Neville
Harry stepped out of the floo into Grimmauld Place and moved to the side as Lupin followed.
‘So this was where Sirius grew up before he lived with the Potters.’ Remus looked around with fascination. ‘I don’t get invited into many pure blood death eater homes, I imagine its filled with all sorts of dangerous things.’
‘I had a Gringotts curse breaker go though the place yesterday. He wasn’t able to completely check the library as part of it is blocked against anyone not a member of the Black family.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind if I want a book to read.’
‘I assume you were told tales about the house elf?’
‘Padfoot always said he was his mother’s creature and particularly unpleasant.’
Harry thought Sirius had not behaved well towards the elf either and the horcrux along with his inability to fulfil his master’s last request were contributing factors. ‘He takes some getting used to, I suspect the dark artefacts removed from the house didn’t help. The goblins charged me enough for their removal.’ He looked at Lupin and grinned. ‘I used the Black heir vault to pay for it.’
‘Oh Sirius is going to like you.’
‘I just hope he doesn’t want his leather jacket back.’ Harry muttered. It was hard, the man standing with his hands in faded pockets of patched and worn trousers hadn’t taught him how to cast a patronus yet. Didn’t share the same memories and hadn’t died in the final battle at Hogwarts. He even had time to be there for his son, if the boy was even born now Harry was directly changing things. But he figured that was up to Lady Magic, not Harry Potter to work out.
‘I will call the elf to find you a room, it will need cleaning but there shouldn’t be any doxies in the curtains any more.’ It looked cleaner than it had when he’d left earlier that morning. Already a marker of the improved health of the house and it’s magic.
‘Kreacher!’
‘Heir Black calls Kreacher?’
‘Mr Lupin is staying for a while, please find him a room and make sure it is clean.’
‘Kreacher lives to serve the filth the heir brings into his home.’
‘Has my owl arrived?’
‘Birdie is in the owlery, but I will make a pie for supper if it comes in Kreacher’s kitchen again.’
‘Thank you Kreacher but please do not turn Hedwig into an a pie.’ He watched the muttering elf lead Lupin up the stairs and to a guest room before heading to the kitchen and the door to the courtyard at the back of the property where the owlery was kept.
Hedwig was waiting for him and he was pleased to see there was fresh water and food. Laughing as his friend sat on his shoulder and nibbled his ear. ‘Oh I missed you my friend. I am glad to have found you again.’ He petted her the way he knew she had liked and set her back on the perch. ‘Just, don’t stick around in the kitchen or the elf has threatened to put you in a pie.’ With a final pet he headed back inside and washed his hands before moving to put the kettle on. It had been a long day and he wanted a cup of tea.
‘Kreacher can do this.’
‘Lupin settling in?’
‘You know he is a wolf.’
Harry nodded. ‘I know.’ He pulled the locket from his satchel. ‘The goblins removed the dark magic. But I wanted to ask you something.’ He put the locket in his pocket. ‘The heads on the stairs, I want to have them taken down. What do you want done with them? We can bury them in the garden outside if you like.’
‘You would do this for Kreacher?’
‘Yes.’
The elf stood a little taller and Harry was sure his ears were no longer as droopy as he straightened.
‘Under the tree.’
‘Very well, but I may need the wolf to help.’
‘Kreacher understands.’
‘Can you take them off the wall or do I need to get Lupin to do it.’
‘It be needing a wand. Kreacher can not.’
‘We will do that after we have tea.’
Harry knew house elves were something else but within moments the table was set with delicate cups and a plate of sandwiches and scones. He smiled and accepted the cup, looking up as Lupin joined him.
‘Tea Mr Lupin?’
‘You can call me Remus you know.’
‘I could but I haven’t decided if you can call me Harry yet. I know you were my parents friend, and they wanted me to live with you if you would be allowed. But I don’t know you.’
‘Fair enough but I don’t think I can call you Lord Potter. Merlin knows your father would have loved that.’
‘What was my mother like?’
‘Smart and fierce.’ Lupin added sugar to his tea. ‘She had the most amazing red hair and the temper to match. But so very kind.’
‘Not like my aunt then.’ Harry placed a second sandwich on his plate.
‘I only met your aunt a few times and found her, unpleasant. Your mother tried to include her in her life but magic split them up.’
‘I’m not sure anything would have made my aunt happy, but someone having something she didn’t always makes her angry. My cousin too.’
‘I wonder what she would say if she knew her sister had married an actual Lord.’
