Chapter 7: Healing, Wands, and an Elemental. Part 3

Neville nervously looked at Harry, and Harry narrowed his eyes. Ollivander added knowingly, "But you already knew this, did you not?"

"I had my suspicions, but I would appreciate it if this little tidbit did not leave this room."

Ollivander chucked, "My, my Mr. Potter, your demeanor seems much different from the meek boy that stepped into this store two years go."

Harry retorted, "Life changing events and revelations often do that, do they not?"

Ollivander remained silent, his eyes bore down on Harry's emerald ones. He sighed, "I do hope that you would allow me to study this connection once your fears are allayed."

Harry nodded hesitantly, "If you or I are alive at the point, then yes."

Neville looked at Harry uncertainly and Ollivander laughed and a little graceful bow, "For there is no certainty in life, yes, yes. Mr. Potter, thank you."

Ollivander clapped his hands once and directed his attention back to Neville. He asked, "Now then Mr. Longbottom, since you have delayed your wand purchase by two years, what wand did you use?"

Neville shifted uncomfortably and replied, "My father's, sir."

The wandmaker narrowed his eyes and recalled, "13 inches, Cherry and a unicorn hair of a particularly proud unicorn, unyielding. A wand not meant for any other that its first user. I am surprised that you were able to display enough magic to remain at Hogwarts for the last two years."

Neville asked in a small voice, "Does that mean my father doesn't approve of me sir?"

Ollivander gently placed a hand on his shoulder and smile, "Good heavens no lad! Quite the contrary in fact. If there was any who could have produced even a sliver of a Lumos from that wand, it would be you. In fact, I think that wand quite approves you as your father's son, yet not as its one true user."

Ollivander threw an amused glance at Harry and continued, "Powerful wands tend to be the most stubborn of the lot, often containing very interesting natures and quirks for the lack of a better word. In addition, they bond to wizards who are just as stubborn as them. Your friend would be quite the living testament to this."

Harry huffed while Neville weakly chuckled, and there began the quest to find Neville's wand. Much like when Harry had to choose a wand, countless wands were being tossed aside, none were a match for Neville, who was grew anxious by the second. Ollivander on the other hand, looked like a kid in a candy store, shuffling through the wands like a kid searching for his favorite chocolate.

An hour later, the moment of truth finally arrived and just then the door opened and revealed a furious Augusta Longbottom with an elf who was scared out of its poor life. Garrick Ollivander instantly stood up taller, his curious demeanor instantly tightened and bowed slightly as he greeted, "Madame Longbottom."

Augusta Longbottom barely acknowledged the man's presence in his own store. Harry took a closer look at the formidable woman. She donned elegant robes of green with her trademark vulture's hat. Her face bore all the signs that her fury would soon be unleashed, and Harry was genuinely worried for his friend.

Neville took a deep breath and steeled himself. He knew he would be at odds with her domineering attitude someday, he just did not expect it to be today, the day he gets his own wand.

Augusta spoke in an eerily calm manner, "When I found out a couple of days ago that you were searching for a time that I will be out of the manor for a prolonged period of time, I grew curious."

She paused and gave her elf a long look and continued, "In fact, you seemed almost persistent with it in a way I have not seen before, so I wondered what you were up to. So, I told Tilly to let you know that I would be gone all afternoon and would arrive later in the evening. Imagine my surprise when you suddenly left the manor without a trace and appeared here of all places. Now, Neville Francis Longbottom, give me a clear explanation as to why you here of all places?"

Neville replied in an equally calm manner, "I am here because I need a new wand- "

Augusta fiercely interrupted, "You spit on your father's image when you cast aside his wand. Come, we are leaving."

As she stepped forward to grab Neville's hand, he fiercely swatted it away. Augusta's eyes grew wide and was left flabbergasted by her grandson's rebellious reaction. Neville's face twisted with frustration and anger.

He yelled, "YOU! FOR ONCE GET THIS INTO YOUR THICK SKULL, I AM NOT YOUR SON! I AM NOT MY FATHER, I AM NEVILLE, HIS SON! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO FORCE ME TO BE SOMEONE THAT I AM NOT!"

Augusta reached out once again, her frown deepening. She commanded, "Neville! You shall seize this foolishness and-"

"OR YOU CAN FINALLY SHUT UP AND START ACCEPTING THE TRUTH THAT I AM NOT MY FATHER!"

