In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 48: At Flourish and Blotts - 1

The Diagon alley looked decent today. With so many shops finally putting some effort into attracting customers, almost the entire street looked polished and shining. Some had new paintwork done while some had new plants and small decorations around them.

“It’s so pretty!” Pansy couldn’t control herself from saying this. She had come here many times, but it was the first time she found the look of the entire Diagon alley had changed and it was not even a festival day!

“Well, Mr. Lockhart has a huge fan following. That much crowd with the addition of new kids and their parents, it is bound to be crowded today. Only a fool will miss such an opportunity!” Neville said looking at the busy streets.

The duo made their way to the famous bookstore and found there was already a large number of girls and women surrounding the entrance.

“Well, I think we should wait for the books because I don’t think we can push our way in with that kind of crowd,” Neville said and then dragged Pansy to have a short tour of the area.

However, Pansy didn’t show too much enthusiasm in visiting shops and they just hang around the area before buying ice cream and sitting close to the candy shop.

“It would be great; it there is have a library here. What do you think Pansy?” Neville asked when he thought of a random thought. He was basically watching the crowd and noticed so many muggle kids present today.

He thought if he starts a library here, it will bring enough goodwill from the poor kids, muggle kids and even half-blood wizards. He already has a huge collection of books in his personal library plus he had a mountain of books that he didn’t sell from the ROR room.

Those were the old course books, and it was basically impossible to sell them without opening a bookstore. So, why not donate them all? He noted this down and decided to do this before the school reopens.

While Neville was busy thinking about how to bring himself closer to Muggle wizards and half-blood wizards, Pansy was worried thinking if she could even buy ice cream in future on a whim. Lady Augusta was kind enough to provide her with all books and dresses, but it was not her money.

She was basically living on her expenses and her pride would not allow her to use that money to buy anything unnecessarily. In the last few days, she found that she had no skills to make money. She was just average in potions and had no idea about alchemy. She could sing but it was beneath her as a witch to beg money on the streets by singing.

When Neville just said about Library, an idea came inside her head, “Neville, do you think if we sell our notes from the last year, there will be people willing to buy them?”

Neville thought it was a good idea and replied “Of course. This might be a good idea for a business too, you know. If the best students from each year provided their notes, explain the examination process, and provide the solutions for them, I think they can be sold as Guidebooks.

Plus, you can even make a book for the muggle kids and their families, informing them about the Magical World and its wonders and I think they will buy it in seconds.

I doubt they have ever seen a picture moving on a page. That would blow their minds.”

Pansy’s eye shined with brilliance, and she finally found some hope. She looked directly into his eyes and asked very seriously.

“Tell me, are you sure Neville? Are you 100% Sure?”

“Yes, yes. Wait…Be careful…” Neville somehow managed to save his ice cream before it fell, and Pansy was already building plans upon plans for this. She finally had a natural smile on her face.

It was at this moment that Neville saw Hermione and her family crossing the street.

“Neville!” Hermione noticed Neville instantly and her face bloomed visibly. Forgetting her parents, she walked toward him with slight eagerness.

“Hello, Hermione. How have you been?” Neville asked the bushy head whose hair had returned back to her bushy persona.

“I’m fine! You know I was going to write a letter and come to Longbottom manor but there was so much work in our new clinic. You know it is the first time I bought my wand out today.” Hermione kept chatting with Neville ignoring a certain girl beside him.

Pansy noticed that Hermione simply ignored her presence, but she didn’t take this to her heart. She had suffered enough emotional damage recently that this bit didn’t even touch her. However, Pansy was looking intensely at Hermione. In the meantime, Hermione’s parents caught up to her and saw Neville standing with another girl they saw in his birthday’s party.

“Ahem! Hello, Hermione!” Pansy thinking something finally interrupted their conversation.

“Oh! Sorry, Pansy. I never noticed you there.” Hermione gave such a fake excuse that even Neville rolled his eyes.

“Great. Why don’t you come today with us? I think you can spend the rest of the month with us before the holidays are over?” Pansy invited Hermione to Longbottom’s manor forgetting that she herself was the guest and it looked like she was the new lady Longbottom.

Hermione’s face went little red when Pansy said ‘with us’ twice but she still chose to ignore her.

“Hello, Mr and Mrs. Granger.” Neville saw Hermione’s parents and gave them his greetings.

“Hello boy!” Mrs. Granger liked Neville and her impression of his family, and their behaviour was way better than the wizard family they met at the party.

Neville was also the only one she knew in Hermione’s class that invited her along with her family to any important event and gave them proper respect. She felt this rich boy was humble, calm, and mature enough than most boys of his age.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I’m Pansy. I am also Neville’s friend and currently living with his family for the holidays. I was hoping you would allow Hermione to come with us today to Longbottom’s manor and spend the rest of her holidays there.

You know it will be great for her studies and she can practice magic freely there. Besides, we only have a month remaining of the holidays. It will be a good adventure for her.”

Pansy started buttering Hermione’s parents catching them off guard. They looked at Hermione who was looking at them with her bright hopeful eyes and her mother thought it would be good for her daughter to spend some time with her magical friends.

Her father was thinking of objecting to the idea considering it was a boy’s house but since this girl was there along with Neville’s grandma, he just decided to stomach that uncomfortable feeling.

“I have no issue dear. What do you think Honey?” Mrs. Granger just agreed on the spot and Mr. Granger found no option but just to politely nod.

“Great. It will be awesome!” Pansy smiled cheerfully.

“Awesome?” Hermione was confused at Pansy’s reaction without understanding why she was helping her.

“Of course. We will have so much fun together!” Pansy spoke and hugged Hermione tightly. Feeling giddy over her smartness. With a bookworm like Hermione, she can start making coursebooks easily for the first year and get some better content for them and all that for free!

“Oh! Such foolish Muggles! I will sell them the notes taken from a Muggle student and they will treasure them thinking it was from a smart wizard! Ha ha ha…” Evil laugh inside Pansy’s head.

Neville was also confused at the girl’s behaviour, but he chose to ignore it as the entire Weasley family finally came into his sight. No doubt, the Weasley’s have contributed enough to the wizard population.