Harry Potter: An Alternate Universe

9) The Pet

Year: Graduated 1999
House: Hufflepuff
Gender: F
Love Interest: Neville Longbottom

"Mr. Longbottom."

"That's professor, to you."

You embraced him on the train platform at 9 3/4 as soon as he got off the Hogwarts express. You'd been looking forward to spending the holiday break with your fiancé. Him being a professor, you only got to see him so often, which you've been told numerous times that it could be devastating on your relationship.

Despite this, you were both determined to make it work nonetheless. He loved his job, and you were very passionate about yours as well. You were recently promoted from Trainee Healer to Healer, which you'd been dreaming of being since you were a little girl being read Beedle the Bard before bed. You and Neville agreed as long as you were both happy with your work, the rest will fall into place.

"The car's parked just this way." You walked, arms linked out of the bustling station, back into the Muggle world. Neville only had a messenger's bag, which he explained was chock-full of lessons he had to look over and papers to grade. You hopped in the car and drove through the streets of London. Only a short drive later, you pull up in front of a cozy brownstone. When getting out of the car, Neville interrupted his own story to ask you something.

"What time does your shift start?"

"Twelve. I'll be back by ten," you replied. He nodded, backing away from the door a smidgen to let you unlock it. When you did, you wasted no time taking off your shoes and coat to start a fire. In the living room, you hold out your wand before the pile of wood already set in the fireplace.

"Incendio." Flames sparked instantly, even though it wasn't you who conjured it. Neville put his wand by his side, looking uncharacteristically smug.

"My apologies if I was taking too long." He glanced out of the opening in the curtain, looked back at you and flashed you a charming grin.

You only had an hour or so at home, in that time Neville prepared you both lunch while you exchanged the highlights since you last saw each other. When the clock struck 11:55, you grudgingly got ready to leave, as much as you wanted to keep spending time with him. You Apparated right into the lobby of St. Mungos, and already ushered into your lime green robes by your boss.

The hours dragged on forever. The much older, much crazier Gildroy Lockhart made it exceedingly difficult to let you give him his medicine. Another ill patient gave you a bruise on your arm trying to give him Skele-gro. After that incident, you managed a short intermission to use the bathroom. While washing your hands, a fellow Healer burst in.

"Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom requested you." With no time to lose, you wiped your hands on your robes and walked with haste to the room you've visited so many times before. The same room you met Neville in for the first time since school, where he hardly knew your name.

In their hospital gowns, they traveled aimlessly around the room. They were so beaten down and tired, it made them appear older than they probably were. They moved like wind-up toys that would be slowing to a stop not too long from now. It was Neville's father who noticed you first.

"You know my son, they said." So he remembered he had a son, at least for today. "How is he?"

"Just fine," you said, forcing a friendly easygoing tone.

"How's he doing in his classes?" Coming here never became any easier for you, seeing such lovely people turn so broken.

"Very well, he's just wonderful." He made a huh sound barely audible, and continued pacing. His wife stared blankly at the wall. You left without another word.

Coming home meant some cheerfulness, at least. Your husband-to-be was already in bed with a book in hand. You changed into a comfortable pair of flannel pants and a t-shirt, and stood in the doorway for a brief moment before climbing in beside him.

"Hello," you said, kissing his temple.

"Hey, guess what?"

"What?"

"I've got something for you." He shot up out of bed and made a beeline towards the door where his messenger bag hung from its doorknob. You watched as he sifted through it with delicate hands. He stood back up again, cupping something that appeared to be fragile. He turned around, concealing whatever it was with his other hand, and sat right in front of you.

"I would wait till Christmas, but I don't know how I could keep this little guy a secret for much longer." It was a Bowtruckle. It's beady eyes and plant-like appearance gave it away.

"How'd you get him?"

"An order of wand wood came in, with AJ right along with it."

"Hi, AJ," you cooed, leaning closer to the small creature. He looked not at all afraid on you, and willingly crawled into your hands when you held them out. You attacked Neville with so many thank you's and hugs, you didn't know what to do with yourself. That night, you drifted right off to sleep cuddled beside Neville, and AJ snoozing on the sleeve of your tshirt.

Named AJ after my old
fish, RIP. Hope you liked my Neville alternate universe (not my fav character, but it was fun to right).

See y'all on the flip flop.