Title: The Trouble with Neville

Disclaimer: JKR (and whoever else she says so) owns all. This story was written for fun, not profit.

Rating: T

Pairings: None as yet

Summary: Neville is the BWL. Harry's a normal kid with a normal life, until he gets to Hogwarts and his sorting goes wrong. Head Auror James Potter's kid, a Hufflepuff? Plus, turns out being the BWL's best mate involves a lot more than sharing lessons - they say You-Know-Who's back in town. What's a kid to do with all this trouble? Follow the Marauders' #1 Rule: jump in head first.

A/N: You know those stories where Neville is thought to be the BWL, but it's actually Harry? This isn't one of them. You know when Neville IS but Harry is better suited for it? This isn't one of them either. This is an idea on what it would be like to be a friend to the BWL. How much it would probably make your parents worry from all the trolls and basilisks and You-Know-Who but because he's your best mate you keep doing it anyway, and how much it messes up your life and sometimes you might want to just have a normal life that didn't revolve around him but you never say it because how unfair is that?

Hope you enjoy!

The Troubles Of Neville

"Mum I can't find my copy of Curses and Counter Curses," the bespectacled eleven year old child yelled as he shoved his head and shoulders under his bed, squinting through the darkness. "I need that book!"

"You do not Harry James Potter!" With pursed lips his mum poked her head around the door frame, brushing auburn hair out of her eyes. "You are not taking that book to Hogwarts! If I get any owls from the Headmaster -" Harry rolled his eyes and continued hunting.

"Blah blah blah," he muttered, knowing she was just repeating what she'd said a hundred times before. A square silhouette caught his eye and he grinned. Checking under the bed works every time. Grabbing the book, he wriggled back out and batted his clothes to try and get rid of the dust. He crossed his floor as his mum snapped at his younger brother to hurry up and change from further down the corridor, stepping over a cracked remembrall and several old posters, before dumping the book on top of the robes in his suitcase. "That's the last of it!" he said, pleased, and looked at the time.

9:56. Perfect timing. Of course, that they had just under an hour to catch the train was probably why his mum was stressing so much.

Harry bent down and reached for the lid to his suitcase. He pulled it down and found it didn't shut properly – he had too much stuff. He scowled and pressed down with his hands a few times, but the lid bounced right back up. Alright, you asked for it! He stood up, pulled the lid down and then sat down on it. Under his weight the inside of the suitcase crumpled, giving him enough space to pull the zip around and be done with it.

"Phew," he breathed, running a hand through his hair and ruffling it up. His mum always frowned disapprovingly at the move, but he figured that since it was always messy he might as well make it look like it was deliberate. If he had to have permanent bed-hair, he'd rather make the most of it.

"Peter! I thought I told you to go and get changed!" Grinning, because it was always fun to watch someone else get in trouble for a change, Harry got to his feet and poked his head outside of his bedroom door. At the end of the corridor he saw his stressed mother glaring at his younger brother, who was staring at the floor in his pyjamas.

"Don't wanna," Peter mumbled petulantly, fingers fidgeting with his robes. His dark red hair was also messy, like Harry's, but less-noticeable.

"You don't-" his mum repeated incredulously and then spotted Harry watching them, "have you finished packing yet?" she snapped and Harry grinned wider. For once, I don't have to worry about getting in trouble!

"Yep!" he said proudly. "Managed to fit it all in and everything."

"Good! Then you won't mind if you help Peter get changed, will you?" Although it was phrased like a question, Harry knew it was an order. That didn't mean he had to like it.

"Why do I have to help him change?"

"Just help your brother!" she said, turning around and walking down the stairs.

"'just help your brother'," he mimicked, scowling, and walked over to his brother. He grabbed Peter's arm roughly and started to tug him back through the corridor. "C'mon, you gotta change."

"I can change myself!" Peter tore himself out of his grip. "You don't need to help me!" Harry rolled his eyes, not bothering to reply, and pushed open the door to Peter's room. He made a sweeping motion and with a pout Peter entered his room. Harry stepped in after him and shut the door, before gazing around at the walls. The red and gold paint would've been odd to anyone who wasn't used to it – but as this room was Harry's old room, he was used to it and it didn't bother him.

