This was wrong, all so wrong! This wasn’t Hogwarts at all! The magnificent and majestic ancient castle was now hell on a hill top. The opening feast had not been the usual joyous and happy affair that it normally was, re-uniting of friends who had not seen one another since before the summer. There was no song from the sorting hat; there were no celebrations as the students were welcomed to any house bar Slytherin. Everything in the castle was green and silver, Hogwarts was officially the Syltherin manor. Connie had very quickly learnt what happened when you protected one of your own, and as she walked down Dark Arts (no longer was it Defence against) she looked down to the large welt on her arm. “Fucking Carrow’s” Hissed Seamus from her side causing Connie to whip her head to the side.
“Don’t let them hear you say that” Neville said quietly, as they walked behind a group of Slytherin students.
“Bunch of cowards… attacking a little first year like that!” Seamus spat shaking his head.
“Nothing different there” Connie replied as she took out her wand, and wiggled it over the hex scorch mark. A timid little first year had been targeted by the Slytherin bullies, and Connie and her protective nature had rushed to her aid. In response, the female Carrow had hexed her in front of everyone and then forbidden her to eat. So not only did she suffer the scalding hex she was also exceptionally hungry. There wasn’t a lot she could do without a potion, but she was able to sooth the burning skin somewhat. Connie had not given the bitch the satisfaction of screaming or crying, she had managed to hold herself together and simply glare. But now, there was no denying she was in pain.

They walked into the classroom, and it was all dark and Amycus Carrow stood at the front of the classroom. He greeted the Slytherin students with a friendly ease, before looking at all the rest with contempt. Elsie curled her lip and she took a seat, before the teacher spoke up. “No no, Pettiwick” His voice snarled from across the room. “After your performance this morning, you’ll be working under the eye of Mr Zabini” He said with a cruel laugh. Connie froze and she eyed Carrow before looking to Zabini. She snatched her bag and moved to the desk where he sat. “And Zabini, you have my permission to keep her in line, shall we say” he finished with an amused smirk.

Connie stopped beside Blaise and she looked to him, her hex mark seemed to burn harder. Over the years, she had been fighting an attraction to the jumped up Slytherin. They had foolishly succumbed the year previous, sharing a kiss before screaming insults at one another. Connie almost hated herself for harbouring the feelings she had for him, and she looked away from him. The blonde took her seat and took her wand and book from her bag, wincing a little as the raw skin on her arm was stretched. She looked back over her shoulder to her fellow Gryffindor students and her friends; at least there was comfort in numbers. She had a horrible feeling that she would somehow be used in this lesson. She had been back at Hogwarts a week, and the Carrow’s regularly used students as dummies to perform spells and curses on, physical punishment was not beneath them.

“Now the Unforgivable curses” Carrow said with a laugh. “These curses shall be mandatory through the year, under our Dark Lords reign and against all filthy blood traitors, you will find these little spells a welcomed knowledge” he went on. He spoke of them with fondness, as they were mere charms. They were deadly and most brutal, and as were named they were unforgivable. But the minions of Voldemort were sick anyway, in her own opinion. This was to be their world now. With the death of Dumbledore and the fall of the ministry, hope was virtually non-existent. She sighed and pushed a hand through her hair, and tried to hide the disgust from her face.

. . .

Neville watched as Connie was called away to the front of the class and he looked down, this year was going to be hell. There had been no sighting or tale of Harry, Ron or Hermione, and without Dumbledore, Hogwarts had become a terrifying institute. He sat down with the other Gryffindor students, Seamus, and Lavender, Pavati and Ally. He offered the latter an awkward smile before fumbling in his bag and pulling out his wand and book. Ally, she had been his closest friend throughout the years, the one who had always been on his side. He had been a walking accident, and his magical capabilities were poor to say the least. But at the end of each bad lesson and failed spell attempt, she had always been there with a friendly ear and hand. Seamus often mocked him for it, but Neville did not have the confidence. Seamus didn’t tease him anymore, Dean had not returned to school this year and without his best mate his spark seemed to have gone. Everyone’s spark seemed to have gone, Hogwarts wasn’t what it used to be anymore, and by the looks of it, it never would be the same again.

