The corridor was darker than usual — the torches burned low, as if even the castle was too tired to keep fighting. Neville pressed himself against the wall, breathing hard, listening for footsteps. The Carrows had been patrolling again. They always were now. A whisper cut through the silence. “Neville?” He nearly jumped out of his skin. “Ginny — don’t do that.” She stepped out of the shadows, wand drawn, hair wild from running. “You’re bleeding,” she said, voice low but sharp. “It’s nothing,” Neville muttered, wiping at the cut on his forehead. The blood smeared. Great. Ginny frowned. “They cornered you again, didn’t they?” Neville didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. Ginny swore under her breath. “You can’t keep taking this alone.” “I’m not,” he said quietly. “You’re here.” “That’s not what I meant.” Neville looked down at his hands. They were still shaking. He hated that they shook. “I’m scared, Ginny,” he admitted. “Every time I hear their boots in the hall, I think… this is it. This is the time they go too far.” Ginny stepped closer, her expression softening. “Being scared doesn’t make you weak.” Neville let out a shaky breath. “Feels like it does.” She grabbed his wrist — not gently, but not unkindly either. “Look at me.” He did. “You’re still standing,” she said. “That’s more than half the school can say.” A distant shout echoed down the corridor. Both of them froze. Ginny’s grip tightened. “We need to move.” Neville nodded, forcing his legs to work. “Right. Let’s go.” As they slipped into the darkness, Neville whispered, “I’m trying, you know.” Ginny didn’t look back, but her voice was steady. “I know. And that’s why we’re going to win.”
Counting Stars by One Republic
