The English style of Quidditch is like their English pudding:
nobody has any taste for them but themselves.
Attributed to Voltaire
Evening, Monday May 18, 1998
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was not the sort of place Harry usually hung about. It is the place you quickly go to and even quicker, leave.
Ever since the Battle of Hogwarts was won Harry had been on a rollercoaster ride. Victory, the trial, the bad news from Australia, the ring ceremony and then the Weasley clan being off limits. He wanted to be with someone his own age, which usually meant Ginny, Ron or Herminie. Now they were off limits Harry had to look elsewhere.
It wasn't like Harry could turn up somewhere random and not be noticed. That's why Harry decided to act rather than be acted upon.
Harry was trying to stay in the visitor's tearoom up on the hospital's fifth floor, but kept popping down to the fourth floor to see if Neville had finished his visit with his parents, Alice and Frank Longbottom. Harry was amazed that Neville could ramble on so long while his parents were oblivious to his words.
It was while Harry was peaking through the round window on the double swing doors that Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom got off the escalator, accompanied by a rather distinguished looking gentlemen and exclaimed, "Professor Potter, what are you doing here?"
Caught off guard Harry quickly regrouped and politely said, "Good evening Mrs. Longbottom. Just waiting for Neville. You know… chat about things."
"Things as in girl things? And congratulations, Miss. Weasley is a mighty fine catch; if you survive long enough to marry her. Dodgy family that. Suddenly all they have is bad luck. First it's Bill; working for Goblins, married a quarter-Veela, and had a marriage ceremony all broke up. That's a lot of bad luck for one person. Then Charlie is stuck in Rumania studying dragons… that's what everyone says. I wonder. Percy at the Ministry was a joke; everyone said so and now in a joke shop. Some say Percy is the bad luck joke. Fred had only bad luck as he didn't have the right stuff. George can only hear out of one ear. That's really bad luck. Ron is stuck with that know-it-all and then there is you and Ginevra. Maybe you can redeem the family by adding in some of your gook luck.
"Now what is it you want to see Neville for?" Then she added, "I think he's finished." Augusta Longbottom said as she stood on tippi-toes peering through the round window
The door opened and out came Neville to be greeted by the three of them. His grandmother was first off the mark. "Good to see you are still looking after your parents. One day you will realize the good you are doing here."
"Yes grandmother," Was Neville's dutiful reply as he wondered what Harry was doing at the hospital.
Not wanting to waste time Augusta Longbottom turned to her friend and said, "Come along John, our time to visit." With that the two of them went through the double doors to spend time with her son and his wife.
Harry looked at Neville and said, "Boy she's a feisty one." Quickly followed by, "Who's the guy?"
"Good to see you to Harry." Neville started with. "Gran has put up with a lot and likes to call it as she sees it. I think she is getting worse the older she gets. Something about not enough time to be polite any more."
"Got that right."
"The guy is her latest boyfriend. She seems to have a string of them all waiting for her to drop a note so they could come over. Things have gotten worse since the battle. That's why I'm hanging out with the DA's whenever I can. It's like she has one guy for a breakfast at some muggle place. Maybe another one for elevenses. Lunch is a must with another guy and maybe another for high tea at the Ritz. She likes being seen there. Then another guy for a formal evening out. Harry, it's disgusting. Ever since the battle she has so many men on the run that I'm answering the door and owls all the time." Seeing the look of surprise on Harry's face Neville added, "Oh, I forgot. You were busy elsewhere. During the battle she was ever where. She might be 'old, frail, and diminutive,' her words, not mine, but she knows spells that people only dream of using. She was awful fast and furious. She was after Bellatrix for revenge. I mean she was attacking every death eater to get at Bellatrix. There was just too much fighting going for Gran to cut through it all. That's when Molly Weasley got there and finished Bellatrix off."
"Didn't know,"
"That's not half the story. Gran was mad at Mrs. Weasley for killing Bellatrix that she was cutting her way through to go after Voldemort. And then you came along. Gran is still mad at both of you for killing off the two people she wanted to do in. And that's why she's enjoying her new found reputation by keeping a string of suitors in line."
"Will she marry any of them?"
"No chance. She's enjoying herself too much and loves muggle plays. It's like a play a night. She's seen all the West End plays and even prompting some of the actors if they get a line wrong. See, she might be a bit old but her memory is razor sharp. Anyway, enough of my problems, how are you doing and what are you doing here?"
