Flashback
She turned to her aunt and gave her the biggest set of puppy dog eyes she could muster, the ones she reserved just for when she really really REALLY wanted her way. She didn't use them often, after all, they would lose their desired effect.
Azalea waited for a natural pause in the adults' conversation to come to a lull before interrupting them as politely as possible
"Auntie Cassiopeia, Lady Augusta, would it be okay if I took Neville off to show him my personal garden? He was telling me about his family's greenhouse, and I wanted to show him around my gardens. Would that be okay?" She waited for a reply.
Cassiopeia turned to her long time friend and waited to see what her reaction would be.
"I don't see why not. Do not get too dirty, and call for a house elf if you need anything, alright? You know to call for Zilly or Daemon right away if you run into trouble."
"Yes, ma'am, we will be safe." Azalea replied right away.
She turned to Neville and grabbed his hand abruptly, before running, and quite literally almost, dragging him down the winding cobbled stone walkway to her garden, before sitting on one of the hand carved marble stone benches.
End Flashback
"Augusta, dear, do sit down and drink some tea. Come, sit, and we can talk without the prying ears. I promise you, they'll be fine. I have my very best house elves watching over them. If one of them so much as falls down and scrapes a knee, you will know immediately."
Augusta let out a deep sigh.
"I know, Cia, I know. I can't help it, though. I'm very concerned. Neville doesn't express accidental magic. Not even basic survival magic. And he's so frail, so sickly."
"Tell me. Have you ever had Neville looked at by a Healer?" Arcturus inquired gently.
"I have for his yearly checkup, as well as when he gets sick, why?"
"Yes, but have you had his core examined? By a goblin Healer?" he pushed on.
"No, I can't say I have. Why do you ask?" Augusta asked bewildered.
"Azalea's core was unstable. There were blocks on it put there by Albus Dumbledore himself. I fear that Neville might be showing symptoms of a magical blockage. I read up on it after everything with Azalea."
"Are you sure? That's such a drastic thing to accuse someone of, especially him."
"The goblins wouldn't lie." Cassiopeia stated firmly.
"It's true. When I took Azalea, I didn't believe it myself, but I read the runes papers. He really did such a horrible thing to that child. You should get Neville checked as soon as possible."
"Then I'll owl them as soon as I return, to make an appointment for tomorrow morning, if you're so sure."
The time flew by after that, a certain tension in the air lifted, and soon enough the two children were returning, Azalea coming to a skidding halt in front of the three adults. Neville was right behind her, a healthy glow on his cheeks for the first time in ages. All three of the adults noticed.
"Lady Augusta! Lady Augusta! When it's time, would you let Neville go with me to get a wand? I want to go together! Pretty please?" Azalea requested, batting her eyelashes.
"Azalea, what brought this on?" Augusta asked.
"I just really want to go with Neville! He's my first real friend!"
Augusta hummed. It would do the boy good, to have a wand of his very own and not his father's, she supposed. She turned back to Azalea and nodded.
"I'll give you my permission, but you have to ask Lady Cassiopeia if she'll be okay with another little one with her. She will make the final decision." She declared.
Azalea turned to her aunt and pouted, her biggest pout ever. Cassiopeia merely nodded and was tackled in a hug by the girl.
Soon after that, it was time for them to leave, after a few tears and many promises to write owls to each other. She didn't even think about the fact that she didn't have an owl of her own yet. She would be getting one shortly, hopefully.
TIME SKIP
It was the twelfth of September, and Azalea was getting the first of her yearly checkup from Healer Gavina. Meanwhile, Arcturus was having a very important meeting in the office of his own Manor, located in Holyhead, Wales.
It was not the main branch of the Black Manors, but was his home nonetheless. He was meeting with Andromeda and Ted Tonks. Andromeda was very nervous. She was a tall thin witch with insanely curly light brown hair and charcoal black eyes. She was almost the spitting image of her younger sister, Bellatrix. She had no idea what the reason was for being summoned by the head of the black family, but she and her husband were coming nonetheless.
The two of them aparated to Welsh Manor, an aptly named brownstone french style château with many large gothic style windows and a huge driveway. The well manicured lawns were lined with neatly cut granite stones, the same kind that you saw in the makeup of the building itself. Everything about the estate was tidy, down to the topiaries of different dragons. But they aren't just any topiaries. They were enchanted to move around and guard the property. The pride and joy, though, was the one of the Zouwu hedge. Be careful lest you become its next prey.
