Chapter 11: A Brave New Future
"I still cannot believe Neville just disappeared like this," said Hermione with a pronounced sigh. "It is so not like him. He is too shy and quiet."
"You're not still on about that," said Ron. "The school, the Ministry, everyone's doing everything possible."
"I know, Ron," she replied, sounding a bit annoyed by his response. "I still can't help but worry. He's our friend, and he's missing."
"Ron's right," said Harry. "I know it is frustrating, but there is nothing we can do. They have searched everywhere. Even Dumbledore said at dinner last night that he is at a loss for ideas. It is like Neville never existed."
"I know," said Hermione with a look indicating her frustration. "I feel helpless. I don't like to feel helpless."
"We have been over it a million times," said Harry. "He fainted during class. We all went outside. When we came back, he was gone with no traces. I hate to say it, but it is almost like he does not want to be found."
"That is it. Where would he go?" said Hermione. "I don't know anything about his parents. Do either of you?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other, then back over to Hermione. They shook their heads in a negative fashion.
"We all know doesn't like living with his grandmother. He would never go there by choice. I can't imagine him leaving."
Ron and Harry looked at her, trying to think of anything to say. They agreed with what she said but had nothing to offer. This was a huge mystery with no clues for solving it.
Neville took a nap and then started on the trips on the list. He saw a tennis tournament at Wimbledon, and then he saw an older lady successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. He wrote excellent reports on both trips, but he still had Kendra stuck in his mind.
His next two trips took him to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the opening of a movie called The Jazz Singer, which was the first ever talking movie. He wrote reports on both but was still thinking of Kendra.
Finally, he could no longer bear it. He had to see her again. He wrote South Kensington – 1862 on a piece of paper, folded it and slipped it into the clock. Once again, he found himself on a street with people hurrying about.
"I recognize this," he thought. "It is exactly as before. I just need to go that way. I will end up at the exhibition."
A short time later Neville was inside the event. He walked around, looking at many of the things he had seen before. A little boy dropped his candy and started to throw a tantrum when his mother would not let him pick it up. He remembered that from his first trip. It made him smile, adding to his confidence that he would soon find Kendra. Several things about some of the exhibits that he had missed the first time caught his eye. He made notes for a second report.
He eventually found his way into the art exhibit. This is where he met her the first time. All he needed to do was wait for her to appear. He had every confidence that she would show up. Everything else was too identical for it not to happen.
Then, boom, he bumped into her. His face lit up as he saw her. She just looked at him, obviously having no idea who he was.
"Excuse me," he said, looking at her. She was every bit as pretty as he remembered.
"It's okay," she replied. "Do you like art?"
"Yes," he replied. "I like it almost as much as I like plants and gardens."
"I love gardens, too. I love flowers."
There are some pretty flowers in the garden near to fountain," he said, remembering how much they had both enjoyed them the first time.
"Let's go look at them," she said.
"Okay," he replied as they started off toward them. "I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom."
She smiled at his friendly behavior. "I'm Kendra Smith. Are you here with your parents?"
"No, I am here writing a report about the exhibition."
"Oh, a school thing. I go to school near our home in Wembley. Where do you go to school?"
"My school is way up north in Scotland, but I was born not too far from London."
Why do you go to school way up there?" she asked. He found the friendly curiosity good. He was not accustomed to interactions with girls. It felt even better than the first time they had met.
Neville had to think about his answer. He could not just say he was a wizard. She would think he was bonkers or worse, making fun of her. He finally said, "My parents knew some of the people who run the school. They got me invited to go there. It is a famous school, at least to a lot of folks."
They arrived at the garden and started admiring the flowers. Everything was going great, then the clock struck two 'clock and she had to go.
"How can we meet, again?" he asked as she started to go.
"I can come back here after meeting my parents. I don't think I will be long. It is just to make sure everything is okay."
"I'll wait for you here," he said as she dashed off.
This was similar to but different than the first time. He wondered how that all worked. He was certain he had not changed time. It should not be a problem to wait for her to return. There was plenty for him to report on in the meantime.
Neville busied himself with writing about things in and around the garden. There were several small exhibits and lots of activity. Suddenly, he saw a familiar pink dress. It was Kendra. She really came back.
"Hi, Neville," she said with a big smile.
"Hi, Kendra," he said, returning the smile. "I am glad you came back."
"What should we do?" she asked. "I have until six. Then I have to meet my parents to go home."
"I don't know. Let's just explore. There is so much to see here.
