Neville Longbottom and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 3 - Blackpool

The Longbottoms were quickly taken to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Moody had received a little of Hauser's information while he awaited his team's preparation prior to the rescue but still only had a small idea of what had happened. And after he passed on all he knew about the attack to the Healers, he sat down and waited for the inevitable.

It didn't take long.

Most wizards who lived in the British Isles at least knew of the Longbottoms. They were, after all, a pureblood family who had fought on the side of good in countless battles. From the goblin rebellions of the 1700s to Frank's joining the Order of the Phoenix in the battle against Voldemort, a Longbottom had been involved in almost every major wizarding skirmish over the past three hundred years. Frank's father had fought alongside Dumbledore when Grindelwald had pulled his attempt for domination a generation before. Longbottoms were brave, strong and formidable.

"Where is he?" came the voice Moody dreaded. "Where is that no good Alastor Moody? I will not be quiet. My son and his wife are lying in bed, staring into space. I demand to see him. Moody, where are you?"

"I'm over here, Mrs. Longbottom."

Frank's mother turned the corner and saw Moody sitting in the fourth floor waiting room. She strode purposefully towards him, clearly ready to blame Alastor for everything that happened. Moody stood and faced her. He was determined to let her have her grief. He owed Frank's family that much.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came, so Moody filled the silence. "Mrs. Longbottom. Your son means more to me than you could possibly know. He is my partner, my protégé, and my friend. I promise this to you and your family. The people who did this to him and Alice will pay for it for the rest of their miserable lives." Moody lowered his tone conspiratorially. "And if somehow those criminals get off on a technicality, they won't survive long enough to gloat."

"Alastor, I know you mean well, but none of that matters. What matters is you find out what those people did, and we fix this. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to my grandson." Without another word she turned on her heel and walked out of the waiting room.

*****

Neville had been living with his grandparents for over three years. Frank's mother made daily trips to St. Mungo's in an effort to try and penetrate the cloud that hung over the former Aurors, and Neville and his grandfather would join her on Sundays. It had taken a long time for the child to become accustomed to his new surroundings, but eventually he adjusted to his new home.

However, Neville still struggled with nightmares, especially on nights following visits to his parents. Sometimes the dreams were bad enough a dreamless sleep potion had to be used. Life could be difficult around the woman Neville called "Gran," but he never questioned her love. And if he ever needed help or a kind ear, there was always "Gramps."

Neville rarely saw kids his own age and was never involved in playgroups. His daily activities were seen to by Gramps and his great-aunt, Enid, and he loved when his aunt read to him. He didn't feel the same about her husband Algie, however. Uncle Algie was always sneaking up on him or jumping out of closets trying to scare him. Neville didn't like him very much.

Not only did he visit his parents with his grandmother; he also saw Medi-Wizards several times a year. He was due to have his next appointment on a June afternoon, a month shy of his fifth birthday. Neville didn't really want to go, but he would try to do what his Gran asked. He had got dressed by himself and came down the stairs ready to go. But instead of going into the kitchen, he stopped outside the door, as he heard voices coming from inside.

"I tell ya, sis, I'm worried for the boy." That was Uncle Algie. "I have tried everything I can think of short of tossing him out the window, and he hasn't shown the slightest amount of natural talent."

"Goodness, Algie. The boy is not even five." That was Gramps. "I swear you want to send him off to Hogwarts tomorrow. Give him a chance to grow into himself. He has been forced to endure far more than most children his age. It's only natural for him to be a little bit slower. I wouldn't worry. He's going to be a great wizard. After all, he is a Longbottom."

"You're wrong," said Algie. "I tell you that boy is a Squib. Pureblood children start showing signs when they are toddlers. That boy should have responded by now."

Neville didn't understand what the argument was about. Squib? He was going to have a question to ask at the hospital today.

*****

Neville might not have any friends his own age, but he clearly had the empathy of those who worked at St. Mungo's. Several of the orderlies helped to keep his spirits up during his visits to his parents and his own checkups.

"Hiya, Neville," said Tom, an orderly who worked on the second floor where Neville's appointment was. "Are you having a good summer?"

"Hi. It's okay."

"Just okay? Are you and your family going on holiday somewhere?"

"What's a holiday?"

"It's when you go someplace different for a while, to give you a change from home."

"Oh. We don't go on holiday."

Tom chuckled. "Well, that's too bad. Maybe someday you will."

"Maybe. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Neville looked around to make sure no one could hear him. "What's a Squib?"

At this Tom laughed out loud. "Why do you want to know what a Squib is?"

