Thirty-sixth
"Hello, Mother," Frank said as he came upon Augusta in the hallway of Longbottom Manor. The boys were in their last weeks of school, and Frank and Alice were busy trying to touch base with their friends and finding things to do with their time. The senior Longbottom didn't want to return to being an Auror; though he was a damn fine one, toward the end of the first war, he had grown tired of the constant danger and not being able to spend as much time with his family as he liked. So, to that end, he had been exploring other options. Severus had approached his wife and he, discussing the Longbottom-Snape Potions Development and Research Labs.
He'd informed the pair of Neville's treatment at the hands of Dame Longbottom and great uncle Algie, as well as the tutoring sessions in his class, apologizing to the parents for his lack of professionalism toward their son. They were suitably impressed with the business plans, so the Potions Master, knowing of Alice's brilliance in the craft, offered her a position as assistant researcher. Her job was to do the legwork, meaning she would be the one to travel worldwide, visiting the magical libraries and exploring muggle second-hand shops, looking for lost and obscure potions on which Severus could experiment. Additionally, she was to transcribe his and Neville's notes into proper experimental theses. The woman happily accepted, excited to be able to assist her brilliant son in his and Snape's long-overdue business venture.
"Of course, Frank," the older woman replied with a small smile. She was still adjusting to having her children back, but knew that particular tone in his voice, and knew this conversation would be serious. She followed him into a smaller office that he'd taken over. He left his den in his son's capable hands, proud to sit in there and listen to his ideas and the different ways he'd created new varieties of plants from the cuttings from the Amazon. She sat in the chair before his desk, a little worried at the dark look on her son's face.
"I've been informed of your treatment of Neville, as well as Algernon's abysmal behavior toward my son," Frank growled angrily, making his mother flush with shame. "I understand that I was a bit of a handful, and that I was also late to display accidental magic. However, that gave you no license to treat my son like he was an extension of me. To not allow him his own wand was beyond stupid. You know very well that if the wizard isn't picked by the wand, his magic will not manifest as strongly. How could you think that he would be successful with my wand?"
"I…I am sorry, Frank," she replied in a whisper. Her voice grew stronger as she spoke. "I was in so much pain when you and Alice were taken from me, and I wasn't thinking right. I became a bitter, selfish, arrogant old woman, and I was so desperate to keep at least a part of you around that I failed to see Neville as an individual on his own. I was willfully blind to the damage I was doing to him, and I ignored Algernon's abuse. I am grateful to Harrison and Tom Riddle. If it wasn't for them, Neville could very well have faded into the background, becoming the failure that I'd feared he would be."
"I know that our…removal from your life was difficult, but we had entrusted you with the most precious thing in our lives; our son. We'd expected you to raise him to be the fine young man that he now is, which wasn't your doing, by the way. We didn't expect you to be perfect, but we did expect you to be loving and fair. As for uncle Algie, he had better thank Merlin that he's no longer here. After the torture that he'd subjected my son to, he's lucky he's still alive."
"Neville has become such a strong, sure young man," Augusta said with pride. "The way he handled Algernon and I at the Malfoys' Yule celebration in his second year was masterful. Friendships with Harrison Riddle and Draco Malfoy have been nothing but good for my grandson, and the added benefit is that Harrison's father had returned the both of you to us. For that alone, I will be forever grateful to the man."
"Nev is the perfect Longbottom heir," Frank concurred with his own abundant pride. "He's set to change our world, along with all of his friends, and it's about damn time. However, that doesn't mitigate your abuse of my son. I know that he put you on notice; I will as well. Step one toe out of line toward him, and I will strip you from the Longbottom family tapestry."
"Garrick, old friend," Tom said as he breezed into Ollivander's wand shop. The old man looked up from the paper he was reading, a gummy smile in place and his rheumy eyes lighting with pleasure.
"Lord Riddle," the wandmaker said with a bow of his head.
"None of that," Tom said with a smile. "You may call me Tom. After all, I spent a lot of time haunting this place as a child. Now, I've brought a couple of friends with me, and they need wands." Garrick looked down at Sandie and Dobby, smiling widely. Draco's elf was proudly displaying the Yule gifts he'd received from his master and his master's friends. On his right index finger was the Potter ring, gifted to him by Harrison. Neville had given him two more pairs of shoes, and he was wearing the trainers this day. Tom had given the elf a House of Slytherin pin, which gleamed mellowly in the low light of the shop, and on the elf's right middle finger rested the Malfoy ring.
