Neville Longbottom and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 6 - Diagon Alley

Everyone sat quietly as Neville read the letter aloud. When he finished, the room erupted in cheers. Algie leapt from his chair and slapped Neville on the beck, while Enid and Gran cried tears of joy.

"Well, what else does it say?" Gran asked.

"Nothing," Neville answered. "But there's an attached list of books and supplies."

"Why don't you hand me the list, and write your acceptance to Professor McGonagall. I'll see what we have here, and we can head to Diagon Alley to get your books, and whatever supplies we don't have."

"All right, Gran."

"And Algie," Gran continued, "don't get any ideas. He has five weeks before school starts and I want him to arrive in one piece."

"No problems there, Sis. Just let me come with you when you go to get his things. I need to pick up a few things myself, and I'd like to buy Neville his birthday present."

"I guess that's all right. A week from today, we will all visit Diagon Alley.

*****

Neville went up to his room in order to write his acceptance to his invitation. He sat down at the small desk, pulled out his quill, ink and parchment and hesitated. He knew that he should be ecstatic. His family had made this so important. The need for him to be a wizard had been a staple in his life ever since he could remember.

But now, Neville felt trapped. Long had been the lectures on the deeds and heroism in his family's past. He thought about his parents, and the price they had paid to uphold the name. He thought about his granddad's funeral, and the ill-fated trip to Blackpool. He felt the weight of the Longbottom Legacy, and for the first time it began to suffocate him. Now it was all on Neville's shoulders.

He stood up from the desk and looked at himself in the mirror. His love of sweets had begun to show on his frame and his clothes hung on his body in a haphazard fashion. When he looked at the eyes, self-doubt reflected back to him. But through the round face and disheveled appearance he saw his father's eyes, and his mother's nose. He was a Longbottom, and he knew he had his duty to do. He returned to his desk, and wrote his acceptance. Then he went downstairs, attached his letter to the leg of Gran's owl, and sent it back to Hogwarts.

*****

He was standing in a room. He was frozen in place, and the only thing he could move was his eyes. He saw his mother lying on a bed, and his father standing above her. Both were in their hospital gowns. He looked to the left and saw four people in dark hooded robes start towards his parents. He tried to scream a warning, but no sound came out. The four pulled wands, and shot spells at the helpless couple. He couldn't hear the screaming, but could see his mum and dad were in agony. Then the screaming stopped, and he could hear again.

One of the people reached up and removed the hood. He looked into the face of a woman. He recognized her, but couldn't place how or where. Then she spoke.

"The child has become a wizard. That makes him a threat. Best we take care of him now."

The four approached him with wands raised. The woman spoke the word "Crucio!" but before the spell could hit him, he woke up.

Neville was panting. He hadn't had a nightmare like that in years.

*****

The next week was extraordinarily difficult. The nightmares had begun to haunt his waking hours, and he was finding it almost impossible to concentrate on even the smallest matters. Walking across the room without tripping became a rarity. Simple mathematics had become a challenge. The number of reparation spells required to clean up his bumbling increased tenfold. He had even dropped a piece of Gran's best china while setting the table and that earned him a stinging rebuke from his grandmother.

The day before his birthday, Neville came down for breakfast with bags under his eyes. The dreams had kept him up again, and he had almost fallen asleep in his eggs when his Gran confronted him.

"Neville, are you all right?"

"I haven't been sleeping very well. I'm having the nightmare again."

"Which nightmare?"

"The one about Mum and Dad. Except now the people are after me." Neville shivered at the memory.

Gran looked concerned. It had taken Neville the better part of four years to get over the nightmare which caused him to relive his parents' tragedy. With its reemergence, the dream was physically and emotionally dragging Neville back into depression when he should have been bursting with anticipation.

"Neville, I know you don't want to go, especially this close to your birthday. But I think it would be best if we got you checked out today at St. Mungo's."

Neville thought about it for a moment. He really didn't want to spend the day before his birthday in the hospital, but he desperately wanted to be rid of the dreams. "All right, Gran. If you think they can do something I'll give it a try."

Very shortly breakfast had finished, and the two Longbottoms Flooed to St. Mungo's. Gran went off in search of Healer who could inspect Neville, allowing the boy some time to visit with his parents. Although there had been great improvement in terms of self-recognition and motor functions, neither Frank nor Alice could communicate verbally, or show any sign they recognized Neville as their child. They did, however, recognize Neville as a frequent visitor, and that gave everyone hope for the future.

