Disclaimer: Don't own, Just playing around.

Warning: Violence, blood, gore, guts…. you know the drill.

Chapter 5: The DOM 6.

Longbottoms:

Dear Neville,

I'm so sorry Neville for dragging you into a battle. I had no business doing that; I had no business going to the ministry. I'm so ashamed of myself. You Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna were all hurt because of me. If maybe I had listened to Hermione instead of traipsing off to London, none of us would have been hurt. My godfather wouldn't have been killed and you lost the wand that your father used. I have very few things left from my parents, and what I do have I cherish greatly. I'm so sorry Neville; the least I could do is to buy you a replacement wand for the one that was broken. Hermione is right I have a 'saving people thing'. I could do with a dose of common sense straight to my veins. I hope you have a good summer. I'll see you back at school September 1. I would not be surprised if they kick me out because of what happened at the end of term last year.

Your friend,

Harry Potter

"Neville dinner!" Granddame Longbottom announced.

Up in his bedroom Neville Longbottom reread the letter that Harry Potter had sent him. Yet again Harry was thanking him for trying to help him save his godfather. Also apologizing for getting his wand broke in the process. Ugh. Harry got his wand broken? More like he let his guard down. And his wand was broken in the process. And when did he drag him into London? He went willingly all by himself.

Ever since he returned from school, Neville had been thinking a lot about himself. What did he really want in life? What did he really want to do after he graduated? It was true that he was really good with plants, but did he really want to do that for the rest of his life? He had spent the time so far rereading his school work, and thinking why he was so nervous with just about everybody. He wanted to do something good, he also wanted to make a difference in the world. He had a long talk with his grandmother about his life. The discussion that he had with her even got to the point that they had their first argument about how he saw himself. Yes, he believed Harry when he announced that Voldemort was back last year. And yes he stood by Harry the whole time. The whole argument was about Neville going to the DOM with Harry and the rest. Granddame was upset that he went and got himself hurt in the process. But on the other hand Granddame also had to say that she was proud of his bravery that night. Going against the very woman who put his parents in the long-term care ward at St. Mungo's, made his Granddame look at him with new eyes. Still it didn't mean that he didn't get an earful when he got home.

So far since the end of term Neville had put himself through a strict diet and exercise to help him, which was starting to show. He was able to carry a lot more weight around, plus he could actually run a really good distance with out needed help from his family elves to get back home. Granddame had given Neville a trunk that his father used when he went to school. That's when Neville found a treasure trove of information about his father that he never knew.

There was even a diary that Frank had written in when he went to school. So far his father had only written about his classes and some of his classmates. His father was in the same class as Harry's father just in a different dorm. It was his mother who was in Gryffindor. In the diary his father was just starting to mention the war, and some of the things that were done. All through the diary Frank was constantly ranting about the bullying that went on in the school. His father had gotten in quite a few scraps already with the Slytherin or purebloods that didn't want muggle-borns in the school. Ended up in the infirmary because of it, along with some Gryffindor's; namely James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew (who he noticed that his father didn't like). He also noted another Gryffindor who would get right into James face about his fighting. It was after a particularly bad fight between the four Gryffindors and him , with some members of the pureblood gang when all five of them ended up in the hospital wing over the weekend. It was when he noticed a pretty girl come in with the Gryffindor girl who dropped off the other's homework. He found out her name was Alice. Neville had to laugh outright when his father had noted in his diary that he said he was going to marry her.

It was in this diary that he started to get the feel for the war when his father was going to school. During that time his father noted a lot of changes in the school curriculum. A lot of classes were dismissed due to the cost of staffing the school with professors for those subjects. The school governors insisted there was no money; the wizarding world was going through a hard time economically. They needed to cut costs, and since these classes had only a few students in them they needed to be dropped all together. Something was tickling the back of Neville's brain about what his father had written, something just didn't sound clear to him about that. Even his father was upset that they cancelled these classes, apparently they were a favorite of his, and most of the students loved these classes.

"Neville I said dinner" his grandmother said again.

Startled Neville put down the letter from Harry and walked down to were his grandmother was.

"Why are we having dinner so early?"

"A friend of mine is coming over to speak with me about security with the house."

"Oh? Security? Why do you need to speak with anyone about security?" he asked confused.

