Thank you to everyone that reviewed, faved and followed for reading, I couldn't have done it without you ;) Special thanks mrsmorgan, pianomouse, lamia, cutopia, guest, crownlessqueen, and onyxobsidian for reviewing the last chapter :)


The Remembrall by siriusbarks

.

Chapter 5:

Bright Futures

.


Hogwarts grounds, September 2000

.

It was just an ordinary day. Like any other day for Professor Neville Longbottom as he made his way, with a smile on his face, to the Herbology class he had to teach to a group of first years.

It was the cycle of life that what once was new becomes old, and what was young and frightened eventually becomes wise and the teacher. Or so he liked to think. He'd certainly learned his lessons over the years.

And while corners and edges of the shyer, young boy remained dormant within him, he was very much loving being the confident young professor in his twenties who had a fulfilling academic life and a wild wife on the side.

Neville grinned. Luckily, he learned long ago to go after what he wanted; and from the price he paid, he had reaped and sowed.

Also, he didn't have too look far for comfort. His wife always made sure to send him a little message while they were both away and she was at the Ministry.

He felt the Remembrall in his pocket. His cheeky little wife had had it modified so that it could tell him exactly what he'd forgotten and exactly how to please her. (Neville felt he was pretty good at pleasing her altogether.)

Though Neville liked to think that he didn't forget much stuff, and he mostly kept the Remembrall with him for sentimental reasons and not because he was a blundering buffoon. He'd long gotten over those confidence issues, and he was glad to say too, that Hogwarts had become an abuse-free place since Snape's retirement and subsequent demands from the Ministry—and a certain particularly vocal ministry worker with bushy hair—to implement protocols that required all teachers treat their students respectfully.

He tossed the apple in his hand. He liked to think he was very loved by his students, and treated them respectfully without the help of the Ministerial sanctions and regulations. The Ministry could be a busy-body sometimes and damn right nosy in his business. Particularly one person who worked there.

He grinned as he thought of that particular Ministry worker with bushy hair and curvy hips; he didn't mind her being too nosy with him!

He arrived early for his class and sat at his desk which was deserted and covered with seeds and scrolls and rare plant guides from his travels. He was about to start correcting some of the plant diagrams his students had submitted, when he was interrupted by a little cough.

He swung around in his squeaky-wheeled chair to face the Floo network. His face lit up in a mischievous grin.

"Ministry Deputy Granger, can I do something for you?"

The gorgeous Ministry worker crossed her arms and pouted. "Cut the crap, Professor Longbottom," she said with mock formality. "You know there's something I want you to do."

Neville checked his silver muggle wristwatch that Hermione's mother had given him, and subtly flicked his wand at the shutters along his classroom so that it was safe from prying eyes, and the classroom locked.

He nestled his hands together on the firm wood surface of his desk as he stared tauntingly at the woman in the Floo.

"Now I'm not sure we have time for that, I have a class starting..." He coughed in embarrassment, though his head and body tingled with the possibilities.

Hermione snorted. "Not that," she grinned and the tip of her pink tongue peaked out. "I think we have plenty of time to take care of that later. I was talking about the other thing."

Neville's thick black brows knit together. "Now you do have me confused darling, what other thing are we talking about?"

The woman in the fireplace rolled her eyes. "Check your pocket and take a look at your Remembrall, you'll see a lot of red writing there."

Neville grinned. "Well, I do have you to thank for those modifications..."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please, someone needed to improve the design of the Remembrall to actually tell you what you're forgetting, and not just that you were forgetting something. Honestly I don't know who came up with the original design!"

"Now there's no need to bash the original Remembrall design. I have quite a few fond memories of them, lacking design or not."

"Just check your pocket." Hermione sighed but with amusement flickering in her brown eyes

The professor grinned and fished the beloved Remembrall, he'd had for the past 12 years, out of his pocket.

"Oh, it is red," he said, holding out the swirling red crystal before her.

"What does it say?"

He winked. "Now hold on. Why is this so important to you?"

"Neville what does it say?" she practically hissed, impatience growing in her like steam trying to get out of a kettle.

Neville enjoyed her impatience and leaned back leisurely in his professor's chair while cradling the Remembrall in his hands, obscuring it from sight.

"Now, now, what is with your impatience? Is there some sort of thing going on?"

Hermione made a moaning sound of frustration. "NEVILLE! Please just look at the Remembrall for Merlin's sake! I shouldn't have to remind you."

Neville studied the rosy colour that grew in her cheeks whenever she got angry at him; he enjoyed her blush much more than he should. He bit at the corner of his thumb and decided to tease her further. "And yet I don't usually forget things these days."

"No," she said, glaring daggers at him. "But when you do forget things, Neville, it's always the important stuff that nobody would expect you to forget."

"I'll have you know, my Remembrall is clear 99% of the time."

"Congratulations!" Hermione hissed, the flames of he fireplace sparking embers around her image. "But in the 1% of time that you do forget, it's always the big things."

Neville started to feel uneasy and pulled at his collar, his mind trying to wrack what it is he could've forgotten...Certainly not anything to do with the Ministry or Hogwarts. He felt something uneasy in his stomach and he really didn't want to look at his Remembrall now. "How big are we talking about?"

Hermione smirked. "Check your Remembrall and slap your forehead, I'll be waiting at home after work to laugh at you."

"That bad?" he asked tentatively, still holding the Remembrall within the closed palm of his hand.

She nodded and raised her brows. "I'll be seeing you later. And do try to make up for it."

With that she disappeared from his classroom's fireplace and Neville looked down at his closed fist that held the Remembrall.

What on earth could he have forgotten now that was so important? He usually prided himself on the fact that his Remembrall was hardly ever red for much time anymore.

He opened his palm again and stared at the little Remembrall, which seemed to have gotten smaller over the years. Or just his hands bigger.

He read the little line of red text etched onto the ball's surface.

"Oh shit."

.

.


A/N: Any guesses as to what Neville might've forgot? Do remember that Neville and Hermione are already married at this point in the story ;-) heheh