Here is another chapter dear readers! I hope you like it!
Neville didn't know what quite overcame him in the moment as he decided to kiss her. It was so not like him but seeing Draco so close to her, so confidently intimate even when not doing anything just cemented one idea in his mind. Neville wanted to be her sexy gardener, no matter what it took for him.
He had never imagined a kiss could feel so good. He had some kisses in his life, but none felt as right as kissing Hermione. He was the happiest man alive right now. Even though he was one of her three fiancés, he was still going to marry her and be the best husband he could be for her.
There was a bit of jealousy, not only a small bit of it in all honesty, towards the two others, but Neville knew that he would have never worked up the courage to ask her out or work on the crushing pain of being rejected by her.
The ministry had delivered his dream on a platter. He just had to make her happy.
''I'm sorry… I shouldn't have….'' He muttered as he stopped the kiss.
''Shouldn't have what?'' she asked, her tone a little challenging. Her eyes sparkled so beautifully, and he wanted to kiss her once again, but he knew that there was a chance that Draco was still lurking about nearby somewhere. Of course, all three of them had agreed that they could roam any home as if it were their own, but Neville didn't want a chance of her being distracted by Draco, the ultimate ladies' man.
''Would you like to see my other favourite spot in the greenhouse?''
She nodded in agreement and he whisked her away, to the more private spot where nobody else could pry. It was inevitable that she would have an internal comparison between her men, but he was not yet ready to be seen by Draco and silently be judged by his weak skills of kissing.
''Your greenhouse is just magical, Neville. I can't get enough of it. Oh look, there's a parakeet! How did it get here?''
''I actually have four or six of these, I've lost count. They're birds that had likely escaped muggle homes and they are defenceless against predators outside so when I saw one flying around here, I let it in. That's how I got the rest of them too. There's plenty of water in the greenhouse and I put out lots of birdseed suitable for them. They are so content that they won't fly outside if I keep the door open. ''
Neville chose not to mention that now and then he would find some parakeet eggs, but no young birds were ever hatched from these. The birds were perhaps too inbred to procreate on their own here. Quite like many wizards these days, just shooting blanks with no chance of a healthy offspring who will go on to Hogwarts.
He quickly enlarged his favourite hammock to fit two and was amazed as she immediately jumped in. It was after all a very close way of laying about.
Neville loved this spot, it helped him think about life and his work and sometimes, just sometimes, about Hermione.
He knew that he was not entitled to her, and he had had chances with other women before. He used to go to wizarding pubs, for a pint or two of the real Butterbeer and some gossip. Pubs were an interesting place, though he did not quite like the drunk uncouth men sliding up to witches and asking whether their snake could slide into her chamber of secrets. Neville did buy drinks for women, because it was the nice thing to do. Sometimes more than a few but he had no seedy motives, just wanted to see a woman happy and if a Fire Bloody Mary and ranting about their ex-boyfriend was what someone wanted, why not? The tipsy and sometimes very drunk witches would get amorous with him, but he never reciprocated. For their own safety he would help them floo back to their home and settle them on the couch. Some of the women later would write to him and asked if he'd wanted to go out for a date, but he never agreed. He always declined, saying that he had just started seeing someone. These women were nice, some even gorgeous but in his mind, there was no witch who was suitable for him.
The very suitable witch was right there with him, listening in awe to his story about how he travelled to Siberia to find the mythical Irkutsk Ice Root Mint in the middle of winter. When recounted, it was indeed a crazy tale, how he learned to deal with loaned sleigh dogs, camped in the woods in double digit minus degrees and finally, with the help of an overly excitable horde of huskies, found a glade that was littered with the unseemly plant in the forest in the middle of nowhere.
''Weren't you scared to be out there all alone?'' she asked, and her hands continued the featherlight wanderings of his arms and sides.
''I had researched the weather and conditions as much as I could in advance and spent several days in another village learning how to guide the dogs. I also had an elf come along, to oversee supplies. It was a little bit scary to hear the wind howl outside, but I and the loaned dogs were safe and warm in a magical tent…''
''You are incredibly strong and brave, Neville. I knew you would make sure the dogs were taken care of well.''
