Saturday morning was another glorious day, which was unusual for so late in October. Usually, the storms had blown in bringing snow. However, this Saturday was cold but brilliant. The birds chirruped in the trees above him. A large woodpigeon crashed into a branch, causing the leaves to rustle as it flapped to right itself.
He had skipped breakfast, opting to make an early break for the streets that, would no doubt be crowded later on if the sun stayed out. He pushed his hands into his pockets as he shrugged further into his coat. The wind was biting, and he wished he had remembered his scarf as he shivered.
He could see the pointed rooves and chimneys and remembered their first date. He stopped himself, refusing to dwell on it today. It was doing him no good, and he was fed up of hurting all the time. He knew that Hermione, Ginny and Luna were on the verge of babying him and making him eat in front of them. He was relieved for a change that most of his friends were girls which meant they couldn't barge into the boy's dorms and force him to sleep.
The idea of being babied made him cringe as he pulled his coat closer around his neck. Goosebumps chased up and down his skin as he closed in on the sleepy village. He decided that starting his Christmas shopping wasn't a bad idea while he was already looking for a gift. He usually left it until the last minute when there was nothing left in the shops.
He tried to concentrate on that as he entered the deserted village. He watched as the shopkeeper put the board up outside Dervish and Banges, advertising some deal on repairing cauldrons and scales. For Hermione, he could go into Scrivenshafts and get a nice book or painting. She would like that, he thought. Ginny was easy, something from Spintwitches. Luna was going to be a bit more challenging, maybe a nice jumper or something from Gladrags. Normally he wouldn't dream of buying a girl clothes without their supervision; however, Luna was a different story. She would wear it whatever size it was or make it into something else weird and wonderful.
He wondered whether he could buy a bottle of that brandy for Theo and Blaise. He would have to ask Madam Rosemerta. He couldn't see any reason why she wouldn't. There was still the mystery of what to get Pansy for her birthday. He knew her favourite colours and that she loved cherries. He felt like it wasn't much to go on. She was such a vibrant person who felt so deeply but hid much from prying eyes.
He decided he was going to start with easier presents before tackling the mystery that was Pansy. He stepped into the even colder interior of Scrivenshafts as he began with Hermione.
Several agonising hours later he was pretty sure he had bought something for everyone. He had purchased a set of floating garden lights for the Weasleys and a chocolate frog gift box for Ron, that came with a new series of trading cards. He knew that the redhead still collected them, and due to recent events, wasn't up to date. He bought Harry a voucher from Spintwitches as well as getting Ginny a broom polishing kit.
For Luna, he had found the best jumper, it looked to be about her size. It was purple and woolly with a rainbow unicorn that pranced around the waist when worn. It had made him smile just to see it and couldn't wait to see her face.
He had stocked up on some sweets from Honeydukes too. Pansy's favourites, the exploding bonbons and the sugared butterfly wings. He knew that Hermione had a soft spot for sugar quills and Ginny for the Lick'O'Rish spiders, so bought some of those too. Maybe if he distracted them with sugar, they would leave him alone. It was as good a plan as any.
Madam Rosemerta had been more than helpful when she had learned that the presents were for Theo, and more importantly, Blaise. She had been more than helpful and had even included two free, decorative glasses. Her only stipulation was that he pass on her regards to Blaise. He had agreed at the time. However, now that he was sat drinking at the back of the dimly lit pub, he remembered Hermione and Blaise's budding relationship. That was a riddle for another time.
He looked around the pub as he swirled around the glass of the Dragon Barrel Brandy. It hadn't taken long for the students to descend on the sleepy village, and now the inn was heaving. The castle seemed to be buzzing about nothing but the eighth year Halloween party in Lumos tower.
It appeared that a lot of the younger years were going to try and gatecrash. He overheard a nearby table of fourth years talking about sneaking in. As it was a costume party, no one would be able to check. Neville smirked, he knew enough about Theo's plan to know that there would still be an age line in place. This age line, much like the one which surrounded the Triwizard's cup, would stop anyone under seventeen from getting in.