"Doing good and came to see you. Not had a chance for properly saying thanks for you killing the snake."
Neville was a bit puzzled and replied with, "You did the other day… Remember? So what's going on? Is it Ginny?"
Harry had to smile. This was Neville and Neville was not to be fobbed off with some old story. This was Neville, the other person the Prophesy could have been applied to. This was Neville who had found his courage and proved his worth by being the only person willing to go toe-to-toe with Lord Voldemort.
"Yeh, it's to do with Ginny."
Neville hit Harry in the arm and in a triumphal voice said, "Knew it! Gran has been going on about you and Ginny the minute she heard about the ring thing. Never happened before getting married she says. Not right, she also says. Then she fired off an owl to the Ministry asking if it is legal. Silly old boot asking the Ministry. Mean to say, you two are both wizards and old enough to get married."
"Not the Ministry… really?" groaned Harry. "It's like I'm never going to get away from them."
"Oh don't worry, they aren't that bad."
"Not what I've seen."
"Look Harry, you're the person that saved the Ministry from Voldemort. You bet you are okay there. Just give them a chance."
"Okay, okay… if you say so." Was Harry's dubious reply.
"Come on let's get out of here." Neville said as he pushed the down button on the elevator and then strolled out into the London noise. They walked along in silence. The constant noise of London along with the millions of minions in London made it a bit of a challenge to chat. Then Neville dove into a fish and chip shop that looked like it was one chip away from falling down. Neville nodded at the Indian guy in the bright pink turban. The Indian guy said to Neville, "The usual?"
"Two, this time."
"Do you do pea fritters?" Harry asked quickly to which the Indian guy nodded then adding a good smile. "Great, I'll take one."
Neville headed over to an ancient Formica table and two chairs. "This is where I come to get away from Gran. Omar," nodding toward the chip shop Indian guy, "Has been keeping an eye on me since I can't remember."
"You live about here?"
"Just round the corner is our family home. Or rather Gran's home. Mum and dad never got a place of their own. Too much going on back then. Basically grew up about here with me Gran."
"How old were you when…" Harry stopped when he realized what he was going to say.
"That's okay. I was about a year and a half old. Started out with Gran and granddad. Then I lost my granddad to death eaters. So it's been me and Gran since them."
"So you grew up wizard?"
"Yeh and nah." Neville said glancing over Harry's shoulder at people walking by. "Gran is wizard and this is London. That's the problem. Her love for the high life of London is well known. That reputation took years of hard work to get.
"Since she was busy working on her reputation the house-elf and family ghost looked after me.
"Just around the corner is the infant and junior school I went to. I was nothing special, not a swot, didn't play games, just squeaked by. Then came the letter from Hogwarts and you know the rest."
At that moment Omar came by with their two paper plates and plopped them on the table. He smiled at Neville and whipped out plastic knives and forks. "Enjoy." Was his only word of encouragement.
Neville poured on the vinegar , then applied a liberal coating of salt, followed by a substantial dash of more vinegar. Neville dove in attacking his fish first. Harry went for the chips then rounded onto his fish before moving on to his pea fritter. The food was too good for conversation.
"That was brilliant," A contented Neville said. Then he added, "You can live pretty well in this corner of London. When I started in the Infants School I met a kid known as Pad, or Paddington. He was adopted by a family living round the other corner. Me and Pad were always getting onto trouble, muggle trouble as Pad was a muggle."
"You?" Harry said in a surprised voice. He couldn't imagine Neville getting into any type of trouble.
"Yeh, only minor trouble. Usually about Guy Fawkes Day. Love bonfires and fireworks. Our record was setting off five bonfires on November 3rd. Then things got tight about here. Gran hated me hanging about with muggles. With her gone most of the time who else were there? Muggles and that's where Pad came in. We fitted together and that was it. I guess that's why I never bothered too much with magic. It got in the way of our normal daily things.
"As we grew up here, we knew the people here and they knew us. Sort of a second family, except much larger with beady eyes. If we were out on the street someone somewhere was watching us."
"So, why wasn't your Gran interested?"
"Easy. As she said, she'd done her duty raising her own children. It wasn't her job to raise her grandchildren."
"Wow," Harry said quietly as he reviewed his own early days at the Dursley's. Harry was slowly realizing how sort of similar his and Neville's early days were. How easy the Prophesy could flip flop between the two of them.
