I didn't scream; I had no energy to. I fell with my eyes closed, waiting for that harsh impact that could hurt or paralyze me, possibly even kill me.

Something grabbed me from below, attaching to me, like some leech. I had a rough idea as to what it was—or rather, who it was.

I heard the crash as we both plunged into the water, Neville first followed closely by me. Water consumed me, making the noises above muffled. It filled my nostrils. Now I peeked open my eyes to see almost complete darkness. I panicked, feebly thrashing about.

Neville had me by the waist as he hoisted me up. We both breached the surface, inhaling cold air. I coughed violently while my eyes adjusted to the darkness. My arms smacked the water frantically, searching for Neville.

"Easy, easy," I heard Neville stutter. His arms scooped under me. "Hang onto me, Jenelle."

I was too tired to argue. I wanted out of this cold water. I wanted to be on solid ground. With some effort, I slung my arms around his neck, holding on as strongly as I could while Neville waddled through the lake. The pace we were going seemed slow. I heard him try and take deep breaths. His heart beat quicker than normal since my head was pressed against his heaving chest.

Water sloshed as I assumed Neville finally made his way out. I shivered when coming in contact with the air. Neville's footfall was mostly silenced by grass. He dropped to his knees; there was a sudden falling feeling in my stomach. He soon planted me on the ground, holding himself up by his hands and knees, head hanging, water dripping from his hair.

"N-Neville," I whimpered. "W-we need to g-g-get out of here." Neville looked like he had barely enough energy to lift his head. His entire body shivered. "Neville?"

With a grunt, he collapsed and rolled over. Fear surged through me. Despite how tired I felt and how soaked I was, I rolled over to him, covering myself with grass. I sat up, clutching my head.

"Neville!" I panicked, looking down on him. "What is it? What's wrong?" My voice got high. I was still cold and shivering, but I didn't care about my health at the moment. Neville was most likely injured; he took the impact of crashing into the water first.

That had to be it; the impact hurt him. I feared that Neville was going to be paralyzed, that I would have to carry him. I searched to find any dark spots on his clothing. Fortunately, there were none.

Neville panted heavily, his eyes slowly started to flutter shut.

"Neville, please," I whimpered. I hovered over him, taking his face in my hands. "Look at me, please."

Thankfully he heard that plea. My lower lip quivered as I saw how weak he looked.

"You—you have to get out of here," he whispered. "Leave me."

"I can't leave you, not with those whack jobs still running around! They'll get you—they'll use you to get to me."

"Why?"

Up until this time, I hadn't thought of having such a feeling for him. It explained why I felt so easy around him, how I could confess things to him—and that dance, leaning against him felt natural—and that following day, where we almost kissed...

I swore I wouldn't love anyone ever again, not after Brian. Not after the abuse I had been dealt. I didn't want to be hurt again. But the evidence was right here, staring me in the face.

"I have to get you out of here," I persisted.

"How can you?" Neville croaked. "You can't carry me. Besides, I bet...they're on their way."

I couldn't just leave Neville lying here. What would happen to him after I was taken and gone—if I was? Would he lay here to freeze to death? Would the Death Eaters kill him?

A small idea popped into my head. How long it would take to work, I didn't know, but it had to be worth a try.

"E-Expecto," I cleared my throat, "Expecto Patronum!"

I honestly thought it wouldn't work, given that I hadn't been able to produce a Patronus in so long. The only way a full body Patronus was possible was if I had powerful, happy memories to help. How I managed to even find one, I didn't know. The best memories I had had were of my deceased best friends. Those memories could no longer aid me. Maybe the one with dancing with Neville was enough.

The wolf Patronus shot from my wand, shining like a beacon. Hello, old friend. Other than using it when Dementors were around, Patronuses were good for messages.

"There isn't much time," I told it. "Go find Ron Weasley, tell him to gather more Aurors. Lead him to where Neville is. You must do whatever it takes to find him. Go!"

