13. Professor Longbottom & Mr Scamander, part II

Neville found himself sleeping in a bed, but it wasn't the single bed he remembered to have gone to sleep into in Hogwarts, nor the bed he used to share with Hannah in his home above the Leaky Cauldron, not even the bed from his old room in his grandmother's house. It was Luna's bed, or else, what used to be their bed, in Mr Lovegood's house. Luna was by his side, sleeping quietly, her heading resting on his chest, but she didn't resemble the young Luna he had slept with for years. However, it wasn't also the current Luna, gaunt and sick, anxious, prematurely aged, with bags under her eyes, filled with wounds and scars. On the contrary, she looked calm and healthy.

Whilst he thought about what could be happening, someone knocked on the door. Albeit still puzzled, he didn't want her to wake up, so he quietly whispered, "Who is there?"

The door opened. "It's me, daddy," it was dark, so Neville couldn't actually see well who had walked into the room, but he recognized that voice by heart. It was Lysander's. "I'm too scared, daddy. I can't sleep. Can I sleep with you and mommy?"

Neville stood still, paralyzed, unable to react to that. He was indeed forgetful, but he would never forget such a thing as his own son. However, in his mind, he was sure he didn't have children. How could that be?

"Can I, daddy?" the tiny boy whined.

Before he could say anything, he felt Luna waking up, leisurely. "What is it?" she asked, still drowsy.

"Mommy, can I sleep with you and daddy? I had a nightmare..."

"Sure," she said, making room for the child. "Come, lizard."

"Thanks, mommy," Neville felt the kid getting in between Luna and him, and he also sensed when she welcomed the tiny in between her arms.

"Where are you?" she wheezed, still half asleep. It took him some moments to understand she was talking to him, what he finally realized when he sensed her groping blindly in his direction.

Did she expect him to hug her? To hug them? He, thus, placed his arm a little above the place where her head lay, and she promptly moved up to rest it upon him, snoozing serenely.

Neville could not believe it. Was everything he remembered a lie? A nightmare? Could it be a different timeline caused by Albus and Scorpius messing with the time yet again? How could that be true? Luna slept peacefully snuggling with him, and Lysander was his son! Neville decided to quit worrying, he would just relish in this glorious moment. It was probably the happiest moment of his life. He stood there for some time, just admiring what a wonderful family he had until he finally fell asleep.

Sometime after, he woke up in the middle of the night again. He was still in the same bed, and Luna was still by his side, but they weren't snugging anymore. On the contrary, she was distant and had her back against him. However, he noticed her breath was heavy and unsteady, and that she grunted and trembled in her sleep.

"Luna," he gently shook her. "Moonlight..." he called her again. "Are you OK?"

Seeming restless, she turned to face him, whining, "Huh... the twins are giving me a hard time, Neville," she took a deep breath. "Could you get me a cup of water, please?"

"Of course, anything," he answered, getting to his feet.

"Lorcan, Lysander, please, let mommy rest a little," she whispered, rolling in the bed uneasily. "Neville, can you get me some Dreamless Sleep Potion instead? I know I shouldn't... but... just a bit...?"

While she was rolling on the bed, he noticed she was caressing her belly, which was enormous. How come? How could she be this much pregnant out of nowhere? At the top of it, with Lorcan and Lysander? Weren't Luna and he just with Lysander moments ago?

"Luna!" Neville rushed back to her side, bewildered as he stroked her protuberant stomach himself. "What is happening? Where are the boys?"

"It's fine, Neville. The twins are alright, it's just the same old discomfort, that's all," she wheezed. "Get me that potion?"

"No, Luna, you shouldn't," he said, worriedly, smoothing her hair tenderly as he kissed her forehead. To be honest, he didn't even know why she shouldn't, for his knowledge of Potions was close to none, but he'd better believe what she had told him. "I'll try to make you a tea instead... I have herbs I grow in the school that could make you feel better... if only I had known... I would have brought some home..."

"You have," she panted, falteringly. "You've been making me tea for months now. There are tons of herbs in the kitchen."

"Oh, I have, haven't I?" Neville strived to remember, yet he couldn't. "I'll make you some tea, then. You'll feel better, you'll see."

"I'm sorry I woke you up, Neville..." she moaned. "Thank you very much."

"It's nothing, moonlight," he pecked her lips. "I'm glad I can help."

"You're my prince charming..." she whispered whilst he headed to the kitchen.

Suddenly, Neville woke up, and this time it was for real. He was in his bed in Hogwarts, and, next to him, lay no one but Lysander. He instantly knew why he had woken up, for the kid struggled rowdy in his sleep as if having a bad dream. 'He has restless sleep, of course,' Neville thought. 'Just like his mother. She'd even to sleep with her shoes in case she'd sleepwalk...'

"Kid," Neville shook him gently like he had done to Luna in his dream. "Wake up, kid. Were you having a nightmare?"

"Oh..." he yawned. "I was..." he said, stretching himself. "Thanks for waking me up."

"No problem," Neville told him, soothingly. "Try to get some sleep, kid... you don't need to be scared, I've got you."

"I know, professor," getting himself comfortable in the bed, he laid his head on his pillow, closed his eyes and, moments later, Neville could already hear the steady sound of his snoozing.

Just like he had done in his dream, he stood quietly for some moments just watching the boy. He had dreamed he was his son... this thought brought sudden grief to Neville's heart. He'd called him daddy in his dream... before Neville could properly process that, his eyes began shedding streams of tears. 'Why am I crying?' Neville asked himself. 'Nothing is wrong...'

Also, while he surveyed the child sleeping like an angel by his side, he felt a warmth inside his chest he had never experienced before. He tentatively brought one hand to the boy's hair, caressing it gently. "Mom..." the boy mumbled in his sleep, cosying up to him. Hence, realization dawned upon him. He cried because he wished desperately the boy was really his son. He cried because he wished desperately Luna and he really had a family. But it was impossible. He would never again sleep next to her. At least, he had the chance to sleep next to him. When he tugged the child close to him, he imagined if Luna felt the same when she did so. Could he finally understand how precious he was to her?

"There you are," the voice of a female spoke calmly. "My mother's portrait has sent me to search for Wilhelmson when she realized he wasn't in his bed."