"Her biggest love was and it the theatre and London had theatres by the bucket load. That's why Gran always went with some gent. She loved dressing up in all the fancy muggle clothes with a gent in top hat and tails. And since I didn't get any proper instructions I never practiced anything wizard. That's why I wasn't ready for Hogwarts and why Gran always fussed at me." A smile slowly spread across Neville's face when he added, "Then things changed at school. That's when I realized someone had to step up and be counted. No one pushed me. Couldn't fill your shoes. But something had to be done and we did something.
Just then the small door bell jangled and in stepped Dean Thomas, Lee Jordan, Seamus Finnigan, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, and Ernie Macmillan. They all waved at Omar as they walked back to Harry and Neville. Harry was surprised buy the sudden appearance of the usual suspects.
"Just stepping down," Neville said to Omar as he headed to the back of the chip shop. Everyone followed Neville as he went through to the back, up the stairs and into the big room above the chip shop. "Used to be our gang hide-out years ago." Neville said to no one in particular. "Grab a chair and sit down, we have things to talk about… Right Harry?"
"Ah, right," Harry said in an unsure voice.
Once settled Neville started off with, "The last time we met you asked about Harveture. None of us had heard the word so we started asking our parents and the like. Why don't you go first and fill us in on what you know and then we will add in our two pennies."
Harry looked about the room and the boys slouched about in various positions on the eclectic chairs. Harry took a deep breath and told them all he knew and the fact the book, Harveture for Dummies was all about Harvard University Adventure trips and nothing wizard at all.
After a lull in the chatter, Neville said, "I'll go first. All I got from Gran is Harveture is s a guy thing and not to bother her with guy problems. In other words, she's doesn't have a clue."
Dean Thomas went next. "Sorry Harry, muggle stepfather."
Lee Jordan went next. "Dad's always pulling my leg so I'm not totally sure if he is playing it straight when he said since he's from Jamaica Harveture doesn't apply to him. Mum didn't know anything either. Sorry Harry."
Seamus Finnigan went next with, "Me dad's a muggle. He was let off the hook and married me ma. She had no clue about Harveture."
Anthony Goldstein went next with, "Mum is a muggle, a Jew, so dad didn't have to worry about Harveture. He said it's overrated at best. Then again he would say it since he never had to worry about it."
Michael Corner went next with, "Sorry Harry, I'm from the muggle side of my family. Still wizard, just with muggle parents.
Terry Boot was next with, "Sorry Harry, see dad is a muggle. Knows no magic at all."
Ernie Macmillan was last and everyone knew Ernie was pure-blood at least nine generations deep. Everyone knew it as Ernie made sure everyone knew it in their first weeks of their first year at Hogwarts. Ernie looked from face to face and then began with, "I talked to dad and he thought it a bit early to discuss Harveture. So I told him it was time as I'm dating someone serious like and I want to know the next beg step. Well dad went ballistic saying I was too young to date. That's when I pointed out I'm one year younger than he was when he got married. Silly twit. Then dad settled down and spilled some beans. Not all the beans, just some."
Ernie looked about and could see everyone was eagerly listening. "Okay he said something like this. Harveture was invented after the Beginning when muggles and wizards split. Seems muggles weren't treating marriage with the proper seriousness. Just like you said Harry. He thinks it was some Russian who thought it all up. Not sure about that, but makes the story more interesting.
"Anyway, it goes something like this. The boy has to write a formal letter to the father of the girl requesting a Parlay of Harveture. The father has to issue a formal reply. Dad says duty bound by the rules of Harveture to reply."
"Wow, even if he don't like you?" asked Seamus.
"Dad says has to reply. Which means you better be sure of the girl." All eyes looked closely at a bright red Harry. Ernie continued with, "Has to reply. Once the reply is accepted the boy proposes three dates each lasting a week. The dad can accept any one or propose an alternate date and an alternate duration. Dad says that's when you find out how you stand. If the dad comes back asking for two or more weeks you are in deep trouble. Dad says two weeks means the father is going to pull you feet first through the ringer."
"Did your dad say that's ever happened?" A concerned Michael Corner asked.
"Dad said he knew of three people. They all moved to Australia as they were toast over here. Dad said I'd better be sure before requesting a Parlay of Harveture. He said if I'm not serious he'll brain me before putting me into St. Mungo's for a few months R&R."
"R&R?"
"Yeh, rest and recovery. You don't cross dad and get away with it for to long. Then he'd send me to Australia: never to return."
