The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 397 A Turn of Fate, Harry and Neville

To many, dreams may simply be a complex and mysterious physiological phenomenon.

The reason for this assessment is probably simply because everyone has dreamed to some extent.

When anything becomes commonplace, it naturally ceases to be mysterious.

Of course, this is just the opinion of ordinary people.

In some occult theories, dreams are not only omens of the future, but are also interpreted as gateways to parallel worlds.

However, these things are still too far away for the young wizard.

Most of the people in the castle simply believed they had a bizarre and blissful dream.

Like Harry, like Neville.

……

Gryffindor Common Room.

Amidst everyone's satisfied expressions, Harry and Neville stood out somewhat.

In some ways, these two are quite similar. Both were born in July and both did not enjoy parental love from a young age.

But in comparison, Neville was luckier. Although he had no fame, he was able to see his parents, even though they had been lying in St. Mungo's Hospital for many years.

Harry, on the other hand, could only see his parents through photographs or the Mirror of Erised.

……

However, after just one night, the two were in completely different states compared to the day before.

In the old house in Godric's Hollow, Harry saw the figures he had been dreaming of. Although his parents looked older than in the photos, he couldn't hold back his tears the moment he saw them.

Harry had also fantasized that if he ever met his parents, he would tell them all the grievances he had suffered over the years.

Tell them about how she was bullied by her Uncle Vernon and Cousin Dudley when she was little, how excited she was to receive her first letter from an owl, and how nervous she was when she first met Hagrid...

But when he actually saw it, Harry suddenly realized that all the thoughts he had had were ultimately left unsaid.

The three embraced, and with their parents by their side, it felt as if all the grievances of the past had become so light and insignificant.

This ease is like the breeze in the Godric Valley, passing through the branches outside the window without taking away a single fallen leaf.

……

This time, unlike with the Mirror of Erised in his first year, Harry was very clear that what was in front of him were his parents, not the imagined reflections.

After the initial embrace, Harry also experienced something he had always dreamed of – a family birthday party.

Although his birthday is July 31st, it's now early October, but who cares at this point?

A cake baked by the mother, a bottle of aged Ogden Flame whisky from the father's collection, and candles that were lit were extinguished after a wish was made...

The happiness of a long-awaited reunion not only washes away the faint sadness of the past, but also accelerates the passage of time.

It was a whole night, but Harry felt like only a moment had passed.

……

It seems to be the inertia of fate.

Similarly, Neville experienced the same thing as Harry.

In the dream, Neville's birthday party was held at St. Mungo's Hospital.

In the hospital room, Neville looked at his parents, whose hair was completely white. They were not even 40 years old, but they looked as old as 70.

However, after the two regained consciousness, a dramatic scene unfolded in the ward.

Neville saw his usually strong and stern grandmother now cautiously hiding behind him, tears streaming down her face.

The cycle of fate.

This reminded him of his childhood. It seemed that whenever he encountered anything during his childhood, he would secretly hide behind his grandmother, holding onto her robe with one hand, and timidly look out.

But Neville knew that his grandmother wasn't truly afraid; she was afraid that making a sound would wake her from her dream.

"Neville...you've grown taller again!" Mrs. Longbottom looked at her son earnestly.

The slightly hoarse voice that rang out instantly brought tears to Neville's eyes, who was usually so resolute.

He had been holding back his emotions because his grandmother was hiding behind him, and he had to be strong. But with his mother's call, he could no longer contain himself.

Neville rushed to his mother's side, knelt gently by the bedside, and looked at his mother, whose face was gaunt and pale, sitting on the bed.

"Mother……"

"Silly child! Although I can't speak, I can feel it every time you come!"

Mrs. Longbottom reached out and gently stroked her son's cheek.

"I've prepared a gift for you, wait for me."

As she spoke, Mrs. Longbottom reached for the bedside drawer.

Neville watched his mother's actions quietly. He knew what was in the drawer; it contained dozens of candy wrappers of various colors.

Whenever he and his grandmother visited his parents, his mother would always secretly slip a candy wrapper into his hand before they left.

A beautiful candy wrapper is like the love that a mother with a mental illness can express.

moment.

As the drawer opened, Neville saw the most beautiful flower in the world—a magnificent carnation folded from colorful candy wrappers.

Beside the bouquet were various trinkets made from candy wrappers, colorful wizard chess pieces, hopping paper frogs, flying origami cranes, and brightly colored little stars...

Unlike the quiet bouquet, once the drawer was opened, colorful origami cranes and little stars seemed to be imbued with magic, beginning to flutter around the pristine white hospital room...

Red, yellow, blue... the candy wrappers of different colors seemed to glow at this moment, making the whole ward look like a dream.

"I'm sorry... I've been wanting to fold it and give it to you, but my body just won't cooperate, and I'm not awake enough for long periods of time..."

Mrs. Longbottom's words brought Neville's tears to a gush.

He didn't know, he really didn't know that his mother still had moments of lucidity; no one had ever told him this.

If he had known all this earlier, he would have preferred to do nothing and stay in this hospital room forever with his parents.

At the same time, Mr. Longbottom also came over, supporting his elderly mother.

Three generations of a family sat quietly in a hospital room surrounded by origami cranes and stars.

Soon, at Mrs. Longbottom's suggestion, they also held a birthday dinner for Neville.

This was also the only time Neville celebrated his birthday dinner with his parents and grandmother.

There was no cake or champagne at the dinner; all that was present was a bunch of carnations made from candy wrappers.

……

Dawn breaks.

Daylight broke, and the dream ended.

In their Gryffindor dormitory, Neville and Harry opened their eyes at the same time.

In an instant, their bright eyes shone like stars, and if it weren't for the thick bed curtains, probably very few people would dare to look them in the eye.

Soon, the light in his eyes faded.

Although separated by bed curtains, the two seemed to have agreed beforehand to do the same thing—slowly opening their palms.

Neville held a crumpled candy wrapper, while Harry held a wooden whiskey bottle stopper.

……

however.

Neither of them knew that the moment they opened their eyes...

In the distant Ministry of Magic in London, in the Prophecy Hall of the Department of Mysteries, on a vast, unmarked shelf, an ordinary crystal ball quietly vanished.

The sudden disappearance is like snow meeting the rising sun—a silent and imperceptible sublimation and dissipation.

However, no one cares, since there are just too many prophecies stored here.

……

Gryffindor Dormitory.

As the bed curtains were raised, everyone in the five-person dormitory was full of energy.

The most special of them all is Harry and Neville.

Neville looked more composed, and it had nothing to do with his height or physique. Even though he really looked strong, this composure came from within.

At first glance, it evokes images of majestic mountains, symbolizing resilience, stability, and reliability.

Similarly, Harry has also undergone a tremendous change.

When Harry woke up, he was no longer the listless and lethargic person he had been before.

Now he looks full of energy, as if he is protected by mysterious magic.

(End of this chapter)