"He is fine, Helena," Neville told the ghost. "He was scared, so he asked to stay with me."

"Students must sleep in their dormitories," the Grey Lady stated, matter-of-factly.

"I know, but..." Neville objected. "I promised Luna I'd take care of him. He felt scared and lonely. I had to let him stay."

"Very well," Helena glided in the wall's direction. "Have a good night," she advanced against it and disappeared.

"Muffiato," Luna cast. "I think we're alone here. What did you want to tell me, Rolf?"

"I'd like to talk to you alone, Luna, if you don't mind..."

"Unfortunately, I do mind, Rolf," Luna squeezed Neville's hand. "There's nothing you could possibly want to tell me that my husband could not listen to, Rolf..."

"Very well, Luna. This will actually make things easier," he mustered all his might not to lose his temper. "Mate, I'm sorry to be the one bringing you the news, but... er... if you really believe you're the father of Luna's child... that's unfortunate... but..."

"I am the father of Luna's child!" Neville tugged her close, protectively. "I mean, our daughter!"

"Have you been informed... er... did you tell him, Luna?"

"I can't believe it..." Luna's voice cracked. "I can't believe you're still doing this to me, Rolf... I..." she took a deep breath. "At least now that I'm bearing another man's child I expected you'd leave me alone, Rolf...! What do you still want from me!?" Luna said, louder and angrier than she normally would. "It's over, Rolf! Over!"

"Impervious," Neville cast, aiming his wand at Luna's face. "So your make-up won't be ruined..." he explained. "Come, sweetheart..." he steered her 180 degrees. "You don't have to listen to any of it... you shouldn't get nervous... it's not good for you..."

"What do I still want with you, Luna!?" Rolf raised his voice. "I have the right to know if I'm the father of your child!"

"You know you're not! You know that perfectly well!" she bellowed. "You know we haven't seen each other since the beginning of the year!" Luna was shaking with anger. Neville attempted to drag her out of this situation a second time, but she didn't let him. "What is in it for you, Rolf? Do you really enjoy seeing me miserable!?" Tears began falling from her eyes mindlessly. "I begged you to stop hitting on me... I implored you to respect me... but I can understand why wouldn't you do it then. But I sincerely can't understand what are your intentions now!"

"Luna..." worriedly, Neville sought to call her a third time. "Let's go... this is no use..."

"No, I'll say everything I have to say," sounding resolute, she sought to calm herself down. "Why are you doing this, Rolf? Why would you possibly want to ruin my relationship with Neville now? I'm carrying his child, not yours. What could you potentially want with a woman pregnant with another man's child, Rolf? Do you want to become the topic of people's gossip? Of people's mockery? Because that's what'd happen, Rolf." She paused to catch some air. "And everybody knows how you hate being laughed at..."

"If it's really his child, fine, Luna... I just want to know..."

"You know already, Rolf," Luna interrupted him. "You just want to wreck my relationship with my husband..."

"Oh, have you married?" Rolf sarcastically asked. "Congratulations..."

"I believe in you, moonlight..." Neville whispered by her ear the most discreetly he could, for he didn't want Rolf hearing her intimate pet name. "Please, this can't be good for the child, Luna..."

"Whatever!" Luna ignored Neville. "You just want to wreck my relationship with my fiancée! Let me explain to you something, Rolf, to make sure there are no misunderstandings..." Luna neared him, her finger in front of his nose. "My fiancée comes from an ancient wizarding family..."

"Are you humiliating me because I am not pure-blood!?" Rolf brought his hands to his face, pretending to cry, but on the inside ravaged with fury. "You, of all people, Luna!? That's why you won't leave him for me!? Because his blood is purer than mine!?"

"I am merely explaining things to you, Rolf," Luna clarified. "In his grandmother's ancient manor, there's an enchanted family tree older than life." The woman elaborated didactically. "It's not possible to confound it. It's beyond belief powerful." Luna crossed her arms. "In the middle-ages, before the Infertility Potion was invented, many women died because their bastard children didn't appear in their husbands' family trees..."

"I'd never do this to you, Luna!" Neville protested. "Or to anyone, actually... it's barbaric! Why are you saying this?"

"If Neville were not the father of my child, trying to conceal it would be plain stupidity. Ultimately, my child would just not appear in his family tree." Luna concluded, ignoring Neville again. "Am I clear? Your little show is useless, Rolf. You're embarrassing yourself." Luna sighed. "Why are you doing all that?"

"Luna, it's just that..." he reached out for her hand, but she shook him off. "I'm sorry..." a single tear travelled down his cheek. It was as much a tear of rage than it was of sorrow. "I just... I can't live without you anymore. I love you..." Rolf had never pronounced these three words together in his whole life. He had never thought he would ever be in such an undignified position, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't lose her. He had always been lonely, and she was the only person that he had ever let in his life. He needed to have her. "I never wanted to ruin your life, Luna... don't do that to me..."

"Let me ask you something, Rolf..." Luna neared him. "Even if you succeeded, in the case that Neville did leave me... do you think I'd end up with you!?" Luna looked him up and down, sneering. "Do you think I'd be with the man who did everything he could to ruin my life!?"

"It's not like that..."

"I hope this is the last time I have to tell you this," Luna stared at Rolf, wearily. "I'm sorry I don't reciprocate your feelings, Rolf. But you have to accept that. I know it might be painful, but you'll eventually get over it. Stop acting like a spoiled teenager at once. You need to grow up." She stepped back, grabbing Neville by the arm. "We could have worked together for life if you had accepted that since the beginning. It's so unfortunate." Rolf fought his urge to cry and to thresh all around. He felt like destroying everything in his sight, but he couldn't do it in public, not in the most important awarding ceremony of the wizarding community. "I wish you the best, Rolf. I urge you, for the last time, to leave me alone. I beg you."

"Fine, Luna," he faked resignation. "Forgive me, please, for everything. You won't be hearing of me again, right?" Luna nodded at him, her chest light with relief. This time she finally sensed he had understood. "Don't be mad at her..." Rolf addressed Neville. "It's really not my child. I was an idiot..." Neville surveyed the other man keenly, pitying him. He was indeed an idiot, but he couldn't really blame him for falling in love with Luna. 'Who wouldn't?' Neville thought. "Treat her right... she deserves it."