"My uncle says I'm a Squib. Am I? It sounds bad."

Tom's heart went out to the child, and he knelt down beside him. "First of all, there's nothing bad about being a Squib. If you are a Squib, it means you have different gifts than most wizards. And you may have to work harder for your goals, but they are no less important. But I wouldn't worry too much. I don't think you're a Squib."

Neville's face brightened. "You don't?"

"Nah. Your wizard's gifts are buried deeper within because of what happened to you. When they come out, you'll surprise even yourself."

*****

Neville's checkup wasn't going well. Gran was berating the Medi-Wizard who had declared the child healthy. "Something's not right. He's clumsy. He's forgetful. He's never happy, and he is constantly eating. What needs to be done?"

The Medi-Wizard seemed unconcerned. "Well, first I would stop your brother from frightening the poor child. He is constantly being surprised, and that does nothing to help him build coordination. His memory problems are a result of his suppressing the memory of what happened to his parents. He keeps reliving it in his dreams and is not ready to face it. When he can accept what happened to them, his memory problems will cease.

"And finally, change his routine. Let him see there is more to life than the Longbottom Estate."

*****

When they got home, Gran went upstairs to change, and Neville sought out his grandfather. "Gramps, can we go on holiday?"

"Holiday? What brings this on?"

"Tom at St. Mungo's asked if I was going on holiday this summer. He made it sound so fun. Can we go?"

"I don't know. Where would you like to go?"

"You mean there are different places we can go?"

"Of course. There are many places we can go."

"I...I'd like to see the ocean. But, it doesn't matter. As long as we all go and have fun."

"Okay, okay. I'll talk to your grandmother and see if we can do something. Maybe we can do it for a certain young man's fifth birthday. How would you like that?"

Neville beamed. He was the happiest he had ever been.

*****

Neville went to his bedroom to play, as Gran came into the kitchen. "Well, you won't believe what the Medi-Wizard told me about Neville's checkup. He thinks the boy is fine. That all he needs is a little sleep and a holiday."

Gramps laughed. "Two for two. Guess it has been awhile."

"What are you talking about?"

"Neville was just in here asking if we could go on holiday. Said one of the orderlies asked him if we were going and put the idea in his head. I was thinking. We haven't been to Blackpool since before Frank and Alice were married. How about it? We'll bring along Enid and Algie and make a family outing."

"I don't know. When did you have in mind?"

"Maybe the last week in July. It might be a little short notice, but we should be able to still swing the arrangements. And then Little Nev could have a great birthday."

"All right. I give in. I'm clearly outnumbered. Blackpool it is."

*****

It had been a wonderful three days. Neville spent his time on the beach building sandcastles and playing in the shallow waves. He would chase the surf, running away from them as they washed in and running after them as they rolled back out. He didn't think about his parents, and even the nightmares had gone away. He was at peace for the first time in over three years, and his enthusiasm spread to the four adults who had accompanied him.

Neville had even made friends with some of the other kids on holiday. In just three days, his self-confidence had grown immensely, and it had caught the attention of everyone, especially his Uncle Algie. In fact, Algie had made it a point to show Neville every nook and cranny of the resort.

On the fourth day, Neville was preparing to build his best sandcastle yet. He took his pail, filled it with ocean water and brought it back to where he was working.

"Neville! Over here!"

Neville looked around and saw his uncle standing on the beach near a wooden structure that reached out over the water. It was the one place Gran had told him not to go. The water by the pier was dangerous and deep. Neville looked over at his grandparents, but neither one was paying any attention to Algie, so he waved to his Uncle.

"Come here, Neville! I want to show you something!"

The child looked at his uncle. In the past few weeks, Algie's attitude towards Neville had changed. He wasn't scaring him or jumping at him anymore. In fact, he and Algie had had several adventures over the past few days. Neville looked at his uncle again. He is standing on the beach, not the pier. Maybe Uncle knows another place over on the other side. Neville made up his mind and ran over to his uncle.

"What is it, Uncle Algie? What did you see?"

"I want to show you something, but we have to go down there to see it."

"But Gran said I wasn't to go down the pier."

"I know what she said," replied Algie, "but what she meant was you shouldn't go down there alone. I'll be with you."

Neville was unsure, but the memories of the past few days had given him a sense of trust in his uncle that hadn't been there before. Algie reached his hand out, and Neville took it. The two started to walk down to the end of the pier.

"What are you going to show me?"

"I'm going to tell you what this structure is. Do you know why there are piers?"

Neville shook his head.

"Well, you do know what boats are, don't you?"

"Sheesh! Of course, Uncle!"

