The Lost Diadem

           "Neville—whatthe—how—?"

           ButNevillehadspottedRonandHermione,andwithyellsofdelightwashuggingthemtoo.ThelongerHarrylookedatNeville,theworseheappeared:Oneofhiseyeswasswollenyellowandpurple,thereweregougemarksonhisface,andhisgeneralairofunkemptnesssuggestedthathehadbeenlivingenough.Nevertheless,hisbatteredvisageshonewithhappinessasheletgoofHermioneandsaidagain,"Iknewyou’dcome!KepttellingSeamusitwasamatteroftime!"

           "Neville,what’shappenedtoyou?"

           "What?This?"Nevilledismissedhisinjurieswithashakeofthehead."Thisisnothing,Seamusisworse.You’llsee.Shallwegetgoingthen?Oh,"heturnedtoAberforth,"Ab,theremightbeacouplemorepeopleontheway."

           "Couplemore?"repeatedAberforthominously."Whatd’youmean,acouplemore,Longbottom?There’sacurfewandaCamwauldingCharmonthewholevillage!"

           "Iknow,that’swhythey’llbeApparatingdirectlyintothebar,"saidNeville."Justsendthemdownthepassagewhentheygethere,willyou?Thanksalot."

           NevilleheldouthishandtoHermioneandhelpedhertoclimbupontothemantelpieceandintothetunnel;Ronfollowed,thenNeville.HarryaddressedAberforth.

           "Idon’tknowhowtothankyou.You’vesavedourlivestwice."

           "Lookafter’em,then,"saidAberforthgruffly."Imightnotbeabletosave’emathirdtime."

           HarryclamberedupontothemantelpieceandthroughtheholebehindAriana’sportrait.