It Started With a Kiss

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A week later Hyperion Crockford and Healer Tony Lewis came to Neville in the General care ward he had been transferred to the day after Lupins funeral.

‘I hope you’re here to say I can go home I’m going nuts!’ Neville said by way of greeting.

Tony sniggered appreciatively.

‘I am actually’ Crockford said cheerfully ‘You’re far too healthy to be remaining in hospital’

‘Yeah with you healthy I have nothing to do’ Tony joked.

‘So when can I go home?’ Neville asked.

‘Now’ Crockford said placing a manila folder on the end of Neville’s bed and flipping it open ‘Well as soon as you sign these discharge papers’

Tony produced a self inking quill and gave it to Neville who seized it enthusiastically and with a flourish signed his name on the paper next to the red ‘x’

‘Okay a few things before I let you go’ Crockford said ‘You can apparate, Portkey or floo now but try and do it sparingly for at least a week. Here is a script for a weeks worth of Revitalising Draught. You’re to take a vial of it every morning’

‘I have to get a script for this?’ Neville asked ‘Can’t I brew it myself? I mean Potions isn’t my strong point but I reckon I could manage a Revitalising Draught’

‘If it were a simple Revitalising Draught then yes I would get you to brew one yourself but this one has been tailored for you to aid your recovery. I notified the apothecary this morning and it should be ready for you if you call by there on your way home. If there’s any left after the week discard it after that it’s nothing more than plant fertiliser’

‘Fair enough’

‘And try and get out and do some gentle exercise your vitamin D levels are lower then I would like but that’s not unusual seeing as you’ve been here for three weeks. A short time in the sun every day should get you feeling yourself in no time’

‘Would you consider horse riding gentle exercise?’

‘Yes if you don’t go galloping like a maniac’

‘Don’t worry I won’t be doing that I’m not a good enough rider’

‘Well with whatever you do don’t overdo it. I will personally hex you if you turn up in intensive care again’

Tony laughed out loud.
‘Trust me mate it’ll happen’ He said.

Crockford rolled his eyes.
‘And the last bit of post stay advice I can give you is try and practice some more difficult spells. Your magical core is still tender and the way to strengthen it is to practice some of the spells you wouldn’t normally cast. The Patronus Charm is a good one. I hear you’re quite adept at casting it when able bodied’

‘Well I don’t want to boast’ Neville said with a grin.

‘Okay come back to my rooms up in I.C.U in a week at three PM. I’ll give you a check up then and hopefully after that you won’t be in here again’

‘Okay well thanks very much for looking after me’ Neville said offering his hand to Crockford ‘I appreciate it very much’

‘No worries Neville it’s been a pleasure meeting you, though I would rather it had been in more pleasant circumstances’ Crockford replied shaking Neville’s hand firmly ‘Stay healthy won’t you?’

‘I intend to’ Neville said with a grin ‘Thanks Tony for all your help too’

Tony shook Neville’s hand and cuffed his shoulder.
‘No problem mate no problem’ He said ‘Stay safe won’t you?’

‘That’s the plan’

After packing up his things Neville called by the apothecary then disapparated from the hospital without bothering to exit the building. He arrived back in the front yard of Longbottom House a second later and with the enthusiasm of a five year old at Christmas he flung open the front door and crossed the threshold.

‘HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?’ He bellowed.

‘Neville is that you?’ Enid’s incredulous voice came from the kitchen.

Neville bounded into the kitchen where Enid was stirring a bowl of melted chocolate.

‘It is you!’ Enid exclaimed waving her wand at the wooden spoon she was using so to set it stirring the chocolate before rounding the bench and engulfing her great nephew in a bear hug ‘Why are you at home?’

‘I was released from St Mungos officially fifteen minutes ago’ Neville said returning the hug ‘I signed the discharge papers picked up my script from the apothecary the apparated straight here. I’m not sticking around though I want to go and visit Hannah’

‘But surely you ought to rest? I mean you’ve only just been released!’

‘Enie I’ve been resting for a week and a half. If I do anymore ‘resting’ I will go nuts and end up back in St Mungo’s this time in the loony bin ward. And anyway Crockford advised me to do some gentle exercise. I’m stir crazy I need to get out in the open and scream’

Enid laughed.
‘Neville dear you’re not the screaming type but I understand what you mean’ She said with an amused chuckle ‘You’re lucky Gussie isn’t here or she would confiscate your wand and physically make sure you stayed here’

‘I know that’s why I’m outta here before she gets back from wherever she is’ Neville said with a grin banishing his bag to a hook by the fireplace ‘Just tell her I’m off to see Hannah and I don’t know when I’ll be back and that if things are truly urgent to Patronus me’

‘Okay chookie have fun!’

‘You can count on that’

And with a grin Neville turned on the spot and disapparated. He arrived at the end of a long drive that marked the entrance to a huge property of rolling green hills lined with white paling fences. Momentarily surprised at the accuracy of his Disapparation Neville straightened his cloak and set off down the drive toward the large two story red brick house cloaked by impressive acorn trees.

A few days earlier while visiting him in hospital Hannah invited him to visit and invited him to visit whenever he felt like it and had assured him his unannounced arrival would not bother her father when Neville voiced his concern.

‘Nah don’t worry about it just don’t turn up in the middle of the night’ She had said ‘Dad’s an easy guy. Anyway he has the house guarded against the magical signatures of unauthorised visitors and it’s nothing for him or me to adjust the wards to allow you in’

Neville smiled at the memory of the conversation and continued down the drive skipping up the steps and ringing the door bell with the tip of his wand.

There was a flurry of steps and a click of a lock and the door opened to reveal a tall slim man dressed in navy blue overalls and reeking of saddle soap.

‘Yes hello?’ He said with a raised eyebrow.

‘Um Hi I’m Neville Longbottom I’m here to see Hannah?’ Neville said uncertainly.

‘Oh sloblocks so you are duh Mick you’re a dunce!’ The man exclaimed berating himself ‘Your photo has been in the paper! Come in come in I’m Mick Abbott Hannah’s father’

Mick waved Neville inside and shut the door behind them. He cleaned his hands with a poke from his wand and extended a hand to Neville.

‘Nice to meet you son Hannah’s been going on about you for weeks. Did you just get out of St Mungos?’

‘Yes Sir I did about twenty minutes ago officially’ Neville replied ‘I’m free to roam the countryside now. Well participate in gentle exercise according to my healer’

Mick laughed.
‘Funny stuff’ He chuckled ‘How about I let Hannah know you’re here?’ She’d be down in the stables with the horses’

‘Um Sir could you just tell her she has a visitor and not tell her it’s me? I’d like to surprise her’

‘No worries son, just go down the hall and wait in the lounge room it’s the first door on the left’

‘Thankyou Sir’

‘And Neville?’

‘Yes Sir?’

‘Cut the Sir crap it’s too formal’ Mick said with a grin ‘Sir is for professors and officers of the muggle armed forces. You may call me Mick’

‘Thankyou I’ll do that in future’

Mick grinned and went to a small intercom by the coat hook just inside the front door. He pressed a button and after a short beep it crackled to life.

‘Yo it’s Hannah speak to me homie!’ Came the crackle of Hannah’s voice through the speaker.

‘Ha ha’ Mick said ‘Hannah banana it’s Dad you’ve got a visitor’

‘Oh yeah who is it?’

‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’

‘Smart arse who is it really?’

‘Okay I was joking it’s Babbitty Rabbitty but she left her cackling stump at home’

‘DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!’

‘Just come up to the house your visitor will be waiting in the lounge room. I’ll be in the workshop if you need me’’

‘Okay I’ll be two minutes’

‘Okay there you go she won’t be long’ Mick said to Neville with a grin.

‘Thanks’

Mick exited the foyer and Neville made his way down the hallway to the lounge room where he flopped into the nearest chair and waited for Hannah. A few minutes later the back door banged open and footsteps thumped into the house. Neville hurriedly got to his feet and waited in anticipation as the footsteps progressed from the back of the spacious house down the hall and to the lounge room.

There was a nanosecond of time where nothing happened then Hannah squealed like a stuck pig and launched herself into his arms.

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” She screeched kissing him hard on the lips ‘My god you’re here!’

Neville laughed at her enthusiasm.
Well Crockford came to me at St Mungos half an hour ago and said I could go so I signed the discharge papers dropped my things home and came straight here’

‘Does Augusta know?’

‘I don’t know if she goes home before she goes anywhere else she’ll know because Enie was home when I arrived back’

‘She’ll kill you if she goes to St Mungos first and finds out you didn’t let her know you were being discharged’ Hannah said with a giggle.

‘Yeah I know but she’ll probably go back to the Manor and Enie will be able to tell her were I am so I’m hoping she’ll have time to calm down before I get back home’

‘Crafty...so fancy a tour?’

‘Of course lead the way’

Hannah took Neville hand and enthusiastically pulled him through the house and outside where a long shell grit driveway led the way to an American style circular horse barn.

‘Your Dad’s a nice bloke’ Neville commented as they made their way down the porch steps and across the manicured lawn.

‘Yeah he’s great Dad’ Hannah said ‘I suppose he reeked of saddle soap?’

‘He did actually’

‘Al that means he was working on his latest project’

‘Which is?’

