AN: Hello readers! To all the people who have taken their time to read this story, Thank you. It really gratified me.

Here is chapter 4.

Please read, enjoy and also, leave a review. Cheers.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J K Rowling's property, not mine.

Chapter 4

Players assemble

September 28th, 2001

Late in the evening, Daphne Greengrass had heard a door open near bottom of the stairwell and knew she would be joined by her sister on the terrace soon. Adding a few final touches to her latest creation, Daphne stared out at the sky.

The sun had set, and it was the blue hour. The sky had gone from the vibrant warmth of the golden hour just before, to an exhibition of all the various shades of blue one could think of.

She put her palette down on the bench beside her. And got up to peer over the parapet wall. As expected, Astoria walked onto the terrace.

"Daphne! They said that I could be treated!" Astoria exclaimed.

Hearing this, Daphne beamed. This was welcome news after all. Astoria ran forward and pulled her older sister into a hug.

(Line break)


"Are you busy?" Selena asked as she peeped through the gap of the office door. Daniel turned to her from the window. Astoria and Selena had just returned from their visit to St. Mungo's, and it was clear to Selena that Daniel was glad to see she was back.

"Not at the moment, what's the news from the hospital? Can they treat Astoria?" Daniel asked, worry etching his face. Selena nodded, much to Daniel's relief.

Daniel dipped his head and began muttering, "That bloody blood curse had not been seen for so many years in our family. I still can't believe it was Astoria who got it."

"I've told you before not to dwell on such matters, Daniel, it does not bode well for your health. Now cheer up, your younger daughter is going to be treated. The hospital's research team was able to understand how the curse influenced Astoria's body, but they did say that it would take some time to prepare for the treatment of the curse." Selena replied.

"That is good to hear." Daniel said sitting down heavily on his chair behind the desk, as the tension his body was in gave way to the relief he now felt.

"On a slightly lighter note, Astoria did see someone at the hospital." Selena said.

Daniel's head snapped to her direction, his eye beginning to brim with fury.

"Not that way! Seriously Dan!" Selena shouted immediately. Daniel blushed slightly, and shouted back, "Well, how else is a father supposed to react when he hears a statement like that!"

"I'm sorry I worded it that way." Selena apologised and continued, "Astoria was present and overheard a conversation between Healer March and Neville Longbottom. Who she was sitting next to."

Daniel's face dropped and an expression of bitterness crept in. It was as Selena expected when she mentioned Longbottom.

"Astoria heard healer March thanking Longbottom. You know his parents are in the permanent ward, right? Well, he recently made a sizeable donation towards their treatment. According to healer March, it helped fund not only his parents' treatment, but also, other research subjects as well." Selena said, looking at Daniel pointedly at the end.

Daniel's eyes slowly widened in understanding. "You mean Astoria…." Selena nodded, keeping her face as passive as possible, waiting for Daniel's reaction.

Daniel Greengrass' head dropped down. "I refuse to believe it." Selena heard him say. "I refuse to accept that the family of the bumbling buffoon, who got one ours murdered, saved our daughter!" He said, his voice raising gradually.

Selena's eyes widened. She had not expected such this as a reaction from her husband. She sat quiet, a plain expression on her face while waiting for his rage to sober down, something she was used to handling.

Seeing his silent wife just staring at him, Daniel took a deep breath. Selena started, "I was just stating a fact. He hasn't saved your daughter; he just enabled the researchers to do so. And, you know he isn't like that 'Bumbling buffoon' as you so eloquently call his uncle; Or has that Parkinson girl's explanation left your memory?"

Daniel huffed, "What do you expect me to do then? Ask Robert to get him awarded an order of merlin!" He exclaimed.

"I think a simple thank you note should suffice, but seeing the way you are now, I think that would be too much to expect." Selena said, before getting up and walking out of the room.

Daniel glared at the door as it closed behind his wife. He got up and open a drawer behind him, prepared a glass of fire whiskey. He sat down at his desk, glowering at his glass after he took a sip.

