DISCLAIMER: I only own this story concept. My friends own their actual selves and pseudonyms.
Welcome to Chapter 3 of A Tale of Self-Inserts!
Chapter 3
The Incipient: Alex Longbottom
A girl, no more than 4 years old, had been living in the streets of Knockturn Alley for as long as she could remember, stealing anything she saw that would help her get her next meal.
All she could remember was that her name was Alex. Just Alex.
It was a happenstance of luck, when Auror Frank Longbottom followed a lead into the Alley about some Death Eaters who escaped. On the way, he noticed that someone was trying to steal his bag of emergency potions. Expecting an adult, Frank quickly turned around to apprehend the theif. He certainly wasn't expecting a young child to be stealing from him.
Deciding to pursue his lead at a later date, Frank brought the girl to the Ministry and look for any blood relatives she had. When none were found, Frank had a discussion with his wife, and they decided to adopt the girl as Alexandra Marie Longbottom. Neville was thrilled to have a playmate around.
At first, Frank's mother Augusta was originally against bringing an orphan girl into the family, but Alex quickly became her "little princess".
Alex's first bout of accidental magic was during her grandmother's birthday celebration. She had been busy skipping down the halls of the manor, when she noticed a high pitched voice pleading "No Uncle Algie, please!" She decided to investigate, and discovered Augusta's brother Algernon attempting to "scare out" Neville's accidental magic by hanging him out of one of the windows. Alex pulled on her Great-Uncle's waist, begging him to let her brother go, when a small light emanated from her palms, making Algernon feel tired, resulting in him accidentally dropping Neville on the stone pavement and bouncing off.
While Augusta was greatly pleased about her grandchildren performing accidental magic, Frank on the other hand, was beyond furious. The resulting fistfight ended with Algernon was barred from stepping foot into Longbottom Manor until Neville and Alex were 10 years old.
Algernon would later find that it took a bit more conscious effort to cast spells, but brushed it off due to old age.
Alex first met Melissa Black on the Hogwarts Express, when she and her brother went to look for Trevor, Neville's toad, with muggleborn Hermione Granger tagging along. They quickly became at odds with Pansy Parkinson, when the young Black stepped in to take her down a peg. Melissa had been part of their group ever since.
Alex spent much of her time in the library, looking for any and all information she could find about what she could do, but then gave up when she could find nothing.
Alex was currently in the living room reading the current issue of Witch Weekly, when her mother came in.
"Alex dear, we need you and Neville to come along with us to Grimmauld Place," said Alice Longbottom.
"Sure thing Mum, just let me finish this page," replied Alex.
She was looking forward to catching up with Melissa and getting away from her brother. Alex loved her brother to death, but sometimes she just needed some girl time.
Stepping out of the floo, Alex followed Melissa's father Sirius to the dining room, where she saw her friend talking to a boy she had never seen before.
Alex waved. "Hi Melissa!"
Her friend waved back, but the boy just stared at her, which she found very unsettling.
She walked up to them, and stuck her hand out to the strange boy. "Um, hi. My name's Alex Longbottom." He shook it, but he just kept staring at her. Alex was about to ask if she had something on her face, when she gasped softly, hit by a plethora of memories.
And then she remembered.
"Oh my God," Alex whispered softly. "Gyver?"
The now-identified Gyver grinned. "Good to see you, Alex. Melissa-" He pointed his thumb at the girl mentioned. "-recognized me imemdiately, but it took you slightly longer." He gestured to the chair beside him. "Take a seat, we need to talk."
Alex's family walked up to them. "Hello Melissa. How are you?"
"I'm doing well, thank you Mrs. Longbottom," replied Melissa.
Alice turned to Gyver. "Hello dear. I'm Alex's mother Alice, and these-" She pulled the boys to her. "-are my husband Frank and our son Neville."
Gyver stood up and shook the three Longbottoms' hands. "Name's Gyver. So I take it you're Alex's parents."
"You know this boy, Alex?" Alice turned to her daughter.
"Yes Mum," she replied. "I knew him a lifetime ago."
"That doesn't make-"
"It's best to wait until the rest of the Order arrives," Gyver interrupted.
This time it was Frank who spoke. "How do you know what the Order is?"
Gyver closed his eyes. "Like I said, Lord Longbottom. It's best to wait until the rest of them arrive."
"Alright, but you better have a full explanation for this." The older Longbottoms finally conceded.
Neville took the seat beside Melissa. "So you'll be joining us for fourth year?"
"Yeah. Not sure what house I'll go to, though. Maybe Gryffindor."
"It seems you are in luck then." The four teenagers turned to the voice. They saw Albus Dumbledore, with around a dozen adults accompanying him. Sirius Black walked over and took a seat by his daughter. The other adults accepted the remaining seats, with Dumbledore taking the seat at the far end of the table.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Order of the Phoenix-"
"Excuse me Albus, but shouldn't the children leave the room first?" A kind voice interrupted.
"I agree, Albus. Children should not be included in this."
Gyver spoke up. "Actually, Mrs. Weasley, Professor Snape this has everything to do with me, Alex, and Melissa. Neville's here because he's Alex's brother." He nodded to Dumbledore. "Continue, Headmaster."
Dumbledore nodded, and cleared his throat. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Order of the Phoenix, this young man-" He pointed to Gyver. "-has some important information to share with us. You have the floor, Mr. Lorman."
Melissa and Alex wore confused looks at the name.
Gyver stood up. "Thank you. Like he said, I have some important information. My name is Gyver, but now I've decided to go by Cygus Lorman."
He paused, ran a hand through his hair, and continued.
"I...I come from another world. Another Earth, where the entire Wizarding World as you know it exists as children's literature."
Gyver (Cygus now) talked about everything Harry Potter went through during his time at Hogwarts, and of what Voldemort did to maintain power. Every adult in the room paled at the explanation of the Horcruxes.
Sirius put a hand on Melissa's shoulder on the mention of his death, a look of sadness on his face on the notion of his deceased best friend having a son.
Cygus sat down when he finished, taking a deep breath.
"Is this true?" Alice Longbottom hugged her two children tightly. She couldn't imagine a world where she wasn't able to be with her beautiful children.
"More or less," said Melissa. "There's at least a few things that are different, like with James and Lily Potter defeating Voldemort and dying childless."
"Nontheless, we are now equipped with vital information to prevent Voldemort's return. Am I correct in assuming that you will be joining your friends as a fourth year?" asked Dumbledore.
Sirius raised his hand. "He's welcome to stay with us."
Frank and Alice voiced their agreements. "He's welcome to stay with us, too."
Cygus looked to be in deep thought for a moment, then spoke up. "Are there any other students who aren't first years joining this year?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. Three transfer students from Ilvermorny, Hogwarts' sister school."
Here come the Americans! *blasts national anthem*
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