CH 36 The aftermath of the Attack
Harry and everyone else surrounding Neville looked at the place where Neville had disappeared. Harry knew he was going to have to go to the Ministry right away. He did not want to call Arthur, because Arthur was going to be talking to Philomena. He finally decided to call Kingsley. But Kingsley didn't answer. Harry, then apparated to the Hogsmeade store of WWW, where he used the floo to get to the Ministry. Harry didn't trust himself enough to try and apparate all the way to the Ministry, not after all the chaos and death he had just witnessed.
As Harry entered the floo in the Auror's office, Mary Lou approached him. "St. Mungo's called, and they want Neville there as soon as possible. They said something about his parents. Hannah and the children plus grandmother and some great grandparents are on their way right now. It seems reasonably urgent."
Harry said, "Neville destroyed Bellatrix with the sword of Gryffindor, and when he put it back into its scabbard he disappeared. Try to contact him on his mobile. I have no idea why he disappeared, or what happened! I didn't even know that there was a scabbard for that sword."
Mary Lou looked at Harry, horrified that Neville had disappeared. "I'll try and find Neville," she said.
Harry went to his father-in-law's office. Looking through a window into Arthur's office Harry could see Arthur and Kingsley, plus Philomena Fetcher. Ginny was walking towards the office from the other direction. Harry waited for Ginny. "Neville had to use the sword of Gryffindor to kill what was left of Bellatrix," Harry said. "He was wearing a scabbard, and when he put the sword back he disappeared. St. Mungo's is looking for Neville. I have a dead Auror and a dead defender and, it just doesn't feel much like a victory, even though we won."
Ginny gave Harry a big hug, and said, "I know." Together they walked into Arthur's office, which expanded to fit them. Philomena was sitting down, looking stunned, and to both Harry and Ginny she looked a little like George did right after Fred was killed.
"Their parents should be here shortly," Arthur said, "They were going to meet Philomena after her work shift and together wait for Phillip. They were anxious to find out how his first raid, first real taste of danger, was. We are sure they never expected that he would be killed on his first big raid.
"Of course as soon as we knew we told Philomena. She will be off duty until after her brother's funeral, and even longer if she needs more time."
Harry said, "I am so sorry that Phillip was killed! I tried to design the raid, and have enough help, that no one would be in any danger. I'm just so so so sorry!" Harry was beginning to tear up.
Philomena did not say anything, but just sat there not looking at anyone, head down. Everybody waited silently for about ten minutes before Falcon and Fawn Fletcher were led into the room. Falcon said, "It has to be bad news if all of you are gathered and want to talk to us."
Kingsley said, "Your son was killed, the only casualty in the battle that destroyed what was left of Bellatrix Lestrange and captured most of the remaining fugitives. We are so sorry for your loss. We are so very sorry."
Fawn Fletcher went over to her daughter and started to sob uncontrollably. Falcon asked Harry, "What happened?"
Harry said, "He fell under the track of the bulldozer we were using. There was a lot of chaos, and whatever was left of Bellatrix Lestrange was putting up quite a fight. I guess Phillip just lost his footing at the wrong time."
"What in Merlin's name is a bulldozer?" asked Falcon. Harry used his wand to summon a picture of the machine with the drills and flames as Neville was practicing with it.
"It looks like an evil metal monster," Falcon said.
"That is what we wanted it to look like," Harry said. "It worked. We used those drills on the front punched a hole right through the wards."
"Drills?" asked Falcon. Harry didn't bother to explain. Fletcher obviously had limited knowledge of the Muggle world.
Fawn had stopped her loud sobbing, and she asked, "May we see him?"
Harry felt even worse. "I'm not sure if the coroners are going to be able to get his body in any condition to be viewed," Harry said.
"Did it hurt?" Fawn asked.
Harry thought of the screams he heard. It was probably terrifying and hurt a lot. "It didn't last long," Harry said, "but I think it probably hurt a lot. I am terribly sorry, but that's the truth. There was so much death at the Battle of Hogwarts and before, so many people I have lost, and I never wanted it to happen again. I'm just so so sorry."
Fawn was wailing uncontrollably by this time. Arthur called for the healers, and a small group of trauma healers from St. Mungo's came and took the family away for consoling and counseling.
When the family left Harry said, "Neville had to use the sword of Gryffindor to kill what was left of Bellatrix. He was wearing a scabbard, obviously the scabbard that was made for that sword. When he put the sword back he disappeared. St. Mungo's is looking for Neville. They said something about his parents."