Together, they made their way up the long walkway, and Andromeda rapped her ash wood wand against the set of Grim's head knockers on the heavy double doors.
"Well, if that isn't ominous, I don't know what is."
"I know what you mean, Dromeda. Let's hear him out. Maybe it won't be too bad."
"I hope so, but a summons? From the current Patriarch of the family of the most ancient and noble house of Black?"
"I know. It sounds bad."
"It is bad."
Just then, the door opened and an ancient looking house elf stepped forward.
"Masters is in his office. Follow me, I will lead you there."
So they followed the house elf through the building to a large ebony door, with vines engraved into the door, filled with silver and mythril.
"Master is expecting yous."
When they entered the room, she was expecting dark colors, maybe woods and leather. Instead, it was light and airy, with high vaulted windows along the light gray walls, that let in just the right amount of natural light to be able to read, with creamy tan colored leather chairs. The desk was made out of the same wood as the door, and the mahogany floors were draped with a light cream plush carpet. Arcturus sat behind the desk, fingers steeped, looking ever his distinguished self.
"Ahh, Andromeda, Edward, it's a pleasure to see you again. Please, do come sit down. Daffodil, please bring some refreshments out for our esteemed guests. Tell me, would you prefer tea, or coffee? FIrewhisky?"
"Just tea is fine. It's a pleasure to see you again, Uncle. Would you please tell me what this is about?"
"Ahh, right to business, as always. Never one to mess around, huh. I have a little proposition for you two. I am willing to reinstate the Tonks family line into the Black family tree, on a few conditions. But first, I will need an oath from you that you will not disclose anything you find out today. Do I have that from you?"
She turned to her husband and had a silent conversation with him. What on earth could be so important that he would be willing to take such drastic actions. He looked into her eyes and nodded.
"Okay. We'll give you our word."
After they made the magical oath, she turned back to him and raised an eyebrow. She might have been married off, but once a Black, always a Black. She only agreed because she was so very curious on what would be serious enough to take such drastic actions as to take a magical oath.
"Please, now, do tell me what this is about."
"Well then, let's get right down to business. What do you know about Azalea Potter?
"The wizarding world's beacon of light? Not much. Probably just as much as anyone else. She's off living somewhere, probably being spoiled by her family."
He let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
"Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Dead wrong. That little girl was sent to live with her muggle family, that much is true. But, they were horrible to her. Starved and abused her. She didn't even know her own name when Casisopia ran into her, literally."
Andromeda grasped at Ted's hand tightly. No, this couldn't be true. Abuse? Starvation? Of a magical child, especially let alone the wizarding world's beacon of light? She shook out of her thoughts and reeled herself back in, steeling up her emotions like she had been taught as a child, as all Black children had been taught.
"As heart-wrenching as that is, what does this have to do with Ted and I?"
"That's where things start to fall into place. As I said before, Cassiopeia found the child, crying and soaked to the very bone, alone in Diagon Alley. She aparated there, on her own, with accidental magic. She broke a dish and was thrown out of her muggle relative's home into a severe thunderstorm, at night, with no coat or protection from the harsh elements. I also believe one of her muggle relatives stuck her across the face, if I am correct."
He paused for a minute, observing the married couple.
Andromeda was tightly gripping Edward's hand, but other than that, you wouldn't be able to read her emotions normally. Thankfully, he was a Black as well, but also, he was her Great Uncle and head of family. She was worried and upset at the information she was hearing, but that was rapidly switching to righteous anger, as would any sane witch or wizard be. Abuse and neglect of a magical child was almost unheard of, unless it was a muggle born child. Every witch and wizard was sacred, and to be cherished. It was a crime punishable by the Dementor's Kiss.
He continued, "For the past almost a year, Cassiopeia and I have been relearning her behaviors, and healing the damage done, both mentally and physically, to this child. But now, this is where you would come in. Andromeda, you have a mastery in charms, do you not?"
"I do..." she said hesitantly. Where was this headed?
"And Edward, you have a mastery in Defense Against The Dark Arts, do you not?"
"I do, yes. What is this about?" He asked hesitating.
"I would like for you two to tutor Azalea. Andromeda, you would be teaching her practical magics. Edward, you would be teaching her dueling magic."
"And what would we get in return?" Andromeda asked, ever the Black. They never did anything for free, just like the goblins.
