It Started With a Kiss

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A/N1: All translations are explained at the end of this chapter in the A/N2

I hope you enjoy this third chapter please read and review...reviews make me feel warm and fuzzy!...LOL

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Neville was the first in Gryffindor Tower to rise the following morning and after a steaming hot shower he made his way to the Great Hall running into Professor McGonagall as he picked his way through the Entrance Hall.

‘Good morning Longbottom you’re up early!’ She said.

‘Morning Professor’ Neville replied ‘Yeah thought I’d make an early start of it. I’m heading home after lunch and want to make a real effort with the work in the Entrance Hall before I head off’

‘You’re heading home already?’ McGonagall exclaimed in surprise.

‘Yeah just for a couple of days to put Gran’s mind at ease and to show her I really am okay’ Neville said 'She’s worried about me see? Plus I promised her I’d come home sooner than later’

‘Will you return to the castle?’

‘Of course! I couldn’t go away and not come back given what needs to be done here’ Neville said ‘Plus helping in the clean up gives me a purpose with no D.A meetings or lessons on I need something to fill my time as it were’

‘I understand completely’ McGonagall replied ‘Well I best let you get on with your breakfast. Just head up to my office when you're ready to go you may floo from there'

‘Thank you Professor’

Professor McGonagall made her way up the main case of stairs disappearing from view and Neville made his way into the Great Hall. Only a few Slytherin and Ravenclaw students had made it to breakfast early had scattered themselves all over the hall.

Neville picked a table in the corner facing the Hall doors and as he drew his chair in and sat down food appeared on the platters in front of him. He loaded up his plate with bacon and eggs and began eating.

A few minutes later Neville’s attention was drawn to someone entering the Great Hall. To his delight he saw it was Hannah. He waved to grab her attention then beckoned her over.

‘We’ll have to stop meeting like this people will get suss’ Neville said with a grin holding out a chair for her.

Hannah giggled.
‘Ha ha’ She said sitting down and scooting closer to the table ‘How are you this morning?’

‘Better for seeing you’ Neville said immediately blushing.

Hannah lit up.
‘Really?

‘Uh huh’ Neville replied busying himself with pouring a goblet of orange juice.

‘Thankyou! I’m better for seeing you too’ Hannah said with a nervous smile ‘Where are you going to be working today?

‘I thought I’d start in the Entrance Hall then wander over to the greenhouses and give Professor Sprout a hand’ Neville said pushing the goblet of orange juice over to Hannah ‘You’re working in the greenhouses today aren’t you?’

‘Yeah re-potting the mandrakes that were let loose on the Death Eaters. Dean, Ernie, Justin, Susan and I corralled them into Greenhouse One so when you come grab a pair of earmuffs you’ll need them’

‘I’ll do that’

‘Can I see you off when you leave to go home?’ Hannah asked a moment later breaking open a croissant ‘Would you mind?’

Neville feeling braver with every passing minute grasped Hannah’s hand and squeezed it.
‘No I wouldn’t mind’ He said ‘I’d like you to see me off’

Hannah grasped Neville’s hand more securely and smiled.
‘Neville what’s happening?’ She said softly.

‘Right now? Well I’m eating breakfast of bacon, eggs and mushrooms and at the same time holding hands with you’

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Ha ha’ She said dryly ‘I meant with us. I mean we’ve just been schoolmates for seven years and now there’s this thing happening between us. Why now? Why not earlier in our years here? I like what’s happening but it’s ever so peculiar’

‘I don’t know what’s happening between us either Hannah but I like it too’ Neville replied laying down his fork ‘And as for why I have no idea maybe it’s fate, maybe it’s destiny. I dunno is there a difference? I don’t know what the hell I’m doing but I reckon we could make a go of things. What do you reckon?

Hannah giggled.
‘Are you asking me out?’ She said.

Neville went red.
‘Yeah I suppose I am’ He mumbled.

‘Go on ask me properly then’ Hannah said with a grin ‘If you want to date me Neville Longbottom you’re going to have to ask me the question properly not in a half arsed way’

Neville took a deep breath as a swoop of nervous terror swept through him.
‘Hannah will you go out with me?’ He asked her exhaling in a rush.

‘See that wasn’t so bad was it?’ Hannah said her eyes alive with laughter.

‘Hannaaaaaaaaah!’ Neville groaned ‘That was hard enough for me and now you’re making me squirm!’

‘I’m sorry Neville' Hannah said apologetically squeezing his hand ‘But to answer your question yes, I will go out with you.

Neville grinned stupidly.
‘That’s great!’ He said brightly.

‘Do you want to let our friends know or keep things between us for the time being?’ Hannah asked lacing her fingers through Neville’s

‘Let’s just keep it between us for the time being’ Neville said ‘But would you mind if I confided in Hermione? She’s the one who first suggested we’d be good together and she wouldn’t let the whole world know’

‘If you feel comfortable telling Hermione then I don’t have any issue with you telling her about us’ Hannah said ‘Would you be okay with me telling Susan? She’s my best friend and I tell her everything’

‘Yeah go ahead’

‘And we’ll let the others know in due course eh? Once we know what’s happening ourselves’ Hannah suggested.

Neville swallowed a mouthful of orange juice.
‘Yeah sounds good to me’ He said with a wide grin ‘You know this could be the ticket to getting over the war for me’

‘What getting a girlfriend?’

‘Yeah if you like’ Neville said with a laugh.

There was another long pause during which time Neville’s inner voice was screaming...I’VE GOT A GIRLFRIEND, I’VE GOT A GIRLFRIEND!. A second later he was snapped out of his reverie by Hannah patting his arm and waving a hand in front of his face.

‘Wakey Wakey’ She said with a grin dipping a chunk of croissant into a runny egg yolk ‘Galleon for your thoughts, you looked miles away’

‘Honestly I was thinking about you’ Neville said.

Hannah blushed furiously.
‘That’s nice’ She said softly ‘You’re an interesting person Neville Longbottom I think I’m going to have a lot of fun getting to know you’

‘I’m not that interesting’ Neville said spreading devilled ham onto a piece of toast.

‘Oh bull I bet you’re fascinating’ Hannah said with a grin.

Neville snorted derisively.

‘Oh come on no one is truly boring!’ Hannah exclaimed ‘There’s always someone who will find another interesting. Tell me a fact about yourself’

‘I always put my left shoe on first’ Neville said with a grin.

‘Really?’

‘Yeah and apparently I snore’

Hannah laughed.
‘That’s nice to know’ She said ‘Who told you that?’

‘Harry, Ron, Dean and Seamus’ Neville replied ‘In short everyone in my dormitory’

Hannah grinned
‘Well you’ve given me two interesting facts about you I suppose I can give you two interesting facts about me’

‘Any bad habits?’ Neville asked with a snort of laughter.

‘Oh loads!’ Hannah said ‘I am a walking, talking bad habit’

Neville sniggered.
‘Such as?’ He said with a raised eyebrow.

‘Well to start with I leave my clothes wherever I drop them; I leave crumbs in the butter dish. I gauge holes in butter instead of scraping aaaaaand I swear way too much’

‘I don’t mind a bit of swearing’ Neville said ‘A good ‘F’ word sometimes says it all’

‘Fuck yeah’ Hannah said with a great snorting laugh.

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Being the most perceptive of his friends Hermione was the first to notice something different about Neville later that morning as they worked on clearing the Entrance Hall.

‘Neville what is it with you this morning?’ Hermione asked in amusement as they levitated some of the debris McGonagall had earlier transfigured into feathers outside.

‘Who said anything was up with me?’ Neville said a stupid grin plastered across his face, flicking his wand to levitate one particularly large feather.

‘Oh come one Neville I’m not stupid’ Hermione said dryly ‘You’re different, happy, liberated even’

‘Well this morning at breakfast before you Ron, Harry and Ginny arrived in the Great Hall I asked Hannah out’

Hermione squealed losing immediate concentration on her Cevitation Charm causing the feathers she was moving to fall to the floor with a theatrical puff.

