{"id":733,"date":"2023-02-15T04:00:33","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T09:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/?p=733"},"modified":"2023-02-14T18:34:27","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T23:34:27","slug":"bros-fucking-it-up-ead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/2023\/02\/15\/bros-fucking-it-up-ead\/","title":{"rendered":"Bros Fucking It Up EAD"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Title<\/b>: Bros Fucking it Up<\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/b>Sibyl Moon<\/span><\/p>\n

Fandom<\/b>: Harry Potter<\/span><\/p>\n

Genre:<\/b> Gen, Adventure, AU, Fix-It<\/span><\/p>\n

Relationship<\/b>: Harry Potter & Neville Longbottom Brotp<\/span><\/p>\n

Word Count: <\/b>5883<\/p>\n

Warnings\/Rating<\/b>: Canon-Level-Violence, Discussion-Murder, Discussion-Torture, Murder, Torture, Discussion-Rape by potions, Discussion-Assault,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary<\/b>: Harry and Neville have watched their world fall apart around them a second time, losing their families again. The magical world is failing, so when the dverger offer them a chance to change everything, neither one hesitates. Harry and Neville return to the past to change what they can, the prophecy that links them–makes them brothers in all but blood will give them the strength to save magic and if they fuck up those who betrayed both them and magic along the way? Well they’re due their own revenge tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Author Note: <\/b>Brotp Harry & Neville<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter One<\/span><\/h1>\n

12\/1995<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Harry made his way through the halls, his footsteps silent from a lifetime of practice that no spell could imitate. The invisibility cloak slung back over one shoulder, giving him an odd silhouette to anyone looking. Still, no eyes followed him as he strode forward with footsteps steady and sure toward his destination. He didn\u2019t have any trouble finding what he was looking for, despite the labyrinth of halls in the department of mysteries and the confusion spells lining the floors and walls of the area. Harry entered the last corridor and flung the hood of his cloak over his head with a careless gesture. Conversations he\u2019d had after the war had left Harry with the knowledge that the order hadn\u2019t had the manpower to have anyone on watch at this time, but it was better to be cautious. Harry made his way down to a door that he\u2019d never seen in this lifetime, but he\u2019d never forget the number of nightmares that started the first time he\u2019d set foot in there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere we go,\u201d He murmured, beginning to spin his wand in fingers that surprised him to abrupt stillness when it triggered the sharp pain in his hand, but he pushed past it and the spike of white-hot anger that flared with it. \u201cAlohomora.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The door swung inward on a whisper of sound, and Harry drew the cloak closer around him, keeping himself hidden. As much as he knew about this time period, he was unsure if anyone was on duty inside the room. No one had been around when they\u2019d shown up six months from now, but the deatheaters had already made their bloody way ahead of them back then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Hurry up Harry, I\u2019m freezing my balls off out here,\u2019<\/span><\/i> Neville complained through their temporary link. <\/span>\u2018Also these things aren\u2019t any less disturbing now than they were back then.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Neville, you\u2019ve worked at Hogwarts for twenty-four years,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said, amused, despite the situation. <\/span>\u2018Shouldn\u2019t you be used to the thestrals by now?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Fuck no,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville replied with no small amount of venom. <\/span>\u2018I\u2019m not as fit as I was back…then…fuck it all, time travel is really bloody fucking with my mind, Harry.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018What does how fit you are have to do with anything?\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry made his way on silent feet down the rows of prophecy orbs, his eyes dancing over initials until he found the first of the ones he sought. Pulling his wand, he began to scan for warding spells and charms while he waited for his brother\u2019s answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018I swear they\u2019re eyeing me up for their next meal.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018I doubt it, they like dead things according to Luna and you\u2019re still alive,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry replied absently as he disarmed three separate warning spells, two of which held Dumbledore\u2019s personal signature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Are you sure?\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville\u2019s voice was dryer than dust. <\/span>\u2018That ritual the dverger put us through felt like it tore us apart, matter of fact, I\u2019m not altogether sure it put us back together correctly. Fairly sure I might have one of your kidneys.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018You should be honored to have one of my kidneys,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said, feeling a smile creep across his face as he finally disarmed one of the orbs and slipped it into the specially designed bag he\u2019d brought. He knew better than to listen to it now, and he knew better than to try and touch it barehanded, just in case. He moved down a few more rows to the next orb. <\/span>\u2018You\u2019re right, though. I might have your spleen, but I’m not too bothered by it all as long as I have my own prick.