Disclaimer. Don't own them. Only like playing in the same sand box. I do own the characters that I created however.
Echo's in the Moonlight.
Sequel to "Shadows in the Wind"
Chapter Six
September 1993
Albus found himself with an opinionated house elf that could not find work elsewhere who's passion was to wear odd color socks and a tea cozy for a hat. He knew, it would come to it someday, that the elves that were freed would make their way back to Hogwarts where they could be taken care of. He had to have a long discussion later with them, Finding clothes under rubbish bits wasn't the same as being presented with cloths, though some of them were adamant. They wouldn't go into the Gryffindor tower because they respected their enslavement. There was also the matter of Sirius Black's escape and the pressure from the minister to keep Harry safe. He had the pleasure, however, of hiring one of his past students with whom he knew would be one of the best defense against the dark arts teachers Hogwarts had in a while. The fact that he was a werewolf was of no concern. Severus did bring up, that Remus J. Lupin was a best friend with Sirius Black and the thought had crossed his mind that he would use the friendship to gain access to the castle.
Minerva had informed him of Hermione Granger using the time turner. She was a bright girl, one of the brightest witches they had in a very long time and if she felt sure she could handle the work load – which, he felt sure something would give in time, but if not and she could handle it, then, - well, it was worth a try as long as she followed the rules of time.-
There was also the matter of Hagrid and his fondness for monsters. Hagrid had bred his first pair of Blast end Skewerts over the summer and they had burnt down his wooden hut. It didn't seem to concern him as he just build one of stone, and changed how they were kept. He knew the minister would not understand about Hagrid's love for – the odd. Perhaps it was because Hagrid, felt, odd himself or, loneliness that he continued to seek the monsters for company.
Professor Kettleburn had been adamant about his retirement. He needed at least one hand that had three fingers on it to work a wand. Getting savaged by some of the creatures he taught about when he was caring for them – well, that wasn't in the job description, and he felt sure that someone else would do just as well- Hagrid had come to mind while he waved his stump at Albus, Hagrid Loved Monsters. – and while he loved each and every one of the creatures he worked with, they were too much for him.
Things would have gone well, had Draco Malfoy not insulted Buckbeak. Poppy had informed him it was just a scratch that was easily mended. Neville Longbottom had faired worse at the same time from the attack that his book had given him- yet he had just fainted- (something not uncommon for Neville to do but Albus was sure he would out grow that particular habit) It required several trips to the ministry and back. He had been careful not to use Pet to take him there. He wasn't sure why he felt her being there would disrupt some delicate balance- but it was an overwhelming – feeling. The same that he had when Peeves had pulled his covers off of him shouting there was a student out of bed that fateful night. It, wasn't that he was denying her justice- With things already in an uproar every time they went, her finding the person would just – confuse matters more. He wasn't sure exactly – what- was going to happen when she found the person. He did remember her feathers and the barbs on them that could possibly be poison. Fawks had – done something with the feather- hidden it- he didn't know- only that it was safe and no one would find it. Perhaps he had returned it to her and it was re absorbed-
Minerva had come to his office after the first Hogsmeade weekend. It took some time to calm her down over Harry Potter's uncle not signing the paper. She wanted him to be able to have as normal as a life as possible and blamed Albus for all of the unnecessary heartache he had been through. The dementors around the castle were another matter. If Remus hadn't been on the train coming to the school Harry would have perished under the kiss of the dementor. It wasn't the first time that Fudge had been foolish in his actions, It should have warned him when the dementor boarded the train and went for Harry that having them around the school, and Harry wasn't a good idea. He had his own – mindset of the order of things, and perhaps because there was no other person to step forward that they had to deal with Fudge in the best way possible. His level of denial of responsibility was outstanding.
Albus, was, however very glad that he and Minerva had befriended Arthur and Molly Weasley. Ron, accepted Harry as just a friend, while there had been some moments of jealousy – it wasn't- a class issue. The Malfoy's felt they were better than anyone because of their wealth, had they known Harry's parents had far more wealth than the Malfoy's ever could dream of. It wasn't money though; it was their love for the truth, and justice and good that caused their deaths. Even Sirius had more money than the Malfoy's. Yet it meant nothing to him. Money wasn't what Harry was about. He had never known it when he was growing up, regardless of where he was at, he lived a life much like Ron's having nothing new in his life- living on hand me downs and having to live – well, in cramped quarters. Neville, while loved by his family had his own issues. His vision of Prof Snape dressed in his grandmothers cloths had a profound impact on Neville.
Later that week Minerva overheard Prof Snape berating Neville for something. She wasn't exactly sure but she could hear the anger in his voice as she drew closer to the classroom where they were at. The slew of words that came from Severus were demeaning, degrading, and no matter what the cause had been were totally undeserved. She heard Neville's parents names brought into it- how they all were idiots and it was no surprise to him that their son had followed in their footsteps. Minerva rushed around the corner expecting Neville to be cowering beneath the tirade Neville was standing straight, his hand on his wand, ready- defiant- yet the hurt of the words that Snape had spoken wore like a stain across his face. "Avocado green brings out the color in your eyes." Neville said controlling himself. Minerva rushed in and dismissed Neville, sending him off to his next class – standing between Prof Snape and the retreating child.
Perhaps what – scared Prof Snape the most was the look in her eye as she informed him that she would see him dismissed if she ever heard him call Neville, or any child an idiot or if he ever connected the horror that his parents had been through with why he was slow at learning "After all – it was what was done to him as a child that made him, not wish to remember. – Memories of torment that we can scarcely imagine."
