Neville had received a response from his Grandmother only a few days before the Hogsmead trip. His mind was racing. Neville already had planned on meeting several people at the Hogs Head, a grimey bar in the village, to discuss learning proper defence. At the beginning of the year, they were introduced to Dolores Umbridge. The women was awful. Neville wasn't sure if she even had the capacity to teach. Of course he would never say that to the women's face.
Argus Flitch glare at him as he searched the list for Neville's name. In the distance he heard Harry laugh and it felt as if his throat was swelling. He had to tell his Grandmother. Neville tredded down the muddy path to Hogsmead, hands deep in his jeans pockets. Hogsmead week ends were nice. Neville loved wearing muggle clothes, no complicated clasps or dress codes. In the distance he could see a women wearing a top hat adorned with a large stuffed vulture. Neville swallowed, trying to remove the lump in his throat.
Augusta Longbottom was surprised when her grandson sent her an owl, requesting her to join him at the Three Broomsticks. She hoped nothing was wrong with her grandson. Most thought she didn't care much about Neville, on the contrary. She pushed her grandson to be the best he could because that was what Frank Longbottom would want for his son. Augusta looked around her, fiddling with her wand in the pocket of her robes. That's when she saw Neville. His head was down, dark hair falling onto his forehead and chewing his lip.
"Neville!" Augusta called to her grandson as he started to walk past her. His name had startled him, making him jump.
Neville had been so deep in his thoughts he almost walked past his Grandmother.
"Gran!" Neville embraced the women. He couldn't remember the year that his parents raised him but he always remembered everything his Grandmother had done to help him. Neville still knew Frank and Alice were his parents, but Augusta had raised him. She loved Neville even when everyone thought he was a squib.
"I was really surpised to get your owl," she told him as they entered the Three Broomsticks.
"Well, I thought it was better to talk over face to face than over a letter. You mean more to me than, Gran," Neville smiled as they slid in a booth farthest from the door.
"Are you sick, Neville?" Augusta's voice was tinged with worry.
"No. No, nothing like that. This is something Madam Pomfrey can't fix," Neville glanced around the room before down to his hands that were white from how tight he grasped them. "You always said I could tell you anything, right?"
"Of course, Neville. Of course," Augusta reached for his hands, grasping one of his in hers.
"GranI'mgay." He confessed the secret so fast that his words blended together.
"Come again?" His grandmother's eyes lingered on his face. He was sweating profusely, his hands slippery.
"Gran, I-I'm gay. I'm sorry," Neville hung his head, ashamed.
"Oh Neville," Augusta lifted her grandsons face to look at her, " You are my grandson, I love you. I love you more than anything, Neville." Neville saw the tears running down his grandmother's cheeks.
"Do you think mum and dad would accept me?" Neville blurted out.
"Of course! I don't think you realize how much you mean to them. Even if they didn't, it's not their right. It's your life." Neville stood to embrace his Grandmother.
"Okay, Gran. I promised I'd meet Harry and some others for a homework group."
Augusta narrowed her eyes, " So your meeting Harry Potter?" She smiled at him.
"Gran!"
***
AN//
I'm so sorry for not updating I didn't have the motivation but I really like this chapter! Thanks guys!