"You're doing great, kid," said Neville, passing by Lysander whilst he pruned dittany. "No, Miss Takeiushi, that's not the right way..."

However, when Neville was headed toward the girl, Neville's attention was caught by a student who had just arrived very late at the class.

"I'm sorry, professor," Lorcan stomped straight to Neville, staring at him with utter despise. "I'm late."

"No problem," Neville avoided his gaze at all costs. "You may get started. We're doing the same as last class. If you have any questions, I'm here."

"Not gonna take house points?" he smirked, taunting. "Not gonna ask if I bring a note?"

"Everyone can be late," Neville turned his back on him. "Don't mind about that."

"Fine," Lorcan joined his friends and began searching in his backpack.

"Miss Takeiushi, do you remember our previous lesson? If you do it this way, the dittany will lose some of his healing properties... here, do it like this..."

"Oh, I remember, professor," the girl said, dispirited. "I had already realized I had been messing up, though the branches are so hard! My hand is not tough enough, I can never chop them in one go as you do, professor..."

"Eh..." Neville brought his hand to his head. "This is a valid point. You may use the Severing Charm if you are already familiar with it, though, of course, if you're not, it's completely alright..."

"You should use both your hands, Lisa," Lysander approached them. "See?" He demonstrated.

Neville felt stupid for a second. He couldn't believe he had been teaching kids Herbology for almost 20 years and he had never realized they could have had difficulty with their tiny little hands. Of course, during their first year they'd learn the Severing Charm, which would end up rendering the pruner useless, but still...

"Oh, thank you, Lysander!" the girl's face lighted up as she sought to do it his way. "Can I do it like this, professor? Is it right?"

"That's perfect, Miss Takeiushi. Keep on! Five points to Slytherin... and, Lysander, that's really... wow... that was very helpful... you're excellent..."

"Oh, that's nothing, professor..." his cheeks reddened.

"Five points to Ravenclaw as well, kid," he patted the child's head. "Hey, class, if you're having any trouble working with your pruner, you may use both your hands. You don't have to do it one-handed just because I do it, you should do it the way you feel more comfortable..."

"Hey, Lysander..." Neville heard Lorcan's voice behind his back. "I'm working with you today, do you mind?"

"I'd be thrilled to!" Lysander exclaimed, almost jumping with joy. "There is my station... c'mon, take a pruner..."

"Maybe Professor Longbottom will give me some attention if I'm working with you..." Lorcan spat, deliberately loud enough for Neville to hear him.

"Huh..." Neville decided it was best not to pretend he didn't hear it. "I'm sorry, Mr Scamander. Can I be of any help?"

"Yes, you can, professor," once more, Lorcan stared witheringly at him. "I've been trying to talk to you for days now, but somehow you're always in a rush... now you even pretend you don't care I'm almost half an hour late to your class... that's suspicious, isn't it, Lysander?"

Neville knew where this would end up, and he didn't like it. Lorcan surely wanted to confront him about his dad. He couldn't have chosen a worse occasion.

"Well... we should talk about it after class, Mr Scamander. You may come to my office..."

"What are you hiding!?" Lorcan roared with tears in his eyes. "You're all plotting to get him, aren't you!? I know you never accepted you lost my mom to him, you pathetic loser!"

Fearing an incident such as the one with Luna, Neville quickly drove the boy outside by his shoulder, having discreetly pulled out his wand just in case. With his peripheral vision, he spotted Lysander on their trail.

"There was no such thing as a plan to catch your dad, Mr Scamander," once outside the class, Neville tried to talk to the child the most patiently he could. "She never meant for him to get caught. This is just a rumour. Do you want to know what actually happened?"

"Yes, I do!" the child snarled. "Tell me, then!"

"Wait..." Lysander meddled in, as confused as one could be. "What did he mean by 'lose my mom', professor?"

Fighting back a strong shiver, Neville decided to ignore Lysander's question. Thus, he knelt and looked deeply into Lorcan's eyes, whilst both boys paid close attention to him. "Mr Scamander, your mother carried a silent curse she didn't know about. When she left McGonagall's office that day, she met with me and I tried to heal her dark magical wound. Unexpectedly, the curse was triggered by the healing magic. Hopefully, Professor McGonagall arrived quickly and could give her some first aid care. In the end, when she arrived at St Mungo's, they were obliged by law to inform the Ministry of Magic so they could investigate." Neville paused to catch some breath. "They did... and concluded there's enough reason for your father to be indicted for cursing your mother. It all happened by accident." He wasn't sure if the boy had been buying it or not, but he chose to be bold and place a hand gently on his shoulder. "Your mom never intended to move against your dad. You must know nothing that may happen to your father is Luna's fault, Lorcan..."

"Of course not!" he bellowed, pushing the man away from him. "It's yours!"

"I also did nothing to your father, Mr Scamander. Everything happened by chance..."

"Garbage!" he exploded. "What were you doing these days you skipped class, then? You never seemed hurt, sick, weak or whatever... the only explanation... you've been with... her... I bet you're both laughing behind his back!"

"Where did you get that idea from, Mr Scamander!?" Neville stared at his feet, hiding his face behind one hand. "No, of course not. I only spoke to Luna once since that day..."

"Then, why haven't you been at Hogwarts!? What could you possibly be doing, then!? Do you want me to believe it's a coincidence that you simply disappear the same day my dad is arrested and mom checks in St Mungo's...!?"

"Stop ignoring me, professor! I'm not as clueless as you think!" harshly, Lysander interrupted them again. "I know there's something you both are not telling me!"

"Fine, Lysander! Do you want to know!?" Lorcan glared triumphantly at Neville, rejoicing in the older's embarrassment. "Actually, I thought you had known already. Not even you could be that clueless..." he snorted. "Professor Longbottom was mom's first husband."

Neville felt like burying his head inside the ground like an ostrich. "You... you..." Lysander stuttered to himself. "Why didn't anyone tell me...?" Lysander's eyes shone with tears as he struggled with this new revelation. Neville, for his part, avoided looking at the boy. "Why...? What happened...? Could you have been my dad...?"

