After Effects

Neville Longbottom

Age 21

"Hannah, I'm honestly so scared. I don't know if I can pull it off", Neville said.

"Don't be an idiot, Neville. You have always been the best in Herbology. You can do this. You stood up to Voldemort and killed his snake and you're scared of this interview? You'll get this job. Don't worry", Hannah said.

Neville Longbottom returned to finish his final year at Hogwarts and worked as an Auror for sometime but something didn't feel right and soon as he heard that professor Sprout was retiring and he was offered a position at Hogwarts, he quit his job.

"Good morning, professor Sprout", Neville said, entering the greenhouse.

"Good morning, Longbottom. Hope you don't mind the interview taking place here", she said.

"I'm glad, actually. This is my favourite spot at Hogwarts", he said, smiling.

"Okay now, moving on to the interview. Why Herbology? I thought you would choose Defense against the Dark Arts?", she asked.

"Herbology was and remains as my favourite subject.I had never given DADA a thought until you mentioned it. Maybe it's because of my professor", he said.

"You're hired, Longbottom", she said.

"What? I mean how?", he asked.

"The whole interview was just a formality. I know your skills in Herbology and know you would be perfect for this job, professor Longbottom", she said.

"Thank you, professor", he said, blushing.

"How are things between you and Hannah? When are you two getting married", she asked.

"Everything's fine. Marriage is a big step and both of us are just twenty one. We haven't thought of it much, to be honest", he said.

"Okay. You can move in once the term begins. Your salary and the other details will be discussed by the Headmistress. You can go and meet her", she said.

"Thank you, professor", he said and climbed to the Headmistress' office.

"Longbottom", a voice said behind him. He turned to see Snape glaring at him.

"Professor Snape", he said.

"You're going to teach here?", Snape asked.

"Yes. Herbology, sir", he said.

"I'm sure you'll be a better teacher than me. All the best. I hope you forgive me for the way I treated you all those years", Snape said.

"Thank you, professor", he said and went into the Headmistress' office.

"Longbottom. It's so good to see you", professor McGonagall said, hugging him.

"Sit down. So, would you like to stay in the castle or in Hogsmeade?", professor McGonagall asked.

"The castle would be fine, professor", he said.

"Can you be far away from Ms. Abbott for the whole term?", she asked.

"I think so", he said, smiling.

"Ah! Mr.Longbottom", said professor Dumbledore smiling.

"Professor", he said, standing up.

"Please remain seated, Longbottom. I'm happy the school is in good hands", Dumbledore said, smiling.

"See you once the term starts, professor Longbottom. Take care", she said.

Neville returned to the castle, which he regarded as home, as a professor. Every student adored professor Longbottom. "He's the coolest professor we've ever had", they would say.

Professor Longbottom was very kind and patient with his students. He and Minerva would often conduct meetings to improve Hogwarts. There were no longer four tables in the Great Hall. There was one large table where all of the students ate together and a few students were permitted to stay over at Hogwarts even for the summer holidays if their family members treated them horribly.