''They were the best mode of transport. You can't apparate to a spot if you do not know what it looks like. Strong wind and snowing make brooms unusable in Siberia in winter, so traditional transport was the answer. I think the elf over spoiled the dogs with jerky, but other than that it was a lot of grunt work of getting enough of the roots of the mint dug out. I used a grave digger's shovel, the type they use in winter. The plant is so fragile that it cannot be magically extracted, so it was not a glamorous sight, me in Himalaya mountaineer gear, digging into frozen ground and bagging the correct root in special silk jacquard bags while the dog plus elf rested in the warmth of the tent. ''
''If the root is so sensitive, how did you manage to bring it back? Aren't you afraid somebody will try to find it as well?''
''To get back from the wilderness to Irkutsk I didn't need much special cooling as the outside temperatures were low enough, so the plant felt right at home. I could not apparate anywhere with it, so I took the train to Moscow, just a regular muggle train. I bought the best ticket, so I had a compartment to myself. Nobody really cared what was in my battery-operated cooler, they thought it was vodka. Then as luck would have it, Lucius got me a connection with some of his Russian muggle business partners and I could come along on their private jet to London. They were very friendly people, spoke highly of Lucius, he had helped them to avoid a bad deal that would've lost them money. You see, Lucius doesn't care how much whatever costs, he offered to have a private jet waiting for me in Moscow but I declined. After all I didn't know if the mint could be cultivated away from its original habitat, so having him spend tens of thousands seemed unfair to me but flying with his friends who were going to visit their kids in Britain was slightly more logical. I honestly don't remember much of the flight as there was just so much vodka, beluga caviar and lobster that I felt like I was about to stumble out of their plane upon landing but once again Lucius was smarter than me. A driver was already waiting for me at the airport so I didn't have to think how to get home. ''
''You are truly amazing. A true scientist and explorer…''
''Oh, I don't know, really. It is because I had the funding, I could do all that. Plus, his Russian friends later helped me get in touch with a chemist who makes experimental fertiliser, so I have a muggle who creates custom formulas for me, though he thinks it is for various muggle plants…''
''Can I say something?'' she whispered, and it seemed her eyes were staring into his soul. What if he had bored her to death with his long ramblings about his travel? He nodded, trying to not thing of the worst.
''You make me feel so calm and relaxed. The moment I put my hand on you, my stress just seems to dissipate. Before you fret that you're boring it is not so. Quite the opposite. You are telling me an amazing, awe inspiring story that makes me hold my breath but at the same time I just feel so… good. I don't know why I hadn't noticed this earlier. Maybe we were dancing too briefly at the galas. Or your nice suits were just a bit too much material to make me feel your skin and your magic effect on me. But now that I am here with you, it is even… scarily intoxicating. ''
He didn't want the moment to end. His dream witch was amazed by him. How incredible.
Hermione hadn't really wanted to go to dinner, but Neville insisted that Harry and Draco surely wanted to see her. All she wanted was to spend more time with him, the sweet, shy but yet so capable Neville. He had always been so attentive during the galas and other ministry events where she had seen him during these last years that he had not interrupted her ramblings even for a few seconds to talk about his achievements. Hermione realised that she was indeed very selfish in that aspect. She would make up for that copiously now.
He looked so handsome sitting at the dinner table, chatting with Draco. Hermione put her hand on his knee under the table and he nearly spit out his sip of wine. Draco smirked but continued to eat the fancy deboned quail that was stuffed with cheese, bacon and chargrilled vegetables and sat on a nest of leafy greens and perfectly boiled quail eggs. It seemed that the Longbottom elves were trying to show off their skills tonight.
Harry seemed to be grumpy about something, stabbing his food and barely participating in the conversation, so as soon as the dinner was over, after a dessert of perfect crème brulee.
''Harry, can I talk to you for a moment?'' she asked after Draco had elegantly wished her good night and Neville disappeared the moment she spoke to Harry.
Harry just stood there, looking defeated.
''What is wrong, Harry? Please tell me! Did I upset you somehow?''
