10 Random Drabbles
1.
Old parchment, grass clippings and mint toothpaste. Hermione always wondered if it was a coincidence that Neville had those same smells sometimes. The smell of the old parchment was rare on him, but it was always perceptible when he was studying. The grass clippings was clearly chlorophyll, the same chemical that stained his hands and knees. The mint toothpaste was the kind he always used; he would forget his toothpaste and have to borrow them from Ron and Seamus. Was this a happy accident? Was it a subconscious attraction? Then as Hermione thought she quickly realized: it wasn't important anymore.
2
"I don't like it when you act jealous" "It's about you and Luna; I'm your girlfriend, I have the right to know why you keep seeing her?" "For the first thing, she's a good friend of ours and I think you should get along with her. For a second thing, sometimes Dean needs me as a wingman; he helped me with you, it's only fair. Finally, she likes talking to Trevor" Hermione began to calm down in realization of her bad habit. Then the last statement hit her. "She speaks to Trevor?!" "Yes, she speaks toad. Apparently. I'm Trevor's chauffer"
3
"Stop apologizing." "Then I'm sorry for apologizing." "You have nothing to apologize for" Neville blinked, "I ruined your clothes, your dinner, I got the pudding all over Crookshanks-" "I accepted your apology; you don't have to apologize twice" "I remember my mistakes; I forget when apologies are accepted. I guess I'm not used to it" Hermione stopped folding her laundry, "I've seen you get used to a lot of changes since Hogwarts; you know you're more confident than you used to be; let go of that guilt. Harry has." "You're right. As usual. But I'm not Harry-" "No, you're better"
4.
Neville had dreamed about Hermione since they met. Some dreams were nightmares; she was there watching in horror as Snape tormented him, as Malfoy cut him to pieces, or worse, was the victim while he was helpless to help her out. There were good dreams: summer nights listening to pixies, dancing in front of a fire, or just her smiling at him, impressed by something he said or did. He'd try to forget his dreams when he woke up, but he couldn't. It was when he grew up that he realized a funny thing about dreams; they could come true.
5.
Hermione wasn't sure why Neville reminded her of Victor. He wasn't an athlete-couldn't even ride a broom instead of melding with it like an extension of his body. His hair was a dark blond, not black. He would talk first, avoid conflict. He knew fewer spells but was good with the ones he knew. People certainly didn't crowd around him until they needed to. And yet they were so similar: their chivalry, their support, their choice to be quiet, their straightforward approach to things, their honesty, their kindness, their flight from stardom, their quiet leadership. Neville was Neville, that's enough.
6.
"I have the most graceful husband in the world" Hermione chuckled as she pulled Neville back to his feet. "I'm used to it; I know you are" He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "And how do you know that?" "That ring" his blue eyes went to the ring."You haven't watched any romantic comedies; clumsiness is a hallmark of the protagonists. " "So I'm a romantic comedy protagonist? I'll take that as a compliment. Still, those movies tend to be less violent" "Higher stakes make for a happier ending" "I've never been happier in my life" he said sincerely.
7.
"If you need a charm, don't hesitate" Hermione insisted as Neville fumbled with her curly mane. "I don't want to hurt you or your hair" her careful boyfriend gingerly moved the comb from the side backward. "Ow!" "I'm sorry. I'll slow down" "You don't even need to do this" "Do you want me to stop?" "No" "Good. I love the way you are, but you look better this way and you told me to help" "I just wanted to feel your fingers in my hair" "I don't need an excuse for that" "Then just keep brushing" Hermione grinned to herself.
8.
He asked during astronomy homework. "I have a silly question" "I'm used to those" "Is there a constellation named Hermione? I mean, these are all Greek words, right?" "The gods don't get constellations; furthermore, Hermione is really a minor character, being the child of two very important characters. Constellations are named after heroes and monsters, significant figures." Neville listened in silence for a long time before he finally replied, "Well, there should be one". "Why?" her brows furrowed in confusion. He turned red, stared at the notes, and finally squeaked out "I-well-I think of stars when I think of you"
9.
Usually, it was Neville that was forgetting things. He was grown up: tall and handsome and brave and kind and confident. And yet he would still forget things. His wand, his robes, his books, the mail, where Trevor was, whether Crookshanks had fallen asleep on him. Hermione grew to accept it, although she tried to help him remember as often as possible. He didn't mind her reminding him: he didn't rely on that, but it made things easier. It was fair; not much could make Hermione forget, but Neville found a way. All he needed to do is kiss her.
10.
It's not that Neville didn't notice that Hermione was socially awkward. He knew she was bossy. He knew she was suspicious. He knew she was loud. He knew she had a finite fuse. He knew she was fastidious about her appearance only when she wanted to. He knew she was easily skeptical of everything, needing solid reasons to accept the simplest thing. He knew she idolized writers, and her first crush was Lockhart. He knew she would insert herself in anything if she found it interesting. But that didn't stop her from being the most wonderful person Neville ever met.