The wolf gave a howl of understanding, turned its back to me, and galloped off soundlessly

"Help will come," I whispered to Neville as I hoisted half of him onto my lap.

"You can't give yourself up to them," he huffed. "You should be running."

"I can't let them find you alone. I don't want them to hurt you. I'll make sure they won't."

"I'll be fine," he murmured. "It's not like I haven't faced Death Eaters before. I've faced worse than this."

"R-really?" I croaked.

He gave a tiny nod. "The battle, remember?"

"Yeah, but—"

"I took on You-Know-Who's snake and killed it, knowing that it could've very well killed me. I stood up to him for those who were too afraid to. This is nothing."

"Stop trying to be brave," I pleaded. "I know you're scared."

"No, I'm not. It's you who is."

"You're lying." My voice trembled slightly.

"I'm not. Want to know why?"

"No."

"You're trembling," was his answer.

"I'm cold," I said. "We got thrown into rapid water, and you think I'm trembling because I'm scared? I'm surprised I haven't started having a sneezing fit."

"Jenelle," he said sternly.

"So what if I am scared, huh?"

"I am, too."

I snorted. "Then I guess we've both been lying. Aren't Aurors supposed to be fearless? That's what makes Dark wizards frightened, because Aurors show no fear."

"This Auror does," he grunted.

My head quickly snapped over my shoulder to hear the Death Eaters approaching.

I saw Neville in concentration. "They're coming. Jenelle..." He put a hand to my face, holding it there. A small shiver rippled through me.

I lowered my head, my hand reaching to hold his that held my face. Our eyes locked, and I found my head lowering itself even more towards Neville...

A pair of rough arms shot from under my armpits, ripping me away. Neville grunted as he hit the forest floor painfully. Turning my head furiously, I saw it was Adam who grabbed me.

"Get off!" I screeched, socking him in the gut. He gave a cry of shock and clutched his chest. The new recruit was right there to restrain me. A spell rang through the air, making me stop my thrashing.

"Pity you didn't run away when you had the chance," Luke purred as he emerged from the darkness. "I always enjoy a good chase. Adam, take her. Blake, keep an eye on this one." He gestured towards Neville.

Both Death Eaters obliged, switching stations. Adam now held me; Blake towered over Neville, wand pointed at my poor, hurting Auror.

"Please don't hurt him!" I cried as Blake looked to Luke for the all clear.

"How can we hurt him any worse?" Luke said, coming to stand over me. I shrunk a bit into Adam, but my body was still very stiff. "If anything, killing him would be doing him a favor. By the way, I think I may hold onto this for a while." Luke flew my wand across my face, taunting me.

I hadn't even felt him grab it; I felt so violated. "Give it back," I hissed, but Luke held his wand under my chin.

"Not even if you ask nicely," he hissed. The threat of his wand lowered. "You're coming back with us, there's no way around that. But there's the matter of your broken little friend."

"I say we show him mercy and end him," Blake called.

"Please don't," I begged.

"You would rather him be left to suffer? Isn't that a bit cruel?"

"Why shouldn't we kill him?" Luke murmured, taking my chin in his hand. I yanked it away quickly. "Ah...I see. Love." He cackled as Neville and I briefly shared a look. "Do you love him? Is that it?"

I wasn't saying anything to this bloke.

"Can we get a move on? Liam will be more than happy to see her. We'll be able to go do our own recruitment," Adam said impatiently behind me.

"Right. Blake," Luke called over his shoulder, "leave the boy. He won't be following us anytime soon. Judging by the state of him, he looks like he'll die before the sun rises."

I struggled as Adam thrust me away from Neville, who looked so fragile. I kept shooting glances over at him. Just before we went without vision of Neville, his eyes and mine locked. I could see my worry reflect back in his eyes, those hazel eyes that always glowed with determination.

My heart broke once I couldn't see Neville anymore.