Chapter 18
The greenhouses were hot and sticky with artificial humidity when Rosemary arrived. She scanned the long rows of tables, peering through the dense foliage that was housed in Greenhouse 2. At last she found Neville, working quietly as he pruned a number of small plants.
"Hello, Neville," she said quietly.
He froze in place, the pruning shears pausing just before he was about to make a cut. He had been dreading the moment when he would have to face Professor Grene. He had, in fact, spent a great deal of his time avoiding her at all costs. Thus, he refused to meet her eyes as he answered, "Hullo Professor."
"What are you working on?" she asked, admiring the tiny plants.
"Um, it's a project for Herbology. We're learning to breed different plants."
"Interesting…You know that I will be leaving tomorrow morning," said Rosemary gently. "You can stop worrying about avoiding me now."
"What? No—I mean, I wasn't—"
Rosemary smiled at him. "Don't worry; I understand. I just wanted you to know that I don't blame you for what happened; someone would have found out eventually. I'm just sorry that you were hurt in the process; in hindsight, I suppose Professor Snape and I should have been more discreet than, well, being in my classroom; but I can't go back and change the past."
"I'm the one who should be sorry!" he blurted out. "I didn't mean to see and to tell and… I'm sorry that I got you fired," he added sheepishly. "If it weren't for me, you'd still have a job."
Rosemary smiled at him and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "You didn't get me fired, Neville; I resigned. Things would have come out sooner or later."
"So…you're not mad?" he asked hopefully.
"Me? No—Severus, maybe; but not me. I'm just sorry that things had to end so badly between you and me."
"It's okay," he mumbled.
"Well then; don't forget everything I've taught you, and just keep working hard in your classes. You are a good wizard, Neville, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
He smiled up at her. "Thanks, professor."
"You're quite welcome. Now why don't you head back to the castle and eat some dinner. I'm sure there's still something left."
"Okay." He hesitated before throwing his arms around her in a brief hug. Then, before she could respond, he ran off in the direction of the castle.
Once Neville was out of sight, Severus stepped out of the shadows. "Was all of that really necessary?" he asked dryly.
Rosemary shrugged. "Does it really matter? Give the boy a break; he's only fourteen." She smiled up at him, her expression softer. "One last walk?" she asked quietly.
He nodded in silent agreement, they walked out into the sunset one last time.
