AN: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the others. I wish I did, but I don't.
Thank you guys so, so much for the reviews, follows and faves. Either this story or me, I sincerely thank you.
Since I meant to have this up a few days ago, I'm giving you another treat. At last count, this chapter was over 3,000 words. Double chapter! Yay! Again, I just couldn't find a good place to stop.
Alright, my lovelies. Enough of me. Go! Read and enjoy!
Hermione yawned as she stood at the Medi-Witch's desk on the fourth floor of St. Mungos the next day. She had stayed exceedingly later at Longbottom Manor with Neville than she thought she would. Over four hours, in fact. She had had a lot of fun with him last night, and time just slipped away from her. Then, once she got back to the Burrow, she had difficulty sleeping from being so happy, and didn't get to sleep until after one. Not a good thing when she got owled to come in to work at six the next morning.
Overall, though, she thought the date had gone very well. Over the delicious dinner, which he explained how the house elves came to make, they had laughed over stories about their friends. Neville had told her stories about Dean and Seamus, and in return she told him stories about Harry and Ron he hadn't heard. After dinner, he had given her a tour of the Manor, including what Augusta called 'Heritage Hall', an old ballroom filled with portraits of past relatives.
"Hey, Hermione." Maggie, a fellow intern, greeted as she stopped beside her.
"Good morning, Maggie." she greeted with a smile.
"Merlin! You look beat, Hermione." she said as she looked at Hermione closer. "Long shift?"
Hermione shook her head. "No. It's been a relatively short shift, seeing as I've only been on the clock for half an hour." she said. "I got home kinda late from my date last night is all. I'll try and catch a nap on my break in a few hours."
Maggie's eyes lit up as Hermione explained why she was tired. "Oh? Do tell." she said, leaning on the desk and waggling her eyebrows at Hermione. "And be as specific as possible."
Hermione laughed as she smacked her on the arm. "Nothing like that, certainly!" she said. "Neville and I were just talking and time got away from us, is all." she added seeing the look of disbelief on Maggie's face.
"Oh, that's right. You got matched with 'The Snake Slayer'." she said smiling.
Hermione groaned. "Must you call him that?" she asked.
Maggie shrugged. "Everyone else does." she said. "Did you see this morning's Daily Prophet, by chance?" she asked.
"No. I was running a bit behind, and barely had time for breakfast." Hermione said. "Why?" she asked suspiciously.
Maggie turned to the Medi-Witch's desk and rooted around for a moment. "Ah! Here we go. Take a looksee at this." she said, plopping the paper down in front of Hermione.
'War heroine to wed Snake Slayer'
By Agatha Bridleson
In a pairing straight out of the books, war heroine Hermione Granger has been matched with the so called 'Snake Slayer', Neville Longbottom, in the new marriage law. Inside sources tell this reporter that Miss Granger, who is notorious for being involved with high profile wizards, is 'extremely pleased' with the match, while the same sources claim Mr. Longbottom has been petitioning for another pairing, citing he had no desire to be a notch on the witch's list of famous wizards she's been with.
Sources also report Lady Augusta Longbottom, Neville's grandmother, has been actively petitioning for a new match as well.
For more on Miss Granger's romances with wizards Viktor Krum, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley, turn to page 9.
Hermione harrumphed and tossed the paper down. "What a load." she said, shaking her head. "Neville's not trying to change his match, and I know Augusta isn't trying to change the match either, since she's on holiday in Italy." she added.
"Well, we know it isn't true, but there are others who believe it." Maggie said, nodding her head behind them where a couple of witches were whispering and looking at Hermione.
Hermione scoffed, and shook her head. "Whatever. Let them think what they want. I know the truth, and so does anyone important." she said. "Besides, if Neville was trying to change his match, he wouldn't have given me this." she said, pulling her sleeve up a bit and showing off the new bracelet he had given her last night.
FLASHBACK
"I uh...I have something for you." Neville said, looking nervous.
"Oh?"
Neville stood and reached for her hand, pulling her from the table and taking her over to one of the window seats.
"Yes. In many Pureblood societies, it's customary to give your significant other gifts before you give them an engagement ring." he said. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a long, slender red box and presented it to Hermione.
Hermione looked at Neville for a moment before she reached out and took the box. Opening it, she covered her mouth in surprise.
"Oh, Neville." she exclaimed, smiling at him. "It's gorgeous." she said, looking back to the diamond bracelet lying in the box.
"It was my great aunt Penelope's." he said.
"Put it on me?" Hermione asked, looking back at him.
Neville smiled, taking the box. Lifting the bracelet out, he set the box aside as he put it around her wrist. After snapping the clasp in place, he placed a gentle kiss on her hand.
"It suits you, love." he smiled, still holding her hand.
END FLASHBACK
"Wow!" Maggie said, grabbing Hermione's wrist. Letting out a low whistle, she said, "That must have cost a pretty penny."
Hermione smiled. "It's actually an heirloom, but I imagine it was quite expensive back in the day." she said.
