Hello loves! Here's a new chapter for you! This one focuses mainly on Neville so read on to see how he fares!

Chapter 6

''Grandma, please, Hermione hasn't yet seen her room. Maybe you could talk a bit later,'' Neville said, still looking quite shaken.

Hermione leaned in closer to him to whisper. ''I'll chat to her for a bit but then I will come find you right away, okay?''

''If she ends up upsetting you somehow, you don't have to listen to her, you can just get up and leave. I don't know what she wants from you, but if you don't like what she's saying you just leave the room. I won't be mad, in fact, I will tell her off for upsetting you. I'm sure you've heard how she can be sometimes...''

Hermione had heard stories about Augusta Longbottom's brashness, that the old witch had never been one for beating around the bush. While Hermione hadn't really interacted with her ever, she knew that she had to steel herself for this talk. Nobody would be allowed to put Neville down, not even his own grandmother!

''Shall we go and talk then?'' Hermione said and gave Neville a quick hug before she had to ascend the stairs towards Augusta. The old witch led her up the stairs, and opened a door to a chintzy sitting room, complete with floral and gold wallpaper and overstuffed brocade chairs. The room was not dusty or old-smelling, it semed that all this gaudiness had been freshly renovated.

''Before I start what I have to say, I know people have a rather bad impression of me, I am aware of that,'' Augusta said and sank into a chair, her suit nearly matching the fabric of the chair. ''But if there is one thing that is true what people say, then it is the fact that I will not let anyone hurt my darling grandson. I regret that I raised him so strictly, I just couldn't imagine him getting hurt in any way...''

Augusta paused and Hermione didn't say a word as a pink and gold enamels teapot and matching cups and saucers were summoned from a side table.

''Tea? This is excellent with Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar.''

This wasn't even a question, Hermione knew. She would have to drink a cup of tea even though she had had plenty of tea at breakfast. Thankfully, the Longbottom matriarch was not known to poison her adversaries, so that was at least a small relief.

''Mrs Longbottom, I understand that you are unhappy with this match, but apparently I cannot do anything about it, as it is the law and...''

''First of all, call me Augusta. When you do marry Neville, which I would suppose is a much better fate than rotting in a cell in Azkaban, you will be the Mrs Longbottom. If anyone does not recognize that then they are blatantly disrespecting you and your family. I will be just the dowager, you will be the most important woman of this and the other two families.'' She summoned a tray of cookies and other small snacks and let it float in front of Hermione, who knew that it was expected that she take a cookie.

''And you are wrong, I am rather... elated about this match. From what my poor boy has been telling me year after year, you don't notice him in the way he wishes. He knows that other more eminent wizards catch your attention. It's a fact that if there had not been a war, you would be Mrs Krum by now, herding about a few very bright children, as a wizard like him saw your worth. Same with young Harry, always tagging along with you, though he was just as hapless in revealing his crush to you as Neville. And Draco... well I think that he as a typical Malfoy would have done everything to woo you, but I suspect that Harry might have stopped him from doing that, with a less than subtle threat...''

''With all due respect, there is no way all these wizards could be pining for me! The only one I might agree about is Viktor, but the rest... no way! None of them ever asked me out!''

The old witch smiled and sighed.

''Let me show you something...'' she said and summoned a heavy leather bound book. ''This is the official photo album from the last Ministry Christmas Gala. I order it every year as I haven't felt inclined to go there for years but I want to see who was there and what they wore. I must say most ladies do have atrocious fashion sense... here's a picture of you... beautiful dress, must be Chanel... and who are you dancing with?''

''Harry,'' Hermione said with a sigh. That was nothing shocking.

The next picture shown was her dancing with Neville, another one of her dancing with Draco, then Lucius...

''But do you notice the pattern, girl? In this, nor the previous album there are none of you dancing with anyone else. And even in the pictures of you and one of the Malfoys there is Harry somewhere nearby...''

''Perhaps the photographer didn't catch all the dances...''

