Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor his magical world.
Chapter III: The Debate
The weekend seemed to drag on for Neville. He got a lot done, including ordering the red Gogolisdims for Luna. He was anxious for the dinner with Ginny, Hermoine and Ron. He was also quite paranoid. He really had the feeling he was being watched. He was sure, that if he was being watched, that if anything happened he could fully defend himself, but he did not want it to come to that.
It finally was Tuesday. It was a very busy day for Neville. He made lots of sales and shoveled out advice about plants all day. At last, he was ready to close. He had just enough time to not be late. He hadn't seen Weasley's Wizard Wheezes since before the war. Then it was a great joke shop. It was flashy, too.
And it still was. The was a lurid green sign in the window that advertised the Weasley twins newest product:
FAKE CAULDRONS!
Astonish your friends and fool your foes!
Neville just laughed. The Weasley twins could come up with anything. He remembered being the first victim of a canary creme. As soon as Neville crossed the threshold into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes he came face to face to face with the infamous Fred and George Weasley.
"Neville! How lovely to see you," beamed Fred.
"Yes, indeed, care for a delicious mini-quiche? Compliments on your return?" said George holding out a plate of mini-quiche.
"I know I have been gone a while, but do you think I would really fall for that?" said Neville with amusement.
"Well, it worked on Draco Malfoy the other day. He actually believed they were 'a delightful treat for our famed and dignified customers,'" said Fred with a grin.
"Of course, we knew our Neville would be too smart for that!" said George. "That is why we slipped miniature land piranhas down the back of you shirt."
"WHAT! Where? Get it out!" said Neville in a panic, while Fred and George started howling with laughter.
"We knew you would fall for at least one thing!"
"Fred! George! Have you two been pranking Neville?" came a shout from the back room.
"Of course not!" shouted back Fred. "Who do you think we are? Some immature hooligans?"
"That is exactly what I think you are," said Ginny as she walked out of the back room. "Hi, Neville. Sorry about Gred and Forge."
"That is quite alright," said Neville with a grin. "I'll get them back someday."
"I don't think so, Neville-boy. Gred and I are masters, you are just a rookie."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ron and Hermoine should be here any—" Ginny was interrupted by two pops. Ron and Hermoine had just apparated into the shop.
"Sorry we're late. Are you guys ready?" said Hermoine.
"Yep, let's go."
Neville, Ginny, Hermoine and Ron departed from Fred and George. They exited Diagon Alley into muggle London. After a brief walk, they entered a cozy muggle restaurant. They were seated at a small wooden table that was a deep brown. The interior was softly lit, with deep red walls. Delicious smell wafted through the room from a swinging door in the back. Neville noticed, though, that they were the largest group of people in there. They seemed to be the only people who did not seem to be on a date.
They ordered and discussed their lives since the War. Most of it was directed at Neville, who could not help put feel put in the spotlight. When they received their food, to Neville's relief, the conversation turned towards Hermoine's campaign.
"I know we can do this. It will just take dedication and determination. Too many people have been hurt by former administrations. We have just got to show them that I will be different," summed up Hermoine. As the conversation started toward Harry, Ginny excused herself to the restroom. Neville noticed how cold his side (he had been sitting next to her), was when she left.
Hermoine sighed. "Poor Ginny, she has been taking this very hard. Even harder than the rest of us."
"She doesn't show it too much," commented Neville. "I mean she seems very bitter, but no more than everyone else."
"She keeps a lot locked up inside. She vent a little, but I think she is hiding a lot," said Ron. "I think she was genuinely in love with Harry. She is generally very understanding person, but everything Harry has done has been too much for her."
Neville nodded. "I would have thought she would at least have a boyfriend by now, though. I remember her being quite popular at Hogwarts."
"Well, she has dated," said Hermoine darkly. "But I have suspicions that as soon as Harry finds out about them—keep in mind that he has great connections—he threatens them. She has dated anyone for more than two dates."
"That explains it," said Neville to himself."
"Explains what?" asked Ron.
"Well, um, at the memorial, Harry dragged me off to have a drink. At the end of our conversation, he told me to stay away from Ginny."
"I guess he thought you had romantic intentions toward my sister. To think that he thought you..." broke off Ron as Ginny returned.
The rest of the dinner went well. Ginny was unaware of them having talked about her. Harry was not mentioned again for the whole night. Neville went home that night happy from seeing his friends, slightly worried about the fate of the magical world, and in deep thought of his feelings towards Ginny. He knew he liked her, but did he have romantic intentions? He didn't know. He did know that he did not want to do anything to compromise their friendship, nor do anything to gain the utmost wrath of Harry Potter.
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Not long after the dinner, Neville received an invitation to attend the Minister Candidates debates. Neville figured that he had better go to gain knowledge on Harry's positions, but he thought that he should stay towards the back and try to go unnoticed.
