AN: So, here's another one. A bit shorter, it just worked out that way, because a relatively long scene follows.
Click that link on the top of my author page? Pretty please?
I don't own them. Augusta would hate the idea.
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Preparing to meet the first wizard of his age ever, Harry was thinking about the strange turn his life had taken. He still sometimes doubted he would be allowed to stay at Travers Manor, but it was less and less often. He had been here for almost three weeks, after all. He now dressed like a wizard, talked like a wizard, and he was used to house-elves popping in and out of places, and to his cousin whirling away and back home in green flames. He read about witches and wizards every day, and even in his classes, there were things like that little spell Alduin used which found the mistakes in his maths homework for him.
Harry was looking forward to meeting his second cousin, Neville, and he was looking forward to Christmas, the first Christmas that promised to be something special.
He was a little nervous about Mrs. Longbottom, though. His cousin warned him that she was a strict and sometimes a little unpleasant woman, but that Harry should have patience with her and always be polite, because she suffered a lot in her life. "Also," Alduin had said, "that is the true measure of a well-bred wizard. Everybody is polite to people who are polite to them; but a truly well-bred wizard is always unerringly polite, no matter how the other side acts, remember that."
Trying to keep that lesson in mind, Harry descended the stairs to wait for their visitors in the afternoon parlour. He was wearing one of his more posh day robes, as he had been instructed to do. They were nice, and he felt good in them. His cousin was also dressed to the nines, and as Harry set down next to him on the sofa, he muttered: "Remember, Harry. Always polite, and take Neville up to see your room as soon as politely possible – thirty minutes should be appropriate, I believe."
And then the door was opening, and Tobby was announcing: "Mrs. Longbottom and Mr. Neville Longbottom, sir."
A tall and severe-looking elderly lady entered, accompanied by a chubby boy who looked incredibly nervous. The lady looked directly at Harry and said: "Ah. So that's you."
Harry immediately understood what his cousin meant about her. Just the look she was giving him seemed rude, and not unlike the one he was used to receiving from Aunt Petunia. But this woman wasn't in charge of him, and so Harry squared his shoulders and said: "Good afternoon, Mrs. Longbottom."
Alduin seconded him, and added: "And Mr. Longbottom. A pleasure to meet you."
Harry nodded his head to the boy. "Hello, Neville."
Mrs. Longbottom nudged her grandson, who stuttered: "Ha-hallo, Harry."
"Please," Alduin said, "do sit down."
The tea was brought, and as they started on their food, Mrs. Longbottom said: "So, how do you find living in Travers Manor?"
"It's great," Harry enthused. He was told to avoid mentioning his life with the Dursleys, and so he couldn't do any comparisons, but he said: "I like the lessons my cousin is giving me, they are much more fun than at Muggle school. And I have lots of interesting books and comics to read."
"It's as I thought," Mrs. Longbottom said, dissatisfied. "He is trying to make a Ravenclaw out of you. But your father was a Gryffindor, don't you forget that."
Harry swallowed his first response, which was pointing out that so had his mother. Alduin never told him not to mention her, but it seemed somehow rude, like he would be correcting Mrs. Longbottom. Instead, said: "I know, my cousin told me. But, I mean, it's cold and snowing outside, so I think the weather is just perfect for reading a book in bed with a cup of tea...I'm looking forward to trying flying when the weather is better."
"Hm, that's more like it. I like your spirit, young man! You are right that the weather has been uncommonly harsh this year..." and with that, the conversation topic turned. Alduin gave Harry a small, almost imperceptible nod to indicate his satisfaction. Harry was proud of himself.
He watched the clock anxiously, and after half an hour, he turned to Neville, who had stayed silent up to now, and said: "Would you like to go and see my room?"
Neville nervously looked to his grandmother.
"I think it would be an excellent idea," Alduin interceded.
"Well, off you go, Neville, but don't break anything! And behave!"
"Yes, Gran," the boy said, and followed Harry upstairs.
Once there, Harry showed him his books and Martin Miggs comics. Neville looked at the second exhibit longingly. "I always liked those," he said, "but Gran would never let me have them, because she thought they weren't appropriate." Then he bit his lip, like he said too much.
"I think my cousin wasn't too thrilled when he saw me pick them up in the shop either," Harry noted, smiling, "but he bought them for me, in the end, along with lots of other books. Maybe he knew people would accuse him of making a Ravenclaw out of me otherwise."
Neville looked uncomfortable, and Harry cursed himself for mentioning it. "I think maybe he is, a little," he added to make Neville feel better, "but then it's kind of natural I guess. It's a little like being a fan of a Quidditch team, isn't it?" He'd almost said football, but caught himself in time.
Neville smiled. "Maybe," he said, "I never thought about it like that. Yeah."
"Are you a fan of one?"
"I've never seen a match in my life..." The boy muttered, apparently embarassed.
