HP and Godric's Vault - Chapter - 30 (Patreon)

After Neville successfully acquired his wand, the Longbottoms warmly invited Harry over to their manor for tea and to spend some quality time together. Harry readily agreed, eager to celebrate this milestone with his friend. He could see how excited Neville was about the prospect of showing off his home, and Harry couldn’t help but feel thrilled for him.

“Come on, Harry! You have to see it!” Neville exclaimed as they made their way to the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron. The anticipation radiated from him, and Harry couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s enthusiasm.

With a handful of floo powder, they stepped into the fireplace and called out, “Longbottom Manor!” The familiar sensation of spinning through the Floo Network enveloped them, and a moment later, they emerged into the grandeur of the Longbottoms' home.

The manor stood before them, an impressive sight. It was a beautifully maintained, sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens and vibrant flowers that danced gently in the breeze. The picturesque scenery was something out of a storybook, and Harry couldn’t help but admire the enchanting landscape.

“Welcome to Longbottom Manor!” Augusta called, her voice warm and inviting. “Make yourselves at home!”

As they stepped inside, Harry was taken aback by the elegance of the interior. High ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and rich wooden furnishings greeted them. The walls were adorned with family portraits, showcasing the Longbottom lineage, and each room seemed to exude a sense of history and warmth.

“Come on, let me show you the greenhouse first!” Neville said, barely able to contain his excitement. He led Harry down a hallway and through a set of grand double doors that opened into the greenhouse.

The moment they stepped inside, Harry was overwhelmed by the sights and scents of a myriad of plants. Lush greenery filled the space, and colorful blossoms stretched toward the glass ceiling, soaking up the sunlight. It was a botanical wonderland, and Neville’s pride in his work was evident as he pointed out various plants.

“This is my favorite,” Neville said, kneeling beside a small, vibrant flower with shimmering petals. “It’s a Moonlight Bloom. It only opens at night and has healing properties! I’ve been nurturing it for weeks, and it’s finally blooming perfectly.”

Harry knelt beside him, impressed. “It’s beautiful, Neville! I didn’t know you had such a talent for plants.”

“Thanks!” Neville beamed. “I spend a lot of time here. The house-elves help when I’m busy, but I love taking care of them myself. It’s relaxing, you know?”

As they moved through the greenhouse, Neville pointed out various magical plants, explaining their uses and how he had cultivated them. Harry listened intently, fascinated by Neville's passion and knowledge.

“This one here is a Venomous Tentacula,” Neville said, showing Harry a plant with long, twisting vines. “It’s dangerous, but if you handle it carefully, it can be useful in potion-making. I still need to be cautious, though.”

Harry chuckled, watching Neville’s animated expressions as he shared his knowledge. “You’ve really become a fantastic gardener, Neville.”

“Thanks! I’ve been learning a lot,” he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “It’s all thanks to your encouragement. I’ve even first years herbology before the mid term exam at Hogwarts!”

“Really? That’s amazing! I’m sure they love your passion,” Harry replied, genuinely impressed.

After touring the greenhouse, Neville led Harry through the manor, showing him various rooms filled with antiques, magical artifacts, and family heirlooms. Each room had its own unique charm, and Neville was eager to share stories about their significance.

“This is the library,” Neville said as they stepped into a vast room filled with towering bookshelves. “It has been in our family for generations. I love to read here; it’s so peaceful.”

Harry marveled at the sheer size of the collection. “I can see why! It’s incredible. We should come here to study sometimes.”

“Yes! I’d love that!” Neville replied, his excitement contagious.

They continued to explore, and Neville even showed Harry the extensive herbology lab where he experimented with different plants and potions. Harry was fascinated to see Neville’s work firsthand and could sense how much joy it brought his friend.

Finally, they returned to the cozy drawing room, where Augusta had set up a lovely tea spread, complete with biscuits and cakes. “I hope you boys worked up an appetite!” she said with a smile as she poured tea into delicate china cups.

They settled down to enjoy the tea, and as they sipped, Neville shared more stories about his experiences at Hogwarts and the club he had started. Harry listened attentively, proud of how far Neville had come.

Augusta chimed in with pride, “You’ve both grown so much in such a short time. I can see that the friendship you’ve developed has played a significant role in that.”

Harry glanced at Neville, who was grinning ear to ear. “It’s true. I’m really grateful for your friendship, Harry. You’ve helped me become someone I’m proud to be.”

Harry smiled back, feeling a warmth in his chest. “And I’m proud to be your friend, Neville. You’ve done all the hard work; I just helped a little.”

As they continued their afternoon together, laughter filled the manor, and Harry felt a sense of belonging that he had rarely experienced. It was a day he would always cherish, a reminder of the strong bond he shared with Neville and the welcoming spirit of the Longbottom family.

As the afternoon unfolded into evening, Harry found himself enchanted by the Longbottoms’ library. The room was vast, filled with shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books that spanned centuries. The scent of old parchment and leather-bound volumes hung in the air, inviting him to explore. Each book held a story, a lesson, or a piece of knowledge that begged to be uncovered.

Harry wandered through the rows of books, tracing his fingers along the spines, his eyes wide with wonder. He pulled down a few volumes, flipping through pages filled with intricate illustrations and ancient texts. There were tomes on herbology, magical history, potion-making, and even some on dark arts. He felt like he had stepped into a treasure trove of wisdom.

“Blimey, Harry! I didn’t know you were such a bookworm,” Neville teased, glancing over from where he was examining a particularly thick book on magical creatures.

