Disclaimer: All original characters, situations and plot ideas belong to JK Rowling. I make no profit from this.
Warning: This story is rated M for sexual situations and scenes, language, and darker themes later in the story.
A Riven Heart
Chapter 4
July 29th, 2006 Sunset
Leaning against the big, brown door of her cottage, Pansy looked up at him, the man she had spent the last few hours with, kissing – well actually, aggressively snogging was a better description. But kissing aside, the two spent time talking about plants and potions and jobs and dreams. They explored his greenhouse and she was so excited to see his collection, pointing things out and talking about what she could make using some of his rarer herbs and plants. She was constantly worrying her lip with her perfect teeth, Neville noticed, when she was excited. He was confident this date would be labeled as successful.
"I'll leave you here then, with another kiss – if I might?" He leaned down and pressed their already swollen lips together for a lingering kiss that had Pansy sighing into his mouth, something she did often and he was starting to crave.
When they parted again, he stood up straight and smiled like an idiot. "I had a very pleasant time with you today, Miss Parkinson."
"And – and I also had a very pleasant time with you today, Mister Longbottom." Her brilliantly purple eyes, lined with black lashes bore into his own and he knew if he didn't leave now, he was likely to never ever leave. He wanted to kiss her for another couple of hours, kiss her face and her neck and – seriously, I'm late again!
"Next weekend, maybe we can have that coffee date?" He asked, hooking his thumb into her belt loop of her jeans. "Take it – this – kind of slow?"
Biting down on her lip again, she nodded. The action caused silky bangs to fall into her eyes. Before she could push them away, Neville brushed them aside with the palm of his hand, which he then rested against her cheek.
"This is going to be hard, huh?"|
"Up for the challenge, Longbottom?"
"I could be persuaded." He replied with grin. "Are you up for it, Parkinson?"
"They don't call us snakes ambitious for nothing."
"I'm definitely up for it." He chuckled.
"I look forward to your owl, then... Neville." She smiled and turned into the door, entering her house.
Once the thick door closed shut with a gentle sound, Neville took a second to gather his breath. Flirting definitely came easier to him than it used to, but it took a lot to keep himself from flushing red. Taking his wand out, he check what protection she had on the cottage house. He was pleasantly surprised to see the effective wards she had on both the house and grounds and taking a quick second, added one of his own to her door knob. Satisfied she was protected, he stepped back down the stone path that led out past a wrought iron fence that bordered her lands. He Apparated out once he was clear of the wards that wouldn't allow him otherwise. He was impressed with the magic. For instance, Pansy could most likely Apparate in and out of her own home, but the ward that allowed her to do so wasn't of blood magic like the old Pureblood families usually used.
It was one of her own making, one that had taken serious wand work and research. It just added to his already growing knowledge of how much this woman had changed.
When Neville was 15 years old, Hermione Granger changed his life entirely. A lot of people could say that about Hermione. While tons of people could say Harry Potter saved their lives time and time again, Harry swore that Hermione was really the hero behind it all.
Neville believed it.
Neville was proud to be one of the people Hermione took time out of her day for.
Neville sat down on the floor in the Room of Requirement and tried to calm himself. He just read that morning Bellatrix Lestrange had escaped from Azkaban along with several other Death Eaters and it was one of the worst days of his life. He had fought back tears all day since he had read the Daily Prophet. That was when Hermione walked in with a pile of books and rolls of parchment.
"Neville," She cried out in greeting. "What are you doing in here? Are you okay? What's wrong with your eyes? What do you have in your hand? Will you help me out here?" She spun off questions quickly.
He just grinned nervously and helped her carry her books in, tripping slightly on the foot of a chair. After she was settled at the table in the corner of the room, Neville made to exit and leave her to her books. She had said, "Neville did that article today in the Prophet upset you?"
It shouldn't have shocked him by how observant she was. It was usually, well, her usual. He turned around and looked at her. Her eyes were kind and her smile was sad. So he answered truthfully. "Yes, it did."
Then she patted the cushion next to her and he sat down without question. "Tell me why, if you don't mind."
"I just don't like Bellatrix Lestrange is all." He answered and closed his eyes, picturing the nightmare that had haunted him for a long time now. Always, he was too young, too weak, to save his parents.
Hermione was silent for a little bit, her tongue was clicking against her teeth as she thought. "Neville... what happened to your parents?" She asked tenderly.
Neville let out a laugh. "Remember that do you?"
"Your parents are in St. Mungo's? Yes, I remember. I never wanted to ask, I wanted you to trust me enough to tell me yourself."
"Bellatrix Lestrange tortured them into insanity." He leaned back and sighed a sigh mixed with anger and relief. He had never said that out loud before.
