I was right, it was an interesting breakfast as soon as we entered the hall. Harry rushes to greet us with a plate of food, Longbottom, Ron, and Granger behind him as the hall goes silent.
"Dad, Ave, Sin, Jack, Bers, Uncle Sirius, Sasha! Morning! Can we have breakfast together?" His voice lowering to a whisper as he closes his eyes. "I… I don't like the stares or whisper's… it's uncomfortable… I'm just Harry Potter, your adopted son, not a hero for something I can't remember…"
Looking at the others briefly I gestured my head, Jack giggled with insanity, Sasha humming a low protective growl. Sirius sighs dramatically as the older man walks over to Harry and takes a pancake from his plate, munching on it. Affectionate mischief in his eyes.
"You know what? Sure pup, we'd rather sit with you over stuffy old people. We're still young at heart after all and we certainly need to hear about your new little girlfriend there. Can't have an ingrate as a daughter-in-law after all. Just don't try petting the snake. Your father would cause a scene, then Sasha would, then your sisters would for the fun of it, then I'd have to do so just to not be left out."
With an amused chuckle our group followed the kids to their table. The professors and Dumbledore watching on in amusement or caution in the paranoid case of Dumbledore. Students at the Gryffindor table made space for us, the table morphing itself to let the aquarium cage sit nearby. The Basilisk hissing in fond annoyance at the chatter of the students in the great hall. I guess this was the first time they've been around the kids they guarded for so long without fear of killing them. They've likely listened in while insane, just never truly been here like this as they looked around with painful and proud curiosity.
"Dad, what's up with the snake?"
"Basilisk, Hogwarts oldest guardian, if you don't count any other possible long living guardians representing the houses. Hogwarts itself also asked me to help let them live for once. Not forgotten, dying, insane, one dimensional. Helps that I was already prepared to do so given I knew that she'd exist, it'd be disgusting to let her die alone after all she's done."
Everyone within earshot screamed as they scrambled to get away from the Basilisk. All but Harry and Longbottom. Harry because he was happy and already talking the snakes ears off because they in a way were similar. One was forgotten, the other wanted to be forgotten, one went insane, the other about to, one dying slowly, one wishing he was dead, both one dimensional in their desires. Neville was deathly afraid, but also curiously watching and studying both the Basilisk and their current housing. When a live and bound boar piglet appeared on the table squealing I hit the table while cackling.
You want to play that game Hogwarts? Then let me help you put on a play for the tragic guardian. Standing up from my seat I heaved the squirming and squealing piglet up off the table, opening a larger feeding hatch up. Then I unceremoniously shoved the piglet in with a grunt as it kicked me in the chest with its bound legs. The Basilisk rips it out of my hands when she lunges for it, acid melting its bindings as the piglet slowly loses strength with her throat constricting around it. Eventually her body lies limply in her aquarium cage, pleased hissing rumbling from her. Closing the hatch I grinned when I saw Neville looking entranced by the scene.
"Kid, you're a natural druid. When you've had a chance to show what you're made of in your classes that you'll shine in. Then I think I'll help you choose a druidic circle, help you step into what you're great at or need. Including something that fits YOUR magic primarily, not someone else's. You can keep using that wand you have but it'd hurt you more than anything, treasure it but don't let it stifle you."
I think everyone heard me that time, they were irrelevant though because I wanted the boy's answer. I want to see if he'll let me help down a path that he very well would be a prodigy at. Neville looked at me blankly for a time, before to everyone's surprise he got off his seat and all bowed to me.
"I don't think I deserve it… I'm nothing but a screw up… a worthless heir… but after talking to Harry about you all night and before breakfast… the things you've helped him grow into… I remembered my parents… I want that kind of support again… I miss it… it feels wrong…"
Gazing at the young man, I hummed loudly under the scrutiny of primarily Dumbledore. A silent warning at me to not do this as this wasn't something to be decided on a whim. So one last question, to see how far he'd go.
"Even if a choice comes up to become a monster like I'm becoming, or to remain whole to save yourself?"
He was silent for all but two seconds before he looked at me, pleading silently with his eyes as he mouths yes. He tells a truth instead of a lie. His eyes are too pure and determined to do so even if doubt, envy, depression, and longing cloud them. So I make a spectacle out of this due to wizards tending to take magical contracts and vows seriously. I'm also extending a hand to teach one of my classes for the first time to someone else.
"Druid of the Spores Circle, Kaiser Lockhart, takes a vow before mother nature and her children. I shall help a troubled sprout drowning in mud bloom into their potential. Help them decide upon their circle and guide them the best I can alongside Mother Earth. Do you accept the withered branch I offer truly?"
My spores darkened into a visible halo around my antlers before everyone's eyes. My eyes gazed into the boys, he was nervous and afraid. Yet the bravest and potentially most loyal person from this universe aside from Harry takes the leap of faith.
"Yes… yes! Just help me… I want my parents back, I want to be me…. And something tells me this is one of my best chances to do those…."