Harry grinned sheepishly. “I guess I just can’t help myself. There’s so much to learn!”

The hours slipped by unnoticed as Harry immersed himself in the texts, losing track of time. Neville watched in amazement as Harry read through book after book, his eyes lighting up with each new discovery.

“Are you planning to read the entire library in one go?” Neville laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Maybe!” Harry replied, half-joking. “There’s just so much fascinating stuff here. I could spend days in this place.”

As evening approached, Harry realized it was time for him to leave. He had promised Sirius he would meet him at Grimmauld Place, and the thought of spending time with his godfather filled him with anticipation. Reluctantly, he closed the book he had been reading and turned to Neville.

“I should head out now. I promised Sirius I’d see him tonight.”

Neville nodded, though there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “I had a great time, Harry. Thanks for coming over. Let’s do this again soon!”

“Absolutely! We’ll have more adventures together,” Harry said, clapping Neville on the shoulder before making his way back to the drawing room.

Augusta was tidying up the remnants of their tea, and she looked up with a warm smile. “Did you enjoy the library, Harry? It’s one of Neville’s favorite places.”

“It’s incredible, Mrs. Longbottom. I could spend weeks in there and still not finish reading everything,” Harry said, gratitude shining in his eyes.

She beamed with pride. “I’m glad to hear that. Knowledge is one of the most valuable gifts we can pass down through generations.”

After saying his goodbyes, Harry stepped into the hallway and made his way to the fireplace. He took a handful of Floo powder, feeling the familiar thrill of magic tingling in the air. “Grimmauld Place!” he called, and the world spun around him.

Moments later, he stumbled out of the fireplace into the dimly lit interior of Grimmauld Place. The house had a distinctly different feel than the Longbottoms’ manor, with its dark wood paneling and antique furnishings. However, Harry felt a sense of comfort wash over him as he stepped into the home he had come to consider his own.

He looked around, and just as he was adjusting to the change in atmosphere, he heard a voice call out from the kitchen.

“Harry! You made it back!” Sirius said, his face lighting up as he stepped into view. Remus was nearby, sipping tea and observing a book of his own.

“Hey, Sirius!” Harry replied, grinning. “I had a fantastic time at Neville’s. You wouldn’t believe how amazing their library is!”

Sirius chuckled. “I can only imagine! The Longbottoms have quite the collection. I bet you spent hours in there.”

“Yeah, I lost track of time,” Harry admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. “But I promised I’d be back for dinner.”

“Good lad! I’m glad to see you keeping your promises,” Sirius said, his tone warm with approval. “I adjusted the wards earlier, so you can come and go as you please. Did you want to grab a bite to eat now?”

“I’d love to!” Harry replied, his stomach rumbling at the mention of food. “What do we have?”

“Something special, I hope!” Sirius winked, leading Harry into the kitchen, where the aromas of a hearty meal greeted them.

As they settled around the table, Remus looked up with a knowing smile. “I take it you had a good day?”

Harry nodded enthusiastically. “It was amazing! Neville got his wand, and I spent hours in their library. I can’t wait to tell you about everything I learned.”

Over dinner, Harry shared his adventures, and both Sirius and Remus listened intently, engaging in conversation and asking questions. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and the warmth of camaraderie.

After dinner, Harry felt content and happy to be with Sirius and Remus. As the evening wore on, they settled in the living room, discussing plans for their next adventures and the dueling training they had been enjoying together. For Harry, moments like these were a reminder of the family he had found in them, and he cherished every second spent in their company.

The next morning, Harry woke up in the familiar surroundings of Grimmauld Place, the soft light filtering through the heavy curtains. He stretched, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. As he made his way to the kitchen, the scent of breakfast wafted through the air, promising a hearty meal to start the day.

However, when he arrived, he found the kitchen empty except for Remus, who was sipping his tea and flipping through a newspaper. “Morning, Harry,” he greeted, glancing up. “I hope you slept well.”

“Morning, Remus! I did, thanks. Have you seen Sirius?” Harry asked, looking around for his godfather.

Remus shook his head, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “He’s already gone. He mentioned something about a personal matter, but he didn’t go into detail.”

“Personal?” Harry echoed, a twinge of disappointment washing over him. He had hoped to spend the day with Sirius, perhaps exploring the Muggle world further or practicing more dueling techniques.

“Don’t worry,” Remus reassured him, sensing Harry's unease. “Sirius will be back soon. You know how he is—always full of surprises.”

Harry nodded, but he felt a pang of curiosity about where Sirius had gone. He didn’t want to pry, so instead, he decided to make the most of his day. After breakfast, he contemplated his next steps. With the prospect of exploring his properties, Harry felt a rush of excitement.

“I think I’ll head to Highgarden today,” he announced, determination settling in. “From there,I need to check on things at McKinnon Manor, and there are some books I want to read.”

“Good idea,” Remus replied, encouragingly. “And I think you’ll find it rewarding to spend some time at your other properties too. You might even discover some surprises waiting for you.”

With a plan forming in his mind, Harry gathered his belongings and prepared to use his portkey. As he arrived at Highgarden, he felt the familiar sense of home wash over him. The estate was beautifully maintained, the gardens lush and vibrant with life.

After a quick glance around to ensure everything was in order, Harry headed straight for Runestone Castle. He had so many properties he had yet to explore, gifts from various wizards and witches he had learned about over the years but never had the chance to visit. Now that he was a student at Hogwarts, he felt ready to embrace his heritage and delve into the world his parents had left him.