"We lost a defender too, Harold White, and I ought to tell his wife."
Arthur asked, "Do you feel you ought to be the one to tell her?"
Harry said, "Yes, I do. It was my raid. It's my fault that people were killed. I'm worried about how he was killed. I saw that several people were fighting him, but I don't know who killed him and how he died."
"We will have to figure that out eventually, Harry," Arthur said. "I wouldn't worry about it at the moment."
Mary Lou knocked on the door, and Harry opened it. "I can't get through to Neville on his mobile, and no one knows where he is," she said. "Hannah is getting frantic. I'm sure she is trying to contain it, because she has their two little children with her, but I can hear the panic in her voice."
It was a Goblin made sword, Harry thought. How to get in touch with the Goblins? He didn't think any of them had mobiles. Harry called Bill, who worked with the Goblins a lot in his current job and had worked for them at Gringotts. When Bill answered his mobile Harry said, "Neville had to use the sword of Gryffindor to kill what was left of Bellatrix. He was wearing a scabbard, obviously the scabbard that was made for that sword. When he put the sword back he disappeared. St. Mungo's is looking for Neville. There's something about his parents they need to talk to him about."
"I was still here when all that happened, although I didn't see it," Bill said. "I'm still at the site of the raid trying to clear the place of curses. I haven't seen anything to tell me where Neville is, though. I thought he may be back at the Ministry, or with his parents, or home."
"Could you get in touch with the Goblins, Bill?" Harry asked. "They claim the sword too. Maybe they know something about the scabbard."
"I will try, Harry," Bill said. "See if Kreacher can help."
Harry called Kreacher, and explained the situation to him. Kreacher said, "The legendary scabbard? Will ask Swiss Gringotts. Ask prophets."
Harry turned to Mary Lou, and said, "Will you please get in touch with the prophets in Switzerland. Use the international floo. Send someone if you have to. Explain what our problem is. I need to tell Wanda White that her husband is dead."
"Wanda is in cell 33," Mary Lou said. She looked at a parchment. "No one has been in there with her since she was brought in."
Harry and Ginny went down to the holding cells, and were escorted to cell 33. A rather frightened young witch dressed in traditional robes was sitting there, and as soon as the Potters entered she stood up.
"I'm Harry Potter, and this is my wife Ginny," Harry said. The witch just stood there, obviously terrified. "You must be Wanda White," Harry said. The witch just nodded yes.
"I really wanted to capture everyone and not have anyone killed or even hurt," Harry said. "We came close to succeeding, but your husband wouldn't surrender even when he was badly outnumbered."
Wanda started to whisper something, but she couldn't get it out. Ginny went up to give her a hug, but she jumped back like Ginny was attacking her. Ginny said, "This must have been a terrible ordeal for you. I just wanted to give you a hug. Mum says a good hug cures more illnesses than potions."
Wanda let Ginny hug her, as she started to cry. Wanda was quite a bit taller than Ginny, and when Ginny walked over to Wanda Ginny's right foot drooped notably, but it was obvious that the smaller woman was comforting the bigger one. As the tears and sobs poured out of Wanda, Ginny kept up with a steady stream of, "That's all right," and, "A good cry is what we all need," and, "You are safe here," and similar remarks. Wanda cried for a good fifteen minutes before sort of composing herself.
Harry conjured up three comfortable chairs, but before they could sit down a Patronus appeared. It was a female Centaur, and it was obviously from Nausicaa Scheria. The human part was Nausicaa, from the tall thin body to the long black hair. Like all Centaurs she wore no clothing. Although she was thin she certainly had a female shape, including breasts that were larger uncovered that Harry remembered seeing on her when robed. Harry was embarrassed, but the Patronus of Nausicaa showed no hint of being embarrassed. The Patronus asked, "Did Neville Longbottom really have the scabbard as well as the sword of Godric Gryffindor?"
"Yes," said Harry. "It had an almost identical ruby, and it just looked like the right scabbard for that sword."
"Curious! Very curious!" the Patronus said. "I would THINK you would be seeing Neville reasonably soon."
"Can someone tell his wife Hannah, please," Harry said.
"Yes, yes," the Patronus said before disappearing.
"Did that mean yes someone would tell Hannah, or just yes the Patronus heard us?" asked Ginny.
"I don't know," Harry said. "Neither the Centaurs not nor the prophetesses are always easy to understand."
"I'm glad you are dealing with them, then," Ginny said. "I like it when I know the score at the end of the game."
