Neville Longbottom and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 12 - Crime

Neville clambered into the Gryffindor common room to find the biggest party he had ever seen in progress. The Quidditch victory over Hufflepuff had vaulted Gryffindor into the lead in the House Cup standings, the first time a house other than Slytherin had led in many years. Neville was surprised to see a veritable banquet laid out on several of the study tables. And having spent the last several hours in the infirmary, he was hungry.

As Neville munched on a cake, he surveyed the scene. Percy was in one corner, shaking his head at the festivities and watching the clock until he could put an end to the party. Oliver Wood was in front of the fireplace telling several of the sixth year girls how he'd trained Harry in the daredevil maneuver that resulted in the victory. The three chasers, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell were passing a Quaffle around the room, and bouncing it off one of the Weasley twins at every opportunity.

Neville finished his first cake and began on his second as Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the common room. Neville waved at Hermione and the trio began to cross the room. But before they reached him, Oliver intercepted Harry and dragged him to the center of the room as Fred and George grabbed the 'Potter for President' banner and draped it around the Seeker's shoulders. Harry seemed uncomfortable as the Quidditch captain gave a speech praising the younger boy's abilities, and eventually Harry broke away from the crowd, and joined the rest of the first years who had all gathered around Neville.

"I heard you made an incredible catch, Harry," Neville said. "I'm sorry I missed it."

"It wasn't that good," Harry replied.

"Besides," interjected Ron, "you were doing much more important work." The first-year Weasley grinned broadly at his round-faced classmate.

"Whatever possessed you to take on Crabbe and Goyle?" asked a disapproving Hermione.

"What was I supposed to do?" Neville responded. "Let all three of them have a go at Ron?"

"You mean it's true?" Seamus cried in disbelief. "I thought Ron was making it up. You really took on both of Malfoy's thugs?"

"Yeah. Professor McGonagall said I broke Crabbe's nose, and that Goyle broke his hand when he hit me. Guess I have a hard head." Neville was grinning now as well.

Parvati spoke up. "We've known about your hard head for months now. Finally, it was put to good use." All of the first-years, including Neville, laughed at the good-natured teasing. It seemed the Quidditch match had bonded the students in more ways than one. Neville finally felt at ease enough to call his fellow classmates, friends.

*****

In the aftermath of the momentous victory, both at Quidditch and over the Slytherins, Neville found he had more help than ever before. If Hermione was busy with Harry and Ron, which was becoming more and more common as the term wore on, the other first-years found the time to help Neville. Each member of the remaining quintet excelled in a different class. Dean was doing very well in Transfiguration. Parvati had shown a flair for Charms. Seamus was the best potion maker of the group, boasting of his ability to home brew ale, and Lavender loved the stars, making her a natural at Astronomy. And of course, Neville was the best student in his year at Herbology.

The only two classes no one excelled at were the two classes which could be blamed on the poorest teaching. History of Magic droned on with the students learning more by writing their own essays after doing their own research, than by any lecture Professor Binns ever gave. And Professor Quirrell's classes had become a mockery all their own, the timid teacher jumping at the slightest movement or noise. Even a student raising a hand to ask a question could send the professor hiding under his desk.

It was in this manner, student helping student, strength covering weakness, that the next two months passed. On the first Friday in March, Madam Hooch gave Neville his second private flying lesson. This time Neville was flying around the pitch without the rope to keep him tethered and flying in a circle. The instructor worked with her student on quick acceleration and braking techniques and after an hour, she ended the lesson. Neville was continuing to make progress and if all went well, the boy's next lesson would likely be the last one needed.

As March continued, Hermione made revision schedules for all of the first-year students. Neville found it much easier to prepare for the upcoming exams once he had his time allotted. All in all, his studying began to feel much more like home. Prior to Hogwarts, his Great-Aunt Enid had set his study schedule. Hermione was picking up where his aunt had left off.

The dreams had left him alone as well. He felt better about himself than he had in years. The number of accidents he was involved with had dropped significantly; he had only melted one cauldron in Potions over the past two months. He was busy, and he was happy.

Neville barely had time to notice March end, and April speed past. The one thing he had circled on his calendar was his final flying lesson on the first of May. Professor Hooch had hinted something fun and special was going to happen but refused to divulge any more information. Neville was anxious for the afternoon to arrive.

