I am so sorry for the delay in posting, so much happening. Without further ado, a new chapter where we see how Neville's parents are…. And Hermione gets a book suggestion….
Hermione approached the room with caution. She did believe Neville that his parents were absolutely harmless, but she still did not know what exactly to expect. They had been in treatment for decades now and the damage they had sustained from the torture was immense, as far as Hermione had read in the recollections of their friends.
''Come on in, what are you standing around?''
Neville jolted forward, slipping the jam packed backpack from his shoulder, perhaps already preparing to show the goods they brought along. Hermione followed with the yarn bags. She wanted to have a look at the surroundings, as subtly as possible to not upset his parents. It was impossible to predict how they would react to her as after all.
So far nothing seemed off. In fact, the ward didn't look anything like a hospital. At most one could assume a hotel from the look of the hallway. There was none of the indescribable yet familiar hospital scent, no stretchers near the walls, no healers rushing past.
They had not yet noticed her, as Neville was chatting with them animatedly. If she had not known their history, she would think it was just an absolutely typical couple chatting with their grown up son. His mother was wearing a long flowy skirt with an intricate hand knit top, her hair braided neatly and adorned with an enormous gold bow at the end. His father wore dark jeans and a polo shirt. Subconsciously she had thought they would be wearing hospital robes or pajamas but in these outfits they would blend in anywhere, either wizard or muggle.
''So are you two dating or what?'' Neville's father asked suddenly. His eyes were focused on her ring. The ring had not been something Hermione had not really thought about as an important detail.
Neville gasped and turned red in the face.
''Frank, really? The kids have come to have a nice chat with us, not for your silly interrogations. Go and get the kettle going and make a platter of all the best snacks.''
''But Alice… I wanted to ask…''
''The kettle…''
It seemed for a moment that he wanted to object again, but he blinked a few times and turned to walk into their room. Neville made a beeline after him.
''Hermione, dear, can you bring in the bags please?''
Hermione followed quickly, all the while taking in as much of their room as possible. It really was like a studio apartment, not a hospital room. The far wall was occupied by a massive bookcase. It was lined with endless paperbacks and as she moved more into the room, she also saw a shelf full of knitting books and crossword references.
There were two desks and two small two seater couches facing each other. It looked like a cosy space where they only had the things that made them happy around.
Neville's mother was unpacking the yarn bags with what seemed speed of light,while talking about all the projects she would do with it. Half of it was a mystery to Hermione, but it was not gibberish, it was just so much about yarn and all that.
''Oh before I forget..'' she mumbled then rushed to the large bookcase, riffled through something for a while and then produced a red organza bag that she held up proudly.
''I made this for you, sweetie...I wanted to give it to Nev so that you could have it for Christmas but then…'' Alice faltered and looked down to the ties of the bag. ''But good that you're here now, I think it would've been like pulling teeth on him to do it…''
The item rippled like liquid gold as it unfolded into endless golden lace.
Hermione noticed a poster sized picture of her, Harry and Neville at last year's Yule ball at the Ministry.
''You look gorgeous in the picture, dear. I liked the energy of you all, it just seems so 's why I asked Nev to make it as large as possible and frame it for me...''
The gold lace turned out to be a nearly floor length knit cloak that cascaded around her.
''It looks perfect on you, just like I imagined. It could be worn instead of a cloak over an evening dress…'' There was a pause as Alice Longbottom smiled at her. ''Have you also thought about dating Harry, too? I don't know if you've ever read Wanda Worms' ''The powerful witch's guide to triad and quartet marriages''? When I was young every girl tried the spells in there. I bet it is still in the library at Longbottom house.''
Did they know about this matching that the Ministry was doing? Neville had mentioned something about them not getting any upsetting material, but would the Prophet be deemed upsetting?
One thing was certain however, she would not tell Neville that even his own mother had suggested that she also date Harry. It would crush him, the sweet guy was already so insecure and hearing it from his own mother would be the worst thing possible.
''Can you put it in your bag, Hermione, so that you don't forget it here?''
''Mrs Longbottom, I couldn't possibly take such an exquisite item, it must have taken veritably endless hours of work to knit it!''