Hermione didn't respond; instead, she put her hand on his and it stayed there while she picked up a book and read. Neville guessed it was close to half an hour of silence later when Hermione put her book down and looked at him.
"Neville, I want you to know that I'll always be your friend and that Bellatrix Lestrange deserves your hate. But I also want you to realize that if you spend all your time hating her, you won't have anytime to love the things you have." She smiled at him and held his hand firmly. "Just remember, Neville, some people you should never forget or forgive, and others you should. Don't cloud yourself."
Neville looked up at the blue ceiling and said, "I'm not sure what that means, Hermione. But thank you."
Hermione told Neville that some people he should never forget or forgive and others he should. He would never forgive Bellatrix Lestrange and was only sorry that Molly Weasley got to her first. But it was because of what Hermione told him, advised him, that he was able to forgive himself. He wondered about Pansy. He knew that on some level, he had already forgiven her, too. If there was anything the aftermath of the war taught him, it was that the actions of children should not haunt the memories of adults.
Rubbing the largest dip in his face, the biggest of the scars, he thought of the way she kissed him and wondered how the hell did they end up in that shop together.
Neville walked down the small sidewalk and then looked up at what he considered his second home: Hazleton Haunt. It was a cheery home, despite the name, and the current headquarters for the Order of Phoenix. Mrs. Weasley was the secret keeper. It was also the home of Harry and Ginny Potter. It stood on a hill surrounded by trees that seemed to shift around the house, covering and hiding it from view. He walked up the winding path made of weathered stones and pebbles and then knocked four times on the upper panel of the door, loud and hard, with his knuckles.
The door shimmered for a second before disappearing. He stepped into the small front room. It was a very small room that was only big enough for one person to fit in. It had no doors or windows and was completely blank. He stated loudly, "Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter is the savior of my memory." The door behind him solidified and then the wall in front of him shimmered similarly to the front door and then disappeared altogether.
In front of him was another small yet long room, but this room was warmer and homely. The familiar umbrella stand was sitting happily by the door on one side. On the other side of the door was a small side table with a bowl full of odd objects in it. The walls were a warm yellow color and abundantly covered with pictures, all moving around and smiling. There was a set of white wooden stairs on his right that led upstairs.
Neville walked passed those stairs and down the hallway and emerged into the kitchen. It was the largest room in the house. It was colored a light orange and had a tall ceiling. There was a line of cabinets, a stone oven, and an old fashioned ice box on the far side of the wall. Windows lined two of the four walls from floor to ceiling and a door that led to the backyard was on his left. There was a huge table in the middle of the room, rectangular and also wooden. It could hold over twenty people, Neville knew from experience. The wall to his right sported an island with more odd objects on it and many more photographs.
"Now what is going in here?" He asked joyfully as he looked around the kitchen table. There was a chorus of cheers and greetings as people stood up from their dinner to hug him. The first person to hug him Victorie, Bill and Fleur's first born. She jumped into his arms and he held her easily with one arm. Next was Teddy Lupin who attached himself to Neville's hip. One of his best friends, Ginny, walked up next to him with Harry. She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek and gave him a half armed hug. Harry pounded him on the shoulder with his hand and said, "Hey Neville, welcome to dinner."
Bill and Fleur were still sitting on one side of the table. Across from them were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and going around the table were the rest of the Weasley's. And in front of him was his best friend: Luna Lovegood.
She stood up gracefully, her incredible long blond hair dipped down to below her knees, and then kissed both his cheeks and then his forehead. "Neville, welcome to dinner. I brought rolls blessed by garden gnomes." She spoke mystically, smiled at him, and then sat back down into her chair.
Hermione and Ron were sitting on the far side of the table obviously bickering about something. He noticed Hermione give him a small smile before she promptly slapped Ron on the head.
"Hey everyone." Neville smiled down at Dominque, the second daughter of Bill and Fleur's and then back up to Harry. "I didn't mean to interrupt dinner." There was a collection of 'No!'s and 'Not a problem!'s, as expected. You couldn't interrupt dinner at the Potter's house.
He was pulled into a chair before he could say another word and a plate full of food was placed in front of him before the minute was over. He looked around the table starting from his right: Dominque, Victorie, Bill, Fleur, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Percy, George, Fred II, Teddy, and then Luna was on his left. He loved them all. Yes, even Percy. He watched as they joked around and ate, as they laughed until they cried; they were a family and Neville felt very much a part of that family.
"Alright, who made these mashed potatoes?" George asked holding a bowl full of the white, fluffy substance. Everyone else silenced and watched him with interest and grins.
"That would be me." Ginny answered royally to a round of applause. "In fact, I made this whole meal!" She announced, gave a grand bow.
