Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this chapter, I would like to start off by thanking The Ghostly Minion and the guest Goodwill for giving me advice on improving my writing, I hope this chapter is better written than my last.

I would also like to thank a few writers who have helped and encouraged me to finally try and write this fanfic

Coco29

Rahmota

SeventhChordHarmony

Lowten

I have greatly enjoyed the stories they made and I'd recommend you take the time to read them.

Chapter 5

The day after the troll incident Hermione had been feeling much happier knowing she had at least two friends that cared about her and she had just become friends with one of her dorm mates. Fay had kept her promise and joined them that morning at breakfast and Hermione had been able to talk to her. Fay Dunbar was a lonely girl who hardly ever made friends since she lived alone with her parents, because of this she grew used to being by herself but now she wanted to make the effort to make a friend. Ron was not in a good mood, McGonagall had approached him that morning informing him he'd be spending his free study period with her, normally he'd be given a worse punishment but McGonagall decided to lessen it since he confessed. This only added to his mood since he was woken up by Fred and George who decided to have a talk with him about what he said about Hermione since they heard about the fight he had with his friends yesterday, the twins even pulled Percy into it, while Ron was upset with everything he didn't complain since he knew he had it coming.

Harry was talking with Neville while also trying to ignore everyone else in the great hall, somehow news of Harry killing the troll had spread and the whole school now knew so Harry could tell many were staring at him. Breakfast had come to an end and Harry and his friends left for potions, Harry was prepared for the worse but to his surprise potions was slightly less unpleasant that day, for most of class Snape stayed at his desk and didn't walk around, although he still yelled at some of the Gryffindors and took points away he didn't make them as nervous as he would when he would stand right next to them. Harry looked around the classroom and noticed Daphne was glancing over at him, she mouthed the words dueling room to him and Harry nodded back knowing they'd meet up after class. Daphne no longer had to take any flying lessons since madam Hooch saw she was capable of flying so she now had a free study period.

When class was over Harry told his friends he'd be in the dueling room, Hermione and Neville had to go to their flying lesson, and Ron left to spend his free study period in detention with McGonagall. Harry had arrived at the dueling room and practiced trying to cast frictionless without the wand movement, soon the door opened and Daphne and Tracey came in.

Daphne asked "Is it true, did you and Hermione really face the troll yesterday?"

Harry nodded and told them what had happened, the two girls were surprised before Daphne spoke "You were very lucky Harry, trolls are not easy to take down so it could have killed the two of you, how's Hermione doing?"

"She's doing better now, she's still shaken up but thankfully she's happier now knowing Neville and I are really her friends."

Tracey nodded "Well I'm glad you two are doing better now, at first we thought Professor Snape was the one who killed the troll."

"What made you think that?"

Daphne answered "Yesterday he came back to our common room to tell us the troll was dead but we noticed one of his legs was injured, at first we thought it was because of the troll but we noticed there was a huge bite mark on it."

Harry seemed surprised "What could have bitten his leg?"

"Probably the Cerberus."

"What Cerberus?"

Tracey responded "You don't know? Some of the older students have gone to the third floor corridor to find out why it's forbidden and they've all said there's a three headed dog up there."

Harry remembered Fred and George's conversation about a Cerberus and now he wondered what could the three headed dog be guarding. Their conversation was cut short when the door opened and all three turned to see Professor Flitwick show up.

The Professor spoke "Ah Mr. Potter, I was hoping I would find you here, I would like to talk to you."

"Yes sir, what would you like to talk about?"

"You see Mr. Potter I have been keeping an eye on you ever since I saw your duel with Mr. Malfoy, I noticed how during that duel you attempted to cast silently a spell that isn't taught here, normally silent casting isn't something that's done until your fifth year at the earliest so I was quite shocked you attempted to do it. Professor McGonagall has informed me about how you are using this room to practice casting and I must admit I was impressed since most students never ask for something like this. I would like to ask how far along are you with the spell you used on Mr. Malfoy?"

Harry seemed surprised that Professor Flitwick was watching him, the journal talked about him being a well liked professor so now he wondered why he was interested in him. Answering the question Harry spoke "I have learnt to cast the spell silently, sir."

Flitwick seemed excited as Daphne and Tracey stared at him shocked, Flitwick then asked "Would you mind showing me Mr. Potter?"

