Chapter 9- Reunion

Most of the students that went to Hogsmeade were told to go straight to their houses. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville, were sent straight to the headmasters office. Professor McGonagall ushered the six of them through the crowded chattering hallway of confused students. Most did not know why they were pulled from Hogsmeade. After Professor McGonagall dropped the students off at the headmaster's office, she gave them his new password, "Chocalate Chip Cookie Dough."

Professor Dumbledore was standing next to his phoenix Fawkes, who cooed softly as he saw Harry enter the room.

"Fawkes is quite fond of you Harry." Dumbledore smiled.

"I am fond of him too, Professor..." Harry replied, " wasn't he hurt by the Killing Curse Voldemort shot at him."

"Well he was aiming for me," Dumbledore smiled, "but no he wasn't hurt, he was ready for a fight that day. Children please sit. It is urgent you tell me what exactly happened."

Hermione began the story, being interrupted by Ron's explanations and Ginny's correction of Ron's explanation. Luna sat quietly tending to Neville who had been somber since they let the Three Broomsticks.

After the story was finished Dumbledore knelt down beside Neville and placed his hand on Neville's shoulder.

"Killing is a hard thing to do, Neville," Dumbledore said softly, "if you weren't so melancholy about it I would be worried. Your heart is big enough to feel pain for your enemies. And that shows the real strength of your character."

"I have always wanted to get vengeance for my parents," Neville started, "but now I still feel empty and worse."

Neville's words caught Harry off guard. Sirius' killer was now dead Harry thought to himself, but he didn't feel any better about it. He realized that Bellatrix death wouldn't bring back Sirius.

Dumbledore turned away from Neville to the rest of the group. "You all have had a long day, its best that you get back to—" Dumbledore was stopped in mid-sentence when the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge entered the office, with a hefty witch that was in a St. Mungo's uniform.

"Dumbledore, this is Miriam Strout from St. Mungo's, she is here to escort, Neville Longbottom to the hospital." Minister Fudge said in haste.

"I believe Mr. Longbottom is uninjured, Minister." Dumbledore said leaning on his desk, "well, he might have an upset stomach, but that's probably because all the butterbeer he drank earlier, I doubt he has had a chance to use the facilities."

"This is not about his injuries, I will explain in private." Cornelius said motioning for Neville to go with Nurse Strout.

Dumbledore nodded for Neville to follow Nurse Strout. Once Neville was out of sight, Cornelius took a seat next Dumbledore's desk, not before he poured himself a glass of fire whiskey.

"Children if you will excuse us we have to talk about today's events." Fudge said.

"Don't you want to hear what happened from us." Harry said sternly.

"I have had a full report from our aurors," Fudge said with a patronizing smile, "I have all the Ministry's aurors sweeping Hogsmeade as we speak. So please excuse us, we have adult business to attend to."

Dumbledore shook his head and sat at his desk, motioning the children to leave. They made a single file line toward the exit. Before they reached it, Hermione stopped and turned around, Ron grabbed her arm tugging her to come along.

"Minister Fudge I have a question?" Hermione shouted from the exit.

"Yes, child what is it?" Fudge said impatiently.

"If all the aurors are in Hogsmeade, who is guarding Azkaban?" Hermione asked.

Fudge's eyes began to widen, it was apparent that he had follied and allowed Azkaban to go unguarded when he called all the aurors to Hogsmeade. "Out girl, get out!" he yelled in frustration.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were bombarded with questions from curious Gryffindors who were not at the Three Broomsticks once they entered Gryffindor tower. Harry made it known that he was not willing to retell the story, by slamming the boys dormitory door shut. Hermione and Ron gave a brief update on what had happened and where Neville went.

"You don't think they will send him to Azkaban?" Dennis Creevey asked.

"I don't think they would send someone to Azkaban for killing one of Voldemort's top Death Eaters..." Hermione said as a matter-of-fact. Several students gasped as she said Voldemort's name out loud, but they did not interrupt her any further. "I would think they would give him a metal."

"The Order of Merlin is more like it," Ron added, "look, don't bother Neville when he gets back, he is taking it a bit hard. And if I were you, I wouldn't ask Harry either, or you might get his foot up your knickers."

"Ron! Harry wouldn't do that!" Hermione gasped.

