Author: AJaKe

Summary: Neville, Post-OotP, spoilers for 5th book and below.

Date completed: June 15th 2005

Last Modified: June, 15th,2005

Neville Longbottom waited patiently as his Gran talked to the receptionist at St. Mungos. It was his birthday and despite repeatedly telling Mrs. Longbottom that visiting his parents on the fourth floor of St. Mungos was not his idea of birthday fun, she had insisted that he should spend at least some of his 16th birthday with the people who had given him life. Neville really couldn't find the heart to disagree after that point had been made.

It wasn't that he was ashamed of his parents, really, he wasn't. It was just, seeing them there, in such a state, it made him feel like less of a wizard. His parents were—are—great people. They were well respected and successful. Alternatively, Neville really wasn't much of anything. He wasn't that great a wizard, he could hardly perform a Wingardium Leviosa correctly, let alone take out Death Eaters like his parents had.

Ding

Neville looked up, the lift had arrived, wonderful. Mrs. Longbottom, finished berating the receptionist for keeping her waiting, paused briefly before entering the lift.

"Now Neville, I know seeing your parents like this is not easy for you," Neville wondered if she really knew how hard it was, or if she was just trying to be sympathetic. True, it was her son who was insane, but she never really gave any indication that she cared too much about it one way or the other. Neville gave her a sideways glance as they entered the lift. As she pressed the button for "Floor Four: Spell Damage", she continued.

"It is only proper that you visit them, they are your parents, and I think it does you good to see them like this," Mrs. Longbottom stated primly. Neville stared at her, wondering just how exactly seeing his parents walk around and jabber away insanely was good for him, but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

"You should be proud, Neville. Frank and Alice were good people; excellent aurors and they loved you very much. They gave up everything for you, and look at how you repay them, by trying to forget about them, by trying to pretend that they don't exist," she continued on for quite a while and Neville found himself very glad that no one else was on the lift with them.

Ding

"Fourth Floor: Spell Damage"

Neville sighed, he had stopped listening to his Gran after "should be proud", it wasn't anything that he hadn't heard before. She always said that he did not seem to care, he cared. He cared so much that he thought he might explode from the pain and guilt he felt when he saw his parents. He paused as he waited for his Gran to exit the lift. He did love them, and he was proud of them, he just wished that they hadn't sacrificed their sanity to save him. A worthless almost-squib, who couldn't spell his way out from under an invisibility cloak. It wasn't fair.

The hallway to the Janus Thickey Ward seemed almost lonely as he and Mrs. Longbottom started the short trek to the ward where his parents were. He gave a deep sigh as he held open the door for his grandmother.

His parents were awake, Neville was almost disappointed.

"Hello Frank, hello Alice" Mrs. Longbottom said, as if she actually thought his parents would suddenly respond coherently. They, of course, did not. Frank responded by turning in their direction at least, his glazed eyes a visible sign that he had no idea who they were, or who he was. Neville bit back another sigh, the only reason he ever came was his mother. She had always seemed a bit more there, than his father, and sometimes he hoped that she would one day just give him a glimpse that she knew what was going on, and that she knew who Neville was.

Neville went to grab a chair for he and his Gran, they would be there for at least an hour before Gran would be satisfied enough to let him leave. They talked about trivial things (they, of course, meaning just Neville and Mrs. Longbottom, with the occasional gurgle from Frank or Alice) for the most part, how Neville was doing in school, and about the state of the wizarding world. It was about fifteen minutes until Neville had deduced they would be able to leave when Mrs. Longbottom suddenly stood up.

"I have to go talk to your parent's caregivers about new treatment options," Mrs. Longbottom said, "Stay here. And talk some more with your parents, I'll be back soon." And with that, she left.

Neville blinked, New treatment options! Who does she think she's kidding? He shook his head. He would give anything to have his parents here with him, really here with him. But he knew that there was nothing to be done. He found himself wishing this had never happened to him. Why had they come after his family? Why his parents? What was so special about the Longbottom's that they had to curse his parents into insanity?

Bellatrix Lestrange, he thought, his eyes narrowing as he watched his mother putter around twisting her hair around her fingers as she unsteadily walked around the ward.

That bitch, he had ruined his chance in the Department of Mysteries in June. He had been weak, a nuisance and had broken that prophecy Harry had needed. He was useless. He couldn't help anyone. Not Harry, not his parents, and certainly not himself. He tightened his grip around his new wand, 13"1/4 inches, Oak, with a Gryffin feather core. Sturdy, good for hexes and curses, Ollivander had said.

Good for hexes and curses, Neville's eyes widened. Maybe he could do something with himself. He had a new wand suited for him, and he had a goal. The help anyone who couldn't help themselves. Neville Longbottom wouldn't be weak anymore. They had taken his parents from him; he wouldn't let them take anyone else's.

He looked up from where he had been staring at the floor in concentration, and looked right into the eyes of his mother. Neville started, where had she come from? Alice looked into his eyes and pushed something into his hands, for a second Neville thought he might as seen something in her eyes that he hadn't seen before. But he then looked down to see what she had given him, and saw a "Drooble's Best Blowing Gum" wrapper. He looked away quickly, tears pooling in his eyes. He refused to let them fall. Not this time, and not ever again, he decided.

Alice grabbed his head and turned it back around to face her. She stared into his eyes intently. Neville had no idea what she wanted, but he really wished he did. He looked back down at the wrapper, but quickly looked back up again and leaned forward, and gave his mother a hug.

"Thanks mum," he said huskily, and put the wrapper in his pocket. Alice smiled and grinned insanely. She stood back up and continued about the room, twirling her hair incessantly, occasionally stopping and jabbering incoherently before starting back up again. Neville watched her for a few minutes more before glancing at the doors to the ward and seeing his Gran just returning. He quickly stood up and went to his grandmother.

"Well Neville, time to go, I hope you spent some time talking with your parents while I was away," she said, glaring at him slightly, as if doubting he had stayed there the entire time. Neville rolled his eyes as soon as he was certain she wouldn't see. As Mrs. Longbottom pressed the button for the lift to take then back down to the first floor, Neville remembered the goal he had made back with his parents, to help those that couldn't help themselves. With the new goal in mind he mentally made a list of people to contact to help him with his goal. First being one Harry Potter.

Ding

On the way down he smiled slightly and whispered very quietly, "thanks mum."

Ding

"Ground Floor: Artifact Accidents and Reception Area"

Neville walked out, hands in his pockets, staring straight ahead. He shifted his hands slightly and smiled when he felt the distinct sensation of two "Drooble's Best Blowing Gum" wrappers rubbing together.