October 12th
1995
"Hey Hannah," Neville said, nodding as she caught up with him on their way to Herbology. "How are you?"
"Fantastic," Hannah answered, positively beaming. "Wasn't that—er—study session great? I learned so much!" she said enthusiastically.
Neville grinned. They had just had the first meeting of Dumbledore's Army two nights ago. "Yeah, it was good review," he said, eyeing a passing group of third-year Slytherins as they entered the greenhouse.
"Hannah?"
Neville turned to see Ernie waving Hannah over to their usual tray.
"Oh—see you later, Neville! Let me know when we're studying again, okay?" Hannah asked brightly.
October 12th
1996
Neville walked into the Great Hall, early for breakfast, and was surprised to see Hannah Abbott sitting at the Hufflepuff table by herself. She looked pale and thin, but otherwise all right.
She'd been absent from classes for nearly a month; the rumor was that her mother had been killed by Death Eaters. Neville was amazed that she'd obviously decided to come back to school.
In a split-second decision, Neville walked over and sat down opposite Hannah, giving her a friendly smile. She blinked, as though she didn't immediately recognize him.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," Neville answered. "How are you?"
October 12th
1997
"What were you thinking, Neville?" Hannah lamented, touching a handkerchief to his bleeding cheek. He hissed as the dittany stung him.
"We were thinking that a first-year doesn't have to get kicked down a flight of stairs for being late to class," Neville snarled disconsolately.
"Your wrist'll be okay soon, Neville," said Padma Patil as she bound a splint to his arm. "You should see Madam Pomfrey when you can, though."
"We've got to do something about them bloody Carrows," Seamus growled. He sat a few feet away, where Michael Corner tended to his wounds.
"I know, mate," Neville said.
October 12th
1999
"Hi," Neville said as Hannah opened the door. "Youlooknice," he stammered, holding out the roses, feeling very jittery.
Hannah smiled, taking them. "Thanks, Neville. So do you."
"Hi, Neville."
Susan Bones—Macmillan, Neville corrected himself—Hannah's best friend, stood a few feet away, resting her hands on her lower back, nearly eight months pregnant. She beamed at them both and nodded encouragingly at Hannah.
"Have a good time, you two. I'll clean up here, Han," she said.
"Are you sure?" Hannah asked, reaching for Neville's hand.
Susan rolled her eyes. "Go have your first official date!" She winked at Neville.
October 12th
2004
"Hannah?"
"What, Neville?"
"Do you want to have kids, someday?"
There was a pause. Neville sat up on the sofa, looking over to where Hannah was working at the table.
"Yes," she said, smiling. "Absolutely."
Neville nodded and lay back again, frowning at the newspaper. Silence fell in the flat. The only sound was Hannah, rustling papers every now and then as she drafted the contract for buying the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hannah?"
"What, Neville?"
There was another pause, and this time Hannah had to look over at Neville. He was sitting up again, holding up something small, round, and sparkling.
October 12th
2007
Hannah sat down and put both hands on her huge belly. The baby was due in late November, but Hannah felt much farther along. The door of their flat above the Cauldron opened, and Hannah smiled at Neville.
"All locked up," he said, coming over to kiss Hannah, laying a hand on her belly. "Guess what?"
"What?" Hannah asked, adjusting herself as Neville sat down beside her.
"Ginny had the baby," he said. "A little girl, named Lily. Harry just sent a note, he sends their love."
"Hear that?" Hannah asked her belly. "Maybe you'll be friends, hm?"
Neville grinned.
October 12th
2009
"I'll see you tonight," Neville said, kissing Hannah's cheek as she cradled baby Catherine, who was just over a month old, in the rocking chair in the girls' room. Neville was finally going back to Hogwarts, late in the term—he'd stayed home to offer his help around the house after the baby arrived.
"I love you," Hannah said quietly, for Catherine had just dozed off. Neville stroked the baby's hair, glanced over to two-year-old Alice's cot, where she was still sleeping, and kissed Hannah.
"I love you, too." He smiled and tugged on his cloak, walking out the door.
October 12th
2021
"N'ell! Yrr hone!" Hannah cried in a muffled voice—she held a quill between her teeth, stacking dinner orders on her arm as Neville opened the kitchen door.
"Hi," Neville laughed, removing his cloak and grabbing an apron. He took Hannah's quill from her mouth and kissed her. "Busy night?"
"You've got no idea!" Hannah called, hurrying into the bar.
Hours later, they collapsed at the table in their private apartment.
"How are the girls?" Hannah asked.
"Fine," Neville chuckled. "Cat told me to stop embarrassing her today after Herbology, so I'd say she's adjusting."
Hannah laughed. "I guess so."
October 12th
2029
"Okay turnout, for a grand re-opening," Hannah said, still sounding rather disheartened as she climbed into bed beside Neville. He kissed her.
"Hermione Weasley was almost murdered here, Han," he said gently. "You have to give them some time. Things'll get back to normal again."
Hannah sighed, looking at the ceiling. "This is so selfish of me," she said, shaking her head. "I shouldn't be worrying about this when Hermione's not even well enough to go back to work yet."
Neville put his arms around her. "It's not selfish. Hermione's going to be fine, and so's the Cauldron. I promise."
October 12th
2050
Hannah lay in bed as Neville carefully eased a hot water bottle beneath her bad hip. She closed her eyes, sighing in relief. "Thank you, sweetheart," she smiled. Neville gave her a kiss and climbed into bed, pointing his wand to turn out the lights.
Hannah curled against Neville and smiled.
"Neville?" she asked.
"Hmm?" Neville mumbled.
"I love you."
"You too, Han."
"Neville?"
"Hmm?"
"I think we should let Cat run the Cauldron. I'm getting too old for this."
Neville chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing," he snorted. "I just didn't want to be the one to say it."
Hannah swatted him.
Yup. Definitely one of my favorites. :)