"Well, I will if I find out any of you have been bother Harry or Neville." Ginny said very sternly.

Ron and Hermione waited next to the fire for Neville's return. Most of the Gryffindors went to bed around midnight; a day at Hogsmeade and all the excitement tired them fiercely. After the Gryffindor common room was clear, Ron and Hermione chatted about the day's events.

"I noticed how you stood in front of me once Lestrange showed up." Hermione said sweetly.

"Um, uh, I just wanted a better view of what was going on," Ron said while his face blushed a deep red. "you know me, I love to see the action up close."

"Oh, come off it Ron," Hermione said in a huff, " you are taller than most of the 6th years, I almost missed what was going on while you were pushing me behind you.

"U—m, lo—ok at the time," Ron stuttered, "near—ly 1am, I don't think they would bring Ne—ville back this late. We—uh can find out what happened in the morning."

Ron picked up his things and began to head for the boy's dorm.

"Wait, Ron!" Hermione said walking up him, " I know what you did, you can say what you want, but I know." Ron began to stutter something as Hermione leaned closer. Ron went quiet watching her face getting closer to his. She leaned even closer, then...

"...she kissed me." Ron whisperer. He and Harry were at the edge of his bed, getting dress for the breakfast the next day.

"What?" Harry said pulling a grey t-shirt over his head, "you mean on the cheek right, she's done that a hundred times before."

"To you maybe," Ron said a bit louder, only to catch himself being to loud, " but she's never kissed me, and it was on the lips too."

"How long was it?" Harry said beginning to giggle at Ron's dismay, "Did you kiss her back?"

"Stop it." Ron said hitting Harry with a pillow, "I just stood there while she kissed me. It felt like forever. I guess women just react weird after near death experiences.

"No, then she would have kissed you during our 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year—"

"—Whatever," Ron interrupted, "It surprised the hell out of me."

"Well, I could have told you this day would come," Harry laughed throwing the pillow back at Ron. Now they were the only two left in the boy's dorm. "Shoulda known that Hermione would have made the first move."

"What are you talking about you silly turd!" Ron said perplexed.

"Get off it Ron, you have fancied Hermione since 4th year, at least that's when I realized it."

"No I haven't."

"Then it was before 4th year, but all I know is she fancy's you too."

"What! How do you know? Did she tell you? You got to tell me! My mom knits you a sweater every year, you owe me. "

"Um, yeah, thanks for the sweaters Ron." Harry said sarcastically.

"Com' on, tell me."

"Um, she kissed you Ron, of course she fancies you. Actually, to think about it, I thought she fancied you too in 4th year.

"She fancied Krum in 4th year!"

"No, she went to the Yule, ball with him, because you didn't ask her in time."

"Oh...yeah. I forgot."

"Look, Ron, its cool if you did fancy her. But I would recommend not bottling up." Harry said gently. "I can deal with you to being girlfriend/boyfriend, but I could't deal with you not talking to each other like in 3rd year. Do you like her, be honest?"

"Y—yeah, I—I do, for a long time, Harry" Ron said growing red again, "I was just to embarrassed to say anything. I couldn't imaging her liking me more than a friend."

"Well now you know. So don't let that stop you." Harry smiled. He felt good for Ron, he knew that if Ron could get over his self-esteem issues, he could accomplish great things. "Lets get some breakfast, I haven't eaten since Hogsmeade."

"Yeah, I'm starving." Ron said, "Hey do I look ok, does this shirt match."

"Um, yeah."

"Maybe I should were my dress robes?" Ron said looking for any stains on his burgundy button down shirt.

"Are you going bonkers?" Harry quipped, "Hermione knows how you look, lets just go."

"Ok, but promise not tell her that I told you," Ron said, "I will deal with this my own way."

"Ok, if you promise not to snog during meals," Harry joked, "I might vomit whatever I am eating."

"Ha, ha— maybe I can get you a date with Pansy Parkingson and we can see who throws up the most." Ron challenged.

"I need new friends." Harry said shaking his head running toward the Great Hall.

When Ron and Harry arrived at the Great Hall, a group of Gryffindor's was standing around a seated Hermione, peering over her shoulder. Once Hermione saw Harry and Ron enter, she franticly raced toward them with a newspaper in her hand. "They've escaped!"