‘You’re kidding?’ She exclaimed ‘You and Hannah are officially a couple then?’

Neville blushed.
‘Yeah I suppose we are’ He said with a goofy grin ‘You know I reckon we are’

‘Well congratulations’ Hermione said levitating her feathers again ‘I’m happy for you both’

‘Thanks but don’t go telling everyone yet’ Neville said as they made their way outside ‘Hannah and I want to keep things quiet for the time being. The only people we’re telling is you and Susan Hannah’s best friend’

‘I understand’ Hermione said ‘But others are going to find out eventually you know’

‘Yeah I know but let them find out in due course’ Neville said ‘Hannah and I want to get comfortable with each other before we go public’

‘Very sensible’ Hermione said lowering her feathers to a spare patch of grass and untransfiguring them back into stone debris ‘When are you heading home?’

‘One O’clock. I sent Gran an owl this morning at breakfast and said I’d be flooing directly from Professor McGonagall’s office. Hannah’s going to be seeing me off’

‘Are you going to tell your Gran about Hannah?’

‘Dunno yet maybe. Not straight away but eventually’

‘She’d be happy for you, you know’ Hermione said as they started back inside.

‘I know she would, a lot of people would but this is new to Hannah and I and we really want to get to know each other before we start taking ads out in the Daily Prophet’

Hermione laughed.
‘Fair enough’ She said ‘When are you heading over to the greenhouses?’

‘In about an hour. There are loads of Mandrakes that need re-potting and Professor Sprout needs all hands on deck. Hannah, Dean, Susan, Ernie and Justin are helping at the moment’

‘Professor McGonagall said just before we came out, surveyors are coming in tomorrow to plan the re-building of the castle. So I reckon by the time you come back the builders will be here and you’ll be able to spend more time in the greenhouses. Like you so clearly want to’ Hermione said with a wide grin.

‘Yippee, goody goody gumdrops’ Neville replied dryly ‘Go and snog Ron Hermione you so clearly want to’

‘I might just go and do that’ Hermione said with a girly giggle skipping off ‘I’ll see you at lunch hey Neville? Bring Hannah; no one need know about you two yet’

‘I might do that’

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An hour before the scheduled lunch break left the Entrance Hall and made his way down to Greenhouse One where the Mandrake re-potting was in progress. On the door was a large sign that read ‘DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT EAR MUFFS MANDRAKE REPOTTING IN PROGRESS’

In a bucket hanging off the door were several pairs of ear muffs. Neville put a pair on then retrieved his dragon hide gloves from his pocket and put them on. He then made his way into the greenhouse where Hannah along with Ernie McMillan, Justin Finch Fletchley, Susan Bones, Dean Thomas and Professor Sprout were furiously re-potting Mandrakes. Professor Sprout waved him over and pointed to a work station where trowels, pots and bags of potting mix and dragon manure had been set up for him.

‘Start there’ She mouthed.

Neville nodded then set about rounding up the stray Mandrakes that being free of their usual confines had taken to hooning about the greenhouse.

Hannah shot him a wink and barely discernable smile then returned to wrestling a particularly irksome Mandrake back into its pot.

An hour later Neville slammed a mandrake he had just potted next to the others and wiped his brow on his dirt stained shirt. His shirt stuck to his chest and his trousers bore the marks of wrestling with recalcitrant Mandrakes. He removed his ear muffs on Professor Sprout’s signal and flopped down on an empty storage box.

‘Good work everyone that’s finished everything earlier that I thought’ Professor Sprout said brightly ‘Once greenhouse three is repaired we’ll move everything back’

‘Are the surveyors that Hermione said are coming tomorrow inspecting the greenhouses as well? Neville asked wiping his face with a rag.

‘I don’t know yet I’ll have to have a word to Professor McGonagall and organise something’ Professor Sprout said thoughtfully ‘Thankyou everyone for all your help. You better go and clean up now before lunch. Have a safe trip home Neville’

‘Thanks Professor’

Ernie, Justin, Dean and Susan left greenhouse one in a group and Hannah left with Neville falling into step next to him.

‘You reek of dragon crap’ She said.

‘Oh gee ta’ Neville said ‘So do you’

Hannah giggled
‘Ah it’s not that bad’ She said patting him on the back ‘I’ve encountered worse smells. Professor Sprout is making a Hippogriff and European Carp liquid fertiliser for the Irish Thrashing Vine and the Venomous Tentaculas and that stuff smells like the fiery pits of hell’

Ah manure of any variety is the Herbologist’s perfume’ Neville said with a grin ‘Eau de cologne if you will’

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Whatever you reckon’ She said ‘I prefer Vanilla Oil myself’

‘I’ll keep that in mind’

Hannah and Neville walked in silence together til they reached the third floor where the Hufflepuff common room was.

‘Here you go’ Neville said ‘Remember to wash behind your ears and pick anything out of your fingernails’

‘Oh you crack me up’ Hannah said dryly taking off her jacket ‘Thanks for walking me back here it was very chivalrous of you’

‘No worries Hannah I like being in your company and this was just an opportunity for me to spend a bit more time with you before I head back home’ Neville said blushing furiously.

‘You’re cute when you blush’ Hannah said taking a step closer to him.

At that Neville blushed a shade of red the entire Weasley family would’ve been proud of. Hannah lifted a hand and brushed her thumb across his flaming cheeks.

‘I like you Neville Longbottom’ She said standing up on the tips of her toes and leaning forward ever so slightly ‘I find blushing quite attractive on you, so do it all you like’

‘It’s not something I do consciously you know’ Neville said mesmerized by the colour of Hannah’s eyes (How could anything be that green?)

‘Yeah I know, but still it’s an endearing quality of yours’ Hannah said her face now only an inch away from his.

Neville his guts churning like a washing machine grasped Hannah’s chin and lowered his head their lips inching closer and closer together. Their lips were about to come into contact when loud voices could be heard at the far end of the corridor where the steps from the second floor ascended to the third floor.

‘Dammit’ Hannah hissed as they jumped apart just as Ernie, Justin and Susan came into view ‘Damn them I could hex them into oblivion for their shitty timing’

‘Anyway catch you later’ Neville said before Ernie, Justin and Susan noticed them ‘See you at lunch or at Professor McGonagall’s office at one’

Hannah gave him a wink and Neville ducked out of view behind a row of armour. He waited til Hannah had followed Ernie, Justin and Susan into the Hufflepuff common room before he emerged from the armoury cover and set off for Gryffindor Tower showers cursing Hannah’s three friends for their appalling timing under his breath.

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Most of the students still remaining at Hogwarts decided to eat outside on the grass that day but Neville decided to stay inside and was glad when Hannah decided to join him.

‘Well you look and smell better’ Hannah said with a grin sitting down next to him and squeezing his hand.

'Likewise’ Neville said inhaling deeply and absorbing her aroma of Vanilla perfume.

‘I could’ve hexed the shite out of Ernie, Justin and Susan earlier’ Hannah said to Neville as she spooned stew into her bowl ‘Their timing is the worst in magical history’

‘Did you tell them that?’

‘Not Ernie and Justin but Susan I did’

‘There’ll be time for us soon’ Neville said ‘I’ll make a point of it’

Hannah smiled.
‘Can it involve hexing?’ She said with a giggle ‘Because if we are interrupted again I will hex the interrupter, I don’t care who it is’

‘If you hex anyone don’t tell me I think the less I know the better’ Neville said with a grin.

Hannah hitched her chair closer to Neville’s and went to speak in his ear.
‘You know no one’s in the Great Hall at the moment we could...’

‘I thought you wanted to keep things quiet’ Neville said in amusement.

