How did Neville Longbottom become a Professor at Hogwarts?

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June 2003. Neville and his grandmother left Neville's parents ward at St. Mungo's hospital.

"That never gets any easier does it Granny?"

"No, but it is important that we keep doing it. I'm not going to last for ever Neville, you must promise to keep on visiting after I have gone."

"Don't worry Granny, anyway you are going to live for ever."

"If only, let's get back to my ward now." Neville pushed his grandmother in her wheelchair down the corridor.

Five minutes later Neville met up with his wife Hannah

"Hello Neville, how are your parents?"

"Same as for the last 20 years. Are you ready to go home Hannah?"

"Let's go home Neville."

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"So how was work today?"

"Well working in the Auror office at the Ministry of Magic isn't too bad, but next week I have a week on duty at Azkaban. That's never much fun. Azkaban is full of dark witches and wizards I helped to defeat at The Battle of Hogwarts, they all remember me. A lot of the Dumbledore's Army crowd joined the Auror office after You Know Who was defeated, we all wanted to help Harry tidy up the the mess."

Hannah took hold of her husband's hand "you have all done a good job, I am proud of you."

"I know my parents were both Aurors but I am not sure this is the life for me, if I never have to go to Azkaban again I would be a happy wizard."

"Have you seen today's 'Daily Prophet'?"

"I had a quick glance at the cover at work but I didn't get a chance to read it properly, there was too much work as usual."

"I suggest that you have a look at the advertisement on page 14."

HOGWARTS SCHOOL FOR WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY HAVE A VACANCY FOR AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HERBOLOGY. APPLICATIONS TO THE HEADMISTRESS, HOGWARTS SCHOOL BY JUNE 30TH.

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July 2003. Neville apparated into Hogsmeade where he was met by an old friend.

"Hagrid"

"Hello there Neville, welcome back. Please follow me and I shall take you to the boat to Hogwarts."

On the boat "Hagrid, I feel like a first year all over again" as they crossed the lake to Hogwarts. "How are things with you Hagrid?"

"Workin hard Neville, with all this magical rebuilding work going on I have a lot on my plate as keeper of grounds."

"I can see Hogwarts looks a lot better than when I was last here."

"When was that Neville?"

"About two years ago, Auror business."

"I have just been appointed Head of Gryffindor House, McGonagall tried to carry on when she became headmistress but she didn't have the time to do it properly."

"Congratulations Hagrid."

"I understand that you have recently got married Neville, congratulations to you and Hannah."

"Thanks, six months now. She works as an administrator at St. Mungo's, I kept bumping into her when I go to see my parents, she was a great help when my grandmother was admitted as a patient."

The boat docked and Hagrid led Neville to the main entrance of Hogwarts where they were met by Professors Sprout and McGonagall.

"Welcome back Neville. It is good to see you again. Did you have a good boat ride with Hagrid?"

"Yes it was quite like old times, good to see both of you Professors again."

Hagrid gave Neville a bone-crushing handshake "Good luck Neville, hope to see you soon."

Professor Sprout said "So Neville, here is the plan. I am planning to go down to working part-time in the next school year before retiring fully in a few years time. I want to get an assistant fully trained up to succeed me and keep the greenhouses going. First thing we do is go to the greenhouses where I have some tests for you. Then we will go to Professor McGonagall's office for the more formal part of the interview. After that we would be pleased if you were to join us for lunch."

As they approached the greenhouses

"I see you have expanded the greenhouses since my school days."

"That's right Neville, I had plans for years to upgrade and extend the greenhouses before Voldemort's mob smashed them to pieces in 1998. It was hard work teaching Herbology in the first year after The Battle but now they are bigger and better. OK Neville, we all need to put on the full PPE before we go in..."

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September 2003. After the Sorting Hat had done its duty for another year, Headmistress Professor McGonagall started her speech of welcome.

"Another school year begins here at our fine old school, welcome to all our newcomers and welcome back to everyone else. It gives me great pleasure to welcome a new member of staff, Professor Longbottom is our new Professor of Herbology where he will be working with Professor Sprout. Those of you who were here in the terrible school year of 1997-8 will remember him as one of the heroes of Dumbledore's Army who helped to defeat Voldemort. It is good to have you back Neville."

The whole room gave Neville a standing ovation!

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May 2008. Neville had just finished teaching a first year class to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff when Professor Sprout appeared.

"Hello Neville, another good lesson I hope?"

"Yes Pomona, we have some keen first years this year, there is a young lady in Hufflepuff who reminds me a lot of Hermione Granger."

"Could you please accompany me to Professor McGonagall's office, she has something she wants to discuss with you."

Five minutes later.

"Professor McGonagall, you wanted to see me. Hello Hagrid."

"Please sit down Neville. Hagrid has an announcement."

"I plan to step down from teaching, as I get older I am finding it harder to do all my grounds and game keeper work as well as teaching. An advert will appear in the 'Daily Prophet' tomorrow for a new Care of Magical Creatures Professor. I am also planning to step down as Head of Gryffindor."

McGonagall said "So we would like you to take over as Head of Gryffindor."

Then Professor Sprout said "I am planning to retire at the end of the school year, in a couple of months Herbology will be all yours Neville..."