Chapter 3 – A Change in Plans
One month later
Neville was leaving work, looking forward to his date with Luna. They had only seen each other twice since the magical night after NEWTs, although they kept both their owls busy with letters back and forth. Neville's scores in Herbology had immediately landed him a job at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Plants and Organisms. He was just a junior assistant, but he loved the job and was learning every day. As great as Professor Sprout had been, in the last month he had learned as much as he would have in a full year of school.
Luna also had interviewed for a couple positions at the Ministry, but had decided against accepting any of them. After the war, a lot of positions were open, but his Luna would never be one to settle into an office. In the meantime, she was working on a couple of inventions that were thankfully better than anything her father ever created. One was almost ready for marketing at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Luna's dad had also been ill for several weeks. He had been in St. Mungo's for what looked like a cross between a bad rash, a wolf bite and pneumonia. Everyone suspected he had been experimenting with something illegal, but he refused to say what, which made his healing even more difficult. During his illness, Luna had spent much of her time with him and less with Neville. He didn't hold it against her, but he had missed her. Tonight though she had insisted that she needed to see him and Neville offered to have her come over for dinner.
Gran was away for a month visiting a friend in Spain and Neville had more than just dinner plans. As he apparated home, Neville began thinking of everything he needed to do in the next hour before Luna arrived. He was a decent cook, but he was not fast and he always made a huge mess. The first thing he saw when he arrived home was that the delivery of exotic flowers he had ordered had arrived intact. They were strange looking, but he knew Luna would love them. After arranging the flowers and table, he proceeded to the kitchen and started cooking.
Forty five minutes later, Neville heard a knock and hastened to the door. Luna stood there in a lovely frothy purple dress and looking as beautiful as ever. Forgetting the spatula in his hand, Neville pulled her into his arms and proceeded to whack her on the back of the head with the spatula. Laughing, he pulled away and noticed that Luna was not laughing. He must have really hurt her. He welcomed her into the house and sat her down. She was early and he wasn't quite done, but he was glad to see her and let her know. She smiled a bit and Neville saw a flash of his Luna coming back. Then he heard something sizzle and pop and went running back to the kitchen before dinner burned.
A half hour later and they were sitting down to eat with the candles lit and wine poured. Luna ate and exclaimed over Neville's cooking, but then she fell silent again. At this point he knew something wasn't right and set down his fork. Reaching across the table, he took Luna's chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his eyes. Seeing his concern, Luna started crying. Neville immediately pulled her off her chair and into his lap and insisted she tell him what was wrong. Luna looked into his soft, loving eyes and couldn't contain herself any longer.
"I'm pregnant" She blurted out and then started sobbing more.
Neville was in shock as he sat there holding her. After a couple of minutes he came to his senses and declared his love for her and their child. She didn't deny when he claimed it as his, which he was glad. He had been fairly certain, but it still seemed amazing that this woman would choose him. As she sat on his lap and could finally talk, he asked her about the contraception charm. Luna had been as confused as well, until she talked to Ginny, her best friend. Ginny's theory was that the charm needed to be said precisely and deliberately and that apparently Luna had been too distracted to cast it correctly. After a bit of research, she had found an exact precaution stating specifically that a witch needed to cast the charm well before the heat of the moment took her mind away or it may not be completely effective. Now of course that seemed a bit after the fact.
By this time Luna had calmed down and declared she really was hungry. Neville cast a heat spell over the plates and dinner resumed. They talked a bit about the baby and Luna mentioned she had tried three different potions, but all had been positive. Neville immediately declared that since the next day was Saturday they would go to St. Mungo's to make it official and to make sure all was well. Luna was touched by his acceptance and caring. She knew they were in love, but had wondered if the stress of an early pregnancy would destroy it. Now that it was obvious that Neville was committed, Luna felt better than she had in a week. As soon as dinner finished, Neville sent the dishes off to the kitchen with a flick of his wand. Unfortunately he flicked a bit too hard and the dishes crashed in mid flight making a huge mess.
Neville told Luna to ignore it, then he took her hand and declared his love. As Luna sat smiling at him, the next thing he did took her by complete surprise. Neville dropped to one knee at the table and proposed. He apologized for not having a ring, but promised to remedy that. He continued on with several more declarations of all he loved about her. Eventually Luna leaned forward, put one finger to his lips so he would stop talking, and said yes to his proposal.
After the proposal, Luna insisted on helping clean up. Neville had to admit it went much faster that way and everything ended up much neater. As she closed the last cabinet with a flick of her wand, Neville turned on Gran's old record player. It was set to a slow waltz. It was old fashioned, but seemed perfect as Luna melted into his arms and they began to dance. Several steps in, Luna stopped briefly to cast a shield spell on her feet. Neville laughed. He may not be able to dance, but she didn't care. By the second song, their movements had slowed and they were kissing. Before long Luna was pressed up to a wall while Neville's hands were everywhere with no thought to the musical rhythm. He begged her to stay with him that night and Luna agreed as she turned off the music and asked Neville to show her his bedroom.
