Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.
Jessica's request - Neville meets Nigel for the first time...I'd like to see some brother bonding between Neville and Nigel - Neville talks to Nigel about 'Alex'.
Dedicated to Jessica. Hope you like it!
The Longbottom Brothers
The trip back from the Headquarters was a blur to Neville. One moment, he was walking out the door of number twelve, Grimmauld Place and the next, he was standing in his Great Uncle Algie's hallway. He blinked in confusion, taking in his surroundings. The sound of their apparation brought out Neville's Grandmother, Great Uncle and Great Aunt. Neville blinked up at them in surprise. He hadn't seen them since he set out to find and destroy Harry Potter. His Gran, a women who showed very little emotion, hurried to him and took him into her embrace. It was stiff armed and short lived, but it was a hug nonetheless.
"Neville! Where did you disappear off to? We haven't seen you for months!" she reprimanded.
Neville didn't answer.
Alice slipped a hand into Neville's and gave it a little squeeze, a reassuring action.
"Come, sit," his Great Uncle Algie ushered them into the living room and onto the sofas. "What became of the trial? There was an announcement on the radio, but I didn't know if it was true..."
"It's true," Frank answered. He smiled and nodded at Algie's gobsmacked expression. "Harry's been cleared of all charges, he's free."
Neville turned to look at his parents, both of them were smiling, delivering the news of freedom for the boy that had taken them away from their family for three long years. He looked away, closing his eyes, trying to make sense of what was happening. He felt his mum's hand on his shoulder.
"Neville?" she muttered softly. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her, "I know you must be exhausted," she ran a hand lovingly over his head, "and you must have a thousand questions."
Neville shook his head.
"Only one," he muttered, "when did you get your memories back?"
Alice looked subdued at the question.
"Not long enough," she answered with a sigh. She looked over at him, "but the first thing we did, was come looking for you." her eyes clouded and tears prickled at the corners, "but you were gone. We went to your Grandmother and she told us you had ran away. We looked everywhere for you, but you were nowhere to be found."
Neville kept quiet. He had taken a page out of his enemy's book and hid out in the muggle world, trying to track down the Dark Prince in his quest for revenge. He felt his dad's hand come to rest on his other shoulder. He turned to look at him.
"I know what it is you set out to do." he told him, "and I understand, I honestly do," he shook his head, "but damn it, Neville, you could have very easily been killed! If Harry hadn't been reluctant to fight you..."
"Harry," Neville's murmur cut off Frank. "Harry?" Neville met his father's confused eyes, "why are you calling him Harry? Shouldn't he be Potter to you? Or better yet, the bastard that tore apart our family?"
Frank's expression softened.
"Neville, I know you're upset..."
"Upset?" again, Neville cut him off, "I don't think the word 'upset' even begins to cover how I feel!"
"Neville!" his Gran suddenly snapped at him, "keep a hold of yourself! This is no way to be speaking to your parents!"
Neville didn't say anything, but anger clouded his face.
"I know it's difficult to understand," Alice began softly, "believe me, it's even more difficult to explain, but your father and I are no loner angry at Harry for what he did." she hurried on as Neville's expression twisted in rage, "Harry's actions separated us from you, and for that, we will probably never forgive him, not completely." Neville looked a little calmer at that, "but whatever he did, he did to keep us safe from Voldemort. He did what he did to keep Nigel safe, and for that, we can't be angry with him."
The mention of Nigel wiped everything else from Neville's mind. His gaze darted around the room, seeking out the youngest member of the Longbottom family.
"Nigel?" Neville asked.
"He's upstairs, fast asleep." his Great Aunt Enid replied.
Alice turned to smile brightly at Neville.
"He should probably wake up now." she said, "it's time he met his big brother."
xxx
Neville opened the door as quietly as he could. His gaze darted around the room until he found the bed, pushed against the farthest wall. A dimly lit lamp was perched on top of the bedside table, illuminating a soft glow across the bed. Neville stilled as he caught sight of the sleeping child, tucked under the covers. He walked inside, taking care to close the door softly behind him.
