For disclaimers, see chapter one
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Despite Adam Potter's plan for revenge, the next three months seemed to pass by uneventfully for the brothers. They continued their morning and nightly routine, but were still unable to find out who was tailing them. They had noticed that Dumbledore, though trying not to be obvious about it, was keeping a closer eye on the four, specifically Harry. The students as well, looked at the boys with greater respect, ignoring the pleas, protests, and the endless stream of bad things that Adam Potter had to say about it.
The closeness of the four, despite the fact that they were in separate houses, seem to ripple across the school. They weren't buying into the whole house rivalry thing and ignored any student who tried to "inform them of how the school worked." One could even say that the amount of fighting between the houses, specifically Syltherin and Gryffindor has lessened dramatically. The students had wondered if this new chance and these four boys had anything to do with what the sorting hat said.
As Christmas approached, there seemed to a mad scrambled to get things done before the break. OWLS loomed ahead for the fifth years, and despite the fact that Christmas was coming, the students were starting to feel the pressure.
The four brothers trooped up to the headmasters office one snowy afternoon, after a summons from the deputy head mistress.
"Harry, Jake, Draco, Neville, welcome!" He said standing up and motioning them to the four chairs that he conjured for them.
"It's Drake," Drake said slumping down in his chair.
"Nick," Nick said agitated, dropping into the seat next to Jake.
"Of course, my apologies Drake, Nick," the headmaster said and sat again. "Tea, lemon drops?" He asked offering the dish to them; they eyed the candy dish carefully and shook their heads.
"We don't take our candy tainted," Jake said.
"Tainted," McGonagall sputtered. "Mr. Conway I don't where you get the idea-"
But Dumbledore stopped her with a wave of his hand.
"Very perceptive boys, but I assure you that they are just dipped in a mild calming charm. You have no idea how nervous some students get-"
"Yeah that must explain the truth serum they were "dipped" in too huh?" Drake said smirking.
It was on the tip of Dumbledore's tongue to ask how they knew, but he shook his head and put the dish away, knowing he wouldn't get an answer out of the brothers.
"I was wondering what your plans were for the holiday," he asked his eyes giving off that famous grandfatherly twinkle. "I saw that your names were not on the sign up sheet to stay-"
"Which is probably because we're not," Jake said. "And I don't think it's any business of yours what we do over our break."
"Mr. Conway that is enough, I will not tolerate anymore of this disrespect towards the headmaster. Fifteen points will be deducted from Ravenclaw and I think a detention with Mr. Filch after the holidays would suffice." McGonagall said crossing her arms across her chest.
Jake shrugged, and shut his mouth.
"Mr. Conway, ah Nick," he said again addressing Nick. "I have recently been in contact with your Grandmother, who was wondering if you would be open to the idea of visiting her over the break."
But before Nick could open his mouth to reply, the fireplace roared to life, and out came an old haggard woman with a gaudy bird on her hat. "Where is he Dumbledore, where is my grandson?"
Dumbledore sat forward in her seat and gestured the old woman to sit down. Augusta Longbottom, a woman of seventy four years, sat down, her bones creaking at the movement. She cast a long look at the four well built boys who sat opposite her, looking for her grandson. She had to admit though, that all of the boys looked somewhat the same. The one sitting at the far end, a boy with bright blond and reddish hair standing up in spikes, cold blues eyes and a slight smirk on his face gave her a wary look.
The boy sitting next to him, she knew right away. Harry Potter seemed to stand out with his jagged lightning shaped scar. His hair was short and spiky like the others, but he had this look about him, a look of power and danger, that made her a bit wary of the boy who called her grandson a brother.
The boy next to Harry was a bit taller than the others, with soft brown eyes, and a dangerous smile, it was clear that he must be the ladies man of the group, but Augusta Longbottom was sure that he couldn't have been her grandson, and when she turned to the last of the four boys, she was sure that he was Neville Longbottom.
He sat with his arms crossed over his chest giving the headmaster a scathing look. Like the others, he radiated power and danger. Augusta was momentarily breathless, wondering how on earth he could be so powerful. Sure, Frank and Alice were no doubt powerful wizards, but it was obvious that Neville could give them both a run for their money. Her eyes swelled with tears. As she looked at the boy, no young man that sat in front of her, she couldn't have been more proud at whom he had become. Neville Longbottom was going to be a powerful wizard, she was sure of it.
"Augusta, what brings you here? I thought we had come to an agreement-" Dumbledore started, but Augusta stopped him with a wave of her hand.
"My Grandson has finally come to Hogwarts. It has been over fourteen years since I have last seen him. Did you think I was going to wait at home and twiddle my thumbs while you buttered him up for me? I think not. I am here to see my grandson, and that is exactly what I intend to do."
"Not to break up this whole family reunion thingy here, but my brothers and I have a train to catch," Jakes said standing up, his brothers following suite.
"Sit down Mr. Conway!" McGonagall said, obviously at the end of her rope.
"Our father won't be very pleased that we've missed the train," Drake said in a low threatening voice, "not pleased at all."
