Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Reminder: This story is Alternate Universe (AU). As such, there are things (such as wands), and concepts (such as the nature of magic, and the relationships between characters) that do not hold true to canon. Please keep this in mind as you read. Thank you.

Chapter 27 Neville's Visit and More Progress

After making the usual new-term speech, and announcing to the assembled student body that he had tasks that needed his immediate attention, Albus left the Great Hall. He was on his way to check on his two 'sons' when he was stopped by one student he hadn't realized wasn't at the feast.

"Headmaster?"

"Ah, Mr. Longbottom, there you are, my boy. I'd wondered where you were." Albus lied smoothly.

"I've been looking for Harry. He wasn't on the train, he's not in Gryffindor Tower, and I didn't see him in the Great Hall. Do you know where he is? Is he okay? Is he here?"

"Ah, and you have been worried about Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, Headmaster. It just that he so … sm …" Neville stopped. He didn't know just how to put what he was thinking. He was worried, and not because the missing Gryffindor is the famous Boy-Who-Lived.

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom? Mr. Potter is …?"

"Well, Sir. It's just that he's so small. There's so much going on in him, and so much that has happened to him, and he doesn't tell anyone, and it's all in such a little body. Honestly, if I hadn't been sorted with him when we were eleven, I'd think he was just nine or ten now." Neville said all that in one breath.

Albus chucked, "Well, my boy, that was a mouthful. Yes indeed, Mr. Potter is rather diminutive in stature, and easily mistaken for one much younger than his true age."

Neville nodded his agreement, and frowned in thought.

"Come, Child. Walk with me to the kitchens. We'll get you a little something for dinner." Albus led the way toward the kitchens.

Neville fell in step beside the old wizard and wondered again what had happened to his classmate.

"Tell me, Mr. Longbottom, what do you know of Mr. Potter's … life?" Albus asked kindly.

"Nothing, Sir, other than what everybody else knows. I know that You-know-who killed his parents. Harry temporarily defeated You-know-who when Harry was a baby, and again in first year, and again in second year, and again in forth year."

"Yes. Those are the facts the history books will tell us. You know nothing else?"

"No, Sir."

"That is a shame. He's really quite a remarkable wizard."

"Oh. I know that. I know he's powerful magically … but."

"Yes? But?"

"I don't know, Sir. There's something about him. It's like there's something missing. Like last year … it's … it's …"

The headmaster rested a thin hand on the young Gryffindor's shoulder and spoke kindly, "You can tell me, Child. Nothing you can tell me will hurt Mr. Potter, nor will I think any less of you … or him … for whatever you might be thinking." Albus gazed deeply into the young man's eyes, as if trying to convey his sincerity.

Neville took a few seconds to think about what it was that bothered him so much about his classmate. He wanted to call him a friend, but he really didn't know if they were friends, even though he'd like to be friends with the smaller wizard. Finally he ventured forth.

"Sir, it's like a part of him is missing. I want to be friends with him. I mean, he's a good guy. I couldn't care less if he's Harry Potter or some unknown wizard. He's a nice guy. I think he … it's like he's all alone, and I … I know what that is like." Neville's shoulders slumped as he said the last of that.

The lost quality of Neville's voice did not escape the Headmaster, and Albus draped his right arm across the younger wizard's shoulder as he responded, "Yes, Child, it is as if he's all alone, and yes, you do know what that's like … too well."

They walked in silence for several seconds before Albus spoke again, "Mr. Longbottom, it's not for me to betray Mr. Potter's confidence, nor divulge his secrets, but I can tell you that he is here in the castle."

"May I talk with him?" Neville looked up hopefully to the older wizard.

"Not tonight, Child. I'll see what I can do, though. Ah, here we are." Albus tickled the pear in the painting that was the entrance to the kitchens. "Now, when you go in the kitchens, ask for Dobby the house-elf. Tell him I suggested you ask him for some dinner. He'll gladly help you out. Okay?"

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Headmaster. Please tell Harry I missed him."

Albus smiled, "That I will, Mr. Longbottom. That I will."

oOo…oOo

Things kept on for the next week as they had for the past two weeks, with Severus spending every available minute helping Harry recover. When he was needed elsewhere, other professors stepped in.

Harry had made some more progress by the time the Headmaster had a chance to speak with him alone toward the end of the first week of class. "Harry, my child, you're looking better."

