"She can't be gone! She was always there, she was to strong to die!"
"She was old, Neville. She lived through two wars and stayed fighting. She lived to be a great-grandmother, she got a chocolate frog card, she lived a great life. It was just her time." Hannah tried to comfort Neville but he tuned her out. His pain covered her words.
"It is Gram! She can't be gone. She survived Dragon Pox at 150, no one does that. She was indestructible."
"That's right, Neville, no one could harm her. Don't you think she would have wanted to be your mother and father again though? Just remember what Dumbledore said, 'death is but the next great adventure'. Gram was ready to keep exploring she just already did everything she could here. She didn't like to stay in one place long and she has been here with us longer than anyone."
"But I don't want to let her go, Hannah. She was always there for me. She forced me to be who I am today. She wouldn't let me hide. She was tough on me but I needed it. I don't know where I would today if it wasn't for her. She was the only person in my family who forced me to be my own person and not just my father's son. She is the only one who would have been okay with me being a squib. I don't remember my parents knowing me but I know they loved me, with Gram I remember everything. Every bedtime story, every punishment and every 'ouchie' she kissed. I grew up without my parents but I don't know how I can go on without my Gram."
"I know, Neville, I know. She was an amazing person and everyone will miss her, no one more than you, but her death will leave a hole in the Wizarding World nothing but her vulture hat seated atop of her head can fill."
Neville completely broke down at that, remembering his thirteen year old self being terrified of her when really he should have held her close. He thought of every missed opportunity to tell her he loved her. When he wrote a quick letter just to let her know he was fine but he didn't want to be mushy in front of his friends. Every summer evening he came in too tired to even say goodnight. He thought of every time he pushed away her hugs and kisses because they embarrassed him. What he wouldn't give for just one more, just one more chance to tell her he loved her.
"Daddy, I remember when Grandma died. She didn't really know me but she gave me a gum wrapper every time. We had enough to plaster both our rooms by the time she died. I really miss her but she can look down on us now like she wasn't able to before. Don't you think Gram would have wanted to see her and Grandpa like that again?"
Neville looked at his daughter, Melissa Alice Longbottom, named after both his and Hannah's mothers. "When did you get so wise?"
"Gram taught me."