The Gift of a Sword

Amosta did not place much value on the Longbottom family's gratitude. He had not chosen to try to save the Longbottoms in order to win Longbottom's thanks, but simply because he admired Neville's honest nature. On top of that, Frank and Alice had both been heroes of the war, and that had ultimately prompted him to make the attempt.

He needed no one's gratitude, for he had already gained enough from this treatment. With Voldemort's return to the wizarding world close enough to count on one's fingers, further advances in strength were becoming ever more precious.

"Then—"

Amosta looked warmly at the Longbottoms.

"What are you planning to do next?"

Frank and Alice exchanged a glance. Frank said,

"Thanks to you and Albus, Alice and I have been given the chance to return to this beautiful world. So, we plan to travel around and see what changes have taken place in the wizarding world during the dozen-odd years we lost. Of course, before that, we will follow the doctor's orders and recuperate at St Mungo's for a while. Our bodies cannot yet handle the hardships of travel."

"Would you like me to ask the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall for some leave, Neville? So you can spend time with your parents?"

Amosta looked at Neville with a smile.

"Oh, I doubt you could persuade Professor McGonagall to give me a long holiday, Professor Breen."

Neville shrugged.

"Though of course, I really can't return to Hogwarts right away."

He really had changed.

Even Amosta could not help but marvel as he looked at the open, confident young man before him.

The old Neville had always cowered whenever he spoke to him, carrying a heavy burden in his heart. But now, he had wiped away the dust shrouding his soul and was shining