Ginny motioned for Wanda to sit down. She said, "It's supposed to be a victory, Wanda. No one should have died. I know Harry agonizes over everyone who was hurt or killed, and he feels just awful about your husband's death."
"I didn't see what happened when your husband died," Harry said. "I know he was fighting several of our Aurors. I will try to find out more and let you know."
Wanda whispered, "He said he would never be captured alive, not by Mudbloods and traitor scum. Did you really kill Bellatrix? Did you destroy that awful thing?"
"Cut up into little pieces by the sword of Godric Gryffindor and each little piece burned with Fiendfyre until there was nothing left," Harry said.
"I … I didn't mind the beatings so much," she said. "My father beat my mother, but never too bad, and I guess that's just part of being married, but when Harold was really mad he took me into see IT, HER, and it was the most terrible painful hateful awful thing in the world."
"MY FATHER NEVER BEAT MY MOTHER!" Ginny yelled. "HARRY NEVER BEAT ME, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!"
"I cannot imagine a husband beating a wife," Harry said. "That's just WRONG!"
"Oh Wanda, being beaten is just WRONG!" Ginny said. "You poor girl."
"I don't think Burley ever beat Belinda," Wanda said in the same small voice, so soft it was hard to hear. "Glenda and Gus would argue, but I never saw Gus hit Glenda. Gus was upset with Harold for beating me. But there was a lot of violence around the Lestrange brothers, and I know all the older people fought. Both of my grandfathers beat my grandmothers."
They talked another half an hour. When they got ready to leave Wanda said to Ginny, "Will you PLEASE come back tomorrow morning. You're the first nice person I've talked to in AGES, and I know who YOU are. You are Ginny Potter of the Harpies, not some witch trying to see if she can get me to say something to send me to Azkaban."
"We are not trying to send you to Azkaban," Harry said.
"Ginny, PLEASE?" Wanda said, crying.
"I will spend as much time as you need tomorrow," Ginny replied.
When they left the cell Ginny said to Harry, "How am I going to keep my practice up if I'm talking to Wanda? I'm not back to being first string. Donna and I go in after we have had a chance to observe the play. We're pretty good together, but not as good as we were. I have to work really hard to keep my skills us, and I'm not going to be able to practice tomorrow."
Ginny pulled Harry into a big hug. "I REALLY don't want to quit Quidditch right now, but this is important too. Thank you for asking me to be here with you. Since I was here, I'll be able to see when you try to bottle up the pain and frustration. We'll talk it out."
"Not a neat ending," Harry said. "They captured the bad guys and destroyed the wicked witch and lived Happily Ever After. I guess we are not living a fairy tale."
"Almost, Harry," Ginny said. "I got my knight in shining armor, and I wouldn't trade him, or my life, for anyone or anything. Even with the bad parts and the scars. I love you! I feel so lucky to be married to you."
"Harry, you rescued Tracy and Pansy! You and your team did it!"
"I look at you lying beside me when we wake up together in the morning, and I cannot believe how lucky I am," Harry said. "You are just right for me."
"Shall we go to St. Mungo's?" Ginny asked.
Harry nodded.
When they walked into the ward where Frank and Alice Longbottom lived Hannah met them.
"Where in Merlin's name is Neville?" Hanna asked.
"I think in Switzerland, but I'm not entirely sure," Harry said. "No one I have talked to thought he was in any danger, but no one could give me a good answer either."
"That's just great," Hannah said, obviously disgusted. "Neville's parents are sort of better! The healers told us that they are not all better, but they recognize people and, just casually talking to then they seem normal. They are asking for Neville, and no one knows what to tell them. Go in there and tell them something!" Hannah handed little Frank and Alice over to one of their great grandmothers and went into Neville's parents' room, along with Harry and Ginny.
"James Potter!" Frank said.
"I'm his son, Harry," Harry said.
"You look a lot like your father," Alice said, "But you have …"
"I know," Harry said. "I have my mother's eyes."
"This HAS to be Molly Prewett Weasley's daughter," Alice said. "You're the spitting image of Molly. A bit thinner than Molly ever was, but you have to be her daughter!"
"I'm Molly's daughter, Ginny," Ginny said.
"What's this I'm hearing about Neville?" asked Frank. "He's an Auror, and something of a hero?"