"Hi, Mum. Hi, Dad." Both of his parents looked up and gave the boy a small smile. His mum opened the table drawer between their beds and pulled out a Drooble's Bubble Gum wrapper. Neville went over to take it and smiled. "Thanks, Mum. I promise to bring you some new flowers before I go to Hogwarts." Neville stepped back so he could address both of them.

"I got in. Which means starting in September I won't be coming round very often. I hope you understand. I love you, and I want you to know I'll do the best I can."

"They know that Neville, even if they can't say it themselves." Neville turned around to see his favorite orderly, Tom. "We're all proud of you. Every one of us who works here has been pulling for you." He pulled Neville into a tight hug. "We know you are going to do great things." Neville cringed on hearing another comment on his future. "Never mind all that now. Healer Lewis is waiting for you."

Tom led Neville up a level, and through a door marked 'Private.' These were the Healers' offices and they rarely saw patients here. Tom knocked on one of the doors, and it opened to find the Healer and his Gran waiting for him. After a cursory examination, the healer pronounced him fit. Gran looked ready to explode in frustration at the poor man.

"Madam Longbottom, it's not a physical problem. There is clearly something weighing on him that he is too afraid to tell even you. If you will allow me to talk with the boy in private, I might be able to get to the heart of the matter."

Neville's grandmother turned three different shades of purple. "The boy would tell me if something was bothering him. He holds no secrets from me. Do you Neville?"

"I...umm...I mean...well..." Neville stammered looking at the ground the entire time.

Gran was shocked. "Fine. Have your little chat. I'll just be waiting outside for you until you are finished with your little secrets." She opened the door and slammed it shut behind her.

"Formidable woman," Healer Lewis commented. "Neville, I want you to know that you can tell me anything, and that I won't tell anyone else what you say without your permission. Do you understand what that means?" Neville nodded. "Good. Now why don't you start by telling me your nightmare."

*****

Patient Name: Neville Longbottom.

Healer Smythwick Lewis' notes

Date: July 29, 1991

Complaint symptoms: Insomnia, forgetfulness, clumsiness, inattention to detail. Patient complains of nightmares.

Physical examination: Normal, healthy eleven-year-old boy wizard.

Psychological examination: In his dreams, the patient is reliving the moment he lost emotional contact with his parents. Nightmares were the norm through age five, and only now resurfacing. Dreams now include himself as potential victim whereas before he was only a spectator. Recent change: Accepted to Hogwarts.

Evaluation: After speaking with several staff members at St. Mungo's, as well as the patient, his grandmother and his great aunt, I believe the patient is subconsciously dampening his abilities and coordination. By being accepted to Hogwarts, he is proving himself a potential threat to the people is his dream. The belief by those around him that he will be a great wizard, and their exhorting him to that fact, only amplifies the threat. Patient's response to these urgings is to withdraw his talent, giving the impression that he is Squib-like in nature to remove himself as a threat and therefore keep himself safe. Patient has also had very little contact with other children, particularly people his own age.

Treatment: The safe environment at Hogwarts should lesson the impact of the dreams, as should meeting other children the patient's own age. As he finds each of those children has subjects they are strong and weak in, he should find a comfort level with his own talents, and in his mind reduce himself as that threat. Prescribed Dreamless Sleep Potion once a week, to ensure he gets a modicum of rest, until the nightmares end of their own accord.

Copy file to Infirmary, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, care of Madam Pomfrey.

*****

Neville could hear his grandmother continue to rant in the living room. They had returned from St. Mungo's over two hours earlier, and she had not let up yet. Neville had fled to his room the instant they got home, and he could hear her through the floor.

"I still can't believe it!" Gran continued. "'The dreams are a normal part of his psyche' they said. All they did was turn him loose after four hours with no explanation and a prescription for Dreamless Sleep Potion."

"Surely there had to be more to it then that," Enid said.

"They say all of his problems are in his mind. That clearing out of Longbottom Manor and going to Hogwarts is the cure all answer to his problems. And Neville. Did you know the boy is keeping secrets from me? There were things he didn't want to talk about in front of me. Goodness, the boy is turning eleven. What kind of secrets could he have that he couldn't talk about with his grandmother?"

"They could be the kind of secrets that could be between him and his father, or his grandfather, or his crazy great uncle. There's more at play here than you know. And I feel it's important to respect the child's privacy in this regard. Nothing is going to be solved by going off half-cocked at the Healers. They know what they're doing. Right now the best we can do is prepare him for school."

