A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who favorited, followed or reviewed after last chapter! I am so glad you all liked Neville taking care of Hermione...it was pretty sweet though. Let's see if he is even more impressive in this chapter. Also, so I reference a Venus Fly Trap in this chapter, and I realize that it is not native to Fiji...and I recognize that it doesn't get big enough to attack a human. So, just give me a pass, okay? You can follow me on tumblr (nauticalparamour).
Please let me know what you think of chapter seven and be on the lookout for chapter eight soon!
Hermione was woken up by the soft stream of sunshine peeking in from the window, but she didn't get up right away. She just couldn't stop running through what had happened the day before. She'd had such a great day with Neville, one she wouldn't mind repeating again.
First, he'd planned such a lovely excursion into the port city, which was lovely enough to begin with, but then, he'd even taken her to a bookshop and let her spend as much time as she wanted there without complaint. And, when she'd fallen from the ladder, he'd caught her in his arms, strong and sure and safe.
She couldn't resist the sigh. It was bloody romantic, and it did make her heart skip a beat in excitement.
He'd realized that she was hurt, and apparated them back before taking such good care of her. She knew that Neville wasn't the best with healing charms, but he'd done his best to make her feel better, and knowing how hard he was trying, how serious he took it, made her feel better right away.
Finally, they'd had the most enjoyable time eating pizza and watching Indiana Jones together on the couch. The only regret that she had there was that she wished she could have been snuggled against his chest, or resting her head on his shoulder.
Feeling her cheeks heat up, she remembered the kiss that they shared at the end of the night. Well, more like the kiss that she'd given him. Still, she couldn't deny that he'd kissed her back, and she could just tell that he was holding back, not wanting to push her too far. And Merlin, did she ever want to kiss him again.
Still, she wondered about what would happen if she did kiss him again. That would be crossing a line in their friendship, and she was unsure if they would be able to uncross it again. Neville had so many items in the pros column, though, that she thought it might be worth a shot. He was thoughtful, kind, he cared about her obviously, and he was ridiculously attractive.
Deciding that she'd hidden away in the bedroom long enough, she stood tentatively. The charms on her ankle had dissipated over the night and she was concerned there would be lingering discomfort, but she was pleasantly surprised to learn that it didn't hurt at all. She made her way to the kitchen, not caring that she was still in her pajamas.
She found Neville in the kitchen, just having some tea. "Morning, Hermione. How's the ankle today?"
She was a bit surprised that he didn't seem different to her at all. It was like he was just pretending that nothing had even happened the day before. Did he want to forget about their kiss? Frowning, she noticed his eyes trailing up her lean legs, to her face. Maybe he wasn't as unaffected as he feigned. "Much better, Neville, thank you. It's almost as though nothing happened."
He took a quick sip of tea, that had Hermione smirking to herself. "Shall I make an omelette?" She asked him. Seeing him nod, she got to work, and before long, they were seated across from one another, enjoying a spot of breakfast. "What are you planning on doing today?"
Neville pushed around his food on his plate. "I was planning on going on another hike today. I found a promising path the other day while I was out, and I think I might try it today. It's pretty deep in on the island." She could hear the hope bleeding into his voice, and Hermione really hoped that he would be able to find the Death Orchid today.
Nibbling on her lower lip, she found that she didn't really want to be alone at the villa today. Well, more specifically she wanted to spend more time with Neville. Her fears about destroying their friendship were temporarily pushed aside. This was something she wanted, and she was going to go for it. "Mind if I tag along?"
His head shot up, hazel eyes boring into hers with a bit of heat. "Wow, yeah, actually that would be great, Hermione." She felt her breath catch, seeing the sun shine on his dark blond hair. "Actually, would you mind taking some notes for me while we walk?"
Hermione laughed. "I think I can handle that." Sending the plates to the sink with a wave of her wand, she stood from the table. "Well, I'll just go change, then." She turned and scurried back in the direction of the bedroom, grabbing her khaki shorts, and a white t-shirt.
