Chapter 6 - Workout
Neville woke early and crept out of the room, making every effort not to wake Hermione in the process. He double checked all the protective wards before making his way to the room down the hall which he'd recently turned into a makeshift gym, where he sought the comfort of his morning routine.
He stripped off his dress shirt and kicked off his shoes, then dropped to the ground to begin his daily regime of pushups, sit ups and crunches. Once he finished those he grabbed the fortified curtain rod he'd mounted to the door frame as a pull up bar and started in with a series of chin ups, pull ups and leg raises.
He then moved to a heavy bag he'd transfigured from a spare mattress he'd found in the attic. He wrapped his hands with strips made from old linens and began sparring. He got lost in the familiar rhythm until he was startled by soft "ahem" from behind him. He spun around to find Hermione standing in the doorway.
"Please tell me what that poor bag said to upset you so I know to avoid the topic."
"Started spouting off quidditch statistics, office gossip and cheesy pickup lines. I think you're safe." Neville wiped his hands on his sweat stained undershirt then summoned a towel for his face.
"Good to know. You do this often?"
"Every morning."
"That's commitment."
"You find clarity in books and research. I find it in plants and physical exertion."
"Exercise helps you focus, does it?"
He nodded as he draped the towel around his broad shoulders. "Also helps give me a sense of control. If I'm ever in a situation where magic can't help me I want to feel as if I've got options."
"Makes sense. Speaking of magic, perhaps later we can practice some defensive moves? It's been ages since I've taken the time to do that properly. Seems like I ought to given the circumstances."
"You're on."
Without warning she pulled her wand from behind her ear. Almost simultaneously Neville summoned his wand and adopted a defensive stance. They stared each other down for a moment as he shifted his weight side to side.
"Nervous, Nev?"
"Against you? Of course. Anyone that says otherwise is a fool or a liar."
"You're certainly no fool."
He took a step closer, deliberating maintaining eye contact. She held her ground. "I'm no liar, either. I promise you that, Hermione Granger. You'll always get the truth from me. No matter what. I swear it."
She took a moment then slowly lowered her wand.
"Alright. Then answer me this. How'd you do that last night?"
"Do what?"
"Calm me down enough so I was able to sleep, even after everything that happened."
He shrugged and lowered his wand as well. "I've been told I'm very non-threatening."
"Whoever said that was mistaken. You're quiet and unassuming but there is a controlled assurance about you now that is equal parts commanding and comforting."
"I hope that was a compliment."
"It was. Very much so."
Neville felt a blush rising up his neck that was unconnected to his recent physical exertion. "Right. So. I'm sure I don't have the ingredients to make that foul concoction you normally drink but if you'll give me a minute to clean up I'll try and rustle you up a decent cup of coffee and some breakfast?"
"Perfect. Thank you."
Neville rushed to shower and dress then led Hermione to the kitchen for some much needed food and caffeinated beverages.
He was just about to pour a another cup when a blast of silver light burst into the room causing them both to jump and draw their wands. The light swirled furiously before solidifying into the figure of a majestic stag.
"Merlin, Harry! A little warning next time!" cried Hermione.
"Sorry." The creature shook its antlers. "I'm outside. Let me in and I'll give you the latest."
The pair hurried to the front entrance. When they got there Neville insisted on positioning her to the side of the heavy oak door as he peeked through the spy hole before granting Harry entrance. The dark haired man barreled inside and swept Hermione into a bone crushing hug.
"Oi!" exclaimed Neville. "Careful! I worked hard to keep her in one piece! Don't need you charging in here and breaking her!"
"Sorry." Harry blushed and took a step back. "Just needed to make sure you were really okay."
"I'm fine, Harry. Nev's taken excellent care of me."
"Good man. Thanks, mate." Harry grabbed Neville's hand and shook it enthusiastically. "Seriously. Don't know what would've happened if it hadn't been for you."
"No thanks needed. Hermione's safe. That's all that matters. So - what's the word? Did you catch whoever's behind all this?"
"About that. Not good news, I'm afraid," said Harry. "Got someplace we can sit down?"
Neville led them into the sitting room where Harry dropped into a large, wingback chair. "Sorry, Hermione. No arrest and no real leads. Whoever did this managed to slip in and out through some of our best security measures without a trace which makes them very good and very dangerous."
She stared at the ceiling for a moment then exhaled sharply. "Right. Okay. So - what's next?"
"What's next is you stay here where no one can get at you until we find whoever is doing this."
"No! I can't do that to Nev..."
"I don't mind," interrupted Neville. "Stay as long as you like. I've got loads of room. You won't be putting me out."
"Except for the fact that someone tried to kill me and almost got you in the process."
"And I have no intention of that situation repeating itself," Neville insisted.
"Nev, please. You could get hurt."
"So? After dealing with Voldemort I'll be damned if I'll let some coward who won't even show their face scare me. Someone out there is threatening my friend. I refuse to let that happen without a fight."
"Same here," chimed Harry.
Hermione looked at the determined faces of her friends before grudgingly relenting. "Fine. I'll stay here for a while but first I'll need to go back to my office and my flat to get some things."
"I can do that for you," said Harry.
"No, Harry. I need specific files from my office plus much of the reference material I've been using is still in my flat."
Harry made a face before offering a compromise. "At least give me some time to arrange extra security at the Ministry before you go back there, okay? That will be the first place someone would look for you on a weekday morning."
"If it will ease your mind and get me back into my office then fine, yes, I agree." She sat across from him and leaned forward. "But first tell me - what the press is saying about all this?"
Harry pulled that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet from his pocket. "Kingsley managed to spin it in such a way as to cast some doubt as to whether you were the sole target. Best he could do but hopefully it will buy you some breathing room until the legislation comes up for a vote."
The majority of the front page was filled with a photo of the aftermath of the attack and an article that was short on facts and long on speculation.
As she was reading Harry asked Neville for the use of the floo to arrange for the extra security. Before making the call he looked at his friend and grinned. "By the way, Nev. Be sure to check out the sidebar piece in the bottom corner. I think you'll find it most interesting."
Hermione turned her attention to the article in question, penned by Rita Skeeter, entitled, "Explosive Secrets of the Granger / Longbottom Romance!"
Hermione groaned. "Oh, Nev. I'm so sorry."
Neville plucked the paper from her to scan the article and immediately started to laugh.
"What? What's so funny?" Hermione snatched the paper back and skimmed the contents until her jaw dropped. "Are they serious?! You're a war hero, a decorated Auror and a well-respected herbologist that performed an incredible, selfless act of heroism and the only way this half-baked harpie thinks to describe you is as'Hermione Granger's eye candy'?!"
Neville continued to laugh as Hermione glared at him. "Stop it! Aren't you offended?"
He tried to regain his composure but failed miserably. "Sorry, but all I can think of is the look on my chubby little twelve year old face if I'd read that. I'd never have believed it but..."
"Don't talk about yourself like that." She smacked him with the newspaper. "You were adorable."
"Oh, yeah. The girls were beating a path to my door."
"At least your teeth were normal sized," she muttered.
"Hey. You were beautiful then and you're beautiful now. You just carry yourself with more confidence these days."
"Another illusion. I still feel like that gawky little girl on the inside."
"That's not entirely a bad thing. It's the people who don't remember what it was like to be small and scared that I worry about."
"You certainly have a point there."
"It's been known to happen. Now, come on." Neville took the paper from her in case she decided to use it as a weapon again. "Let's see if Harry's made the arrangements so we can collect your things and get you properly settled in."