The day was passing without incident until Herbology ended. As the bell rung, Harry, Hermione and Ron dropped their trowels and sprinted away from the greenhouse.

"I wonder where they're going in such a hurry," Justin Finch-Fletchley said as Neville picked up the Trio's implements and took them.

"I don't know. The three of them are always doing something secret," Neville answered. "At least Hermione made me a study schedule. I don't know how I'd be getting through all these classes if not for her organizing. How are you and Hannah doing?"

"We're doing all right. I'm pretty good at Charms and Transfiguration. Hannah's really good with potions. Susan Bones knows her history - guess that's the benefit of having a family member on the Wizengamot. Ernie's good with the DADA stuff, and Sally-Ann is great with Astronomy. And then there's you."

"What about me?" Neville asked as the two first-years finished cleaning the gardening tools.

Justin stopped and looked at Neville. "You help all of us in Herbology. Do you know how rare that is? None of the other first-year students have crossed house boundaries unless it was to insult us, as the occasional Ravenclaw or Slytherin has been prone to do, or Hermione who comes off as such a bossy know-it-all. When we come up to you with a question or need help with a technique, you just show it to us. No airs, no attitude that you're better than us. You seem happy to help."

Neville blushed. "It's not a big deal. I know what it's like to be the person left out. I'm normally the last one in class to get a spell right, and don't get me started on what Snape thinks of me." Neville looked around the greenhouse. "At least here, I know I can do it. I've been growing things in my back garden at home since I was five. And I'm happy here. Maybe that rubs off on everyone else."

"I think that's part of it," Justin said. "But you weren't conceited when we met on the train, and that was an unnerving situation, especially with Hermione Granger spouting your family history at you. You shrugged it off then and you shrug it off now. I want you to know you've got me for a friend, no matter what happens."

Neville began to tear up with joy. "Thanks, Justin. How about we go get some lunch?" The two boys walked to the Great Hall talking and laughing the entire way. For the first time, Neville ate lunch seated at the Hufflepuff table, getting to know Justin and Hannah's dormitory mates. He knew a little about Susan's aunt and parents, the Bones name having occasionally come up in the Daily Prophet. Ernie talked about his Scottish wizarding ancestry.

Neville was surprised at how comfortable the Hufflepuffs made him feel. It wasn't unheard of for a student to take a meal at another house's table, but when it did happen, people would whisper about betraying house loyalties. But for this meal, no one said a word and no one made him feel out of place. He began to understand what Gramps had meant by "being open to the possibilities around him".

After lunch, Neville said goodbye to Justin and the others, and joined Seamus and Dean as they headed towards History of Magic. Unsurprisingly, Seamus had something to say on the topic.

"Why were you eating lunch at the Hufflepuff table?"

"Justin and I were talking on our way back from Herbology. It seems they think I'm a good bloke."

Dean laughed. "We always knew you were a good bloke. Why didn't you just ask us?"

Neville thought a moment. "Sometimes you need to hear it from other people. I mean, most people here think I'm something of a duffer. You know they do. So it felt good to find out that at least those people think I'm all right."

Seamus lowered his voice to a whisper. "Yeah, but aren't Hufflepuffs a bunch of duffers anyway? Why would you care what they think? I bet they'd love to pull down a Gryffindor down to their level, even if it is you."

Neville pushed Seamus away hard. "Hufflepuffs are not duffers. My mum was a Hufflepuff, and she was Head Girl. They don't make duffers Head Girl. Hufflepuffs are known for being friendly and loyal and caring. Maybe that's something you should try."

Dean quickly intervened. "Calm down, Neville. I'm sure Seamus didn't mean anything by that. Did you, Seamus?"

Seamus shook his head as the three boys reached the History of Magic classroom. "I was just saying what I heard."

"Well, you heard wrong. Saying someone isn't worthwhile because of their house is like Malfoy saying Muggle-born wizards shouldn't be at Hogwarts. It's dissemination."

Dean chuckled. "I think you mean discrimination."

At that all three Gryffindors laughed. "Yeah," Neville said. "Discrimination." Neville looked around the classroom as the bell rang. Harry, Hermione and Ron were nowhere in sight. "Were Harry and Ron at lunch?"

