"Today in Charms we are going to be studying the Hereditas charm." squeaked Professor Flitwick from atop his pile of charms tomes.
A collective groan went up from the assembled Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors but they went off into pairs as the tiny professor had instructed of them on the blackboard.
"The Goal of the assignment is to trace your family history through the generations by using the Hereditas Charm. Now I want you all to join up into pairs and start practicing the spell."
"Class, the incantation for the Hereditas charm is..." Here, Flitwick was interrupted by the waving, insistent hand of one bushy haired Gryffindor know-it-all, Hermione Granger.
"Sir... I know the answer, it's Paterfacio Vestri Heritaga," Granger finished with a bright, smug, smirk of self satisfaction. "Quite right, Miss Granger, but 5 points from Gryffindor for interruption of a Professor." Hermione's mouth clasped shut with a snap and she gazed off into the distance, clearly shocked that she had been reprimanded by, who many of the students had always known to be her favorite professor.
Flitwick ordered the class to go back to their partners and try casting the spell. Harry walked back to his seat next to Neville and smiled at the smaller boy. Harry had always admired Neville's steadfast nature and loyalty, ever since that incident in first year with Fluffy and the Philosopher's Stone when Neville had stood up to Ron, Hermione and him.
"Hi, Nev... How was Herbology this morning?" Harry asked as he pulled out his wand and prepared to cast the spell on his friend. He was curious about how Neville's Family Tree looked.
"It was pretty okay this morning, Harry. We were repotting the Mandrake Root and it was messy work." Harry flicked his wand and muttered the incantation, but nothing seemed to happen; not like Hermione and Ron's spell which had produced a full family tree as the direction had said it would.
"Here, let me try Harry. You were distracted before so maybe the spell didn't work right," Neville said with a small grin as he picked up his wand. Neville waved his wand, but nothing happened, he tried again but to no avail. Neville raised his hand and gestured Professor Flitwick over to where he and Harry were working.
"Sir, the spell... it isn't working as it should." Harry stated simply, his eyes turning to meet those of the tiny Charms professor.
Flitwick pulled out his wand from its holster and incanted the charm just as he had instructed the boys. However, just like Neville and Harry, he was met with nothing... no magical family tree. There was something blocking the boys.
"Harry and Neville, my young Gryffindors; many young wizards and witches struggle with this spell you have attempted to perform today. There are many side effects to it, like queasiness and other discomforts, which from the looks of it both of you seem to be suffering from. But, it is all right, there is always tomorrow's class for another crack at it." squeaked the Professor who eyed the boys critically.
"My suggestion now is for you both to head to the Hospital Wing for a Headache Reliever and a Stomach Calming Draught, neither of you look quite right."
They stood from their chairs and walked towards the door; Harry's face set in a grimace as his hand clutched his stomach in discomfort. Neville wasn't fairing much better, his face having an ashy pallor compared to its warmer tone from earlier in class. He felt weak, nauseous, and his head was splitting as if the Gods' hammers were cracking it right open but right now his friend Harry was his main concern.
Hermione glanced up from the family tree, that Ron had produced and stood up to half-block the doorway before being frozen in place by a glare from both boys. The boys were still angry at the girl and her red headed boyfriend ever since last year.
"What do you think you're doing Granger?" Neville bit out uncomfortably as he walked closer to the door. "Harry and I need to go to the Hospital Wing, get out of our way!"
Hermione reeled back as if slapped and shook her frizzy hair to collect her thoughts.
"I'm just worried about Harry that's all." She placated in a sugar laced tone.
"Yeah, well. You never showed that last year during the Tournament Huh? Didja?" Neville ground out in a scathing tone. Shoving Hermione aside and fixing her with one final Snape-worthy glare He gently ushered the clearly ill Harry out of the door and down the hallway.
To Neville, Harry wasn't the 'Boy-Who-Lived' or the 'Saviour of the Wizarding World' or even Harry Potter. He was simply Harry. Neville had looked up to Harry in a way one could classify as a brotherly bond, always looking at how strong and powerful Harry seemed to be compared to him. How he could do no wrong, even though Neville was a day older than Harry, he still treated Harry like a little brother would treat his older brother.
Harry was everything Neville was not, Harry could stand up to Snape and walked with a quiet air of friendliness, compassion, and confidence. Neville wasn't any of that really. He had barely any magical power it seemed, He was always disappointing his Gran, always losing Gryffindor points in Potions and seemed like a great lout of a failure. Despite this however, Harry stuck by him and treated him like a close friend. Now, it was Neville's turn to repay some of that kindness by helping Harry out right now.
