Chapter 15

*Meet the Longbottoms (Pt.1)*is the fifteenth chapter of the first book in the POS-verse, Prince of Slytherin.

## Summary

The first four attempts on the life of Neville Longbottom.

## Plot

### When Neville Longbottom was 2

After Algie Longbottom has a quick trip down nostalgia lane (explaining his past and current tenure as Lord Regent of House Longbottom), he has been left to look after a young Neville Longbottom at his home whilst Augusta Longbottom is visiting Frank and Alice Longbottom at St Mungo's. He's irritated that Neville is constantly crying, asking for "Ebby". However, a soft pop sounds and Neville stops crying. Algie turns around and discovers that "Ebby" is now in Neville's hands. Algie asks Lubby, one of Algie's House Elf, if he summoned the bear from Longbottom Manor for Neville but Lubby says Neville did it himself.

Algie looks at the bear and discovers its "L.B.", an Longbottom heirloom passed from father to son which he briefly owned before Archie (his brother) realised the significance of the bear and demanded its return for his own son, Frank. Despite making up with Archie (mostly), looking upon the bear again unleashes years of entitlement, greed and anger within Algie. Realising that, upon showing magical abilities, Neville is now Heir Presumptive of House Longbottom and Algie would be force to manage Neville's assets until Neville came of age, Algie snaps. He banishes L.B. and obliviates Neville to never remember L.B. but remember that he lost something 'cos he wished too hard for it.

After Augusta picks Neville back up, Algie goes to Flourish & Blotts to pick up books relating to Squibs and theories about what forms them.

### When Neville Longbottom was 3

Whilst staying at Longbottom Manor, Algie is approached by Neville who asks him to read Babbitty Rabbitty. When Neville tells Algie its on a free standing bookshelf in the library, Algie takes Neville there and has Neville climb the bookshelf to reach the book. Just before Neville reaches the book, Algie spells the bookshelf to fall over in an attempt to kill him. However, Neville's magic kicks in and returns the bookshelf to normal whilst giving Neville the book.

Before Augusta arrives to investigate the noise, Algie wipes Neville's memory again then hits him with a mild Stinging Hex so it looks like Neville fell of the bookshelf. When Augusta tells Neville to just have someone assist him next time, Algie suggests he summon it with magic, resulting in Algie and Augusta getting into an argument over Neville's "lack of magic".

### When Neville Longbottom was 4

Whilst on a holiday to the Longbottom's summer home in Wales, Algie makes another on Neville's life. He confunds the gardener into forgetting to lock Greenhouse 4, which holds several dangerous plants the Longbottom cultivate, then has Neville chase an illusion into the Greenhouse with the expectation the plants will kill him.

Once again, Neville's magic kicks in and has the plants start playing games with Neville, with him acting as a ball between a game a catch between two Devil's Snare whilst a row of Venomous Tentacula clap along. Algie summons the boy back to him, locks the greenhouse to escape the now-angry plants, and wipes Neville's memory again.

### July 30th, 1987

Having been taken to Blackpool by Augusta, Neville is waiting for her to return from the ladies room when Algie, having been watching from a distance, alters Neville's memory so he thinks he's waiting for him. He then escorts Neville to Blackpool Pier, and tells him that Augusta thinks he is a Squib. When Neville says he'll do whatever he can to prove he's not, Algie asks Neville if he can swim. When told no, Algie throws Neville into the water.

Neville's magic soon saves him via a water spout but Algie cuts the spout in two, sending Neville back into the water. He's about to do it again when he sees Augusta running towards them in an attempt to save Neville. He quickly wipes Neville's memory and summons the boy out.

When asked by Augusta what he's doing, Algie responds that he's trying to get Neville to show his magic by placing him in danger. Augusta then tells Algie that she doesn't want him around Neville, Algie says that's not her call, as he's Lord Regent but she's just Neville's guardian. Augusta, though, makes it clear that she clearly doesn't trust Algie and thinks he's still holding grudges. Algie just tells Augusta to put Neville in warm clothes or he'll die of cold before apparating away.

## Characters

* Neville Longbottom
* Augusta Longbottom
* Algie Longbottom

## Magical Archives

* Ancient and Noble Houses
* Squib
* Wizengamot Heirs