Harry Potter and the Final Chapter
By
Lewis M. Brooks, III
Chapter 14 – The Trials of Neville Longbottom
Hermione hurried down the hallway towards the entrance hall. She was just going to make it in time to meet the delegations from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.
The Ministry had decided to tone things down this year. That's why the delegations were arriving via the Hogwarts Express instead of by their own, more dramatic means. It also meant that quarters and classrooms had to be prepared inside the castle. Hermione was late because she had been seeing to some last minute details.
They were not going to have the students gather on the front steps as they had in previous years. The Hogwarts students were already gathered in the Great Hall. Kingsley, Percy, and Cho from the Ministry, as well as herself and Ginny and their families were going to greet the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons delegations in the Entrance Hall.
In the Entrance Hall, Kingsley, Percy, and Cho were standing together talking. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were standing together and also talking. James, Albus, Carly, Lily, Rose, and Hugo were standing together talking as well, but most of their talking was complaining that they had to wear their dress robes for the evening. They wouldn't have minded if it was a dance or something, but this seemed silly to dress up for.
"I should go say hello," said Harry nodding toward where Cho was standing with Kingsley and Percy.
Ginny looked annoyed, but nodded. Ron grinned, but said nothing. He wasn't going to invite a retort from Ginny concerning Viktor's imminent arrival, which he was no more pleased about than Ginny was with Cho's presence.
Harry slowly walked over to where Kingsley, Percy, and Cho were talking quietly. "Hello everyone," said Harry.
"Hello, Harry," said Kingsley and Percy.
Cho had her back to Harry and turned around. "Harry, how are you," said Cho stepping forward. She seemed to hesitate, not quite sure how she should greet him. Harry made it easy, moving towards her and giving her a brief hug, which she returned.
"I'm good," said Harry. "I haven't seen you in a long time. How are you?"
"I'm all right," said Cho with a smile. "Work keeps me busy."
At that moment, Hermione entered the Entrance Hall, and took immediate charge of the situation. "Everyone, take your places, they will be here any minute," said Hermione.
Hermione, with Ron, Rose, and Hugo would greet the delegations first. Then Ginny, would greet them with Harry, James, Albus, Carly, and Lily. Then Kingsley, Percy, and Cho would greet them. Everyone moved into their places, just as the front doors opened.
In walked a familiar, though older figure from the last time Harry had seen him at Bill and Fleur's wedding. "Viktor," said Hermione warmly.
"Hermione," said Viktor with a broad smile. "It has been such a long time. You look absolutely wonderful."
"You too, Viktor," said Hermione.
Viktor gave Hermione a brief hug and kissed her on each cheek. Harry saw Ron stiffen as this was happening, and had to stifle a laugh at Ron's jealousy.
"How do you enjoy teaching, Viktor?" asked Hermione.
"Well, when my quidditch days were over, I couldn't think of anything better than teaching flying and coaching quidditch," said Viktor. "When the Deputy Headmaster position was offered to me, I could not turn it down."
"Viktor, you remember my husband Ron," said Hermione beginning the introductions.
"Of course, Ron, how nice to see you," said Viktor extending a hand.
"Viktor," said Ron, shaking his hand. Ron hid it well, but to those who knew him, it was quite obvious Ron was not happy to see Viktor Krum.
"These are our children," said Hermione, "Rose and Hugo."
"Such a beauty just like your mother," said Viktor with a smile, as he bowed to Rose and kissed the back of her hand.
"Thank you, sir," replied Rose, slightly embarrassed.
Viktor shook Hugo's hand and moved on towards Ginny as his students introduced themselves to Hermione and the Weasleys. Hugo noticed one of the Durmstrang students as moved down the line towards him. She was short, especially compared to Hugo who was quite tall. She was beautiful and had long black hair and hazel eyes. She looked to be about his age. Hugo's heart stopped when she looked at him and smiled warmly. Hugo made it a point to smile at her, but she just shook his hand when he introduced himself, and didn't introduce herself.
Hugo was sure he had never seen such a beautiful girl in his entire life. Even though he could only see her face as she was wearing dark red dress robes and a fur parka, his imagination seemed to have developed a mind of its own. He found himself imagining what she might look like in tight jeans and a jumper. Somehow he was sure she would look fantastic.
Hugo assumed she didn't speak English. If she did, maybe he might have even got up the courage to talk to her he thought. Of course, he knew he wouldn't have. He was hopeless with girls, and he was sure he always would be. He even felt slightly jealous of Lily who used to be in the same boat, but now seemed to be dating Tommy, though she denied they were 'dating'.
