Chapter 27 – The Wand

Submitted Thur 18 Aug 2011

A/N: SPOILER ALERT: Last chapter was posted two days ago on Tuesday. Please make sure to read Chapter 26 first if you haven't read a chapter this week.

The next submission should be Tuesday – unless I get several reviews. In that case I might submit on Sunday. Let me know what you think. Oh, and remember, if you'd like to be reminded when the next chapter comes out you can add me to your story alerts.

Harry blinked and he was in the Great Hall eating toast. He didn't remember waking up or dressing. He didn't even remember the walk from the tower. In fact, his first memory of the morning was three owls circling above his spot at the table and dropping posts just in front of his plate.

The first post read: Dear Harry, I made it back safely early this morning. Enat should make a full recovery. The entire experience was surreal. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey

The second post read: Harry, I am sure that Neville has already invited you but I hope you will be our guest for lunch once you have finished your business. I am preparing a special meal for the three of us. Your friend, Hannah

The third looked more ominous. His name was written with a very deliberate handwriting. He opened it and read: Mr. Potter, I have been informed of your heroic and foolhardy efforts evening last in the Forbidden Forest. Though I am aware that expulsion does not strike fear into you, I assure you that if you cannot be more careful you will find yourself transformed into a rather comfortable chair that I shall place in my sitting room. Yours truly, Professor McGonagall

Harry glanced up at the Professor and she raised her glass with a crooked smile. Then she showed a more serious look that brought along the point. He'd definitely try to be more careful in the forest. He could have just as easily been caught in a trap as the Centaur had. He thought back on the evening and smiled when he thought about how precious the young filly was. She reminded him of himself when he first arrived at Hogwarts...though much less lucky.

Before he knew it he'd finished his food. He heard a voice next to him. "Will you have time to pick up the ingredients?" asked Hermione.

"What is that?" asked Harry.

"She gave you a list," answered Ron. "You feel all right, Mate? You haven't spoken all morning."

"I didn't sleep last night until late," replied Harry.

Ron looked at him carefully, "Where were you last night? We didn't get in until midnight. We made rounds and we...you weren't in when I got in. How late were you out?"

"I went for a walk and there was trouble with the Centaurs. It's a long story. Can I tell you about it later?" Harry's two best mates looked worriedly at each other but didn't push the issue any further.

Neville had finished his breakfast and looked like he was in a hurry, "You ready to go Harry? I probably won't get to see her again until Christmas."

"Yeah, let me go up and get a few things."

Soon after they took the Floo from the Headmistress' office to the Leaky Cauldron. Hannah ran to Neville and planted a hug and a kiss on him. The she hugged Harry and reminded him, "Remember, we'll have lunch waiting at Noon so please try to get back if you can. We plan to spend some time alone but ring for me if you need us." She showed him a few strings behind the bar. This blue string is mine. Pull on it and it will ring in my room. Harry looked and each string seemed to run all the way up through the ceiling and he figured it must lead to a bell in her room. Before he knew it he was standing alone downstairs so he decided he might as well complete his errands.

The first errand was Ollivander's.

It was a spectacular day. Harry could already feel the weather cooling off but the sun was shining bright and it was still warmer than Scotland. He noticed as he walked to Ollivander's that many of the shops had cleaned up their store fronts and had even redecorated. The store fronts were more inviting. Harry thought to himself that George and Fred had set the standard which Diagon Alley stores now measured themselves and that the end of the War had started a Renaissance in the Alley. Harry remembered how the Alley had seemed amazing to him his first visit but now it blew that first memory away.

As Harry walked by a new ice cream shop he noticed once every few minutes a blast of snow would erupt out of a chimney and it would float down...but the snow was actually miniature ice creams that would softly fall like snowflakes and then evaporate immediately on the ground. In the front window at Broomstix there were two brooms duelling. One would eventually win and the other would melodramatically fall to the ground and die. A few moments later it would get back up, they would bow and start over. At Scribbuilus Writing Instruments a giant quill would write whatever was last said by the closest witch or wizard on a large board in the window. Harry reminded himself to keep his mouth shut in the future when walking by the shop.

Ollivander's looked much like it did the first time he'd walked in. It had been cleaned up from when it was ransacked by the Death Eaters but otherwise it had the same musty smell and the stacks of wands leaning forebodingly in one direction or another. As he walked up to the counter Harry saw Mr. Ollivander slowly limp out of a small office in the back, "Hello Mr. Potter. What may I do for you this fine Saturday?"

