Disclamer, I don't own them I just play in the sand box with them.

Destiny's Child

By Taylor Grey-

Chapter Two.

Minerva McGonagall sat at her schoolmaster's desk not looking up as Neville Longbottom came into the classroom. She didn't move until he was at her desk panting for breath and trembling like a leaf. He had no clue why she had summoned him via Percy Wesley. She placed her quill in the holder and took off her glasses to look at him; He was pale and visibly shaken as she closed her book. He didn't deny any wrong doing- she didn't think him ever capable of wrong doing in his life. She pointed to a chair and said softly "Please sit down Neville."

"Is Gram alright?" he said a bit panicked." Minerva held up her right hand. "As far as I, or the head master knows, she and your family are fine. This meeting is about you, and your future at Hogwarts…" She saw Neville hang his head dejected. He let out his breath.

"Guess I really have mucked things up- its that bad then? I'm to pack off…" He stood up with the intent to leave. His entire body slumped down his spirit dejected. Minerva stood and was behind him in two seconds. Her voice was still soft as she turned him about to face her. She grasped both shoulders gently and guided him back to the chair.

"Quite the opposite Neville, I have been in discussions with the headmaster about your future here and Professor Dumbledore feels that it is best, that you become my apprentice-Professor Dumbledore has informed your Grandmother of this, and she approves." She saw Neville's mouth open and close several times before he closed it and sat silently in the chair. It took him a few moments to processes it, and then he blurted

"But I don't know enough magic to be any one's apprentice- Why not Hermione, or Harry, or even - even- … you actually, want me to be your apprentice?" he asked still in shock. Minerva nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She could feel a lump growing in her throat- and could see how much the simple act of responsibility meant to him vs. the overwhelming sense that all his life he had felt he was a failure.

"But what if I muck up something…" Minerva steeled herself to be strong. She had a very strong feeling that he would muck up a lot of things in the future.

"Then you will learn how to fix it- and, at times that can be the most beneficial lesson."

She could see Neville struggle for words. He hung his head for a moment and when he looked up he had tears on his face "Gram's getting up therein her years, and she always worried about how I would do here- I don't know why you picked me to be your apprentice, I know that Gram will be happy though.- Why, if I could ask, did you?"

Minerva slipped on her glasses and said "Its not always what is up here (tapping his head) but what is in here." Pointing to his heart "that we may find the strongest of spirits. Now off you go to your other lessons. I will see you tomorrow at 8 am."

Neville nodded then thanked her before he hurried off. She stood and went to the window, aware in a moment that there was someone behind her. She could see that it was Albus.

"What would you have me do Albus? Transform his heart that is full of self-doubt and fear? How has his grandmother taken the news?" She could see Albus's smile

"She questioned my sanity of course, and then she heard it was you, and she understands that if any one can bring him about, its you."

Later that night in Gryffindor's great room Neville sat by the fire watching the flames dance. He hadn't told any one- who would believe him? His mind was filled with questions that he had no answers for. He heard footsteps and looked up. Harry Potter wandered across the floor to where Neville was sitting. He sat down across from him and looked into the fire for a moment. Neville swallowed then asked "Do you miss your mum and dad- do you remember them?" Harry looked at Neville - realizing how hard it was for him to ask that.

"I remember the screams. Mum begging him not to hurt me. I never saw them until I saw them in that mirror, not till Dumbledore got the others to send photos of them before I was born… What about you?"

Neville gave a start backwards, as if Harry had raised a hand against him. He drew in his breath and closed his eyes.

"I can't remember them - before- my uncle said its good that I don't remember. I visit them when I can with Gram. … How did you know?"

Harry swallowed. He didn't want to let Neville know exactly how he knew, he looked down on the floor and said softly, "The person Barty Crouch, who was masquerading as Mad Eye Mooney was the person responsible for what happened to your parents. He won't be harming any one any more." Neville blinked back tears that welled up in his eyes. Harry could see the struggle to maintain control.

There was a silence that fell within the room before Neville shifted and blurted out. "I've been picked to be McGonagall's apprentice. She won't say why- She scares me Harry - How am I going to learn anything from her before she transforms me into a toad.?"

Harry became thoughtful. "She's very - strict, but she's fair. How is it that you do so well in Herbology?" Neville shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe cause the plants respond to a dunderhead like me…" a cough behind them made them both jump to their feet.

Minerva McGonagall stood wrapped in her tartan print robe just behind them. For a moment they held their breath- they were out of bed after hours- even in their common room they could still lose points. She walked over to them - but instead of scolding them, she sat on the chair by the fire. They sat back down on the chairs. It was time Neville knew the truth. She knew in all the school the one person whom would understand would be Harry Potter. She also knew that Neville would need someone to speak to about the things that would happen in his life. Harry would be that someone.

"You are not a dunderhead Neville- You have perhaps more magical talent in you than even the head master does. I have been speaking to the ministry of magic about the spell that had been placed on you to help you forget, and they assured me that it wouldn't have made you forget the magic in your heart… which means, some one else has cast a second spell on you." Harry looked at Neville and then Minerva.

"To protect him. They cast a spell to hide his magic to protect him" Minerva regarded Harry for a moment then returned her gaze to Neville. A single tear had escaped and trickled down his face. She reached over to him and with a weathered hand gently wiped the tear from his cheek. Harry saw the tenderness on her face- something that he knew she kept hidden very well, but he suspected was there all along.

"How do we make me remember then?" asked Neville more bravely than he felt. Minerva took in a breath, her brows furrowed with concern.

"The decision to remember is yours- it can only be a painful one, not to be taken lightly…" she took his hands in hers "and it may be the last decision that you would make. You must search your heart for the reason why you wish to undo the spell, and that, is something best left for the morning."

Neville nodded and stood up. "Night Harry, Night Professor." He sighed and went off to his dorm room.

Minerva looked at Harry "Time for all young wizards to be in bed Mr. Potter."

Harry stood up. "You were there when I was brought to the Dursley's." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Minerva nodded. "I had watched them the entire day- They were the most muggle sort that ever existed. Albus said, that it was important for you to be with them, because of what you had done- He wanted you to have a normal childhood."

"He cast a spell- so that Voldemort couldn't hurt them, or me while I was there. Voldemort told me that. It's why he wanted me to return to them over the summer. It's not- easy being there" Harry said.

"I know." She said gently. "It has, however, helped you make decisions in your life you would have made differently from the first moment that you discovered you were a wizard."

Harry saw a longing in her eyes- a struggle. "You didn't want to leave me there." It caught her off guard- he saw her blink a second- look away, and compressed her lips. He knew she wouldn't have gone against the headmasters wishes, and in an instant understood why she had purchased from her own funds the Nimbus 2000- delivered by her own owl. It wasn't because of the scar-it was because in her heart she held a simple truth.

He caught both her weathered hands in his, stepped forward and gave her cheek a kiss. "Thank you." he said softly then releasing her he returned to his room. Her hand went to her cheek. For a long time she sat gazing into the firelight.