Augusta reeled back as if she took a stunner to her chest. Neville gathered himself as he spoke, "Ever since I was barely able to talk, all you wanted to do was force me to be someone I am not. It was either, 'he is not doing any magic', 'he is frolicking around the greenhouses too much', or 'he is not acting like his father'."

Neville furiously stepped towards his grandmother and pointed a finger at her. He added, "When you finally got sick of not seeing any accidental magic, your younger brother, and I refuse to call that cunt my granduncle, threw me down from a balcony that was at least 40 feet tall when I was eight years old! I was lucky that my magic saved me. And pray do tell, what did you and your cunt of a brother do after that incident?"

Neville let the question hang in the air. Harry noticed that Ollivander balled his fists. Harry just stood by, nary a trace of emotion on his visage. When he noticed that Augusta just stared at him in shock, he roared again, "ANSWER ME!"

Augusta replied in a cowed tone, "I did not chastise my brother nor check for your wellbeing. I instead celebrated that you had magic."

Neville snorted, "I think you also forgot how you instead blamed my by saying that it was my fault that you had to throw me down a balcony. I wonder, I wonder how my parents would take that little tidbit of information?"

Augusta now looked genuinely ashamed of her deeds. Neville ignored her and turned around towards the wandmaker. He softly said, "Remember Gran, I am not just my father's son, I am also my mother's son."

He nodded at Ollivander and resolutely looked ahead. Ollivander appraised the child in front of him with a hint of respect. He carefully took out a wand from the box and explained, "13 inches, cherry and unicorn hair, reasonably supple."

The wandmaker looked Augusta Longbotton right in her eyes and whispered, "I do hope you match to this wand, there is a story of deep significance to you."

Neville confidently reached out and took the wand from him. Harry felt the magic in the air ripple slightly and sense of harmony settle over Neville and the wand. Ollivander gazed at Harry slightly in surprise before he brought his attention back to Neville.

Several white and yellow sparks shot out of the wand and the store lit up at the light produced by the pair. Ollivander clapped enthusiastically and cried out, "Marvelous Mr. Longbottom, marvelous! Though how curious indeed."

Harry struggled to hold back a snort. 'The last time you said curious in front of me, you said my wand was a brother wand to Voldemort. Now what? Brother wand to Grindelwald, or worse Malfoy?'

Neville tilted his head slightly, and inquired, "What's so curious?"

The wandmaker replied, "You see, no two of my creations are the same, yet some wands have a few traits they share. You see, the wood I used to create that wand came from a particularly resilient and a beautiful cherry tree in Japan. I was fortunate enough to secure enough to create two wands, one of which was your fathers, and the other is the very wand you hold."

The Longbottom's eyes widened at his statement and Harry smiled slightly. Ollivander ignored the reactions of his audience and explained further, "Yet, that is not the only peculiar fact about your wand. The unicorn hair used in your wand is one I remember fondly. The female unicorn whom I received this core from was a mother protecting her foal from her poachers. My wife and I were able to fend off the poachers from the parent and child and as a show of gratitude, she gave us two of her hairs for us."

Ollivander looked fondly at Neville and smiled, "One is the core of the wand you hold now; the other was the core of your mother's wand Mr. Longbottom."

Tears dripped down Neville's eyes as he softly caressed the wand. Augusta Longbottom looked at her grandson with a complex look in her eyes. Harry looked at his friend with a hint of pride.

"I daresay Mr. Longbottom, I can guarantee that there will be no wand that perfectly fit you other than the one that you currently hold. Cherish it, Mr. Longbottom and I wish you well. I expect to see brilliant things from you Mr. Longbottom."

Ollivander took one last look at Harry Potter and reiterated, "Afterall, with your present company, I daresay it would be quite difficult for you to not accomplish great things."

Harry quickly handed Ollivander seven galleons and turned to Madame Longbottom.

"That would be an early birthday gift for Neville, I promised him this."

Harry and the Longbottom family stepped outside the wand store. They walked to the Leaky Cauldron in relative silence. As they approached the floo, Madame Longbottom hesitated and called out to Harry.

"Mr. Potter, would you kindly join us for some tea?"