"You kidding?"
"Nope: dead serious. Double checked by getting with grandpa on me ma's side. He's old, seriously old. He said it was worse in his day and we have it too easy.
"Grandpa on me dad's side said he did a week with dad before letting dad lose with the father of the girl. Grandpa wanted to see if dad could handle everything he could throw at dad. Dad never talked about his time with grandpa. Then grandpa said they did away with the second week years ago so now it's only one week with the girl's dad."
Harry jumped to his feet and started pacing about and running his hands through his messy hair. This news was not good news: not good at all. Seems what Bill said was true. "Okay, what's supposed to happen during the week?" Harry quickly asked.
"Dad says it was rough, really rough on him. He thought it was a week. The Parlay of Harveture documents said a week. Trouble was it ended up at ten days. Dad said he barely made it out alive. The girl's father hated him that much. That's why dad says you better be sure the girl's worth it."
"And if you fail?"
"Dad says keep on going to Australia. And never come back."
A serious quietness descended on the boys as Harry kept pacing about.
"Why did your grandpa, the one on your mother's side, make it ten days?"
"He didn't think dad was good enough for his daughter. So he moved the goal posts."
"Just like that?"
"Yep, just like that. Seems there are no hard and fast rules once the week has started. Whatever the old man says… you do or fail to do."
"And if you fail?"
"Better go to Australia and stay there."
"Okay, okay, okay…" A frustrated Harry cut in with, "What did your grandpa actually get your dad to do? I mean to say, he must have succeeded as you are here? Give me details."
"That's what is weird. What dad says is not the same grandpa says. Like they're not even close. Grandpa says he had dad run one day as in all day. Going up and down mountainsides. Dad says it was long walks with a backpack full of big stones. Grandpa says they went to Gringotts to count out the family money. Dad says they looked at the family legers. Grandpa says he made dad cook every meal. Dad says they had the family elf bring in food each day. See what I mean, not even close."
"He can do all that?"
"Oh, that's not even getting started. Dad's family is not all that wealthy so grandpa wanted to know if dad could build a log cabin for his daughter. Which means dad had to build a log cabin."
"Just like that?"
"Yep, just like that. And without any magic. And it's still standing. Mum loves visiting it. Says that's love in action."
"Then there's the ring, the cutlery, the plate design, milking the cow, wizard dueling, spell defenses, levitation spells and onto Quidditch. Grandpa was a keen fan of Puddlemere United while dad followed Wimbourne Wasps. Well that did it. Dad said they had countless arguments about which team was better. Arguments that went of for days. Dad says there was time grandpa made up something just to keep dad busy as grandpa was still fuming over the teams. The only thing they could agree on was how pathetic the Chudley Cannons were.
Harry slammed his hand against a wall in frustration. "That's what gets me. They can ask you anything. Anything as in anything."
"Hay Harry, calm down." Dean said, "We're all in this together. Not like we're all going to marry a muggle just to get out of Harveture." Dean looked about and noted the looks of the other boy's faces. He than added, "Are we?"
"Don't know about you lot," Seamus added, "A muggle girl would be mighty nice right about now. Could you imagine Cho's dad? Like, he's a traditional Chinese guy with a love of swards." Harry was about to blurt out, 'How do you know?' but thought better of it. Some things are better not asked. "Not the sort of person I'd like to spend a traditional week with!" There was a general nodding of heads illustrating Harveture was not exactly the flavor of the month.
Then Ernie added, "Can't be all that bad. Mean to say, we're all here."
"Didn't you listen," Seamus cut back with, "All except you are from muggle-Wizard families. We're not pure-blood."
"Yeh, I heard. So what? If I date only muggles then I should marry one. If I date only witches, then I should marry one and face Harveture." Then Ernie added, "Hard or soft choice… that's how I see it."
"Not like that," Michael said and then paused. "Mum says we have to find the right one. And we shall know when we have found that person. And that's the one to marry."
"You think there is only one right person?" queried Terry.
"Mum says so. But I don't know. I once asked Slughorn the same question. He said he was too busy and took off. Think I scared him. Tried Lupin and he said yes. Then he added, maybe depending on age. Not sure what he meant by that. Lockhart just smiled and said there is too many fish in the sea to worry about the first one you see. Even tried Firenze for fun. All he did was look at the stars and talk about a shooting star that was passing by. So I don't know."
