Im so sorry it took so long for this chapter to be uploaded! Ive had so much to do and Ive not had time to dedicate myself to the story like I wanted!
Thank-you to all who have reviewed my story so far, any questions are welcome and please don't hesitate to give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.
Depulso Poena means 'Push' 'pain' as in to push someone out of the way and to cause pain to them
Chapter seven: Growling Gryffindor's and Sneaky Slytherin's
The next morning, Draco made sure Neville was presentable for his first day as a Slytherin
"I just hope Gran doesn't send a Howler today or tonight" Neville had replied when Dudley asked him how he felt.
"If she means well then she won't," said Xavier
As the four boys walked into the Great Hall, the buzz of chatter seemed to come to a slow hush as the Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's noticed Neville's new House Colours
"Oy Longbottom? Finally moved to the lowest part of the school have we?" Weasely roared with laughter "suits you, living with those snakes, maybe they can teach you to be a wizard!" he laughed. Neville growled in frustration, whipping out his wand before the teachers could stop him, he yelled the first curse he could think of
"Depulso poena!" and an eerie purple light shot out of his wand, hitting the Weasely in the chest and sending him crashing into the farthest wall, a mark of blood signified he has cut his head open. The students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were in uproar at the attack on Ron
"MISTER LONGBOTTOM!" McGonagall yelled in horror "fifty points from Slytherin for attacking a student!"
"SIXTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR FOR AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK, NOW SIT DOWN AND EAT!" Snape yelled back, seating himself back down to eat, Dumbledore sighed slightly into his bacon and eggs, feeling that he should have a talk to Neville's grandmother….
After the buzz of what happened with the Chimera on Halloween and the display in the Great Hall; Xavier, Draco, Dudley and Neville were on their guard for any attacks from the Gryffindors, whilst trying to figure out how to get the Philosopher's Stone from Hogwarts without being seen or expelled. Their lessons became easier and easier once they had studied the basics of magic, along with the additional lessons they were still keeping up with via the books that Lucius had given them in the holidays before they started at Hogwarts. Also, some of the time was dedicated to helping Neville with his spell work and potions so that he could begin to learn some of the things that the other boys already knew.
"…No Neville, its Boomslang Skin then the Asphodel root" Dudley told him
"Tell you what Dudley, why don't we just forget it?" Neville sat down, feeling defeated
"Why should we?" Dudley asked him "you need to learn this stuff Neville, you need to know how to look after yourself once you take Xavier's Dark Mark, Lord Voldemort might not hurt you, but the other Death Eaters may think about it"
"Its easy for you to say Dudley," Draco sneered "You're a natural at this stuff, Neville has the power but unfortunately he's been under Dumbledore's thumb too long, maybe he cast a spell on him or something to make him not able to get his powers till he needed them, you know, to kill Voldemort"
"It sounds like Dumbledore," said Xavier, walking across the unused Potions Classroom "IF he wanted Neville to be able to kill my Father then he wouldn't want him to be swayed into thinking he was better than anyone else because he would be the one to kill him, so he'd manipulate him into thinking he was useless, thinking that he couldn't do a thing and probably also bind his powers so that there was no way he would overpower Dumbledore"
"Sounds like a decent theory to me" said Neville "its just HOW we figure out the way to undo what Dumbledore has done"
The boys worked hard over the next few days, and Neville wasn't surprised to see his Owl, Achilles fly down to him with a note on the morning of November 17th
"Hmm its not a Howler, but its from Gran" Neville muttered, He took the letter off Achilles and he flew off back up towards the Owlery. Opening the letter, another one fell out of it. Neville decided to open and read the first letter, he would deal with the second one later.
