Thank you to whatisfake for your kind review. I do hope to keep updating and finish this story.

I really enjoy writing from Neville point of view. I'm a plant nerd and I feel like he and I can relate on that level.

Enjoy!


Chapter 2

The first week of school sucked. Most of the classes were hard. I loved Herbology though. Even though we met three times a week in Greenhouse 1, we could have met every day and I would have loved it. Astronomy wasn't bad, but I was so tired when we met. Thursday we had a very lame Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson and dull History of Magic lesson. Actually I'm not really sure what happened in that lesson: sleeping sounded like a better idea.

By Thursday afternoon, I was so sick of hearing about Harry stupid Potter. Everywhere we went, people would point at him and whisper. It was just annoying. I almost felt bad for the guy. But it was much more annoying for the rest of us. Even Hannah was talking about him. That's what did it.

I was on my way to dinner and I was about ready to snap. Professor Dumbledore stopped me in the hall and asked me to stop by his office after dinner.

"Mr. Longbottom, I would like to have a word with you after the evening meal. Please come by my office," I nodded, "By the way, may I offer you a peppermint toad? I absolutely love them." I was confused so I shook my head, "No matter then. Just remember that I love peppermint toads," he gave me a meaningful look over his half-moon spectacles.

So I went to dinner. I was really nervous. What could the Headmaster want to talk to me about? Was there a problem? Had something happened and I was being expelled? Maybe, he was going to tell me that I really was in the wrong house. That would be great. Then I wouldn't have to live with Harry Potter.

After dinner I made my way to Dumbledore's office. When I found it, it was guarded by a gargoyle. It stared at me as if waiting for something. A password maybe? I didn't know the password. I had trouble remembering the password to Gryffindor tower, and I used that one every day. I thought for a second. Why hadn't Dumbledore told me the password? I thought back to our conversation and then I had an idea.

"Peppermint Toad?" I asked. The gargoyle leapt aside, revealing a spiral staircase. I went up the stairs and knocked on the door.

"Enter," a soft voice said.

"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"

"You may call me 'Professor', Mr. Longbottom," he smiled.

"Neville," I said.

"Neville, I imagine you've been wondering why I asked to see you," I nodded, "How has your first week been?"

I hesitated. Why did that matter? "Um, fine, sir," I said.

"Professor Sprout tells me you're quite talented at Herbology," she had said that? That was nice of her. It was the one subject I truly enjoyed.

"Yes, sir. It's my favorite subject," I said.

"That's very nice," he smiled, "How are you getting on with your housemates?" Ah, here it was, he was going to switch my house.

"Seamus and Dean are very nice," I said, "So's Ron."

"What about Harry Potter?"

"Well, we haven't really spoken. He mostly talks to Ron," I say, annoyed. Even Dumbledore wanted to talk about Harry.

"Understandable," Dumbledore nodded, "I'm afraid young Harry hasn't really ever had a friend before." I was surprised. Harry Potter without friends? That seemed highly unlikely. "I can tell you find that most unusual. You see, Neville, Harry had a difficult childhood, not unlike yourself," I just stared.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Neville, why don't you have a seat," I took the chair in front of his desk that he indicated, "This is a rather lengthy tale. About 11 years ago, a prophecy was made, I won't bore you with what the prophecy said exactly, but here is the general gist of it: a child who had the power to defeat Voldemort would be born to wizard parents who had defeated Voldemort three times."

"So, Harry," I stated, interrupting.

"Oddly enough, it also could have meant you, Neville," he said, shocking me, "After all you're only a day older than Harry. But that is not my point. My point is that Voldemort chose to kill Harry's parents. After that happened, it was decided that he should be taken to live with his only relative, his aunt. Sound familiar?" I nodded. That sounded very close to my life.

"You understand then, what Harry went through," Dumbledore continued, "After your parents were tortured," I cringed, "I'm sorry, Neville," Dumbledore frowned, "It's awful what happened. I knew them, you know. Frank and Alice were wonderful people," I teared up and nodded.

"I go to visit them on holidays," I whispered. Dumbledore was tearing up as well, "Sometimes, I think they remember me. Gran thinks it's silly, but the way Mum looks at me sometimes," I choked up.

"You have suffered a true tragedy. And you also were brought up by relatives, rather than by your own parents," I nodded, "I just wanted you to know that I thought very highly of your parents. They were very brave, and I know you'll be just like them. Between you and Harry, I think Gryffindor has gained two of its best students in a long time," I just stared.

"Thank you, Professor," I said.

"I hope you enjoy your time here, Neville Longbottom," Dumbledore nodded, "You may leave now. Oh, and please keep this meeting a secret, if you don't mind."

I got up and went to the tower. As I went to my dormitory, I looked at Harry's bed. I had never really thought about the fact that we were so alike. I didn't understand how new this all must be for Harry. I don't even think he knows why his parents were murdered. I had to admit, I felt much worse for the guy. The last thoughts I had before I went to sleep were of my parents and the last time I visited them.

Gran and I had taken some flowers to Mum and a newspaper to Dad. They just stared blankly at us like they always did. But I sat at the end of Mum's bed and handed her one of the roses.

"Mum, this is a Rosa gallica. It's a member of the family Rosaceae. I read up on them in one of your old books in the study," I said. She smelled the flower. Then she took my hand and smiled at me.

"Rose," she murmured, "Thanks."

As we left, Dad looked at me and said, "Flower nice. Thank you."

I turned around to hug him and he backed away quickly. He and Mum no longer recognized me. Why was it always me?


So what did you think. I gotta tell you, I kind of cried while writing this. It made me sad.