"Neither have I," Harry replied cheerfully, "but I read a lot of old Quidditch magazines and I think Montrose Magpies are the coolest, and I would love to see them play one day."
"I like reading about Puddlemere United," Neville admitted.
"They aren't bad too. Or the Tornadoes! This Roderick Plumpton guy was so cool."
"I like the famous Seeker of the Puddlemere, but I can't remember his name now..." Neville said sadly.
"Oh, I know the one you mean!" Harry replied excitedly. "The one who complained the Snitch was too easy to catch, right?"
"Yeah, that's the one."
"I like him too, that's my favourite part of Puddlemere. But do you like their robes?"
To his shame, Harry had to be called by Sibby to take Neville back down. He had completely forgotten to watch the time!
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Alduin rather thought that in spite of all those accusations of trying to make a Ravenclaw out of Harry, he deserved some Gryffindor praise for his bravery – he had, after all, spent an hour alone with Augusta Longbottom to give Harry time to meet his cousin.
Once that purgatory was over, he turned to his charge and asked: "So, what did you think of Neville Longbottom?"
"He is nice. He is kinda shy, I mean, but it got better in time, and anyway I think it's probably always better when he is not with his grandmother," Harry said frankly.
"Can you wonder?" Alduin replied, his eyebrow raised.
"No." Harry sniggered. "She reminds me of Aunt Petunia a little."
Alduin frowned. "That is being rather too strict, I would say. Mrs. Longbottom has accomplished many things in her life, she had just become embittered by the events. Your Aunt is only bitter."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." Harry immediately looked ashamed of himself.
Alduin shook his head. "Don't apologize. You can be honest with me, Harry, what I want you to be careful about is what you say to other people."
Harry nodded.
"We will doubtless be asked for a return visit," Alduin continued, "and I cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to leave us and go somewhere with Neville, as you were here. I can promise, though, that if you aren't, we are going to stay for an hour at the most. Do you think you are up to it?"
Harry nodded. "It will be interesting to see another wizarding home," he said.
A day later, the weather finally cleared a little, and so at lunch, Alduin said: "Would you like to go outside and try flying today?"
"Yes!" Harry cried enthusiastically. Then he controlled himself. "Sorry. But I am a little excited about it."
Alduin chuckled. "Mrs. Longbottom should see you now. Which reminds me, she stopped by here this morning during your history class with Miss Burke, and asked us for tea for Monday."
Harry nodded. "All right then. At least I can tell her I went flying."
"Let's see how it goes first."
It went above any expectations, Alduin's or Harry's. Alduin was prepared to give his cousin slow and detailed instruction, only to find out the boy was a natural and even without any training probably surpassed his own abilities. He was speeding through the air – low to the ground, as Alduin had instructed him – and laughing. Alduin sighed. Perhaps he had wanted to make a Ravenclaw out of Harry, just a little, but apparently, you couldn't turn a Potter into a Travers just like that.
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The visit at the Longbottoms went better than expected too. Harry was allowed to go to Neville's room, and found out that Neville had all kinds of interesting plants there. It never really occurred to Harry to be interested in plants, but he had to admit that the ones he found here were something else.
Neville also unbent rather more quickly than last time, almost as soon as they left his grandmother's company, and they spent a pleasant hour continuing their discussion about Quidditch. Harry also spoke more about his flying experience – something Neville was rather jealous of, since his grandmother never allowed him on a broom, which Harry found outrageous. True, Neville was a little clumsy on the ground, but that didn't mean he would be the same in the air, did it? And besides, even if he didn't have much talent for flying, that was no reason not to let him fly!
They also discussed Christmas, which was only two days away now. All of Neville's extended family was going to come to Longbottom Hall for Christmas – or that was was Neville said, and it puzzled Harry a little, since wasn't he part of that family too? So he asked Neville in detail and it turned out it really meant his grandmother's extended family. It went unsaid, but Harry gathered it was partly because there wasn't much of Neville's left.
"I'm also going to visit my parents in hospital," Neville said quietly.
Harry nodded, not knowing what to say.
He also realized he was unsure what was he going to do for Christmas. He should certainly ask his cousin!
He did so as soon as they arrived back home. "I thought we would simply celebrate here," was the answer. "Miss Burke would join us for most of Christmas Day."
Harry nodded. "Neville said he was going to visit his parents in hospital," he said, "and so I though...I mean, my parents do have graves somewhere, don't they?"
"Naturally."
"I think I would like to see it," he muttered.
"If you wish..."
"Could we go tomorrow?" Harry pressed on.
"On Christmas Eve?" Alduin seemed surprised. "Again, Harry, it's up to you..."
Harry thought about it for a moment. It seemed right in a way. "Yes, I think I would like that."
"Very well then, get ready for a trip to the traditional wizarding village of Godric's Hollow."