Prof Snape gave her a penetrating look. "But, you, see, I can, well imagine Minerva." He said before sweeping out of the classroom his black robes billowing out behind him going back down to the dungions. Minerva was surprised to see Neville waiting for her just up the hall, his wand out. He looked relieved that she was coming out of the classroom area unharmed and placed his wand back into his pocket. His face was flushed, yet, there was a keen intellect behind his eyes- or more precisely a decision to defend her had he heard the need. She didn't mention that he was late for class. She inclined her head and he followed her into her office. She indicated for him to sit down in a chair and charmed a small table to move to the one side of where they would be sitting.
"Neville, No teacher here would raise their wand against another. While it was noble of you to decide to defend me, if it came to that, I do have to know, how would you hope to take on a wizard who is practiced in the dark arts?" She saw Neville take a breath. "I couldn't allow you to face any harm on my behalf- not any one else would be hurt …but, if it came to it, your more important to the school than I am."
Minerva felt as if a great weight had dragged any air from her lungs. She was deeply touched by his sincerity. She wanted to give him a hug, but she knew that would be inappropriate. She could only reach over and pat his hand gently. "Each and every child here, the safety and the welfare of the children are more important than all of the teachers here. Do you know why?" she saw the puzzle on his face. "You are the wizarding worlds future. We, the teachers are the past. Seldom can the past ever affect the outcome of the future on its own.
"Prof Snape said I should forget magic and get used to living the life of a squib…" he said in a troubled voice. He sat down and hung his head. "Am I in trouble for insulting him?" Minerva bit her bottom lip. While it was true that he had insulted Snape, it had been in response to what Snape had said to him. Furthermore, she had heard of the boggart incident and would have to agree that that particular shade would bring out the color in his eyes.
"I would advise caution when speaking with Prof Snape and direct it to academic studies. I see no reason to punish you. I will suggest that you stay clear of him for a while. I know your parents Neville, both of them were extremely gifted witch and wizard" Minerva's hand covered Neville's again. "Somewhere, deep inside of you is that same – power that they had. You are quite capable to do magic when you decide to do it, never think that you're not magic enough." She took a look at her watch. Neville was still working out his feelings and she knew he was like a pot that was going to boil over. Minerva conjured a tea service with two bone china tea cups and indicated for him to help himself to a biscuit while she poured his tea. She knew now was the time to tell him. She waited until he had taken a sip of tea and then put the cup down before she began.
"We, didn't know, you see that the death eaters were going to go after your parents. Well, more precisely that there was a risk, but, it wasn't because your parents were Aurors. It was because; both you and Harry were born within a day of each other. It was foretold that a child born as the summer died would bring the end to 'You Know Who..., one that was his equal. 'You Know Who... didn't go after you, because you're pureblood. I don't know if there would have been anything that could have been done to prevent them going after your parents, but they were looking for answers your parents didn't have. For that grievous error I will always feel guilt that I wasn't there to help, even if there would have been nothing that I could have done to prevent it.
Neville rattled his tea cup on the saucer. "It doesn't explain why I'm so, untalented."
He looked at the floor, unwilling to meet her gaze. Minerva reached over and lifted his chin up with her fingertips.
"After you were found, well your mother had cast a silencing charm on you to prevent you from making noise where they hid you. After it was removed you began to scream, and you wouldn't stop. The ministry felt that it would be best if you didn't remember the horrors that you had seen, and called in a ministry worker to perform the obliterate spell. They didn't expect, it to take away your memory of how to do magic. Magic, though, is a talent that is within us. Ether you are able to do the magic, or you don't have the ability. You, need to relearn everything that others take for granted. It does not make you any less of a wizard, and in time, I know, you will be able to learn everything once again. It takes practice though." He nodded glumly then took a sip. He put his tea cup down his eyes narrowed and then he asked
"Hang on, How do you know all of this stuff? How did you know that Harry would be the target, and why would you even be with my parents when this was happening? and - you said that Professor Snape knew the dark arts..."
Minerva didn't answer at first. She took a slow breath and then let it out.
"We do many things in our lives Neville. Besides being the transfiguration teacher, and head of house and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, at one time, I had trained to be an Auror myself- until a decision was made for me to be here. Your parents were both Aurors as well as Harry's parents as well, as Prof Dumbledore. We were – together enough, teaching and learning off of each other, refusing to allow 'You Know Who...'s reign of terror to disrupt the magical and muggle world. I was waiting at the Dursley's, watching them, discovering how absolutely horrid people they were and waiting for Harry to be brought to them. I didn't want to leave him there, but Prof Dumbledore had his reasons. It wasn't until we returned to the school that we learned what had happened to you." She saw Neville nod in acceptance. It wasn't in his nature to be bitter about the events. He had grown past that. While this did nothing to ease her guilt she knew that it would help him understand the events that shaped his life.
"Professor, Can I ask you something?" he inquired softly. He saw her nod and wait, ever so patiently for him to form his question. "Do you know who made the decision to obliterate my memory- who did this- to me?"
Minerva nodded, not trusting herself to speak at first then realizing that there was no point avoiding the truth. She knew she had the right to answer two of his questions, but not the third, one that she hoped he wouldn't remember asking.
"It took a while, to find out because Albus and I had asked the same questions. We discovered the person who had cast the spell on you quite by accident, at the end of last year…but we have always known who wrote the order to have your memory obliterated. Owning to events, I see no harm in telling you who the caster was, nor do we believe there was malice in the spell… The person who cast the spell on you was Prof. Lockhart in his first years of working for the minister of magic." Minerva fell silent, knowing how the rest of the information would affect Neville. She saw him patiently waiting for the answer. "We don't, know if there is any, coincidence in the person who had made the decision to order the spell, it did come from the ministry's office. That, person, was Lucius Malfoy."
