Chapter 212: Neville

The Hogwarts Express would depart at ten o'clock the next morning back to Britain. Except for a few students eager to stay behind at Beauxbatons and deepen their new dancing partnerships, the vast majority chose to wait in warm beds for the train's departure.

Aside from Harry, Ron, and Zhang Qiu, who had already dressed neatly and waited on the lawn outside the train by eight o'clock.

When the clock struck half past eight, as agreed, Elena and Hermione arrived there, with Donald walking behind them.

"Hi, Luo Nade," Elena waved from afar, "Hi, Harry, hi, Zhang Qiling!"

Harry smiled and ignored her odd nicknames, greeting her and Hermione with a simple "Good morning."

"Then I'll leave Elena in your care," Donald said. "Have a good time."

"But what about Hermione?" Ron asked. "Isn't she coming with us?"

"Oh, of course—I'll have to endure one cocktail party after another when I return, and Miss Granger has been an excellent partner—now it's her turn to help me out," Donald said, then added with a hint of guilt, "About what I promised you, Harry, I've made some progress. I should have a solid plan ready after Christmas."

Hermione's cheeks flushed red as she spoke with quiet excitement: "Don't worry about me, Ron. I'm just going out with the professor to broaden my horizons—I won't cause trouble or be a burden."

"I'm not worried about that," Ron grumbled.

"Then what are you worried about? Fleur?" Hermione fired back. "She and Cedric are getting along well—they're probably planning to spend Christmas in Paris. That's good for all of us."

Ron opened his mouth to reply, but Harry cut him off: "Of course, if we form an alliance against Renata, Hermione won't be caught between professional ethics and personal loyalty."

"Ah, yes," Donald smiled and patted Hermione's head. "You made a small mistake—you forgot the obvious fact: I'm also partial to Harry!"

Aside from Ron's forced smile, everyone chatted cheerfully for a few moments before Donald led Hermione away, leaving only Elena to return with them to the train.

The train departed precisely at ten. Harry saw many Beauxbatons faculty and students standing on the platform—or rather, the grass that served as one—waving handkerchiefs. Donna was among them, and Harry had to lean out the window to wave back.

As the train began rumbling, lingering sentiments of attachment faded, replaced by the unique sense of safety and comfort that comes with returning home. Harry sat in the carriage, listening to Elena chatter incessantly and Ron enthusiastically answering her, feeling an indescribable calm.

In the evening, as they stepped off the train, they found dozens of Hogwarts students gathered on the platform, holding up banners reading "Welcome Home," cheering and waving.

Harry also noticed Neville, standing quietly among the crowd, though he looked unwell—slightly weary.

As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, a tall boy in a sleek black robe, with pale gold hair and an elegant bearing, approached—Draco Malfoy.

"Congratulations to Hogwarts' champion, Harry, for winning the first task and bringing honor to our school," he announced loudly. "Let us welcome our hero back to his beloved alma mater!"

Members of the Torchwood group began clapping, followed by Slytherin students, then all the students. Colin squeezed to the front with his camera and captured the moment of Harry and Malfoy shaking hands with smiles.

"While you were away, I've kept everything running smoothly," he murmured, lightly patting Harry's shoulder—as if they were old friends who had trusted each other for years.

Harry was still confused, but since Malfoy was giving him public praise, he saw no reason to oppose him, so he put on an exaggerated, theatrical smile.

"Ah, this is your new friend from Beauxbatons?" He shook Elena's hand as well. "Welcome to Hogwarts—make yourself at home."

"You must be busy after your return—I won't disturb you," Malfoy said. "You can visit Torchwood's headquarters later. I'll be spending the holidays here too."

After Malfoy left, Elena beamed and asked: "That was so cool, Harry—can I call him Sultan?"

Harry gave her a strange look and shook his head slightly. "It's complicated. I'll explain later."

He refused to publicly acknowledge Malfoy as his political ally, yet he couldn't deny it either. Two people who used each other must show no sign of discord until they were fully prepared for betrayal.