''When one orders the album, one can tick whose pictures should all be included, no matter who with, so even if there was a mediocre picture of you with someone else than those three, then that would have been definitely included. This just shows how Harry's eage eyed protection is working... nobody he doesn't deem suitable doesn't get to be close to you.''

''That's a bit far fetched... I can talk and meet whoever I want!''

''During the last years when you were researching the magical creatures abroad, only a few people could meet you directly at your residences. Harry, the Malfoys and Neville. Anyone else would need to be specifically invited by you or the Malfoys. Of course, you could have invited someone, but no one was special enough to marry during these years. I know it was your idea to go abroad, Harry didn't influence it, but I imagine he was rather glad that no one could upset you in any way. Had you worked at the Ministry, there would have been quite a few young and not so young men trying to get to know you, a plethora of dates...''

Hermione huffed. While it was true that the Malfoy estates were protected from random people just popping in, it was not like she was forbidden from bringing anyone back or inviting to come over. And it was highly doubtful if there had been more than a few dates if she had stayed at the Ministry.

''As you were raised as Muggleborn, you probably can't understand the situation of relationships in the magical world. While many families still choose arranged marriages for monetary or political gain, with the inbreeding and stillbirths it's not efficient anymore. That is why many families now let their offspring choose their own partners, but the political issue still remains. For example, Draco would have a very hard time finding a suitable match that could also bear him offspring, as the Malfoy family is pretty much politically dead, it doesn't have the influence it had in the past. Not that us Longbottoms have better chances...''

''I don't understand still...'' Hermione said and took another cookie from the tray. How could they be so delicious?

''There's not so many magical people in Britain. While some do marry someone from abroad, most still look for someone local. Harry is probably the only one of your three who'd have about zero problems finding the right witch, whereas my Neville...''

''There's nothing wrong with Neville!''

''For a witch like you, there's just too much competition for him to gain your attention... I knew he has been in love with you for so so many years, but he never dared to ask you out, in fear you'd turn him down. Even I tried to get him to ask you out...''

''Wait what? You wanted him to ask me out?'' Hermione squealed.

''Because he loves you and he needed to try his best. When he went to Madagascar about a year ago I asked him to bring me back a ridiculous amount of potted orchids, cocoa, chocolate, coffee and vanilla, and of course a few bottles of the best rum. When he came back, I packed it in a trunk and told him to go and visit you to tell you about his amazing trip, show the pictures and gift you the presents. But he... he couldn't do it. He didn't want to be a nuisance to you and I heard his sobs as I passed his room at night. He was too scared to be rejected by you so he cried himself to sleep for two weeks. I had to keep the chocolate and I had the elves make these cookies with it.''

Hermione was shocked. Sweet Neville had been crying over her. He had never given her even the slightest interest in asking her out but he secretly loved her.

''So I beg you, dear girl, to be gentle to him. I know he is over elated to be matched with you, and the ministy did the matching because so many family lines are facing extinction. You are an exceptional witch, that is why your magic can't be balanced with just one wizard. I had only one husband and it was already hard to give him enough affection and you have three, but please, don't leave Neville on the backburner. My heart won't take it to see him devastated if he were your least favorite, barely tolerated husband.''

''While this marriage law came like a sudden strike of lightning, I want to treat each of them the same. They're not at fault that the Ministry decided this. It's not my fault either. But I don't want to hurt Neville. I never knew he has secretly been in love with me, it's something I need to process.''

''Just be nice to him, I truly beg you. If you need anything from me, ask and I will do anything I can.''

''I will be nice to him, Augusta.''

''Then go to him now, Hermione. If you have any questions about him for me, just ask the elves and I will be there to talk to you, any time.''

Hermione left the sitting room deep in thought, she didn't even know where she was going till she ran right into something. Well, someone. By now she could already tell by scent, who was near her. All of her fiances used soap and cologne, so she was not going to be with men who had the hygiene standard of the average mountain troll, but there was something about their scents that made her feel comforted, each in a different way. Harry's scent was super alluring, she was driven to him like a moth to a flame, she wanted to be embraced by him. Draco semlled... like luxury, she couldn't quite describe it in her mind, but it was like a reminder about her time at his homes. And Neville... it was newer, she had noticed it before slightly, but his scent was energizing, like a forest after rain.