"You are purchasing wands for your elves?" Ollivander queried for clarification. Lucius' first duties as he entered the Minister's office was to repeal all laws forbidding magical beings having wands of their own. Though the goblins had no need for the tools, they were grateful for the option. The house elves all over wizarding Great Britain had descended on the wand shops in droves, anxious to learn how to utilize wizarding magic, to augment their own magical skills. New laws were also emplaced, forbidding the owners of house elves to punish or otherwise abuse their employees. Though the elves weren't freed, they were provided better living conditions, as well as the option to wear uniforms denoting to whom they belonged. Slowly, the ratty tea towels and rags and scraps were disappearing, giving the households a more classic, refined appearance. With the kinder, gentler treatment, the elves were flourishing, becoming even more devoted to their families.
"Yes," Riddle answered, laying a hand on each elf's shoulder. "They are an important part of our families, and we want them to learn how to wield our magic. It will only enhance their skills and capabilities."
"I honestly never thought I'd see the day when house elves, or any magical beings for that matter, would ever be treated with the respect and consideration that they so richly deserve for being willing to take care of us the way they do. I must say that I am overjoyed at the changes to our world, and am looking forward to installing one of those computers in my shop. Will make keeping track of inventory a bit easier."
"We should be able to start bringing in some of the technologies by the first of next year. The Unspeakables have been working around the clock, trying to create spells and wards to protect the electronics from the ambient magic, whilst still powering them with our magic. It's slow going, but there is some progress."
"Sandie, if you would come with me," Garrick said softly, gesturing to the little elf. She grinned and hopped after the wizened man, a little excited giggle escaping her. It was several moments before she returned, holding a seven inch wand made of alder wood, with a white river monster spine core. Dobby was next, and his wand took a bit longer, returning with a six and a half inch cedar wand with a phoenix feather core.
"Thank you, Garrick," Tom said as he grinned down at the elves, who were jumping in place excitedly.
"You are most welcome, Tom," the old man said. "That will be twenty galleons."
"We will have a new muggle studies professor next year," Tom told his family as they gathered in the Keep. The end of the year was just around the corner, and the children were frantically revising for their exams. "Her name is Divinia Entenmann, and she is a muggleborn who has lived in the muggle world for quite some time. She'd expressed a desire to come back to the wizarding world, but there weren't many opportunities for her, so she received a teaching degree at a muggle university. Limus Parkinson put me in touch with her."
"That's great, Father," Harrison murmured distractedly.
"She said she'd bring some muggle submachine guns and uzis to the first class for show and tell," the Dark Lord murmured, grinning. It took a few moments before the raven's head snapped up, eyes wide with shock. At the teen's look, Tom laughed loudly, making his son scowl.
"Not funny, Father," the raven growled with a pout. "That's definitely not something we should start the class with."
"I just wanted to make sure you were listening," Tom replied with a smile.
"Sorry," Harrison mumbled sheepishly. "With the tutoring and all the extra lessons, I don't want to fall behind."
"You won't, son," Severus told the teen. "You're far too intelligent to allow a little thing like work overload to bring you down."
"Very funny, Dad," the emerald eyed teen snarked sarcastically. "Now, if you guys would just push off, we'd like to get back to studying."
"Hey, Harrison," Sirius said as he came upon the teen in Hogwarts. The animagus was taking Lupin's place as History of Magic teacher, since the full moon was just last night.
"Hi, Padfoot," the teen replied with a wide smile. "What's up?"
"I need you to come back to the history classroom for a bit, if that's okay."
"Sure," the raven answered, looking concerned. "Is there a problem?"
"No, actually," the animagus returned as they walked to the classroom. "I just have some things that I think you might want." They continued the rest of the way in silence, Harrison very curious. Once they were in the classroom with the door locked and warded, Sirius went to the back of the room and through the door that led to Remus' private quarters. There were low, murmured voices for a few moments before the animagus returned with a box. He set it on the professor's desk and opened it, pulling out many books, diaries, and journals. Insanely curious, Harrison walked up to the desk, picking up one of the journals and leafing through it. None of the names were familiar; however, he saw 'Potter' strewn throughout, and his eyes widened in surprise. "These are the journals, diaries, and books written by your Potter ancestors," the animagus explained softly. "James was too…selfish to want to learn of his magical heritage, and I must admit that I encouraged that. I thought family histories were a waste of time and effort, because my own was so dismal. Since being made your second godfather, and taking that role seriously, I wanted to make sure that you had all information about your family and their magics. So, here they are."