‘A saddle for his prize mare. He makes his own saddle soap and it’s rather pungent and before sewing anything together he treats it with this stuff’

‘It made my nose tickle’

‘It does that in the beginning but you do get used to it’ Hannah said engulfing him in another rib cracking hug ‘Oh it’s so good to see you! I wish you had let me know though’

‘I thought you might like the surprise’ Neville said with a blush.

‘Oh I did I did! But still you should’ve told me’ Hannah admonished in amusement ‘So what are you going to do now?’

‘Well I promised Crockford I would take it easy for the next week but after that I’m going to start on the first lot of Auror training material that Kingsley gave me the day of Lupins funeral then I thought I could let Harry know I’m ready to start the Patronus tutoring sessions again’

‘Oh good it’ll be good to have some company with those’ Hannah said ‘I’ve been doing them on my own for the last three days and it’s much easier to have a second. The lot I have now are well....’

‘A bunch of numpties?’ Neville said in amusement.

‘Yeah but it’s like they’ve never heard of a Patronus Charm I think I might have to work with this lot for two weeks instead the usual one. None of them have even tried casting the Patronus Charm until this workshop. They barely know if it in theory and according to Professor McGonagall the Patronus Charm has been part of the Hogwarts curriculum since sixth year since before she taught there and she’s been teaching there for forty one years’

‘How long has Flitwick been the Charms Professor?’ Neville asked in interest ‘Surely he would’ve taught all the sixth and seventh years to pass under his care the Patronus Charm since he started there’

‘He’s been there ages almost as long as McGonagall I think’ Hannah said ‘But a lot of the current group were educated abroad so I suppose it’s not surprising they’re not familiar with the spell’

‘What schools did they go to?’

‘Of the twelve in the group five went to the Salem Institute three went to Beauxbatons two went to Durmstrang one went to Hogwarts and the other one came from the Australia Academy of Magic. I know sod all about the curriculum at the Australia Academy of Magic but according to George who went there it’s a Defence focused school. Beauxbatons doesn’t have a focus on any particular subject and Durmstrang has the reputation of the Dark Arts not fighting them so at least in that case it’s not surprising the students from there don’t know much about producing a Patronus’

‘What about the Salem Institute?’

‘I don’t know anything about it apart from it being one of four magic schools in America. Of the other three, the Adirodack Mountain Academy is an all boys school that’s in upstate New York in the middle of Adirondack Park, Hilford Acres Academy is an all girl school that’s in Florida and the Nevada Valley School of Magic is the other co-ed school that’s in Nevada near the big Dragon reserve there’

‘How do you know all that did Hermione give you her copy of ‘Magical Appraisal of Europe?’ Neville joked.

‘Ha ha no and anyway the American schools wouldn’t be in Appraisal. I’ve only gone on what this George has told me’

Hannah led Neville to the end of the porch and with a flick of her wand slid open the heavy redwood door of the stable. Inside was one the most alluring smells in the world. Hay, leather and saddle soap. The soft shuffle of horses shifting in their boxes interrupted the silence until there was a loud metallic ‘ching’ of a horseshoe connecting with wood that was closely followed by an ear piercing neigh.

‘That’ Hannah said with a grimace as she uncovered her ears ‘Is my horse, he was about to be put in his yard when you called and is probably pissed off that I haven’t turned him out yet’

Neville’s line of sight was drawn to a loose box directly in front of him that housed a magnificent black stallion who was pacing backwards and forwards and pressing his muscular chest against the door.

‘Wow’ was all he could say.

‘He’s lovely isn’t he?’ Hannah said summoning an apple from the feed room and holding it out to the animal who lipped it up with surprising delicacy ‘’He used to race and now I show him during the school holidays’

Although wizards rarely mixed with the muggle population horse racing was a popular sport in both worlds and every day the Daily Prophet carried a form guide outlining several race meetings throughout England and the rest of the U.K. Neville had no experience apart from a faint memory of attending a meeting when he was a small child well before his Hogwarts years.

‘Was he any good?’ Neville asked as the stallion dribbled apple juice down the front of the polished door.

‘Yeah he kept himself in oats but was no champion’ Hannah said.

‘What’s his name?’

‘His show name which was also his racing name was Magnificence but I just call him Magic I know it’s corny’

‘Nah it suits him’ Neville said holding out a flat palm to the stallion who pricked his ears and began sniffing furiously. ‘My grandfather used to go to the races all the time before he died. I don’t know if he ever owned anything himself though. He struck me more the type to bet on them than to own them’

I better let him out before he kicks the door down. He broke one of the reinforcing charms Dad but on the box once’

Hannah summoned a fluoro pink bridle from a nearby hook and put it on Magnificence before clipping a lead rope to the bit and opening the door. The stallion barged out and swung around her in exuberance.

‘Follow me’ Hannah said with a grunt bringing the stallion into check.

Keeping out of Magnificence’s way Neville followed Hannah out of the barn and down another path til they came to a huge paddock with a eight foot high paling fence around it. On the gate was a shiny plaque that read ‘Magnificence’. Hannah led him into it then slid off his bridle she stood for a moment shading her eyes from the sun as her horse reared up and took off in a tearing gallop.

‘There he can amuse himself for a few hours while I show you around everywhere else’ Hannah said leaving the paddock and securing it with a tap from her wand.

‘So do you breed him?’ Neville asked as Magnificence thundered by bucking at the pure unadulterated joy of being outside.

‘Yeah his stud fees have payed my way through Hogwarts’ Hannah replied ‘We don’t have any foals of his here at the moment but we will when they get weaned at the beginning of summer’

‘So do you ever have muggles coming here?’ Neville asked in interest ‘You can see magic all over this place’

‘Yeah we do but we don’t have non magic people on here without an appointment first so we can put concealment charms on the place in preparation for their visit’ Hannah said ‘We have people coming to inspect Magic all the time or to have a look when they board their mares here. Our small staff consists of squibs, witches or wizards or muggles who know of the magic world so we don’t have to hide anything in front of them’

Hannah and Neville came to a stop in front of a slightly smaller paddock opposite Magnificence that housed half a dozen other horses spread out each peacefully grazing.

‘These are the horses belonging to our staff’ Hannah said climbing up on the bottom railing and hooking her arms over the top most rail ‘Everything from Clydesdales that’s Mercury he’s named after Freddy Mercury the lead singer of the Muggle band Queen, to Welsh Mountain Ponies that’s Patrice. She belongs to the daughter of the guy who minds Magic for me when I’m in school’

‘Hey my Patronus is a Welsh Mountain Pony maybe I ought to name it Patrice’ Neville said with a laugh climbing up on the fence to join Hannah.

‘Maybe you should’ Hannah said with a grin ‘But you have to tell Patrice it’s an honour for a pony to have a Patronus named after them’

Neville rolled his eyes.
‘Oh ha ha’ He said dryly.

‘Nah I’m serious’ Hannah said ‘Offer her a carrot and she’s anybody’s’

‘So she’s a tart then’ Neville said with a loud laugh.

‘That doesn’t even deserve an eye roll’ Hannah said ‘I tell ya one thing Neville you’re a shitehouse comedian’

‘Hey a few days ago you said I was funny!’ Neville said feigning great pain.

‘Well it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind’ Hannah said with a grin ‘How long have you got to stay?’

‘All day if you like’ Neville said ‘Free as a bird as it were’

‘Great I think it’s time to get you on a horse’

‘Pardon?’ Neville yelped ‘Hannah I have never been on a horse aside from a pony at the Hogsmeade Agricultural Show my whole life! I’m barely co-ordinated on my own feet I’d have issues just sitting on a horse!’

‘Oh bollocks you would not’ Hannah said jumping down off the fence ‘Riding is easy to pick up. I can put you on a Shetland pony if you like it’s not as far to fall then’

‘Oh ha ha very funny’

‘C’mon give it a go’ Hannah urged bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet much like Horace Slughorn did ‘I can longe you around the corral a few times for you to get your confidence up if you like’

‘Longe?’

‘It’s where you attach a lead line to a horses bri-Oh never mind c’mon lets go for a trail ride! This place is better to see from atop a horse’

‘Who would you ride? You’ve just put Magic in his paddock’

‘I’ll ride Mercury his owner is visiting relatives in Canada. Merc needs a ride he hasn’t had a saddle on his back for three days’

‘So I should think of Mercury then?’

Hannah laughed shrilly.
‘Of course it’s mean not to ride a horse like Merc every day. It would be like taking Hagrid away from the animals at Hogwarts or the power of detention away from McGonagall!’

‘Oh come on Han that excuse is not convincing!’ Neville said trying very hard not to laugh (And failing miserably).

‘Would you do it for me?’ Hannah said jutting out her bottom lip and giving him the biggest puppy dog expression he’d ever seen ‘For me Hannah your girlfriend?’

‘Weeeeeeeeeeeell-’

‘Would this convince you?’

Hannah stepped forward and sexily wrapped her arms around his waist her body pressed up against his and her lips inches away from his.

Neville opened his mouth to protest but Hannah seized the opportunity and pressed her lips to his pressing forward with his tongue her arms squeezing him around the middle.

‘I’d agree to hex my oesophagus out of my neck if you did that every time’ Neville said dreamily after Hannah pulled away (Almost a minute later).

‘So you’ll come on a ride with me?’ Hannah said with a grin.

‘Yeah okay but nothing stupid yeah?’ I promised Crockford I’d behave myself. And Gran would perform the Entrail Expelling Curse on me if I ended up in St Mungos again’

‘I promise we won’t do anything stupid’ Hannah said ‘I guarantee if you do it often enough you’ll be a confident rider by Christmas’

‘Ha I doubt it!’