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Bloody hell, Harry,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said, panicked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019re checking, aren\u2019t you?\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry stifled a laugh because he knew that that was precisely what Neville was doing, and he was picturing his prophecy brother baring his arse and prick to the thestrals to try and do a thorough examination in the dim evening light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s too fucking cold for this,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville complained again. <\/span>\u2018I can\u2019t believe you have me worried about my prick out here in London in December. I should disown you as my brother.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose you could,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said with a shrug that Neville wouldn\u2019t see. <\/span>\u2018But as we aren\u2019t related by blood, it wouldn\u2019t do you much good, and I\u2019m clingy, so you wouldn\u2019t get rid of me that way.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Bloody hell,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said, but he sounded more fond than annoyed. <\/span>\u2018Guess I\u2019m stuck with you then.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018You love me.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Suppose I do at that. You almost done in there?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018I just finished on the second orb, just have Trelawney\u2019s Prophecy to go,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said; he couldn\u2019t stop the grimace as he moved towards it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018We ever make a decision on the validity of it?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018No, I\u2019m voting we take it into the dverger and get one of their seers to inspect it,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said. He began to run his diagnostic spells over the orb and saw the tangled web of warning spells and wards were thick around this one, which he supposed made sense as this was the one that Dumbledore was hinging everything on. The spells on the other orbs had only been to warn Dumbledore if someone had shown interest which depending on what they said, would change his game, but Dumbledore was probably betting that no one knew about the other two prophecies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ll go for that, but I doubt we\u2019re going to be that lucky. It\u2019s probably real.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Yeah.\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry didn\u2019t really want to think about that, so he finished what he was doing, carefully untangling the spells so he could begin to disarm them one by one without alerting the old goat that anyone was onto his plots. <\/span>\u2018This one is covered in so many spells and wards; I\u2019m bloody shocked we could even pick the thing up all those years ago.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018We weren\u2019t looking for anything like this back then and we were a bit distracted were we not?\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Don\u2019t get huffy at me,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry replied as he lifted the second layer of spells from the orb and began dismantling the third and final layer now that they were all untangled. <\/span>\u2018I got enough of that when I married.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018I can\u2019t imagine Monty huffing at anyone,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018You spent more time at my house than your own in the last few years Nev, so I know that\u2019s a lie,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said as he slid the orb into the bag, ignoring the pang of sorrow at the thought of his husband\u2014long dead now. <\/span>\u2018Alright, I\u2019m done and ready to head up.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018About fucking time,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said. <\/span>\u2018Still want to go to the bank next?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018We should,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry said as he made his way out of the room and down the corridor. <\/span>\u2018We\u2019re going to need a base of operations, and we can\u2019t risk leaving school too often after this. Gringotts\u00a0is going to be our best bet at getting a place in Hogsmeade, at least without attracting the attention of the rest of the world.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018You can claim your lordships now,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said. <\/span>\u2018Like we planned, I looked in on Mum and Dad when I went to visit for winter break. We were right, the bond is draining Mum. Dad is already gone, but there is a chance a really good one, that if we stop the drain, she could survive if we can do it soon.