''I single handedly have ruined your life, Hermione. Before the war started, Viktor wanted to whisk you away to security in Bulgaria. He loved you. I know his heart was broken when you decided that you will join me in the fight against the madman.''
''I did the right thing. You needed my help, if my help saved even one person it was worth it. I understood Viktor's point of view and accept that he does not want to see me again, but it can happen when it is for the greater good.''
''But then… after the war…'' Harry stopped to wipe his eyes, '' I hounded you out of your home by bringing all the women…''
''Harry, look at me,'' she whispered and hugged him close to her. ''Where else would you have brought them? It's your house and you were absolutely entitled to bring whoever you want home.''
''But it made you feel unwelcome…''
''I wanted to clear my head and get away and the option to explore creatures in other countries was just perfect. Lucius' generous offer was very helpful too. ''
''But I was not there for you when you needed me,'' Harry sobbed.
''I was an adult and I would've needed to find my own housing eventually so it is not your fault at all.''
''It is my fault! Because of me you sacrificed so much that it was expected of me to house you.''
Hermione held him even closer. Often in the past she had caught herself liking the feeling of being close to him and always avoided even the slightest chance of inappropriateness.
''I didn't really expect to stay with you for long… I just guess the war shook me up and I didn't go through the proper channels to search for a rental. After all, you also are entitled to privacy. Any moment you could have found your true love and then you would've had me, a third wheel hanging around.''
''You're not a third wheel. I now know that none of the women I was with, whose attention I craved didn't know who I really was. They wanted my fame, notoriety….some even said I could be the next dark overlord and that the prospect excited them…it's just so…wrong… I am just a man whore and you are forced to marry me now.''
''First of all, whatever an adult does is their choice and as a handsome and famous man it's natural you got all the attention.''
''Hermione, you still don't understand!'' he broke free from her and turned towards a wall. ''You are now forced, through a law, to marry me and the others. You had no say in it. Isn't it horrible?''
''Harry…. I know it is a tough situation, for all of us. But the truth is that I could have dated and even married if I had wanted in the past but… I didn't have the want to do so. I could have taken men back to my accommodations, if that's what I had wanted. But the prospect of a one-night stand never really appealed to me. I wanted something serious… but wasn't sure how to, I am not good judging men… once upon a time I thought Ron was perfect for me…. now I don't even know why I thought it.''
''The ministry wants you to have children… I just feel so horrible for being part of your suffering. I spent all day thinking whether I should've told Kingsley to stuff the law up his arse and go to Azkaban. His argument sounded so convincing. I've seen the dwindling crowd in Diagon Alley…. I was shown the Hogwarts student scroll. Logically I know it makes sense to implement such measures. But what about you?''
It's common in many muggle cultures to have arranged marriages. I also saw the emptiness in the shopping district, the signs for store to let. I think no matter how tough the law is, if it is not implemented, then Voldemort has won, despite our sacrifices. If magical Britain doesn't regain population, there will be less and less magic. So many lives lost to the war and now the results of inbreeding stifle population growth.''
Hermione grabbed his hand and dragged his prone form over to a love seat.
''I am quite lucky despite the law. I have three wonderful matches. Don't roll your eyes, Harry! Neville and Draco are very sweet!''
''I never said they were not. I guess I can trust Malfoy. They did host you very well these last years.''
''They really did. I think the algorithm could be better than irrational, emotional decisions. I know that it could have gone awry, but I didn't get three old men who want to breed me and keep me in a basement. I got matched with people I know.''
Harry suddenly pulled her close, so that she was sat in his lap.
''You're not mad at me for this?'' he asked, his emerald eyes gleaming with tears.
''No, Harry. You didn't come up with this law.''
''Is it horrible of me to say that I am feeling jealous? Neville is such a great friend and yet I could barely keep my composure when he looked so happy to sit next to you, after getting to spend the day with you. I know that he is entitled to your company in the framework of this law, but I still felt so jealous, so left out… when it is you, beautiful and patient angel that you are, who must shoulder all this burden of sudden marriage.''