"Well, Sir, my Holly wand was broken...again," he grumbled out the last bit. "I was given permission by the Headmistress to come here to purchase another. I have this," Harry pulled out Draco's wand that he had won at the Malfoy's in April. "It works like it's supposed to but it just doesn't have the same feel."

Ollivander nodded politely, "Yes, you showed me this wand at Shell Cottage in April. The wand will continue to work for you and it truly belongs to you but it can take months or years to truly feel comfortable. The Holly wand is broken, you say?"

"Yes, Hermione was angry with me and she snapped it in two. The feather snapped with it."

Ollivander was already searching the shop, "A shame. That wand did many great things."

Ollivander returned with three wands, "But I wouldn't worry so much about it Harry. Move on with your life. You have outgrown the Holly wand and you still have many great things to accomplish."

Harry picked up the first wand and flourished it. The wand just didn't feel right. "Mahogany with Thestral feather, thirteen inches, Harry. I didn't think it would be for you but you can never tell. Try this one Harry. It is Birch with the heartstring of a Centaur – 12 and half inches. Birch is a very strong ward against evil." Harry tried the wand but it only let off a few sparks.

Ollivander chuckled, "I didn't think so but I'd have been negligent not to try. Try this one. I saved it for last. I wanted you to feel the difference." Ollivander handed the wand to Harry, "Hazel wood and feather of a Griffin. Thirteen and one half inches." Harry turned the wand over in his hand a few times. It looked much like Victor's wand, "I've only seen a few wands like this."

"Try it out. It was given to me by Gregorovich after he retired. He claimed it would rival the Elder wand but I never took it seriously until returning from my 'conversations' with He Who Needn't Be Named." Harry noticed an involuntary shudder from the wandsmith at the thought of Voldemort, "He claimed he had determined what had made the Elder Wand so powerful. He didn't want to make a copy because he felt he'd only be considered as great a wandsmith as the maker of the Elder. He told me that because of the griffin feather only the brave could wield this wand. On its own it is quite powerful but he claimed that when used side by side with the Elder it would show it's true power. It is a shame we will never be able to test that claim now, isn't it?"

"But we destroyed the Elder wand to rid the world of such nonsense," grumbled Harry. "We don't need objects of such power passed around to be used for evil."

"Mr. Potter," Ollivander chuckled, "you are a great and wonderful boy but you still are refreshingly naïve. You shall learn through experience that truly great and powerful objects will be made and destroyed with regularity. The Deathstick was not the first or the last of its kind. As far back as the times of Perseus in Greece and Isis in Egypt relics were created to harness and focus the magic of the world. Do you really think Zeus of Greece was a God? He sat at the seat of power on Mount Olympus and used his magical powers to shape the world. His brother Posiedon carried a three-pronged triton that acted much like a wand and he had a gift with water and creatures of the water. He and his brothers and sisters created and used many great artefacts and their stories are even more well known than those of the Peverells. Isis and her line in Egypt did the same in Egypt before them. Witches and wizards of the time lived amongst the people and did many great and terrible things." Ollivander scowled at Harry, "Are you going to try the wand or not?"

Harry took hold of the strangely shaped wand and flourished it as he had the others. This time the wand gave off sparks unlike even those he'd seen from his holly wand years before. He felt a pulse of power through him that he'd never felt before. Ollivander even noticed the change within him, "I'd say the wand has certainly taken to you, Mr. Potter. The reason for the rough hewn quality is that Gregorovich made his wands to look and feel more the true nature of the wood they were carved from. While mine are smooth and ornate his were given to the shape of the wood. Notice the knots that protrude from the axis and the crooked nature of the wand. It will feel strange for a day but it will become second nature soon enough." The wandsmith placed the other two wands in their boxes while Harry continued to flourish the wand and feel the power.

"Mr. Potter, Gregorovich was a talented wandsmith and if what he says is true, if this wand carries similar properties to that of the Elder Wand, then you shall do some great and powerful magic with it indeed. All I ask is that you keep me abreast of any changes that you see due to the wand. You have many years to learn. Do not expect great things right away. A truly great wizard takes many years before his powers mature. Even Voldemort and Dumbledore did not reach near their full potential until their fortieth or fiftieth years. They were powerful even early on...more powerful than any of their peers...but their greatest magic came years later."

"Also, your wand is no substitute for knowledge and practice. Always continue to learn Harry. An active mind will always produce superior magic. The mind of the sloth becomes weak and slow over time."

