Chapter 9: Homecoming
The next morning, Sid was awakened by a kiss from Cassie, who had got up first, showered and made a cup of very strong black coffee.
"Good morning sleepy." said Cassie, "I think you'll need this."
"Gbburrgh! What?" murmured Sid, as he stirred into life, "Oh! Cassie. Thank you. Ooh! My head!"
"I think you had too much firewhiskey last night." said Cassie, gently, "I wonder how Neville feels."
"I expect Luna's cast a spell to clear his head." said Sid, "She's good at that. I'll need a headache pill, - and a good breakfast."
"So, a 'full English' fry-up is your hangover cure?" said Cassie.
"It hasn't failed me yet." said Sid.
When he had finished his coffee, Sid dragged himself out of bed, showered and got dressed. Cassie found a couple of headache pills in her handbag and gave them to Sid. They finished their packing and went down to breakfast. Meanwhile, Neville was also gradually waking up with the after effects of the previous night's drinking.
"Ugh! Where am I?" asked Neville, "Oh yes. – Oh, morning Luna. I shouldn't have had so much firewhiskey last night."
Luna, like Cassie had risen, showered and dressed for the morning and the journey home. She was sitting on Neville's side of the bed and smiling. She produced her wand and cast a head clearing spell.
"Thank you, Luna." said Neville, "That was very welcome. I suppose I'd better get up."
After Neville had showered, dressed and finished packing, he went down to breakfast with Luna. They met Sid and Cassie by the lift.
"How are you feeling?" Luna asked Sid.
"Better than I was." said Sid, "Cass gave me a couple of painkillers."
"This will help." said Luna, as she cast her head clearing spell over Sid, "We need to have clear heads if we're going to discuss how we're going to handle the next week."
"Thanks, Luna." said a surprised Sid, "Let's go down to the restaurant."
The two couples once again sat together. As on the two previous mornings, the two men had full fried breakfasts, while the girls enjoyed fish since it was Friday.
"You two still have a fry-up after all that drink last night?" observed Luna.
"Yes." said Sid, "It'll get rid of the last vestiges of that hangover."
It had dawned on all four of them that before the end of the day they would be saying goodbye to their newly rediscovered true lovers. They discussed the forthcoming and potentially lonely week over breakfast.
"I'm not really looking forward to the coming week." said Sid, "I've got quite used to having a friend to talk to."
"Don't worry." said Luna, "Just because I'm engaged to Neville, it doesn't mean that I can't see you. In fact, I'd welcome some company while I wait for Neville's transfer; if of course that's OK with you, Nev."
"I won't object." said Neville, "Luna's just as much in need of a good friend."
"How do you feel about that, Cass?" asked Sid.
"I trust you, Sid." said Cassie, "I hope Neville doesn't abandon me when I want company."
"I won't." said Neville, "I'll even help you to pack up your things."
"Oh thank you." said Cassie, "You're so sweet."
At this point, Titus Meriden appeared with a large envelope.
"Ah, Neville, I thought I'd find you here." said Titus, "Here's the transfer form I mentioned last night. I've filled in most of it, but if you complete the four questions on page 6, sign it and give it back to me before lunch, I'll make sure you can start at the Bristol office on Monday week."
"Thank you." said Neville, "I'll deal with it at coffee time and see you at the final lunch."
"That would be perfect." said Titus, "Do that, and you'll be with your sweet Luna in Bristol next weekend."
"Thank you, Titus." said Luna, smiling.
After breakfast, the four friends, for now that is what they were, finished packing and checked out of the hotel. They loaded their cases onto the appropriate coaches. Cassie felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes as she put her suitcase on the London coach. Sid gave her a warm hug when she confessed her sadness to him.
"Oh, Sid." said Cassie, "We've only just got back together and I have to leave you. I'm so sad."
"Cheer up, Cass." said Sid, "It's only for a week; then we'll all be together."
They boarded the coaches for the final trip to Highclere Castle. Because of their luggage, Cassie and Neville were in the 'London' coach. Luna travelled with Sid in the 'Bristol' coach. All four of them did sit together for the talks. The first of the two final sessions concerned the current knowledge about magical creatures and their regulation and control. Luna blushed when tribute was paid to her for her work in the Far East. The minister mentioned that she had discovered and catalogued over fifty previously unknown species of dragon. During the coffee break, Neville completed the transfer form and signed it. The final session was an overview of the work of the Ministry of Magic Liaison offices in London and Bristol and the advantages of this setup over the previous Prime Minister to Minister of Magic arrangement.
During the interval between the end of the last talk and lunch, Neville located Titus Meriden and returned the completed transfer form. During lunch, the four friends were approached by Barnabus Crabshaw, who greeted Neville warmly with the words "Welcome to Bristol", and indicated that he would definitely be starting work at the Bristol office a week on Monday.