''Mrs Longbottom is my mother law, please, call me Alice. I wanted to knit it for fun. And I want you to have it. Even if you choose not to wear it, I will be pleased to know that it is sitting somewhere in your closet. Please allow me the pleasure of knowing it that.''
''Thank you so much, Alice. It is truly a beautiful piece and I will find an occasion to wear it, it's so fancy.''
Within a moment, the knit cloak was back in its red organza bag and safely tucked into her handbag.
Alice smiled brightly. ''Don't forget to find the book too, sweetheart.''
The chat over tea and assorted snacks went smoothly. His parents apparently knew everything about his business and asked him interested questions and Hermione felt a little ashamed that she basically knew nothing of how hard Neville worked. She would learn, eagerly, to be close to her nervous Gryffindor husband to be.
Then the conversation shifted towards the books they'd been reading, which was a more vivid version of a book club discussion. Frank and Alice seemed all in to describe the plots and bemoan the mistakes the writers had made in the books, but their enthusiasm was quite catching.
''Hermione, I was thinking, now that you're with Neville, maybe you two could take me and Alice to the muggle cinema? We would love to see some movies, ideally one romance and another action. Books are great but seeing the moving pictures would be fantastic….''
''And I want the popcorn! All the cinema foods that one is supposed to have!'' Alice chirped with childish excitement.
''We have quite a lot of suitable clothing for that kind of outing, so we will blend in seamlessly. Of course such an excursion costs both money and time so I can understand that it would not be something that we can demand,'' Frank said, staring at a point on the opposite wall. For a moment, it seemed, he was a bit lost in his world.
''Hermione, what do you think?'' Neville asked cautiously. '''We don't have to do it immediately soon, just think about it in the future as we have…. A lot of things going on at the moment.''
''I think we could go some time in the future. I guess we can't promise exact dates just yet, but it could be potentially fun. And yes, we can have all the food we want at the cinema.''
Neville's eyes sparkled with joy like she had never seen before. He loved his parents so much and if going to see a few movies was what would make them happy, then so be it.
The rest of the visit was spent with Neville helping his father catalogue the new books and Hermione agreeing to be measured for a possible sweater in the future. It was all so familiar and cosy.
''Son, I think you've spent enough time here with your boring parents. Take Hermione to a fancy lunch, give her a present...a beautiful young witch like her shouldn't be bored to death.''
Neville blushed bright red and followed his father's advice and promptly left his parents to their own devices, letting them enjoy the books and yarn in peace.
As soon as they were out on the street he grabbed her in a massive hug.
''Thank you so much for coming with me to visit my parents. You can't imagine how much it means to me that you did.''
And then he did what he never thought he would. He kissed her. He had dreamed about being with her and now he had to take action. His kiss was gentle, but he wanted her to know just how much he loved her. Even if she didn't know it, or would never know. He didn't care that cars were rushing past and pedestrians walked past them in a steady stream.
The afternoon was magical to him. They went to lunch in an upscale restaurant. Not because it was cheaper to have lunch there than dinner, frankly he could afford dinner at any fancy eatery he chose now that his business was taking off, but because he wanted to show Hermione that he had class and charm, or at least imagined to have so.
Then he dragged her into Harrods and bought her a platinum and emerald bracelet. He had seen it there before and he wanted to show that he, too could afford things.
''Neville, seriously, you don't have to spend lavishly on me. I am fine as I am…''
''It's beautiful, delicate like you. And I want you to have some fancy things.'' He didn't want to think about how Malfoy could single handedly buy out the whole jewelry department there without much hot to his vault but it was not the time to lament.
The next step of his day with Hermione was once again to hang out in the seclusion of the greenhouse. But it was thwarted by the figure of a worried elf jumping out in front of them the moment they were in the main entrance of Longbottom House.
''Sorry so sorry to disturb master but there is an issue with a big order of fertiliser. You need to telly phony the supplier now.''
''Hermione, I am seriously, sorry but I need to see what the issue is and call them. My workers wouldn't have told an elf to wait for me if it wasn't serious today. Maybe Dandelion can show you the library and I will find you there as soon as I am done with the issue? I think it will take me just around half an hour or so, I hope so at least. Please don't be mad at me.''