"Viktor, you probably don't remember me, Ginny Potter, Deputy Headmistress," said Ginny with a smile as she shook his hand.
"Oh course I do," said Viktor with a smile. "I remember you from your brother's wedding. It's nice to see you again." Viktor turned to Harry. "How have you been Harry? It's been far too long." Viktor grabbed Harry's hand with both of his.
"It's good to see you, Viktor," said Harry. "You're right, it has been a long time."
"These are our children," said Ginny, "James, Albus, and Lily, and Albus's fiancé Carly Jones."
Viktor turned toward them. "It was my greatest honor to compete against your father in the last Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts," said Viktor. "It was an honor to be bested by him. He was a true Triwizard Champion."
"Thank you, Viktor," said Harry, though Harry had never felt that was true. "I have a bottle of very good, very old firewhiskey. I was wondering if you would join my friends and I for a drink this evening?"
"I would be honored," said Viktor happily.
The greetings continued until the entire Durmstrang delegation had been greeted. They waited off to one side of the Entrance Hall for the delegation from Beauxbatons.
Beauxbatons had sent their Deputy Headmistress, Gabrielle Dubois, Professor of Herbology. They had also sent a representative from the French Ministry of Magic, who was a former Hogwarts student, Class of 2022. After Hermione greeted them both, she of course remembered the representative from the French Ministry from her time at Hogwarts.
The Beauxbatons delegation moved toward Ginny, but didn't get to the introductions immediately. "James," said the French Ministry representative moving towards him, a note of complete shock in her voice.
"Lucy…what are you doing here?" asked James, equally as shocked. It was all he got out as she ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. He returned her embrace and all he could think about at that moment was how many times he would have loved to hug her when they were both students. The only other time they had hugged was the last time they saw each other. For a moment James thought his brain shut off.
"I am the Assistant to the Director of International Magical Cooperation in the French Ministry of Magic," said Lucy. "He asked me to attend in his stead as his wife is expecting a child. It's been so long James, I thought you graduated last year." Lucy's smile made it plain, she was very glad to see him too.
"I did, I'm working security for Hogwarts this year," said James as his brain kicked back in. "I decided to put off Auror training for a year."
"That's wonderful," said Lucy as she finally let go of James. "We must catch up. How about we go to the Three Broomsticks after the feast?"
"I would love to, but I have to do a security sweep right after the feast," said James, unsure of exactly what he was expecting when he made his next statement. "Let's say eight o'clock, I'll meet you here." For a moment, he just stared at her, not believing she was really here, and then he snapped out of his fog and introduced Lucy to his parents, and siblings, though they all remembered her.
"Deputy Headmistress Gabrielle Dubois," said the Beauxbatons Herbology teacher as she shook Ginny's hand.
"Ginny Potter, Deputy Headmistress," said Ginny. Ginny introduced Harry and the children.
After they had greeted the Beauxbatons delegation, and the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons greeted each other, the Potters and Weasleys entered the Great Hall to take their places and introduce their guests.
In the Great Hall, Neville and Sirius sat next to each other at the teacher's table, waiting for the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons delegations to join them.
"What's taking so long?" asked Sirius. "The natives are getting restless." The students were beginning to get a little bit loud. They had been waiting for nearly half an hour.
"You know how these formal things go, Sirius," said Neville absently. "Everyone has to greet everyone else. It takes time."
Sirius thought he detected something in Neville's voice. "Are you all right, Neville?" asked Sirius. "You sound down."
"I'm fine," said Neville unconvincingly.
That was not true at all. In fact, Neville was feeling pretty lousy. He would get this way once in a while. He would sort of look at his life and realize he would always be alone. He had the Potters and Weasleys who thought of him as much as family as they did each other, which he appreciated more than he could ever tell them. Still he had no blood relatives left, and wished he had someone special in his life.
His grandmother, the only parent he ever really knew had passed away ten years after he graduated from Hogwarts. That had been hard. She was a bit frightening, but she was all he had. He missed her. He even missed being afraid of her. His Great Aunt and Great Uncle had died around the same time she did.
Five years later his parents passed away, first his father, then three months later his mother. It was strange, since he never really knew them, but that didn't make it any easier to lose them. He still went to St. Mungo's once in a while, not to see anyone, just to go there. It was the only place he had ever known his parents. They had been there since he was just over a year old, having been tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange.
