Know Thyself {Neville Longbottom}

XV. Oak

Oak

Helps center the mind, and inspire strength.

"So he's really back then?"

I glanced over to Cece, who was reading a copy of the Daily Prophet that displayed a disheveled looking Cornelius Fudge with the headline proclaiming the return of You-Know-Who.

"Well that's just bloody fantastic!" She said, tossing the paper aside. "As if everyone didn't have enough to worry about."

I smiled weakly at her attempt at humor, which I knew was her way of coping with bad news. 

The whole thing hadn't come as too much of a shock to me, since myself and everyone else in D.A. had already accepted the fact early on. Obviously, to those who had been kept in the dark by Umbridge and the ministry all year the news would certainly be upsetting. 

"You should hear the way the other Slytherins go on about it, they're all so excited about His return. They actually want to join him!"

She leaned closer to me, and lowered her voice even though it was only us two in the train compartment. 

"I don't want that! I don't want anything to do with You-Know-Who, or any of his bloody Death Eaters!" she whispered urgently.

I grabbed one of her hands and squeezed gently, "I know...have you heard anything from your parents?"

"No!" She said a little too quickly. 

About a year ago, after the events of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Cece had divulged that her parents were former Death Eaters. Though they claimed to be reformed, it was hard to say what they would do now that You-Know-Who was definitely back.

I frowned, "Cece, you know you can tell me the truth..."

"Well, it is the truth strictly speaking. I actually haven't heard anything from them for a while now. I mean, I'm used to them forgetting about me, but this seems different."

My heart sank a bit as I studied the troubled expression on my best friend's face. Sadly, what she so casually admitted was true, her parents often did forget about her. They were strictly business in all aspects, and treated their daughter more like an object than a child. Throughout the years I had known her, I had come to realize this was the reason Cece had such a loud personality when she was at school. It was her way of proving to everyone she existed, because at home she was practically invisible. 

"Whatever happens with them, you're always welcome to stay with me." I said, hoping I could provide some reassurance.

She smiled, and was about to reply when movement outside the compartment distracted her.

I turned to see what had caught her attention and saw Draco Malfoy passing by with his friends, Crabbe and Goyle.

His pace slowed ever so slightly as he locked eyes with Cece, and then he moved on as if she wasn't even there.

"What was that all about?" I wondered aloud.

She sat back with a look of indifference on her face, "Oh, we broke up some time ago. I reckon he's a still a bit put out."

My eyes widened in disbelief, and suddenly her strange behavior the past couple months made sense. 

"Well, thanks for letting me in on that key bit of information." I said, feeling somewhat annoyed.

"I just didn't want to make it a big deal." She replied, shrugging. 

Despite her cool exterior, I could tell it was still bothering her. I was confused as to what went wrong, considering how well they seemed to get along.

"So, what exactly happened with you two?" 

Cece turned her gaze to the window, "It was around the time he became a part of that ridiculous Inquisitorial Squad. It was almost unbearable the way he talked, all the nasty things he said about muggleborns, and those of supposedly impure blood. He even had the audacity to suggest that I stop spending time with you! At that point I'd had enough, and told him I could decide for myself who to share my time with."

I smiled, and my heart swelled at her words. Standing up quickly, I pulled her into a tight hug.

"Don't go getting sappy on me now." she said, but returned the gesture nonetheless.

Suddenly there was a rather loud commotion from outside the compartment, and we both went to look for the cause. 

Leaning my head out, I was pleasantly surprised to see that some of my fellow Hufflepuffs had just finished hexing Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle so severely that they looked similar to giant slugs.

Cece and I were doubled over in fits of laughter, and spent the rest of the train ride in considerably better spirits.

__________

After Cece and I had said our good byes, I scanned the busy platform hoping to catch Neville before leaving. 

"If you're looking for your boyfriend, he's back there." Benny said with a grin, as he made his way past me. 

I ignored his comment, and carefully moved through the crowd until I found Neville. He was standing with his Mimbulus Mimbletonia in one arm, a slight frown on his face. Upon seeing me, his expression changed to relief, and he waved with his free hand.

"There you are Laura, I'm glad you found me. There's someone I want you to meet."

He gestured toward the rather stern looking elderly woman standing near him.

"This is my grandmother." 

My knees suddenly felt like jelly, but I did my best to remain calm as she looked me over with sharp eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Longbottom." I said, smiling politely.

"Yes, my grandson has talked about you quite often. It is nice to know he's made friends with such a well-mannered young lady."

She adjusted her handbag, "Now, we really must be going. Come along, Neville."

I wasn't sure if I had received her approval or not, but Neville gave me a confident smile and waved good bye.

"Don't forget to write!" I called after him.

Smiling to myself, I turned and made my way to my Aunt and Uncle who were waiting with Benny and Roger.

"Everything alright dear?" Marge asked, as she pulled me into a hug.

"Yes, actually. Everything is perfectly alright." I said truthfully. 

It had certainly been one hell of a year but I felt as if everything that had transpired only served to make me stronger, and I knew that as long as I had my friends and family I was ready to face whatever the future might hold.

__________

A/N: And that's a wrap! Up next is Year Six, and I've got a lot of exciting stuff planned :)