Order Only: Private message to Mum, Dad, Evelyn and Kevin. And Nev, if he could read this.

[alt_terry]

All right.

My commander has talked to the Healer and Madam Pomfrey, and he's told me to take what time I need.

Fred's been round to cuff talk some sense into me. I'm sorry if I hurt you by staying away, but my thinking wasn't very clear, and I had to figure out some things.

There were all the times that Carrow terrorised and injured me when I was young and all I wanted was a mum or dad to put their arms around me. I'm not going to let that git live in my head by telling me mudbloods like you don't deserve a family when the fact is you picked me to be a Longbottom like the rest of you. I don't have to be without my mum and dad when I'm hurting so bad.

Neville didn't deserve this. But I didn't do this. Voledemort did. I didn't cause this just by being who I am. It sounds funny when you put it like that, but it took awhile to convince myself of that.

I know I'll never, ever replace him, but Mum and Dad, maybe it'd help you if your other son was back with you. Just a little bit. Even if he stays as the Professor a lot at first.

Evelyn and Kevin, I would've done anything to have taken his place, even though I'm not sure I would have been so clever and brave in the way he saved the Order. But at least I can still be a big brother to you, and if it's not the same and I'm not as good, anyway, I'll try. And you'll tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, yeah?

And Nev. I will do everything I can to help you rejoin your family. A family that includes me. I swear it.

So I guess what I'm saying is...can I come home?

Comments

[alt_alice]

Oh, love. Yes. Always. Tonight, if at all possible.

We've been piling into the bed at night and reading Kevin his favourite stories, and it's decidedly less crowded than it ought to be.

We could use our dear Professor.