Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

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Chapter 18

"My grandfather behaved the same in old age," he finally said, not exactly lying, but not entirely telling the truth either.

Generally speaking, it was true, at least to some extent. Towards the end of his life, Neville's grandfather had become rather senile and sometimes hard to deal with. Neville had never minded though. He had still loved him all the same, simply adapting to his dotty behaviour, being there for him until his very last breath. This, however, was by far not the only reason he was used to handle situations in which his counterpart had no proper grip on reality anymore.

Sage had asked exactly once about his parents. No one had asked him about them before, not even his closest friends amongst the Gryffindors. It had taken everything he had in him to tell her that he didn't want to talk about it. He had expected her to become angry with him, to abandon him right on the spot, but to his surprise, she stayed.. and simply understood. Since then they had grown even closer, knowing thar there would always be someone who'd offer a shoulder to cry on, even without having been told the full story.

So, even though Sage probably suspected that there was more to the story than Neville had made her believe, she accepted his answer and simply moved on.

"Can I say something weird?" she suddenly asked.

"You can say whatever you like.. Though I highly doubt it's any weirder than the things you usually say," he teased in hopes of easing the tension still filling the room.

"Brave coming from the boy who won't shut up about carnivorous trees."

"Well, you've never tried to stop me."

"Yeah, I know.. I can't believe you've somehow gotten me into plant trivia. Congrats, I guess?"

"One of my greatest achievements, I'm sure," Neville claimed, this time openly wearing his proud smile, "Now, what was that weird thing you wanted to say?"

"You know how people sometimes say 'alone we struggle, but together we thrive'? I've heard it again yesterday and I.. just really think it applies to us, if that makes sense?"

"Care to explain?" Neville asked in response, not quite sure where she was going with this.

"Yeah, sure.. Think about how you are Sprout's star student in herbology, whereas I barely passed before I knew you," Sage elaborated, a bit reluctant about her next words, "Or how you've barely taken a minute to get hold of difficulties I'd been striving against for over an hour."

"Or how you've once nearly choked on your own hysterical laughter, because you let me practice a cheering charm on you for hours?" he gigglingly recalled.

"But I knew I was gonna be able to teach it to you in the end!" she rejoiced, finally casting off the last bit of unease still wrapped around her mind.

"Of course, if not you, who else? You're versing Flitwick in your sleep, Sage," he noted, without even a hint of exaggeration.

"Oh, stop being so sweet, Neville! I can feel my teeth rotting," she scolded him, yet trying to hide a blush behind her wide grin.

"I'd hate to see to see that smile of yours gone, now that I've just gotten it back," he said in response, an equally wide grin spread across his face.

"I hate you," she said jokingly, "But do you see what I mean? In a way, we complete each other, lacking strengths, where the other has plenty and vice versa. I don't know, I just think it's remarkable how well we fit together.."

"You mean like two pieces of the same puzzle?"

"So you've thought about it too!"

"Can't say I haven't."

Neville wondered, genuinely, wholeheartedly, if he should kiss her right now. He knew he wanted to, he had known for quite a while, actually. But was this the right moment? Was there ever going to be the right moment? Maybe she would think he was being inconsiderate, after what had just happened with her mother.. but maybe, just maybe, she wanted it too. To kiss him, right here, right now. He could never know for sure, could he? But the way she looked at him, still flustered by his words, her knee stretched out just far enough to touch his..

He swallowed, gazing in to her eyes as if he just saw them for the very first time. Those heavenly green eyes.. Now or never, right? He gently embraced her cheeks with his hands, bringing his face a bit closer to hers. When she didn't withdraw, but instead leaned into him, he finally closed the distance between them with his lips, tenderly placing an innocent kiss on hers.

What. a. feeling.

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Author's note: Last chapter in the past (for now?). Next chapter we are back in 1997.

To my very kind reviewer: Thank you sososo much for sticking around and always giving me such great and helpful feedback! I truly appreciate it far more than words can say. Wishing you all the best and hope to read some more about your thoughts!! :-)