Disclaimer: DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER
So, this chapter took a while, and it's still short. To be honest, I'm running out of ideas to get to the parts where I want to. Enjoy the chapter, meh. Also, I really appreciate the reviews! WOOT! And, any suggestions for a new title?
Neville's Day
"So what happened after you stopped the duel?" asked Neville to Harry, after laughing about it in the staff room.
"Well, we had a discussion," said Harry with a grin.
"Well class, that was fun, wasn't it? Let's clean up, Ginny, can you rennervate the stunned students and begin handing out medical potions?" he asked his wife.
"If you require medical attention, to me!" ordered Ginny loudly, as Harry began casting spells to clear the room.
Animals vanished into thin air. Students were levitated out of the way. Rubble vanished and benches were moved back into place. The large roaring fire was put out. Papers were moved and blasts and cracks filled. A large circle of chairs was made, and students hobbled over to take a seat.
"Well, that was an illuminating experience," said Harry with a grin.
"Speak for yourself, it was a nasty experience," said James, as he rubbed his head.
"Well," said Harry, ignoring James entirely, "It seems as though not a single person here actually won, how sad. Now, what have we learned? Anyone?"
"Not to go into battles without a wand," said Alice with a frown.
"Not to strap a giant weight to your belly," muttered Narcissa.
"Avoid Mckinnon for life," added Sirius, as the blonde glared hostilely at him.
"All valuable lessons," said Harry with a chuckle.
"But the main point here, why do you think you lost?" asked Ginny to the group.
"Because Mulciber and McKinnon refused point blank to do any teamwork?" suggested Peter.
"Excellent point Mr. Pettigrow," said Harry with a nod.
"Err, its Pettigrew," said Peter.
"Right, right, anyways, as Mr. Pedigree said, team work is one crucial thing both teams had a lack of," said Harry.
"Without team work, no group can ever last in a fight. It's why the Death Eaters and Aurors are so successful in a battle; they have tactics and team work planned. Most of you are already used to fighting with your partners, and had you been paired with your partner, you would have probably succeeded, but you weren't," said Ginny.
"Which brings us to the second point, when in a battle, if you end up fighting with people you don't know, and you have time to prepare, use it! Get a feel of what the people around you are capable off, inform your team what you can do, whatever little ticks you know the other group has. It seems dishonest ratting out your friend's weaknesses, but it's a must! If your friend isn't learning how to overcome his flaws, he's a danger to himself and his friends, and this is the opportunity to grow! When in a safe environment, try and overcome those weaknesses!" said Harry, "Next source of losing?"
"Um, our disabilities slowed us down?" asked Remus uncertainly.
"That's an interesting point, how many people find that when you're disabled you don't want to bother your friends and family to help you out? That's a huge flaw, one that I've had to deal with countless times in close relatives of mine," said Ginny, glaring at Harry who began to whistle, "And when you are not informing the people around you that you need help, you put yourself and the people beside you at a disadvantage. Then that person will worry about you for weeks and months and spend years going insane out of her mind because her boyfriend is an absolute moron who can't even bother to send a bloody owl when he reaches Argentina for training! Or when he plays down his injury from training and returns with four broken bones and a skull fracture and expects you to act like he's perfectly fine and can handle something as serious as apparating! And why does he want to apparate? Because he wants a god damn magazine to read!"
"Anyways," said Harry, cutting across Ginny, "Just tell your friends, family, partner, rescuer or helper the truth, and they'll help you out, next point!"
"Well," said Emmaline as a few people tried to stifle back laughter, "Personal grudges kind of destroyed everything."
At this, she gave Marlene a pointed look, but the blonde simply ignored her.
"Very true, and since Ms. McKinnon and Mr. Black were our ringleaders in that, how do you think you hindered your group's victory?"
"She's out of her mind!" said Sirius, pointing to Marlene.
"I'll show you out of my mind!" said Marlene, whipping her wand out.
"Maybe afterwards then," said Harry, casually drawing up a shield.
"Anyone else want to describe how personal grudges were a factor in this fight?" asked Ginny to the group.
"It made certain people act irrationally and create destruction that hindered the group's process," said Severus in a bored, indifferent tone.
"Excellent point, Mr. Snape, and with that, our time is up, I want a two feet essay on why the duel was a loss, due by the end of the week," said Harry cheerfully.
"What? But that's tomorrow!" cried Lily.
"Tough luck, life really isn't always that fair," said Harry with a grin.
"Can't you extend the due date!" asked Avery with a whine.
"He can't, it's not in his bloody nature, just like acting like everything is totally fine is a part of his nature, and worrying me sick, and-
"It's not open for discussion, good bye class!" said Harry with a nod, as the students left in a grumble.
Neville was still chuckling at Harry's way of introducing the kids to a real life duel. Then he felt a strange sense of weirdness flooding him. He was thinking of his own parents as kids. He shook it off as he poured himself a cup of tea in the staff room while reading over some papers.