"Who?" Ron asked.

"The Death Eater's," Hermione said pointing to the Daily Prophet's headline. "Last night while the aurors searched Hogsmeade."

She handed the paper to Harry. He and Ron began to read the article:

Death Eaters Escape Azkaban Prision.

Late last night several Death Eaters, that were caught last May during an attempt to break into the Ministry of Magic, escaped with the aid of an unregistered animagus. A witness, whom wishes not to be named, "In case of You-Know-Who reads the Daily Prophet," said rat entered the prison around 11pm, transformed into a balding little fat man, and unlocked the cells of several Death Eaters. These Death Eaters are believed to be in the inner circle of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "There wasn't a guard in sight." The Ministry's aurors were guarding Azkaban after the Dementors left last May. Sources told the Daily Prophet that the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, order all active Aurors to Hogsmeade. No one at the Ministry commented on the Minister's actions but sources told us that a Death Eater attacked several students at Hogsmeade. Details are sketchy, but when asked, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore replied, "All students of Hogwarts are safe, however, the Death Eater that was foolish enough to attack a group of young wizards from Hogwarts, is dead."

The identity of the Death Eater has not been revealed, nor the circumstance surrounding the attack. Sources at the Ministry did mention that a full investigation into the Minister's withdrawal of the only guards at Azkaban would be made. A list of those Death Eaters that have escaped will be release shorty. Continue to check the Daily Prophet for more updates.

Rita Skeeter

Harry and Ron put down the paper with their mouths wide open.

"They've all escaped." Harry said in shock.

"It was a distraction, Hermione you knew it." Ron gasped.

"I didn't know, but I found it weird that Fudge would empty out Azkaban." Hermione stated.

"You think he is with Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"No, but I do think he is a fool and played into Voldemorts hands." Hermione said.

"Oh no, look who is coming over." Ron whispered.

Just then, a very smug Draco Malfoy holding a copy of the Daily Prophet walked toward Gryffindor table. His usual gang of Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, and Theodore Nott followed him.

"Well, look what we have here," Draco started, "A group of scared little Gryffindors. Well, you should be scared. Now that our fathers are out, the Dark Lord will have his revenge against you, Potter."

"Get lost you, git." Ron said gritting his teeth, clenching his fist. Hermione grabbed Ron's fist to calm him down. Ron was shocked by her touch that he recoiled immediately.

"Won't let your girlfriend touch you weasel," Draco sneered, "maybe we can look forward to fewer Weasels in the future then."

"I wonder why you are so happy?" Potter exclaimed.

"Why shouldn't I be?" Draco snarled, "My father will want to see you soon, Potter."

"Well, yes your father might, but your Auntie won't be seeing anyone anymore."

"What are you talking about, Potter!" Draco yelled.

"Harry, no, let it be." Ginny interrupted.

"No, I guess the Slytherins are out of the loop," Harry smiled, "everyone but the Slytherins know what happened at Hogsmeade. It was your Aunt Bellatrix that attacked us, she is the one that died, good riddance."

Draco went pale, paler than he usually was. He could see on the faces of the other Gryffindors that it was true. He quickly turned away and ran out of the Great Hall. His gang quickly ran after him.

"You shouldn't have done that Harry." Hermione said.

"He had to find out some way," Harry said, "why should I give Rita Skeeter the pleasure of revealing it.

"Oh Harry." Hermione said disappointingly.

"H—how is Rita Skeeter writing for the Daily Prophet again?" Ron said attempting to change the subject. "I thought you told her not to write anymore."

"Over the summer, we agreed that if she didn't sensationalize and write bad things about Harry, then she could write again without me telling the world what she is. She has been doing work for both the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler, and actually her articles have much improved."

"Well she will definitely have some stories to write this year." Ron said, "We have already been attacked and its not even November yet."

After the attack, Dumbledore announced that future trips to Hogsmeade where canceled for rest of the term. To a chorus of boos, he also mentioned that professors would be available over the weekends if any students wish for any assistance on their class work. Most of the students complained about the cancellation, but DA members, and surprisingly the Slytherins did not.