With tentative steps, Neville approached the bed, all the while staring at the sleeping two year old. He came to rest next to the bed and found himself staring in awe at the small boy. It was hard to see his face properly, with the dim light and the fact that he was lying on his side, fast asleep, but nevertheless, Neville saw the family traits in him. He had the same nose as their mum, and his lips were definitely like his own, as well as the tousled soft brown hair.
Slowly, Neville lowered himself to sit at the edge of the bed. The bed dipped with Neville's weight and Nigel stirred. Neville held his breath, staring at the little boy who shifted on the bed, creases on his tiny brow and his eyes squeezed tighter. His small hands were clutched around a stuffed lion and he hugged it closer, but slept on. Neville let out his breath, smiling.
The door behind him opened and Alice appeared.
"Is he still asleep?"
Neville nodded.
Alice came to kneel at the side of the bed, her gaze on her eldest son, trying to gage his reaction. Neville looked completely beguiled at the sight of Nigel. Slowly, hesitantly, Neville reached out and softly caressed Nigel's cheek, stopping suddenly when the child stirred again. Alice smiled.
"He's so peaceful when he sleeps." she ran a hand lightly over Nigel's hair, "completely different to what he's like when he's awake."
"Yeah?" Neville grinned, turning to look at his mum. He gazed back at Nigel. "I can't wait to get to know him." he said quietly.
Alice felt the lump at the back of her throat grow.
"I'm sorry," she reached out and held onto Neville's hand, "you missed out on so much. I'm...I'm so sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." Neville answered quietly. He pushed down the anger that was slowly building inside him again. It wasn't his parents' fault, it was Potter's. He was the reason Neville had to live for three years without his family. Harry Potter was the reason he didn't know anything about his baby brother. It was all Harry's fault, not his family's.
Nigel moaned softly, little hands came up to rub at his eyes.
"Mum?" came his sleepy groan, "Mum?"
"I'm right here, honey." Alice got up and sat next to him.
Nigel cracked open his eyes and saw his mum next to him. He scrambled to sit up and crawled into her lap, still clutching the toy lion under his arm. Alice gathered him into her embrace and rocked him slowly, kissing the top of his head. For long minutes, she sat with him, waiting for the child to fully wake up.
"Nigel?" Alice called softly.
"Hmm."
"There's someone here I want you to meet." she glanced across to Neville, who was just sitting there, watching them. Alice shifted Nigel. "Honey, this is Neville, your big brother."
Nigel looked across to Neville, with big brown eyes.
"Hi." Neville grinned.
Nigel didn't reply. He simply stared at Neville.
"You want to say hi?" Alice asked softly.
Nigel hugged his toy closer to him, eyes fixed on Neville.
"Hi, Nigel," Neville tried again, inching a little closer to him, "it's very nice to finally meet you." He reached out, both hands held out, wanting to pick his baby brother up.
Nigel shied away, curling into Alice's lap, moaning in protest. Neville stilled and pulled back. He met his mother's eyes, stunned and a little hurt at the rejection.
"It's okay," she whispered, both to Nigel and Neville, "it's just because he's still a little sleepy." she explained.
Neville nodded, but knew his mum was just saying that to make him feel better. His brother was shy with him. His own baby brother was shy with him and didn't want to come to him. He knew, at the back of his mind, that he was being stupid and unreasonable. He knew that this was his very first meeting with a two year old boy and the child's reaction was to be expected, but he was far too angry to admit that right now. At this precise moment, he felt better to blame it all on a certain dark haired, emerald eyed wizard. Just like everything else, Nigel not wanting to come to him, was Harry Potter's fault.
xxx
Neville dashed around the room, looking for his other boot. He had moved into his new home a little over two weeks now, but he still wasn't used to his new room. Every morning he woke up and wondered where he was for the initial few seconds before the memory resurfaced. His first home was in ruins, he didn't live with his Gran anymore and his parents had bought this new cottage days after coming back to him. So far, he loved it, but his new room was far too big and his things always got lost somewhere.
"Damn it!" he hissed, crawling back out from under his bed and promptly hitting his head on the edge of the bed frame, "where is it?"
"What you lookin' for?"
Neville turned around to find his two year old brother standing at the door.
"Oh, hi Nigel," Neville greeted absently, he got up and walked over to his dresser and pulled it forward to check behind it. "I'm looking for my shoes."
Nigel turned to stare at the mess in the sixteen year old's room.