"Oh, thank you so much." said Luna, "At the beginning of last month, I had a dream about this conference. It set my mind at rest. I realised that nothing bad was going to happen."
At lunch, the four friends sat together and were beginning to feel just a bit downhearted.
"Cassie." said Sid, "Now we know that Neville's coming to Bristol, do you think you will be able to come to Bristol at the same time?"
"I hope so." said Cassie, "I'll see Pete tomorrow morning and see how soon I can leave. Neville's said he'll help me pack up. Hopefully, we'll both be on the same train from Paddington next Saturday."
"That would be perfect." said Sid, "We'll meet you at Temple Meads. I'm sure Luna will come along."
"Of course I will." said Luna, "I'm really looking forward to my Neville coming to live with me."
After lunch, there was a short question and answer session about the relationship between the Home Office and the Ministry of Magic. Questions ranged from the trivial to the serious and covered such topics as why the names of all Quidditch teams were alliterative and how much communication should the Ministry of Magic actually have with the Muggle world.
At three o'clock on Friday afternoon, it was time for the delegates and partners to board the coaches and leave Highclere Castle. Sid said a passionate and tearful farewell to his beautiful Cassie.
"We always seem to be saying 'goodbye' to each other." said Cassie.
"I hope this will be the last time." said Sid, "At least it's only for a week this time."
They kissed passionately before disengaging their embrace and boarding their separate coaches. Cassie wiped away a tear as she took her seat.
"Cheer up, Cassie." said Neville, who had just said an equally sad farewell to his little Luna, "Next Saturday will soon be here and we'll all be together in Bristol."
"I'll try to." said Cassie, "I suppose having to say 'goodbye' to Sid yet again was a bit upsetting."
"I think all four of us should go out for a meal and some drinks when we're back together." said Neville, "Do you think that's a good idea?"
"Yes I do." said Cassie, "I'd look forward to something like that. I suspect you've probably suggested this to Luna."
"I'll freely admit that I have." said Neville, "I hope she's already discussing it with Sid."
In the 'Bristol' coach, Sid settled into his seat next to Luna. He was looking rather melancholy after his emotional farewell to Cassie. Luna noticed.
"A week isn't all that long." said Luna, half smiling, "Then we'll all be together. Isn't that something to look forward to?"
"S'pose," said Sid, "but it's going to pass slowly. I'm missing her already."
"I know." said Luna, "I'm beginning to miss Neville as well, but I'm going to try to be cheerful and you should do the same. Incidentally, Neville made a suggestion before we said goodbye."
"What was that?" asked Sid.
"He thinks it would be a good idea, when we get together in Bristol, we should all go out one evening for a meal and a few drinks." said Luna, "What do you think?"
"That's brilliant." said Sid, "You mean a sort of celebration of each of us getting back to the one we really love?"
"Yes." said Luna, smiling, "Especially since all four of us seem to get on so well with each other."
"Why restrict it to one meal?" asked Sid, "It could be one of many."
"I'm glad you're thinking that way." said Luna, "I believe in fate, and I know in my heart that we're all destined to stay together as real friends. Thank you, Sid."
"And thank you, sweet Luna." said Sid, "You've brought me back to life from a lonely existence. Getting me back together with Cassie again was the very best thing you could possibly have done."
The two coaches departed for their destinations, thus separating Sid from Cassie and Neville from Luna. During the next week, Neville, as he had promised, helped Cassie pack and cheered her up when she had a bout of depression around mid-week. She took his advice and phoned Sid, who was really happy to hear her voice, especially when she confirmed that she would definitely be coming back to Bristol on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, in Bristol Sid was helping two very different ladies prepare for the arrival of additional people. He helped his mum make the spare room ready for Cassie and, much to his mum's amazement, tidied his own room. He also helped Luna make her flat more welcoming for Neville. These activities kept Sid's mind occupied enough not to brood too much over the absence of his new fiancée Cassie. However, he was delighted to receive a phone call from her on Wednesday. His mood was a lot lighter for the rest of the week."
At last, Saturday came. In the morning, Neville and Cassie left Paddington Station on the nine o'clock train, arriving in Bristol in the middle of the morning. Cassie sent Sid a text from the train confirming her time of arrival at Temple Meads Station. Before setting out to first pick up Luna and then meet the travellers from London, Sid advised his mum that he would probably be out till mid afternoon and would return with Cassie. When Neville and Cassie arrived, Sid and Luna met them at the station. It was quite an emotional reunion with Cassie falling into Sid's arms shedding tears of joy; glad that they were finally together for good. Luna greeted Neville equally emotionally before they loaded the luggage in the back of Sid's car and headed first for Luna's flat. By the time they had arrived there and unloaded Neville's luggage, it was approaching midday so conversation turned to the subject of food.
"It's nearly lunchtime." said Neville, "Any suggestions, Sid?"
"I feel like eating something spicy." said Luna, "What about the Indian place we visited on our first day out."