Neville looked at Harry blankly and Harry mutely nodded. Satisfied with his answer, she took a fistful of floo powder and clearly said, "Longbottom Manor."

Neville soon followed suit, while Harry grimaced as he took a fistful of the floo powder. Here goes nothing. "Longbottom Manor!"

Harry was shoved out of the fireplace, tumbled a few times, and fell face first into the pristine floors of the Longbottom Manor. He groaned into the floor.

Neville still wore a steely expression and Madame Longbottom sighed when he saw the less than elegant condition Harry Potter found himself in. She primly questioned, "Surely you have been through a floo network before?"

Harry groaned as he got up, as he internally cursed the inventors of instant magical travel. He straightened his clothes and answered, "Once, and that was not a pleasant experience either. Ended up in Knockturn Alley when I was supposed to go to Diagon Alley."

Neville winced slightly and Madame Longbottom lightly shook her head. She led them through the manor, and they walked by, Harry noted the opulence that the house displayed. Several portraits were visible throughout the house, each gave him curious looks. The manor was furnished with furniture of the highest quality and several expensive magical trinkets. The show of wealth only made Harry a touch uncomfortable.

'The house seems so… impersonal.'

They finally arrived at a room which Harry guessed where the family hosts guests. Once again, Harry could see their wealth in display, with various trinkets and expensive furniture. She led them to a tea table surrounded by a set of elegant chairs.

A variety of scones, sandwiches and pastries appeared on the table along with the tea set. They silence persisted as they made their tea and enjoyed a few assortments.

Augusta spoke first. "Well then Mr. Potter. I wish we had met under better circumstances, but we do not get a choice as with most things in life. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Augusta Griselda Longbottom, the current Head of the Longbottom Family."

Harry took a small sip of his tea and carefully said, "It is a pleasure, Madame Longbottom. As you know, I am Harry Potter, a friend of your son and a fellow Gryffindor."

Augusta raised her chin up slightly. "As you should be, being a child of James and Lily Potter. I would not expect anything less."

'Time to stir the cauldron a bit.'

Harry lightly smiled, "Madame, I was nearly placed in Slytherin by the Hat. Added to that I speak parseltongue, an ability that is strictly related to houses of Slytherin influence. No, it was not my parents who decided where I belonged, I made The Hat place me in Gryffindor."

Augusta's shoulders went stiff and her eyes tightened slightly. Neville gripped the handle of his teacup tighter and Harry continued to sip on his tea without a care in the world. Augusta replied diplomatically, "Indeed? Well then, all the more reason to celebrate your own decisiveness, although I must consider myself slightly disappointed that you were even considered for Slytherin."

Harry chuckled and lightly rebuffed, "Hypercritical opinions do you no favor Madame. If you did not already know, my parents are now dead. I cannot play a game of possibilities with you."

Neville slightly winced at the words that Harry so casually let go. Augusta Longbottom frowned; she kept her teacup back on the tea table. "That maybe so, yet I want to know what your role is with his new purchase."

Harry rolled his eyes, and he did not hide it. Clearly, she realized that she fucked up bigtime and now she wishes to change the topic, what an arrogant toe rag of a woman.

Augusta seemed a touch angry at the blatant display of disrespect by the boy, clearly, and she ignored her own indiscretions earlier. Neville looked like her wanted to jump in and interrupt, but Harry shook his head.

"Madame, I encouraged him to buy a new wand. I still remember the words that Mr. Ollivander stated, 'the wand chooses the wizard'. Your grandson is a brilliant wizard, especially when he rescued one of our friends from a brutal attacker with a brilliant display of magic. I just want him to do well in life."

Augusta spoke impassively, "You speak like a person much wiser than your age."

'You have no idea how right you are.'

Harry replied easily, "If you had experienced the same things in life as I have, you would expect someone to be ahead of their years."

Augusta snorted, "What could a whelp like you quite possibly have faced? You have no idea about life child, speak not of matters you do not know."

Harry stood up slowly, and looked Madame Longbottom directly in her eyes, "They say you should think before you jump, Madame Longbottom. Thread carefully."

He turned around and walked away, just as he was about to exit the room, he announced.

"Neville, let me know if you ever want to join me during your free time. I can help you catch up with your magic that you missed over the last two years."

He did not wait for a response as he turned around and left the manor.