Unexpected Legacies: a ficlet in honor of Harry, Jo, and Neville
This little idea has been rolling around in my head for the last couple of weeks, and I decided to write it out today. :) Do you all realize that it's twenty years to the day that Harry found out he's a wizard? Amazing.
Happy birthday yesterday to Neville Longbottom and today to Harry Potter and Jo Rowling. This fic is for you.
Harry wended his way through Diagon Alley, trying to remain inconspicuous. Luckily, the street was crowded with shoppers, most of them, apparently, getting ready for the upcoming school year at Hogwarts. Parents and children hurried from shop to shop, laden with spell books, cauldrons, potions ingredients, and, occasionally, broomsticks. It was still weird for Harry to realize that he was not returning to Hogwarts, even though he'd already missed an entire school year. Hermione had been scandalized when she found out.
"But now that Voldemort's gone, there's absolutely no reason for you not to complete your education! Professor McGonagall said that the repairs are almost finished, and Ginny will even be in all your classes--"
Harry had paused. That was a temptation. But. . .
"I've already got a place in Auror training without taking my N.E.W.T.'s, as do you and Ron, even if you're not taking Kingsley up on the offer" he reminded Hermione. "Why should I bother? Besides, it's not like Auror training is going to be a cake walk. I'll still be revising and taking exams for the next three years."
"Well, I suppose," Hermione said grudgingly. "But I'll miss you. And Ron."
Harry would miss her, too. But McGonagall had already promised that those who came back to Hogwarts to make up for last year but who would have otherwise left would have greater latitude to leave the castle. Harry expected to meet up with Hermione (and hopefully Ginny, if he could convince McGonagall) at least once a month in Hogsmeade. In the meantime, he'd see Ron every day, since he was staying at the Burrow during his training. But all of this wasn't happening until next week.
Today, he was on his way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to meet up with Ron (who was working with George for the time being, although he'd told Kinglsey he'd be taking him up on the Auror offer when George was more recovered from his twin's death), Hermione, and Ginny (who had been shopping themselves) for dinner. Harry had spent a long day at the Ministry, talking things over with Kingsley. It would be nice to relax for a few hours, get his mind off all the work there still was to do-- catching remaining Death Eaters, sorting out those who had actually been under the Imperius curse, repairing the damage done throughout the country. . .
An Irish voice caught his ear as he passed the Magical Menagerie. "Here, let's get your animal. Would you like a cat or an owl?" A kindly looking witch pointed at the animals on display out to the small girl who was holding her hand.
"I want a toad!" said the girl, who was obviously starting her very first year. "Please, Mam, please?"
"A toad? But. . . I don't want you to be laughed at, dear."
"I won't be laughed at!" the girl replied in a tone of certainty. "Everyone's going to want toads this year, cousin Seamus told me!"
"But why?" asked her mother, perplexed.
"Neville Longbottom had a toad, a toad named Trevor! Imogen and Theodore both already got one, and Georgette's dad said she could have one, too! Please, Mam!?"
"Well, if Neville Longbottom had one, I don't see why you can't. Come on." The girl smiled broadly as they walked into the shop.
Harry smiled. He could think of nothing better than Neville's bringing toads back into fashion. After years of being ignored, bullied, teased, and generally looked down on, every bit of positive attention Neville received was no more than his due. For that matter, the more glory given to those who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, the better. Not only did it draw away attention from himself, they all deserved it. He'd never have been able to do what he'd done without their help.
Harry's grin continued as he made his way through the crowds. A large group had gathered around Quality Quidditch Supplies, ogling a new Firebolt Seeker (Harry had been given one free of charge, because the "Seeker" part was in his honor. Since he'd lost the original Firebolt Sirius had given him the night he left Privet Drive, he could not turn it down). Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor, now presided over by his niece, was packed. A line had formed in front of Ollivander's, which had only reopened a few days ago. And for every owl or cat he saw being carried in cages, he saw two or three toads.
The sights filled Harry with something like the feeling phoenix song had always given him. Happy people, going about their lives, no longer afraid. Children eagerly looking forward to a year at Hogwarts. Toads coming back into fashion. This is what he'd fought for. This is what so many people had died for.