Harry was still waving the wand around trying to get the feel for it. It felt absolutely natural in his hand but it also required a change in the way that he motioned it. The grip was slightly bent but not quite in the manner of a gun stock. The shape of the wand was not a true straight line so he had to familiarise himself with aiming his wand again. All the same, when he flourished the wand he'd feel the power course through him. The feeling was indescribable.

"Yes, that wand is definitely you. Now, Mr. Potter, you must be off. The Headmistress will have my head if you linger too long."

"No, I have the day to spend here. All the same, how much for the wand?"

"This wand is the only one of its kind. Fifty-thousand Galleons."

Harry made a noise that sounded between a grunt and a guffaw, "Fifty-thousand?" Harry hadn't spent that much for his Firebolt. It had come closer to ten-thousand with all of the gear. His previous wand had been three hundred Galleons and he'd thought he'd been taken advantage of even then when he found out that Ron's wand had only been a fraction of that.

"This is no normal everyday wand. Much like your previous wand it is very special. This wand, in fact, I would consider to be an artefact of the most superior workmanship. I have no doubt after seeing your reaction when you tried the wand that this wand is ever bit as powerful as Gregorovich proclaimed. Would you prefer to look at another less expensive wand?"

"No. No." Harry flushed embarrassed. Harry felt it best to be honest, "I feel extremely foolish spending this much for a single thing. It almost feels..."

"...Inappropriate?" asked the wandsmith. "Yes, I'd certainly agree. But how much did you spend on that broom of yours? This small 'stick,' as I hear some Muggle Born kids call my wands, will certainly prove more useful than your broom – unless you plan to play professional Quidditch. But I see bigger things from you – you may not see them but I do." Ollivander thought to himself and then continued, "I have a proposal for you. I would like you to take the hazel wand and use it for a week. Speak to the Headmistress - she is knowledgeable when it comes to wands. If once you show it to her you still do not feel it is worth the price then you may have it at no charge."

"What? No. I wouldn't do that," Harry stuttered.

"Yes, you will. Now off you go. And in a week when you have decided it is indeed worth what I have asked then you may transfer the Galleons directly through Gringotts. Now off with you..." Ollivander smiled at him as he gently pushed him out the door "...Harry, because of you they will one day speak very highly of me and Gregorovich."

And suddenly Harry was standing outside of Ollivander's shop still wondering what had happened. He heard a click of the lock and noticed the old man turn the sign from "OPEN" to "CLOSED." he decided when he noticed the time he might as well head back to the Leaky Cauldron. It was already twenty to twelve and he didn't want to be late. It didn't take him long to get back to the Cauldron but he was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't notice a single shop on the way.

When Harry arrived at the Leaky Cauldron the tavern was bustling. He didn't see an open table but Tom wandered out of the back. "Harry!" he nearly shouted. "How've yah been. Hannah told me you'd be here. They'll be down soon." The old hunchbacked barkeep then showed him to a table where people were currently sitting and talking. He bent over the wizards, who were carrying on a quiet conversation, and picked up a small blue mug. As soon as the mug left the table the group disappeared. Harry jumped in surprise. "Sit down Harry. I'll be back with drink," Tom promised as he slipped back into the back.

Harry sat down and Tom returned in moments with two Butterbeers. He sat down in front of Harry and said quietly, "Twas Hannah's idea. Seems witches and wizards don't complain so much when they see a few tables already taken than an empty table with a "Reserved" sign." Tom then leaned even closer toward Harry...with his stoop he nearly cleared half the table, "I was wondering if you might be willing to help me Harry. I've made a right mess of things and I can't see any good way out." The two spoke about Tom's situation for another seven minutes before Neville and his fiancé were seen at the steps. Tom patted Harry on the shoulder and made a round of the other customers' tables before he headed back to the back.

Harry stood and greeted Hannah with a quick hug. Neville pulled out a chair and she thanked him as she sat. She then looked to Harry, "It's nice to see that chivalry isn't dead, isn't it Harry? If you ever are at a loss when out for an evening with Ginny just watch Neville and follow his lead." Neville blushed as he sat down. "Oh Neville, I didn't mean to embarrass you. You are just so good to me. If you only knew the types of men I've had to endure to meet you...mere boys really. Harry, why the odd face?"

"Oh, it's nothing really. I found my new wand..." He pulled it out and his voice trailed off as they looked at it oddly. "Ollivander said some very interesting things about it. He says it is very special and he obviously believes this. Can I confide in you two?" The two nodded. "I don't want this to sound like complaining or bragging or I don't know what but I feel really really uncomfortable about this." Harry gathered his thoughts. He really was worried he'd come off as a braggart or worse. He said as quietly as he could manage, "Ollivander wants 50,000 Galleons for the wand."

