Neville watched in awe as Hermione made the final touches on very detailed genealogy tree that currently covered the entire west wall of their research facility. She had as always gone far beyond the necessary requirements for a foundational reference. Every prominent pureblood line from the last five hundred years was mapped out and color coated for cross relations. All plainly illustrating the cause and effect of a pureblood linage. Neville had no doubts now of the severity to which Hermione had discussed with him a fortnight ago. That the pureblood population was dieing out, be it a physical or magical death and this news if fallen into the wrong hands could be a very disastrous thing for the magical community.

They had to find a herbolic cure or be subjected to lose their free will . Neville, just like Hermione, refused to suffer for the ignorance of others.

"Hermione, I don't think it's a good idea to leave this here." Neville's voice shook with fear. Hermione nodded in complete agreement.

"I know, but there is no where else big enough to keep it together. I have placed several warning and disillusion charms, as well as more than a few warning and discloser hexes. If someone happens to get pass the advance warning spells you can bet they will be sorry for even trying to read this wall. You and I are the only ones that have unremitting access to this." Hermione tried to reassure.

"This could get us killed, or worse - fired." Neville pointed out shaking his head over the severity of the situation they found themselves in. Leave it to Malfoy to create more problems even outside of school.

"I know." She told him again, climbing off the platform she had been standing on. "How are the samples coming?"

Neville gave the wall behind them one more scowl before turning his attention to the vials of blood labeled on his work bench. "These aren't really that helpful. I have a different idea to the kind of sample needed," Neville blushed at this.

Hermione was confused. "What do you mean? The blood samples should be more than enough, we have three sets to work from all parental and offspring. I don't see what you mean?"

Neville's face was now a very dark burgundy. "Those are going to be very necessary when we what to test the effects of possible cures. Right now, however, I would like your permission to collect samples to explain cause of infertalization and lack of magical component." Neville was threading his fingers together nervously as he watched Hermione's face, not wanting to have to spell out what he was saying.

"I don't understand." She told her assistant plainly.

Neville nodded. "Can I have your permission to collect the samples and do the research and then explain? If it doesn't work no harm, but if it does I will disclose all. I would really rather you not be involved, for my own sanity." Neville explain.

Hermione looked insulted. "Hermione…" Neville started, hating the idea that he might of offended her.

Hermione held one hand up looking at him with acceptance. The small sting to her feelings quickly replaced with the acknowledgement of what he was saying. This was a level of comfort on his part not hers.

"That is fine. I think I know to what your referring and if that is the case I would rather not be involved." She relinquished then walked over to her chair and picked up her jacket that was draped over the back.

"Where are you off to?" Neville asked. It wasn't like her to leave so early in the day. "I'm going to lunch with Ginny. That stupid benefit ball is this weekend and I don't have anything to wear. Ginny threatened on pain of death, that I not wear the same dress robes I wore to graduation." Hermione shrugged not really caring about clothes or Ginny's persistence that she should.

"Well we could hold a press conference tomorrow and tell the world about our findings; that way we can die for a more noble reason then dress robes or the lack there of." Neville teased.

Hermione gave him an enduring smile. "Do you have a date?" She asked truly interested.

Neville nodded shyly. "I asked Susan." He told her.

"Good for you." She praised knowing the act had taken courage; what with him having a crush on Susan for sometime.

"What about you? Are you going with Harry?" Neville asked.

Hermione nodded a small blush on her cheeks. "Yes. He has something important to ask me. No doubt it will be something silly, perhaps he has found a girl he fancies and wants my blessing." Hermione replied.

Neville smiled already knowing what it was that Harry wanted to ask her. "I'm sure your wrong. Go, I'll hold down the fort. Have fun. I know it's hard for you, but try." Neville shouted as Hermione turned and walked out the door.