Astoria had lied to her mother and said she had lunch with a friend from Paris on Monday, when really, she went back to Magical Menagerie the same time she did last week, in hopes to land a job and also run into a certain tall and dark haired and inexplicably sweet Gryffindor. The first part of her goals was successful. Ms. Breen offered her the position on the spot, saying she knew how smart she was based on their conversations alone.

The woman spent the next ten minutes going over her work schedule when the shop's bell rang and Astoria's stomach flipped.

"Hello Neville! How was Donnie?" Ms. Breen asked as he approached the counter with the snake in its container.

"He was wonderful. No problems at all, thank you so much for letting me borrow him. It was much easier doing this than going through all the paperwork at my company." Neville said, eyes landing on Astoria as Ms. Breen turned to put the snake in the back room. There was something about the look he wore, confident, almost cocky. Like he knew she was going to be there.

"Well hello again." He said, leaning one arm against the counter. Astoria blinked,, a shy smile breaking loose when he grinned at her.

"Hi."

"Adopting today? Or am I looking at the shop's newest employee?" He questioned, looking down to the parchment and her work contract.

"The second. Hired on the spot." She slightly bragged but with a timid smile.

"When do you start?" He inquired.

"Tomorrow. Noon to close every weekday." She explained, her heart stammering when he rose to his full height but braced both hands widely on the counter. Even behind the barrier, she felt corned, backed into a small place. The room felt warm and Neville Longbottom was the cause of her blush..

"Congratulations." He smiled with a slight nod, eyes never leaving hers.

"Thank you." She replied, equally sincere. "And thank you for letting me know there was an opening. Ms. Breen didn't even know I was interested in the position. That's why she didn't offer it to me earlier."

Astoria was actually giddy with how the day turned out. She had gotten a job based off her skill set and actual relationship with Ms. Breen. It felt great to have something that was entirely her own. Neville could see the pride splayed all over her face.

"If you're not busy, I'd love to treat you to lunch. To celebrate your new job and all that." He offered and Astoria's smile dropped.

"Now?" She nervously asked, her eyes wide as she tried to figure him out.

"Well yeah. My lunch break ends at one thirty and I was in the mood for a smoked turkey leg. Care to join?"

Astoria looked at him, trying to detect what the game was here. Treating her to lunch? For getting a job? It sounded like something her friends would do for her, but maybe that's what her and Neville were becoming.

"Sure. That sounds lovely. I—" She turned and looked around for Ms. Breen who was still in the back room. "Let me just check to see if there's anything else I need to do before I leave."

"I'll be right here." He told her, giving her a rare smirk again.

She scurried off, handing Ms. Breen the papers and thanking her again for the employment. The woman excitedly told her she'd see her tomorrow and to enjoy lunch. Astoria could feel her right eye twitch as she smiled then left.

Neville was leaning up against the counter, back facing her, legs and arms crossed. He looked so relaxed and right at home. It was odd to see a man slouch, not that it looked bad, but it made him look very young. Like they were still in school.

He heard her movement and stood up straight, giving her a waiting grin. "All set?" He asked and she nodded. "Great. Where did you want to go?"

Astoria looked at him a bit bewildered.

"Wherever you wanted. I thought you said—didn't you want a turkey leg?" She questioned confusedly. He already knew what he wanted, so there was no reason to ask for her opinion. Neville huffed a laugh.

"Yeah but you may not like the place. So do you have a favorite lunch spot you like to frequent?" He asked, holding the door for her. Astoria stepped down the cobblestone stairs, trying to think of a spot that wasn't elitist and overly expensive.

"Um…" She hesitated, flushing with heat that she didn't even know of a casual spot to eat. Usually wizards would be dining with her at high quality restaurants, no matter the meal. That or she would be invited to a private meal in someone's home. Eating out wasn't something that purebloods did often. "You can honestly pick, it's fine."

"No, no. It's lunch for you anyways." He insisted. "I haven't been to Rosario's though, heard it's good. Have you?"