Classes went as usual for the next few days, however Neville continued to be absent. Harry, Hermione, and Ron asked several teachers about his whereabouts but did not get an answer from any of them. The most information they were able to get was from Dumbledore. "He is safe and sound, and will be returning in a day or two. Don't worry, I am sure he will make up any school work, Hermione."

It wasn't till Thursday evening when Luna, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were called to the headmaster's office that they discovered what had happened to Neville.

As the five of them entered the office, they saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore chatting next to Neville and his grandmother. But there were two adults, a man and woman, standing next to Neville. The man was dressed in long purple robes and had dark hair and stout stature. The woman had wispy gray hair, and was wearing a similar purple robe. They were quite thin in the face, but very happy looking. Harry also noticed that Neville and his Grandmother were also very cheery. Hermione nudge Harry in the arm. "Don't they look familiar." Then Harry realized, they were Frank and Alice Longbottom.

"Um, Neville are these your parents?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Ah, you guessed before we could make a game of you." Frank cheered, "Yes, yes, we are Neville's parent, I am Frank, and this is my lovely wife Alice. Ah, look Alice this must be Harry Potter, looks just like James, amazing resemblance."

"I am guessing the red headed children are Weasleys," Alice chirped, "Oh, you must be Ron and you Ginny. Am I right Neville?"

Neville smiled and nodded. Harry never had scene Neville so cheery. He was beaming.

"Ok Alice, two left, and if I remember, which is something I haven't done for over a decade," Frank laughed, " you girl, are Hermione Granger, don't worry lassie, Neville has told us a lot about all of you in the past few days."

"And this must be Luna, Luna Lovegood, am I right, Neville," Alice said beaming to Luna, "Your lady friends are quite pretty."

"Um, yeah mom uh, that's the lot." Neville said a bit nervously.

"Sit, sit, no need for introductions now, I assume you all have met Neville's grandmother before." Dumbledore said pointing out Neville's grandmother.

"Um, Professor, how is this possible." Hermione asked taking a seat next to Luna.

"Long story, Hermione, but it would not feel so long if we had some milk and cookies while we discussed this." Dumbledore smiled. He flicked his wand and a large plate of warm chocolate chip cookies appeared on his desk. Then with a second flick, a large pitcher of milk and enough glasses for everyone appeared next to the cookies. "Come now, everyone dig in." Everyone grabbed a glass and several cookies. Every time a cookie was removed from the plate another reappeared. Professor McGonagall looked at Ron sternly as he took 6 cookies, but handed him his 7th as he was about to return them.

"Frank, Alice, dears, you need to eat more," Neville's grandmother persuaded. "There's plenty and you need your strength. Frank grabbed a handful more, giving a couple to Neville, Alice, and keeping a few for himself. He sat between his mother and his wife. He leaned over to his mother and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. She turned as red as the hair on Ron's head. "You never let me eat this much as a kid, mum."

"Ok, now we are settled, were to begin." Dumbledore started, " I think we have to go back 16 years ago if we want to tell this rigth, Frank, Alice, would you like to start?"

Frank couldn't talk with his mouthful of cookies; so Alice began the story for him.

"Well, you all know that it was a dark time then." Alice began. "The Order was fighting very hard against Voldemort..."

"Don't say his name, dear." Neville's Grandmother interrupted.

"Fear of the name grandma, even I can say V—Voldemort." Neville said. Both Frank and Alice beamed at their son for his courage; not for saying Voldemort's name, but correcting his Grandmother, Harry thought to himself.

"James, Lily Potter, Frank, and I were working on a secret mission before we heard about the prophecy..."

"What prophesy?" Neville asked.

"Oh, dear, no one has told you." Frank said. "Well, I can understand that, but Dumbledore, you said Harry knew, correct?"

"Harry is the only one that knew." Dumbledore said sadly. "I told him after the attack on the Ministry last year."

"Oh, we heard how brave you all were, especially you Harry." Alice said. "I am sure your parents would be quite proud of you."

"James would have cursed you to oblivion for going to the Ministry, but then he would have bought you a pitcher of Butterbeer once Lily wasn't looking." Frank said.

Harry thought about what Frank had said. He never thought of his parent disciplining him. He guessed that his father was such a troublemaker that he would be proud that his son would be one too, but he would also need to teach his son a lesson or two.

