Disclaimer: I have never owned Harry Potter and as far as I know, I never will.
Chapter I: The Return of Neville Longbottom
New Herbology Shop is Big Success Recently Neville Longbottom, best known for his heroic efforts in the War, has opened a Herbology shop in Diagon Alley. So far, the shop has been a great success. Diagon alley shoppers have raved about the extensive collection of rare magical plants and Herbology books...
Neville Longbottom smiled as he read the Daily Prophet, while sipping coffee in a small cafe. Sure, the article was stuck way in the back of the paper, crunched between an ad for the new Firebolt and an article on making your own pumpkin juice, but it was a good review of his shop, none-the-less.
Neville had decided not to become an Auror after the War. The War had been very destructive and hard on everyone. There had been major casualties on both sides. In the end, good had triumphed over evil. Harry had found all the Horcruxes and destroyed them all. Then in the Final Battle, which was also known as the Battle of Diagon Alley, Harry had killed Voldemort.
It was almost two years since then; the anniversary was only a few days away. Neville had been there at the Final Battle. He had fought with everything he had. He had been twenty-one. He fought and now was known as one of the heroes of the War. Everyone expected him to become an Auror, even himself. Yet, five years of war had changed him. He was no longer the round-faced forgetful boy. Neville was hardly recognized for what he had always thought himself to be.
Neville had shocked many when he disappeared for a while after the War. He decided to escape for a while; he decided to travel the world. On his trip, he discovered many rare plants that were about impossible to get in England. He then decided to bring them back with him and open a Herbarium.
With his inheritance from his Gran, who had died in the War by cross fire, he purchased a store in Diagon Alley and opened his store. He spent four months fixing it up and collecting plants. He had just opened a week ago. Business was booming. Some of the people just came in to see if it were true that Neville Longbottom, the war hero, was actually back in England.
"Neville Longbottom?" asked a slightly bossy voice. Neville looked up from his paper to see a bushy hair witch.
"Hi, Hermoine," he said with a smile to his old friend Hermoine Granger. "Long time, no see." She hugged him and sat down in a chair across from him.
"You have changed a lot. Where have you been the last few years? We were all worried about you. We thought you might be dead."
"I am sorry to have worried you. I had to get away. I have been about everywhere, from Asia to South America."
"It looks like travel agreed with you. You look great, I barely recognized you. I heard about your Herbology shop, how is it going?"
"Great, I really love having it. How about you? What have you been doing?" said Neville, eager to get the subject off of himself.
"Well, I am the head of the Department of Inter Magical Creature relations at the Ministry."
"I haven't heard of that department."
"Well, That would be because I started it."
"Are you still going on with spew?"
"Honestly, it's S-P-E-W," she said, making Neville chuckle. "And, yes I am, that is actually how I got started."
"Are you with Ron yet?"
Hermoine flushed. "We have been dating for a year and a half now."
"About time."
Hermoine seemed a tad uncomfortable. She and Ron Weasley had liked each other for years. Unfortunately, everyone realized it, but them. "Well, I would love to catch up more, but I have to get to work. I have an idea though, there is to be a memorial event for the anniversary of the Final Battle on Friday. You should come. I will send you an invitation."
"Alright, I will see you later."
"Bye."
Neville was not sure if he wanted to go to the event. It would be nice to see all the people he hadn't see in years, but then again, it would be very awkward for him. He knew it would be surprising for everyone if he just suddenly showed up, but they would probably find out that he was back sooner or later. Neville resigned to just go and get it all over with.
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The next day an owl fluttered into Neville's shop while he was watering a Fanged Geranium. It was an elegant blue envelope, which Neville guessed to be the invitation. The memorial was formal; to be held at Cappolti's, one of the most fancy hotels in the magical world. Neville's heart sunk. It sounded more like a party and that meant there would be dancing. Sure he had changed a lot, but Neville still could not dance without stepping on his partner's feet.
Neville sighed and filled out the RSVP, despite how he felt about going. He decided to avoid attention at the memorial. He would just come to see how his old friends were doing. He also needed to get some dress robes at Madam Malkin's.
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Friday came too quick for Neville. He had picked up some blue dress robes and was pacing around his shop. Until he had to leave for the memorial. He was quite a nervous wreck. By the time it was time for him to apparate, he had almost worn a trail through the carpet.
Neville arrived at the front of Cappolti's with both his eyebrows still attached. With a deep breath, he walked through the front door into a big hall. The place was decorated beautifully. Immediately to his left was a large gold plaque listing all the names of those who had been killed in the War.
Albus Dumbledore
Hannah Abbot
Percy Weasley
Charlie Weasley
Arthur Weasley
Cedric Diggory
Seamus Finnegan
Padma Patil
Marcus Flint
Rubeus Hagrid
Agnes Longbottom
Dolores Umbridge
These were just a few on the very long list. Just looking at the plaque brought tears to Neville's eyes. He wiped them away roughly as he turned and went further into the hall. He got himself a drink from the bar and sat down at a table. He gazed around the hall a recognizing some people. He saw Draco Malfoy, who had redeemed himself during the War, chatting to Hermoine, with whom looked like Ron Weasley standing behind her. Ron was sending Malfoy dirty looks. Ron had never liked Malfoy, although they were on the same side.