Granddame just gave her grandson a pointed look.

Sheepishly Neville concentrated on his dinner plate.

Granddame let out a short sigh. "Neville don't get me wrong, I love you. You have the capabilities to be a great wizard. Yes Neville you. But you are still young; that is why I was so upset when I found out you went with Harry to try to save his godfather. You have become more assertive with what you want. Although you are still trying to figure out what you want, I just want to give you the chance to become a great wizard. And in order for me to do that some friends and I are trying to get the underage restriction lifted. By no means is that going to be easy."

"That is what I had heard from some class mates." Neville said.

Curious Granddame asked "By who Neville."

"Hermione Granger, she is in the same year as I am."

"How did she know this?"

Neville shook his head that he didn't know.

"Well no matter, I hope you remember him. He taught in your 4th year. He came out of retirement to teach at the school, use to be an auror for the MLE."

Neville eyebrow rose at that. "Ah grandmother, that wasn't the REAL retired auror."

"What!"

Neville explained that in their 4th year, an imposter had taken the place of Professor Moody in order to get to Harry Potter. Hermione had said that Barty Crouch Sr. had broken his son out of prison just shortly after he was imprisoned. Barty Crouch Jr. had managed to break free from his fathers' chains and went back to his master. That is when he took the place of Auror Moody in there forth year, using polyjuice potion with hair clippings from the real Moody who was locked up in his trunk all year.

Granddame Longbottom was speechless. "Did Dumbledore know this?"

"Yes, well he didn't find out till the end of the year after the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. When Harry came back from wherever you-know-who was."

Granddame looked closely at her grandson. "That is when he told the headmaster that he was back right?"

"Yes along with the minister, who had him kissed before a final statement could be taken."

Granddame narrowed her eyes at that. Neville started to get a bit more uncomfortable under his grandmother stare. But he continued "That was why we had a ministry employee at Hogwarts teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was mainly to discredit Harry and Dumbledore, and all those education decrees! Professor Umbridge would start another one every just about every other week to get rid of the Headmaster."

"And this DA I heard about?"

"Suggested by Hermione Granger to Harry Potter for him to teach us what we could possibly come up against. On our O.W.L.S.." He added after a second.

"Hmmmm."

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After dinner Neville excused himself, and went into his greenhouse to do some weeding and general cleanup. Granddame told him to be ready by 7:30 sharp for their guest.

Neville was in his room getting ready when he thought he heard voices downstairs. Listening for a second he didn't hear anything, but after that he heard his grandmother yelling for someone to get out. Concerned Neville went to the top of the stairs to see what was going on.

In the foyer Neville saw some wizards wearing black cloaks, at first he didn't understand what was going on. But when he saw is grandmother being surrounded he realized that they were being attacked by Death Eaters!

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Mad-eye Moody popped into the apparition point for the Longbottoms, the Granddame had finally cooled down enough for him to come by and speak with her about security for her grandson. It was not a conversation that he was looking forward too. When she was younger the granddame was known for legendry dealings with the Wizengamott. Quite simply she was no fool, Moody reflected again on why he was chosen to come here instead of Albus or even Minerva. Obviously Minerva still wasn't up to apparition. She was still recovering from those multiple stuns from when they tried to bring down Hagrid. And Albus was quite simply so busy with trying to get Fudge out of his school so he could focus on Voldemort. Bah! Politics the bane of everyone existence!

Looking ahead of him Moody saw the lights on at the Longbottom house. Scanning the area to see if anyone followed him, at first Alastor didn't see anything, looking back at the house he scanned the front door that is when he saw the men in black cloaks rushing into the house.

Grabbing his order key, he quickly sent out a signal for help telling them were he was, and then approached the house. Truthfully he didn't have much hope. There were only 2 trained adults, one bumbling boy, with who knew how many Death Eaters? Damm Snape! Wasn't he supposed to notify them when attacks are scheduled?

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Upstairs Neville looked down at his grandmother, she had her wand up and preparing to fight back! Neville's heart plummeted to the ground when he saw the first Death Eater shoot a spell at her. What a perfect time to not have a wand! So far they hadn't seen him yet, he was up about ten feet high on the first landing, and they weren't looking for him, they had their eyes trained on his grandmother. Remembering what Harry told him, to not to disrupt the defender on their job, Neville looked around him to see if there was anything that he could do to help his grandmother. Heart beating madly, the only thing he saw was a vase a few feet away. Nodding to himself, he grabbed it and prepared to fling this vase will all his worth, to protect his grandmother. He dearly wished at that moment to have a wand. Or even someone to help!