Within minutes they were lying next to each other completely naked with no thoughts except immediate pleasure. Neville explored Luna with his fingers briefly, but before long she was begging for more. Concerned for the baby, he tried to desist until she reassured him that all was fine and he entered her with a long slow moan. Soon he was thrusting lightly, still trying to take things easy, but Luna had other ideas as she begged him for more and started thrusting hard in sequence with his thrusts. She came before him, but growled when he tried to slow and stop. Minutes later he started coming and, as she felt him fountain inside her, she came again.
The next morning they awoke drowsily, enjoying waking up together. Luna was surprised at the tent pole holding up the sheets and Neville tried to apologize with a comment about morning wood. Luna had never known that this was a common occurrence, but she was ready to take advantage of it. As Neville started to doze again, she positioned herself and lowered onto his cock. Neville immediately woke and broke into a huge smile as Luna began a slow grind with an escalating moan. Before long she was bouncing and he was grunting. Then they both screamed as each had their own massive orgasm. Neville thought to himself that this was the best way ever to wake up.
Eventually they realized they needed to face the day and Luna took the first shower while Neville started breakfast. He would have preferred they shower together, but agreed with Luna when she pointed out that if they did they probably wouldn't go anywhere soon. By the time Luna arrived in the kitchen, Neville had an omelet prepped and tea steeping. He headed for the shower while Luna finished cooking. They ate quickly and planned the day ahead. Their first stop would be St. Mungo's and then they would have to deliver their news to Luna's father. That was the stop that Neville dreaded the most and he mentally started reviewing defensive spells.
After a quick clean up in the kitchen, they each took some floo powder and travelled to one of the central fires in St. Mungo's arrival hall. Neville knew the hospital well and took Luna by the hand as they made their way to the general wellness ward and checked in. The day was slow and they had arrived early enough that there were only two people ahead of them. Before long, Luna's name was called and, as she started toward the Healer's assistant that was calling her, Neville held back. He wasn't sure if he should go along at this point. Luna grabbed him by the arm and whispered something about them being in this together and the assistant whisked them off to an exam room. As soon as the healer entered, she began with initial questions and it became quite obvious that she had already guessed the reason for their visit. After a few minutes discussion, she pulled out her wand and performed a series of spells over Luna's head, stomach and for some reason, feet. She delivered the news that Luna was quite right and that she was four weeks pregnant. Seeing that Luna was not immediately overjoyed and that Neville was looking a bit green, she reassured them and quickly summoned a chair for each of them to sit and take the news in. The healer informed them that they were not the first young couple in the last months to arrive in the same situation and that they would not be the last. The same thing had happened twenty years before when everyone thought Voldemort had been defeated the first time. It seemed that after escaping certain death, many couples chose to embrace life in this time honored fashion. Next the healer gave Luna basic instructions on caring for herself, what to eat, and admonishing her to rest as much as her body told her to. She then wished them well and ushered them out.
Once they reached the main reception hall, it was time to move on to their next stop. Luna knew it was time to go home. Her father was probably expecting her by now. She often spent nights at Ginny's, but would always be back by the next morning. She may have been an adult, but he still worried and expected a certain consideration while she lived in his house. Although he knew the trip was inevitable, Neville had one more stop to make before visiting Mr. Lovegood. He apparated himself and Luna to the Leaky Cauldron and they made their way to the alleyway that led to Diagon Alley. He didn't tell Luna what his plan was, but she was still in a state of shock. She had known what the news would be, but hearing it from a healer had made it much more real.
Once they stepped into Diagon Alley, Neville led the way to Baubles, Bangles and Jewels. As Luna realized where they were going, she stopped Neville with a questioning look. Neville informed her that when they arrived at her house, she would have a ring on her finger. Luna tried to protest, mainly objecting due to money. Neville was not to be swayed. Everyone who had participated in the battle had received a monetary compensation from the Ministry with amounts varying depending on services rendered to the overall magical community. Having killed Nagini, Neville had received 500 galleons, twice the amount that most of the student fighters received.