"Oh not again," muttered Professor McGonagall beside him.
"What's the matter?" asked Neville to his old mentor and now colleague.
"Amelia Bones is the matter," said Professor McGonagall grimly.
"Pardon? From what I've experienced, she's a lovely student," said Neville in surprise.
"That's the problem; she's excellent, in everything but Transfiguration! She can swallow the text-book understanding, but she never performs in class! I almost feel as though she's just reading the text book and summarising it for me without grasping the concepts!" griped McGonagall.
"But she's rather good in most wand-based classes," said Neville in shock. The fierce Amelia Bones hadn't been a Transfiguration expert?
"That's the problem, I know she can do it, but she's too proud to admit she's not grasping the concepts, and now that she's a fourth year student, I refuse to let her slide by the way she is! I've tried all my regular methods of getting through to her, but all those years of coasting are catching up with her, and just by looking at this paper I know she's going to fail her OWLS next year! The problem with that girl is that she's just comfy. A girl with brains like hers only goes two ways, into a lifestyle that slowly spirals out of control, or they get a major shock and begin to apply their brains to get even with life," said McGonagall tiredly.
"So how are you going to get her up to par?" asked Neville curiously.
"I have no idea. This is her second paper that's a 'P' mark, of course, I've only been able to verbally tell her that, but I feel like even exaggerating and saying it's a 'D' wouldn't spur that girl anymore," said McGonagall.
"What about some competition?" Asked Neville.
"Tried that. She wasn't interested in winning, only in taking down her enemies, but because she was coasting, she got knocked out early," said McGonagall.
"So she can work if she knew the concepts," said Neville thoughtfully.
"Yes, but she refuses help, and I barely have enough time to help her what with things the way they are," said McGonagall.
He knew she was referring to the Order, but he pretended that her words were just about the war.
"Why not try tutoring?" asked Neville.
"Tutoring? How would I get her to go for it?" asked McGonagall.
"Don't, just force her into it. A sixth year student who's slightly more mature and good at transfiguration might be just the right person to help her along," said Neville.
"That could work," said McGonagall thoughtfully.
"I can arrange it if you like, just tell me what sixth years you think would be up for the challenge," said Neville with a smile.
"Alright," said McGonagall.
Neville watched his sixth year class of Slytherins and Ravenclaws as he pondered his idea. Harry thought it was a bit ridiculous, but Neville thought it had certain merit. In fact, if anything, it would encourage positive thoughts and give his student a new perspective. He was instructing a Ravenclaw student on how to remove Venomous Tentacula seeds while thinking about his plan. As the bell rang signifying the change in classes, Neville began to put his plan into action.
"Mr. Black, could I have a word?" asked Neville casually.
The pale-faced Slytherin stopped in his tracks. He nodded to his friends before approaching Neville, curiosity alight in his eyes. Neville was once again unnerved by how alike Regulus looked to his brother, and yet, how different they must be. Where Sirius exuded confidence, recklessness, and a certain kind of charisma that just drew people to him, Regulus was subdued and calm. The boy could blend in anywhere, and become just a background character. Something Sirius would never be able to do.
"Yes Professor?" asked Regulus politely, his face blank.
"Professor McGonagall was telling me that you're an excellent student in Transfiguration," began Neville.
"Ah, yes sir, thank you," said Regulus politely, with all the charm and manners of a pureblood son, but lacking the same charisma that Sirius would have held.
"Well, we thought that it might be best to put you in an initiative program, something to challenge you," said Neville.
"Excuse me for asking, but why is Professor McGonagall not leading this endeavor, sir?" asked Regulus with slow caution.
"It was my idea, thus I take full responsibility of this endeavor, and besides, it's a challenge, I wouldn't blame you for refusing it if you want to," said Neville.
"What's the challenge?" asked Regulus, a determined look entering his eye.
"Are you interested in tutoring, by any chance?" asked Neville.
"That's the challenge, to tutor some third year?" asked Regulus incredulously.
"No, the challenge involves tutoring. We want you to tutor a particularly difficult student, a student who will fight you the entire way, and who's currently just scraping by," said Neville.
"And pray tell sir, why would I want to do that?" asked Regulus.
"You would be excused from all Transfiguration classes as long as you complete the necessary course assignments and go to one class a week to prove that you are progressing properly. If Professor McGonagall feels that you don't need to show up one week, than you would be excused," said Neville.
"It's a tempting offer, who's the student?" asked Regulus, already planning how the time could be used.
"A young Ms. Amelia Bones. She's a Hufflepuff in her fourth year," said Neville with a smile.
"Doesn't sound too hard, I guess it wouldn't be a problem, but-
"Before you continue, we wouldn't inform either of your parents, the other students would simple be told that you're doing advanced Transfiguration, and it would remain a secret between you and Ms. Bones," said Neville.