"No I haven't." She said, never even hearing of the place.

"We can check that out then. Experience something new together."

Her stomach flipped again and Astoria swallowed, following beside Neville like a little puppy out on their first walk. He was so nice and thoughtful of her opinions. There was never a man who cared or even pretended to care what she liked. And all he did was ask where she wanted to eat. Bloody hell.

"So how did your experiment fare out?" She questioned, actually interested.

"Well I won't get some of my results until later this week. But I'm mainly looking for which plant variation reacts the least with the venom. I have had some immediate responses, so those test groups are out. But other variations are doing well so far." Neville explained.

"That's wonderful." She complimented as they arrived at the small, intimate cafe. Neville held the door for her, got them a table for two near the window and even helped her out of her robes. Astoria was ready to faint from all of his actions.

"So what do you do in your free time?" Neville questioned, sipping on his tea. Astoria carefully squeezed lemon into hers, focused on the acid seeping into the liquid so she wouldn't have to meet his beautiful brown eyes with the dark shades of green in them.

"I help my mother around the home whenever she needs me. I write to my sister often and practice the violin." She replied, the list short and sweet so wizards don't lose interest.

"Oh okay. But what do you do for fun?" He innocently asked and Astoria blinked.

"I just told you." She said with a wrinkled brow.

"I just meant like—what you do with your friends or on the weekend. Things like that." He said, an expectant expression on his face.

She stared, her eyes glossing over as she tried to think of something on the spot that would sound appealing. But when she refocused her eyes and was met with an encouraging grin, she spoke freely.

"I honestly—" She halted, wetting her lips and appearing deep in thought. "I like being in nature. Or anywhere close to animals. I try to go for walks or find places to observe nature and wildlife."

She waited for him to cut the conversation back to him. Or tell her that was boring and uninteresting. .

"Sounds lovely." He began and Astoria vaguely nodded, opening her mouth to direct attention back on him. "Where's your favorite place to go?"

She shut her mouth, her cheeks turning pink as Neville seemed eager to know her response. His light brown eyes glimmered with a kindness Astoria had never been shown before. She was battling whether to be naturally defensive or suspicious. But she couldn't drudge either of those feelings up. They melted away, and in its place, she found a calmness.

"There's a lake on my family's property. Small but I see plenty animals around." She replied.

"What sort of animals?" He asked.

"Rabbits, lots of toads, ran into a fire dwelling salamander the other day. Plenty birds. I've started setting up feeders to attract more." She explained. A natural inclination to openly discuss things with him grew quickly.

"What's your favorite creature then?"

Astoria paused for a half second and then…the question came out. She meant to hold it back, but his sweet expression pulled it out of her.

"Magical?"

Neville looked surprised for a moment then he nonchalantly shrugged.

"Both. Magical and not." He asked and patiently waited for her response. Astoria didn't even have to think of her answer.

"Thunderbirds." She began, finding herself speaking freely. "I think they're so beautiful. One of my father's old family friends owned one when I was younger and I would always ask to accompany him when he'd go visit. I was only ever allowed to see the thunderbird once, but he was so magnificent."

She met his eyes, his lips in a soft smile while he nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"Daphne tells me all the time she's come across some while traveling in the states. Said they're even more marvelous in the wild. When I go visit her, she promised we'd visit a thunderbird sanctuary. Sent me a brochure and all, looks so wonderful."

"Sounds like it." Neville agreed, his voice very soothing. Astoria grinned. "What about non magical then?"

She bit her lip, suddenly looking rueful that she originally asked what the preferred answer to his question was. Slow to begin, there was hesitation in her response. Scared of how he'd react.

"Um…do…do you know what a sloth is?" She clenched and unclenched her fists, in utter disbelief she was sharing this bit of information.

Neville chuckled.