Soon the table filled up. It seemed that there was to be speeches first, then dinner, then dancing. Neville was joined Ernie Macmillan, who introduced himself pompously and seemed not to recognized Neville; Ernie's date, named Sandra; a young woman and her date, neither of whom Neville could remember knowing; and a very pretty, redheaded, young woman.
There was a stage one end of the hall. Everyone went silent as a man with messy, black hair walked up to a podium placed upon the stage. He magically magnified his voice.
"Good evening to all. As most of you know, I am Harry Potter. We are here tonight to remember those who died at the hands of Voldemort and his supporters. We are here to remember the bravery of those who stood up and fought him. We all know that the war was long and bitter. We all lost some great witches and wizards. I saw many of them die. It is hard to remember them falling. I fought and destroyed Voldemort single handedly. I saw my friends and acquaintances die at his hands. Sometimes the memories of the war are too hard to bear, but I must do so. I must do so to give a proper memorial to those brave individuals," there was a pause; it looked as though Harry Potter's eyes were watering. "We all must remain strong, from the inside out..."
"Bloody bastard," muttered the red-haired woman next to him.
"Pardon?" he whispered back.
"Harry Potter. He says all these things, not to remember those who died, but to promote himself. To make him seem like a great man."
"But he is a great man."
"Yes and no. He surely has the potential to be, but he is going the way of Bartamus Crouch. Justice does not matter to him anymore, just power."
"Surely not. I have known Harry Potter for years. I may have been gone a long time, but I cannot believe that he changed that much."
"I have known him for a long time, too. If I didn't know better, I would have said the same thing. The War changed us all though, especially Harry," the woman said with a bitter tinge to her voice. "He has finally let his fame and power go to his head. If you have been gone for awhile, you might not know, but he is the captain of the Chudley Canons and he is rumored to be up for the next Minister of Magic."
"Wow," said Neville thoughtfully. " I would have never expected it."
"Shush!" said Ernie Macmillan.
Neville looked up at Harry potter, who had just finished his speech. As the applaud sounded, Harry went and sat down next to a model-like woman, who kissed his cheek with a grin. Neville found something wrong with this scene. Even in Harry had taken a turn for the worst, why would he be with some bimbo-type woman? Where was Ginny Weasley? Harry and Ginny had been very enamored with each other at Hogwarts. Neville thought that they would have been married with children by now, that is if Harry could get the approval of Ginny's six older brothers.
Dinner started. Neville was pensive through the first course. He also felt quite out of place. The two couples were smitten over their bowls of soup, so that left Neville and the beautiful red-haired woman feeling awkward. It seemed that the woman needed a distraction, because she turned and stuck up conversation with Neville.
"You said you have known Harry Potter for a long time?"
"Yes, we went to Hogwarts together."
"Funny, I don't recognize you."
"You to school with him too?"
"Yes, I was a year younger and had a hopeless crush on him for years. It did not really help that he was my brother's best friend. I actually dated him for a while, though."
Neville blinked. It couldn't be. "Ginny?"
"Do I know you?" Ginny asked with a slight frown.
"Neville, Neville Longbottom."
Ginny's eyes went wide. She stared at him in a curious shock for at least a minute before she said anything. Suddenly, Neville found himself in her embrace.
"I thought you were dead!" she said into his shoulder.
"I am sorry," said Neville blushing as she broke away.
"Where have you been?"
Neville went into his story, talking more than he had ever in the last few years. He did not know why, but he had always found Ginny easier to talk to than most people. Of course, Neville still felt a bit uneasy around her, especially because he found her very attractive.
Neville told her all about his travels and about his Herbology shop.
"Wow, that's great. You were always marvelous at Herbology."
Neville blushed. "What have you been doing?"
"I am an Auror. That takes up most of my time, but I enjoy it."
"How is Ron doing?"
"Ron is pretty good. He plays with Harry on the Canons. He has a bit of trouble though because he is married to Hermoine and she refuses to talk to Harry."
"Really?"
"Believe it or not, it is because Harry has been promoting anti-werewolf legislation."
"WHAT?" said Neville, who was thoroughly shocked.
"Yes, he has been building off of the character of Fenir Greyback. Remus ends up breaking something if someone even mentions Harry."
"How could he do that? And people actually support him for Minister of Magic?"
"Yes, well there is a lot of anti-werewolf sentiment after the War, plus Harry is an international icon. There is a large group of us, which actually happen to mostly consist of those who knew Harry best, who are promoting Hermoine for Minister."
"Really? She neglected to tell me that. I think she would make a great Minister."
"Yes, she really would," said Ginny with a sigh, "but with Harry in the running, she doesn't have much of a chance."
"No need to be so optimistic. "
"Well, it is true." Ginny sent a glare over to where Harry Potter was sitting. Neville was still quite shocked at how much everything had changed in just two years.