"Bloody hell" shouted Neville. Nearly everyone in the tavern looked at him. Hannah would have sprayed them both with laughter if she had a pint already. As it was Tom was just walking out with a pair of Butterbeers for the couple. Neville never cursed. Ever. Harry watched him recompose himself and then whisper, "Fifty thousand? For a blee...for a wand?" Hannah was still having a harder time getting over the curse than the cost and she was still giggling quietly into her hand. She took Neville's hand and squeezed it when he slumped a little.

"That's what I said," answered Harry. "Whether it's worth it or not I can't imagine the idea of spending so much on one single item. I felt guilty about the Firebolt. Do you know what can be done with that many Galleons? I feel no matter how powerful the wand there comes a time when you are overindulging yourself."

"Harry, that is more than a house," Hannah observed. "You could purchase a Muggle house anywhere in England. In many parts you could buy an upmarket house. You can even purchase a small flat in the more fashionable parts of London for that."

The young wizard stared into his pint, "There are so many other things those Galleons could be spent on." He now placed it on the table. Both Neville and Hannah looked at the irregular shaped piece of wood in awe. "It looks like a switch my grandmother would have used on me when I acted up. It's just a little thicker," Neville whispered.

"Yeah, right?" Harry agreed.

"May I pick it up?" asked Hannah.

"Go ahead."

Hannah picked up the wand and she immediately felt it tingle. She could feel the power but it didn't pass through her like it did Harry. She handed it reverently to Neville and and he too instantly had a look of awe. "So that's was a fifty thousand Galleon wand feels like." He placed it back at the centre of the table and they all stared at it. Hannah was the first to talk, "So, you just up and handed him fifty thousand Galleons?"

"No," Harry mused. "I responded much the way you two did and he told me to take it for a few days and use it. He told me to talk to Professor McGonagall and if she advised me it wasn't worth the cost then I could have it free." The couple in front of him were dumbfounded by the last remark. "If I had that kind of gold I'd have to do it," admitted Neville.

Hannah nodded in agreement, "You know the Professor is going to agree. He wouldn't propose such an arrangement otherwise. I could feel the power of the wand and it's not even mine. It made me feel all tingly."

At that Tom arrived with the meal and Harry quickly put the wand back in his pocket so that the food could be placed on the table. He'd long ago begun wearing looser clothes so that his wand wasn't noticeable and he'd had a special thin pocket stitched in his clothes so that he could keep it hidden comfortably even in the Muggle world. "I'm going to have to have my pockets refitted if I keep the wand. It'll catch on my clothes if I try to pull it out quickly being oddly shaped as it is. Supposedly this is how Gregorovich made all of his wands. I don't know how the European wizards use them."

"You didn't tell us that Gregorovich designed the wand. I was wondering why it was so odd. I thought it was something special to the wand," admitted Hannah. "May I see it again?" He handed the wand back to her and then began to tuck himself into his helping of the first course. "This soup is delicious," Harry said between spoonfuls.

"Thank you. It was a recipe of my Mum's," beamed Hannah. "Harry, the workmanship is exquisite. It looks roughly hewn but it is smooth to the touch. It's as if every detail was accounted for. Look, Neville, he stays with the grain the entire length of the wand." By now, Neville was also more interested in the soup than the wand. After a few more minutes she returned the wand to Harry and she concentrated on her first course.

Once they were finished Tom cleared away the bowls and replaced them with the main course, "Neville's favourite...I hope you like fish Harry," in the centre Tom placed a large dish and serving utensils, "you will serve yourselves." Harry looked down at the dish, "It smells terrific. What is this Hannah?"

"It's something I make special for Neville. It is a fish pie with salmon, cod and smoked haddock. Let me know what you think." Neville piped in, "You'll love it Harry. We had it for lunch at this restaurant and it was amazing. I commented on it on the way home and she wagered me a Sickle she could make it from memory and I'd like her version better. Best Sickle I ever spent," Neville said between mouthfuls.

Harry wasn't about to argue. The first bite melted in his mouth, "Hawnawh. Amawzing."

Neville swallowed, "Hannah, you have him talking like Ron."

