Chapter Thirty-Seven: Thnks fr th Mmrs

Chapter title taken from the Fall Out Boy song.

"All good, mate."

The frosty air was beginning to warm ever so slightly, melting away the pain Rosalind had been feeling for years. She saw Dr. Najjad frequently, almost daily if the doctor's schedule allowed. Therapy was a brutal, eye-opening process of opening old wounds, exploring deep-rooted trauma, and taking a hard look at herself and her flaws. In the early stages she would cry until her nose ran dry, eventually able to sit through a session with less trouble.

"Why do you want to become a Hit Wizard?" Dr. Najjad asked in her low, soothing voice.

Rosalind shrugged sheepishly. "I thought it was the only thing I was good at so might as well make a career out of it." When asked how she felt about working at the Ministry after it being a goal for years, she added, "It doesn't feel like I thought it would." She glanced around the office, the now familiar scent of the infamous potion enriching her nostrils. "I thought I'd feel more at ease but it's made me more anxious. I'm like a time bomb and I've already gone off a few times."

The doctor nodded at her slowly, the chain of beads on her glasses dancing against the light. "Maybe it isn't the right environment for you."

Her head shot up, eyes bloodshot. Her mouth gaped slightly, her thumbs twiddling in her lap. "I've thought that recently too." She hung her head, taking a deep breath. "There are a lot of reminders of things that I've done and I don't want to snap." Her fingers pinched her forearm. "But what else would I do? What could I possibly make a career out of?"

Dr. Najjad's kind eyes lifted into a smile. "I think we both know the answer to that."

On a secluded beach tucked into the Irish Sea, throngs of witches and wizards walked down the sandy stone steps, the sea's breeze ruffling through their hair as they made their way to their seats, the sun gently kissing their skin. Although it was a bit chilly, the sand and surrounding area had been charmed to a comfortable temperature for each guest, each table with simple centerpieces unique to the table's needs. The rows were assigned similarly for the service. Rosalind was assigned table and row twelve, along with Neville, Luna, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, and a blonde woman she had never met before: the singles table.

"You made it!" a dapper Neville brought Rosalind in for a hug. "You look great!" She thanked him while he was distracted by another familiar face at a nearby row.

"Hello, pleasure to meet you," the blonde woman extended her hand, a lovely pair of topaz earrings dangling from her ears. "The name's Hannah Abbott."

"Rosalind," she replied with a polite handshake. "Did you go to Hogwarts?"

She nodded. "I was a Hufflepuff. We were all in the same year. You're a-?"

"American, yeah. I work with Ron and Hermione at the Ministry."

"Interesting," she sounded fascinated. "Is that how you and Neville know each other?"

"Yeah, he's a great Auror. He's taught me a lot." A wizard squeezed between them to the end of the row, his cologne wafting through them."He's a good friend."

Hannah's face beamed, her light blue eyes twinkling. "So you're just friends?"

"Just friends." She reassured, Luna chiming in, her voice airy.

"Neville can be quite bashful, and Rosalind here is a bit of a capricious creature." She removed her star-shaped sunglasses from her forehead, setting them on her lap. "That would be nothing short of disastrous."

Rosalind laughed, pointing her thumb at Luna. "Spot on." Luna smiled, the vegetables on her necklace jingling underneath her dress.

Hannah smiled brightly, leaning back into her chair as Seamus and Dean sat next to her. Neville eventually made his way back to his seat between them, the Hannah character shooting him a smile he was oblivious to.

Moments later, the crowd hushed, the quartet in the corner playing a romantic tune, a nervous Ronald Weasley at the forefront of the aisle dressed in a handsome suit. Necks craned to see a beautiful Hermione Granger in a flowing white dress, simple lace detailing the straight, off the shoulder edge, rippling down her arms into her hands holding a bouquet, a shy yet beaming smile on her face. Her hair was braided elegantly and she wore a beautiful tiara on her head, rumored to be a Weasley family heirloom. She walked down the aisle slowly, the hushed whispers of how gorgeous she looked muffled, finally approaching an archway decorated in gold, locking eyes with her future husband. True to their nature, Ron read his short but sweet vows, reminiscing about meeting in childhood and saving her from a troll, while Hermione had a roll of parchment listing the several reasons why she loved him.

A tear made its way down Rosalind's cheek as she listened to their vows. Ron and Hermione had endured countless adventures and trials together, and it was clear it brought them closer rather than drive them apart. Although they were opposites they managed to balance each other and continue to grow as a team. Their love was something rare-and eternal.

The wizard between them clapped his hands, announcing them as husband and wife. Golden fireworks erupted above the newlywed's heads before the remaining fireworks thundered through the crowd, forming the shapes of pixies, fireflies, dragons, and other animals, a dragon breathing fire and raining harmless flames before them. The crowd watched in awe, the brilliant display fading, their cue to take their seats at their tables.

A dance floor appeared for the young couple, Ron taking his mother's hand for a dance. Arthur and Hermione joined them, Molly mouthing, "Welcome to the family," to her. Harry, the best man, said a few words about his best friends, Ginny adding a few of her own. Ron and Hermione beamed at each other as he planted a tender kiss on her forehead.

The music became lively, bodies beginning to make their way in trepidation. Luna was the first, her head swaying in sync to the music without a care in the world, her arms and hands swinging above her head in the opposite direction of her hips. A Weasley cousin smirked, rolling his shoulders and shimmying in front of her, mirroring her movements.

Rosalind laughed, enjoying the scene between sips of wine. The majority of her table had left to mingle with the crowd, leaving her alone with Dean Thomas and Hannah. Dean's dark eyes glanced at her as he swallowed a bacon wrapped date. "How're you holding up?" he asked casually. "I heard you're back at the Ministry."

