[ If there's one thing Neville was sure of, it was that nothing could be scarier than fighting Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. It was a nightmare, coming face to face with his parents' torturers, watching his friends being attacked and desperately trying to fight back. Worse, to hear, to see Harry there in the middle of Dumbledore and You-Know-Who's battle. Nothing could compare, certainly.
But then he woke up here, in a world that's...painfully familiar, and equally as foreign. Diagon Alley was....not so different that it had been over the summer, really, but there was a sharper edge beneath it somehow. Something that edged under skin and shuddered there, wetly. It's not right, but if what he'd seen in the Prophet was true, well, nothing was was it? For several long moments Neville wanders, aimless and formless, trying to avoid drawing attention for as long as he can. He needs time to fit things together, time to puzzle everything out. Time to figure out what to do next, when he's alone in an entirely new place.
Except -- except that's a familiar figure up ahead, isn't it? The sloped shoulders, the riotous hair, it could be anybody but Merlin Neville hopes it's Harry. Quickly, quickly, he gathers himself and takes long strides forward, heart in his throat until he's close enough to call out. ]
Harry?
[ Soft enough to avoid attracting undue attention, loud enough for Harry to hear. Hopefully. ]
[ Harry hears his name, which isn't all that uncommon back home. But here? Here, he doesn't really know anyone, and anyone who does know him ... well, it'd be because he'd just met them and told them that he's their son.
(Yes, he's speaking of James Potter and Lily Evans.)
So it is with some surprise that Harry turns towards the sound of his name, and -- oh, blimey. Is that? It is. And he looks age-appropriate, too. That is, he looks like he'd only seen him just yesterday. ]
Neville. [ Harry's relief is palpable, written in his features. He reaches out to clasp his friend on the shoulder because what are hugs. ] Neville, is that you?
[oh god oh god oh god what if Harry comes over here what if he says something nah he wouldn't say something he's a good mate even where bonkers time travel stuff is concerned right???
Don't mind Ron panicking the room over.]
That's what I said!
might've used more ?s
What am I sposed to say? Do I tell her? Do I buy her flowers???
[He's heard enough to know that things go all right, at least in some future - but Ron doesn't know how much he trusts that, particularly if they're stuck here now. How do the ensure that future happens?
because he could maybe be very very invested in a future where he has kids with Hermione.]
Blimey I don't know
was hoping you'd have an idea, honestly
Maybe? I mean, won't be long before Louis or Albus calls her AUNT or something
[The poor bean indeed, but when Harry doesn't write back, and when Ron sees no one fall out the window, he starts getting antsy. He even waits three whole minutes before getting up and shuffling out to the hall to knock on Harry's door.]
In all of his sixteen-some years of life, Harry has been through a hell of a lot. A lot of which he doesn't even recall: his first near-death experience, losing his parents, being transported to the literal worst Muggles known to mankind, finding out he'd been a wizard all along - and having a literal giant tell him so.
But time-travel and future children are a whole new level of A Lot and Harry's at a loss for how to parse the information.
The knock on his door gets him to look up. It even gets him to put his MIAVI pen down and stride towards the door. It's seeing Ron on the other side that snaps him out of his shock.
He breathes out. ]
Yeah.
[ And then he steps back to pull the door open wider, letting Ron come in if he wants to. ]
[Sticking around is probably the least he could do, after dropping a bomb like that. Ron slips in when Harry opens the door, hands stuffed in his pockets.]
It's a lot. Should've just...come over first, I s'pose. Told you in person.
[Especially given he's still carrying loads of guilt from leaving Harry in the middle of a mission...that he doesn't even know about yet...
Ron is really hating all of this, literally all of this.]
It could, almost, be taken like a rather well-timed absolving of any guilt Ron might be carrying on his shoulders right now - it's so genuine, the way Harry looks at his best friend. ]
No, it's all right. [ There really is no good way to drop an info-bomb like that on anyone. And the more Harry speaks, the less he has to mull over the thought in the (dis)comfort of his own head. ] It is a lot, yeah. I've just got a lot of questions. Dunno if you know the answer to any of them though.
[It is genuine, and there's no doubt that Ron wants to be absolved. He's always just wanted to be - enough, but he showed himself, worse, showed them that he wasn't. He's got a lot to make up for, still.
It leaves him in a position he's been in only a few times: wanting to protect Harry, but not wanting to give him all the details. Feels bad, man.]
