A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters
Word count: 1015
The sand always got into everything, every little crevice of the floors, of the furniture. Still, the small house sat right on the edge of the beach, close enough Hermione could walk out the door, take about half a dozen steps and end up on the sand. Running away had never been a thought of hers, but after the war, after everything, something broke. She broke. She needed to escape, to get away from everything and everyone she knew. It was too hard to face the fact people were gone, that her life was chaos. She'd tried staying, but her mental health had suffered to the point she couldn't.
This was better, this little house with its four rooms and salt licked exterior. She had just left, planning to sit on the beach and read when she noticed someone moving further down the beach. It wasn't unusual for people to be here, but not this early. The beach was secluded, a fact Hermione loved, knowing it wouldn't be flooded with people on holiday. She continued walking, keeping an eye on the person.
"Hermione!"
She froze. Someone had found her? How? She hadn't told anyone where she was going, she hadn't known herself. The other person was running now, closing the distance. Between the sun and the distance, Hermione wasn't sure who had found her. She knew it was Ron or Harry, that was a small relief. After living in a tent with the two of them for nearly a year, she honestly did not wish to see them.
"I can't believe this! I thought I wouldn't see anyone I knew! I mean, the whole wizarding world's looking for you."
Hermione let out a sigh of relief when she saw who had found her.
"Neville! What are you doing here? I thought-"
"There's this kind of algae that grows here, not interesting to most people, but I'm apprenticing to Professor Sprout next year and wanted to get a head start on things. What about you? What are you doing here?"
"Apparently not managing to avoid the wizarding world entirely," Hermione laughed. "I needed a change, a break from everything."
"Understandable. It's been hard rebuilding. Every time I think I'm alright, something happens or I see someone and-"
"And it all comes rushing back. I couldn't handle it, picked this place at almost random. I knew I wanted something on the ocean. The sound of the waves, it keeps me from thinking sometimes," Hermione admitted, looking out at the waves.
"I know the feeling. So where are you staying? The Golden Palm?"
"Actually, no, I've rented this little beach house, sand gets everywhere, but it's nice. Would you like to come for a cup of tea, if you're not too busy?"
"That'd be great actually," Neville exclaimed. Hermione smiled leading him back to the house. The wooden door creaked as she opened it. True to her word, there was sand everywhere. Neville set the journal he'd been carrying on the table while Hermione put the kettle on.
"So, tell me about the algae, what makes it different from all the other sorts?" she asked.
"It has healing properties of sorts, they're not fully explored because of its rarity. It's been over harvested by the muggle world because of how it tastes."
"Sugar? Cream?"
"Two sugar, thank you. Professor Sprout wants to see if we can start a hydroponic greenhouse, see if we can't grow the algae in quantity for St. Mungos'. I'm here to see if it's even possible to grow it in captivity."
"And?" Hermione asked, taking her seat and sipping her tea.
"It looks promising actually. They've got the school rebuilt now. Said they're going to open again in September."
"That's good. McGonagall still headmistress?"
"She is. They're looking for another potions professor, and someone to teach Defense."
"They should ask Harry to do the second one, he taught us all fifth year, we all passed."
"True, I'll pass that on, although I think he's training to be an auror. Still wouldn't hurt. What about you?"
"What about me? I certainly can't teach Defense," Hermione laughed. Neville joined her.
"Are you going to come back? I know a lot of people miss you, have asked about you, not to me but I've heard."
"I don't know, Neville. Part of me wants to never come back, to just stay away, but I know I can't, not forever. But if I'm being honest with you and myself, I do miss school, not having finished it plays on my mind. I just don't know if I can face it all again though."
"It is hard, especially at first, but one day at a time, you start to find your place again. I did. If you're not ready, that's fine. Everyone has to figure things out in their own way. Can I at least let them know you're safe?"
"Yes, you can. Thank you, Neville for listening, for understanding."
"I'm here for another week or so, depending on how my research goes. There's a boardwalk about the middle of the beach with food stands, maybe we could grab something to eat at one sometime and I can show you my research, if you're interested I mean."
"In you or your research?" Hermione teased slightly. She'd never given serious thought to Neville, other than him being on her fringe friend group, but the idea of spending time with him, of having someone who understood her, this new her, she liked the idea.
"Either," Neville replied, his face flushing ever so slightly.
"I'd love to, Neville, to both the food and the algae."
"Great. Thanks for the tea, but I need to get back, the tide's about to go out if my calculations are correct and this is the best time to collect samples. How about we meet up around noon?"
"Sounds good," Hermione replied, walking Neville to the door. She smiled watching him head off down the beach, for once not caring that there was once again sand beneath her feet and on her fingertips. It really did get everywhere.