The Carrow brother began to talk about the curses, and once again Neville froze. His parents had been tortured into insanity, and it had been because of one of these curses. His hands shook and he dropped his wand, and it clattered to the floor. Neville closed his eyes; bringing attention to yourself was one way to quickly become the example. “Aha!” Cried out Carrow, mid talk about the curses. “We have ourselves a volunteer” He said as Neville tried to get his wand quietly, and causing more noise than possible. “Longbum… if you please” He said loudly, and the Slytherin students all laughed. Neville flushed red and he slowly got to his feet, shaking from top to toe. “Longbottom” He whispered.
“What was that?” Carrow called, angry that someone had answered back.
“Longbottom” Neville said a little louder, holding his head higher.

From nowhere, confidence filled him, not bold and head strong, but a need to keep his head high and not be a coward. “Really now… Well, Longbottom, up here” Carrow grunted, that troll like quality evident in his voice. He walked to the desk, still shaking but not as trembling as he was before. He clambered to the front of the classroom and stopped before Carrow, and he swallowed, staring at the Death Eater in the face. “Maybe we should try the cruiatus curse on you, see if you last as long as mummy and daddy” He teased. Neville felt himself grow angry at the taunt, as he did when anyone mentioned his parents. Sparks flew out of his wand without intention, and luckily it went unnoticed. “And how about we try one of your little friends. Sabre! Here now!” He ordered, and Neville turned to look at Ally.

Hogwarts was once a home. A beautiful place filled with laughter and talk of the future, but it was all so distant now, and all one Alessandra Sabre could do was cling to the little hope she had left. She was normally bright and optimistic, but this last week back had been nothing short of disaster. No muggleborn students were in attendance, all of them either on the run or hiding, or both. Just like her father, whom she was worried for. The last memory she had with him was the argument they had about her return to Hogwarts. But her brother assured their father he would give her some tips and she was allowed to return. And her mind had been a haze since.

Walking into the Dark Arts class was the worst of it all. But she had friends. Connie and Neville were her biggest supports, but Connie was so far away. And the small smile Neville offered, it offered some ease, so she returned the small favor. But this lesson was already going to be hell in a hanf basket, and when Neville dropped his wand and Carrow called him forth, Ally held her breath. Neville had every reason to be sensitive to the subject, and Ally couldn't help the fact her eyes softened when he was interacting with Carrow. The fact that it didn't go unnoticed was what got her called up to the front, she was sure. Still, Ally remained silent and held her head high as she approached the front.

"Alright, Sabre, use the cruciatus curse on Longbottom." He demanded, and Ally froze. Notonly was she completely unable to use the curses period, she could never turn her wand on her best friend.

"No," she whispered, and Carrow looked at her.

"What did you say?" He asked, more or less hissed really.

"I said no." She spoke again, more clearly and louder, and that earned her a glare that sent daggers througb her soul it felt.

"Then perhaps a demonstration is inorder." He cackled. Her hearing faded as pain jolted through her, she had barely heard the curse be called, and it was taking everything she had to not succumb. But she did, her body falling, first to her knees as tears filled her eyes, a scream escaping her. Then it stopped, but her body still burned and she felt like she was being stabbed endlessly, and she barely realized she was fully on the ground before hearing a manic laugh.

"Anyone else?" Carrow's voice came. Staring down at her. She could feel what little strength she had leaving her as she barely managed to bring herself up, tears still coming as she tried to stand tall. Nothing could have prepared her for that, nor what happened next.

- - -

He was a prince amongst the rest. A tall, dark, and handsome prince with quite a reputation. But did that bother Blaise Zabini at all? Why should it? His reputation gave him a good edge,and with all that was going on already, he was glad to have it. He was in the good graces of all the teachers, and though he dare not say it aloud, he wasn't allied either way really. Though, being in Slytherin, and a seventh year at that, made people assume, but he didn't mich care to correct them.

He did have to say that some of the Slytherins were annoying him. Picking on a first year was very beneath them, and with the castle their playground, Blaise still knew to keep a noble air about him. He was essentially royalty here after all. Still, through his own haze of thoughts and pleasant greetings he was given the task of babysitting Pettiwick. A right pain in the side if you asked him. He would deny any sort of pull he felt to her.

She may have been gorgeous and pureblooded,but she was a blood traitor and hr couldn't be associated with that. The kiss last year was a fluke, as he recalled throwing insults at her jusy as viciously as she had to him.

Still, the class was starting off, and he gave her a look, his eyes nearly locking hers. "Be on your best behavior." He coolly taunted her, but as Longbottom and Sabre were called forth, he could see her tense. Just as she had with the first year and his idiot housemates. Sabre surprised him though, and when their teacher's wand turned on her, he grabbed hold of Pettiwick. It was a good five minutes of the girl, who was obviously fighting her own screams, being tortured before it stopped. Carrow was smiling, viciously, but after that, he turned back to Longbottom.

