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Hogwarts: Neville’s Insert Chapter 40
🕑 Added 2025-02-19 18:03:30 +0000 UTCHogwarts: Neville’s Insert Chapter 40
Author's note: I'm changing the fanfic's title from "A Neville SI" to "Hogwarts: Neville’s Insert." Also, I'll be uploading two chapters tomorrow—one for Kaito and one for Goten. I've been busy and haven't kept up with the schedule, but rest assured, I'll be posting all of this week's chapters soon.
Neville nodded. "Yeah. And worse—it’s perfectly legal to use." He shook his head in disgust. "I don’t think the magical world has common sense at all. It’s basically like using the Imperius Curse on someone, but somehow, it's considered acceptable."
Hermione’s face twisted in revulsion, but before she could say anything else, there was a knock on the compartment door.
She jumped slightly, startled by the sudden noise.
Neville sighed. "I really need to learn how to cast a Notice-Me-Not charm."
The knocking grew more persistent. Neville stood up but turned back to Harry before opening the door.
"Whatever you do, don’t go to the Weasleys," Neville warned, his voice low and serious. "We don’t know if they’re involved with Dumbledore. Just wait for me—I’ll try to come get you within a week."
Harry’s expression hardened with determination. "Got it."
With a final nod, Neville undid the Muffliato and the locking charm, then swung the door open, looking mildly annoyed. "What?"
Seamus and Dean stood there, looking a bit sheepish.
"Hey, mate," Seamus said with a grin. "We were wondering if you guys wanted to join us for a game of Gobstones."
Neville glanced over his shoulder at Harry and Hermione before nodding. "Yeah, sure. But we’ve got to wake Ron up first."
Seamus groaned. "Ah, that’s gonna take a while."
….
By the time the train reached King’s Cross, it was already evening—around 6 PM.
Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione parted ways with the other Gryffindors as they gathered their things.
"See you guys in two months," Neville said, giving a nod to Seamus, Dean, Lavender, Parvati, and Fay Dunbar.
"Yeah, see you next term, mate," Seamus replied with a grin.
"Goodbye, guys," Parvati added, waving.
Fay gave Hermione a quick hug. "See you soon, Hermione."
Hermione smiled and waved back. "See you guys!"
As their friends left the compartment, Hermione brushed off her skirt and cleared her throat. "We should hurry before the platform gets too crowded," she said hastily, eager to escape the awkward atmosphere lingering between them and Ron.
Neville stretched as he got up. "Yeah… we might already be too late for that," he remarked, glancing towards the window at the bustling platform outside.
As Hermione reached for her bag, Neville gestured toward her pocket. "Aren’t you forgetting something?" he teased. "You don’t want to be stuck all summer without your books."
Hermione blinked before realization hit. "Oh! Right—I almost forgot about that." She quickly pulled out her shrunken trunk and gave Neville a grateful smile. "Thanks for reminding me."
Neville smirked. "No problem."
Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione tried to act normal around Ron, but their interactions still felt awkward and strained. Ron, who had just woken up groggy and confused, wasn’t exactly helping the situation.
Hermione took out her wand and tapped her trunk. "Engorgio," she muttered, and the trunk expanded back to its full size.
Ron frowned slightly, still not entirely used to seeing people shrink and unshrink their trunks so casually. He muttered something under his breath but said nothing.
"Here, let me help you," Neville offered, grabbing one side of Hermione’s trunk and lifting it with ease.
"Thanks," Hermione said, giving him a small smile as they stepped out of the compartment, making their way onto the busy platform.
As they stepped off the train and onto the platform, they were met with the bustling noise of King’s Cross Station. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter, rolling luggage, and the distant whistles of other trains arriving and departing.
A wizened old guard stood by the ticket barrier, letting students pass through in twos and threes to avoid alarming the Muggles by having a large group suddenly appear out of a solid wall.
"You lot have to come and stay this summer," Ron said eagerly. "All three of you. I’ll send you an owl!"
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Uh… thanks, Ron, but I’ll have to ask the Dursleys first. Not sure they’d go for it. I’ll let you know if they allow it."
Hermione gave an awkward laugh. "Yeah, I don’t know, Ron… I’m not sure when I’ll be back from France."
neville shook his head and said “no thank mate ill be busy all summer“
Ron frowned slightly, confused at their hesitant responses.
Before he could say anything, his face lit up. "There they are! Mum, look—there he is!"
Following his gaze, they spotted the Weasleys waiting nearby.
Ginny, Ron’s younger sister, was practically bouncing on her toes, eyes wide with excitement. "Look, Mum! I can see him! That’s Harry Potter!"
Neville noticed Harry’s grip tightened on the strap of his trunk as he looked at the Weasleys. Neville bumped his shoulder.