"No," Dean replied as they took their seats. "Neither was Hermione."

Neville began to worry. It definitely was not like Hermione to skive off a class. All too soon, however, Professor Binns put the class into its usual stupor by droning on about yet another goblin skirmish, and Neville forgot about the trio's absence. When the bell rang at the end of class, he raced up to the dormitory, dropped his belongings on his four-poster, and headed down to the Quidditch pitch.

Madam Hooch was waiting for him, but instead of one broom lying on the ground, there were two. And when Neville got close enough to look, he recognized one of the brooms as his Christmas present.

"What's my broom doing here, Professor?" Neville said.

Madam Hooch grinned. "I informed your grandmother as to your progress. I thought you might enjoy what I have planned on your own broom, and asked her to send it along."

Neville picked up his broom and looked it over. Sure enough, it was his Shooting Star 700, with one small addition. Underneath the brand name it said, Property of Neville Longbottom. A feeling of pride welled up inside him as he looked over the broom. He set the Shooting Star on the ground, and turned to face the teacher.

"All right, then. Command your broom into your hand, mount it, and fly over to the Quidditch hoops at the north end of the field." As Neville went to stand by his broom, he noticed Madam Hooch positioning herself by the second broom. Both student and teacher were soon hovering thirty feet in the air, about ten feet apart.

"Ready, Mr. Longbottom?" Neville nodded at his instructor. "We're going to play a little game of follow the leader. I will keep the pace below Quidditch speeds, although I will be making sharp turns. Keep your eyes on me, and your hands in the steering position. Understand? Good. Here we go."

The next twenty minutes were the most exhilarating of Neville's life. Madam Hooch led him around the Quidditch stadium, and across all of Hogwarts' grounds. They followed the path towards Hogsmeade a ways, then reversed course and headed across the lake. While over the water, Madam Hooch went into a dive, pulling out ten feet above the water's surface. Neville reacted a bit more slowly, but was able to right his broom just before impact with the lake.

Halfway through the game, the two changed places, with Madam Hooch following Neville. The student led the teacher back to the castle itself. He buzzed the Astronomy Tower and spiraled around Gryffindor tower until he looked into his own dormitory. His sudden appearance startled Dean and Seamus, who flew to the window and opened it.

"Neville? Is that really you on that broom?" cried an incredulous Dean. Neville laughed as he nodded.

"Mr. Longbottom," Madam Hooch interrupted. "I think that will be all for today. You will be allowed another fifteen minutes before I expect your broom to be stored in the shed with the rest of the school brooms. Well done. I think your grandmother will be proud."

Neville was glowing. He had come so far this year. He could feel the pride within himself. He waved to Seamus and Dean and turned the broom in a leisurely pattern in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. As he passed over Hagrid's hut, he noticed someone running very fast back towards the castle. It wasn't too difficult to recognize Draco Malfoy. As Neville circled around, he saw Harry stick his head out of Hagrid's door before quickly closing it.

On his way back to the broom shed, Neville decided to find out what was going on between Harry and Malfoy.

*****

For two weeks, Neville tried to find out what was going on. He knew that the trio would never answer his questions directly, and he wasn't about to stride up to Draco Malfoy and demand to know what was going on. Instead, Neville hid in corners, or trailed one of his marks keeping them barely within earshot. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't discern any information.

It wasn't until Saturday that he hit upon his solution. He brought Trevor with him to breakfast and chose a seat at the end of the table. When he was certain no one was looking, he placed Trevor underneath his bench, and excused himself to the boys lavatory. He sat down in the first open stall and latched the door.

Neville cleared his mind and focused on Trevor. Very quickly, he made his connection with the toad and just as he had before, he saw through the animal's eyes. Concentrating harder, Trevor's auditory sense came to Neville, allowing the student to hear the sounds in the Great Hall. And then Neville was ready for the real test: movement. He urged Trevor to take a hop in the direction of the Slytherin table, and finally after several moments of suggestion, the toad moved. Very delicately, as if a puppet master dealing with a fragile marionette, Neville guided his familiar to an unobtrusive spot within hearing range of one Draco Malfoy.

"...you, it's happening tonight," Malfoy's whispered voice said. "Potter's going to get rid of the dragon. I'm going to work it, so he's caught by his own head of house. The only reason he's still here has been his incredible run of luck. Tonight, that luck ends."

