Disclaimer: Harry Potter is from the creative genius that is J.K. Rowling. We are not her. This is merely a fan fiction to tide us over until Book 6.
A/N: We would like to take this opportunity to thank some of our loyal reviewers. Thank you Lady LifeCharm, Blatant Discontent, Ryua Malfoy, harrysmom and MaD JuPiT3R.
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"Neville, if you don't stop blushing every time you look at me, this is never going to work," Alaire admonished her new boyfriend as he turned a nice shade of bright pink while walking down the narrow corridor with her.
They had agreed on their surreptitious flight from his study that they would keep their new relationship quiet for the time being. Alaire felt it was one of the few things she could do to soften the blow to Harry.
"I'm trying," he whispered looking around quickly to make sure no one was about, before grabbing Alaire around the waist and pulling her closer to give her a kiss. "I'm off to Divination, have fun in class."
Neville was sure that he had a huge smile on his face, seeing how he had transferred some of the pink from his face to Alaire's cheeks with that kiss. Neville had readily agreed because he wasn't sure exactly how he was going to handle this either. He hadn't had much time to think about it. Fortunately, he had Divination after lunch. He wasn't sure why he had kept the class other than it provided him a chance to catch up on his sleep a few times a week.
Today it had given an opportunity to think about his new relationship with Alaire. He obviously had Dumbledore's approval. After he had gotten over the initial shock of seeing his professor in his room, he realized that Dumbledore had complimented him on his work. But what truly brought a smile to his face was the look on Alaire's face as they had left the common room that morning. She was positively glowing. He hadn't seen her that happy since her arrival at Hogwarts. Obviously, he had done something right. Now he just had to make sure that he kept doing it whatever it was!
He was rudely awakened from his reveries by Professor Trelawney's loud shout over one of Lavender's dream prophecies. He wondered who was going to die next. He was surprised to see the entire room turn to look at him.
"What?"
"Mr. Longbottom, according to Lavender's dream, there is going to be a drastic change in your life. I can't help but wonder if the death omen has been passed on to you from Mr. Potter."
Neville went pale and found himself swallowing. Lavender couldn't know about him and Alaire. Could she? He risked looking at Lavender who was simply giving him the airy stare that she had learned to copy from Professor Trelawney.
Insane the lot of them, he thought. Either that or the rumors that the "incense" in Trelawney's room was to cover up the smell of something else she was smoking was true.
"Well, ma'am, if anything happens, I'll be sure to let you know." The statement came out a bit more snarky than he wanted and he immediately regretted the words.
"Yes, well, Mr. Longbottom, if your past lives are any indication of your future, we'll be waiting quite awhile." Professor Trelawney turned with a swirl of her robes. "Class dismissed."
"Thanks, Lavender," Neville whispered as he walked by.
"Glad to be of service . . . anytime," she added suggestively.
Neville simply shook his head and left her to her fantasies. Hopefully her fantasies just concerned Seamus. He shuddered as he thought of some of the things he had heard about the other Gryffindor. He made it to dinner and took a seat beside Alaire who was chatting happily with Ginny.
Ron and Hermione were snapping at each as usual. Harry was nowhere to be seen; he had missing at lunch as well. He soon found himself caught up in a conversation between Dean and Seamus concerning muggle football. He had gone to a match with Dean during the last summer.
Alaire seemed to ignore him but her foot kept tapping his under the table. He contemplated playing footsie with her, but knowing his luck he would accidentally get Ginny who was sitting across from her. He didn't want to suffer whatever Ginny, Draco and Alaire would put him threw if that happened. Suddenly Alaire's hand found his under the table and gave it a squeeze.
"Fancy a walk?" she whispered to him.
Neville nodded and waited until she got up before he too left. They walked out of the Great Hall and headed down some deserted hallways for a few moments privacy.
Neville turned around several times when they passed people to see if anyone was looking at them. When he turned back around, he could see Alaire was not very amused.
"I'm sorry. I keep thinking people are looking at us."
"They will be if you turn maroon every five minutes."
"Well, you're pretty calm!"
"I have a lot of practice, Neville. In public, I'm always working at keeping emotions in check." Glancing around to make sure they had the area to themselves, she walked over to Neville and looped her arms around his neck. "That's why I love being around you so much. I don't have to block anyone out and I can just be myself."
Neville smiled at the compliment as he pulled her into a hug. "Glad to be of service! Oh, that reminds me," he told her of Lavender's prophecy and his reaction to it. "Do you think she saw us?"
Now Alaire turned a nice shade of pink. "I don't know if she saw us, but I sort of, well, um, had an interesting dream about you two nights ago and um. .. she might of heard something then . . ."
"Oh really?" Neville said trying to hide his amusement. "Care to share?"
"Not at the moment," she said before clearing her throat. "Um, maybe later." Neville chuckled as Alaire turned maroon herself. If only she knew how his wild dreams about her had tormented him for the past two months. Males were all pervy and if women ever found out, they would kill them all.
