Chapter 8: Earth, Meet Sky
Neville and Harry had a bit of a rocky start. Not that they didn't enjoy each other's company, just that neither of them had any experience when it came to the fine art of 'making friends'. Neither of the boys even knew what it was that friends did with each other.
Harry, however, did have one advantage. He had been able to see what friendship looked like as exhibited by the Marauders. They seemed to care for each other and had an easy way of bantering that could only be achieved by knowing each other for a very long time.
Neville led Harry outside and asked, "Do you like plants, Harry?" Desperate for something to talk about with the hero of the wizarding Britain.
He could barely believe it when his grandmother asked him to dress smartly as they were about to have a guest. When he asked who, he would have thought his grandmother was pranking him when she said Harry Potter, except he knew that his grandmother would consider pranking someone completely beneath her.
Harry coming through his floo with Mr. Lupin who he was familiar with and had met because he was leasing the cabin from them was still quite a surprise.
His grandmother didn't entirely approve of Mr. Lupin for some reason. But he had been a close friend of his dad's, so he was tolerated. He learned quickly that Harry was staying with Mr. Lupin for a while. They were neighbors!
Harry wasn't sure if he liked plants or not. But he had some experience with them. "I used to have to pull the weeds in my Aunt's flower garden. So I guess I know the difference between a flower and a weed." He blushed a bit.
Harry took in the vast garden spread out before him. He felt like he had stumbled upon a magical fantasy land. The garden was concealed well from the outside world by tall stone walls, host to a series of vines grasping skyward. Gothic, Roman, and Greek-style columns encircling a central meadow like sentinel guards.
Neville took Harry on a tour of the gardens, following a cobblestone path that meandered through an interesting rock garden initially but winded itself around the perimeter of the garden that led around a hand-carved stone reflecting pool surrounded by Italian cypress, lavender, and rosemary.
Neville knew the name of every plant and dutifully pointed out each as if he were introducing friends.
There were purple geraniums, wisteria, roses, sweet-scented grasses, lilies, carnations, mint, peonies, tulips, violets, miniature fruit trees, berry bushes, and special plants that attract butterflies, spilling from wood, ceramic, concrete, terra cotta planters and flower beds. Neville pointed out proudly several magical plants, like Dittany, and explained that his family was one of the main producers of several plants used in potions.
Harry didn't know what Dittany was and had only to ask for Neville to wax poetical on the subject. "It's a healing herb that is used in most healing potions. If you eat its leaves it can heal most small cuts and the like." Neville explained. Neville pointed out several large greenhouses where most of the potion ingredients were grown. "I'm not allowed to go in there without adult or elf supervision," Neville said darkly.
Harry wasn't sure what to think about that statement so had to ask. "Are the plants dangerous or something? And elf?"
Neville grinned, "Well yeah. House elves are magical servants. And there are a lot of dangerous plants. The cry of a mandrake can kill you. There are loads of magical plants that have restricted access just because of how dangerous they are. We grow Devils snare and Venomous Tentacula. They have their uses in potion making but if you aren't paying attention they can grab you and strangle you to death." Neville grinned at Harry's expression. "But there are tons of useful plants that aren't dangerous at all. Like Gillyweed."
The shy boy led Harry to a decent size semi-circular pond toward the back that was partly shaded by a nearby tree called a Wiggentree, Neville explained. Patiently Neville explained what Gillyweed was.
"And it will really help you breathe underwater?" Harry asked incredulously.
Neville nodded. "Yeah. I was afraid of the water and my uncle had me eat a handful of it and threw me in the pond." The boy told Harry. "It tasted terrible. Like worms." Harry made a blech face, "And then I grew fins and gills and could breathe underwater for an hour and swim like a fish. It was fun." Neville explained. "After I got over the terror of drowning. And transforming sort of hurt too at first."
Harry privately thought that what Neville's uncle had done was mean. He didn't say so but thought that Neville deserved better than being thrown into the water without knowing how to swim and not knowing what was going to happen. It sounded scary.
Harry who didn't know how to swim himself was quite interested and told Neville that he'd like to try taking Gillyweed just to see what breathing underwater was like. Neville nodded and said, "Maybe we can do that this summer?" And the boys gave each other tentative grins. Had they just made plans together?
