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Author: Aggiebell Story: More Than Meets the Eye Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 12 Words: 25,246
The next day passed in a blur. Each hour that passed without word of his grandmother meant an hour that she was...well, Neville didn't want to think about that. He walked around the school in a daze, surrounded by his fellow Gryffindors, who were still forming a protective barrier around him. He'd gone to his lessons, but didn't recall much of what had been taught. He vaguely remembered Professor Andrews talking about other spells that were not usually considered defensive in nature, and he thought that Professor Flitwick might have reviewed a few Repairing Charms, but he couldn't give any details about what had been said. Did I eat lunch? he asked himself as he wandered the corridors after leaving the Charms classroom. He really couldn't remember. "Hello, Neville." He turned to see Luna looking at him. She had her wand tucked behind her ear again and was wearing a necklace made of...were those Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans? He looked closer and shook his head in amazement. She had strung the beans together in an intricate pattern: red, pink, pink, white, brown, pink, pink, blue, green, pink, pink, red. The pattern repeated three times in its path around her neck. "Hi, Luna." He paused, trying to think of something to say. "Nice necklace." "Oh, this?" she asked, holding it up for his inspection. "Thank you. I find it helpful when I'm revising." She leaned toward him conspiratorially and whispered, "I get hungry in the library sometimes." "Oh...uh...." What am I supposed to say to that? he wondered. "That's nice." "You haven't been eating," she said, abruptly changing the subject. "Or sleeping. Don't try to tell me you have. I can tell." Her gaze was suddenly sharp. "Yeah, well, I'm-" "Worried about your grandmother." "Right," he said softly. "You need to eat. And sleep. You can't help her if you don't." "I don't see how I can help her anyway," he said, tearing his gaze away from her. "I don't know where she is. I don't even.... I don't even know if she's alive," he whispered. "Of course, you do, Neville," Luna said matter-of-factly. "What? What are you talking about?" "You know if she's alive. You just have to believe." "I.... Luna, I don't understand what you're saying," Neville replied, shaking his head in confusion. "Neville," she sighed. "What do you feel?" "About what?" "Your grandmother. What do you feel about her condition?" He stood in silence for a moment. "Do you think she's dead?" she persisted. "No," he replied, looking down at his feet. "I don't know why, I just don't think she's dead. She's in trouble, though." "See, what did I tell you? You know." "But how do I know that's real?" he asked desperately. "And even if she's not dead, if she's in trouble, she needs help." "Neville, I know people think I'm rather...odd." She paused for a moment and gave him a small smile. "They're probably right. But I also know that sometimes you just have to believe. Some of the things I've seen...." She shook her head. "Anyway, if you believe she's dead, she will be; that's all there is to it. But if you believe she's alive, then there's still hope. And if there's hope, there's always a way," she finished serenely. "I-" "You won't be able to help her if you don't take care of yourself, you know." How did we get back to me helping Gran? he wondered. "I still don't see how I can help her. Nobody knows where she is, not even Dumbledore." "Neville," she said patiently, observing him with her misty eyes. "What did I just say about hope?" "If-if there's hope, there's always a way." "See, you do understand!" "I do?" he asked, bewildered. "Of course you do." She patted his hand. "It'll work out. You'll see," she said mysteriously, before she turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder as she left, "Be certain you eat and sleep, or you'll never be able to help her." Well, that was...different, Neville thought. Maybe she had a point, though. He felt strongly that his grandmother was still alive, even though she hadn't been found yet. And if he didn't keep up his strength, he wouldn't be able to help. He turned and continued his journey toward Gryffindor Tower, feeling strangely comforted. Maybe I'll go and find some food. I'm feeling a bit hungry. Neville went back to his dormitory and found some biscuits his grandmother had given him before he boarded the train. After he finished eating, he decided that he felt a bit better about the entire situation. Oh, he was still worried--he'd be worried until he saw Gran alive and well, that silly vulture on her hat bobbing as she walked. But he had more of a plan now, and he had something he hadn't had before he talked with Luna-hope. Neville walked down the steps into the common room and over to where Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were sitting and talking. "...invited us to come see him any time," he heard Harry say. "Hi, Neville," Ginny said. "Hello," he said, joining her on the couch. "What's going on?" "We were just talking about going over to see Hagrid," Hermione said. "We have a bit of time before dinner, and he sent us an owl inviting us to come over