Harry still wasn't talking to anyone, nor was he communicating with Albus and Severus telepathically. Albus continued anyway, "Mr. Longbottom has stopped me several times a day, every day, Harry. He has been quite worried about you, and wants to see you."

Harry was listening. Albus could tell, but the boy remained silent.

"May I bring him down? Will you visit with him, Child?"

Albus watched as Harry thought that over. "Harry, Mr. Longbottom and I had an interesting talk. Would you like to know what it was about?"

Harry nodded.

Albus smiled. "Good, good. Mr. Longbottom told me that he wants to be friends with you, and not because you are, as he put it, "the famous Harry Potter." He also said you seem as if you are all alone, and that he knows what that is like. You know he does know what that's like, don't you?"

Harry nodded again.

"Yes, yes. I knew you would. Would you like to visit with him?"

Harry nodded yet again, although this nod was somewhat tentative. Albus hugged the small boy, as the old wizard smiled and nodded in return.

oOo…oOo

The morning of the first Friday of the term, Professor Snape was sitting with Harry in front of the fire in the professor's chambers. Harry was putting the finishing touches on something he'd been working on all week. The professor wasn't sure what it was exactly, but he did recognize the components of the 'thing.'

Severus had given Harry the mane and tail hairs he'd taken from Harry's Animagus form, Otium Viator, and it appeared as if Harry were knotting them into some sort of rope with amethysts worked in, one every inch or so. The professor watched quietly as the boy worked.

Finally, after several minutes, Harry set the short 'rope' on the couch, and drew three more from his pocket and placed them side by side. He turned to the older wizard and took the man's right hand. He guided the wizard's hand slowly over the four 'ropes' until, for some reason, Harry stopped and picked up the third 'rope' from the left.

The boy knelt before the professor as the professor sat on the couch, and taking the 'rope,' Harry looped it once around the man's right wrist. He covered the now-bracelet with both hands and closed his eyes.

Severus watched with amused interest until a gold light engulfed both the boy's hands as well as his own wrist. As the light grew in intensity, the professor noticed a feeling of intense well-being course through his body along with a feeling of protection.

"Harry, what is this? It feels as if it is a protection charm. Is that what you wanted your unicorn hair and the extra amethysts for, to make protection bracelets?" Severus asked as he helped the small boy up from the floor.

Harry smiled a little half-smile and nodded. Severus thanked the boy and gave him a hug. "You remember, Harry, today is the day Neville is coming to visit you. Are you going to be okay with that?"

Harry shrugged and scooted closer to his friend's side on the couch. They sat quietly together watching the flames dance in the fireplace as they waited for Neville to be brought to them.

oOo…oOo

Albus met Neville in the Entrance Hall and walked with him to the dungeons. Seeing the look of concentration on the boy's face, the Headmaster began to talk, answering the boy's unasked question, "Yes, my boy, Professor Snape does indeed maintain a residence in the dungeons."

Neville looked up, surprised at the statement, "We always kind of wondered if he lived there. Is Harry there with him?"

"Indeed, Child. Professor Snape has been taking care of Mr. Potter this summer. I am not at liberty to tell you why Mr. Potter has remained at the castle; he may tell you that himself when he is ready. What I will tell you is this, and it must remain between the two of us." Albus looked intently over the top of his glasses, assessing the sincerity, and trustworthiness of the boy beside him.

Seeing what he was looking for, Albus pressed on, "Mr. Potter has had a rough patch this summer. We don't know what happened, but he's withdrawn completely. You remember how he was last year?"

"Yes, Sir." Neville answered quietly, the memory clearly disturbing to the boy.

"Well, something, and we don't know what, triggered a complete withdrawal a few weeks ago. He hasn't spoken a word to anyone since then. Do not expect him to talk to you. He will listen to what you say, and he will be interested in hearing what you have to say. I would caution you, though, to choose your words carefully."

"I understand, Sir. It will be a little like when I visit my mum and dad in St Mungo's."

"I knew you, of all students, would understand. I'm very glad that you want to visit Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom. I think you will do a lot of good for the boy."

"Thank you, Sir." Neville smiled. I hope I can help him. Neville thought.

"Ah, here we are. Now remember what I said. He won't talk to you, but he will listen. I'll be back for you in an hour, okay?"