"Jeez, your room's even messier than mine," he said, staring at something indefinable on the floor. He looked back at Peter to see him sat on his bed and rolled his eyes. "Come on, get changed already! I don't want to be late!" he frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. Sometimes he's such a bloody pain!

"Fine," Peter grumbled, getting up and picking up the closest set of clothes he could find. "Why do I have to get dressed up anyway?"

"Because," Harry said.

"Because isn't a reason!"

"Yes it is."

"No it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't!" Peter stomped his foot, one leg in his trousers and the other out. "Why do I have to look good anyway? You're the one going away!" Harry sighed. It was a question he'd asked his mum loads of times, feeling the same way his brother did, but he'd never liked the answer.

"Dad's in the newspapers a lot so we have to look good for a photo at any time," he crossed his arms over his chest, "'cause if we look bad we make him look bad."

His brother puffed out his cheeks in annoyance as he hopped around his room, pulling his trousers up. "What does that matter? S'not like he's even around very much." With a small yelp, he tripped and fell on his face. Harry sniggered and, after helping him upright, ruffled his hair. "Harry! Don't do that!" Peter pushed his hand away.

"I'm just making you look good Pete!" he said, his face a mask of mock seriousness. "Mum'll be annoyed otherwise, so let me handle this." Peter giggled and Harry reached up, messing up his brother's hair even more. "Ah! Perfect! Now you look like a proper star! So, ready to go down?"

"I guess," Peter said, suddenly quiet. Harry frowned, knowing his brother was thinking about Harry's leaving, and then had an idea. He turned around and crouched down.

"How about a piggy-back down?" he suggested. Peter squealed with delight and clambered onto Harry's back. The eleven-year old's eyes widened as he staggered forward, trying to regain his balance. I don't remember Peter being so heavy before! He thought ruefully, finally managing to straighten up. "Jeez, when did you put on weight?"

"I'm not fat!" Peter pouted, tightening his grip around Harry's neck, and Harry snickered. He bent down to pick up a round, stuffed toy on the floor and chucked it to Peter.

"I didn't say you were." they exited the room, Harry bending over slightly. "Aaaand Potter has the quaffle," he zigzagged down the hall, providing the commentary as well as pretending to be Peter's broomstick. "He's making good progress, dodging the other players – watch out! It's a bludger!" he threw them to the left. "Aaaaand a nice save by Potter! He's back on route, he'd going for it, just look at this boy go!" they reached the railing over the stairs and Harry grinned. "He's at the hoops, but will he score?"

"Yeah!" Peter yelled and he threw the toy over Harry's head. It sailed down the stairs to hit someone walking past in the shoulder. "Oops," Peter muttered and Harry gave a sheepish smile to the injured party when the man looked up.

"Sorry Uncle Remus, we didn't know you were there," Harry couldn't keep a smile off of his face as he knew why the man was here. "When did you get here?"

"That's quite alright," Remus, a greying man with painful looking scars on his face, said with a warm smile. "And not too long ago. You two seem in quite bright spirits considering the way your mum's panicking. She made it sound like the end of the world." Harry shrugged, lowering Peter off of his back onto the floor, and then he leant against the railing.

"I don't see why. I'm all packed and Peter's sorted; we can leave whenever mum's ready," he bit his lip as the angle of the light highlighted the bags under Remus's eyes. Not that it was surprising, considering how close to the full moon it was. Remus always looked worse around the moon, but he refused to talk about his 'furry little problem' with Harry or Peter (which was quite annoying).

"Ah. I see, it's that kind of panicking," Remus said, obviously knowing something Harry didn't. "In that case, you should go and bring your things down here so she'll have less to worry about." Harry gave a big sigh.

"So much effort," he complained but turned around and walked back to his room. "I can't wait until I can use magic to move things around." he said to no one, picking up his trunk and dragging it out the room. "And the first spell I'm gonna learn is how to make things light as a feather..." he dragged it across the landing until he was back by the railing. Peter had disappeared but Remus still stood patiently at the bottom, so Harry graced him with a brilliant smile and started to walk down the stairs. He dragged his trunk behind him and with each new step it went thud. Thud. thud.

