Hogwarts: Neville's Insert Chapter 107
Hermione looked uneasy now. "But why would he erase Peter's memories of him casting the spell?"
Harry closed his eyes for a moment.
"To get to me," he said quietly. "With Sirius out of the picture, he'd have custody of me."
Neville continued calmly.
"And with my parents gone soon after, that left you without a place to go to."
Harry stared at the floor.
Neville went on. "But if the memory was removed, Dumbledore could honestly say he didn't know who the Secret Keeper was. That gives him deniability if Sirius was ever found not guilty."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"And it would also explain why he didn't defend Sirius when he was captured. Dumbledore could simply say he didn't know Sirius wasn't the Secret Keeper."
The room fell quiet again.
Harry looked frustrated now. "So what do we do then?"
Neville rubbed the back of his neck. "That's the problem."
Hermione looked at him. "We can't just leave Sirius there."
Neville shook his head. "No. We can't."
Harry crossed his arms. "Then what?"
Neville sighed softly. He stared at the floor for a few seconds, thinking.
Finally he looked back up.
"…Let me think."
…
Saturday, 18th December 1993 – road leading to Hogsmeade
then Scottish Highlands was blanketed by a thick layer of snow
The Scottish Highlands were blanketed in a thick layer of snow.
After breakfast, the Hogwarts students in third year and above began making their way down the long road that led to Hogsmeade. The path had clearly been charmed to stop it from freezing over completely or vanishing beneath the snow, which made the walk easier than it might have been otherwise, but the wind still bit at any patch of exposed skin it could find.
Fresh snow drifted down in a slow, steady fall, settling over hats, cloaks, and shoulders as groups of students made their way toward the village.
Neville adjusted his scarf and kept walking, his mind already on the conversation waiting for him later.
He wore an ankle-length tan greatcoat over a dark suit vest and charcoal trousers, the coat shifting slightly around his legs with every step. Beside him, Hermione was bundled up in a thick brown winter coat and a knit beanie, her Gryffindor scarf wrapped securely around her neck. Harry had gone for something simpler, a black hooded jacket over jeans and sturdy boots.
The road was busy.
Clusters of students moved ahead of them and behind them, laughing, throwing bits of snow at one another, or talking about Honeydukes and Zonko's. A little farther ahead, Seamus, Dean, and the rest of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff third-years had blended into one large noisy group.
Neville, Harry, and Hermione walked a bit behind them.
Hermione had been quiet ever since they left the castle, but eventually she glanced around the road, made sure no one was paying them any attention, then leaned a little closer. "You're sure about this?" she asked quietly.
Neville looked at her. "Sure about what?"
Hermione stared at him, clearly exasperated, then leaned closer and whispered sharply, "What else? Your ridiculous plan, of course."
Neville shrugged slightly. "Well… not completely."
Hermione blinked at him, incredulous. "That's supposed to make me feel better?"
Neville let out a quiet chuckle, his breath fogging faintly in the cold air. "No, of course not."
Hermione huffed in irritation. "Prat. Be serious for a second. This could get you landed in prison."
Harry leaned in a little. "Not to mention getting Sirius killed," he said quietly.
Neville turned his head and looked at him.
Hermione nodded quickly, whisper-shouting now. "He's right. If this goes wrong," she continued, "not only do you get in trouble, but Sirius could die. There has to be another way. Something less risky."
"I know." Neville nodded once, letting out a slow sigh. "But it's the best option we have."
He glanced between the two of them before continuing.
"Any owl going to Azkaban gets logged," Neville said. "The letter gets read. Then it gets traced back to us. Even sending house-elves is out of the question. I asked Tinky and Clinky already. Both of them are terrified of going anywhere near a Dementor. Sure, I could force them…" He shook his head slightly. "But I'm not comfortable making them do something they're that scared of."
He paused, then looked at them.
"Unless one of you has something I haven't thought of."
Hermione frowned, looking down the path for a moment as she thought.
Then she said slowly, "What about Amelia Bones?"
Neville looked at her. So did Harry.
Hermione immediately continued, speaking quickly. "She's Susan's aunt. She's the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Hannah and Susan both said she's genuinely fair and honest. Maybe we bring this to her. She might actually help us."
Harry looked thoughtful at that.
Neville sighed and shook his head. "The problem isn't whether she's fair or not," he said. "The problem is whether Sirius survives long enough for her to give him a trial."
Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"
Neville looked at him. "Even if Amelia Bones is completely fair," he said calmly, "that doesn't change the people around her. If she starts digging into this, people will notice. She can't investigate something like that quietly. She'd have to involve others."
He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing. "And once word gets out, the Ministry will try to protect itself first. Either they bury the evidence… or they silence the problem."
Hermione's expression tightened.
Neville sighed again. "Like I said before, there are a lot of people who benefit from Sirius staying in prison and this whole story never coming out," he said. "One person can't fix a corrupt system."