Harry agreed but before he could Flitwick spoke "I would like to see if this is true so I would like to cast a silencing charm on you to make sure, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

Harry shook his head and after Flitwick silenced him Harry pulled out his wand and focused his magic as he thought of the spell, with a quick flick the spell hit the ground and Flitwick walked over and carefully placed one foot on the spot and noticed the spell worked. Daphne and Tracey stared at Harry in amazement as the two girls wondered how much was Harry practicing.

Flitwick spoke "Amazing Mr. Potter, I have to say I have rarely, if ever, seen a student push themselves this much. I see you have some talent when it comes to magic and I would like to help you improve in your spell casting, I would like to train you to duel. My schedule is quite busy so we can only practice once a week but I believe with someone as dedicated as you are you can improve greatly, what do you say Mr. Potter?"

Flitwick saw Harry move his mouth without saying a word and realized he was still silenced, after removing the spell Harry spoke "You want to train me Professor, might I ask why?"

"You see Mr. Potter in my youth I was quite the dueling champion, I had faced many great opponents and I defeated most, when I see a student with talent I will help them so that they could reach their potential, I believe you have the potential to become a great duelist and I would like to help." "You might even become greater than your grandfather." Flitwick finished inwardly.

Harry was stunned by the offer he was just given, he didn't know Flitwick was a dueling champion, Harry wanted to accept but he glanced over at Daphne and Tracey and thought of something, he then said "Sir I would like to make a request."

"What would that request be?"

"I was hoping you could also extend this offer to my friends."

Nothing was said for a few moments before Flitwick broke the silence "Might I ask why?"

"I have been practicing with my friends ever since school started and I think they would do just as well as you think I will do, I know you said with your busy schedule we can only have a lesson once a week but I think my friends will do just as well so I hope you can include them."

Flitwick thought it over and said "Tomorrow after lunch we will start our lesson, I have a spell in mind I will want you and your friends to perform, if by dinner you haven't managed to perform it then they can't be allowed to train with us."

Harry smiled and said "Great, we'll get the spell, what is it?"

"That's part of the challenge, you might already know it or you might not, tomorrow is where I will test you to see if you can get the spell."

Harry felt his smile lessen at that before Flitwick turned around and said "I will see you tomorrow in this room, feel free to invite your friends."

Flitwick left the room and walked back to his office, as he walked he thought "His first thought was to include those he's close to, he's not just interested in improving himself but those he cares for, I look forward to seeing the kind of wizard you become Mr. Potter."

Back in the classroom Harry was wondering what spell Flitwick will test them with when Daphne broke his concentration "Harry you do realize how big of an opportunity this is right? Professor Flitwick is someone who is well known among wizarding Britain, even my father has talked about how when he was a kid he was lucky enough to see Flitwick duel."

Harry felt nervous but at the same time some excitement to be able to learn from someone as skilled as Flitwick, Harry turned to Daphne and Tracey and asked "Do you two want to join us tomorrow?"

Both girls were surprised by the question, although they've been spending more time together both girls hadn't thought they were that close to Harry. Tracey asked "Are you sure you want us there Harry?"

"Yeah, if these lessons are that great then I think we could all benefit from this, I'd be glad to have you two join us."

Daphne and Tracey looked at each other before both girls agreed and thanked Harry for including them, the three of them spent their time in the dueling room going over all the spells they knew until it was time for lunch. They had to separate so their houses wouldn't know they were friends, at lunch Harry told Hermione and Neville about the dueling lessons before inviting them. Harry had told Ron as well but as he expected he turned down the offer but Neville and Hermione were shocked by the offer.

Hermione spoke "We get to have extra lessons with Professor Flitwick, this is amazing Harry, he can teach us a lot about dueling and it'll really help us, I wonder what spell he'll have us practice, we will need to review everything we know if we want to be prepared!"

Harry smiled at seeing how excited Hermione was to attend these extra lessons, he was glad to see she was doing better after the troll incident. Neville seemed nervous as he spoke "I'm not sure if I should join Harry, I probably won't be able to get the spell so maybe I shouldn't."

Harry could see Neville was hesitant to join, so far Neville had been doing better in regular classes thanks to their training but with the extra lessons Neville might fall behind. Harry spoke "Neville I'm sure you'll make it, you've been showing a lot of improvement with your magic so these lessons will only help you improve, if we work together I'm sure you'll surprise even yourself."