‘Nah seriously you will’ Hannah said in earnest.

‘Well what should I wear? I haven’t got any proper clothes and there’s no way you’ll get me on a horse without a helmet’

‘I can transfigure your jeans into jods and your trainers into tall boots. You could borrow Dad’s helmet but he has a big head so a Shrinking Charm ought to fix that’ Hannah said with a grin.

Neville sniggered.
‘I bet you wouldn’t say your Dad had a big head to his face’ Neville said with a laugh as they started back toward the barn.

‘Oh yeah I would everyone here does though they tend to shorten it to BH’ Hannah said with a grin.

‘Now to go horse riding I’m going to need a horse’ Neville said ‘Which one are you going to put me on?’

‘Hmmmmm you could go on Goblin but he had a big show on the weekend and is resting, or you could go on Chocolate. She’s a lazy dopey horse Dad puts all the beginners on but you’ll get confident on her really quickly.. But she’s in the end paddock with Dad’s mare Sable we’d have to get her now or wait til after lunch’

‘Lets have lunch first’ Neville suggested ‘You can walk me about a bit more’

‘Sure! Come with me’

Half an hour later after introducing Neville to all the present staff and the other horses in the barn Hannah led Neville into the house where the wafting smell of something cooking came from the kitchen.

‘Dad if you’re brewing leather conditioner in the kitchen again I will hex you! Then who would exercise Sable for you?’ Hannah called shutting the back door behind her.

‘Sweetheart does this look like leather conditioner to you?’ Mick with a mock wounded look on his face as he emerged from the kitchen carrying a basket of garlic bread ‘That brewing incident in the kitchen was a once off....and before you started at Hogwarts I should add’

‘The Summer before I started at Hogwarts Dad blew up the kitchen when he first attempted to create his own brand of leather conditioner’ Hannah said to Neville with a grin as she went to the sink to wash her hands He blew out all the windows the plumbing in the sink and Mum went ape’

‘Oh I did not blow up the kitchen and the windows only had cracks in them’ Mick retorted in a tone indicating to Neville this story was an old well told one.

‘But you blew up the plumbing?’ Neville said with a chuckle.

Mick blushed.
‘Yeah I did actually do that’ He admitted ‘Had to get a home maintenance repairwizard out to fix it before the house flooded. I have since learnt not to add screechsnap oil to the recipe’

‘Don’t feel bad I regularly used to blow up cauldrons during potions lessons’ Neville said. But I only ever destroyed a cauldron and put a chip in a desk I didn’t manage to destroy half a plumbing system’

Hannah sniggered and Mick rolled his eyes.

‘Dad Neville and I are going to go for a ride after lunch who do you reckon I should put him on?’ Hannah asked peering in the oven to see the contents (Lasagne) ‘I was thinking about Gobby or Chocolate’

‘Get Chocolate, Gobby’s a bit sore from that pole he knocked down last weekend’ Mick said drawing his wand and flicking it so the table set itself ‘And Chocolate’s not been on a ride for a while she needs to get out’

‘This horse isn’t going to go mental on me because she hasn’t been out in a while is she?’ Neville asked going to the sink to wash his hands ‘I’ve not ridden a horse before and I’ve just come out of hospital Gran would hex me if I got injured again’

‘Nah mate this one you’re on is quiet as a mouse’ Mick said ‘Nothing fazes her, you’ll be fine’

‘Good’

‘Who are you taking out?’ Mick asked his daughter.

‘Merc I’ve only just turned Magic out’ Hannah said ‘Hey where are the others?’ All the horses are turned out and it’s deadly quiet’

‘Louise and Jake went to friends and Zac is at your grandparents’ Mick said ‘They’ll all be back tonight though’

‘Fair enough it’s just a bit too quiet’

‘I know!’

‘An hour and a half later after a leisurely lunch Neville followed Hannah outside now dressed in newly transfigured skin tight jodhpurs and matching knee high boots.

‘What’s so funny?’ Neville asked her as Hannah let out a barely discernable snort as they headed past the barn to collect the horses they were going to ride.

‘Well nothing.....not really’ Hannah said her green eyes alive with mischief.

‘Oh that’s a load of rot, you’re laughing at me!’ Neville exclaimed as Hannah collapsed in a fit of giggles ‘Do I look ridiculous?’

‘Y-y-yes you d-d-do actually’ Hannah said pulling herself together with great effort ‘I’m just so used to seeing you in robes or jeans to see you in jods and boots is hilarious!’

Neville stopped in his tracks and crossed his arm theatrically tapping his booted foot.
‘I do not have to put up with this!’ He said sticking his nose in the air.

Hannah slung her arms around his waist and kissed his neck.
‘I’m sorry’ She said in her best ‘little girl’ voice ‘Forgive me?’

Neville waited til Hannah was well and truly lost in giving him a love bite before he responded.
‘Well I suppose I can’ He said ‘But just this once understand? I’m a very emotionally delicate person’

‘Oh crap what a load of bullshit!’ Hannah exclaimed with a laugh ‘C’mon time to introduce you to your horse’

Hannah led Neville slightly off the main path and to a large paddock that housed only two horses. A brown mare draped in a bright red rug and a chunky piebald mare who was currently enjoying a luxurious roll in the grass her stocky legs waving theatrically above her.

‘The one on her back with her legs in the air is your horse’ Hannah said with a grin opening the paddock latch and leading him in ‘And there’s nothing that will get her to stop rolling until she’s well and truly finished. Even if you had a ton of carrots she wouldn’t come over’

‘Unlike the other one?’ Neville said as the mare in the red rug began shuffling over her small ears pricked sharply.

‘Oh yeah Sable loves visitors’ Hannah said pulling a crust of bread out of her pocket ‘Though her treat of choice is a bread crust as opposed to apples or carrots. I try and bring her a piece whenever I come to visit her’

Sable arrived and extended her sculptured head toward Hannah’s hand. Hannah patted her nose then opened her hand. Sable grunted then delicately lipped up the squashed bread crust chewing greedily.

‘Wow I can see why she’s your Dad’s prized horse’ Neville said admiring the mare’s physique ‘She’s lovely’

‘Yeah she is she’s one of my favourites’ Hannah said rubbing the mare’s ears ‘She’s the last foal of Dad’s first mare Mink. She was born the year I started at Hogwarts’

‘So does your Dad breed her?’ Neville asked.

‘He hasn’t yet but next year we’re going to put her to Magic and see what happens’

Eventually the roll-a-holic piebald mare finished rolling and trotted over barging her way in between Neville and Sable who was enjoying and ear scratch Neville was giving her. Sable laid her ears back and bared her teeth infuriated at the interruption.

‘Oy you two behave’ Hannah scolded as the piebald mare cocked a hoof and laid her ears back in retaliation.

‘Does this one always barge in on the pats?’ Neville asked in amusement as Sable slinked off and the piebald mare pushed her nose into Neville’s hands.

‘Oh yeah all the time. She’s a bit bossy this one’ Hannah said slipping a halter over the mare’s head ‘Well Chocolate you big bossy boots this is Neville he’ll be taking you out today...make sure you behave yourself’

‘Gawd you sound like McGonagall’ Neville said with a grin running a hand down Chocolate’s muscular neck.

‘Oh ha ha well she’s your horse you can lead her up to the barn’ Hannah said shoving the leadrope into his hands ‘Get to know her like a girlfriend. A rider always needs to bond with the horse they are about to ride’

‘You want me to get to know her like I got to know you?’ Neville joked with a raised eyebrow ‘I’ve never done it before but I know it would be very hard to dip a full grown horse like you would at the end of a Tango and plant a great big kiss on her mush’

Hannah giggled and rolled he eyes.
‘Numpty’ She said ‘I meant pat her, sing to her, tell her how you decapitated Nagini. Jake learnt to ride on her and he used to sing ‘Do The Hippogriff’ to her all the time’

‘I am not singing ‘Do The Hippogriff’ to her!’ Neville exclaimed ‘And anyways I can’t sing to save my life’

‘You don’t have to sing to her’ Hannah said as they left the paddock ‘Recite the alphabet or just coo baby talk to her. Horses like a good strong confident voice especially Chocky’

‘You think I have a good strong confident voice?’ Neville asked in surprise.

‘Of course I think you have a good strong.....everything’ Hannah said going bright red.

‘Oh yeah? Define everything’ Neville said as his face too coloured up.

Hannah took her time latching the gate.
‘When we get to where I want to take you I’ll let you know’ She said with a squeak in her voice.

‘So where are we heading?’ Neville asked as they started back up the path to the paddock where Mercury was.

‘Up over the hill which takes about forty five minutes then another forty five minutes to this water hole where all of us go swimming in summer. But it’s also secluded’

‘So we can really be alone?’ Neville said with a grin.

‘Yeah we can’ Hannah said with a grin meeting his eyes shyly ‘We haven’t had much opportunity to be alone since the end of the war and I thought if we went on this ride. Though this being your first time on a horse proper you might need a painkilling potion once you dismount’

‘I don’t mind you can rub all my sore spots’ Neville blurted out.

‘WHERE THE FUCK DID THAT COME FROM? Neville screamed inwardly his face almost painful from the blush of embarrassment NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM YOU FUCKING FUCKING IDIOT! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING SAYING THAT YOU FUCKWIT?

