On the day before the train ride back to Hogwarts I decided to tell the Dementor protecting Uncle Ted to be sure not to go anywhere near the Ministry. Even as an old Dementor with some level of intelligence I find it… a bit daft.

He does seem to be getting smarter though, they all do. The two older ones protecting Auntie and Sis seem to understand their job well and haven't made any trouble so that's good.

Auntie decides we will take the muggle car again which I don't like at first but the drive there was enjoyable. Mainly because Arthur was on my lap the whole way and Sin enjoyed petting him.

The train ride was rather enjoyable as well, there weren't many kids on the train. I was able to get a cabin by myself so I closed the door and lock it and slowly aged myself. Since I don't age naturally I decided I'm going to slightly age myself at intervals through the year. Maybe I'll even throw in a 'growth spurt' or two.

After I finish changing my appearance I decided to nap since I stayed up last night mesmerizing the transfiguration alphabet... to satisfy Professor McGonagal's freakishly high standards. I unlocked the door just in case and laid down, no one really bothered me… until Neville came.

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As I'm resting in my cabin someone shakes my shoulder to wake me up. I open my eyes to see Neville looking at me with a nervous face. I'm now a few inches taller than Neville so he has to look up at me.

"Are we at Hogwart's yet?" I ask confused turning to look out the window. No, no we are not, at least not yet.

"Yeah, we are close but that's not what I need your help with. Malfoy took Trevor and I don't know where he put him." He is nearly crying as he tells me this.

I try my best not to be annoyed, he is still only 11 or 12 years old so I can't blame him. "Where is Malfoy?"

He smiles at my acceptance to help, "He is a train car down in cabin 3. He doesn't have Trevor anymore but I don't know where he put him."

I just stand up and head over to Malfoys cabin, I'm sure he will just tell me as I'm walking I talk to Neville.

"So did you like your new remembrall? I thought since your last one doesn't work anymore you would like a new one." I don't look at him as I speak.

Neville puts his head down at the mention of presents "I do like it… I'm sorry for not getting you anything, but my grandmother doesn't give me a very large allowance. She says I would probably just waste it all on candy."

My eyes narrow "You know, every time you mention your grandmother it's always about something bad or overbearing. Are sure you are doing alright?"

He keeps his head down as he replies "She is overbearing, but it all comes from a good place… she just wants the best for me since I am a bit of a failure..."

"You know that's nearly the exact same thing abuse victims say to reason that they aren't actually being abused…" I stop and grab his shoulder. "Neville you are not a failure… just a… late bloomer. With just a bit of courage, you could excel just like your parents. Speaking of where are your parents now?"

"Thanks… my parents… they are currently in Janus Thickey Ward in St Mungo's Hospital." he says in a really light voice.

'Shit, just eating her soul was too nice for that woman' I think to myself as the darkness rolls in the back of my head 'I should have been gentler tearing her soul out. Left her a husk of nothing for the rest of her life.' I shake off the dark thoughts as I berate myself.

With a deep breath, I give a nod "Let's go get Trevor."

We get to Malfoy's cabin and I open the door to see him leaning in a seat with Crabbe and Goyle sitting across from him, as always.

Noticing me at the door Malfoy noticeably flinches "What, Longbottom, go and cry to the Half-Blood about your missing toad."

Neville turns away which makes me roll my eyes "What Malfoy, not going to call me a Mudblood? Smart. Just hand over the toad, we will be at Hogwart's soon."

Malfoy looks spooked "I don't have it anymore, the little bastard pissed on the seat so I had Goyle toss him in the hallway."

"Ugh, I refuse to go look for that toad" I step back more into the hallway next to Neville "Neville hold out your hand."

He looks confused but still does as I say, I draw my wand and put the tip on his palm.

"Accio Trevor"

After a second I hear a girl yell from down the hallway and I turn to see a toad flying in the air heading towards us. As Trevor lands on Neville's hand, he looks at me with mouth agape, even the trio of Slytherin look shocked.

"Accio is a fourth-year spell, how did you learn it already?" Neville still looks amazed.

"I took a page from Hermione's book and read ahead of the course work. Wasn't very hard, charms are pretty fun." I speak as if I am trying to convince myself I had fun trying over and over again to no avail until I finally got it.

I'm not as talented as I let it seem to Sis Dora. But how else would I explain my ability to keep trying over and over again with no sleep until I succeed. It may seem dumb but it is very effective. Especially for things like, Accio, which took almost no toll on my mental.

I step back into the cabin doorway, "Was fun Malfoy but I gotta run. Tell your mother I enjoyed the gift. It was very... thoughtful" I close the door as I walk away.

Before I get far I hear Neville say "Thanks."

I just wave him off without turning around "It's fine, just learn how to support yourself as well. You'll need it in the future, I'm sure." he looks rightfully disappointed in himself as he nods.

----

After we get back and I get settled in I start to head towards the Great Hall for Diner but I notice Ron and Harry have shown up in the common room.

Harry tells me about a mirror that is apparently hidden in the castle that he can't show me anymore because Dumbledore moved it. It's called the mirror of Erised, a mirror that shows a person's deepest desire.

----

I turn to Ron "So what did you see in the mirror?"

Ron just shrugs "I saw myself being the Head boy, a Prefect, and the winner of the quidditch cup."

I roll my eyes "As expected of the great Ronald Weasley, but you don't even play quidditch?"

"Well, I will, eventually… Fred and George even said they would play with me over the summer. I may be a star player next year, you never know." He says adamantly. I am indeed a bit impressed by his passion, that will help his training... probably.

"I guess you are right, you could be a miracle worker. How about you Harry?" I ask regretting as the words leave my mouth.

"...My parents" I grit my teeth as he says the most obvious answer… shouldn't have asked.

"Sorry…" I already knew that was going to be the answer, 'why did I ask' I think to myself as I look away.

"No problem I already had time to linger on it, I'm feeling better now Dumbledore counseled me." He gives a small smile.

"Oh, that makes me curious what did Dumbledore see?" I'm genuinely excited.

Harry shrugs "He just lied, he said he saw a pair of freshly knitted wool socks." My face goes stone as he said those words. My heart tightens as I feel the memories rushing back to me.

I put my head down 'God that is a rough one huh Dumbledore… maybe I won't blackmail him' I think to myself.

"What is it? You know something?" Ron asks, having a little more insight than I... anyone expects.

I just look up and give a wry smile "Well I can tell you for sure, he wasn't lying."

"What's so special about wool socks?" They both ask

I shake my head "It's a bit too personal, ask yourselves." I walk by them "I'm going to dinner, are you guys coming with me?"

They just look at each other for a second with furrowed brows and Harry speaks up "Yeah sure, we haven't eaten together in a while."