Alaire swiftly changed the subject. "We may not be able to keep this a secret for very long. I had just hoped to keep from hurting Harry so much."
"It's a noble thought, Alaire, but it may not work out."
Alaire nodded and sighed. "As long as I have you, Neville, I won't worry about it."
Neville's face went red again as he felt his heart speed up. He leaned down to kiss Alaire and was rewarded with warm lips that tasted mildly of the sugar cookies they had eaten at dinner.
"Mmm. You taste good."
"What am I? Your girlfriend or your dessert?"
Neville kissed her again forgetting his shyness for a moment. "Both." A few moments later Neville pulled himself away from her, "Tonight's Friday night movies, will you sit with me?" he asked as they continued down the hall.
"Hmm. Maaaybe. What'll you give me?"
Several naughty things came to Neville's mind but he squashed them as they passed through the Fat Lady's picture hoping beyond hope that Alaire didn't catch any of them. But, by the mischievous grin on her face, she had.
They went their separate ways. Neville went to his room to change out of his uniform while Alaire went to talk with Seamus. Neville walked into the seventh year's room and was startled to see Harry sitting on his bed covered in what seemed to be tiny cuts. Some were still oozing blood.
"What happened to you?!" he blurted out before he could stop himself.
"I took out a room of china with a bludger last night," Harry said in a monotone. Neville started to ask him why then stopped. He knew why. Harry had taken out his anger over Alaire on the room of requirements. Saying nothing, Neville made his way over to his trunk and pulled out a sweater. Harry walked over to Neville in a brisk stride.
"Not going to ask why?" Harry asked his voice taking a sharp tone. Neville shook his head. "Fine. I've made up my mind anyway."
"What are you talking about, Harry?" Neville asked trying to tamp down the anger starting to bubble up in his chest.
"Alaire. I don't want her anymore. You can have her."
"Excuse me?"
"I'M GIVING HER TO YOU."
"I didn't know she was yours to give, Harry." Neville said in a shaky voice as his anger began to rise. "Does Alaire know about this?"
"Oh, she knows," Harry said shaking her head.
"Harry, how arrogant are you? That you think that you can give and take someone else's love?"
At this point, the door opened to allow Dean into the room. He looked in amazement at the two boys facing each other.
"And what makes you think that she belonged to you in the first place?" Neville continued.
"What do you expect me to think? She grabs me and kisses me –"
"It was an enchanted candy!"
"Then she hangs around with me and talks to me –"
"She's your friend!"
"Then she should be my GIRLFRIEND. Unless," Harry stopped suddenly and took a second look at Neville. "There already has to be someone else. Know anything about that, Neville?"
Neville took a deep breath. "Actually –"
"Actually, what?!"
"Actually, that's none of your business ACTUALLY."
"I'm making it my business. She turned me down and I think you know why."
"Maybe its because you act like a total git when you're around her." Neville's anger had finally found its voice and he let it out. "You're possessive when you're around her - which isn't that often! You're always angry or upset. You've been skipping classes or been in detention ever since . . . Malfoy and Bellatrix escaped."
"I have things to do! Things that aren't your business ACTUALLY!!"
"And that's why Alaire doesn't want to be around you."
Harry felt a lump in his chest. He looked at Neville's face then he realized something. "You and Alaire have been talking about this. Haven't you?"
"Well, I –"
"It's you! You went behind my back!"
"We did not!" Neville attempted to continue but Harry interrupted him. "I should have known! She was stringing me along! How many other guys has she got on the back burner? Dean? Seamus? How many other guys have HAD her, Neville? Or have you been following her around like a puppy dog waiting around for my sloppy seconds?"
"You son of a –"
Those were the last words that Harry remembered hearing. Everything else was a blur. One moment he was in Neville's face and the next, the two boys were grappling on the floor throwing punches instead of curses.
"Maybe she doesn't want you (punch) because (punch) she doesn't (punch) love you!"
"You think, Ugh, that she (punch) loves you?"
Neville pulled a fist and said, "Yeah, ACTUALLY."
Whatever blow he was going to end the fight with was stopped by a loud "Petrificus Totalus!". In the doorway stood Dean, Seamus, Ron, Hermione, and a very shocked Alaire who had thrown the spell. On the floor lay a bloodied Neville and Harry. Their shirts were ripped and some of Harry's cuts had opened. Neville's knuckles were also bleeding.
"I knew something like this would happen. The two of you should be ashamed," scolded Hermione.
"Let's get them to the hospital wing," Ron said in a tired voice as he cancelled the spell.
"NO." Three voices called out at once.
"We'll take care of this here and now," Alaire stepped forward then turned to the rest of the audience. "And in private, thank you very much." She motioned for them to leave as she turned to the frozen bodies of Neville and Harry.
"Now, we need to talk."