Harry turned, and Neville gave him a subtle nod before jerking his head in another direction—away from the Weasleys.
Taking the hint, Harry quickly stepped back, following Neville as he led them away. Hermione, catching on, quietly fell into step beside them.
The three of them ducked through the crowd, weaving past the other students and parents before stopping near an older woman standing with impeccable posture, a dignified air about her.
Neville smiled as he approached. "It’s good to see you again, Gran. Have you been waiting long?"
Augusta Longbottom, dressed in her usual elegant green robes with her signature vulture-hat perched on her head, gave her grandson a once-over before shaking her head. "It’s good to see you too, my boy. And no, I just arrived." Then, turning her sharp gaze to Harry and Hermione, she asked, "Are these your friends?"
Neville nodded and gestured to Hermione first. "This is Hermione Granger—easily the brightest witch of our year."
Hermione, recalling the etiquette book she had borrowed from Neville, bowed politely. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Longbottom."
Augusta raised a mildly surprised eyebrow before returning the greeting with a small nod of approval. "How refreshing. It’s nice to meet you as well, Miss Granger. Neville has told me quite a bit about you."
Then, Neville smirked slightly as he gestured to Harry. "And this is Harry Potter—the boy wonder."
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, hello, ma’am," he said awkwardly, not quite sure how to address her.
Augusta’s sharp eyes studied Harry for a moment before she nodded. "You certainly look like a Potter," she remarked. "The resemblance to your father, James, at your age is striking."
Harry blinked, caught off guard. "You—you knew my dad?"
"Of course," Augusta said simply. "I knew many of the Potters. Your father was a troublemaker, but a brilliant wizard nonetheless."
Before Harry could respond, Augusta’s eyes flicked back to Neville—and to his empty hands. Her lips pressed together, and she raised an eyebrow.
"Neville," she said pointedly, "where’s your trunk? Did you leave it behind?"
Neville shook his head and patted his pant pocket. "No, it’s in here. I shrunk it to make it easier to carry."
Augusta nodded approvingly. "You’ve learned the Shrinking Charm? That’s quite advanced for your age," she said, clearly impressed.
As Neville was introducing Harry and Hermione to his gran, the Weasleys made their way over. Ron, looking pleased to see his family, quickly introduced them to Harry, Neville, and Hermione.
Neville leaned toward Harry and whispered, "Act normal."
Harry gave a slight nod and, despite his earlier hesitation, shook hands with the Weasleys as if nothing was amiss.
Mrs. Weasley beamed at them. "Busy year?" she asked kindly.
"Very," Harry replied. Then, remembering his manners, he added, "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."
Before Mr. Weasley could say anything, a sharp voice cut through the noise of the station.
"Ready, are you?"
They all turned to see Uncle Vernon standing a short distance away, his face still a deep shade of purple, his thick mustache twitching in irritation. He looked absolutely furious—likely at the sight of Harry standing in the middle of a crowded station with an owl in a cage, completely unconcerned about how "normal" people might react.
Behind him, Aunt Petunia stood stiffly, her lips pressed into a thin line, while Dudley hovered behind her, looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.
"You must be Harry’s family!" Mrs. Weasley said brightly, offering them a warm smile.
"In a manner of speaking," Uncle Vernon replied gruffly. "Hurry up, boy, we haven’t got all day." Without another word, he turned on his heel and stomped away.
Harry, for possibly the first time in his life, actually felt relieved to see his relatives. He turned back to Neville, Hermione, and the Weasleys. "I’ll see you all soon," he said quickly. "Bye!
Ron gave Harry a confused look but said, "Yeah… goodbye, mate."
Neville quickly leaned in and whispered, "I’ll come in a week, okay?"
Harry nodded, his expression serious. Hermione stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. "Just hang in there," she said softly.
Harry nodded once more before quickly turning and hurrying after Vernon, eager to avoid any more lingering goodbyes.
Neville glanced back and saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looking bewildered. Beside him, Augusta observed quietly, her sharp eyes catching something others might have missed—Harry actually looked relieved to be going with his relatives.
Before Neville could dwell on it, his gaze shifted across the platform, spotting a woman who looked quite a bit like Hermione standing beside a man who was likely her husband.
He nudged Hermione. "Looks like your parents are here," he said, pointing towards them.
Hermione turned, immediately recognizing them. A wide smile spread across her face, and without hesitation, she grabbed Neville’s arm and started pulling him along. "Come meet them, Neville!" she said excitedly, leaving the Weasleys behind as they made their way over.
As they approached, Hermione called out, "Mum! Dad!"
Her parents turned, smiling warmly as she reached them.
"Mom, Dad, this is my friend Neville Longbottom," Hermione introduced proudly.
