A/N: I write best when I get inspired by songs. For the original story and this version "The Humbling River" by Puscifer really struck a chord for me. I don't often recommend listening to music while reading my shit but this would be the chapter to do it.
Dumpster

The party died soon after Harry and Draco's row. Hermione and Draco had ducked away without a goodbye, but Neville could imagine why. After being isolated together for three months, he was sure they had developed some sort of special connection. He was feeling hopeful for his friends' budding romance as he walked his last guest, Luna, to the front door.

"Thank you for inviting me, Neville. It was nice to see everyone again," Luna smiled from the doorway of Neville's flat.

"Thank you for coming. It's been too long since we've seen each other." His heart ached at her airy smile. Not a day went by that he didn't miss her. But, he felt the sting less and less as time went on. Another thought burst through his mind, "Oh! Before you go, I have something for you!"

Neville ran into his guest bedroom and returned to Luna with a little tree with awkward-looking red and yellow fruits on it.

"It's the cashew tree you asked for months ago. I finally figured out the correct spells for optimal growth and harvesting! I've written it all down here," he handed her a scroll of parchment. "I would plant it on the South side of your father's yard since it needs at least six hours of direct sun."

Luna took the plant and beamed up at him, "Thank you, Neville! I'll owl you when I start harvesting." She kissed him on the cheek and Apparated.

Neville sighed happily. It had been a wonderful evening.

He heard dishes being washed in the kitchen and his heart leapt at the realisation of who was still there. Neville walked into the kitchen to see Theo lazily waving his wand at the glass cups cleaning themselves.

"Hope ye don't mind I stayed behind to help tidy. That was a nice thing to do for Lovegood. A very Neville gift," Theo grinned.

He considered the transformation that had taken Theo since January. They ran at least three to four times a week and since he got off the sauce, he'd lost at least two stone and it showed. His jaw and arms were more defined and the gut he had been trying to work off was nearly flat as a board.

Neville cleared his throat and smiled, "Yeah, well she had asked for it when we were still together and I'd made a promise."

"I suppose that since ye've finally followed through on that ye won't need to be running as much?" Theo teased.

He took a moment before responding, "Actually, I haven't been running recently because of guilt. I just like… spending time with you."

The dishes ceased their washing as Theo's concentration broke. He turned his body to face Neville, who was still standing in the kitchen entryway.

"I'm happy to hear that. I've enjoyed spending time with ye too. That and I'm glad to be rid of my drunk's belly," Theo grinned and slapped his abdomen.

Neville rolled his eyes, "Yeah."

Mischief lit in Theo's eyes, "Ye've noticed, have ye?"

Neville flushed a deep crimson. "Well, it's not like you were hiding it. How many times have you taken off your shirt on a run while it's only thirteen degrees out?"

Theo slowly crossed the room to Neville, leaving a respectable metre between them. He raised his hands in surrender with a big grin. "Guilty as charged. But it's all thanks to ye. It's done well on ye too, not that it was needed beforehand."

"Well, aren't you cheeky? Does this tactic often work for you?" Neville teased.

Theo laughed heartily, "I couldn't tell ye, I haven't played the field in a while and I certainly didn't look like this when I did."

Neville smiled widely at the man who was now inching his way closer to him. He had taken the past few months to evaluate what he wanted but he hadn't spoken to Theo about his decision, unsure how to bring it up.

"Listen, Neville. I don't want to rush ye on your decision nor do I want to make ye feel pressured-"

Neville cut him off before he lost his nerve and crushed his mouth onto Theo's. He was tired of not being brave. It earned him a sound of surprise from Theo, shortly followed by his back shoved against the doorway he'd just been leaning on.

Theo pressed himself fully against Neville's body and let his hands run over Neville's shoulders. Their kisses maintained a passionate fire as Theo ran his hands up Neville's stomach and chest, urging the long sleeve shirt over his head. Neville followed suit and pushed Theo's over his head.