Neville stared at the wand he had in his hand and felt how it was still fighting him, he didn't think he should join but he saw the excited looks on Harry and Hermione's faces. The two of them have greatly helped him so Neville sighed and nodded "Alright I'll join you."

The two were excited to have him join, Harry extended the invitation the Dean and Seamus but the two boys turned down the offer since they weren't interested in the extra lessons. Harry thought about who else he could invite, he thought of his teammates but he felt they were already too busy to join and since they were older they already had more experience. He didn't know the rest of the Gryffindor first year girls that well so he crossed them out of his mind, Harry thought about who else he could invite when he realized he hadn't talked to Susan and Hannah since before the feast.

Harry doubted he knew them well enough to call them his friends but he remembered telling Susan he'd like for them to be friends so Harry decided he'd try and talk to the two girls. Lunch soon ended and Harry told Neville and Hermione to leave without him, he quickly left and soon found the two girls he was looking for. Harry called out "Hey Susan, Hannah, wait up!"

The two girls stopped and looked back at him, Susan spoke "Harry, I'm glad to see you're ok, I was scared the troll did something to you yesterday."

"I'm ok, Hermione saved me and she's doing better now, thanks again for telling us where she was."

"I'm glad to hear that and to have helped."

"Listen I wanted to tell the two of you something, Professor Flitwick offered to give me and my friends some lessons in dueling and I wanted to invite the two of you."

Both girls were surprised by the offer, Susan asked "A-are you sure Harry, I heard Flitwick is a great duelist so I doubt he makes these offers often, do you really want us there?"

Nodding, Harry answered "Yeah, he said I can invite my friends and I did tell you I want us to be friends, I hope these lessons help us become friends."

Susan smiled at the answer, Hannah however seemed shy as she asked "W-will Neville be there?"

Harry, not noticing anything, answered "Yeah I invited Neville, Hermione, Tracey, and Daphne to join us."

The two girls were again surprised to hear Harry invited two Slytherins as well, but both girls agreed to join. Harry informed them of where the dueling room was and when to show up before he left to join his friends in the dueling room.

Harry had practiced with his friends until it was late, when they returned to the common room to wait for their astronomy class Ron tried asking Harry and Neville for their homework but this time the two boys refused. Ron was told by the two they will help him with his homework but they weren't letting him copy them anymore, at first Ron tried to argue but when they refused to budge Ron had to reluctantly accept.

The next day Harry and his friends all arrived at the dueling room to see Professor Flitwick was already inside waiting for them. Once all seven students were inside Flitwick spoke "I am glad to see you are all here, as I'm sure Mr. Potter has told you I have decided to teach him to duel but he has requested that I include the rest of you, I had asked that he invite all of you because I want to see if you would be able to keep up with this training, you see I intend to push you harder than I ever would in class because when it comes to dueling I want to bring out the talent in skill in you to succeed. First thing you should know is dueling is not for everyone, that is why if any of you fail to complete today's lesson then I'm afraid you will not be allowed to come back, that doesn't mean you can't train with your friends in your spare time but I won't have you holding the others back."

Many of them seemed nervous but Flitwick continued "For this first lesson I want all of you to learn a simple spell that is often used in dueling, it's the disarming charm, do any of you already know how to cast it?"

Harry and Susan were the only ones who raised their hand, Flitwick focused on Susan "Ms. Bones, I'm not surprised considering who your guardian is, would you demonstrate to the others the spell?"

Susan nodded and took out her wand, she pointed it at the wall and cast "Expelliarmus!" A red spell shot out from her wand and hit the wall, Flitwick nodded "Very good Ms. Bones, the disarming charm is one of the most commonly used spells in dueling since it takes your opponents wand leaving them basically defenseless however there is more to the charm. You see the charm makes your opponent lose their wand but for more experienced duelers you can focus your magic into your wand to create a connection that is hard to break. This skill is one you will need to concentrate on to use so many don't use it since they see it can take away from casting, however for more experienced duelers this is something that almost becomes second nature, Mr. Potter I ask that you hit me with a disarming charm."