When Neville went to visit his parents, his mother would always give him bubblegum wrappers. They were the only thing he ever received from his parents, and every time his grandmother would tell him to throw them away. He had never told a soul, but he still had a box under his bed that contained every bubblegum wrapper his mother had ever given him.
The one person who was nearly family to him was Lily. It was one of the happiest days of Neville's life when Harry and Ginny asked him to be Lily's godfather. He loved her like she was his own daughter. They had dinner together every Valentine's Day since she was old enough to know what Valentine's Day was. For the last six years, Valentines dinner had been for three, as Sirius always joined them. Lily seemed to have a soft spot in her heart for lonely people.
Even thinking of Lily had him down at the moment. He knew Lily had gone flying with Tommy Morgan a few times, and she seemed really happy about it. He was happy for her, but it reminded him, he didn't have anyone.
He had never really had a serious relationship. Neville wasn't particularly handsome, he wasn't a particularly powerful wizard, and he was a Herbologist, and spent most of his time potting plants in the Greenhouses. Not exactly a recipe for meeting women, let alone falling in love. He had a few girlfriends, and dated quite a bit right after he was in school. Word of his standing up to Voldemort spread, and it made him seem quite the hero. The relationships never lasted long though. Years after they were at Hogwarts, Neville thought he might have a future with Hanna Abbott, but that hadn't worked out. She went off to Auror training, and it just wasn't going to work out with him at Hogwarts.
It wasn't that he was unhappy. Neville was very happy teaching Herbology, and he loved the Potters and Weasleys. He just would have liked to have someone so he wasn't so lonely. Not terribly likely Neville thought, forty-three year old Herbology teachers aren't exactly in demand.
"Do you want to talk about it, Neville?" asked Sirius.
Sirius had become a good friend over the last six years. Neville didn't know Sirius at all before he died, but he had got to know him quiet well since he returned. He was always easy to talk to and ready to listen. Like Neville, Sirius was an adopted member of the Potter and Weasley families having no family of his own.
"No thanks, Sirius," said Neville. "I'm fine. Thanks."
A few minutes later, the doors of the Great Hall opened and the Potters and Weasleys came in and took their places. Harry sat down next to Neville.
"You guys will not believe who is here with the Beauxbatons delegation," said Harry. "I couldn't believe it.
"Who is it?" asked Sirius curiously.
"Do you remember that girl that James used to hang around with a lot his fourth, fifth and sixth years?" asked Harry. "She was a year ahead of him."
"Yeah, really pretty girl, long blond hair I think," said Sirius. "What was her name?"
"Lucy Roux," said Neville. "She was a very nice girl."
"Yeah," said Harry. "You should have seen her when she saw James. She threw her arms around his neck. He didn't act it, but I could see it in his face, he was very glad to see her."
"I always wondered why he never asked her out," said Sirius. "They seemed so close. If I hadn't known they weren't dating, I might have thought they were the way they were always together."
"Before I forget, I invited Viktor to have a drink tonight with Ron and I," said Harry. "Can I count you two in as well?"
"Absolutely," said Sirius. "How about you Neville?"
"Thanks, Harry, but I think I'll pass," said Neville.
Before Harry or Sirius could try and talk him into it, Hermione went to the front of the teacher's table, and the room quieted.
"As you know, tonight marks the arrival of our guests from Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy," said Hermione. "First, I would like to introduce Minister of Magic Kingsley Shackelbolt, Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Percy Weasley, and Director of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Cho Chang. They along with myself and the heads of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will serve as judges for the Triwizard Tournament."
Neville watched with little interest as Kingsley, Percy, and Cho made their way to the teacher's table and took their seats as the students applauded politely, though the reception certainly couldn't be called warm.
"Now, I would like to introduce Deputy Headmaster, Viktor Krum, and the students of Durmstrang Institute," said Hermione.
As Viktor Krum led his students towards the front of the Great Hall, there was a great deal of applause. Few hadn't heard of the great Bulgarian Seeker. The Durmstrang delegation was dressed in dark red robes, and most wore fur parkas. Neville was just as disinterested in the Durmstrang delegation as he was of the Ministry's representatives.
At the front of the Great Hall, Viktor took his seat at the teacher's table and his students found seats at the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables.