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Then St. Mungos will be our next stop after the bank,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry replied as he exited the elevator without any trouble, keeping his cloak around him now that he was passing the occasional ministry lackey. There weren\u2019t many around this late at night, but it still paid to be cautious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Harry, when I do this, it’s going to make noise,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said, but it didn\u2019t sound like he was arguing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Fuck that Nev,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry replied, barely holding back a snort. <\/span>\u2018She\u2019s your mum, I don\u2019t care if you make all the noise in the world to save her. We\u2019ll take her and Sirius and get out of Britain. We\u2019ll adjust our plans if we have to.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018It might take a lot of adjustment Harry,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Neville said drily. <\/span>\u2018You know I wouldn\u2019t be against letting the whole damned country burn, but\u2026\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Promise to keep,\u2019 <\/span><\/i>Harry sighed as he finally made his way out of the ministry building. <\/span>\u2018We\u2019ll keep our promises, the vows we made to fix the mess that Dumbledore and his ilk made to magic but we aren\u2019t going to do it at the expense of your mum. If we\u2019re going to sacrifice people, then we can sacrifice people that we don\u2019t like.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u2018Really, like who?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cBellatrix, for one,\u201d Harry said, coming up to Neville and shrugging off his cloak. \u201cI\u2019ll even let you do the sacrificing if you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Neville said. \u201cYou\u2019re all heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I say, I\u2019m a giver.\u201d Harry handed over the bag with the prophecy orbs. \u201cYou ready to go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell are we going to do with these things while we traipse all over London?\u201d Neville ran his free hand through his hair. \u201cAlso, I do not like being fifteen again, I want that noted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s noted,\u201d Harry said, amused. \u201cI can\u2019t say I disagree; at least you have some sort of build, though. I look like I could turn sideways and disappear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Neville said as he narrowed his eyes. \u201cYour hair makes that impossible. Now, these\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThestrals?\u201d Harry smiled at Neville\u2019s antics. No one that currently knew him would believe how much he\u2019d changed after the war…how much they\u2019d both changed. \u201cThey should be fine making their way back to Hogwarts on their own I imagine. I never did ask how they got back the first time around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never asked much of anything back then,\u201d Neville grumbled, pulling his cloak around him and the bag with the prophecies in it. \u201cWhy did I have to wait out here with them then, if they were fine on their own?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I still needed someone out here to keep an eye out,\u201d Harry said with a shrug. \u201cAnd I thought you could use the company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarry,\u201d Neville began as they set off through the streets once Harry had folded his invisibility cloak away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were already cold Nev, no sense leaving you all alone too,\u201d Harry said, ignoring the glance he got from his friend. There were things even <\/span>they<\/span><\/i> didn\u2019t discuss about the war.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Thanks, I suppose,\u201d Neville said, reaching over and gripping Harry\u2019s shoulder for a moment before falling back into step beside him. \u201cSo how are we going to get through Diagon without being seen by either side?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe cloak will get us as far as the bank entrance, perhaps even up to the tellers. They\u2019ll know we\u2019re there, but they won\u2019t do anything about it unless we try to steal something or go down to the vaults. I hope I can get a message to Granick and slip past any overly watchful eyes. If not, we\u2019ll deal with the fallout,\u201d Harry said, grinning when Neville sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really want to snuggle in next to you while we traverse Diagon,\u201d Neville said, arching a brow at Harry before turning back as they continued to weave their way through the foot traffic on the way to the Leaky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Harry said, bumping his shoulder into Neville\u2019s. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you had it in you at this age.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d He grumbled, not looking at Harry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou managed the perfect disdainful Snape brow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Neville disagreed immediately as they slipped into an alley near the Leaky. \u201cI used the Longbottom look of superiority, Snape only wished he had as much class as a Longbottom. You should recognize it, I had to use it on Malfoy often enough in the ministry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry squinted his eyes at Neville, tilting his head. \u201cMaybe its these round chipmunk cheeks you\u2019re sporting now. You didn\u2019t do many looks like that at this age, not that I remember any way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t pay attention to anything that wasn\u2019t smack dab in front of your face Harry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to sound like that,\u201d Harry said a bit petulantly, shaking his cloak out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never