Harry Potter and Adventures in Lordship
The same disclaimer from chapter one still applies: I do not own, nor receive any revenues from Harry Potter or this work. Also, the following chapters should not lift anything, really, directly from the novels, except Ron's overuse of the words, "bloody brilliant." (Or was that a movie thing?) Please read, enjoy, and review!
Chapter Four: Neville
Neville was overlooking his plans for renovating the Longbottom family greenhouse when he heard the soft hoot of an owl. "Hey there, Hedwig," he said softly. "What are you doing all the way out here?" He held out his arm so Hedwig could perch there while he removed the letter from her leg. "How's Harry, then? Staying out of trouble, is he?" Hedwig hooted at Neville indignantly. "Not your job to keep up with him, eh? Hermione's got more than her fair handful there, I'd say. Go on up to the rook if you want, there's plenty of food and you can rest; I'll have a letter back for him later."
Hedwig hooted again, gratefully this time, and flew off to the rook that housed the other messenger birds of the Longbottom family. Neville unrolled the parchment, and began walking towards the main house as he read. Oh, boy, I can't wait for Gran to get a gander at this!
Neville found his Gran, the illustrious and formidable Augusta Longbottom, sitting in her parlour drinking a cup of tea. A small stack of books were beside her chair on the table to her left, and an much larger pile of letters, papers, notes, and invitations were on the table to her right. Even though the door stood open, Neville hesitated at the entryway, and knocked on the doorjamb, waiting for acknowledgment and permission to enter. Gran glanced up from the letter she was reading, looking over her spectacles at Neville.
"Yes, Neville?"
"May I come in, Gran?" For some reason, Neville always found himself overly formal with her, as if afraid of making a misstep; he hated when she looked disappointed in him.
"Of course, lad; have a seat," she said, nodding towards the wingback chair on her left.
Neville slipped into the room, trying to maintain an air of calm; Gran hated it when he scurried, she said. He sat in the chair. Gran let the parchment rest on her lap and looked at him expectantly. Neville began to fidget.
"Well, out with it, my boy! Has something happened? You didn't fail transfiguration, did you?" she asked.
"No, no Gran, it's nothing like that, not at all." Neville quickly replied. He hadn't failed transfiguration, but that was neither here nor there. He swallowed, "I've gotten a letter from Harry, just now."
"Harry Potter!" she exclaimed. "Why, Neville, that's delightful! I've been waiting for you to strike up a friendship with him. James and your father worked together, and Lily and your mother were such good friends." Gran smiled softly, something Neville rarely saw. "Those two always expected their boys to be mates. Why, they were together so much, and had the strangest cravings, sending James and Frank all over creation looking for things."
Neville looked up at his Gran, shocked. "I….I didn't know. Harry's always seemed, I dunno, so in place with Ron." Neville shrugged. "I mean, sometimes us lads joke around together, but he and Ron and Hermione….they seem so complete. It's like watching those twin Weasleys. They don't need anyone else."
"Well, then, why did he write you?"
"He said he needed someone who knew how Wizarding politics worked. Why doesn't he just talk to Mr. Weasley?"
"Now, Neville, you should know that working for the Ministry isn't the same as understanding how the Ministry works."
Neville's eyes grew wide with understanding. "But you've taught me all about the Wizengamot; I've even sat in on a few sessions. I had to write a whole paper for you one summer about the founding of the Ministry and why the Minister of Magic has what powers he does, and why." Neville shook his head. "I don't want Harry to buddy up to me to get what he wants; I'll just be another pawn."
"Oh, bosh, Neville; that's how politics work." Gran frowned. "Sometimes asking for help is a way to offer friendship. Harry desperately needs some help and knowledge, based on what I saw at his trial; the boy knows practically nothing about his wizarding heritage. It's downright shameful, the Potter heir being so incompetent. He needs you, and your connections, and you need him just as much. Potters and Longbottoms work well together; they have in the past and they will again." She smiled. "Write him back, and invite him to lunch. Surely he can Floo over in a few days."
Neville nodded, and stood up. "I'll write it now, and send Hedwig right off."
"Of course, dear. Go ahead and use some of my parchment and ink on the desk, there. No time like the present."
Fifteen minutes later, Hedwig was flying off, bearing a parchment tied with a scarlet ribbon.
AN: Sorry it took so long, guys, had total writer's block and that pesky thing called real life got in the way. Hope to have the next chapter up pretty soon, maybe tomorrow. I know they're short right now, and more scenes than chapters; I'm setting the stage and introducing the characters more right now. Later I'll have longer chapters with POV shifts in the chapter. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!