All told the meal lasted an hour and they discussed all manner of goings on at Hogwarts. Hannah asked Harry and Neville about the Professors and all of their mutual friends. Harry explained why he was in the doghouse with Ginny and Hannah sighed, "I remember when I was in such a hurry. I almost attacked Justin a few years back because I was made to think it was so important. Then Zacharias and I began seeing each other. I couldn't keep his hands off me. He was like an octopus, he was..." After a few moments she dead-panned, "Sorry, that was a bit awkward. You forget sometimes." Again more silence as they ate.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley?" Harry asked in his most exaggerated voice of surprise. He nearly had half the school pegging me as Heir to Slytherin my second year. How could you?" he cheeked.

"If I remember, he did you right on the train ride back our Fifth Year. Draco and his lackeys would have had you good if it hadn't been for him and a few of the Hufflepuffs," she cheeked back. She pushed him playfully, "But instead he saved you and we have the enormous Prat that sits before us today." With the pall of Zacharias lifted Hannah continued on, "Just remember Harry that to a girl this is a big thing. If she wants you to be the first then she might see your reluctance as rejection of her. Everybody says it's not for that reason so no matter how much you deny it she may not believe you."

They then moved on to Quidditch when the dessert came out, "Dessert? I can't eat any more Hannah," Harry lamented.

"Really? It's treacle tart..." Harry's eyes lit up. "Don't think Neville didn't tell me how much you like it. I made it special for you. A minute later Harry was taking gut busting bites of his favourite dessert. In between bites he described the first day of practise. "You should have been there. It was amazing to watch. I knew he had it in him." The sentences were short because the treacle tart was that good. "All the times he's been protective of Hermione. He will stand up to anyone. You know, who abuses something he loves...Hannah, this is so good." Neville just smiled at Hannah as Harry continued to talk, "First practise. This new Beater begins to act like that git McClaggen back Sixth Year. Begins telling the Chasers they aren't flying right. This is so good Hannah... He begins to tell Ginny she should do this and that. I didn't see that part but I hear this commotion. I look down and Ron has come out of goal and is face to face with this Beater. He's a big kid – Sixth Year I think."

"Wizards and Witches..." she interjected. "I've never heard you speak this much in one entire day, Harry."

Neville didn't even look up, "Little known fact. Get Harry talking Quidditch and you are more likely to get him to back down from a fight than to get him to quiet down." The look on his face gave away his cheek.

"I'm hurt," Harry quipped back. "I thought you loved my Quidditch stories."

"Get back to it," Hannah insisted. "What happened?"

"Oi. Let me think. Where was I?" Harry was now done with the tart, "So this bloke pulls up his bat as if he might use it. Ron didn't even consider backing down. You remember the look he'd get when facing down Malfoy? I was scared for the bloke and he was the one with the bat. The bloke says, 'You need to teach the Chasers to fly right. They are...' Ron cut the bloke off and yelled 'QUIET!'"

Harry stopped to find Neville and Hannah so amused at his passion. He fought through it for the finish: "You should have seen Ron. He was seeing red. He hated McClaggen as much and maybe more than Malfoy. This bloke represented all of McClaggen's worst qualities. So the bloke starts again on Ron and he replies, 'I'm Captain of this team. I have asked Ginny to coach up the Chasers and that is her job. If you feel that she might be able to do something different then ask her after practise."

"The Beater wouldn't let it go. 'But...' he says. Ron laid into the bloke."

"'Don't 'But' me!' Ron shouted. 'You are, by all accounts, a mediocre Beater. Before you go off telling people how to play their position you learn yours. We had a bloke by the name of McLaggen a few years back that ran his mouth off at every opportunity and did everything but play his own position. I will not have that this year. Now either close your mouth and get back in position or you are done here.' I was so proud of him." Harry nearly glowed.

"'But...' this bloke couldn't get it through his head," Harry continued.

" 'Get dressed,' Ron yelled 'You're done here. Come back to practise when you've learned to play your position and learn to leave the leading to the leaders. I don't want to see you on this pitch until you figure that out.' Ron bore down on the boy so hard that he didn't even try to argue again – he headed right for the changing rooms. Absolutely the most brilliant thing I have ever seen Ron do and he has done some incredible things." Harry now sat grinning ear to ear.

"He really does enjoy his Quidditch, doesn't he?" Hannah playfully asked Neville.

"Oh, yes. And it always shows through in the end who his true best mate is," quipped Neville. "The day Harry spends more than one paragraph on me is the day I know I've made it in this world," Neville cheeked.

Tom began picking up the last of the dishes. "What do you two plan to do with the remainder of your day?" asked Harry.