"I was actually her fiancée. Besides, that was long ago, Lysander," utterly embarrassed, Neville pretended to be sweeping dirty from his work robes, an excuse not to look at any of them. Not that he didn't feel warm inside upon hearing Lysander wondering about being his son, but Luna had been crystal clear with him nothing could ever happen between them. "I haven't been with her as much as you both may be imagining. Her curse doesn't even allow me to be close to her that much... it may recognize my magic, which may trigger it again." Neville finally risked a glance at Lysander. "Your mother is just an old friend of mine, that's all."

"So, why were you not here!?" Lorcan hoarsely asked. "At school!? What could you possibly be doing!?"

"I..." Neville didn't have an answer to that. What could he possibly say that'd convince the boy? "Well, I didn't want to tell students that... but... let's go... the Ministry thought maybe I might be the responsible for cursing your mother," before Neville had thought straight, the words were already out of his mouth. "I was a suspect. Professor McGonagall told me not to come until I had cleaned my name."

"What!? That's insane!" Lysander was taken aback. "I was there with you almost all the time! You almost cured her! I will tell them you did nothing, professor!"

"It's in the past, kid, don't worry," he prayed to thank Merlin in his mind that at least Lysander had bought it. "Experts have already concluded it couldn't have been me." He, thus, turned to Lorcan. "It was never a plot, Mr Scamander. People were investigating me as well, and it wasn't pleasant. I had to hire a legal assistant and everything..."

"Huh..." Lorcan apparently thought the story made sense, even though he didn't want to hand it to Neville.

"Also, I want to stress your mother and I are just friends, right? I am married, you both know that. You've seen my wife in your uncles and aunts' houses many times..." he summoned his phone. "See? That's her. Her name is Hannah." He showed the boys a picture of Hannah and him. In his mind, he apologized to her for using her image that way. He didn't feel good about lying to the kids, but he feared he didn't have any other option. "Is there anything else you'd want to ask, Mr Scamander?"

"No," contradicted, Lorcan showed him his back, heading back to the door. "Let's go back to the class, then."

"There's something else I'd want to tell you, Mr Scamander," with a hand on his shoulder, Neville stopped him, steering him in his direction. "When I talked to Luna, she was... she was desperate to talk to you. But she was so scared you'd blame her for what happened..." he sighed. "Please... it's not her fault..." He didn't have the right words, but he had to try. "Just come to my office tonight when you've finished your dinner. You can use my fireplace to talk to her..." he was wet from sweating. "If you could..."

But the boy turned his back on him a second time, without answering. He unceremoniously opened the door and left.

'Oh, Merlin...' Neville pulled on his own hair. 'Did I mess everything up?'

"Professor..." Lysander's cracking voice snapped him out of his mental whining. "Why were you hiding that from me?"

"Hiding? Er... I wasn't..." Neville choked on his lame excuses. Thus, he cleared his throat. "I... well... your mother was very dear to me, Lysander. And your granddad too. I only wish the best to everyone in your family, kid..."

"There's just one thing bothering me..." the boy's eyes bulged much like his mother's. "I've been dreaming... wishing you, of all people, were my dad..." Neville had to strive not to burst into tears upon this revelation. "Just to find you could actually have been..." Lysander sniffed. "Why are you not married to her anymore? Don't tell me you've been mean to her... you've mistreated her... like... him..."

Neville couldn't answer that. He stood still, unresponsive.

"Were you to my mom like uncle Ron is to aunt Hermione, professor?" Lysander gazed pleadingly at him, insisting on getting an answer out of him. "Uncle Ron is the best dad I know... nice, caring, funny, amazing at wizarding chess... I had always wished he was my dad..." he rambled. "He told me he'd be honoured... though it would be so different from parenting Rose... he told me we're too different... I didn't quite understand what he meant..." Neville giggled in his mind. "Tell me you're like him, professor... not like my dad..."

"I can't tell you that, kid. No one is as good as Ron," the teen selves of the Patil twins and the dearly missed Lavander Brown would've felt way disappointed, for he had failed at being a better husband than no other than their most unchivalrous friend, Ronald Weasley. "But I... I promise you..." his voice cracked. "I tried my best..."

"Rolf! Right here!" a female voice called him from afar. "A picture for the Prophet...! Where is your family!?"

"I don't know, Rita..." answered a downcast Rolf. "They're around..."

"Oh, come on! What's with that face?" she asked. "This surely isn't the face of someone who's just been awarded an Order of Merlin!" Rolf shrugged. "Merlin's honest truth, Rolf...!"

"Seriously, man... not looking good..." Bozo, Rita's photographer, told Rolf, patting his back. "You can't make the Prophet's pages like this... did something happen?"

"You're right, Bozo. Forget that idea. Take a walk around the area..." Rita suggested. "Maybe you can get a good shot for our article... I'll talk to Rolf in the meanwhile..." Bozo waved goodbye and left. "So, Rolf... are you fine?" The man shrugged again. "C'mon!"

Rita crossed her arms, surveying her friend. This couldn't possibly be arrogant and self-righteous Rolf Scamander she knew.

"Where is your award, Rolf?" the man Rita was familiar with would likely be rubbing it on everybody's face by now. However, a third time, he shrugged.

She sighed. "Alright..." she put her notepad away. "I'm not writing anything. I'm here to talk. Do you need to talk to someone?"

"Yes," he hoarsely replied. "Don't put that down. I need to talk to Rita Skeeter, the reporter..."

She grabbed it once more. "Right," she straightened her back, readying herself to write. "Tell me something I can quote, then..."

"I guess Luna and Longbottom will make the front page, won't they?" Rolf wheezed. "Is that right?"

"I hope so... we have an amazing shoot of them...! I never thought that couple of weirdos could look that nice...! But that's not a sentence I can't quote, Rolf... let's try with a question... how do you feel about..."

"Did you hear she's pregnant?" Rolf broke her off.

"I did... she's confirmed the information..."

"What if I told you Longbottom is not the father of her child?"

Rita's notepad fell on the floor.

"So..." Neville seated on a chair opposed to Professor McGonagall's desk. "I'm listening, professor. I supposed you've called me to deliver a sermon..."