Surprised at the request Harry took a moment to prepare himself before stepping forward, aiming his wand Harry saw Flitwick held his wand but didn't seem ready. Flitwick smiled and nodded at Harry to cast so Harry fired "Expelliarmus!" The red spell shot forward and hit Flitwick but to the students' surprise nothing happened.

Flitwick smiled and said "Excellent, as you all saw even when the spell hit me my wand didn't move, as I am using my magic to create the connection this means the only way for someone to disarm me is to make the spell powerful enough to break the connection, you can also attempt to distract your opponent to make them lose focus then cast the spell, now Mr. Potter I want you to cast the spell again."

Harry did as he was told and this time the wand went flying out of Flitwick's hand, Flitwick spoke "For this lesson I want all of you to practice the wand movement and incantation then you must disarm me, if you manage to disarm me then you will be welcomed to our lessons on dueling but if you fail then I'm afraid you won't be welcomed back but that doesn't mean you can't train with your friends in your spare time."

Flitwick proceeded to show the students the proper wand movement and practice the incantation before they finally got it, since Harry had already gotten the spell he spent his time showing Hermione and Neville how to cast the spell. Hermione was able to get the spell but Neville still struggled, soon they stopped when Susan decided to approach Flitwick and cast the spell, the spell struck but the wand didn't move.

Flitwick spoke "You've got the spell Ms. Bones but I'm afraid you still aren't putting in the required amount of magic to disarm me, practice feeling the magic you're putting into the spell and once you feel you've got enough then try again."

The next to try was Daphne, once she approached she cast the spell and to the surprise of the students she disarmed Flitwick.

"Excellent job Ms. Greengrass, you are indeed a fast learner, the spell was strong enough to disarm me but not too overpowered that it could have pushed me back, you have excellent control over your magic."

Daphne thanked the professor and seemed excited to have managed to join the dueling lessons, Daphne thought about her little sister knowing she'd come to Hogwarts in a few years so she intended to become strong enough to protect her from other Slytherins. When Daphne stepped away Hermione was the next to walk up and want to test her spell. Harry couldn't help but smile at that, ever since Daphne had become their friend the two girls had formed a friendly rivalry. Daphne and Hermione had similar grades although Hermione's grade was a bit better, the two girls seem to turn any of their training into a competition.

Hermione focused her magic before casting the spell, once the red spell hit everyone saw Flitwick's wand shoot out of his hand. Flitwick smiled "Excellent work Ms. Granger, I'm glad to welcome you into these lessons."

This was how the lesson continued, Harry, Hermione, and Daphne were the first to disarm Flitwick with Susan following shortly after. Neville, Hannah, and Tracey were the ones who needed more practice but soon Hannah managed to disarm Flitwick. Tracey wasn't too far behind her and now Neville was the last one, Neville wasn't feeling too confident in himself since he was the last to get the spell and it came out weak. Neville pushed himself to make the spell powerful enough but time was running out.

Hannah and Susan tried to encourage Neville, even Daphne, despite her cold look, tried to help him. Neville saw time was almost up as he pointed his wand at Flitwick, Neville looked at Harry and the rest of his friends as they tried to encourage him "Please let this work."

Neville pushed his magic and cast "Expelliarmus!" The red spell shot out and hit Flitwick, everyone waited but they saw the wand didn't move. Flitwick spoke "I'm sorry Mr. Longbottom, your spell wasn't strong enough."

Neville's face dropped as he felt any confidence he had shatter at that moment, it was time for dinner and Flitwick spoke "All of you should head to dinner, we will hold our lessons on every Saturday."

Flitwick was about to leave when Harry spoke "Professor wait, please give Neville another-"

"It's alright Harry." Neville cut him off "I wasn't good enough, I guess I really am just a squib." Harry could hear the pain in his voice as Neville's eyes became wet, he tried to put on a smile "I'll see you guys at dinner."

Neville left before anyone could say anything, Harry felt bad for his friend and was about to go help but Flitwick spoke first "Mr. Potter can you go make sure Mr. Longbottom is ok?"

Harry nodded and quickly left to find Neville, arriving at an empty common room Harry went upstairs to their dorm and found Neville sitting on his bed staring at his wand. He could see Neville had a few tears he quickly wiped away when he saw Harry enter the room.

"Harry what are you doing here, dinner already started."

Harry walked over and sat next to his friend "Neville I'm sorry I-"

Neville cut him off "It's not your fault Harry, I already knew this, I knew from the beginning this was going to happen. My family always said I was a squib, I guess this just proves it."