"Yes, Sir. I understand, and I'll see you then." Neville smiled at the Headmaster as he turned to knock on the portrait entrance to Professor Snape's quarters.

oOo…oOo

"Mr. Longbottom." Severus greeted the young Gryffindor at his portrait entrance. "Do come in. Mr. Potter is waiting for you by the fire. I've had some refreshments brought down for you two."

Neville stood just inside the entrance to Professor Snape's quarters. He was at a loss for words. Here was his snarky Potions Master being, not just cordial to him, but neigh on friendly. "Uh … th … thank you, Sir." He stammered as he stepped in.

Severus led the timid boy over to Harry, "Please make yourself comfortable. Would you care for some pumpkin juice?"

Harry lifted a goblet to Neville.

Neville took the goblet, "Yes, thank you, Professor. Thank you, Harry."

"Fine. I'll leave you two to visit. If you need anything, knock on that door," Severus pointed to a door that Neville hadn't noticed. "… and I'll come. That is the door to my study. Please do not enter; just knock." The professor finished as he turned to leave the boys alone.

Neville sat on the couch beside Harry and wondered what he should talk about. It didn't take too long once he realized his wand was poking him in the side. Drawing it out from the waistband of his slacks, he held it up for Harry to see, "Hey Harry, my gran took me to get a new wand. It's eleven inches, ebony, with a griffin feather. Mr. Ollivander said it would be good for transfiguration."

Harry looked approvingly at the shiny wand and nodded.

"Merlin knows, I need help." Neville smiled. "Hey, the professor has a chess board. Do you play?" Neville asked when his eyes fell upon the onyx and ivory board sitting on an end-table next to the couch.

Harry gave a half-smile and shrugged his shoulders as if to say he does, but not well.

Neville seemed to understand, "Yeah, I play too, but not well. Wanna try a game?"

Harry nodded and reached for the board. Neither boy noticed the Potions Master peeking through the slightly opened door to his study and smile. Bringing Neville here just might be the ticket to help Harry come back to us. He thought as he withdrew back into his study and sat behind his oak desk.

The hour was almost up as the boys finished their game. Neville won and Harry was glad for the boy. Harry reached into his shirt pocket and drew out the three remaining unicorn and amethyst bracelets, and as he had done with Severus, he took Neville's right hand. A minute later, Neville sat looking at the bracelet adorning his right wrist.

Severus reentered the sitting room, "Ah, Mr. Longbottom. I see Harry has gifted you with one of his bracelets. Do you know what the significance of it is?"

"No, Sir, Professor." Neville answered as he looked again at the gold and purple bracelet encircling his wrist.

Taking the seat across from the boys, Severus explained, "What Harry has given you is a very powerful protection charm. It is made from the mane and tail hairs from a golden unicorn colt, and charmed amethyst stones. He wishes you to wear it in good health, and use it wisely." Then turning to Harry asked, "Isn't that right, Child?"

Harry smiled and nodded. Then taking Neville's wrist in both his hands as he had done with Severus, Harry closed his eyes and mentally cast a spell. When he opened his eyes, and the gold light had faded, the three saw a solid gold bracelet with three amethyst stones on Neville's wrist. The bracelet was quite like Severus', but a little thinner.

Neville looked in wonder at the stunning gift he'd received and thanked Harry.

"Now, Mr. Longbottom, one other special aspect to that bracelet is that no one can see it other than Harry and those who also have one. Severus showed Neville his bracelet."

Harry rose from the couch beside Neville and crossed to the professor sitting in the chair. He reached out his arms, and was picked up and put on the Potions Master's lap. Neville watched in awe at the ease with which the two interacted.

"Uh … Professor?"

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?"

"Um … I'm … uh, I'm glad Harry has you, Sir."

"Thank you Mr. Longbottom. Do you remember how you got here?"

"No, Sir. The Headmaster and I were talking, and I …" Neville swallowed thickly and looked at the floor before finishing, "… I didn't pay attention, Sir."

"That's quite alright, Mr. Longbottom. Next time you wish to visit Mr. Potter, floo me, and I'll bring you back."

