I'll Take Care of You (I'll Never Let You Down)

While everyone was happy with the end of the war, none could have predicted the tragedy that would take place just months afterwards. The sadness, the romanticism, the unbelievable horror, and remorse, as well as the sensationalism of it rocked the wizarding world. It moved some to tears who were sure they were beyond those emotions following the war.

If you were to mention one name, one certain name at that time, many wizards and witches would have told you it was a cursed name. Longbottom.

It became the favorite taunt of children, one to another. When adults were sure to be out of earshot, it was uttered with malicious pleasure. For when anger surfaced, as sometimes happens when children play together, they were fond of saying, "May you grow up to marry a Longbottom!" It was cruel, especially for one child; a child whose name just happened to be Longbottom.

Robert Franklin Longbottom.

Nicknamed Bobby from infancy, he grew up in a harsh world, a world of pain, ridicule, misunderstandings; a world without the two people who had at one time mattered more than anything. For the three of them, dreams that were dreamt, promises that were made, golden, pure happiness were rendered ugly, broken, and shattered.

It all came apart one rainy night in April of 2004. Would you like to hear the tale? It is not for ones who might be squeamish, or faint of heart. You do? Well, sit tight; it all starts many years before. It all starts in happiness.

1996-1997

Neville Septimius Longbottom had never been really brave; at least not by Gryffindor standards, and certainly not by his family's. But his having helped Harry Potter in the Department of Mysteries just before he turned sixteen had begun the change of life as he knew it. He became more confident, more self-assured, more able to come to terms with what had happened to his parents. His Gran had been so proud of him, as had his great-aunts and uncles.

He would never forget the day after coming home that summer; when his Gran had pulled him into the study. He had been a little mystified as she turned and rolled the double doors shut. Even more curious, as she turned and gave him a look more affectionate than he could ever remember having received from her; normally her expression ran to exasperated patience.

Neville huffed out a surprised breath as she pulled him into a hard embrace.

"Neville... I-I'm so proud of you! And I'm ashamed of myself. I haven't been as patient and understanding of you as I should have been these past fifteen years. And I-I'm truly sorry."

He watched in amazement as she reached for her hanky and dabbed at her eyes. He had never seen her cry; NEVER!

She sighed, "Your parents would also be very proud. Frank and Alice always wanted the best for you; always. And your courage truly demonstrates the qualities I always knew were in you somewhere. I'm also sorry that they have missed out on the wonderful young man you have become."

Tears in his own eyes, Neville could only get out gruffly, "Oh Gran!", before they fell into one anothers arms.

They became close; closer than they had ever been. He found himself able to discuss his fears, his hopes, and his dreams. With his new self-assurance came many improvements in his personality. He rarely forgot things any longer, he had a better outlook on life, of why things happened. He came to terms with his parents' accident. When not with his Gran, he spent a lot of time in his parents' company that summer. He came to accept that they were probably never going to be normal again. And for the first time ever, he truly looked forward to the upcoming schoolyear.

Two days before term was to start, he and his Gran made the annual trip to Diagon Alley to purchase the things he needed. Because he had changed so much, matured shall we say, his Gran felt quite comfortable just giving him some money, and allowing him off on his own to buy his things.

It was halfway up the street, on his way to Flourish and Blotts, that he ran into some of his friends. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley.

" Hey, Neville!" "Neville!" "Good summer, Neville?" "How've you been?!"

He smiled happily at the greetings, and replied just as happily. They all noticed how he had changed, and couldn't quite figure out what it was that had changed. Well, maybe Hermione did. She pointed it out as they moved on.

"You know, I think between the D.A. group last year, and going with us to, you know, the Department of Mysteries, I believe it actually helped Neville."

The two boys just looked at her funny, then at each other, and shrugged as if to say, "Here we go again."

She huffed and turned to Ginny, who was in complete agreement with her. The two girls continued on about it till they reached the Leaky Cauldron where they were all staying.

Ron looked over at them, shook his head, and replied, "I just think Neville's finally starting to get a hold on himself; FINALLY!"

Hermione shot him an ugly look. "You know Ron, sometimes you are so clueless! And so insensitive!"

Harry and Ginny just exchanged amused grins and fell back to allow the other two to get ahead of them. You would never have guessed upon hearing their argument that they had become a couple just a month before.

As Ron and Hermione stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, Harry put out a hand to stop Ginny. Still laughing at Ron and Hermione, she turned to look at him. She was quite startled to see an intense look on his face.

"Harry? What's wrong? Is it your scar?!" she asked, becoming worried.

But as a smile came upon his face, she felt her breath catch in her throat. Why had she not noticed it before? It hit her like a bolt of lightning. The looks he'd been giving her all summer added up.

Harry had never felt more nervous in all his life. He had begun to realize in mid-July that his feelings towards Ginny were undergoing a deep change. With slightly shaking fingers he reached up and touched her cheek.

"Gin, I.......I think I've fallen in love with you."

Looking into his deep green eyes, Ginny felt tears pool in her own dark brown ones. "Oh, Harry!", she breathed. It was simultaneous when they both leaned in for the kiss. Neither saw Ron and Hermione's faces in the doorway smiling happily, their argument forgotten.

Neville had just made his purchases, The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6), Advanced Transfiguration, and Muggle Studies, when a voice spoke into his ear.

"Hello, Neville." It was Luna Lovegood.

He turned slightly and started to smile. The smile got caught halfway up his face as he choked on his own saliva. Great Merlin!! She was beautiful!! Something about her had changed. She still had that look of aloofness about her, but there was something more, something exciting!! His heart began to beat so hard, so fast, he was certain that she could hear it.

Clearing his throat, feeling his face redden, he tried to finish the smile, only to have it come out like a grimace.

"You know, they have remedies for upset stomachs. You look just like Padma Patil did one time just before she threw up."

He couldn't help it; he had to laugh. A part of his mind whispered to him, "Keep it together, old boy! Don't let her know the real reason you're acting funny!"

"No, I-I think I'm okay. Would you-would you like to accompany me to Fortescue's for a sundae?" He waited nervously for her answer.

With a slow smile that had Neville catching his breath, she replied, "That would be lovely! Just let me purchase my books, and I'll be ready to go."

Neville knew. He didn't know how he knew, but in that moment, he felt as if he had just connected with his soul mate.

It was with a happy heart, and a bounce in his step that he proudly escorted Luna to the ice cream shop. He felt like the luckiest man on Earth. The most beautiful girl in the world was having ice cream with him. HIM! Neville Longbottom.

They were soon exchanging summer stories over a banana cream pie sundae big enough for five people. He felt like he could talk to her for hours, and never get tired. He even felt elated as he saw her slipping him interested glances when she thought he wasn't looking.

She couldn't believe it! Neville Longbottom was interested in her! She had always thought he was really sweet, having gotten to know him the last year, and even now thought he was the cutest thing! She had always felt drawn to him; almost as if to a kindred spirit. She quite understood the ridicule he had gone through because he was different. She herself faced it on a daily basis with the same people. She only acted aloof so that no one would know how much it hurt when they uttered their taunts. She knew as she sat here with this sweet-faced boy that she need never be alone again.

Halfway through their sundae, Neville pulled up his Gryffindor courage, and reached over to hold her hand. They exchanged happy smiles, and both knew no words were needed.