My dear grandsonGlad to see you've finally settled in at Hogwarts! However I'm much upset to find that you are now in Slytherin! A LONGBOTTOM IN SLYTHERIN! You would bring shame on your parents, if they didn't already know why its best you were there in the first place. I'm happy you've found friends; the Malfoy family are indeed strong pureblooded wizards and are an asset to you. Although I had a word with Lucius after I got over the shock of your letter and he sent you the letter already in this one. As I write this letter Neville, Lucius is working on the wards around our house so that we can have 'visitors' and I hope you know what I mean. I would like to know why you have changed your loyalties? Dumbledore only wanted the best for you and I hope you know this, but I am not one to try to change your mind, as my grandson I completely stand by your actions and I hope that your parents will see sense soon enough. As to your theories about how Dumbledore has kept you 'dumb' I'm afraid they are true. At the time he explained to your parents that such strong magic in a baby would cause major damage and so to bind your powers till you were old enough, seemed the only way that they could keep you safe.
Read the letter from Lucius when you have time alone, this letter will burn up as soon as you have read it
Love Grandma
Neville watched as the letter burned up in his hand harmlessly
"Well?" Xavier asked
"We'll discuss it later" Neville said coldly, he grabbed his bag and headed towards his first lesson, stuffing the letter from Lucius in his bag as he went.
The boys didn't get change to talk throughout the day until dinnertime; even then, Neville would hardly speak to them, it seemed the 11-year-old had a lot on his mind since he joined the Snake House, although Xavier didn't bother about him, he had his own troubles, he went to talk to his father later that night
"Ah Xavier c-come in" Professor Quirrel smiled genially, Xavier strode into the room and Quirrel shut the door behind him, putting up a silencing spell, he turned to Xavier and bowed respectively
"My Lord, what can I do for you?"
"I need to talk to my father" Said Xavier
"Of course" Quirrel went silent for a moment "Your father tells me to tell you he is listening and for you to talk freely" he told him
Xavier paced the floor for a minute
"Well father, as you know I have the Prophecy Child out of Dumbledore's hands, Draco has been vital in trying to find out how to get the Philosophers stone for you, but our efforts have been futile, we also know that there are some Gryffindors trying to get it as well, the ones who were giving Longbottom a hard time, We also need to strip him of Dumbledore's spells so he can access his power. He has the right to this and Dumbledore has taken it away from him. Also he has agreed to take my Mark once I have it" He explained, Quirrel looked like he had a headache for a long moment, then he spoke
"Your father tells me to tell you that you are doing well to have the boy on your side, as his heir you will have your own army when you are old enough, not before. Also he tells me to tell you not to worry about getting the Philosophers stone, we are already on to it, Severus is helping greatly and so there shouldn't be a problem"
"But father, what can I do about Neville?"
"He tells me to tell you not to worry, Severus is brewing a potion for Neville to take nightly to help him re-adjust to his powers slowly, so that by his Magical Maturation, he should hold everything within his power easily." Said Quirrel "he also adds that its time you went to bed young Master"
"Okay, but we need to do something soon so Neville stays on our side Father" Xavier told him "but I better go, otherwise I will get in trouble from Filch for being out after curfew" he sighed "Goodnight"
As soon as Xavier walked into the common room that night, he noticed Neville was sitting by the fire, a letter in his hand. Xavier walked past him and headed up to bed, he would ask him what was in the letter in the morning.
Neville read over it a second time
Neville,
I know our families have never been the best of acquaintances, and so this may be a bit of a shock to have found out everything you have about Dumbledore and his manipulations at such an early age. Do not worry though young Neville, as in due time you will have full access to the rights of the Longbottom Estate and the money the old fool has kept from you.
As your grandmother will know, Dumbledore took access of your Family Estate and larger vault at the time of your parents being attacked by Bellatrix Lestrange; he did this so that the Ministry wouldn't squander the money and use the house for anything other than its proper usage.
As you are Head of your House, being the only Male alive who is fit to take such a place, you will have to come to the Ministry with your Grandmother tomorrow to deal with some of the paper-work to get everything back from Dumbledore.