Hannah’s face was as red as Neville’s and for a moment they were too embarrassed to look at each other but Hannah made the first move ad slipped her hand into his.

‘If you like’ She said ‘But like I said in St Mungos nothing you’re not ready for yeah? We’ll only do what you feel okay with’

‘You’re too good to me’ Neville said kissing her forehead and squeezing her shoulders ‘C’mon lets go on this ride then you can laugh at me riding like a sack of potatoes’

‘I don’t think you’ll ride like a sack of potatoes’ Hannah said ‘In the beginning you might but as I said before by Christmas you’ll be good enough to get off Chocky and maybe onto Butterbeer’

Neville sniggered.
‘You named a horse Butterbeer?’ He chortled.

‘No I didn’t Mum named this one he was born the day before I was and was named after the one thing Mum craved most when she was pregnant with me according to Dad’ Hannah said with a grin ‘According to Dad mum used to go through a carton on Butterbeer a day when cravings first hit’

‘A carton?’ Neville exclaimed in amazement ‘There’s twenty four bottles in a carton!’

‘I know Dad figures that’s why I like Butterbeer so much he reckons I marinated in it’

Neville sniggered.
‘Did you Mum have a fancy for liquorice wands too?’ He asked ‘You always seemed to be sucking on one of those at Hogwarts’

‘Nah I’m the only one in the family that likes them everyone else has a thing for Jelly slugs and Droobles’

Neville and Hannah came to Mercury’s paddock and Hannah went in while Neville waited with Chocolate. A few minutes later Hannah came back leading the enormous bay gelding who seemed to be most excited at the prospect of a ride.

‘This one is a shit to lead’ Hannah said with a grunt digging her heels into the turf and bringing the gelding to a stop ‘I’m glad he behaves better when he’s got a rider on’

‘The plates we ate off of in the Great Hall are smaller that his hooves’ Neville said as with difficulty Hannah drew her wand and gave it a flick so the gate shut and latched itself.

‘Yeah not kidding Jake says that all the time’ Hannah said sticking her wand in her hair ‘He calls Merc plates because of it’

Neville and Hannah made their way up the path and back into the barn where Hannah’s father was retrieving tack from the tack room.

‘Thought I might get the tack out for you’ He said placing a huge saddle on the bale of hay in front of Mercury’s stall’

‘Sometimes I can’t see how Trevor deals with Merc he’s a pain in the arse to lead’ Hannah said leading the gelding into his stall ‘Even Magic behaves himself and he’s a stallion!’

‘He might be a bit fresh and looking to get out in the air’ Mick said patting the gelding’s nose.

‘Dad can you give Neville a hand getting Chocky ready? I’m going to have my hands full getting Merc ready’ Hannah said running her wand over the gelding to clean his coat of mud and grass stains.

‘No worries luv’

Neville had tied Chocolate up and was running his wand over her coat in imitation of Hannah when Mick came over.

‘So what’s your experience with horses lad?’ He asked.

‘A Shetland Pony ride at the nineteen eighty three Hogsmeade Agricultural Show’ Neville said with a grin ‘So basically diddly squat’

‘Ah you’re a newbie Hannah can really mould you then’ Mick said cheerfully rubbing his hands together.

A thousand erotic thoughts that sprang to mind about Hannah ‘moulding’ him but Neville bit the tip of his tongue and forced the train of his thoughts back onto the lesson Mick was about to give him.

‘Okie dokie you’ve groomed her coat first have you inspected her hooves?’ Mick asked ‘That’s something you’ve always got to do if there’s a stone under the shoe she could go lame out in the field’

And for the next fifteen minutes Mick gave Neville an intense horse lesson the end result him being ready to ride.

‘Okay now we have to adjust the bucket I call a helmet to fit you’ Mick said placing his helmet on Neville’s head and drawing his wand ‘Don’t worry I’ll make sure it’s a firm fit I don’t want to get a Howler from your Gran because you’ve fallen off and ended up in St Mungos again’

‘How likely is that?’ Neville yelped as Mick tapped the visor of the helmet and charmed it to shrink.

‘On Chockie? Near enough to zero it’s not worth thinking about’ Mick said ‘Earlier this year a big truck bringing clients mares here for Magic backfired and Chockie was the only one who didn’t go nuts. She didn’t even flick and ear. She’s bombproof you’ll have no worries on her at all...how does that feel?’

‘Secure’ Neville said we ready to go?’

‘Yup I’ll leave you in the capable hands of my girl I have some potions in the lab that need supervision. Have fun kids send a Patronus if you need help’

‘Thanks Dad we’ll be back in a few hours’ Hannah said slinging a back pack over her shoulders and leading Mercury out of his stall ‘We might head over Shenandoah Falls and call by the Cock ‘n’ Bull on the way back’

‘No worries sweetheart ride safe’

‘We will’

‘I like your Dad’ Neville said as Mick left the barn and disappeared into the house.

‘Yeah he’s a good bloke’ Hannah said ‘Okay do you know how to mount a horse?’

‘In theory yes’

‘Hmm okay I better start you with a mounting block then’ Hannah said hooking Mercury’s reins to a nearby bridle hook.

Hannah flicked her wand and conjured up a tripod of plastic milk crates. She then went to Chocolates head.

‘Okay first of all hold the reins firmly in your left hand over the pommel of the saddle and right one on the cantle’ She said.

Neville followed her instructions.

‘Okay now place the ball of your left foot in the stirrup’

Neville lifted his leg up and placed his foot in the stirrup.

‘Your Bum looks nice at this angle’ Hannah said with a giggle playfully slapping his bum ‘Can you hold that position while I rush into the house and get the camera?’


‘Oh sod off I am not going to let you take a picture of my bum!’ Neville exclaimed ‘And why would you want a picture when you have the real thing?’

Hannah snorted.
‘You’re distracting me!’ She admonished ‘Okay now using your hands to pull you up and your foot to push yourself up bring yourself up into the saddle and when you’re up there swing your leg over and bring it down the other side’ Hannah said ‘But be careful to sit yourself down gently Chocky won’t like it if you kick her in the side’

With a grunt Neville followed Hannah’s directions and soon found himself sitting comfortably in the saddle.

‘Okay now put your other foot in the stirrup rest the ball of the foot on the stirrup and let your weight sink down into your heel so the heel of your boots are lower than your ankle’ Hannah said standing back and casting an eye over them ‘How’s that? Feel comfy?’

‘Well yeah as comfortable as you can be with a horse between your legs’ Neville joked.

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Geez you’re a knob’ She said ‘Okay now the reins, thread them between your ring finger and pinkie and let the excess go between your thumbs and index fingers. The buckle of the reins should be around Chocky’s shoulder if you’ve got them the right length. If it’s below they’re too tight and if it’s above they’re too loose’

Neville threaded the reins through his fingers and let the excess hang between his hands and down Chocolate’s shoulders. The mare who had been half asleep while Neville arranged himself in the saddle stood evenly on all four feet and flicked her ears.

‘See her ears?’ Hannah said happily ‘When they flick back that means she’s listening to you. Whenever a horse flicks their ears back at you it means they’re listening to you’

‘And that’s a good thing?’ Neville asked.

‘Hell yeah and you’ve got the reins the right length too not too long not too short’ Hannah said ‘Now to get her moving gently squeeze with your knees and tap your feet against the girth that’ll get her moving’

‘How do I get her to stop?’ Neville asked.

‘Draw back gently and evenly on the reins and sit back in the saddle’ Hannah said going to Mercury’s side ‘Do you want to wait for me or do you want to wait out by the trough?’

‘Oh I think I’m brave enough to wait out by the trough’ Neville said urging Chocolate forward ‘See you out there’

‘Got it’

Feeling rather proud of himself Neville rode Chocolate outside and stopped her by the water trough. Moments later Hannah came out atop Mercury.

‘Okie dokie lets head out on the range’ She said in a fake southern American accent.

‘Where the deer and the antelope play I assume?’ Neville joked urging Chocolate forward again.

‘Oh ha ha veeeeeery funny’ Hannah said ‘Feeling comfy?’

‘So far, I can’t guarantee I’ll feel the same when it comes to dismounting though’ Neville replied ‘I can already feel where it’s going to hurt tomorrow’

‘Yeah unfortunately there’s nothing even magic can do to prevent that even with a cushioning charm’ Hannah said ‘I’m always sore after the first ride back from the holidays. But a hot lavender bath and some painkilling draught helps’

‘So how’s my form?’

‘Pretty good just remember to keep your heels down. It’s a balance and safety issue. If in the unlikely event that you do fall off your feet will come out of the stirrups more easily if your heel is downward as opposed to having your toe jammed in the stirrup. And you do not want no have your foot stuck in the stirrup when your horse is dragging you along. That happened to me once and I spent a week in St Mungos with concussion’

‘How long ago was that?’

‘The summer before third year about two weeks after term let out, I was out of it for two days. After that Mum and Dad made sure I had my wand with me and taught me a tricky little spell that would allow me to free myself should I get stuck again’

‘Even though you were underage?’