"Now, let's see if you outlast mummy and daddy." Carrow said, his eyes dangerously lit.

Blaise was far from a protector, and Connie was far from his worries, but he had seen her act before, and it had to be stopped. Don't think differently of him, but he needed to save this confrontation foe another day.

"Professor Carrow." He began smoothly, and the man looked to him. "How do you know you're working the curse right? You work it so effortlessly, and call me thorough, but when I go to use it, I don't want a backfire." He explained.

He seemed to have stroked the man's ego well for the moment, as he directed his attention away from Sabre and Longbottom for the moment to nod and explain it as best he could.

Maybe Blaise had ulterior motive, but for now, he would just play off the curious angle, as he had never once used the curse before. "Come on up here, Zabini, you too Pettiwick. Time for a learning experience." Carrow cackled.

She looked to Blaise as he spoke and her lips curled in disgust, she wanted to hate him so much. But she didn’t, and that frustrated her to know end, infuriated her! He was so up himself, more so than the normal Slytherin’s who walked around like their shit didn’t stink. Connie was sat as far away from him as the desk permitted, but being the other side of the world would have been too close for her liking. “Go screw yourself” She uttered back, not really giving a toss about anything or being caught. But her attention was quickly gained by Carrow as he called Neville up to the front, and she froze, dread filling her. What was he going to do to him? Nothing good or pleasant she knew that! He would humiliate poor Neville, the sick and twisted bastard!

Indeed, the Cruciatus curse was threatened and Ally was called upon to administer it. Connie was disgusted! They were all children! She turned and looked as one of her best friends walked up to the front and faced Neville. The would-be lovers (if it wasn’t for their own shyness) faced one another, looking frightened yet admirably determined. Like true Gryffindor’s, they faced their quarry with brave heart. And Ally refused to use the curse or Neville, and Connie smiled. But her happiness was short lived. For Carrow turned on Ally himself. Connie reached for her wand and was about to silently cast a shield charm, but Blaise’s hand shot out and he grabbed a hold of her. Did he know her that well? She struggled against his grasp but he was strong, and she looked at him with pure loathing as her friends screams drummed into her ears.

When it stopped, she pulled herself from his grasp and turned to watch her friends return to the back, wanting to run to them and comfort them. She only looked back when Blaise spoke once again, about wanting to perform the curse correctly. Connie looked to him, shocked more than anything. An almost admirable quality about Blaise was that he was above all the other snake like qualities of the Slytherin students. He thought himself above the rest that was for sure. But he was not one to cast sneaky spells and pick on younger students, and she had never heard him act in a Death Eater way. But wanting to know how to correctly perform the torture curse? She shook her head, even more repulsed with the fact that she had this unyielding desire for him.

And then her name was said, and the pair of them was called from the front. Connie got up from her chair and walked to the front, and she kept her head high and despite knowing what was coming, she did not show fear or anxiety. Carrow talked to Blaise alone, instructing him and telling him to mean it. Connie glared, she would not sink so low as to return the curse. However, her shield charms were second to none. So when Blaise turned his wand on her she screamed “Protego Maxima” in her head and the shield was before her. The curse rebounded and shattered Carrow’s desk. She was going to pay dearly for that!

. . .

He watched as she walked to the front of the class and that knot tightening further inside his chest. Neville would rather suffer the curse than put Ally though it, and he did not want to put her through having to conjure it either. He swallowed hard and looked to the face that he had found so much comfort in, the girl he had been harbouring attractions too since day one of his first year. Carrow demanded she perform the curse and he readied himself, giving an Ally a look. He would not hold it against her and he would not think any less of her. It was not the first time he had been cursed or tortured, and not forgetting the small collection of scars he was collecting. But then she refused and Neville closed his eyes, she would now be punished for it. “No Ally, I…” He began but a flick of the wand and Carrow silenced him and he was now frozen still.

Carrow performed the curse on her and her screams filled the classroom. You could not fight the cruciatus curse, no matter how powerful a witch or wizard. It would take over you, the pain unbearable, searing through every nerve and inch of your being. He fought desperately against the invisible binds of his hold, and when Carrow laughed and the Slytherin students chorused too, Neville was released and he rushed to her side as she crumpled on the floor, his hands taking a hold of her. “Anyone else?” Demanded the teacher as Neville looked to Ally’s drained face. He tried to offer her a comforting smile, but rage was settling in. He glared at Carrow, wanting nothing more than to punch the son of a bitch, to smash his face to a bloodied pulp.