"A sloth? Yes I know what a sloth is. That's your favorite?" His cheeks were growing red from his own wide smile and giggles. He didn't seem to be making fun of her, he seemed amused. "Why's that your favorite?"

Astoria released a sigh, focusing her attention on the tea saucer.

"Because they don't do anything. They're so slow and just mind their business, do whatever they want, don't let anyone bother them. I think they're a bit cute, really." She admitted and looked up with wide eyes when Neville let out a laugh. His hand rested on his stomach, eyes squinted shut in delight and the sound was so pleasant. It was the first time a man had laughed at her,, she wasn't sure how to take it. But it didn't feel teasing.

"What?" She asked worriedly.

"Nothing, you're just…cute." He grinned, his chuckles subsiding as he took her in.

Astoria's eyes widened, her surprise unrelenting even when Neville's soft grin never wavered. He seemed unbothered by the fact he had essentially caused her embarrassment by the comment. She was blushing so hard, her neck broke out into a sweat and she had no words to speak.

Luckily their server had come by with drinks and asked for their order. Astoria hadn't even looked at their menu, so she urged Neville to order first.

"I'll have the Chicken Kiev." Neville said and Astoria sighed in relief when she noted one acceptable option.

"And I'll have the market salad, no corn please." Astoria said with a nervous smile, still feeling the effects of Neville's comment. They politely thanked their waiter, being left alone again in seconds. Neville took a sip of his water, a hint of a grin still on his face.

"So thunderbirds huh? Think you'll ever adopt one if given the chance?" He questioned and Astoria's face was blank. She stayed silent for a second, frowning when she thought of his question.

"Why would I?" She asked in a bizarre tone, tilting her head at the weird question.

"You said it's your favorite animal. I know they're harder to come by but owning one isn't the most incredible thing I've heard." He said with a raise of one shoulder, now looking confused at her expression. Astoria quickly molded her face to reflect neutrality, trying not to upset him by her unpleasant remark.

"Sorry I just meant—" Astoria began stuttering. "It's not—they're not for captivity. No animals truly are anyways, at least they weren't until people began crossbreeding and domesticating, as well as hunting them. What I mean is that, Thunderbirds are one of many species that live longer in the wild than captivity. Their average lifespan in the wild is extended to thirty plus years compared to those bred in captivity. I would never own one, as much as I love them." She finished, not even realizing Neville's eyes had softened as he watched her speak so fiercely and passionately.

She peered back to his gaze, then quickly picked up her glass of water so she wouldn't finish. Maybe she was too aggressive on her opinion, he probably wouldn't like th—

"I had no idea. Just learned something new. Thank you." He said genuinely and she was confused again.

"For what?" She questioned while tucking her ankles undre her chair.

"For teaching me something new. I would have never known that about Thunderbirds unless you told me." He said. Again his sincerity threw her off.

"Oh… um you're welcome." She said awkwardly. Neville nodded once and Astoria needed to switch topics back onto him. She couldn't handle his kind eyes solely focused on her. "So, are you going to stay with your company for awhile?"

Neville leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and scooting back a bit to rest one ankle of his knee. He looked incredibly casual and Astoria breathed in a slow breath as she observed him.

"Don't know really. I do enjoy the work so far and my coworkers. But McGonagall told me Professor Sprout would be retiring within the next five years and she would highly consider bringing me onto the staff should I be interested." He explained, uncrossing his arms to let them rest in his lap. She eyed the movement and cleared her throat.

"And are you? Interested?" She said with a pause, air holding in her lungs when he slightly smirked at her again. His hazel eyes seemed to shine a bit brighter at the question. Neville took his time to answer the very simple question, purposely it almost felt. When he did, his eyes never left hers. The restaurant felt warm and Astoria's thoughts were jumbled with his reply.

"I am interested, yeah. Very interested, actually." He said, his voice sounding lower, deeper. Does he always sound like that or did he do that intentionally? The sound was pleasing. A tad surprising that his voice could go so deep.

