Authors Notes:
This was written just after reading GoF for the first time, I had no idea a prophecy would be involved in OotP. And if you read carefully at that part it says something about how it could have been Neville ^_^ I was very happy and actually said to people who I knew there was something special about Nev. He's one of my favourite characters and you just know that he's going to be a good man and wizard.
Please read and then review, I'll give you all ice cream!
Prophecy.
Chapter 1. In which sad news is received
There's a knock at my door and although I'm not doing anything I don't want to get up or do anything about it. The knock comes again and I sigh and yell, "Come in!" so whoever is behind the sturdy oak door can hear me.
The door opens slowly almost tentively, like its in slow motion. A flash of blue catches my eye. "Oh god" I whisper, if this is what I think it is and I think it is I've seen enough St.Mungo's robes.
Oh I've been dreading the day, how will I tell my boy, he's already so fragile.
Ms. Longbottom? The ministry and St.Mungo's sends its deepest condolences, your son frank died about an hour ago. If you want to say your goodbyes we'll be happy to have you come over.
I can feel a tear already sliding down my cheek for my son. I nod numbly and I feel a hand on my arm, I look up to face a girl not much older that 20, I collect her hand and lay it between both of my own, patting it softly. Its alright dear, could you tell Albus Dumbledore as well please, there's Floo powder in the red jar on the mantle. I tell her he will know who Neville's friends are.
Somewhere inside of me I knew this was going to happen, as I have a letter prepared, I hand it to the girl, "thank you dear, it must be hard to deliver such news." She nods sadly "your son will be missed." "He has been missed for 14 years already." I reply, I squeeze her hand gently again. "Goodbye Ms Longbottom." She says stepping into the flames and disappearing.
"Come out Neville." I say to the empty room. A shuffle of slippered feet can be heard from behind the door leading to the dining room.
My grandson appears, from tousled blonde hair down to fluffy slipper clad feet.
Neville lost almost all of his puppy fat and he's grown a lot this year. His golden hair curling slightly along the bottom and fringe, which he blows out his hazel eyes, soft hazel eyes like his mother's.
I know I've been a bit harsh these few years but I do love him, he's the only one left now and all I want is for him to be happy.
"Neville" I sigh, "dads gone." He whispers sitting on the sofa beside me, he looks so vulnerable but no tears fall.
I find myself doing something I have done rarely since he was a child, I embrace him, he clings to me silently and I cry openly into his hair. "I…its okay gra'ma I'm still here and so is mum." He says to me trying hard to comfort his old grandmother. It only makes me cry further, after all I have failed to do for him, for all the times I have scolded him and shouted at him, he forgives me and I thank him for that. I finally manage to say something that I should have said more often to him. "My boy, I do love you, I know it seems like I don't sometimes but I do, never doubt that, your all I've got." "I know gra'ma I know" he replies softly.
"Can we, can we go see mum later?" "Of course"
Later that day- St.Mungo's
"Mum? I know you don't really know who I am and to you I'm just this boy who comes and goes sometimes but I love you. I can talk to you and stuff. I know that you will go soon just like dad and that will make gra'ma even more sad, and then I might lose her too. I don't want to lose everyone I love. It…it hurts too much." Neville tells her holding her almost lifeless hand. A sob escapes unnoticed by the young man in the room as tears well up in his eyes. He drops her hand and walks briskly out of the room past the room where the formidable ms. Longbottom and the doctor are discussing something about his dad.
Neville breaks into a run, ignoring the medi-witch who tells him to slow down, flashes of rooms and signs blurred past him. After a while he reaches the door to the centre's garden and picnic area. He pushes open the door and steps onto the path, there is no one around as he plopped down onto the bench and cried. He cried for everything, for never truly knowing his parents, for the death of his dad, for the grief it was causing his gra'ma, and for the way he was completely useless except for getting in the way.
After what seemed like an eternity Neville returned to his mum's room to find the doctor, two medi-witches and his gra'ma crowded around the bed and a voice he had never heard before. "Let me see my son!"