"Well. I certainly didn't expect you to side with a stranger over family." Gran was finally beginning to lose steam. "Very well. I will do as everyone is recommending, even if it is against my better judgment." She walked to the foot of the stairs. "Neville!"

"Coming Gran." He took a few seconds to descend the staircase to give the impression he hadn't heard any of the previous conversation. "Hi Aunt Enid! How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, Neville," his aunt replied.

Gran interrupted by pointing her wand at a large chest that was in the living room. With one flick of her wand, it opened, and with three more several items levitated out, and spread themselves on the floor. "Neville, we are going to go over your list to see what we need to buy and what we can use from your father's days at school."

Neville and Enid sorted through Frank's school belongings as Gran watched from across the room. Enid had never complained when Gran pressed her into service as the boy's tutor. Gran had split her role in Neville's life, giving her sister-in-law much of the responsibility for the boy's emotional health. And now she realized that she would never be as close to Neville as Enid. Although she knew Neville loved her, she also knew that he viewed her as the custodian of the Longbottom Legacy. She had lived that role for so long now, she wondered if she would ever be free of it.

Most of the equipment and even a couple of the books were in a position to be used by Neville. He packed two cauldrons in his trunk ("Just in case," Gran said), and carefully set his dad's phials and scales in with them. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History of Magic, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, had been required reading for so long that Frank's texts would serve his son. He also packed his father's gloves and hat, as they were in excellent condition. They would pick up the rest of his books, a telescope, and have him fitted for new robes while they were in Diagon Alley.

"What about the wand?" Neville asked.

Gran opened an extraordinarily lavish case which held three wands. "These are the wands of your mother, father and grandfather. It is Longbottom tradition that a wizard's first wand comes from a loved one who fought the good fight. As all three have done so, I leave it to you to choose."

Gran picked up the first wand, and give it a little flick. A small flame shot through the air. "This was your grandfather's wand. He carried it into battle against the Dark Wizard Grindlewald. Eleven-and-a-half inches, oak, pliable with a phoenix feather core." She set that one back in its place and moved onto the second. "This is your mother's wand. Ten inches, willow, springy with a core of unicorn hair. With this wand, your mother brought in six Death Eaters in one go, two years before you were born. And this," she said switching wands again, "This wand came within a rat's hair of stopping He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself. Your father came as close as any man ever did, prior to The Boy Who Lived, at putting an end to the Dark Lord's reign. Twelve-and-a-half inches, ebony, supple, with the heartstring of a Chinese Fireball!" She swished the wand, and the image of a large red dragon shot across the room. It was clear which wand she favored, and in the end, it was the one Neville favored as well.

*****

Neville awoke the following morning fully rested. Despite his anticipation at going to Diagon Alley, the dreamless sleep potion eased his mind, and given him the respite he had been denied since his acceptance to Hogwarts. His memory was a little foggy, but he chalked that up to his lack of dreams. There is something I'm supposed to do today, he thought. Whatever it is, I'll work out what it is.

He raced downstairs where breakfast was being cooked. He carefully set the table for two without a mishap, and sat down to await his food. When the meal ended, he cleared the table, again without breaking anything, picked up the list of school items he needed and prepared to leave. Algie and Enid arrived and the family was off to Diagon Alley.

As they came to the entrance to the busy street located behind the Leaky Cauldron, the family split up. Gran headed to Gringotts to withdraw the necessary funds for the day's adventure, Algie bustled out of view on the pretense of getting his personal business done first, and Enid and Neville made their way over to Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions.

Neville was just reaching for the handle to open the door when it opened of its own accord at a high velocity and smacked him in the face. As he fell to the ground, he saw two large boys standing over him, laughing.

"Good one, Crabbe," one of the boys said.

"Look, Goyle, I think he's gonna cry," said the other. "What's a matter. You gonna cry?"

Enid picked Neville up and turned to face the two boys. "You two are disgraceful. Where are your parents?" The boys snickered

"You don't want to mess with my parents, lady. They'll fix you up good," said the boy called Goyle.

"Clear off you ruffians. Or I will call the authorities and let them deal with you." She turned and led Neville into the shop. She couldn't see the faces the two boys made at her behind her back, but Neville did.

Once inside the shop they were greeted by a squat, smiling witch. "Ah. Hogwarts?" Neville nodded. "Right this way, young man." Neville followed and was soon standing on a pedestal, being measured from more angles than he knew he had. Soon, the measurements were done, and he went to have seat next to his aunt.

