Chapter 25: And the War is Over

It was about two weeks into term when Hermione came up to Delaney.

"Hey Hermione."

She sighed and asked. "Have you noticed any change in Neville?"

P"I have, he hasn't really been affectionate with me lately."

Hermione nodded and said. "Yeah, Harry is being distant again. I wonder what's wrong with our boys, I've always cared about Harry so much."

Delaney nodded smirking to herself.

They were in the Room of Requirement a few weeks later with their respective boys.

"Harry! Tell me this instant what's wrong," Hermione demanded

"Nev, please tell what's going on. I'm worried about you," Delaney said, taking the softer approach with her boyfriend.

"I'm fine," Neville and Harry insisted.

"Neville, do I have to use your full name?" she asked. The only time she's used his full name was when they told each other they loved each other in June.

Neville glanced at his beloved girlfriend, saw the worry in her hazel eyes and caved. "I could've been the boy-who-lived."

"You could've?"

Neville nodded.

"Everyone told us about the prophecy."

"Prophecy?"

Harry nodded and started telling Hermione and Delaney about the prophecy.

"I've glad you told us what's wrong," Delaney smiled.

Neville nodded and smirked. "I kind of want to catch up on the snogging I've missed."

Delaney smirked back at her boyfriend as he pulled her into a kiss and pulled her into his lap.

"You know I've wanted to snog you for the longest time," Harry said, absentmindedly.

Hermione looked at her best friend shocked and her face beet red.

"Do you think I can?"

Hermione nodded and said. "I've been waiting five years for this moment."

Harry smiled and pulled Hermione into their first kiss. The two couples continued snogging on the couch for a few more minutes. They soon broke apart and left the Room of Requirement.

It was now time for the Slug Club party only Harry and Hermione had made it in so Delaney and Neville were just spending some time with Zach and Susan in the Hufflepuff common room.

"It can't get better than this," Zach sighed, happily wrapping Susan in his arms.

"I'd have to agree," Neville said repeating the action with Delaney.

"We're lucky girls aren't we," Susan asked Delaney as she smiled up at Zach.

Delaney snuggled impossibly closer to Neville and said. "We are."

The two couples just continued talking and ended up falling asleep.

The next morning Delaney woke up first. She looked up at Neville who was softly snoring. She was so in love with the blond it wasn't even funny. She moved slightly in his arms and he pulled her closer.

"Don't leave," Neville whispered reaching out for her.

Delaney smiled.

"Merlin, this couch is so comfy even comfier than the one in the Gryffindor common room," Neville sighed.

Delaney said. "It is quite comfy but your chest is very comfortable too."

"I suppose so," Neville said, kissing her forehead.

The couple fell back asleep. A few hours later the two couples woke up. The girls reluctantly got out of their respective boyfriend's arms and went up to their dorm to get ready for the day. After they finished they walked back down to the common room each of their boyfriends wrapped their arms around them and walked down to the Great Hall to eat. The year continued normally for Neville, Delaney, Zach and Susan but the same couldn't be said for Harry and Hermione. By the end of the year Dumbledore was dead thanks to Snape but it turns out he was slowly dying anyway so it could be understandable. The summer began.

It was time for Bill and Fleur's wedding. She was sitting next to Neville in the audience waiting for Fleur to come down the aisle.

"I wonder if I'll be that nervous at our wedding," Neville said, glancing at Bill who was pacing by the altar.

"Maybe, I bet Fleur will look beautiful in her dress."

Neville took her hand and said. "She may be a Veela but you've had me under your charms since we were twelve."

Before Delaney could respond Fleur walked down the aisle. She did look beautiful. The couple said their vows and shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

It was now time for the reception.

"Would you like to dance, love?"

Delaney nodded. Neville took her hand and they began dancing.

"I love you, Delaney."

"I love you too, Nev."

After that sweet scene all hell started to break loose. Neville and Delaney barely got to say good bye. That didn't matter much.

It was now time to board the train.

The ride to Hogsmeade was peaceful until three death eaters broke down the door. Neville instinctively put Delaney behind him and bellowed "He's not here, losers!"

The confidence turned Delaney on to no end. Though she still adored her sweet, shy Neville. She wanted to snog him then and there but that would make their friends feel so awkward. So she just settled for a kiss on the cheek. He in turn put his arm firmly around her. They continued riding to Hogsmeade. They reached Hogsmeade and then they rode to Hogwarts. The tables looked so empty since the muggleborns were missing. Delaney missed Hermione terribly. She was on the run with Ron and Harry. They had two new teachers though they were known death eaters. Classes started.

First years were getting the worse punishment the older students were asked to torture them when they stepped out of line.

"You know what we should do?" Delaney asked.

