The Domino Effect (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 02: Deviance from the Pattern

The Potter family was among the most famous families in the magical world, especially in Magical Britain where the birthday of the Boy-Who-Lived became a national affair. It was the day the boy who lived was born. In the first four years of his life, Godric Potter was left out of the spotlight, and the Potters have eluded and even hidden from the press as much as possible. The Potters wanted their privacy and to ensure Godric lived a more peaceful life in his early years. It wasn't until his 5th birthday that the Potters revealed Godric Potter personally to the world and not only was this just a simple announcement but also a charity event. This day became one of the hottest events of the season and people are curious about who were the ones invited.

Neville Longbottom watched nonchalantly as the people around him are cheering and greeted the birthday boy, Godric Potter. Today was also his birthday (A/N: Technically, we all know it as of July 30th but in this story, they are the same as the Potter siblings). So, he could not understand why he is here celebrating someone else's birthday. Ever since Neville's parents were attacked by the Lestrange and rendered mentally ill, Neville stayed with his strict and rather paranoid grandmother, Augusta Longbottom. She was well known and respected in the magical community but she has gone far in years and she was a bit of a traditionalist in rearing children, especially with her grandson. For the past five years, Neville has not shown any sign of magic and this made her a little worried. While she always tells her grandson he still has time, Neville already knew at that age that his grandmother was a little disappointed. As the son of the first son of the Longbottom family, he is expected to lead and run their family. That's a lot of pressure to put on a five-year-old boy.

His relatives were also not very helpful. They were a prideful family and his uncles have a habit of comparing their children with each other, and that usually includes Neville as the not-so-good example. This treatment at home and the fact that he is often ignored, ridiculed, or disappointed only made Neville timid, shy, and a little jittery especially when faced with too many people he barely knows. This did not give Neville any favors. This personality trait of his is only seen as a weakness in a family who prided themselves as brave and strong.

Because Augusta was a little paranoid about people, Neville rarely gets to meet other people outside familial ties nor did he experience the same celebration or at least a party for his birthday as Godric. Granted the boy is the Boy-Who-Lived. All he usually gets is presents and a cake delivered to his house from his family. They never even got to visit him except during important events. He was a little envious that Godric gets to meet his cousins but they never get to visit him during his birthday. He didn't want to go anywhere on his birthday but his Uncle Algie forced him to be there. "You are the heir of the Longbottom house; you need to be here" his uncle declared.

"Hey, Neville." A voice behind him almost made him jump. When Neville turned, he saw nine-year-old Percy Weasley with his dark red curls, freckles, and sapphire blue eyes behind his glasses. "How are you?"

Neville met Percy when Uncle Algie introduced him to the Weasley family. They were a nice family even though they were a little odd. But the younger ones were more interested in talking with Godric than him and the older ones did not seem remotely interested in the party.

Neville does not know what to say. He shrugged and watched the Godric Potter as he laughed surrounded by every kid who was present on his birthday except Neville and Percy. Percy's younger siblings, Ron and Ginny were there trying to get Godric's attention as well. After all the Weasleys have known the Potters for years and were among the very few who were able to have personal contact with them during the first four years of Godric Potter.

"Oh, um, Happy Birthday too by the way," Percy muttered shyly. Neville blinked at Percy. Neville didn't know Percy very well but how did he know his birthday?