"That's a good one but it only opens in the evening." said Sid, "The other thing to think about at this time of day is parking."
"That's a thought." remarked Cassie, "If we're going to the City Centre, We'll have to park the other side of the river and walk."
"Unless we go to the one in Clifton." said Sid, "I've heard good reports about it and it's outside the controlled parking area. Are you OK with Indian food, Neville?"
"Yes." said Neville, "Our office quite often went to Indian restaurants when our department had 'Muggle' lunches in London."
"That's settled then." said Sid, "Let's go to Clifton."
The friends got back into the car and went to the Indian restaurant in Clifton. They were shown to a table for four and given menus. Luna was pleased to see Bombay potato on the menu and said she would like to have it as one of the side dishes. Sid said he wanted to try something really hot. After some discussion, they decided on their main dishes and sides. Neville ordered Lamb Dhansak while Sid opted for the Chicken Vindaloo.
"What are you girls having?" asked Sid.
Cassie asked for Prawn Korma while Luna had Bhuna Gosht and reminded Sid about her side dish. Neville requested Brinjal Bhaji as a side dish. The meal was completed with Pulao Rice, some Chapatis and eight Popadoms.
Although they had ordered individual items, all of them shared the various dishes. Cassie, Luna and Neville had Cobra beer while Sid had Coke as he was driving.
"This is nice." said Luna, "All four of us enjoying a meal together. Thank you, Neville. I seem to remember it was your idea. Wow! Your Vindaloo is hot, Sid."
"Yes," said Sid, "We do like hot curries."
"Sid." said Neville, "I think we should do this at least every couple of months. That way we will stay in touch with each other."
"Good idea, Neville." said Sid, "Although three of us will be working in the same building, I don't suppose we'll have much contact during the day."
"What about me?" asked Cassie.
"Oh yes." said Sid, "I'm being promoted to Admin Officer. There will be a vacancy for an Admin Assistant at the end of the month. I suggest you apply for it. Then we will all be together."
"Do you think I'd be able to do the work?" asked Cassie.
"It should be easy for you." said Sid, "You know your way round a computer. It will be very different from being a waitress though. I'll get you an application form."
After the four had enjoyed their curries, Sid took them on a drive round the North of Bristol via the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Avonmouth Bridge and Cribbs Causeway, pointing out the notable locations to Neville before delivering him back to Luna's flat. When Sid and Cassie finally returned to Bishopston, Liz welcomed Cassie with open arms as she knew that Sid had finally been reunited with his perfect lifetime partner.
The curry meal in Clifton was indeed the first of many meals and other social occasions involving both couples.
And so it was that Sid, Cassie, Neville and Luna became inseparable friends. They settled down in the beautiful city of Bristol. Cassie started work as an admin assistant at the same office as Sid. In fact she filled Sid's post following his promotion to the post of administrative officer. Neville and Luna helped her trace her ancestry and found out that her mother was indeed half-blood. She also found out that both her paternal grandparents were at least half magical. This meant that Reuben was a potential wizard and would qualify for a magical education at Hogwarts College.
They informed Marcus about his magical ancestry and persuaded him to return to Bristol with little Reuben, thus ensuring the completion of Reuben's primary education. This was made easier because Marcus had made several thousand pounds from the sale of some stormy seascape paintings he had created in North Wales and was beginning to pick up commissions. He was also beginning to be recognised by the art world after two of his seascapes were hung at the RA Annual Exhibition. Cassie looked stunning at the opening reception in a dark blue sleeveless dress.
Since Neville and Luna had used Ministry of Magic archives to trace Cassie's ancestry, the ministry was made aware of her status. As Reuben had the same family background, he received his Hogwarts letter on his eleventh birthday, somewhat to Marcus's surprise.
It was at about this time that Sid Married his beloved Cassie at St Mary Redcliffe church. It was a quite conventional English wedding. Not only were guests invited from the Jenkins and Ainsworth families and their friends, but also several people from the magical world who were friends of Neville and Luna. Sid invited Tony Stonem to be his best man. To the surprise of most of the guests, the music played as the couple came back down the aisle was the 'Throne Room' theme from 'Star Wars'. Sid justified his choice by saying he was crowning Cassie "Queen of his Heart".
A couple of months later, Neville married his little Luna in a magical ceremony at the rebuilt Shell Cottage. Harry Potter was his best man. In addition to the magical families; Sid, Cassie and their immediate families were invited. Neville wore his ceremonial Auror's robes while, to nobody's surprise Luna's wedding dress was bright yellow.
At both receptions, several new friendships were formed between the magical and muggle guests. The most surprising of these arose from a long conversation between Michelle and Hermione at Sid's reception. As Brendan Kavanagh later remarked: "Neville and Luna Longbottom's choice of companions for the 2013 Highclere conference and the two resulting weddings had done more for magic/muggle relations than any number of liaison conferences."