The Right by Parks and Fiction Chapter 4 There were few things
left in this world that could scare Pansy Parkinson.
Snakes were one. Auguste Longbottom was
apparently another. She heard from Draco what
Dawlish looked like after the Dark Lord sent him to kidnap the
elderly woman in an attempt to compel Longbottom into
compliance. 7th year after being the favorite punching bag of
both the Order and the Death Eaters.
He wasn't exactly in peak form, but he'd spent the remainder of
the war and a few months after in Saint Mungo's after duelling
her. Augusta survived months on the
run only to show up at the Battle of Hogwarts and take out
a number of high-ranking Death Eaters, The same which stared at
Pansy with a suspicious glint over tea service in the parlour
of the modest country house the Longbottom family called home.
It looked like the place hadn't been redecorated since the
establishment of the Sacred 28 in the 30s.
All the furnishings were red and gold and mogony, as if the
Gryffindor lion had vomited over the entire room.
Available surfaces were cluttered with photos and the
sort of bric a brac old ladies liked to collect.
It was a bit disarming seeing Augusta without her vulture hat
or red handbag. Mad as Draco had been about the
disrespect at the time, she'd rather enjoyed seeing Neville's
boggart Snape dressed in his grandmother's hat and handbag.
Third year. Augusta had taken Neville's
explanation in stride. They told her the story they'd
settled on, that they had been dating in secret for the past
four months. An argument on when to tell
their friends turned into a marriage proposal.
And once they decided they wanted to get married, they knew
they didn't want to wait. Everyone was going to think she
was pregnant. Not even Neville knew the true
extent of that impossibility, but it didn't matter.
Their wedding was in one week and their appointment with her
family solicitor the hour after. Augusta stared at her across the
tea service with narrowed eyes. Neville, be a dear and fetch the
old Blue Album from the attic. She ordered with as a single
glance's way. Her fiance was all too quick to
abandon her to the older witch's stern gaze.
So much for Gryffindor's chivalry.
Augusta set her teacup down, perching both hands on her cane.
She levelled A steely gaze at her.
My Frank was the same year as Theodore Tonks.
She said thick. As thieves or two?
She always assumed that Frank and Alice were the same year as
James and Lily Potter. Their boys were born a day apart
and both became orphans or near orphans within a week of each
other. But Frank and Alice had both
been established auras, three years of training and several
years of experience. By the end of the war, James and
Lily were fresh out of school. When that disinheritance
business got nasty with Andromeda, Ted said something
Frank never forgot. She said it might have been
ugly, but at least it was possible.
She knew what. Augusta was going to say before
she said it. At least she wasn't a Barkinson.
It was impossible to say if that was the extent of what the old
witch knew or not. She held her gaze.
I'm glad to see the blood purity traditions of my family held in
such esteem Finally ended. Augusta's eyes narrowed.
Before or after you were? Going to hand.
Over one of your classmates. To the Dark Lord for slaughter.
She hated her father, hated Ivan, every man who'd put her in
this position of having to bow and simper to take insult after
insult. As if they actually thought she
was idiotic enough to believe that the Hogwarts professors and
3/4 of the school was suddenly going to hand over their Golden
Prince. The wedding wouldn't happen
without Augustus approval, but neither was she going to sit
here and take the older woman's scorn rather than confess the
truth. No one would believe she went
with Potter's excuse. I am not the child I was that
day. The words tasted like ash in her
mouth, but if they got Augustus approval it would be worth it.
My. Grandson very much is the man he
was that year standing up against the.
Carols. Protecting actual children.
From torture, helping those. Who needed?
To escape, to flee the castle. The most noble thing she'd done
that year was fain incompetence when ordered to perform the
Crusiatus. Her worth was in her lineage and
her breeding potential, not her ability to torture 11 year olds.
He took up his wand to protect dog warts at Potter's request.
She said. Even when he believed Harry
Potter was dead. He defied.
The Dark Lord pulled that sword of Gryffindor out of the hat and
killed that vile snake. Augusta had no idea how vile
that snake was. What are you looking for me to
say? She demanded.
That Neville is a hero. I'm a coward.
I don't deserve to marry him. Anyone with half a brain knows
those things to be true. This is why she hated
Gryffindors. Like his parents before him, my
grandson isn't just a hero. She said.
He would also sacrifice himself to save someone, even someone
unworthy of his devotion. She ground her teeth at the
insult. Taking a deep breath, she
studied herself. I am not taking advantage of
your grandson. Augustus scoffed.
Despite his Gryffindor sensibilities, she hadn't.
She had been prepared to walk away, to marry Petro, to set him
free. He was the one who offered to
marry her. It was only 13 months, after
all. Neville knows exactly who and
what I am, and exactly what he'd signed up for.
Mostly a Slytherin. She said it like an insult.
Pansy straightened. Yes.
Every Longbottom has been a Gryffindor.