''You were jealous?'' Hermione asked in awe. She had seen the type of witch Harry usually went for and…she felt she didn't live up to that at all really. She knew that thanks to the generosity of the Malfoys she had the most stylish clothes imaginable and the best skincare and make up piled on her vanity, but she never felt sexy or desirable. She knew there was nothing wrong with her as such but…
''I have just been feeling so ragingly jealous these two days. I know I got to spend two days with you, well two partial days and it is supposed to be fair and equal that you get to know each of us at a similar alone time slot, but I just couldn't… couldn't stop missing you. Couldn't stop thinking about whether you have forgotten me. All kinds of irrational thoughts.''
''You know Neville would never do anything bad to me… he is so trustworthy…''
''It's not about that, Hermione. I feel so perverted even, when I think about how happy I would be when we'll have a child. I've had women beg me to impregnate them because they wanted a child that would be guaranteed to be magical. Once it turned out that a woman I had… liaisons with…was married and covertly using me for a donor because her husband was unable to produce and heir. I always made sure that I used at least double birth control because I didn't want to father a child who wouldn't know about me. Merlin, it still makes me sound like the world's greatest man whore, but I feel so positive about this marriage.''
She leaned closer against him, trying to put her palm on his bare arms to feel his magic, just like she had felt Neville's magic. While Neville was so calming and soothing, Harry's magic felt powerful and yet chaotic. The more she rubbed his upper arm, the more it felt like he needed her touch. It was intoxicating, but in another way. He was smiling gently at her and she then dared to be bolder and slid her hand under the hem of his shirt to feel his bare torso. She had not dared to do this to Neville, she didn't want to spook him, but Harry looked rather pleased.
''You are very welcome to continue doing whatever you want to do, Hermione. I hope you are not doing it because you feel forced by the law. I don't want you to feel forced to do something you wouldn't want to do, especially if I am not attractive to you whatsoever.''
''Shh… Harry, you are gorgeous. Feels like you have been working out lots, too. You are attractive and the more time I spend around each of my matches, the more attracted I become. It must be the magic that is calling me to you. What to do you feel when I touch you like this?'' she asked, placing her hand right over his rapidly beating heart.
''I feel like I could spend all evening like that. It feels wonderful. Like I've been searching for this my entire life.''
''It's…special… I know it is so weird to feel such a sudden need to…'' she didn't want to continue with the truth that she wanted to touch more than his torso. That the more she touched his bare skin the more she felt his magic calling out to her. His magic needed her, it seemed like it was a kitten trying to get attention. It felt very powerful, there was a waterfall of energy bubbling within him.
''Please don't stop,'' Harry gasped. Hermione knew that she could spend all night with him like this. It felt so good, she did think it was a little debauched to paw at him, but she was not going to any more private areas.
''Was the contract that we signed at the ministry cursed somehow?'' she asked, still enjoying the feel of his body. She knew it was clingy and a little much as she had never before really been close to him like this.
''What? The ministry doesn't use any dark magic on contracts. It is a standard magical contract that will alert them if the clauses of the law that are mentioned in the contract are not followed, but there is no Imperio or anything like that. I would never allow that. ''
''My problem is…'' she stopped, trying not to give in to her mind's vivid images of kissing him, ''I feel so attracted to all of you. I feel it's wrong to be attracted to three men at the same time yet I…''
''It is right in this situation, Hermione. I would be a liar if I said I wouldn't want to have you alone but if the match dictates that you must have three husbands, I would rather have you happy about the match and be attracted to your husbands. It's not easy for me to say it but it is absolutely true. ''
''Oh Harry… I just don't know how it will all go.''
''It will be fine, Hermione. I will always be there for you, no matter what.''
Hermione felt like snogging him senselessly. He looked so handsome, so desirable that it was just too much to handle. Her Harry. Her best friend. Was sexy. Was driving her suddenly mad with desire. It couldn't go on like that.
''I have to go, Harry, '' she said and ran like her feet were on fire. She didn't see the disappointment in his face as she was too busy thinking about Neville.
She needed his gentleness, his calm to soothe the fire that touching Harry caused. This was so confusing that in such a short time she had been transformed into a needy hussy.
''Hermione, what's wrong? Did Harry say something upset you? If he did, I will go and tell him right away! I won't let anyone make you sad.''
