Eleven Years Later
"I think we need to talk…"
"Neville?"
It was unmistakeable who the man was. Neville Longbottom had hardly changed at all in a decade. His hair was still the exact shade of brown it had always been only now falling into his brown eyes.
"Have you lost weight?"
"Yes Ginny I'm thinner. But we need to talk."
"Indeed."
He sat in the now vacant seat that minutes before had been George's. Neville's right hand went to his hair brushing a few strands behind his ear.
"You look well."
"You too Nev."
"Brown hair!"
"It surprised Luna too."
"Yes she told me."
"What else has she told you?"
"Babies."
"Well not so much babies now. See the two on the end of the Gryffindor table their mine."
"I guessed that. He looks a lot like Draco."
"I know."
Ginny sighed gently.
"So this is permanent then?"
"Me being back yes."
Her old school friend just nodded slightly.
"Neville what's wrong?"
Ginny studied the man. He was sitting almost uncomfortably. Something just didn't seem right.
"It's just strange. You're suppose to be dead."
"Well so was Peter Pettigrew!"
The man nodded slowly. His eyes closed for a moment.
"Do you know what happened to Draco yet?"
"Hermione told me he vanished along with Charlie."
Again Neville nodded.
"This is odd isn't it?"
"Of course."
"You know I missed you Neville. Every time I did my garden up I use to think of you and how you could do it so much better."
For the first time he smiled at her.
"Luna said she showed you her ring."
"Yeah it's beautiful Neville."
"It was my mums."
"That just makes it more special."
"Well it's a good thing you came back when you did. I mean she's going to need someone to help organise it."
"Of course. I mean the only thing you'll be any good at is flowers."
"Well I could tell you the properties of them anyway."
Ginny laughed gently.
"I'm really happy for you both. You'll be good for each other."
"Really let me guess you think that I'm the only one who won't patronise Luna on her beliefs."
"Of course not! I mean she brings the quirkiness to the relationship and you bring sanity."
This time Neville laughed.
"It's good to have you back Gin."
He stood up and she followed. Opening her arms she drew him into a tight hug and laughed as whispers enveloped the hall.
"Oh great one Gin. Now there's going to be a rumour that I'm leaving Luna for you."
"Once upon a time that rumour may have been true."
The pair shared a glance of what could have been before Neville stepped back.
"Well I should go finish packing."
"You leaving tomorrow too then."
"Yep going home to Kent. We bought a house there two years ago. Of course it's not in use for most of the year."
He made a small face before turning and walking out from the table.
"That looked easy."
Hermione had her arms crossed in front of her chest as she smiled.
"Yeah seems like Luna has filled him in. On what she knows anyway."
"Want to see your office and room."
"Is it McGonagall's old one?"
"Yes."
"This is going to be so strange."