Disclaimer:

I solemnly swear that the literature and works of the Harry Potter Verse belong to JK Rowling, Bloomberg and Warner Bros. The only thing I own are the one-shot ideas that popped into my head and whatever OCs I would create for them. This is a work of pure fiction made solely for fun, constructive reviews will be welcomed, flames will be ignored. Any references to characters in real-life or fiction are purely coincidental. If I could make money out of my ideas, it would be nice...

Mischief Managed Damn It!

Title: Heir for the Greater Ideal / Chapter 3 (Working Title)

Posted Date: June 30 2024

Tags: Timeline brought forward, WBWL, Good / Decisive Dumbledore, Stupid Potters, Good Minerva, Know-It-All Granger, Problematic Weasleys, Alive Flamels

Possible Pairings: Harry x Susan, Harry x Padma, Harry x Daphne, Harry x Katie, Harry x Small Multi

Possible Challenge(s): Bad Sirius / Lupin, Alive Grindelwald, Neutral Snape, Technomancy

In a certain townhouse in Grimmauld Place, London, several people were moving about the place trying to get some order in the chaotic looking place that had seen better days even with the aid of the current Lord Black, aka Sirius Orion Black the Third. It was partially due to his late and totally unlamented mother who had gone insane since the death of his younger brother Regulus in the service of the Dark Lord and seemingly infected the house elf with her madness, leaving the place in disarray except for the room that belonged to Regulus which was almost religiously cleaned every day until the man dismissed the elf on account of his increasing insanity and danger to the events coming up. The elf did not take it well and attempted to attack only for the elf to be struck down by elf oaths for attempting to attack his former master.

Some may argue about elf cruelty, but the elf really was bent out of shape.

The people in question were members of the Order of the Phoenix, a vigilante group that had been formed to combat the dark lord known as Voldemort or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as he was often referred to due to the taboo that was placed on the name that allowed the dark wizards to hunt down people who said his name. After the war ended, their leader Albus Dumbledore had disbanded the group and retired shortly after, but the group still maintained some form of communication in the event a new threat appeared.

Well, it came true, although they wished it did not have to happen.

They were called together shortly after the ending of Triwizard Tournament to discuss the matter that was the return of Voldemort, provided from Minerva's Pensieve memories to show the meeting, and it became clear that they needed more help since their numbers had dropped and the majority left had grown rusty from old age, missing limbs, or just not combat material. Most genuinely wanted to just leave, still haunted by the memories of the old war. Molly Weasley for one made it very clear to all her children were not going to be in it, despite the eldest two being adults by a few years, the third eldest having graduated two years ago, and the twins just became adults from their birthdays.

Their ears were still ringing from her last blast.

It also became clear that Minister Fudge did not want to believe any news about Voldemort returning from the dead. While understandable for others, the man and his toad decided that it was all a hoax, and that Noah Potter was delusional from injuries obtained in the maze, and said so in the newspapers and painted the Potters as fame hounding idiots. It was likely not helped with Noah's behavior over the years in Hogwarts and the odd adventures he got into since second year, a lot of students have a fair bit to say about them, not all good.

Some among the vigilante group held their own opinions regarding the family in light of news told to them. It may have escaped some people, but the manner the family conducted themselves was something of a muggle see-saw, and some were thinking it was a case of karma catching up to them. It said something when some of the closest allies to the Potters were having second thoughts about the alliances made years ago by Fleamont Potter.

Then there was the news about the missing Potter that almost everyone had forgotten about that night and apparently the one that Voldemort proclaimed to be the one who had defeated him previously. Those who were part of the first generation of the Order recalled that tidbit and had wondered about the missing boy. And silently, some of the more cynic had considered whether the Potter adults had done something to the boy given what had happened that night, and with how the Longbottoms suddenly got attacked when Alice had tried to gain information and gain custody of the young boy.

In a way, it was a good thing the Potters have yet to come to the house. There was a lot of bad blood brewing and rumors abound, and James was still fairly hot-tempered despite the years. There was also the detail that both Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were not on good terms with them for having sent away the apparent godson of Black without telling them. Last thing they needed was a spell battle in this cramped place.