"Ahh yes. I expected that much. In return, I will personally see to it that you, Andromeda, are reinstated into the Black family. That would give you the Black family vault and the dowery vault that is rightfully yours. I will also give young Nymphadoa, her own trust and dowry vaults. So, should she become betrothed, she will be able to afford a proper courting."
"May I have a few minutes to think this over, privately, with Ted?"
"Absolutely." Arcturus nodded, conceding.
She cast a privacy bubble charm and turned to her dear husband.
"So, Ted, what do you think?"
"I'm not sure. Tutoring a child? I've never done it before, and neither have you, Dromeda. It's a lot to take on."
"Yes, but that poor child... She needed to have the proper teachers, god knows what those muggles have taught her. She didn't even know her own name, for Merlin's sake!"
He sighed deeply. Deep down, he knew what the right decision was. He knew what he had to do. It was only right, plus, his only child, his precious daughter, would have a better life for it. It was really a win-win situation when it came down to it. He looked his wife in the eyes and nodded.
"Yes. Let's agree to it." He gave in. In the end, he could not deny his wife and daughter.
"Okay, but I have some conditions. I want to meet her." Andromeda stated firmly. She waved her wand to clear the privacy bubble charm, and turned back to face her uncle.
"We accept, but we have some demands of our own, if you so please." She agreed to the request.
"Naturally. What are they?" He asked.
"I want to meet her. Merely to observe her, to see how she learns best." She informed her uncle.
"That can be done. Shall I set up a formal meeting between you and Lady Cassiopeia to set up a schedule? She already has me as her teacher for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, and a tutor for etiquette and lessons on proper manners for a pure blooded child, Florence Ironwood. And I plan to add on proper weaponry training when she's old enough, as to keep up with the Black family traditions."
"Yes, please, I would like that." Andromeda agreed easily.
"I will send her an owl right away."
And with that, the meeting was over.
Time Skip
A few days later, it was time for Azalea's very first official tutoring lessons. Arcturus and Cassiopeia had written up a schedule for her, so she wouldn't end up late to any lessons, or get confused on what she would be learning that day. He had it written out on a piece of parchment for her to carry around until she could memorize it.
On Mondays, her day started off as always with breakfast from eight to nine, and then she did her morning stretches that the Healer prescribed for her to help with her growing body. Her lesson plan for that day was a double lesson from ten to noon on Mannerisms with Lady Ironwood, and then lunch. After that, she had Practical Magic Theory with Lady Andromeda from one to three, and Calligraphy with her grandfather Arcturus from three p.m. to five p.m... Her last class of that day was Charms Theory also with Lady Andromeda, which ran from five p.m. until dinner time, around seven. After she ate dinner, each night she had an hour to catch up on her daily homework assignments that were given to her by her tutors, and then bedtime strictly at nine p.m.
Her Tuesdays started off the same, but her first class was Ancient runes, also a double lesson, from ten to noon with her grandfather Arcturus. After lunch, she had Ancient Runes again for another two hours, which took her all the way to three p.m. Then, she would have her first lesson on foreign languages, who she would have many teachers over the time period, depending on the language at the time. To begin with, she was learning Gaelic with her Aunt Cia. She finished off the day with an easy class, Herbology with Neville, taught by Mr. MacLeod. He was a young but smart man, with fiery red hair down to his shoulders and icy blue eyes. He was very tall for his age, too.
Wednesdays were for her double Formalities lessons with Lady Ironwood, until lunch. After that was her second Practical Magic Theory class of the week, with Lady Andromeda. Then was her favorite class so far. She had Level One Potions with Auntie Cassiopeia and Neville. She liked that it was just the three of them right now, and knew things would change when she got to Hogwarts in three years. After that, she had her first Equestrian Lesson of the week. Grandpa Arcturus and Auntie Cia both were the teachers for that class. They were teaching her how to care for magical horses properly.
Thursday began with two hours of potions, again with Neville and her Auntie, and then it would be lunchtime. Next, she had double Arithmancy, from one p.m. to five p.m. with Grandpa and Neville. Her final lesson of the day wasn't really a brick and mortar lesson. Her, Grandpa Arcturus, and Auntie Cia would walk around the Black Manor Estate grounds, and they would both quiz her on the flora and fauna of the lands. She was getting rather good at it.
Her Fridays began with Etiquette lessons with Lady Ironwood. After lunch was Dueling Theory and Practice with Mr. Tonks, Lady Andromeda's husband. That runs every Friday from one to three p.m. After Dueling practice, she had her second language lesson with her aunt. Her final lesson of the day was another Equestrian Lesson.
