The absence of any punishment for Snape's actions makes me wonder if memory charms or compulsion charms are being cast.


Cassius and Neville returned to Hogwarts the day before term started back up, eager and happy to return, their lives entirely changed. Frank and Alice had passed, the magic potions sustaining them weaned off until they finally passed onwards. It was a somber affair, but Cassius was there for his new family. Neville cried for hours, but even he knew it was time for them to go. To keep them alive was... inhumanly cruel.

At Cassius suggestion, they held a small celebration of life for the fallen aurors, which lifted even Augusta's dour spirits. She told wonderful stories of their lives and accomplishments and Cassius wrote them down. Eager to remember the lives of two so amazing people. To his shock, his work was printed in the Daily Prophet at Augusta's request, his words immortalizing the Longbottoms.

However, things could not stay great as they would both find out.

About two days after returning, as they were leaving the library, the boys heard a spell rush their way. Throwing themselves forward, they dodged the soft purple spell and whipped out their own wands, casting half a dozen spells at their attackers. In less than half a minute, Draco Malfoy and his parasites Greg and Goyle were on the ground twitching, covered in boils and puking up slugs.

Cassius took their wands and sneered. "If you want them back, come and get them."

They moved away, going to Professor Sprout in her greenhouses. They reached her in time, just as she was leaving, pots in her hands. "Boys, what happened?"

"Draco Malfoy, Greg and Goyle attacked us, so we put them in their places. We took their wands for safety, we are handing them over to you."

She sighed, just as Severus Snape came down the trail, snaring and foaming at the mouth. "YOU DARE ATTACK MY SNAKES AND-"

Cassius sneered right back. "It was self defense, they attacked us." He reached his wand out and pulled out a memory, something he learned in his legimency book, and hand to Sprout. "Augusta says Professor Dumbledore has a Pensive. That is a memory of the events in question."

The woman smiled, and smirked at a wrathful Snape. "Those three have been abusing students since they got here, seems to be they got put in their place finally. I will not see a lick of punishment for self defense."

Snape growled. "I have other students that saw-"

"A minors untampered memory is more potent than the lies I am sure they told. I will no longer tolerate your abuses and the abuses you allow your Snakes to get away with. You are a disgrace, no wonder Miss Evans-"

"ENOUGH!" Snape exploded, shivering with so much rage that even Cassius felt a tiny bit afraid. He sneered hatefully at Cassius and Neville before stomping away, shaking and twitching.

Sprout sighed. "I should never have said that, but truthfully it was true. His actions are pathetic and undeserving of forgiveness. I will be speaking to Augusta, I am sure she has much to say about his actions. I will be keeping this memory, Cassius and I will be using it against Snape should he try anything."

Both boys bowed. "Thank you, so much..."

"Never a problem... to be honest, I get as much out a this as you do. No ever stands up to Snape, really it's about time. I am shamed to say it too such things as this..."

"""

Later that night, Neville made it back to his dorm, where people started to cheer. Ron came over, kind of a bully himself. " You put Malfoy in the Hospital, I thought you were practically a squib but really you showed him."

Neville sighed. "I really shouldn't have had to." Everyone went quiet at his tone. "Hogwarts is a nightmare, bullies everything, even among the staff. The Classes are not really helpful and life isn't that great here. I will stand up for myself, but honestly I shouldn't have had to this time."

The portrait opened up and a smug Snape and calm Dumbledore popped in. "Mr. Longbottom,_'

"No." Every gasped as Neville stared down the Professors, his respect for the Staff all but gone. "Whatever it is, no. I will not meet with you, have detention or anything without my Gran and Cassius present. I do not trust you to abuse others or wipe memories."

Albus went cold, his eyes strong. "I would never-'

"Then why has no one reported Snape's constant abuses, or poor teaching?" Snape snarled but Neville did something no one could have counted on. "Be quiet Deatheater." Even Snape recoiled, stunned. "Gran told me the stories recently, you only were saved by kowtowing to Dumbledore, but that he allows you to abuse your students makes me wonder his morals. I will not trust you, either of you, until my safety is ensured."

The portrait shifted, and a furious Sprout and terrifying Gran popped through. None were as frightening as Cassius, who was so intensely enraged that eh very air around him was warping. Cassius really ought to have his magical levels tested...

Snape took a step back as Gran got right in his face. "Listen to me, Deatheater, you will not think about my grandsons, in any capacity, without my say so. I will not allow you, in anyway, to harm them. And you!" She turned to a stunned Albus. "My grandsons will not suffer a moment of punishment for rightful self defense. I have a pensive, I saw the memory. Malfoy's spawn will have detention, with Sprout as I can trust her to do something about the ill behavior of the Junior Deatheater."

The men stared her down. "Fine." Albus sighed.

"Oh and I am reclaiming position in Wizengnot and I will see about getting my place back in the School Govenors. You school is a nightmare, you should be disgusted by how badly you've failed Albus. Allowing abusive staff like this piss poor excuse of a wizard is just one example of that." She turned to the stunned students. "If any of you have anything to say, any proof of Severus' poor behavior, I will be listening carefully to have him removed by the end of the year."

Everyone cheered and even Snape could see he was boned.

Cassius grabbed Neville's hand and smiled. "You okay?"

"I am now..."


Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.