Neville�s Story
During the next month, the teachers had started giving a lot of homework. In Transfiguration, they were to research different methods of turning a rat into a box.
After several students had been bitten by Crups, Professor Felina decided they needed to get to know their Crups better.
�So,� Felina said, �I�ve decided that you should each take your Crups for a walk everyday. On days when we don�t have class, you will come during your afternoon break.�
Then one day during Defense Against the Dark Arts, the students were surprised when Professor Wilson told them to put away their books.
�We have been studying curses similar to the Cruciatus Curse,� Wilson said, smiling at them. Then she suddenly became very serious. �Today you will learn about how the Cruciatus Curse affects the people who have encountered it and their families.
�There is someone is this room who has had to deal with this. They have decided to share their story with the class. I will now let the tell their story. If you don�t want to, you don�t have to.�
Everyone looked around the room to see who would stand up.
Neville took a deep breath and stood up. Everyone started whispering as he walked to the front.
Neville looked at the class and then at Professor Wilson.
�It�s okay,� she said.
Neville took another deep breath and told his story. He told them how You-Know-Who had used the curse on his parents. He told them how they had gone insane and were being treated in St. Mungo�s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Neville stopped talking and looked down at his feet. He looked like he was trying not to cry.
�You don�t have to tell them,� Professor Wilson whispered so only Neville could hear her.
Neville stood for a minute. Then he shook his head. He looked up. As he continued, he seemed to be focusing on the wall instead of the class.
He talked about visiting his parents. His voice cracked when he told them that his parents didn�t even recognize him.
�Thank you Neville,� Professor Wilson said. �Now I would like each of you to think about that. You will have no other homework tonight. You�re free to go.�
However, no one left the room. Everyone crowded around Neville. There told him they were sorry about his parents and said he was brave for telling the class.
Eventually people started leaving to go to their next classes.
�Harry,� Ron said, �let�s go!�
�Go on without me,� Harry said. �I forgot my book.�
Harry picked up his book then looked over at Neville, who was trying to get his stuff into his bag.
�Neville,� Harry said, walking over, �I�m sorry about your parents. I know what it�s like to live without parents.�
Neville smiled. �Thanks,� he said. �We�d better go. We�re going to be late.�
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