Both he and Ginny were quiet through the rest of the dinner. So couple were getting up and dancing. Neville felt distinctly uncomfortable. He thought that he should maybe ask Ginny to dance, then again, she probably wouldn't want to dance with him; she already knew how bad at dancing he was, seeing that he had taken her to the Yule Ball in his fourth year at Hogwarts.
"Would you like to dance, Neville?" said Ginny out of nowhere. Neville was surprised, but happy that she had asked him.
"Sure, " he said, getting up and taking her outstretched hand in his. His arm felt tingly as she led him towards the dance floor.
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Neville danced with Ginny for a while, but it was quite cut up. He was cut in on quite a few times, all by men he did not recognized, except when Dean Thomas came up. Dean was the only person to actually recognized Neville, claiming "well, who else would he be?"
While Neville and Ginny danced, Hermoine and Ron came up also.
"Neville, I am glad you came!" exclaimed Hermoine. Ron grinned; obviously, Hermoine had told him that he was back.
"Great to see you, mate," said Ron, shaking Neville's hand. Neville smiled.
"You too."
"I assume Ginny has could you up on what has been going on?"
"Yes, I must say that I am astonished."
"We all were," said Hermoine giving Ron a small glare.
"Look, he has been my best friend since my first day of Hogwarts. I have tried to talk to him about it, really, I have," said Ron. "I don't know what to do next."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Neville.
"Well, you could help with Hermoine's campaign," said Ginny.
"Okay, I am a very influential person, but I can try."
"Neville, you are a war hero. Of course you are influential."
Neville blush slightly. He was really quite confused. He hadn't expected everything to be the same when he returned, but this was all just strange. Hermoine and Ron left to go get drinks and mingle. Neville continued dancing with Ginny. He was dancing better than he expected; he had only stepped on Ginny's foot once.
Only a few minutes after Hermoine and Ron left, a dark haired man made his way towards them.
"Ginerva, my dear. How lovely to see you," said none other than Harry Potter in a quite false sounding, hearty voice.
"I wish I could say the same," said Ginny coldly.
Harry just gave a loud phony laugh, as he was joined the model-like woman. "This is Larissa Meildeu. Larissa, this is Ginerva Weasley. Larissa is the chief editor of Witch Weekly's Fashion department."
Neville noticed Larissa scrutinizing both him and Ginny, like she was trying to figure out whether they were good enough to talk to.
"And what is it that you do, Ms. Weasely?"
"I am an Auror."
"How... lovely," said Larissa, in a slightly strained voice as she looked at Ginny with distaste.
"Who is your friend, Ginerva?" asked Harry, looking at Neville like he had just noticed him. Neville was slightly taken aback, although he did not know why. He also found it quite awkward to introduce himself to Harry Potter, especially since he had known him for better than ten years.
"I am Neville," he said, refraining from saying that he was nobody.
"Does a last name go with that?" asked Harry.
"Longbottom," said Neville softly.
"Neville? That can't really be you? You died!"
"Obviously not," said Ginny.
"You know him?" said Larissa.
"This is Neville Longbottom! The man who took on ten Death Eaters single-handedly! Come Neville, you must have a drink with me!" said Harry pulling Neville off towards the bar. Neville glanced back at Ginny with a helpless look upon his face.
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Neville had very dull conversation with Harry Potter. It didn't seem very dull for Harry, who was talking animatedly about himself and politics, but Neville was bored out of his mind. He couldn't get a word in at all and all Harry's ideas were either horrible or self-centered. Neville had taken to just nodding along so that he could tune out everything else.
"So, what do you think?"
Neville did not know what Harry had been saying so he asked, "I am quite sorry, could you repeat that?"
"You could do some promotional work for my campaign. After all you are, Neville Longbottom: The War Hero. With you in tow, I will further insure my win over Granger. I am going to win anyway, but the more supporters the better. Everyone except a small group supports me; after all, I am the savoir of the magical world, an international Quidditch star, and one of the best looking wizards around. I have won Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor three years in a row now. I also have an Order of Merlin: First Class."
"Well, um..." started Neville, not quite sure what to say. It was amazing how much Harry sounded like Gilderoy Lockhart. Neville could have never imagined that Harry would end up with this big of an ego.
"I can make it worth you while. Really, anything you want," said Harry.
"I don't think so," said Neville softly, not realizing that he was staring at Ginny, who was talking to one of her brothers, either Fred or George, a ways away from the bar. Harry noticed this and turned to see what Neville was staring at. When he turned back his large false smile was gone.
"Stay away from her," Harry growled.
"Wh-What?" said Neville who was quite taken-aback and blushed as he realized that he had been staring at Ginny.
"Stay away from Ginny," repeated Harry menacingly as he got up and walked away.
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A/N: And there is the first chapter of my second ever Fan Fiction. It also happens to be the longest chapter I have ever written! I know Mr. Harry Potter is quite out of character, but in my story the War changed some people a lot. Thanks to everyone for reading it is quite appriciated. Reviews would be appriciated too!
---Perplexity