Her mother, Bonnie Granger, smiled kindly. "Ah, so this is Neville! It’s finally nice to put a face to the name. I’m Bonnie Granger, and this is my husband, Wendell Granger. Hermione has been writing about you in all her letters."
Hermione blushed. "Mum!" she groaned, clearly embarrassed.
Neville smirked. "All good things, I hope?" he said, shaking their hands. "It’s nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Granger."
Then, gesturing towards his grandmother, he added, "And this is my gran, Augusta Longbottom."
Augusta stepped forward, offering a firm handshake. "It’s a pleasure to meet you both," she said, her voice dignified but warm. Then, with a small approving nod towards Hermione, she added, "You’ve raised a very bright young witch."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger beamed with pride. "Thank you," Mr. Granger said.
After a bit more polite conversation, they soon said their goodbyes.
As Hermione turned to leave with her parents, she looked at Neville with a pointed expression. "You’ll write to me, right? And don’t say it’s too bothersome—promise," she demanded, narrowing her eyes.
Neville chuckled. "Yeah, sure, Hermione. I promise I’ll write to you."
Hermione smiled, satisfied. "Good. See you soon, Neville."
With that, she left with her parents, heading towards the station exit.
Augusta placed a gentle hand on Neville’s shoulder. "Come along now, dear. Time to go home."
She led him toward the Apparition point, and with a quiet pop, they disappeared from King’s Cross Station.
…
They arrived at the gates of Longbottom Manor with a soft pop, Augusta turned to Neville with a small nod. "Welcome back, Neville."
Neville grinned. "Good to be back, Gran."
Stepping into the manor, they were immediately greeted by a small, eager voice.
"Welcome back, young master Nevy! Does the young master be needing anything, sir?" chirped a house-elf, bouncing on his feet.
Neville smiled. "It’s good to be back, Tinkle. And no, thank you. I’m good for now."
Augusta turned to him. "I’ll let you settle in dear. Once you’re done, come down for dinner."
Neville nodded. "Sure thing, Gran. I’ll just put my things away and take a bath first."
Before he could say another word, Tinkle clapped his hands excitedly. "Then I will get the bath ready for the young master!"
And with a pop, the elf vanished before Neville could even protest.
With a sigh, Neville made his way up the staircase, heading toward his room.
Once inside, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his trunk, and unshrunk it with a quick Engorgio.
Grabbing a towel, he headed to the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away the exhaustion from the long train ride.
After a refreshing bath, Neville stepped out of his room, now dressed in a simple black t-shirt and grey pants. He made his way downstairs to the dining room, where Augusta was already seated, waiting for him.
She gestured to the seat beside her. "Come, take a seat, Neville. You must be starving."
Neville slid into his chair and nodded. "Yeah, I’m starving—especially after skipping lunch."
Tinkle appeared again, swiftly serving dinner—a perfectly cooked roast with all the trimmings. The rich aroma filled the room as Augusta delicately cut into her chicken.
"So," she asked, taking a measured bite, "how was your first year? I hope it went well."
Neville swallowed a mouthful of food before replying, his voice light but deliberate. "Yeah, it was great," he said before lowering his voice so Augusta wouldn’t hear him. "—except for the whole incident in the Forbidden Forest and, you know, fighting a troll again. Other than that" He shrugged casually. " It was a good year."
Augusta froze mid-bite, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. Her sharp eyes flicked up, locking onto him. "Hmm? What was that?"
Neville tilted his head slightly, feigning mild confusion. "Huh?" he asked, already knowing full well that Dumbledore wouldn’t have shared any of it with her. "I said it was a good term."
He kept his expression neutral. He didn’t want her storming off to Dumbledore demanding answers. If his theory was right, the old man had likely placed some kind of mild compulsion charm on student so they wouldn’t talk about certain things with their parents. It would explain why no parents seemed to know about the troll on Halloween.
Before Augusta could press further, Neville smoothly changed the subject.
"Hey, Gran, do you think Harry could stay over for the summer?" he asked casually. "His relatives aren’t exactly kind to him."
Augusta pursed her lips thoughtfully but didn’t interrupt, so Neville continued. "Oh, and by the way, would it be alright if Hermione visited as well? Maybe even her parents? It’d be nice for her to show them what she’s learned so far—especially with the Trace not working inside the manor."
Augusta took a moment, finishing her bite before nodding. "Hmm, I don’t see why not. Mr. Potter is welcome to stay if he’d like. It would be nice to have more people around the manor." She took another sip of her tea before adding, "As for Miss Granger, she’s welcome as well, and her parents too. Just let me know before inviting them over."
Neville grinned. "Thanks, Gran. I’ll send them a letter soon."
