Author's Notes:
This is my first fic ever. I hope you all enjoy it. I don't have a Beta, so it is just me. If there is anything you wish for me to change grammatically or in terms of pace, I will do so. Regarding the story, the base storyline is fixed, in my head at least. You are welcome to recommend changes.
I would be thankful if you would leave a review.
The story is Neville centric . This fic diverges from the end of the Battle of Hogwarts.
The story builds slowly and will taken sometime to reach the main plot. I want to build the background picture and characters first.
I'm not going too far into the lords and stuff. More from a Rich man aristocracy and influence angle.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J K Rowling's property, not mine.
Right Let us Begin.
A Silent Melody
Chapter 1 - Prologue
May 3rd, 1998
Neville Longbottom limped slowly with Luna Lovegood past the Rubble at the Entrance to Hogwarts. As he looked out, he saw the famous trio just starting back towards Hogwarts and smiled.
The battle was won. Hogwarts was safe again, but the real work had just begun.
The group laughed and hugged it out. The relief evident in all their faces. As they stood there, Harry began to open up to all of them, explaining the prophecy and what he had seen in the Dumbledore's pensieve. The revelation brought a sick feeling to their minds.
The group stayed silent consuming their old headmaster's secretive machinations and the involvement of Severus Snape and continued to silently ponder the what if's and why's. They slowly trudged back in through the large doors that lead into the great hall.
The remaining death-eaters had been rounded up behind warded classrooms in the dungeons, with their wands confiscated. The students and injured were being tended to by the Madam Pomfrey and staff from Saint Mungo's that had Flooed in from through Flitwick's office. The hospital wing had been expanded to include multiple adjoining rooms to cater to the need of the injured.
McGonagall had left to go to headmaster's office to assess the status of the wards of the school. She had taken Professor's Babbling and Vector along with the oldest Weasley sibling and Shacklebolt. Sprout, Flitwick, Pince and Sinistra were taking a head count, while also making sure the students were fed and watered with the help of some elves.
Slughorn was keeping some of the younger students entertained with some story that Neville could not hear. Hagrid was out in the grounds to see and note the damage had been done. Some Aurors had followed him to make sure no stragglers were left behind in the vast grounds.
Neville observed that the students had corralled themselves in random groups at various portions of the mess that was the great hall. A few had slowly started to move away from their usual house herds and tried to mingle. Some were met with looks of animosity while others were welcomed. Neville smiled as he saw the children making an effort to change.
Filch was seen instructing a platoon of elves towards the clean-up process. He saw a couple of ministry officials and reporters milling about from student to student, seemingly taking a stock of the situation. One of the reporters paused at their gaggle of five and spoke to Harry, "Mr. Potter, we would really like to have an account of what happened here from your perspective along that of your friends here, if you would please."
Before Harry could answer, He was stopped by a thunderous shout from Madam Pomfrey, "Definitely not! Mr. Potter and his friends first deserve their necessary medical attention. I will not have you idiots Haranguing them before that is given. You can take your account once everyone is healed and when you have permission from the headmistress to do so. Now off with you! It would be better if you Idiots would make yourself useful!"
"Yes Ma'am!" Stuttered the reporter before stepping away and speaking to his colleagues.
Neville could hear one of them say "I told you. Let's help the students first, we can get our job done later, I mean look at this place, these children need support first."
Any further action was lost on Neville as he suddenly found himself being gently levitated on a bed. He saw Harry also in the same situation. They were then carted off to the medical wing with a still frowning Pomfrey at the lead.
"Mr Longbottom. Why are you still holding that?" asked Madam Pomfrey, cutting off Neville's thoughts. All eyes suddenly turned to Neville's left right hand and there was the sword of Gryffindor. Neville blinked and quickly let go. The sword landed on the bed.
Madam Pomfrey turned to Ron, "Mr Weasley, would you and Ms. Granger take that to Headmistress' office? Make sure to be back here. I will be looking over the two of you once I'm done with these two."
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey." replied Hermione while Ron nodded and quickly picked up the sword. They rushed out of the hospital wing with nods towards in Harry's direction. Luna decided to aid the matron, until it was her turn.
Madam Pomfrey made a thankful comment to the deceased Snape, as it seems he had replenished all the potions in the hospital wing expecting something big to happen.