"There!" he yelled, pointing at his pair of brown shoes.
Neville chuckled.
"Not them," he pointed at the one black boot on his foot, "the other one like this."
Nigel stared at the shoe but made no move to come further into the room.
"Oh, forget it!" Neville pulled out his wand. 'Screw it' he cursed mentally, 'what they gonna do? Hogwarts is closed anyway.' He was about to accio his boot to him when Nigel screamed and ran out the door. Neville stared after him, puzzled. "Nigel? Nigel?" he ran after him, still with only one boot on.
Nigel had ran downstairs, sped into the kitchen and leapt into his father's arms, clinging to him. Neville arrived at the kitchen door, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong?" Frank asked, still sitting at the kitchen table. He rubbed a hand down the Nigel's back, comforting him. "What happened?"
"Don't know," Neville shrugged, "he saw my wand and he freaked."
"Wand?" Frank's eyes narrowed, "what were you doing with your wand? You're not of age yet, no magic until then."
Neville rolled his eyes.
"Big deal, what's the Ministry gonna do? Hogwarts is closed anyway, they can't exactly expel me."
"No, but they can still take your wand away." Frank replied.
Neville didn't say anything but walked over to sit next to his dad.
"What's wrong with Nigel?" he asked.
Frank ran a hand over his son's head, caressing it.
"He's scared, he saw Alice use her wand a few days ago and I think it freaked him out. He's not used to magic yet. I think he doesn't like wands."
"Doesn't like wands?" Neville smiled, "what kind of a wizard are you, if you don't like wands?" he asked Nigel with a chuckle.
Nigel had his arms wrapped around Frank's neck and seemed perfectly happy to stay there, ignoring Neville.
Neville moved closer to him.
"Hey, Nigel, hey, look at me." the small boy turned his head, leaning his cheek on Frank's shoulder, and stared at Neville. "Look at this, look," Neville held up his wand, and saw Nigel tense up at once. Neville put his wand down on the table and held up both hands, "see? It's gone now."
Nigel picked himself up and off Frank's shoulder and turned to look at the wand, sitting on the table.
"Okay, so it's not gone, gone," Neville said, "but I don't have it anymore."
Nigel turned to look at him.
"See?" he showed both empty hands, "so you don't have to be scared."
Nigel gave Neville a good long stare. Then did something he hadn't done before to Neville. He leaned towards him and lifted up both arms, a gesture that said, 'pick me up.'
Neville was stunned, but he quickly reached out and picked up his baby brother, in case he changed his mind. He brought him easily out of Frank's lap and into his own. Nigel put both arms around Neville's neck and snuggled comfortably against him, cheek resting on Neville's shoulder. Neville wrapped both arms around him, his heart warming at the innocent and trusting embrace his younger brother had chosen to give him. He looked up and met his dad's smiling gaze.
"If that doesn't stop you using your wand, nothing will." Frank said, with a chuckle.
xxx
Neville arrived home and shrugged out of his outdoor cloak.
"Mum, I'm home!" he yelled from the hallway. "I'm starving! What's for dinner?"
There was no response.
"Mum? Mum?" Neville frowned. He wandered down the hallway and into the kitchen.
The room was empty. Neville noticed a square piece of parchment on top of the table. He walked over and saw that it was a note, addressed to him.
Neville, honey, I'm at Potter manor. I wanted to meet Lily for coffee. I will be home shortly. I will be home in time to make dinner, but just in case you're hungry, there's food in the fridge. Love you, mum xxx
Neville couldn't believe it. She was at Potter manor! After what happened, his mum still went over there. It wasn't that long ago that Harry Potter had broken his wrist, and his mother was still going over there, socialising with Lily Potter.
Almost at once, he felt guilty. He had nothing against Lily Potter. In fact, the Potions Professor had been one of his favourite Professors at Hogwarts. She had always been kind to him and didn't deserve any animosity from him.
Neville sighed, running a hand down his face. He looked around the kitchen, feeling a little lost at being here on his own. His dad was still at work and Nigel was most likely with his mum. Neville made his way towards the fridge but changed his mind before even reaching it. He turned around and went to the fireplace. He would just go to Potter manor. He knew his mum would end her coffee meeting if he showed up. He hoped Lily was the only Potter at Potter manor. He didn't have the patience to deal with Harry today.
xxx
Neville stepped out of the green flames and met the surprised stares of the two women, sitting at the kitchen table.