As expected, Dumbledore agreed to the other headmasters' requests and allowed Renata and Krum to visit Hogwarts, reserving two rooms for them at the Three Broomsticks. Elena, however, was more like an illegal stowaway—she hadn't reported to any professor, and the staff seemed to have no intention of asking, so Zhang Qiu simply led her toward the Chamber of Secrets without explanation.

Finally, amidst the crowd's embrace, Harry returned to Gryffindor's common room. After enduring the enthusiastic students, he finally retreated to his dormitory, where he could speak quietly with Neville.

"How have things been while I was away?" Harry asked with a smile. "Did the Lionheart Club run smoothly? Did you shine in the Dueling Club?"

"Things haven't been good, Harry," Neville said seriously. "Let's sit down."

"What's wrong?" Harry sat at the table. Neville took a deep breath and sat beside him.

"Slytherin has won the Dueling Club's friendly matches for four weeks straight. Malfoy is now the most popular student in the entire school," Neville said, frowning.

"But that shouldn't be—" Harry trailed off.

"We always lose because of the girls," Neville said. "Some girls insist on representing Gryffindor, but they refuse to listen to me."

"Then don't let them compete," Harry asked, puzzled. "We should pick the best duelers. Why did you agree?"

"That's the problem, Harry," Neville sighed. "The Lionheart Club is no longer the only voice of Gryffindor. I don't know why, but the girls—especially Lavender—are all opposing me."

"That's not right," Harry shook his head in disbelief. "What about Ginny and Ivy? They wouldn't stay silent."

"They say Harry would run the Lionheart Club differently," Neville sighed again. "I don't understand their thinking—maybe they've been swayed by Malfoy."

In Harry's bewildered, incredulous gaze, Neville slowly recounted the full story.

After Halloween, the Dueling Club opened. Professor Moody required each year of each house to send one representative for duels. Thanks to Neville's Lionheart Club, Gryffindor won the first match decisively—but strange voices soon emerged.

Lavender led the charge in the common room, accusing Neville of sexism for fielding only male duelists in the first round. Ivy, normally a leader among the girls, unusually remained silent. When pressed repeatedly, she merely replied vaguely: "Neville always ignores girls' opinions. If Harry were in charge, things would be different."

Then, a wave of slander spread among the students. Several girls claimed Neville had shouted at them, imposed harsh demands, and even sexually harassed them. Some boys who had once trusted Neville in the Lionheart Club, unable to withstand their girlfriends' persistent pressure, withdrew.

In the second round, Gryffindor fielded seven girls—and lost 0–7 to Slytherin. This humiliating defeat became the hottest topic in Gryffindor. Almost every girl claimed it was because Slytherin traditionally oppressed and ignored girls, leaving them underdeveloped and inferior.

Originally, Neville and a few sensible boys planned to explain the truth to the girls. But under Lavender's irrational outbursts and support from girls of other houses, they were met with even fiercer criticism. Lee Jordan lost his Quidditch commentary job; Fred and George had a batch of joke shop inventory seized; and Ginny and Ivy remained silent. When Neville approached them, they mechanically repeated one phrase: "Harry would do better."

Under pressure from senior girls, more and more senior boys chose to prioritize romance, leaving the Lionheart Club. Many others joined the campaign against Neville in hopes of winning girls' favor.

"Now Gryffindor is split into three factions," Neville concluded. "The largest is Lavender's group—girls and their suitors—united in irrational solidarity, attacking anyone who opposes them. Second are Ginny, Ivy, and Creevey's group—the so-called moderates—who blame everything on me, claiming I simply failed. Finally, there's me and a few boys secretly supporting me—they publicly belong to the second group, and only the Weasley twins still openly back me."

"This makes no sense—I need to talk to Ivy," Harry said, still reeling. Then he remembered something else. "But Hannah? She should still support you."

"Her situation is complicated too. Last time she spoke up for me, the girls called her 'a donkey blindfolded at the mill—exploited and unaware, yet proud of it.' Now she can only support me in secret," Neville rubbed his chin, troubled. "And she seems to have been affected too—our relationship has grown tense lately."