"How…how did you get them?" the raven asked breathlessly. He was excited to learn about his origins, and about his ancestors.
"I…I approached Fleamont and Euphemia when we discovered that you guys had to go into hiding. I told them that I was your godfather, and that I wanted to do right by you. I asked them for all the information they had on your family histories, as well as any family magics. It's all in those diaries and books."
"Thank you, Sirius," Harrison said, eyes shining happily. "I've always wanted to learn about James' past and his history, since it will help me to understand him better. This is awesome!"
"Again, Sandie," Tom told the little elf gently. He was in the Room of Requirement, trying to teach Sandie and Dobby how to use their wands to focus their magic better. The little elf was frustrated; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull back on her natural magic enough to make the wizarding spells work the way they were meant to. She either overpowered or underpowered them, making the spells respond in unprecedented ways. Dobby had fared no better, but he was still smiling happily, glad for the private lessons with, to his mind, the greatest wizard alive. If Tom was aware of the adoration of Draco's elf, he gave no indication. Harrison's champion flicked her wand again, reining in her elven magic at just the right time as she murmured, "Wingardium leviosa" in her squeaky voice. Slowly, the book she was trying to levitate lifted from the floor, hovering steadily in the air.
"You is being doing it!" Dobby chirped excitedly as he jumped up and down. Sandie looked over at the other elf happily, taking her attention from the spell. The book dropped to the floor with a flat thwap, making the elves jump at the noise, before Sandie scowled.
"That was very good, Sandie," Tom told her, patting her on the head gently. "Remember how you felt as you cast that spell, and try to replicate it. You two may go back home for now; we'll pick up again on Saturday." With a nod, both elves popped away, leaving Riddle standing in the middle of the Room of Requirement. He ran a hand down over his face, sighing in relief that the little beings were capable enough to pick up on the lessons. "I think it would be better if Harrison and Draco worked with their elves from this point on," he murmured as he left the room. "I'm sure that they'll have a better method of training. Besides, the bonds they share with their elves will help them guide and teach them better."
"Sandie," Harrison called out. It was the last week of school; exams were finally finished, and the boys were happy with the results. Everyone had maintained high scores across the board, and were looking forward to the break. The little elf popped into the boys' dorm room with a smile.
"Yes, Master Harrison?" she squeaked.
"I was just wondering. Do house elves have their own language?" Draco's head came up from the magazine he was leafing through, silver eyes alight with curiosity.
"House elves is being descended from high elves," she replied, indicating that her master have a seat. Harrison pulled out his desk chair for Sandie to sit on, while he perched beside Draco on the blond's bed. She climbed onto the chair and was quiet for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. "When the high elves decided to being leaving the wizarding world, we all was being expecting to go. They is not being liking being slaves to the human wizards, and that was why they was being wanting to leave. A lot of us is being liking the wizards, and is wanting to being staying. In punishment for defying the royal family of the high elves, we is being made to being smaller and somewhat weaker than our ancestors. They is being leaving for another realm, hidden from the human wizards.
"We was being having our own language; the language of the high elves, but we is being in the wizarding world for so long that we is being forgetting most of it. We is still being having some words from our language, but we is being not able to use them, because they is not being applying to anything that we is being doing or how we is being living."
"Would it be all right if you and Dobby come to the History of Magic class some time next year, and tell us about the high elves, and where you come from?" Draco asked. "I think that, if you explain things to the students, maybe they'll understand a little better the sacrifices you have made to stay with us, and be part of our families and our world."
"I is being happy to, Master Draco," Sandie answered with a grin. "Dobby is being happy to, too. We is liking that you is being treating us as members of the family. We is being loving you very much."
"We love you, too, Sandie," Harrison told the little elf with a grin. "You've become very special and important to me. I'm not sure what my life would've been like, had Father not gifted you to me. You make our family complete." The little elf blushed, dropping her eyes to her hands shyly. "Do you have any experience with tending to babies and small children?"
"I is being having some experience taking care of little ones," she replied carefully.
"Good," Harrison said. "When Father and Dad start having their children, they'll need some nanny elves to help them take care of their offspring. You could train some of the other elves to do the job. When Draco and I have our own family, we'll want you to take care of our children."