"Yeah, Umbridge gave the Slytherin Quidditch team permission to continue playing straightaway, I went to ask her first thing this morn ing. Well, it was pretty much automatic, I mean, she knows my fatherreally well, he's always popping in and out of the Ministry. … It'll be interesting to see whether Gryffindor are allowed to keep playing, wont it?"

"Don't rise," Hermione whispered imploringly to Harry and Ron, who were both watching Malfoy, faces set and fists clenched. "It's what he wants. …"

"I mean," said Malfoy, raising his voice a little more, his gray eyes glittering malevolently in Harry and Ron's direction, "if it's a question of influence with the Ministry, I don't think they've got much chance. … From what my father says, they've been looking for an excuse to sack Arthur Weasley for years. … And as for Potter … My father says it's a matter of time before the Ministry has him carted off to St. Mungo's. … apparently they've got a special ward for people whose brains have been addled by magic. …"

Malfoy made a grotesque face, his mouth sagging open and his eyes rolling. Crabbe and Goyle gave their usual grunts of laughter, Pansy Parkinson shrieked with glee.

Something collided hard with Harry's shoulder, knocking him sideways. A split second later he realized that Neville had just charged past him, heading straight for Malfoy.

"Neville, no!"

Harry leapt forward and seized the back of Neville's robes; Neville struggled frantically, his fists flailing, trying desperately to get at Mal foy who looked, for a moment, extremely shocked.

"Help me!" Harry flung at Ron, managing to get an arm around Neville's neck and dragging him backward, away from the Slytherins. Crabbe and Goyle were now flexing their arms, closing in front of Malfoy, ready for the fight. Ron hurried forward and seized Neville's arms; together, he and Harry succeeded in dragging Neville back into the Gryffindor line. Neville's face was scarlet; the pressure Harry was exerting on his throat rendered him quite incomprehensible, but odd words spluttered from his mouth.

"Not… funny … don't… Mungo's … show … him …"

The dungeon door opened. Snape appeared there. His black eyes swept up the Gryffindor line to the point where Harry and Ron were wrestling with Neville.

"Fighting, Potter, Weasley, Longbottom?" Snape said in his cold, sneering voice. "Ten points from Gryffindor. Release Longbottom, Potter, or it will be detention. Inside, all of you."

Harry let go of Neville, who stood panting and glaring at him.

"I had to stop you," Harry gasped, picking up his bag. "Crabbe and Goyle would've torn you apart."

Neville said nothing, he merely snatched up his own bag and stalked off into the dungeon.

"What in the name of Merlin," said Ron slowly, as they followed Neville, "was that about?"

Harry did not answer. He knew exactly why the subject of people who were in St. Mungo's because of magical damage to their brains was highly distressing to Neville, but he had sworn to Dumbledore that he would not tell anyone Neville's secret. Even Neville did not know that Harry knew.

(Order of the Phoenix – C17)

Brothers

For the rest of the day after the incident, Neville gave Harry wary looks.

Neville did not consider himself the smartest person, but he was observant and always knew when he was being lied to.

There was a moment earlier that day he noticed very clearly.

After Harry and Ron pulled him away from Malfoy, he heard Ron asking Harry what was the fight about. He had noticed right away that Harry hadn't responded with an "I don't know."

He knows, thought Neville. He knows what happened to my parents.

For the next week he couldn't get it out of his mind. He shared a dorm with Harry and nearly every class. Seeing him every day put a knot in his stomach and the desire to talk with Harry about it kept repeating itself over and over in his mind.

So he decided to do something about it.

IlIlIlIlI

"Harry, can I talk to you after class. Privately."

Harry looked up at Neville surprised. They were now in the last class of the day.

"Sure, Neville," said Harry.

They worked with each other throughout class without a word unless it was about the subject. After the bell rang Neville stood up to leave, giving Harry a glance. Understanding, Harry followed him out. Luckily Hermione and Ron were arguing and didn't notice him leave.

Neville took Harry to an abandoned classroom and turned to face his dorm-mate.

"Harry," he spoke warily. "That day you pulled me off from attacking Malfoy-"

"Think nothing on it," said Harry. "You would've done the same for me."

"Let me finish," he snapped. "I heard Ron asking you what was that about. I noticed you didn't respond with an I don't know."

He noticed Harry gulp. Harry was always obvious. "Do you know, Harry?"

"Know what?" asked Harry dumbly.

"Harry," he said harshly.

Harry's shoulders sagged. Harry made his way to one of the chairs and sat down.

"I know," muttered Harry. "I've been wanting to say it to you since I found out."

"Why?" asked Neville.

"Because you're the one who deserves sympathy," spoke Harry. "My parents may be dead, but I know they're at peace and watching over me."

"But your parents," said Harry lifting his gaze and looking directly back at him. "Your parents deserve peace. They should be able to recognise you, alive or dead. From what I also heard, they were among the most respected people here in our world."

Neville couldn't help it. Tears began to fall from his eyes at Harry's words.

"Thank you, Harry," he mumbled. He felt weary, his vision was becoming blotchy with the tears that were falling from his eyes. He was beginning to feel a little faint, as if a weight had fallen from his shoulders. Before he could fall however, he suddenly felt a pair of arms underneath his elbows.

"It's okay, Neville."

This time Neville couldn't help it. He wrapped his arms around his dorm-mate. 'No', his mind told him. 'His friend'. He put his head on Harry's shoulder and hugged him tightly. Harry responded in kind and they just stood there for five minutes hugging.

Eventually they pulled apart.

"Neville, I promise you if I ever find Bellatrix Lestrange, I will bring her to you so you can take your revenge," smiled Harry.

Neville gave a hollow laugh.

"Anyway, from here on out I'm not letting you leave my sight," said Harry. "We're now best friends, bonded for life."

"Isn't Ron your best friend?" asked Neville.

"I'll change my wording then," smirked Harry. "Ron will be my best friend. But you will be my brother. After all, we both never had one. Why not each other?"

Neville laughed.

"Okay, then," he smiled. "We're brothers."

"For life," Harry said back with a smile.

AN: Yeah, I know. Rather OOC but I've always loved the Harry and Neville friendship. I wish JKR had paired Harry with Neville rather than with Ron. They both needed a sibling. Ron's got enough, and I'm not a big fan of Ron. Both Harry and Neville have so much more in common, in my opinion. I hope to do a proper short story sometime in the future with Harry and Neville having a brotherly relationship. Stay Tuned.