on this crazy roller coaster called life -- neville

[Deleted]

@superluigi64

resting his hands on the wooden railing, calex leaned forward and leaned against the edge of the bridge that joined the grounds of hogwarts to the castle. it was early evening, classes had finished for the day and there was still a good hour or two till dinner was served. he had taken the few moments of quiet on the bridge, students were either in the grounds or in the castle, at the moment he was alone. it had been a whirlwind of a start of term. nothing like last year. he smiled slightly as he heard laughter echo through the cavern below him, probably from students at the lake or the pond. sounds tended to carry when it was quiet. it was nice to hear, the school had been a dark place in the last few weeks of term the year before and this tournament and a slue of new students had brightened the mood a little. though it had been a bitter sweet time for him. with the tournament had come aurors to protect them. his late brothers fiancee was among them. he rubbed his hand over his neck as he thought of casey and he sighed. he had spent the first half of the holidays trying to come to terms with the loss of his brother and while it had been a struggle he could think of him with some fondness now, not just the overwhelming grief of another death. he turned to walk back toward the castle, there were some duties he could do before dinner, some letters to write and some errands he had to attend before the bulk of the student population descended on the great hall.

i thought an impromptu meeting between them would be better than a scheduled one
standing on this bridge

[Deleted]

It was hard to find free time as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, particularly when you were also one of the higher-ups in the Order of the Phoenix. Nearly all of Neville’s time where he wasn’t performing his duties as Headmaster were spent maintaining greenhouses, coordinating with the Order and the Aurors, and helping out students with whatever problems they had. And, of course, keeping up with his wife and children. Though that was a lighter load these days. With Phil in South America and Alice now a full-fledged adult, they weren’t coming to him as much—though Jay seemed to be a bit more clingy, like he wanted to make up for their absence.

Not that Neville minded, but as he exited the Forbidden Forest and made his way back to the castle, he reflected that he wouldn’t have much time for walks moving forward this year. With the Triwizard Tournament, his workload had increased to rather alarming degrees. Though, thankfully, a lot of the tournament coordination wasn’t his to handle directly, which made things more bearable.

As Neville crossed the bridge, keeping his footfalls light by reflex, he noticed his deputy Headmaster was turning toward the castle. In truth, Neville had wanted to talk to Jakebson about taking over as head of the Triwizard Tournament entirely. In part, Neville was worried he simply wouldn’t have the time to handle things all on his own, but it would also provide Jakebson with valuable experience that he could use when his turn as Headmaster came. Not that Neville expected to vacate the position, but he was as mortal as anyone, no matter what stories the Death Eaters had told, and he would sooner or later be targeted by these Purifiers. The Ministry and the castle wouldn’t fall if they couldn’t bring Harry and his closest friends down, after all.

“Enjoying the view, Calex?” he asked as he approached the young Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. “I blew this bridge up once, actually. Well, Seamus Finnigan set up the explosives, but seeing as how I lit them and I was on the bloody thing when it blew, I’m taking majority credit for it.”

@jaeger

[Deleted]

@superluigi64

“Enjoying the view, Calex? I blew this bridge up once, actually. Well, Seamus Finnigan set up the explosives, but seeing as how I lit them and I was on the bloody thing when it blew, I’m taking majority credit for it.” calex chuckled a little as neville said he was going to take credit for being on the bridge when it was blowing up. that was something he'd not like to go through, ever. he leaned against the railing again as neville joined him. "it's always been a nice view" he said simply as he glanced out over it again. the peaceful was nice, it made a change to the hustle and bustle that usually filled the halls of the school. oh that was one of the best things about his job, the noise, the energy and the fact he was helping shape the students into who they could grow up to be. "just don't let seamus hear you saying that" he said with another chuckle at his amusement. it felt nice to be amused by something. it was getting easier, to laugh, smile and let himself feel happy. it had taken a while for him to come to terms with casey dying and in a lot of ways he was still coming to grips with the fact his little brother wasn't coming home, he felt like he was able to smile and not feel guilty about it. it was a nice weight off his shoulders. "so i'm guessing jayden takes after you?" he joked as he rested his hands on the wooden rail of the bridge. he was aware of jayden's knack for getting himself into trouble, he had witnessed it a few times when jayden had been in his class. philip too but to a lesser degree than jayden. he saw two figures walking the forest near the bridge and he tensed for a moment before realizing they were aurors, just patrolling the grounds. for a brief moment he wondered if claire was one of them but he couldn't tell. "how do you think the aurors are doing? do you think we should talk to them about stationing in certain areas rather than just patrolling?" 

