Professor Neville Longbottom (A Harry Potter FanFic)

Chapter Ten - Another Encounter

MOST OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK ARE THE WORK OF J.K.ROWLING, NOT MY OWN.

Chapter Ten - Another Encounter 

Confused but relieved, Neville hurried from Snapes office. He heard the heavy door swing shut behind him and jumped as it closed with a loud thud. There was a deep grumbling noise, and Neville realised that it was coming from his stomach. He had missed Dinner last night to mark homework and was now famished. Rushing to the great hall his mind pondered over the events of the last few minutes. He was sure, when he went into Snapes office, that he was going to be extremely punished. He had braced himself for Snape and Malfoys anger and was prepared for a suspension from teaching. He was only a novice teacher but was sure that in time he would really enjoy it, so didn't want his chances spoiled so early. When Malfoy began to lay into him, Neville was sure that Snape would join in, but when he didn't it was a huge relief.

When Snape began to shout at Malfoy however, that was confusing. Neville really wasn't expecting that, so when an angry Draco stormed from the room with Falco in tow, he couldn't help but laugh. Now he was out of the meeting he began to feel worry. What if Snape approached him later? What if his job was still in danger? The not knowing was worse than being yelled at.

Neville knew that Draco would be furious at his son, so expected to see bruises on the boys arms when he finally came back to school. Draco was always beaten by his father so it wouldn't be unusual for him to carry on the neglect. When Falco came back from the suspension there would be hell to pay, thats for sure. Neville was certain that Falco would be worse than ever, so he had to keep his temper down and not rise up to the bait.

A short while later, as Neville was walking towards his chair at the teachers table, He noticed that Rosalind had moved herself into the seat next to his. She smiled at him and his heart fluttered. Her eyes seemed to glimmer with happiness as Neville took his seat beside her. They chatted as they filled their plates with the food the house elves had served. Neville constantly choked on mouthfuls of pancake for he was laughing so much as Rosalind joked around and told stories of her time at Beauxbatons.

"What are you doing afterschool today?" he asked Rosalind, a sheepish grin on his lips. He planned on taking her to Hogsmeade and showing her the sights, plus he really wanted to meet up with her outside of school.

"Nothing... Why?" Rosalinds questioning grin matching nevilles nervous one.

"How do you feel about going to Hogsmeade, just you and me?" He tried to be jokey about asking her out, but he couldn't hide how nervous he was asking her. He bit his lip as she tilted her head to the side  and looked strangely at him.

"Asking me on a date, are we?" She smirked, getting Neville flustered. His cheeks turned pink and started to burn.

"No... well yes, but I mean... Oh god, who knew this was so hard?" Neville sighed in frustration and heard Rosalind laugh. Out of the corner of his eye he could see that her smile had spread all the way up her face as she laughed at how nervous he was.

"Sure. I'll come and find you after classes, yeah?" She asked confidently before getting up from the table and waltzing towards the door, leaving a very subdued Neville staring after her. He didn't notice the evil glares he was recieving from Snape down the other end of the table.

Neville lept up and all but skipped down the aisle and out of the hall where he skidded to a stop, his mouth hanging open in disbelief and shock. Standing before him, and grimacing, was Falco Malfoy. He grabbed Neville and pulled him down a secluded corridor before throwing him against the wall, his wand pointed at Nevilles temple the entire time.

"I thought you were suspended." Neville squeaked, his eyes darting around the room as if to find a means of escape. He tried to act brave but he knew how unhinged this kid could be, so didn't struggle.

"Father managed to pull some strings." he smirked, an evil glint in his eye. " You thought you were rid of me, you spineless idiot of a man." He hissed, the wand in his hand pressing ever harder on Nevilles skin. "You'll pay." It was at this moment that neville glanced at Falcos exposed arm in which he was holding the wand. It was smattered with bruises and Neville felt sorry that he had to live with such an arrogant thug of a father.

His pity vanished as Falco began to mutter the one word that Neville feared the most.

"Cruc..." Before Falco could finish he was flung across the other side of the room and smacked into the wall before slowly sliding to the floor. The crucio curse was unforgivable, it made the opponent be in excuciating pain and if used enough could turn them insane. That was what happened to Nevilles parents.

He stormed over to the unconcious child slumped in a heap on the floor and muttered

"Obliviate." Falcos memory of the past few minutes was wiped. The only evidence of what had happened was the large lump on the back of his head, which he would probably blame on his fathers beatings. It, unfortunately, would strengthen Falcos hatred for Neville as it was his fault that he had been beaten.

Neville ran from the corridoor, leaving Falco out cold propped against the wall. He only stopped running when he had reached his classroom. He burst through the door and collapsed in his chair behind the cluttered desk. His energetic entrance had disrupted a layer of dust on the doorframe, which floated around the room before settling, mostly on Nevilles hunched form.

"Excuse me?" A small voice uttered, causing Neville to glance up. Standing in the doorway was a boy with startlingly jet black hair and emerald eyes encased with thin wiry spectacles. The boy seemed familiar to Neville and he soon realised why.

"My name is Albus Severus Potter. I believe that this is my first class. Is this Herbology?" The young boy standing before him was the spitting image of Harry Potter. He had the same characteristics as his father, including his appauling eyesight. In the ten seconds he had stood before Neville he had had to push his glasses off the edge of his nose and into position. He just had to be Harry's Son.

"It is. My name is Professor Longbottom. You aren't by any chance Harry Potters son, are you?" Neville peered inquisitively at the boy who seemed to shift under his gaze.

"Why yes sir. You wouldn't so happen to be the Brave Neville Longbottom, would you?" Neville smiled at his kind words.

"I am." It was the boy's turn to grin now, his green eyes sparkling.

"I have heard a lot about you from my father."

"Have you now?" Beamed Neville, his eyebrows raised as he wondered just what exactly the boy had been told. Before the boy could answer a stream of students filed in through the door and rushed to sit down. These first-years are very eager to learn, thought Neville.

After a very enjoyable lesson Neville raced to lunch, excited at the prospect of sitting next to Rosalind. When he arrived all of the seats were taken but his and Rosalinds. As he sat down he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see the icy gaze of Snape beside him.

"Miss Rosalind told me that she would like to meet you in the library." He Sneered, angry at getting the job of a messenger. Before storming back to his seat he caught the bemused look on Nevilles face and smirked.

Neville was confused. Why did Rosalind get Snape to tell him where she was? just what was going on?