"Neville, 'The Snakeslayer,' Longbottom, Order of Merlin First Class," Harry said. "Today he burst through the wards protecting the body of Bellatrix and the wand of Tom Riddle and cut them up with the sword of Godric Gryffindor. As Neville cut up the wand and parts of Bellatrix, I had Aurors who are specialists in Fiendfyre destroy the parts. Neville had the scabbard of Godric Gryffindor too, or at least the scabbard that goes with the sword. When he put the sword back in the scabbard he disappeared. No one I have talked to seems too worried or surprised. They say he should show up soon."
"A big raid?" asked Frank. "How many did you have to kill?"
"Just one," Harry said. "I wish we didn't have to kill anyone."
"We just talked to his poor wife!" Ginny exclaimed. "The Merlin Damn bastard beat the poor woman. The son of a bitch got what he deserved."
"Now I know you are Molly's daughter," Alice said. "Fiery temper, and a little bit of a foul mouth."
"Mum?" asked Ginny, astonished.
"She was quite the troublemaker at Hogwarts," Alice said with a grin. "You should have seen her argue with Minerva McGonagall! Arthur would have been Head Boy, but your mother corrupted him."
Harry was laughing. "I've seen Ginny argue with her mother. That's enough fireworks for me."
The door to the room was open, and through the door everybody heard two little voices yell, "DADDY! DADDY! Up, Up." In strode Neville Longbottom, a child carried in each arm, the sword of Gryffindor in its scabbard on his belt, both rubies glowing, looking every inch the conquering hero back from his quest.
"Neville? Neville! Oh Neville!" his mother exclaimed as she rushed to give him a hug, something not easy to do with five year old Frank and three year old Alice, and the sword, in the way.
"Sorry I'm late," Neville said. "I've been kind of busy."
"Busy slaying dragons and keeping that pretty wife of yours pregnant," Frank said with a twinkle in his eye.
"It was just a snake," Neville said.
"JUST A SNAKE?" Harry, Ginny and Hannah all exclaimed at the same time.
"Just the last thing holding Tom Riddle to life," Harry said. "Just the first time the sword of Gryffindor came to you. And today the sword came to you again, and the scabbard came to you! You are obviously a true Gryffindor!"
"Yes, the sword and its scabbard. Things have gotten a little complicated," Neville said. "I need to talk to you, Harry and Ginny, alone. I want Hannah with us, but no one else. Not now, but soon."
Frank asked Neville, "We sort of lost years. What happened to us? What just happened that broke the spell?"
Neville got everybody to sit down. "Mum, dad, you were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange until you went insane. From what I have been told you were almost dead when you were brought here. May 2, 1998 there was a big battle at Hogwarts, and both Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort, sorry Harry, Tom Riddle, were killed.
"Molly Weasley killed Bellatrix. Harry had been fighting Tom Riddle for years, he and his friends, and on May 2 he finally killed Riddle. Bella's body and Riddle's wand disappeared. Today is Monday, September 8, 2003, over 5 years later. I was part of a large group that attacked the hideout where Bellatrix's body, the Lestrange brothers, and others, were hiding. I was the one who had to attack Bella's body, which was kept partly alive by Riddle's wand. I destroyed Riddle's wand, and what was left of Bellatrix's body, with the Sword of Gryffindor. From what I understand you finally got better when Bella and the wand were both gone."
"We could feel the chopping, and the Fiendfyre," Frank said. "It was pretty awful, but a freeing kind of pain. Not the terrible hatred that had us imprisoned for so long. I sort of remember Bellatrix torturing us, she and some other people, but it seems so distant. And then there was almost nothing, a bit of suppressed pain and anguish but mostly numbness and nothingness."
Harry and Ginny just stayed a few minutes. It was getting late. Just before they left Neville said to Harry and Ginny, "I was talking to some prophets and others. Please be careful and stay safe. Ginny, they are worried about your safety. I need to talk more to you both, but later."
Harry and Ginny went home, and both had a good drink of elf made wine. Ginny asked Harry, "Have I been in that much danger, that they are so worried about me?"
"Look at all your Quidditch injuries, Ginny," Harry said. "Not just the inevitable bumps and bruises, but the horrible things that happened to your knee, not to mention a terrible head injury."
"Maybe this year can be my last year," Ginny said. "I DON'T want to be FORCED out, just because it's a rough game, though." Ginny fretted over what Neville has said before going to bed.
Harry had a terrible time getting to sleep. He kept thinking about what went wrong. Why did he lose an Auror and one of the defenders? What else did he do wrong? Ginny did her best to console him, and between fretting over Neville's warning and worrying about Harry she had less sleep than Harry.