A Sacrifice for Love

A/N Muahaha two chapters in one night. I guess I don't need to use the Imperious on them. They are going to cooperate without it. Yay! Hope you enjoy!

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Neville left the infirmary without meeting Madam Pomfrey’s eyes. He could hardly believe she thought he was the father of Hermione’s baby. Snape would be a lucky man when Hermione decided to forgive him, he thought sullenly. Not because he wanted Hermione, but because he didn’t want Snape to be happy.

Snape had made him miserable for five of the six years he had attended Hogwart’s and was working on making it six of seven. Neville had been overjoyed last year when Slughorn had taught the class. He had only blown up three cauldrons that year instead of the twenty a year average he had been keeping.

He also didn’t believe Snape deserved Hermione. He really didn’t see what she saw in him. But Hermione was his friend and he adored her, so he would do anything for her. If Snape would make her happy, then he would do his best to help her get him. He just didn’t want to think about what would happen after she did get him.

Neville made his way to the common room and picked up his notes. Another reason he helped Hermione, he thought. She had helped his study and practice for all of his classes. She had been patient and understanding, telling him what he needed to know in the best way it would be for him to remember it. He had now brewed several potions in Snape’s presence without blowing up a cauldron. He sat down and reviewed his notes.


Harry and Ron told Draco and Pansy what was happening between Hermione and Neville. Neither would have believed it if they had not seen the couple at breakfast. Draco was stunned. What did Longbottom have that he did not? First he loses Pansy to Weasley and now he loses Hermione to Longbottom. What is wrong with the world? He conveniently forgot Hermione had never been his.

Harry told them there was nothing they could do. They needed to let Hermione sort out her own life and if she wanted to be with Neville, that was her choice. They could only be there if she needed them. After a bit of arguing, they decided to go to the pitch and play a friendly game of Quidditch. After a few minutes other people joined them and they played long into the afternoon.


When dinner started, Neville was in the Great Hall waiting for Hermione. She had said she would meet him here but so far, she hadn’t shown up. Harry and Ron soon came over and asked where she was. Neville flushed slightly, not sure of what to tell them. He knew better than to tell them she was pregnant.

“She said she would meet me here. She had some personal things to look into.” He finally blurted. Harry looked a little doubtful but nodded. Ron wondered how long Hermione would put up with Neville. Everyone knew Neville wasn’t her type. He wasn’t at all intellectual.

They sat down and ate with him, both growing worried when she still did not appear. Neville couldn’t tell them anything more than he had already said and they became extremely frustrated. Harry glanced up at the staff table and saw Snape glaring at them, like usual. Snape glanced at the empty chair next to Neville with a questioning look and Harry could only shrug worriedly.

Snape glared at Neville. He did not act worried so he knew something. Obviously Harry could not get it out of him but maybe after dinner, if she did not appear, he could. He had learned some tricks in his years as a Death Eater. He would not likely use them on Longbottom but HE didn’t know that.

He pulled out a parchment from his pocket and glanced at it surreptitiously. He had filched it from her bag one day in class when he had recognized the parchment. He had obviously left it in the Room of Requirement that night. He didn’t see Hermione’s name on the Marauder’s Map.

It was completely against the rules to leave the school and although Hermione had been breaking the rules most of her time here, he didn’t think this was one of those instances. He stood and strode down to the table Longbottom sat at with Harry and Ron.

“In the hall, now!” he ordered. “All three of you!”

Neville paled but stood and walked out of the hall, ignoring the muted whispers as he passed. Harry and Ron followed him. In the hallway, Snape stalked up to Neville and towered over him.

“Where is she? She is not in the castle so where is she?” he snarled.

Neville paled. Hermione wasn’t here to protect him and if she wasn’t in the castle something was wrong. She hadn’t said anything about leaving.

“I- we-were-in-the-infirmary-and-Madam-Pomfrey-said-to-go-in-so-she-could-tell-me-and-then-she-left-to-make-plans-I-don’t-know-where-she-went!!” he exclaimed in one breath.

It took a moment for the others to understand what he had said but when they did he was bombarded with questions.

“Was she sick?” “What did she have to tell you?” “Make plans for what?” “Didn’t you ask where she was going?” “Why didn’t she tell us she was sick?”

Neville backed up a few steps and held his hands up as if to block their inquiries. “No she isn’t sick, well... I can’t tell you!” he shouted. Harry and Ron stopped and stared at him. Snape glowered at him in disbelief. He had just shouted at them.

“I can’t tell you. Hermione would kill me if I did and as much as you scare me, Professor, I respect Hermione enough to keep her secrets.” Neville said honestly, trying to hide his fear. He was certain Snape would Avada Kedavra him any minute now for his impertinence.

Snape gave him a considering look. It looked as though Longbottom had finally grown some balls. It still did not excuse him from his insolence and his refusal to give him information.

“Fifty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Longbottom.” He snarled. “Now tell me what is going on.”

Neville didn’t last long under the fierce glare of the Potions Professor, or that of Harry and Ron. Harry stepped forward and surprisingly Snape let him.

“Neville, we care about Hermione. If she left school grounds, we need to know why. She could be in danger.” He said smoothly. Harry firmly believed in the adage ‘You catch more flies with honey’

Neville was about to tell them, when the Headmistress came out of the Great Hall. She saw Snape and the others and hurried over.

“Severus, a student was found on the third floor stunned. When he came to, he said he saw another student being kidnapped. He described Miss Granger. Do you know where she is?” she asked somewhat frantically.

Harry stepped forward. “No we don’t, Professor. She is missing. It was what we were talking to Neville about. He said she was making some plans and he hasn’t seen her.”

Minerva gave the pale boy a kind look. Dealing with Severus would be hard enough but add Harry and Ron and it was impossible, especially for someone like Neville Longbottom.

“We have three. Why don’t we do the Calling?” Ron said.

Calling was a particular spell that caused someone to apparate where they were Called from. It was difficult and needed at least three people who knew the person well to Call them. Ron figured he and Harry knew her well enough and Neville as her boyfriend could easily be the third. He had found the spell in an old book of Hermione’s.

“No, you can’t” Neville shouted. He had also read about the spell and knew it couldn’t be used.

“And why not, Mr. Longbottom? Is there a reason you don’t want Miss Granger to return?” Snape said in his most dangerous voice.

Neville sighed. “No but Hermione can’t apparate. It might hurt the baby. That is what she had to tell me, that she was pregnant.” He told them, resignedly. He looked up at Harry, who had been the one to ask that particular question.

“She needed to be the one to tell you, it wasn’t my place.” he said. He turned his head to look at Snape and found him gone. He had turned and was walking down the hall towards the dungeons.