Chapter 7:
In Which Neville has a hot date.
Neville sat at his desk looking out the window as his prefects reported their business. They were really a self sufficient lot. They certainly didn't need his supervision, but he would always be present for show.
While his body was present his mind was fast at work trying to decide what he would do for his date with Hannah. He was mapping out where he would take her, deciding what he would wear, which flowers from his greenhouse he would pull together…
"Commander?" Mandy was looking expectantly at Neville as though she had asked him a question, but Neville had no idea of what she was expecting him to say.
"Uh, sorry. Say that again?"
"I was just asking if you wanted to hear our notes on Professor Parkinson?"
"Oh, yes. Go on." Neville sat up with a new attention span.
"We've been keeping an eye on her throughout daily routines, not doing anything out of the normal to keep track, mind you. And we haven't noticed anything entirely odd. She has been good to us students, and even has specifically apologized to each seventh year for the role she played in our first."
Neville nodded, not entirely surprised. Pansy had been a nightmare, but she seemed genuine in her desire to be a servant of her students.
"We have of course noticed the dramatic change in her attire from what we remember. We aren't sure what has brought along the change, but it does seem a bit odd. Even for a school teacher. I mean, Ms. Pince even branches out in color and has no qualms about showing her forearms and neckline. We were wondering if maybe she is trying to hide the remnants of a dark mark."
He nodded at her statement, it would make sense, but he had no memory of her every actually accepting the mark.
"Very good, Stimpson. Thank you for the update. On that note I think I will leave you to deliberate amongst yourselves, as I have matters to attend to."
"You mean you have a date!" Sarah, an enthusiastic fifth year prefect let slip as she lost herself in giggles.
Neville was a tad taken aback, he was unaware that much of his private life was known to the school. Nor that they even cared.
"Hush, Sarah!" Mandy reprimanded. "We are glad for you sir. We have been rooting for your happiness for years."
A blotchy red crept up Neville's face as the statement sank in. He had no idea that his students were really at all invested in his life. It was flattering, and made the fondness of them deepen in his heart.
"Thank you, all. I appreciate it. But I would also appreciate a bit of privacy in the future. It won't do for rumors to spread all over Hogwarts of the Gryffindor head of house."
Seriousness stirred in the group. "Yes, sir. We understand."
With that Neville left the group to finish getting ready for his date.
Neville picked Hannah up and was glad to see that she had one of her roses tucked into an elaborate bun. He presented her with a single additional red rose with she happily tucked into her bag. He took her arm as they side-along apparated to a muggle restaurant that Ginny had suggested, somewhere Harry had taken her for her birthday.
"Oh, I love this restaurant!" Hannah grinned broadly as they landed and walked into the little Italian restaurant.
"So.. you've been here?" Neville was a little discouraged that the venue was not new to Hannah, but he was relieved that she was not disappointed in the choice.
They were escorted to a little table in the back of the establishment before the conversation continued.
"So, how are you familiar with this place? I only heard of it through Ginny. Gran doesn't frequent many muggle restaurants… She isn't prejudice, she just doesn't blend well."
"Oh." Hannah's eyes lit with excitement at her memories. "I used to come here with my parents. My father actually proposed to my mother right over there. And my mother would bring me here every year when exams were over and we returned from Hogwarts…. At least," Hannah looked into her lap. "Before the accident."
Great. I had one job. Choose a restaurant. And I chose the one place that would make Hannah cry.
"I'm so sorry, Hannah." Neville reached across the table and placed a hand on hers. "I remember how though that year was. I believe it was actually the year we lost contact."
Hannah looked into Neville's eyes and wiped away the tears in her own.
"Thank you, Nev. I believe it was. But I'm glad you brought me here. It is melancholy, but it is good." She smiled up at him a new light in her eye. "Now, let's get you food."
The rest of the evening passed in relative normality. Neville walked Hannah back from the restaurant, as it was only really a few blocks from the Leaky. Hannah held firmly to Neville's hand and pulled him close as the approached her flat above the bar.
"I guess this is it?"
"I guess so."
Neville choked as Hannah pulled him a little closer.
Bloody hell. Is this for real? Does she realize that it's me?
"Would you like to come up for tea? It's chilly out. I'd hate to send you home frozen."
Neville froze. He looked into Hannah's glazed eyes with longing, but he was driven by the strong standards his gran had instilled within him.
"Uh. .. Well, I'd like to, really. But I don't believe it would be very appropriate. And I'd hate to do anything that could potentially spread rumors."
Great. Now I look like a bloody idiot.
"Oh," Hannah looked down, disappointment evident. "I'd do anything to make you happy, Nev. So if that includes going up alone I guess I can do that too."
"I mean," Neville was entirely unsure of what to say. He looked at the witch in front of him and a new joy flooded him. He had spent the entire evening with this woman and she had enjoyed it so much she wanted it to continue.
He gently grabbed her chin and pointed it up to look at him.
"You are an absolutely beautiful witch, and… and I am so beyond glad that you have been with me this evening. Thank you." He leaned down and tenderly kissed her lips. "Goodnight, Hannah."
With that, Neville stepped back smiled at Hannah and apparated back to Hogsmeade.
Damn, Nev, that was smooth.
A/N:
Sorry for the delay in updates. I spent friday evening outlining the first 15 chapters. Part one of three. So the next 8 shouldn't take all that long to write…
But gosh. Balancing two jobs, an etsy, and still finding time to write is hard.