‘Uh huh see the Ministry can’t trace underage magic if an underage witch or wizard lives on the premises of an of age witch or wizard. It was stipulated that I could only use magic if it were absolutely necessary and not willy nilly. I had to muck out and groom the horses the muggle way even. But now that I‘m of age I do it all with magic. Jake, Zac and Louie hate it because they still have to use the wheelbarrow to muck out. Jake’s not of age til Easter next year and he’s saying the next ten months are going to be a bigger pain in the bum than OWL’s and first year N.E.W.T’s were’

‘Aw I think that might be going a bit far’ Neville said ‘I reckon I’d rather muck out a stable the muggle way than go through OWL’s and first year N.E.W.T’s again’

Hannah laughed.
‘I reckon I would too’ She said ‘Especially in Charms and Transfiguration, they’re my two favourite subjects and I thought my head was going to bust with the N.E.W.T exam’

‘I’m glad I didn’t do N.E.W.T Transfiguration then’ Neville said ‘The Charm one wasn’t so bad though. At least not as hard as I expected it to be. I found Potions and Defence the hardest, Herbology was a cakewalk’

‘Only you would say Herbology was a cakewalk’ Hannah said dryly as they rode past Magnificence’s paddock ‘You Herbology nerd you. You are the only person in the whole of Hogwarts who would say Herbology is a cakewalk and this is coming from me a Hufflepuff the house of Herbologist’s’

‘You sound like you’re thinking of going back so re-do your seventh year’ Neville said intuitively.

‘Would you hate me if I said I was?’ Hannah said sheepishly ‘I’ve been thinking about it a lot the last couple of weeks. You, Harry and Ron are the only ones not going back from our year you know? I know technically I don’t have to go back Dad and Uncle David said they would help me along with the apprenticeship but you never know I might change my mind and decide to get into something that requires the completion of my N.E.W.T’s’

‘Of course I wouldn’t hate you’ Neville said ‘Don’t be ridiculous. We’d have to restrict our visits to Hogsmeade Weekends and holidays though’

‘Dunno about that Harry told me about two secret passageways in and out of Hogwarts and if I chose the right time I reckon I could sneak out and make time to visit’ Hannah said with a coy smile.

‘You will not!’ Neville exclaimed ‘Hogwarts walls have eyes and ears someone would find out about you sneaking out to see me and I could get in trouble too’

‘I wasn’t totally serious’ Hannah said with a laugh ‘And anyway I’m sure McGonagall would give Hermione, Ginny and I the occasional visit on compassionate grounds outside of Hogsmeade visits and holidays. She’s a reasonable woman given the right argument you know’

‘Yeah I know that, but compassionate grounds?’ Neville said with amused scepticism ‘Usually that’s only granted if a relative is dying or getting married and neither is happening to anyone in either of our families. At least not in the near future’

‘Ah well we’ll figure something out’ Hannah said ‘But you, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione are war heroes she might let you come and go from Hogwarts as you like. You could come to us’

‘Ginny isn’t of age just yet and there would be no way in hell war heroes or not that McGonagall would let her out of the castle’ Neville said ‘She’s a stickler for the rules’

‘Yeah she is....dammit’ Hannah said with a laugh.

‘But there is the room of Requirement’ Neville said with a crafty grin ‘Harry, Ron and I could sneak into Hogwarts and meet up with you girls in there if we got so desperately lonesome’

‘Neville Longbottom you are a crafty shit!’ Hannah said in admiration ‘Oh you are so on the Gryffindor Slytherin cusp!’

‘Yeah yeah whatever you think’

An hour and a half later Neville and Hannah rode into a Pine forest that was totally silent save for the odd chirping bird or scurry of a squirrel.

‘The local racehorse trainers gallop their horses in here’ Hannah said ‘When you’re a bit more skilled and confident in the saddle I’ll take you for a gallop here it’s a real adrenaline rush’

‘So this is a muggle area?’

‘Yeah for the most part but unknown to them loads of magical folk live in here. It’s the Carlingford Forest, named after Nestor Carlingford the wizard who was the first Auror office head when the Ministry of Magic was first formed....oh whenever it was. It’s thousands of acres and there’s waterholes all over it. There are muggle and magical camping sites around here but where we are is a high traffic area so the camping sites are further along the path and deeper into the forest’

‘The muggles don’t twig about the magical aspect?’ Neville asked in interest.

‘Nope the concealment charms and transfiguration spells are very strong and the ministry constantly monitor the strength of them to make sure the magical and muggle societies remained separated’ Hannah said ‘And the magical areas of the forest are only visible to those who possess magical abilities so, so far each community has remained on it’s own’

‘Ah interesting so where are we headed?’

‘About another ten minutes ride away’ Hannah said trotting Mercury forward a few paces and peering intently at the tree line ‘There’s a special knot in the trees that has an entrance much like the one from the Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley. You have to insert the tip of your wand in it for it to be revealed’

Neville thought greedily about where he would like to stick the tip of his wand as Hannah leaned forward in the saddle showing her ample backside but he quickly swallowed his thoughts and tried to regain his composure.

Ah here we are!’ Hannah exclaimed a few minutes later pulling Mercury to a stop in front of a Pine Tree whose bark seemed to be of a slightly lighter hue than its fellows ‘Ready?’

‘Lead the way’

Hannah leaned forward in the saddle and poked the tip of her wand into a knot at the same level as Mercury’s ears she then twisted it and muttered ‘Entrance revelio’

There was a small pop and with a wooden ‘clunk’ the tree moved aside to reveal another long woodchip bridle path.

‘You and Chocky ride through first and I’ll follow’ Hannah said moving Mercury aside ‘I need to close this behind us’

Neville rode Chocolate through the entrance and Hannah closed the wooden entrance with another flick from her wand.

‘This is the path to Shenandoah Falls’ Hannah said trotting forward ‘It’s a nice magical waterfall spring you can go swimming in or trout fishing in. Jake, Louie, Zac and I come here all the time during the summer holidays.

‘You want to go swimming now?’ Neville asked ‘Isn’t it a bit cold for swimming just yet? I mean I’ve only just started getting about without an outer cloak on’

‘You could go swimming now the water retains a nice warm temperature all year’ Hannah said ‘Even in winter people have been known to go for a dip. Though Dad reckons it’ll be deserted for a while yet with parents keeping their kids and other close ones at home since the end of the war’

‘We didn’t bring any swimmers with us!’ Neville exclaimed.

‘Who says we need any?’ Hannah said saucily.

Neville sudden intense feeling of embarrassment must’ve shown on his face and Hannah laughed.

‘We can transfigure something’ She said ‘Or we can just dip our toes’

‘I-I-I-er’

‘C’mon see if you can get Chocky to go faster than a mile an hour and we’ll get their quicker I’ve got Butterbeer and Lemonade in the bag we can have a drink of you fancy one’

They continued down the path and took and offshoot from where the sound of rushing water came.

‘I’m definitely going to dip my toes’ Hannah said as the rushing noise became louder ‘It’s a lovely feeling’

They came to the end of the path and the falls came into view.

It’s totally unadulterated beauty floored Neville and he stopped Chocolate to take it in. It was about the size of a muggle Olympic sized swimming pool and at one end there was a magnificent waterfall spewing forth crystal clear water. The edges were surrounded by moss rocks of many sizes and at one end was a shallow end at which Chocolate headed.

‘She knows this are well then?’ Neville said to Hannah who had ridden Mercury forward up to his chest. The huge gelding sniffed the rippling water then plunged his nose in and began drinking greedily. Chocolate followed suit and the only noise was the slurping of the horses drinking and the water spilling over the falls.

‘Yeah she loves it here’ Hannah said ‘If any of the staff want to come here they take Chockie because she likes to roll in the water.

‘Is she going to do that with me on her?’ Neville yelped as the mare stuck a foreleg forward and began splashing.

‘Nah she’s never rolled with a rider on, she’ll just have a bit of fun then stop’ Hannah said with a grin.

True to Hannah’s words Chocolate soon stopped and shook herself hard. Neville was totally unprepared for the sudden movement and slid off the mare’s side and into the water. He inhaled a lungful of water and surfaced spluttering so hard his race turning red.

‘Shit are you okay?’ Hannah asked in alarm kicking her feet out of the stirrups and sliding off Mercury’s back landing with a splash in the water.

‘Y-yeah I’ll be f-fine’ Neville coughed sloshing to his feet ‘Aww yuck I’m wet everywhere!’

Hannah grinned then suddenly burst into a fit of hysterical giggles.

‘What’s so funny?’ Neville asked flipping the reins over chocolate and turning the mare around leading her to the bank.

‘Y-you!’ Hannah spluttered ‘You were shaken off a horse! You are the only person I’ve ever met that has been shaken off a horse!...HAHAHAHAHAHA!’

‘Oh it’s not funny!’ Neville exclaimed his face flushing with embarrassment ‘You’re embarrassing me’

Hannah led Mercury out of the water and then wrapped her arms around Neville’s sodden shoulders.
‘I’m sorry she said kissing him on the lips ‘But it was just a tad funny’

‘R-really?’

Hannah nodded with a small smile.
‘Actually it was bloody hilarious’

Neville chuckled as once again Hannah burst into a fit of giggles. His heart swelled warmly as she gave into the hilarity and soon a deep rumbling laugh rose up and spilled out when he realised just how stupid and inexperienced he must’ve looked.

‘Okay okay okay I’ll admit I must’ve looked pretty stupid’ He admitted tying Chocolate up to the nearest low slung branch.

‘Yeah you did but it was kinda cute’ Hannah said drawing a wand and giving it a wave so her clothes and Neville’s became instantly dry instantly ‘There does that feel better?’

‘Yeah much, ta’

Hannah took off the backpack she had brought along and took out a multicoloured picnic rug. She laid it out then brought out a plastic container of sweet finger food.