He sipped his brandy and savoured the taste. He had forgotten that it was a fancy dress party, and if he was honest, he didn't want to go. He would be surrounded by people having fun and laughing when all he would want to do is sit and wallow in his own self-pity. He shrugged, the idea of getting drunk didn't actually sound too bad. He considered it more and decided he would get another bottle of the brandy and also one of the mead too, for himself.
He watched as a trio of musicians were setting up in the corner. There was usually some sort of entertainment happening to brighten people's spirits. The fiddler was tall and gangly with long hair tied into a bow. He reminded Neville of Bill Weasley but with fairer hair. Even his face was sallow and in the shadows could be mistaken for scars. The flutist was a witch with brunette hair with purple spikes. She was stood laughing with another patron as the fiddler, and the accordionist prepared their instruments. The third member played the concertina and looked like a jolly wizard with a large bushy beard akin to Hagrids mane.
He turned back to the bar in time to catch sight of Cornfoot and Rivers. He rolled his eyes and grit his teeth. They had been pretty quiet since the run-in with Pansy, but that had been weeks ago. More than enough time to forget and spoil for a fight. They stood at the bar smiling at Madam Rosmerta before starting to chat. He sipped his brandy and hoped that they didn't notice him.
It was as though his wish to remain unnoticed attracted attention. Rivers noticed him first and smirked when he pointed Neville out to Cornfoot. Cornfoot nodded and tapped Rivers on the arm before they threaded their way through the crowded inn towards him.
"Hey, Shortcock. Mind if we sit here? All the other seats are taken." Cornfoot asked as he sat down without waiting for a reply. Rivers copied like the sheep he was.
Neville didn't say anything as he looked into the deep amber liquid of his glass. He swirled it around in his mouth as he tried to ignore the two bullies. He wasn't afraid of them anymore, he was tired. This year should have been easy and carefree besides school work. Had they not earned a nice easy year after the hell that they had been through?
He thought of Pansy hanging in mid-air with her underwear on show. No, he was done taking peoples nonsense.
"I think that whack to the head has broken his tongue." Rivers teased.
Neville remained silent. He didn't have anything to prove to them. He took another sip of his drink while he waited for the band to start.
"I wonder whether his hearing was damaged as well? Sometimes head injuries can be strange like that." Cornfoot replied.
"Look, I am going to sit here and drink my drink, and then I'm going to go on about my day. I suggest you do the same. Don't go looking for trouble." Neville said calmly without looking at them.
Rivers snorted as he drank his butterbeer, sending foam off into the air. A group of sixth years groaned with disgust as they turned and glared at him.
"We're not here to cause trouble. We just wanted to come over and talk." Cornfoot said, "And check on your health after your little run-in with Hannah, the girl can really master a wand, can't she?" He added with a smirk and a wink. Neville knew he was being crude but ignored the comment as he watched them carefully.
"We thought we would come over and make sure you're alright," Rivers echoed.
Neville wondered whether Cornfoot kept his hand up River's arse to make him talk or whether he was just too stupid to form his own sentences. He didn't say it out loud only because he didn't want to start trouble.
"We're both looking forward to the party later. Very much so." Cornfoot took a sip of his butterbeer before putting the flagon back onto the table. "Now that Pansy is back on the market, I might dip my wick, if you know what I mean?" he winked, and Neville felt his hand tighten on his glass.
"You know, a bit of aggressive cuddling." Rivers smirked.
"Depends on how drunk she is," Cornfoot snorted as they clinked glasses. Both laughing at the reference.
Neville took a deep and steadying breath as he knocked back the dregs of his drink.
"You better hope she's drunk or next time, instead of removing your fingers, she might remove your head, and I wouldn't like to guess which one she'd go for first…" He commented as he stood up, throwing a glance at the other man's crotch and shaking his head.