Duuno. Probably not, but you can try me. [He finds a chair, tugs it out to perch on.]
[ Obviously. That's what Ron had told him over wizard!text. It's just - why that name? What sort of meaning did it carry? Harry can't imagine he'd call his own son 'Albus' without a very good reason. It's not exactly John or William or George, now is it? ]
[Ron nods - not because it's a question that needs answering again, but because he can't answer the real reason. He was more concerned with trying to keep his nephew safe - bloody hell, his nephew, he...doesn't really want to tell Harry that bit.
Urgh.
Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, Ron laces his fingers together.]
Albus Severus Potter, he said. [That part, that part he can be as baffled as Harry about. He forgot it in the heat of the moment, but looking back - maybe they're both just terrible at naming their kids.]
Maybe we're to make a pact in a few years. Whoever comes up with the worst names wins.
Like, Severus ... the Severus he'd just seen smugly step into his mum's shop a few days ago, giving him the stink-eye, walking out of said shop with his mum -- that Severus?
Albus Severus is literally the worst, okay, honestly, the w o r s t -- ]
That's got to be it. Tell me I win, Ron, because that poor bloke's got the worst name in history.
I think it's the only thing that can top Hugo Weasley.
[The corner of his mouth twitches a little, and he looks at Harry as though seeking permission to laugh. Well, not permission so much as to make certain it won't just make things worse.]
Blimey, mate, maybe we just drew them out of a hat, I dunno. Didn't get a chance to talk to him long. And he's bound to have the trace now, so...
[He trails off, presses his lips together. An apologetic look crosses his face.]
Tried to stop him from going, but he'd already had some attention. Hadn't found you yet, and he wasn't much keen on going on the run with me.
[ Oh, by all means, please laugh Ron. Please laugh until your sides are in stitches because what even was he possibly thinking, coming up with a name like that?
(Of course, he'll find some time down the road why he'd named his youngest son that, but for now sixteen year old Harry's got a lot to say about this set of dorky sounding names.) ]
I can't believe I've got a - that you've got a - that we both ... [ Harry shakes his head.
Ah, yes. The trace.
He'll likely have it on him too. ] You believe him? Them? Do you really think what they're saying is true?
[Ron can maybe understand calling him Albus since he's...actually got a memory of their sixth year, but he is pretty sure future Harry must secretly hate kids or something to throw Severus in the mix.
Rubbing his hands over his face, Ron nods sympathetically. Empathetically? Whatever, he very much Feels This, and cannot fathom being a dad, or married, or even asking Hermione out. Maybe he'll get lucky and she'll ask him. Worked for Bill, didn't it? Wait, then Bill will make fun of him...
Ron blinks a few times, dragging himself out of his thoughts, back to Harry's questions.]
About what? That they're who they say? I didn't see Louis, but Albus - put it this way, line up you, and Prongs, and him, and people'd think you're all brothers.
[The first thing heard from Remus is a mumbled apology, for mistaking Prongs' face as a pillow apparently. Or maybe he was aiming to lay on the floor and missed. Probably that.
Then, a heavy sigh and more shuffling.] Prongs, leave him alone. He doesn't need to hear this.
[He speaks purposefully slowly, so his words don't slur. But James keeps going]
Merlin, you're loud, you don't need to be that loud that close to it.
I meant it's next to you. [another audible eyeroll, before Remus' lungs have all the air pushed out of them by James pushing up from his chest. A fumbled attempt at trying to snag the pen from one Messr. Prongs] You're his godfather, Harry. He told me. You're too young to drink, though.
There's so much between fifteen and twenty. There's loads, Harry. [That seems profound. Was that profound? Was it even coherent? He is very drunk.
He lazily bats at James' hand. No scratching, you arse]
Nice knowing you, Prongs. Died doing what he loved, which was doing things he knew would piss off Lily Evans. [Well, someone's brain-to-mouth filter has been obliterated.]
Seeing - or hearing, really - his dad and his friends joke around reminds him that he'd always hoped to hear about stories like this one. He'd always wanted to be surrounded by familiarity and closeness, his mum and dad and his uncles just always around; always involved in his life; being adventurous and clever; getting into trouble.
He nods, even though neither of them can see him. ]
Yeah - sure. I'd like some. I won't tell if you don't.