[Deleted]

“Just don't let Seamus hear you saying that.”

Neville smiled at the thought of arguing with Seamus over who got more credit. It would make an interesting discussion now, though at the time, both of them had already had more glory than they ever wanted. What a sad word.

Neville stiffened a bit at Calex asking if Jayden took after him. But of course, he didn't know that the youngest Longbottom had suffered yet another near-death experience over the summer. It was not meant harshly, and he knew that. So after a moment he let the tension roll off him. “Pretty sure he's got me beat there. I never had the best of luck in Hogwarts, but at least I opted to go looking for my life-threatening situations, rather than them coming to me. Jay could give Harry a run for his money on unluckiness at this rate.”

When Calex asked about the Aurors, Neville nodded. “They're switching to an alternating series of posts and patrols this year. Perimeter watch, major crossroads like the Great Hall, sensors circling the entire grounds. And they're watching all the secret passages in and out of the castle.” All but one. Neville desperately wanted to keep a watch on the Room of Requirement; he had been the one to discover that it could make its own secret passage off of Hogwarts grounds to anywhere the user needed. But if he did put a regular watch on the corridor, it might make others think about the room as well, and few people had ever really tested the limits of the Room like he had. So while he did have patrols crossing through that corridor just slightly more often than should be usual, he had not assigned Aurors to just sit in the hall and watch. Although, there was perhaps merit in using the Room to kill two birds with one stone...hm...

“If the castle is attacked again, we'll know sooner. And I'll not suffer another enemy to escape should it happen again.” There was the barest hint of a growl behind that last sentence to prove that the former Gryffindor was still not happy about the events near the end of the previous year. The Purifiers had—very wisely, truth be told—backed off and quieted down most of the summer. They must have realized after the rescue operation that they had not done themselves any favors with the Order, and that the Order was filled with war veterans who could—and more importantly, would—wipe them out in a straight fight.

“I've been communicating with Hermione as well. We want to have the Ministry here for the Yule Ball. Outwardly, they're going to combine the Ministry Christmas Party with the Yule Ball as a celebration of the Tournament. But the simple fact is, there's going to be entirely too much going on during the party to cover all of Hogwarts AND keep track of the revelers. So we're going to use the Ministry to create safety through sheer force of numbers. I'm also going to create a perimeter of my own during the night to...discourage...enemy intrusion.”

In other words, Neville intended to ring the castle in killer plants and wipe out anyone who wasn't invited to the festivities.

@jaeger

[Deleted]

@superluigi64

calex noticed the way neville tense when he had asked the question about jay and he couldn't help but wonder why. he hadn't meant to say anything that would upset the professor. “Pretty sure he's got me beat there. I never had the best of luck in Hogwarts, but at least I opted to go looking for my life-threatening situations, rather than them coming to me. Jay could give Harry a run for his money on unluckiness at this rate.” before he could say anything though neville jumped into an answer and calex couldn't help but chuckle. "so in other words, i have hope that jay doesn't corrupt blaise before he graduates?" he joked lightly as he rested against the railing. his son and neville's son were in the same house. "well jay must have some luck, he's survived the last sixteen years"

“They're switching to an alternating series of posts and patrols this year. Perimeter watch, major crossroads like the Great Hall, sensors circling the entire grounds. And they're watching all the secret passages in and out of the castle.” he nodded slightly when he said they were watching the passages in and out of the castle. there was almost no way to make sure the castle remained impenetrable to outside forces but he had a feeling they were pretty close to making it so. "we should keep one or two aurors in the room of requirement at all times .. to make sure the students can't use it to get in and out of the castle" he said, thinking out loud. he knew it was the one passageway in and out of the castle that they had no idea where it would come out so keeping people in the room meant it couldn't change.