An hour later, the two Gryffindors lay in their respective hospital beds, brimmed with potions, and covered in bandages. Neville had a cast over his injured leg as his knee had been damaged rather badly and the skele-grow needed the bone to be set in place before the magic took effect. He lay back and wondered, what next.
His final year was not great, and it had changed him. He had thought that the war would be hard. He remembered his grandmother describing the previous war and had prepared mentally for a long-drawn fight like his Gran had described. Now…It was done, and he had not even finished school yet.
He had previously thought of working towards his herbology mastery and working as a professor. Professor Sprout had always touted him as her replacement. She had started grooming him towards his mastery, but the events of the last year had scarred him.
The scars that covered him from the days of torture with the Carrows had shattered his previous psyche. He was not the quiet and shy boy that he was before. He had looked out for his fellow students and their wellbeing. He had taken so pain so that the younger years would not face it.
"Nev? You awake?" Asked Harry. "Yeah" he replied and turned to Harry. "What are you going to do now?" Harry asked. It seemed he was thinking the same thing. "Honestly, I was just thinking the same. I don't know, this situation is so different to what I dreamed of as late as last year. I thought of pursuing something involving Herbology, you know, get myself a mastery and maybe teach, but I don't know now…"
"I know what you mean, for me it was always about fighting Voldemort. Every step of the way was fighting Voldemort. Now that it's over…I really don't know what to do. I thought of being an Auror. I really need to think on whether I want to fight anymore. How many more battles do I need to fight? I've just died and come back…Do I want to die again? "Harry sat somber.
Neville began," You know, I suffered under the Carrows Harry, they really tortured me, cruciatus and all. Heh, I now know a little bit of what my parents went through. I don't know If I want any kids facing that ever again. That time changed me, Harry. You were fighting the bigger fight and I realized that I needed to look after the school here a while you three weren't here. The professors could only do so much, and I took the fall for many muggleborns …."
Neville closed his eyes reminiscing the nights, the pain. "I think the Carrows were particularly brutal with me knowing my hatred for Lestrange." He chuckled.
"Anyway, I don't think I just want to do a herbology mastery anymore Harry. I want to do more for myself. I mean the Herbology is something I am interested in, but all my life I've pushed by others to follow a specific path, because I was too silent. Snape pushed me away from potions. My uncle Algie pushed me towards herbology. My gran pushed me to keep my father's wand. Heck, even you guys pushed me away from your adventures until fifth year." Harry looked sheepish at that.
"When I helped those students over the last year, I did it because I wanted to do it. Not because someone told me to. And it felt liberating. I don't know what yet, but I want to do something that I can be proud of by myself Harry."
Harry stared at Neville as he digested what was said. "Well, my fight is done for now Nev….I could really use some advice on what I can do going forward. Heck I just realized; I don't even know where I'll be staying after I leave here. I have some money left in the trust fund, but the goblins will surely not let near it after what I did to them. Damnit!"
"Harry! Easy there, don't worry, you can stay at Longbottom house until you can find your feet, we have the room. I don't care what Gran says about it OK!" Neville said
"Thanks a lot, Nev, I really appreciate it. I didn't want to burden the Weasley any further, they just lost Fred, and I want to give them some time to be together. It just doesn't feel right." Harry replied, breathing a big sigh of relief. "But I still need to find a Job of some sort fast, And I haven't completed my NEWTS. I don't know what sort of job I can get."
Neville thought for a moment before replying, "Harry, ask Hermione to speak to McGonagall once she gets back. She could help learn your options for you while you rest. If there's a chance you can sit your Newts with us at the end of the year, then that should be fine, right? Although, truth to be told, we haven't exactly had a very educational year either."
"Right, I'll do that then" Harry replied nodding, "I don't want to fight anymore Nev. I just realised, I just want to work and live. Maybe I could work in a dragon preserve like Charlie. Heck, I'm willing to just sell cakes in Hogsmeade. I just want a simple life from now on Nev. No dark lords, no civil wars, just peace"
"Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Potter, you need to rest. Please try and get some sleep." Madam Pomfrey stated from across the hall.
"Let's talk about this later, you've given me somethings to think about now." Harry said.
"Sure Harry. And I agree, you deserve your peace now, after what you went through" He replied.
"Also, Nev, you may have changed, but it is definitely for the better. This new you, is rather fun!" Harry stated. Neville blushed a little and thanked him. They then went silent for a while each mulling over their own thoughts.
