This is one of two stories I am currently working on. I hope to update both as frequently as possible. Thank you to everyone who has already written a review for my other story, or who has added it to their favorites. Your interest is very encouraging, especially since I am so new to this.
This chapter is simply an introduction. It is my intention to have future chapters be longer.
All characters in this story belong to JKR unless otherwise specified.
An anxious Neville Longbottom dreaded his impending company. He had managed to avoid social interaction for several months, but recent owls sent between himself and the Potters had resulted in him finally giving in: He had invited Harry and Ginny Potter over for dinner. When the couple asked if they could bring others along, Neville had reluctantly agreed to this as well. How could he have allowed himself to be cornered like this? Now he would soon have the Potters, Ron and Hermione Weasley, and both of the couples' children over. He had seven hours to prepare.
The first thing Neville did was check to make sure his wand was locked safely away in a magic lockbox. This lockbox was then placed inside of a larger lockbox, which was then chained firmly to the wall. He then went outside and dug a very large hole, where he buried the key that unlocked the chains. Next, he locked away all of his knives, as well as any potentially dangerous metal utensils. Pillows, rope, or any other objects that could be used for asphyxiation were locked away as well. Each key was given its own unmarked burial site in his yard.
Once this was all complete, he then went around his house about a hundred different times, checking and re-checking the locks to his various chests, chains, and security vaults. He also obsessively searched for anything that could be used as a weapon. Soon his kitchen contained nothing but a fridge full of cold food, an unplugged muggle stove, paper plates, and plastic utensils. The latter of these objects seemed to stare at him, and he often found himself staring back in constant anxiety.
By the time this was all completed, an hour remained before his guests' arrival. Neville spent this last hour fighting constant compulsions to take his precautions even further. He resisted boarding up the mirrors and windows, which he feared for their potential to be turned into sharp shards of glass. That would be much too obvious, he decided. No one could know his secret- especially not Harry Potter or Ronald Weasley. Not to mention, boarding them up would require the use of a hammer and nails.
It wasn't long before there was a ring filling his apartment. Someone had arrived.
"Here goes…" he groaned aloud. He felt as if he was going to panic. What if he hadn't secured all of his locks properly?
Despite this overwhelming fear, Neville forced himself towards the front door. He took a deep breath. The oxygen filling his lungs failed to calm the war that was ensuing in his obsessive mind.