Unfinished Gems

Soul Brothers - 3

Neville, as it turned out, did know something that could help Harry. A rather disturbing plant known as Gillyweed.

Since Harry really didn't want to even attempt stealing from Snape a second time (though to be fair Hermione was the one to di it), he decided to ask Sirius.

Sirius surprised him by sending an entire jar of the stuff, over half full.

Harry gave a few to Neville to experiment with. After that, Harry made a point to take more to Neville, even including him in his study sessions with Hermione.

Much to the shock of the misplaced Gryffindor, Neville had the third best grades in their house. (Hermione was first, followed very closely by Harry himself). It was only because he had to use his father's old wand that he had become known as a weakling.

So Harry sent a discreet letter to Augusta Longbottom (Neville's intimidating grandmother) explaining the situation without embarrassing the boy.

Horrified that Neville was considered weak in his house because he had a wand that didn't suit him, she flooed to the school and forced the headmaster to let Neville go to Diagon to correct the matter.

The fact that the two other headmasters happened to be in the office at the time didn't hurt her case either.

Within a week of getting a new wand, Neville's standing in Gryffindor shifted overnight. From being the second weakest (Ron was the weakest in Gryffindor) in the house to being the second strongest. Only Harry was better than him.

It was with some shock that everyone realized how mistaken they were about the timid boy.

Who was slowly becoming more social. Since Harry (and Hermione when she realized what was going on) had included him in their group, Neville quickly gained some new friends. Friends who didn't judge him based on his family's standing of his previous status as a weakling.

Neville seemed surprised that he now had friends who trusted him to know what he was doing and to help when it was needed.

He rather liked the feeling.

~

Harry spotted Draco and asked "Have you seen Alyss? She hasn't shown up for a while now."

"Not since last night."

The minute Alyss learned that Draco knew who she was, she offered to give him his own Chain. Draco wasn't going to accept the offer just yet, but she was willing to wait. Alyss didn't mind Draco that much.

Harry waited anxiously for the start of the blasted task. He had two gillyweeds ready to be used, but he wasn't looking forward to it.

Suddenly the second task began. Since Harry had the best score, he jumped in first.

The moment before he went into the water, he swallowed the plant. And grimaced at the taste.

Fortunately the gills took effect second after he entered the water. He kicked, and his feet propelled him downwards.

He knew the colony had to be somewhere in the center of the lake, so he headed straight. He avoided the seaweed on the bottom (and noticed Fleur was attacked by grindylows when she got too close).

Something with a lot of teeth closed in on him. Harry was startled to see a misshapen Viktor Krum passing him.

When he finally reached the colony, he ignored the mermaids. He found Alyss tied to a pole in the middle.

So he took the knife he had brought along (it was the one he mostly used in potions class) and started sawing. Then he went to work on the girl who looked a lot like Fleur. Possibly her younger sibling.