(Line break)


In another corner of the manor, Robert Greengrass sat in his own Study; similar to his brother, sipping on a glass of whiskey. His thoughts were different. Unlike Daniel, the businessman, Robert was a politician. He had been nominated to the Wizengamot a few years ago.

Except for the war years, he had maintained a good powerbase among the neutrals and had used it to swing the vote in the favour of either his family or in the favour of what he perceived to be right for the wizarding world.

It was his faction that kept Fudge, Malfoy, and Dumbledore's plans in check. It was going so well, until 1995 when Fudge decided to use Potter's then perceived madness against him.

That was when he slowly started losing his influence on matters, as members were being silently wiped out and replaced at the Dark lord's choice. Robert had himself stepped away from his duties and stayed with his brother in the period of turmoil. He was a Slytherin after all.

After the war, he re-established himself as he found that his own seat hadn't been refilled. All he had to do was show up on the day after the battle.

But he had lost a big chunk of influence. After the rebuild, the Wizengamot had strengthened towards the more liberal light faction.

But, he persevered, he had tried his level best to reset the tone from the Dark hating days in the immediate aftermath of the war to a more moderate tone. But his success had been diminished.

The reason, Augusta Longbottom. She had been the shadow leader of the light faction since before the war. She had always been a thorn in his side since even before the war. He had targeted Longbottom for what had happened to the Davises, trying his level best to reduce her influence.

He had used her family's then standing as a means to undermine her and her decisions. It had worked for the first year, but then that bloody grandson of hers threw a spanner at his work and had started changing things around, throwing all his plays into the drain. Though, it had proven to be the lesser of two evils.

He now had a bigger problem on his hand. Where Augusta Longbottom held influence and controlled the Light faction to govern with some sense of acceptable moderation, Hermione Granger was an all-out gung-ho liberal, wanting to implement such drastic change that it would throw wizarding culture into the cess pool.

He had accepted the werewolf charity; understanding and accepting the need to eradicate the disease, He had accepted removal of the old werewolf laws, in the same line of thought. He could accept the need to bring about a more inclusive society, his own family did trade with muggles after all. But he could not accept giving equal treatment to all magical creatures. He could also not accept introduction of mandatory muggleborn intake quotas.

The Granger girl's manifestos were so outrageous that he was able to pull away many of the light side to his moderate faction. But he still didn't have enough. In order to completely silence Granger, he needed to get someone specifically to either side with him completely or to reduce their support for Granger. That someone would have to be Granger's mentor, Augusta Longbottom. He had already seen some fractures appear in that relationship.

Robert sat, deliberating how he could accomplish this. He would need to bide his time. He would need to get Augusta in his good graces first and for that, he would need to plant certain seeds and he would need to use his family.

"That will take some work." He said to himself.

(Line break)


Astoria sat beside Daphne as they gazed at Daphne's latest work. "You know Daphne, once you have enough painting like these ready, I'll start selling them." Astoria said. Daphne looked at her startled.

"Well, they deserve to be exhibited. This one is definitely your best ever." Astoria said. Daphne's expression calmed and she just hummed in reply as she laid down on the terrace floor with her hands behind her head.

"I met Neville Longbottom today at the hospital." Astoria said, sitting down beside Daphne, "I didn't recognise him at first, until I heard the healer call him. He's lost all the weight he had at school, and actually looks good. Although, he wasn't that cheery at the time."

Daphne shrugged and once again hummed in reply, quietly enjoying the view as the darkness of night settled in.

She then cast a quick tempus charm to check the time and seeing as the it was nearly time for dinner, she got up to pack her kit up with Astoria's help.

(Line break)


September 30th, 2001

It was late in the evening. Neville Longbottom could be found sitting patiently in the waiting area of the Janus Thickey ward. Healer March had informed him that Healer Yoshikawa hadn't left the procedure room over the last two days and had isolated herself in the room with his parents.

With his face in his palms, he waited. His grandmother sat beside him. Watching every movement in the ward.