Dumbledore and a few professors move to stop us, however, Sprout the herbology teacher stops them. Plants wrapping around their wrists and wands suddenly. The woman had a look on her face that was hard to describe, but I knew one thing for certain. She had seen or heard something while watching us. A pure verdant green halo shining above Neville Longbottom suddenly. I could HEAR the Swords Coast approval, I could smell and even feel it, it's nature and this universe's nature singing out. So did Nevell as he looked lost, yet comforted by something as his shoulders sagged slightly.
"Well then little sprout, it seems you've been welcomed to learn mine and nature's calling. Stop by my class every day when you've got nothing going on, we'll start from there. However, you still need to show me where you truly shine through your classes before I help you find your own circle."
"Thank you…"
Patting the young man on his head I decided it was time for me to go early, Dumbledore looking at me with disapproval the entire time. The Basilisks aquarium cage follows after me given that it's my turrets moving it, and I wouldn't leave her alone with others easily. Finding my way back to my classroom was easy enough with following the spores in the air showing the way. Classes weren't all that great; only a few of the kids took things seriously in it when I outlined the class curriculum for the year. Meanwhile I already kicked out four first years, two seconds, seven thirds, one fourth, nine fifth, three sixth, and ten seventh year students from my classes for sheer stupidity in actions and actions.
One seventh year didn't take my warning seriously about NOT fucking with a dragon's eggs, no matter how friendly currently. I had to beat Jasmine back with my fist then regenerate the idiot's entire right arm. Because I wasn't going to fish her arm out of a dragon's stomach, nor was I going to let her parents complain. ALL of my classes were also recorded by Winston using a camera added to his remodeled bodies. So Dumbledore had nothing much to say on anything. In each class recording I stated things clearly and for the ones that could interact with Magic Beast. I asked what they would like to learn about up close and the dangers of the creatures in question.
Jasmine wasn't even a fully grown dragon, she's still essentially a teen that just had her first clutch. Her mother Julia and Jerry's mate, would've killed the girl regardless of me hitting her into submission. Jasmine was also the one dragon friendly enough to let a stranger near her. I even wrote to the girl's parents about her conduct and everything, with the recording turned into a motion paper with actual audio. Madame Pomfrey was also extremely interested in Regeneration as it was the first time she's seen a spell like it. The infirmary matron was practically eager to try learning the spell, however, I refused to teach it to her. Much less enchant an item with it without heavy restrictions to it in this universe.
After all the classes for the day were done, Neville visited my class once more. He was carrying letters from at least three of the professors with him when he was let in by Sasha. I was in the middle of seriously rubbing down the Basilisk to get dead skin and loose scales off her when he came. The dangerous beast was simply limp while laying coiled around once of my arms with her eyes closed. She was also out of her aquarium and Reduced for the process to make everything easier. Just in case though everyone but me was wearing contacts that had Greater Restoration as ritual engraved into them. Neville was given some as soon as he entered the room with her being out.
Sirius being the only other magically adept person in the room was to check the letters with me being busy. After all, I was busy giving a serpent that's never been properly cleaned a proper cleaning and health check. Had to say aside from possible malnutrition for her species and having gone insane, the Basilisk was rather healthy if not just caked in dirt and stuff stuck in her scales. Instead of letting Neville awkwardly stand about, I practically forced him into a lesson on caring for serpent's.
"Seems he's got a thing for Charms, Herbology, and Potions, surprisingly Snape approved of his work ethic and passable knowledge on ingredients."
"Hm… okayish with care for animals and beasts it seems. I can work with this, he's got a decent understanding of most core aspects of a druid unknowingly. Just needs to be polished. Kid I expect you to meet me at Hagrid's but every morning at five. We've got to build you up and get you used to nature. So be ready for a lot of physical labor and playing with hyperactive non-human children. Don't worry about getting dirty or stinking, I've had to develop my own brand of cleaning spells just for Harry in particular."
Neville looked embarrassed, apprehensive, and curious hearing everything. He looked pretty curious about the playing part though so I just snorted in amusement. Oh he's going to shit himself when he sees the children he'll be playing with, most certainly.
\\// Neville Longbottom POV //\\
Groaning I rolled on the ground, pushing the Wyvern pup off of me, the little shit having decided to tackle me as soon as Professor Lockhart brought him and his siblings out. Getting up off the ground I dusted myself off, already mending my clothes from the rips in them due to claws. After two months of playing with literal dragons, after shitting myself in fear the first day, I was seeing signs of improvement. The more intense physical training I was put through, more than everyone else in his classes, was showing results after nearly three months. Because I could finally PUSH the LIGHTEST pup of the clutch off of me. My body was also more durable after repeated abuse and life threatening gashes.