Astoria prayed her face remained stoic. She barely nodded, rolling her lips into her mouth then taking another sip of her water, a small hum leaving her throat as she attempted to remain cool in appearance.

Their waiter returned with their food, Neville's eyes lighting up at the spread. Astoria shifted in her chair to sit up straighter and begin her meal. She took two bites, paused, took a sip of water, asked a question then took two more bites to continue the cycle. It was a routine most appropriate for witches while they ate, so they didn't appear slob-like and maintained the characteristics of a lady.

Neville noticed, giving her a concerned look.

"Is your salad okay? You're not really eating much of it." He commented and Astoria looked down at her salad then back to Neville's plate which was half eaten. She smiled reassuringly.

"No, it's delicious. Is your dish okay?" She asked, finding it amusing how he nodded eagerly.

"Amazing. Did you want a bite?" He offered a piece of his chicken up to her and Astoria shook her head.

"No thank you. I—I actually only eat fish." She told him and Neville gave her a look that made her insides twist.

"Amazing. How long have you been doing that?" He asked.

"Um, probably since sixth year. Found it hard to stomach eating meat after care for magical creature classes grew more interesting." She admitted and Neville slowed his chewing, before swallowing down a bit harshly.

"Yeah," He began with a chuckle. "Makes sense. It's hard to stomach eating any animal when you realize they have their own minds and emotions." He agreed, looking down guiltily at the remaining few pieces of his chicken.

"Exactly." Astoria said with enthusiasm. Finally, someone who understood. Her mother always told her she was being difficult and would not cater their house meals for her in any way. Most meals, Astoria had to load up on all the sides because meat was always the main course.

"I certainly don't mind that much if other people eat animals. It's just not for me. Honestly eating fish is getting a bit hard." She said and Neville nodded his head, plucking at some veggies on his plate.

"Well you can have some of this? They're delicious too, especially with the sauce." He held up his fork again and Astoria glanced back between it and his patient face. There was no reason to refuse, other than the fact that his lips have been encasing that fork all afternoon. His mouth has been on that. And he was offering it up to her to eat off of. Very casual indeed.

"Uh…" She said with a gulp. "Um, sure. Why not?"

She reached forward to take the fork out of his hands and carefully placed her hand beneath her mouth to catch anything just in case. The veggies were as good as he said. The cheese sauce and bread crumbs made them so delectable.

"Mm." She hummed, nodding slightly while covering her mouth. She reached across the table to hand Neville back his fork, their fingers brushing as she did so. An unexplainable warmth filtered through her arm as they touched. "It's very good. You were right."

"If you want more you can have the rest. Here." Neville said, standing up to pile the rest of his veggies onto her side plate but keeping the potatoes for himself.

"Oh no no, that's okay—"

"Please. It's no big deal. I'm quite full already." He invited and Astoria watched as he situated the food onto her plate. He sat back down with a smile. "There. Please enjoy it. I don't want good food to go to waste."

She slowly looked back to Neville who was finishing off his mashed potatoes. As if feeling her eyes on him, he looked up while chewing and grinned. He then raised his eyebrows and looked at the plate he just gave her, challenging her. A small smile poke through and Astoria happily finished her salad before devouring the veggies.

"I hope this was an okay celebratory lunch." Neville said just as the waiter dropped off their bill. He took it instantly and proceeded to take out his wallet and put the proper money and tip into the magical presenter. It swallowed the money whole and Neville looked up to give her a smile.

"It was. Thank you, Neville. This was really nice of you." Astoria said, watching as he stood up from the table and helped her from her seat. He grabbed her jacket then helped her into it. Her cheeks were hot again when she felt his breath on her neck.

"Of course. I'd love to do it again some time." He said and Astoria stuffed her hands into her pockets as she turned around.

"Again?" She repeated, shocked to see he hadn't really moved away from the spot. He blinked down, looking at her lips, it was brief so, she wasn't sure. He stepped back and gestured to her to walk forward. Neville waited until they were outside to continue his train of thought.