heard of a decent fucking question at this time,\u201d Neville muttered, moving in until they were standing hip to shoulder and under the cloak. \u201cSo many opportunities lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVictim blaming,\u201d Harry said mulishly before taking his wand out and spelling them silent as they began to make their way out of the alley and carefully on their way to the Leaky once more. No need to give themselves away if they continued their conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all victims,\u201d Neville replied in a whisper, and then he sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t blame you, Harry, I wish a lot of things had been different, but none of it was your fault. This time we can change it, save them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, save some of them,\u201d Harry said, nudging Neville with his elbow. \u201cKill some of the others too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBalance,\u201d Neville replied, sounding pompous before he chuckled quietly. \u201cWe\u2019ll do what we have to, save who we can, and uphold the vows we made to come back. It will all be different, but-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be worth it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Neville agreed as they came to the pub door. \u201cStill going to be a pain in the arse to hold my wand back until the right time for some of them though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll manage,\u201d Harry replied blithely as a patron opened the door, and they managed to slip inside before it closed. With a deftness learned in war and under battle conditions, they made their way to the brick wall in the back of the pub without anyone noticing them. \u201cAnd if we slip up occasionally, so be it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m beginning to think you don\u2019t give a fuck,\u201d Neville said, turning from Harry and lifting the cloak just enough to keep an eye out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you telling me you do?\u201d Harry tapped the sequence and stepped back, slipping his arm under the cloak again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t say that I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy give a fuck was dying before the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Nev. It was dead, and the ashes salted when I stood over the graves of my family for the second time,\u201d Harry said; the sorrow in his voice was undercut with the steel of his fury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neville bumped his shoulder against Harry\u2019s. \u201cYes, that sounds about right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They weaved through the late night early morning traffic of Diagon Alley and made their way up the bank steps. Pausing at the door, Harry looked around, and with a flick of his wand, he checked for anyone monitoring the entrance. He\u2019d kept an eye out while they\u2019d made their way through the alley and marked a few individuals, but only one had really stood out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAcross the way, in front of the bakery. Do you recognize her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEunice Walters,\u201d Neville responded after a moment’s inspection, his vision better and his knowledge of the individuals in this time period as well. \u201cShe\u2019ll recognize us both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuggestions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake her down, but we don\u2019t know what their actual protocol is,\u201d Neville mused. \u201cIt could get messy, if she gets word back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry looked thoughtfully around the alley from the side of the steps. He knew, despite the cloak, that they\u2019d already attracted the attention of the bank guards, but he knew they wouldn\u2019t do anything unless and until they entered the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather not deal with Dumbledore and the order until we have your mother and Sirius under protection. Everyone else will be able to have some ability to fight back once we get them out from under his influence, but-,\u201d Harry said slowly as he considered the options.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree.\u201d Neville didn\u2019t hesitate; he took his wand and cast the spell he\u2019d perfected with the help of Hermione and Luna just a couple years before they\u2019d come back in time. It wouldn\u2019t last more than a couple of minutes, but it would be enough time to do what was needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hate this spell. It prickles,\u201d Harry complained as he slipped from the cloak, folding it over his arm and following Neville down the steps towards the still-unaware witch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut it and hurry up, this spell doesn\u2019t last long enough for you to complain about,\u201d Neville said over his shoulder, circling wide around the witch to come up behind her position between the storefront and the open cart stall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry moved to the opposite side biting his tongue on his reply; even knowing that they couldn\u2019t be heard through the spell, there was no reason to throw Neville off while they needed to coordinate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Eunice managed a short exclamation before Harry had her silenced and knocked out at the back of the alley. He dropped a disillusionment charm over her, both for her protection and to keep her from being found too quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDone?\u201d Neville came up behind him, speaking as the spell they were under began to dissipate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, back under the cloak,\u201d Harry said, pulling it out. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to be quiet this time; I\u2019ll need to try and talk to the guards so we can get into the bank unseen by anyone else that we might have missed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not the one who has to narrate their every movement,\u201d Neville said dryly, getting into position at Harry\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSmart arse,\u201d Harry grumbled before going silent and heading out of the alley. He kept an eye out to make sure they hadn\u2019t been noticed, but no one had raised the alarm. Either she didn\u2019t have a partner, or they were unaware of her disappearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry and Neville sidled up the steps in an awkward shuffle they\u2019d perfected during their second war together. They avoided the occasional witch or wizard that came their way until they came to the entrance of the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry scanned the area to ensure they were truly alone before he got the guard’s attention, \u201cI seek sanctuary for an ancient and noble house from the horde. I seek to reveal secrets to fill their coffers in payment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your companion?\u201d The reply was formal and harsh, crackling with disdain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI seek sanctuary for an ancient and noble house from the horde. I seek to reveal secrets to fill their coffers in payment,\u201d Neville repeated, his words soft but firm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou come to the horde with faces covered and identity unknown to ask for sanctuary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry turned towards the voice that came from the shadowy alcove near the entrance. \u201cWe hide from those who would keep us from our inheritance, we do not hide from the horde.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFollow then,\u201d Granik ordered, turning his back on them and strolling into the bank. \u201cWe\u2019ll see if there is any truth to a wizard\u2019s words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry and Neville exchanged a look under the cloak but hurried after the dverger. Harry noticed the guards closing in behind them. He felt the tension settle into Neville as they fell into a familiar pattern, wands already in hand as they walked silently behind Granik.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis had better work out Harry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrust me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d Neville said, but Harry noticed the knuckles of his hand bled white around his wand. Neville drew in a breath and seemed to force himself to relax. \u201cYour plans just have a way of exploding half the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe dverger have a better track record for trust than the wizarding world,\u201d Harry replied and left it at that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neville hummed in what could have been agreement, finally tucking his wand away. Harry noticed he didn\u2019t secure it in the holster, but the fact that Neville had put the wand away was enough of a victory for Harry. Entering Granik\u2019s office with wands out wouldn\u2019t go over well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Granik came to a black door with a nameplate with his name etched in runes. \u201cEnter and speak no lies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They entered the office and immediately shed the cloak after the door was shut. Harry folded and tucked it away in one of the inner pockets of his robe before turning and bowing to Granik. He kept the bow just low enough to show respect without being subservient and silently thanked the lessons Monty had given him when they\u2019d started dating soon after his relationship with Ginny had fallen apart. The lessons had been for the myriad of ministry functions he\u2019d been forced to attend as a war hero, but they\u2019d been invaluable. Neville bowed from next to Harry, his form smoother from a lifetime of drills that made this etiquette second nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Granik was staring at the two of them when they stood back up, his face expressionless. Harry had always found the dverger challenging to read and Granick even more than most, but he saw the slightest tick next to his eye that betrayed the dverger\u2019s surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph,\u201d Granik sniffed. He tilted his head and eyed them as if they were bugs pinned to a board. \u201cInteresting, very interesting.\u201d He walked around his desk and sat, leaning forward. He set his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. \u201cTake a seat, little wizards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Master Dverger,\u201d Harry said, settling into his seat, silently cursing his skinny frame. He\u2019d pulled the bag of prophecy orbs out and set them in his lap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSanctuary has been requested. We\u2019ll clear that matter up first before we move onto other business.\u201d Granik waved at both of the guards that had followed them in. \u201cWatch the hall.\u201d One of them slipped out, the door falling shut with a nearly silent thud after them. \u201cNow, let\u2019s talk about your request.