"Now, I would like to introduce from the French Ministry of Magic, Assistant to the Director of International Magical Cooperation and graduate of the Hogwarts Class of 2022, Lucy Roux, and Deputy Headmistress, Gabrielle Dubois, and the students of Beauxbatons Academy," said Hermione.
Neville was only half paying attention as the Beauxbatons delegation made their way into the hall, all dressed in robes of pale blue silk. That was until he saw her.
At the head of the Beauxbatons delegation were two women, one of whom he recognized as Lucy Roux. It was the other woman he was staring at though. She was not particularly tall, about Neville's height, as he wasn't terribly tall himself. She looked to be about his age, with short curly brown hair and a pretty smile. She wore thin glasses. What Neville really noticed was her eyes. She had brown eyes that looked warm and inviting, like pools of melted chocolate. Neville knew she didn't exactly fit into the classic mold of a beautiful woman, but never the less, the only word Neville could think of to describe her was beautiful.
Harry noticed Neville was staring and had his mouth hanging open slightly. "Are you all right, Neville?" asked Harry.
"What," said Neville, coming out of his fog. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"You seemed miles away for a minute," said Harry curiously.
"I'm fine," said Neville with a nod. The woman Neville was watching went and sat at the opposite end of the teacher's table, and Neville lost sight of her. For the rest of the night, Neville couldn't get her out of his mind. He wished he had been paying attention and got her name.
It really didn't matter though, Neville thought. It wasn't like he was going to talk to her or anything, so there really wasn't any point in knowing her name.
It was ten minutes before eight, and James walked down the hallway towards the Entrance Hall to meet Lucy. All through dinner, as well as while he did his security sweep she was all he could think about. He had never thought he would ever see her again. He really wasn't prepared to. He knew it shouldn't matter. It was a long time ago, and though he couldn't deny he was in love with Lucy, that was then and this as now. Still, knowing it and believing it weren't necessarily the same thing.
It had been three weeks since Albus had brought up Lucy to him. During the last three weeks, James had done all he could to put that conversation and Lucy out of his mind. James had never failed at many things, but at that he failed miserably.
Each time James closed his eyes, he could see her pretty face, her warm smile, her sparkling pale green eyes, her long blond hair, and her figure, dear God, her figure. Lucy had a tremendous body. Each movement, whether it was as simple as shifting her weight from one foot to the other while standing in the common room talking, to leaning back in her chair and stretching her arms as she always did, seemed to be trying to break down his will to resist her. If he hadn't known she wasn't, he would have thought she was part Veela.
James couldn't count the number of times he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her when they were in school together. When he saw her tonight and she hugged him, he didn't want to let go, ever.
James kept telling himself he had to keep his distance. She was going to go back to France at the end of the year, and nothing had changed for him. He couldn't go to France.
Of course, none of this mattered, James told himself. She was just looking to catch up with an old friend. Lucy never said anything to indicate that she felt anything more than friendship for him. Besides, Lucy had to be married or at least seeing someone. She was too perfect not to have found someone. She was just too perfect, period.
When he arrived at the Entrance Hall, Lucy was waiting for him. When James saw her he realized what a fool he had been. His feelings had never gone away, as much as he wanted them to. Somehow over time, even with the picture of her in his mind, he had nearly forgotten just how truly beautiful Lucy was. The image in his mind paled by comparison.
Lucy still had the same long blond hair she had in school that was just begging him to run his fingers through it. She still had the same pale green eyes that he could get lost in if he let himself. Her smile was like looking into the sun. She had been wearing a robe that matched the Beauxbatons school robes earlier. Now, she was dressed in tight Muggle jeans and a jumper, as he was, but her jumper, which said 'Gryffindor Quidditch' across it, was far too tight, and left little to the imagination. She always wore jumpers that were far too tight, ever since his fourth year.
James didn't, until this moment, realize just how in love with her he was. He had thought that he had been in love with her, but that it was over more than a year ago, and that he wouldn't feel the same way. It had to be true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. He was more in love now than he was then. His heart seemed to stop beating at the site of her. He was in trouble.
For a moment, James considered turning and going to bed after a prolonged cold shower. He couldn't let himself feel this way about her. He had responsibilities. He had to protect his family. He tried to turn around, but he couldn't move. He was rooted to the spot unable to look away form her. Then it was too late. Even as much as he knew this was a mistake, he couldn't walk away.
"There you are, James," said Lucy happily. She ran over to him and hugged him tightly. "Are you ready to go?"
He returned her hug, savoring the feeling of having her in his arms, perhaps for a little longer than he meant to.