"An heirloom?" Maggie asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes. According to Neville, his great uncle Carmine bought it for his wife, Penelope." she said. "It's from the 1930's, I believe." she added.
"Wow." Maggie said.
"Yeah." Hermione agreed, nodding her head.
"Granger! Pierce!" Medi-Witch Thomas exclaimed as she walked toward them. "Healer Baldwin needs you two up on seven." she said.
"Alright, Madam Thomas." they said together before walking to the lift.
"So," Maggie said as the doors opened. "What's his house like?" she asked.
Stepping in, Hermione pressed the button for the seventh floor before answering. "It's a Manor, actually." she said. "Huge, old, filled with history. And it's gorgeous, too." she said. "Neville has his own wing of the Manor, and his grandmother has hers on the opposite side. There's a solarium, where our date was, a joint study Neville and I will be sharing, a HUGE library I'm already in love with, and even a tennis court."
Maggie let out another whistle. "Sounds fancy." she said. "Was there anything about that place you didn't like?" she asked.
"Yes." Hermione nodded. "He has two elves. Tulip and Tipper." she said.
"Ouch. Point from Longbottom." Maggie said under her breath, knowing how Hermione felt about elves.
"But, he treats them very well. They're paid, and have their own quarters, plus they get a day off a week." Hermione said. "They assured me they are two pampered elves." she added as the lift doors opened.
FLASHBACK
"You have elves? Plural? As in more than one?" Hermione asked after Neville told her about his elves.
Neville nodded. "Yes." he said. Sensing her disagreement, he hastily said, "But, they're paid a galleon a week, and they get a day off every week, plus they have their own room on the second floor." he said.
"Okay." Hermione nodded. "Relax, Neville. As long as elves aren't mistreated, I actually have no problems with people owning them." she said, seeing Neville still tense. "It's when the elves are abused and mistreated that makes me have the problem."
He relaxed and let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Alright." he said. "Would you like to meet them, Hermione?" he asked.
Hermione nodded, and Neville called for Tipper. She smiled as she saw a small elf wearing a checkered tea towel as a dress, and chuckled a bit seeing the ribbons tied around her ears. Hermione always had, ever since meeting Dobby, admired house elves for their...unique...fashion senses.
"Master Nevvy calls for Tipper?" the house elf asked in a high voice.
Neville nodded as he smiled at the elf. "Yes, Tipper, I did. Tipper, I'd like you to meet Miss Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Tipper." he said, introducing the two.
"Hello, Tipper." Hermione smiled at the small elf.
Tipper's eyes grew wide when she saw Hermione. "Missy Herminny!" she squeaked. Recovering from her surprise, she curtsied a bit to Hermione. "It great honor for Tipper to meet Missy Herminny Granger." she said.
"It's an honor to meet you, too, Tipper." Hermione said.
After a few minutes of talking with Tipper, Neville dismissed her and called for Tulip. Again, Hermione smiled seeing another small elf dressed similar to Tipper in a red checked tea towel with a tulip tied around her right ankle.
"Tulip, I'd like you to meet Miss Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Tulip." Neville said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tulip." Hermione said, smiling at the elf.
Tulip was more reserved than Tipper, and bowed to Hermione. "It great pleasure to meet you, Missy Herminny." Tulip said in a voice similar to Tipper.
Once Tulip had been dismissed, Neville turned to Hermione. "See? I only have the two, and if I'm honest, they're a bit spoiled." he smiled, making Hermione laugh at him.
END FLASHBACK
"GRANGER! PIERCE! GET DOWN HERE!" Healer Baldwin shouted from their right as they stepped off the lift.
Neville was sitting in the library, trying to focus on the book in his hands. However, he found his mind kept wandering back to last night. For four glorious hours, he got to be alone with Hermione, and he had loved every moment. He loved the way she told stories. Every story she told about Harry and Ron and their misadventures during the summer holidays had him in stitches at the way she described things. He honestly thought she should be a writer, and told her as much.
FLASHBACK
"You know, you should write some of these stories down." Neville said as they calmed down from their recent laughing fit.
"Harry told me that once." she said. "But, honestly, I don't know if I could." she said.
"Why not? The way you tell stories is just...wonderful, Hermione. You actually made me feel like I was there when it happened." he said.
"Yeah?" Hermione asked sipping her water.
Neville nodded. "Yeah. That last story you told? I can just picture Ron and Harry flying toward the pond at the Burrow, the twins hiding behind the trees laughing their asses off, and you and Ginny just watching them go with your mouths hanging open." he said, chuckling a bit as Hermione did the same.
"Well, there are a few publishing companies that want me to write a book about the war." she said slowly. "But, I've been turning them down."
"Why?" he asked, tilting his head. "It sounds like a good opportunity."
"That's just it, though." Hermione said, setting her water down. "If I were to write that as well as I tell these stories, I'd end up writing in great detail. I'd have to relive certain things I'd rather forget, as well as ask other people to remember things they'd probably rather forget." she said.