Confident, daring, brave. Foolhardy, reckless, and brash
as well. Not that any of them would admit
it. We have a legacy of which we are
righteously proud. What had Draco said to Hermione
in the bar? I envy your family for that, she
said. That is what I want with
Neville. A family I can be proud to say I
belong to. Her words felt more sincere than
she would have thought, as if some part of her admitted she
did want to belong somewhere, to something worthy of pride.
Despite her epiphany, Augusta didn't look convinced.
My Franks, Alice. Was his other.
Half in every way. She said stood.
By his side, even to the end. Leaving their infant son and
orphan in all but name is thus your way of asking if I would
die at Neville's side. Telling you I already know the
answer. As if martyrdom was the ultimate
height to which any person should aspire.
Perhaps the people left behind, like Neville, would have
something different to say about it.
And is that how you're going to judge me, Determine my worth?
Her gaze sharpened. It's not my opinion of your
worth that matters. Just the man who was marrying
her out of pity. The self sacrificing war hero
who was her only chance at freedom.
She looked down, feeling more out of place than ever on the
red velvet couch. I know that I don't deserve him.
If she was truly honest about what she deserved, it was
probably Petro. But the self preservation streak
ran too strong to fall victim to the martyrdom complex so highly
prized by Gryffindors. But I, I'm going to try to be
the type of woman who does for the next 13 months anyway.
She owed him that much, at least.
Plus, that was the sort of nonsense people said about the
person they loved, right? She heard Draco moan something
like this at least a dozen times.
Whatever Augusta was going to say was cut off by Neville's
arrival. Gran.
I couldn't find it anywhere. The Red Album.
You said blue. Nonsense dear, your aunt has the
blue one. She sighed.
I suppose we can forget about it for now.
He shot his grandmother a look that he didn't believe her
before he sat back down on the couch, close enough their thighs
pressed together. What did you 2 talk about while
I was gone? His elbow bumped hers, so he
reached his arm behind her to rest along the back of the
couch. It was such a casual, effortless
gesture. It took her completely off
guard. This close, without her heels,
it put in stark relief exactly how much taller he was than her.
It made her feel dainty and sheltered, protected.
Her gaze flicked up and she met his bright blue eyes.
They were bright with humour as a hint of a smirk teased his
lips. Half of her wanted to smack it
off his face while the other fuck she needed to stop thinking
about Neville fucking Longbottom's lips.
She looked away, glancing down at her lap before she remembered
to not show weakness and lifted her gaze to meet Augustus.
The older witch was studying, her head cocked ever so slightly
to the side, and her eyes narrowed.
We were discussing wedding plans, of course.
She turned to her grandson. It'll take place here in the
back. Gardens.
Pansy nearly sagged with relief. They had her approval.
Well, she clearly didn't, but at least Augusta wasn't going to
prevent the wedding. That was all that mattered in
the end. Neville frowned.
We're doing a ministry wedding Gran, No fuss.
She. Thumped her cane.
No grandson of mine will be bonded by a ministry official in
an office. She snapped.
It'll be here in the Gardens by Algernon.
He groaned, but it seemed at least partly good-natured.
Not great Uncle algae. If he was good enough for your
parents, he'll be good enough for you.
Augusta shot a pointed look at Pansy.
Isn't that right? She understood what she was
ordering. If Pansy wanted to marry
Neville, they had to do it Augusta's way.
This was far from what she'd feared.
And yet. Isn't he the one who dropped you
out of the second story window? Augusta looked pleased at her
knowing that anecdote. Third story she.
Said with pride. Enid's lemon meringue is truly a
delight. Neville appeared to be fighting
a smirk. It is good.
There was something not quite right about the Heads of every
Gryffindor. Not enough to drop a child out
of 1/3 Storey window. Neville was fine.
Augustus said. Bounced into the garden and
straight down the road. Not a scratch on him.
Neville was grinning now. He did buy me Trevor, he said.
And my mumbulous mimbletonia, because that made-up for risking
a child's life for a spot of pudding.
Both Longbottoms watched her, waiting for her response.
Fucking Gryffindors. If a relative of hers had
defenestrated her, they wouldn't be able to show their face in
Britain, let alone at her wedding.
But if that's what Neville wanted?
All right then. Neville looked personally
surprised at her agreement. Pansy Parkinson getting married
in the conference room at the Ministry of Magic didn't exactly
scream legitimate wedding. I'd still like it to be small,
she said. Your family, of course, and just
our friends. The corner of Neville's mouth
rose in 1/2 smirk. I'd like Hermione and Draco, as
well as Theo and Blaze to come, she said.
I assume you'll want Potter and Louise?
She cleared her throat, sparing a glance at Augusta, Harry, and
Ron. His smirk spread.
Ginny and Padma too, then, because the one person she'd
always wanted at her wedding was Ginny Weasley.
Between her and Petro, however, she was the lesser of two evils,
so she nodded. Dean and Seamus are out of the
country, and so are Luna and Rolf, he said.
They'd be the only others I'd like, so that works.
I have a few. Neville cut off Augusta.
