Chapter 2: Hogsmeade Date

Hermione peered over the tops of the heads of her students as the throng gathered around the posted parchment on the thumbtack board. Headmistress McGonagall had just announced the Hogsmeade visit dates for the entire academic term, as well as the faculty chaperones assigned to each one. Right away, Hermione saw her name listed beside the very first outing: October 24th, just before Halloween.

"Newbies on staff are always given the first visit of the term. Kind of an initiation thing." She felt Neville sidle up beside her. He peered closer at the list. "Well, it looks like I'm the clock with you next Saturday week!"

Hermione smiled. "That makes me feel better," she admitted. "And this will be Rosie's first visit to the village as a student." She had signed off on the permission parchment herself this summer when Rose had brought it home. It made Hermione think of Harry's relatives and their refusal to extend him the same courtesy.

She sensed Neville's eyes on her. "You're nervous," he guessed.

Hermione tired to shrug it off.

"Rose is a responsible kid, Hermione. Best in my class of third years. Reminds me of someone else I know..." He winked at her, and she oddly blushed. "But, if it would make you feel better - take your mind off things... fancy going with me?"

Hermione was just about to point out that they already were going together as chaperones when she caught a deeper meaning behind his question. She peered at Neville curiously. "Are you... asking me out?" she inquired. "Like on a date?"

Neville shrugged and smirked. "Must be a lucky day."

Hermione studied her colleague in amusement. She could not hide the fact that she was taken aback. But she was... pleased, too. "Yes, all right, then," she smiled. "I'll meet you here in the Entrance Hall."

October 24th came quickly. Hermione and Neville corralled the third years into the threstral carriages that would take them into the Village. As Hermione disembarked from her carriage, she stopped short at the hand Neville proferred out to her. Smiling shyly, she took it, and thanked him for helping her down. They held hands for a moment longer than was strictly necessary, before quickly parting, remembering their position.

The third years were already clamoring and racing away down the leaves-covered streets. Rose now scampered over to the teachers with two of her friends. "Mummy! Mummy, can I go with Meggie and Kara to Zonko's?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course, dear." Beaming, Rose raced away. "But make sure you pay a visit to Uncle George! And don't go beyond Flourish and Blotts!"

Neville chuckled as he watched Rose and her friends disappear from sight. "Who came up with that rule?"

Hermione smirked. "Ron," she admitted quietly, but fondly. "When they were still in nappies, practically. Safety, you know. Rose and Hugo have only ever been here to see their uncle at his shop, or tagging along with the family."

The pair of teachers, now alone, strolled down the streets of Hogsmeade, talking amicably. As they approached the village's most familiar establishment, Hermione found herself boldly asking, "Fancy a drink in the Leaky?" But instead, she found Neville taking her hand, his touch making her go warm, effectively battling the fall chill.

"I have a better idea." And he led her further down the street until they came upon Madame Puddifoot's. She had to cringe a little at the decorations - even in the middle of fall, the place still looked like it was decked out for Valentine's Day. Neville escorted Hermione inside, going so far as to graciously pull out her chair for her, and ordered two small glasses of champagne. As they waited, he grimaced sheepishly, apologetically, at her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. It's just I haven't been to the Leaky in a while, and I don't venture there, if I can avoid it."

It was only then that Hermione remembered, and she wanted to die of mortification. The news had been rather public in the Daily Prophet, and Rita Skeeter had had a field day. "The divorce. Oh, Neville, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be..."

"No, no, it's all right," and Neville sent her an easy smile that put her right as rain. But in his eyes, there was clearly sadness, regret. Hermione's heart went out to him.

"What happened to you and Hannah?"

Neville sighed, and in the interim of gathering his thoughts, the waiter returned with their drinks. Neville immediately paid, shaking off Hermione's protestations. "I haven't had a chance to treat a lady in a long while."

Hermione flushed, eyes going down to her lap. Neville finally gained his composure.

"It was work that drove us apart," he began. "I was up at the greenhouses, and Hannah stayed in our flat above the Leaky. I tried to get her to come up with me to the castle - my quarters have plenty of room for married faculty - but she didn't want to be that removed from the bar. And, you know... as Head of Gryffindor House, I had to stay in my quarters pretty much most nights, so I couldn't go home to her and she couldn't wait up for me. She would visit for House Feasts. We argued. I would come home on every break and summer. We argued. Nothing helped. We just... drifted apart." He smiled sadly. "We parted less than amicably."

Hermione shook her head. "I can't imagine. Losing someone like that." In some ways, it felt almost worse than losing a spouse to death, as she had. She could never imagine a scenario where she would have divorced Ron. And she felt quite certain that Ron would have fought to make their marriage work, for the sake of the children.

"It's no worse than what you went through," Neville shook his head. "Peas and carrots compared to your experience, truth be told. When I received the owl from Harry, I about fell to the ground. Rose was in my classroom that day, I had to put on the performance of my life and pretend nothing was wrong."

"You didn't take her aside and tell her after class?" Of course he hadn't - Rose had first learned the news from her mother after Uncle Harry had rounded her up for a forced weekend trip home.

"Wasn't my place," Neville shook his head fervently.

Touched, Hermione appreciatively took his hand. "Thank you, Nev." Again, a tense silence filled the space between them, and they glanced away. Only then did Hermione remember that there were probably students in here - some of their students. "What... what will our pupils think if they see us in here together?" She immediately chastised herself for the way she put it.

Neville chuckled and raised his champagne glass. "They can think whatever they like. To good company."

Hermione grinned and chinked glasses. "To good company."