Anthony finally tossed out, "I grew up Jew and as a Jew I'm supposed to marry a Jew. You know how many Jewish witches there are?" No one replied as everyone was studying the floor or ceiling. "Let me tell you there are exactly ten in London and twelve in all of Great Britain. If I include all of Europe I get to twenty-five or so. That's slim pickings. Dad has a dossier on each one. All Jewish fathers do. And that's all they do. Pairing this boy with this girl. They discuss what color hair their grand kids would have; type of teeth; tall or short; fat or skinny; and on and on. It's like a meat market swapping people in and out all the time.
"Every month dad would update my dossier with how I was doing at Hogwarts. To make sure every girl's parents knew I was a good catch. I think he over did the battle. Said I was all over the place. Not exactly the thing I'd like to do again: but if I have to I'd be there."
"Why do you have to marry a Jew?"
"That's the way it is if you are a Jew. Someone has to carry on the faith? So why not me?"
"Yeh, but what if you fall in love with a muggle Jew? Is that okay?"
Anthony thought for a moment then replied with, "That's fine for me as I'm a half-blood. If I was pure-blood I think it would be different. Don't know, never asked."
"I think there is a Jewish family in Godric's Hollow," Harry added as he remembered something as he flipped through the book on the village he picked up from Dumbledore's tomb. Anthony quickly looked at Harry with renewed interest. "Goldburg was their name. At least I think they are Jewish."
"Thanks Harry," Anthony said, "I'll look into them. Don't remember any Jews living down that way. Then again, you never know who's moving in or out."
"What about Hogwarts?"
"None during our time. Well, there was two who graduated when we were in our second year. Too old. Right now there is two going into their second year and a new girl coming in as a first year. Way too young."
"You have it all down pat."
"Have to. Like I said, pickings are slim and mum is busy looking at every possibility."
"Do you want to marry a witch?"
"Yeh why not?" Anthony said, "So hard always trying to explain to mum all the wizard things going on. Like she's missing out on half the story. Like dad made me promise never to tell mum everything that happened during the battle. Dad says some times things are better not said for the good of the family. Don't want to go through all that keeping secrets from the wife. Better as a team together I think."
"I never saw you at church"
"Synagogue," Anthony said with pride, "Not church. Dumbledore let me go to Synagogue in Glasgow as there wasn't one at Hogwarts."
"Oh, that's why you were never at church."
"Glasgow, Dumbledore let you go to Glasgow… every week?"
"Yeh. Small congregation though. Some of the old women would ask me back to their place for a traditional meal. They liked the company. Also a way for me to keep up on the local gossip which we never hear here at Hogwarts. Like the three Love girls are thinking of coming to Hogwarts now Harry here is going to be a professor. They are known as the three Ahhh girls. Athena, Natasha and Saryah."
"Really?" a revived Harry asked.
"For me the trouble is they are muggle witches."
"I thought you said that's okay."
"Okay as in okay after I've gone through every Jew on the planet. Sometimes I think mum wants me to marry a Jew, any Jew, while dad is edging more for a witch: any witch."
"Messy."
"Not messy," said Anthony, "Just getting mixed signals from mum and dad."
"Why don't you just go for what you fancy?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" There was a ripple of laughter to Anthony's sure comment. "Going to be me getting married and having to live with the girl, not them."
"Good point."
"Do you think there is only one girl out there Harry?" Anthony asked.
Harry kicked back and thought of Ginny. It was a good thought. "For me I know there is only one girl. Sort of known it a long time." Then he gathered his thoughts and continued with, "That's for me. Not sure if that is true for everyone. Like I said, Ginny and I have known each other and from the same house. Now Cho was different. The second Harry mentioned Cho he had everyone's close attention. Harry never mentions Cho these days. "She's Ravenclaw and I'm Gryffindor. That could have been a problem…"
"You think so?" Someone asked.
"Could be. Not saying it would be, just could be. I mean to say, why make life difficult? Life's difficult enough without doing something silly and making it worse."
You think marrying a Ravenclaw is making life more difficult?"
"Maybe and maybe not. Why risk it?" Harry glanced about noticing the serious looks on the various faces. "Look," Harry added, "I've had enough problems and would like a simple life. I know it's not going to happen as kids can be a handful. So why make problems that I can miss? Then I've got time to work on problems I have to work on.
"By marrying Ginny I'm starting off pretty good. Like if Anthony here marries a Jew, he has a better chance of having a smooth time since they would be of the same faith doing the same things. That way you pull together not against each other."