''Seriously, Neville, go and figure out what needs to be done. I can entertain myself for a moment alone. Just come find me in the library… your business shouldn't suffer because of me.''
She kissed his cheek and he really wanted to ignore the issue at hand. But if the muggle supplier had got the manure delivery wrong, some of his most sensitive plants would be in big trouble within a week so he would sort it quickly and then grab his witch and enjoy her company in private for as much as he could. She would be much safer in the library, because he was definitely sure that seeing him poke around a load of cow dung would let go of all her missguided sexy gardener imaginations.
Hermione was rather glad that Neville wanted her to browse his library. She would've of course come along with him to see what the issue was about as learning about his business was an important task to her but the book that Alice mentioned twice was too tempting to find.
Dandelion, the elf, led her to the library and showed her the catalogue and then disappeared before she could ask him how to use the catalogue.
But a real bookworm couldn't be stopped and soon enough the coveted book was in her hands. She saw a corner desk cluttered with herbology, gardening and agriculture books and imagined how cute Neville looked when studying for his work.
Why did nobody at Hogwarts mention anything about trio and quartet marriages in the wizarding world? Sure, they were not common, a rather rare occurrence but this Wanda Worm was a great writer.
''I love finding you in a library again...it can become our thing, sweetheart…''
Draco's soft whisper surprised her so much that she dropped the book. She had just come to the chapter which explained how much peace and harmony a witch's magic will have if she is truly destined to have multiple wizards.
''Draco, what are you doing here?'' She was not mad, in fact, she liked his company. Not only his, all her three sudden husbands to be were actually nice to be around.
''I missed you, Hermione. I know that it's Neville's turn today but when I saw him sprinting over the lawn to his admin building alone I knew you'd have a moment.''
''Oh you did?'' she turned towards him, taking the book he had picked up.
''Of course. I see you have also found every Slytherin teenage girl's favorite read. It has actually valid spells and potions in it, but not every witch is so powerful to actually need more than one wizard…''
''A few weeks ago I didn't even know if any wizard would ever want me. All this is just so ridiculous, Draco.''
''You see, life always gives unexpected twists and turns. You are very wanted and needed now. Do I admit that I wish you were only mine alone? Of course. But am I still glad to have you, even if I am just getting one third of your attention? Certainly. While you may think it is all about what Ministry wants, it is actually about what you need.''
''How can one witch need three wizards? It just sounds so….debauched. I can't wrap my mind around it.''
''Just don't overthink it. I know it is a tough situation suddenly to get married but then again, which witch would say no to having three wizards?''
''I don't know any witch like that…''
''If you asked any young or not so young witch, most of them would say they were sad that it turned out that they were not suited for a trio marriage… And yes, before you ask, if the match has magically valid foundations, the ministry would permit trio or quartet marriages even before they started this compulsory thing.''
Draco enveloped her in a close hug. He didn't know just how long Longbottom would be busy. He was greedy, he knew. He wanted to feel the warmth of her body, the entrancing scent of her hair and skin. His lips moved to kiss the side of her neck.
''Draco, what are you doing to me?'' she asked, though it was just a weak whisper as she melted against him.
''I can't wait for tomorrow…'' he murmured, still lightly kissing her. He didn't want to overdo it or be too brash just yet but he wanted to show that he was worth it He was worth to be one of her husbands. Sure he was not good enough for her. No one could ever be. But he wanted her to feel good and and sexy. No other witch had ever made him so desperate and horny at the same time.
He didn't know how long they had been making out like silly teenager but it was by far not long enough as he heard Longbottom's voice.
This time Longbottom didn't look nervous. Rather slightly annoyed as Draco quite unwillingly let go of his witch.
''Today is still my day with Hermione, Draco,'' Longbottom said
''It is,''Draco answered lazily as his witch moved from his grasp. ''I was just entertaining her for a moment while you were busy.''
Hermione ran up to Longbottom and then unexpectedly for Draco, Longbottom kissed her with passion. The witch gasped and Malfoy could see the victorious expression on the Gryffindork's face.
Malfoys were never jealous. Never say never Draco told himself as he left the library.
Thank you for reading. If you like you can leave a review, I love reviews. Up next: a little more between Hermione and Neville and then… *drum roll* Malfoy manor. What will happen there?