“If the castle is attacked again, we'll know sooner. And I'll not suffer another enemy to escape should it happen again. I've been communicating with Hermione as well. We want to have the Ministry here for the Yule Ball. Outwardly, they're going to combine the Ministry Christmas Party with the Yule Ball as a celebration of the Tournament. But the simple fact is, there's going to be entirely too much going on during the party to cover all of Hogwarts AND keep track of the revelers. So we're going to use the Ministry to create safety through sheer force of numbers. I'm also going to create a perimeter of my own during the night to...discourage...enemy intrusion.” caled frowned a little and nodded slightly. he wondered if it was a good idea to combine the two. inviting the ministry into the castle wasn't something he thought they should do. granted the sheer number of people would probably be enough to discourage an attack from the outside, it depended on how many of the purifiers had infiltrated the ministry. "not to question you or hermione .. but are you sure that' a good idea? maybe it's my inner auror that's distrusting .. but we have no idea how deep the purifiers run in the ministry, it's almost a guarantee that some people who work there aren't on our side. an attack from the inside is something we would have to consider" he said, looking at neville.

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Neville let Calex speak his mind. The former Hufflepuff was a good guy, and had the potential to be a capable leader in the future. Besides, he hadn’t brought up any unwarranted concerns in the things he’d said.

“That’s one thing we considered with the Room of Requirement. We decided to try not to draw attention to it, though. They may not be aware of the sheer value of that room, and we don’t want them thinking about it. The Room is so much more powerful than most people give it credit for. Even more, in fact, than the tales would have you believe.”

Though the tales did tell a lot. The Death Eaters had long since cottoned on to the value of the room as transportation, when Draco Malfoy had used it to sneak them into the castle. And if they knew, their successors certainly knew. “As for the Ministry thing…there is a certain element of danger, but that danger is outclassed by the value it brings. Certainly, there is a chance that some of the Purifiers get inside for the party. But there is a guarantee that most of the Order gets in as well, in addition to most of Dumbledore’s Army. And if the Purifiers are wary of the destruction Harry and I caused during their attack last year…that pales in comparison to what we can do with people at our side that know how to work with us.”

He briefly allowed a smile to cross his face. Give Neville his army, his people, that partnered with him and understood how he controlled space and fought with plants, as well as how to cover for his weaknesses while fighting? With Seamus and Parvati and Justin and Ernie here to cover him, he could really concentrate. And if he concentrated, his lethality would spike far higher.

He shrugged though, looking at Calex. “We will, however, have to be extremely diligent in making sure they cannot sneak off during the party. The grounds available for people will be roped in and designed to set off alarms and entangle anyone if they try to cross over, and most of the castle will be sealed off completely without a professor or Auror to open the doors. Students will have to be escorted back to their common rooms. And everyone’s going to have a Probity Probe, and everyone will be checked going in and coming out. Plus, I think Hermione’s going to set up a mist that removes disguises as people walk through them.”

Neville looked out over the grounds of the castle. The place where he’d grown up. Where he’d met his future wife. Where he’d seen joy and tragedy and happiness and fear and everything in between. “We can’t make it perfectly safe. But I think the preparation outweighs the risks.”

