As his second years struggle against the mandrakes he had prepared for this week's lesson, Neville steps amongst them, offering extra advice here and a bit of praise there. Their achievements in the subject are proof of his ability to strike just the right note with each child; something remarked on, by the new Headmaster, after his first year of teaching had concluded.
After his own lessons had finished, he'd spent 8 years refining his skills with herbology; later, when an opening had come up at his old school, he'd somehow fallen into teaching the subject.
Well, thought Neville, correcting himself. Not exactly fallen. Been pushed. Pushed and bullied into it, with loving care, by the object of his boyhood desire.
He smiled a little at the memory of Harry's wife bustling about the kitchen, talking up a storm and boxing him into a corner with this teaching business. She'd been so unstoppable, too. She was, he mused, rather like his gran, sometimes.
Pulling his mind back to the present, Professor Longbottom reiterates to his students, reminds them of the proper procedures and care when dealing with mandrakes and names several potions.
When the lesson is finished, he moves through the greenhouse, talking to his beloved plants; encouraging their growth and their health. This is something that Ginny remarked on, that fateful day in the kitchen. "You've got such a way with plants, Neville. Those kids would be learning from a master. It wouldn't matter one bit that you've had no training as a teacher." Harry, in the process of feeding 1-year-old James, had agreed, adding, "Professor Lupin wasn't trained as anything at all." Both men had smiled at the memory of a teacher they considered one of their best.
Tonight, Professor Longbottom takes leave for the evening and joins his old friends for dinner. When the children are safely asleep, they talk about old times and laugh over nearly-forgotten school memories, inspired by tales of Hogwarts' newest round of students. They keep each other updated on the lives of friends not here this evening; Neville gives them all Hogwarts' latest, as well as keeping them updated with Luna's latest. Discoursing, on occasion, with Dumbledore's portrait; Neville is also able to share these conversations with their Headmaster of old.
Harry tells them of young Teddy's latest tales and Neville realises that in two short years, he will be teaching a student he knows outside of school; he wonders what that will be like and is reminded of Professors Lupin and Hagrid, teaching, years after his death, their best friend's son.
Nobody feels the need to mention the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix; it's never been disbanded and the few members who are left meet every other month just to stay abreast of each other's lives. They still work to protect everything they value, but there's no need anymore, for such consuming dedication to their positions. The Wizarding world is, for now, safe; the Order members are free to focus in on their families and friends.