"You sound like me mammy," Seamus added. "She's a Catholic witch and married a Catholic wizard. Said its stupid marrying a Protestant wizard as she would be kicked out of the family. Then she used a rolling pin to make sure I knew to marry a Catholic witch or else."
"Harry, what are you?"
"Nothing really. C of E I suppose. I mean, the Dursley's took me to Christmas and Easter services. Then I did the same at Hogwarts along with Chapel." Harry paused for a moment as he remembered something. "As a teenager Dudders tried getting into the local C of E church choir as they paid money. He didn't get in as didn't have robes that big. That's it really. Suppose if Ginny goes then I'll go and we'd raise the kids that way."
The general discussion entered a lull as the boys thought about what had been said. Topics rarely raised, reviewed, or ruminated over.
It was Neville that broke the silence with, "So, are we clear about Harveture?"
"No," muttered Dean and Lee together. Dean continued with, "Don't like it. Think its old fashioned and out of date with us today. Look at what's going on today. Things are changing and getting better. Why do we have to go backwards?"
"Then why go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Got to, don't we," Terry muttered.
"Not me, I wanted to get away from the Dursley's and Hogwarts was it."
"Not me," Terry replied. "Had good schools where I was. All me muggle mates went to the local Secondary Modern. I wanted to go and then the letter from Hogwarts came and everything changed."
The knock on the door startled everyone and then the door opened and Mrs. Hudson stepped in carrying a very large tray for such a thin person. "Just remember I'm not you housekeeper but since you have such nice friends over I thought a pot of tea and a few rock buns would be nice." After looking about Neville quickly jumped up and made room on the battered and well stained coffee table. Neville quickly added, "You needn't have bothered Mrs. Hudson."
"You are so right Neville. But I did and here you are." She glanced about the room and added, "My, you all look so young, hansom and tidy. You dress properly and Mr. Longbottom is such a gent it is a privilege knowing him. Not like the last two fellows. Always up to mischief, in and out at all hours of the night. A right bothersome pair. Well, the short one was nice in a cuddly way. Nice wife too…"
Neville cut in, as he usually did as Mrs. Hudson does like to ramble on a bit, with, "That's really nice of you, but you shouldn't."
"Oh, I know I shouldn't but some of you look a big peaky and could do with some skin on your bones."
That's when Terry asked, "Mrs. Hudson, what do you think about marriage?"
"Oh, I definitely believe in it. Trouble is finding the right one. Mean to say, not exactly successful myself. Take the first husband, Mike. Totally useless in finding a job. Always on the scrounge. Even got to the point he would raid my purse for a pound or two for a pint down at the local. Put up with that for ten or was it eleven years. Then I woke up one day, packed my things and left him still at home with his silly old mum and dad. Best thing I've ever done. Then along comes Frank. Such a sweetheart and good on his toes. He could dance the night away. And we did more times than I care to remember. He was so light on his pins and loved to show off doing tap dancing. Things you boys should learn. Brings in the girls, if you know what I mean!"
"Mrs. Hudson!" Neville said in a very surprised tone.
"Don't come over all hoity-toity Neville. I might be old but I still can hear you carrying on up here with your lady friends." Turning to the others Mrs. Hudson added, "He has a string of them. Coming and going all hours of the day and night. Regular Piccadilly Circus it is about here."
"Mrs. Hudson!" Neville said again.
"It's alright Neville, you secret is safe with me. Cross my heart," which she did, "I shall take your secret to the grave. Present company excepted."
Just as Mrs. Hudson was leaving someone asked, "So what happened to your second husband?"
"Oh he was a silly fool. Got messed up in drugs and was executed in Florida. I sort of left the country quickly and returned to London. I mean, Florida is nice, lots of sand, great Cuban music to dance to. But London is best and I'm closer to my son Michael and his family."
"So, you think marriage is okay, even after all that?"
"What a silly question. Of course marriage is right and proper. How else are you going to have children? Just because I had a few bumps along the road it doesn't mean I wouldn't do it again if mister right walked through the door and swept me off my feet."
Then Mrs. Hudson asked Seamus, "How are the rock buns deary?" As he was attacking the buns with some vigor. "Pop by on your way out and I'll give you a few to go." With that Mrs. Hudson swept out closing the door quietly behind her.
"Who's she?"
