-=Only the plot is mine.=-

Plants, Plans and Potions

Something Brewing

Drifting from one potential pursuit to another in a sad attempt to make a life. Hermione had felt restless and uncertain in the aftermath of the war. The only truth she definitively held is that she did not want to end up like many of her comrades in arms.

Harry suffered terrible nightmares and guilt seeking solace in Ginny. Once the responsibility of daily upkeep on a growing family got to be too much, he switched to the bottle. At least the bottle couldn't get pregnant. Ron let his hero status go to his head, laying pipe to whatever witch lifted her robes. Hermione shuddered. Was she in as poor a state? She hoped not.

In her opinion the only one who had firm hold on sanity was perhaps Neville. It still amazed her to think of what a rock he had become. He got married soon after the defeat of Voldemort, and started a family. He had a set of twin boys, Evan and Alan. His now ex-wife had suffered from post traumatic stress, add to that colicky twins, and Hannah couldn't cope so she split.

As a friend, she had been sad to witness his marriage fall apart. I liked Hannah, maybe someday she'll be able to cope again. "I aught to pay Mr. Longbottom a visit." Hermione said taking action.

Outside of Neville's, the grounds, the scent of summer storms lingered. From the walk she spied the boys playing in the side yard. "Eennie, Minnie, Mynnie, Moe!" Hermione hollered to them. They in-turn yelled for their daddy. Neville wandered up the path with the boys bounding after him.

When they reached the gate to let her in, each of the little boys grabbed one of Hermione's legs. The two little boys hugged her legs like they meant to take them off at the hip. They shouted and giggled. "A giddy fountain of energy, is this lot." Hermione said in greeting. She ruffled their hair and hugged Evan and Alan back. "Boys, I'm going to need a replenishing potion after you're done with me. Run along." Neville regarded his two little cannonballs.

"Hell's Bells, Neville, are you a lumberjack?" She appraised him. Jeans, flannel button-up, Wellingtons, burly form and a full beard. "Decided to rusticate here indefinitely?"

Neville swept her up into a bear hug, he set her down with the utmost care. He gave her a peck on the cheek, "Missed you. Come round back, Mom and Dad will be happy to see you again." They followed along the path the boys disappeared down.

Hermione hooked an arm with Neville as they walked. She leaned in shielding her mouth, "Why have you dressed them in kilts? With the long unbound hair, they look rather a lot like girls. Cute girls, but girls all the same."

Neville puffed out his broad chest, "Proper warriors wear kilts, you know." He peered down to meet her eyes.

She doubted Neville. "I've never seen you in a kilt you're a warrior." Privately considering that he wasn't short and chubby anymore. No, Neville had grown into an oak-of-a-man.

"Well, I wouldn't want to test your resistance. I do respect your vow of chastity. Wouldn't want you to loose control and rip it off." After giving Hermione the once over. "Can't say I understand. You've got to please yourself to be sure." She flicked him.

They laughed and chatted arm in arm all the way to the back garden. Hermione spent a few moments talking to Frank, Alice and the boys, then gravitated to the garden furniture. The boys played in the grass with Frank and Alice. Not wanting to interrupt the fun, they sat down for a light tea.

Incredulous Hermione wagged her head. "You amaze me, your parents improved loads since you moved them out of St. Mungo's. That was a pretty depressing place. Here they got fresh air, more greenery than they could hope for and you and the boys." Hermione watched the odd bee supping on the sugar cubes, which recalled her to her purpose. "How's things coming with the plant specimens you told me about?"

Deliberately casual, Neville re-crossed his legs. "Yes, I had hoped you would take some of these hybrids and test them for both efficacy and potency in potion making. It's not my cup'a. If you know what I mean." He saluted her with his tea cup. He gave her a moment to consider.

"I suppose I could do that. It's not like I'm doing anything just now. You'll need to make me a list of which potions to try. When do you need the results?" She stretched her legs and yawned. "Sorry, lethargy has got me knocked down a peg."

"Potions take time, most of them, so the wait is irrelevant." Neville studied Hermione, "You ever consider opening an apothecary or something like that. I mean to say with your background, it might be a good fit." Briefly she wondered how run-down she appeared given the concern in his eyes. She figured he had run down the list of unsuccessful enterprises: medi-witch, Under Secretary in the Goblin Liaison Office, Proprietor of Books-N-Such, and the last and biggest disappointment, muggle school teacher.

"I can't seem to ground myself. It's as though I'm a non-explodable luminous balloon, like I might just drift away." A breeze stirred the fox tails at her feet tickling her legs. Mood lightening from the gentle sensation Hermione continued more cheerfully. "Though the prospect of nursing potions for a while might help." She sighed deeply content. She was in a funny mood somewhat restlessness. She spurred herself on standing and declaimed, "I got to go. I've enjoyed myself greatly. Thank you for having me."

"What you're not going to stay for dinner?" Neville asked perplexed.

With a wan smile she said regrettably, "If I stay for dinner you'll never get rid of me."

Crestfallen and somewhat mournful he pressed his lips into a line. "Whatever happens, you must always feel welcome here. Whenever," Neville gave Hermione a stern look. "Got that." She touched his arm gently, without saying anything. He continued briskly, "Lady's prerogative it is, let me get those plant samples for you. The lads will be little monsters if you don't say a farewell." He disappeared into the house while she went over to the four smiling faces.

Hermione talked with Frank and Alice while the boys tried to hug her to death. Neville extracted the boys from her legs pulling them into a rib-crunching hug. He laughed at the boys enthusiasm, "Go play you two usurpers."

There was a certain stillness in the trees. Neville endeavored to look casual but pressed her. Taking Hermione's hand in his calloused ones, he looked into her eyes. She was magnetized to the spot. "I'm here, Hermione, you know you are always welcome here." The light sound of his words hung in the air vaporously. "Okay?" Deeply touched she nodded. "And if you need any more of these ask," handing her the bag. "Try some useful potions, some teas might not go amiss, either. I trust your judgment."

"Thanks...for everything. I'll get started on these right away."

There was a little something more in Neville's embrace tonight. Hermione thought sadly as she sat down at her make-shift lab table.

For company she had the three best potions books available and a kettle of strong tea. Pouring over the tomes finding the most useful potions, she made a short list. Good as her word she set right down to work. She included formulating antidotes using Scarpin's Revelaspell to her list.

Hermione's little potion's factory keep her quite busy, she scarcely realized that her life assumed a definite rhythm.

Several weeks passed quickly collecting ingredients, brewing and judicious testing. Hermione had made up her mind to open an apothecary. Neville was right the work suited her. What's more she'd have a good supplier for the herbs at least.

Case book, teas, and potions in hand she delivered the lot to the happy herbologist. Neville hadn't given her another round since she was going to be busy setting up shop in Diagon Alley.