They walked through the exhibits, talking while looking at different things. One of the more fascinating things was the stereoscopic photography. Neville purchased a set of pictures of the exhibition, planning to give it to Kendra as a present later.
Kendra said she was getting a little tired and wanted to rest for a few minutes. She purchased some hot nuts from a vendor and found a nice bench out of the flow of the crowd.
After a while, Kendra told Neville she really liked him and wished they could spend more time together. He said he wished the same thing. Then she said something that was going to change their entire relationship.
"Would you like to see a magic trick?" she asked.
"Sure," said Neville, expecting some type of muggle magic.
"I never showed this to anyone, not even my parents. But I want you to see it.
"Great," replied Neville, getting anxious.
Kendra took a nut from the bag she had purchased and placed it in her hand. "Now watch closely," she said.
Neville looked at the nut. All of a sudden it jumped out of her hand and into her mouth.
"Whoa," said Neville. "That was quick. I never saw your hand move."
"It didn't," she replied.
"Then how did you toss it into your mouth?"
"I told you. Magic"
"Show me, again," said Neville, his curiosity peaked. "I want to see you do it again."
Kendra held out her hand and put another nut in it. Neville leaned forward and stared directly at her hand. He was going to watch it like a hawk this time."
"Here," she said, taking his hand and moving it to the one with the nut in it. "You don't believe me. Hold my hand. Then you will see I don't move it."
It was the first time they had actually touched. It was almost electric. Neville felt himself trembling inside as he held her hand.
"Get ready, now. One, two, three," she said as the nut leaped into her mouth.
Neville looked at her in disbelief. He knew what this meant. But he did not think she understood the meaning. He had to tell her.
"Amazing," he said, wondering how he could break the news to her. "Can you do more things like this?"
"A couple. Sometimes they don't work. But I can usually do some," she said with a shy smile, wondering if she was scaring him with her tricks. "Do you want to see more?"
"Yes, but I think I need to tell you something."
"What?" she asked, worry in her voice.
"You're a witch."
Kendra recoiled. "WHAT!" she said starting to get up so she could run away from him. "That's a mean thing to say."
"No! No!" said Neville. "Please. It is a good thing. I am a wizard."
She was ready to run, but that was enough to stop her for a moment. "Why are you being so mean, Neville?"
"Wait," he said, pulling his wand from inside the back of his pants. "I'll show you."
Neville was still a fairly clumsy young wizard. However, he knew a few charms. He pointed his wand at a stick and said, "Wingardium Leviosa" with a swish and flick. The stick came up off the ground and he directed it to her and placed it in her hand.
Kendra looked at him in shocked silence. "Lumos," he said, causing his wand tip to light up with a bright light. He then said "Nox", causing the light to go out.
"Are you really a wizard?" she asked, a bit frightened."
"Yes. And you are a witch. Aren't your parents magical people?"
"No. My dad is a banker and my mom works at his bank."
"Oh. I have a friend whose parents are non-magical people, too. You should have gotten a letter inviting you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry."
"I did," she said. I thought it was a joke."
"Where is it?
"I think it is still at home. It was pretty, so I didn't throw it away. I was going to try to figure out which of my friends sent it to me."
"It's not a joke," said Neville, trying to sound very serious. "You need to answer it. Then people will come see your family. They will explain things. Then you can go there and learn real magic like me."
Neville had forgotten he was no longer a student. But it didn't matter. He wanted Kendra to go to Hogwarts and he was going to follow her there. As long as he was inside this timeline, he was going to stay with her.
"How do I answer the letter?"
"I am not sure. Hermione said people came to her house to talk to her and her parents. Maybe someone will come see you."
They talked about magic for a few minutes until Kendra said, "I think it is getting close to time for me to meet my parents. How can I see you, again?"
"Give me your address. I will come by when I can. I promise it will not be long."
Kendra wrote down her address in Neville's notebook: Kendra Smith, 88 Ealing Road, Wembley.
Just then, the clock chimed six times. "I have to go," she said. "Please come see me as soon as you can."
Kendra disappeared into the crowd. Neville was left pondering what he should do. If he went back, he would have to start the entire process he had just been through anew. But where could he stay, if he didn't go back?
Then Neville had an idea. Maybe he could get a room at the Leaky Cauldron. If he could get a room, then he would be good to sort things out with seeing Kendra.
He approached a carriage and asked about getting the Charing Cross Station. The driver asked if he had money. Neville said he did. A short while later he was in a room at the Leaky Cauldron.