"Hannah has her entire shift covered so we are headed to St. Mungo's. You?"

"I'm going to check in on Grimmauld Place. I have some potion ingredients to pick up for Hermione – she's working on something special and can't get the ingredients in Hogsmeade. I also need to check on my accounts at Gringotts. I'm looking at an investment opportunity and I need the help of my Account Manager to do some research."

"You are such a businessman Harry. I'll come to find you when I'm looking for a sponsor for my Herbology research once I finish lessons at Hogwarts,"

"You do that Neville. For you, I couldn't imagine saying no."

Soon after, they parted ways. Harry finished all of his errands quickly enough that he found himself with an extra hour. He used the Floo at the Leaky Cauldron to check in with Teddy's grandmother Andromeda. She invited him over as soon he announced himself explaining that Mrs. Longbottom was visiting as well.

"Harry!" Mrs. Tonks shouted excitedly as she hugged him tight. "What do we owe the pleasure?"

"I happened to be in London and I have an hour before I need to return to Hogwarts." When they looked at him confused Harry pulled out his new wand, "My wand was broken and I was forced to pick up another. Being of age, Professor McGonagall gave me and Neville the day out together. Have you seen your grandson today Mrs. Longbottom?" Harry asked as he took Teddy off her hands.

Neville's grandmother looked as if she'd taken a large bite from a lemon, "Yes, I saw him at St. Mungo's...with that girl."

"That girl?" Harry asked. "You mean Hannah?"

"Yes, that's the one," Mrs. Longbottom nearly spat. "What he sees in her..." She looked at Mrs. Tonks, "Instead of finishing up her schooling she decides to dally about a pub all day and night as a beer wench. No prospects, a simple barmaid. She has no family to speak of and no money. Family is an important thing, you and I both know that. And she has no dowry to contribute...probably expects Neville to pay for the wedding and all. What kind of life can she give to her children without family? And she's a half blood. I understand times are changing but young Neville has come so far. He could do so much better. A hero of the War...Order of Merlin, First Class."

Mrs. Tonks looked at Harry who appeared ready to explode. He held the boy close to him and his face was bright red. Mrs. Longbottom also noticed and tried to settle him down, "I know what you are thinking Harry. You are friends with this girl and I'm sure she is the friendly sort or she wouldn't make a good beer wench. But understand, our family has to look to the future. Love isn't the only consideration and Merlin knows her intentions."

Harry could no longer hold his anger in but he didn't yell. He looked down at his Godson and then quietly uttered every word with the precision meant for someone's full attention:

"Do you think I'm offended because she is my friend? She is my friend and a very close one at that. But aside from my feelings about her? I'd like you to consider something. Everything you said about her could be applied to this young boy here...my Godson. And for that matter to his father - a man I hold in very high esteem."

Teddy is an orphan and if it were not for a most fortunate set of circumstances he'd be penniless. Both Hannah and Teddy lost their parents to the war. She wasn't left on a doorstep by their parents – her parents were killed by the same bigoted creatures that spewed off the nonsense I just heard from you. Her parents savings were stripped away by the Ministry – not squandered in some bar. She is a Half Blood – no different than me or this small child..." Harry kissed Teddy on the forehead and gave him to Andromeda gurgling happily, "I apologise, Mrs. Tonks, but I believe it is time that I left. I am very sorry to have created a scene."

"On the contrary," Mrs. Tonks replied while holding Teddy tightly to her and looking from the small boy to her friend Alice, "I believe Mrs. Longbottom was leaving. Alice, you are welcome back in my home the day you apologise to that young lady."

Harry didn't stay long enough to hear the remaining conversation. He was too angry. He took the Floo back to the Leaky Cauldron and ordered a Firewhiskey. He'd had two before Neville and Hannah returned. The two said their goodbyes to Hannah – Neville's was much more intimate – before they returned.

When they arrived back at the Headmaster's Office Neville turned to Harry, "Out with it. I may not be your best mate but you aren't exactly hard to read. What happened after you left us to put you in such a foul mood?"

"I just don't take it well when someone speaks poorly of someone I care about," Harry responded cryptically.

"I know what you mean," Neville complained. "My grandmother took me to the side this afternoon and spouted off a dozen reasons why Hannah was wrong for me. I love her but she is so opinionated and overbearing sometimes. I was so angry I nearly hexed her."

"I'd have given I don't no how many Galleons to see that," Harry mused darkly.

"Fifty-thousand?" asked Neville.

Harry pushed his mate playfully and they headed back to the Tower.