There was one bright spot to the bad situation. Having seen the state of the group and knowing what was going on, Minerva had approached the one person who could help them with the crisis, and it was someone that people would rally to. Everyone and their grandmothers would know about Albus Dumbledore, the previous headmaster of Hogwarts and briefly the Chief Warlock for the Wizengamot. The man was a giant in the political and educational world, and was famous for dueling the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald before the latter's defeat in the 1940s. Albus was also the only one that Voldemort avoided frontal confrontation during the civil war, and kept him back until the latter's defeat. It was roughly a few months after that, that Albus announced his retirement on account of his health, and slowly released his positions to those he appointed, before disappearing a week after handing over the wards to Minerva. But he was still in contact with her when she needed advice, and at her request, he was coming back to Britain tonight for the first time in a long time.

With him around, they should be able to handle the tide.

Watching the lot of them moving about and getting the house more livable, Minerva McGonagall hummed while inwardly thinking about her current situation. For now Hogwarts was safe from the issues that came from the tournament, but now she had the issue of getting a professor for the DADA position. When she took on the role of headmistress, the woman had gone to Gringotts to hire a cursebreaker to find and lift the supposed curse. It was quite the fiendish curse to say the least, requiring a team of 5 to search and remove the curse, but they had warned her that it had been getting stronger since its implementation and it would likely take a while to have the effects completely removed.

The results shown were mixed; by her sixth year as headmistress, the applicant for that period lasted two years before retiring, but it was still a better result than the yearly replacements, and it was just a question of finding someone who could take the post, not an easy thing because of the rumours that misfortune would fall upon the applicant. The Ministry was taking advantage of that by pushing to install one of their own in the position, and she was running out of time.

Damn that bloody Minister, and damn You-Know-Who!

As the time got closer for Albus's arrival, her mind drifted to her last conversation with him, and her first meeting with Harry Potter.

(Flashback)

Minerva accepted the cup of tea offered by the young man while pointedly ignoring Albus who was sporting a large imprint of her hand on his face as he drank his cup. She took a long fortifying sip of the drink while watching the boy who could only be Harry Potter busying himself with the tea set to ensure their guest was served properly before he took a seat nearer to Albus. His build was one that had seen a fair bit of physical training but not over-the-top like some of the seventh-year students training for Quidditch. But that was emphasized with his height and she could see that the young boy would be quite the heart-breaker if he chose to play the field like James did.

Thankfully Noah Potter, while a rascal, was not that bad. And if Albus was taking care of him, Harry should not be that bad.

"So, how is the tea?" Harry asked in a manner that said of his discomfort with the tense situation in the room.

"It is a very nice blend, young man. Thank you." She offered a smile to ease his nerves and waited for the boy to take his cup. "Would you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"As long as I have the right to refuse some." Harry gave a smile that reminded her of Fleamont when she was younger, and her heart ached a little at the reminder.

"You were using the Shaman Meditation method from Tibet unless I am mistaken?" She decided to use that as an icebreaker, and that she was genuinely curious about the studies the boy was undertaking. That was apparently the correct question as the boy beamed while Albus chuckled at the obvious joy.

"Yes, Professor. I have tried different meditation styles and this suits me the best, although the method from the Asian Empire is a close second." Harry started to talk, and that quickly transitioned to different subjects and topics for different fields. Minerva was not one to toot her horn so to speak, but her Animagus form was mentally purring at how the boy was enthusiastic in asking her regarding her field of work and how certain applications of Transfiguration could be applied for something similar to the muggle industries.

And Albus was being so smug about his fascination with magic.

"Now, may I have an answer to my earlier question please?" Minerva asked Albus after an hour when Harry had to go and prepare for his lessons. The wizard merely took the time to finish his drink before putting up the privacy wards.

"For that to be answered, let me start from the time of the last war." Dumbledore sighed as he looked out of the window. "Do you know the reason for the Potters' hiding in the war?"

"You stated previously that they were being targeted by You-Know-Who." Minerva answered while trying to recall the information. "The Longbottoms too."