"No," Professor McGonagall interrupted him, dryly.

"Am I fired...?"

"Are you paying attention, Longbottom!? I just told you I'm not here to tear you apart!"

"Oh..." Neville adjusted himself in the chair, feeling embarrassed. "I see... that's... a relief..."

"If it's anyone's fault, it's mine..."

"I beg your pardon?" Neville asked in disbelief, pointing his wand at his ear and casting a cleaning charm on it. "Please, go on, professor... I think I may have misunderstood what you said..."

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in, Filius," invited Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick joined them.

"Thanks, Minerva," he conjured a special chair for himself, one that had a step stool by its side. "Night, Longbottom."

"As I was saying, Longbottom, the fault is all mine," Professor McGonagall continued, to Neville's bewilderment. "When Mrs, I mean... Luna... was here in this office, and we" she indicated Filius with her head, "were investigating the issue of Lorcan Scamander's dark powers, that story that you're already familiar with, Severus' portrait had suggested I should check her for silent curses." Neville gazed quizzically at Snape's empty framework, in which his owner promptly popped in upon hearing his name. "I didn't do it. I had arranged a future appointment with Lovegood, for I figured I needed some time to review some old books I haven't read for decades. That was a mistake." The elder stood quiet for some moments, frowning sternly. "I should have checked her right away. We should've done that," she added, looking at Flitwick. "But I didn't take Severus' warning as seriously as I should..." she turned her gaze to the portrait. "When both mother and child told me the man had never cursed them, I just thought Severus' theory wasn't so likely to be true. I was sorely mistaken, however..."

"Wow..." Neville said, both surprised and relieved. "Well, it's good to know the fault isn't mine..."

"Minerva sent Albus and me to our portraits in the Ministry. She ordered us to ask Potter what were his thoughts on the whole situation," Snape's portrait continued the story. "He promptly told us Loony's husband was a dangerous man."

"So, I immediately began searching for her," Minerva completed. "When I found out you had skipped your class, I dashed to your office as quick as I could... fearing the worst..."

"So, that's the whole story, huh?" Neville asked. "That was most fortunate you sent Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape to talk to Harry, professor... I can only imagine what would've happened if you hadn't found Luna in time..."

"That's why you're reinstated to your previous post, Longbottom," McGonagall said.

"Well... if it doesn't embarrass you deeply to have none other than Longbottom as the head of your own house, Minerva," Snape sneered. "I figure it's only fair to reinstate him. I, for my part, would have taken this chance to appoint someone more suitable for the position..."

"It's not your fault, headmistress," yet a different voice joined the conversation. It startled both Neville, McGonagall and Snape, albeit not Flitwick. "It's mine."

"Your Grace," Flitwick staged a courtesy. McGonagall meant to do the same.

"Don't, Headmistress. You're an elder woman. Older than I've ever been. That'd be extreme uncourteous of me," Ravenclaw said. "You, on the other hand," she stared daggers at Neville, "nose on the floor."

Everybody else on the floor seemed taken aback by her harshness. Neville wasn't. "Oh, you're talking to me again, Your Grace..." Neville knelt, bowing his head the lowest he could. "That's fortunate..."

"You've been upgraded from complete disgrace to complete indifference." It didn't quite seem to him that she felt really indifferent to him, she still seemed to hold some resentment towards him. But Neville decided it was better to get along with it. "It's my fault. I should have been here when Wilhelmson came to talk about her child. If I had been, I'd have told you all right away everything about Wilhelmson's husband." Ravenclaw sounded grave, avoiding everyone's eyes. "I made a point not to be here because I carry hard feelings towards the boy."

"Hard feelings towards a child, Your Grace!?" Neville instantly lifted his face up to gaze at her. "Who does that?" Dumbledore look discreetly at Severus, who frowned at him in response. "He's just a boy! He's Luna's boy!"

"Horrible boy, horrible son, horrible grandson, horrible brother, horrible student..." she grumbled, sounding much like Snape talking about young Harry. "He's repudiated his family and his ancestry!"

"He's 11! He's still Luna's son! She loves him no matter what..."

"Naturally. That's what mothers do. She loves him. I don't," she spat. "I should have been here, nonetheless."

"We have a winner, then," unexpectedly, Flitwick raised his squeaky voice. "The fault is yours, Your Grace." Neville turned his face to the floor once more, seeking to hide his utterly shocked expression. He'd never thought he'd ever hear Flitwick talking to Ravenclaw like this. "Why on earth haven't you told me anything all these years, Your Grace!? If you had known, you were bound to inform me! I had the right to do something!"

"You had no right, Filius," she retorted, firmly. "Wilhelmson was very clear. She didn't want anyone to do anything. I attempted to convince her otherwise many times... in vain. I understand her reasons, though." Ravenclaw sighed. "Now, to deny the thorough investigation of the causes of that unfortunate incident... to plainly lie at Professor Snape's face when he had correctly found out what caused that overflow of dark magic... that's stupidity. I'd have never gone along with that."

"I see..." Snape addressed Ravenclaw, being poked in the back by Dumbledore thereafter. "Ouch! What...? Huh...?" Snape sought to read the elder's lips. "I mean, Your Grace..." he staged an awkward courtesy. "So, Your Grace, as you know Loony very well..." he was poked by Dumbledore again. "Ouch! I mean, Luna..." he pronounced it as if it brought a bad taste to his mouth. "I ask you to tell us more, so we may resume investigating Mr Scamander's case..."

"Luna was assaulted by her husband when she was pregnant with her twins," to Snape's surprise, it was Neville who talked. "She believes he's been victimized by this curse since then..."

"That's correct," confirmed Ravenclaw. "She was assaulted by the Cruciatus Curse, it's important to point out..." it brought pain to Neville's heart to hear that out loud. He noticed Flitwick flinched too. "Since that day, she has had trouble standing up straight. It's caused a permanent dark magical wound on Wilhelmson."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Dumbledore.

"Huh..." Snape, for that part, didn't seem that bothered. His mind raced while he tested every hypothesis that he could formulate. "Longbottom, Your Grace... you're both telling me she was assaulted when she was pregnant with her children...? Well, something's caught my eye..." he elaborated, thinking out loud. "If she's had twins, the other should be affected by the dark magic as well, no?"