She shrugged, plopping a grape into her mouth. "It's a bit weird. People either avoid me or ask too many questions."

"Two other blokes were suspended too right?"

She nodded. "The older one decided to retire. The other one is a little shaken up still."

Dean's face lowered, his voice hardly audible. "You didn't kill him, did you?"

Rosalind shook her head. "Nope."

"So why'd they suspend you? Makes no sense."

"Because I allegedly attacked him," she sighed. "They didn't know until after their investigation was complete."

"You were trying to help Angelina, weren't you?"

She nodded once more. "He had her wandless and he had a machete. He would've killed her."

"Blimey," he said fascinated, Hannah's ears perking. "What'd you do?"

"I knocked him over with a spell and slowed him down," she explained calmly. "Then he asked me if I was going to kill him and I said no."

Dean threw a shot of firewhiskey down his throat. "What a nutter.."

"He was. He killed and tortured loads of people." She locked her tongue between her teeth, heaving another sigh. "Most of his men are in Azkaban awaiting trial then I'm assuming they'll be deported. And the cycle of violence continues."

Dean opened his mouth for another question before scratching his nose and catching up with Hannah instead. A familiar redhead was sitting at the main table with his gushing fiance, a delicate diamond glittering on her finger. George raised his glass with a smile, sending her a message. All good, mate. Rosalind returned his smile, raising her own glass. Salud. A wave of comfort flooded through her, his gaze now fixed on Angelina.

Dean and Hannah continued their conversation, Rosalind diving into the roast dinner before her. Neville had returned, filling her in on his travels and various adventures, and the journal of plants and herbs he kept along the way.

"-and when I met up with Charlie in Romania we ran into a fellow Hogwarts student at a pub," he said excitedly. "Rolf Scamander had just arrived-he was there to study dragons at the sanctuary." He took a bite of roast and swallowed quickly. "He's a magizoologist and is coming to London soon. He reminds me a bit of Luna actually, they'd probably get along quite well." He gulped his wine and wiped his mouth. "Sorry. I shouldn't be talking so much about myself. How're you since you've been back at work?"

Rosalind smiled. "Don't be sorry, hearing about your adventures is great," she laughed, glancing around to ensure no one was within earshot. "I'm thinking of quitting actually."

"Really?" his eyes widened. "Why's that?"

"I think if I want to better myself emotionally I shouldn't stay in that environment," she said in a low voice. "I feel like I'll explode at any second sometimes and it makes me more anxious." She sighed, thumbing her wine glass. "Even though this job is something I've wanted for years I don't think it's good for me. I convinced myself this is all I'm good at so leaving is a bit scary."

Neville gave her a meek smile. "I'm proud of you."

Rosalind frowned. "For quitting my job?"

He shook his head. "For doing what's best for you even though you're scared of the next step. You're already loads better than the last time I saw you."

Her mouth lifted into a small smile. "Thank you."

The music slowed into a waltz which cleared the dance floor slightly. "Let's go dance," he said with a bright smile.

"I have three left feet, Neville."

"That gives us six left feet," he laughed. "I'll teach you."

"Fine," she laughed, pointing at him. "But we're taking another shot first." She grabbed two shots of firewhiskey from the floating tray near their heads and they cheered, grimacing from the burning liquid in their throats. He dragged her by the elbow, placing a hand above her waist and taking the other into his own.

"Follow my lead," he instructed as he guided their bodies forward and to his right. "This is the box step." She looked down at their feet to ensure she avoided his toes. "There you go," he said after a few moments. "Now let's turn to the left-"

"I'm going to end up stepping on you-"

"-like this." He glided them across the floor effortlessly, Rosalind struggling to keep up.

"Do you have to be good at everything?" she laughed in embarrassment of her stuttering steps.

Neville's ears reddened. "I'm pretty lousy at talking to girls, actually."

"You do just fine with me," she observed.

"Well yeah, because you're my friend." He adjusted her posture to keep them from bumping into another couple. "I struggled a lot with my confidence growing up."

"What changed?"

"Dunno," he pondered. "I think once we had the Dumbledore's Army lessons fifth year and Snape was headmaster seventh year I kinda grew into who I am now. It felt good to stand up for myself and see my full potential." Rosalind smiled, taking in his words. "Whatever it is that you're getting into next, I know you're nervous. But trust me, once you believe in yourself you'll do great."

To her surprise she nodded as they both glanced over to their table, Hannah and Dean laughing over Seamus' joke. "Speaking of girls, have you really not noticed little miss Hannah making eyes at you all night?"

"M-me?" he sputtered. "Are you sure?"

"She asked me if we're just friends," she grinned as his ears flushed again. "And she's been trying to talk to you all night but someone was being a social pixie."

"Oh." His back stiffened as he shot Hannah a strained smile. "I fancied her while we were at Hogwarts but didn't think she paid me much notice."

"Well she's definitely noticing you now," she laughed. "Go talk to her!"

"I dunno," he said with a puckered face as the song ceased. Rosalind raised her brow, Neville taking a deep breath and adjusting his tie. "You know what? I'm going to give it a go. She could be my future wife."

And he marched off confidently to the beautiful blonde, leaning forward with an arm behind his back to kiss her hand, causing her to blush deeply into a giggle.

Hello! Neville is my favorite character in the series so I'm glad I was able to incorporate him into the story. The next chapter is our last chapter which feels odd to say-but I am excited to be truly finished. Thank you for reading!

Next chapter: I've Got All This Ringing in my Ears but None on my Fingers.