This is why it was all worth it.
Happy birthday yesterday to Neville Longbottom and today to Harry Potter and Jo Rowling. This fic is for you.
Harry wended his way through Diagon Alley, trying to remain inconspicuous. Luckily, the street was crowded with shoppers, most of them, apparently, getting ready for the upcoming school year at Hogwarts. Parents and children hurried from shop to shop, laden with spell books, cauldrons, potions ingredients, and, occasionally, broomsticks. It was still weird for Harry to realize that he was not returning to Hogwarts, even though he'd already missed an entire school year. Hermione had been scandalized when she found out.
"But now that Voldemort's gone, there's absolutely no reason for you not to complete your education! Professor McGonagall said that the repairs are almost finished, and Ginny will even be in all your classes--"
Harry had paused. That was a temptation. But. . .
"I've already got a place in Auror training without taking my N.E.W.T.'s, as do you and Ron, even if you're not taking Kingsley up on the offer" he reminded Hermione. "Why should I bother? Besides, it's not like Auror training is going to be a cake walk. I'll still be revising and taking exams for the next three years."
"Well, I suppose," Hermione said grudgingly. "But I'll miss you. And Ron."
Harry would miss her, too. But McGonagall had already promised that those who came back to Hogwarts to make up for last year but who would have otherwise left would have greater latitude to leave the castle. Harry expected to meet up with Hermione (and hopefully Ginny, if he could convince McGonagall) at least once a month in Hogsmeade. In the meantime, he'd see Ron every day, since he was staying at the Burrow during his training. But all of this wasn't happening until next week.
Today, he was on his way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to meet up with Ron (who was working with George for the time being, although he'd told Kinglsey he'd be taking him up on the Auror offer when George was more recovered from his twin's death), Hermione, and Ginny (who had been shopping themselves) for dinner. Harry had spent a long day at the Ministry, talking things over with Kingsley. It would be nice to relax for a few hours, get his mind off all the work there still was to do-- catching remaining Death Eaters, sorting out those who had actually been under the Imperius curse, repairing the damage done throughout the country. . .
An Irish voice caught his ear as he passed the Magical Menagerie. "Here, let's get your animal. Would you like a cat or an owl?" A kindly looking witch pointed at the animals on display out to the small girl who was holding her hand.
"I want a toad!" said the girl, who was obviously starting her very first year. "Please, Mam, please?"
"A toad? But. . . I don't want you to be laughed at, dear."
"I won't be laughed at!" the girl replied in a tone of certainty. "Everyone's going to want toads this year, cousin Seamus told me!"
"But why?" asked her mother, perplexed.
"Neville Longbottom had a toad, a toad named Trevor! Imogen and Theodore both already got one, and Georgette's dad said she could have one, too! Please, Mam!?"
"Well, if Neville Longbottom had one, I don't see why you can't. Come on." The girl smiled broadly as they walked into the shop.
Harry smiled. He could think of nothing better than Neville's bringing toads back into fashion. After years of being ignored, bullied, teased, and generally looked down on, every bit of positive attention Neville received was no more than his due. For that matter, the more glory given to those who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, the better. Not only did it draw away attention from himself, they all deserved it. He'd never have been able to do what he'd done without their help.
Harry's grin continued as he made his way through the crowds. A large group had gathered around Quality Quidditch Supplies, ogling a new Firebolt Seeker (Harry had been given one free of charge, because the "Seeker" part was in his honor. Since he'd lost the original Firebolt Sirius had given him the night he left Privet Drive, he could not turn it down). Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor, now presided over by his niece, was packed. A line had formed in front of Ollivander's, which had only reopened a few days ago. And for every owl or cat he saw being carried in cages, he saw two or three toads.
The sights filled Harry with something like the feeling phoenix song had always given him. Happy people, going about their lives, no longer afraid. Children eagerly looking forward to a year at Hogwarts. Toads coming back into fashion. This is what he'd fought for. This is what so many people had died for.
This is why it was all worth it.