A short while later, Ron and Hermione had turned up. McGonagall had kept them to inform the students that they were allowed to leave the school at any time.
Parents could use the Floo after informing McGonagall, while the Hogwarts express would be departing twice to ferry the students. Once with ready departures, and again to cater to those that needed time to recover in the hospital wing.
Harry was also informed that he would be needed to stay back for a while to discuss his living arrangements with the headmistress. Madam Pomfrey quickly rushed the couple to their own beds for treatment although it seemed their injuries were rather Minor.
A further 3 hours passed, Harry had dozed off and finally looked at peace with himself. It was Midday While Neville laid in his bed as sleep eluded him. He recalled the events of the battle. He had seen the vicious nature of the fight particularly with the werewolves and giants.
It suddenly hit him! the number of people turned into werewolves would be high after the battle. They would be ostracized by society since wolfsbane was awfully expensive and inaccessible. Those poor people would be discarded and left to turn into the very beasts that had turned them, and all because they had been in Hogwarts during the battle involving werewolves.
It was these thoughts that kept him awake. What could he do to help? Madam Pomfrey stopped his thoughts during her rounds and forced him to have a dose of dreamless sleep potion. Finally, for the first time since Harry arrived back at Hogwarts, Neville slept.
Later that night
Neville gently woke up to the antiseptic smell of the hospital wing. He looked around and found all the beds containing the golden trio had some other students. He looked about and found a glass of water on the bedside table. As he sipped on it, Madam Pomfrey came by to let him know that his knee would take a little while longer to heal, and that his dinner would be served in the hospital wing.
He nodded and soon had a tray with a piece of shepherd's pie and some cut apples on the side. He asked the house elf (he still struggled to differentiate between the genders of house elves) if it could bring him something to read from the library. The house elf nodded and brought him a book on charms. He laughed at that and ate the simple meal. He then began reading the book silently for an hour before dozing off again.
May 4th, 1998
The next morning, he was welcomed to the sight of his grandmother looking over him in worry. He smiled and put a hand over hers. After a heartfelt hug from the usually stern and strong woman, they started to converse on what happened over the last year and slowly graduated to the battle itself. He let loose, tears and rage flowing freely. His Gran must have silenced the area around them as he knew their volumes were raised at many points. She listened only adding a whatever necessary to continue the flow of the conversation.
Neville finally broached the topic of housing Harry for the near future. Augusta quickly realised this was a good opportunity for Neville and accepted, much to Neville's delight. Neville then Dug into his breakfast that was brought to him by a house elf.
Augusta stared at her Grandson as he ate, the changed boy, No, Man! Oh, this was a welcome sight. She was always afraid his usual timid and introverted nature would supersede any present Longbottom personality. As she listened to her grandson, her mind took a downward turn. It took a war to change Neville. Did she really want that for her grandson?
Her family had almost died out during the last war and now, Neville was the only male Longbottom left. Algernon had disappeared during a business outing and had been missing, presumed dead. He did not sire any children either. She had to make sure that the family continued with Neville. She wanted him to be successful and live a full life independent of the wolves and vultures in society, and to have a good family to continue the Longbottom line.
She would wait, she decided, for once he was at home and settled, and if it so happened, for Harry Potter to also settle in their home. She would groom them both to their station. They were elites and would carry themselves so. Maybe a tutor or two could help. Lord knows some parts of a Hogwarts' education were abysmal. Neville would need to learn things such as business. Topics not covered by Hogwarts.
Neville would need to run the Longbottom herbology business. It was in shambles and only brought a small portion of the profit it used to generate. She just could not manage it the same as her own husband could, with Algernon's support also gone it would be up to Neville to transform the business. But first he needed to understand it.
Augusta Checked in with Madam Pomfrey and understood Neville would be in the wing for another day, by which time she could prepare the house for his return. She informed Neville of the same and left to see the headmistress.
As she approached the office of the Headmistress, she saw Potter approach as well. The boy did not look good. He looked thoroughly famished. Worse than he normally did every time she saw him at the station.
"Mr. Potter. Good morning" She greeted, Nodding to the young man in front of her. "Good morning, Mrs. Longbottom. How do you do?" He replied. "Oh, very well indeed, now that you've taken care of our great big 'issue,' Mr. Potter, I'm able breath easy now hearing My grandson is safe and seeing that you are too."