"And you know there are little boats and big ships, right?"

"Yeah." They were closer to the end of the pier than the beginning now.

"Well, a big ship can't get close enough to the shore in order for people to get out. So a pier connects the land to the boat." He stopped near the end. "Do you see these posts?" Neville nodded. "They go all the way down through the water into the ground below, and they go deep in the ground, so the pier doesn't move with the tides."

"So how deep is it to the ground down there?" Neville looked over the edge and could see a couple of small fish swimming past. He was getting more and more curious about ocean life.

Algie looked around quickly. He didn't see anyone watching. "Why don't you go down and take a look?" he whispered sweetly, and he pushed Neville into the ocean.

*****

Gramps had been watching his brother-in-law and his grandson walk down the pier out of the corner of his eye. He was glad to see the relationship between the two improve. He knew Neville had struggled without his parents and was hopeful this would help the child work though the issues he still had with adults.

He had been very tired lately, and planning this trip hadn't helped. Even the sea air which normally revitalized him hadn't done its usual trick. Hmmpf. Must be getting old, he thought. He looked at Enid, waiting for her to make a play. His own gin hand needed some serious help.

Suddenly a shock went through him. He snapped his head to look at the pier and was horrified when he saw Neville hit the water with a small splash. He looked at Algie, who made no attempt to rescue the boy. His brother-in-law just watched where Neville disappeared expectantly.

He's done it again.

Enid had also seen what had happened and was reacting quicker to it. She called for a lifeguard and was running to the pier immediately. Gramps stood quickly and started to run as well.

He had only run about fifteen feet when he felt a shooting pain in his chest. His left arm had gone numb, and he sank to his knees. His eyes were still fixed on the spot where Neville had disappeared, and he focused all of his energies, trying to make a connection with the child.

Where are you? Where...there you are. We're coming. Stay with us. Stay...

And Gramps passed out.

*****

A very wet, very scared, very lucky Neville watched as the ambulance took his Gramps away. Gran had gone with the driver, while Algie and Enid took the child back to their rooms at the resort, packed up the families' belongings, and headed home. The holiday was over.

A short while later, Gran's head appeared in the fireplace. Gramps had been transferred from the Muggle hospital to St. Mungo's and was calling for his family. Neville and his great-aunt and uncle Flooed to the hospital and were met by a very subdued Orderly Tom.

"Hi, Neville." Tom looked as if he was about to cry.

"What's wrong, Tom? Is it Gramps?"

Tom nodded. "He's not doing so well. He's asking for you. Let's get you to him."

Neville was led down a wing he hadn't been in before. It was quieter than all the others he had visited. Tom led him to a private room already filled with flowers. The adults were at the other end of the room, and as Neville approached the bed, he could hear voices having a conversation.

"...nothing we can do. For some reason, his body is rejecting the potions, and the spells we have been using have no effect. And there just isn't time to..." The Medi-Wizard stopped upon seeing the boy.

"Neville," came a whispered voice.

"Gramps?"

"Yes, child. Come here. I need to see you. Would everyone but my wife please leave? I'd like a minute with my family."

The staff filed out of the room, taking Algie and Enid with them. Neville climbed into a chair and leaned on the bed as he looked at his granddad. He seemed so weak. His granddad reached out and took Neville's hand in his right hand and his wife's hand in his left and began to speak.

"Luv. You are the strongest person I have ever known. You are my rock, and I have drawn on your strength every day for the past fifty-one years. You raised Frank, giving him your strength. You still give of it now. But now that focus needs to go to Neville. He is going to need you now more than ever. You know the need to protect him. If you need help, Moody and Dumbledore will be there at a moment's notice. Tell Algie I forgive him, and lean on your brother and sister. Until Frank and Alice are restored, they are all the family you and Neville have.

"Always remember that I love you."

Neville looked at his Gran and, for the first time he could remember, saw tears fall from her eyes.

"And Neville, my brave little boy. Life has been so hard for you. First your parents, and now this. I know it's hard, but try to remember the good in life, and try to find the good in people. Don't let pain and fear eat you up. Don't become mean to try to bring others down. You come from a long and noble line of wizards. Good men and women. And even if Algie can't see it, I can. You will be a great wizard some day. Believe in that. Believe in who you are and where you come from. Never forget that I am always with you."

Neville wiped the tears away and looked at his granddad. "I love you, Gramps."

"I know you do, child. I love you, too. And that has always been why we Longbottoms are strong. Our love."

Gramps exhaled one last time, and his grip on Neville's hand went slack.

"Goodbye, Gramps," Neville whispered. "I'll make you proud."