Harry Does Different CDLXXIV

Poor Neville

"That's your gran, ain't it Nev?" Harry directed his fellow Gryffindor's eyes as the Express was screeching to a stop at Platform 9 ¾.

Following the line of sight, the slightly older wizard nodded, then gasped "And sweet Merlin! Granpa Harfang!" He gave a smile "Sorry Harry. He very rarely leaves the estate. Actually not MY grandfather: I think he's old enough to be Dumbledore's. Someone else there? Can't quite find make them out. You have to at least meet Gran."

"A bit of living history!" the ancient man seated in a floating chair wheezed, extending a gnarled hand "And barely wet behind the ears. Quite an accomplishment! Care to satisfy an old man's curiosity? How did you bring down the fledgling bad guy?"

Harry shook the proffered hand "Nice to meet you, sir. Just how old are you?"

"You've heard of the USA? Perchance?" Harfang waggled a finger, and after a short delay "Another fledgling. And calling me sir is just a waste of the little time left. My grandbaby Neville's letters have sung praises of your exploits."

Both boys blushed, if for different reasons. It would only much later Neville would ask his friend to not repeat the term; he would never openly disagree with his ancestor. Harry put in "I don't go looking for trouble. It seems to find me. And I always have help getting out of it. Including Neville."

"Those who do, rarely do alone. And I should like to hear of my grandbaby's contributions." The old man seemed pleased "But, to continue, as I understand it you know of Augusta. Currently Head of the family, until Neville is prepared." He then waited while they exchanged pleasantries then introduced the other wizard "And this would be Algernon, Neville's grand-uncle."

Harry had been extending a hand to the lightly greying wizard, but on hearing the name, yanked it away and turned to his friend asking "Same one you talked about?"

"Umm …yeah…" answered Neville, not sure what his friend was going for.

The bespectacled teen stiffly crossed his hands behind his back and declared, looking at the old man "I won't shake hands with attempted murderers like him any more than I would with actual ones like Voldemort."

"How dare you presume to know ANYTHING ABOUT me, boy?" snarled the outraged wizard.

Harry backed up, not exactly afraid, he'd seen worse. But he did put his hand on his wand as he demanded "Just what do you call throwing a baby out a window? No matter how nasty my relatives are, at least they never did that!"

"Ease up Harry!" hissed Neville "People might notice!"

Augusta frowned "Why is it everyone else, but Grandfather and I, seem to know what's going on?"

"Quite! *harrumpf*" demanded Harfang "And while young, Mr. Potter may not have the right… I rather think we have more than sufficient authority. Algernon? Elucidate."

When his uncle did not immediately begin, Neville explained "Moxxy told me that I didn't do much accidental magic as a baby. Uncle Algie kept trying to make me. Like scaring me. And a couple times …I think… I fell out a window. Good thing I bounced."

"Hush Gussie." The wizard snapped at his sister. Though he wouldn't dare with the older man "Grandfather, you know my responsibilities as an Unspeakable. We have a duty- - -"

Harfang cut him off gruffly "To protect and defend magic. And your believe. AND further knowledge." Then he turned to the boys "Mr. Potter …I believe we owe you a debt. How much of one remains to be seen. Algernon? Xenophilius will need to know you'll have family business to transact for the next day or two. Off you go."

"Yes Grandfather." He gave a clearly subservient nod to the man in the floating chair, then a scowl at Harry. Before disapparating.

Harry decided that a quick goodbye was his best course of action.