Kin and Kind
Yve
Chapter 2: Firewhiskey
Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom were not the closest of friends, but when it came to the enjoyment of Firewhiskey they found each other to be quite tolerable company indeed. During their early years as Aurors in the aftermath of the war, they found themselves taking comfort in the drink's warm forgetfulness more than was strictly wise, but about as often as could be expected. While they had surely grown out of their youthful overindulgence over the years, they still enjoyed catching up, however infrequently, over a glass or two, or three.
This cloudy August day had found Neville and Ron in Flourish and Blott's purchasing new textbooks, Ron for his youngest son's fourth year classes, and Neville for his new Herbology class on Northern American Magical Herbs. The pair decided it would about fit the bill to slip into the Leaky Cauldron for a quick drink and chat, and had just stepped back into the blustery street to continue their conversation while Ron kept a lookout for his son.
"I'm telling you, Neville, I could never teach. I've got no idea how you do it! I can barely keep my two on task without losing my bloody head, never mind an entire classroom." Ron sighed and scanned the crowded street for Hugo's shock of red hair as Neville leaned against the brick of the Leaky Cauldron and shook his head.
"It's not all that bad, you know," he chuckled, "And the students aren't the difficult ones, to be sure. Every time I have to hand in curriculum for the new term to Professor McGonnagall it's like first year Transfiguration all over again! I get all nervous and forgetful, I once forgot to label the classes correctly, and almost ended up teaching mandrake repotting to seventh year OWLS." Ron puffed out a short laugh.
"Can't say I envy you there, mate. Harry and me are eternally grateful our homework days are over, though Hermione seems to miss it. She makes up for it, though, all that research she does for the Ministry isn't much different from term papers." he smiled at the thought, and Neville was just about to inquire about the nature of Hermione's research when the air was punctuated by a loud POP. Ron jumped, scattering the bag of books he'd been holding onto the paving stones.
"Bloody hell, watch where you're apparating, you-" Ron whirled around to accost the offending witch, but stopped short upon recognizing Narcissa Malfoy.
"Mrs. Malfoy." Neville squeaked, feeling every muscle in his back tense up at the very sight of her. Ron was appraising her with a hard, cold eye that Neville envied. His nerves had made him childish despite his experience.
Narcissa sniffed derisively at Ron's suspicious gaze, but seemed to think better of her reaction almost immediately. Much to her own surprise, she composed herself quickly, deciding it would be better to have more eyes looking for her granddaughter, even those sizing her up with disdain. She cleared her throat and addressed the two men with as much civility as she could summon.
"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, pardon me." she couldn't help but sound a bit icy, but tried to correct herself. Ron eyed her warily. He hadn't seen her in several years, and hadn't missed it. Narcissa pushed through. "Gentlemen, I do not normally...request assistance, but my granddaughter, Lacerta, is missing." She retrieved her wand, and found both men had their wands drawn apprehensively. "Really?" she exclaimed, exasperated, but returned her wand to the folds of her robe, withdrawing instead a small photograph, which she proffered to the uneasy pair. Neville hesitantly stepped forward, lowering his wand, and took the picture.
Lacerta was just shy of 11 in the photo, looking shyly up from behind large, frameless spectacles. She was unmistakably Draco Malfoy's child, with his stormy grey eyes and platinum blonde hair, pulled back into two low braids. She appeared pale, delicate, and altogether too small. Neville offered the picture to Ron before addressing Narcissa.
"How long has she been missing?" his voice didn't betray him this time, and his nerves subsided a little in strange sympathy.
"At least five hours." Narcissa admitted, looking up from her hands, "Have you seen her?" Neville shook his head as Ron handed the picture back to Narcissa.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't. We'll keep an eye out, though," he offered weakly. With that, Narcissa nodded curtly, returned the photograph to her robe pocket, and wordlessly headed into the bustle of the late afternoon crowd.
"I hope she gives them a right little runaround before they find her." Ron huffed, then, upon seeing Neville's confused expression, added "Of course I hope they'll find her, don't get me wrong. It's just a bit of a laugh seeing Mrs. Malfoy asking us for help. Like she was choking on her tongue the whole time. Must've really hurt her ego to ask." He glanced again at Neville and coughed before kneeling down to retrieve his spilled books. "Just odd, is all."
"Yeah. Odd." Neville cracked a nervous smile, and leaned down to help Ron gather the books. They quickly put the tomes aright and stood in uncomfortable silence for a beat before Ron suddenly bellowed over the crowd.
"HUGO! Hugo, you wool-brained billywig, I've already got your books! I swear, that boy's got a head full of gnats sometimes." he shook his head as the gangly 14 year old Hugo emerged from the crowd.
"Sorry, Dad, got distracted at Uncle George's." Hugo bumbled, nearly dropping an armful of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Quacking Quills on the ground, "Oh, hullo Professor Longbottom. These quills are definitely not for your class. Definitely not." Neville chuckled as Ron snatched the quills from his son and shoved them into the bag alongside the books.
"Your mother told you not to get any more of those quills, they get mixed in with hers and she ends up taking them to the Ministry. It's very embarrassing to have your quill quacking during a deposition!" Ron chided Hugo, then sighed and clapped Neville on the shoulder, "Looks like that's it for our little chat, mate. We'll be sending an owl, we're overdue for a proper get-together, eh?"
"Yeah, when I'm not playing nanny to these ruffians," Neville winked at Hugo, "See you in class then, Hugo. Do give my best to your mum." Hugo nodded, his unruly mane of curly hair flopping around.
"Send our regards to Hannah, Neville." Ron waved as he steered Hugo back through the crowd. Neville waved back until they were swallowed by the rush, then turned up the road towards Gringotts. He was struck with an odd feeling of pity as he spotted Narcissa Malfoy, not two shops up the street, showing her small photograph to a seamstress outside of Madam Malkin's. Deciding it would be better not to run into her again, Neville turned back towards the ice cream parlor. Who knows, he thought, the Malfoy girl might be hiding out near Florean's. Perhaps he'd spot her.