Chapter 73: Chapter 72
As the voice penetrated the fog that had gathered in his brain from the sickening experience gained from portkey travel, Harry Potter looked up to see a stern yet somewhat amused looking Augusta Longbottom and a grinning Neville.
"Alright there, Harry?" asked Neville as he held a hand out to help the young Potter heir up.
"I'm fine," Harry grabbed onto the hand and allowed his friend to pull him up. "Or I will be in a few seconds." He grimaced. "I don't think I'll ever get used to portkey travel. It's even worse than using the floo."
Remembering his manners, Harry turned to Augusta Longbottom and kissed the hand she proffered to him.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lady Longbottom."
"And you as well, Mister Potter," Agusta replied with a minimalistic nod. "I trust your summer has been enjoyable so far?"
"Very much so, thank you." With the proper introductory greeting with the Head of the family out of the way, Harry turned to Neville and smiled. "It's good to see you, Neville."
"Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, top of his class, can't travel using a portkey to save his life," Neville joked with a wry chuckle. Harry blinked, surprised by the confidence in his friends voice. Was it because he was at home that he was like this? Or because it was just them and no crowds of random strangers around?
"You seem to be much more confident these days," Harry decided to comment on it.
"Eh?" Neville shrugged a bit, and Harry could see some of his self confidence issues rise now that it had been mentioned. "I guess I've just been feeling a bit better about myself lately. I mean, my Gran and all my relatives were so proud about how high my grades were, I guess I've just been feeling good about myself, you know."
"That's good," Harry nodded. "Always remember it's important to feel pride in who you are. With pride comes confidence and by being confident you will be able to come into your true potential. Just be sure not to let confidence become arrogance, or that old saying 'Pride comes before the fall' may end up coming to bite you."
Neville shook his head and smiled.
"Already giving me speeches, Harry?"
Harry shrugged.
"Sorry, I can't help myself. It's become a bit of a habit, I think."
"I've noticed," Neville said a tad dryly.
"Neville," Augusta interrupted their conversation, bringing all attention on her. "Why don't you show Mister Potter around the manor. The rest of our guests will be showing up in about half an hour. Meet me in the lobby when you two are done."
"Alright Gran," Neville gestured for Harry to follow him. "Come on, I'll show you around. Longbottom Manor is a big place."
XoX
The party was officially in full swing. It was a very informal party, Harry noticed, featuring only Neville's immediate family, a few friends of Augusta's, their children (if they had any) and the friends Neville and Harry had made during their time at Hogwarts.
The party was taking place within the ball room. It was a very long, rectangular room that was about half the size of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The room was very tall, with a curved ceiling that held a mosaic of the Longbottom Coat of Arms. The image, made up of what Harry could only guess was millions of tiny pieces of jewels, had been animated so that the helmet would open and close every five minutes and the leafy patterns around the shield shifted and flowed as if caught in a breeze.
Augusta Longbottom had already introduced him to several members of their family, including Great Uncle Algie, who had nearly killed Neville several times trying to 'force some magic out of him'. To Harry, that was almost as bad as his relatives trying to 'stamp the magic' out of him.
It was no wonder then, that he was only as polite as needed when he had been introduced to the man.
Despite having met some of Neville's less than pleasant family members, it was nice being surrounded by his friends again.
"I'm telling you, this year is Puddlemere's year. They are going to rock the British and Irish Quidditch League."
Even if two of his friends were neck deep in a debate over which Quidditch team would do better during the coming season.
"And I'm telling you," Terry replied to Tracey's sycophantic remark about Puddlemere United. "I did some research on the line ups this year, and the Falmouth Falcons are definitely the ones to watch out for. They've got a new Seeker, and I've heard he's very good."
"The Falcons? Pshh. They were nearly beaten by the Canons last year in the fifth game of the season. What makes you think a new Seeker is going to make them do better when their Keeper sucks?"
"Is it strange of me to admit that I missed listening to them argue?" asked Lisa as she stood next to Harry, Hermione and Neville, all of whom were standing off to the side as they watched the duo argue Quidditch.
.
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