"Er..." Neville babbled. "When she told me what had happened, it seemed to me she believed the only one that had been victimized by dark magic was Lorcan... but I actually don't know based on what she's said that..."

"What we do know, Professor Snape, is that her other child is by no means affected by dark magic," Ravenclaw stated. "He is immune to his father's curses."

"Huh? Can you say it again, Your Grace?" mildly surprised, Dumbledore joined the conversation with an elegant courtesy. "The other boy can not be harmed by dark magic?"

"Precisely. His father has attempted to curse him, but in vain," she explained. "There was one night when the man has raised his wand against the child, but, as Wilhelmson's told me, a bright so powerful invaded the scene, keeping him from doing anything. She saw nothing but the light and, then, the man lying unresponsive on the floor."

"Curious, is it not, Dumbledore?" Snape mumbled.

"Oh, I don't think that's curious at all, Severus," Dumbledore looked at the other meaningfully. "Did Mrs Luna also tell any of you this story?" He addressed the living professors.

"Well... she's told me this story, Professor Dumbledore," Neville said. "Luna believes it to be her guardian angel who saved them."

"Regular Wilhelmson," Ravenclaw gestured as to dismiss this hypothesis. "Just another Crumple-Horned Snorkack. The truth is that it's Wilhelmson's own power. She has no idea how powerful her will to save her children can get."

"So..." Neville neared the portrait. "You believe it's been Luna's powers all along, Your Grace?"

"I believe you're right, Your Grace," Dumbledore frowned hard, thinking as hard as Snape were moments ago. "I figure Severus does as well." Snape nodded. "Don't you?" He addressed the living professors again.

"I agree with that, Albus," said McGonagall, looking at Flitwick, expecting to hear his opinion as well.

"So do I," he nodded at the woman.

"So, we are all on the same page..." Snape said.

"We haven't heard you, Professor Longbottom," Dumbledore broke Snape off. "What do you think?"

"What!? Me!?" Neville jumped, nervously. "Er... I have no opinion, sir. How could I... er... I'm not qualified enough to ponder on this matter with the five of you... I... I just go along with it..."

"Accepting Wilhelmson the way she is isn't the same as actively supporting her delusions," Ravenclaw stared keenly at him. 'So Ravenclaw's listened to our conversation...' thought Neville. "I should remind you of that."

"We need the boy right now, Minerva," said Dumbledore. "It can't wait until tomorrow."

"Longbottom, will you fetch the boy?"

"Which of them, professor?"

"Good question, Albus. Which boy?"

"The one who's immune to dark magic," Dumbledore explained, exchanging meaningful looks with Snape. "I figure there's something we can do for him..."

"Er..." Neville hid his face behind one of his hands. "I... I'm kind of... huh... avoiding Lysander..."

"Avoiding young Wilhelmson?" Ravenclaw asked, curiously. Flitwick seemed puzzled as well. "Why? I've heard you're his favourite person in this whole school..."

"It's... complicated..." Neville stammered. "He's found out what Luna and I used to be, Your Grace. I... I don't think he understands..." Neville swallowed hard. "He... he's asked if I had been good to Luna... I..." Neville mustered all his might to calm himself down. Thus, he straightened himself and spoke the most clearly he could. "And I couldn't say that I was."

Silence lingered in the room for some moments until Ravenclaw broke it. "I see..." she wheezed. "Filius, please, do as Professor Dumbledore and Headmistress McGonagall said."

"As you wish, Your Grace," he complied readily, leaving the room.

"As for you," she addressed Neville. "I'll talk to young Wilhelmson about that matter later. Don't worry." Neville couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. "In the meantime, there's another issue that could use your help."

"Seriously? What is it, Your Grace?"

"That's why I'd come here in the first place. It's just... Professor Trelawney..." McGonagall sighed, impatiently. "Being her regular self..." Snape sought to conceal the smirk on his face. "With her pupil... your friend, of course. The one that looks like a student of mine..."

"Right, right...!" Neville stretched himself, readying himself for the matter. "Parvati and Trelawney are at it again, right... they must be having some kind of vision or... this is a job for me, no doubt about it. Consider it done, Your Grace." Ravenclaw nodded at him, sternly. "Professor McGonagall, you don't need to worry about anything. I've got this. Just focus on... whatever you have to do with Lysander." He headed to the door. "Good night to you all."

"Thank you, Longbottom," McGonagall said. "Good luck with Sybill."

"One, two, three...!? The three have come here just to see me!? What am I, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!?"

"You know why we're here!" Hermione shouted, taking a seat on Rita's chair without being invited. Harry, for his part, roughly landed his hands on her desk, whilst Ron stood behind his wife, frowning, his arms crossed. "Did you think we'd let you destroy our friend's life and get away with it, ladybug!? D'you forgot we know your dirty little secret!?"

"I'm not destroying anyone's life, Little Miss Perfect..." Rita simpered. "I ask you to read the article again... I talked to cuckoo girl before publishing. I gave her the right to reply to the allegations..."

"Garbage!" Harry bellowed. "You're doing just like you did to me back then! Just because Luna is the talk of the town, you're inventing these nasty..."

"Inventing, Mr Potter!?" Rita stood from her chair, cackling. "Did you actually talk to cuckoo girl before coming here?"

"Well..." Hermione hesitated. "No..."

"Ha!" Rita snorted. "I didn't invent anything, Miss Prissy. I didn't even use my... well... secret skill... let's put it that way..." she giggled, "to find that out. It's just that your friend and her professor were quite reckless... they didn't try very hard to keep their affair a secret, y'know?"

"You're lying!" Hermione objected. "Luna can't stand Professor Scamander!"

"Naturally! Little Miss Perfect, put your gifted brain to use..." Rita gestured exasperatedly at Hermione. "Why exactly do you think she's been avoiding him?" Hermione didn't answer, contradicted. "You see, right? Well, when I talked to your friend, she straightforwardly confirmed her past affair with Professor Scamander..."

"That's..." Ron meddled in. "The craziest story I've ever heard... including the Crumple-Horned Snorkack and Sirius Black being the singer of a band..."