\u201d Granik leaned back in his chair and pulled open a drawer in the desk. He set parchment and a stoppered bottle of blue ink that swirled silver in the light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry looked at Neville, who just raised his brow and nodded toward Granik. \u201cThis is your show; I\u2019ll follow your lead, General.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe appeal for sanctuary from the horde for the houses of Longbottom and Potter,\u201d Harry took a deep breath steadying himself. \u201cFor the most ancient houses of Broc\u00e9liande and Astolat. That is the first secret we reveal to the horde. We seek shields from our enemies and swords for those that get past those shields until such time that our swords have been sharpened and our own shields forged.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBroc\u00e9liande and Astolat are dead and gone. Those houses have fallen long ago, their enemies grinding the bones to dust,\u201d Granik said, but he leaned forward, interest in his eyes. \u201cYou reveal much should this be true little wizards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe speak no lies,\u201d Harry said, meeting Granik\u2019s eyes without flinching. Even if the dverger went against his own code and attempted legilimency on him, Harry\u2019s shields would keep him out long enough for Neville to act.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProof is in the blood,\u201d Granik replied, pressing a rune on his desk without taking his eyes off Harry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would expect nothing less,\u201d Harry said, nodding in agreement, sitting back again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould your claim turn out to be true, then sanctuary can be granted with a few caveats.\u201d Granik looked down at the parchment on his desk, tapping it a few times with a clawed finger. \u201cI know who you are.\u201d He looked back up at Harry. \u201cThe horde has managed to stay out of the mess going on out there. If sanctuary is granted will shield you in the bank here and give you protection outside of our walls, but we won\u2019t arm guards against Tom Riddle or his followers without cause. We have our own restrictions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand,\u201d Neville spoke up, rubbing his chin. Harry hid a smile at the frown on his friend\u2019s face when Neville noticed the lack of a beard. \u201cIf all your sanctuary gives us is a shield, then that will be more than enough to give us the time to sharpen our blades and plan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The door swung open, and a thin dverger hurried in. Her purple silk robe glimmered with protective wards as it swirled around her under an overlay of silver chainmail, delicate enough to be thought purely decorative by an inexperienced eye. Still, Harry knew better after his experience during his second war.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLady Cres.\u201d Granik smiled at her, gesturing to the chair that appeared beside his. \u201cThank you for coming so quickly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour call insinuated that it was urgent and that it would be worth my time,\u201d Lady Cres snapped, gathering her skirts and sitting primly in the chair before turning her piercing gaze on the two boys. \u201cNow, what was so important to pull me away from the library.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLineage testing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLineage testing.\u201d She turned her head and stared at Granik. \u201cHave you lost the use of your hands?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs your magic unstable?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Granik sighed, but before he could say anything else, Lady Cres spoke again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you perhaps going senile? Did you forget the incantation?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Lady Cres.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why pray tell, did you drag me from my library to come and perform a test that any pebble with half an ounce of wit can do?\u201d Lady Cres didn\u2019t raise her voice, but the threat in it was apparent all the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the lineages claimed, milady,\u201d Granik replied when it seemed she was done speaking. \u201cI believe it needs expert handling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExpert handling,\u201d Lady Cres huffed and turned back to Harry and Neville, who were watching the exchange with interest. \u201cSo what lineages are you claiming? Gryffindor? Ravenclaw? We get a few of each every year, I don\u2019t know why Granik feels the need for me to be here to test you, but I warn you against trying to falsify these tests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Lady Cres,\u201d Harry said, shaking his head. \u201cWhile I have some claim to the Gryffindor title through the Potter line, it\u2019s what I have through my mother\u2019s line that I\u2019m here to claim. I\u2019m here to claim the Broc\u00e9liande dukedom and the ring for the Potter Lordship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lady Cres stared at him for a moment before blinking and turning her gaze to Neville, \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dukedom of Astolat, as well as the ring for the regency of Longbottom Lordship, as is mine by right now that I\u2019m fifteen,\u201d Neville replied evenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lady Cres turned back to Granik, \u201cThis might be worth my time after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve asked for sanctuary from the horde.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we should proceed.