"I also pointed out how it looked... how it was such an incredible coincidence that the Minister discovered what was happening to your parents, as it was the same time your Gran was on a tear through his own offices about me not being awarded the Order of Merlin he's supposed to award me, yet.
"And how, something happening to the health of one of her family would be about the only thing that would instantly stop your Gran continuing her investigation."
Harry watched as Neville's face morphed into one of great anger.
"It's just an incredible coincidence that what was happening to your parents was discovered and acted upon at the same time your Gran was making life extremely difficult for the Minister? I think not," replied Harry, answering his own question. "That's what your Gran, Madam Bones, Sirius and I were discussing that angered your Gran."
Neville suddenly shot to his feet and began pacing. Harry was thankful that the young man wasn't immediately talking about going and killing the Minister. But, the future Head of House Longbottom was now clearly in evidence.
The young man suddenly stopped and glared at Harry. "How is it Gran hasn't gone straight over there and confronted him with it? I'd have expected her to challenge him to an honour duel on hearing something like that."
"There are... plans in the works," replied Harry. "We convinced your Gran not to behave so brashly with this. We're going to use this information to get concessions and further information out of the Minister and his Pink Toad, first. However, when the time comes, your Gran will exact her vengeance on both of them. Do not concern yourself with that."
"What are the plans?" he snapped.
"I'm sorry, Nev. I spoke to your Gran as Regent Longbottom; one allied House to another," replied Harry. "I really shouldn't have told you as much as I have. But, I consider you my friend. And, if your father still remains unable to take the mantle, you'll be the Longbottom and Head of House soon enough. I think you had the right to know that much.
"However, the plans must remain secret. Only four people will know what is going on, and they're all Regents or Heads of Ancient Houses. You need to trust in your grandmother to do what is right for House Longbottom."
Neville scowled back but didn't disagree.
"You've had a Hell of a couple of days, Neville," said Hermione. "Here you were, another day of school at Hogwarts. Suddenly, you're told your parents have... woken up from their conditions. You're quickly sent through to see them. You probably don't even believe it until you actually get to lay eyes on them and see it for yourself..."
He nodded back, a little sadly. "A couple of days later and you're beginning to accept they're back," she continued. "Suddenly, Harry's there telling your grandmother something. She becomes quite angry about what he's told her; and, she's been angry ever since. And you now find yourself happy about your parents, but worried... if not a little afraid... about your grandmother."
Again he nodded.
"It's completely understandable," she said, walking over to give him a hug where he sat. "Has what Harry told you helped?" she asked, pulling away from him a little.
"Yeah," he croaked, a little emotional.
He looked to Harry, cleared his throat a little, and asked, "So, you think the Minister knew about what Healer Tompkins was up to and didn't act until he needed a way to... divert my grandmother?"
"Close," replied Harry, surprised Neville figured out that much so quickly. "I think Madam Umbridge, the Pink Toad, figured it out... when, I don't know... and gave that tidbit of information to the Minister, so he could use it to divert your grandmother's attention away from her investigation.
"I'm sorry it's upset your grandmother, Nev; when she should be experiencing a period of great happiness..."
Neville gave a wave off gesture. "You were honour-bound to tell her, Harry. I know that," he sighed, sitting further back in his seat to lean back onto the backrest.
"But now you know what happened," said Daphne. "You're going to need to keep that you know a secret. How're your Occlumency shields?"
"Pretty good," he replied. "I might not keep out a powerful Legilimens; but, I'll know if they're rummaging around in there."
"Good," said Daphne. "That should do. We're worried someone like the Headmaster might get it into his head to read your mind to find out what you know."
"He's tried. So has Snape," he replied. "They've not tried since I first detected them both, though. That was in first year."
"Yeah, same with me," said Daphne.
"You both know that's illegal, right?" asked Harry. "Yes. But, where's the proof?" asked Daphne. "Unlike when Dumbledore tried it on you in his office, he'd have cleared his wand before we could get the aurors here."
During the days leading up to the second task, Harry trained a fair bit more, but also made both his wives also train minimal wand movement casting. His argument was, if either of them were taken down to the bottom of the lake, they'd also likely be casting spells underwater.
Of the two, Hermione was managing it a bit better. Her wand gestures were more precise - and, therefore, lent themselves better to minimal casting - and were quicker. But, Daphne was more accurate and able to think more creatively.
As soon as classes finished for the day, a Monday, the three hurried back to their apartment. Once inside, both girls handed off their wands to Harry. But, with a slight change of plan, both girls strapped their second wands to the inside of their thighs with tape.
Harry looked on, amused. "Do I need to be jealous of a wand? I think those two sticks are going to get more action than me, tonight."
"You get enough," Hermione smirked back.
Not wanting to appear as if they knew what was going on, the three went down to dinner, as per usual. It was as they were about to leave that Professor Flitwick asked the three of them to accompany him to his office off his classroom.
Once in the charms corridor, as it was unofficially known, the Professor ushered them inside his office.
After taking seat, he turned to them and said, "Mister Potter, have you determined the nature of the second task, yet?"
"Yes, Professor," he replied. "Some... item... I place great personal value in will be taken from me and will end up in the lake. My task will be to recover it."
"Errr... not quite," the Professor corrected. "A... person... will be taken and placed in the bottom of the lake."
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