It was some Death Eater off to the side who flung the first spell, his grandmother blocked it, then threw one back at him, then turning a little to her left to block an spell coming her way. Back and forth they went, she heard a loud crash to her left, but not taking her eyes of the ones in front, she paid no mind to it. But she did see a Death Eater go down in the corner of her eye. Neville no doubt, but what did he do? No matter, the DE in front had a very calculating look in his eyes when he stared at her. It was him that she was most worried about. And she had every reason to be; it was him who threw out the hated spell of her family's bane.

"Crucio!" he aimed at her. Quickly she summoned a piece of furniture in front of her, the chair took the brunt of the spell. Wood splintered off into dozens of pieces. A few lodged in her arm.

"Tigly?" Neville furiously whispered.

With a pop Tigly appeared in front of him. "Yes Master Neville?"When she had popped in the house-elf had heard the blast of the chair exploding. Tigly looked around and her ears drooped in fear at what she saw.

"Tigly! Pay attention! I need something to throw! Get me something. Pots, pans, dishes! Anything will do!" Neville demanded.

With a pop Tigly was gone, soon after heavy pots, pans, dishes and some objects appeared by him. Quickly grabbing one, Neville prepared to aim when he heard the Crucio being cast. Jerking around Neville saw that his grandmother managed to dodge the spell again. Taking careful aim Neville threw the pot at a Death Eater. Damm! Missed! Grabbing another Neville aimed at the Death Eater who had noticed him finally.

Spell after spell was being thrown at him. In turn Neville was throwing a pot or pan or even dish at the Death Eaters, dodging the spells, hoping that his aim would be true. When he finally managed to hit one, Neville felt a thrill of accomplishment. Looking down at his grandmother he saw that she wasn't doing so well. They had managed to back her into a corner!

Grabbing another object Neville aimed then threw. Yes! He had hit the one to the left of his grandmother.

"Reducto!"

The railing in front of him exploded. A Death Eater, who he hadn't seen exploded the railing in front of him, was on the stairs a couple of steps below him. Surprised that a Death Eater had gotten so close without him noticing, Neville kicked out, catching the Death Eater in the knee, throwing him back down the stairs, as the Death Eater fell, he heard his grandmother scream. Neville started throwing heavier objects at him, hoping to make the Death Eater go back down the stairs. Luckily he was able to get the Death Eater to go back down when he heard his grandmother scream. Neville spun when he felt a spell wiz past him, spinning him around. To his horror he felt himself trip over a piece of wood, falling down the steps, Neville looked up to see a Death Eater standing over him.

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Outside Moody was waiting impatiently for someone to arrive to help. Scanning around he didn't see anyone appear, he ran closer to the house when he heard the Crucio spell and a scream of pain.

Glancing around again, not seeing anyone, Moody prepared to go into the house.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" Granddame Longbottom screamed in pain. She couldn't think, only react to the pain that was being inflicted, writhing on the floor. It felt as if knives were being jammed into her body while her blood raced around eroding her veins. Mercifully the pain stopped for a second.

"Ah Granddame Longbottom, it has been a long time hasn't it?" one asked her.

Looking up at the Death Eater she looked into some cold, dead deep brown eyes of the man she new that was going to kill her. As she continued to stare, her eyes widened in recognition of her attacker. Rastaban Lestrange, the one who put her son and daughter-in-law into St. Mungo's.

"Well looky, looky what we have here!" he said.

Looking up, her heart plummeted Neville, who had cuts and bruises all over him, was being held by one of the Death Eaters.

"Well now, its just one big family reunion isn't it?" another said cheerfully.

"Bastard!" Neville bravely said.

Woops and whistles were heard after that. "Well my boy, you see I had the pleasure of meeting your parents some time ago. I don't see them, how are they doing?" he asked.

Neville eyes narrowed at that, like his parents would ever associate with the likes of him!

"Ah well, no matter, won't be seeing them again."