Theo grasped the back of Neville's head with his right hand and moved his mouth to suck on the other's neck. Neville closed his eyes and let his head tip back. He ground himself against Theo's hip. Theo returned the movement by first grabbing Neville's hip with his free hand and pulled him painfully close.

"Are ye sure?" Theo pulled back.

Neville nodded.

"Tell me… Please," Theo stared vulnerably into Neville's eyes.

"I want you," Neville choked out.

Theo huffed a breath and blinked away the moisture in his eyes. "Ye have no idea how long I've wanted ye," Theo whispered huskily before returning to his mouth.

Some time later Theo broke away, his lips slightly swollen. "Let me take ye out this Saturday."

Neville's smile was blinding. "I'd love that. Where would you like to go?"

"I have somewhere in mind, I just have to finalise a few things. I'll be here around noon to pick ye up." Excited to finish his plans he backed away from Neville and picked up his shirt.

"See ye Saturday," Theo grinned and disappeared.


Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

Theo's whole being was buzzing with anticipation as he knocked on Neville's front door. This was the day he'd been waiting for what felt like forever.

"Hey," Neville smiled as he opened the door. He wore a burgundy long sleeve t-shirt and dark trousers.

"Hey," Theo smiled back, "Ye look great! Ready to go?"

"Sure, where are we going?" He asked as he took Theo's forearm.

Without answering, Theo Apparated.

"'The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland'," Neville read the sign they appeared in front of and beamed at Theo.

His stomach did a flip at the sight and he warmly returned with a smile of his own, "Mum used to take me here when I was just a tyke. I think ye might like it."

They walked around the Gardens for hours before Theo pulled Neville into a deserted part of The Great Palm House.

"Taking me to a deserted corner for a snog?" Neville teased.

Theo laughed loudly, "The day's not close to that point, mate. I want ye to meet someone."

They rounded a corner and came face to face with an older woman who looked as if she could've been Professor Sprout's sister.

"Neville, this is Dr. Magairlín. She's a Muggleborn who's been researching botanical effects on magical injuries. She's found some new information regarding a rare type of orchid only grown here and how it interacts with those affected by the Unforgivable Curses."

Neville's smile towards Dr. Magairlín fell as he processed Theo's words. He turned to face the other man with shock written on his face, his breathing picked up.

Theo smiled widely and squeezed his arm to remind him where they were.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Doctor, thank you for meeting me. I- I'm Neville Longbottom," he cleared his throat and stuck out his hand for a shake.

"Yes, the pleasure is all mine. Mr. Nott showed me your work from Malfoy Industries and I'm quite impressed. I would say we have much to talk about," she smiled warmly at him. "Ye're a very talented botanist for your age, Mr. Longbottom. A very interesting theory to use muggle psychedelic drugs, how did ye come to that idea?"

Neville beamed. "Thank you! I went to a muggle library and found a book about botanical medicines. It mentioned ayahuasca but Hermione Granger had been the one to suggest the other drugs."

"Well, why don't we meet over tea next Friday, to discuss your theories further, and we can include Ms. Granger."

Neville was rapidly blinking to keep the tears in his eyes from falling, "She would love that! I should bring Draco Malfoy as well, he has been my partner during this entire project. Thank you so much, Dr. Magairlín. We can be here for three in the afternoon if that works for you, Ma'am."

"That's perfect, I'm excited to hear more about what your team has. I'll leave ye to it. Have a wonderful day, gentlemen."

Once the doctor rounded the corner Neville threw himself into Theo's arms.

"I can't believe you! All this time you were reading at work?"

"I was trying to find her," Theo finished. He smiled as he held Neville around the middle tight.

Neville pulled back and searched Theo's face, "Any more surprises tonight?"

"Not really a surprise, but I was going to take ye to a restaurant in the city I grew up in."

"Show me," Neville squeezed Theo's hand as they Apparated to Waterford.