"Neville," she started, "I wouldn't hang around children like that. They are nasty pieces of work. They are mean-spirited brats, and they only take pleasure in causing other people pain. If they give you any trouble at school, just ignore them. And if they cause you injury or steal something from you, don't hesitate to get help. Even the greatest wizards will ask for help every now and then."

Neville shrugged. "But, why are they so mean?"

"Sometimes it's because their parents were mean to them, and they are looking for someone to pass that pain on to. Other times it's because they think they can get away with treating people poorly. For children like that who don't know what's right, the decision to be good is difficult."

As Neville was thinking about that, Gran entered the shop. A few minutes later the robes were finished and paid for and the three stepped outside. They wandered next door to Flourish and Blotts to pick up the remaining books on Neville's list, and then across the street to purchase his telescope. While he was testing various models, Enid purchased something that he couldn't see, and after buying a nice brass scope, they headed over to the Apothecary for some basic potions ingredients. The family explored the street picking up other items he would need at school such as parchment, ink and quills. Neville gave Quality Quidditch Supplies a wide berth as they passed it. It only took a glimpse of the Nimbus 2000 to remind him of his ill-fated flying lesson.

Walking into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor took care of those nerves. Gran had already ordered the food for Neville's eleventh birthday celebration in advance, and Algie turned up just before it was delivered to their table.

"Nev, I've been wanting to get you something you can take to school ever since we were sure you were a wizard. Here."

He pushed the box into the birthday boy's hand. Before Neville could realize what it was, something inside the box moved. He opened the lid and two brown eyes looked at him from a mass of rubbery green flesh. It was a toad. Neville gasped. It wasn't just a toad, it was his toad!

"What are you going to name him?" Enid asked.

Neville looked all around the shop, catching snatches of conversation from every angle. He was about to say he'd name him later until he heard someone he couldn't see say, "Honestly Robert, if you were moving any slower, you'd be going backwards." He chuckled inwardly at the jibe. Robert, backwards, that's funny. Hmmm. That would be Trebor. No, that's not right. And then it came to him.

"His name is Trevor."

*****

Despite it being early, Neville was exhausted. He had thoroughly enjoyed the day, had ate his fill of food at two special meals in his honor, and everything was prepared for school. Enid had given him her present after dinner. He opened the box to find a glass ball, the size of a large marble. It was called a Remembrall, and was supposed to help his memory by notifying him when he forgot something. When he held it tightly, like he was doing now, red smoke would fill the glass. And to his and everyone's dismay, the ball was now glowing red. But what it was he had forgotten, he couldn't remember, and so he went to bed. And very quickly he had drifted off to sleep.

He was jerked awake by the chimes of the grandfather clock in the hall way. Suddenly, he remembered what he was supposed to do. He sat up in bed and counted the chimes. 7, 8, 9. How many had gone off before he woke up? Please, let it still be today, he prayed. He lit his lamp, rolled out of bed and found his book. Please, please be eleven and not midnight. Wishing with all of his might, he opened the book.

The picture was still moving, and a letter was tucked behind it. Neville let out a sigh of relief.

Dearest Neville,

Happy eleventh birthday!

I'm sure you are preparing for Hogwarts, so I thought I might tell you what you can expect from school. You will be taking many classes: Astronomy, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Some of these you will be good at naturally. Others, you will have to work at very hard. Remember to always do your best. If you work hard, and really try, you shouldn't have a problem with the school work.

Hogwarts students are divided into four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Avoid Slytherin at all costs. Almost every Dark Wizard a Longbottom has fought for the past four hundred years had come from Slytherin. All of the houses cater to different strengths. Longbottoms are normally sorted into Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but your mum was from Hufflepuff. Her caring nature and loyalty to her friends and family prove that great wizards come from all houses. Although I would be lying if I didn't hope you were sorted into my house, Gryffindor.

Unless something has happened to him, Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, will be in your class. I know you've heard the story of how he defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort, and then disappeared from the wizarding world. Many will feel the need to treat him differently because of who he is. But Longbottoms don't treat people differently because of things they have no control over. You treat Harry the same way you would treat a Muggle-born wizard, or a wizard with mixed heritage, or a full blood wizard. Judge them by what they do, and how they treat others, not by their background.

I'll keep this letter short because I know you have a lot to do today. Always remember that I'm proud of you and I love you. Have a great year!

Love,

Dad