Saturdays began with a Reading Enrichment class, where she would learn to read and comprehend different poetry books, and some fictional books. Then, she had an hour for a free choice period, to do whatever she would like to do that day as long as it was beneficial or productive. After lunch was History of Magic with her grandfather, and then he would move on, and as her head of the family, he would teach her Weaponry. It was expected of her, as she was a female Black, and it was tradition for all of the females of that line to pick up how to use them. Right now she was just using practice swords and wooden staffs, but when she was older, she would move on to the real things. She leaned towards staffs and pole arms, but she was a little too young to use one properly yet. The one she had was small and blunt, and couldn't even slice through a piece of paper. Grandpa Arcturus said she had a long way to go before he would let her near the real thing.
Time Skip
Dowager Augusta heeded to her good friend's warnings for her grandson.
"Take him to the goblins, Augusta. Have his core checked. I bet you 10 to 1 that there are magical blocks. Take him to the goblins, ask for Healer Bloodthorne. They know what to look for."
That was what Cassiopeia had told her to do, and she wasn't one to not listen to sound advice. It was a Saturday, on one of the days Neville didn't have a lesson, that she took him to Gringotts Bank.
"I, Lady Longbottom, am requesting a meeting with Healer Bloodthorne for my heir, Neville Longbottom. It's an urgent matter."
"That will be 50 Galleons, and 15 to rent a private room. It will be taken from your vault. Bloodfang, bring them to meeting room seven."
They were led by the other goblin to a room much the same as all the others. It was small, not much larger than your average office. There was a mahogany desk, three plush chairs, and a stone hearth to light up the room and give it some warmth. Augusta led Neville to sit down at one of the chairs, while she sat beside him.
Neville was scared. The goblins were terrifying looking, but Nan promised they wouldn't bring harm to him. He was worried, though. Nan said there was something wrong with him, with his magical core. But did he really have one? What if they did this test, and they found out he was a squib after all? He was shaken out of his thoughts by a goblin wearing a white nurse's uniform.
"Hello young child, my name is Healer Bloodthorn. Please, come stand before me, I promise to do you no harm."
After a reassuring look from his Nan, he followed her command. She reached up, and put her hand on his forehead, and it glowed green as she changed low in gobbledygook.
"He's been put under the Crucio curse, and his core is almost completely bound, 97 % blocked, by Bellatrix Lestrange née Black. It's completely unstable and has been causing ailments as well as a complete lack of magic. If left this way, he could have his core would crack."
Neville shrunk in fear, but also shock. He knew who Bellatrix was. He was aware of what had happened to his parents fully. His Nan never spared him the details.
"The good news is we can fix this. Follow me." and she left for a room down the hall.
Neville peered into the large white room. It was completely empty, but had large golden runes carved into the walls and floors in a circle that he couldn't recognize. Then again, he was just learning his runes in his lessons.
"Change into this outfit and let us know when you're done."
She handed him pure white linen pants and a shirt.
A few minutes later, after he changed, the goblin came back into the room.
"Now close your eyes, little one. The light will be bright. Hold onto this. Do not move and do not breathe." She handed him a smooth oval blue quartz focus stone.
He sat very still in the center of the circle, on a white pillow, and squeezed his eyes shut tight. He was so very nervous, but he held his breath for what felt like forever as a painful sensation happened in the lower chest. Almost as if someone was crushing him.
"Okay, Neville, you can breathe again!" the goblin called out.
He gasped for breath. It was so painful to breathe, let alone move, right now.
"Here sweet child, drink these potions, and have some cold water. It will help with the pain."
"What are you giving him? I demand to know."
"I'm giving him a mild pain reliever, level two, as well as a calming draught. It will settle him down, so he can relax."
When he opened his eyes, sparks were flying around the room. It was magic. It was his magic reacting to his emotions. He had magic, after all!
"Give him pain relieving droughts every eight hours, as well as a core stabilizing potion every six hours, for two weeks exactly."
"Thank you, Healer Bloodthorne. I am sorry for my earlier words. I dislike seeing my heir in any sort of pain or ailment. I will give him the potions myself, and will see that he takes them. Thank you."
"It is no problem."
After that, they went home to Longbottom Manor. Neville was worn out, even though it was only ten a.m. He was a sickly boy, after all.