They had to act, they could not go on like this! Neville would not last much longer here, he knew that, but he wasn’t worried about himself. He cared so deeply for Ally, and that was what spurred his mind into thinking, about some form of rebellion. He scoped Ally up, and carried her to the back of the room. Seamus and Lavender pulled out the chair and Neville sat her down, as Pavati passed her a cup of water. Neville looked back to Carrow, glaring as Zabini spoke. And then another of his friends was called to the front, and Connie was now to face the horrors of the curse. He shook his head and he whispered low “We have to do something”
“Like what?” Lavender asked in a terrified whisper as Connie stood opposite Blaise Zabini, scared of watching another of their friends tortured.
“Nothing we can do” Seamus replied, and the Irish lad gripped his wand so tight that red sparks burst from the tip. Seamus had harboured a long standing crush on Connie, so Neville knew how he felt now.
“Yes there is” Neville replied. “It’s time to resurrect the DA” He finished.

Ally could barely comprehend the world around her, everything was hazy, and she could feel everything still burning as if she had been thrown into a fire. She could barely feel Neville had knelt beside her once the intensity faded. She assumed that Carrow had stopped, but she still felt pain. Every fear her father had for her returning was realized, but Ally wouldn't leave her friends behind. Not when so many others had. But, she didn't blame them, knowing just how dangerous a place Hogwarts had become since Snape took over as headmaster.

The next thing she felt was Neville scoop her up into his arms, and finally the pain began to dull to where it was bearable enough to think. Neville, her Neville, had been protected from the curse for now, and that was enough to ease her mind. She had protected him for the day, and would be glad when they got to Flitwick's class next period. At least he wasn't psychotic.

After Neville set her down, and Pavati passed her the glass of water, she found it in herself to move enough to place a hand on Neville's knee.However, horror filled her as Connie and Zabini were called forth, but Ally knew Connie. She would be okay. At least telling herself that was enough to keep her mind at ease. Then Neville's voice came, and she gave a small nod."You know i'm in." She whispered. The coin had barely left her pocket, and Seamus nodded as well, but she could see some concern in him through a sidelong glance.

Then Carrow's desk shattering filled the room, and silence came shortly thereafter. Ally reached for her wand, but it hurt too much to move with any speed still, and if she was honest, breathing hurt even. She suddenly noticed she had been holding her breath after the loud crash filled the room. Carrow was a sadist, and watching his face turn was enough to make Ally involuntarily cringe.

--

A bullet had been dodged for the moment, but another was lining up, and it was almost lined up enough to kill. Sure, Blaise didn't much care for Petterwick, but that also didn't mean he wished this curse on her. Hell, he didn't wish it upon anyone, and he had merely asked for an explanation, not a field test. There were so many ways this could go wrong, but Blaise managed to uphold his cool facade. With some luck he would be able to conjure the curse just long enough to show he comprehended what Carrow told him.

That you have to want to do harm to the person it is for, or you really have to feel it. Something in which Blaise wasn't quite sure he was capable of. But still, he dug his own hole, so it was time.

Carrow seemed way too pleased as Blaise raised his wand, and then he spoke. "Crucio."

It felt foreign in his mouth, and he watched as the stream of light headed towards Petterwick, but it rebounded and shattered the desk that belonged to Carrow. He remained relatively calm, but he was relieved that she had protected herself.

Fuck. He wasn't thinking that. He should have been pissed, angry, sometging else, but Carrow seemed to channel all of the negativity. He raised his was to Petterwick, and as the spell flew it rebounded again, but a voice came with it.

"This class is dismissed for the day." The droned tone of Snape's voice, and his face looked to Carrow. No one had really seen much of Snape since school let back in, but he guessed even the headmaster had things that were more important. "Come Amycus, there are things we need to..." he paused. "Discuss."

He saw Carrow glare at Snape before it was directed to Petterwick. "You heard him, get!" He bellowed, and Blaise walked over and grabbed his things, still rather confused as to what had just happened.