"The landlady." Neville said, "She owns the building and lives upstairs. This was designated a safe house during Voldemort's time. She's used to odd people coming and going… not girls only."
"Right Neville. All hours of the day and night."
"Look, you lot, are here. See any girls? No. Let's leave it at that."
Harry smiled to himself as he saw his own reaction to girl's vis-à-vis Ginny. "Okay Neville, calm down. No one is claiming you are running a harem out of this room above a chip shop. It's the way Mrs. Hudson said it that's so funny. So sincere and straight.
Michael was standing over by the window staring out into the busy London street. In a thoughtful tone he said, "Does anyone remember Ellison? Not Ellison, I mean Ellerton. No, Elliot?" Getting no reply Michael continued with, "He used to say, 'We know various spells and enchantments, minor forms of potions, divination and chiromancy. But the circle of our understanding is a very restricted area, except for a limited number of hexes of strictly practical purposes. Usually we don't know what we are doing. And even, when we think of it, we don't know much about thinking. Hogwarts has given us tools, surface deep, for us to develop the rest of our lives.' I remember it as if it was yesterday. It was right before George launched his rocket propelled stink bombs from the Owlery "
After the laughter died down Harry added, "That's what I've been trying to tell you lot. Life is a series of tests. Just like you said… another test of what we learned at Hogwarts and what are we going to do with it."
To which Lee said, "Me, I'm going to keep the stuff I need and toss the rest out. It stands to reason there is only so much you can keep memorized. Put too much in and something has to fall out. So why clutter up your mind?"
"Like Snape did?"
"Exactly! Snape was bloody brilliant at potions but useless in divinations and ancient runes. Said it was useless stuff when you can cause instant love, luck, or suspended animation."
"Are you going to put in the time he did to get that good?"
"You bet. Been assembling stuff at home so I can practice. And there is an old wizard down the dell who said he would help me get started."
A startled Harry had to ask, "You liked Professor Snape's class?"
Lee's harsh laugh was followed with, "Hell no. Snape might be a great potions master, after that not much else. Ever try talking to him, normal like? All you got was your head being bitten off. He was pretty much useless outside class. That's why no one, not even a Slytherin, really liked him."
Finally Harry plucked up courage to ask Ernie, "Hay Ernie… do you think it's okay if I pop round and ask your dad for help. Need to do that Parlay of Harveture thing."
Ernie cocked his head to one side as he thought. Then he said, "Let me pop home and ask." With that Ernie Macmillan disapparated in a flash. He was only gone a few minutes and then back. "Ah, Harry. Dad's not too keen on you coming over. Said it's better of you use the Hogwarts library. Should be good examples of the rules and regulations for a Parlay of Harveture." Then he added, "Sorry about that."
After getting over the shock, Harry said, "Don't worry, I'll get it done."
Up jumped Neville who quickly said, "I can help. Not much going on and I need to learn that stuff for when it's my turn."
That's when Seamus added, "What about me? I have to do it too!" And from then it snowballed and Harry said, "Okay, let's go by the Hog's Head to get something to eat. Slim pickings at Hogwarts."
"Still cleaning?"
"Yep. Should be finished soon. Then everyone will be off for summer and should be quiet again."
"Any chance we could come by and practice?" Neville asked
"You've got a home Neville."
"Gran isn't keen me hanging about now I've graduated." Neville said in a very flat voice. "Says I should move out. Go find my own flat. Mingle with people and see that muggles are okay people. Just can't see that happening. Had too much fun at school despite what you lot might think. Being yelled at by Snape was way better than growing up on London with a house-elf and a grumpy old family ghost. I like being a wizard… okay, not a great wizard, but a wizard that's graduated from Hogwarts. I like it. Then I'll settle down at the botanical gardens and learn the trade. But in the meanwhile why not practice stuff we can't anywhere else. Mean to say, where else is there a place that big we can do stuff in and not be seen? That's why it's called a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And we need schooling."
Harry liked listening to Neville go on like this. Harry always thought Neville should become a great debater as he had a way with words. Words strung together that sounded like poetry and poetry that made sense.
"See you lot at the Hog's Head." Terry Boot said as he disapparated.
Ever since the Dark Lord was vanquished, Hogsmeade had sprung back to life with a vengeance. Shuttered up shops were open. Dilapidated dwellings were spick and span. Roads were usable once again and drainage ditches cleaned out. There was pride in the place as the only all-wizarding village in Britain bustled with witches and wizards coming and going.