‘So what do you think?’ She said ‘Nice place isn’t it?’

‘Yeah it is, it’s beautiful’ Neville said kicking off his boots and wiggling his toes ‘Very serene and though I found out in an irregular way the water is warm’

Hannah giggled.
‘Well if you like we can go for a swim later’ She suggested putting down the container and conjuring a pillow ‘Now’s the best time for a dip because in Summer everyone comes here and there’s no privacy at all’

‘And privacy is what you want?’ Neville said with a raised eyebrow.

Hannah threw down the pillow and laid down her bright honey coloured hair fanning out from her head.
‘Of course I do privacy with you’ She said ‘We’ve not had any opportunity to truly be alone since ...well...’

‘I asked you out?’ Neville volunteered.

‘Yes since then so when thinking of places this was one of them’

‘But what are the chances of someone coming here and interrupting our sanctuary seeing as this is a public park?’

‘Well there is a chance of course but when we case in I cast some sensory charms so if someone enters the perimeter of that spell we’ll have plenty of time to not look suss’

‘And what do you propose we’ll be doing that would look suss to an outsider?’ Neville said in amusement as he followed Hannah’s lead conjuring a pillow and laying down next to her.

‘Lots of things’ Hannah said saucily grasping his hand and lacing his fingers through his ‘I’ll let you use you imagination. I’m sure you can think lots of things. Gryffindors are a very imaginative lot’

‘So are Hufflepuffs from what I gather’ Neville said dryly as a bluebird flew overhead ‘And you reckon I’m on the cusp of Slytherin? You’ve been so crafty lately I’m starting to wonder wether you were misorted’

Hannah giggled.
‘Nah I’m a proper Hufflepuff she said turning on her side and draping her free arm over his chest ‘Loyal, honest, trusting, willing to assist those in trouble and not fond of confrontation’

‘I’m not sure the latter applies to you’ Neville said ‘You jumped in with Gryffindor enthusiasm at the Battle of Hogwarts and You were one of the first to arrive at the Lockinge Valley Riot’

‘Ah but I reckon it was the willing to assist those in trouble trait that called me to those two incidents’ Hannah said ‘By my very nature I hate confrontation. I avoid arguments at all costs and once when I was young I ran away from Mum when she was giving me a bollocking after leaving the main mares paddock gate open’

‘You actually ran away?’ Neville chortled.

‘Oh yeah I went and hid in the hay loft for three hours’ Dad told me years later he thought is was hilarious I ran away right in the middle of Mum’s tirade. I remember she stopped mid sentence because suddenly there was no one left to yell at’

Neville laughed.
‘I can see what your Dad found funny’ He said ‘So what happened when you left the paddock gate open?’

‘All thirty of the mares we were boarding at the time got out and wandered all over the farm. We even found one in our stallions paddock but she was safe because she was already in foal’

‘So how much trouble did you get in?’

‘Oh loads for me as an eight year old it was the worst punishment, I wasn’t allowed to ride for two weeks. I still had to do the chores but I couldn’t saddle up’

‘I used to just get grounded or have dessert withheld from me when I got into trouble when I was younger’ Neville said reminiscently ‘Or I wasn’t allowed to cook with Enie I loved being in the kitchen with her when I was younger and not to help her was torture’

‘Well aren’t you just a little domestic goddess?’ Hannah joked.

‘Oh ha ha’

‘So when should I be expecting you to cook for me?’ Hannah said with a grin. ‘If you’re such a culinary expert I think you should cook me a slap up meal’

‘One day soon I hope’ Neville said ‘But someone is always at the manor we’d get no time alone. And if I’m going to cook for you I want to do it in my own space. I think that’s something we can pencil in for when I have my own place in London. I told Gran the other day I want to move to London once Auror training begins’

‘And how did she take that news?’

‘Well she wasn’t terrifically happy but I think she realises sooner or later I’m going to fly the coop’

‘What do you think she would do once you do leave home?’

‘I suppose go back to helping Algie run the Herbology business’ Neville said ‘She creates all the hydroponic potions he uses for the seedlings and does the books. Enid does the marketing and the sales side of things’

Hannah snuggled up to Neville.
‘You’re warm’ She said.

‘So are you’ Neville returned tweaking the end of her nose ‘No you’re hot’

‘Hot?’ Hannah said in confusion her eyebrows knotted.

‘Yeah as in hawt’

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Neville you’re not a gangster rapper stop trying to sound like one’ She said propping herself up on an elbow.

‘Well there’s one thing that would stop me saying things that make me look like a ponce’ He said.

‘Oh yeah what’s that?’

‘A kiss from a hawt beyatch’ Neville said with a great snorting laugh ‘Ha ha h-‘

Hannah cut him off with a hard and hot kiss that immediately sent a rush of blood to his loins. Neville responded enthusiastically pushing her onto her back and sweeping her golden locks from her face.

Hannah ran her hands over his shoulders and down his chest where she began undoing his shirt buttons.

‘T-tell me if you want to s-stop’ Hannah breathed as the last button came free.

‘Shouldn’t I be saying that to you?’ Neville said as Hannah pushed the shirt over his shoulders.

‘You can if you like’ She replied with a grin as Neville pulled the shirt off and cast it aside.

‘Han I don’t know about going all the way but let’s just see where it takes us huh?’ Neville said kissing her on the lips lightly.

Hannah grinned.
‘Sounds right to me’ She said ‘But you do know I don’t know what I’m doing don’t you?’

‘Neither do I’ Neville countered pushing aside the collar of her shirt and kissing the hollow laying between her neck and collarbone ‘I’m just going on gut instinct’

‘And such a lovely gut too’ Hannah giggled running her hands roam over his lean abdomen and giving him s lingering kiss.

‘May I?’ Neville breathed hooking his fingers over the collar of her blouse as they broke apart.

‘Y-yes’

An unreal feeling of anticipation coursed through Neville’s body as he slowly unbuttoned Hannah’s blouse. He wasn’t nervous or embarrassed he was curious and excited about this new path in his life. Now the threat of Voldemort was out of his life...their life he wanted to travel down the new as yet unexplored paths of his life...and this his sexual awakening was the first stop.

The last button came free and mid kiss Neville slid it over Hannah’s petite shoulders. She cast it off carelessly to join his a few feet away.

‘Holy shit!’ He exclaimed as his eyes came to rest on her figure.

‘Holy shit what?’ Hannah said in amusement leaning back on her elbows.

Far from his usual nature Neville let his eyes greedily wander over Hannah’s body she had a slim frame but enough ‘padding’ for Neville to consider her ‘healthy’. She had large but not huge breasts that were held up in a black and white lacy bra the look of which immediately made his loins tighten painfully. He let his eyes wander further south where a small crescent moon piercing hung off an innie belly button just above the belted waist of her jodhpurs.

‘Holy shit what?’ Hannah repeated breaking through his reverie.

‘You!’ Neville exclaimed incredulously ‘You’re-you’re...Merlin’s pants you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! You don’t see a body like yours under the Hogwarts robes!’

Hannah giggled kicking off her tall boots.
‘Maybe I should take them in a bit give them a bit of a waist?’ She joked pushing her boots aside.

‘Bugger off if you do that you’ll have half of the blokes at Hogwarts leering at you and I do not want that’ Neville declared surprising himself with the possessiveness in his tone.

‘I’ll let them out then’ Hannah said with a grin ‘Then I’ll look like a porkie’

‘That’s better’ Neville joked kissing her lightly ‘But you know a little pork is nice...I think so anyway’

‘You think I’m a p-porkie?” Hannah breathed her voice hitching in her throat as Neville dropped kisses along the line of her collarbone.

‘No you’re you’ Neville returned pushing aside the lacy bra strap and kissing the indentations it made on her skin ‘And that is more than good enough for me’

Hannah shivered as Neville switched to her other collarbone and flicked aside the other bra strap. Her nipples had formed into hard peaks as were pushing hard against the lace of her bra. She let her head fall back as a thrill of anticipation raced through her body. Neville leant down and applied a searing kiss on the skin between her breasts.

‘Y-you can touch them you know they won’t fall off’ Hannah said softly as Neville ran the tip of a finger under the seam of one of the cups.

‘I’ll have to take this off to do that’ Neville replied.

‘You can do that I won’t bite’

Neville looked long and hard into Hannah’s eyes and reached around her torso to unhook the bra. After a minor struggle he unhooked the straps from each other and let the material fall away.

Neville was so overcome he almost came in his pants but he bit his tongue and leant down to kiss her left breast his bottom lip brushing across her hardened nipple.

‘Ohhhhhhhh!’ She squeaked visibly shivering.

Neville stopped immediately.

‘No don’t stop that felt wonderful!’ Hannah declared flopping her head back down onto her pillow and pulling Neville down with her.

‘Yeah?’

Hannah nodded vigourously.
‘Uh huh oh yeah’ She said dreamily.

Buoyed by her enthusiasm Neville laid down and removed Hannah’s bra totally casting it aside where it joined their shirts. He then leant down and closed his mouth over her left nipple sucking on it gently.

‘D-do that again’ Hannah whispered with a slight squeal to her voice ‘A bit harder’
‘You sure?’ Neville said uncertainly looking at her straight in the eyes.

‘Yes that feels wonderful!’

Hannah closed her eyes and Neville leaned down once again his mouth closing over the dusky skin of her nipple.

