"Neville, if I were to use the wand you are using I could probably not do too much better than you are doing. That wand is not a good match for you, even though it was your dad's. Your grandmother really should have known better than to insist you use that wand, it's been holding you back all this time."
"So I need a new wand?"
"Not just any wand." Harry said. "You need a wand that is suited just for you. Ollivander's has thousands of wands, I'm sure you will be able to find one there that will react to you better than the one you have now."
"But Gran said my dad's wand was powerful."
"I'm sure it was. But only when he was using it." Harry explained. "Somewhere out there is a wand that will be as special to you as mine is to me."
"Why is yours so special?" Neville asked. Harry hesitated for a moment, uncertain if he wanted to tell Neville how his wand was connected to Voldemort's. Truthfully the connection worried him, and it didn't help that his dreams were now filled of strange visions of the Dark Lord that made no sense to him. But Neville was an ally, and he deserved to know what was going on.
"When I got my wand Ollivander told me that the phoenix who provided the feather for its core only gave one other feather." Harry said. "And that wand belongs to Voldemort." It was Neville's turn to be shocked, but before he could ask any questions Harry continued speaking. "I don't know what it means. Maybe nothing, but I don't think so. I think I have more in common with Voldemort than I'd like, but I won't turn out like he did."
"I never thought you would, Harry." Neville reassured him. "It's just… a surprise I guess."
"I know what you mean." Harry answered with a little laugh. "Some times I just get this weird feeling, like there is something I can't see pulling me and Voldemort together. I wish it weren't true, but it is. That's why I'm doing all this, Neville. Voldemort isn't done trying to kill me, and I need to be ready for the next time." Neville nodded in agreement, secretly thankful that it wasn't him Voldemort was after. He had no idea how close he had come to being the target of the Dark Lord's wrath.
"Don't worry, Harry. I'll be there to help." Neville assured him. "But it would be nice if I could get a new wand first. How do you do that anyway?"
"Well Ron was able to get one after he broke his…"
"I am not breaking my dad's wand, Harry." Neville said. "No way."
"I don't think you'll have to. Just go to Ollivander's in Diagon Alley the next time you get the chance. I've heard that you're not allowed to have two wands, but since you never got a wand to begin with I don't think it will matter. After all that is your dad's wand and he's still alive." Harry winced as soon as he said it, hoping he had not offended his friend. But Neville just nodded and did not seem to blame Harry for bringing up the sensitive subject of his parents.
"That won't be until summer." Neville said. "And then I'll have to convince my Gran to let me get a new one. She won't like it."
"If you don't think she'll let you, then don't tell her." Harry recommended. "I'll give you the money to buy a new wand if you need it."
"Harry, you don't have to do that…"
"Maybe not, but I've got the money to spare and I'd like my friend to be able to protect himself." Harry answered. "I'll give you the galleons when we get back to the dorms, no arguing. Consider it a birthday present."
"But my birthday isn't until July."
"An early birthday present then." Harry said with a grin which grew into a smile when Neville nodded in agreement.
"So what do we do now?" Neville asked. "I'm not going to get much better until I get a new wand after all."
"How about we start working on Potions?" Harry suggested. "I haven't spent much time studying that this year so we'll be learning most of the material for the first time together, plus you don't need a wand to do it. Besides, don't you want to see the look on Snape's face when you get an O on your exams?"
"That would be pretty funny." Neville agreed with a laugh. "Alright, we'll do Potions." Harry smiled and congratulated himself for coming up with a good solution to their problem. He couldn't wait for the day when Snape's two least favorite students did better than his beloved Slytherins in his class. Harry was definitely going to enjoy that victory.
...
Nearly a week later Harry and Daphne were making their way to the owlery so that Harry could mail off a response to Sirius's last letter. Harry's godfather had the good sense to stay hidden even though the decree that said he should be given the Dementor's Kiss upon capture had been lifted. Fudge was still the Minister of Magic and even though it appeared he was on his way out there was no telling what kind of damage he could do on his way down. Although Sirius's letters never said exactly where he was Harry got the impression that he had found a safe house to stay in and was probably getting help from someone, probably Remus. Harry just hoped his godfather was happy and recovering from his stay in Azkaban.
"Fudge's hearing is scheduled for June 25, and if that happens we'll have a new Minister by the first week of July." Daphne said confidently. They, like many other wizards and witches in Great Britain, had been discussing the downfall of Minister Fudge. It was the most exciting political scandal in decades.
"Good. Surely his replacement will be an improvement, no matter who it is." Harry responded.
"We can only hope. Sadly, there are worse politicians out there. Fudge, for the most part, was just an idiot and not actively evil."
"Tell Sirius that." Harry answered, to which Daphne shrugged.
"Well I did say 'for the most part'. He definitely could be evil when he wanted to be." Daphne said. "You know, you could always let it slip who you want to see replace Fudge when Skeeter happens to be listening. Take advantage of the fame that comes with being The-Boy-Who-Lived."
"Would it help? I thought everyone hated me and thought I was going to be the next Dark Lord."
"No, that was last week. They like you this week." Daphne answered with a grin.
"Oh, goody." Harry said sarcastically. "I don't even know who I would support anyway. Any suggestions?"
"I'll think about it." Daphne answered. "I'm leaning towards Rufus Scrimgeour or Amelia Bones though, mostly because they both come from the law enforcement side and would probably increase funding for the Aurors. Bones seems pretty honest, but I'm not so sure about Scrimgeour."
"Bones… is she related to Susan Bones from Hufflepuff?" Harry asked.
"It's her aunt, I think." Daphne answered.
"Oh, well she seems nice enough." Harry responded.
"Harry you can't base your decision on that!" Daphne laughed. "We're going to have to teach you this whole politics thing aren't we?"
"I'd rather not be involved in it."
"You don't have a choice, you already are. You are going to have to face the fact that people care what you think. That gives you influence and influence is power. Use it to your advantage." Daphne advised. Harry shrugged, knowing he had been caught in another 'how to act like a Slytherin lesson from his girlfriend. He didn't mind though, in fact it was probably good for him. By this time they had reached the Owlery and upon Harry's entrance Hedwig flew down to meet her owner.
"Hello, girl." Harry said as he stroked the owl's feathers. "Take this to Sirius, ok? Thank you Hedwig." The owl hooted softly at him before flying off carrying Harry's letter. Neither Harry nor Daphne had noticed that they were not alone in the Owlery until after Hedwig was gone.
....
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