‘Well yeah I do but the Great Hall is where we kissed first and I thought it would be a nice place to share our second’ She said.

Neville dropped a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.
‘There you go’ He said with a grin.

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Ha ha’ She said ‘You know I think I’d rather share our second kiss in private seeing as the first one was so public’

‘Just not on the third floor in front of the Hufflepuff common room’ Neville said with a grin.

‘Exactly, or any of the common rooms come to think of it’

‘Especially the Gryffindor one’ Neville said ‘We may be brave and loyal and stand up for what’s right no matter what but we’re also nosey buggers’

Hannah snorted.
‘You don’t strike me as the nosey type’ She said.

‘I’m not and not all Gryffindors are but there’s definitely a few in the house that I swear are on the cusp of Gryffindor and Slytherin. Lavender and Pavarti for example’

‘I noticed Seamus and Lavender have been joined at the hip since the end of the battle’ Hannah said in mild interest. And I swear I saw Dean Thomas and Padma Patil snogging near greenhouse two’

‘Hey that’s an idea maybe we could go to the greenhouses’ Neville said with a grin.

‘Great Neville you’re a true romantic’ Hannah said dryly biting into a sausage ‘I don’t want to snog and risk getting bitten on the bum by a Venomous Tentacula’

‘They’re in Greenhouse Six I wasn’t thinking about actually going into one of the greenhouses’ Neville said ‘And anyway Professor Sprout patrols the greenhouses all the time like the teachers do with the corridors and I don’t want to get busted by my favourite teacher. That would be weird’

‘Hmm’

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At quarter to one Hannah and Neville left the Great Hall and made their way up to the Seventh floor and to Professor McGonagall’s office. From here Neville would floo home and afterwards Hannah would floo to her home from Professor Sprout’s office on the third floor. Neville pushed the heavy wooden door open and let Hannah in first.

‘This would have to be the only place in the castle that’s not crawling with people’ Hannah said as Neville shut the door behind him.

Neville kissed Hannah on her forehead.
‘I reckon so’ He said

Hannah wrapped her arms around Neville’s waist and rested her head on Neville’s chest.
‘Some alone time’ Hannah said listening to his heartbeat.

For several long moments Neville and Hannah stood in McGonagall’s office Neville leaning on McGonagall’s desk with his arms around Hannah just enjoying her company. He then grasped her head and kissed her gently on the lips. Hannah stood up and returned the kiss hungrily.

To Neville this was heaven. He had never experienced anything like it before. In fact he was in another world. The kiss seemed to go on forever and Neville was on the point of wishing it would when the office door opened and in burst Professor McGonagall. Neville and Hannah wrenched apart both their faces burning in embarrassment.

‘Dammit is there no sodding privacy in this fucking castle?!’ Hannah espoused with more force than Neville thought she intended.

McGonagall’s eyebrows disappeared into her hair.
‘Miss Abbott!’ She exclaimed.

‘Before you say anything Professor I’m not going to apologise Neville and I only wanted a bit of time on our own for a private goodbye and anywhere decent is full of stinking people!’

Neville withheld such a strong snort lights danced before his eyes. Never in a million years did he ever think he’d hear anyone speak to professor McGonagall like Hannah was at this moment.

‘Very well Miss Abbott I shall leave you two alone, Mr Longbottom I wish to speak to you but and owl or floo call will suffice'

‘Thankyou Professor’ Neville mumbled not quite able to meet the older woman’s eyes.

McGonagall went to leave but she stopped popping her head around the edge of the door.
‘Next time do try to find somewhere a bit more discreet’ She said dryly ‘The fifth floor has several disused classrooms. Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students are known for their discretion but really a Professor’s office? I’d expect that more from a Slytherin student’

Neville did actually let a snort escape this time.

‘Have fun you two’

McGonagall gave them an amused wink and left shutting the door behind her.

‘Oh my God how embarrassing wasTHAT?’ Hannah exclaimed covering her face with her hands.

Neville laughed and enveloped Hannah with his arms.
‘I could think of a few things’ He said.

Like what?’ Hannah groaned her face still covered by her hands.

‘Having my clothes hexed off me in a full Great Hall’

Hannah laughed.
‘As if that would happen’ She said looking up at him.

Neville gave Hannah a squeeze then lowered his head and for the second time pressed his lips against hers. Hannah leaned into him and kissed him back running her fingers up and down his robed back.

Eventually the need for more oxygen forced Neville and Hannah to break apart. They both laughed nervously avoiding each other’s gaze.

‘Now that was better wasn’t it?’ Hannah said.

‘Yeah it was but I still wouldn’t pass it up for the first time’ Neville said pulling Hannah close and kissing the bridge of her nose ‘That was nice too’

‘Yeah I’ll remember it for a long time to come’ Hannah said ‘What time is it?’

Neville looked at his watch.

‘Five to one’ He said.

‘You better go’ Hannah said ‘Your Gran will be getting worried about you’

‘There’s five minutes to go I don’t want to leave your company just yet’ Neville said resting his forehead on Hannah’s ‘You know if I hadn’t promised Gran I’d come home today I’d spend the rest of the day here just to be around you’

‘Awww aren’t you just a great big suck hole’ Hannah said with a giggle ‘But I like that, I feel the same I’d honestly rather stay here with you but I also promised my family I’d go home too’

‘But I’ll be back here after lunch in two days time’ Neville said in another fit of bravery running his fingers through her golden hair ‘And we can owl each other’

‘Good stuff, we’ll continue this when you return to the castle yeah? Just send any owls to me care of Beacon Park Wolverhampton, it’ll find me. Where I live is in the middle of nowhere anyway and we’re the only magical Abbotts in the whole of Wolverhampton’

‘And send anything to me care of Longbottom Manor, Yorkshire’ Neville said squeezing Hannah’s ands ‘Like your family we’re the middle of nowhere. On the edge of the Dales actually’

‘Sounds a lovely place’ Hannah said.

‘Yeah I like it’ Neville said ‘It’s very peaceful, even during the height of the war it was left untouched. Mind you that was most likely because of the unplottable spells. Gran and my Great Aunty Enid and Great Uncle Algie cast upon it. As far as I can gather not even the smartest and most intuitive of the Ministry’s Aurors could’ve found it’

‘Now it’s past one o’clock you really better go or you’ll cop a Howler’ Hannah said pushing Neville toward the fireplace ‘I will miss you’

Neville stepped into the grate with a handful of floo powder then leaned down and kissed Hannah again. Now they had kissed properly he didn’t want to stop doing it.

‘I don’t want to go you know’ He said.

Hannah returned the kiss and once again brushed the pad of her thumb across his cheek.
‘I know you don’t but right at this minute sending time with your family must be your priority’ She said ‘See you in two days’

Neville stood up in the grate.
‘See you soon’ He said ‘Have a safe trip home’

‘I will’

Neville threw the floo powder down and said ‘Longbottom Manor’

Green flames erupted around him and in an instant he disappeared from McGonagall’s office and set off toward his home. His right shoulder hit a solid surface painfully and he became awfully woozy before his feet hit something solid and her arrived back at Longbottom Manor. Immediately a strong pair of arms pulled him from the grate and engulfed him. From the strong smell of Lavender he guessed it was his Gran.

‘Oooof Gran lemme breathe!’ Neville exclaimed hitching the strap of his backpack back over his shoulder ‘GRAN!’

‘Gussie let Neville go you are suffocating him’ Neville heard his Great Uncle Algie say ‘He’s home and safe now you can stop worrying’

Eventually Augusta let Neville go. His hair resembled Harry’s roughly tousled and sticking out at every angle.

‘Oh it’s so good to have you home!’ Augusta rushed ‘Come through to the kitchens have a snack, maybe you’d like a cup of tea or maybe something stronger?’