Harry smiled and nodded as he gave the gargoyle the password. She followed Harry into the office to his slight confusion. This was mimicked by the headmistress too.
"Augusta! Hello, I was not expecting you here with Mr. Potter," said McGonagall,
"Oh, I needed to discuss something with you pertaining to Mr. Potter. Seeing him at the entrance, I thought I would join him so that I may finish my piece first with him present, and then you may continue your private matter with Mr. Potter." Said Mrs. Longbottom.
At see Harry nod, McGonagall gestured Mrs. Longbottom to continue. "You see My Grandson has brought notice to me the precarious nature of Mr. Potter's housing. We are offering Mr. Potter room at Longbottom house for the foreseeable future. I wished to bring this to your notice."
She turned to Harry, "Mr. Potter, you are welcome to come and live with us at Longbottom house. I look forward to it. " She smiled at the young man. "If you choose so, I will take you to Longbottom house when I come for Neville in two days' time. Minerva could you please floo call me of his decision so that I may prepare the house accordingly?"
McGonagall nodded. "Of course, Augusta, I will." "I will be with Neville until lunch" Augusta informed McGonagall and left the office
"Mr. Potter." She continued, "Let me first inform you that the ministry has had a long and fraught discussion with the goblins and have made necessary arrangements for you to be able to access your vaults at Gringotts. You will not be penalised for helping the nation at its time of need."
Harry breathed a big sigh of relief. Then he looked at her in confusion. "Vaults? As in Plural?" He asked.
"Yes Mr. Potter, Let's discuss that later, Let's finish the topic of housing first."
"Oh ok." Replied Harry.
"Now the options to your housing are, The Weasley family, Grimmauld place, The Dursleys, Andromeda Tonks and finally Longbottom house. Please take your time and think it over, I do not expect and immediate answer. Although personally, I would not accept some of those options."
"Next Mr. Potter," McGonagall continued ,"Is the issue of your Inheritances. Since, you will be Seventeen soon, you will be considered of majority by Gringotts and the ministry and as such, I can disclose what you can expect to receive on the day of your Birthday.
You have been scheduled to visit the bank on your birthday where you will be presented with the vault keys of your family, the Potters, of which there are three, The keys to the vaults of Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and the main Black family vault."
Harry was startled. All the marauders! Even Peter? And hadn't Remus only died a day ago?
When he voiced his question, McGonagall replied, "This is a prospective statement. The wills have not been read yet, but the provisions have been set in place at Gringotts. As for Peter, he seems to have named you the sole beneficiary of his vault at the time of its creation. I too was perplexed that he had left it as it is. But I guess, the man was too preoccupied at hiding and doing the biding of his master that he must have forgotten."
"Further, I had been informed by Andromeda Tonks that upon Majority, you will also inherit Grimmauld place, as stipulated in the will of Sirius black. Andromeda is the current custodian of the will and hence, is ensuring the correct disbursal of assets as per the will with the Black family lawyers. You are also the Godfather to an Edward Remus Lupin."
Harry already knew he was Teddy's godfather. "Um, Professor if I may, does this mean I would own Kreacher as well, the elf in Grimmauld place?" Asked Harry.
McGonagall nodded. Seeing this Harry grimaced. His experiences with that elf had been harrowing to say the least. When He saw that the headmistress was not continuing, Harry looked up to the ceiling. He took some time to digest all that was explained and was thankful that McGonagall stayed silent.
His biggest worries had been sated. He had access to his finances, although he would need an escort to Gringotts, especially for the first time he would visit. He also had some good options for places to stay while he decided on what it is he would do in the future.
Harry excused himself from the office, promising to giving his answer on where he would like to reside, post lunch. He decided to go to the one place where he could think in peace. The shore of black lake.
After Lunch at the great hall, McGonagall made the floo call to Mrs. Longbottom informing her of Harry's acceptance.
May 5th, 1998
Neville woke up to a cast free leg in the morning. The residing St. Mungo's official had assisted him in completing his morning rituals. He then sat with his breakfast, his leg still a bit numb from the skele-grow. He had noted a few interesting spells from the charms book that he would evaluate once he was out of the hospital wing. They were targeted towards controlling the environment in a space and could perhaps help in controlling conditions in Longbottom greenhouses.