any time." "Oh," Neville replied. "That's-" "Do you want to come with us?" Harry asked. "Uh..." Neville said, surprised. He'd never been included like this before. "Oh, that's a good idea, Harry. Neville, why don't you come?" Ginny asked. "Hagrid's always been able to cheer me up." "All right. If-if you don't mind, that is." "Neville, would we have invited you if we didn't want you to come?" Harry asked. "No?" Harry gave an exasperated sigh. "That wasn't really a question, Neville. You should know us well enough by now to know that we wouldn't have invited you if we didn't want you to come." He turned to look at the others in the group. "Isn't that right?" Ginny and Hermione both answered, "Of course." "Harry's right, Neville. You should come with us," Ron answered. "Have you ever been to Hagrid's before?" "N-No, not for something like this." "Ah, well, then you need to know. Don't eat anything he gives you. If you value your teeth, that is. Trust us." Harry, Ginny, and Hermione nodded in confirmation. "Don't eat anything?" Neville repeated, confused. "Right," Ron said. "You'll understand when we get there." The group left the castle and headed out to Hagrid's. As they walked, they talked about the day's lessons. Hermione wanted to know how much revision everyone was planning on doing throughout the year. "Ginny has her O.W.L.s this year, you know, and we only have this year and next before we take our N.E.W.T.s," she said. "Hermione," Ron said exasperatedly, "do we have to talk about exams, now?" "Well, we need to have a plan, Ron. We all want to get good marks on our exams, and we can help Ginny with revising for her O.W.L.s, which will help all of us for our N.E.W.T.s next year. You know how important good marks-" "I know that, Hermione, but could we not talk about homework and marks and school for just a little bit?" "Well, I just think-" "Look, we're here," interrupted a relieved Neville. When they arrived at Hagrid's hut, Harry went to the door and pounded on it. The door was flung open almost immediately. "There yeh are! I was wonderin' if yeh was comin' ter see me or not. Come in, come in," Hagrid boomed. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walked right in, but Neville hung back, wondering what he should do. "Well, come on, Neville. Are yeh comin' in or not?" "Hello, Hagrid. If you don't mind..." Neville answered. "Mind? Why would I mind? Been meanin' ter talk ter yeh, anyway," Hagrid said, motioning for Neville to come in and join the others. "Anyone care for some tea? An' I've got some rock cakes 'ere. Neville?" "Er...all right. Thanks, Hagrid," Neville answered, then flinched when Ron elbowed him. "What did you do that for?" Neville whispered angrily. "Don't you remember what we said? Don't eat anything Hagrid serves!" Ron whispered back. "Well, now you'll know why." The rest of the students politely declined Hagrid's offer of food after Hermione said that they'd be eating dinner soon. Hagrid brought Neville a cup of tea and a plateful of the rock cakes, which he settled on his lap. He gingerly bit into one of the cakes-or tried to at least; the thing was hard as a rock. Neville looked up to see Harry and Ron snickering at him as he tried to unobtrusively find a place to put the plate. "So, Neville, how yeh been?" Hagrid asked. "Heard about yer gran. Wanted ter tell yeh not ter worry too much. Professor Dumbledore's the greatest wizard alive; if he can't find her, no one can." "Thanks, Hagrid," Neville said quietly, "but I can't help but worry." "Of course you can't, Neville," Hermione said. "But I think Hagrid's right. Professor Dumbledore will do everything he can to find her." "Hagrid, was there something else you needed to see me about?" Neville asked. "I was goin' ter ask yeh if yeh'd help harvest the pumpkins when they're ready. Thought yeh might like ter since yeh helped plant 'em las' spring." "Of course I will, Hagrid. I'd like that," Neville replied. "All righ', then. They shoul' be ready in a couple o' weeks. I'll let yeh know when yeh need ter come." "Hagrid, do you mind if I help, too?" asked Ginny. "'Course not, Ginny. Yer always welcome, yeh know that." Ginny blushed and replied, "Thanks, Hagrid." "I hate to interrupt, but it's almost time for dinner," Ron said. "We should get going." "All righ', then," Hagrid answered. "Thanks fer comin' by ter see me. Come any time. You, too, Neville." "Thanks, Hagrid, I will," Neville said as they walked out the door and headed toward the castle for dinner. ~*~ After dinner, they all retired to the Gryffindor common room. Ron suggested a game of Exploding Snap, but Neville and Harry declined in favour of doing their homework, since they had detention with Snape later that evening. Neville and Harry made a bit of progress on their Transfiguration homework before they had to leave for the dungeon. Ron and Ginny wished them good luck as they left; Hermione told them to try to not get on Snape's bad side. "'Try not to get on Snape's bad side,' she says," Harry muttered as they trudged toward the dungeon. "As if we have any choice. I get on Snape's bad side just by existing." "Maybe it won't be so bad, Harry," Neville said. "What are you going on about, Neville? Of course it will be bad. It's Snape." "I was hoping that since it was Professor