He glanced at Hermione. "And even if, by some miracle, Amelia Bones believes us and tries to push it forward, she still reports to Fudge."
Neville shook his head slightly. "Fudge can't afford to let this reach trial. Admitting the Ministry locked an innocent man in Azkaban for twelve years without a hearing, without a trial, without even basic procedure…" He exhaled slowly. "That ends his career. Probably several others too." He looked between them. "The whole thing gets buried. Peter disappears into Ministry custody. And Sirius stays exactly where he is or is killed."
Neville then said quietly, "Then there's the part where we've basically captured someone, kept him imprisoned for more than a month, and interrogated him using a highly regulated potion." He glanced between them. "We'd be admitting to all of that as well."
Hermione went quiet.
After a moment, Neville continued, his tone calmer.
"Though you're not wrong about her," he said. "Maybe we can go to her after Sirius escapes." He shook his head slightly. "But even then the Minister can override her. Fudge could destroy the evidence and make Peter disappear."
Neville sighed.
"There's too much at stake for the people involved," he said. "Our best option is for Sirius to escape first."
Harry frowned slightly.
"How are you so sure he'd break out of prison?" Harry asked. "I mean… he's been there for twelve years. If he could escape, why hasn't he already tried?"
Neville nodded once and answered simply. "Because he had no reason to."
Hermione tilted her head slightly.
Harry looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Neville shrugged. "Think about it from his point of view," he said. "Peter betrays the Potters. Sirius tracks him down. Then Peter fakes his death and frames him. In a single day Sirius loses everything. Harry's parents die, and he gets blamed for all of it."
Neville continued, "That's why he was caught laughing hysterically. He'd basically had a mental breakdown. The one person who could prove his innocence was 'dead', and the coward who actually did it had vanished. He had no way to track Peter down. And to make it worse, he was caught right there at the scene."
Hermione's expression softened slightly.
Neville glanced briefly at Harry before continuing.
"And remember something else," he said. "Sirius was the one who suggested Peter become Secret Keeper."
Harry slowed slightly as he walked.
Neville continued quietly. "If you were in his place… imagine how that would feel."
He looked between Harry and Hermione. "Remember that picture on the Daily Prophet of Sirius laughing?" Neville said. "But think about what it actually meant. Sirius had just realised, standing there in the middle of that street, that Peter — the friend they all trusted, the one Sirius himself suggested as Secret Keeper — had betrayed James and Lily."
Neville's voice stayed calm. "He sold them to Voldemort. Let them die. And then Peter escaped… made himself look like the victim… and left Sirius to take the blame."
Harry's fists clenched.
Neville looked ahead at the snowy path. "He wasn't laughing because he'd gone mad," Neville said quietly. "He was laughing because, in that moment, he understood exactly what had happened to him… and that he indirectly caused their deaths."
Harry looked down at the snow beneath his boots.
Neville shrugged lightly. "If I had to guess, he probably thought he deserved Azkaban."
Hermione stared ahead at the snowy road. "That's… really sad."
"The Dementors would only make that worse," Neville said gently. "They feed on those kinds of memories. Guilt, regret… they'd keep dragging him back to that moment over and over again. After a while…" he shrugged slightly, "it would make anyone more depressed. Less motivated to do anything."
Neville glanced briefly at Harry. "Remember, your father and Sirius were really close," he continued. "And from what my mum wrote in her diary, it sounds like Sirius actually stayed with the Potters during school breaks sometimes."
Harry's steps slowed even more.
Hermione also fell silent.
Neville nodded slightly. "So from his point of view, he had no reason to escape," Neville said. "He had no idea where Peter was. Even if Sirius managed to break out… where would he go? What would he do?"
Harry slowly exhaled. "But if he knew where Peter was…" he asked quietly.
Neville nodded. "Then he'd stop at nothing to get revenge on Peter," Neville said. "For betraying his friends… and for basically causing the death of his best friend and his wife."
Harry didn't reply. But the understanding on his face said enough.
Hermione spoke again. "Even so, wouldn't being exposed to dementors for that long make him…" she hesitated "…unstable "
harry looked to Hermione
hemione frowned said "I mean, Dementors don't just make people sad. They force you to relive your worst memories. They suck away your happiness until all that's left is fear and misery. You said it yourself — Sirius must've felt guilty over your parents' deaths. Wouldn't that have affected his mental state? Wouldn't years of that make him… mentally unstable?"
Harry said nothing for a moment.
Neville nodded. "That would be correct—if Sirius wants an Animagus."
Hermione frowned. but harry beat her to the questioned "what does being an animagi have to do with anything"
Neville adjusted his scarf slightly. "Because Dementors don't affect animals the same way they affect humans."
Hermione blinked. "What?"
