Hello, darlings. I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekend, I am looking at disgusting white stuff, because Winter around here is that bad ex that just can't accept the breakup and stay gone. I own nothing, adore the stuffing out of all of you, and hope you continue to enjoy.
Chapter 20 Neville
He sat, trying not to watch the clock while he waited. Twenty minutes later she popped back. "Sorry, I decided to get everything set up. Then come get you. I don't feel up to the full tour and inevitable question and answer session."
"Another time then," he nodded.
She apparated them directly into the rec room the Grangers used as an at home movie screen. She had pilled pillows against the sofa and spread snacks on the blanket on the floor, just popcorn and small cans of soda. Marcus looked around at the lamps and large television screen. "This is the telly then?"
"Yes, it uses electricity to illuminate and display moving images it receives from the satellite up-link. It also projects sound. But I thought we would watch a DVD instead." Hermione explained. "I picked a childhood favorite, a fairy tale. That way there is less technology and social context to explain."
"Sounds good."
"It's animated, which means it is drawings that move around," she rambled nervously.
"Hermione. It will be fine. Relax."
"Sorry. My experience with introducing purebloods to muggle things with mixed results."
"I will survive."
"The story does have a little magic in it," She snuggled into his side and started the movie.
She worried Marcus would find the animated film childish or silly. When he grumbled about how unfair the stepmother was she realized he was invested. He laughed at the right places and wrapped his arms around her when Cinderella danced with the Prince without even realizing it. "That is bullshite," he muttered under his breath when Lady Tremaine shattered the slipper. He smiled when it finished.
"This was so much better than just listening on the radio."
"I hope the wizarding world gets something like it." She stood and stretched. "Let's clean up and head home."
"Want to just leave the pillows for next time?" he asked hesitantly.
"That's a great idea, it'll save time." Before picking up the bowls she hugged him. "Thank you for this. I need it more than I know."
"You're welcome, little dove."
At breakfast the next morning an unknown owl delivered a letter to Hermione, Neville's reply. He agreed to meet at a cafe a block and a half from the Leaky Cauldron in muggle London that afternoon. She owled Marcus the details. Rabastan noticed how pale she looked and voiced his concern, "Feeling okay there?"
"Yes. No, I don't know. I want to help the other people Dumbledore hurt, but what if they reject the new me?"
"There will be people who can't accept your life choices. But remember, they are your choices. And they were the best ones at the time. Never let anyone make you feel bad about them."
"I won't, Uncle Bas."
He grinned, "I love the sound of that name."
"Neville was my first friend."
"In the wizarding world?"
"Ever, that's why this is so frightening. No one likes being rejected, even if the other person won't remember."
"You're going to alter his memories?"
She shook her head, "No, Cassius or Peregrine will. He'll remember a dark haired woman telling him of a possible new treatment for his parents, to please consider allowing the team to treat them. He just won't be able to remember her name or face, or the other parts of the conversation."
"Very practical of you," he praised.
"And so logical, just so Hermione," she tried not to sound bitter.
"Yes, well, I don't think logical is so bad in this instance."
"I suppose we'll see." She stood, "Wish me luck."
"Good luck, pet."
Unable to concentrate on anything else, she sat down and made lists: the people Dumbledore enslaved, the ones whose lives were destroyed for his greater good, and the accomplices he bullied into not only silence but assistance. Moments like this she appreciated the convenience of a mole. Want to know how someone feels? Have the mole feel them out. Someone to gather intel to help make the really hard decisions.
Twenty minutes before the scheduled meeting, Hermione and her entourage arrived. With her help, they ordered and selected a table where they could easily see her, but Neville was unlikely to notice them. "Good luck," Marcus kissed her forehead, "we're right here if you need us."
"Thank you," she ordered a cup of tea and an assortment of biscuits and cakes to snack on. She tried not to fidget as she waited.
The bell above the door rang exactly on the hour. She looked up to see Neville Longbottom scanning the tables. Adjusting the hat with a fake bluebird on it, she sat up straighter. She waved when he noticed her. "Interesting choice of hat," he said sitting down.
"I thought you might find it amusing," she gave him a shy smile.
"HERMIONE!" he shouted before repeating himself in a quieter voice, "Hermione, where have you been? Where are Harry and Ron? Are you okay?"
"Hello, Neville. Why don't you order some tea? This may take a while." She motioned for the waiter. Once he delivered the pot she continued. "I have no idea where Harry and Ron are. I discovered Ron cheating on me with Harry, left, and have since discovered Dumbledore, and later Mrs. Weasley, have been forcing me to help them, especially Harry, even to my own detriment."
"How? The Impervious?"
"No, obedience charms."
Neville stared at her in shock, "Oh, wow."
"I'm not the only one," she gave him a pointed look.
"Me?" he looked incredulous.
"Not quite, or rather, not Dumbledore."
"Who?"
"Dumbledore convinced your Gran to get you to suppress your abilities so Harry would be the clear threat."
"But she always complained about it."
"Yet demanded you use your father's wand, follow in his footsteps, even though it was clear in first year where your aptitude lied. I'm not saying she charmed you, but she sabotaged you on Dumbledore's instructions. And the pressure she heaped on you made things worse."