God this was heaven he though as he gently squeezed her right breast the pad of his thumb scraping roughly over her other peaked nipple.

‘Oh Jesus Neville for someone that doesn’t know what you’re doing you sure know how to push my buttons!’ Hannah exclaimed as Neville’s hand wandered down her side and slipped below the waist of her jodhpurs brushing the top of her knickers.

‘I’m just doing what my instincts tell me’ Neville said softly squeezing her hips.

Minutes later Hannah suddenly placed a firm palm against Neville’s chest mid kiss.

‘What?’ He said kissing her ear.

Wordlessly Hannah lowered her hands to the zip of her jodhpurs. She undid them then slid them down her slim legs to reveal a very brief g-string that matched the discarded bra. Neville couldn’t help but notice a small patch of moisture on what little material there was.

‘Merlins pants Hannah whatare you doing to me?’ Neville exclaimed totally dumbfounded at the picture of beauty before his eyes.

Hannah grinned.
‘Taking off my jodhpurs you big nong’ She said in amusement ‘Like what you see?’

Neville made a face.
‘What do you think?’ He said dryly kissing her neck ‘Is the sky blue? Was Voldemort a despot?..D-‘

‘Does Neville Longbottom crap on?’ Hannah said with a giggle ‘I figured I better take them off because you seemed be taking your time. We would both be old and in the dementia ward of St Mungos before you got to even thinking about taking off my knickers’

‘D-d’you want me to take off your knickers?’ Neville yelped surprised by her forwardness.

‘Yeah I’d like you to’ Hannah said shyly running her hands over his shoulders ‘But only if you’re ready’

‘Do you know how much self control it’s taking me not to throw you down and shag you til you scream and spook even Chockie?’ Neville groaned swallowing hard.

Hannah giggled.
‘You can do that one day’ She said ‘But not now. The shagging bit anyway. I don’t want to lose my virginity outside’

‘Y-you’re a v-virgin?’ Neville stuttered.

‘Yeah I’ve never met anyone I wanted to do it with’ Hannah said her round face going red grasping his hand ‘Until now’

‘You’re really a virgin?’ Neville asked in surprise ‘I-I thought you and Ernie...?’

Hannah laughed.
‘Nah Ernie and I are just good friends’ She said ‘We never did more than pash on when we got drunk on some Firewhiskey in fifth year after O.W.L’s. He likes Susan’

‘Aren’t I lucky he prefers Susan then?’ Neville joked kissing the back of her hand ‘You’re all mine then’

Hannah giggled.
‘How about you?’ She asked softly as Neville dropped a searing kiss on her neck ‘Have you ever d-done it before?’

‘No this is all new for me too’ Neville said his face glowing scarlet ‘I’m glad it’s you though’

Hannah looked surprised.
‘I thought you and Luna hooked up for a while’ She said.

‘Luna? God no she’s a good D.A friend but has never been a ‘conquest’ Neville said ‘And as Hermione said she’s shagging Terry now. We’ve never even kissed’

‘Great now that we have that over and done with let’s fuck talking about everyone else and talk about us’ Hannah said her lips centimetres away from his ‘Lay down’

‘Pardon?’

‘Lay down’

Neville lay down and watched Hannah greedily as she knelt beside him her hand rubbing over the significant bulge in his jodhpurs.

‘I caused that?’ She said saucily causing a fresh flow of blood to flow to his loins.

Neville could only squeeze his eyes shut and Hannah slowly undid his belt and then the fly of his jodhpurs.

‘You know it may sound crass but I reckon if you lay another millimetre of skin on me I may just cream myself’ Neville said as Hannah slowly pulled down his trousers.

‘I would feel privileged if you did’ Hannah said with a sexy smile ‘It means a lot to me that I’m the first person you’ve gone this far with’

Neville winced as the buckle of his belt hit the bulge in his Y-fronts the feeling being painful yet weirdly pleasurable. Hannah slowly pulled his jodhpurs off and theatrically threw them over her shoulder where they landed on a moss rock one leg trailing into the water. Hannah then climbed over him and kissed him hard on the lips.

‘You look good from this angle’ She said with a grin her long golden locks forming a curtain around their heads.

‘I could say the same thing’ Neville returned putting his hands on her hips and squeezing ‘Just how far do you want to go Han? There’s only so much I can stand you know. If we keep on going like this I don’t know if I could stop’

‘Everything but actual sex’ Hannah said kissing his chest ‘I’m not ready for the final thing yet Neville you understand don’t you?’

‘Of course I do’

Hannah dropped a kiss on his neck then ran her tongue down his neck and torso before poking her tongue into his navel.

‘Ah bloody hell that tickles!’ Neville exclaimed squirming under her.

Hannah stuck her tongue in again.
‘Sorry what was that?’ She said with a cheeky grin ‘I didn’t quite hear that’

‘Oh what a load of rot you heard me I know you did don’t play dumb’ Neville said squeezing his eyes shut as Hannah’s breasts brushed over the bulge in his underpants.

Hannah giggled.
‘Can I ask you something Neville?’ She asked softly.

‘Yeah w-what?’ Neville breathed his words hitching in his throat as he opened his eyes a fraction and saw Hannah perched over his groin.

‘Can I take these off?’ She asked flicking the waist of his jocks with the tip of a finger.

‘Ohhhhhgod yes’ He breathed.

Hannah grinned and started to pull his jocks off. Neville twitched a bit as they caught slightly on the bulge but then he breathed easy as his cock was released from its restrictions.

There was a moment of such complete and total silence Neville was forced to open his eyes.

‘What’s wrong?’ He asked Hannah who was staring at his crotch incredulously.

‘N-nohing!’ Hannah squeaked.

‘Yeas there is...tell me!’ Neville returned ‘It’s me isn’t it? I disgust you don’t I?’

‘W-w-what? Of course not don’t me stupid of course you don’t’ Hannah exclaimed ‘No part of you disgusts me Neville why would you think it would?’

‘Then what? Neville said in a doubtful tone.

‘It’s your dick....’

‘What about it?’

‘It’s huge!’ Hannah said ‘Bloody hell Neville you’re hung like a Hippogriff!’

‘And that’s a good thing?’

Hannah laughed.
‘Of course it’s good!’ She said saucily grasping it gently ‘Mind if I touch it?’

‘Oh do what you like!’ Neville squeaked squeezing his eyes shut so hard little lights erupted into a shower of colour behind his eyelids.

‘Really?’

‘Uh-h-huh’

Neville almost levitated himself off the picnic rug when a minute later Hannah began rubbing the length of his arousal. A shot of electricity so strong ran through his body he couldn’t help but cry out loud.

‘Neville relax you’re too tense’ Hannah said ‘I want you to enjoy yourself’

‘I am enjoying myself that’s half the problem’ Neville hissed through clenched teeth.

‘Well relax totally I can see your whole body is tensed up’ Hannah said all the time running her hand up and down his length ‘I want you to have fun when you shoot your stuff’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Shoot your stuff, cum, drop your load, jiz...it means....’

‘I know what it means I just never thought I would hear those word come out of your mouth’

‘Oh I could be dirty....very dirty’ Hannah said huskily ‘Please Neville relax for me?’

‘Yeah okay for you’ Neville said with a smile taking several deep fortifying breaths.

This was the most erotic experience of Neville’s life and he was using all his self control not to move as Hannah’s small hand ran up and down his length and a thumb ran over his weeping head. She gave him an erotic smile then parted her lips and took his length into her warm moist mouth.
Neville’s hips did actually leave the picnic rug at that point and he squealed so loudly that Mercury who was grazing peacefully nearby flung his head up in alarm.

‘Holy shit!’ He yelped gripping handful of the picnic rug in his hands and curling his toes hard as the most exquisite shot of pleasure raced through his loins ‘Bloody hell Han!’

‘Do you want me to stop?’ Hannah asked.

‘Hell no!’

Hannah slowly slid her lips over Neville’s cock and took as much of him into her mouth as she could. With her free hand she grasped his testicles and gently massaged her between her fingers. Neville relaxed enough to let go of the picnic rug ad gently grab handfuls of her honey blonde locks.

‘You know I’m not going to last much longer if you keep on doing that’ Neville groaned a minute later as Hannah began licking him like an ice-cream all the time massaging his testicles like a pair of Chinese meditation spheres.

‘Let me know when you’re close’ Hannah murmured ‘You taste nice you know’

Neville could only slump back against the pillow ad groan loudly as a climax bean racing toward the inevitable crescendo.

As if she could read his thoughts Hannah’s pumping and sucking of his cock increased in speed as Neville’s balls tightened then....

‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK!’ Neville screamed a minute later as the orgasm crashed through him and he spilled his essence into Hannah’s mouth.

As each residual wave of pleasure coursed through him Hannah sucked on him like an iced lolly. Then when it was all over she sat up licking her lips a huge grin spreading across her face.

‘Can I do that again some time?’ She said with a saucy giggle crouching over him and kissing him on the lips.

‘Any t-t-ime you l-like’ Neville puffed his whole body heaving for breath in the post orgasmic bliss. ‘Where the hell did you learn to do that?’

‘Honestly?’ Hannah said sitting on his abdomen her round face colouring up slightly.

‘If you don’t want to tell me I’m okay with that’ Neville said putting his hands on her hips.

‘Well-I- I don’t really mind telling you I just didn’t think you’d ask’ Hannah said ‘I asked My Aunty Jas. You know I’ve told you about her...she’s Dad’s brother’s wife. I went to her last week and asked her about oral sex’

‘So she knows about us?’