"Well. I only have one more thing to say then." George continued, grinning wickedly. "These are not only the best mashed potatoes I've ever had, but my guess, and I always guess right, is that they would be even better if you... WORE THEM!" He shouted and threw the mashed potatoes right at Ginny. They completely covered her head, face, and neck. George winked at his tiny son, obviously trying to imprint devious behavior on the small boy.
Everyone started laughing with wide eyes and happy faces. Harry stood up next and kissed Ginny's cheek, taking in a mouthful of the mashed potatoes and then swallowing. "He's right. They are better when Ginny's wearing it!" And then everyone started laughing even harder and throwing food.
A couple of hours later, Teddy, Victorie, and Dominque were sleeping and everyone else was sitting around and chatting.
"I just need more grandchildren, Ginny." Mrs. Weasley was complaining again, for the millionth time this month, er no, this week... day? Hour?
"I'll consider it." Ginny grinned, sipping from her glass while Ron groaned pathetically. Everyone knew Ginny had no plans for children yet, her career as chaser for the Holyhead Harpies came first. It had practically killed Mrs. Weasley that Ginny and Harry waited so long to get married.
Mrs. Weasley looked hopefully towards Bill and Fleur.
"C'mon, we've already had two. What more do you want from us? 10? 20?"
Everyone laughed a little. Mrs. Weasley's glance went to where George and Percy were sitting. They both shook their heads. "Mother really – not even married..." Percy shook his head again and then looked away awkwardly.
"I'm a bit busy with the shop and all mum." George said, giggling a bit when Percy mentioned that children scared him a bit and anyone he ended up marrying wouldn't be able to give him children.
That was when Mrs. Weasley turned onto Neville. "Neville, darling, when are you going to get married and have children?" All eyes turned onto him, most of them filled with humor. He saw Ron and Harry discretely high five behind Hermione's back. He glared at them playfully.
"I'll consider it." He copied from Ginny. His mind's eye flashed briefly to Pansy standing at her doorstep, her bangs pushed to the side and red lips swollen from over use. Then that small smile gracing her beautiful face. He would definitely consider her.
"Ohhh I want more grandchildren." Mrs. Weasley said happily and leaned against her husband.
"Walk down the line, dear. Charlie next. Then Percy." Mr. Weasley replied.
Percy moaned.
"Then the other children. After that, then you can hound people who aren't part of the family to get married and have children." Mr. Weasley laughed, sending an apologetic smile to Neville.
"It's okay Mrs. Weasley," Luna began. "Neville had a date today." Neville blanched. Her words were his bane. Everyone was looking at him curiously now.
"Luna, do you remember when I said not to mention that?" He asked giving her a hard stare. Of course, he couldn't be mad at her, he never could. He had mentioned his little coffee date in passing, before he even knew who he was meeting with. But the statement brought out the questioning.
"With who?"
"What kind of date?"
"Did you score?" That particular question was followed by a slap.
"Was she hot?"
"What did you do?"
"Did you give her flowers?"
Neville just shook his head, mouth firmly shut. He didn't want to hide Pansy, he just didn't want to admit he was dating again so soon after ...
"Neville? Who is it? Why are you smiling like that?"
There was one thing he had to consider. Was Pansy the kind of girl who would be upset if he hid her from his friends? Either way, these people were most likely going to get the truth out of him. So he stuck with honesty is the best policy and told the truth, "I snogged Pansy Parkinson."
It was a bit blunt, but true.
There was complete silence and many things happened at once. Ron looked like he was going to be sick. Harry looked confused. Hermione looked worried. Ginny looked livid. He looked over to Luna; she looked like she normally looked, amused and delighted.
But Ginny was the first to speak. "Are you kidding us Neville? It's a joke, right. Haha... ha?"
"Oh, no not at all. We were set up on a blind date actually. Went pretty well." He replied, crossing his arms and daring anyone to say something.
"Oh stop. Make it stop. I'm going to be sick." Ron said exaggerating, making a gagging sound.
Luna started humming something that sounded a lot like "Weasley is Our King" and Ron groaned again.
"It's not that bad." Neville made a face at Ron.
"Not that bad?" Ginny repeated, looking wild. "Do you – do I...I..." Her face started going red as she looked for the words she wanted to say.
"Ginny," Harry said, grabbing onto her arm. "Ginny, breathe. Take a breath."
She did more than that though. She slammed her hands on the table and stood up. "Parkinson!? Do you remember what she did to you?!" She spat at him.
"Are you talking about Bernard Parkinson's daughter?" Mr. Weasley asked slowly, the look on his face showed him to be deep in thought.