"Thank you, Sir." Neville responded. He was unable to suppress his surprise. "Thank you, Sir." He repeated.

oOo…oOo

Professor Snape … now there's an enigma! Letting me into his private chambers, treating me civilly, taking care of Harry … Merlin! Holding Harry. Neville's thoughts were both confusing and comforting. Still, no matter how confusing things were where the professor was concerned, he was comforted that Harry had someone who was taking care of him, and who seemed to care about him. It's about time, Neville thought.

Even in class, Professor Snape was different. I didn't know what to think this morning in Potions. I mean, he didn't take points when my potion failed. At least I didn't blow up my cauldron, but he didn't yell or anything. I thought he was sick. It's gotta be Harry. It's like Harry's tamed the Potions Master.

And then there's Harry. I wish I knew what happened to him. He looks even younger now than he did last year. And he acts as if he were four or five. He looks so lost, so alone. I still can't get over him wanting to be in the professor's lap, and the professor picking him up and putting him there. Gods, Harry looked like he was a toddler when he reached up like that.

But he's still Harry. I can feel it. I can feel the magic around him, and it's stronger than ever. I've heard that sudden shifts in power can drive a person insane. Merlin! I hope that's not what's happened to Harry. Wizarding World be damned, Harry deserves more than to be "The-Boy-Who-Lived."

I am still amazed at the protection bracelet. I wonder how he got the unicorn colt hairs. It is a nice bracelet, and I can feel the power and protection of it. I wonder what Professor Snape meant when he said to use it wisely and in good health.

I hope Professor Snape will let me visit again. I wonder … the professor has changed so much over just the summer … I wonder if … would it be possible that he might help me in potions?

oOo…oOo

Sirius and Remus had been chaffing at the bit, as it were. They'd been at Hogwarts for almost three weeks, and still had had no direct interaction with Harry. They did understand why, after all, they'd been using the spell Albus had shown them so that they could watch Harry without being seen – watch through walls.

Even knowing that Harry was in no fit state to deal with either Sirius or Remus, they were eager to reestablish contact with the small wizard. Sirius was particularly eager to talk with his godson, but the headmaster always blocked his way, and when Albus wasn't playing the part of being a human-obstacle, Remus' cool logic prevailed.

The only things that made keeping their distance a little easier was the knowledge that their absence was indirectly helping Harry to heal; and to a lesser extent, their new duties helped them, too.

Albus had appointed the two marauders as the new Defense against the Dark Arts professors, and how strange was that to think of Sirius as 'Professor Black?'

They had revisited Albus' pensieve memories of Harry's life a couple of times. Each time they emerged, they emerged with renewed resolve to do all that was necessary to help Harry, and if that meant just watching from afar, then so be it. That is what they'd do.

Remus had maintained a coolly cordial relationship with Severus for the last three years, and that relationship seemed to have warmed a little over the last few weeks. Severus didn't seem to hold any animosity for the graying werewolf any more, and when Severus would deliver the Wolfsbane to Remus, he no longer made any disparaging remarks.

Sirius was trying hard to change his ways towards the potions master. He knew he needed the man … he knew his godson needed the man, and that was all that mattered to him. Things had taken a turn almost a week into the marauders' stay at the school when Severus overheard the end of a conversation between Remus and Sirius.

Severus overheard Sirius saying, "If Snape hurts Harry, I'll give him a piece of my mind."

Severus responded, smirking, "Careful, Mutt, you don't have enough mind to spare even one cell." Turning to Remus, Severus continued, "Lupus Lupin, I suggest you leash Mutt-Migraine. Wouldn't want him ending up in a … potion … now would we?"

What struck both Remus and Sirius was that even though the words were not particularly kind, there was no real hatred behind them. It was just a few seconds later that the nicknames Severus had used caught up with the two men, and as Sirius turned, pointing to Remus and laughing, 'Lupus-Lupin,' Remus turned, pointing to Sirius, laughing 'Mutt-Migraine.'

Severus smirked a half-smirk-half-smile as he walked away, his cloak billowing behind him. He raised his right hand, and sketched an invisible number one in the air and muttered, 'That's one for the bat.'

Remus whispered to Sirius, "Harry's changed him."

Sirius stood open-mouthed as he watched the potions master stride away, and nodded in agreement.

oOo…oOo

A/N: To those faithful readers who have stuck with me, I thank you. Your loyalty is appreciated. I offer no excuses for the unforgivably long wait for this chapter other than to say, Real Life sucks.!