‘They told me at Gringotts he never claimed his Lordship.’
‘I wonder why he didn’t.’
‘You knew him.’
‘He may not have been able to, he was in hiding the last two years.’ Lupin smiled. ‘He kept asking your mother to teach him how to bake but was a complete disaster in the kitchen. Your mother could do just about anything except bake cakes, although I think your father probably had more to do with that. She kept catching him opening the oven door.’
‘That will make a cake fail just about every time.’
‘That’s what she would tell him but he was just such a kid about some things and cake was one of them.’ He smiled as he remembered his friend being chased out of the kitchen. First by his mother, then his wife. ‘She’d bribe me with biscuits to keep him away from the kitchen if she was baking anything that she wanted to turn out properly.’
Harry smiled. He’d never gotten this last time, everyone always had stories about his father, but so few would speak of his mother.
‘What are your plans for tomorrow?’
‘I am having tea with the Longbottom’s at ten.’ He frowned. ‘Am I supposed to take a gift or bring anything?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘I need to learn how to be a Lord of a Noble House when all I know how to do is clean one.’ He smiled. ‘It is nice to have a proper bed in an actual bedroom, I don’t miss sleeping in a cupboard.’ It had only been a few days this time around and that had been long enough. ‘I suppose I’ll have to share a room at Hogwarts.’
‘That will depend on what house you get sorted into. Gryfindor we shared a dorm, but the beds have curtains so you can still have privacy. And if you put a silencing charm up you wont have to worry about anyone snoring.’
‘What about the other houses?’
‘I don’t know, never found out what anyone else’s dorms looked like.’
‘A silencing charm sounds like a good idea.’
‘I can teach you if you like.’
‘Can’t, I haven’t got my wand yet.’
‘You haven’t got your wand? Ollivanders hasn’t been closed.’
‘He has to make me one, I’m pretty sure I waived just about every wand there and none of them suited me.’
Remus tried to remember if he had heard of anyone who had to have their wand made. ‘I had heard he prefers to work with only three cores.’
‘On another topic, maybe you can explain to me, why everyone dresses like extras from a Victorian play. Have they not heard of jeans?’
Remus laughed. ‘Oh you are very much your mother’s son. She asked me almost the exact same question.’
‘Excellent, then you have an answer.’
‘Not really, my father is a wizard and my mother was a muggle.’
‘So you had jeans and a dress.’
‘The magical community does seem stuck in the early to mid Victorian period for many things. Some of that is about magic and technology not mixing well.’
‘So no electricity means I have to dress like Tiny Tim from a Christmas Carol. And the kids like me who didn’t grow up in the magical world weren’t able to influence the others into the wonders of jeans?’
‘Don’t think they haven’t tried. But the more we turned up with jeans and t-shirts the tighter the pure bloods held onto their robes. Well, most of them, your father and Sirius loved making me take them shopping on the muggle side.’
Harry knew he knew the answer but he asked anyway because he was learning about his parents. ‘They don’t teach wizards and witches how to blend in the muggle world?’
‘If they took Muggle Studies in third year, they would sort of learn. It would depend on how muggle the professor is. Most of the witches and wizards who do learn to dress muggle were usually ones like James and Sirius that had a friend like me or your mum who could help.’
‘And what do they teach at Hogwarts? I’ve mostly been able to collect my parents old text books and it looks like there is charms, transfiguration, potions, which I am assuming isn’t cooking. Defence against the Dark Arts, and doesn’t that sound ominous, and herbology.’
‘They also teach flying in the first year.’
‘Like, a magic carpet?’
‘No, brooms. Your dad would have spent all day on his broom if he could have gotten away with it. Some summers, that was pretty much what we did.’
‘No magic carpets then.’
‘Oh there are magic carpets, but they are highly regulated here.’
‘Why don’t muggles see wizards on their brooms flying everywhere?’
‘Most don’t use brooms to travel, it’s usually for sport.’
‘What, they play football but with brooms? Or would it be more like polo without the horse?’
‘Ah no, but I was never a fan so I’m not the best to explain any of this. Ask your classmates when you get there and they can explain it better.’
Harry arched an eyebrow and just nodded.
‘Did you have any plans for this afternoon? What’s left of it.’ Lupin asked as he finished his tea.
‘We need to take the house elf heads down and to bury them under the tree in the back garden. They are a bit, creepy. There was a portrait of this old woman who kept saying she should have cut the head off the house elf and stuck him on the wall like the others. I had her put downstairs in the basement.’