"Pick it up and carry it!" his mum yelled from somewhere and Harry snickered, reaching the bottom.

"Yes mum!" he said, pulling his trunk down the last few steps in a thudthudthud. "She's so easy to rile up," Harry dropped his trunk and let go, glancing at his uncle. "I don't see why she's so stressed anyway. She's already done this." he glowered at the floor. "I have much more reason to be worried than her. What if I don't make any friends? Or get in Gryffindor? What if everyone hates me, or I'm the last in classes or, or I horrendously embarrass myself-" he swallowed as Remus held up a hand, silencing him.

"It's okay to be nervous Harry," he said sympathetically. "I know I was when I first went to Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts..." Harry repeated. "Hogwarts..." I can't believe it's finally here! It was a very surreal feeling, almost as if it wasn't really happening. He'd dreamed of this moment his entire life and the years had seemed to drag along, torturing him with the wait for that one day he was able to go to the place he'd known about long before he understood what it was for.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"I can't believe it's finally here," Remus said, shaking his head. "It feels like yesterday that you were still in your nappy and unable to pronounce your 'r's." Harry felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment.

"Uncle Remus! Don't start with the embarrassing stories now!" he begged. Remus laughed and reached out to ruffle Harry's hair. Harry darted out the way and stuck his tongue out, and Remus grinned.

"Whatever house you're in, I'm positive you'll enjoy Hogwarts. For all of us, your mum, dad, Sirius, it was some of the best time of our lives," his smile turned tender then. Harry nodded, knowing that it was at Hogwarts Remus had found friends who accepted him for who he was - a werewolf - and had even gone out of their way to try and help his suffering. They were still friends decades later. "By the way, did your mum tell you Neville Longbottom is going to Hogwarts this year too?"

"What?!" Harry's eyes were wide like saucers. "Neville Longbottom's going to Hogwarts with me?!" Remus had a sly grin on his face; obviously he'd been deliberately holding onto that piece of information until the last minute.

"Yes. His birthday's very close to yours so you'll be in his year group, probably in his classes." Harry's jaw dropped at the thought of actually talking to the Boy-Who-Lived. Everyone knew who the Boy-Who-Lived was; even if he didn't make an appearance very often (the last time was around two years ago now). He was the most famous person in the Wizarding World.

After all, it wasn't every day that a one year old kid survived a killing curse and killed the darkest wizard of all time; Voldemort (or You-Know-Who to the older families). Everyone knew what happened that night. Voldemort had attacked the Longbottom's, when Alice and Neville were home alone. Alice had died and Voldemort tried to kill Neville, but died instead. The internal alarms had gone off in the house and Frank Longbottom and the rest of the aurors had come running.

Even if Neville hadn't been seen for two years, however, he was still in the papers at least once a week. Mostly it was people who said they'd seen him somewhere or other when they really hadn't, but there were some who pretended to be him, get money and then make a quick get-away. Apparently he lived with his grandmother and his dad worked at the Ministry.

Remus snapped his fingers in front of Harry's face to get his attention again. "Harry, there's a reason I told you. I've met Neville a few times and he seems like a very lonely child. I think it would be nice if you tried to be friends with him."

"Sure, okay," Harry shrugged. He'd planned to do that anyway.

"Harry! Peter!" his mum appeared in the doorway. "It's time to go!"

"Yeah I'm ready," he sighed and grabbed his trunk as his little brother dashed out of the living room and clung to his waist. Harry wrapped an arm around his shoulders and felt Remus take a hold of his. His mother held out a book, probably a portkey. "Are dad and Sirius gonna meet us there?" he asked as they waited for the portkey to go.

"We'll see," his mother said after sharing a look with Remus. Harry's shoulders slumped, but then the portkey activated and they disappeared.