"It started with a job interview with Sybill Trelawney regarding the post for Divination in 1979." Albus twinkled at Minerva who gave a derisive snort at that. "I see your opinion on the subject has not improved."

"You know my thoughts about that and that woman." Minerva scowled at the reminder of the soon-to-be Divination Professor. The woman was a thorn in Minerva's side for being a professor of a wooly subject that needed a leap of faith that Minerva was at least willing to admit she had none. But the woman was also an alcoholic who kept drinking bottles of sherry like water, and she had the annoying habit of giving death predictions to her students every single year. One of them had to be treated by a mind healer because he got too paranoid from seeing death omens around him. It was only because Trelawney had signed a contract that would last for twenty years that she could not just get rid of her earlier. But it was coming to an end, and she was definitely going to be there to kick her out of the castle once it expired, and she would use her boots for it!

"Well, I had the interview with her and I was ready to call it off and write off the subject altogether from the curriculum when she went into a trance to give a prophecy." He raised a hand to interrupt Minerva, knowing what she was going to say. "I had my doubts at the time as well, I thought she did it to secure her position. It was a week later when I was visiting the Ministry that I was asked to come to the Department of Mysteries to confirm something. Seeing the prophecy orb showing Trelawney had me stumped." Minerva sighed at that, thinking the woman apparently was able to make one actual prophecy in her life.

"I won't say the full wording of it yet, but the general bits say a child born to those who had thrice defied the dark lord Voldemort would be responsible for defeating him." Albus continued while ignoring her shivers from mentioning his name. "When it came to 1980, there were only two families who would match that criteria."

"Potters and Longbottoms." Minerva stated.

"I went to warn them, told them to go into hiding. I had to tell them the reason for it since the first half of the prophecy was passed to Voldemort." Albus seemed to have a weight settled on him. "You of course know the rest. Voldemort arrived to attack the cottage in Godric's Hollow, and was supposedly vanquished by Noah Potter. A week later, the Longbottoms were attacked by the Lestranges and Crouch Junior to find news of their lord before the Aurors caught and sent them to Azkaban." His eyes turned to Minerva, "And it was there that I realised my mistake."

"What do you mean?" Minerva had a bad feeling about it.

"I arrived some time after the Potters were attacked, and I did a quick check on the children to see if they were injured. Both had scars from the attack, with Harry running low on magic. At the time I only stated they were okay and somehow one of them defeated Voldemort, and I had to deal with the other incidents going on. I did not have time to catch up until a few months later, by which point the Potters had spread the story of Noah being the Boy-Who-Lived. I had gone to check on them once I heard it, and that was when I found Harry had gone missing and the Potters were not even reacting to that." Albus shook his head as he recollected the memories.

"Sirius and Remus had at that point broken off most ties with them and were trying to find Harry. I had questioned the Potters on their decision, and the answer I got was… unsatisfactory." The tone used to say that was a clear indicator that he was displeased. "But I recalled that Lily had a sister as I am sure you may recall from your first visit to Lily."

"Somewhat?" Minerva frowned and she tried to recall the child who was at first devastated to not come with Lily, before becoming antagonistic to her over the years. "I think her name was Petunia?" Albus nodded his answer.

"It took me a while, but I found her in Privet Drive, Surrey. She had apparently married a man who was rather large like a walrus, with a mustache to boot. And they had a son who was quite big." Minerva blinked at that description and tried to imagine the appearances based on that. "I was uncertain at the time, so I had to do a little breaking and entering. Not my finest moment but it was what I found that had me worried, and angry." The old wizard took a breath before continuing.

"I won't go into detail, but I found Harry stuck in a cupboard beneath the staircase. He was covered in bruises and had a rash appearing beneath the dirty nappy he had." Minerva placed a hand to her mouth as she heard that. "I was infuriated that I admittedly lost control of my magic when the adults came around and found me. To be fair, they did call Harry a Freak." His beard twitched. "I may have demonstrated my displeasure on them with some choice spells."

Minerva would admire his restraint. She would have done much worse to them in his position.