"If you promise not to reveal what you about to hear" Dumbledore stated, "We will let you in on the prophecy."

All agreed to keeping quiet. Ron and Hermione looked very worried about what they are about to hear.

"The prophesy states that Harry will either kill or be killed by Voldemort. That they cannot 'survive while the other one lives.'" Dumbledore said painfully.

"What!" Ron blurted. "That can't be. You can't expect Harry to kill Voldemort!"

Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm to calm him down. "He is right, Ron, think about it. Everything Harry has done, it all looks like it will be him against Voldemort."

"No, no, Harry, whether you like it or not, I am going to be there." Ron said not knowing what to think.

"Me too, Harry." Neville said, "I mean if you need me, I'm there."

"Funny, Dumbledore, but how do you know its Harry?" Frank said.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Well, I believe the prophecy said a child born as the 7th month dies will be the one to face Voldemort. Harry and Neville were born a few days apart in July. The Potters and we were told about this so we could go into hiding. This interrupted our work."

"Frank, I believe it to be Harry." Dumbledore said, "The prophecy said that the Dark Lord will mark his equal, and Harry bares a scar from Voldemort's failed Killing Curse."

"A failed Killing Curse?" Alice blurted. "Let me see, Harry, please."

Harry pushed back his dark hair that was covering his forehead to reveal a scar in the shape of a lightening bolt.

"Merlin's beard. I can't believe it." Frank gasped as he saw the scar, "It worked Alice, it worked!"

"What worked?" Luna said dreamily.

"We will get to that but first how the Longbottoms came to be here tonight." Dumbledore smiled.

"Ah, yes, but I can't believe it worked, but yes, where was I," Frank said still staring at Harry's forehead. " We went into hiding, but the Lestranges found us. They wanted to know about the Order, where V—Voldemort was, but we wouldn't say anything. So they torured us with the Cruciatus Curse for two days. When Rabastan and Roldolphus tired of it, Bellatrix gleefully took up the task. She had such venom in her, that we could only hold out for a few hours before passing out into this coma like state we have been in for the last 16 years."

Everyone, even Professor McGonagall were in shock. They couldn't imagine fighting the Cruciatus Curse for over a minute rather than a few days.

"Well," Alice continued, "When Neville killed Bellatrix, it some how knocked us out of this state we have been in, actually, I don't even remember how I was the last 16 years. Could you imagine the shock when I looked in the mirror for the first time. Well, the healers didn't understand either so they kept us under watch for the last few days. When we did wake up we asked to see our son, so that's were he has been."

"Handsome young lad, don't you think?" Frank said winking at Luna. "Neville and mum have been filling us in on their lives and what we have missed in the last 16 years. We still have some gaps to fill."

"They will be staying at Hogwarts for the remainder of the year." Dumbledore announced, "Partly, to spend time with Neville, and for safety concerns."

"Do you think they are in danger?" Harry asked.

"Yes, they will be targets of the Death Eaters once they find out about their return and the circumstances of Bellatrix death. Hogwarts is the safest place for them. So they will assist me in some of my Order duties while spending their spare time with Neville.

"Neville, we are sure glad your OK." Ron said.

"Yeah, we were worried sick. Especially, after how you looked when you left." Ginny added.

"I don't want to think of what happened, but I got my parents back." Neville said.
Harry felt happy for Neville, surely he deserved getting his parents back. They seemed so

happy together, and seeing Neville happy made him happy. But he wished he could also get his parents back, and Sirius. He started to lose his happiness just thinking about them.

"Look at the time children, back to your houses." Professor McGonagall chimed.

"Please, everyone, what you have learned tonight, should not spread to anyone else. These are sensitive topics." Dumbledore reminded.

"It was sure nice to meet you Mr. and Ms. Longbottom." Harry said.

"The pleasure was ours, you're the first people, outside of family, that we had a decent conversation with in 16 years. I hope we have many more." Frank cheered.

"Please, know we all are grateful for how you have supported Neville all these years." Alice said with a tear beginning in her eye, "Y—you have been so kind to him, oh, you would have to be a parent to understand."

"I think we kind of do Ms. Longbottom." Hermione said getting teary herself.

"What's going on here?" Ron whispered to Harry and Neville.

"Let's go before we all start holding hands." Neville quipped.