Neville put his bag down and gently hugged his grandmother.
‘Gran I’m fine!’ He assured her ‘I had quite a large lunch at Hogwarts and I’ll wait til night tine to have an alcoholic drink. I’ve never starved in my years at Hogwarts and just because there’s been a huge battle there doesn’t mean I’m going to suddenly drop dead from malnutrition’

Algernon and Enid sniggered and Augusta gave a reluctant smile. Enid stepped forward and hugged her great nephew.

‘It’s good to have you home Neville’ She said ‘How long are you back for?’

‘Forever I hope’ Augusta muttered under her breath.

‘Only two days’ Neville said ‘I want to continue helping in the cleanup of Hogwarts so the castle is ready for the coming school term. It looks like a bomb’s hit it and really all hands on deck are needed’

‘I’m sure there are other people who could carry on while you spend some time with your family’ Augusta said in clipped tones.

‘Gran I wouldn’t go there if I wasn’t needed’ Neville said giving his Grandmother another hug ‘You know that ‘To be honest I’d rather not be there but my friends are there and we all need to support each other at this time. All of Ron’s friends are rallying around him when he most needs it, he lost one of his brothers you know. And the same with Harry he was as close to Lupin and Tonks as you can be without actually being blood family and he needs us at this time even though outwardly he doesn’t give that impression. It’s my duty as their friend to be there for them. I can’t abandon them when they need me most’

‘You can’t argue with that Gussie’ Algernon said sagely.

‘Well no I suppose I can’t’ Augusta said the expression of dissent on her face slowly replaced with a look of pride ‘Go and put your things in your room Neville and come sit on the porch relax for a while, you’ve been working much too hard’

Neville nodded and started making his way upstairs. He dumped his bag on the end of his bed then made his way out to the back porch. Only Algernon was present smoking a pipe leisurely resting his flip flop encased feet on the edge of the porch that overlooked a large but simple swimming pool. Augusta and Enid’s voices drifted up from the kitchen.

‘Galleon for you thoughts’ Algernon said vanishing the ash from his pipe with a flick from his wand.

‘Who said I was thinking about anything?’ Neville said avoiding his Great Uncles eyes.

‘Neville I’m not stupid in my sixty years on this earth I would like to think I can tell when someone is hiding something’ Algernon said with a roll of his eyes ‘Come on lad fess up’

‘Okay but don’t tell Enie or Gran yet okay?’ Neville said after a long silence.

‘Promise’

‘Well I sort of met a girl’ Neville began once again blushing furiously.

‘Sort of? How can you sort of meet a girl?’

‘Well then yes I have definitely met a girl’ Neville said this time avoiding his great uncle’s stare.

Algernon chuckled.
‘Bout time lad’ He said ‘What’s her name?’

‘Hannah she’s a fellow seventh year but from Hufflepuff’

‘It’s obvious you met her at Hogwarts but what are the circumstances in which you met this Hannah girl?’

‘Well it’s a bit odd’

‘Go on’ Algernon persisted.

‘I kissed her on the mouth in front of a full Great Hall about ten seconds after Harry vanquished Voldemort’

Algernon’s eyes fell out of his head.
‘You did that?’ He said in amazement.

‘Yeah and a proper kiss too open mouth, oh and I dipped her like you do to Enie after a Tango’

Algernon sniggered.
‘You’re kidding me?’ He said in surprise ‘Neville you’re a conservative lad I never thought you’d introduce yourself to a girl in quite such an obvious and public manner’

‘I know I didn’t think I’d do it like that either’ Neville said leaning forward and resting his chin in his hands ‘And it wasn’t like I didn’t know Hannah before then we’ve known each other since first year. She was the first name McGonagall called off the roster. And she was one of the initial members of Dumbledore’s Army. We worked on Patronuses back in fifth year’

‘Have you asked her out?’

‘Yeah’

‘And?’

‘And what?’

‘And what did she say?’

‘Yes, she said yes’ Neville said with a grin that radiated obvious happiness.

‘So your first girlfriend eh?’ Algernon said with an amused but admiring look and holding out a hand ‘Congratulations lad’

Neville shook Algernon’s hand.
‘Thanks’ He said I want to send her an owl once we’ve had drinks on the porch ‘Just to let her know I arrive home safe’

Algernon slumped back in his chair.
‘Ah young love’ He said ‘I reckon you’re feeling the same as I did when I first asked Enid out, you’d rather be in your girl’s company than with anyone else right?’

Neville nodded.
‘But is is good to be home with you Enie and Gran’ Neville said ‘There were quite a few times during the battle when I thought I’d be lucky to see you lot again’

‘Likewise lad, I thought when Guss rushed off to Hogwarts I’d be bringing her home in a box’ Algernon said soberly ‘This family has had quite enough of dealing with Voldemort and his cronies’

‘Well thanks to Harry that’s over now’ Neville said ‘There are loads to look forward to’

‘Especially a future with this Hannah eh?’ Algernon chided a cheeky grin spreading across his face.

‘If that’s what’s happens yeah’ Neville said ‘I really like her Al’

‘Well good luck to ya, and if you ever want some privacy with this girl go to the fourth floor. Even in my years at Hogwarts there were loads of unused classrooms there. Just remember a locking charm or someone will walk in on you’

‘Oh that’s already happened’ Neville said covering his face with his hands reliving every mortifying second of McGonagall walking in on Hannah and him.

‘Do tell’

‘Well Hannah and I were...well snogging and Professor McGonagall walked in on us’

Algernon sniggered.

‘But I didn’t tell you where we were at the time’

‘Hmm?’

‘McGonagall’s office’

Algernon laughed out loud and heartily on hearing this.
‘You’re kidding?’ He chortled ‘Really Neville somewhere more discreet would’ve been better’

‘No kidding that’s what McGonagall said she actually suggested to find somewhere on the fifth floor’

‘What were you doing snogging in your head of Hose’s office?’ Algernon asked ‘Mate I would’ve thought you the most sensible person I’ve met next to your Gran would’ve found somewhere more appropriate to snog’

‘I was getting ready to floo here and Hannah came to see me off’ Neville said.

‘Ah I see, well good luck to ya Neville the world could use a little more love in it right now’

‘Thanks Algie’

*******************************************************************

Later that day after dinner and long after Algernon and Enid had gone to bed Neville joined his grandmother for a late night mug of tea in the kitchen.

‘Neville you’re pre-occupied’ Augusta observed studying her grandson carefully ‘What’s wrong?’

Neville sighed as he wrapped his hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
‘Nothing’s wrong Gran, why do you think there is?’ He said.

‘Oh because every second since you arrived home you’ve been sighing and at dinner you picked through your food like a fussy child. You haven’t done that since you were a toddler’

‘Well nothing is wrong per se I just have one big issue on my mind’

Augusta made a mug of tea then sat down opposite her grandson.
‘And that issue is?’ She asked an eyebrow raised in interest.

‘I had a proposal made to me yesterday’

‘Oh yes by whom and about what?’

‘First Gran I need you to promise me that you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you, it’s important you don’t. And important to me you don’t say anything’

‘Neville…I…’

‘Gran it’s important’

‘Oh very well then I promise not to tell anyone...’

‘Kingsley Shacklebolt was the one who put this proposition to me’ Neville began.

‘The new Minister?’

‘Yeah, the new minister. Yesterday at lunchtime he summoned Harry, Ron, Hermione and I to his new offices and invited us all to immediately join the Auror program’

Augusta choked on the mouthful of tea in her mouth mid swallow.
‘H-e in-v-vited you t-t joi-in the Auror program?’ She spluttered wiping her chin.

‘Yup me Neville Frank Longbottom an Auror can you imagine that?’

‘So you’ve said yes to his invitation?’

‘No I said I wanted to chat to you about it first’

‘Neville whatever for?’ Augusta exclaimed in amazement ‘This is a spectacular offer! The Minister must think very highly of you if he singled you out to join the Auror program. There must be many more people out there he could’ve asked, but he asked you!’