No, Gran, he said. Just family and our closest
friends. She frowned.
Minerva. Will be quite.
Disappointed Hogwarts Headmistress was more than
likely to have a heart attack seeing her and Longbottom marry
than enjoy the party. She'll forgive us.
Neville turned back to her. You're certain about all the
changes to our plan? She could ask him the same.
She had no idea what Augusta did or didn't know or suspect, yet
the woman was charging full speed ahead to turn their
wedding into a copy of his parents.
Unless their goal was to make Pansy uncomfortable by all the
sentimentality and confess her nefarious intentions for Neville
and call the whole thing off. In which case she would
seriously need to rethink her methods for dealing with a
Slytherin. I am if you are, she told
Neville. He grinned.
Yeah, sounds better to me, actually.
For his real wedding, sure. Which this wasn't.
It was Neville's life. He could do what he wanted.
Will you do the flowers? Something softened in his face.
Of course. No pansies, though.
Stupid buddy. Flowers.
Something between surprise and confusion crossed his face.
His eyes flicked to his ground for a moment before he nodded
once. Ma, remember.
His delivery left something to be desired, but playing it off
that he knew how much she hated her stupid namesake was a nice
touch for their charade. She turned to Augusta then.
Garden wedding it is. She tapped her.
Cane again. Excellent.
She rose with grace and speed that proved the cane was just
for show. Come along, mustn't be late.
She glanced at Neville and back to Augusta.
To where? It's Sunday afternoon.
Augusta said as if that answered it as she marched toward the
flu. Sent Mungoes.
Neville said quietly. You can meet Mum and Dad.
Pansy hated hospitals. At least the occupants of the
Janus Thicky Ward for permanent spell damage were actually
insane, but she found the distinction didn't make that
much difference in the end. A small politician had been put
up to allow for privacy around a small table set for tea that no
one touched. Frank and Alice Longbottom
looked nothing like the few photos she'd caught a glimpse of
in Augusta's sitting room. Both were pale and gaunt from
years of sitting inside the ward.
Alice's hair was completely white.
It hung limply to her shoulders, greasy and matted as if it were
rarely washed, and even when it was, she was put straight to bed
before it had a chance to properly dry.
If it was her mother, she'd have demanded to speak to the Healer
about it right away, but she doubted either Longbottom would
appreciate her interference. Too much was riding on their
goodwill at the moment, so she kept her mouth shut.
Augusta and Neville introduced her to the vacant eyed people at
the table with a facsimile of proper etiquette, Despite that
none of them needed one. She knew their names and faces
and they would never learn or care about hers.
Neville greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek.
Alice didn't even blink. They then proceeded to have the
most uncomfortable one sided conversation Pansy had ever
witnessed. As if the two could hear
everything they were saying and just chose not to respond.
Neville's getting married this weekend.
Augusta said. In the back gardens, Algeron is
performing the bonding just like he did for you 2.
Pansy put me in charge of the flowers, Neville told his
parents. I might look back through old
albums and see what you did for yours.
He glanced back at her. Of course.
Still make it special for Pansy. She managed A faint smile.
As long as she was the only Pansy present, he could do
whatever he wanted. She's a Slytherin.
Augusta said. Never would have thought I'd see
you the day. House barriers are breaking
down, Neville said. I told you about my friend
Hermione. She was my year, a fellow
Gryffindor. She just got engaged to a
Slytherin. Nor rushed wedding for them.
Augusta. Said your son.
Is going to start a Slough. Of rumours.
Pansy isn't pregnant, Gran. Yes, and I dare say five of us
are the only ones who are actually going to believe that
for the next several months. Neville glanced over at her with
a smirk. Neville's been busy on a new
breed of Fern. Augusta said.
Tell your mother what it can do. And so went the next half hour,
talking to the 2 shells of humans as if they could actually
hear and understand. It wasn't until Frank started
getting fidgety that they both stopped their chatter and
Augusta rose for the healer. Being back in bed seemed to calm
Frank down, even though he didn't fall asleep, just stared
up at the ceiling, eyes vacant and wide.
Alice was much more docile, but as Neville and Augusta spoke
with Frank's healer, Pansy stopped Alice's.
Ha, ha, the healer sighed. She hates having it washed.
She said. Only time we get a reaction from
her. Some trauma never leaves the
body, even after the mind has gone.
I see. Nothing but a quick scurgify
once a week. She frowned.
Scurgify isn't suitable for her. The healer didn't appear to be
listening. Of course not, dear.
She said. You're very kind caring for your
mother-in-law. That battle lost, she watched as
Alice pulled something from her night stand and handed it to
Neville. Thanks, mum.
He said, pocketing a small piece of something that she could have
sworn was a candy wrapper. Without a change in her
expression, Alice went back to her bed and laid down next to
Frank. Gryffindor bravery.
And this was where they ended up.
A permanent flaw in scent Mungoes barely able to recognize
their own son. Nothing left to give him but
empty candy wrappers.