Dumbledore's idea, Snape would be a bit more...forgiving," Neville replied. "Hmph," Harry snorted. "Not likely." They continued on in silence as they made their way to the entrance to the dungeon. As they neared the door, their steps slowed to a stop-neither wanted to go in. Neville took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and said, "Suppose we better go in. Snape will throw a wobbly if we're late." Harry nodded his head in agreement. "All right. Let's get this over with." With that, he pushed open the door and stepped into Snape's lair. Snape, who was sitting at his desk at the front of the room, sneered as they entered. "Well, well," Snape said. "Look who has deigned to join us." "Now, Severus," Dumbledore said from the cosy armchair he was sitting in. He'd clearly transfigured the chair, since it obviously didn't belong in the dank dungeon. Neville and Harry looked at each other in surprise at the Headmaster's presence. "Why do you think Professor Dumbledore is here?" Neville whispered to Harry. "I don't know, Neville," Harry answered uncertainly, as they walked to the front of the room. "Really, Headmaster, must we do this?" Snape asked. "You can't honestly think that I'll be able to teach Potter or," he shuddered, "Longbottom anything that will be useful to the cause. They have no respect for anything I could teach them." "I can, and I do, Severus. It is imperative that you teach these two what you know," Dumbledore said serenely. He turned sharp eyes to the boys. "It is equally important that you learn what Professor Snape has to teach. I understand that it will be difficult. However, we must all do our best to get along. Do you understand?" "Yes, Professor," Neville answered. "Harry?" Dumbledore pressed. "Yes, Professor. I understand," Harry replied reluctantly. "Severus? You must also agree to this if it is to work." "Of course, Headmaster. I shall endeavour to be as professional as possible, given the circumstances," the potions master said, eyeing the boys critically. Dumbledore sighed. "I suppose that that is all I can ask of you. Shall we begin?" "Of course," Snape replied smoothly. "Today, we shall begin working on healing draughts. Mr. Longbottom, I understand that you helped Professor Sprout with healer's gardens?" Neville answered, "Y-Yes, sir." "Well?" he snapped. "What did you plant?" "Toadflax, basil, coriander, rosemary, sage, and thyme," Neville replied. "Is that all?" Snape asked. "Yes, sir." "It's a start, I suppose. However, we're going to need more varied ingredients. Longbottom, you will need to plant a more extensive healer's garden. We need to have as many components available as possible." "What for?" Harry asked, looking Snape in the eye. He grudgingly added, "Sir" when the potions master raised his eyebrow at him. "Potter, are you really that stupid?" Snape bit out. "Why do you suppose we might want to have ingredients found in a healer's garden available? Could it be because there's a war coming? And people get injured in wars? And we might want to heal them? Or could it be-" "Patience, Severus, patience," the Headmaster interrupted, then continued in a quieter voice, "I know this is difficult for you, but we must work together if we are to be victorious." "Professor Snape," Neville said, "what kind of plants are we looking for?" "Plants commonly used in healing potions: arnica, bergamot, calendula, and the like," Snape answered, his eyes flashing impatiently. "All right, Professor. I'll go to the library after we're done here and start some research." "See that you do, Longbottom," the potions master snapped. "Let's get this over with, then, shall we? We'll be making simple wound-cleansing potions." He turned toward the board, waved his wand, and watched as the instructions appeared there. "These are potions Madam Pomfrey keeps in the hospital wing." As Snape turned back to face the boys, he said, "Potter, before you make a fool out of yourself once again, let me answer your inevitable question. You'll need to know how to make these potions if you're out in the field and there's no medical help nearby. These potions will prevent an infection which could weaken or incapacitate you...or worse." "W-Worse?" Neville squeaked. "Yes, worse, you idiot!" Turning toward Dumbledore, Snape said, "Headmaster, I don't see how this can work if we aren't able to impress upon them that we will be fighting a war." He turned back to Neville, eyes blazing. "People suffer and die in war, Longbottom." Neville recoiled as if he had been slapped. His parents had been tortured and were now in St. Mungo's, his house had been destroyed, and Gran was missing. He thought he knew the price of war very well, thank you very much. However, before he had a chance to say as much, Professor Dumbledore said, "That's enough, Severus. I'm sure that Mr. Longbottom is quite aware of the suffering that war causes." "Of course, Headmaster. I apologise for losing my temper." Dumbledore stood and nodded, accepting the apology. "I must be off. Severus, come to my office when you are finished here. We have much to discuss." He waved his wand, and his cosy chair returned to its normal state before he left the dungeon. Neville chanced a glance at Harry as Dumbledore left; he was afraid they'd have a repeat of the first day of classes, with Harry lashing out at Snape and getting them into more trouble. He was relieved to see that while Harry was obviously angry, it looked as though he was going to be able to hold his tongue this time. "This potion takes two and one-half hours to brew. You will find what you need in the cupboard. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly. Remember what happened in your first year, Mr. Longbottom." Hands shaking in a combination of nerves and anger, Neville added some water, sulfur, and ground porcupine quill to the cauldron and stirred three times anti-clockwise, as directed by Snape's instructions on the board. The potion had to simmer exactly three minutes and thirty-one seconds before adding the three drops of bitter orange oil, which served as an anti-inflammatory agent. Harry measured out the appropriate amount of giant's blood and added it to the cauldron. The potion had to be stirred clockwise seven times, anti-clockwise seven times, and then across the cauldron twice before it simmered again. Sitting down beside the table, the boys watched the potion turn a pale green while it simmered. Harry sat tight-lipped in his chair, glaring at Snape while he measured out six grams of silver, the next ingredient. Neville sighed as he watched Harry. He could feel the anger radiating off of his friend. Really, it seemed Harry was almost always either bitter and angry or withdrawn, and had been since the incident in the Department of Mysteries last June. Neville decided to talk with Ron and Hermione about him. Or maybe Ginny, he thought. Hermione did tell me that Ginny had been able to get through to him before, even when she and Ron couldn't. Neville snapped out of his reverie when he saw Harry move over to the cauldron to add the silver. They were almost done--only three more ingredients left to be added. Neville stood up, and with Harry's help, organised the final ingredients. The consanesco weed had to be added precisely two seconds after the addition of the bezoar, or their evening would be wasted. Neville grasped the consanesco weed, Harry grabbed the bezoar, and they moved to stand over the cauldron. As Neville caught Harry's eye, they nodded to each other to signify they were ready, and Harry dropped the bezoar into the cauldron. Seconds later, Neville added the consanesco weed and stepped back quickly as the cauldron began to smoke. The potion flashed rapidly from pale green to orange to bright red before settling on a brilliant purple colour. They looked triumphantly at each other-the instructions said the potion would be bright purple. Finally, Neville added the Flobberworm mucous to thicken the potion. It briefly turned pink before returning to its previous colour. "I think we did it, Harry," Neville whispered excitedly, before looking up to see Snape bearing down on them. Snape arrived at their table and began to inspect the potion. He checked the colour and then waved his hand over the cauldron to waft some of the steam toward him before ladling a small amount into a glass vial. "Will miracles never cease?" he sneered. "It seems as though you two have actually prepared a potion correctly for once. I'll need to take this to Madam Pomfrey so she can test it before I'm certain, of course." "Yes, sir," Harry said sullenly. "Longbottom, before our next meeting, I expect you to have a list of healing plants we need to round out our supplies. I'll talk with Professor Sprout about it so she'll know what you're doing." "Yes, sir," Neville replied again. "Professor Snape? Are we finished? I mean, may we go?" Snape waved his hand at them impatiently. "Clean up this mess and return to your dormitory. We're through for the night. You will return two weeks from tonight for your next lesson." "Thank you, Professor." The boys carefully ladled their potion into several small flasks; they labelled the flasks and carried them over to the shelf before quickly cleaning the area up and making their way toward the Gryffindor common room. Neville heaved a sigh of relief as they walked out the door. "Well, that wasn't so bad," he said. Harry looked at Neville incredulously. "What do you mean, it wasn't so bad?" he asked. "Did you hear what he said about us? 'You can't honestly think that I'll be able to teach Potter or Longbottom anything that will be useful to the cause,'" Harry said mockingly. "He called me stupid and you an idiot. He-" "Well, of course I heard him, Harry," Neville interrupted. "I was right there, after all. You just need to learn to ignore what he says. He's a bitter, spiteful man. I sort of feel sorry for him." "Neville, are you mad?" Harry sputtered. "You...you feel sorry for him?" "Well, yeah, sort of," Neville admitted. "He was a Death Eater, so no one trusts him, except maybe Dumbledore. He's wanted the Defence position for forever but keeps getting passed over. All of his students hate him. And," he paused dramatically, "he has no fashion sense, and he looks like he never washes his hair." At the last remark, Harry looked at Neville out of the corner of his eye, and they burst out laughing. "Okay, you have a point, Neville. Better not let Snape hear you say any of that, though," he said, still chuckling. "Oh, don't worry about that." Neville suddenly stopped walking. "Harry," he said