‘I know but I couldn’t make such a big decision straight away. Ron said yes straight up, Harry dithered for a bit before saying yes and Hermione said no’

‘She did? What for?’

‘She wants to return to Hogwarts for her seventh year. I thought you might want me to return to complete my seventh year too’

‘Well I have to admit I would prefer it but you are an of age wizard now Neville and as such are quite capable of making your own decisions’

‘So you wouldn’t mind if I did accept the Ministers offer?’

‘No I wouldn’t I want you to be happy Neville and whatever makes you so is okay with me’ Augusta said grasping Neville’s hand and squeezing it ‘In past times I may have insisted you return to Hogwarts to complete your education but getting an invitation to join the Auror program is an amazing offer. You’re a strong person when you get some confidence behind you Neville and I think if you applied yourself you could be a brilliant Auror, just like your parents were’

Neville’s eyes stung with withheld tears.
‘Y-you really think so Gran?’ He said softly.

‘I know so’ Augusta said softly ‘Now what reasons did the Minister give for inviting you to the Auror program? I assume he didn’t do it willy nilly’

‘No he didn’t but he’s the best person or even Harry would be the better person to explain that to you. I don’t know the full story. I can send the Minister an owl and ask him to come here to tell you if you like. He said to me he would rather get my answer to his invitation in the flesh rather than by owl. He actually asked me to send him a Patronus when I was ready to tell him and he would apparate to wherever I was to receive my answer’

Augusta looked proud and impressed.
‘Have you made a decision?’ She asked.

‘I have now’ Neville said taking a sip of his Hot Chocolate.

‘And?’

‘And I’m going to take him up on his offer. It’s too good an offer to pass up’

‘Then you must send him a Patronus in the morning’ Augusta said I her usual brisk and proper manner ‘It’s too late to send an owl now’

‘He said he’d prefer a Patronus anyway’ Neville said ‘He said with so many dodgy people still on the loose it would be wise to send a Patronus which is less traceable than an owl’

‘What is your Patronus?’

‘A short fat Welsh Mountain Pony’ Neville said ‘Harry taught me how to produce it back in fifth year but I’ve had few reasons to cast it since’

‘You learnt how to produce a Patronus in fifth year?’ Augusta asked in amazement ‘Merlin I didn’t even try and cast one til my seventh year and even then it was a struggle. I haven’t cast one for years. I reckon I’d struggle producing one now’

‘Get Harry to give you a tutoring session’ Neville said with a grin ‘He could teach anyone to produce one’

‘I’m sure he has better things to do Neville dear’ Augusta replied dryly ‘Do you have much planned for tomorrow?’

‘Yeah well once I’ve met with the Minister I had planned on going to St Mungos and visiting Mum and Dad. You know to tell them that it’s all over. Bellatrix LeStrange is no longer around. That whole sodding lot are no longer around’

‘Neville dear they don’t understand anything anyone says to them’

‘Gran I know that but it’s not just for them I need to tell them and you never know tomorrow might be the day they understand something...yeah yeah I know it’s highly unlikely but it won’t hurt telling them’ He added seeing the protest forming on his Grandmothers lips.

‘I understand dear may I accompany you?’

‘Gran you don’t have to ask that’

‘I just thought you might like to be on your own when you visit with them’

‘No come with me we’ve always visited Mum and Dad together I don’t want to break that’

‘Thankyou dear’ Augusta said squeezing Neville's hand again ‘I’ve noticed something else about you too’

‘Yeah what’s that?’

‘You’re happy genuinely happy your eyes are alive with...I don’t know. But something has happened to make you act differently’

‘Well I sort of met a girl’ Neville said with a nervous grin.

‘Sort of? Sort of? How do you sort of meet a girl? You either have or you haven’t’ Augusta said in amusement.

‘That’s what Al said to me on the porch while you and Enie were getting the afternoon drinks ready’ Neville said dryly.

‘Oh so you’ve spoken to Algernon about this girl you’ve sort of met already?’

‘Yeah he saw something was up with me like you have’

‘So are you going to tell me anything about this girl?’

‘Well her name’s Hannah and she’s also a seventh year but she’s from Hufflepuff. And we are officially an item I asked her out and everything’

Augusta lit up.
‘Oh Neville that’s wonderful you must invite her over sometime’

‘Gran! We’ve not even been a couple for twenty four hours and you want me to bring her to the Manor?’ Neville yelped ‘It’s a bit early to bring her home to meet the rello’s isn’t it? You only do that if you’re getting married and there’s no way I’m thinking of that yet I’m barely of age!’

‘Well when you feel comfortable enough to invite her over feel welcome to do so without asking. Anyone that makes you as happy as you so obviously are is welcome here any time’

‘Thanks Gran. Do you mind if she floo calls for the time being? We want to keep in touch til we return to the Castle to resume in helping in the clean up’

‘Of course she can all your friends can Neville, have them over whenever you like’

Neville drained the last mouthful of hot chocolate from his mug and levitated his empty mug over to the sink.
‘Well I best be hitting the hay’ He said stifling a yawn ‘See you in the morning Gran’

‘Goodnight dear’

*******************************************************************
The following morning after breakfast Neville and Augusta retreated to the lounge room so Neville could summon Kingsley.

‘Okay dear are you ready?’ Augusta asked after casting a locking and silencing charm on the door.

Neville drew his wand and gripped it firmly.
‘Yup I’m ready’

Neville thrust his wand into the air and with as much energy as he could muster cried...
‘EXPECTO PATRONUM!

The blindingly white form of a Welsh Mountain Pony erupted from the end of his wand galloped around the room and jumped through the closed bay windows. One the silver mist trail left by his Patronus had faded Neville slumped into the nearest chair. Augusta stood by the fireplace astounded.

‘Neville that’s the clearest Patronus I’ve ever seen!’ She exclaimed staring at the point where Neville’s Patronus had disappeared.

‘Well you know the strength of a Patronus is totally reliant on the happy thought of the caster’ Neville said ‘Hannah is the strength of my Patronus casting at the moment’

‘She must be a very special girl if you’re saying that’

Neville blushed.
‘She is Gran she is’

A second later a deafening crack filled the air as Kingsley Shacklebolt apparated into the room. He straightened his robes and turned around his gaze falling on Neville.

‘Neville!’ He exclaimed striding forward.

Neville got to his feet and shook Kingsley’s proffered hand.
‘Welcome to the Manor Minister’ He said ‘I hope I didn’t call you too early’

‘No of course not in the past few days I’ve been up well before the birds’

‘Well first I’d like you to meet my Gran, Gran this is the new Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt Minister this is my Gran Augusta Longbottom’

‘Lovely to meet you Minister Welcome to our home’ Augusta said politely shaking Kingsley’s hand ‘Won’t you sit down?’

‘I will thankyou’ Kingsley said removing his cloak and sitting in the nearest chair ‘So Neville have you made a decision about my proposal?’

‘I have’ Neville said ‘It was an easier decision that I thought it was going to be to be honest. I had already half made up my mind before I came home’

‘And what is your decision?’

Neville grinned.
‘It’s a yes’ He said ‘I will accept your invitation to join the Auror program’

Kingsley burst into a wide grin the whiteness of his teeth stark against the dark of his skin.
‘That’s wonderful news!’ he exclaimed ‘Welcome to the Ministry I’m sure you’ll be an asset to the rebuilding of our world’

‘Thanks’ Neville said ‘But like Harry said the other day nothing heavy til the rebuilding and all the funerals are over. I think it’s decent there should be a period of mourning’

‘I agree wholeheartedly. As I said to him then I shall only call on you if it’s absolutely necessary. For the moment the qualified Aurors will be the ones to go after the stray Death Eaters and their sympathisers you, Harry and Ron will be mainly needed as witnesses in the Wizengamot trials and rounding up and banishing the recalcitrant Dementors. I plan on replacing them with witch and Wizard wardens once I can find enough good enough people’

‘I reckon I could handle banishing a few dementors’ Neville said.