@jaeger

[Deleted]

@superluigi64

“That’s one thing we considered with the Room of Requirement. We decided to try not to draw attention to it, though. They may not be aware of the sheer value of that room, and we don’t want them thinking about it. The Room is so much more powerful than most people give it credit for. Even more, in fact, than the tales would have you believe.” he nodded slightly but he wasn't sure. it was really the only way in and out of the castle right now without being detected. it was a room with a mind of it's own and if it didn't want to be found it wouldn't. but there were some people with the knack of using it, one of them was standing right in front of him. “As for the Ministry thing…there is a certain element of danger, but that danger is outclassed by the value it brings. Certainly, there is a chance that some of the Purifiers get inside for the party. But there is a guarantee that most of the Order gets in as well, in addition to most of Dumbledore’s Army. And if the Purifiers are wary of the destruction Harry and I caused during their attack last year…that pales in comparison to what we can do with people at our side that know how to work with us.” that was true. not all of them had survived the kidnapping of the students but what scared him was they wouldn't care. at least the last wizarding war, there had been some wary on the dark side about spilling magical blood. "i think they've already proven they aren't afraid to take on the castle. even with you and harry in it." he said as he leaned his arms down on the railing. "and kings cross? they don't care who gets hurt or.. " he trailed off at that last part and looked over the view. he would not get caught up in thinking about casey right now. he was talking to his boss. he needed to keep a clear head and if he let his anger over what happened to his brother cloud his judgement he'd be no good to anyone at the school. he took a deep breath and steadied himself before straightening a little.

“We will, however, have to be extremely diligent in making sure they cannot sneak off during the party. The grounds available for people will be roped in and designed to set off alarms and entangle anyone if they try to cross over, and most of the castle will be sealed off completely without a professor or Auror to open the doors. Students will have to be escorted back to their common rooms. And everyone’s going to have a Probity Probe, and everyone will be checked going in and coming out. Plus, I think Hermione’s going to set up a mist that removes disguises as people walk through them.” all of that sounded like good choices to make. there wasn't much more they could do bar stationing aurors about a meter apart in the ball room, but that was a little excessive. "well let's hope no student uses magic to complete their ball look" he said with small laugh. in all seriousness though, they should probably tell the students about the security measures they were going to have in place. not all of them but some of them. to see just how much ended up getting back to the other side. “We can’t make it perfectly safe. But I think the preparation outweighs the risks.” well that was true. he more than anyone knew that planning things in advance and having a strategy minimized the risks of just about anything, though there was still room for errors. "that makes sense, i just wish we could guarantee the safety of everyone. it's an unrealistic view but" he knew that it was a wish, nothing more. there was never going to be a situation in which there was no danger posed to the students. "have you spoken to the headmasters of durmstrang and beaubaxtons? find out what security measures they're using on the carriage and ship?"

[Deleted]

Calex mentioned how the Purifiers had proven they weren’t afraid to assault the castle already, but Neville shook his head in response. “That’s right, we never mentioned it at the Order meetings because it got swept away in trying to find the kidnapped children…the castle is unlikely to be targeted again. Carson and Ron both heard rumors through different channels that the Purifiers had contracted a large number of mercenaries for a job the day the castle was attacked. Only about a tenth of them are still alive, and most of those are in Azkaban.” He shrugged, turned toward the forest for a moment. “They say almost nobody takes up contracts with the Purifiers now. Bad news is, the few that do are truly dangerous individuals. Good news is, they won’t likely ever have those kinds of numbers to throw at us again. They have no reward to offer that would be useful to the dead.”

He smiled at the idea of some poor student trying to use magic only to have it washed away. “Well, if there’s anyone who can set up something that reveals illusions without removing them indiscriminately, it’s Hermione Granger. I’m sure she’s already considered that, but I’ll drop her an owl just to be safe.”

As to the matter of the other schools, Neville nodded. “Their job is considerably simpler. They’re sealing off access to their residencies save for one way in and out, and personally checking each individual student entering and exiting. With Auror guards to protect them, of course, just in case.”

He sighed. “Truthfully, I don’t know if it will be enough to thwart any plans made for that night. But any more than this and we risk restricting freedoms, and that will cause fear to spread. It’s a fine line, balancing security measures while not restricting individual freedoms or cutting into fun things like the Yule Ball that are meant to be celebrations.”

@jaeger