''What did she say to you?'' he asked, and Hermione could hear a slight tremling in his voice. Even though they had bumped into each other, his hands were slack against his sides, ensuring that he didn't touch her. Knowing what his grandmother had said, Hermione understood the reaction. Neville was too nervous to approach her, in fear of being rejected so she had to take the initiative. And she did, by hugging him close. First, his body tensed, his breath caught but then mere seconds later he was relaxed.

''Just this and that. Nothing terrible. Really.'' Well it was a lie. It was terrible that sweet Neville had suffered so much from being in love with her and being unable to tell her.

''I know you don't want to offend me, because she is my granny and I love her, but I won't let her hurt or upset you. Did she say anything about this quarted match? Or how suitable or unsuitable you are? You can tell me, I need to know. I am always on your side. You matter to me.'' His voice was shaky as he said that but her hands on his back, caressing below his shoulders seemed to calm him a little.

''She talked about how complicated magical relationships are these days and she also said that I would have gotten a lot of attention if not for this law. Now that's something I don't believe...''

''Hermione, you are so special. So smart, brave, gorgeous. Of course guys are interested in you. I've seen Draco stare at you when he thought nobody was looking at him at Hogwarts. And there's going to be so many people who will question why I was a match to you and they weren't... ''

Before Neville could get more into his self-doubts or questions about what was said by Augusta, Hermione had to redirect his attention.

''I'd like to see my, well our, room now if that is okay now?''

''Of course, it's ready if you want to..''

She took his hand and let him lead her through the house, to what seemed another wing overall. Longbottom has did not have the intristic pomp that she had experienced in the Malfoy properties, but it was bright, airy and had many flower pots lining the hallways and it looked like a place she would like to be often.

Finally, heavy oak double doors swung open, without a creaking and they were in the master bedroom.

''Oh Merlin! The bed is huge!'' she gasped out loud. The giant four poster bed seemed to occupy an enourmous amount of space, the ebony frame adorned with carvings of lions and gryffins was set up so high that carpeted steps lead to the bed on two sides.

''The bed has been in the family for generations. Well the frame, of course, I bought a new mattress recently and the bedding is new too so it's just the frame and... '' He was flustered, his cheeks were burning red.

''That's perfectly fine, I was not questioning it at all, I just hadn't seen a bed so big before. The room looks nice. Why don't we sit on the upholstered window seat and chat?''

Neville sank into the seat and looked like a doomed man. Hermione tried to comfort him by putting her hand over his, but his hand was so unmoving, like stone.

''Hermione, I can't take it any more. After I am done saying the truth you will run out of here disgusted and beg to be shipped to Azkaban immediately. Just let me explain, please don't interrupt me.''

He drew a deep breath and stared at his shoes once again.

''Hermione, I am in love with you. I sound like a creep, and I probably am one. I have loved you for years. There's no other woman who could ever compare to you. I've imagined so many scenarios where I ask you out and you enthusiastically say yes, that you thought I'd never ask... But the fear of losing your friendship stopped me from doing so. I wanted to be able to dance with you all night at the gala. Enjoying your smiles and laughter. It let me pretend for a moment that you actually liked being around me even for that small moment. In a moment of madness I even wrote an invitation for you to join me at the International Herbology Awards, I finished the letter and then realized that while you might agree to go with me, just to support me as a friend, I might have gotten awkward questions from others about whether we're dating and I would've said I wish...''

He took a deep breath and his shoulders slumped even lower than before. All he had said didn't sound all that creepy. He had never done anything to her, all he had felt was unrequitted love. That didn't make anyone bad.

''Neville... I didn't know how you felt and...'' she whispered and tried to rub his shoulders. He shifted away from her touch.