‘There will be more than a few Neville there are thousands of stray Dementors out there. I have anyone who can produce a Patronus out banishing them at the moment. Civilians retired Ministry workers. Even the Ministry catering manager. I plan on going to Hogwarts after I’ve been here to ask Harry, Ron and Hermione to start some Patronus tutoring sessions for those witches and wizards out there who want to help but can’t produce a strong enough Patronus’

‘Ask anyone in Dumbledore’s Army everyone that was a member is capable of producing a solid Patronus’ Neville said ‘I’m sure they would be able to help. That includes me’

‘Well yes I was about to ask you if you’d be one of those that could lead a tutoring session’ Kingsley said ‘Yours is one of the most solid Patronuses I have seen in recent times’

‘Of course I’ll help’ Neville said ‘I was surprised you had to ask to be honest’

Kingsley chuckled.
‘When are you returning to Hogwarts?’ He asked.

‘Tomorrow afternoon after lunch I’ll help in the clean up again then the day after is the first of the funerals, Fred Weasley’s is first’

Kingsley suddenly became sombre.
‘Ah yes it won’t be a pleasant experience funerals never are this one more so under the circumstances’

‘Yeah well I suppose we’ll all deal with them as they come along’ Neville said ‘I’m going to every one of the people I knew. Harry’s going to all of them. I think he’s pushing himself but there’s no telling him that’

‘Ah well Neville it’s probably his way of coping’ Kingsley said sagely ‘And each one of us has different coping mechanisms. Going to all the scheduled funerals is Harry’s’

‘Yeah but he’s one of my best mates see? I don’t want him to do anything that’s going to impact negatively on him’

‘Dear Harry is a grown man I think all you can do as one of his friends is to be there for him’ Augusta said gently.

‘And I will be’

A moment later Kingsley got to his feet and put on his cloak again.
‘Well Neville I must go’ He said ‘I have to go to Hogwarts then return to the Ministry I shall be in touch about organising those Patronus tutoring sessions’

‘No worries Minister thanks for coming here I know you’re busy’ Neville said holding his hand out to Kingsley.

‘Neville you can call me Kingsley. Minister sounds too formal for occasions other than Ministry balls or conventions’ Kingsley said dryly shaking Neville’s hand ‘My parents didn’t name me Minister you know’

Augusta chuckled.

Neville grinned.
‘Okay then Kingsley I suppose I’ll see you in due course’ He said ‘Will you be coming to any of the funerals?’

‘Oh yes of course especially to those of Remus and Tonks. I suppose I’ll see you there’

‘See you there then’

A second later Kingsley disapparated with a crack leaving Neville and Augusta alone the echo of Kingsley’s departure echoing off the walls.

‘Gawd now what?’ Neville said his hands on his hips.

‘We get ready to go and visit your parents’ Augusta said briskly ‘Go and get your cloak and we’ll be going momentarily’

*******************************************************************

Half an hour later Neville and Augusta arrived via floo at St Mungos and started making their way up to the fifth floor where the spell damage department was located.

‘What am I going to say to them Gran?’ Neville said quietly as they cleared the hustle and bustle of the reception area ‘It seemed such a great idea to visit them now I don’t know what the hell to say or do for that matter’

‘Follow your heart Neville it seems to have worked for you over the past couple of days’ Augusta replied as the lift paused at the third floor to let of a witch carrying a box labelled ‘Dried Mandrake leaves ‘You know I can’t tell you what to say. You’re not about to give a speech you’re about to have a heart to heart. And as the description indicates that has to come from the heart’

‘Yeah, yeah you’re right’

A few minutes later they arrived at the spell damage ward that was pleasantly serene the early summer breeze wafting through the open windows. Neville and Augusta reached Frank and Alice’s room but Neville stopped when he noticed his grandmother not at his side.

‘Gran you’re not coming in?’ He asked his hand poised to push open the ward door.

‘No not yet dear you need to be alone with your parents first’ Augusta said pointing her wand at the vacant space opposite the ward doors and conjuring up a soft squishy chair ‘Just let me know when you’re done and I’ll come in’

‘O-okay then’

Neville took a deep breath and steeling himself made his way inside the ward. Frank and Alice were playing a disjointed game of muggle chess moving the pieces at random intervals until they looked up at the source of the light that bathed their chessboard. Alice got to her feet and shuffled over her son her thin arms held wide.

‘Hi Mum nice to see you’ Neville said softly hugging his mother tightly ‘What’s up? Playing Chess with Dad again?’

Wordlessly Alice steered Neville over to a spare seat and pushed him down into it. Neville reached over and cuffed his father on the shoulder withholding the snort at the earnest expression on his face as he contemplated his next move. He let a few minutes pass in which time his parents moved several pieces around aimlessly before he spoke.

‘M-Mum, D-ad...' He stammered not sure where to begin.

Despite their addled state Frank and Alice knew by the waver in Neville’s voice something was up. Alice even got up and shifted her chair closer to her son’s.

‘Three days ago something big happened at Hogwarts’ Neville started ‘A big battle happened in the Great Hall where Voldemort and his Death Eaters turned up trying to get at Harry Potter. One of them was Bellatrix LeStrange’

It happened so briefly Neville almost missed the flash of recognition that passed over his parents faces as he spoke Bellatrix’s name.

‘There was a huge fight in the middle of the Great Hall where Bellatrix and Molly Weasley the Mum of my friend Ron had a massive duel. The cracks in the floor were huge you could’ve put ten people in it. Mrs Weasley cast the curse and killed Bellatrix...’

This time Neville was sure he could read his parents reaction. Alice squeezed his hand and Frank squeezed his shoulder.

‘What I’m saying is...is that Bellatrix is gone. Voldemort is gone that whole sodding lot is gone. They can’t hurt anyone again Mum and Dad no one can ever get the chance to do to anyone else what they did to you’

Neville took in a deep shuddering breath and finally let the tears fall. Alice pulled a tissue from her pocket and gave it to her son wordlessly comforting him as all the pent up emotion of the past few days spilled over. Neville dabbed at his eyes then blew his nose like a trumpet into it. He then vanished the tissue with a flick from his wand.

‘We live in a free world now Mum and Dad’ he said his eyelids swollen and puffy ‘Harry managed to vanquish that despot. I was there I saw it. It was amazing stuff. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. Loads of people did things I never thought they’d be capable of doing ever. Seamus my dorm mate got three death eaters with one curse I don’t think even Professor McGonagall has done something like that before then there was....’

The next few minutes Neville told his parents everything that had been happening at Hogwarts all year leading up to the final battle including who did what at the crunch. Then with a rattly breath he decided to tell them about Hannah.

‘And I’ve met a girl’ He said ‘I dipped her like a dance and kissed her full on the mouth in the middle of the Great Hall in front of everyone there! I would never do anything like that normally but now we’re officially dating and I can’t wait til I go back to Hogwarts tomorrow so I can see her again. She’s a really nice girl and I love being in her company’

Alice ran her hands through Neville’s hair and gave him a wink but it was something she often did so Neville didn’t think anything of it.

‘There’s also some other big news with me’ Neville said leaning forward and moving a bishop from one square to another (This excited his father a great deal) ‘The new minister Kinsgsley Shacklebolt came to me two days after the battle and invited me to join the Auror program after things have settled down. How weird is that? Me an Auror just like you were! I tell you it’d never happen it normal circumstances my school marks are awful, they’d barely be good enough for me to get into the Charms Department. You know I never thought about being an Auror I always figured I’d do something in Herbology like open up my own chain of nurseries there hasn’t been one since the last Olgilvy’s closed down in nineteen seventy six. The Aurors salary could allow me to do that. What do you reckon do you think I could be a decent Auror? Harry, Ron and Hermione reckon I could be’

Despite the fact he knew his parents couldn’t understand him Neville was then surprised when his father wordlessly clapped him on the shoulder and for a brief moment Neville wondered if his father understood him

Neville passed several minutes joining his parents in moving the chess pieces then got up and invited his grandmother in.

