Aftermath

Harry appeared in front of a barred Metal Gate. The property behind it was extensive and shielded by a stone wall and large oak trees on both sides of the gate. On a big bronze plate attached to the wall, it read. Longbottom Manor.

Harry cast a few detection charms without getting a response. He went ahead and rang an old looking doorbell. He had never actually come in through the front door at Neville's house. Always through the floo network. Only about ten seconds after ringing, a small house elf plopped into existence behind the Gate.

"Stranger has rung the doorbell, how can Topsy be of help?" asked the large-eared elf with a suspicious look on its face.

Topsy seemed to be as old as Kreacher had been before Harry had sold the black house and Kreacher died of a heart attack.

Harry bowed low so he was on the same height as the elf. "I am Harry Potter and an old friend of your Master Neville Longbottom. I would like to speak to him." Harry said kindly.

The elf's eyes went wide and he bowed low and said.

"Topsy thought youse be bad ministry wizard. Topsy is very sorry for not welcoming masters friend correctly. I will inform the Master immediately mister Potter Harry sir"

The small elf rambled and almost scrapped his nose on the driveway. He plopped away still bowing and Harry resolved to wait.

The Gate opened a few moments later and Harry walked up the extensive driveway to the Manor. Upon coming closer he could see Neville standing in the entrance door with a large grin on his face. Neville had matured well. The stubby boy had disappeared and a large and well-built man took its place. He was large and had a well-groomed beard and whiskers. He wore a red V neck Pullover with a white Shirt underneath. Brown trousers and House flippers.

"Harry it' s really you. I can' t believe it. After all this time. You are here." Neville embraced Harry with open arms and laughed loud. He let go of the embrace and stopped laughing. His face took on a serious note.

"It' s really nice to see you. there' s a lot you've missed. A lot I've got to tell you. But for now, come in."

Neville gestured to the doorway and made his way into the house. It looked the same as Harry remembered it. A lot of old furniture, many paintings and even a few suits of armor lined the walls.

Neville led Harry to a solar with comfortable chairs and a plushy couch lined with velvet.

Neville told Harry what happened in the time he had been gone. The current Minister Jonathan Umbridge, the second son of Dolores Umbridge, had led the magical community into a dark age.

Hogwarts did only accept purebloods in its halls now. Many muggle-born witches and wizards were executed on false pretense when they decided to leave Britain. Even the muggle governments started to get an idea that something was wrong.

Jonathan Umbridge painted a picture of a dark Harry Potter that had left the magical world behind after his revolt in Hogwarts. After using it to manifest his evil ideals.

Neville sighed and took a sip of his tea.

"The executed almost all of the Weasley family. Only Bill and Charlie were able to flee."

Neville's voice was hoarse when he said.

"When the Ministry started this campaign, Hermione did everything she could to counteract the false rumors. She was quite successful at first, rallying many people to her cause. Most of your old supporters flocked to her side, trying to restart the Order of the Phoenix. It worked well for the time. But with the full backing of the Ministry, Minister Umbridge found their hiding place about a year later. 26 Wizards were executed that day. Including Hermione, Ron, Kingsley, Mad-eye and many others. It was the end of the resistance"

Neville let shameful hang his head. "The only reason I survived, is because I was late for the meeting. I could not save them" A tear started to roll down Nevilles cheek.

They talked for almost two more hours before Harry decided he had enough. Hermione and Ron were dead. He felt guilty. He had never bothered to check on them after their last fight. Nor on any of his old friends from the order. And now with the whole ministry bearing down on him, there was nothing left in Britain for Harry. Except for Neville.

Harry sighed and took one of the scones Topsy had brought earlier on a silver plate.

"You cannot stay here Neville. They are gonna get you to. Longbottom Manor surely has strong Wards. But with time everything can be circumvented."

Neville looked thoughtful and said.

"I am prepared to leave when it gets ugly. My family has a small Castle in Scotland which is unplottable and it's location unknown to anyone outside the family. You could come with me, Harry."

Neville took the last sip of his tea and put the filigree porcelain cup down on the old looking desk.

"I plan to lay low for a few years. Maybe even go to America for a time." Neville said.

Harry carefully thought about joining Neville, simply living with his old friend for a while, but in the end, decided against it.

"I'm grateful for the offer Neville. But I don't fancy staying in Great Britain. I think I' ll keep traveling the world. There are many wonders out there to explore. And I want to see as many of them as possible."

Harry smiled and slowly stood up. He straightened his shirt and said

"I have something for you. If you ever need my help or want to talk you can reach me with it."

Harry summoned his suitcase from the ring and enlarged it on the thick red carpet laying on the floor. He pressed his thumb on the first lock and spoke the parseltongue password. It was the same compartment from where he had taken his vault key. He stored most of his old and nondangerous items in here. He pulled two small mirrors out and handed one to Neville.

"Two-way mirrors I enchanted myself. If you speak my name into the mirror I should hear you and be able to talk to you and see you."

Neville took the mirror with a grateful look. "Thank you. I will make sure to keep it safe. I wish you the best Harry. And I hope that we will see us again one day."

Harry put on his black coat and buttoned it up.

Neville shook Harry's hand strongly when he led him through the door

"Farewell Harry"

Harry grasped Neville's hand and said

"you too Neville. Be careful and stay low."

The young immortal made his way down the entryway and apparated away after crossing the estates boundaries.