Reunion
Chapter 4: Parry, Prance, and Par
AN: If you've read this story before 2/21/2007 please go back and start with chapter 1, I rewrote the first three chapters. There will be a total of seven chapters (maybe eight if I fool around with the plot a bit), and I do plan on finishing this story. Only three (maybe four) more chapters to go! Also, I'm including another Neville centric scene in this chapter because it just feels appropriate. Finally, I've been working on this story for weeks and I'm absolutely thrilled to finally post this new installment! - Jaydn Rein
Neville stood in front of a class of noisy six and seventh year Hogwarts students. Some, he was sure, remembered him from his days at Hogwarts. Although Neville had enjoyed his schooling he had not been oblivious to the jokes or rumors spread about him, especially in his final few years. Increasingly an outcast he holed himself up in the greenhouse for hours at a time. It was his escape, both literally and figuratively. It was also a path that led him away from Hogwarts and Europe altogether after the defeat of Voldemort.
Neville was young and terrified when he left for the States, but he realized later that leaving was the best thing he ever did for himself. It felt like running away at the time, but again he realized that distance can be a healthy thing in certain instances. Leaving gave him perspective and confidence, two traits that he carried back with him in his return home.
Working with American medi-magic specialists, much of the damage to Neville's memory was repaired. This left him more clarity and organization. Neville was no longer the bumbling forgetful fool. This is why Neville felt no real fear standing before a group of rowdy students. Deciding it appropriate to channel a certain dreaded former potions master, Neville cleared his throat loudly gaining the attention of the students instantaneously. An eerie silence descended upon the greenhouse.
"I believe you were selected for this seminar based on your exemplary performance in Herbology and not your gossiping skills. I expect students to be prepared to learn when I enter the classroom. You will be on time, you will have any necessary supplies and protective items ready before class starts. All assignments will be turned in, on time, although in extreme circumstances late assignments will be judged on a case by case basis. I know that some of you might have been led to believe otherwise, but you will receive a grade for this class." Neville paused for a second, noting the terrified looks upon his students faces, best to scare them a little first to see if they can handle it.
"If, you feel that you cannot handle the requirements of this class, please, leave now." None of the students moved. In fact, no one so much as dared to breathe for fear of making noise. Neville decided that was enough, didn't want to overdo it now.
Neville smiled, looking around the room, "Now that the dreadful business of basic class requirements has been taken care of, I would like to introduce myself. I am Professor Neville Longbottom, but I would very much appreciate it if you called me Neville, or at least Professor L. while in the greenhouse. I'm sure you can understand why," Neville grinned at the students who were torn between surprise and relief.
A hand shot up in the air but Neville simply waved it away, "There are a few more things about this class that I'd like to explain and then I'll take your questions. In fact," Neville said, looking at his muggle watch, "I think we might just get out of here a bit early today."
"Don't get used to that though," he added quickly, "This class will require a substantial amount of work, time, and energy on your part."
Some of the students cautiously pulled out quills and parchment from their bags and Neville nodded in approval, "I do recommend that you take notes."
"Normally, as I hope you have already been informed, we will meet on Saturdays instead of Sundays for the rest of the school year. You will have the opportunity to work on an individual project over the course of this seminar. This project must be obviously be related to the subject of Herbology and must be approved by myself and Professor Sprout. On that note, your assignment for the next class is to come in with a well researched one-thousand word project proposal. This project will be in addition to our lessons on Advanced Herbology and related coursework. I have consulted with Professor Sprout about the topics she's teaching so I will try to avoid repeating what you've already learned, or will learn in your regular Herbology class. Now, I think that covers it! Any questions?"
Neville handled the questions quite well and felt by the time he dismissed the students that they were beginning to warm up to him. Even though he had dreaded this day, things had turned out far better than expected. Neville was almost cheerful about teaching, something he never expected to be doing or happy about doing.
Harry decided to join Ron in Hogsmeade for lunch since Hermione was busy preparing with Ginny for the leaving celebrations. As they sat down to eat both Ron and Harry noticed Neville walk into the cafe. Ron had complained somewhat about the Friday night revelations among his former roommates, but after much poking and prodding from Hermione, Ron was beginning to accept that Dean, Seamus, and Neville were different but there's nothing wrong with a little bit of difference. An amazing feat for Ron, at least in Harry's eyes.
"Hey Neville, come to get a bite to eat? Want to join us?"
Neville looked around for the source of the sound, smiling when he spotted Harry and Ron. "Sounds good, just got out of a class!" At Ron's confused look Neville added, "I'm teaching a once-a-week Advanced Herbology seminar. Just ended the first class."
"Well, that explains why you aren't covered in dirt," Harry joked, recalling the many days that the Gryffindor common room had a trail of dirt through it due to Neville's extended stays in the Greenhouse.