"Yeah, maybe dinner next time?" He suggested. Astoria wasn't paying attention to where they were walking. Neville seemed to be leading the way, heading back to Menagerie, Astoria couldn't even recall the directions to get there. Her mind was spinning at his suggestion.

"Dinner?" She questioned, her single responses making Neville chuckle.

"Yes. Dinner. Would—is that something you'd be up for?" Astoria stopped, causing Neville to also stop. He looked nervous. Shifting from one foot to the other, ears turning pink at the tips and blinking fast while he looked at her watching him. Nervous. Like the boy she remembered, parading around the grounds, trying to remember the steps to the Waltz for the Yule ball when he thought no one was looking. Astoria remembered coming across him a few times, watching as he mumbled and grumbled to himself every time he missed a step or messed up. He'd shake his head and huff, but always try again.

With a frown, she couldn't differentiate the boy in her memories and the man in front of her. Both were nervous and unsure. Very unlike the man from earlier who was smirking at her. It made her uneasy, as if she just remembered who he was and who she was.

"I—"

"Astoria?" A voice called from over Neville's shoulder. Both turned, looking at the approaching couple. Draco and Granger, arms linked, confusion over their faces as they assessed her and the tall Gryffindor at her side. Neville stepped beside Astoria, her breath hitched when he remained close and let their arms touch. Hermione eyed the movement, looking up to Neville and offering him a wide smile. Draco's eyes darted between her and Neville, he finally settled on her face and arched a brow. Astoria flushed deeply.

"Neville, Astoria," Hermione said warmly. "What a surprise. It's nice to see you both."

"You too. Alright Malfoy." Neville said with a nod.

"Longbottom." He replied with his own nod of greeting before his eyes scampered back to Astoria. She couldn't look away from Draco. Her mind was trying to assess his thoughts while Hermione and Neville had their own conversation. She was searching for anything; answers, clues, hints, help. Astoria wasn't even sure what she was asking through her eyes, but whatever it was, Draco seemed to know and offered the smallest quirk of his lips.

" —She got a job at the Menagerie, so I offered to take her out for lunch." Neville said then Draco replied without looking at him.

"That's thoughtful of you, Longbottom." He said with a grin, then finally broke eye contact to look at the other man.

"Uh, thanks…Malfoy." Neville said.

"Yes, really sweet Neville." Hermione agreed with an over eager nod. "Maybe you two can join—"

"We should be heading off." Draco abruptly said, tugging Hermione's arm to step around Astoria. "Nice seeing you both."

"You too." Astoria managed to mumble.

"You as well." Neville said, turning to watch them leave. Hermione kept chattering, not taking Draco's hint.

"Hopefully we'll see you both soon!" She cheerfully said then was tugged again to face in front. Draco started immediately mumbling to Granger and Neville raised his eyebrows a bit amused. Astoria wordlessly began walking away, leaving Neville alone for a few seconds before he realized what she was doing.

"Wh—oh hey!" He said, take a few steps at a jog's pace to catch up with her. "That was interesting. I'm not used to seeing Malfoy on Hermione's arm yet."

"Mhm." She said, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

"Right, erm. Back to what I was saying before—"

"I'm sorry I really have to go, Neville. My mother and I are making arrangements to meet with another marriage prospect and she doesn't like it when I'm late. Thank you for lunch, it was wonderful."

The words tumbled out before she had a chance to stop them. There was never any intention to tell Neville what happens in her private life, but she felt it necessary to share regardless. Her heart sank deep into her chest when Neville's face fell and he swallowed to force out a smile. It didn't reach his eyes. It was the first time she saw him be disingenuous with her. It left a bad taste in her mouth.

"Didn't mean to keep you, sorry about that." He replied.

"No, no it's okay—" She said, guilt crawling up her skin.