Looking at the little shit I pointed at him, silently promising retribution in no extra snacks today. He took offence to that silent promise by trying to burn my hand off. Before he could belch his fire I thumped him on the nose startling him, his fire coming out as smoke while having a coughing fit. Walking away from the Wyvern I went to wash up the old fashioned way before classes. Removing my clothes when Hagrid let me use his bath, I stared at my reflection in the water for a few minutes. The difference between the start of school and now was even more noticeable when I looked closer. I used to be more on the chubby side with a lot of baby fat still on my face, now I look healthier and more lean with the muscles I'm slowly gaining.
I even felt healthier even though I had scars after some unfortunate events during my studies in being a Druid. I even was able to pick my circle during my first week of studying, something about getting a solid foundation into it before I could actively pursue it later on. While a lot of them sounded impressive…. I chose Shepherd in the end because I didn't want to actively fight. I would fight if I had to, but I wouldn't actively seek to do so, Professor Lockhart seemed proud of me for my choice. Settling into the bath while in my thoughts, I scrubbed down my body. Small faint balls of blue and light fluttered around the bath as I did so.
Nature Spirits they were supposedly called, while Professor Lockhart could see them clearly he dealt more with spores. I learned though that by becoming a shepherd I was going to be seeing these spirits more often or daily. My circle was one of the ones more in touch with the spirits in nature than others like Moon and Dreams supposedly. I was told that I had a higher chance to possibly encounter higher tiered ones, such Wendigo's and Elementals because of that side of my circle. Funny that my teacher was becoming a Wendigo then as that means I've already technically met one. Humming gently I lightly poked at one of the spirits, my finger sinking into it before it just floated away.
Chuckling to myself when I saw the spirit lazily come back immediately as if amused by the poking. After my bath I headed directly to the Great Hall for breakfast. My school robes feel stuffy compared to the more … natural? Ones Professor Lockhart gave me. The other professors and Dumbledore refused to let me wear them while in school so I had to hide them around Hagrid's hut usually. Professor Lockhart's personality has also rubbed off on me… not that I honestly minded because I felt more confident about myself.
It was when I went to his classroom after classes that I saw something I thought I'd never see again…
"Mom….? Dad…? Mom! Dad! Your… you're better… your here… your here with me…. H-how?"
I was a blubbering mess when I all but bowled over my parents standing there, Professor Lockhart off to the side drinking a mug of root beer. Hugging my parents tightly, I refused to let them go… not again… not again…
"Oh my sweet boy… it's okay, it's okay we're here now. We're here now, Neville. Your teacher is a frightening man, but we'd rather make a deal with a devil than leave you alone anymore…."
"Your grandmother, however, will not be that involved in your life going forward. From what he told us, SHOWED us…. You were nothing but miserable and she practically used you in her own grief, forgetting your own wants and needs in the end."
"Consider this a present for putting up with my methods of training you. I'll be going now, it's my day off from teaching so I'm going out. The Queen and a friend both need my expertise with handling some pests and beasts."
Then he was gone, falling through a door under him to somewhere else. Laughing a choking sob I hugged my parents tighter. This is the greatest gift anyone could give me… not even Dumbledore could help my parents… no it's more like he gave up on them after using magic to look into their maddened minds….
\\// Cannon omake, 7yrs ago (6.5 months FGO) //\\
Ritsuka and Rika stood next to Da'Vinci as they summoned another servant to help them. The singularities were getting tougher and more deadly as time passed. They had lost the first three, and strongest so far, Sword Coast Servants in the London Singularity. Now they were about to potentially fight ANOTHER King Arthur. So any help they could get would be very appreciated honestly. When the summoning light died down before them stood a young man in his early thirties.
He had neat well groomed brown hair, kind hazel eyes, pale tanned skin, and wore a strange mix of druid robes and leathered armor. His build was lean and muscular with some scarring visible on his hands and face. In his right hand was a weathered and gnarled staff that almost looked like a cracked and broken claymore. Smoldering embers seemingly embedding themselves into the staff.
"Ruler, Neville Longbottom answering the call to defend Mother Nature once more. So I swear upon the Circle of Shepherds."
"Circle of Shepherds? Isn't that from the Swords Coast…. Meaning tied to Lockhart-san, Xanathar, Minsc and Boo, and Gond?"
"Hm? Did you just mention my teacher? Crimson eyes, deer skull, Wendigo arm?"
The master blinked, nodding slowly as they processed the description as that sounded exactly like the man they knew. Their new Servant chuckling jovially, suddenly a dragon's skull that has seen better days and seemingly enchanted with magic, their new Servant grinning.
"If my teacher has been here then I can't forgive myself if I fail him by letting you all die. Plus if I let kids like you die as his student, a professor, and head of Gryffindor, he'd beat me to death for not living up to those alone. Even if I am already a hundred eighty I'd rather not be ragdolled by my teacher ever again for messing up."
The masters chuckled nervously at the new Servants seriousness when talking about Maintenance Chief Lockhart. Because what should be nature spirits materialized around him and looked fearfully serious at the mention of the man. Wondering just what he did to the poor guy? Because even nature spirits seem scared of him.