"Shortly after my little temper tantrum, I took Harry out of that horrible place and went to a Healer I knew that could be discreet." Albus took some tea to steady his emotions. "I admittedly wanted to do worse as I listened to the report, but I had to be there for him. It was as I watched the child in the bed that I realised that I had allowed myself to fall into a lull and become a little arrogant in my thinking. I genuinely thought that I knew the best, and that my words ended up sending Harry to his personal hell for a few months."

"Then we have the issue of the people running the Ministry. I had gone through two wars and saw the devastation, I did not want to see more bloodshed. I had naively thought that those from the Dark Faction would believe that as well and tried to have them repent. Minister Bagnold certainly seemed to think that, although now I knew she was more motivated by the gold lining her pockets. And because of that, the government is practically a front for Pureblood Propaganda." Albus let out a rueful chuckle. "I made so many mistakes. I could not keep up with all that was going on or that of the school."

"So that was why you retired." Minerva noted with clarity. Albus's decision to leave came at a rather weird time, and she had pondered if there was more than just old age catching up with Albus but he did not answer her at the time.

"That, and I had the feeling that something would go terribly wrong if I stayed longer in Britain and maintained my way of thinking in that environment." Albus answered. "So I retired and left Britain, but made sure to take Harry under my care. It also became clear that the Potters would not allow anyone to know about Harry, they seemed determined to forget about him. Out of sight, out of mind."

"Albus, I have to ask." Minerva hesitated before talking. "Regarding Alice Longbottom?"

"You have suspicions as well." Albus hummed. "I won't lie, I had my doubts about the timing when I first heard it. I briefly checked the minds of the Lestranges before they went to Azkaban. Somehow, they managed to capture Marcus Fonely, their Secret Keeper, and tortured the answer out of him, but what struck me was what Bellatrix had boasted about one of our own having granted them the location to find him. I cannot determine the truth since Marcus had died shortly after from his injuries, and the Lestranges were rushed through the process. It was only after my checking on Harry that my doubts started increasing. And I had the feeling it may be confirmed recently."

"How?" Minerva asked.

"While Petunia was loathsome, I had to make sure that Harry's disappearance would not be found out so quickly, so I left a certain monitoring spell to track for magical presences. I had not had a hit for all these years, until last week once the news of the Triwizard Tournament came to France. Someone tripped the spell and I had to check for myself." Albus took a breath. "I saw Lily exiting the Dursleys' residence and disappearing shortly after, with Petunia and Vernon looking worse for wear."

Minerva did not know what she wanted to think, but the suspicions that Albus had merely confirmed hers about whether the Potters had anything to do with the Longbottoms' incapacitation. But she really did not want to consider the possibility that either of them had led the Lestranges straight to them.

She really did not want to think that.

"And that was how I ended up here, raising Harry by myself and teaching him whatever I can within reason, and to prepare him for the eventuality that someone may come looking for him." Albus took another sip. "You said that Voldemort told Noah of his status and Harry. Who else knows outside of you?"

"For the moment, the Potters, Amelia Bones, Minister Fudge, his Toad Secretary and his guards. All sworn oaths to not tell anyone since it was an ongoing investigation and even then, they can't say anything." Minerva answered. "However that is not including the Death Eaters that were present for his resurrection. And since Fudge is denying his return, odds are high that most if not all will know about Harry Potter, and will try to find him directly or by proxy."

"Then we may not have as much time as I hoped." Albus closed his eyes to think.

"So what is Mister Potter's stance on this?" That got Albus to look at her.

"He is well aware that he will need to get involved with this impending situation. He also understands that there may be people who would object to his presence or oppose him, ranging from the Minister to the Death Eaters and to some of our old crowd. Harry has taken to politics quite well, if my old friend Nicolas has anything to say about it." Albus let out a chuckle at that point. "He and Perenelle really dote on Harry the few times they come."

"Those names?" Minerva frowned before going wide-eyed. "Wait, as in Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel!"

"Yes, them. He is their honorary great-grandson." Albus clearly enjoyed her reaction a bit too much. Minerva could only grab the cup of fresh tea offered to her and drink the contents in one gulp, ignoring the heat and wishing for something stronger.