Lunch progressed pleasantly as the three Hogwarts alumni reminisced about their shared past. The peace was interrupted when Ron received an urgent owl from Hermione asking him to return to the castle.
"She probably just wants to make sure I spend enough time getting ready."
"Well you did sign up for it," Neville smirked, a sly comment on the impending wedding.
"Just for that I'll make sure Hermione sends you an invitation, so you can be one of her guests." Ron bade his friends goodbye, a grin plastered on his face.
After a brief period of silence Harry said, "He really does love her, you know-"
"Yeah, I know, but I can't let that stop me from taking a jab or two."
Harry and Neville laughed as they settled theirs and Ron's tab.
"Let's walk back, we're not all that rushed for time and its such a nice day," Neville suggested as they left the cafe.
"Sounds good."
"Are you going alone to the leaving feast?"
Harry heart jumped towards his throat, along with what felt like the rest of his internal organs. "Yes, I don't mind though. I haven't really been interested in dating anyone, especially since Melinda."
Neville nodded understanding, "Yeah, I'm going alone too. I thought that being alone this weekend would be rather awkward, but actually this has been a rather pleasant experience."
Harry, feeling somewhat more at ease asked, "Neville, do you want to meet up and walk to the leaving celebrations together? Might make it a little less awkward."
"Or more so, depends on how you look at it," Neville didn't give Harry a chance to reply before saying, "Sounds like a good idea though. Meet at fifteen till seven?"
Harry, not knowing what to say just nodded his head and continued walking toward his room.
Stepping into the small space Harry was surprised to find a school owl waiting for him. The note was from Hermione, the ink had barely dried.
"Come over to my room as soon as you can. I have some big news!" Harry smiled, reading the letter aloud. After the way Hermione and Ginny had been acting the previous day and the letter that caused Ron's early departure from lunch today, Harry suspected something major was going on.
As Harry was let into the room by Ginny he saw Ron, ashen but joyful trying to recover on the corner of the bed. Harry looked towards Hermione raising an eyebrow.
"Harry, I'm pregnant!"
"Congratulations!" Harry tried to fake surprise, although he had been pretty sure about Hermione's pregnancy. "Are you going to set a date for the wedding then?"
"Yes, we had one we were considering next month so that's what we'll probably stick with. I know its rather fast, but there is a baby on the way."
Ginny then looked at Harry, still in casual clothes. She rolled her eyes demanding that he "Go put something decent on!" Harry grinned excusing himself from the room. He had wanted to talk to Hermione about Neville but knew that this wasn't the time. He could always bring it up later.
Neville and Harry met at the prearranged time. Neville had a dress cloak over his outfit, what Harry assumed to be standard dress wizarding robes. Harry was wearing a muggle tuxedo since he didn't feel like wearing his plain dress robes. They walked towards the Great Hall in silence.
Just before entering the Great Hall, guest were handed small plain masks and asked to wear these during the dance. Apparently, McGonagall had a few surprises up her sleeve for the night. Couples could walk through the entranceway together enabling them to still identify each other once the masks magically changed to fit their personalities. Aside from that no one could tell who was who.
Upon being asked whether or not he and Neville were attending together Harry replied with a terse "No," grabbing his mask and rushing through the doorway.
The disguises turned out to be a tremendous success. It seemed like everyone was enjoying the ball. None of the masks covered faces, only eyes and in some cases, noses.
"Harry?"
Harry turned around hopefully, "Ginny?"
"Make some room for me in your dance card, okay," Ginny said rushing off to join some brightly masked men.
Harry went to find a seat feeling rather dejected. Harry was not left to sulk for long though since a young woman in a peacock meets a rainbow flamingo inspired mask came to ask him to dance.
"Hi Harry," she said.
"Hey Luna, how'd you know it was me?"
"I have the sight remember! No, actually Ginny told me. Want to dance?"
"Sure."
Just as Harry was beginning to enjoy himself a woman sporting a daring crimson and hot pink mask approached them, stealing Harry away. Luna laughed and said she'd run into him later.
By the end of the first dance with this stranger Harry decided he would accept any offer to dance (short of Melinda).
A man casually walked up to them. He was wearing a stylish muggle style suit with a blood red silk tie, and similarly matching mask .
"I hate to interrupt but would you care to dance?"
The girl Harry was dancing with immediately answered yes, attempting to toss Harry aside like a sweaty pair of socks.
"Excuse me miss, but I wasn't asking you. Sir," the man boldly held out his hand.
Harry gladly accepted and soon found that he enjoyed the company of his dance partner. From the very beginning it seemed an unwritten rule that he nor his dance partner would do anything to reveal their identities. Harry did not notice as song after song flashed by for he was having a joyous time in the arms of this stranger. It did not even seem all that odd to him that he was dancing with a man. It felt natural, somehow. Perhaps it was the punch, in fact, Harry decided, he ought to have a talk with the Weasley twins.
