(Disclaimer. I don't own them. I just play with them. -Thank you JK for letting us play in your sand box.)

Destiny's Child

By Taylor Grey- Lady Grey Castles.

Chapter One.

Albus Dumbledore could turn no child away from Hogwarts, no matter how limited in -magical talentthey may be- if a parent truly wished, or a child truly had the desire, there was always an opening for the child. He glanced up at Minerva McGonagall as she placed the list of grades upon the desk before him, frowning disapprovingly.

"He will learn in his own time Minerva" he said gently. "We can't undo what has happened or the horror in his heart- he must come to terms with that himself." She remained silent at his side- her frown unchanged. "It has been 14 years now since it began Albus. How long will it be before…" She was cut short by a knock on the door.

Severus Snape entered the room and stopped short- a bit surprised to see Minerva there.
"Well, I suppose its proper that you're here as well. Professor Dumbledore, something MUST be done about - HIM"

Albus Dumbledore eyebrow rose slightly. "Which Him are you referring to Severus?"

Severus spat out the name "Neville Longbottom. He is a menace and a danger to every one about him- far worse than Finnegan, or - Potter." Albus waited for Severus to catch his breath. "He is constantly endangering the other students, is a walking disaster, and a menace to any cauldron that he touches."

Minerva fairly bristled. "He seems to do quite well in Herbology" She said the frown remaining on her face. She wasn't about to admit to Severus that she had come to Albus about the same child. "What would you have our headmaster do?"

Severus fell silent, and then said "Something! Anything!" Albus Dumbledore's face became thoughtful. There was sadness on his face as he closed his eyes briefly. When he spoke it was with a heavy heart.

"It was with horror that we learned of the death of James and Lily Potter- It seems as only yesterday we were placing young Harry on the threshold of the home of his only family member. Harry Potter was not the only child who was bereft of a family at that time. We all remember Neville's parents- Frank Longbottom and his dear sweet wife Alice who have suffered all these years, They hid Neville, from Barty Crouch and his gang- Alice placed him in the cabinet in the kitchen - where terrified he stayed quiet as he could only watch and listen to what horror they had inflicted upon his parents. I wasn't there when his grandmother came home and found her son, and her daughter in law in their mindless state. Nor was I there when she discovered Neville so very silent himself until she tried to pick him up - She said-..."

(Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment, his voice breaking) "She said that when she picked him up he screamed in horror for all that he had seen- and couldn't stop screaming even beyond when he lost his voice and kept screaming in fear. I wasn't there to stop the ministry from casting the Obliviate spell so deep on Neville to the point that all memory of who he was, of his parents to the point that he could only remember basic existence. I wasn't there because of preparing for the arrival of Harry Potter to his uncles home- I wasn't made awarethat a second child had been hurt by Voldemort's followers until after the damage to Neville had been done. For that, I will always feel guilt within my heart. I agree something must be done to right what has happened so long ago- there is also the chance that the horror will return, we might lose this child to the past, and never be able to reclaim him again."

"Surely if you knew his mind was addled that he would be unsuitable to learn here!" snapped Snape. Dumbledore offered a small smile.

" I only know that when I first held Neville shortly after his birth, Ifelt that he had a keen mind, and tremendous talent for magic- far surpassing my own. I had thought at the time I had found my replacement here-as head master of Hogwarts- rivaled by talent only to Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Minerva gasped. "Neville Longbottom to be your replacement!"

Sadly he nodded. "Yes, Neville. His heart still remained pure even after all the horror that he had seen. It was one thing that they couldn't remove from his nature. The possibility of such a sweet child that was so tolerant of that which was about him- with his talent…" he sighed then put the papers that were on his desk aside.

"There have only been two predictions that have been correct that I am aware of One with Madam Trelawney: one, that Harry heard during his final exam predicting the return of Voldemort at the hand of his faithful servant, the other from long ago was during Tom Riddles time… I was in the back of the classroom when a young woman looked at him -and said that the greatest evil would have its downfall by the innocence of the child born by Potters. Frank Longbottom was the son of a Potter did you know that? It's why Barty Crouch went after the Longbottom family- he knew their past - he knew what Frank's father did. Tom Riddle didn't. Perhaps, perhaps there are reasons that we don't understand why Neville has remained as innocent as he has."

Minerva became puzzled as she asked him "But who gave that first prediction? Sybil only arrived at Hogwarts in the Eighties, and Tom had left here long before that."

Albus took a breath. "Myrtle said it, in my transfigurations class. It made no sense at the time and she was murdered shortly after."

Snape tapped his foot. "In the mean time, what is to be done with him- he will destroy my classroom if left to his own devices" Albus hid a smile behind his long beard. "Ah well, he wouldn't be the first child to do that, now would he? I will think on this matter Severus and I will let you know shortly. Thank you." Flummoxed Snape strode out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Albus looked up at Minerva. "Isn't that so, Minerva?"

A faint blush happened on her cheeks, then she looked keenly at him. "It won't due to change the subject with me."

He leaned back in the chair and took a deep breath. " I agree that something should be done with Neville- and perhaps its time that he become an apprentice for a teacher of his house in the school…"

Minerva went pale. "You're suggesting he become my apprentice…"

There was tenderness in Albus's eyes. "Yes.- would you? I alas cannot take him on at this time."

Minerva crossed her arms in front of herself. "He shakes like a leaf each time I pass by, how can I possibly have him learn anything- you heard Severus…"

Albus smiled "And when my dear, have you ever listened to Severus? Starting tomorrow Neville will be in your charge."

She stood shaking her head "I wouldn't know where to begin!" she stammered, losing her sternness to panic. Albus patted her hand softly.

"You will know what to do when you need to know M' dear. I have known you for far to long to know that beneath that no nonsense exterior lays a gentle heart that wants to care for every child in the world. Now off you go -you have much to prepare for tomorrow."