"Absolutely," said James with a smile as he pulled back. 'Let's go."
Lucy took his arm and held on as they walked. They talked all the way from the castle to the Three Broomsticks. He told her about his last year of school, and how he decided to delay Auror training to take the Security job at Hogwarts. He didn't tell her why he did this though. He also told her how all the New Marauders were doing. Lucy was never a member of the New Marauders, but she was quite friendly with all of them.
Then she told him all about what she had done in the last year. She had moved to Paris as she planned and gotten a job as a clerk in the Department of Magical Games and Sports office. She received several promotions since, and was now Assistant to the Director of the department.
It was like she had never left. Even after a year apart, James could talk to her as easily as he ever could. The sound of her voice was like music to him, and when she laughed his heart ached to kiss her. He knew he shouldn't have come.
When they arrived at the Three Broomsticks, Lucy found a small table in the back while James got two mugs of hot butterbeer and joined her.
James noticed there was no wedding ring on her finger. He told himself he shouldn't have noticed, but it was too late, and his mouth took over, shutting off his brain. "So, Lucy, are you dating anyone?" asked James. Damn, why did you ask her that when the answer doesn't matter, James screamed in his head?
"No," said Lucy with a sigh. "I just…can't seem to find the right guy."
Something about the way she said it was like a dagger in James' heart. He felt like he was responsible for that. "You will," said James softly.
"How about you, James?" asked Lucy.
"How about me, what?" asked James, still trying to comprehend how she wasn't seeing anyone.
"Are you seeing anyone?" asked Lucy with a laugh.
"Oh…no," said James. "I haven't been seeing anyone."
Lucy nodded, and they were quiet for a moment. "James, I have a confession to make," said Lucy with a sigh.
"What is it?" asked James.
"I lied. I wasn't surprised to see you earlier," said Lucy, biting her bottom lip nervously.
"What do you mean?" asked James. Her admission made his heart begin to pound in his chest, though he wasn't sure why.
"The French Ministry, as part of the preparations for the tournament, received a list of all Hogwarts staff," said Lucy. "When I saw your name, I asked the Director if I could attend. He had planned to, but didn't want to leave his pregnant wife, so it worked out perfectly."
James digested this information for a moment. She had come because he was at Hogwarts? She had come to see him? His heart beat even louder than he thought possible.
"Why, Lucy?" asked James breathlessly. That was really all he could get out.
Lucy had been staring at her mug of butterbeer. She looked up and there eyes connected. "I needed to ask you something," said Lucy slowly. "I couldn't do it by owl…it had to be in person."
James could not have looked away from her if he had wanted to. Their eyes were locked on each other's, connected as if by some invisible force.
"What did you want to ask me?" asked James. His mind was racing as he continued to stare into his eyes, her beautiful eyes.
"I had to know why you never asked me out," said Lucy nervously. "I woke up every day for three years, hoping that it would be the day you would ask me. I've had lots of dates in the last year while I've been in France. All I keep asking myself is why they asked me out…and you didn't."
After several long moments, James finally got his mouth to work. "You were going to France after you graduated," said James in a breathless whisper. "I couldn't ask you not to, it was your dream, and I couldn't go with you to France. I…I cared too much a bout you to ask you not to go. I didn't want to hurt you."
Lucy was quiet for a moment. "I'm here now," said Lucy, a hopeful look in her eyes. The meaning of that statement and the longing in her voice was unmistakable.
A thought crossed James mind. "Can I ask you a question?" asked James.
"Sure," said Lucy softly.
"Were you trying to get my attention wearing those tight jumpers all the time?" asked James with a smile.
Lucy smiled. "Yes," said Lucy. "I was trying to make sure you'd notice."
"You didn't need to," said James.
He could resist no longer. James leaned across the table and kissed her as she kissed him back. He had waited three years for this kiss. For three years James had fought the desire to kiss her, every single day, telling himself it could never work out, denying himself the one thing he wanted most. For another year, even though she wasn't there, subconsciously he had still desired it, but he just wouldn't admit it to himself. Now that he was kissing her, he regretted every minute he hadn't.
They finally broke apart and stared into each other's eyes. James reached across the table and took her hand in his.
"Now what do we do?" asked James shaking his head slightly. "At the end of the year you'll be going back to France and I can't go."
"I don't know," said Lucy. "But we do have until the end of the year to figure that out. I think we've wasted enough time, don't you?"