Neville gasped upon hearing the plot. He quickly maneuvered Trevor away from the Slytherin table and broke the connection. Then he returned to the Great Hall and recovered his pet before finishing his meal and heading back to Gryffindor Tower.

His next step was to warn Harry, a task easier said than done. All day long he tried to track down the Boy Who Lived, but was unable to find him or Hermione. He was able to find Ron in the Infirmary, but the youngest male Weasley either didn't know, or wouldn't tell where his two best friends had gone.

At dinner, Neville decided to change tactics. If he couldn't find Harry, he would have to impede Malfoy. After dinner had ended, Neville made excuses to his friends about homework in the library and scooped up Trevor once again. He positioned the toad behind a suit of armor that had a view of where the Slytherins would emerge from the dungeons, and proceeded back to the lavatory to observe.

He opened the connection and prepared to wait. Neville lost all track of time as he concentrated on keeping his familiar still. Finally his patience paid off, and through Trevor's eyes, Neville saw the blonde Slytherin first-year quietly make his way out of the dungeon. Neville urged Trevor to follow in the shadows and was a bit stunned to see Malfoy make his way towards Gryffindor Tower.

Neville quickly broke the connection and hurried down the corridors. He picked up Trevor as he sped to the staircase and began to climb. There was only one place where a covert pickup of such a sort could be made. The Astronomy Tower was the only open access to the castle from above. It was there the Gryffindor students must be, and it was there that Draco was heading. Neville tore after him determined to help his friends.

As he reached the third floor, voices began to float towards him. Neville hid behind a tapestry just as he registered who the voices belonged to.

"I'm not lying, Professor. I have a note and everything. Harry Potter has a dragon," said Malfoy.

"That's another question I have for you," returned McGonagall. "I sincerely doubt Mister Potter would hand you such a note. How did it come into your possession?"

"It...er...it was in a book Ron Weasley loaned me."

"No offense, Mister Malfoy, but I suggest you work a little harder on your dissembling if you want it to be believable. I know of your history with Mister Weasley, and I do not think it likely that..." Professor McGonagall's voice trailed off as they passed out of earshot.

Neville let out a sigh of relief. Harry and Hermione were safe to do whatever they needed to. But in that moment when Neville let his guard down, he forgot completely about the trick stair, and before he knew it he had let out a cry of alarm as his right leg sunk down to the knee.

Professor McGonagall reappeared so quickly, Neville might have thought she Apparated had Malfoy not still been by her side.

"Mr. Longbottom, you, too? I am appalled. Mr. Malfoy, I will discuss this matter with your head of house in the morning. I have to deal with my own house at this moment. You will go directly to your dormitory or there will be further punishment. Is that understood?"

Malfoy snickered at Neville. "Yes, Professor. I understand. Good night."

As Malfoy continued down the stairs and back towards the dungeons, Professor McGonagall removed Neville's leg from the trick stair. She hadn't even spoken another word to the young boy, when another noise was heard from above.

"Be quiet and come with me, Mr. Longbottom," the professor ordered. Neville dutifully fell into step behind her as they headed back down the stairs and to the professor's study. Waiting there for them was Mister Filch, and behind Filch was...

"Harry!" Neville couldn't keep from blurting out. "I was trying to find you to warn you. I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag--" He stopped his babbling when he realized Harry was trying to get him to shut up. Neville went pale as he realized he had just done Malfoy's dirty work for him by implicating Harry in this scheme.

Professor McGonagall turned on Harry and Hermione, demanding to know what was going on. When neither answered, she became calm. Too calm. "I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on. It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believe it, too?"

Neville looked first at McGonagall and than at Harry trying to make sense of what the professor was saying. For his part, Harry was keeping up appearances rather well. The look he was giving Neville appeared to be apologetic. Neville, however, wasn't buying it. It wasn't real. The whole story was a fake to get Malfoy in trouble. There never was a letter. There never was a dragon. I bet Weasley was in on it as well, following in his brothers' footsteps.

All of the pride Neville had felt over the past two months vanished. He was once again the bumbling, idiot first-year of Gryffindor. He didn't think it could get any worse.

Less than a moment later, it did.