LALA

Kings Cross Station, the place that every witch or wizard took when they wanted to get to Hogwarts, wasn't cool at all. It needed a paint job, and he'd seen much better craftsmanship in Italy, and he had a few chips dug under his stubby nails from when he'd accidentally scratched his hand along a metal bar in his haste to keep up with his family.

It was alright for Peter, who had tight hold of his mum's hand and didn't need to worry about being separated. The eleven-year old had no one to help him and he was struggling from his heavy trunk, his bulky hand-luggage and the thick crowds that surrounded the shorter-than-average child.

Well, actually, that's not true, he admitted a few seconds later. Uncle Remus did offer but I'm not stupid. He's struggling enough on his own in his state. I'm happy he came but I don't want him to collapse! He had seen the exhaustion that lined his Uncle's face; this close to the full-moon, it was amazing Remus was even walking. Harry suspected as soon as they had said goodbye, Remus would go home and sleep the rest of the day.

His family didn't seem to care about his predicament however. Harry huffed, blowing his black bangs away from his face, and wondered if getting separated would make them care, but then he shook his head. It would be stupid because his mum might reconsider the thought of him going to Hogwarts altogether.

Merlin knows she'd threatened it enough in the past few weeks whenever he tried to practice his magic in preparation for his school year.

For the first time he became aware of the stares being directly at his family. Or, more specifically, being directed at him. He was accustomed to stares from all his ventures into Diagon Alley (being related to famous people had built up a tolerance to being watched) but he was still curious to what the muggles, who didn't know his famous relatives, were watching - maybe it was his owl? Were owls not common in the muggle world?

As if she had read his mind, his owl hooted from inside her cage. Harry looked down and smiled softly, the familiar awe settling in as he tried to get used to the fact that she was his. He hadn't had a pet of his own before – well, he'd once had a pet Bowtruckle, had found it in the garden injured and taken care of it, but it had gone back to the wild eventually. There was also the family cat, Merry, but he was lazy and preferred Peter over Harry. Hedwig, the beautiful snowy owl, was his and he wasn't ever going to let her go. He reached a finger through the bars, stroking her white plumage and marvelling at how soft it was.

"Harry! Hurry up!" he jumped, snatching his hand away like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Coming!" he yelled, answering even though he didn't have a clue where his family had disappeared to. After a few minutes of searching and being shoved aside, he eventually spotted them beneath a shiny sign with the number '9' on and made his way over to them. "So, what now?" he asked, slightly breathless, when he managed to reach them. Coming to a halt he looked around at the space, trying to spot whatever was making his mum and Uncle Remus smile in that weird way which said 'I know something you don't know'. "Is something supposed to happen?"

Now that he thought about it, he didn't really know much about getting on the platform. He hadn't given it much thought, too busy worrying over whether he'd get into Gryffindor or not. Everyone in his family expected him to get in easily, but he wasn't so sure. What if he wasn't brave enough? If he didn't make Gryffindor, where would he go? Slytherin? The thought revolted him - who would want to be a slimy snake?

"Can you spot the platform Harry?" Remus asked. Harry frowned and then turned, only realising that there was no platform 9 and three quarters advertised.

"Err…"

"Remus," his mum swatted his uncle's arm before smiling at Harry. Peter grinned where he clung to her hand. "Follow me, alright? Remus will come after you," and then she turned and walked through the wall. Harry stared before Remus nudged his shoulder and, with a gulp, Harry dragged his things up to the wall. With a last look over his shoulder to Remus, he closed his eyes and walked forward. He never did hit a wall, instead bumping into his mother.

The platform looked different to the rest of Kings Cross Station – newer, for one, but the most impressive thing was the scarlet train with 'Hogwarts Express' written on its side in golden letters.

"Wicked…" he breathed and looked around. The platform was full of noise, owls squawking and adults shouting and kids wailing, and Harry tried to see if there were any other people his age but there were so many people he couldn't tell.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" he heard his mum say to Remus.

"It's red!" Peter exclaimed, eyes wide. "Mum can't I go to Hogwarts with Harry? Please please please?"

"Your time will come soon dear," his mum replied but she was busy looking around as if expecting someone. Harry stared, hoping it was what he thought it was. "I thought he said -" her expression brightened and Harry spun around, breaking into a wide grin as he saw what his mum had.