''You don't have to apologize. Just look at me, I know I am not someone you'd consider dating. And while you are putting on a brave face and smiling at me, I know I am not worthy. And if you don't run now, then there's another thing that you will surely be disappointed about. I've never slept with anyone.. so I am probably atrocious in bed too. After my business grew more women paid attention to me, but I just wasn't attracted to them. No matter how pretty they were, they weren't you. Even those who boldly grabbed my crotch, I just felt nothing. I didn't want to be entertained by them, because I couldn't have you.''

''Get up!'' Hermione ordered. She just couldn't take this any more. She had promised thar she wouldn't interrupt what he had to say but listening to his endless badmouthing of himself was just too much. He did as ordered, though he didn't look at her.

''Now, walk up to the bed, up the steps and sit down. Please just do as I say, now you will have to listen to me, it's only fair.''

He did listen to her, and once again he didn't look at her at all. From his breathing she could tell that he was about to cry. She followed him and sat down next to him.

'' Look at me, please, Neville.'' He was still staring away into a spot on the wall somewhere.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, Hermione decided and pushed him down on the bed. He didn't struggle at all, he just stared at her with a deer in headlights look.

''I couldn't stand listening to your self flagellation anymore. You are so smart, genius even to grow plants that others have tried to grow for centuries. You're so brave, you helped so many people at Hogwarts during the war. Nobody's perfect, I thought nobody would ask me out for ages and turns out all three of you wanted to, to different extents but didn't...''

Hermione took a deep breath and paused. She was getting too entranced by the bulk and fimness of his chest, shoulders and arms. Neville was by far the bulkiest of her three sudden fiances and she liked his reaction. His expression had changed from deer in headlights to quiet gasps, attempts to still his breath. Had he let any other woman this close before. It was an exciting thought that he could be all hers, only hers. She didn't think worse of Harry and Draco because od their experience but Neville was different...

''Do you want to be my husband, even though you will be one of three?'' she asked, trying to stop herself from asking if he could lose the shirt, too, as he had taken off his denim jacket he had worn upon arrival here.

''Yes, I want to belong to you. All three of us actually belong to you, Hermione. Without you, we are missing something in our lives, that's how I see the match. It's not about me. Or the guys. It's about you being the light and warmth we need to grow. And I'd rather be one of three than not be yours at all. ''

''Oh Neville, you're so fit... I like your strong arms... you have nothing to be ashamed of. And before you start lamenting that you don't have experience in bed... it's a fine art that can be learned. I must warn you that recently I am getting... carried away when I am near someone... and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable but it feels lovely straddling you like this...''

''Please don't move away from me,'' he whispered. ''I am so happy that you did this... I am still too nervous to even touch your hand. I know it's terrible, but I've thought so much about how it'd be if you liked me, how you'd kiss me and more. I shouldn't have ever thought that but... I just couldn't help myself.''

''So what would happen if I were to kiss you?'' she asked, ghodting her breath over his cheek.

''You know that you can do anything you want with me, really. I'm yours,'' he said and he finally dared to look at her.

That was quite enough assurance for her to just kiss him. She had kissed the others, now was Neville's turn and she wanted to know how he'd do.

She began the kiss cautiously, not daring to make him nervous. In a few seconds he started to respond, his lips eager for more. And he was a good kisser, especially if it was believed that he hasd so little experience.

The odd thing about kissing Neville was that with him, she felt more and more bold, it was like a tornado ripping through her. She wanted to tear off his shirt, vanish his jeans, everything. Hermione knew that there was no reasonable explanation for that, at least none she could think of, so she had to stop the kiss before she debauched Neville in ways he was likely not even ready for.

So she slowly moved from being on top of him to his side. His look was questioning and she could see a bit of insecurity in his face.

''I want us to go slow with this... step by step, no stress and no pressure.''

''You're not mad that I had thought about kissing you before?'' he asked, turning on his side to face her.

''Everyone is free to think whatever they want... And you do kiss very well.''

