Harry Potter And Common Sense

School continued Harry studied hard and was careful to keep to himself for the most part. He still enjoyed the talks with Cassandra Yaxley especially when she got him the spells he needed for his prank on the Weasley twins. But although he was a friend to several people he didn't allow himself to be emotionally close to anyone except Neville.

Neville and he ran together three times a week and worked out using tai chi and karate three other times a week. Harry was surprised when one day Neville didn't show up. That was until he got to breakfast and heard that Neville was in the headmaster's office. Rumors about what had happened in Gryffindor Tower that morning flew around the school faster than the flock of school owls. Apparently the two fourth years, a fifth year, and a second year that had the biggest problem with Neville, decided his going to workout with Harry wasn't to be tolerated any longer, despite what happened after the time they threw Neville down the stairs. Neville had put to good use the defense Harry had taught him and kicked their arses.

Augusta Longbottom wasn't sure who she was more mad at, the Headmaster of Hogwarts or his deputy. She was thrilled with her grandson. Neville had lived up to the family tradition. He had stood firm in the face of opposition, he had stuck up for those he called friend against everyone. "So can you explain to me Dumbledore why Neville is being brought here to this office if all he did was defend himself against four older and bigger students."

"He put them in the infirmary Augusta." Minerva said.

"I should hope so! Teach those fools that they can't get away with behavior like that. Maybe if more people had to live with the pain of their mistakes they would make fewer of them."

"Lady Longbottom surely you understand we can't allow…"

"My grandson to defend himself?"

"If he sinks to this level now, think what level he'll be at in seven years? I fear I need you to reason with him to see that his friendship with Harry Potter is going to lead him down a dark path."

"I see, so that is what this is really about. Harry Potter and the fact your reins on him have been cut. Neville defended himself against four older and more knowledgeable students using whatever skills Harry has trained into him. Yes, I know about their friendship and the time they spend exercising together. I saw them working together on it during my house party. So far as I am concerned your fear that Neville will go dark is horse hockey. He is becoming strong and a survivor, I think there's more to fear of those other children growing dark unless they learn there are consequences to actions."

"I pity you Minerva, you are so blind to reality. Albus, I wish to speak to my grandson now."

Neville was lead into the office by his Head of House. "Gran! I'm.."

"Mr. Longbottom are you aware of why you are here?" Dumbledore said.

Neville grimaced. "Because I put Cormac and Cameron MacLaggen, Cecil Wilder and Miles Creston in the infirmary."

"Yes, exactly-"

"Are you saying I should have let them hurt me again, instead?"

"Again? What do mean again? Neville?" his grandmother asked.

"About a month into school, Cameron, Cecil, and Miles tossed me down the stairs to the dungeons. I broke my arm, got a bad sprain of my ankle, and had a concussion. Harry started teaching me defense after that. I had asked him to help me get fitter, after he saved me in flying class. But after they hurt me, Harry said if the teachers wouldn't do more than assign detention to people who did what those boys did, I needed to learn defense. Cause if I didn't stand up for me, I couldn't expect others to do it for me." Neville mumbled the last sentence.

Augusta suddenly saw the truth of Lord Potter's words to her after Christmas. She had failed her grandson in that rather than encouraging him to stand up and be counted she had allowed others to put him down, indeed she had put him down herself, and then she wondered she was why Neville had been shy and easily bullied. "Is this true? Did those boys hurt my grandson and all you did was put them in detention?"

The faces of both Minerva and Albus told the truth of the tale.

"SO the real issue here isn't that those boys were hurt, the real issue is that Neville proved himself able to defend himself through using unconventional means, means you disapprove of." She gave them a disgusted look. "Fine my judgement is this. Neville, you will serve a detention or as many as those boys individually served for their attack on you, but no more. You are not to use these skills of yours in anything but self defense and hopefully your housemates now understand there are consequences to attacking you."

Neville met his Gran's eyes. After a moment he nodded. "Yes Ma'am."

"As for you two, I have never been more disgusted in my life. Your job is a, to protect the students and b, educate them. You are obviously failing at the first and the lessons you're teaching aren't ones that benefit the magical world. If I were on the board of governors you would both be out the door, fortunate for you both I am not. Although perhaps I should see if I can change that.

"Now, I want a word with my grandson alone if you please. As long as I am here, I'd like a word with Lord Potter. As a member of his trustee board, I have that right."

Albus frowned heavily. "I'll send for him. Minerva will you show Lady Longbottom to one of the visitor salons please. Then send for Mr. Potter. Perhaps the three of them could have lunch together."

"Yes sir, shall I also inform the elves?"

"That would be appreciated, Minerva." The three left the Headmaster's office.

Minerva left Neville and his Gran in a salon not far from the Great Hall. The first salon had a portrait on the wall Augusta gave Minerva a look. "Minerva, do you truly believe me that stupid? I want privacy and no paintings."

McGonagall blushed and led them to another salon further down the hall. Once she left to go fetch Harry, Augusta put up privacy wards then looked Neville in the eyes. "I am proud of you, Neville. I think you've earned the right to wear this." She held out a ring to him.

Neville took it. Examining it he exclaimed, "The heir's ring?"

"Yes, you've shown me you're ready. Despite my doubt's and my mistakes I believe you have what it takes to become the next earl. The ring will allow you to start studying the family magics this next summer."

....

Join my P@treon and get 60+ advanced chapters.

Link: p*atreon.com/0LordSilvere0 (Remove the *)

Free members get 2 chapters free.

Join Right Now