[James may be trying to do a little dance of pride-- but it's not really that graceful or coordinated or even resulting a dance. It's more like he's having a fit. Help him before he bites his tongue, Moony.]
But later. Cause I don't think I should floo right now. Or walk.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dia-going
Date: 2017-09-04 07:34 pm (UTC)But then he woke up here, in a world that's...painfully familiar, and equally as foreign. Diagon Alley was....not so different that it had been over the summer, really, but there was a sharper edge beneath it somehow. Something that edged under skin and shuddered there, wetly. It's not right, but if what he'd seen in the Prophet was true, well, nothing was was it? For several long moments Neville wanders, aimless and formless, trying to avoid drawing attention for as long as he can. He needs time to fit things together, time to puzzle everything out. Time to figure out what to do next, when he's alone in an entirely new place.
Except -- except that's a familiar figure up ahead, isn't it? The sloped shoulders, the riotous hair, it could be anybody but Merlin Neville hopes it's Harry. Quickly, quickly, he gathers himself and takes long strides forward, heart in his throat until he's close enough to call out. ]
Harry?
[ Soft enough to avoid attracting undue attention, loud enough for Harry to hear. Hopefully. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-09 03:54 am (UTC)(Yes, he's speaking of James Potter and Lily Evans.)
So it is with some surprise that Harry turns towards the sound of his name, and -- oh, blimey. Is that? It is. And he looks age-appropriate, too. That is, he looks like he'd only seen him just yesterday. ]
Neville. [ Harry's relief is palpable, written in his features. He reaches out to clasp his friend on the shoulder because what are hugs. ] Neville, is that you?
miavi
Date: 2017-09-19 01:00 am (UTC)[He is literally a room over in Sirius' house, but like hell is he going to risk talking when Hermione might still be about.
(He hasn't considered yet that the private function on these things is not exactly...trust worthy...)]
im garbage im sorry
Date: 2017-09-22 03:06 am (UTC)Should I come over to your room
Or
?
you're golden ponyboy
Date: 2017-09-22 03:08 am (UTC)[Wow Ron that's awkward. There's some scribbling and ink blots but. To hell with it.]
I don't want Hermione to hear yet
dID YOU JUST MAKE AN OUTSIDERS REFERENCE oh my god
Date: 2017-09-22 03:10 am (UTC)[ Errrrrrrrrr ...
Um ...... ]
Whats this about then?
IT IS MY FAVORITE OUTSIDERS REFERENCE
Date: 2017-09-22 03:14 am (UTC)My nephew showed up
Bill's son, his name is Louis. He said
[He literally stops to hang his head, chin dropped against his chest and all, oh wizard god help]
that I'm a good dad and I have kids I have TWO kids my son is named Hugo
HUGO
and also er
Herm [there is an ink blot here where he panics and stops writing for a sec] ione is their mum
im just so chuffed you know the outsiders its so obscure???
Date: 2017-09-22 03:18 am (UTC)And then ... ]
What???????????
[ And no one should ever say that Harry does not emote (outside of capslock yelling). ]
what everyone wasn't made to read it in middle school??
Date: 2017-09-22 03:22 am (UTC)Don't mind Ron panicking the room over.]
That's what I said!
might've used more ?s
What am I sposed to say? Do I tell her? Do I buy her flowers???
apparently not!!
Date: 2017-09-22 03:26 am (UTC)Wait
Are you
Do you
This is a lot
[ Emotions are gross!!!! ]
but how else do kids learn about the poor hippies and ridiculous names :ccc
Date: 2017-09-22 03:35 am (UTC)I know!!! I can't sit on it anymore it's driving me MENTAL
and GANGS how do they learn about gangs!!!
Date: 2017-09-22 03:39 am (UTC)Are you going to tell her?
Are you going to say something?
[ And if Ron's met one of his future kids, does the fact that Harry hasn't yet mean that ... well, he hasn't actually got a future at all?
He knows what he's getting himself into with this prophecy and with Voldemort, but the thought hits him hard. ]
so many important life lessons 8(
Date: 2017-09-22 03:45 am (UTC)because he could maybe be very very invested in a future where he has kids with Hermione.]
Blimey I don't know
was hoping you'd have an idea, honestly
Maybe? I mean, won't be long before Louis or Albus calls her AUNT or something
missing out if they don't at least watch the film tbh
Date: 2017-09-22 03:52 am (UTC)Aunt Hermione
Merlin's Beard
This is all mad
Is Albus one of Bill's kids too?