\u201d She stood, reaching into the oversized sleeves of her robes and pulling out a long tube, which she set on the desk. \u201cGet your athame Granik and we\u2019ll begin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Lady.\u201d Granik handed over the athame he\u2019d already had out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome here,\u201d Lady Cres said, gesturing Harry forward. \u201cOne cut and three drops. No more and no less. Do I need to heal it for you or are you capable?\u201d She squinted her eyes at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can heal the cut,\u201d Harry said, bemused, standing and taking the athame in his right hand to slice into the meat of his palm. He held his hand over the parchment allowing three drops to hit before pulling back. Harry set the athame back into Lady Cres\u2019 waiting hand and drew his wand to heal the cut before he stepped back to make room for Neville. \u201cYour turn old man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTa,\u201d Neville said, heaving himself up from his chair and taking Harry\u2019s spot. He repeated the process on a fresh piece of parchment. Neville pulled his wand out, and glaring at Harry, he cast a purifying charm on the athame before handing it back to Lady Cres. Then Neville healed the cut on his hand before securing his wand and retaking his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t worried.\u201d Harry had settled the bag of orbs on his lap once again and was smiling at the glare that Neville continued to send his way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you weren\u2019t,\u201d Neville sighed and turned back to the dverger and the lineage parchments that were starting to glow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that your assertions were true,\u201d Granik said, looking up once the parchment had stopped glowing. \u201cThe dukedom\u2019s of Broc\u00e9liande and Astolat have been resurrected.\u201d He eyed the boys sitting in his office, and Harry wasn\u2019t sure what the old dverger saw, but Granik grinned all sharp teeth and wicked humor. \u201cResurrected by the sons of prophecy if I\u2019m not mistaken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoys who have the touch of our magic on them as well,\u201d Lady Cres put in, her mouth pursed as she studied them. \u201cTime magic.\u201d She cocked her head to the side. \u201cHow far did you come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry exchanged a look with Neville. Neville shrugged, once again leaving the decision to Harry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve come thirty years back give or take some months.\u201d Harry shrugged. \u201cWe kind of stopped keeping track of time at the end there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLady Magic must have interceded for you to come back this far,\u201d Lady Cres said, her brow furrowing as she tapped a clawed finger to her lip. \u201cI won\u2019t ask for more than can be said, but I will offer my library up to those that have become her knights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKnights?\u201d Granik sputtered, head swiveling between the boys and Lady Cres. \u201cSurely not. Lady Magic hasn\u2019t chosen knights in over a millennia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen she was overdue,\u201d Lady Cres replied sharply. \u201cKeep up, we are wizards to ignore what is staring us in the face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Granik glared at Harry and Neville for a moment, but Harry got the feeling it was only because Granik felt he couldn\u2019t glare at Lady Cres. \u201cFine, fine.\u201d Granik sighed, shoulders slumping for a split second before he steadied himself and pulled papers from drawers. \u201cIt looks like sanctuary will be offered in full, at least temporarily.\u201d He looked over at Lady Cres, and at her nod, he continued. \u201cWith these new circumstances, we\u2019ll have to take your case before the chieftain and go from there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d prefer the matter of our circumstances didn\u2019t get around too far,\u201d Harry said with some hesitation. He\u2019d thought coming to the dverger was their best option for the prophecy orbs and to get protection so they could get their feet under them and get Alice and Sirius out of the country. Now he was wondering if he\u2019d made a mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one outside this room and Ragnok will be aware of your exact circumstances unless you tell them. Which is why we\u2019ve sent for Ragnok to come here,\u201d Lady Cres said; she rolled up the lineage parchments and slid them each into their own scroll tube. \u201cTemporary sanctuary will last until you leave the bank. You are going to need more assistance than that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry and Neville exchanged another look. This time Neville turned to the dverger, his jaw firm, and hands steady on the arms of his chair. \u201cWe need to disappear, and we need to take a few others with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to leave Britain?\u201d Granik\u2019s brows winged up. Harry decided that in this meeting, the dverger had shown more emotion than Harry had seen in the twenty years that he\u2019d worked with Harry as his account manager.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to make plans and put things in motion that we won\u2019t be able to do here,\u201d Neville replied. \u201cEspecially not at Hogwarts with Dumbledore looking over our shoulders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that would not be ideal,\u201d Lady Cres nodded in agreement. \u201cThat makes it all the more imperative that we take your case for sanctuary before Ragnok. If he grants it, that will give you the backing of the horde in your endeavours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that the horde wouldn\u2019t interfere,\u201d Harry said slowly; he felt he was missing something.