Chapter One
Ron sat at the kitchen table, staring into the fireplace, waiting for it to be five o'clock. After some recent complications in his marriage, Ron decided to pay a visit to an old school friend, Neville Longbottom. Though he and Neville were never very close in school, the time after the war at Hogwarts had brought their friendship to a greater depths.
Neville was the person Ron always talked to about his problems with Hermione because he did not want to force Harry to choose between his two best-friends. Although Ron was often bad at expressing his feelings, Neville was always willing to listen and was very understanding through their letters. So a few days earlier Ron and Hermione's marriage had taken a turn for the worst, Ron decided to visit Neville in person for advice.
When five o'clock hit, Ron grabbed his bag, a handful of floo powder and headed for Hogwarts. Waiting on the other side was Hogwarts' herbology professor, Neville Longbottom.
"Ron! It's so good to you see!" Neville greeted him.
"Yea, good to see you too." Ron said, half-heartedly.
Neville stared at Ron for a moment, "you're really coming apart at the seams, aren't you?"
Ron gave him a pained look and Neville frowned deeply.
"I'm afraid we will have to wait to talk about it until after dinner. I have someone special that I want you to meet." Neville grinned proudly and Ron felt his curiosity peak.
"Alright."
Neville lead Ron to his room to drop off Ron's bag, and then they headed down to the Great Hall.
Since it was summer the school was mostly empty, so the teachers had taken to sitting at the long tables normally set for students. Neville led Ron over to what was normally the Gryffindor table.
Sitting at the was the most beautiful woman Ron had ever seen. She had waist length mahogany hair that fell in loose curls and a large chest that look as though it could burst through her robes at any moment. Her body seemed tiny in comparison, but it did not detract from her beauty at all. As they approached the table, Ron noticed she had green eyes that would have made Harry's look dull and full red lips. Her eyes were guarded by thick black lashes that brushed her cheeks as she looked down at her empty plate.
Though it was obvious that she was waiting for someone, Ron would never have guessed that it would be Neville. Ron's mouth popped open in shock as Neville motioned for him to sit across from her. She looked up from her plate as they sat, and Ron's breath caught. He felt a tightness in his pants and crossed his legs awkwardly under the table.
Ron turned to Neville, hoping for a distraction, and Neville smiled at him.
"Ron, I would like to introduce you to Didina Baron, the new potions master and my girlfriend."
When the words potions master were connected to this woman Ron thought that nothing would ever surprise him again, but when Neville added the girlfriend bit Ron was so flabbergasted he became winded. He found himself thinking in the mind of a teenage boy again, wondering how someone like Neville could have possibly scored someone as hot as Didina.
"Nice to meet you, Ron." Her sultry voice brought Ron back to reality and he just grinned stupidly in response.
Neville nodded understandingly, "yeah, she has that effect on people."
Didina giggled and her smile was innocence itself, but just for a moment Ron could have sworn he saw a hint of raw desire in her eyes. Thinking he must have imagined it, Ron tried desperately to focus.
"Erm, so how long have you two been dating?" He stammered awkwardly.
"Three and a half weeks." Didina replied cheerfully.
Ron found himself unable to hold eye contact with her for more than a few seconds at a time. He nodded in acknowledgement and was relieved when the food suddenly appeared before them. He stuffed his face in silence, looking anywhere but at Didina.
When they had finished, Didina gave Neville a quick kiss, "I'll see you boys later. I have to go to the potions room for a while now."
Both men watched her walk away until she was completely out of sight.
Ron turned to Neville and said, "how did you manage that?"
Neville laughed. "Honestly, she caught me staring at her one day, and asked me to go to the Three Broomsticks with her. We hit it off right away. She even has an interest in plants! It's from a potions perspective, but she doesn't mind listening to me prattling on about plants. It wasn't long after that night that I asked her to be my girlfriend. I was shocked that she actually said yes. She is like no other woman I have ever met. I think I love her."
Taking him completely off guard, Ron felt a surge of violent jealously rush through his body.
"That's great, Neville." Ron said through his teeth.
Neville's face fell and Ron felt like he had kicked a puppy.
"What's wrong? Don't you like her?"
You have no idea, thought Ron.
"I think she's great. I'm really happy for you, Neville."
"Then what's wrong?" Neville's brow crumpled in worry.
"Nothing. I think I just ate a bit too much. I'm going to take a walk. I'll find you later." Without waiting for a reply, Ron left the table and decided to walk the grounds to cool off.