"Congrats on the new job again. I'm sure you'll do great." He said with a nod. Astoria closed her mouth, half smiling while nodding back. A quiet 'thank you' escaped her lips, and she suddenly couldn't force herself to meet his eyes. "I should be off. Get back to work. I'll see you around maybe."

Astoria rolled her lips into her mouth then agreed with an awkward smile. The two headed in opposite directions and when Astoria returned home, she felt like crying.

The house elf came for her an hour later, saying that her mother was waiting for her in her office. Astoria slowly made her way through her home, passing her Father's study and hearing him snore loudly. She sighed then entered her mother's office down the hall.

Her mother had her back turned to her, standing over her desk while she flipped through a file.

"Good news, there are two new prospects!" Her mother exclaimed and Astoria rolled her eyes while taking a seat. She picked at the loose string coming out of the armchair.

"Fantastic." She blandly replied.

"Isn't it? One family is from India. Long pureblood line. The other is from Mexico." Her mother turned and walked to hand Astoria the files. "Review these, you meet with the family from India next Monday."

Astoria looked up worriedly.

"I can't, I have to work." She said, her panic causing her to not think through how she wanted to reveal the news to her mother. She turned back around and faced her daughter, eyes sharp.

"Work? What on earth are you talking about, Astoria?" She questioned and Astoria pulled on the string of the chair.

"I-I was offered a position at Magical Menagerie. Part time help." She said to the floor. A small huff came from above.

"And why would you apply for such a position?" Her mother was attempting to control her anger, Astoria could hear it in her voice.

"There's nothing to do around the house. It's not like I am backed up with dates. Plus I—I really wanted to work there." She explained hesitantly. It was maybe minutes before her mother finally said something. And when it did, it made Astoria see red.

"You will quit at once. I will not have you embarrass this family by working some smelly, labor job. It's unbecoming." Her mother crossed her arms, lifting her head as if it would make her words more pronounced. Astoria scoffed.

"It's part time. I work afternoons so I will have plenty of time to do my other tasks around the house." She seethed with exaggerated pronunciation on every syllable. "And I'm embarrassing? You're the one trying to marry off your twenty year old daughter to some—" She glanced down at the files, "Some forty and fifty something year old grotesque looking men!"

Her mother's face turned beet red and she ranked the files out of her hands.

"I am trying to do what's best for you!" She yelled.

"By giving me no choice in my life! Why can't you see I'm unhappy!?" Astoria shouted back.

"You will be happy if you just trust me! I am your mother afterall, I know a thing or two about life!"

"All you know how to do is drive away your daughters and make everyone around you miserable!" She screamed. Her fists were shaking and her throat was raw.

As soon as the sentence ended and the words echoed through the air, Astoria's mother gasped and she herself felt her mouth part. For a moment, the two women stared at each other. The silence felt the loudest, louder even than her words and Astoria hated it.

"Mother I'm—" She started to apologize but her mother walked past her and out of the room. She stood alone in the room, again feeling the guilt uncomfortably settle in her stomach. Those words should have never been said, even if Astoria was so fed up with what she had to deal with, her mother was trying to salvage their name and she shouldn't be taking it out on her.

Astoria remained in her room for the rest of the day, skipping dinner with her parents and rolling her eyes when the house elf told her her mother said she would not be served dinner if she did not come downstairs. Maybe two hours later, there was a soft knock on her door, she instantly knew it was her father.

He came inside her room, face long and aged, eyes a bit glossy and hands holding a tray of dinner. Fish and chips. She sat up, offering him an appreciative look as he sat on her bed right by her feet. It was quiet between them, him watching her as she ate, her trying to think of something she could say that would excuse her poor behavior.

"We will meet with the Reyes family Saturday morning. And then the Arjun family Monday morning. You will have time to get to work." He said and Astoria sighed deeply with relief. She didn't want to meet with either, but she supposed she could agree to that compromise. As long as she got to work.

"Thank you." She said gratefully and he smiled once, his own eyes bleary and red. Her heart cracked just a bit from the tolling day.