"I read about it in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Neville said. "Dementors feed on human emotions — especially complex ones like despair, guilt, and regret. Animals don't experience emotions the same way humans do."
Harry frowned. "So?"
"So if Sirius transformed into his Animagus form," Neville continued, "his thoughts and emotions would be simpler. Not gone completely, but… less complicated. Less for the Dementors to feed on."
Harry considered that.
"But how can you be sure?" he asked.
Neville shrugged lightly. "Because I asked Professor McGonagall yesterday."
Hermione's head snapped toward him. "You what?"
"I asked her whether Animagi keep their human minds and emotions when they transform," Neville explained. "She said an Animagus still keeps their human intelligence, but their animal instincts and emotions become much stronger while transformed."
Hermione's eyes widened slightly.
"So the emotions would be simpler," Harry said slowly.
Neville nodded. "Exactly. Which means the Dementors wouldn't affect him nearly as strongly while he was in his Animagus form. I bet he figured that out and used it."
Harry looked down at the snowy path again.
Hermione asked skeptically, "But surely the Ministry would have taken into account that he's an Animagus?"
Neville shook his head again. "They wouldn't have. No one knows they're Animagi."
Hermione blinked. "Right… they weren't registered."
Neville nodded and continued calmly. "Peter told us the only people who knew were Sirius, James, Remus, Peter… and Lily. They thought it might be useful during the war."
Hermione frowned slightly. "But doesn't he need a wand to transform?"
Neville shook his head. "No. According to Peter, Sirius and James could transform without their wands. Only Peter needed his wand. And we've seen Professor McGonagall transform without hers."
Hermione went quiet, clearly thinking it over.
Harry watched the snow crunch beneath his boots, then frowned. He looked up at Neville.
"Alright," he said, "but how is Sirius actually supposed to escape the island?"
Neville looked back at him.
"Think about it," Harry continued. "Even if Sirius knows about Peter, and even if he can leave his cell as an Animagus, he's still stuck. From what I heard from Seamus and the others, Azkaban's on an island."
He gestured vaguely toward the distance.
"He'd be a dog stuck on a prison island in the middle of the sea."
Harry frowned deeper. "Do you think he could Apparate off the island?"
Hermione shook her head immediately. "It must be warded against that. Otherwise loads of people would have escaped already."
Neville sighed. "He can't Apparate. The place is almost certainly warded against it," he said calmly. "And I'm pretty sure it's warded against Portkeys as well. We can't sneak him a wand either."
He shook his head.
"And we definitely can't send Lumina in. She's far too distinctive. The moment she's seen anywhere near Azkaban, it would be traced straight back to me."
Hermione crossed her arms. "So what — your plan is for him to swim here?"
Neville looked at her with a blank expression.
Hermione facepalmed. "You've got to be kidding. Your entire plan is to let him swim?"
Harry stared at Neville like he'd just suggested something completely mad.
"You'll get him killed, mate."
Neville shrugged. "I've already checked the maps," he said. "The island isn't infinitely far from the Scottish coast. It's actually quite close. Sure, it wouldn't be easy, and it certainly wouldn't be comfortable… but it's possible."
Harry and Hermione both looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
Neville's voice softened slightly. "Will is one of the strongest things a person has, Harry. I've heard stories about mothers lifting cars to save their children. If Sirius really wants it badly enough… he'll find a way."
He glanced between them. "And besides," Neville added calmly, "I don't see either of you coming up with a better idea."
Harry snorted. "Well, at least we aren't trying to get him killed."
Neville sighed, running a hand through his hair as they approached the edge of Hogsmeade village.
"Look," he said, a little more firmly, "this is the best shot we have. It gives Sirius the highest chance of surviving."
Hermione frowned. "Even if Sirius escapes — then what? He's still a wanted man. His name isn't cleared. How does any of this actually end?"
Neville shrugged.
"We deal with that after. Once Sirius is free and not in immediate danger, then we start figuring out how to clear his name properly."
Hermione stared at him. "So your plan is just… go with the flow? You don't actually know what to do after that?"
Neville let out a long breath.
"Hermione, I'm not some kind of 4D chess mastermind who can predict everything and stay five moves ahead of everyone. I genuinely wish I was. I'm smarter than average, sure — but I'm not Reed Richards."
Harry snorted quietly at the reference.
Neville continued, a little more quietly now. "Right now the priority is getting Sirius out alive. After that, he's no longer in immediate danger, and we have time to be clever."
He met Hermione's eyes. "We can't be clever if he's dead."
Hermione still looked dissatisfied, but she had run out of counterarguments.
Neville shifted slightly, then added, "And honestly, I don't even know if Gran would agree to it anyway."
Just then they reached the entrance to Hogsmeade and walked into the village.
Students were already spreading through the snow-dusted streets, voices carrying through the cold air as groups split off toward different shops.
Neville glanced toward the large clock tower near the center of the village.