''I want to be a good husband for you, even though I hardly deserve it. I will do everything I can for you, always. And even though I am not as well off as Harry and Draco, I can still pull my weight. I am not a charity case.''

''I know you are just as good as Harry and Draco. Each of you is unique and I feel intrigued by all of you.''

''Would you like to see the greenhouses today? I know you haven't seen them before so I thought...''

''Of course!''

Neville wanted to jump in joy. She was not mad at him for his infatuation with her, quite the opposite, she had kissed him. Willingly. Not because he asked, but she had asked. And it was better than he could have ever imagined. Of course, he wouldn't have minded if she had wanted to just kiss all day or do even more than that. He would have even agreed to make love to here right then, the guys' agreement of not doing it during the engagement wouldn't be as important as what she wanted, and if the woman of his dreams had wanted to make love to him, he would be all too happy to oblige. But staying n bed was too tempting, he didn't want to risk begging her for another kiss right away. She needed to see him as a strong, capable man and not the pile of buzzing nerves that he really was right now.

He took the shortest route out of the house and thankfully didn't encounter anyone else. Hermione just had to see his new and facy greenhouses first. She had to know that he was succeeding in his work and while he didn't have vaults as huge as the Malfoys he was no pity case either.

Neville suddenly felt so confident that he dared to take her hand without worrying about what he would do if she didn't want to hold it. Baby steps, he reminded himself. His assurance came when she took his hand and even held on tightly.

'' You never told me that you had an enormous greenhouse complex!'' she gasped as they were about to enter the high security area.

''I guess to me, it's just my work so I didn't think it was that special. I initially built just three new greenhouses and then I got the big investment from Lucius. Before we go in, I need you to take out your wand and let me touch it so that I can permit you to enter the area. There's only a few people allowed to go in there – me, my two workers, a select house elf and of course Harry as he was the one who set up the perimeter protections.''

He wanted to jump of joy as she did as he asked without a word. He had thought so many times about how he'd feel if she were to see his work and now he had the answer. Elated.

But he knew that he had to put his best foot forward. People think that Herbology is just growing some plants and getting hands mildly dirty from soil, but the rare ones he grew were not for the faint of heart. Especially not the Swamp Greenhouse.

There, in a special swamp-like climate he grew the coveted Swamp Corpse Rose, which was often called just the Swamp Rose because the corpse part was what made this delicate flower so gross. It was a Florida Glade native magical flower that grew in the worst parts, hidden among reeds and many other things that were not even a tenth as valuable as the Rose. Nobody in the entire wizarding world grew it. Not even the American wizards, because growing it was hard, exceptionally hard. Only because he obsessively studied Muggle professional gardening magazines Neville knew that the sensitive mgical plant could survive in a greenhouse. And to survive it needed humidity, a watery tank and worst of all, a steady supply of putrid decomposing meat. The Rose didn't care what it was, as long as it filled the water with gross liquids. But the Rose had many uses. Its leaves and stems were good for increasing the potency of many potions, and the flower itself, that looked like an old, wilted rose in a florists' smelled heavenly when dried and ground up.

While Neville knew that Hermione would be supremely excited to see the rare flower up close, the incredible stink of the greenhouse would just be too much for her. But at 200 Galleons of income per flower he had no intention to stop growing them, especially that now the initial few flowers had turned into a thick growth that was feasting on things like putrid beef spleens. There was probably another Herbology award in there too. After all, who else could do it as the Rose wilted the moment someone would even try a cutting charm on it.

There were other less than nice smelling greenhouses too, like three feet deep fresh manure mountains for the Elf's Breath or the slimy compost heap for a few other plants. He didn't want her to think that he would ever come home to her stinking of decomposing livers and mixed cow and pig manure.