''No, Neville, he didn't do anything… I just feel so silly. So confused.''
Neville immediately hugged her close. How did he know it was exactly what she needed?
''I would love to have a bubble bath now if it is possible. I got used to having a bubble bath to calm my nerves at the Malfoy homes but if it is too much of an inconvenience then of course I can just shower.''
''Hermione, my love, you are at home. This is now also your home. So you can do whatever you want.''
Her mind was suggesting the rather interesting image of taking a bath together with him but she shrugged it off.
''Peony!'' With a pop a tiny elf dressed in a ruffled green jumpsuit appeared.
''Hermione would like a bubble bath prepared immediately.''
''Peony can do. I bring mistress bath stuffs for choosing. Malfoy elves try to send us stuffs for Mistress, saying we cannot provide correct. We have Galleons, we can buy better stuffs. Does mistress want rejuvenating, fresh or fruity scent bubbles?''
A wink later the tiny elf was standing besides a wheeled spa cart.
The bottles looked fancy, different from the Malfoy offers but still elegant. Hermione picked something called Lavender Cloud and embraced Neville closer. Through his clothes she could still feel the thrum of his soothing magic. Soon enough she would get him wearing less in the bed. Then she would let her hands wander. Over his torso, of course. He was not a toy for her to grope.
''Bath is ready mistress. Please call Peony if you needs more stuffs. Malfoy elves are no better than us.''
''I apologise for the trading elf. Peony does have a character. I have never told my elves anything bad about the Malfoys.''
''They're just house proud, they like being the best. But each has their own personality, I used to think they are wizardkind's victims but when I told that to the Malfoy elves in Italy I was thrown a moldy cabbage in my face and then got a three hour lecture on how important it is for elves to be at a magical home.'''
Hermione kissed his cheek softly. She couldn't get enough of him. Neville was perfect.
''I will go get into the bath. If it is not a bother, can you bring me a glass of champagne or prosecco in a few minutes? It's another habit I developed. If you don't have that any wine is fine.''
''I told you, nothing is a bother. Shall in bring it in after about 10 minutes?''
''That would be lovely. Don't send an elf…''
Neville watched in awe as his witch pranced to the bathroom. In his dreams he had often imagined how it would be to actually be with her, have her near but the reality was by far overwhelming. It was amazing to have her there, but he was nervous.
He had renovated his house with the thought that if she were ever to visit it would look very nice and neat. Especially the guest rooms. If he had been as sly as Lucius, he would've offered her free lodgings years ago but he couldn't muster up the courage. It was after all a pureblood tradition he was aware of – hosting eligible young witches for free to get to know them and then spring a marriage offer. It was nothing too shady but what the ministry has done was an absolutely other level.
Not that he was against it. He was immensely happy. His dream woman was lounging in his bath.
Peony popped up with a bottle of champagne and two fine crystal glasses. These were from his grandma's special houseware cabinet, he had only seen it through the glass, but the elf had nonchalantly swiped them. For a second, he wanted to tell the elf to go and get the normal, everyday glassware but then stopped. He was just as good as Malfoy. He could buy endless crystal glassware now.
His heart beating faster than ever, he approached the bathroom door, holding the precious champagne glass carefully.
''Where should I leave it?'' he asked as he stepped into the bathroom, purposely looking away from the bath. Thankfully the room was large enough for that.
''Come here and stay with me for a while.''
The bath was filled with frothy bubbles so he could only see her face, but he still nearly dropped the glass.
''Where's your glass?'' she asked as she reached out for the champagne. The thick foam was still not disturbed too much by her movement, otherwise he would've needed to run. Seeing her…. wearing nothing would be too much.
''I'll go and grab mine, just a second.''
He needed a few deep breaths to walk back into the bathroom. Hermione smiled at him so sweetly. It was wonderful to have her there and she questioned him about his Siberian adventure. He did realise that he had drunk a little over two glasses of champagne, perhaps that was the reason why he didn't faint on the spot as she asked him if he wanted to shower now while she enjoyed the last moments in the bath and then go to bed.
He got tangled in his clothes as he was getting undressed in the dressing room. For a while he pondered whether to leave his shorts on under the robe, but decided against it, and after grabbing his pyjama bottoms, he stepped back into the bathroom.
The bathroom seemed larger than a quidditch field as he tried to walk over to the shower with at least a speck of grace. He had not quite thought out the moment of getting out of the robe and into the shower as he didn't want to moon her. He was not sure if she had forgotten that to get into the shower he needed to undress and take a step.
Tossing the robe as fast as he could he wad finally in the safety of the elegantly painted glass walls of the shower cubicle. As the water thundered down on him, he had at least a few minutes of not having to face her right now. He was embarrassed. What if she had seen a glimpse of his back and butt and was just plain disgusted?
Hermione dived under the foam. She had just seen a delightful glimpse of his skin. He had a gorgeous backside, so firm and toned and a strong back. Very sexy. And he was not trying to show off, quite the opposite, he had scrambled into the shower like a spooked doe.
The beautiful flower design on the glass concealed him from her line of sight and her curiosity peaked. Did she really want to see him naked already? Dirty mind. Perhaps it was the champagne that made her think that. Exceptionally good champagne. And a handsome man in the shower right there.
The bath was also large enough for two as well. Her mind was just so disgustingly dirty but how could she help it – Neville Longbottom handsome, fearless, husky pack taming herbologist with a perfectly peachy bum and the sweetest personality possible was just too appealing.
A few minutes later he scrambled out of the shower again, only giving her a second's glimpse of his backside.
''I will be in bed then…. take your time,'' he said as he was drying his hair in a towel.
Hermione didn't dally too long in the bath, as she wanted to get her hands on him as soon as possible. She made sure her hair was dried and tamed enough before putting on the nightdress he had chosen for her.
The massive bed was a slight disadvantage as it let him be firmly within the confines of the side that belonged to him.
''Neville, please scoot closer to me. I don't want to be so far away from you.''
His handsome face flushed lightly.
''Come here, you handsome man, '' she growled and put her arm on his shoulders to pull him close.
''Hermione, you don't have to…'' he mumbled and tried to escape her grasp.
''I don't have what? '' she asked, feeling bold and cupping his peachy backside. It was a pity that his boxers were so baggy and loose.
''You don't owe me any affection. It doesn't matter that I love you, what matters is what you want. I would hate to know that you are only being close to me because the law forces you to…''
''I asked Harry whether the ministry uses any curses or anything that would compel me. He said no. So it is all me.''
She still kept on pulling him closer and groping his bum more daringly.
''Hermione, please. You don't have to do this… I don't want you to do it because you feel obligated by the law and tipsy with the champagne.''
She gently kissed his bare shoulder. He smelled amazing and the closer she was, the better she felt.
''Wrap your arms around me,'' she demanded. '' I want you to calm me down.''
He did as she ordered but she could feel his arms shaking a little.
''Why are you so nervous, Nev? You are so handsome and we're not really doing anything bad, are we?''
''I just don't want you to wake up in the morning and remember that you wanted me to hold you and feel disgusted…''
'' I already told you that you're handsome, you smell so delicious and you make me feel relaxed. I need that. Please.''
''I will only agree if you promise that as soon I am too much, you will tell me to get back to my side of the bed.''
''Always the stickler for rules, aren't you my adventurous gardener?''
Draco couldn't sleep.
It was not because he was jealous of Longbottom. Of course, he was, but it was just a matter of a few hours till he would get to see his witch and take her home. Would she like it at the manor? He had made sure that he had renovated it so that it looked nothing like she would remember from the war.
However, the main trigger for his sleeplessness was pacing in the room next to his. Saint Potter was also not sleeping. It seemed that he was not just pacing, but also kicking some furniture at times. Finally, the familiar whoosh of a high-end racing broom was a little louder as a window opened and slammed shut.
Draco felt rather smug. He could control his emotions better than Potter. At least that was a one up on the Gryffindork.
What do you think? Did Neville do it right? Was he too much? What about the other boys? Remember to smile at your plants, then they will grow as beautifully as in Neville's garden 😊