‘Sounds like Siruis’s mother.’
‘I spoke with Kreacher and he said it needs to be you taking the heads down, he can’t do it. I’ve asked him to find boxes or something to put them in but I’ll use pillowcases if we have to.’ Harry thought for a moment. ‘I could check the wardrobes and see if her old robes are still here. She had this horrible cap thing in the painting, maybe we can use for the elves.’
Remus shook his head. ‘Sirius is going to be so annoyed he is missing out on this, he would find it hilarious that you would do that.’
‘Why?’ Harry asked innocently.’
‘To free an elf you give them clothes.’
‘Wouldn’t that make it hard for them to do laundry? Or take your coat?’
‘There has to be deliberate intent to free the elf. When taking a coat the intention is not there, same thing with laundry. And you have to be head of the house.’
‘So I can’t accidentally give Kreacher my socks and free him.’
‘No.’
‘That’s a relief, I’ve enjoyed not having to cook. I should probably let him know the new plan so he doesn’t turn up with a dozen boxes.’ Harry set his cup and saucer on the counter by the sink.
Watching Remus use magic was fascinating. He could see threads of magic woven as the wizard levitated dirt so they didn’t have to dig a hole. This was new, he hadn’t been able to see magic last time and he was going to have to learn to tone it down for Hogwarts. Searching the wardrobes had netted a collection of bonnets and dresses that had belonged to Walburga Black that Harry and Kreacher had happily used to wrap the heads before they were placed in the hole. Harry and Remus gave Kreacher a moment alone before magic was used to cover them over.
Looking around the sad little garden Harry shook his head. ‘Kreacher?’
‘Heir Black.’
‘If we planted a garden out here, would you be able to look after it, and the house?’
‘Yes.’
‘Because it’s pretty bleak out here, and it would be nice to have a little table and chairs. Even a bench seat if you wanted to sit out here or something.’
He looked around mentally planing what he could do with the space, he’d never have admitted it to his aunt, but he had enjoyed working in the garden. He’d have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been for his aunt and cousin but he wasn’t going to have the same problem here. He wanted to grow potion plants. He planned to do well academically and that included doing better in potions. Trolling Snape was just going to be a bonus. The more he looked back at his first Hogwarts experience the more he wondered if he wouldn’t have enjoyed it more if Ron hadn’t been his first friend. He was jealous and fickle with no concern for academic achievement that wasn’t copied from others. And then there was the number of times he turned his back on someone who was supposed to be his best friend. Not least of all was the decision he wasn’t going to be in Gryffindor this time that would put a wedge between them straight away if he ended up with snakes on his uniform.
Something he was coming to accept was more likely than not. Sirius would have to get over it as the other person who was not going to like having Harry Potter in Slytherin. To be honest, most of Hogwarts if not the judgmental wizarding world as a whole was going to lose their shit over that. Just as well he was good with a shield spell and had been quietly working on his wordless and wandless spell casting. Being able to see the threads of magic helped but he still needed to learn what the spells looked like.
---
Wondering though the greenhouse with Neville he watched his god-brother gushing over the plants that had arrived earlier.
‘Your grandmother had an amazing collection Harry.’
‘I’m just glad it’s gone to someone who can appreciate it Neville, and you clearly have what the muggles call a green thumb.’
Looking at his hands he frowned. ‘No I don’t.’
‘It isn’t literal, it just means someone good at growing plants.’ He looked around. ‘But I don’t see the snap dragons.’
‘They are right there.’
Harry followed to where the other boy was pointing and shook his head, wondering why he thought they would be the same plants he’d grown up calling snap dragons. The jewel toned flowers were shaped like little dragon heads. ‘I suppose that means they’ll try to bite me then?’
‘Well, yeah.’
Harry shrugged. ‘Sure, that makes sense, but do they breath fire?’
Neville stopped walking and turned to Harry. ‘Will it work?’
He read the fear in his new, old friends face. ‘I don’t know, but if the goblins can help your parents then can you imagine not trying.’ He sighed. ‘We both lost our parents to madness outside our control. I know I would give just about anything if there was a way to get mine back but no magic can do that.’ He scuffed his shoe in the dirt. ‘You have the chance I don’t but you have to be brave enough to try and I think you can be.’
‘I’m not brave.’
‘Yeah, you are. You just haven’t seen it yet, but I believe you are capable of standing up for what you believe in when it matters. Like yesterday when you asked your gran about the goblins healing your parents. No one prompted you.’