"But why?" his eyes widened in bewilderment.
"To ensure Harry remained the most likely candidate for the prophecy. To make you thankful for any assistance the light gave you, malleable to Albus Dumbledore's whims, grateful for his good favor. And, worst of all, so his vision of the greater good could prevail."
His face twisted and he took a drink of his tea. "This feels so far fetched, Mione."
"Neville, have I ever lied to you?"
"No."
"Have I ever misrepresented the facts?"
"No, you've always faced them head on."
"Then why would I exaggerate or lie now?"
"You wouldn't." He hung his head, "If you left Harry and Ron does that mean you've joined the other side?"
"I'm on my side, and I'm dealing with this my way. Right now I am letting my fellow abused know what went down. Then I will allow the accomplices to confess before vengeance is served."
"You mean revenge."
She shrugged, "If you like. Either way, I am not going to slink off and fade from memory."
To give himself time to think, he took a biscuit off the plate between them. "You won't do anything to Gran?"
"Neville, she's done nothing to me, if you don't want to do anything, I wouldn't presume to decide that for you." He relaxed, "Though you may not like the next thing I tell you. All I ask is that you hear me out and read the letter I have for you."
"Okay."
"I need a wizard's oath."
"I swear on my magic to hear Hermione out and read her letter."
"I allowed Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange to adopt me." He stiffened and nearly stood. "Read the letter then ask your questions." He took the roll of parchment from her.
Greetings, Mr. Longbottom,
My name is Rodolphus Lestrange, and I fear through my inaction I have allowed harm to come to your House. I never imagined Bellatrix would lose herself so deeply as to drive your parents so far into their minds. I also admit to underestimating Crouch, Jr's zealotry. Words of apology cannot even begin to clear the debt owed, though you deserve them. My brother, Rabastan, and I both deeply regret and beg your pardon for not stopping them that night.
To further discharge our debt we are funding research to treat their condition. Hermione suggested it and assures us that at worst nothing changes. She hopes it will reverse the damage. St Mungo's has been directed to send all bills for this treatment to us to pay anonymously. No one save yourself and those you choose to tell will ever know who paid for it, not even Hermione. Unless she broke the seal and read this before giving it to you. Something I would not put past her. The only thing we would as of you is to allow the treatment to be attempted.
If you desire any other restitution, please let us know. We wish to make this right, because we regret it, and for Hermione's sake. She is terrified of losing her oldest friend.
Thank you for reading,
Rodolphus Lestrange
Rabastan Lestranges
He reread the letter before looking at Hermione. "You suggested the treatments?"
"I did."
"Is it safe?"
"Yes. Muggles have been using this kind of treatment for decades."
"Why?"
"Why what, Neville?"
"Why do you want to help my parents?"
She looked confused, "Because you're my friend, my first friend, and if I can give you back your parents then I want to." She ran her thumbnail along a ridge in the tabletop.
Neville took a deep breath, "What about You-Know-Who?"
"What about him?"
"You're okay with the Death Eaters now?"
"Not all of it, but I'm working on it."
"Because they listen to you?" Neville scoffed.
"He does. His Inner Circle does. The Order hasn't been all that great, either. I've planted some ideas. I'm playing the long game."
"And if that doesn't work?"
"I walk away. And before you ask, yes, I can. Yes, he would let me. There's more but I'm not willing to say in public, even this public. Aspects about me that Dumbledore sought to repress because he didn't know how or if it would benefit his vision."
"You-Know-Who isn't trying?"
"Of course he is, but he can't hurt me or have me hurt. He would lose his magic. I wanted to learn dark, so I know what's out there. I discovered not all of them are violent sociopaths. And some might need to have accidents like falling into a flurry of hexes." She made and held eye contact. "I am very aware they are the lesser of two evils. But they have become the evil I can influence."
"This, this is a lot to take in," he said softly, running his thumb along the teacup rim.
"I know," she whispered.
"Does anyone else know about you?"
"Luna, she's known since Hogwarts when I took my NEWTs."
"In disguise?"
"Of course, Hermione Granger is still Undesirable Number 2."
"She's okay with everything?"
"Taking her exams early to avoid the dangers our friendship being discovered could cause. She may be beginning a relationship with Graham Montague, but I'm not entirely sure."
After a moment of silence, Neville sighed, "You were my first friend, too. And you always stood by your friends. It would be complete bollocks to abandon you now. Just, please, don't invite me over."
She laughed with relief, "That feels like a step too far, too soon. But I would love to see you again, and owl to keep in touch."
"Me, too."
"Keep me posted about your parents." She stood and came aroundthe table to hug him.
"I will." Neville returned her hug.
Marcus and Cassius made their way across the cafe. Hermione smiled at them, "Oh, Neville, this is my boyfriend, Marcus Flint, and my friend, Cassius Warrington. Marcus, Cas, this is my oldest friend, Neville Longbottom."
"Nice to meet you, Longbottom," Marcus offered his hand, "Hermione's told me all about you.
Neville instantly returned his handshake, "Good things, I hope."
