Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Written for The Sherlock Competition: "We've only just met, and we're going to go and look at a flat?" John can't always keep up with Sherlock, and finding a flat is hard work – Write about somebody who's moving in or finding a new place to live; alternatively, write about Neville Longbottom.

After I read 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern, I've always wanted to write something in present tense. Enjoy!


(Meeting the Longbottoms)

There's a gate, a lock and two high walls. The receptionist looks at the approaching pair. He recognizes the man leading in front as the familiar figure of Neville Longbottom. He clutches his companion on the arm tightly.

The receptionist smiles at Neville. This is the first time he'd seen anyone accompanying him aside from his grandmother. "G'day, Neville," he says, casting a sidelong glance to the girl.

Despite the warm day, there is a furry hat perched on top of her head. She gives him an airy smile, making him wonder if she belonged in this place…

"Good day, Mr. Cloke!" said Neville, smiling at him. Then he turns to face the girl and gives her a bashful glance, heat rising to his face. "This is Luna Lovegood."

Neville stops his introduction there, too shy to continue. Luna greets Mr. Cloke and offers a handshake.

"They're in the usual room," Mr. Cloke says, shaking Luna's hand.

"Thanks," says Neville. He leads Luna into a corridor. Luna's attention is on the surroundings. She looks left and right then smiles. It appears she sees something Mr. Cloke could not.


"Mum, how are you?" Neville asks jovially.

Alice Longbottom makes no reply. She sits as she did before her son and companion entered the room. Her dark eyes are unfocused.

Neville turns to talk to his father. "You're looking good. Gran's doing pretty well. But her hip's been acting up recently. She's on bed-rest. Doctor's orders."

Frank turns to face the window as though he hears nothing. He is expressionless. Neville's smile drops slightly. He turns his father's wheelchair so that both of his parents are facing him again. He kneels until he's at their eye-level.

"There's someone I want you to meet. This is Luna Lovegood."

Luna takes her place beside Neville. "Hullo, Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom. I'm your son's boyfriend," she says, placing a hand into Alice's and smiles. "Thank you for giving birth to such a beautiful son."

It may seem incongruous for another girl to say this to their boyfriend's mother upon first meeting. But Luna is a special girl and she is meeting Alice under very special circumstances.

Neville grasps Alice's hand. His eyes moisten and tears threaten to spill. He blinks them back habitually. He didn't like showing his parents anything less than a smile.

Luna and Neville chats to his parents. They tell them how Voldemort had been defeated, never to return. Luna exclaims how Neville pulled out a sword from the Sorting Hat and decapitated Nagini. She describes the incident in such detail; Neville wonders how closely she'd been watching him that day.


"We should get going," says Neville, looking at the clock behind him. He begins to pull his hand away from his mother's and starts to get up. Alice tightens her hold on his hand.

Neville looks confused and his mouth falls open when she pushes Luna's hands into his. Alice smiles up at him. Her eyes are focused and there are tears in her eyes.

"Mom!" yells Neville in amazement. Luna is speechless and her eyes open a fraction wider.

Then the moment passes. As quickly as it came, Alice's lucidity slinks away, like shadows cowering from rays of sunlight.

This time Neville doesn't try to stop his tears.