Neville's PoV

On Saturday evening, Neville sat down with a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey at his desk in his office at his home in Hogsmeade. The Longbottom family moved from their flat above the Leaky Cauldron when Hannah completed her training to become a healer and got a job at Hogwarts as Matron of the hospital wing.

What a week, thought Neville, taking a swig of his firewhiskey. I need to talk to Harry.

He got some parchment and began writing.

Dear Harry,

My , was this first week at Hogwarts one to be remembered.

If you are free tomorrow night, could you meet me at the Hog's Head?

I would love to catch up (it's been too long) and I need to get some stuff

off my chest.

Send me a yes or no reply and maybe I'll see you in Hogsmeade tomorrow.

I hope you, Ginny, and Lily are doing well.

Your friend,

Neville L.

Nevilled downed the last of his whiskey, finished grading a few assignments from his fifth year students, then got ready for bed.

As he was getting into bed, Hannah walked into the room looking flustered.

"Busy day. Quite a busy day in the hospital wing. There were wild children, fifth years, dueling in the halls, I'm surprised that not more than five people were hit." Hannah plopped down at her vanity and began to let her hair down.

"Oh dear," began Neville. "Can you tell who started it?"

"It was two boys, one from Hufflepuff and one from Ravenclaw. They were having some argument about who would beat the other in a duel. It got physical. Their friends got involved, which is why five students were carted to the hospital wing."

"Just another day at Hogwarts. Glad it wasn't one of the boys from my house. I don't have the energy to deal with it at the end of this week."

"You okay?" Hannah asked. "You do look a bit worn out."

"I'm just tired. This week was tougher than I had initially thought it was going to be," replied Neville. "I might go see Harry tomorrow night. I'd like to catch up with him."

"Sounds good. You're worried about Frankie, aren't you." said Hannah, brushing out her long blonde hair. "You know, I think Frankie is going to be okay. I've talked to him a few times this week and he seems happy. I'm so proud of the twins. Don't get me wrong, I do have concerns. I worried about how Alice and Frankie are going to do being separated for a prolonged amount of time for the first time since birth. I'm also worried that a few objectionable students will treat Frankie badly, but he's got to learn to stand up for himself. I trust him."

"I trust him as well," said Neville. "I just can't help but worrying about him. I love you Hannah. And Merlin's beard, I miss the kids being here at home with us."

"You are the sweetest man I know," smirked Hannah. "But, there are perks to having no kids in the house."

Harry's reply awoke Neville the next morning. He let Harry's owl in through the window and untied the response from the owl's leg. Harry would not be on duty tonight so he agreed to meet Neville at eight that night. Neville quietly left Hannah in their bed and went down to the kitchen to finish grading assignments and maybe scrounging up some food.

Harry was already in the pub when Neville walked in.

"Neville!" cried Harry, rushing in for a hug. "A whole summer is definitely too long to be away from us! How was your holiday in The States?"

"Very hot," replied Neville, beaming. "But I was able to sneak numerous samples past customs. I'm trying to grow them in my greenhouse here in Hogsmeade."

"How interesting," Harry said with sly grin. He went and grabbed two bottles of firewhiskey from the bar counter. "So, quite a week at Hogwarts I hear."

"That's definitely one way to put it," agreed Neville. "Has Albus written to you yet?"

"Yes, got the letter on Friday," said Harry. "I had a feeling that the delayed letter was confirming my suspicions about his sorting."

"You thought he was going to be placed into Slytherin?" asked Neville. He felt that this was surprising, coming from Gryffindor's most famed student.

"Yeah, I'll tell you something that I've only ever told to Ginny and Albus. I trust that you aren't going to pass this along as common knowledge," said Harry. "The Sorting Hat had half a mind to put me in Slytherin in our sorting, but I told it that I did not want to be in Slytherin, so it put me in Gryffindor instead."

Neville hadn't expected Harry to say this. He consciously closed his mouth.

"Anyway," continued Harry. "I think Al will be brilliant in Slytherin."

"I'm sure you're right," mused Neville. "Did he tell you that Frankie is also in Slytherin?"

"No," Harry said, raising his eyebrows. "He did not."

"Well, I didn't see it coming. But I guess that Hat knows what it's doing. I'm also glad that Albus is there with him. Slytherin gained two fine boy, didn't it?

"Definitely."

They broke into other topics. Hannah becoming Matron of Hogwarts' hospital wing. Harry being very busy now, having recently been promoted to Head of the Auror Department. Lily's newest hobby: Mario Kart.

Neville started to feel a bit sleepy and checked his watch.

"Blimey, Harry!" he exclaimed, his brain felt slow. It's nearly 1:30...in the morning...I was supposed to get home and...and.. grade stuff. Come up… with a… lesson plan." He tried to stand up, but knocked into the table in front of him and fell back into his seat.

"Are you sure you can make it back home? Let alone come up with a lesson plan?" questioned Harry. Neville had had quite a few more drinks than Harry.

"Don't question my methods, Potter," Neville guffawed. He began to sway in his seat.

"I'm walking you home, friend," Harry sighed.

"How come...you're always...less...drunk than me?" asked Neville, trying very hard to get the words out right.

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" boomed Harry.

Neville began laughing so hard that he fell out of his seat and onto the ground.