Harry felt some anger at Neville's relatives for that, he knew very well what it was like to have relatives that destroy any confidence you might have. Harry remembered the few times Neville talked about his relatives and how some of them liked to gossip so when they thought the only son of Frank Longbottom was a squib the news soon spread to people like Malfoy. Harry spoke "That's not true Neville, you've been pushing yourself to show you're a great wizard, you're not a squib and I'm sure we can-"

Neville cut him off again "I just keep holding you and Hermione back, the two of you will become great while I struggle just to do the basics that any normal wizard can do!" Harry saw Neville's eyes tear up again, he continued "I really am just a squib, I just keep holding you and Hermione back, my magic is pathetic, I'm not good enough to use my dad's wand!"

A few tears escaped as Neville gripped his wand tighter, he felt sad and frustrated feeling like he was a failure. Harry felt bad for his friend but his words repeated in his mind, Harry's eyes widened as he realized something and asked "Wait Neville you're using your dad's wand?"

Neville looked at him as he wiped away the few tears "Y-Yeah, my gran gave me my dad's wand so that I can become a great wizard like him."

Harry thought back to when he got his wand and how Ollivander told him the wand chooses the wizard, he remembered the few wands he held before and how they all felt wrong in his hand. The realization finally hit him as Harry asked "Neville why didn't your gran take you to get your own wand?"

"She told me it was good enough for him so it's good enough for me."

Harry was quiet for a few moments before he got up and went to his trunk, he pulled out two books and placed them in front of Neville. Neville looked at Harry confused wondering what he was doing. Harry turned to Neville and said "Neville, I want you to cast the switching spell and switch their places."

"Harry I can't, I haven't gotten that spell yet."

"Trust me Neville, try and cast it."

Neville wasn't sure but he saw Harry was serious, lifting his wand Neville cast the spell but the books didn't move. Neville felt like he failed and was about to say so when Harry suddenly snatched his wand out of his hand. Neville was about to say something but then Harry shoved his wand at him and said "Now cast it with my wand."

Neville was even more confused and said "Harry I can't, I-"

Harry cut him off "Just trust me Neville, I need to see something."

Neville saw the determined look on his face and decided to try, lifting Harry's wand Neville pushed his magic into the spell and noticed the wand reacted better to him and to his shock he switch the locations of the books. Neville's eyes widened at this, he practiced that spell many times and never got it but now it worked.

"Neville the problem isn't you it's your wand, this wand was meant for someone else so it's been fighting you, you need your own wand!"

Neville looked at Harry and said in a hopeful voice "Are you sure Harry, it's not just luck?"

Harry nodded "I'm sure of it, when I got my wand Ollivander told me the wand chooses the wizard, I had to try a few before I found mine and those other wands felt wrong in my hand. Neville your wand was made for your dad not for you so you need to go see Ollivander so you can get your proper wand."

Neville no longer felt down as there was a chance he might be a good wizard, however he realized something and said "I'm not sure if I can Harry, my gran would be upset if I even hinted at getting a different wand. I'd have to wait until Christmas break to talk to her about it and even then I'd doubt I can convince her."

"Neville we just found out you're being held back because of your wand, I'm sure she will take you after you tell her."

"She won't Harry, when I told gran my wand felt like it was off she showed me she could easily use it and said I need to honor my dad by using his wand."

Harry felt upset with Neville's gran, she's a fully trained witch so it's unfair for her to use the wand like that and say he can too. Neville is doing nothing but limiting himself by using his dad's wand and it's not letting him grow as a proper wizard, remembering the few times his mum mentioned Frank Longbottom in the journal he sounded like a good guy who was overjoyed to have a son and wanted Neville to become great in his way.

Harry promised Neville he'd think of something and the two boys went down to join their friends for dinner, at dinner Neville was reassuring Hermione he was ok while Harry kept trying to think of a way to help his friend. Halfway through dinner Harry glanced up at the teachers' table and saw Professor McGonagall speaking to Professor Flitwick then Harry got an idea.

When dinner was over Harry went to McGonagall's office and knocked. Once she invited him in she asked "What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"

"Professor I was hoping I could ask you a question, does Hogwarts allow people to come visit in the middle of the year?"

