After sending his letter off to Hermione, Harry had to get ready for his visit to Longbottom Hall.
Draco helped him put an outfit together and reminded him on protocol meeting Earls, even though both him and Neville were just heirs. Once at the floo, Draco wished him well, and his mother threatened dire consequences if he embarrassed her. Suddenly, Harry lunged forward and took her into a hug saying quietly "Thank you Aunt Cissa for caring." All flustered, she said, "Get on with you, they're waiting." Harry floo'd to Longbottom Hall.
Coming out of the floo, Harry saw Neville waiting for him. He yelled "Neville!" and strode over to him. Neville looked mortified and bowed, saying "Welcome to Longbottom hall, Heir Potter. I offer you bread, salt, and the warmth of my fire."
Harry, stopped and winced. Quickly schooling his features, he bowed back, "I accept your hospitality and friendship, Heir Longbottom, and offer my wand to aid your wand for as long as I am your guest."
From the hallway, strode Gran. "A bit of a rough start, but you ended up where you needed to go. Remember, always deal with the formalities, first…then do as you will."
Harry, turned to Gran, bowing, "Dowager Countess Longbottom, I greet you and wish your family well."
She curtseyed back, "Heir Black, you are gladly welcome in our hall."
Neville looked confused, "Black?"
Gran sighed, "Neville…his ring." Neville glanced over and winced.
Harry said consolingly, "Don't worry about it, it's new to me too. I'm not sure if it will last."
Gran strode over to Harry looking in his eyes.
Gran replied with some awe, "You have the mark, it will last unless Arcturus is an idiot."
"Mark?" Neville asked confused.
Gran looked at Neville and replied exasperatedly, "My, you're really on the spot today, Neville. Come over and see the mark of the Earl Black. It shows why their family is so feared, as their family magic is among the richest and most powerful in the world. Only a few families have family magic rich enough to have a physical mark signifying it."
Gran pointed out the black ring on the iris.
Neville noticed the ring and asked, "Oh, does it hurt?"
Harry grinned, and replied "No but when I placed the Heir Ring, the family magic sore tested me, I almost went to my knees."
Gran replied with some humor, "When Arcturus took the ring, he did go to his knees, but he kept quiet and didn't scream, a laudable accomplishment. If you stood your ground with nary a peep, you will keep the rank."
Harry then said comically, "Now, to more important things!" He lunged forward catching up gran in a great hug.
"Gran! Thank you for having me!" Harry exclaimed.
Neville grinned Ear-to-Ear.
"Well brother, are you joining us!" to which Neville joined in the hug and squeezed Gran.
Gran blushed, "You scamps, what am I to do with you?"
Harry replied with humor, "Be our awesome Gran comes to mind…However teaching the both of us to be the most formidable Earls this country has ever seen is a nice secondary goal."
Gran just laughed, "Well, we have some work to do, don't we. Let us be off to the office."
Once in the office, Gran lectured them, coached them, tested them for the next 4 hours. Even the break for lunch wasn't free as she went over the protocols of meals with Lords. Once Lunch was done, it was back to the office for more lessons on vassal management, wizengamot protocol, contract deals. Most important, she drilled them in the phrases necessary to avoid being held to a deal they didn't wish and the danger once they were 14 years old as heirs.
Toward the end of the class, Harry finally had the courage to ask, "What do I need to know about betrothals?"
Neville snorted, and Gran looked at him before looking back at Harry.
Gran looked back to Harry and asked, "What aspect? Making? Breaking? Protection from?"
Harry unable to meet her eyes, quietly asked "Making with a first-gen."
Neville crowed, "Knew it!"
Gran barked, "Neville!"
Neville apologized "Sorry gran"
Gran turned back to Harry, "Well, the problem with a first-gen is they don't have a house. That means, unless she has arranged a magical guardian, you will be negotiating with her head of house or headmaster. In this case Professor Sprout."
Harry looked up in her eyes, concerned, "That worries me. Dumbledore has already done me much harm. How can we arrange a magical guardian for her. Can I take her under the protection of Black?"