‘How’s it going?’ She asked softly.

‘Not bad’ Neville said as they stood back and watched Frank and Alice take part in an exuberant but totally silent game of disjointed muggle chess 'There were a couple of times where I thought they might’ve understood what I was saying but I reckon I might’ve been imagining things. They liked it when I moved ones of their chess pieces’

‘They’re playing chess?’ Augusta exclaimed in surprise.

‘Well a disjointed muggle version’ Neville said ‘Dad particularly seems to like it’

‘Well he was quite the chess player in his younger days maybe he can remember it’ Augusta said thoughtfully striding toward her son and daughter in law.

*******************************************************************

Several hours later Neville and Augusta left St Mungos visiting Alice and Frank. Although visits to his parents had usually been a depressing experience this time Neville left St Mungos with a smile on his face. He was sure (And would bet his entire inheritance) that somewhere in the deep recesses of their consciousness Frank and Alice were at least partially aware of recent events.

‘You’re smiling again Neville’ Augusta said after they had apparated back to Longbottom Manor and began walking up the daffodil lined path.

‘Yeah I have a bit to smile about’ Neville said ‘Do you think Mum and Dad seemed different today?’

‘In what way do you mean?’

‘I dunno the change if it was one was so subtle it was barely noticeable but it was almost like Dad understood me when I told him and Mum about me being invited into the Auror program. He actually slapped me on the shoulder’

‘Was that when you fist noticed this so called change?’ Augusta asked flicking her wand at the front door so it opened by itself.

‘Well about the time I told them Bellatrix LeStrange was dead, in fact I would say it was immediately afterward. I didn’t say anything to the healers because it was such a small change. Do you think it’s worth mentioning to the healers?’

Augusta looked thoughtful.
‘If you notice anything next visit then I would’ She said ‘If as you say you barely noticed anything I wouldn’t go saying anything til you’re sure you saw something’

‘That’s what I was going to do’

Enid was the first to greet them when they entered the foyer of the Manor carrying a tray of something gooey and chocolatey in an oven tray.

‘Oh wow Enie is that what I think it is?' Neville asked hanging his cloak up on the coat hook just inside the front door.

‘Yup you’re favourite chocolate self saucing pudding. I made some ice-cream to go with it. Come into he kitchen and have a bowlful’

‘Enid it’s not even four in the afternoon’ Augusta protested.

‘Oh don’t fuss Gussie Neville’s going back to Hogwarts tomorrow and we don’t know how long it’ll be til he comes home. I haven’t seen him for nearly twelve months I want to feed him up a bit’

‘Enie I’m not about to starve you know’ Neville said in amusement following his great aunt into the kitchen ‘Malnutrition isn’t an instant killer’

‘I know that but I fancy spoiling you. You’re the last Longbottom to leave the nest and I want to make sure you go out with a bang’

‘Oy I haven’t left home yet!’ Neville said ‘And I don’t plan to, not for the time being anyway’

‘What about when you begin Auror training?’

‘I can still live at the Manor, I can floo or apparate to London and if I get stuck I’ll stay at the Leaky Cauldron or a Muggle motel. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. So no need to get your knickers in a twist’

‘Aye Neville behave yourself y’cheeky bugger!’ Enid said with a chuckle ‘I’m glad you’re not leaving just yet. Though if what I hear from Algie is correct about this Hannah girl you’ll be shacking up and nicking off from Yorkshire to go domestic’

‘Oh sod off Enie we’ve been dating for two days and you’ve already got us shaking up together. I don’t even know if Hannah and I’s relationship will progress to moving in together. I don’t even want to think that far ahead’

‘Wait til you get to the shagging part we’ll never see you then’ Algie said walking into the kitchen.

Quick as a flash Enid drew her wand and sent a hex at her husband that caused him to clutch at his rear end and drop his pipe.

‘Owwhatwasthatfor?’ He yelped ‘Bloody hell’

‘Don’t be so bleeding rude Algernon Gussie would get you with more than a stinging hex in the bum if she heard that’ Enid scolded her wand still drawn ‘And if Neville’s relationship with this Hannah progresses that far it’s none of your damn business. Stop being so bloody nosey’

Algernon grumbled and left the kitchen with a bottle of beer still rubbing where the hex hit mumbling under his breath. Neville chuckled to himself when he heard ‘Ornery old mare’

‘OY I HEARD THAT!’

‘You two are funny you know that?’ Neville said to Enid ‘You pick and bicker all the time’

‘Yeah but there’s nothing in it’ Enid said affectionately spooning some of the pudding into a bowl ‘Oh by the way you got an owl with the Hogwarts crest on it while you were out. Looks like it’s from Minerva McGonagall it’s her writing on the envelope’

‘Well she did say before I came home she was going to send me an owl’ Neville said as Enid plopped a scoop of vanilla ice-cream into the bowl ‘I suspect it’s something about getting back to Hogwarts. I’ll have a read of it after I’ve finished this’

*******************************************************************

The following afternoon shortly before two o’clock in the afternoon Neville waited by he lounge room fireplace with Augusta, Algernon and Enid to await McGonagall’s arrival. The owl Neville had received from her the previous day while visiting his parents in St Mungos said to expect her arrival at 2pm. Right on cue (McGonagall was big on punctuality) the grate burst into flame and McGonagall spun into view. Enid immediately pulled Neville into a bone crushing hug.

‘You look after yourself y’hear?’ She said ‘Any time you fancy another bowl of self saucing pudding you come back to the Manor’

Neville returned the hug.
‘Can't you just owl the Hogwarts elves the recipe?’ He said with a grin.

‘Cheeky sod’

Algernon clapped Neville on the shoulder and shook his hand.
‘You keep yourself safe lad’ He said ‘I don’t what Gussie whinging about you putting yourself in danger. She whinges enough as it is’

‘I’m not even going to bother to hex you Algernon it’s rude to duel in front of guests’ Augusta said dryly as McGonagall stepped out of the grate and hexed the magical ash off her robes ‘Hello Minerva’

‘Augusta’ McGonagall replied politely ‘Ready to go Longbottom? We have a tight schedule’

‘We do?’ Neville asked in surprise hoisting his backpack back over his shoulder.

‘Yes we have to apparate to the Ministry then catch a portkey to Hogwarts. Kingsley is authorizing the Portkey. You Harry, Ron and Hermione are the only ones getting Portkeys authorised instantly. Everyone had to apply’

‘Oh aren’t you a privileged little sausage?’ Algernon joked.

‘How long is this going to last?’ Neville asked.

‘For the foreseeable future’ McGonagall said ‘But we have to get going because Kingsley only has a five minute window in which he has the time to make a portkey. He’s even considering giving you, Ron, Harry and Hermione the authority to activate your own Portkeys until things settle down’

Enid, Algernon, Augusta and Neville all inhaled sharply and Neville stared at McGonagall incredulously.

‘What for?’ He exclaimed.

‘I don’t know you’d have to speak to him abut that. Ready to go I’ve got to take you via side along apparition’

‘Okay lets go’

McGonagall grasped Neville’s arm and with a crack they disapparated appearing a second later in the Ministry atrium. Kingsley was waiting for them by a fireplace at the far end of the corridor.

‘Ah Minerva, Neville you made it!’ He exclaimed striding over with a length of wood Neville assumed was going to be their portkey ‘Have a good visit home Neville?’

‘Yeah thanks I did’ Neville said ‘Any more on those Patronus tutoring sessions?’

‘Yes I organised something with Harry, Ron and Hermione, I hope you’ll forgive me but it’s best you talk to them about it, I have so much to do…Portus!’