"Certainly," Marcus assured him.
Cassius offered his hand, "Don't worry, she's told me nothing, so blank slate." The four of them laughed. They parted after making plans to meet the next week.
"Good meeting?" Marcus slung his arm across her shoulders.
"Rather. Thank you both for being here."
Lucius assured her that the Longbottoms would be at the top of the list for the experimental treatment. The healers believed they had worked out the proper amount of shock and how to deliver it. Though they would be using the muggle medication until the success rate warranted the effort of creating a new potion from scratch. The experiment would begin the first week of September.
Luna scheduled and took her NEWTs on the last day of July, Harry's birthday. The girls met for lunch that afternoon. Eventually, Luna addressed the elephant in the room, "It's Harry's birthday."
"It is. And I don't know why I feel sad about missing it. I doubt he's missing me."
"You were best friends for seven years. You nearly died for one another numerous times. And there were good times in with the bad."
"Then why is it so easy to not miss Ron?"
"You tell me," Luna raised a questioning eyebrow.
Hermione sighed, "We were friends because of Harry and Dumbledore's magic. And that taints everything. I think Harry and I were friends despite the magic."
"I'm sad, too. My only friend not in some form of hiding is Neville, and he's beside himself about his parents."
"I hope it works. He deserves his parents back."
"Everyone does." Luna agreed softly.
"I wish I could bring her back," whispered Hermione.
"And I wish I could bring your other parents back for you."
"Ugh," Hermione scrubbed her face in her hands, "we are supposed to be celebrating your new independence from formal education, not depress ourselves."
Luna shrugged and picked up her glass, "Here's to friends present and past." They touched glasses and drank.
-oOoOo-
After ensuring they had Kreacher occupied elsewhere, Harry and Ron entertained themselves debauching every room in Grimmauld Place.
As the afternoon lengthened they took a lingering shower together and flooed to Shell Cottage where Molly bustled about preparing Harry's birthday feast. "I hope by the next celebration we are back home," she muttered under her breath.
Fred looked up from the paper he and George were studying, "We reopened the shop without trouble. Dad, Tonks, and Kings have all gone back to work without issues. It should be safe enough."
"That's what we all thought during the last war. I don't know if anywhere is safe."
Fred wondered how much of this was trauma from two wars and how much was denial that they were losing and therefore seen as unimportant. "If we let them force us into running and hiding they win," Fred said softly. His mother hummed and ignored him. Before anyone else could say anything, Ron and Harry entered the room. Wishes for many happy returns came from every corner. Molly hustled them all out onto the beach to eat.
Uncharacteristically, Ginny offered to pour drinks before her mother could order her to. Ron gave her a funny look, resulting in her slapping him upside the head. She handed Harry the last glass. "Happy birthday, Harry." She gave him a shy smile, peering at him through her eyelashes.
"Thanks, Gin." Once he took a long drink she placed the pitcher on the table and took a seat beside him. He flashed her a goofy grin before turning his attention to godson. Throughout the rest of the evening, he found himself watching her, or seeking out her attention.
Until, "Um, Harry?"
"Yes?"
"I think I forgot some stuff at number 12. Stuff I kind of need. Do you think it would be safe for me to pop over and look?"
"If I go with you, sure." He smirked at her.
"Could we?" she asked coyly.
"Let your mum know so she doesn't worry."
"Will do," she scampered off to find Molly.
Ron walked over, "What did Ginny want?"
"She thinks she left something at Grimmauld and wants to go look."
"I'll come with you."
Harry didn't want Ron coming with them, even if he didn't quite know why, "Nah, if we both go your mum will claim it isn't safe and start pushing us to join them at Muriel's."
Ron shuddered, "Good point."
Nearly two hours after they left, Ginny returned empty-handed and laughing. "Did you find it?" demanded Ron, annoyed they had been gone so long.
Ginny flashed her empty hands, "Obviously not, otherwise it wouldn't have taken so long, now would it?" She rolled her eyes, "It must be at home."
Back at Aunt Muriel's Ginny informed her mother of her success, but Harry's hesitancy to upset Ron. "He thinks he could convince him to move back to the Burrow if you're there cooking because you would need our support."
"I suppose it would be nice to be in our own space again."
"And give Harry his own room for privacy," Ginny smirked.
"Just be careful, you don't need a child until he's bored in themarriage."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Yes, mother." Personally, she thought Harry, like her father, would be more likely to jump into marriage quicker if a baby was coming. She made her way into the room she had shared with the twins until they reopened the store and moved back into their flat. The violent attacks had ceased, and things resembled the way life had been before Voldemort's physical return. Ginny climbed into bed hoping Harry was awake, unable to sleep for thinking of her and her birthday gift.
He was. He lay next to Ron trying to decide if he should tell him what happened and if he should feel guilty about it. Ultimately he determined Ron insisted on dating first Lavender, then Hermione to veil their relationship, it was Harry's turn to protect them. And have some fun while he did. Satisfied at reaching a solution, he rolled onto his side to sleep, facing away from Ron for the first time since they began sharing a bed.
A/N: I almost feel sorry for Ron... no, I don't. Don't let me lie to you.