In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom

Chapter 38: Birthday Party - 1

"Good morning, Lord Longbottom." The sun had not come up but a duty-bound elf in the Longbottom manor had to wake up her master. It was her master's instructions, so she had no other choice.

"Good morning, Silvi. What is the schedule for today?" Nev asked absentmindedly.

"Well, Lord Nev must feed and train the new beasts and then focus on his own training.

Finally, it is a trip with Lady Augusta to Gringotts to retrieve certain relics for our party tonight." Silvi checked the schedule and recited everything carefully.

"What party?" Nev who was still in half-dream mode asked to understand the whole matter.

"Todays, it is the birthday party of our Lord Longbottom, that is you, Master. Silvi wanted to wish Happy Birthday to Master Nev, but Silvi is a house-elf and Silvi will not act as a family member. Silvi just wants to. say. *Happy birthday* (very, very low voice, like a whisper)

Nev woke up at this sentence and he finally remembered today's special event. His own birthday party.

Yes, today Nev is 12th Years old and there is a small party at the house, small only in terms of guests lists and expenditure compared to a noble wizard house.

Looking at the elf whose ears were down like she had committed some crime and feeling sad, Nev just chuckled. These house elves were seriously like cute dogs with magical powers. Too much drama.

"Thank you for your wishes, Silvi. And yes, everyone living in this manor, my parents, our house elves, and our new cute pets, all are part of our Longbottom family. So, you don't have to apologise for anything. Now, prepare the meat and food for the young ones. They like to eat fresh in the morning."

Nev gave the simple orders before heading towards the washroom.

After coming down to his garden area, he opened his suitcase and let the small family of five young Demiguise loose. These white monkey type beasts looked like Pokmon in reality.

Well, after playi. training, yes training with the magical monkeys, it was time to teach the sky snakes how to fly. For that, Nev will use the floating spell to give them a feeling of flying and the young snakes will flap their small wings and try to fly themselves. Nev ignored these things with Diana, and it almost resulted in him getting barbequed. Hence this time, he decided to actively involve himself in the training of these precious beasts before they grow up.

After helping the young ones with their breakfast and training, Nev took a shower and joined his Nan at the breakfast table.

"Happy birthday to youHappy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to my Dear Nev!" Lady Augusta had a huge smile on her face and her face was beaming with happiness.

Feeling joyful on her Grandson's birthday, she sang a small tune before kissing Nev on his forehead and hugging him.

"Good boy! See, you are starting to grow taller Nev! I am sure in future you will be the tallest one in our family." Lady Augusta just behaved like a regular Nan today and forgot the 'manners' she usually preaches about.

"Well, my dear Nan. Thank you so much for your wishes. We should finish our breakfast before going to Gringotts. It might take some time there." Nev dragged Lady Augusta back to her chair before they started eating their breakfast and left for the bank.

It was only when Nev and his Nan came to Diagon alley with Winny that they realised, the atmosphere of the market was kind of sullen.

"It is worse than what is described in papers. The fight in the ministry, Nev. I read it this morning."

Lady Augusta whispered to Nev and Nev just nodded. He had no idea what fight or what was the latest scene in the ministry. Was the power struggle between the new minister and the head of Aurors so bad that this even affected the market?

"Winny, make a note. In the morning, when you send Silvi to wake me up, send a copy of the latest The Daily Prophet from tomorrow."

"Yes, Lord Neville. Winny will make sure of this from tomorrow." Winny spoke hastily after listening to Nev.

In this strange sullen atmosphere, the Longbottoms came to Gringotts but there was another scene here.

A group of Aurors were almost having a fight with the goblins.

"I am telling you; we have an order from the Auror head office. We must check the vault of Quirinus Quirrell. You understand the meaning of this! Stop acting like fools and take us there. Now!" A woman who had few Aurors behind her was shouting at an old goblin who seemed to be unaware of the shouting woman.

"Yes, yes. Vaults. Strange things" The old gobbling just whispered a few words and again ignored the Aurors.

The woman was clearly furious, but she was powerless. The Auror office had no powers over here and only Ministry can issue an order to 'request' assistance from Goblin. Requests that are generally ignored.

Nev and his Nan watched the lady and they both looked at each other. The woman was no one else other than their family friend, Amelia Bones.

The bones and Longbottoms had no direct relationships, but the parents of Neville, Frank and Alice Longbottom worked under her as the Aurors before they met and got married.

It was in those days of the Dark Lord terror, Amelia Bones herself saved their lives a couple of times.

"Wait here Nan," Nev said to Lady Augusta, before heading straight towards Madam Bones.

"Good morning, Madam Bones," Nev said loudly from a distance attracting attention to himself.

"Oh! Neville. What are you doing here? WaitSorry. Happy birthday, boy. You sure have grown up." Madam Bones showed a rare smile on her face before pinching the cheeks of Nev.

Bones family already had received the invitation for tonight's party and Amelia knew it was Nev's Birthday. It was not big news but any good news these days was already rare.

"Madam Bones, I wish you will treat me as a Lord and won't pull my cheeks publicly!" Nev said in a stressed manner.

"Well, Lord or not, I saw you when you were a babe! Always crying and soiling." Before Amelia could finish the sentence, Nev used a spell to seal her lips to save his dignity.

Madam Bones was shocked to see the swift use of wandless and silent casting and used her wand to nullify Neville's spell.

"That was brilliant, Young Lord Longbottom. Silent casting with extreme precision and wandless magic. Clearly, you surprise me every time I meet you boy." She praised the progress of Neville and was happy to see the son of Frank and Alice doing so good for himself.