"The only thing she's denied is that he is the father of her child," Rita continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. "She emphasized the father of her child is her fiancée, Professor Longbottom. You'll notice I quoted that ipsis litteris." Rita briefly searched among the papers that had been on her desk, handing Hermione one thereafter. "You may read it again if you'd like..." Rita adjusted herself in her chair, waiting quietly while Hermione checked the article. "Just talk to your friend. She'll tell you it's not me the one who's destroying her life. She's done it herself... the rumour is true, so it was bound to spread sooner or later..."

"Luna... cheating on Neville? C'mon!" Harry protested. "Ron, Hermione, don't you tell me you believe that!?"

Rita cackled so hard that she stumbled on her desk. "No, Mr Potter, not even you know!? Do you know who was there when I talked to cuckoo girl?"

"How could I know!? I'm not a gossiper like you! I don't know everything that's going on!"

"Your son James is lovely, Mr Potter. Really pretty boy. He was there with his mother..."

"Ginny knows...?" Ron whispered to Hermione. Harry, for his part, furiously jabbed his left fist hard against Ron's shoulder. "Ouch, this really hurt, Harry!" Ron complained.

"Harry, Ron is not a punchbag!" Hermione reprimanded him.

"The only reason why I didn't quote cuckoo girl confirming the rumour was that... well... I have a heart as well, did you know?"

"Sincerely, we didn't know, Rita," Hermione snapped. "Let me guess... you're in love with a bag of gold Mr Lovegood is paying you... he's probably hired you to write some piece for his magazine...?"

"Oh, no. My silence is very expensive, Miss Prissy. The Lovegoods could never afford it. Well, it's out of... friendship. Rolf Scamander is our collaborator here at the Prophet... he is my friend, he's Bozo's friend, he's always helpful when I need information on creatures, he's always bringing our team good wine..." she cleared her throat. "The point is, sleeping with your advisee is surely not the most ethical behaviour for a professor. He could lose his job at Magical Natural School. He's already being questioned... I figure he must have asked your friend to deny everything before his peers... if she decides to spill... he's over..."

"How dare you call yourself his friend!? If you were his friend, you wouldn't publish anything at all!" Hermione roared. "You really have no heart! You're a swine, Rita!"

"The rumour is true, Miss Prissy," for a brief moment, Rita's cynicism failed and she stared daggers at Hermione. "I know it is his job, but this is my job as well. If it's happened, it's published. The best Rolf and cuckoo girl can do is just wait for people to forget about it." Harry, Ron and Hermione beheld her, all of them mesmerized, unable to figure out something to say. "For the sake of my friendship with Rolf, I checked everything before I published. I even decided to cut some information to make it look better for him... I don't see things the way you do, Little Miss Perfect. I think I was a pretty good friend, thank you." Rita paced to her door, opening it. "Unfortunately, I'm short on time. Can you just... leave? Though I'd love to talk to any of you... like... you know... an exclusive! If you're interested, my assistant can arrange an appointment..."

In the dead of the night, noises from the outside woke Luna up. She stood quietly in bed listening carefully to them. She concluded, after some moments, that it consisted mostly of sounds of nature... that seemed to be increasing in volume.

"Dad..." Luna shook Mr Lovegood, who had been sleeping in the same bed as her. "Dad... wake up..."

"Uh?" he jumped on the bed, startled. "What is it, dear?" He turned to look at her, concerned. "Are you fine?"

"Can you hear these noises?"

Xenophilius stood quiet for a moment, striving to distinguish whatever was that he was hearing. Thus, he said, "It's just a pack of dogs barking, Luna. It's nothing..." he lay on his pillow once again. "Let's go back to sleep..."

Luna got out of bed and peeked through the window. "It's not a small pack of dogs, dad. Is that usual? We are somewhat distant from the village... there should be very few dogs here, in the countryside..."

"It's nothing, dear..." he wheezed, half-asleep. "They can't reach us anyway. Come back to bed."

Even though she knew his dad was right and that no dog could overpower Flitwick's Fedelius Charm, she knew she couldn't go back to sleep with all that noise. All that time she spent with Rolf had turned her problematically into a light sleeper. So she decided she'd better head downstairs and grab herself a glass of water. If she was any lucky, Ravenclaw would be there so she'd have someone to talk to...

"Your Grace?" in the dark, Luna called, whispering. Ravenclaw wasn't there, though.

Luna sat on an armchair, sipping on her glass of water. Then, she strived to hear the sounds coming out of the house, noticing that the barking had increased considerably. Getting to her feet again, she paced to the window.

Suddenly, her ears caught the sound of something more than just barking. She clearly heard an ape crying. More than that, she heard the cry of an ape she knew very well.

'No,' she told herself. 'That's just my mind. It couldn't be her..."

Then Luna heard it again. Very clearly. Which caused a freezing shiver to run down her spine. She, thus, mustered all her might and peeked through the window, lighting up her wand. She rapidly spotted the dogs who were running, barking and howling non-stop around her house, and the first thing that caught her attention was that they were not dogs, they were crups. More than that, her crups! How could they be here? How could they have found her?

She was severely snapped out of her thoughts when, once more, she heard that familiar ape-like cry. She hadn't yet recovered from that when she was taken aback even further by another well-known sound, a melodious and melancholic song, the singing of a phoenix. That moment, she knew for sure: her creatures were there for her.

Thoughtlessly, she dashed out of the house, her lighted wand clutched firmly in her right hand. "Mommy is here!" she yelled, already out of the house, sprinting in a straight line towards the crups, who apparently couldn't hear her.

When she finally was more than 200 yards away from the house, she sensed she was no longer under the protection of the charms, and the crups all leapt into her at once. She fell to the ground, twenty wet tongues licking her at once. Before she could do anything, something more fell on her. Even though she couldn't see, she knew it was her beloved demiguise, Sneaky.

"I'm... so... sorry..." still panting heavily, she got up, Sneaky hanging from her neck. "I'm so sorry, Sneaky... I never meant to leave you there with him... my legal assistant had been trying to retrieve all of you. I'm so glad you're here..." Lastly, the phoenix landed on the top of her head. "How did you find me?" The demiguise screeched happily, as Luna patted its back. "Come with mommy... let's get you all something to eat..."