Albus like Dumbledore?
[ He can't imagine why anyone would call their kid Albus, no offence to the Headmaster.
It's just ... a very old-timey name and distinctly reminds him of the lemon sherbet loving professor with the half-moon spectacles. ]
I think we have a duty to spread the word
Date: 2017-09-22 03:58 am (UTC)[yeah, OH. Whoops.]
Blimey mate I forgot
You're sitting down right? He's not Bill's
agreed. lets rp ponyboy and soda pop
Date: 2017-09-22 04:13 am (UTC)Well I'm by the window
time to dig out my copy
Date: 2017-09-22 04:15 am (UTC)[He might just shuffle over to his own window, y'know, just in case he has to wingardium leviosa a bro in a minute]
It's Albus Potter
He's YOUR son
[like that needed clarifying....]
mmhm same here
Date: 2017-09-22 04:20 am (UTC)Just kidding.
But the second extended silence of the evening does, probably, warrant a quick check-in because Harry's too stunned to text back.
(Somehow believing Ron and Hermione hook up and have a kid is far more plausible than him having one, and then calling the poor bean Albus.) ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 04:24 am (UTC)All right, mate?
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 04:36 am (UTC)In all of his sixteen-some years of life, Harry has been through a hell of a lot. A lot of which he doesn't even recall: his first near-death experience, losing his parents, being transported to the literal worst Muggles known to mankind, finding out he'd been a wizard all along - and having a literal giant tell him so.
But time-travel and future children are a whole new level of A Lot and Harry's at a loss for how to parse the information.
The knock on his door gets him to look up. It even gets him to put his MIAVI pen down and stride towards the door. It's seeing Ron on the other side that snaps him out of his shock.
He breathes out. ]
Yeah.
[ And then he steps back to pull the door open wider, letting Ron come in if he wants to. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 04:44 am (UTC)It's a lot. Should've just...come over first, I s'pose. Told you in person.
[Especially given he's still carrying loads of guilt from leaving Harry in the middle of a mission...that he doesn't even know about yet...
Ron is really hating all of this, literally all of this.]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 04:48 am (UTC)It could, almost, be taken like a rather well-timed absolving of any guilt Ron might be carrying on his shoulders right now - it's so genuine, the way Harry looks at his best friend. ]
No, it's all right. [ There really is no good way to drop an info-bomb like that on anyone. And the more Harry speaks, the less he has to mull over the thought in the (dis)comfort of his own head. ] It is a lot, yeah. I've just got a lot of questions. Dunno if you know the answer to any of them though.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 04:53 am (UTC)It leaves him in a position he's been in only a few times: wanting to protect Harry, but not wanting to give him all the details. Feels bad, man.]
Duuno. Probably not, but you can try me. [He finds a chair, tugs it out to perch on.]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 05:05 am (UTC)His name's Albus?
[ Obviously. That's what Ron had told him over wizard!text. It's just - why that name? What sort of meaning did it carry? Harry can't imagine he'd call his own son 'Albus' without a very good reason. It's not exactly John or William or George, now is it? ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 05:18 am (UTC)Urgh.
Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, Ron laces his fingers together.]
Albus Severus Potter, he said. [That part, that part he can be as baffled as Harry about. He forgot it in the heat of the moment, but looking back - maybe they're both just terrible at naming their kids.]
Maybe we're to make a pact in a few years. Whoever comes up with the worst names wins.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 05:23 am (UTC)[ No no no no no no noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Severus?
S e v e r u s?
Like, Severus ... the Severus he'd just seen smugly step into his mum's shop a few days ago, giving him the stink-eye, walking out of said shop with his mum -- that Severus?
Albus Severus is literally the worst, okay, honestly, the w o r s t -- ]
That's got to be it. Tell me I win, Ron, because that poor bloke's got the worst name in history.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-22 05:38 am (UTC)[The corner of his mouth twitches a little, and he looks at Harry as though seeking permission to laugh. Well, not permission so much as to make certain it won't just make things worse.]
Blimey, mate, maybe we just drew them out of a hat, I dunno. Didn't get a chance to talk to him long. And he's bound to have the trace now, so...
[He trails off, presses his lips together. An apologetic look crosses his face.]
