"Need more lotion? Your shoulders are a little red."
"Neville, you just want to touch my body."
"Yep."
Alaire rolled over and gave him a smile.
"Then why don't we go inside where we can touch as much as we want?" She ran a finger down his arm. "And as loud as we want?"
"Because your parents are ten feet down the beach and David will follow us indoors."
"Merlin, why can't they leave us alone!"
Neville laughed. He had to. He had never been so happy in all his life. NEWTS were over. School was over. And, most importantly, the war was over.
He thought back to the fateful night Alaire had run into Bellatrix Lestrange. He had sat by her bedside for over four days convinced that she was going to join his parents in St. Mungos. But something in him wouldn't give up. He knew that she could still feel him there beside her. Sadness wouldn't help. She needed love and happiness. So he had talked to her telling her about the success of his second hybrid, the SUNflower. How he was still studying for the NEWTS. That she and he were going away together to Provence to run through the lavender fields after school.
When the beds around him were empty, he would cast a silencing charm and remind her of every moment of love that they had shared. He reminded her of their first encounter in Madame Malkins. How he had fantasized about her after the Halloween dance. How he had felt like he was walking on air for weeks after their first kiss. He told her how soft her skin was and how much he enjoyed running his hands through her thick hair. He would lay his cheek on hers and whisper in her ear how much he enjoyed kissing and caressing her. But, most of all, he told her how much he loved her and that he could feel her too now because they were one heart, one mind, and one body.
On the morning of the fifth day, Neville woke to the most wonderful words he would ever hear.
"Neville Longbottom, I love you."
Alaire blinked in the sunlight and wearily lifted a hand to his face.
"I remember all those things too."
It had taken the rest of the school year for Alaire to regain her strength. Hermione suggested that perhaps she could take the NEWTS later considering everything that had happened. Alaire thought it to be a charitable gesture on her part.
Neville had somehow passed all his NEWTS with an outstanding in Herbology. His career path now seemed to be set but he refused to think about anything further than the summer. Alaire's parents had come to England as soon as they heard about Alaire's illness. They had then arranged for a summer break on the coast of France. Alaire had been delighted although she had wanted to go back home at first.
Neville had spent an agonizing week with his Gran then joined the Goodnights. He had his own room bought with the profits of the hybrids that he had licensed. He had also made sure that David Goodnight could not put any wards on it. After a few choice words between the four of them, it was decided that Alaire would have her own room and so would Neville. As long as Alaire woke up in her own bed, David would pretend to look the other way.
"What are you grinning at?"
"Just happy. Can't a bloke just smile?"
"Depends on why you're smiling."
"Because I'm 18. Because I have a beautiful woman who loves me stretched out beside me in a string bikini. Because I don't have to worry about money. Because the war is over. And because I am looking forward to going to New Orleans next week."
"Those are pretty good reasons."
"Yeah."
"I've got some news for you by the way."
"Hmm?"
"I've applied to St. Andrew's University to study Psychology. If all goes well, I'll start in January."
"When did you find out!"
"Just this morning. A counselor sent a letter saying it looked good. I wanted to wait until you were in a good mood to tell you."
"So you're staying?"
"Yeah. I'm staying."
"Here in England?
"No. THERE in Scotland."
"But St. Andrews is only a few miles from . . ."
"From Hogsmeade."
With a scream of joy, Neville jumped on to Alaire's blanket and began to kiss her with all the heart that he had.
"Did you see that?" David Goodnight pointed and began to get out of his chair.
"David, sit down!" Jeraldine began to tug on his shorts.
"But, but . . ."
"But they're so happy."
"She'd better marry him. I'll never forgive her if she breaks his heart, Jeraldine."
Medievalwoman's Author's Notes:
It's been a long, sometimes difficult, slog but Longbottom Rose is finished. It's been interesting creating a character like Alaire. A few people wrote her off as a Mary Sue but she's so much more than that. She's an ordinary girl with a taste for mischief, a bit of a temper, and an amazing ability to love despite a checkered past.
As for Neville, his character is devoted to all the people out there who sit on the sidelines. Those who think that they aren't the brightest, the best-looking, or the most athletic. But, everyone deserves to be loved if they can just accept it. I look around now and see Neville's everywhere. I want them to read this story and know that happy endings are possible for everyone.
Most of all, I want to write a love letter to Forever LaDonna. She has been a wonderful collaborator. All those clever quips from Ginny were hers. I would lay out a bare bones plot and she would embellish it with words until it was a feast fit for a king. She is truly talented and a true friend.
ForeverLaDonna's Authors Notes:
I would like to thank everyone for taking their time and reading this fan fiction. I would also like to thank medievalwoman for coming up with the idea of Longbottom Rose and helping me with it. She has been especially busy with the last few chapters and all the credit for them should go to her. She is a very talented individual and it was a pleasure working with her on this fan fiction.
I also hope to see many of you at the bookstore at 11:59 p.m. July 15. I know I'll be there. Thanks again.
Thanks to everyone who kept with us and reviewed. You were so helpful. You kept us going. Kudos to Padfoot's Sidekick, Kissmybooty, Ryua Malfoy, and Blatant Discontent. Thanks guys.
And so it ends.
Until HBP,
Good Bye,
Medievalwoman and ForeverLaDonna