seriously. "What's the matter, Neville?" "I...er...I just wanted to thank you." "What for?" "Well, for inviting me to Hagrid's today, and for getting angry for me when Snape said those things. And for just being my friend. It means more than you know." Harry looked stunned. "Neville, you know you're always welcome to come to Hagrid's with us. And Snape was being a git." "I still appreciate it, Harry. I've discovered I need all the friends I can get, especially now." Harry didn't respond, so Neville took the opportunity to add, "Harry, I just want you to know...if you ever need to talk about...anything...." He noticed that Harry was starting to look uncomfortable, but pressed on, saying, "I-I know I'm not as close to you as Ron or Hermione, and I'm not trying to take their place or anything. I just know that sometimes you need to talk to someone, and Ron and Hermione are wrapped up in their bickering and..." he trailed off. "Neville, I-" "I'm not saying you need to do it right now, I'm just saying, if you need someone to talk to, and you can't talk to Ron or Hermione, well...you know where to find me, right?" he said hurriedly. Harry smiled slightly at him. "Thanks, Neville. I appreciate the offer, but-" "Just keep me in mind, all right, Harry? That's all I'm asking." Harry sighed and said, "All right, Neville. Look, we better get back. I still need to work on that Charms homework a bit." They walked the rest of the way to the common room in silence. ~*~ Back in the common room, Neville and Harry joined the others at the table to finish their homework, after telling them about their "detention." Ron and Hermione finished first and went to bed, and Harry followed soon after, leaving Neville and Ginny sitting at the table working in companionable silence. After a while, Neville said, "Ginny? Can I ask you something?" "Of course, Neville. What about?" "Have you talked to Harry? I mean about what happened in June?" "Er...no. He's not really been interested in talking, if you know what I mean." "I just.... I don't know, I guess I'm worried about him, you know? He seems so angry all the time, and withdrawn, and just...." "Sad," Ginny finished for him. "He just seems sad." "Right." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I offered to listen tonight, if he ever needed someone to talk to. I-I don't think he'll take me up on it, but...." "But what?" Ginny asked. "Well, I was wondering if you might get better results. If you offered to listen, I mean." "He won't talk to Ron or Hermione. What makes you think he'll talk to me?" "I don't know, just a feeling, I guess. Look, think about it, okay? I just think that talking about it will help him. I know it helped me," he said, looking down at the table. "Oh? Who did you talk to, Neville?" "Luna," he answered. Ginny put her hand on his arm and said quietly, "I'm glad, Neville. Harry mentioned that she talked to him a bit last year, and that it helped some. She's a good listener." "Yes, she is; she's a good friend, too." "Neville, you know if you ever need to talk, you can come to me, right?" Surprised, he looked at her and said, "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Ginny." "Neville, Harry's lucky to have you for a friend. We all are." Embarrassed by that declaration, Neville cleared his throat and then said, "Right, then. I think I'm off to bed. Good night, Ginny." "'Night, Neville. Sweet dreams." ~*~ He was walking down the stairs of an old house, through the sitting room and into the kitchen. He could hear voices coming from the back garden. As he exited the house, he heard the voices burst into laughter. He recognised those voices, and he walked toward the bench at the rear of the garden, where he knew they would be waiting for him. His steps quickened as he got closer, until he was almost at a run. He had to see if what he was hearing was genuine, or if he was just imagining it. It smelled of roses and lavender.... Neville sat up with a start and looked around in confusion. He was in his bed in Gryffindor Tower , not in the back garden. There were no roses or lavender; no laughing voices. Disappointed, he lay back down. The dream had seemed so real. He could actually smell the roses and lavender. Closing his eyes, he hoped the dream would continue. He had to see them, to hear them, to touch them. Even if it was only in his dream. A/N: First off, I want to apologise for the delay in posting this chapter. One must actually send the file to one's beta if one wants it edited. Duh. Secondly, I need to thank a few people. Lucyjekyll has been my assigned PS beta since my first story was accepted here. Sadly, she's had to step down due to personal reasons. In the time that I worked with her, she patiently taught me loads about writing (especially those dreaded ellipses), and I can honestly say that this story wouldn't have gotten even this far without her help. Thanks, Lucy, for everything! I also need to thank OHGinnyfan for bravely taking me on as one of her "official" authors after she'd been pre-betaing for me. I'm looking forward to working more with you! More thanks go to Zahri and Majick for their excellent Brit-picking, comments, and help with Hagrid's accent. This Texas girl had a hard time with him!
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