before placing him back in his pocket. “Hush now. We have to be quiet and quick.”
He grabbed his shears and began cutting leaves, flowers, and roots from medicinal plants. The guilt gnawed at him as he purposely ignored the dying, brittle plants. He no longer had the time to water and prune the greenhouses. His time was spent wandering the halls looking out for the other students. Neville lost track of how many he came across unconscious or bleeding from a detention session with the Carrows.
The Carrows.
Fuck.
Just thinking about them filled him with anger.
Anger at them.
Anger at the professors who were supposed to be protecting Hogwarts from monsters like them.
Anger at the Ministry for allowing monsters like them to roam free without consequences.
"Fuck," he muttered. He couldn't keep doing this. Spiraling and drowning himself in his anger. What's done is done. Wallowing wouldn't solve anything.
He gathered what he needed and gently wrapped them in cloth. Opening his knapsack, he noticed it was quiet, too quiet.
He patted his pocket and didn't feel Trevor.
"Shit."
"Fuck."
"Trevor."
"Trevor," he hissed. He crouched low and scanned the greenhouse floor. Neville wasn't too worried about not finding him. He knew all the shadows and shapes of his familiar toad. He was more concerned with finding Trevor before the Carrows did.
Croak.
His head whipped towards the direction of the sound.
Trevor leapt onto the sill of an opened window. He croaked once more and leapt out.
"Fuck!" Neville muttered. He quickly cast a disillusionment charm on himself and dashed out of the greenhouse. He rounded the corner and headed toward the window Trevor leapt out of. He heard a faint croak and saw the small, lumpy body of his toad leaping into the Forbidden Forest.
"No!" Neville hissed. "Get back here!" He dashed after Trevor. Running deeper and deeper into the forest.
Trevor idly waited for him on a rotting log. Panting, Neville caught his breath, and his hands dashed out, grasping the toad.
"You little sh—"
His words died as the realization of how dark and quiet the forest was. He didn't know how deep into the forest they were. He took a slow breath, calming down his nerves.
Glancing down at Trevor, he mumbled an apology and tucked his toad companion into his knapsack. Ensuring it was closed, he held his wand tightly and stepped in the direction they came from.
Every step he took was deliberate. Every breath he took was slower. The forest was quiet, and he needed to be too.
A feeling of unease washed over him. There were no owls hooting. No small animals scurrying on the forest floor. His skin prickled, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he faintly heard crying.
Neville stood there conflicted and uncertain. Who else could be here in the forest with him? A friend? An enemy? Or was the forest playing tricks on him?
"Shit. I hope I don't regret this." He mumbled to himself as he headed toward the cries.
He crept closer, and the cries became more distinct.
Soft.
Young.
And feminine.
His steps quickened until he saw her slumping against a pine tree, her head leaning forward. The minimal light from the moon highlighted her pale limbs and dark hair.
"Pansy?" He sputtered. "Pansy!"
Running towards her he saw the state of her. Her uniform top ripped open, her skirt hiked up, and blood between her legs.
Opening his knapsack, he poured out the contents. Leaves, flowers, and roots fell onto the forest floor as he unraveled the bundle. Taking the cloth, he gently draped it over her.
Her head slightly tilted upwards. "Neville?"
"It's me," he replied softly. He took off his jumper and wrapped it around her. "I'm here. You're safe."
Pansy leaned against him. Her body aching. Her head throbbing. She felt the rise and fall of his chest. She heard the beating of his heart. She felt his arms tighten around her.
In his arms, she wept.