Ever since Snape became the new headmaster and Death Eaters took over as the new professors, Hogwarts had been shrouded in an oppressive, stifling atmosphere. After the rainy season began in October, that atmosphere only grew heavier, almost suffocating everyone.
"I heard another first-year was locked in the dungeons."
"They'll probably take him to Defense Against the Dark Arts class and use him for Cruciatus Curse practice."
"They're completely insane."
The students having breakfast in the Great Hall whispered about what had happened yesterday. Anxiety and fear were impossible to hide in their eyes. The student tortured with the Cruciatus Curse last time was still lying in the Hospital Wing.
Listening to the whispers around him, Neville sat down at the Gryffindor table, though no one knew what he was thinking.
"It's a trap. They're trying to lure you in. Don't leave behind any evidence." Seamus sat down to Neville's right and warned him not to do anything foolish.
Hogwarts was now like a powder keg. The Death Eaters' brutal rule and Dumbledore's Army's furious resistance were clashing fiercely, and Hogwarts could be completely blown apart at any moment.
Yet the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable for them. Not only did the Defense Association refuse to support a direct confrontation with the Death Eaters, but the professors could not offer them any help either. Most of the time, they could only watch helplessly as their own people were thrown into the dungeons and whipped. Every member of Dumbledore's Army had plenty to say about that.
No one liked weakness. No one liked being bullied. They wanted to strike back in fury. They wanted to drive the Death Eaters led by Snape out of the school.
Neville silently drank his corn porridge, looked up at Parkinson at the staff table, and