"There is one thing you need to know, Minerva." Albus adopted a stern look to speak. "Harry may be a Potter by blood and family name, but with the manner his parents had given him up, the family magic will not recognize him so easily. In its place, Harry now has other family magic to take up for his own after conducting some inheritance tests. So it may be best if you refer to him by other titles, if only so to avoid future confusion if he and Noah are in the same room." Minerva blinked before a thoughtful frown took place on her face.

"That would mean that he would be heir of other family lines."

"And more importantly, he is emancipated for those lines." Dumbledore added that tidbit. "This way, he can make his own judgment when needed. Coincidentally, there were family lines that were surprising, and it brought some questions that I would need to consider asking the Potters in the near future."

"The manner you are saying it, it sounds like they are not aware of them." Minerva remarked.

"Some of the family lines, we had suspicions that were answered from your letter." Albus spoke with the air of one talking about the weather, while Minerva was able to make some conclusions on that statement and had her mouth opening wide at the possibilities. "Others are from lines that were once thought extinguished, and curiously are from his mother's side."

"But wouldn't that mean?" Minerva trailed off as the implications started to sink in.

"She may not be truly muggleborn. Or at the least, the first from a long line of Squibs." Dumbledore nodded at the half-asked query before frowning. "Although rather curiously, she did not choose to inherit them. While two are totally new houses so that was understandable, there are a couple that have been around for some time and would allow them to have more money and potential seats if she had activated them."

"Perhaps they were keeping quiet on it, and waited for Noah to be older before inheriting them?" Minerva provided a possible idea, somewhat familiar with how some families held back from inheriting other lines to pass on to their children. Goodness knows how Lucius Malfoy had wanted the House of Black for his son only to be denied by Sirius.

"Perhaps, although now those houses would be out of their reach. Something I have found to be pleasantly vindictive about." Albus popped a biscuit into his mouth and hummed at the taste and his words. "In any event, with Harry having been emancipated and completed his higher studies, he would be protected to some extent from his blood parents in case they try something to force him back into the Potter line."

"Surely it won't come to that?" Minerva's question did not garner an immediate answer, but that in itself was an answer.

Why, oh why, did things get this messy? She just wanted to teach, damn it!

(End Flashback)

A light chime broke her thoughts and she took out the bell that was giving out the sounds, something that was also attracting the attention of the others. "What is that?" One of the others asked.

"A device that Albus had granted me to let me know of his arrival." Minerva answered as one of the small stones on the bell glowed brightly. "He wanted to make sure that nobody was following him, but also to let me know if he was in trouble. Based on this reading, he has no troublemakers coming after him."

"Good security measures." Alastor Moody approved of the paranoia.

"Anything you can tell us about before he comes here?" A question from Emmaline Vance drew a negative from Minerva.

"It would be preferable to have everyone here at once so that we are all on the same page." She barely spoke when the fireplace let out a chime to indicate an incoming arrival, followed by the flames turning green and growing larger to allow a large shadow to appear, and then a figure came out of the flames to reveal Albus Dumbledore dressed in purple robes and smiling at the people in the parlor. Just the sight of him alone lifted the spirits of those who were getting nervous at the prospect of another blood war happening in Britain.

"Dumbledore." Alastor stomped forward with the blue eye roving about checking for enchantments. "So like the last time in Versailles when we were scouting the palace?"

The old wizard's twinkled at the question. "If by Versailles, you mean the time in 1957 when we were by the gardens where we apprehended the dark wizard who was hell-bent on finding an artifact belonging to the previous king's son, that would allow him to forcefully enact the ancient laws to call forth the protections that would see the muggles eradicated? I dare say this could be right up there but not as ridiculous as Cornwall when you tussled with a hellhound."

Alastor grunted with a scary smile as he stood back. "It is him." Many of the veterans in the room all rolled their eyes in good humor at his paranoia to check everyone with security questions, but welcomed it all the same.