"Neville?" Alice greeted with a surprised smile. "What are you doing here?"
"I just thought I would come over," Neville replied, walking towards her, mentally thanking God there was no one else in the kitchen but his mum and Lily. "I was home alone, so..." he trailed off.
Lily got up from her seat, smiling warmly at him.
"It's nice to see you again, Neville."
"You too, Mrs Potter."
"Here, sit," Lily pointed to a chair and moved to the fridge, "can I get you anything to drink?"
"Um...no, thank you." Neville replied distractedly, his gaze searching the kitchen. "Mum, where's Nigel?"
"He's playing outside." Alice replied.
Neville moved to the window to stare out but suddenly stopped.
Nigel was indeed outside, but he wasn't alone. Harry and Damien were with him. But that alone wasn't what bothered Neville. It was the way Harry was sitting on the grass, cross legged, with Nigel supported in his lap, Damien by his side. There was a golden snitch in Nigel's hands, that he would let go of and Harry would snatch back from the air one handed and offer back to a giggling Nigel, who would grasp it in both hands for a moment before letting go of it again, only for Harry to catch it again.
That's was what made Neville's blood boil. His innocent baby brother, sitting and laughing with the monster that had ripped apart his family and made him live through hell for three years. Neville saw the smile on Harry's face as he handed the snitch back to Nigel and heard his laugh as Nigel let go of it once again.
It was the last straw that snapped Neville's patience. He darted to the door, wrenched it open and shot outside, ignoring his mum's surprised shout, calling his name. He stormed over to the sitting trio, hands balled into fists and jaw clenched tight. So lost was Neville in his anger, he momentarily forgot how his last encounter with Harry had ended; with his wrist broken.
Neville reached Harry, stooped low and snatched Nigel away from him, making both Harry and Damien look up at him in shocked surprise. Nigel let out a cry as he was roughly hauled away from Harry, but Neville ignored him for now, he was far too angry.
"Stay away from my family!" he hissed at Harry.
Harry's surprise melted away and anger clouded his emerald eyes. Neville turned around and walked away, carrying his crying and struggling brother with him. Nigel reached a hand towards Harry.
"Lex! Lex!"
Nigel's shouts had Harry dart to his feet. He made to go after Neville but Damien grabbed his arm.
"Let him go," he said quietly, "he's Neville's brother. He has every right to take him."
Harry turned to glare angrily at Damien, but deep down, he knew he was right. He looked back over at the crying child and his hands balled into fists. If there was one thing Harry couldn't stand, it was seeing Nigel cry.
xxx
Neville stormed his way back into the kitchen, past the two shell shocked women and headed straight to the fireplace. With a still crying and struggling Nigel in his arms, he threw in a handful of floo powder and called out his address, ignoring his mum's yells to 'stop'.
He arrived in his living room and stepped out of the green flames. He hurried forward two steps before settling the little boy onto the floor, holding him roughly from both arms and forcing him to stand still.
"Nigel! Nigel, calm down!" He instructed, but Nigel was worked up into a frenzy and was struggling to get out of his grip.
"Lemme go! Lemme go!" Nigel cried, tears leaking out of his eyes.
"Listen to me," Neville knelt before him, forcing the two year old to look him in the eye,"from now on, you are to NEVER go to Alex again, you hear me?"
Nigel stopped for a second, looking wide eyed and confused, but he didn't say anything, only struggled to get out of his big brother's grip.
"What did I say to you?" Neville asked, his anger seeping across his words, "you've to promise, never to go to Alex again! He's a bad person and you've not to go to him, understand!"
The floo behind him went off and Neville turned around to see his mother step out of the fireplace. She looked beyond angry.
"Neville!" she cried, darting to him, "what do you think you're doing!" she pulled Nigel out of his grip and picked up the sobbing boy. "What has gotten into you?" she asked, wide eyed. "I would never have expected this from you."
Nigel was clinging to his mother, crying loudly. She rubbed a hand down his back, trying to console him.