''I got Ministry permission to hire Muggles to build the greenhouses and the heating and water systems for them. There were only two other greenhouses that I had built myself already but I am not skilled with electricity or water. I think this is one instance when being a war hero and a herbologist paid off. The main house already can't be seen by Muggles, they only see the other, smaller house that is near the supply barn. So there was nothing magical for the Muggle workers to see. They were told that these greenhouses were for experimental agronomic work which happens all the time in the muggle world. They were paid very handsomely and every evening I made sure they got a crate of beer and snacks to take home. The confounding they got was very mild, just a charm to make them think it was yet another boring job with nothing unusual.''

''I love how you manage to connect to the muggle world in a great way! And I am sure I will meet your workers soon too. Not today, as I want your attention.''

Neville took a deep breath. It seemed that she was listening to everything he said with sincere interest. And she didn't let go of his hand. It was a small victory for him already.

''I hope that you don't mind then that I told them to finish work early in the morning so that I have time for you and you alone. I am so happy to be allowed to spend time with you.''

''Oh Neville, I want to get to know you and find out what's important to you. I can't wait to see your prized plants!''

As they worked a little on some of his least complicated and most pleasant plants Neville felt like he needed to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Hermione was there, wearing the fardening gloves and apron he had gotten her and was peppering him with endless questions about each and every plant. They did the lighter jobs, nothing too dirty or heavy, and he was rather pleased to find that his orders that items used for the stinkier plants should be cleaned down outside. The wheelbarrow that typically hauled huge amounts of manure was clean as the day he'd bought it, and unsuspectingly resting on the side of a greenhouse he didn't lead Hermione to.

His workers really deserved a bonus for the spotlessness of the place. No elf could really come close to the greenhouses, only a select elf could walk up to the greenhouse and ring a bell to let him know that he was needed, so all the dirty work had to be done by hand. Even the tiniest bit of magic could distrupt the growing process so the only area the elves were allowed in was the supply barn's shower and laundry area. That was where he and the others got a shower and tossed the grubby clothes into the laundry basket then put on a change of clean clothes. He smiled remembering how he had found about half a dozen elves fighting over who gets to turn the washing machine on. Hermione would probably love that story.

Time flew by as they chatted so relaxed like she had always been there but he knew that they needed some lunch. She did protest that the Crystal Peaches needed another spray of fertilizer but he convinced her that it was fine and he had lunch planned at a beautiful location.

Hermione was on cloud nine. Neville was so sweet and smart that she just wanted to snog him till she couldn't breathe. His ingenious greenhouse systems, with muggle heating, water and temperature control system let him grow plants she had only seen described in books as extinct or impossible to grow in controlled conditions. His face lit up beautifully as he talked about his work and pland for expansion in the future. He was really the epitome of the sexy gardener. It was just as well that he said it was lunchtime. Maybe there she'd have a chance to sneak in a cuddle or a snog. It was that feeling of neediness coming back and she hoped that he'd be willing, once again.

''This is amazing!'' she gasped as they entered a gargantuan victorian greenhouse that was filled with beautiful flowers and dozens of butterflies. It smelled so wonderful too. She spied a large triple seater Hollywood swing in the center, next to floating platters that held their lunch. So this would be a great spot to snog she decided.

''I had the elves prepare us lunch, if there's something else you'd like we'll call an elf and have the food brought. I hope the afternoon wasn't boring for you. I just wanted to show you what I do. Don't think I am too cheap to take you out for lunch, I can afford that so if you'd rather...''

It seemed that the moment he sat down next to her the confidence he'd had out in the greenhouses evaporated and it was back to square one and his nervousness once again.

''The food looks beautiful. And of course I know you can afford to take me out... I want to spend time with you and the where and how is just a secondary thought.''

He didn't make a move to sit closer to her, so she decided to just move to sitting in his lap. She loved the feeling of touching his shoulders and back, and a small voice in her head told her that the swing could have enough space to devour him if they wiggled the right way. There was only one way to stop Neville from voicing another dozen insecurities.

Outside, unbeknownst to the two snogging ones two figures bumped into each other.

''Ouch, watch where you're going, Potter! What are you doing here anyways?''

Oh my, what are these two up to? What do you think will happen next? Please leave a review if you like this story. xxx