If it's important, you make the time, Hermione had told him. If it's important, you do your best. McGonagall and his gran had told him the same thing, but he trusted Hermione a little bit more.

He had made the time; two straight years of it. Reading, breeding plants, going to St. Mungo's as often as possible, even trying his hand at potions, one of his academic weaknesses. There were some things Neville Longbottom would stop flinching at if it meant doing some real good.

It was August when he finally achieved it.

"I think the healers are waiting for us" he told her one Sunday.

"I enjoy a surprise once and a while but if the surprise involves St. Mungos, you start to worry me. " she fussed.

The receptionist in hospital smiled when she saw Hermione, puzzling the other witch. "Ah yes. Mr. Longbottom, they're waiting for her. She simply has to sign some papers in the ward."

"Waiting? Papers? Neville, what's going on?" Hermione spun around, cross.

"I…I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm not good at surprises, I guess" he looked sheepishly at the ground.

Hermione sighed. "All right, let's go. Please let this be a positive surprise. You're not a sadist; I should trust you. "

"You spend too much time with the Weasleys. I promise you'll like this; you know I'm a terrible prankster"

"For which I am very grateful" she said as they made their way to the ward.

Was this about his parents? He said he'd do anything to get their memories back. She had seen him pore for hours over books she lent him (and he lent her) about memory charms, memory potions, and herbological cures for neurological issues. Suddenly her apprehension gave away to excitement. If only she could remember where they were in the ward-

"Hermione? Is that you?" A voice interrupted her thoughts. A voice from her childhood. A voice she had known for years. She couldn't mistake it for anyone else.

"Mum? Dad?" she gasped. Usually Hermione Granger stood off to think about the possibilities. Usually Hermione Granger took a long look at something to analyze it, to find out whatever angles there were, to notice every detail.

She just ran into their arms

"I'm so sorry!" She sobbed, "I didn't want to but I wanted to keep you safe and I never thought I'd see you again and I was so awful and-"

"You protected us. There's nothing else you could have done." Her mother embraced her

"Can you ever forgive me?" Hermione sniffled.

"Of course. We will always love you, and always be proud of you" her dad murmured.

It took a minute for Hermione to recover, but Neville waited patiently until she turned to him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" her voice was hoarse.

"Someone had to work. I had to take time off to work with the healers myself."

"Next time you try a project like that, tell me first" she chastised.

"I will, I promise" he took her hands.

There was another pause.

"Why didn't you work on your parents first?"

"It's a lot easier to undo a charm than something from trauma. Besides, the effect hasn't been as long. Most of all, I wanted to make sure you were happy first", he explained, "I'm going to work on my parents next using what we've learned."

"You're not going to do it without me" Hermione placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm glad you said that. It's going to be much harder, and I need you. I need you so much. I love you, Hermione." And with that he embraced her.

"I love you, Neville Longbottom".