Gran replied compassionately but with a warning, "You can if she's willing, but if you then betroth her, it will look like you are 'taking' her against her will. It would be better if an allied house did it."
Harry then asked, "Are we allied houses, yet?"
Gran looked surprised, but replied with pride, "My boy, the Potters have been allied to the Longbottoms for over 700 years. It became muddy when you married into the Black, but as we remained on friendly terms with them, nothing was harmed. Now that you will be the Black of Black, we can consider closing ranks again."
Harry then hopefully asked, "And will you approach Hermione?"
Gran nodded but warned, "You do realize once I become her guardian, I will consider her wishes before your own?"
Harry seriously replied looking in her eyes, "I wouldn't want her if she didn't want me. She is my best friend. Better to stay only friends, than to lose that…or her trust."
Gran grabbed Harry hand and looked at him seriously, "And do you want her?"
Harry sighed looking down, "I don't know. I do know I don't want to do any of that messy stuff I've heard married people sometimes do, but I've been told that will change. All I know is I want to protect her and keep her happy"
Gran replied confidently "Well you have the best of intentions. I will approach her."
She then paused before continuing, "Harry, has anyone explained the husbandly arts to you and what to expect from your witch?"
Neville looked ready to bolt, "SIT!" Gran commanded. Neville settled down with an extremely red face.
Looking irritated at Neville, "I'm not going to give you the talk. While I'm more than qualified, I expect the two of you would appreciate a wizard educating you." They both visibly relaxed.
"I will discuss this with Lady Malfoy and see what can be arranged."
Realizing that the day was coming to an end, Harry decided this was his only chance to pay a debt.
Harry stood up at attention and stated. "Dowager Countess Longbottom, I have a delicate situation that I fear is going to anger you, but as Neville's brother I am obligated." Neville looked confused.
Gran just looked at him with some confusion, so Harry decided to charge ahead. He blurted out, "Neville is fighting his wand. It doe not match him and makes him fail when he would not."
Neville looked betrayed, and Gran looked furious, "You dare!"
Harry still at attention, replied just as furious, "I have to DARE! We fought a troll together and his wand was useless! He was stuck throwing bricks like a muggle!"
Grans hands were extended like claws, she was so angry she couldn't speak.
Harry said fatalistically, "Before you punish me, let me show you something."
Harry turned to Neville and commanded, "Neville, cast levitation on that pillow over there." Neville just stood there and wouldn't look at him.
Harry begged, "Neville PLEASE. I would never hurt you, please do as I ask."
Neville abruptly cast the spell and the pillow only moved slightly. Neville dropped his hand in failure, and looked ready to cry.
Harry held out his want to Neville, "Do it with this one." he commanded.
Neville looked surprised. No one willingly handed someone else their wand. He didn't move.
Harry thrust it at Neville and ordered loudly, "TAKE IT!"
Neville cautiously took Harry's wand. It felt uncomfortable in his hand but not antagonistic. He cast the spell again, and the pillow flew across the room and into a lamp knocking it over. Neville looked surprised.
Gran watched the lamp fall and was deeply ashamed. "Dumbledore told me the wand would work for him and honor his father. I actually had Ollivander send me a letter asking when he would see Neville, and I sent him an insulting reply."
Harry asked curiously, "A howler?"
Gran yelled at Harry, "Ladies do not use howlers!"
Harry ignored that and said, "No time like the present. Let's go Gran, and get Neville his wand. I'm sure if you explained it to him, Ollivander would wait for us." Gran hurried to the floo.
Ollivander was more than happy to wait for them. Neville almost did as much damage as Harry had finding a wand. When he did, he was sending boxes all over the store, making a complete nuisance of himself. Gran just stood there crying tears of joy.
Harry looked at Gran with a smirk, "So…do I have an appointment with your hairbrush?"
Gran looked over at Harry with a watery smile, "I'm sure you do…but not tonight…no, not tonight."
Shortly after, Neville raced over and hugged the two of them with tears in his eyes. He was a wizard, not a squib.