When the door to the procedure room opened, Augusta nudged her grandson, directing his attention towards the door. An exhausted and haggard looking healer Yoshikawa slowly walked out. It looked like she hadn't eaten or slept in the during the time she had been in the room.

Mr. Nakano came forward with some water in a glass while Healer March supported healer Yoshikawa. Neville rushed to help healer March supporting healer March as a nurse brought in a wheelchair.

Healer Yoshikawa gently sipped on the offered water and after a few moments, was presented a nutrient potion.

A few minutes later, healer Yoshikawa whispered to Nakano. Everyone waited in baited breathe for Nakano to translate.

"She underestimated the extent of exposure her patients have suffered. On the outside, they presented the same symptoms as the war prisoner, but in truth, your parents have suffered worse than him. They have strong minds to be able to have survived and to maintain the level of sanity they expressed."

Nakano continued, "Yoshikawa was only partially successful. Their mind magics have stabilized, but their memories are in a state of jumbled shock."

It was at that time that Neville felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up and was surprised to find Harry looking back at him. Neville nodded to him, not knowing when his friend had arrived.

Yoshikawa spoke some more, which Nakano duly translated, "We will need both of you to go in a see them one at a time, while we observe. Do not rush in, be gentle and allow them to react and see if there is any recognition. I'll need to see the extent to which they will need further treatment. Madam Longbottom, please follow us." Nakano guided Yoshikawa's wheelchair towards the procedure room and Augusta followed.

Neville followed too but stopped at the door along with healer March and Harry.

Augusta walked in a saw her son and daughter-in-law on two separate stone platforms, tied down to avoid movement. There were unfamiliar runic murals drawn all over the platforms. Only Frank was awake and was looking around, but Augusta saw a marked improvement in the way her son focused their attention.

She couldn't help it and softly called out, "Frank? Alice?" Frank turned to her and stared, "Mum? Where am I? and who is she?" he said, gesturing to his wife. Hearing that tears began to well up in Augusta's face.

"That's Alice" Augusta said softly. "Alice? Huh, she has the same name as my wife." Frank said. Augusta looked to the Japanese pair as Nakano whispered to Yoshikawa.

Healer Yoshikawa, now standing, cast a spell at Frank, rendering him unconscious. She then awakened Alice. Alice too looked around with focus. She spotted Augusta and said, "Why is the decrepit old vulture here? Better talk to her before she starts something new. Hello Mrs. Longbottom." She said

Mildly surprised, Augusta smiled and greeted Alice smiling. "Where am I? I was going to meet Frank and Malcolm in Diagon. Did something happen?"

Augusta frowned at that. Then, just as she did with Frank, healer Yoshikawa rendered Alice unconscious as well.

Augusta followed them out. Nakano turned to her, "As you can see, their memories are very jumbled. I would like to know what you observed from those interactions?"

"Yes, Frank seems to not physically recognise Alice, while also knowing he is married to Alice." Nakano nodded. "Alice seemed to speak her mind back there. I have only heard from Frank that she referred to me as a vulture. Also, the meeting she mentioned with Frank and Malcolm, was from back in their sixth year."

Yoshikawa nodded and stood thinking for a few minutes before addressing the crowd, "They will need to come back with me to Japan. I will need to carefully and methodically piece together their memories."

"Can that be done?" Healer March pipped in; surprise written on his face.

Yoshikawa nodded. Nakano continued, "It will take a long time, and since healer Yoshikawa also has many patients in Japan under her care, she would also like the Longbottoms to be there to receive her direct attention over that period."

"When you say Long time, how long do you mean?" Neville asked.

"A year." Was the reply he received.

Neville closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. The next question would be the important one. "How much will it cost?"

"Yoshikawa after some thought mentioned a number, which Nakano, converted into galleons and answered Neville.

120000 galleons, inclusive of transfer port keys.

Neville's head dropped as Augusta gasped and turned to her grandson.

It was then that the same comforting hand from before grabbed Neville's shoulder.

Harry addressed the healers. "Will this guarantee their health? You are quoting the huge price and we are willing to pay, but we want them healed completely."