"Daddy!" Peter was a blur as he crashed into his dad. Harry moved so he was standing beside his mum and then stayed put. He wanted to run over, just like his brother, but he was well-aware that there were people watching them and didn't want to embarrass himself. It wasn't everyday that people saw the famous James Potter and Sirius Black together. His dad spun Peter around, tickling the other as he made his way towards them. Next to him, Harry's godfather Sirius was shaking his head.

"Dad! Sirius!" he beamed. His dad put Peter down and, with a grin, slung an arm around Harry's shoulder.

"So, you excited?" his dad squeezed his shoulder and Harry looked up at him. It was like looking in a mirror, as he and his dad looked a lot alike, but his dad was much stronger and taller. Harry hoped he would grow up looking just as cool as his dad did.

"Yeah," he said, but the reminder he was leaving for Hogwarts brought back the nerves. His stomach flip-flopped.

"I'm so glad you're here James, Sirius," his mum said warmly. Sirius scoffed.

"And miss Harry's big day? Not a chance! I wasn't about to let him go off without a proper goodbye, was I?" he snorted derisively, dragging Harry to him. He lowered his voice. "So, Harry, when you get there I want you to pull the biggest prank imaginable-"

"Sirius!" his mum was probably regretting her earlier comment now, if her tone was anything to go by. Sirius ignored her, making Harry grin.

"- to announce our heir's arrived at Hogwarts. It'll probably be easier if you get people to help out, make sure you target some slimy Slytherins and if you can get the odd teacher in then it's a win-win situation."

"That's enough Sirius," his mother snapped and Harry looked at her, spotting the smile she was trying to hide. A quick glance at Remus showed his shoulders shaking silently from mirth, and his dad wasn't even bothered trying to his chuckles.

"What? I'm just giving him a few tips, nothing wrong with that. By the way Harry, if you ever need to close something, mischief managed usually works." Sirius winked at him. Harry wished he could ask out-right, but instead just nodded as if he understood. Sirius beamed, and that was the best thing he could've hoped for.

While his mum and Sirius started arguing, his dad bent over to whisper in his ear. "On the subject of mischief, I've slipped something in your bag. It made our time at Hogwarts a lot easier, and I'm sure it'll do the same for you." he winked but, when his mum shot his dad a suspicious look, straightened and adopted a mock serious face. "And to try to work hard in all your classes," he said.

"Oh, very convincing," his mum muttered. Harry grinned.

"Harry!" Peter flung his arms around Harry who blinked in surprise. "Don't go!"

"Hey, c'mon mate," Harry put his hands on his brother's shoulders. "You've gotta be a big boy once I'm gone, okay?"

"I am a big boy!" the seven years old jammed a finger into Harry's chest. "Take that back!"

Harry pursed his lips and pretended to scrutinise the kid. "Hm… well, you've gotta grow a bit more," he circled around his brother. Peter puffed his chest out but couldn't stop from turning around as Harry did so, defeating the original purpose. Realising it was a lost cause, Harry stopped and bent over so his hands rested on his knees. "Tell you what, when I come home the first thing I'll do is see if you're ready to be a big boy."

"You promise?" Peter brightened and, when Harry nodded, exclaimed, "I'll become a big boy, I will!"

"Course you will," Harry ruffled his hair and glanced around the platform. It was quarter to eleven, the platform filling up as everyone arrived at the same time – not too early, not too late. He was almost overwhelmed by how many students there were and hoped there would be enough space on the train for everyone.

Shrugging, he turned to look back at his family. The thought he wouldn't see any of them for four months was quite scary and he found he didn't want to go on the train just yet, didn't want to say goodbye, but they took the decision from him.

"Try to be a good student, okay Harry?" his mum swept him into a tight hug, her hair tickling his cheek. Harry felt his cheeks redden and, after a quick glance to check no one was watching, hugged her back. He was surprised that just from her hug he felt a little less nervous. "Don't forget your studies."

"Yeah yeah," he said and shrugged as she pulled back. To his horror her eyes misted over.

