Chapter 4

Harry and Neville age 10

"Harry, Neville would you come here for a minute," asked Frank from where he and Alice were sitting on the couch of the living room.
"Yes, Uncle Frank?" asked Harry as he and Neville came to sit between the two adults.
Before he spoke again Frank cast a privacy spell. "Boys we have something important to tell you, but before we do both of you must promise to never reveal the contents of or conversation," Frank began.
"Well not unless you are absolutely positive you trust them with your lives anyway," Alice added. "Both Frank and I believe you are responsible and mature enough to handle this information. Don't prove us wrong."
Both boys looked at each other than nodded.
"Very well," said Frank who was then silent for a few moments as if gathering his thoughts. "It all starts before either of you were born. Albus Dumbledore went to interview an applicant for the Divination position. You do know that's trying to read the future and the like right?"
Both boys nodded so Frank continued, "Well Albus was just to turn the applicant down for he didn't believe in Divination, but as he was going to do this the applicant, Sybill Trelawney, actually gave off a true prophecy. We won't tell you the contents at least not until you're older but let's just say it could have involved either of you. It was just sheer bad luck that it was you, Harry. It's one of the reasons people stare at you whenever you go to Diagon Alley and also the reason you have that scar on your forehead."
"Harry and you to Neville cannot go to Hogwarts and not know that you Harry are famous—famous for something that happened when you were a baby, and your parents were killed."
"So, what happened?" asked both boys seriously.
Alice and Frank looked at each other then went on to explain about how Harry was the only wizard to ever live through a Killing Curse and how that curse had bounced off Harry and had struck Voldemort down instead.
"And that is the reason you are famous for the defeat of Lord Voldemort," said Alice shuddering when she said the name. "However, Albus doesn't believe that You-Know-Who is truly dead and that eventually he will find a way to come back to life. Also, in a way Voldemort chose you Harry when he could have very easily chosen Neville instead since your birthdays are only a day apart."
"We just want you to be aware that when you do go to Hogwarts next year that all the children grew up knowing the name of Harry Potter and so you both will more than likely encounter people staring at and whispering about you behind your back. We're telling you about this now so that both of you have time to get used to the idea. You must prepare yourselves to ignore them for all of them have been told by their parents about you and once they get to know you a little better most of them will stop and the ones that don't aren't worth worrying about."
"You're telling me I'm famous for something I had no control over and don't even really remember since I was just a baby at the time?" asked Harry in astonishment.
"I'm afraid so, Harry," said Frank with obvious sympathy. "The defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was a turning point for the war and was also a very important event for our kind. You must understand that a lot of old pureblood families were wiped out because they refused to join You-Know-Who's cause, the Prewetts, the Bones and your parents Harry, among them. Of course, it just wasn't the purebloods You-Know-Who and his followers were killing but half-bloods and Muggle-born to. The Death Eaters hated anybody who wasn't a pureblood and unfortunately a lot of the old families agreed with his ideals and joined him in his quest to rid of the world of everyone who wasn't fit into their narrow-minded view."
"The Death Eaters also killed Muggles by the hundreds. Whole families were wiped out…" And so Frank and Alice went on to explain all about the first war and why Harry was famous but then concluded by saying, "When you go to Hogwarts next year you must look out for and protect each other."
"From what?" Neville asked.
"There will be wizards and witches who believe in the Death Eaters' ideals and those people may or may not be actual Death Eaters themselves but in any case, those people could try to cause Harry harm because of him being the Boy Who Lived and you as well once it is known that you are god brothers."
"I see," said Neville and Harry at the same time both looking thoughtful.
Alice and Frank looked at each other and finally Alice said, "I think we've given you two enough to absorb for one day. Just remember what we told you, especially once you start at Hogwarts next year for their will be children of Death Eaters there."
"Yes, Aunt Alice, Uncle Frank," Harry responded solemnly both boys' looking extremely serious for once.
"Now scat," Alice told them ruffling the hair of both boys in affectionate.
"Yes ma'am," Neville and Harry chanted running out of the room together.

~~~An Alternate Future~~~

Harry and Neville age 11

"Have they come yet?" Harry and Neville both asked excitedly.
"Have what come?" Frank asked teasingly holding his two-and-a-half-year-old son on his lap.
"Frank," Alice warned trying to hide a smile. "Here you go boys; they arrived while you were getting dressed." Alice handed over two Hogwarts letter one to Harry and the other to Neville.
"Oh boy," both boys exclaimed tearing into the envelopes with glee. Neville read his silently hardly able to contain his excitement.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Longbottom

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Neville turned to the second page where all his books and equipment were listed and read down the list.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spell (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
By Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

Neville finally looked up his face splitting into a happy grin. Both he and Harry had been looking forward to starting at Hogwarts for months. "Yippee, we're both going to Hogwarts!"
"Yay!" both boys exclaimed hopping up and down in excitement.
"Well, they're certainly excited," said Frank with a chuckle.
"And you weren't when you got your Hogwarts letter?" Alice teased him. "I know I was. It was a chance to leave home and be away from my family for the very first time."
"Yes, I was excited," Frank admitted. "Being away from home and out of my parents influence, making new friends and getting my first wand were some of the best experiences of my life."
"Mine to," agreed Alice giving her husband a kiss.
"Now, boys, calm down and come and eat your breakfasts," Alice chided them gently but with a smile.
"Yes ma'am," said Neville, plopping down in his usual chair with a tired but happy grin.
"'ogwarts?" asked Ewan clapping his little hands happily.
"Yes, Ewan, Hogwarts," said Harry picking up his little godbrother off Frank's lap and hugging him and kissing his baby soft cheek.
"Arry, Nev, leaving?" asked Ewan his happy expression changing to one of sadness.
"Hey, we'll be back for the holidays and the summer to," Neville assured his little brother. "And we'll make sure to write you plenty of letters while we're away. Isn't that right, Harry?"
"Of course," Harry agreed. "As soon as we get there we'll write and tell you all about the sorting and what houses we're in."
"You'll probably be in Gryffindor, Harry," said Alice. "That's where most of your family has been and as for Neville most of our family's been in Hufflepuff although there are a few who were in Gryffindor to, including Frank. Of course, no one knows for sure where they'll end up, but certain characteristics run in families. The Diggorys for example have almost all been in Hufflepuff and the Weasleys have all been Gryffindor."
"Just so long as it's not Slytherin, I'll be happy," said Harry.
"Don't worry, Slytherin's mostly purebloods although there have been one or two exceptions," Frank assured them.
Harry nodded but privately thought with his luck he would end up there anyway.

