Neville Longbottom (POV)
When Pansy turned up on my doorstep for the first time, I was surprised. I was even more surprised when she told me she and Malfoy had split.
But that was nothing compared to when I opened the door a second time and found her standing there.
"Sorry to keep doing this to you" she smiled, "but I just wondered if your offer was still open?"
"Of course it is" I said, and I meant it.
"So it's really okay if I stay here for a couple of nights?" She asked uncertainly.
"Stay here forever if you want," I said, hoping she'd take me up on that offer.
"Forever? Wow that's a long time," she grinned, "but I can't stay that long"
"Well, in case you do," I said, "that offer's open as well"
"That's so sweet" Pansy said softly, "just like you"
She looked at me with the strangest expression on her face. I found myself wishing she would stay with me forever.
"So where are your kids?" I asked, trying to think of something to say.
"You see," Pansy began, "when I told you I was going to pick them up, I was. But then I decided to stop and see Blaise. Oh don't worry," she added when I looked sharply at her, "I didn't attack her or anything. It was quite ... interesting"
"Sounds like fun" I remarked, and she smiled again.
"Oh it was, except for the final display of affection." She shuddered.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Potter and Blaise have been having some marital problems, and they decided they were going to take the kiss and make up part literally"
"Not a pretty sight I guess" I said.
"No not really"
"Anyway, why don't you come in ... again" I said finally.
"Thanks" she said, and for the second time she came into my house.
The next hour and a half were the shortest of my life. One minute I was asking Pansy in, the next she was leaving.
When she left, my house seemed terribly quiet without her; quiet and sort of lonely.
Saffron was at my grandmother's house; so I figured I'd better go and pick her up.
When I did, she chattered at high speed, but I couldn't figure out what the hell she was on about, so I just kind of nodded and smiled at her; hopefully she didn't notice.
For about the hundredth time since Parvati and I separated, I was on my own when Saffron had gone to bed. It's been happening a lot since Parvati's been dropping our daughter on my doorstep. I suppose I'm just going to have to get used to it, but maybe if I'm really lucky, I'll meet a wonderful woman, with teenage daughter who can baby-sit for us when we go out.
Well, I'm half-way there at; I've met the wonderful woman at least.