"Their mental health can be assured. I will take special care of them. Physically as well, they will need rehabilitation, and I will take care of that as well. They have been bedridden for 2 decades, and their bodies have degenerated in the same period. I have also observed that Frank is not able to use his right side." Came the reply.

The current occupants of Longbottom house took some time discuss amongst themselves and with Harry and Healer March.

Finally, after half an hour of deliberation, Neville addressed Yoshikawa, "Very well, take them with you. But we would like to be able to visit at any time."

Yoshikawa nodded.

(Line break)


Three days later Neville and Augusta sat with Harry during for breakfast at Longbottom house. They had seen off Frank, Alice, and healer Yoshikawa the previous evening, who had departed through a special portkey.

"I really can't stop thanking for the help Harry. I will return it soon. I'm selling my apple harvests soon and will be able to pay you back."

"Don't worry about it, Nev. You can take a few years too if you want. I'm just happy that at least in your case, we can do something to bring back your parents." Seeing the forlorn faces of the Longbottoms, Harry quickly added, "Don't worry about me too. I've got my closure a long time ago."

"Harry, how were you able to get away from your schedule? I wrote to you yesterday, but I wasn't expecting you to show up. Is it because of the off-season?"

"Yup, I also called in sick with McLaggen. That's the only excuse he allows. I am still ruing the day I allowed him to become my agent, but it is one way where his attitude is actually helpful. The kind of deals he's managed to get me are eye-watering, even after he takes his 20% cut."

"How are things at home?" Augusta asked Harry.

"Ginny and I are taking a break as we speak. Let's just say, our career choices were clashing heads. She's still on the bench and is not able to get onto the first team. While I've managed to get selected as reserve for the England squad." Harry replied.

"Having Andy at home is a great help, she's been like the mother I never had. She tried to talk with Ginny on how we need to put our careers aside when it can to home, but it was of no use. I took the call the day she took her frustration out on Teddy."

"It seems the Weasleys do have tendency towards jealousy." Augusta stated. Upon seeing the questioning looks from the young men, she elaborated. "Hermione has also been facing something similar with Ronald. While she has been getting fame through the Wizengamot, the same cannot be said for Ronald. Especially since he got slated for mandatory Azkaban duty recently."

Harry and Neville grimaced in understanding. Azkaban duty was now mandatory for all aurors, especially since the dementors had deserted their traditional spot during Voldemort's final year. The department of mysteries finally concluded that they had dispersed across northern Europe. One had been spotted in some old castle ruins in Ireland.

"I have asked Arthur to speak to him. He needs to teach that boy how a career works. Some give rewards immediately, while lasting a rather short duration, such as your own Harry. Others such as Ronald's require time and dedication to reap rewards."

"While that is Ronald's folly, Hermione herself didn't do much to help with the case. She's gone to far with regard to change wizarding culture and is no longer listening to my advise on the matter. She has formed a clique with some other radical half-blood members of the Wizengamot. I do hope you boys will understand if I withdraw my support for her if she pushes too far." Augusta stated.

Neville nodded and replied, "I only asked you to give her advise and to help her settle in, Gran. You don't need to change your views to appease her. She always tended to radicalise her thoughts and it was usually Harry or McGonagall who would reign her in. Harry, could you speak to her?"

"I don't know, Nev." Harry replied, "It has been a while since I met them. I've been too busy with my own schedule."

Neville blinked, stared at Harry, and then slowly narrowed his eyes at him.

Harry raised his hands up, "Okay, Okay, it's not my that. I had a massive fight with her the last time we met, regarding the same issue. I too felt she was pushing it too far and that the wizarding world would view it to be exactly what Voldemort and the Purebloods were warning them of. It is safe to say she did not take it happily."

Neville sighed. This was a mess. The famous Hogwarts golden trio were no longer so golden or a trio. Only one of them shone of gold at the moment. Augusta excused herself and got up to have a nap. She hadn't slept well over the last few days.

"Let's just see how things go from here. Also, I think we'll need to take Ron for a drink a little more often. I'm sure it'll help with his tenure at Azkaban." Said Neville.