"Are ye going to invite me in for a cup of tea," Theo teased when the couple arrived at Neville's front door.

"What do you take me for? Some slag who'll put out on the first date?" Neville grinned as he opened his door and left it open for Theo to follow.

Despite his cheeky exterior, Neville felt horribly nervous. He had a beyond wonderful time with Theo, exploring bits of his life before Hogwarts and meeting Dr. Magairlín left him at a loss for words.

"How about that tea?" Theo prompted Neville as he awkwardly shuffled around the kitchen.

"Right yeah," he blushed.

Theo chuckled ."I would say don't be nervous, but I suppose that wouldn't help. I'm not going to force ye into anything ye're not comfortable with. We can just have tea-" Theo smiled.

His sentence was cut off by Neville descending on his mouth. He held the back of Neville's head tightly as Neville fumbled to undo his trousers.

Theo deftly pulled Neville's belt off and pushed his shirt over his head.

Neville unbuttoned Theo's without leaving his mouth.

Theo grinned widely and returned to kissing before muttering against Neville's lips, "Are ye sure? There isn't a rush."

"I'll lose my nerve if you keep on that." Neville led Theo by his mouth to his modest bedroom. He cast the contraception charm on both of them before pulling the rest of his clothes off.

After a few Oleum charms and several heavy minutes of groping and snogging, Neville was positioned on top of Theo.

"Ready?" Neville whispered.

Theo nodded. "Are ye? We can stop if ye're not ready. It's okay to wait."

Neville's heart was going a mile a minute, but the anxiety fuelled his lust. All he knew was that he trusted Theo, cared for him in a way he had with no other man and wanted to revel in the feeling.

Neville nodded in response and gently pushed himself forward.

A few more attempts with fingers and Oleum charms later and the two men's bodies had joined. Neville had never experienced sex like this with Luna before. He was dizzy from the sensation, the sturdy mass that was Theo underneath him and the absolutely intoxicating sounds he was making.

Neville deeply kissed him and began to rock his hips slowly. Theo began stroking himself in rhythm with Neville's hips. Their deep groans and heavy breathing filled the flat.

Almost embarrassingly soon, Neville could feel himself nearing his own release but didn't want to close his eyes, he couldn't look away from the look on Theo's face.

"I'm close, what do I…?"

"Stay, keep going," Theo panted, picking up his own pace to match Neville's finale.

Neville's breath came out hoarse and shortly after, finished. He continued his pace as Theo followed thereafter. Thoroughly exhausted, Neville collapsed forward next to Theo. His eyes were glazed as Theo stroked his hair, his back, his shoulders.

"Holy shit," Neville panted.

Theo laughed loudly. "Ye're telling me, mate."

Theo cleaned up their mess with a Scorgify and pulled a nearly asleep Neville against him. He kissed his temple and pulled a blanket on both of them as he fell asleep to the sound of Neville's snores.


Hermione walked out of her first Muay Thai class since being back in Britain and straight to the alley she was attacked in. Her heart thrumming hard against her chest as she studied the crowds passing by. She sighed at herself, she shouldn't be engaging in this behaviour anymore, it was a setback she didn't need.

As she walked further into the alley to conceal herself from the crowd to Apparate she heard a little sound from under the dumpster. She knelt down and saw a little creature shaking against the wheel of the bin. Hermione reached towards it and it hissed at her, but it came out as a quiet squeak. She couldn't help the laugh that slipped through her lips, she was in awe of the little beast. Glancing over her shoulder to ensure the coast was clear, she pulled out her wand and moved the beast closer to her.

It was a kitten, a severely underweight and ferocious kitten. It swatted at her as she picked it up and wrapped it in her jumper. Hiding the shaken animal close to her body, she walked to a pet shop and picked up some food for it. She Apparated back to her flat where Draco would undoubtedly be. Most likely making dinner.

"Finally. What took you so bloody long?" Draco called over the sizzling of the pan he was standing at.