Ignoring Luna's continued protests, they went into the shop. Neville informed the sales wizard that he needed an engagement ring immediately. Looking them over, the sales wizard assessed their accounts and quietly led them to a case of smaller, less expensive rings. Although Luna had gone quiet, Neville could see her delight as she looked at the rings. She tried on a couple, but nothing seemed right until Neville spotted a ring that had turned sideways in the lower left corner of the case. It had a complex shape with unusual undulating colors in the gold. He had never seen anything like it and asked to view it. As soon as the ring was placed in front of them, Neville saw Luna's eyes light up and he knew they had found the ring. Now he just hoped he could afford it. The sales wizard also saw the look and was thrilled that this unusual young couple had picked the ring in question. It had been in the case for at least two years, but everyone who viewed it thought it was just too unusual and it kept getting bypassed. As he watched Neville and Luna holding hands with eyes locked on each other, the sales wizard was determined to make a deal that would work for everyone. The ring had originally been 450 galleons, but had been marked down every six months and was now marked at 320. He offered it to Neville for 300 and the deal was done. Neville wrote a draft slip against his account at Gringotts and slipped the ring onto Luna's finger. The sales wizard then did several passes over the ring with his wand and it immediately sized itself down to fit her delicate finger.
With the ring in place, Neville and Luna said good bye to the sales wizard and stepped back out into Diagon Alley. Looking at each other, they knew it was time to take Luna home. Neville gave her a quick kiss and assured her that he loved her. Then they both apparated to the unusual home that Luna shared with her father. As they walked up the path to the house, Neville took Luna's hand and gave it squeeze. Luna proceeded ahead and opened the door, calling 'Daddy' loudly as she did. Xenophilius was working upstairs and immediately came down on hearing Luna enter. As he came off the last step, he saw Neville standing with her and his face changed from joy to questioning. Neville had met him once before and Luna's dad was well aware that Neville was her boyfriend. He had never objected, but he never approved of the relationship either. He personally thought Luna was too young. Maybe in twenty years she could have a boyfriend. After losing his wife years earlier, Luna was all he had and he wasn't willing to lose her as well.
With Mr. Lovegood standing before them, Neville summoned up every bit of bravery that Gryffindor was known for and announced that he and Luna had just become engaged. He thought it was better to start with that bit of news first. Mr. Lovegood didn't say anything at first, but he slowly started to turn a most peculiar shade of fuchsia and then he uttered one word: NO. Neville could feel Luna start trembling and realized that he would have to take the situation in hand. He began an impromptu speech professing his love for Luna and promising to always care for her. By this time Mr. Lovegood just kept repeating NO over and over again, seeming not to hear anything Neville was saying. Finally it was Luna who broke through.
"I'm pregnant."
That stopped Mr. Lovegood's stream of NOs and he just stared, then he seemed to erupt and started bellowing. He ordered them both out of the house and started moving toward them. Scared, Neville immediately cast protego encapsulitum. A variation on the standard shield spell, this encased Mr. Lovegood in a shield bubble that he couldn't break out of. Neville told Luna to go upstairs and collect her stuff, she was going to move in with him immediately. Luna trembled, but proceeded up the stairs while Neville held his wand and kept the focus required to keep the shield bubble intact. Inside it, Mr. Lovegood was raging but he didn't have his wand on him and he wasn't able to break out. Neville took the time to profess his love for Luna again, as well as for their child, but it seemed to make no change in Mr. Lovegood. A few minutes later, Luna arrived back downstairs carrying two bags. Neville took her by his free hand and they twisted on the spot, apparating back to the Longbottom house. As they left, the shield spell broke and Mr. Lovegood was free of the bubble.
Arriving back home, Neville took Luna in his arms. She was still shaking a bit, but was able to talk again. She was distraught over he father's reaction. She had known he would be angry, but the man she just witnessed was someone she had never seen before. Eventually she calmed down enough that Neville was able to take her bags and help her get settled in. The Longbottom house was a decent size and would have plenty of room for them, a growing family and his Gran. There was even a small suite of rooms that was closed off because it wasn't currently needed. The house had been in his family for over a hundred years and was technically his by inheritance upon his coming of age. This reassured Luna that they at least wouldn't be on the street. They may be young and without many resources, but they had each other and a place to call home.
The day's events had tired Luna more than she realized and she allowed Neville to tuck her in for a brief nap after lunch. While she slept, Neville travelled by floo powder to the Ministry and made his way to the Floo Network Control Center. Once there, he applied for a one time connection from his fireplace at home to Mathilda's fireplace in Spain, where Gran was visiting. The long distance connection cost a galleon, but he knew that some news was best not given via owl post. He scheduled the connection for nine in the evening, which would be an hour later at Mathilda's. That should ensure that they would be home. Old ladies did not stay out late. Once the connection request was complete, he returned home and began working in the garden. An hour later, Luna woke looking much better, which reassured Neville. He informed her about the floo connection and although she grimaced a bit, she knew that the news had to be delivered. After additional discussion, they decided to make a trip to the Burrow to visit the Weasleys. Most weekends Ron and Ginny were home, which meant that Harry and Hermione would be there as well. Since Luna had already confided in Ginny, she felt it best that the news be delivered to everyone else so that Ginny could stop covering for them.