Tried to stop him from going, but he'd already had some attention. Hadn't found you yet, and he wasn't much keen on going on the run with me.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-23 07:04 am (UTC)(Of course, he'll find some time down the road why he'd named his youngest son that, but for now sixteen year old Harry's got a lot to say about this set of dorky sounding names.) ]
I can't believe I've got a - that you've got a - that we both ... [ Harry shakes his head.
Ah, yes. The trace.
He'll likely have it on him too. ] You believe him? Them? Do you really think what they're saying is true?
no subject
Date: 2017-09-25 05:03 am (UTC)Rubbing his hands over his face, Ron nods sympathetically. Empathetically? Whatever, he very much Feels This, and cannot fathom being a dad, or married, or even asking Hermione out. Maybe he'll get lucky and she'll ask him. Worked for Bill, didn't it? Wait, then Bill will make fun of him...
Ron blinks a few times, dragging himself out of his thoughts, back to Harry's questions.]
About what? That they're who they say? I didn't see Louis, but Albus - put it this way, line up you, and Prongs, and him, and people'd think you're all brothers.
miavi wiTH VOICE
Date: 2017-10-17 11:02 pm (UTC)Harry! HARRY!
[there's some shuffling and no he's not done because Harry hasn't answered but the floor is uncomfortable and--]
--ow. Bugger. Moony that's my face not a pillow.
harryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharry
hey
you up?
we need you for something.
harryharryharryharry!
[seriously answer him, son because he's worse than sirius with a bone]
in the background of james' miavi
Date: 2017-10-17 11:21 pm (UTC)Then, a heavy sigh and more shuffling.] Prongs, leave him alone. He doesn't need to hear this.
[He speaks purposefully slowly, so his words don't slur. But James keeps going]
Merlin, you're loud, you don't need to be that loud that close to it.
janice voice: oh. my. god.
Date: 2017-10-18 03:03 am (UTC)James? [ Because somehow calling him 'Dad' feels weird. He's too young to be the Dad that he remembers. ]
Remus? [ Which is also a bit strange but much easier to say. ]
You all right?
look bitch you love it
Date: 2017-10-18 07:00 am (UTC)I mean Dad
I mean-- look Moony I'm loud because I'm right nextta you, duh.
Harry. Look. You're brill.
[that's it. that's his words of wisdom]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-18 11:55 pm (UTC)Can Harry hear the eyeroll? James sure can, at least]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-19 03:33 am (UTC)Uh.
Thanks.
[ It sounds a little like a question at the very end of it, because Harry's just ... not sure what on Earth's going on. ]
Where are you two?
[ And do you need him to come get you. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-19 06:38 am (UTC)[the pen is nice, it makes it much easier to harrass--]
Harry!
[Sorry. Pause. Moving around. Using Remus's chest as a place to push up from.]
We're at Remus's. Had things to discuss. Important fathery things. Cause he is one. Did you know that?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-19 09:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-10-20 04:11 am (UTC)[ Especially because it kind of happened through an anonymous network post, but whatever, whatever. ]
Finding all of that out, really.
[ Having sobering conversations with very drunk adult-figures-who-aren't-quite-the-adult-figures-he-knows is really, really bonkers. ]
Er. I'm not all that much younger than you lot.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-20 09:10 am (UTC)[it's probably best that Remus told him but the betRAYAL son.
smh.
don't touch his shit moony, you'll get scratched which hams may or may not just try to do right now]
your mum would probably kill me if we gave you firewhiskey though--
so you do you want some?
[father of the year]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-21 12:10 am (UTC)He lazily bats at James' hand. No scratching, you arse]
Nice knowing you, Prongs. Died doing what he loved, which was doing things he knew would piss off Lily Evans. [Well, someone's brain-to-mouth filter has been obliterated.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-28 06:13 am (UTC)Seeing - or hearing, really - his dad and his friends joke around reminds him that he'd always hoped to hear about stories like this one. He'd always wanted to be surrounded by familiarity and closeness, his mum and dad and his uncles just always around; always involved in his life; being adventurous and clever; getting into trouble.
He nods, even though neither of them can see him. ]
Yeah - sure. I'd like some. I won't tell if you don't.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-30 02:19 am (UTC)[James may be trying to do a little dance of pride-- but it's not really that graceful or coordinated or even resulting a dance. It's more like he's having a fit. Help him before he bites his tongue, Moony.]
But later. Cause I don't think I should floo right now. Or walk.