This may seem a lot to handle right now, as I know you must be feeling lost and confused, Draco has written to me several times this week alone telling me how much you are struggling with the Gryffindors and trying to fight the spells on your person, I enclose a small phial which contains a potion you should take tomorrow morning before breakfast, Severus will be making a similar potion to this one for you at the moment, but this will give you an extra boost tomorrow, to show you a little of what you're made of.
If there is any problems, remember, I am a school governor and there's nothing stopping me making a trip up to Hogwarts, should you need it. If there's anything your bothered about, talk to Draco, he may be a snotty brat at times, but he means well, and he will get into contact with me as soon as he can if you have anything you need to speak to me about.
Take care young Longbottom
Lucius. S. Malfoy.
Neville folded the letter in one hand, looking at the phial in the other hand as he watched the last of the embers fade out, casting eerie shadows across the dungeons. He got up and shoved the letter in his pocket, sighing as he walked to his dorm to get some sleep.
The next morning, Draco woke Neville early
"Its time to get up so you can be ready for the meeting- my father sent me a letter" he said
"Okay im up" Neville groaned, he washed and dressed within record time and was doing up his shoes when Draco walked back into the room
"Come on Neville my father doesn't like to be kept waiting" he told him
"Leave the boy be Draco!" Xavier's tone was sharp, if not sleepy "Lucius will wait for him on my fathers orders"
Just before he left, Neville un-corked the phial and downed the contents, a cold shudder went through his body as the potion took effect….
Draco walked with Neville and Xavier to the front of the school, when he saw his Grandmother talking to Lucius, he straightened his shoulders a little; he didn't want to be a disappointment to the Longbottom name anymore than he had done in the past.
"Neville!" his Grandma smiled "good to see you! Lucius has said he will get us safely to the Ministry with Albus"
"Okay" Neville nodded "thank you for your hospitality Mr. Malfoy" Neville nodded curtly to him, Lucius inwardly smiled at the respect and aristocratic way he was being treated by Neville, it seemed the potion was having a better effect than he had hoped, Neville seemed no longer the clumsy boy he had been, but he walked with his head held slightly higher and his shoulders squared, as a Pureblood should do.
"The pleasure is all mine Master Longbottom," he said "We're just waiting on the headmaster then we can leave," he replied "Draco I hope you and Xavier are keeping up with your studies?"
"You can be assured of that Lucius" said Xavier "Everything is going exactly to plan" he inclined his head as Dumbledore walked down the staircase
"Ah good… on time then as usual Lucius?" Dumbledore smiled pleasantly
"Yes, yes, Come Dumbledore I don't have time to waste" Lucius said with a snap, he reigned in his distaste for the headmaster as they walked out into the front of the school, as they couldn't Apperate, they had to take a Portkey out of Hogwarts.
Neville blinked when they stopped spinning, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder and turned to see Lucius standing next to him
"Follow me Neville," he said as Dumbledore and Neville's Gran got over their dizziness from the Portkey.
They walked down into one of the farthest corners of the Ministry of Magic and into an office just off the normal route.
Behind the desk sat a squat-looking man with a pointed blue hat on
"Lucius! What a pleasant surprise! On time as usual I see!" he said
"Yes Dervish I don't have much time, you know why we here" said Lucius
"Indeed yes, and this must be master Longbottom… how old are you boy?"
"I am eleven years old sir," said Neville
"And why exactly are you here?"
"I have come to obtain the rights to my families larger vault and the ownership of Longbottom Estate, as my Father is unavailable to partake in his role as Owner of the Land, it is therefore my Right to the properties and all things within and around" Neville stated "Said properties and monies are currently in the possession of Mr. Albus Dumbledore, Chief Wizangamot and Hogwarts current Headmaster"
"You definitely know what you're talking about then Mr. Longbottom" Dervish smiled with a laugh "Well then Albus? What do you say?"
"I say Neville is far too young for this type of responsibility"
"Actually Dumbledore I am not too young to own my own land, the Charter of Magic started in by Fillish Leandersly in 233 states that 'Any first born male can take full possession of his own land if needed by the age of 10 years old' So I am clearly within the rights to own my own property" Neville barely kept the sneer out of his words, he only managed it when Lucius gave him a harsh look when Dumbledore wasn't looking.