She walked past him and started filling the kitchen sink with warm water. She placed the now sleeping kitten on the counter.

"What the fuck is that?"

"What does it look like? Pass me a dishcloth," she snapped.

Draco handed it over as she placed the kitten in the water. It started shrieking and splashing water all over her. He stepped back before he got wet and plated the food.

Hermione carried the kitten to the sitting room while she dried it off. She sat it and herself down on the floor and summoned a plate with wet food. She smiled widely and felt her heart swell at the sight of it gorging itself on the food.

Draco sat down next to her and handed her dinner. "Are you keeping that thing then?"

She placed her plate aside and pet the kitten. It purred under her touch while continuing to eat. "Yeah, I suppose I am. It wouldn't be the first mess of a thing I've decided to keep, would it?" She grinned at him.

Draco smirked and laughed through his nose while continuing to eat his dinner.

After dinner, Hermione sat next to Draco on her sofa. She picked up the kitten and sat it on her lap where it curled up and fell asleep. Draco furrowed his brow as he concentrated on his sudoku puzzle and Hermione read Little Women.

She lowered her book ever so slightly to covertly observe the man sitting next to her. He grew his facial hair out again once they were back in England. He had stayed every night at her flat since Neville's party last week. When she'd come home from work he'd be there cooking dinner or preparing for their meeting with the botanist Theo found.

She glanced at the two empty teacups on the coffee table accompanied by two tumblers of gin and scotch. She smiled wearily, feeling the swell of emotion in her chest. She placed down her book and leaned her head on his shoulder and breathed in his familiar earthy scent. "Need help?"

He growled and rubbed his rough chin, "No. But shouldn't you be preparing for our meeting with Neville and that doctor instead of reading that rubbish you've undoubtedly read one hundred times already."

"You know I read through five bloody volumes this past weekend and have countless pages of notes! In fact, you should know how diligent I've been, you've hardly left my flat since we got back. So I deserve a break, thank you. Shouldn't you be preparing? And this book isn't rubbish, it's a timeless classic," she shot back.

Draco rolled his eyes and returned to his puzzle. "I can take a break too. If you had a problem with me sleeping here and cooking for you every night you would've already told me to bugger off. Admit it, even after all this, you still can't get enough of me." He grinned cheekily at his book.

She scoffed and shoved him with her shoulder.

Draco grabbed the side of her head and kissed the top of it. He was suddenly all too aware of how similar this scene was to one of his nightmares. The one he thought would never come to fruition. His thoughts were cut off by the kitten padding his way onto Draco's lap.

"Oi! Granger, get this sodding thing off me! These trousers cost three hundred Galleon! Ah, shit." He gave up his protests once the kitten curled up and fell asleep in his lap and started to purr.

Hermione chuckled and watched Draco's exasperated expression soften as he gently stroked the kitten's back as if he were afraid he'd break it. He turned back to his puzzle once the kitten was settled.

An overwhelming swell of joy filled her being. She looked hard at his profile and gently touched the back of his hand so as to not disturb the kitten. "Hey," she smiled.

"'Hey' what?" He asked annoyed that his concentration was pulled away from his puzzle. Again.

"Shut- Gods can't you just be nice for one minute?" She scowled.

"I'm doing my puzzle, woman! What is it?" Draco seethed quietly, also trying not to disturb the cat.

She rolled her eyes, "I fucking love you, okay?"

Draco stared at her as he registered what she said. He heaved what looked like a sigh of relief and grinned. "Took you long enough. I love you too, you silly bint." He kissed her lips before returning to his puzzle once again. "Now stop bothering me."

Hermione smiled widely, settled against his arm again and pet the purring furball. "War is a curious thing, don't you think?"

THE END.


A/N: Okay, that's it, I promise. I'm done meddling with the story! Thank you for sticking with it! Please leave me a review and let me know what you think (especially if you read the original as well)!