"My baby, all grown up…"

"Mum…" he bit his lip.

"Come on Lily, you're embarrassing the poor kid," his dad stepped in and wrapped an arm around his wife, pulling her back so Uncle Remus could hug him.

"Just be yourself, that's all anyone can ask," his uncle said, easing the anxiety knotting Harry's stomach. He pulled away but before Harry knew what was happening he was snaffled for a noogie.

"Ow, Sirius! Sirius! Lemme go!" he whined, trying to break free. Unfortunately, Sirius Black was strong and had a firm grip. Added to his determination to not let go and there was no surprise Harry couldn't escape. Harry felt Sirius wrap arms around his waist and draw him close, until it felt like they were the only ones in the world.

"If you're ever in doubt, remember this: I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," Sirius said.

"What?"

"Remember it, okay?"

"What are you saying, Sirius?" his mum demanded.

"Just guy stuff Lils, you wouldn't understand."

"Right," his mum rolled her eyes.

"Harry," Harry looked back at his dad who had a soft smile on his face and a far-away look in his eyes. "I had the time of my life at Hogwarts and there's nothing I want more than for you to have the same. Always remember that we'll be here for you no matter what," he suddenly snapped back to the present and met Harry's eyes. "There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do to keep you safe."

Harry wasn't sure what to say, sensing his dad had just said something big but he couldn't expect much trouble to happen at Hogwarts, so what was it?

Then there was a loud shrill whistle and everyone froze.

It was the warning whistle - the one which said there were only ten minutes remaining before the train left.

"He's going to be late!" It was Harry's mum who broke the silence with her panicked sentence. Suddenly everyone flew into motion. Harry was tackled by Peter, who seemed determined to not let him go, and his dad picked up his trunk while his mum took Hedwig's cage, and it was up to Sirius and Remus to try and manoeuvre Harry onto the train whilst pulling Peter off of him.

The latter was what took the most effort. By the time Harry was free, pretty much all the students were inside the train and the second warning whistle was going off. Jumping on to the train doors, nearly tripping over his trunk, he turned around to ask his dad a question and found the doors had shut on him.

His family had already moved back, probably to get away from the train when it started moving. He couldn't see them from the door, but perhaps from a compartment window he could. It took mere seconds to dive into the nearest compartment, startling the poor boy already sat in it. In his haste he didn't notice the other and, fiddling with the window clasp, eventually managed to open the window.

He spotted his family all stood together and let out a sigh of relief. They hadn't seen him and he watched them, wondering if he'd ever make friends as close as they all were. He'd love to have a comfort like that and swore to himself that he'd never ever turn his back on his friends. Only by giving loyalty would one find they got it in return. Then Peter spotted him and pointed, so Harry started waving.

"Bye mum! Bye dad! Bye Sirius! By Uncle Remus! Bye little Peter!" he yelled, leaning out as far as he dared as the train began to move. Now he was here, on the train, actually going to Hogwarts, he didn't feel nervous at all. He watched as Peter ran along the platform, keeping up with him as far as they could, and he smiled at them as they finally parted.

"Don't forget me Harry!" Little Peter yelled, stopped from walking off the platform only by Sirius's quick reflexes. Harry's eyes widened at his little brother's words, but had no time to reply. His brother was worried about being forgotten?! Damn it, what was Harry supposed to do about that now? He had to trust his parents would take care of it until he could write a letter to them.

He kept waving until his family was out of sight and even a little bit after that because he wasn't quite ready to let go. Eventually, when they started weaving around muggle London, he pulled his head back inside with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

Things were oddly quiet and for the first time, it sunk in that he was alone. He was off to Hogwarts, but he was alone. He, who had never been away from his parents more than a day, was going to be without those he loved for nearly four months. He was going to miss them.

"Hey, are you okay?" Harry jumped at the voice, eyes widened. His shocked gaze shot to the other side of the compartment, where a boy with orange hair, a smidgen of dirt and several freckles stared at him. For the first time he realised he'd barged in someone else's compartment, and he smiled sheepishly.

Oops. I need to be more observant sometimes.