"I don't know what her father's name is." Neville stated. "Her mother's name is Denise though." He added after a second. "She's the one who set us up on a blind date after I ran into her in Diagon Alley."
"You knew who she was and you still went on the date?" Ginny questioned, still furious.
"Actually no, her mum's kind of crazy. She didn't tell me who her daughter was." Neville shrugged. Ginny stood up and reached over, putting a hand on his forehead. "Neville, are you feeling alright? Dizzy? Feverish? Imperiused?"
"I'm not under the Imperius curse, Gin." Neville said, pushing her hand away. "I did this on my own free will and I would do it again."
"I'm going to be sick."
"Her father was a Death Eater."
"Her father was killed by Voldemort."
"She wanted to sell out Harry!"
"She tortured Neville in our 6th year! Luna and I were forced to watch!"
"I'm going to be sick."
"This is definitely a trap. Using him to get to us, maybe Voldemort is back in England ..."
"She's Slytherin, a vile Slytherin that tormented us in school, Neville!"
"SHE WANTED TO SELL OUT HARRY!"
"She doesn't have the mark though..." Harry spoke softly, in deep thought. His statement caused everyone else to shut up and look at him.
"Guys!" Neville shouted kindly. "Stop. Freaking. Out."
"Freaking out?" Ginny repeated. "It's Pansy Parkinson!"
"I said I snogged her, I didn't say I was marrying her." He shouted back at her.
"IT'S THE SAME THING." She screamed at him, being irrational.
Everyone turned to look at her, all with weird looks.
"So, I married Pansy by snogging her?" Neville asked, grinning.
"Well, no. I just didn't have anything better to come back with." Ginny sat back down in her chair and looked down. "I still don't see how you could even associate yourself with her after what she's done to you."
"Yeah, eight years ago. She's not – trust me when I say she is different. We spent the day together."
"Ohh, I'm going to be sick." Ron groaned again and leaned over in his chair.
"Ronald!" Hermione cried. "Grow up, honestly. We have a lot of important things to discuss!"
"Honestly, woman! How many times do you say that to me daily? 10? 20? 100 times. Does it ever work? No. Maybe you should give up!"
"No I will not! You're acting like an immature child!"
"I'm not a child!"
"Could've fooled me!"
"It's Pansy Parkinson! She's right hideous for one and she tried to sell out Harry!" While he was clearly speaking to Hermione, Neville felt enraged. He had found the conversation to be hilarious- up to this point.
"Don't say things like that, Ron." He banged his fists on the table and glared sorely at his friend.
"Alright!" Harry shouted finally, standing up. The look on his face told Neville he was worried about him. Neville never got angry. Ever. "Neville, sit down man. Ron, stop with the name calling it's not going to get us anywhere. Ginny, relax please." He added noticing the beet red tint of her face and her uneven breathing. "She – Pansy isn't a threat and she isn't a Death Eater."
"It's not even about that, Harry." Ginny interrupted, looking up at him. "It's not about the fact that she's probably working for Death Eaters or she's a Slytherin. It's about her as a person, about what she's done." She ended by glaring at Neville.
"What has she done then, Ginny? You know thinking back to that year with The Carrows, I don't really remember her enjoying any of it, do you? And are you saying you don't like my face anymore?"
"What? Of course I like your face, Neville." Ginny stuck her tongue out at Neville and it siphoned off most of the tension in the room. "She still participated, she didn't have to do those things."
"Didn't she though? We were fucking kids fighting an adult war."
"She was still on the wrong side, mate."
"I'm passed it. I don't think... I don't imagine she wanted to be on that side."
"She's picked on every one of us during school." Hermione pointed out.
"She's spoiled and self-centered."
"She evil, Neville. Evil."
"She's not evil. Voldemort was evil. We were children." George said quietly.
"She isn't like she used to be. She's quieter now. I'm seeing her again next week."
"How would you know she's any different, you've only snogged her. Not married her, remember?" Ginny was still glaring at him.
"This is going no where. Where's the house unity? Draco Malfoy is my partner for Circe's sake, I could rely on him for anything. And Theodore Nott? What about him? Donating all that money to help war orphans and St. Mungo's? Big deal, Pansy's a Slytherin. Who cares? Didn't we decide to put aside house prejudice when we went back to repeat 7th year?"
"Well, of course we did Neville. We just weren't expecting you of all people to go out with her of all people." Hermione said after a long silence. "Not that there's anything wrong with your scars, but it took intent to do that that kind of damage. You can't argue that."
"I – I forgive her. The two of us had a grand day, actually. She's different. She's... she's something." Neville admitted with a smile, thinking about sheets of raven colored hair and swollen pink lips.