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t.\u201d The door opened, and a dverger of indeterminate age stalked in. This could be none other than Ragnok, and Harry marveled once again at how efficient dverger communication was. \u201cLady Cres.\u201d He nodded to the Lady and then turned his attention to the wizards. \u201cI was given to understand that something unusual was happening in my bank.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLady Magic has chosen knights once more,\u201d Lady Cres replied without preamble. \u201c Duke Broc\u00e9liande and Duke Astolat have been sent back thirty years by our magic with her blessing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBroc\u00e9liande and Astolat?\u201d Ragnok rubbed his beard, humming to himself. \u201cToday is a day for revivals, it seems.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone is going to notice us missing by now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Harry said with a dismissive wave of his hand. \u201cThey won\u2019t put us together right away though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, why would you be running around with me?\u201d Neville snorted; he leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes briefly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be alright, Nev,\u201d Harry said, leaning across the chairs to grasp Neville\u2019s arm and squeeze it reassuringly. The orbs in the bag clinked gently when he shifted, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other surprises have you brought into my bank?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about prophecies?\u201d Harry reached into the bag and pulled out one of the orbs. Carefully coating it with his magic, he let it rotate in the air, but he didn\u2019t play it. \u201cThree of these have some relation to me in one form or another. Then again, depending on how they are interpreted, they could be about Neville. While we\u2019re sure that at least one of these prophecies are true-\u201d He shrugged and slipped the orb back into the bag. \u201cWe don\u2019t know which one it is or what an unbiased interpretation of it would be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re looking for a reader and a verifier?\u201d Ragnok grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s outside the sanctuary petition and will cost extra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI expected nothing less,\u201d Harry said with a grin of his own. \u201cBut if that will clear up some of this mess, then yes, that is what we\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ragnok studied them in silence for a few minutes after that, eyes narrowed and lips pursed. He continued to stroke his black beard with a contemplative hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d He said, nodding, clapping his hands together. \u201cSanctuary will be granted to Broc\u00e9liande and Astolat until their blades have sharpened.\u201d He grinned, leaning forward. \u201cAt such a time, we\u2019ll discuss whether they are worthy of becoming allies of the horde.\u201d He turned, his red cape swirling behind him, the gold trim flashing in the light as he strode from the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Granik started before drawing a breath and trying again. \u201cThe Chieftain has granted you full sanctuary and put you up as probationary allies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is why he\u2019s survived so long,\u201d Lady Cres replied, pulling a slim case from her sleeves, leaving Harry to wonder if she had a spell on them similar to Hermione\u2019s bag. \u201cHe not only has the strength to take out the brainless idiots in the arena, but he can outmanevour the others in the council room before they even know the agenda.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think-\u201d Granik looked over at Harry and Neville before turning back to her. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least he\u2019s hedging his bets,\u201d She replied enigmatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like we\u2019re being used as political capital in some sort of chess game,\u201d Harry said dryly to Neville.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo nothing new then?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least I like the dverger and I\u2019m pretty sure the chieftain doesn\u2019t want me to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really a high bar there Harry,\u201d Neville said. \u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI trust you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Title: Bros Fucking it Up Author: Sibyl Moon Fandom: Harry Potter Genre: Gen, Adventure, AU, Fix-It Relationship: Harry Potter & Neville Longbottom Brotp Word Count: 5883 Warnings\/Rating: Canon-Level-Violence, Discussion-Murder, Discussion-Torture, Murder, Torture, Discussion-Rape by potions, Discussion-Assault,\u00a0 Summary: Harry and Neville have watched their world fall apart around them a second… Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,4,5],"tags":[71,60,18,20,80,23,79,32],"class_list":["post-733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ead","category-gen","category-harry-potter","tag-canon-divergence","tag-canon-typical-violence","tag-evil-author-day","tag-fix-it","tag-harry-neville-brotp","tag-harry-potter","tag-neville-longbottom","tag-time-travel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/733\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}