The crups barked, jumping joyfully around Luna as she walked back to her house. Suddenly, she heard the sound of yet another creature, though this time she held her wand up high and stood on the alert. "Protego!" she bellowed, just before she heard the same sound again, the thunderous neighing of a house. That moment, she knew. "Show yourself, Rolf!"

"Smart girl," he mocked. "That's yet another Outstanding for your academic record!"

"No, I'm not smart at all. I should've known. I can't believe you had the guts to escape just to come after me!" she shrieked, raising her wand up high in the direction the sound had come from. "Leave me alone, Rolf..." she panted, holding on tight to Sneaky as she rushed back to the house.

However, a quick sequence of noises caught Luna's attention and made her come to a halt. First, a round of aggressive barking and snarling, then a loud thud, followed at last by a heartbreaking yelp. She whipped her neck in the direction of the sound and realized Rolf had violently kicked one of the crups, which she concluded must have attacked him, against a tree. "Oh, you won't mind, will you?" Rolf advanced maniacally on the helpless creature. "Since you've left me, they're the only thing I have left..."

"Expulso!" she squealed, knocking Rolf away. Also, she auspiciously perceived he didn't carry a wand. 'Of course,' she thought. 'He's got the tracer. If he uses magic, the Ministry will know...' "You won't hurt anyone ever again! Person or creature! I'm warning you! Go back to your house right now, or I'll call the Ministry!"

"And exactly how will you do that?" leisurely, he stood up again, sweeping dirty from his clothes with one hand. "Are you going to cast a patronus, love? Can you do that?"

"Now that I've been away from you, I can! Easy!" she grunted, bluffing. "And I can do much more! Encarcerous!"

Before the spell could reach the man, something Luna couldn't see intercepted it. 'Something invisible? What can that be!? Sneaky is right here with me!' Luna thought, desperately. Then, she heard the loud thud of hooves on the ground.

"I must inform you that you're surrounded by my herd of massive Abraxans, Luna," Rolf hissed, scornfully. "Though I promise you they're up to no harm... all you have to do is agree to change your testimonial in my favour, that's all."

"I'll do that, Rolf," she lied, thinking fast of a way to escape. "You want me to tell Hermione I agreed to have a curse put on me? Fine..." she kept talking, trying to buy some time. "You know I never wanted you to be arrested in the first place, I just wanted to be free from you..."

"Oh, that's so cute, love. Not vengeful, right?" he paced towards her, smirking. When he was close enough so she could see his face clearly, he outstretched his right hand. "Deal, then?"

"I won't shake your hand, Rolf," firmly, she stated, retreating and aiming her wand at him.

"I wouldn't put it that way, Luna. It's more like... an Unbreakable Vow..."

"Ha!" Luna snorted. "You must be kidding me, Rolf...!"

"Fine, my love. Suit yourself. I'd love to see you taking on 15 invisible Abraxans... that'd be entret..."

"Protego Totalum, Fianto Duri, Salvio Hexia!" raising her wand up high, Luna suddenly began casting protective spells around herself, interrupting Rolf. "Repello Inimicum!" Once done, Luna pocketed her wand, sat on the ground and looked up at Rolf. "I don't intend to fight, Rolf. Actually, since I have all the time in the world, I'm planning to stay here all night." Ironically, she simpered, tenderly caressing the crups that began to lie down around her. "I reckon they'd start looking for you when they notice you're not in your house, no? Aurors? Bummer... I wish I had a book with me..."

"Your protective charms are not almighty, Luna," Rolf retorted, trying to conceal his irritation. He definitely had not expected things to turn out like this. "We have all night as well..." he gestured as if showcasing the invisible herd.

"Suit yourself, Rolf. I'll just sleep, then..." she pulled her wand out once more and conjured blankets for herself and her creatures. "Well, isn't transfiguration useful, Rolf? Also, I'd like to congratulate you. Whatever was your plan, it was brilliant. It's a pity it didn't work." Luna mocked. "Come sleep with mommy..." she addressed her creatures.

"On her!" he snarled at the Abraxans, and invisible forces readily began striking against the protective barrier Luna had conjured. "I'm afraid it will be too noisy for you to sleep..."

"Oh, no, Rolf. I'm used to it already. I was married to you for almost 20 years after all..." she lied, calmly, but the creatures weren't so. The crups resumed yelping, and the demiguise made itself invisible, burying his head in Luna's lap. The phoenix, for his part, made as if taking off. "No, don't!" Luna stopped it. "It's fine... no need for panic... settle down..."

"They are your weakness, Luna," Rolf joked as he watched the panicked creatures which Luna failed to calm down. "It's always been this away. You always put the ones you love above yourself... even worthless animals! You're pathetic...!"

"Expecto Patronum!" Luna shouted, exasperated. "I'm done with you, Rolf! I'm warning the Ministry!"

Although the bright white hare did emerge from the tip of her wand, Luna knew she wasn't strong enough to sustain it for much longer. She was well aware it wouldn't make it to the Ministry, maybe not even to her father back at home, but she conjured it anyway, hoping that Rolf would fall it. Unfortunately, the hare didn't make it farther than some yards before disappearing. Upon seeing that, Rolf cackled wickedly, ordering his Abraxans to strengthen their attacks.

Terrified by the sparks that rose from the protective dome Luna had conjured, the crups howled frantically. The phoenix, for its part, lifted itself in the air above Luna's head. "No!" a second time, she called it back. It didn't listen, though. It harshly ripped a tuft of hair out of Luna's head instead, "Ouch!" the woman protested. Thereafter, at full speed, the bird skyrocketed into the sky. 'It must be off to get help...' Luna thought.

Apparently, Rolf thought the same and promptly ordered his Abraxans to take the bird down. Luna merely heard the bird's high-pitched cry before it landed unconscious on the ground.

"It won't rise from the ashes if I break its neck, Luna," Rolf sprinted towards the bird and snatched it from the ground roughly.

Mindlessly, Luna stormed out of the protective dome she had set, brandishing her wand at Rolf. "Stupe..."

Before she could finish pronouncing the enchantment, she sensed something walloping against her brutally, which made her plunge to the ground, fully knocked out.