"Shush, Nigel darling, it's okay, it's okay." she glared at Neville. "We will talk about this later." she swept past him, leaving him to take Nigel upstairs to his room, to calm him down.
xxx
That evening, things were awkward and tense in the Longbottom home. Neville was in his room. He hadn't seen his mother or Nigel since coming back from Potter Manor. It was almost two hours later that Alice came knocking at his door. Neville stayed where he was, sitting at the foot of his bed. Alice crossed her arms and stood next to the door.
"Do you want to explain your behaviour?" she asked, quietly.
Neville glanced up at her and shrugged.
"Does it matter?" he asked, "you don't really want to understand. Why don't you just skip to the punishment."
Alice was, once again, shocked with her son's behaviour today.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, stepping towards him, "you're mouthing off to me, when you know you were at fault. You embarrassed me horribly in front of my friend and you scared your brother half to death!"
Neville felt guilt twist at his insides at the mention of Nigel. He had calmed down enough to see how he had behaved with his baby brother and he felt truly ashamed. But he was too angry at his mother to allow her to see his remorse.
"Do you really not understand why I acted this way?" he asked.
Alice sighed.
"I know why," she admitted. She shook her head, "Neville, how many times are we going to have this conversation?"
"You don't have to repeat yourself." Neville replied, "I know all about how you and dad have forgiven Harry." he hissed the name.
Alice stopped, seeing the hatred directed at Harry from her son. She felt her heart squeeze painfully. When did her son become so cold to be able to hate someone with such ferocity? She came forward and sat down next to him.
"Talk to me, Neville," she said in a quieter, softer voice. "Why are you so adamant to hate Harry? Surely you understand why he acted the way he did?"
Neville scoffed.
"Yeah, he was saving his neck, so he kept you and dad hidden, kept you a secret."
"It was for our safety." Alice repeated.
Neville turned around to look at her, brown eyes that once were soft and kind had now hardened.
"He was about to be sentenced to the Kiss," he said, "and still, he didn't say anything about you and dad being alive. What if Professor Dumbledore hadn't found you? Harry would have happily died, leaving your existence a secret."
"He thought he was protecting us." Alice explained, "Voldemort's spies were in the courtroom. Harry was afraid they would tell Voldemort if he revealed that we were still alive."
Neville shook his head.
"It doesn't make it right," he argued, "who does he think he is? Protecting you? Protecting dad? Protecting Nigel! Why? Why does he have to protect anyone!"
"Neville?" Alice reached out, her hand rested on top of his clenched fist. "You don't even know why you're angry at him."
Neville looked back at her, his eyes moist all of a sudden.
"No, mum, I know exactly why I'm angry at him." he looked away and closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly. "Four months," he said, quietly, "he was at Hogwarts for four months. All that time, he stayed in the same dorm as me, went to the same classes as me, ate in the same hall. All that time and he never said a word." he looked back at Alice, "four months," he whispered brokenly, "in four months he couldn't have taken me to the side and told me the truth? He couldn't have put me out of my misery?"
Alice struggled to keep her tears at bay. She squeezed his hand.
"He did what he thought was right." she said quietly
"Right?" Neville gave a bitter laugh, "how is it right to keep someone in the dark about their family being alive?" he asked, "I struggled every day, mum. Every morning I woke up and all I had dreamt about was your deaths. The thought of what you and dad went through, how you were tortured to death, that's all I could think about." he shook his head again, "and all that time, while I suffered every day, he was out there with you, meeting up with you, laughing and joking around, building a relationship with my brother, with my family!" his tear filled eyes met his mother's. "You want to know why I hate him? That's why! He took you all away from me and he got to be with you when I couldn't! My own brother is closer to him than me!"
"Honey," Alice leaned forward, embracing the angry and shaking boy, "don't think like that. Nigel maybe close to Harry but he's your brother. Nigel will love you like he loves no other." she pulled back, glad to see Neville had calmed down somewhat at her words. "But if you treat him like you did today, it will only make it harder for Nigel to trust you." she saw the guilt in her son, from the way he dropped his gaze. "Whether you like it or not, Nigel has a relationship with Harry. He loves Alex and you telling him to stay away from him is hurtful." Alice smiled softly and ran her hand through Neville's hair, "honey, don't focus on what Nigel feels for Harry. Instead, focus on what Nigel should feel for you."
