Before Hogwarts – Chapter 2

The Dursleys' world was turned upside-down. Their son, a wizard? Well, there was nothing they could do about it and they would have to swallow their pride. The only way to prevent a Speller from using their magic was by causing them brain damage, something they would never do to their son. They also weren't happy that Harry took Dudley's second bedroom but there was nothing they could do about it. While Dudley could see the room from the outside since he's a wizard, Harry was smart enough to keep the door locked the whole time and Dudley couldn't break the door.

After he finished eating, Professor McGonagall and Arabella Figg decided to take Harry first to Madame Pomfrey so she can have a check-up on him then took him to Diagon Alley in order to buy him new clothes as a birthday gift since he only had Dudley's old ones. The Healer fixed his glasses, evaluated his eyesight and gave him a Potion for the bruises he got from "Aunt" Marge. Since you can't Apparate to and from Hogwarts and since Harry was too young for Side-Along Apparition, they decided to use Arabella Figg's Xatu to go to Diagon Alley. Harry took the old lady's right arm while Professor McGonagall took his left one, then the Squib woman shared a mental projection of the Leaky Cauldron with her bird, and they were Teleported there. Unlike Apparition, Teleportation done by Pokémon causes no sounds or side-effects. It was one of the few advantages Squib had in the magical world as pet Psychic-type Pokémon usually only take commands from Squibs and just tell Spellers to use their damn wands.

"Is that Harry Potter?" exclaimed an old lady.

"Augusta?" exclaimed both McGonagall and Figg.

"Arabella! Minerva!", replied Neville's grandmother.

"Long time no see," said the Squib woman.

"Is that your grandson?" asked the Transfiguration Professor.

"Yes. Yesterday was his birthday. Don't be shy Neville and say hi to the two ladies."

"Hi!" said Neville shyly.

"He's always like this."

"Maybe we need to work on his confidence," said Minerva. "Don't be shy Neville. I will be your Transfiguration Professor when you attend Hogwarts."

"I know it may be early, but I am always worried he won't be magical. I don't want him to turn out to be a Squib – sorry Arabella! I just want him to be like his father."

"No problem Augusta, but it's not hard to find out if he's magical," said the Squid lady.

"Now that I remember, you did tell me that your parents sent owls to both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons."

"Yes. Hogwarts told me I won't be on their list when I turn 11 while Beauxbatons confirmed they have my name with an asterix next to it."

"What's the asterix for?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"To note that I am a Squib since we have our own study program. We are except from some subjects like Transfiguration and Charms but we also learn Muggle high school subjects and receive a French baccalaureate."

"That's a good thing. It helps you learn about both worlds," said the Transfiguration teacher.

"Yes. The ministère des Affaires magiques de la France uses Squibs as spies. They report to them about stuff Muggles shouldn't see and about attacks on Muggles by dark wizards."

"Can I ask you to check if my grandson's name is on the list, Minerva?"

"Yes, Augusta. But don't be too hard on your grandson. I am pretty sure that he will make his parents proud, he still has five years before Hogwarts."

Augusta turned to Harry. "Is it true that you are living with Muggles, dear?"

"My uncle and my aunt."

"And how do they treat you?"

"They keep calling me a freak."

"What?" the old witch was horrified.

"We never imagined Harry would be treated like that by his own relatives. Albus says it's because they are jealous of magic," said Minerva.

"Why did Dumbledore put him there?"

"Because he will be safe there from Voldemort'" responded the Transfiguration teacher.

"That doesn't mean he can't have a loving family, Minerva."

"We fixed it. Harry now has a magical room that's inaccessible to Muggles, Augusta."

"That's nice to hear. Me and Neville should start visiting him since they are kind of like brother, even twins. Do you know that Alice is Harry's godmother?"

"Really?" replied the two other women.

"Yes, and the Potters were Neville's godparents."

"I remember how close they were. Frank was two years ahead of James and Lily but Alice was in their year," said McGonagall.

"James and Lily were really young when You-Know-Who killed them," said Arabella.

"You knew my parents?" asked Harry.

"Of course, I did! We were in the Order together. Professor Dumbledore would have me spy on the criminals who supported You-Know-Who."

"And I remember all the time we spent together, Arabella."

"Of course, Augusta, we were childhood friends. Too bad Hogwarts doesn't let Squib in," she said bitterly.

"Yeah, I know it sucked. But at least we could always write to each other, and I found Beauxbatons to be very nice when I visited."

"Yes, the French care a lot about beauty, and you would think that Beauxbatons is inhabited by fairies," said the Squib woman.

"I should one day visit Beauxbatons. Have you visited Hogwarts, Arabella?" asked Minerva.

"Yes. It was lovely and you guys have Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of all time. I know people from Beauxbatons pride themselves in Nicolas Flamel, but even he isn't as good as Albus Dumbledore."

"Don't tell Albus that, Arabella. He's too humble."

"Where are your parents?" Harry asked Neville, who didn't know what to say

"They were tortured, Harry," said Augusta Longbottom.

"Really?" asked the boy.

"Yes. They were tortured by You-Know-Who's supporters. They are now at the hospital."

Harry was saddened by what he heard. "Why do you call him You-Know-Who? Isn't his name Voldemort? That's what Professor Dumbledore told me." Everybody flinched at the name.

"Well, during the war, saying his name means you will get killed," said Lady Longbottom.

"But Professor Dumbledore says his name."

"That's because, as my friend Arabella said, Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of all times. Even You-Know-Who was afraid of him," added the old lady.

A.N.:

I created the term "Speller", so I don't have to repeat the phrase "witches and wizards".

I like the fanon that Alice Longbottom is Harry's godmother and that the Potters are Neville's godparents. Harry and Neville being like brothers is a good thing.