James wanted to fight it, but he had fought it for so long, he couldn't anymore. "Let's get out of here," said James. "This table is putting entirely too much distance between us, and I know a perfect place we can go to make up for lost time."
"What exactly did you want to make up for?" asked Lucy as if she didn't have an idea already.
"To make up for three years of missed snogging," said James with a sly smile.
"Lead the way," replied Lucy.
In the Room of Requirement, Sirius and Ron were standing by the fire talking, waiting for Harry, Viktor, and the firewhiskey. Ron would have settled for just the firewhiskey.
"Did you see that git? He practically had his hands all over Hermione," said Ron testily. "He does it again and there will be a problem."
"Come on, Ron," said Sirius trying no tot laugh. "The hug was brief, and the kisses on the cheeks are not uncommon between friends. Fourth year was a long, long time ago. You're just still upset you didn't ask Hermione to the Yule Ball. She loves you anyway, though heaven only knows why."
"Thanks, Sirius, that really helps," said Ron in exasperation. "You need to spend less time with my sister."
"You know me," said Sirius with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin on his face. "I'm The Counsel remember. I'm always happy to help."
At ten o'clock, Harry and Viktor walked through the door of the Room of Requirement. Harry was carrying a bottle of firewhiskey.
"Hey, mate," said Ron to Harry. He turned toward Viktor. "Are all your students settled in, Viktor?" Ron was trying to be friendly, but he found it very difficult.
"Yes, thank you," said Viktor. "The accommodations are wonderful."
"Viktor, I don't think you have met my godfather, Sirius Black," said Harry. "Sirius, this is Viktor Krum, Deputy Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute."
"Nice to meet you, Viktor," said Sirius, extending his hand.
"Likewise," said Viktor shaking Sirius's hand. "I must admit, when word reached Durmstrang that Sirius Black had returned from the dead, no one believed it."
"I'm full of surprises," said Sirius with a laugh.
The four of them sat on the couches and sipped firewhiskey and talked for quite a while. Viktor told Harry about how after his quidditch career was over he received offers to coach professionally, but he was tired of all the intensity of professional quidditch. He opted to teach flying at Durmstrang and was very happy doing that.
"So, Harry, your son is to be married," said Viktor. "You must be very happy. Have they been together long?"
"I am very happy," said Harry. "They actually met first year, and it was love at first sight. She was an orphan, and we adopted her. It was only a matter of time before he proposed."
"That's wonderful," said Viktor with a smile.
Around midnight, Ron decided he was heading to bed. He said his goodnights and left. It was obvious he had not enjoyed the company.
"I think Ron is still upset about my taking Hermione to the Yule Ball," said Viktor with a chuckle. "I can't say I blame him."
"No," said Harry shaking his head. "He might be telling himself that, but I think he's still upset about what he didn't do back them. I think he still regrets not asking Hermione to the Yule Ball. They are married and happy, and it still bothers him."
"Viktor, I'm a little surprised an international quidditch player like yourself has never married," said Sirius.
Viktor chuckled. "You would think an international quidditch player would have no problem finding a wife," said Viktor. "Unfortunately all the women I've dated were all in love with the international quidditch player, and not Viktor Krum." Viktor paused and looked at the floor. "Only one woman ever saw me as me, and she was in love with another long before I met her. Not even an international quidditch player can compete with true love. I never stood a chance." Viktor looked up at Harry. "Harry, you and Ron are very lucky men. There are far more important things in life than being an international quidditch player."
"Thank you," said Harry. Harry knew exactly what Viktor meant.
The next morning, Harry got up early. He had not forgotten how Neville was at the feast, and he wanted to make sure he was all right. After finding a potion to deal with the mild hangover he had from the previous night's firewhiskey, Harry headed toward the Greenhouses.
Neville was always up early and in the Greenhouses taking care of some plant that needed his attention. As Harry walked toward the Greenhouses, he saw Hagrid, out for a morning walk of his own.
"Good morning, Hagrid," said Harry with a smile.
"Morning, Harry," said Hagrid. "You're up early."
"Yes," said Harry. "I'm on my way to see Neville."
Hagrid nodded. "You'll never guess who I saw this morning," said Hagrid.
"Who did you see?" asked Harry curiously.
"Well, I was out taking a walk, not far from the Whomping Willow, and I heard its branches moving as usual," said Hagrid. "Then it stopped. I looked through the bushes, and you'll never guess who had just touched the knot to stop it from moving."