Neville nodded, knowing deep down, that his actions today had hurt his brother and their relationship. He would do whatever he had to, to fix it. He swore it to himself.
xxx
Neville knocked on the door before turning the doorknob to walk in. Nigel was sitting on the soft rug, his toys laid out in front of him. The two year old turned to look up in curiosity at the knock. Seeing Neville, Nigel turned back around and continued playing with his trucks. Neville walked in and closed the door with a soft click.
"Hey," he greeted.
Nigel ignored him.
Neville felt a smile creep over his face. His pouting brother was positively adorable.
"What you playing?" he asked, gesturing to the toys and knelt beside him.
At once, Nigel shifted, turning to the side to sit with his back to Neville.
Neville chuckled.
"You mad at me?" he asked.
Nigel didn't reply.
"Alright, I'm sorry, Nigel." he apologised, but Nigel continued to sit with his back to him. "I shouldn't have yelled at you," Neville continued, "and I shouldn't have grabbed you like that. I'm really sorry if I scared you."
Hesitantly, Nigel turned, his eyes darting to Neville once before they dropped down to his toys again.
"I won't ever do that to you again." Neville continued.
Nigel looked up at him.
"P'womise?" he asked.
Neville grinned.
"Promise."
He held out both arms, a pleading smile on his face. Nigel took a moment but pulled himself to his feet and moved towards him, so Neville could cuddle him. Neville caressed his brother's hair, feeling like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders when his brother forgave him. He sat with Nigel in his laps, painfully reminded of how Nigel had been sitting with Harry earlier.
"Nev?"
"Yeah, Nigel?" Neville smiled at the nickname his brother had given him.
The child pulled away to stand up, facing him.
"You said Lex's bad," his eyes narrowed in confusion, "Lex's no bad." he shook his head.
Neville swallowed down his irritation at the mere mention of that damned Harry Potter, and smiled at his brother.
"Okay, let's say Alex isn't really bad." he said, "but I still want you to stay away from him."
Nigel blinked at him and tilted his head to the side.
"Why?"
"Because...because I don't like it." he answered truthfully.
"Why?"
Neville reached up to cup his face.
"Because you're my brother, you should play with me."
Nigel didn't understand, even if jealousy was an emotion a two year old may feel, he had no idea what it was. Neville dropped his hands away, holding his bother by the arms again, this time gently. He smiled at a sudden idea.
"Hey, I know, we can play a game too," he said, "you want to go flying?"
Nigel's face lit up at once.
"On a b'oomstick?"
"What else?" Neville laughed.
"Yeah!" Nigel cheered. He was all laughs now and threw his arms around Neville.
Neville wrapped an arm around him and picked himself up from the floor, carrying Nigel with him. He pulled out Nigel's outdoor cloak from the closet and wrapped it around the tiny shoulders. He grabbed his broom and stepped outside.
With his brother comfortably seated in front of him, Neville set off, soaring high in the sky, revelling in the excited yells of his baby brother. He had taken Nigel flying a few times now, and knew it was a sure fire way of cheering his brother up.
"Nigel?" he leaned down to talk into his ear, "has Alex ever taken you flying?"
Nigel shook his head, grinning from ear to ear, gripping onto the front of the broom with both hands.
"No! He does'n have a b'oomstick!" he replied.
Neville smiled in smug satisfaction. At least there was one experience Harry couldn't take away from him. He had been the one to take his brother on his first ever flight and he was sure as hell going to be the one to teach Nigel how to fly. He was going to teach Nigel everything he knew.
Neville stayed in the skies, the warm summer night breeze felt amazingly exhilarating. Nigel had tired himself out with all the excited screaming and yelling. With Neville's help, he turned around so he was sitting the other way now, his head pressed against Neville's chest, tiny hands wrapped around Neville's torso. Gradually, he fell asleep, pressed up against Neville, who had one strong arm wrapped around him, to keep him safe. Neville guided the broom back to ground level and arrived at his doorstep. He carried his brother back indoors, tired but thoroughly happy.
Alice watched from the hallway as Neville took a sleeping Nigel upstairs, smiling at the sight of how peaceful Nigel looked in his brother's arms and how happy Neville looked, clutching Nigel to his chest.
xxx
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