"That may be true, Hermione, but think of it this way." Neville started, looking at her intensely. "If Rita Skeeter were to tell the story about the war and how it all happened, she'd just make up things, fudge the facts, and get things completely skewed. If you were to write the story, you'd tell the truth about everything. You'd be describing to future generations what truly happened, the way it happened. They'd know what the war was about, who really did what, and where everything occurred. Future generations would know the exact truth, and how to keep what happened from happening again." he said. "I think you should do it." he shrugged.
Hermione smiled sadly at him. In just a few sentences, he had given her a whole new outlook on things.
END FLASHBACK
Neville meant every word he said to her. If Rita Skeeter were to write about the war, he'd be tempted to burn down the book store. She'd end up writing things about Harry like what she wrote during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. How his green eyes constantly reflect the color of the curse meant to take his life, and instead made him a household name. She'd write about Dumbledore, and how he manipulated Harry into almost everything he did, from befriending the Weasley's, to killing Voldemort on his schedule. She'd write about Snape, and how his whole life was spent protecting the only child of the woman he once loved. Snape himself had admitted, though very reluctantly, not long after the war, that it wasn't love that drove him to spy, but guilt. He had stopped loving Lily Potter years ago, but still felt guilty for his part in her death, and probably always would.
However, if Hermione were to write the story, he had no doubt that good or bad, she'd tell the entire truth. She'd tell how brave Lily Potter was in sacrificing her life in hopes that her son would live. She'd tell how everything, or almost everything, Dumbledore did was for Harry's own good. Aside from living with the Dursley's, Dumbledore did everything he did for Harry to keep him safe until it was the right time, and Harry was old enough and trained enough, to finish off Voldemort for good. Hermione would tell how it really was during the war, good or bad. And that would be what sold her book.
If she decided to write it, that is. He hoped she did. For their sakes as well as the sake of the future generations who would be learning about the war. He wasn't lying when he told her that the children of the future needed to know how to keep this from happening again. If this did happen again, no doubt it would be twice as bad as it had been.
Deciding he was getting maudlin, Neville put his book down and got up. Walking out of the library, he walked up to his rooms. Smiling as he opened the door to his bedroom, he thought back to last night when he had shown his wing to Hermione. He could still hear her in here if he listened closely.
FLASHBACK
"And these are my rooms." he said, opening the double doors and letting her in ahead of him.
Hermione looked around as she walked. "It's lovely in here. Not too masculine, not...entirely girly." she said, picking up a pink pillow off the sofa in what was his sitting room.
Neville blushed as he saw what she was holding. "Oh! That was my mum's favorite pillow." he said.
"Oh." she said, gently putting it back down. "I'm sorry, Neville. I wasn't making fun, I promise." she said.
"I know." he said with a smile. Moving toward the door to the left, he said, "In here is something I think you'll like." he said.
Hermione peeked in the door as he held it open. "Oh, Neville!" she exclaimed as she entered. "This is just beautiful!" she said as she went over to the piano in the center of the room.
"This was my Gran's piano. She used to play, but she doesn't anymore, so when I moved in here, I made this the piano room. It used to be a guest room, but I let my guests stay in a guest room on the second floor." he said.
"Wow." she said, trailing her fingers gently over the keys. "My mum used to have a piano like this, but she sold it right before I started Hogwarts. She loved it, but just didn't have the room for it in our house." she said.
"You play?" Neville asked in surprise.
Hermione smiled at him. "Took lessons twice a week for eight years." she said. "Mum started me when I was three, then sent me to Mrs. Hawkes until I was eleven. I would've kept going during the summer, but Mrs. Hawkes died during Christmas our first year."
"Do you still play, or did you give it up?" he asked.
"Oh, I still play." she said as she sat down on the bench. "I used to play the one at Grimmauld Place when I was there." she said.
Neville watched with wide eyes as she flawlessly began playing a song he didn't recognize. The way her fingers moved over the keys, and the way she closed her eyes and seemed to get lost in the song and the sound of the piano, made her even more beautiful to him.
After she finished, she smiled shyly at Neville. "See? I still play." she said.
"That was...beautiful, Hermione." he said. "What was it?"
"Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven." she said. "One of the last songs I learned to play." she said, smiling sadly.
"Well, feel free to play anytime." Neville said, smiling brightly at her.
END FLASHBACK
The sound of the piano being played for the first time in years made Neville enjoy being in his rooms all the more. He remembered when he was younger, his Gran used to play for hours on end. She played songs that her mum taught her, and her mum taught her, and so on and so on. She would play songs by muggle composers Mozart and Bach. She'd play songs from memory, not having to have a songbook in front of her, and Neville always found it wonderful and soothing.
When she stopped playing, it saddened him to no end. The thought of that beautiful piano just sitting made him long for the days when she'd play. He tried to learn a few times himself, but he just wasn't capable of it. He still kept the piano, though, as it had more sentimental value than he'd admit out loud.
Now that he knew Hermione knew how to play, he looked forward to hearing it played again.
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XOXO - Onyx Obsidian