"Crucio!" he aimed at Neville. Neville dropped to the floor screaming in pain from the curse. He had the curse flung at him briefly at the Dept of Mysteries, and the pain was just as intense, just as painful, just as mind consuming, mind numbing pain.

Somehow Neville managed to squirm his way by his grandmother, after about a minute or two the pain stopped. Laughter was heard all around him and his grandmother. He could hear his grandmother crying softly in the background just behind him.

"I wonder if the same thing will happen to you that happened to your parents? Will you last as long as them Hmmmm?" a chuckle "Well maybe not from what I heard. You do realize you're a disgrace to wizard kind or the wizarding world? Associating with mudbloods and half-breeds?"

Neville didn't say anything, just glared hatefully at him.

Another one approached him. "Yes, yes. Lets just tally up your crimes shall we?" one said oily.

For some odd reason he thought he recognized the Death Eater. "You willingly believed Harry Potter that the Dark Lord was back hmm? You willingly defend your scummy mudblood classmates. You willingly go against your betters at school? Oh, and you willingly went with Harry Potter, the mudblood, the mudblood loving fools, and that candidate for St Mungo's Insane ward to London? Dear, dear me. Does that sound like the way a good sheep is supposed to behave?"

Neville didn't respond, just continued to squirm on the ground trying to get onto his feet. While he was on his back, he felt something sticking up under him. Reaching under him, he felt for the object that was jabbing him. With a gasp he realized that it was his grandmothers' wand!

The first Death Eater approached again, "And as for you Granddame, your crimes are to numerous to announce. But the main one is that you willingly raised this piece of shit?" looking around he continued. "While my fellow friends deal with your grandson I think I'll be your judge, jury and executioner."

"Reducto!" he snarled directly to her heart.

Granddame Longbottom's chest exploded into pieces. Blood and guts splattered onto Neville. He lay there in shock at what he saw. His grandmothers' chest had a gaping wound; he knew that she was dead. Scrambling up to her, Neville gently kissed her lips crying hard now. The Death Eaters were surrounding him just laughing at him while he cried at over his grandmother. The one who had raised him since he was a baby; she was the one who tried to protect him from the rest of his crazy family.

Neville looked up at the Death Eaters that were still laughing at him. Grabbing the wand that he found, he held it and aimed at the one who killed his grandmother. He may not be able to get everyone, but he could get him.

"Reducto!" he aimed at the Death Eaters hip. Bone and tissue exploded outward. The Death Eater dropped to the ground screaming in pain. His wand went flying from his hand while he tried to grab his hip together.

"Stupify!" one dropped next to Neville.

Neville managed to scurry out of the way, he went by the Death Eater that he dropped, and on the way he felt another wand on the floor. Neville looked at the unfamiliar wand, he grabbed it out of the Death Eater's way that was trying to get it back.

Neville looked up at the sound of another new voice and saw his old professor?

"Get over here!" he demanded.

Spells were being flung back and forth between the Death Eaters and the new person. Moody kept up the shield that he was using, motioning to Neville to get behind him. When he reached him Neville cursed the one who was closest to him, not expecting the spell, the Death Eater's leg started to dance around knocking into another Death Eater off his feet.

"Good one boy!" the man said. He reached into his pocket for the portkey that he always kept. The man turned his head for a second and demanded, "Touch it!"

Neville looking for away to get out of there, looked at what the man was holding out. He knew it was a portkey; he reached over his arm and put his finger on the disk that he held.

"Activate!" the man said. A telltale jerk at his navel, and Neville and the man were portkeyed away.

With a pop they appeared in front of the Three Broomsticks, the man ushered him into the pub, directed him into the back of the store.

"Here read this and believe it!"

The boy looked at a piece of parchment, on it read, "The Order of the Phoenix can be found at 12 Grimmauld Place."

"Ok sir er Professor?"

The man glared at him briefly "Never was your professor now was I?"

"Of course. Just." He finished lamely.

"Humph!" "Come, touch this again. And remember what it said."

Another jerk of the navel and the two were standing on a street, were run down houses lined up. Looking in the direction the man was, Neville remember what the parchment said. As soon as he did, a house popped up in front of him.

Moody opened the door saying, "Be careful, and quiet! Don't want to disturb the inhabitants." With that the man went through the door of the house, bravely Neville followed him in.