Harry decided since Neville had made the first move Harry should at least make the second, "Do you know how to fly?"
Neville's expression dropped and he shook his head, "My grandmother thinks it's too dangerous. She says her heart can't take watching me fly around on such a flimsy contraption. Plus I'm sort of clumsy and well heights aren't really my thing." Neville took a moment to glance at Harry anxiously wondering if he would think less of him for his admission.
Harry, who couldn't understand a fear of heights but could understand phobias nodded. "Yeah? I don't really like small enclosed places." The two share commiserating sighs.
"Well I'm a little afraid about learning to swim, you're a little afraid about learning to fly. Maybe we can help each other?" Harry ventured quietly, "You think your grandmother would let you come over to my…" Harry blinked as his brain caught up with his mouth and he corrected himself, "Remus's house? Remus just bought two brooms that he says are good for learning on." Harry added shyly, "I love flying."
Neville took a moment to make sure his voice didn't waver when he looked over at Harry to see if he was serious about the offer. All he sees is a boy who wants to be his friend. Neville smiled happily, "I'll probably be terrible on a broom."
Harry nods, "I probably won't be able to float or doggy paddle."
Neville chuckled then. "OK. Bet you learn to swim before I learn to fly."
Harry laughed, "What's the bet?"
Neville hmmm'd, "Good point. A galleon?"
Harry nodded, "A galleon it is." They shook on it. Harry sat back a bit on his elbows and then sat up, "What the hell?" He watched what looked like a shriveled potato with legs run across the grass and dive into a bush. "What was that?"
Neville sighed, "That was a garden gnome and the bane of my existence."
By the time the boys were called to lunch a friendship had bloomed between them. It had taken root beneath the arching branches of a Rowan Tree. Little did they know the friendship forged this day would become the stuff of legend. Yes, Neville felt most free with his hands dug deep in the earth and Harry felt most free flying through the sky, but where they met, two lonely boys scarred by a war they couldn't remember, was golden and filled with promise.
Meanwhile, Remus was not having the easiest of times 'handling' Augusta Longbottom. The woman was fire and ice and one of the most intimidating creatures he'd ever known. Fire-breathing dragons, Acromantula, hell Greyback himself, couldn't hold a candle to the Dowager Longbottom.
She grilled him for long minutes about his custody of the Boy Who Lived. He endured short clipped critiques on everything from his rulebreaking to his lack of suitability as a father figure for Harry. Remus bit his tongue though. He did not want to alienate this particular pure blood.
He remembered meeting her for the first time at the train station. She doted on Frank and could deny him nothing. Frank was like a big brother to James and they became even closer after he and Alice started dating. Alice was in their year and Frank and Alice started dating shortly after his fifth year and her third. He wasn't sure, but they were on the Quidditch team together and things just sort of evolved from there.
He remembered summer days spent with Frank at Longbottom Manor with the Marauders, Lily, and Alice in his seventh year. Before the war claimed all their lives and friendships.
He still visited Frank and Alice at St. Mungos occasionally. His long friendship with Augusta's son and in honor of the fact that Neville and Harry would have been raised like brothers if things hadn't turned out the way they did, was the only reason Remus could claim the noble's time.
Augusta sipped her tea and sighed placing her cup in her saucer primly and then said, "I can see the merits of your argument Remus but honestly, what are you going to do when it is the full moon? And have you even told the boy?"
Remus's mouth went dry and his hands clenched. "Well, that is another reason I'm talking with you Lady Longbottom. I was hoping that Harry could stay here for that night. Maybe the day after as well. It takes a bit out of me." He admitted, swallowing his pride.
Augusta knew of his affliction. She had been on the board of governors and one of the witches who approved his application for Hogwarts. She had been instrumental in placing the security measures that saw him transforming in the Shack and the person that had donated the Whomping Willow, transplanting it from Longbottom Gardens to Hogwarts grounds. "And no. I haven't told him. I will... I just think he's got a lot to deal with and well that can wait I think."
Remus endured a long moment of the elderly woman's penetrating gaze but she seemed content to drop the subject for another.