Her whole being froze, there was no doubt she would pay for that. But Snape’s voice broke through and Connie closed her eyes for a moment, her punishment would be delayed. She swallowed and as Snape shouted, she looked over to Blaise. They returned to their desk and Connie stuffed her belongings back in her bag. The shock of what had happened had numbed her, unaware of the scold on her arm she left the room quickly. She joined with her friends and Seamus placed a hand on her shoulder. “Alright there Connie?” He asked, and the blonde nodded.

“I am going to pay big time for that” She said, pushing a hand through her hair. She looked up and caught Blaise’s gaze as he strode past, and there was not a single shred of friendly recognition, and although she was downright furious, there was nothing as she looked to him.
“I think it was amazing” Neville whispered as they walked. He cast a shifty eye toward the paintings and the still suits of armour. It was not a secret that the decorations of the castle now serve as spies to Snape and the Carrow’s. Any word against the new regime would be reported and punished, and so all talks were kept to a hushed whisper. Except in the dormitories. They had surfaced a handy little spell that rendered the paintings deaf to negative talk, instead they would hear simply a muffled noise. Harry, Ron and Hermione had used it before, and it came in handy.
“Yer crazy Neville, she’ll be punished for sure!” Seamus whispered back.
“Yes, but it is about time we started standing up to them all” Neville replied. This perked Connie’s interest and she looked back to the group, and Neville pushed his hand into his pocket, and pulled out the coin that Hermione had given them all in their fifth year.
“The DA?” Connie asked, and she smiled.
“Harry, Ron and Hermione are out there doing something, trying to defeat you-know-who… We should help them” Neville said. Neville Longbottom, long known for his lack of confidence and inferior magical abilities was suddenly now stating his desire to lead a rebellion. He looked to Ally, it was her that gave him the boost that he needed. His blossoming care for the girl now turned to protectiveness, not wanting harm to befall her, action needed to be taken. He looked back to Connie who had a smile on her face.
“I’m in” She said, with a nod of the head. A rebellion, something which she would be perfectly suited too, And causing chaos for Snape and his minions? It would be a pleasure. They made their way to Charms, and Connie excused herself.

She walked to the end of the corridor and headed toward the girls bathroom, hope spreading through her. Perhaps they could survive this year, and help their absent friends. Hogwarts, it meant so much to them all. And they owed it to Dumbledore, the man who too loved this school and was now buried in its grounds. She turned the corner and slipped into the girl’s bathroom, a small smile on her face.

As Neville and the rest poured into the classroom, the continued their hushed talk of reactivating the DA. Flitwick stood at the front, and Neville knew that the teacher would not scorn them for talking. The teachers who were on Dumbledore’s side did not keep to the new punishments, and showed a fondness for those who the good side. “The room of requirement again?” Neville asked.

Ally was glad when Snape came and unknowingly delayed Connie's punishment. Now was time for her own troubles, moving. She was still in immense pain, and she was having trouble standing on her own two feet, but she wouldn't dare asked for help. People tended to get kicked while down now. Lavender helped her up, and she took up her own books before moving, carefully. She kept feeling as if she would fall over, but Lavender had stayed behind with her.

"Perhaps you should go see Madam Pomfrey, Ally." Lavender whispered, but Ally shook her head.

"I'm okay, Lavender." She assured her friend before catching up to the others. She was pushing herself to move, and it hurt like hell, but she didn't want anyone to worry anymore. She caught Neville looking to her, and she forced a small smile, but relief came when she got to class. She took her seat beside Neville as they continued to talk, and she looked to him.

"We need to be careful with it though." She whispered. "Don't forget the last incident. We need to be very specific, can't leave any loopholes."

"Weren't you and your brother working on disillusionment charms over the summer?" Lavender whispered from behind her, and Ally nodded. "Maybe we could see if those help, maybe you and Connie could work on it. You two are the best of us in charms."

Ally heard Flitwick begin his lesson, and she looked to Neville. "Do you think it would be helpful? Your idea, your call." She whispered to him, opening her book and turning Neville's to the proper page once she caught it. She slumped back, still trying to relax. The pain may have been dulled, but she could still feel it burning through her as aches. It wasn't too bad, and she knew it probably left a mark on Neville. She reached under the table and grabbed hold of his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

When most people looked at Neville, they had a mocking sort of air about themselves. They would belittle him, discourage him even. But when Ally looked at him, she saw the heart of a lion hidden beneath lamb's skin. Now he was starting to break out further than he ever had. . . And as his friend she had never been prouder of him, but it made her worry more.

TO BE FINISHED