Potions assignment #1, write about someone being paralysed.

Extra prompts:

(word) fainted, (word) baby, (item) rattle, (item) flower pot, (phrase) I almost couldn't breathe!, (phrase) I'll do anything!, (character) Neville Longbottom, (character) Pomona Sprout

Neville was paralysed in fear; the Death Eaters were getting closer to them. He took a deep breath in. He could do this. He will do this. Neville moved forward, his heart still pounding in his chest.

He made sure his earmuffs were on properly before pulling the Mandrakes out of their flower pots. He remembered that when he was in his second year, he had fainted when he pulled out a baby Mandrake because he hadn't put his earmuffs on properly, even though he was the best at Herbology. He didn't want to experience what the adult Mandrakes provided.

He glanced at his teacher, who smiled at him before throwing a Devils Snare at an advancing Death Eater. That brought him back to reality, and he threw another Mandrake at a Death Eater who got too close to Pomona for his liking.

Later, he sat with Pomona and Ron, who was congratulating him on his kill. Neville was still in shock over the fact that he, little Neville Longbottom, managed to kill the only thing keeping Voldemort alive. Him! He was failing most subjects—although he had gotten slightly better as he was afraid of the Carrow siblings.

"I almost couldn't breathe!" Neville said. "I didn't think that I would survive attacking the Death Eaters, let alone the snake!"

"I know right, mate!" Ron exclaimed.

"I'm just glad you made it out okay," Pomona said. "I couldn't bear if my best student died."

"Hey, Neville," a voice said next to his ear. "Can you do something for me?"

"I'll do anything, Harry!" Neville jumped to his feet.

"Can you follow me?"

"Of course."

They walked over to the Floo. They were halfway there before Neville worked up the courage to ask Harry where they were going. "We're going to see Andromeda—Tonks' mother."

"Why?"

Harry looked away. "She has my godson. I haven't even spent any time with him yet, and now..."

Neville stopped. "Are they dead?"

"Yes..."

Neville hissed. "Another orphan at the hands of Death Eaters. Why?"

Harry didn't answer. Silence fell over them uncomfortably as they walked on. Neville twirled his ripped robes around his finger before he made it to the fireplace. People crowded around, waiting for their chance to get away.

"Come on," Harry said when it was their turn, stepping into the fireplace.

Neville followed him, and Harry called out "Tonks Manor!" Neville felt a tugging sensation in his navel before he was transported into another house. "Who's there?" He heard a lady ask.

"I don't know if you remember me," Harry begun, "but I'm—"

A woman stepped into the room, holding a small baby that was shaking a rattle. Neville stood back. It wasn't, it couldn't be, no. She had died. She had died, right? He had seen Molly kill her, she had died, evaporated, unless she regenerated here—he thought Harry knew? Wait, Harry? Why wasn't he reacting?

"You're Harry Potter, I know. Who's this?"

Neville blinked. That didn't sound like Bellatrix, but she looked so much like her. Twins, maybe? Perhaps sisters?

"This is Neville Longbottom. Nev, this is Andromeda Tonks."

Andromeda. He had heard that before, right? Harry said something about Andromeda being Tonks' mother.

She lost a daughter.

Oh.

"Harry, why are you here? Is the battle over? Where is my Dora?"

He saw the woman's face crumple as she realised. "Oh no. No, no, no. My Dora is not dead, you're lying. No!"

The baby started crying, dropping the rattle onto the floor. Andromeda started rocking him, but to no avail as the baby just got louder. "Here, hold Teddy," she said, shoving the baby into Neville's hands as tears streamed down her face.

Neville blinked for two moments, before rocking the baby gently. He had to treat it like he did his plants; Pomona always complimented him on his gentleness. "Here, little guy," he said, allowing the baby to suck on his—thankfully clean—finger.

Andromeda wiped away tears, her dark eyes still glistening. "Have you ever thought about having children?" Harry asked.

Neville shrugged, gently shifting the baby. "Not really. Maybe I will one day."

And he did.

Mm, this is great! So great...

I tried

~Buttercat