"You'll leave when you are dismissed!" McGonagall said her voice firm.
Harry gave the headmaster a calculating looking, cocking his head to the side, before laughing softly. "He's trying to make us miss the train on purpose. That way we have to remain here over break where he can keep an eye on us."
Nick scoffed, "he obviously thinks we're stupid, or our father is."
"Obviously," Jake said agreeing with him. "To bad he doesn't realize that we have alternate forms of transportation."
"Alternate forms of transportation? What do you mean?" Dumbledore said debating on whether or not to try legilimency again.
"That's for us to know," Harry said slyly, "and for you to never to find out. It's none of your damn business. And we are going home, end of discussion."
"Surly Harry, you would consider spending the holiday with your parents and brother. You parents would love to have the chance to get to know you. Why your mother just told me this morning that-"
"Save it," Harry said with venom in his voice.
Dumbledore sat back in his seat, throwing up his hands in defeat. He just had to win the trust of Harry Potter. But he just didn't know how.
"Neville," Augusta said, addressing her grandson. And before he could react, she pulled him into a tight hug. "I am so proud of you," she whispered. "I just wanted you to know that."
"It's Nick," he said gruffly. "I go by Nick."
She nodded, though not really understanding. She pulled a small package wrapped in soft brown paper, and gave it to him, and left without another word. She tried dutifully to hold back her tears, but as Nick watched her leave he saw a few escape, running down her wrinkled face.
"Well that was touching," he said with a note of sarcasm in his voice. He turned back to Dumbledore and McGonagall, and smirked at their shocked faces. It wouldn't do them any good to know how he was really feeling. He fell back into his chair and watched as Jake threw yet another fit about having to stay here. Sighing, the headmaster dismissed them, looked as defeated and old as ever.
The four walked down the hall way to the entrance hall in silence, knowing that the walls, as well as the portraits had ears, and were prone to telling the headmaster. They stayed silent until they found a compartment in the train, and after casting several listening charms on it, were finally able to let down their guard a bit.
"Don't get it," Nick said shaking his head. "I just don't get it."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Jake quipped, earning a punch in the arm from his brother.
"What don't you get?" Drake asked.
Nick ran his hand unconsciously over the package from his Gran. He wouldn't open it until his father had a chance to inspect it for any unwanted charms or curses.
"Why Dumbledore would want to split me up from you guys. What is his motive?"
"Maybe he didn't have one. Maybe your Gran had heard you were back and wanted to see you. Maybe it is just as simple as that." Jake reasoned.
"No," Nick said shaking his head turning towards Jake. "What about Shadow then? Dumbledore knew of Harry's animosity towards them. Why would he try and force him onto them?"
The boys shook their heads, at a loss of any ideas. Harry was about to speak, when the door to their compartment was ripped open.
Adam and Ron stepped into the compartment; Ron hesitated a bit, eyeing Nick carefully.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here, the Conway brothers the four most popular students in Hogwarts. All hail the kings of-"
"You don't want to finish that," Drake said leaning back in his seat, putting his hands behind his head.
"What are you gonna do about it pretty boy? Huh?"
Drake merely laughed.
"What you think you can take me? What about you Harry? How about a rematch? We both know that you cheated last time, how's about a rematch?"
Harry scoffed and shook his head. "Give it up Potter; I kicked your ass in that last match, just save it."
Adam leveled his wand at Harry, Ron, after hesitating did the same. Fred and George, who were passing by, causing trouble no doubt, saw the commotion and opened the compartment door. Harry and his brothers remained seat, their wands tucked away, showing no interest at all in fighting the boys.
"Oi, what's going on in here you lot?" Fred said, shoving his younger brother out of the way so he could get a better view of what was going on.
"Hey," Ron protested trying to shove his brother out of the way, but to no avail.
"So," Fred started smiling at the four brothers.
"You must be-" George continued.
"The Conway brothers," they finished together.
"Wicked show you two put on," Fred said looking at Nick and Harry.
Adam Potter stood there with his jaw agape. Fred and George were supposed to be his friends, how dare they take sides with the reject.
He was about to say as much, but the twins had left, casually talking about scaring a few of the first years.
After returning to there own compartment, Adam seethed the rest of the way home, ignoring Ron and Hermione's attempts to figure out what was wrong.
He was met at the station by his God father who knew at once that Adam was angry about something and did his best to out a smile on the boys face. But Adam saw right through the facade, knowing that Sirius was searching the crowd for the one and only Harry Conway.
Adam grabbed his trunk with a sigh and waited for Sirius to shrink it before putting it in his pocket. It was going to be a long holiday. And with his parents staying at the school until tomorrow, Adam knew that his parents and his Godfather would want to know everything that Adam knew about Harry Conway.
Damn him, Adam though with a sigh. Damn that Harry Conway.
A/N: Thanks for reading, please be kind and review. What should happen when Ron and Nick square off in the next chap? Is it a kicking time? Tell me what you think. Not many people commented on their thoughts as to what the boys were doing in that unused potions class room before curfew. I can safely say that it is relevant and will explain a lot in future chaps. Please be kind and leave a review.