After an indefinite but dizzying amount of time spent with this man, Ginny pulled Harry aside for a dance. Although they did dance, it seemed like an eternity to Harry since Ginny was giving him an endless round of questions about his new dance partner.
"Do you know who he is?"
"Nope."
"Does he know who you are?"
"Don't know."
"Is something going on?"
"Not sure..."
"Well gee, you're full of helpful answers tonight!"
Ginny eventually cursed in frustration turning around to join her boyfriend again.
The instant Ginny left, the mystery man returned, "I hope I'm not intruding, but is everything alright?"
"Yes, I – never mind. Would you care to get some fresh air?"
"Sounds lovely."
It was still a rather frigid part of the year so very few couples – except the most daring – were out there braving the weather for a little bit of peace. They made small talk for a while, both careful to not reveal many details.
"At midnight the enchantment on the masks wears off," Harry ventured, Gryffindor bravery and wine getting the better of him.
"Whoever said the Headmistress doesn't have a sense of humor will certainly be corrected," the masked stranger replied.
Noticing that it was only seven minutes till midnight, Harry stopped thinking altogether. Looking into the strangers eyes he felt the world around him fade into the distance. All he noticed or cared for were those deep eyes and soft lips. Apparently, the masked stranger agreed with the moment for he had wrapped an arm around Harry pulling him closer.
The kiss, initiated by the stranger was soft and sweet. Both men pulled backwards from shyness, but their lips soon found one another again. Harry lost himself in these kisses, each growing more passionate by the second. Soon, Harry found himself thrust up against the railing of the balcony, tense bodies flush, soft lips swelling from the intensity of the kisses. One of the strangers hands was placed around his waist and the other behind his neck, fingers playing with trailing strands of hair.
The man felt polished, sensual, refined, but yet there was something earthy about his essence and manner that Harry could not place.
As the large clock brought in as decoration for the Great Hall chimed midnight, the masks disappeared. The music continued but was nearly drowned out by the shocked conversations and nervous laughter taking place all over the hall.
Later as Harry recovered from the shock, he would refer to it as seven minutes of heaven. At that moment of revealing though, Harry and his companion broke their kiss only to greet one another in shock.
"Harry, I didn't know it was you."
Harry was speechless and tried to recover some sense of normalcy. He had never kissed another bloke – no, a man, like that. He wanted to confirm the feeling of rightness of the experience but at the same time he wished to deny its existence. "I don't know what to say Neville."
"I understand. I'm sorry Harry, really, I had no clue it was you." Neville turned to leave somewhat upset with himself.
"Wait," Harry said, not quite sure how to continue.
Neville paused, hopeful.
"Neville, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me -" That very instant Ginny and Hermione arrived being tailed by Ron who was rather oblivious to the delicate situation. Neville took that opportunity to turn and leave. The situation was awkward enough as it was and Neville did not want to make it worse for Harry by involving his friends.
Harry watched Neville make his way through the crowd of party goers and exit the Great Hall.
Hermione asked Ron to get her some punch. Ginny was the first to speak, "Was that what I thought it was?"
"What did you think it was," Harry said dejectedly.
"Well when I first saw two men snogging on the balcony I thought that it was just Seamus and Dean at it again. Y'know Harry, even they come up for air sometime!"
Harry blushed furiously, "I really don't know what came over me, it just happened."
"Well," Hermione asked finally joining the inquisition, "what are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know, maybe nothing? I could always blame it on spiked punch." As Harry was trying to create more semi-plausible excuses Ron returned emptyhanded muttering something about alcohol and pregnancy.
"You can't do nothing," Ginny pleaded.
"Watch me," Harry replied in defiance.
"Do nothing about what?" Ron was genuinely curious. "Hey where'd those two snogging blokes go, weren't they out here?"
Ginny, frustrated at Harry's lack of suitable reaction said, "Yes, they were out here, and hey, guess what Ron?"
"What?"
"Harry was one of them!"
"Ginny, that was low."
"Yeah, well so is leaving such a sweet guy hanging like that!"
By this point Ginny and Harry were nearly shouting at eachother. Ron's mouth had dropped so low he was tasting the spilt butterbeer on the bottom hem of his dress robe. Hermione ended it all with a silencio sending Ron and Ginny back to the residences.
"So is that what you wanted to talk to me about earlier?"
"Sort of, how could you tell?"
Hermione laughed, "Just a good guess."
They walked back to the alumni rooms in silence.
Before they parted Hermione asked, "Will I see you tomorrow before you leave?"
"I don't know, I may try to get out of here early."
"Harry, I know you never want my advice when you actually need it, but do talk to him. It'll save you both from a lot of hurt feelings in the end. Good night Harry."
"Thanks Hermione, Good night."