"Deal," said Regulus.
"Excellent, tomorrow's the first day, report to the greenhouse after class," said Neville cheerfully.
"Tomorrow! But I need to plan a lesson or something!" cried Regulus in surprise, before slipping back his mask of calm.
"It's more than enough time for a smart student like you, now off you go," said Neville.
Though Regulus wanted to argue, he recognized a dismissal, and like a good purebred male, he left the room, only glowering back at the door once it was shut.
That night Neville lay beside his wife, holding her close to him. Hannah was wrapped in the crook of his arm with her hand on her stomach. The two maintained their sense of warmth and comfort while discussing their day. Hannah had chosen to stay with Teddy and Victoire as she attempted to teach them some reading and writing.
"I really think we can do this, have a baby," said Hannah to Neville.
"You think so?" asked Neville with amusement.
"I do. The students here adore you Neville, almost as much as I do. You just have a way with kids. Teddy thinks you're a genius, and Victoire thinks of you as a hero. I'm nervous about this baby, but I want him so bad," said Hannah.
"It's a him?" asked Neville in surprise, sitting up slightly.
"I don't know, but I want a him. I want a beautiful, blonde haired version of you," said Hannah with a glazed look in her eye.
"Why, you think I'd make a better blonde?" teased Neville.
"No silly! I want our baby to have something about me in it, and my favorite thing about myself is my hair, so it stands that he's a blonde," said Hannah.
"What if I want a girl, which looks exactly like you, but with my mother's eyes?" asked Neville.
"But baby Frank Peter is adorable!"
"After both our fathers? Isn't that a bit cliché?"
"I like it," pouted Hannah.
"But Alice Miranda is just as cute," countered Neville.
"But if we have a boy, than we can get a girl, a baby girl. Oh wouldn't that be cute? A protective older brother. We can have Frank Peter Longbottom, and then Alice Miranda Longbottom. Then if we're not tired and worn out, we can have another girl or boy, named, Augusta or Louisa, after our grandmothers, or Alfred and Isaac, after our grandfathers. Or maybe add a new name to the family," said Hannah.
"Hannah, I love you, but I want a girl first," said Neville.
"Your ridiculous," said Hannah with a laugh.
"I know, it's a part of how I charmed you, isn't it?" asked Neville teasingly.
"All I remember was you blushing a lot," said Hannah.
"As far as I remember, you stuttered every time we talked," said Neville.
"Well, at least one thing's for sure, genetically speaking, our child is never ever getting a date," said Hannah.
"I'm okay with that," said Neville.
"But I want grandchildren someday!" cried Hannah.
"Hannah, I love you, but can we first concentrate on having this baby and raising her right?" asked Neville.
"Fine," said Hannah with a pout, before asking, "So, do you really think this Regulus idea will work?"
"To be honest, I have no idea what's going to happen with Regulus, but I'm hoping that Amelia will influence him for the side of justice and he'll grow from the experience as much as she will," said Neville.
"Do you really think she'll make him into, well, a bloodtraitor so to speak?" asked Hannah.
"No, but she's outspoken and vivacious. She'll know that he being a Black means he's already going to be a Death Eater. She'll hate him, but she won't be unkind to him. In fact, if anything, I think she'd be curious to see his side of the story. She already shows her side of rational judgement in class. She'll argue with him a whole lot when their opinions collide, but they'll both shape each other into new and interesting people," said Neville.
"Do you think this will save them?" asked Hannah.
"I have no idea."
"And what about your parents?"
"I can't," began Neville.
"Why not? You can save them," said Hannah.
"I know Hannah, but I can't. I can't just take out the Lestranges, they have a huge role towards the future. I can't take out Crouch Junior because he's got a role to play. I can do my very best to train them to be stronger, but I can't save them. I know it's the worst possible thing for me to do as their son, but I can't protect them," said Neville sadly.
"So you're giving up, that's hardly the man I remember marrying," said Hannah.
"I'm not giving up, I just really don't want to think about saving them. It's like, I don't know, even if we do make them stronger, there's no guarantee that I saved them. When I was a kid I used to dream about a life with my parents, and no matter what changes, those dreams stay the same for me, just a dream," said Neville.
"So what do you want from this experience Neville? I want you to be happy, that's how I'm staying sane, just focusing on keeping you and our baby happy, safe, and healthy. I bet Ginny feels the same way. But you, Smith, and Harry are cracking because you don't have a goal yet, something to fight for," said Hannah.
"So you think I'll be happier when I have a goal to hang onto?" asked Neville.
"I have no idea, but I think it will make you a lot less unhappy. I think the only reason you and Harry haven't fully snapped is because of this teaching gig you guys have," said Hannah.
"I guess," said Neville, as Hannah waved her wand to turn the lamps off.
"Goodnight dear," said Hannah, leaving Neville to spew with new thoughts.