"What's that, love?" Neville asked, looking at his girlfriend in interest.

"We should restart the D.A."

They had it until Ms. Summers had started teaching in late November.

Neville nodded and said. "Who would lead it, now that Harry isn't here?"

"You!" Delaney said instantly.

"I couldn't, I'm not as good as Harry," Neville said, shaking his head.

"Nev, yes you are." Delaney smiled.

"You think so?"

Delaney nodded.

"I'm glad you believe in me."

Delaney leaned up and kissed him softly. Merlin, he loved kissing his girlfriend. They restarted the D.A. Luna was kidnapped over the holidays everyone was quite upset.

Neville asked if he could blow up the bridge with Seamus. McGonagall agreed.

"Are you really giving us permission to do this?" Neville asked Professor McGonagall while walking down the hall.

"Yes, Longbottom," She answered without breaking a stride.

"To blow it up? Boom?" Neville asked surprised.

"BOOM!" The woman emphasized.

"Wicked!"

After a few more words regarding the plan, Neville led the way towards the bridge. Delaney couldn't help but worry, knowing that the plan will put Neville into serious danger. Neville could sense Delaney's hesitation.

"I'll be fine love," He assured her linking their hands briefly.

"I don't want to lose you."

Before Neville could respond Seamus called. He just pressed his lips to Delaney's temple and walked out to the bridge. Delaney reluctantly followed her boyfriend. She got in position and the bridge started to crumble.

"RUN NEVILLE! RUN!" Delaney screamed, pushing her way past Ginny who seems to just be standing there.

Suddenly, the bridge caught up to Neville and Delaney saw the look of horror on her long-term boyfriend's face as he disappeared.

"NOOOO!" Delaney screamed, trying to run to the ledge, Susan holding on tight to her arms.

"You can't." Susan said.

Delaney fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically into her palms. He can't be gone, Neville can't be gone. The tears streamed down her cheeks. Ginny moved beside her as she heard a soft clink come from the edge.

"That went well." Grunted a voice so familiar to her.

Delaney looked up and see Neville hanging onto the edge of the stone. As fast as light Delaney pushed off the ground towards him, grab his arms and struggled to pull him up to safety. Neville's foot caught on the ledge and caused him to stumble, which resulted with him landing on top of her. His face turned bright red as their noses brushed against each other. His weight atop her is relieving, and instead of pushing him off she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Neville leaned back, pulling her to a sitting position. Without letting go she pushed herself onto her knees. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and hug her fiercely. That didn't last very long though.

"How dare you scare me like that, Neville Franklin Longbottom," Delaney scolded, hitting her boyfriend on the chest multiple times.

Neville didn't respond he just smirked and kissed his worried girlfriend to calm her down.

"You know me too bloody well."

Neville smirked as he pulled away.

"You're staying with me for the rest of the battle, Mr. and liking it," Delaney growled.

"Whatever you say love."

Delaney linked their hands and they continued fighting. By the end of the war many people had died like Fred Weasley, Remus, Colin and many more. It was so sad. Sirius was grieving over Remus' body. The Weasleys were grieving over Fred. There was another body that Delaney recognized it was Wesley. She was heartbroken at the loss. Delaney walked over to his body.

"Did you know my son?" a woman asked.

She turned to see a woman who looked exactly like Wesley and said. "Yes, I did. He was a very good friend. I went with him to the Yule Ball in our fourth year. He was my first kiss but I didn't fancy him."

"Oh, You're the girl who his sister almost poisoned. Aren't you?"

Delaney nodded silently trying to forget that memory.

"I'm sorry about that, you know the twins didn't know the other existed until they went to camp one summer. Their dad and I were separated after they were born. They tried to get us back together but it didn't work. "

Delaney nodded as she felt a hand on the small of her back and turned to see Neville.

"Hey love," he smiled.

"Hey Nev."

"So, Wesley died?"

Delaney nodded sadly as they walked away from his body.

"I killed 'You-Know-Who's' snake."

In response Delaney gave him a congratulations kiss. He gradually deepened the kiss and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"We'll continue this after we get you fixed up," Delaney said, breaking away from Neville reluctantly.

"Alright, love. I'll keep you to the promise."

Delaney took Neville's hand and led him to the hospital wing to get his wound fixed up. It took a few minutes.

"So, for that congratulations snog."

"Come here."

The couple continued snogging passionately.

"Merlin, I love you so bloody much," Neville said, cradling her head in his hand.

"I love you too, Nev."

The couple finished snogging and went to go find the others. Harry and Hermione were doing the same thing they were doing as were Susan and Zach.

"You want to snog some more?" Neville asked impishly pulling her to his chest.

Delaney just smirked at him. The war was finally over. They could continue with their lives.