"Who was it?" asked Harry.
"It was James," said Hagrid. "He wasn't alone. I was about to move out of the bushes to say hello, but I saw he was helping that girl from the French Ministry out of the hole, and then, well, I wasn't going to interrupt them. They were snogging like there was no tomorrow."
Harry grinned. "They went out to catch up last night," said Harry. "I guess they must have caught each other."
Hagrid laughed. "I guess you're right," said Hagrid. "Well, I have to get going, I have lots to do. Have a good day."
"You too, Hagrid," said Harry.
As Harry continued toward the Greenhouses, he couldn't wait to tell Ginny about James. She would be so happy to know that, catching up had turned into a date. Ginny worried about James being alone so much.
Harry couldn't help but think of the times he and Ginny had snuck off to the Shrieking Shack to snog when they returned to school seventh year. What would they have ever done without his Invisibility Cloak, Harry wondered.
When Harry arrived at the Greenhouses, as he expected, Neville was already working. He looked kind of distracted.
"Morning Neville," said Harry.
"Good morning," said Neville. "What brings you to the Greenhouses Harry?
"I was just wondering if you were all right," said Harry. "You really seemed kind of down last night. Is anything wrong?"
"I'm fine Harry," said Neville with a frown. He knew Harry was just worried because he cared, but Neville really didn't want to talk about it. "You know how I get sometimes."
"Yeah, I do," said Harry.
Before Harry could say anything, there was a knock on the Greenhouse door. A moment later the door opened.
"Good morning, Professor Potter," said a soft voice with a mild French accent. Gabrielle Dubois walked into the Greenhouse.
"Please, Miss Dubois, call me Harry," said Harry to the Deputy Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy. She nodded.
"Please call me Gabrielle," she replied with a smile.
Harry realized that Neville had not been introduced to her. "Neville, this is Gabrielle Dubois, Deputy Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy," said Harry. "Gabrielle, this is Neville Longbottom, Herbology teacher here at Hogwarts, and one of my best friends."
"Then you are just the person I am looking for, Professor Longbottom," said Gabrielle with a broad smile.
Neville was speechless. She was even more beautiful close up. "Hello," said Neville. "W-What can I do for you? Please…call me N-Neville."
Harry suddenly realized whom Neville was staring at when the Beauxbatons delegation entered the Great Hall last night, and fought the urge to laugh at Neville's shyness.
"Well, my mimbulus mimbletonia seems to have outgrown its pot," said Gabrielle. "I was wondering if you might have a larger pot and some soil."
"You have a mimbulus mimbletonia?" asked Neville. She was perfect.
"Yes," said Gabrielle. "It keeps me company in the Greenhouses." She smiled and shrugged.
"You teach Herbology?" asked Neville. His heart was pounding in his chest so loud he thought for sure Harry could hear it.
"Yes," said Gabrielle. "Herbology has fascinated me since I first went to school, and I have been teaching it almost since I graduated."
Neville stood speechless for a moment, and then his brain began to function again. "I have plenty of poil and sots," said Neville. "Soil and pots I mean…sorry."
Gabrielle smiled. "Wonderful," said Gabrielle. "I'll be right back with my mimbulus mimbletonia. I left it in the sun."
Gabrielle left, and Harry was finally able to let the grin spread across his face that he had been suppressing. "Well, Neville," said Harry. "I think I better be going."
"No, Harry," said Neville almost pleading. "Please don't go. Stay and…I don't know, keep me from making an arse of myself." Neville looked frightened.
"Neville, just talk to her," said Harry. "It doesn't take a Legilimens to know you noticed her last night. Not to mention you two couldn't have more in common. Just talk about Herbology and get to know her. Offer to show her your mimbulus mimbletonia."
"But, Harry, what do I say to her?" asked Neville. "I've never been any good at talking to girls. Even when I've been on dates, I never did much talking."
"You talk to Ginny and Hermione all the time," said Harry, suppressing a laugh. "Surely that's practice enough?"
"Harry," said Neville, a touch of annoyance in his voice. "You know this is different. I don't know what to say to her."
"Just talk to her," said Harry with a supportive smile. "Trust me, you will be fine."
At that moment, before Neville could beg Harry to stay, Gabrielle returned carrying her mimbulus mimbletonia.
"I've got to be going," said Harry. "I'll see you both later." Harry left the Greenhouse. He now had two things to tell Ginny that would make her very happy.