The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 112: Three Years Later

REALLY IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE !! — please read before continuing.

Hi everyone!

In the chapter titled "Note From The Author", I mentioned that there would be a very extreme chapter towards the end of the book... This is that chapter. This chapter includes many content warnings; all of which are listed below.

THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES: EXTREME VIOLENCE, HATE GROUPS, GORE, MURDER, AND ATTEMPTED RAPE.

I fully expect the following content warnings to make many uncomfortable, and for that, I've provided a synopsis at the end of the chapter that summarizes what happened without having to read the details — as promised in the "Note From The Author" chapter.

Even with this warning, I'm still going to bold the first and last words of the sections that include these content warnings for those who wish to read the details of the chapter, but not those specific parts.

That's all from me. Happy reading!

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August 2nd, 2001

"Hello, miss! Did you find everything alright?" I asked the next customer, who happened to be an older woman.

The woman dug through her purse, avoiding eye contact, "Yes, I found everything quite well. How much damage will it be?"

"It'll be twenty sickles please," I responded, picking up the item, "Mmm... Skiving snackboxes for the children, I suppose?"

"Yes, that's all they've been asking for!" the woman chuckled as she placed the sickles on the counter, "Here you go twenty sick- OH MY MERLIN!"

The woman raised her purse, hitting me upside the head with it. The material stung the side of my face badly. I stumbled backwards as I grabbed my cheek, falling into the stand behind me. I must've lost my balance because the next thing I knew, I had hit my head and blacked out on the floor.

Now most would wonder... How did I get here?

Well, a lot could happen in three years... and it did.

I figured it was best to start from the beginning: the end of the war.

⏃ ⚯͛ ➒¾

May 3rd, 1998... 8:06 am

"Now that the war's over, I ought to visit my gran..." Neville stammered, "I haven't seen her in nearly a year. She must be worried sick... What will you do?"

I shrugged, still facing the Black Lake. What would I do? That was a brilliant question. By now, the sun had fully risen from the water. The first day free of Voldemort and dark wizards in decades had begun. It was the start of a new life for many, including me. So, what would I have done? That was just the thing though, wasn't it?

I didn't know.

"No clue..." I muttered, "I've got no family... No home... No job. I must make a new life for myself; I just don't know where to begin."

Neville furrowed his eyebrows, thinking to himself, "Well... You're always welcome at my home until you figure it out."

I turned to face him; the first time I had done so throughout our entire interaction over the past few hours. Slightly, I smiled at him, where he returned the favor. The idea of crashing at Neville's wasn't the most ideal path, but it was a start. The two of us gathered ourselves and linked hands before I disapparated us to the outskirts of his grandmother's home.