The piece of wood glowed blue then resumed it’s regular appearance.

‘Take this portkey back to Hogwarts and I’ll be in touch about the tutoring sessions and to discuss authorisation for activating your own Portkeys I take it Minerva’s mentioned it’

‘Briefly’

‘Good good I’ll be in touch’

Kingsley gave McGonagall the portkey then disapparated with a crack. A second later the piece of wood glowed gold and hurriedly Neville grasped it. Instantly he felt a tug behind his navel and moments later he arrived back at in McGonagall’s office at Hogwarts once again tripping up and falling flat on his face.

‘You know I know these are a really efficient way of travel but surely there’s a more elegant way or travelling’ Neville said to McGonagall as he picked himself up and straightened his robes.

‘It is possible to land on your feet with a bit or practice’ McGonagall said.

‘Yeah? I’ve been taking portkeys everywhere all my life and never once have I landed on my feet’ Neville said dryly ‘Can I head back to the common room now Professor?’

‘Of course you can’

Neville started leaving McGonagall’s office but she called him back.

‘Oh Mr Longbottom?’

‘Yes Professor?’ Neville said looking around the heavy oak door.

‘Miss Abbott is back at the castle, I do believe you’ll find her in the Hufflepuff common room’ McGonagall said with a barely discernable smile

Neville went red.
‘Thankyou Professor’

*******************************************************************

Despite it making more sense to head straight for Gryffindor Tower Neville headed straight downstairs to the third floor where the Hufflepuff common room was located. As luck would have it he spied Susan Bones Hannah’s best friend about to enter the Hufflepuff common room.

‘Oy Susan!” Neville hissed from the end of the corridor.

Susan’s head snapped around and she laughed when she saw Neville.
‘Hey Neville!’ She said with a grin ‘How was the visit home?’

‘Yeah great just the ticket after all that’s gone here’

‘That’s good I’m heading home tomorrow after breakfast for a few days with my family too, do you want me to let Hannah know you’re back? I assume you’re not hanging around the Hufflepuff common room in a hope to get a snog with Ernie or Justin’

Neville rolled his eyes and Susan snorted with laughter.
‘I’ll go and get Hannah stay here a minute’ Susan said with a grin

Neville waited by the row of armour opposite the entrance to the Hufflepuff rooms while Susan disappeared inside. A moment later, Hannah appeared her round pink face alive with excitement. She saw Neville by the armour and ran over engulfed him in a hug. Neville picked her up and swung her around kissing her soundly on the lips.

‘I missed you!’ Hannah exclaimed lacing her fingers through his.

‘It’s only been two days’ Neville said in amusement.

‘Yeah so? I still missed you’ Hannah said ‘Shall we go somewhere else? I don’t want to get walked in on again’

‘We could go to McGonagall’s office again’ Neville said with a grin leading Hannah to the staircase leading up to the next floor.

‘Sod off no way!’ Hannah exclaimed ‘That was quite possibly the most embarrassing experience of my life getting busted snogging by my teacher’

‘Well McGonagall suggested the fifth floor and my Uncle Algie suggested the fourth floor’

‘Nix to the fourth floor that’s where the Ravenclaw common room and their the nosiest lot in Hogwarts next to the Slytherins’ Hannah said ‘I’d go with McGonagall’s suggestion she always deals out sound advice’

‘Do you reckon she knows from personal experience?’ Neville said with a grin ‘Maybe she got busted snogging by her Transfiguration professor when she was a student’

Hannah made a face.
‘Ew yuck I don’t want to think about McGonagall snogging’ She said screwing up her nose ‘That’s like walking in on your rellos shagging’

‘Have you done that?’ Neville asked in amusement as they passed the fourth floor and headed up to the fifth floor.

‘Yeah I walked in on my Uncle Robert fixing up my Aunty Louise on our potions lab bench last Summer’ Hannah said ‘Oh god that was embarrassing. I ran to the den and flooed to Susan’s place out of pure shock. But it wasn't so much of a shock when nine months later they had another baby’

‘I’m embarrassed for you’ Neville said sympathetically ‘I’ve never walked in on anyone but the way Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny are acting now I may as well have. They don’t bother going anywhere private they snog openly in the Gryffindor common room. Mind you in Ron and Hermione’s case it’s like their trying to suck each others livers out’

Hannah burst into a musical tinkling laugh that warmed Neville’s heart.
‘Ah you’re funny!’ She giggled ‘Maybe they’re making up for lost time. I mean they’ve been deluding themselves for years’

‘True’

Neville and Hannah reached the fifth floor and began walking along the corridor to find a room. They found one halfway down empty save for a dozen old desks and chairs stacked in one corner.

This place needs some tarting up’ Hannah said drawing her wand as Neville shut the door behind them ‘Hmmm Wingardium Leviosa!’

One of the old desks rose in the air and floated to the centre of the room where it dropped with a thump. Hannah flourished her wand again and muttered 'Convoso Lectus!'

Instantly the desk turned into a large three seater snow white peice another flick of her wand made a folded up blue angora throw rug appear over the back.

There something for us to sit on’ Hannah said plopping down on the couch and kicking off her shoes.

Neville couldn’t help but admire Hannah’s transfiguration skills.
‘Wow that’s fancy’ He said admiringly joining Hannah on the couch ‘I couldn’t do that’

‘Oh bull I bet you could’ Hannah said ‘A bit of practice and I bet you could fit this room out like the Gryffindor common room’

Neville snorted derisively.

Hannah cut him off with a kiss.
‘I bet you could’ She said ‘I’ll teach you’

‘I suck so much at transfiguration even now I still have issues turning a mouse into a snuff box’ Neville said returning the kiss.

‘Bullshit’

‘Bullshit nothing’

Hannah flicked her wand and conjured a white mouse from thin air.
‘Go on try and turn it into a snuff box’ She said ‘I need one the last one broke’

Neville rolled his eyes but drew his wand all the same.
‘Oh ha ha’ He said ‘Okay here goes nothing....Convoco Ut A Arca Acha!

To Neville’s total amazement the mouse turned into a small but elegant bone china and jade snuff box.

‘Bloody hell!’ He exclaimed in surprise.

‘And you reckon you’re crap at Transfiguration’ Hannah said admiring the snuff box ‘My version looks like a ring box. May I keep this?’

‘Of course’ Neville said flicking his wand and wrapping the box in bubble wrap.

Hannah placed the box on the floor by Neville's back pack and hoisted her legs up on the couch.
‘You know while I enjoyed being home I would really have preferred to be here with you’ She said her round cheeks reddening slightly ‘Well not necessarily here anywhere where you were’

'The owls weren’t enough?’ Neville joked leaning on the arm of the couch and letting Hannah lean back on him.

‘No way, I like sitting with you Neville you’re good company’ Hannah said ‘And a fantastic kisser if I may say so’

Neville was glad Hannah was facing away from him as his face burnt a brilliant scarlet.
‘Yeah, I like how you kiss anyhow’

‘Fancy one now?’

Hannah turned around and pressed her lips to Neville’s he ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her back letting his eyes fall shut, a feeling of warmth and contentment coursing through his body.

‘That was nice’ Hannah whispered resting her head on Neville’s chest ‘I could do that til dinner’

Well then how about we do that?’ Neville said with a grin.

And that’s just what they did.

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A/N: The spell translation Hannah used to change the desk into a lounge seat 'Convoso Lectus' according to the translator I use means 'Convert Couch'. The spell Neville used to Transfigure the mouse into the snuff box 'Convoco Commoror Arca Archa' means 'Convert To A Box'. I know it sounds a bit daggy but a lot of the spells in the HP books are based in Latin so I thought I'd follow that tradition and fiddle with words til I found a few that when strung together made a realistic sounding spell.

Anyway I hope you liked the third chappie. I had a LOT of fun writing it!

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