~~~An Alternate Future~~~

"Harry, can I have a word with you?" asked Frank as he entered the playroom that was shared by all three children. In this room there was a shelf along one wall filled with books both magical and Muggle. Lily had introduced several Muggle authors to Alice in their years at Hogwarts and Alice had enjoyed them so much that she had continued the tradition with her own children. Both boys enjoyed reading every once in a while, especially on rainy days when they couldn't go outside. Also, against another wall was a set of low shelves that had all sorts of magical games like Exploding Snap, Gobstones and Wizard's Chess. Ron Weasley was particularly good at this game and could beat both boys nine times out of ten
"Of course, Uncle Frank," said Harry. "I'll be right back Nev, Ewan."
"Here, Ewan," said Neville in an attempt to distract his 2-and-a-half-year-old brother who looked as if he was going to throw a temper tantrum. "Why don't I continue where Harry left off in the story?"
With Ewan successfully distracted Harry and Frank left the room in companionable silence. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Uncle Frank?" asked Harry as soon as they had reached Frank's study and had shut the door.
"Harry, Alice and think you are old enough to know that your parents left you a great deal of money in Gringotts. The Potters are one of the oldest, richest pureblood families in the wizarding world and your parents provided a trust fund to make sure you had enough money for school expenses and also to help pay for whoever raised you. That vault has remained untouched all this time."
"You've never used any of it for food or toys or clothes for me?" asked Harry looking amazed at what he was learning.
Frank shook his head. "No, we felt that the money was yours and also the Longbottoms are also an old pureblood family with plenty of money of our own. We might not be as rich as the Potters, but we have enough money to last us for a good long time even if both Alice and I didn't work. Besides, we didn't take you in just so we could get control of your money. We did it because your parents were good friends of Alice's and mine and because we love you as much as we love Neville and Ewan."
Harry nodded too choked up to speak for a moment. He had known of course that the Longbottoms cared about him, but this just proved that they loved him as much as if he was theirs by blood. He thought again how lucky he was.
"How much money are we talking about?" Harry asked finally.
"I'm not sure of the exact amount although as your guardian I would have had the right to know and of course, use the money for your care, but at least several million. Not only is there your trust fund vault which has been gaining interest all this time but there is also the old Potter vault even though you can't use any of that one until you turn 17. Also, there is a much smaller vault in your parents' names which is all the money they acclimated from their jobs at the Ministry of Magic. Your father was an Auror like me and your mother worked in the Department of Mysteries."
Harry knew this of course for over the years Remus, Alice and Frank had all told him stories about his parents, but instead of saying so he simply nodded and besides his mind was still reeling with the information that there was at least several million Galleons and possible more that would be his once he reached his maturity.
"I know this is a lot to take in," said Frank. "But we wanted you to know before you went off to Hogwarts."
"Are you going to use the money in the trust fund vault for my school fees?" asked Harry.
"Well, the thing is we have to. Your parents left a clause in their will that the money from your trust vault must be used for school fees, including books uniform, wand and anything else that is needed for Hogwarts. We were going to just use our money but when we tried the goblins reminded us of that clause. The money for your school fees has already been withdrawn from your vault for this year and will continue to be deducted at the beginning of every school year until you graduate at the end of your seventh year."
Harry nodded in understanding.
"However, when we go to Diagon Alley sometime in the next couple of weeks you must visit your vault to get money for incidental expenses, books, wand, robes, spending money for the school year that kind of thing. We would have provided you with spending money of course but that is another clause in your parents will that all spending money for school must come out of your trust fund vault just so long as you don't spend more than a certain amount a year."
"Why would my parents insist I use my trust vault for spending money? I would think that would be saved for school fees and stuff related to it."