"People are allowed to come visit, why do you ask?"

Harry asked another question "How are they able to come visit?"

"Most usually use the floo to come visit although they need to inform us first before they are allowed through."

Harry seemed confused and asked "Floo?"

Remembering Harry didn't grow up in the magical world McGonagall explained "The fireplace is connected to something called the floo network that allows anyone to travel from one fireplace to another or to make calls."

Harry understood and said "Professor I want to make a request of you."

Harry explained his plan to her and McGonagall seemed surprised by the request but nodded and agreed to it. Harry thanked her and was about to leave but before he left McGonagall rewarded him twenty points for going out of his way to help a friend.

Returning to the common room Harry went up to his dorm and took out some parchment and a quill to write a letter.

Sunday morning soon arrived in Diagon Alley and many shops were starting to open up, one of the shops that opened up was Ollivander's. Normally Ollivander would make more sales when new Hogwarts students would arrive to get their wands but for the rest of the year Ollivander mostly sold wand holsters, wand polisher, and proper wand care kits while he worked on new wands.

Ollivander was working on a new wand when he suddenly heard tapping coming from the window, glancing over he saw a beautiful snowy white owl. Once he let her in the owl held out the letter attached to her leg, as soon as he grabbed the letter she took off. Glancing at the letter in his hand he saw it was addressed to him, opening it the letter read

Dear Mr. Ollivander

My name is Harry Potter and I was hoping I could make a request of you, your wand has been working well for me and I've been having a lot of fun at Hogwarts and I've made many friends but recently I've learned one of my friends doesn't have his own wand instead he's been using his dad's wand. His name is Neville Longbottom and he's been working hard to keep up with the rest of the class but recently I let him use my wand and he was able to use a spell he's been struggling with.

He told me how his gran wants him to use his dad's wand in the hopes of him becoming like him but the wand has been fighting him and because of that he's struggling. My wand matched better with him but it's still not a perfect match so I am hoping you can come to Hogwarts to deliver Neville's wand. Neville has been feeling like a failure because he struggles to use his dad's wand and it's not fair to him, I remember you said the wand chooses the wizard so I want my friend to have a proper wand to help him.

I sent a letter to Gringotts and informed my account manager Barchoke that I would like fifty galleons to be transferred to your vault to pay for the travel and the new wand. I know no one knows wands better than you so I'm hoping that before Christmas break you speak to Neville's gran and explain how Neville needs his own wand to become a proper wizard. Please, I hope you'll listen to my request and help my friend, I do have one more minor favor I would like to ask…

Ollivander finished reading the rest of the letter and couldn't help but smile "Mr. Potter, I can certainly expect great things from you, looking out for a friend the way you are." Ollivander put down the letter and walked over to gather his supplies.

Tuesday had arrived and the students had just finished their lunch before heading off to their last class for the day, Harry and his friends arrived for potions. Neville sat with Ron and Snape started the lesson by putting the instructions on the board, before Neville could begin there was a knock at the door and Professor McGonagall entered.

McGonagall asked "Professor Snape may I see Mr. Longbottom?"

Snape nodded and before Neville could get up McGonagall informed him to take his stuff since he wouldn't be coming back. Neville felt nervous as he followed McGonagall, he was wondering if he might be in trouble but soon they arrived at her office where Neville saw Garrick Ollivander was waiting.

Ollivander smiled when he saw him "Hello Mr. Longbottom, I was hoping I would have seen you sooner but better late than never I say."

Neville was confused and asked "What's going on?"

Ollivander's smile widened a bit and said "I am here because of a special request, I have been informed you are using your father's wand and it has been fighting you, may I see your wand?"

Neville was surprised at what he was told but took out his wand and handed it to him, Ollivander looked over the wand and said "I remember when I sold this wand to your father, it certainly worked well for him but I'm afraid this wand is a bad match for you, don't take this the wrong way Mr. Longbottom but you are not your father you are yourself and you can grow to become the greatest wizard you can be not what someone else can be."

Neville felt stunned at the words before Ollivander continued "I had received a letter from your friend Mr. Potter to come and deliver your wand, he had told me about how you are using a wand that doesn't match with you and because of that you've been struggling so I've come to deliver your wand."