"Neville has a Point Dumbledore," said his Gran "and he is the only Male in the family who can have rights to the house and the money, which is rightfully his"
"Very well" Dumbledore sighed, "Ill sign the documents"
"Good good" Dervish smiled jovially, handing Dumbledore a Quill and pointing to a dotted line on the parchment "if you can just sign there and the if Neville can county signature, Ill make the necessary arrangements at Gringotts and the Estate will legally be yours Neville just as soon as we finalise the work with your Gran"
"Thank you Mr. Dervish" Neville nodded cordially and signed his name on the sheet and then handed the Quill back to Dervish
"Excellent" Dervish smiled at them "Well that's all we need, I should think you should be getting back to your studies young man" he nodded to Neville, "Ill have everything owled to you at Hogwarts as soon as I can"
"Thank you" Neville replied cordially
As soon as Neville got back to Hogwarts, he headed straight to the dungeons
"Neville..." Dumbledore called out to him, he turned round
"Yes Headmaster? I really need to get to potions," he said shortly
"Come and see me after your lessons for the day…. I think its time we had a talk" Dumbledore walked off up the steps as Neville hurried to the Dungeons to catch up in Potions.
When he walked in, Professor Snape simply nodded and carried on marking essays
"The notes are on the board Longbottom" he drawled, Neville nodded and got to work quickly.
Luckily he caught up to Xavier and Draco easily and waited whilst his Boil-curing potion simmered gently on the fire
"You're doing well today Nev" said Dudley as he added the last ingredient
"I don't see it as any fault" Neville replied coolly
"Neither do we" said Xavier "So what happened? Did it go well?"
"Dervish will Owl everything over when it's finalised" he told them
"Excellent" Xavier nodded "I suppose old Dumbly wasn't happy?"
"No he wasn't, he tried to keep it in his own grasp, which reminds me, he wants to talk to me after the end of lessons today…"
"Probably want to know why all of a sudden you want your Estate back" said Draco
"Exactly" He grumbled, "I don't want to have to deal with the meddling fool"
"Don't worry Neville" said Xavier "We'll sort it out don't worry"
After the last lesson of the day, Xavier, Draco, Dudley and Neville headed up to the Headmaster office
"Cockroach clusters" Xavier said loudly, the gargoyle moved out of their way after a moment
"I don't think he's gonna let you in you know" Neville grumbled
"We need to talk to him about Weasel anyway" said Draco "so we have a legit reason to be here"
"True" Neville grinned, They reached the top of the staircase and Neville rammed the lion-head door knocker four times
"Enter" Dumbledore said loudly, Neville and the others walked in
"You wanted to see me Professor?" Neville asked
"I wanted to speak with you alone Neville" said Dumbledore
"Its okay Sir, You can speak freely, as they are my only true friends in Hogwarts, no thanks to Ronald Weasely" said Neville, showing his distaste for only a second
"Actually Dumbledore" Xavier turned to him "We came to talk to you about what you're going to do about him? He's terrorising the other first years and it's not fair on them or anyone one else who has to put up with his atrocious behaviour"
"I will look into it Mr. Riddle" Dumbledore frowned "now I need to speak to Mr. Longbottom alone so please will you leave, this is a matter of utmost importance"
Xavier shot the Headmaster a dirty look and told Neville they would wait outside the Office for him
"Okay ill see you in a few minutes, it wont take long" said Neville
Dumbledore studied Neville for a moment
"Are you happy in Slytherin Neville?"
"Yes sir I am" he said shortly "is this what this is about? Because I am very happy with my current house and I will not transfer back" he snapped "And I will not discuss my private affairs with you, as I don't need to, now ill be heading down to have my tea" Neville walked out of the office and slammed the door behind him…
Albus sighed and looked around his office, wondering where he had gone so wrong.