"Anyway," he said, brushing snow off his sleeve, "Gran said she'd meet us at the Three Broomsticks around noon."
He looked between Harry and Hermione.
"So," Neville said, "what do you two want to do first? You guys explored the place last time — where do you think we should start?"
Hermione sighed.
"I need to buy Christmas presents."
…
By around noon, they had finished wandering through Hogsmeade.
Hermione had managed to buy most of her Christmas presents after dragging Neville and Harry through half the village, and Harry had picked up a few things from Honeydukes as did Neville. By the time they made their way toward the Three Broomsticks, the snowfall had eased into something lighter, though the air was still cold enough to make every breath come out white.
Neville pushed open the door first.
Warmth hit them immediately, along with the smell of roasted meat, mulled drinks, and a crowded room full of students and villagers talking over one another.
Near the bar, Augusta Longbottom was already there, standing with Madam Rosmerta and speaking quietly. Augusta looked as she always did—composed, sharp-eyed, and perfectly put together, even with snow still clinging faintly to the shoulders of her dark cloak.
Rosmerta noticed them first, then Augusta turned.
The moment her eyes landed on Neville, Harry, and Hermione, she gave a short nod and ended her conversation with Rosmerta.
Neville walked over first. "Hey, Gran."
Augusta's gaze swept over him quickly, then moved to the other two. "Neville. Harry. Miss Granger."
Harry gave her a respectful nod. "Gran."
Hermione gave a small polite smile. "Lady Longbottom."
Rosmerta smiled at the three of them. "room's ready upstairs."
"Thank you, Rosmerta," Augusta said.
Harry and Hermione immediately looked like they meant to step away and give Neville privacy, but Augusta noticed at once.
"Where are you two going?" she said, already turning toward the stairs. "None of that. Come along. It's fine. I'm sure Neville doesn't mind," she glanced at Neville.
Harry looked faintly awkward. "Eh. Are you sure, Gran?"
Neville shrugged slightly. "I don't really care."
"Yes," Augusta said simply. "Come along."
With that, she started for the stairs.
Neville, Harry, and Hermione followed behind her up to the private rooms above the main floor of the Three Broomsticks. The sounds from downstairs grew a little quieter once the door shut behind them.
The room was warm and comfortably lit, with a round wooden table near the centre and a fire crackling low in the hearth. Augusta took the chair at the head of the table without a word. Neville sat opposite her, while Harry and Hermione took the seats on either side of him.
Once they had all settled, Augusta gave them a measured look.
"Well," she said. "How have you three been? I hope you've been keeping out of trouble." She narrowed her eyes at them.
Hermione laughed nervously. "We've been good, Lady Longbottom."
Harry scratched the back of his head and nodded. "Yeah, we've been great, Gran."
Neville gave a short, awkward chuckle. "Eh… of course not."
Augusta's eyes narrowed slightly.
Before she could say more, there was a knock at the door, and a waiter stepped in to take their order.
Augusta ordered first, asking for tea and a shepherd's pie. Hermione asked for soup and bread, Harry ordered a burger and chips, and Neville, after a quick glance at the menu, ordered almost the same as Harry.
Once the waiter left and the door shut behind him again, Augusta folded her hands neatly on the table.
"Now then," she said. "What is it you wanted to discuss that could not wait another day? You are literally coming home on Monday."
Neville scratched the back of his neck. "Right. Sorry about that, Gran."
Augusta gave him a flat look. "What did you do this time?"
Neville blinked. "Nothing."
Her expression did not change.
Neville grinned, scratching the back of his head. "I really didn't do anything. It's more of a request."
Augusta raised an eyebrow and asked, "A request? What is it?"
"Well…" Neville hesitated for a second, then said, "Is there any way to visit someone in Azkaban?"
That got a reaction.
Augusta's eyebrow rose at once.
Harry and Hermione both stayed very still.
After a short pause, Augusta said, "Yes. Family members are permitted to visit in certain cases. Though why do you ask? Unless you are planning to get yourself thrown in there, I don't see the relevance."
Neville sighed and looked at her. "I want to meet her."
Augusta's gaze sharpened. "Who?"
Neville said, "Bellatrix Lestrange."
The room went quiet.
Harry looked at Neville.
Hermione turned toward him too, though she didn't interrupt.
Augusta did. "No."
Neville frowned slightly. "Gran—"
"No," Augusta repeated, her voice firmer this time. "Absolutely not."
Neville didn't look away. "Hear me out first."
"There is nothing to hear," Augusta said. "That woman tortured your parents into their current state. I will not help you put yourself in front of her."
Neville stayed calm. "That's exactly why I need to see her."
Augusta stared at him.
Neville went on, his tone steady. "If I want to fix the damage, then I need to understand the person who caused it. How she thinks. Why she did it. What state of mind she was in."
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