He asked the Elf for another book and this time received a book on potions. He grimaced; Snape had done a number on him with regard to this subject. Still, He was bored and had nothing to do as Madam Pomfrey had confined him to his bed for observation before discharge. She had asked him to consult with Harry or other quidditch team members on exercises that could help strengthen his legs.
He turned to the sound of the Main door of the hospital wing opening, only to see his grandmother and golden trio walk in. His Grandmother's smile would have been blinding had age not ruined her teeth. Harry strode forward quickly and informed Neville of his decision to stay at Longbottom house. Neville immediately looked to Ron. "Is your family ok with this?" he asked.
Ron nodded, "I too feel a bit a space would help mom grieve. It is not like Harry is leaving permanently. You could all visit every so often and stay over too. We can arrange something. Besides, Hermione is staying at our place now. So, it isn't like I won't have good company." Ron said smiling with a small blush. Hermione was also blushing. Harry laughed and took Ron in a one-armed hug. It was nice to see Harry smile freely after so long.
Augusta smiling turned to Neville and said to him, "I checked in with Madam Pomfrey and you've been cleared to leave the hospital wing by the evening. I feel you will need the night to pack up and say your goodbyes. I will pick the two of you up in the morning tomorrow. Meet me at the headmistress' office at 10am tomorrow."
Neville nodded to his grandmother. She then conversed with the group for a while trying to get to know Neville's friends a bit more. About half an hour later, Augusta left.
Harry turned to Neville, "Nev, when you get out, could you meet us in the common room? I think it's time we continued our conversation from the other day. Now that my situation is a bit more stable, I think I can put more thought towards it. Is it okay is I bring Ginny, Luna, and others as well?" Neville agreed.
After the group left, Neville went back to the potions book and found it actually detailed rather beautifully the properties, usage, care, and storage of multiple ingredients that were used in potions. Many of which were plants that he took care of in his greenhouses at home. While most of this wasn't new to him, there were some points that were new to him that he found very interesting. The book detailed ingredient care from a potioneer's perspective and not that of a herbologist.
Maybe this was covered in NEWT level potions, something he had vehemently rejected because of Snape. He swiftly noted the title and author of the book and added it to his must purchase list along with the previous charms book.
When the Elf turned up again with his lunch, Neville stopped the elf. "Where did you get this book?" He asked. The elf replied, "book from Snape room. He making lots of potions, so Rudy bring first book on table." Neville smirked; He was going to just keep the book. Snape wasn't going to miss it anyway. "And the charms book?" he asked the Elf. "Same." Said the elf.
"Could you take me there after dinner?" He asked the elf, wondering if there were other such books that could be as useful as the one held. The Elf nodded. Neville then returned to the book and started making notes on the various plants that he knew he already had.
Later that evening Neville was let out of the hospital wing. He thanked Madam Pomfrey and headed toward the Gryffindor dorms. There weren't many students in Hogwarts since the first express departure had already left. As he entered the dorms, he waved towards Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, who it seemed were the only students still left in Gryffindor house. The two couples were seated beside the fire, silent. He made a gesture about wanting a shower and climbed the stairs up to the boy's dorms for a well needed clean-up".
Twenty minutes later, he came back down to the common room to find Luna had joined the gang in the Gryffindor common room. he sat down on the floor in the middle and watched the flame until Harry broke the silence, "What are you thinking of doing now Ron, Hermione?"
Hermione answered first, "We're going to St. Mungo's after Fred's funeral to check on the possibilities of reviving my parents' memories. Whatever they say, I'll be travelling to Australia. I have to find them Harry."
Ron pitched in, "I'm coming with you! No way I'm letting you search for them alone."
Harry nodded. He turned to Ginny and Luna, "I guess you will be working on first finishing school, right?" They both nodded in the affirmative. "What about you Harry." asked Luna.
"McGonagall did mention something about allowing all the students to repeat this year, after the school re-opens." Hermione pitched in." Neville smiled at that. If it happened, it would give everyone a chance to remove the nightmares of the previous year. It would be a step in the right direction.
"I'll have to see….It all depends on the Gringotts meeting I'll be having on my birthday. Based on the that meeting, I'll decide. For now, I'll be staying with Neville, hopefully until I can finish my NEWTs. After that I don't know yet. I'll think of it based on what come up."
The group stayed silent for a while staring at the fire the elves had prepared for them. Until Hermione noted that it was time for dinner. They all walked out, each thinking of what the future would hold.