Neville was left speechless, Harry had seemed excited about something but hadn't told them anything, he now realized Harry was excited for him to get his wand. Neville spoke "But my gran-"

This time McGonagall spoke "You don't need to worry about your grandmother Mr. Longbottom, just before Christmas break Mr. Ollivander and I will speak to her so she can understand why you need your own wand. Mr. Potter told me about how his wand worked better with you, this is why yesterday in my class it was only a lecture, I intend to show your grandmother that you have improved after you got your proper wand."

Neville couldn't help but feel happy that his friend did all this for him, he needed to thank Harry when he got the chance. For the next hour Neville tested many of the wands Ollivander brought with him but none of them matched with him, he was beginning to worry that he doesn't have a proper wand until he was given one of the last ones. When Neville took hold of the wand he felt a powerful connection and his magic reacted to the new wand, suddenly from a vase of flowers McGonagall had new flowers appeared and bloomed.

Neville felt as if his magic was singing as he stared at his new wand, looking at the adults he saw both Ollivander and McGonagall were smiling. Ollivander spoke "Cherry and unicorn hair, an excellent wand."

Neville wanted to test his wand and looking at the box where his wand came from Neville cast the switching spell and the box dropped into his hand, a smile spread across his face as he felt his magic flow easily into his wand. McGonagall congratulated Neville and told him to store away his dad's wand in his trunk. Neville thanked the two and left for the tower, the whole time he kept looking at his wand feeling the strong connection he had with it and how easily his magic now flowed into it.

Once back at the tower Neville dropped off his stuff and decided he wanted to practice his casting so he left for the dueling room. Some time later Neville heard the door open and he saw Hermione and Harry arrived, a huge smile spread across his face as he rushed over and hugged Harry by surprise and said "Thank you Harry, thank you!"

Stepping back Neville showed them his new wand "This is so much better than my old wand, I've been able to cast all the spells we've been practicing and it doesn't feel like I have to force it, I can feel my magic work so much better with this wand!"

Once Harry caught up he smiled and congratulated his friend, Hermione was excited to see Neville had a new wand and the three friends decided to practice all the spells they knew. Neville had kept up with his friends and even practiced casting the disarming charm on them and he saw their wands shoot out of their hands.

When they were done for the day they were about to head back but Neville stopped Harry and said "Harry I wanted to say thank you."

Harry chuckled "You've already thanked me, a few times actually."

"I mean thank you for looking out for me, for helping me, for being my best friend."

Harry smiled at that and patted Neville on the back and said "Of course, you're one of my best friends too."

For the rest of the week Neville continued to practice with his friends, Susan, Hannah, Daphne, and Tracey congratulated him when he showed them his new wand. In his classes where he needed a wand Neville was no longer the last student to get a spell and because of this he earned more points for Gryffindor.

Saturday had arrived and Harry and his friends arrived for their first dueling lesson, Flitwick walked into the dueling room and noticed Neville was there and asked "Mr. Longbottom might I ask what you are doing here?"

Neville answered "I was hoping for one more chance to prove myself, please sir."

Flitwick considered it for a few seconds before responding "Very well but this will be the last chance, if you don't get this then I'm afraid you will have to leave."

Nervously Neville stepped forward but he glanced over at his friends and saw they were all giving him encouraging smiles and wishing him good luck. Neville saw Flitwick was ready and pushed his magic into his wand and cast "Expelliarmus!"

The red spell shot forward and hit Flitwick and his wand went flying out of his hand. Neville was shocked to see he did it but was caught off guard when someone crashed into his side, looking he saw a cheerful Hannah saying "You did it, I knew you could do it!"

Hannah held Neville in a tight hug causing him to blush, Hannah seemed to realize what she did and let go as her face turned red but they were distracted when the others surrounded them and congratulated Neville. Neville looked around him at his friends and couldn't help but smile and feel his eyes tear up slightly at seeing how his friends supported him more than his relatives.

Flitwick cleared his throat and got their attention "You have done well Mr. Longbottom, Professor McGonagall told me about your new wand and I must admit I am impressed, I am glad to welcome you to our dueling lessons."

Neville's smile brightened as he thanked the professor, now Professor Flitwick was ready to start the lesson and was looking forward to see how they will improve.

I would like to thank everyone who has read, favorited, followed, and commented on this story and I hope I can make the story good enough that the readers will enjoy, please comment and let me know what you thought of the chapter.