So Close Yet So Far
Title: So Close Yet So Far
Author: Vegablack62
Characters: Neville, Hannah
Word Count: 350
Rating: G
Summary: Neville and Hannah talk while they hide together before an action for the DA
Author's Note: This is a pre relationship story that refers to a point mentioned in my Twenty facts about Hannah Abbott.
“Hannah, Wake up. It’s almost time.”
The voice jerked her awake. Someone was too close, trapping her legs so she couldn’t move. Angry panic rose up until she remembered - she and Neville were crammed inside the base of Slughorn’s statue of Hector Dagworth-Granger, waiting to raid his potion cabinet. She was on a mission and like an idiot she’d fallen asleep.
“I’d let you sleep, but we’re almost ready to go.” His words were more breath than sound. She could feel their warmth against her face. “Look.”
She rolled over on to her hands and knees and peered through their hiding place peephole. Zabini sat slumped forward, arms hanging limp, face flat against the table. For a wild second, she thought he was dead.
“He’s asleep. He replaced Nott, sat down and went right out. We’ll watch him for awhile and then we’ll move.”
They settled into almost comfortable positions and waited.
“You’re worried about Justin, aren’t you?" Neville asked, his voice pitched so quiet that Hannah imagined she felt the whisper rather than heard it. "You called for him in your sleep.”
She’d dreamed she had seen Justin in prison staring at her with sunken accusing eyes.
“I was nasty to him after my mother died -- crazy nasty. Then I stopped talking to him. We never really broke up; I just cut him off." She was ashamed about how she treated him and was even then, but she couldn't stop herself. "When the ministry fell and they were going after Muggleborns, I couldn’t find him to help him.”
“Hannah, everyone goes crazy when they lose someone. Justin understands that. You don’t even know he’s in trouble. He’s probably on a beach in France right now, worrying about you.”
She didn’t point out that it was three in the morning but said instead, “You’re very kind. Do you know that?”
“I’m not kind; I’m truthful. Let’s go. Remember you search. I guard.” He crawled out of their hiding place, and then reached back to give her his hand.
.