Disclaimer= I do not own Harry Potter.
"Please give me one year to give a proper response to your confession."
"Of course, take all the time you need Luna- I'll wait for you."
Neville thought that waiting one year for Luna's response would be simple. After all, he was in line to be the next Herbology professor after Professor Sprout steps down. He would spend the next year learning the ins and outs of being a professor as Sprout's understudy at Hogwarts. He completed his studies and throughout the year while preparing to be the next Herbology professor at Hogwarts, he frequented the Leaky Cauldron for weekly drinks with pals Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnigan.
"How are things going with you two? It's been a while."
"So you're going to be a professor at Hogwarts Neville?"
"That's the plan. I love Herbology, so it was only fitting that I become a Herbology professor. I'm spending the next year learning how to be a professor, should be fun."
"Well cheers to that!" Neville, Ron and Seamus touched mugs and chugged down the strong ale that left some froth on their lips, which they wiped off with their hands. He wished that he could keep in contact with all of his friends; however, the majority of them were either busy starting their careers or busy starting their careers and futures with a significant other. That last bit caused Neville to not take an immediate sip of the ale when a new round was poured in. He got pensive because both his pub pals had women to return home to. Ron has Hermione while Seamus had Lavender Brown, whom was not as wild as she was before. Ron and Seamus were arguing about a Quidditch team, Neville did not care to listen because his thoughts turned to Luna.
"Oh how I wish she was here with me at this moment…"
"Come again?" Neville looked up to see Hannah Abbott smile at him and offer a complimentary pastry. She put a plate of assorted licorice-flavored pastries in front of Neville, whom was not hungry at the moment. Hannah eagerly waited for Neville to devour one of them.
"Miss I'm really not,"
"Longbottom eat man, you won't be as smashed when we finish drinking!" Seamus was very insistent on wanting Neville to eat something. Neville got the hint and took a bit of one of the pastries, closing his eyes as he 'studied' how tasteful it was. When he was finished eating, he grabbed his mug while his eyes were closed. Hannah had tentatively asked how the pastries tasted.
"I made them myself… I'm certain they were prepared to your liking."
"They were delicious, thank you Hannah."
"Thank you so much, next round is on me boys!" Seamus and Ron cheered in exhilaration while Neville smiled in appreciation. They were treated to the Leaky Cauldron's best ale, complete with new mugs and a bowl of chips to boot. Neville took turns in between eating chips and pastries and sipping from the mug. He repeatedly offered Ron and Seamus some of the pastries, but they continually declined.
"Those were not made for us Neville."
"What do you mean?"
"I think Hannah made them especially for you."
"You don't say…" Neville turned to the bar area, where Hannah was busy cleaning mugs and washing plates. She had a positive vibe going on, doing something that in all worlds was never something that brought positive feelings. When Neville turned back around to talk with his friends, Hannah turned off the water and started putting the mugs and plates back in their place. She was always checking out Neville not since they started their weekly drinking at the Leaky Cauldron , but since their Hogwarts days,since Dumbledore's army was formed. Ron noticed that Abbott was checking Neville out every chance she could. Ron told him to say something to her.
"Neville, that Hannah woman cannot keep her eyes off of you."
"Is that right? That's great to hear,"
"For Pete's sake, ask her out man!" Neville was still on the fence about it, which did not help because Ron and now Seamus were egging him on to ask Hannah out on a date.
"What have you got to lose Neville? You're single and I am sure that dating a girl would liven your life up a little, wouldn't you say?"
"Let's go outside for a little bit guys, I need to tell you something." Neville abruptly got up and went outside, with Ron and Seamus tailing behind. The latter were outside with confused looks on their faces.
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"Why did you call us out here man?"
"I love Luna Lovegood…" Neville let that trail for effect, which he wanted to show as his explanation for not asking out Hannah.
"We know that already, but she isn't here right now is she?"
"No she is not here,"
"So why don't you quit moping around and ask Hannah out already? She seems like a nice girl- she likes you and you, well, enjoyed her pastries?"
"That doesn't make any sense."
"What doesn't make sense is for you to be lonely while all of us have a woman. You are someone that can get a girl Neville, so you should go for it since you have nothing to lose." Neville paced around for a bit and sat on the bench, messing with his hair and burying his face in his hands.
"You guys do not get it… I love Luna and I promised her that I'll wait one year while she is off somewhere doing naturalist-type research."
"You're actually going to do that? Are you in a relationship with Luna,"
"I'm not, but I plan to be in one with her when she returns… well at least I think I will be." He told his friends everything that he loved about Luna and what happened before the whole one year promise. Neville seemed to relish in that nostalgia, but Ron knew it was just heading down a bad path.
"I wish Harry was here because he would say something wise about your situation Neville… he's currently with my sister Ginny, something I cannot complain about because he's made her truly happy."
"All I can tell you mate is that you should give Hannah a chance. I know you have that reservation with Luna for one year, but there is nothing wrong with, um, hanging out with a girl until she comes back. If things get too close or really intimate with Hannah, then break it off and tell her that you love another girl. There's nothing wrong with that."
"There's plenty wrong with that. I don't want to hurt Hannah. She's really a friendly woman, and I don't want to mess that up if we were to hang out for this year." Ron next told Neville to place himself in Luna's shoes. I know nothing about her career choice, he replied.
"No not that, about companionship. How do you know that she will not get thirsty while doing her naturalist research? What if she finds a male colleague and decides to get cozy with him?" Neville narrowed his eyebrows, obviously not pleased with the thought of Luna finding someone during their year-long parting. All that negativity only caused him to miss her that much more.
"I refuse to believe she would do such a thing… she's not like that mates, she just would not stoop to such a level."
"Neville there you are." Everyone turned to see Hannah call out Neville. She was without her apron meaning she was on break. She asks for a private word with Neville, both Ron and Seamus head inside to finish their remaining ale. Neville sat back down on the cobblestone bench outside the pub, while Hannah sat down next to him.
"Hey thanks for the pastries earlier… they were licorice flavored, which made them better tasting,"
"I'm glad you liked it…" Hannah seemed nervous, rubbing her hands together as she made quick glances at Neville, who had his elbows on his lap.
"I should probably return inside to resume my drinking and chip eating."
"Wait Neville!" Hannah grabbed his hand and had a pleading look in her eyes as Neville sat back down.
"You remember Hogsmeade when we went as students?"
"I remember it well, much history that place has. As a matter of fact, during the first weekend of winter. I'm going there with some third years."
"That's what I was going to next… I too am planning on going to Hogsmeade first weekend of winter. Would you maybe want to hang out during your free time? It's okay if you don't want to…"
"Alright."
"Eh?"
"I would like to hang out with you while at Hogsmeade." Hannah was beaming once again, excusing herself to return back to work. Ron and Seamus returned outside with steaming mugs and handed Neville one.
