Brother vs. Brother

A Goblin Protected Secret

Neville's POV

Ever since Remus and Sirius have adopted us, we've been happy. They've treated us like their own sons, which we technically are thanks to the blood adoption. Life has been good. We've been allowed to learn as much as we've liked, and are now well beyond the seventh years when it comes to our magical education. 

In fact, we've even started to dabble in wandless magic, though we haven't gotten very far in that department. Oh, and did I mention tomorrow's our birthday! Our eleventh birthday! It's great, because we are going to get our Hogwarts letters then!

"NEVILLE! COME DOWNSTAIRS FOR DINNER!" I can hear Sirius call. I charge down the stairs and wolf down my food. I start to get up but Remus stops me. "Wait, Neville, Harry, we have something to tell you guys." I sit back down and glance at Harry. He seems to be just as confused -and curious- as I am. 

"Well, as you know, tomorrow your Hogwarts letters will arrive. And, again, as you know, this will put you in close proximity to Albus Dumbledore." Remus stoped there, and Sirius picks up where he left off.  "This is a problem 'cause he is a very skilled Legilimens, able to penetrate many strong minds. If you were to catch his attention in a bad way, he may become curious, and decide to look inside your minds. Which is why we thought we should find you two an Occlumency teacher when we go out to buy your school supplies."

Remus must have seen my worried expression, so he quickly says, "On a lighter note, remember our old friends the goblins? We're going to return to Gringotts for some unfinished business." I smile, thank Remus and Sirius, and head upstairs to Harry and I's room. It now looks quite different. It's no longer plain because we've decorated it a ton. 

My side, by the window, was now painted a pale yellow. Though my favorite color is a cheery yellow, we'd decided it would be too bright to paint it that way. The curtains were still blue, we liked it that way, so why change it? Harry's side is a pale green, because again, even though his favorite color is emerald green, we wanted to tone it down a bit.

 My bed, on the other hand, was the brightest yellow around. The pillows had the Hogwarts crest on them, with a yellow background. Harry's was pretty much the same, but in emerald green. 

The bookshelves are now very full, and though R & S don't know it, some of them came from the library we aren't allowed to go in. Some of my favorites include 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', 'Herbology: A Study of Plants' and a muggle book called 'Little House in the Big Woods'. Harry's favorites are 'Ancient Runes: Stones of Power' 'Quidditch Throughout the Ages' and 'King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table'. 

I fell asleep almost the moment my head touched the pillow. I think my mind and body were, for once, in agreement. They're probably saying something like 'Dude, I'm so tired and excited, I'll get my rest.' 

***

When I woke up, I was pretty much a bundle of bright, burning energy. Harry seemed annoyed at me because of it, but honestly, who cares? Not me, I'm way too excited! 

I throw on some clothes and charge downstairs, Harry trailing behind me. I've always been an early riser, what can I say? Remus is down there, so Harry asks, "Where's Sirius?" Remus smiles. "BOO!" Sirius pops up behind us, and I scream. Harry doesn't move a muscle. "Nice one, Sirius!" He high fives him as he says this. 

So Harry was in on this, hmmm? I know I will have my revenge, but not yet. And owl flies through a window. It's a snowy owl. It's feathers are mostly white, with little black flecks here and there. Her eyes are amber, and her one of her talons seems to be bent at an awkward angle. It seems as though I'm not the only one to notice this, however, as Harry frowns and looks at me. I nod. "We'll be right back, Remus, Sirius!" I try to get the owl's attention as I say this, and somehow, she follows.