AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, you didn't like Moody as an end pairing? Nah, didn't think so. But I had to give it a go anyways. We';; just assume now that Moody cares for Ginny, but could you imagine the two of them together as a couple or even (shudder) getting married? Probably not. That was most likely the least likely situation. That was a weird statement and I don't have the time to see if it makes sense or not. Bye-bye. Have to get going on Chapter 20! Yes, there is a Chapter 20, but only if oyu don't like this chapter. Have fun.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine unless it doesn't belong to J. K. Rowling.
Hormonal Half-Wits
Chapter 19: The End, Part 3
Moody and I went out separate ways after a few minutes. We had this silent connection…an unspoken agreement not to talk about this…not with each other or with anyone else…he let me know…without saying a thing…that he was there for me…and that was more than I could ask for.
In times like this, I wonder if I need a 'companion' at all. Just someone to talk to would be nice…
Anyway, I decided (with help from Moody) that hiding wasn't going to do me any good, it would only make Zabini feel like he'd won something, or that he affected me. I wasn't going to let that happen, and on Moody's advice (really, just a little gesture with his magical eye) went up to my room to change into something else.
I had just pulled on a worn, thin, Weird Sisters tee-shirt that Tonks had given me when someone coughed rather blatantly from the corner. After all that had happened today, I was too weary and too used to shock to be frightened.
I turned around slowly. Neville was standing in the corner, looking very numb and shocked. He had a muggle camera that looked like the one Colin Creevey used to carry in his hands and as I stood there, nonplussed in my little tee and my knickers, he lifted it and took a picture.
Now that was a surprise. At least, I really wasn't expecting it. After the day's events, I would have expected him to jump me, but not start up a photography…pornography…Playwizard-type thing. To be honest, I didn't think of him like that.
Neville let out this huge breath, as though he'd been holding it the entire day. It was strangely odd; the look he gave me was a mixture of relief, admiration, and apology. I was thoroughly mystified, just standing there in my knickers.
Neville let out another sigh as he took Hermione's owl Athena down. He took the picture the camera had spewed out and put it in an envelope, tying it to the great owl's leg. As the bird flew away, I gained my senses…a couple of them anyway.
I asked Neville (in appropriately raised tones) what the fuck he thought he was doing. He went pink and shuffled his feet (sweet Merlin, I didn't think anyone actually did that anymore). He said something about having a job as an assistant photographer to Colin Creevey, who I had at one point dated briefly…the whole bed thing didn't work for me.
Neville said he and Colin did life studies for this modern museum in Diagon Alley. Tasteful nudity or artistic minimal-ness was their speciality. They were doing it to raise money for Neville's parents and Colin's brother Dennis, both who suffered mental injuries in the wars. Well, what could I say to that?
Plus Neville flattered me by saying I was one of the most artistically pleasing women he'd ever seen and he just simply had to get a photo for the gallery of me and how completely sorry he was that he'd done it without my permission.
He lapsed into silence, as if waiting for me to curse him or hex him or something. I'm sure all those D.A. meetings came to mind and the Bat-Bogey hex I'd performed on Malfoy in my fourth year. Funny thing was…I wasn't angry.
Neville nearly broke down sagging in relief when I told him I wasn't going to feed him to Remus at the next full moon. We even made an arrangement…mostly because I care for him and Colin and want to help, but partially because I want to give mum a heart attack.
I wouldn't pose for any nude photos, but I told Neville that if he ever needed a model to help contribute, he could call on me. Poor dear looked positively ecstatic…rushed up and flung his arms around my neck. Said he'd never dreamed of being allowed to photograph someone so perfect (utter tripe, but it flattered me nonetheless) and that he and Colin would appreciate it more than words could say.
He straightened, and I saw tears in his eyes. A fleeting thought flashed through my mind, and I wondered why more men couldn't be like Neville…so sweet, so tender, so uncertain, yet so caring. He really is a terrific person. I don't say flippantly that I'll greatly enjoy spending more time with Neville in the future, whether working with him, or something else…