So two days later Neville found himself to be in the back of a small crowd in a Ministry conference hall. It was quite packed in there and Neville found himself to be pushed and nudged out of the way by people trying to make there way up to the front. He saw Ron and Ginny in the crowd. Ginny seemed to have hidden herself away in a corner to avoid the pushy people. Ron on the other hand, was seated in front. Not far from him was that woman, Larissa, looking annoyed by the stuffiness to the room.
"Quiet down everyone," growled the voice of Rufus Scrimgeour from the front. He had magically amplified his voice, as he addressed the room. "Here starts the first of the debates of the Minister of Magic Candidates. I welcome candidates Harry Potter and Hermoine Granger."
There was applause as Harry and Hermoine walked in from separate side of the room, each placing themselves behind one of two podiums that were stationed at the front of the room. Then the debate started, Hermoine pitted against Harry.
"Ms. Granger, what would you say your main goal would be as Minister of Magic?"
"Well, I would have to say equality among all creatures. I would fight to unburden the magical world of petty prejudices and scornful injustices. As the head of Inter Magical Creature relations and the founder of S.P.E.W..."
"Mr. Potter, how do you feel about the false imprisonment of many people after the War?"
"I am currently and will continued to act against this. It happened, unfortunately, to Stan Shunpike..."
"Ms. Granger, why are you suited to the role of Minister?"
"I am highly qualified. I received twelve N.E.W.Ts upon completing my education at Hogwarts..."
The debate went on and on and Neville found himself falling asleep in the back.
"Mr. Potter, what would make you an apt Minister?"
"I know a lot about the world. I know what sacrifice is. I put everything I had into defeating Voldemort. I will not be a weak, indecisive Minister, depending on others to help me with my decisions. I know what it is to stand up a fight, even alone. I have been alone my whole life. It has made me strong. I can face challenges. I won't have to rely on others to do my job..."
"You are full of crap, Potter!" came a voice from the back. Neville looked around, but couldn't place the voice.
"Excuse me?" said Harry frowning, looking to place the voice as well.
"You heard me! You think you have been alone your whole life? What about the people who stood and fought beside you during the War? You play the pity part so well, but I have to further mention the people who believed in you even when the world seemed to crumble out from under us. What about the people who died beside you? What about those who did die for you? You forget about them, you undeserving egotistical bast—" yelled the voice with uncontrolled anger. It seemed though, from the group of wizards in red uniforms, that security had gotten to the person.
"I am quite sorry for that interruption. Unfortunately, that young woman had her brains addled during the War. She spent a lot of time in St. Mungo's, but they were unable to do anything for her," said Harry in a sympathetic voice.
Neville turned to see the young woman break through to security. It was Ginny. She gave Harry a rude hand gesture and turned to leave. As she exited, she whispered, but loud enough for the silent room to her, to Harry, "And what, what about those people who loved you?"
Neville looked to see Harry's expression as Ginny's words vibrated through the room. Neville caught a brief moment when Harry's face showed emotion, of pain, but it disappeared as fast as it came. The debate continued, despite the interruption, although both Ron and Hermoine looked in want of leaving to find Ginny. Neville crept slowly out the door. He wanted to find Ginny, as well.
Neville couldn't find her. He looked all over the Ministry. He went to the Auror department, but did not see anyone.
"We you looking for something," said a voice from behind him, making him jump.
"Someone, actually," he said as he turned around to come face to face with a woman with shocking pink hair. "Tonks?"
"Do I know you? You look familiar," she said, scrutinizing him.
"Neville, Neville Longbottom."
"Ah, Neville, lovely to see you again. Ginny said you were back!" said Tonks enthusiastically.
"Good to see you too. How is everything?"
"Oh, just peachy. Remus and I are celebrating our second anniversary on Saturday," smiled Tonks.
"Congratulations, any kids yet?"
"Yep, named after me dad. Theodore Leon Lupin."
"That's great. Congratulations again."
"Thanks. You were looking for someone?"
"Yes, I was looking for Ginny. Have you seen her?"
"No, she was supposed to be at the debates."
"Well, she was, but she stormed out."
"Figures, that is why I didn't go. I would just end up getting irritated. Well, you had better go find her then."
"Yes, I had better. I was nice to see you again."
"You too."
With that, Neville departed to look for Ginny. He asked in the Atrium and found that she had already disapparated. Neville decided not to go back to the debate. He knew that if he did he would end up falling asleep. He returned home, which was actually a loft above his shop. He spent the rest of the evening doing research on Pawskiting Ferns.
Rain started to crash down upon the windows in his flat. Thunder sounded and a streak of light flashed through the glass. Neville himself was quite cozy and found himself enjoying the rhythmic drum of the rain. He started to nod of o while leaning over a giant musty book. Suddenly there was an odd buzzing. It took Neville a few seconds to realize that it was his shop's doorbell.
Neville checked his clock. It was nearing midnight. Who could it be at this late hour?
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A/N: Thanks to everyone for reading. A special thank you to Charlo for reviewing.