‘I’m barely even a wizard, if my uncle hadn’t dropped me out the window and I bounced I’d be.’
‘Dead.’ Harry interrupted him. ‘What sort of person throws a kid out the window to try and force magic out of them?’
‘My Uncle Algie, and to be fair, he didn’t throw me out the window, he just, sort of dropped me.’
‘Oh that makes it okay then.’ Harry shook his head. ‘Did you tell your gran?’
‘She was just so happy I wasn’t a squib.’
‘Bollocks. She would have seen you were a wizard when you got your wand at Ollivanders.’
‘Oh, I didn’t get my wand there.’
‘There are other shops that sell wands?’ Harry asked, knowing that wasn’t what the other boy meant.
‘Oh, no, gran gave me my father’s wand.’
‘Even I know that wont work.’ He grabbed Neville’s hand. ‘Come on, we need to talk to your grandmother.’
‘We can’t do that.’ Neville hissed as he let Harry drag him back to the house.
‘Why not?’
Augusta Longbottom looked up from her cup of tea in the conservatory that lead out into the gardens to see her grandson being dragged towards her by the very unexpected Lord Potter. Having spent time with him this morning she was left in no doubt that he was going to cause waves in the wizarding world. She just wasn’t sure what to make of his apparent effect on her grandson.
‘Lady Longbottom.’
‘Lord Potter.’
‘Is it true Neville didn’t exhibit magic until his uncle threw him out a window?’
‘Well, he floated.’
‘Oh so attempted murder is okay as long as Neville floated.’
‘Attempted murder Lord Potter?’
‘What do you call throwing a child out a window?’ Harry held her gaze and didn’t blink as she sat there growing increasingly uncomfortable at his words. ‘If not attempted murder.’ He raised an eyebrow at her silence.
‘You raise an interesting point Lord Potter.’
‘I’ve been told I do that. And why doesn’t he have his own wand?’
‘That is private to this family and none of your concern.’ She turned to her grandson and glared at him, shocked to see him pull his wand out and place it on the table before her.
‘My father is going to need his wand back when the goblins have healed him. Are you going to explain to him why he can’t?’
‘We do not discuss family business in front of strangers.’
Harry nodded as he turned to Neville. ‘I thank you for your offer of friendship Heir Longbottom. And when you are free to do so, I look forward to accepting it. Until then I can see that any relationship between our Noble Houses is going to be one of public politeness only.’ He turned cold green eyes back Augusta. ‘As to you Dowager Lady Longbottom. I am sorry I remain a stranger.’ He placed a hand on Neville’s shoulder before turning and walking away.
‘Well of all the rudeness.’
Neville cut his grandmother off. ‘Yes gran, I agree. You were rude.’ He turned his back and walked back to the greenhouse blinking back tears as he hoped his first friend wasn’t his last friend.
Augusta picked her son’s wand up and watched her grandson walk away. Suddenly she found she wasn’t sure she liked the boy having as much strength of character as he had just displayed. Apparently wanting him to be more like his father was easier than actually seeing it. She also wondered what had happened to Harry Potter for him to have acted the way he did. Such strength of self was unusual in an eleven year old child. Her earlier thoughts were unchanged, this boy was going to make waves and she wasn’t sure the wizarding world she knew was going to survive. Or, if she was honest, if it should.
---
Harry hoped he hadn’t made things harder for Neville as he explored Grimmauld Place looking for a study with a desk to write to his friend. He just got so mad hearing the boy speak about being thrown out a window as if it was normal. It also meant he needed to go back to Flourish and Blotts for a book on wizarding etiquette. And success as he found Orion Black’s study along with a collection of ink, quills and parchment that meant he didn’t have to dip into his school supplies.
Neville watched as a snowy white owl landed next to him and extended a leg with a letter attached.
‘You are quite magnificent aren’t you. I’m only sorry I don’t have any treats for you.’ Taking the letter he watched as she flew into a tree to wait.
- Neville, I am sorry if I caused you any problems with your grandmother. I hope we can still be friends and that you get your own wand. I hope you write back, this quill is harder to use than I thought it would be, but even if I didn’t need the practice I would still want to hear from you.
Hopefully your friend, Harry. -
He smiled as he folded the parchment and tucked it in is pocket. He would write back once he’d washed up from working in the greenhouse. He found he liked the idea of having a friend. Now he just needed his own wand and he’d be ready for Hogwarts.