"Neville!"
"Neville!!"
Neville ignored his Gran calling from the kitchen. His eyes trailed over the wrappers near a photo of his parents and him. Neville knew as the sun rose today that he had to go see his parents. Even though it pained him. As he grew up, he began understanding why his parents didn't pay attention to him.
His parents suffered a worse fate then the killing curse. Bellatrix LeStrange had tortured them endlessly until there minds were mush, until they couldn't remember their son. Neville knew deep down they loved him but just wished they could show it.
A knock on his door startled him, his head snapped over.
"Are you ready to go, Neville?" His Gran asked. She too looked at the sweet wrappers. She grabbed his hand and led him out the door.
•••
The train ride was as long as Neville remembered. He laid his head in his hand and stared at the fast moving scenery. His grandmother knew the trip was to long to apparate there. They always took the train half way. Some would suggest floo powder but Neville had never gotten the hang of it. Always slurring his words or getting a mouthful of ashes. He felt his Gran watching him as she crocheted.
"Are you missing him?" She asked suddenly. Neville started, looking at her with wide eyes.
"I-No. This is just..hard," he whispered as he turned back to the window.
"Neville, it's okay to miss someone. You think he's with the Weasley family don't you?" Neville had arrived at kings cross station where he saw several people reading the evening prophet. Arthur Weasley's face was peering at him from all angles.
Ministry Worker, Arthur Weasley, Attacked
He had a hunch then that was where Harry and all the Weasley children went that night. He hadn't received a single note from Harry saying he was okay but maybe that was best.
Augusta knew Neville was worried about Harry. Seeing as the boy had a fit of night terrors then was missing the next morning. She sighed, knowing there wasn't much she could do for him. She couldn't offer him comfort that Harry was okay. What if he wasn't? Neville would be so crushed.
The train stopped a few small towns outside of London. Augusta was a powerful which but she wasn't the best at apparating long distances anymore. Maybe this would be the year she looked for a flat near Saint Mungos Hospital. Neville stood and shoved his hands in his jean, grasping his wand. Augusta followed her grandson from the train. The way he walked. The way he talked. It all reminded her of Frank. If only Frank could see how his boy had grown into a wonderful young man.
Neville hated apparation. The feeling of your body bending through a small space of time. They landed outside a run down department store. As Neville grew, he learned that so much magic is hidden in plain sight. He glanced around him as his grandmother conversed with a battered statue. The sun was hidden behind large clouds. The buildings rose up around us. Neville yearned for just one glance to know Harry was okay. Suddenly, his grandmother is pulling him through the liquid glass and down halls lined with famous healers.
Neville knew it was almost time to go. He hated leaving his parents there. If only he could take care of them. But he knew the help his parents needed could only be found here. He sighed. But smiled as his mother held out a sweet wrapper.
"Neville, just throw it out. She isn't going to know. You have so many now we could wallpaper your room in them." Augusta reached for the wrapper but Neville quickly stowed it's away.
"It was great seeing you guys. I love you." Neville wrapped his arms around his parents individually. Augusta and he stood.
"Ah, Mrs. Longbottom, leaving so soon?" A nurse asked from where she settled a excited Lockhart.
"Neville?" That voice.
Oh dear Merlin this not what Neville needed right now.
