Chapter 20: Going Away Party and More

It was now Delaney's going away party. It was also the day that Neville would come back from Hogwarts for the summer.

"I'm going to miss working with you," Susan said.

Delaney smiled at her ginger friend sadly as Neville took her hand.

"Hey love," He greeted smiling at her.

Delaney leaned into him and said. "I didn't think you would make it."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Delaney smiled at her boyfriend of five months. The party continued.

"Are you having fun, Nev?"

Neville nodded and said. "Yes, but there's something I've been wanting to do all night."

"What's that?"

Neville didn't respond he just cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her. Delaney happily kissed back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Neville allowed his hands to wander down to her bum.

"Nev?" Delaney asked.

"Yes, love."

"Hands above the waist when we're in public," She smirked.

Neville sighed and moved his hands above her waist. She giggled against his lips.

"Alright, you two," Susan laughed.

The couple broke apart sheepishly. The party continued.

"I had a great night." Delaney said opening her door.

"Me too."

They walked into her house and Neville sat down. Delaney took this opportunity to perch herself on Neville's lap.

"Did I give you permission to sit on my lap, Ms. Romero," He smirked at his lovely girlfriend.

Delaney smirked and said "I didn't know I needed permission to sit on my boyfriend's lap."Neville just grinned at her. Delaney just snuggled more into Neville and turned on the tv. The young couple soon ended up falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

The next morning Neville was the first one two wake up. He glanced at his sleeping girlfriend. He's been in love with her since they were fifteen. He brushed a stray hair out of her face and kissed her temple. She stirred a little but didn't wake up. He untangled his arms from his girlfriend and got up. Charm started to wind around his legs the minute he walked into the kitchen.

"Morning girl."

She meowed. Neville poured her some food. She meowed in thanks and started to eat. Neville smiled as Delaney kissed his cheek.

"Morning love," He smiled turning to his beloved girlfriend.

"Morning Nev."

The couple made some breakfast and Neville left. It was a few days later now Delaney was visiting the Weasleys.

"You may want to see this, Delaney." Ginny said.

Delaney stiffened as Ginny handed her an article.

Fiona Irwin: I'm Pregnant but Neville Longbottom isn't the father.

Delaney sighed. They already knew that but it's nice to know that Flora admitted it.

RS: Why did you say that war hero, Neville Longbottom was the father of your child?

FI: It's just that because he's a war hero and I wanted the fame. But in hindsight Neville was one of the best boyfriends I've had. He was so sweet and trusting and I truly regret charming his butterbeer and making him think we slept together. I knew if he was the father he would make a honest woman of me.

RS: Do you know that he's dating his best friend fellow war hero and former St. Mungos healer; Delaney Romero.

FI: I wish them the best of luck. She seems like she knows how to treat such a sweet guy like Neville. I'm sorry about everything I put them through.

Delaney smiled. This time she didn't want to burn the article. Now she doesn't hate Flora so much.

It was a few days later Delaney walked into Neville's shop.

"Hey love," Neville greeted kissing her cheek.

"Hey Nev."

Galen still had no idea that Delaney and Neville were together. They had a perfect way for him to find out though it might be slightly scarring. Delaney and Neville walked into the back of the store.

"It really pays off to be the boss," Neville smirked.

"How so?" Delaney giggled.

Neville chuckled at his girlfriend's cuteness and said. "Well, I get to make my own hours for a few months and then the biggest perk is getting to snog my very smart, beautiful girlfriend in the store room."

Delaney giggled again as Neville kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he let his arms roam around her back they finally landed on her bum. He squeezed it ever so softly causing her to moan. He smirked. Her fingers started to run through his hair also causing him to moan.

"Whoa, you guys finally dropped the obvious charade and are snogging each other's brains out," Galen exclaimed happily.

Neville and Delaney separated.

"This isn't the first time you're snogging is it?" Galen asked.

Neville smirked at his manager and friend and said. "No, we've been together for about six months now."

Gale nodded. He was quite happy that his boss and his best friend were finally together.

It was a few days later now Delaney was home alone when there was a knock on the door. She answered it to see a bawling Susan the last time she had seen Susan this hysterical was when her aunt died the summer before their sixth year. She escorted Susan in. She noticed that she had a black eye and a busted lip.

"Sue, what's wrong?"

Susan looked up at her best friend and said. "You remember the guy I've been seeing for the last two months or so?"

Delaney nodded.

"He has quite the violent temper."

"So, you're saying that Max is abusive?"

Susan nodded and said. "Yes, not just physically but emotionally too."

"What does he say to you?"

"That I'm fat and ugly."

"Sue, you're beautiful," Delaney said hugging her best friend.

Susan frowned and said. "I'm not as pretty as you, you're tall and skinny. You have beautiful long golden brown hair and bright hazel eyes."

"Sue, you have beautiful red hair," Delaney said, touching her friend's red hair.

"You're just saying that."

"No, I'm not."

Susan didn't respond she just walked upstairs to clean herself up. Delaney could just hex this guy to oblivion and castrate him. There was a noise behind Delaney she fingered her wand and turned around just to see her boyfriend grinning at her.

"Hey love."

"You scared me," She said, softly.

"Sorry," Neville said, glancing at his lovely girlfriend's face. He noticed she had dried tears on her cheeks.

"Nev?"

"Have you been crying, love?" Neville asked resting his hand on his girlfriend's cheek sweetly.

"No," Delaney replied. The truth was that she hadn't realized she had been crying until this minute.

Neville wiped away the dried tears and said. "I know you're lying, Laney."

Before Delaney could respond Susan walked down the stairs. Neville turned to their mutual friend shocked to see the busted lip and the black eye.

"Hey Neville," Susan greeted.

"Hey Susan, what happened to your eye and lip?"

Susan glanced over at Delaney and sighed. "Max beat me."

"That bloody git!" Neville exclaimed.

Though Neville and Delaney had been best friends since they were babies they gladly welcomed the sunny ginger into their group. That being said Neville was quite protective of his girls.

"He also emotionally abuses me by saying I'm ugly and fat," Susan sighed.

"Susan, this bloody git doesn't deserve you. You're beautiful," Neville smiled at his friend.

"Thanks Neville."

The threesome sat down for dinner a few hours later.