Harry agreed and replied, "I'll write to him so that we can meet at someplace like Hogsmeade sometime next week."

"I should be free, so you both match schedules and let me know the final plan. You think we should call Seamus and Dean as well?" Neville asked to which Harry laughed and nodded.

(Line break)


October 11th, 2001

'It's time breach that subject.' Robert thought to himself, as he looked around the room at the occupants. The Greengrass brothers were at Martin's house. As usual, they had begun the planning of the annual Greengrass yule party. Their other four cousins had left for the night, and it was just Martin, Daniel, and himself.

"Martin, Daniel, I have a request and it isn't something that I feel you'll be open to. But it is something necessary, as it will aid me in curbing the radical liberals in the Wizengamot."

Martin was the one who answered, "What is it, Robert?"

"I'll want to add the Longbottoms and Potter to the invite list." Robert replied.

"Why?" Martin asked, cutting off Daniel's immediate response with a hand on his arm. When Robert didn't immediately answer, Martin asked again, "Why? Why now? Haven't the two of you made it clear to all that you don't want anything to do with them?"

Robert nodded, "I need to pull her support away from the Granger girl." He then continued to expand on the current happenings of the Wizengamot.

"If I pull her support away, it will pull away some more of the fringe members, which would remove the majority vote the Liberals currently have. Madam Longbottom is still rather moderate, but she still supports Granger at this time." Robert replied.

"And how does them attending our event help you? As far as I can see it would be a complete waste of time." Daniel raged.

"Shut up Daniel." Martin said firmly.

Martin silenced Daniel with a glare as he began another rant.

"It is okay, I am alright with it." Martin said, much to Daniel's disbelief. "While I have held some level of abhorrence to that family for what happened in Southampton, I have seen over the years, proof that the family has suffered the consequences of the same person enough to give me closure on the matter."

"I should also say that Augusta has been writing to me regularly, almost every month, asking of my well-being and has always ended each letter with an apology for her brother's actions." Martin stated, addressing Robert.

Turning to Daniel he continued, "I think it is time we let go of our hate."

Daniel stared at Martin for a few seconds, before muttering, "it seems I've been outvoted on this matter. Very well, I'll add them to the list, but do not expect me to be jovial in their company."

Robert nodded, rejoicing internally as he had achieved a victory in his plans. 'I also hope that boy doesn't make a mess like last time.'

(Line break)


The door of a room was pushed open by a gloved hand as the winter wind howled against the window. A cloaked figure entered the room with heavy and laboured footfalls.

Inside , he turned to the pair of wing-back chairs placed beside a gently glowing fireplace. A small glass full of brown alcohol rested on the small table between the chairs.

The figure to whom the gloved hand belonged asked in a hoarse male voice, "Did you find it?"

Another figure rose from one of the Wing backs. "Yes, I did, our plans can now commence." Said a much more youthful voice.

The first figure grinned. His bearded and scarred face contorting into a foul grin. "It will be easier too now that the Muggleborns are doing half our work for us." He said, chuckling manically.

"Let's just get some revenge first, we'll worry about continuing plans later." Replied the youth, as he sat back down on the wingback, while gazing out the window at the winter night sky, and the shadowy figure that slowly loomed across.


October 29th, 2001

Harry followed Neville on his broom at as low a level as possible to the recently added North gate of the estate. Neville placed his bicycle in the shed beside the gate and asked Harry to place his broom.

"Come on then Harry, let me show you what I'm setting up." Neville stated, before opening the gate to…. An empty field with two gigantic pits dug up.

Harry blinked, "You're building a swimming pool?"

"No!" Neville exclaimed, "That Pit is the site for my new warehouse. The other one is the site of the Distillery I'm setting up."

Harry nodded. Neville had mentioned this in a letter almost a year ago. He began walking around the site with Neville.

"When will the construction get done?" Harry asked to which Neville replied, "At the moment, I don't know. I've put a pause on this plan for now, since I don't have the funding necessary to get this sorted out."

