Chapter 23

Sword of Gryffindor

I stood in utter disbelief at what Minerva was telling me. So much had been going on that I was unaware of. Now more than ever I was convinced that Albus had lost his bloody mind long before he had cursed himself. What surprised me, even more, was that several adults including Minerva, Potter, Frank Longbottom, and Moody were aware of pretty much all of it and did not once question him.

"Minerva, he's a child!" This came from Lily who insisted on confronting the Headmistress when I told her what transpired in the woods with the boys. "I understand being prepared to fight, but Jesus Christ it's like you are purposely stacking the odds against him.

"I think that's going a little too far," Minerva argued.

"I understand the prophecy, I understand having him prepared, but sending him on this wild goose chase...it should be done by adults, Minerva."

"It has to be him...you don't understand Lily, Neville has to be the one to kill him."

"Because of the prophecy?" She questioned with the roll of her eyes. "Prophecies are predictions of what can happen, not what has to happen. Neville has been through enough, he shouldn't have to deal with this."

"We are happy to help Neville," I added in, "But I think it would be more reasonable if I as well as several members of the order helped. We can help search for the objects, even if Longbottom is the one who has to destroy them. It can get done soon, more efficiently."

At that point, Minerva dropped into the nearest seat and shook her head sadly, "You don't understand, Severus. The only way Neville can help rid the word of You-Know-Who is by letting You-Know-Who kill him first...N-Neville is a Horcrux."

Her voice shook at her last several words and I could see the sorrow in her eyes. I could tell it broke her heart having to say it aloud, it made it all the more real.

After a very long moment of utter silence, Lily finally spoke up. "Does he know?"

Minerva shook her head, giving a weak 'no', her gaze dropped to her lap. "He cannot know until the very end."

XXX

Neville Longbottom was born to die. For a prophecy, for the wizarding world, because he was The Chosen One and he didn't even know. This meek young boy who simply wanted to live up to the Gryffindor name would have to sacrifice himself for the people he cared most about, just as his mother had. He was brave, in his own way, he would do what needed to be done, but not in the way they expected. He was not a 'run-in wand ablaze' type of person. Right now Neville was camped in the middle of a forest somewhere, worrying, planning, and hoping that he and Potter will find all of the Horcruxes, be able to destroy them and make it home alive.

I've been up most of the night trying to figure out a way to save him, but from what Minerva told me, I don't see how it's possible. In order to destroy the piece of the Dark Lord's soul, you also have to destroy the object it is concealed in. Short of killing Neville and then resuscitating him somehow I don't see how he can live through this. If Voldemort killed him with Avadakdavra, as everyone expects him to, there was no coming back.

XXX

Minerva did give me the sword of Gryffindor. The one currently in her office was apparently a fake, a very convincing fake. They were stored in Albus' vault for safekeeping. Only Minerva had access to it. She did not know why the sword was important, only that Albus had commanded she keep it safe until Neville needed it. He needed it now, and so knowing I knew how to contact Neville, (something I refused to clue her in as to how) she gave it to me, and now I will give it to him, but when I do, it will not be the only thing I bring to him.

I will also bring him the truth. After everything he has been through he deserved it.