After washing up from the garden, Neville took Luna's hand and apparated them to the Burrow. Within seconds of stepping into the garden, Neville saw a flash of red hair come flying by on a broomstick, skid to a stop and jump off. Ginny had arrived. She immediately embraced Luna with a knowing look, then gave Neville a hug as well. He whispered in her ear that they had news for everyone and she smiled. Then Ginny turned and ran into the kitchen, loudly announcing to Mrs. Weasley that Neville and Luna would be staying for dinner. That hadn't been Neville's plan, but it was almost dinnertime and Mrs. Weasley was an excellent cook. He looked at Luna who gave a brief shrug and they continued into the house.
An hour later, they were seated outside, working their way through the many wonderful dishes of food. George and his girlfriend Angelina had appeared for dinner as well which meant that there wasn't enough room in the house for all of them. As dinner finished and conversation picked up, Neville knew it was time. He glanced at Luna and she gave him a brief nod and then to his surprise, she spoke up and announced that she had news for everyone. The table grew suddenly silent. Neville had planned on doing this for her, but it seemed that this was something she needed to do. Luna started with a few unusual comments about the current phase of the moon and the effect it was having on current political events. Everyone looked a bit baffled, but they were used to Luna so they just waited. Suddenly, she switched topic off the moon phase and made the announcement: she and Neville were engaged. Then she held up the ring for everyone to see. The table erupted in cheers from most everyone, although Mrs. Weasley wasn't cheering. She waited a minute and then expressed her opinion that they were still quite young for such a monumental decision. Ron and George rolled their eyes and Luna remained silent. Now it was Neville's turn. He replied to Mrs. Weasley that they may be young, but they were adults and that they were also expecting a baby, so he was quite sure that their decision was the right one.
This news brought the table to a dead silence. Everyone except Ginny looked a bit stunned. George was the first to break the silence with a loud whoop and congratulations. This brought a withering look from his mother and he settled back down. Mr. Weasley was the next to speak up. Given the circumstances, he understood the decision and wished them the best. While he was saying this, Neville noticed he was lightly stroking his wife's arm to calm her down. Mrs. Weasley found her voice again and agreed then that it was for the best. Then she waved her wand and floated dessert out from the kitchen. The rest of the evening passed happily as Neville and Luna's friends embraced their news. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were quieter than usual, but Neville expected that. As Neville was finishing the last of his cake, Hermione brought up the question that everyone was wondering. Had Neville and Luna told their families? This immediately brought tears to Luna's eyes and Neville put his arm around her. He briefly detailed what had happened with Mr. Lovegood and also that his Gran was due to find out shortly.
Once dessert was finished, Neville and Luna prepared to return home for their floo call to Spain. Just before they left, Mrs. Weasley came around the table and gave Luna a hug, reassuring her that Mr. Lovegood would come around, given time to get over the shock. Mr. Weasley also made a comment that maybe he should visit Xenophilius in a couple days to see how he was doing. After a final round of hugs, Neville and Luna apparated back home.
They settled down and waited until the appointed time for their floo connection, then Neville took some powder and stuck his head into the swirling green flames. As the flames whirled, Neville's vision settled in Mathilda's drawing room. Thankfully she and Gran were up late playing mah jongg and saw him immediately. A bit taken aback, Gran made her way to the fire to talk to Neville. He only had a ten minute connection, so Neville realized he had no time to waste. After everything that had happened throughout the day, he no longer had any hesitation and told Gran he had big news that could not wait for an owl. He was engaged and going to be a father. Gran was silent and for a moment and Neville wondered if it was too much for her heart. Then she did the most remarkable thing, she smiled. Her response was that she assumed the second part of his announcement had come before the first, but at least he had picked a good woman. Meanwhile, Mathilda was in the background and immediately exclaimed that he was a man after all and it just took a while to tell. Gran took back over and made one request: that the wedding wait at least three weeks until she returned. Neville chuckled, the timing of the wedding was something they hadn't even started discussing. Realizing the time was short, he also informed Gran that Mr. Lovegood had not taken the news well and that Luna was now living at the Longbottom house. Gran shrugged a bit and reminded Neville that the property was his inheritance anyway. With that, the speed of the flames began to slow and Neville realized their time was almost over. He wished Gran well and said good evening to Mathilda before pulling his head out of the fire. As he settled back into his the living room, he filled Luna in on the conversation and she was visibly relieved that it had gone well. With that final chore complete, they both decided the day was done and to turn in. Of course, sleep was not immediate but eventually they did settle down.