Knowing what Harry was about to say, Neville cut in, "And no, you've already given me enough. I'll be returning that amount to you very soon. The Late season apple sales are done, so I have the amount you covered for my parents' treatment."

"But Neville"

"No Harry, allow me to do this as I want to. I too have a right to my pride."

Harry went silent at that and simply nodded.

"I'll have the funding necessary to complete this by next year. I need to visit Patricia soon; she is working on another order for me and said that she would have it ready soon. it will make preparing the fields a lot easier on me and the elves."

"Will you be able to manage the whole thing by yourself?" Harry asked, "The fields, the distillery, the harvests, the house, your Gran."

Neville chuckled at Harry's dig at his grandmother. "I definitely won't. I'll be hiring some people for these projects." Neville said, pointing at the pits.

"If they require it, I may even build some housing here so that they can stay comfortably here and go about work easily. I've not entirely thought about it yet. So, Let's see."

Harry nodded, "Shall we head back." He asked. Neville nodded and they got back to their respective steeds.

As they rode back, Harry looked at Neville, "You know, you've lost every bit of that chubbiness from back in Hogwarts. I think the bicycle is helping."

He got, what sounded like a grunt of agreement, in reply from his friend.

As they reached the house, they put their respective steeds away in their allocated storage points. The barn for the bike and the fireplace cupboard for the Firebolt.

"Will you be getting the new firebolt?" Neville asked, "I heard the whole national team would be getting them." He got an affirming nod in reply.

As they settled down in the living room, Augusta called out to the pair from the dining room. They shared a look of irritation amongst themselves and entered the dining room.

"I got this today." Augusta said.

Looking at the letter she held out to them, Neville plucked it from her hand and glanced it over. His eyes widened and he read it again, this time a little more thoroughly.

"This is joke right?" he asked

Augusta shook her head, "No, and we are going." She gestured Neville to handover the letter to Harry so that he could peruse the same.

"You have your friend at the Wizengamot to thank for it." Augusta replied.

Seeing the expression on the young men's faces, Augusta continued, "It is a play by Robert Greengrass. He has been silently taking steps to curb some of Hermione's bills."

She paused, "As you know, Hermione's actions and the bills she has proposed have taken a rather radical standpoint, which is slowly starting to irritate many members of the Wizengamot. We somehow managed to adjourn last week's meeting to the next year otherwise, we would be looking at have mandatory muggleborn intake quotas in all walks of wizarding life."

"Right, I guess the winter session has been postponed owing to the world cup." Harry said

Augusta nodded. "Anyway, this is Robert Greengrass' way to get in my good graces. Robert heads the moderates of the Wizengamot, and they have been the only force that has been able to tame Hermione's boisterousness in the body." Augusta described.

"Some members of our light faction are not happy. Even I too have become dissatisfied with her attitude. She was a sweet girl in the beginning, but that is no longer the case. I have already warned her that there would be repercussions for her actions, but she feels justified that she has thought them all through."

"I'm sorry, but I may no longer support her." Augusta stated finally.

She got grim expressions of acceptance in return.

"So that's the only reason why you want to attend this event, Gran?" Neville asked to which Augusta replied, "No, it will also be a way for me to show you off to society. You haven't been seen out there for a while. Since, I believe, the party in which you had that incident. People have been asking about you."

"I don't want to attend. That was the party where I had the incident." Neville said, "Also, I'm still not worth showing off, Gran. it's Harry you should be after for that."

"Harry's been invited too." Augusta said, "But, I won't force you to attend Harry. But Neville, you will be coming with me to the Greengrass' yule party."

Neville groaned out "fine", covering his face with his palms. Harry snickered.

"We'll have to go out shopping for new robes for you. It's been a while since we attended any event and you've grown up a lot since the last. If I remember correctly, it was the Hogwarts yule ball." Augusta stated.

Neville sighed and headed to his room. Harry followed him upstairs.

Augusta chuckled when she heard Neville's loud groan to Harry asking, "What's 'the incident'?"