"It amazes me that no one even realizes the boy isn't still with his relatives." She shook her head. "Albus has a lot to answer for." At seeing Remus's look of panic she sighed. "Don't worry Remus I won't be the one to tell him he's a bloody idiot." She sighed.
"Fine. You may bring the boy over whenever you like." Her eyes moved to the French doors that overlooked the gardens where she could keep a wary eye on her grandson. Though currently they were out of sight and she imagined they were down by the pond. "Now tell me about young Lord Potter. He looks frail." She complained.
Remus didn't mince his words, describing as much as Harry had shared with him, as well as his own deductions that Harry had been abused. He sighed, "To be honest, I wouldn't have interfered but he sent me a letter and I just knew I had to rescue the lad." He sighed, "Augusta, you know that Alice was named Godmother to Harry and Lily was Nevilles?"
Augusta nodded, "Yes. I was aware of it." Suddenly she became quite fiery. "I petitioned Albus for custody of the boy." She sighed. "He told me Harry was safer with his Muggle relatives because of a blood ward that Lily had placed. If I was to make a formal petition for Harry, Lily's memory and reputation would have been dragged through the mud. It's unheard of for a Muggle-born witch to place blood wards. And scandalous that a Muggle-born would place those wards on Muggle homes. Our society was not prepared to bend to the notion that there was just as much magic in her blood as there was in ours." She shook her head, "Frank and Alice wanted to place similar wards here." She shook her head, "I stubbornly refused believing at the time that it was dark magic." She sighed. "I was a fool."
Remus shook his head and said, "You were following the law. You can't be blamed for that."
Augusta scowled, "A law that I helped make!" She rolled her eyes, "Don't try and make me feel better Mr. Lupin. It's unbecoming." Remus wasn't sure how to respond so remained silent.
Finally, she said, "Frank bequeathed that land and cabin to you Mr. Lupin. I know you consider yourself a tenant but you shouldn't. So if I ask you to stop sending monthly rental payments will you?"
Remus shook his head, "I know how difficult it was to continue on alone after Frank. And that the will didn't go into effect because Frank is still alive. So I don't own the land and also the law doesn't allow for me to own land." He smiled sadly at Lady Longbottom who didn't pursue the argument.
The money that Remus gave her every month went to Neville's Hogwarts tuition and books. The House of Longbottom had fallen on hard times all appearances to the contrary. Augusta had let a lot of things slide over the years. She recognized it but seemed incapable of changing it. Maybe this was just the push she needed.
"Well then perhaps a compromise." Lady Augusta had been a shrewd negotiator and still possessed more than enough gravitas to pull off the occasional coup.
Remus inclined his head, "You know I could deny you nothing, my Lady." Which caused her to smirk.
"I'm immune to your charms Mr. Lupin." But still, she smiled. "You will take both boys under your capable tutelage until they are shipped off like luggage to Hogwarts. You will continue said tutelage during Holidays and Summer breaks. I find I have little energy for young boys, but you seem quite up to the challenge. As Neville's tutor, you are to be compensated with accommodations, and of course, Harry is always welcome here. Our home should have been his as well if fate hadn't intervened."
Remus smiled at the proud and formidable woman across from him and said, "Put that way Ma'am how can I refuse?"
"Mr. Lupin. Please call me Augusta." Remus bit his lip and looked almost pained. "Then you must call me Remus." They quickly hashed out the details of Remus's employment as a private tutor and advisor. Augusta knew she was getting the better of the deal.
When she called her grandson and Harry in for lunch and she saw the beginning of a true friendship between the boys as they petitioned for swimming lessons for Harry and flying lessons for Neville, she didn't have the heart to deny either boy's excited request she shrugged and simply said, "Your summer schedule will be left to your new tutor's discretion." She pointed to Remus who smiled mischievously. Both boys received sharp reprimands to close their mouths. Remus hid his smirk behind his glass of pumpkin juice.
He couldn't have predicted the turn his life would have taken because James had the foresight to leave something of himself for Harry to find. He watched as Neville and Harry talked about Hogwarts and wondered what house they would sort into.
Remus knew one thing then... Where one went the other was sure to go.