"I have a feeling that that particular clause is more your mother's doing then your father's. Your mother came from a solid middle class Muggle family, and she knew how expensive boarding schools could be. If I know Lily and how she thought, she probably figured why should the person or persons raising you have to give you spending money when you had all those Galleons just sitting in your trust vault gathering interest? You already have enough money to last you and your descendants the next several hundred years at least anyway. Your mother was if anything inherently practical."
"I see," said Harry thoughtfully. He had known of his mother's practical nature through the stories he had been told about her but Frank's explanation about his parents will brought that fact home to him more than the stories ever had.
"I know you've had a lot to take in lately but both Alice and I believe you can handle it and with you going to Hogwarts in the next month it was time for you to know anyway."
"Thank you for telling me Uncle Frank," said Harry solemnly. "I've always known that my parents loved me enough to die for me at least in my head but then leaving me all their money makes my heart believe it to."
"You are the last living Potter," said Frank also solemnly. "Your grandfather Charlton died just days after you were born and your grandmother while James was still in school. Now with James dead you are the only one who can carry on the Potter family name by someday getting married and having a family of your own."
"If any of us live that long," said Harry, well aware that his aunt and uncle and Dumbledore to didn't really believe that Voldemort was dead.
"All we can do is hope and try to live one day at a time," said Frank with a sad smile thinking both Harry and Neville were growing up to fast thanks in large part to this state of war the whole of the wizarding world was living in and also because of Harry's destiny. "Why don't you go rejoin Neville and Ewan? I do believe you were in the middle of reading Ewan a story."
"I was, although I'm sure Neville has finished it by now," said Harry with a smile turning and leaving Frank's study closing the door behind him.

~~~An Alternate Future~~~

Three weeks later Frank and Alice took the two boys' to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies leaving Ewan behind in the care of Frank's mother.
"Do you have your book lists boys?" asked Alice.
"I have mine," said Harry. "We only need one since we're in the same year."
"Very well," said Alice. They then used the Floo to get to the Leaky Cauldron which was right in front of the entrance to Diagon Alley.
The boys had been to Diagon Alley plenty of times before but that didn't stop them from staring around in fascination as going there took on a whole new meaning because they were about to start their first year at Hogwarts.
"To Gringotts first and then to get your robes?" suggested Alice.
Everybody seemed to agree so all four of them headed to Gringotts and entered the first set of door that looked like they were made out of solid bronze. After they passed through the first set of doors there was a second set that looked as if they were made of silver and engraved in the silver was a warning which said:

Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.

Harry shivered slightly as he read the words engraved on the doors for, he remembered his uncle talking about it once. Of course, he had been supposed to be upstairs, but he had snuck downstairs for a snack and heard his uncle talking about it with Dumbledore and who Harry had found out later was Rubeus Hagrid Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. If he remembered the conversation, they had been talking about Gringotts and how anybody would be mad to try to rob the goblins and take something from their bank that didn't belong to them for the goblin had ways to find you and get their revenge even if you managed to escape their security measures which no one had ever accomplished.
Frank Longbottom approached the front desk.
"Can I help you sir?" asked one of the Goblins
"Yes, I need to be taken to my vault," said Frank handing over his key. "Oh, and my nephew Harry needs to be taken to his vault as well," he added handing over another key.
The goblin examined the keys then nodded, "Everything seems to be in order. Griphook will take you to both vaults." The goblin gestured and a young goblin with a pointed beard and a clever face stepped forward.
"This way," Griphook said politely.
"Alice why don't you and Neville stay here?" suggested Frank. "We'll be right back."
Alice nodded and said, "We'll meet you over at Madam Malkin's."
Frank nodded and then he and Harry followed Griphook to one of the carts that would take them to their vaults.

~~~An Alternate Future~~~