Cornfoots face darkened at the reminder of his defeat.
"I do have a question by the way?" Neville asked as he started picking up his bags. "What is Durmstrang like this time of year? Or would you prefer Beaubattons?" He nodded before leaving them alone.
Once outside in the air, he took in another deep breath and let it out slowly as he watched the steam escape his mouth. He loosened the death grip on the bags as he veered through the crowds that filled the streets. He noticed the looks he got from the girls as he passed and shied away from them. He needed to get off the main road and away from the crowds. He needed space to think. He kept walking, and dove between the first buildings he could find which didn't look like a dead end. He kept walking, leaving the throngs of people behind.
His heart hammered in his chest as the meaning of Cornfoot's words sunk in. He leant against a wall, horrified that someone could think about doing that. The thought of his hands on Pansy, doing that against her will made his fists clench and bile rise up his throat. He would have to keep an eye on them. There was no way they were going to get anywhere near her.
He pushed off the wall and carried on walking as he tried to clear his head. His temper threatening to turn him around so that he could turn Cornfoot and his puppet into plant food.
The gully opened out onto another street which was slightly less busy. He didn't usually come down this side as the shops often held no interest for him. But as he wandered, he tried to pay attention to what was around him and not the violence in his heart.
There was a music shop and a potioneers, A greengrocers, affectionately called the Magic Neep and also a Jewellers. He looked through the windows, he wondered whether they had Celestina Warbeck's new single. His Gran would adore that as a Christmas present. He saw it in the window and wandered in to purchase it.
When he returned, he recognised a familiar blond walking in front of him. He held back as he watched Hannah step into 's Potion shop. He wondered vaguely what she could want in there but didn't spare a second thought to it. He was just happy that she hadn't spotted him. Her antics during Potions yesterday confirmed that her apology hadn't been at all sincere.
He glanced into the greengrocers but finding nothing of interest he continued on to the jewellers. He immediately thought of Pansy's present. Was jewellery too much? He wasn't sure. He determined that he would look in the window, and if something caught his eye, he would then decide.
Fandangle & Frippery jewellers had large glass windows with black trims, neutral enough that it wouldn't clash with any of the pieces within. The first window was dedicated to the jewellers as they sat at their 'U' shaped workbenches, setting stones and polishing shanks. He stood captivated for a moment as he watched them work. It was fascinating and relaxing watching the nearest wizard pick a stone, settle it in its setting and then bend the metal around it. He nodded to one of them as they looked up and received a polite nod back before he moved to the next window to look at the pieces.
There were hundreds of boxes in all shapes and sizes that shifted and floated around. As he gazed through the glass, he wondered whether she would prefer silver or gold. He was sure he'd seen her in silver before so maybe something silvery in colour. As he changed his mind, the boxes with the gold jewellery shifted out of sight.
A neat bit of magic, he thought as he waited for the boxes to stop dancing. Still presenting too many choices, he considered whether she would prefer earrings or necklace. He wasn't sure whether she had her ears pierced, so probably not earrings.
Once again the boxes relocated, the earrings disappearing from the window. About thirty boxes remained with pendants and brooches each pressing against the window, vying for his attention. He shook his head as he looked at them. He couldn't see Pansy ever wearing a brooch.
The brooches floated away, almost sadly, leaving just half the number of boxes again. Suddenly a new wave of boxes joined the first, all filled with pendants so varied in design that Neville didn't know where to start. There were large ones and small ones, ones covered in diamonds. Ones that had large central gemstones, others that used multiple smaller stones. He stood, watching the dancing boxes and shrugged.
Pansy had a small frame, and Neville guessed that anything too large would look ridiculous. He recalled the small silver chain she'd worn before and based his thoughts on that. All the large pendants fell away, leaving about ten boxes. There were three that caught his eye and no way to be able to choose between them without more information. He stepped inside to talk to the wizards within. If he could get everything today that would be one less thing to worry about.