"It is nice to see you again, Professor Dumbledore." One of the members came forward with a grateful smile. That got the others moving forward to greet the wizard and he smiled at them while noting those who were not around for the time being. Minerva held back for a moment, letting everyone get their greetings before she cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Perhaps it would be best to continue this in the dining room." Some nodded and began to make their way, giving Minerva the chance to approach Albus. "I noticed you arrived alone. Is your young charge staying back?" She asked while keeping it ambiguous about whom she was asking.

Albus's eyes twinkled at her as he answered her query. "He is currently visiting a different place, partly as a favor to me but he wishes to do this personally since this is the first time to be in Britain."

~ooOOoo~

Neville Longbottom suppressed a sigh as he walked through the familiar corridors of Saint Mungo's Magical Damage ward, his grandmother temporarily held back by the nurse healer on hand. It was absolute chaos after what had happened at the end of the Triwizard Tournament with the death of Cedric Diggory, and Augusta Longbottom wanted to make sure he was safe especially with the rumors going on about You-Know-Who returning from the dead. The Minister and his cabinet may be silent on the matter, but Amelia Bones had warned Augusta about it in private and to prepare for the worst.

There was also the investigation that was ongoing for the unfortunate passing of Cedric Diggory. While it had been confirmed by the DMLE that Noah Potter was innocent with both a Veritaserum interrogation and Pensieve memories, there were a good number of people who had the opinion that Noah Potter was still partially to blame. It certainly did not help that Amos Diggory was all for dragging Noah to a full Wizengamot hearing to "drag the truth out of his lying soul", or the minister's cabinet doing a smear campaign on the Potters. Some of his friend from Hufflepuff were still miffed about Noah being able to enter a tournament meant for of-age competitors despite the investigations that proved his innocence for him being dragged into it against his will, and as Cedric was considered the epitome of Hufflepuff, they were not happy and wanted real answers.

While Neville did not believe Noah to have anything to do with Cedric's death, he did have some doubts about what Noah would do in certain situations. It was sort of obvious that Noah got involved with certain situations that ended with more questions than answers, like the second year that had students petrified because of Slytherin's monster, or the third year involving the damned Bellatrix Lestrange trying to invade Hogwarts. It also did not help that his attitude or that of the other members of the "Golden Trio" were a little "high-mighty" for others to stomach. Neville was merely an acquaintance to Noah, so he was decidedly neutral.

But with the current climate, he would need to keep his eyes out. If You-Know-Who really was back, they were in danger.

With all that said and done, the Longbottoms wanted to check on his parents and Neville for one really wanted some security for them. They had given their lives to protect him when he was a baby from the Lestranges and he wanted to make sure no one would attempt to attack them at their weakest.

He walked to his destination with no issues, having walked the path many times to the point he could walk there blindfolded, and opened the door to enter the ward only to stop at the sight of someone there. "Who are you?"

The young man perusing the clipboard containing the details of his parents' conditions looked up at his query, and Neville briefly wondered if James Potter got dosed with an age regression potion only to note the differences in the eyes and overall look. This man was dressed in a set of clothes that was a mix of a healer and muggle clothing, with a symbol of a staff intertwined with 2 snakes showing above the left breast pocket, something that James Potter would never have on him since it would remind him of Slytherin. He appeared to be the same age as Neville despite the bigger and taller build he had over him, which did not make sense since he would have seen this guy in Hogwarts.

"Apologies for entering unannounced, I was a little curious about their conditions." The young man answered as he placed back the board by the bed. "I had been meaning to visit them for some time, but only got the chance to see them today since I have been abroad."

"Do you know them?" Neville jumped at the voice of his grandmother who had arrived and was now watching him closely. "I for one certainly do not know you, young man?" The young man turned fully to face them and bowed respectfully to her, and it was a genuine gesture that eased Neville's nerves a little.

"Harold Peverell. We have actually met once when I was a small baby, although you would likely know me under a different name, Matriarch Longbottom." Neville was trying to remember based on what he said when he heard his grandmother taking in a sharp breath and turned to find her with an expression that looked like she had seen a ghost as she gaped, actually gaped, at the young man in front of them.

"You are?" She raised a shaking finger at the young man who merely smiled and placed a finger on his own lips in a shushing manner.

