Neville stood alone in the corridor, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The armor he had been using as a training partner let out a metallic groan, drawing attention to the hand Neville had inadvertently crushed. Hermione, noticing Neville's unusual behavior, approached him with a look of concern. "Neville?" she inquired softly.
"Oh, hello," Neville stammered, attempting to straighten the armor's hand, his actions betraying his inner turmoil.
Ron, witnessing the crushed hand, whispered to Harry in awe, "He could probably crush my head with one hand."
Harry nodded in agreement, observing the changes in Neville. He was taller, his arms thicker, and his previously noticeable belly had vanished, replaced by well-developed chest muscles. His transformation was so profound that his loose wizard robe barely concealed his newfound physique.
Hermione, ever observant, leaned in closer, her worry evident. She could sense that something was amiss with Neville. Their moment of concern was abruptly interrupted by Malfoy's taunting voice. "Hey, Neville Longbottom, have you lost your mind?"
Ron, quick to defend, retorted, "Get lost, Malfoy!"
Malfoy, undeterred, continued his provocation, challenging, "Three laps around the Black Lake, do you dare?"
Neville, letting go of the armor's hand, responded to Malfoy with a determined, "Add weight."
Malfoy smirked and departed, leaving Neville to express his gratitude to his friends. "Thank you for your concern. I'm fine, just a little..." His voice trailed off, a fleeting look of loneliness crossing his face before he hurried away.
Harry, puzzled, asked, "Since when did Malfoy and Neville get along?"
Hermione, equally surprised, pointed out, "Haven't you noticed what Neville is wearing?"
"What?" Ron asked, clueless.
"The badge," Hermione explained, "the badge of the Society of Stars."
Ron couldn't believe it. "I had no idea he joined."
Harry and Ron, sharing a dormitory with Neville, were shocked by their own obliviousness. Hermione, exasperated by their lack of observation, sighed deeply.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of someone approaching. Turning around, they saw Moody limping towards them, asking gruffly, "Have you seen Longbottom?"
Meanwhile, Neville, burdened with added weight, was dragging a piece of armor tied with a rope, wooden boards placed beneath it to ease its movement. He panted heavily, urging himself to keep going, while a sweaty Malfoy, also pulling a suit of armor, followed behind. The armor, caught up in the moment, cried out, "Hurry up, my little dragon."
As they neared the Black Lake, tentacles emerged from the water's edge. The giant squid watched from below, and mermaids surfaced, eager to place bets on the outcome of the challenge.
John, observing from a distance, remarked, "Neville seems troubled today." He reflected on Neville's parents, hospitalized due to the Cruciatus Curse, and considered how the curse's effects might be haunting Neville.
Heinrich, sitting beside John, handed him a glass of water. After a refreshing gulp, John pondered the possibility of using his unique psychic magic to aid Neville's parents, contemplating the challenge of healing minds as complex as performing a soul operation.
Determined to try after his upcoming magical power upgrade, John watched as Malfoy, exhausted after three laps, collapsed, the armor behind him waving a branch in a feeble attempt at victory. Malfoy's glare intensified as he snapped at the armor, his frustration palpable. Meanwhile, Neville continued his desperate run, his face a mix of sweat and tears, his eyes red with pent-up emotion. From atop a rock, John called out to him, urging him to halt his futile escape. Neville, overwhelmed, finally came to a stop by the lake, his legs giving way beneath him. He attempted to rise, but his strength had deserted him. Collapsing to the ground, he wiped his eyes, struggling to speak through his tears.
"John, I... I know what they did to my parents. Everyone says they're heroes, but I..." Neville's voice broke, the weight of his long-suppressed grief evident. The members of the Star Society watched in silence, offering him a quiet solidarity.
"I just want to see them well again, to hear them call me Neville," he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion.
In a world mourning the loss of Harry Potter's parents, Neville Longbottom's own tragedy often went overlooked. His parents had suffered terribly, and now, in front of his friends, he allowed himself to grieve.
Malfoy, despite his earlier bravado, showed a flicker of empathy. "Stop crying. I'll run with you if you need," he said, his voice softer than before, though his legs trembled with the effort of standing.
John, observing Malfoy's unsteady stance, suggested gently, "You should rest. And Neville, trust me, I can help your parents."
Neville's tears flowed freely, a release of pent-up sorrow. The next day, he appeared rejuvenated, the previous night's emotional catharsis having worked its healing.
John, meanwhile, was busy with correspondence in the auditorium when a flurry of owls, including a distinctive black long-eared one, delivered messages. He noted the need for unicorn horns, essential for the potion that might aid Neville's parents.
In class, John excelled, his academic prowess unmatched except in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Malfoy, too, contributed, earning points for their house.
Later, John visited the secret room of the Star Society, pondering the powerful confusion spell guarding it. Inside, he worked on enhancing the room's defenses and expanding its capabilities, including an assembly line for crafting magical items.
A unique feature of the room was a faucet dispensing pure magic wine, its impurities recycled to power the room's enchantments.
As John prepared to leave, he encountered Luna, wearing the shooting star shoes he had given her. Her presence was as serene as ever, and he greeted her warmly, hinting at another gift he had for her.
"I'm searching for the horned snorkel tomorrow," Luna mentioned, her voice carrying a hint of her usual whimsy.
John smiled, intrigued by her plans, and hinted at a surprise he had in store for her, their friendship a beacon of light in the complex tapestry of their magical world. "What a coincidence, I'm also on my way to search for the horned snoring beast. Have you forgotten the promise I made to you last semester?" Luna's eyes sparkled with excitement as they agreed on a time to embark on their adventure together. After their conversation, they parted ways on the staircase; John headed towards the library in search of books about the soul.
Upon entering the library, John encountered Hermione. His gaze was immediately drawn to the badge pinned on Hermione's chest. With a hint of hesitation, he inquired, "Vomit?"
"It's SPEW, the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare!" Hermione corrected him sharply, her annoyance evident.
John's eyes widened in surprise. "You founded it?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Hermione nodded, her frustration easing slightly. "Yes, I initially wanted to name it 'Campaign to Stop Cruelty and Improve the Legal Status of Our Fantastic Animal Friends', but it was a bit of a mouthful."
John couldn't help but agree. "Indeed, that would have been quite inappropriate," he remarked, struggling to keep a straight face. "So, you're advocating for equal rights for house elves?"
"Exactly!" Hermione found John's understanding refreshing compared to her usual struggles with explaining her cause to others. Her smile returned as she extended an invitation. "John, would you consider joining me in this effort?"
The proposal seemed appealing. "Sounds interesting," John admitted, causing Hermione's smile to broaden.
However, in the next moment, he added, "But I must decline."
Hermione's smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a look of sharp disappointment. "Why?" she demanded, her tone a mix of confusion and irritation.
John's refusal to join SPEW, despite initially showing interest, highlights the complexity of character motivations and the challenges Hermione faces in her advocacy for house elf rights.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge