It was a week later that they ran into each other again. Rosemary was wanting to buy a cat for companionship and Neville was strolling Hogsmead on his day off.

The only issue was that the new shop owner of the Hogsmeade pet shop didn't want to see Rosemary the cat she wanted. Neville seemed to walk in on the middle of the argument. Seeing the frustrated tears in her eyes, caused anger to fill him. "What's going on here?"

Rosemary turned to him, a sob in her throat. "This horrible man won't sell me a cat because I'm a Squib! He says they are only for the witches and wizards in the area!" Frowning, Neville turned to the older gentlemen, who looked too smug for his liking.

"Is this truly the reason you won't sell her a cat? You do know that people of ALL walks of life own pets? Even Muggles own their own cats. Shocking, I know. Look, if you won't sell it to her, then take my money. If not, I'm sure the Headmaster of Hogwarts would put in a word at the Ministry about the prejudiced shopkeeper in Hogsmeade. Your shop would be shut down immediately. The Ministry is all about being inclusive since the war. You wouldn't want that mark on your name, would you?"

By the time Neville finished talking, the shopkeeper's face was purple with rage. Glaring at Rosemary, he thrust the cat into her arms and took her money, storming into his shop and slamming the door.

Cuddling the cat in her arms, Rosemary turned her grateful and still tearful eyes to her savior. "Thank you so much, Neville. I appreciate what you just did for me." Smiling down at her, Neville shook his head. "Don't mention it. Although, if you want to owl each other, you should have gotten one of those."

All of the color drained from Rosemary's face and her eyes closed. "Oh no! I didn't even think of it!" Before she could get too much more upset, Neville chuckled and put a hand to her shoulder. "It is perfectly fine. Hogwarts has plenty of owls for borrowing. I'll have one fly here and keep you both company."

Rosemary smiled up at him and he felt his insides soar. "So what is his name?" Neville asked, gesturing to the beautiful Bengal cat in her arms. Scratching under his chin, Rosemary giggled as she looked at him. "Clover! Look at how green his eyes are! I fell in love as soon as I saw him in the window! Then that horrible shopkeep…."

Rosemary broke off as she saw Neville shake his head. "I'm sure that word will spread and you'll face no more prejudice." Swallowing and looking around, Neville gathered his courage. "Would you like to have lunch?" Her surprised eyes made him backpedal. "Or just tea? Or nothing if you're busy! I shouldn't have assumed!"

Smiling warmly, Rosemary nodded as happiness filled her. "I'd love to have lunch. Let me put Clover in the shop's backroom and we can go." When she put the cat away, they both made their way to a newer restaurant in Hogsmeade. It had a homey charm to it and served a variety of food and lovely teas and desserts.

Finding a table, Rosemary sat down and turned her attention to Neville. "Thank you again, so much. I really appreciate what you did. I'm so glad to have Clover." Waving her off, Neville chose to comment on the name. "Clover huh? Interesting name choice but it does make sense as soon as you see the color of his eyes. Such a beautiful green."

Nodding, Rosemary tried to answer but they were interrupted by a waitress who came to take their orders. Of course, her attention was only on Neville, being he was a celebrity of the war. Rosemary was shocked however, when he used a cold and steely voice to place his order.

Swallowing back her shock, she tried to order as calmly as she could. They both ended up ordering the turkey club with avocado and earl grey tea. The waitress retreated to the back almost like her tail was between her legs.

Neville sighed and closed his eyes, turning his attention back to Rosemary. "I apologize for that. Since the war, my luck with females seems to have changed." Confused, Rosemary tilted her head. "But that's good isn't it?"

Leaning back in his seat, Neville let his eyes wander over her for a moment, losing himself in her beauty. "Since the war, I've been the subject of many women's desires. However, those desires are fake. They only want me because I'm the boy who killed that damn snake." Frowning, Neville turned his eyes to his own hands, clenched on the table. "They don't want me for me."

His last words were a whisper and they tore at Rosemary's heart strings. "I can understand how you feel." Turning his now confused eyes to her, Neville tilted his head. "Surely someone as beautiful as you hasn't had difficulty in the love department?"

Her face flamed for a moment before she let out a cruel chuckle. "Thank you for that, Neville, but think about it. I'm a Squib. We are overlooked and looked down upon in the wizarding community, and knowing what I know, I couldn't find love in the muggle world either. I'm trapped in this dark oblivion."

Rosemary was interrupted when the waitress brought their tray of tea with sugars and creams before leaving again. "The ONLY reason I have my shop right now is on behalf of the Malfoy family."

Neville was sipping his tea when he heard her words and it caused him to choke. Worry filled her eyes as he coughed but he shook his head and sipped the warm tea again. "I'm sorry, did you just say the MALFOY family helped you get your shop?!"

Nodding, Rosemary could understand his shock. The Malfoy's weren't really known for their charity. "Yes, it was Draco actually. Sometime during the aftermath of the war, when things were being rebuilt, he struck up a friendship with Hermione Granger. Through this friendship he came to realize the horrible ways that Muggle-borns and Squibs are treated within the wizarding community and they both came up with a charity for it."

Blinking, Neville couldn't believe his ears. "I knew that Hermione was setting something up but I never dreamed that Malfoy was the benefactor." Smiling as she sipped her tea, Rosemary nodded. "I owe Draco Malfoy so much but he has told me multiple times that I am in no way allowed to even attempt to pay him back. He just asked that I do my best. He comes in from time to time to check in, and he is upset that I haven't had but one customer."

Hearing the words again made Neville sad and he sighed as their food was brought. "As a community we are still in the dark ages and I apologize for that." Smiling softly at him, Rosemary shook her head and reached for his hand. "You don't need to apologize, Neville. Other than Draco, you are the sweetest wizard I've ever met and I'm glad to have you as a friend."

Pushing aside the Draco comment, Neville's smile was blinding and it caused Rosemary to feel butterflies in her stomach. Could she be developing a crush after only two meetings? Swallowing, she turned her attention to her food. Conversation was light after that, strictly two friends getting to know each other better.

Afterward, Neville walked her back to her shop, where he learned that she lived above. When she invited him up for tea, he wanted to so badly, but he had papers to grade that he had been putting off. Smiling, Rosemary nodded and opened her door. "May I send you an owl later today?" Hearing his words caused her to stumble. He cried out and grabbed her arm, pulling her into him.

Suddenly seeing his face so close, Rosemary felt her cheeks heat. Her eyes widened when she saw him grow red as well as his ears. "I apologize." He stepped back from her once he was certain she was steady. Biting her lip she looked to her feet, feeling the butterflies again. "About the owl, that would be lovely." After answering, Rosemary met his eyes, her sparkling in the light.

A goofy grin graced Neville's face and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Great! Uh, enjoy the rest of your day and getting to know Clover." Suddenly remembering, Rosemary laughed and nodded. "I will! Have fun grading papers." She and Neville stood in place for a few moments more, not wanting to be the first to leave. Finally remembering themselves, they chuckled softly and separated, going their separate ways.

Later that night, as Rosemary was playing with Clover, who seemed to love her shop and the plants, as well as her home, she heard a tapping on her window. Turning to face the noise, she saw a beautiful grey eagle owl sitting on her windowsill.

Climbing off of her bed, Rosemary opened her window, a shy smile on her face. "Look, Clover. We have a message!" The owl looked at her with intelligent eyes and lifted its leg. Removing the parchment, she reached into a small bowl of owl treats she'd purchased from her horrible neighbor. He'd still been rude but hadn't refused her money.

Giving the owl a treat, Rosemary waited for it to fly off, but it didn't. "Oh! You're waiting for a reply!" Rushing over to her desk, she sat down and unrolled the message.

'Hello, Rosemary. I hope this message finds you well. This is my personal owl. I had to get another companion because my toad Trevor died a long while ago. Anyway, his name is Archemides and he is sweet. He will not bite you.

I really enjoyed our lunch today and I hope that it is the first of many outings we will have together. It's nice to have a friend that loves plants as much as I do and it is also nice to have someone to share it with.

I won't ramble on too much, as I'm sure you're busy. I look forward to corresponding with you. Have a pleasant evening, Rosemary.

Your friend, Neville Longbottom'

Smiling, Rosemary set the page aside and began to write her reply:

'Hello, Neville. Your message found me well. Your owl is beautiful and a perfect gentleman. I'm sorry that you lost your previous companion. I can only hope that I have Clover for a very long time. He is so much fun to play with and seems to love my loft and the shop. He spent most of the day sniffing around and getting better acquainted with things.

I was actually able to buy some owl treats for him, even though the man was still rude. At least he didn't refuse my money this time. I am still so grateful that you stood up for me. I also feel lucky to have a friend such as you. Lunch was fun for me as well. It's been so long since I've had a friend.

I would like you to know that I will never be too busy to reply to a message that you send. I look forward to our correspondence as well. Enjoy your evening, Neville.

Your friend, Rosemary'

Rolling up her reply, she made her way to the patience bird and fed him another treat. "Sorry for the wait, Archimedes. Have a safe flight." The owl hooted and flew off into the night. Clover jumped up onto the windowsill to watch as well, purring when Rosemary stroked him. "This seems like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Clover."