"Please keep this quiet for now. I am only here to confirm a suspicion." He dropped a smile in favor of adopting a serious expression. "Why haven't the healers applied the Mind Rehabilitation treatment on them?"

"The what?" The two blinked at his words, prompting the other young man to let out a huff.

"The Mind Rehabilitation treatment from the Greek Healers. It is designed to coax the minds of victims who have been attacked from spells meant to attack the mind and spirit. The treatment is also used for those exposed too long from the Cruciatus Curse." Harold answered as he gestured to the clipboard. Nevill never heard of that before but something sparked inside Neville from hearing that.

"Young man, we have tried all treatments meant to help them, nothing works, and the healers never said anything about that treatment." Augusta spoke not happy with his explanation. The young man stared at her before letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Forgive me for saying this, but I find the British Healers here to be a little too conservative and narrow-minded to try remedies outside of the country or methods not requiring wand magic." Harold reached inside the suit to take out two cards. "Here are the contacts for certain doctors and healers, non-invasive treatments so you do not need to worry about them getting cut up. They are outside of Magical Britain and a bit expensive, but they can do the job properly."

"Are you sure it can work?" Neville spoke before his grandmother could say something potentially abrasive. He did not want to sound desperate, but they had tried other treatments in the early stages before the healers decided that it was not worth the effort and just put them in the ward where he had to watch them waste away slowly. Neville just wanted something other than visiting this place and seeing his parents like this.

Harold looked at Neville, his expression softening at his. "I won't lie to you, Heir Longbottom. It would take a while due to the many years they have been stuck in this ward, but the treatment should be a decent enough starting point for them to have actual progress, or at least some closure. You can contact the healers and doctors through Gringotts, they would be able to get them quickly." Harold looked at Alice who they noticed had maintained her eyes at him for the entire conversation, and there was a light in her eyes that seemed to be a little brighter than before.

"Until then, may I suggest aromatherapy to get them started?" Harold turned to Neville again. "Do you know the Athelas plant?" A shake of the head gave the answer. "You might know it as Kingsfoil."

"Kingsfoil?" Neville blinked at the familiar name. "But that is a weed."

"You will be surprised about its properties. Crush some in boiling water and watch the results around your parents." Harold took out a muggle notepad and scribbled something before tearing out the page to hand to Neville. "Here are the general directions if you wish to follow." He paused to look at the watch on his wrist and let out a sigh. "My time is up, I will need to leave."

"Wait." Augusta spoke, and Neville was once again seeing the spooked expression on her face when addressing him. "Where have you been?" Harold turned from the door to look her in the eye and said one sentence before leaving the room completely.

"Safe from those who may have once been blood family."

Neville turned to Augusta who looked a little lost as she sat heavily down by the chair provided for visitors, her eyes still fixed at the door where Peverell left. "Grandmother, who is that?" She slowly turned to look at Neville, and he was honestly a little concerned with how out of it she looked. She was normally the strictest woman he knew outside of McGonagall and would not show any signs of weakness, and whoever that guy was clearly knocked her clock out with his presence.

"Someone who could have grown up with you, and for some reason, was forgotten by his blood family." her face then changed from shock to a building rage with her eyes narrowing in the process. "And I intend to ask some very hard questions when I get my hands on them." She glanced at his parents and her expression softened. "And if he is who he said to be, then we should give this treatment a try. We have not gotten much from here, that's for sure." Augusta looked back at Neville with a keen eye. "Do you need more of this Kingsfoil weed he speaks of?" Neville blinked at her words but slowly nodded. "See if you can reach out to anyone who has it, I will be heading to Gringotts to ask about these healers." Augusta got up and after holding the hands of both her son and daughter-in-law tightly, she left the room with an expression that showed she would take no prisoners if anyone got in her way of her mission.

Neville was torn away from that introspection when his hand was lightly held by his mother who came over to him. He looked her in the eye and briefly wondered if she understood what was said earlier. She did seem to be paying attention to what Harold was talking about, although it could be wishful thinking on his part.

But if this worked, he would owe that guy a big debt.