‘Well she doesn’t know I’m with you but she knows I’m with someone’ Hannah said ‘She gave me some wizarding and muggle porn mags and a copy of the book ‘Out of This World- A Guide to Blowing Your Man’

Neville couldn’t help it and began giggling like a little girl.
‘There’s a book called ‘Out of This World-A Guide to Blowing Your Man’?’ He said with a titter ‘That’s hilarious!’

‘Oh behave’ Hannah said going bright red and slapping his chest playfully ‘That book just gave you the best blow job you’ve ever had’

‘It’s the only blow job I’ve ever had’ Neville said with a soft smile brushing a curl of hair away from her nipple. ‘Thanks’

‘You liked it then?’

‘Of course I did’ Neville said sitting up and wrapping his arms around her waist ‘In fact I might want to return the favour’

‘You would?’ Hannah whispered her green eyes sparkling.

Neville kissed her hard on the lips.

‘Yeah I reckon I would’ He whispered back kissing the bridge of her nose then each eyelid the finally her neck ‘I’ll have to admit I haven’t read ‘Out of This World a Guide to Blowing Your Man’ though’

Hannah giggled.
‘That’s good because I’m not a man’ She said raking his back with her manicured nails and causing a tickle to run up and down Neville’s back ‘Out of This World is only for girls and gay men anyway. If you’re looking for some instructional text you want to get ‘Diving In- A Guide to Making Her Scream’

‘I’m not even going to ask how you know that’ Neville said gently pushing Hannah down so she lay beside him her hair fanned out under her head.

‘I can tell you if you like’ Hannah replied eagerly ‘Aunty-J...’

But Hannah was prevented from finishing her sentence by Neville who chose that moment to place a searing hot kiss on his lips.

‘Be quiet’ He said in amusement kissing her again this time on the neck ‘You talk too much, I want to hear you moaning and groaning not talking’

Hannah shivered and nodded.
‘Okay’ She breathed.

Neville always keeping a handful of Hanna’s golden locks in his hand trailed kisses down her neck and between his chest and to the flesh globes of her breasts. Her nipples had creased to rock hard peaks and she squealed when Neville sucked one into his mouth and circled it with his tongue.

‘You’re going to be the undoing of me I think’ She groaned and Neville gripped her other breast and pinched the nipple slightly ‘Hurry up’

‘No you took your time with me I want to take my time with you’ Neville said with a grin running a hand down her side and grasping her fleshy hips.

Neville spent a solid five minutes on Hannah’s breasts then moved south running the tip of his tongue down her hot skin to her navel where he stuck the tip in and gently tugged on the piercing there. Hannah let her legs fall open naturally and Neville trailed a finger down her stomach and to the juncture of her sex. It was bare save for an elegant strip of hair right down the middle, a classic ‘landing strip’. Neville felt himself harden and return to full mast as he slipped a finger between her folds and press on her nub of sensitivity.

‘Oh god yessssss do that again!’ Hannah hissed throatily her whole body tensing up in pleasure.

Neville pressed again but kept a constant pressure on her nub as he ran the tip of his tongue from he navel southwards, down her landing strip and to her slick folds where with a swipe of his tongue.

Hannah actually screamed as contact was made and nearly clamped her creamy thighs around Neville’s head.

‘AAAARRRRRRGHHHH FUCK!’ She screamed her hips jumping off the rug ‘Bloody hell!’

Neville paused and with a grin put a hand on each knee pushing her legs further apart.

‘Do try and stay still’ He said with a wink

‘Do you expect me to stay still when you’re doing that to me?’ Hannah yelped ‘You’re nuts if you do’

Neville grinned and using his thumbs held her labia apart as he began delving into her womanly depths.

Hannah tasted out of this world. She tasted warm, musky and sweet and smelled like her favourite vanilla oil perfume. Neville thought briefly that he would rather eat Hannah’s pussy all day long over and over than a bowlful of Enid’s Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding once after dinner. He dry humped the picnic rug as he felt himself once again near climax. He then began swirling the tip of his tongue around her clit before he dove in hard, stiffening his tongue and poking it into her pussy as far as it would go wiggling it with each twitch of her body as Hannah too neared her moment of completion.

‘Merlins ballssss Neville!’ Hannah moaned as she felt her abdomen swoop with heat ‘I’m close I’m really close.....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hannah climaxed so hard she sat up straight them flopped back down purely from her muscles twitching. Neville came hard too as he continued to feast on her as each exquisite aftershock coursed through her body. Her skin was covered in a light sweat and she heaved for each breath.

‘So did you like that?’ Neville said with a grin crawling up beside her and drawing her close to him.

‘That was...that was..’ Hannah puffed ‘There’s no way to describe how good that was. You have to read porn to know how to dive like that’

‘Nope that was all on instinct’ Neville said kissing her neck ‘You taste terrific you know that? I could feast on you all day given half the chance’

‘Well maybe one day we can plan for nothing but sex potions and rock n’ roll’ Hannah said with a shrill giggle ‘We can book a room at the leaky cauldron or come back here again’

‘Well the Leaky Cauldron’s out word would spread like wildfire if we went there’ Neville said ‘We could always book into a muggle hotel’

‘Maybe one day’ Hannah said thoughtfully ‘This place will get too busy once Summer is in full swing so I think anymore outdoor theatrics are no more’

‘I could sneak you into my bedroom’ Neville replied tweaking one of her still hard nipples.

‘No way what if Augusta, Enid or Algie bust us?’ Hannah exclaimed turning over so her flushed face faced him ‘I don’t want them walking in on me with your cock in my mouth!’

‘None of them ever enter a room they think someone is in without knocking first’ Neville said.

‘Well I suppose so, I just wouldn’t feel comfy doing anything like we just did with others in the house.’

‘Well we could just apparate somewhere randomly’ Neville said with a grin ‘I could learn to be spontaneous’

Hannah giggled then sat up.
‘C’mon let’s go for a dip’ She said flicking her hair over her shoulders.

‘With no swimmers?’ Neville exclaimed as Hannah dipped her toe into the water.

‘Yeah why not? It’s quite liberating to swim in the nud. Give it a go I bet you’ll find your nuts will float’

Neville laughed.
‘You’re cheeky’ He said watching her wade into the water.

‘C’mon Neville join me?’ Hannah said biting her bottom lip in a way that made a rush of blood head straight for Neville’s loins ‘Please?’

‘Well I suppose I can, you did ask nicely’ Neville said getting up and heading for the water ‘You could lead me around by a nose ring you know’

‘Can I try?’ Hannah said with a grin grasping his hands and pulling him toward her.

‘Oh ha ha, you crack me up’ Neville said dryly sinking into the water ‘Oh it’s nice and warm!’

Hannah floated over to him and slung her arms around his neck her large breasts bobbing in the water. Neville ran his hands down her sides and let them come to rest on her hips.

‘I’m not likely to get a trout bite my todger am I?’ He said with a grin.

Hannah rolled her eyes.
‘Way to go and ruin a romantic moment Neville’ She said dryly hooking her legs around his waist and pressing her body against his ‘And no you’re not likely get a trout biting the end of your todger’

‘Good’

‘I might though’ She added with an impish grin dropping a kiss on his nose.

‘U-underwater?’ Neville yelped his voice catching in his throat.

‘Yeah why not?’ Hannah said kissing his neck ‘I can perform a quick bubblehead charm on myself’

‘You’re a naughty girl Hannah Abbott’ Neville said with a chuckle ‘After your earlier effort how can I say no to such a kind offer?....but there’s one problem’

‘Mmm?’ Hannah said distractedly sucking softly on his neck.

You haven’t got your wand’

‘Accio wand!’

And in amazement Neville watched Hannah’s birch wand lift off the picnic rug and soar over to them where it hovered long enough for Hannah to catch it.

‘You can do wandless magic?’ He exclaimed.

‘Well that spell is the only one I can do wandless’ Hannah said ‘And generally it’s the only spell most witches and wizards can do wandlessly. Only very skilled people can do all magic wandlessly’

‘I’ve only tried that spell during exams and both times I stank at it’ Neville said screwing up his nose.

‘Did you practice it?’

‘No’

‘Well that’s why then you silly moo’ Hannah said with a grin ‘If you don’t practice anything you never get any good at it’

‘You’re starting to sound like Hermione’ Neville said dryly.

‘Well what she says is true you know’ Hannah said brushing a strand of wet hair from her eyes.

‘Yeah it is but you know I’m not going to have anything left for you to do your bubble head charm trick on me’ Neville said with a grin ‘Hermione is Ron’s thing not mine, I’d rather talk about you’

‘You’re such a crawler’ Hannah said with a giggle kissing him on the lips ‘Are all Gryffindor men suck holes?’

Neville laughed heartily.
‘It depends if there’s something we want that can only be obtained by sucking up’ He said with a grin ‘That’s the case with me you’d have to ask Harry, Ron, Dean and Seamus if it’s the case with them too’

I think it might be more prudent to ask Hermione, Ginny, Padma and Lavender’ Hannah said dryly ‘I’m not entirely sure the boys would admit to being overt suckholes’

‘Aww I dunno I did’ Neville replied with a grin.

‘Yeah but you’re you’ Hannah said with a laugh bringing her wand around his shoulder ‘Now about this Bubble Head Charm.....’

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