She met Neville back in the kitchen, filling up some water bottles to help stay hydrated along the way. Hermione was excited to see a bit more of the rainforest, because it had been so full of new things when they'd gone the other day. She happily took the pen and notebook that Neville had been collecting his notes in - surprisingly muggle, she thought with a smile.
"It's easier to keep everything together with that." Neville said, explaining.
Hermione gave him a surprised look, catching her lower lip with her teeth. "I've used them before, Neville, you don't have to explain." She said with a giggle. "Muggleborn, remember?"
"Oh, of course." He said, before taking her arm to side-along her to the shore. He was sure that she could make it there just fine on her own, but he couldn't resist the brief moment of skin to skin contact with the pretty witch.
As they headed into the rainforest, he gave her a warning about the magical plants. "Keep your head up, Hermione. I found a huge venomous tentacula the other day, and if you aren't careful, they can get a hold of you."
Hermione nodded, taking his advice to heart. "So..." She started, as they began walking together. "What do you think you will do once you receive your mastery? Will you work on new magical cures, using unusual plants?" Hermione thought it might be very interesting to work at St. Mungo's.
Neville grinned, turning to face her. "Can you keep a secret?" He asked, teasing tone in his voice.
Hermione scoffed. "Of course I can, Neville. Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"
He nodded, before letting her know his big secret. "Well, I think I'm going to stay on at Hogwarts, actually. Professor Sprout is retiring at the end of the year, and they've offered me the job." He said, pulling back a branch so that Hermione could walk past him.
"Oh, Neville! That's wonderful news!" Hermione said, proud of her friend's accomplishments. "Congratulations."
"Yeah, I am pretty excited. I've already started coming up with a couple of lesson plans." He told her. "And, of course, I've got loads of experience writing memos for the Board of Governors."
Hermione thought about what it might be like to have Neville as her Herbology professor. Internalizing a groan, she thought that she would have found it extremely difficult to focus when he was so good looking. Even now, with a bit of scruff, he just looked rugged and handsome. His shirt had begun to stick to his body from the humidity, and knowing what kind of secrets lay hidden beneath it sent a jolt of heat between her legs.
Shaking her head, she needed to respond like a normal person. "Have you always wanted to be a professor, Neville?"
"Not really, to be honest. I am a bit worried that I will be complete shite at it, but I've done alright with the lower years so far, and I am sure I will learn a lot." He said. "You'd make a good professor I reckon."
"Oh, I don't know." Hermione said. She knew it was a sentiment many people shared, but she wasn't sure that it would suit her. She loved reading and research, but she had difficulty explaining things to people and she often got frustrated if they couldn't pick it up. "I think magical law suits me so far."
"Well, I suppose, as long as it's something you enjoy." Neville offered, with a shrug.
Hermione snorted. "Oh, I don't know if enjoy is really the word I would use to describe it." She thought about it for a while. "If I didn't have to deal with the aurors so much it would be better...I guess, every time we get another law repealed it is...satisfying."
"Hmm, well, if you ever change your mind, I am sure that Minerva would have you on as a Professor." Neville offered, understanding her sentiment on it being satisfying.
"Minerva, eh? You two are on a first name basis then?" She asked with a smirk.
"Well, yeah." Neville played it off like it was no big deal. "You can't secretly fight the Carrows all year with her and not get on a first name basis." Hermione giggled at his statement. She was sure that it did make you feel closer. "Oh, I almost forget to tell you the best part!" He said eagerly, turning to face her and walking backwards. It was an ambitious endeavor, considering just how clumsy he was.
"Well? Don't leave me hanging!" Hermione ribbed.
"Minerva has asked me to be Gryffindor's Head of House!" He said with excitement, truly proud of his accomplishments. "Merlin, can you imagine Professor Snape's face if he heard that? I might have to go tell his portrait when I formally accept."
Hermione laughed, thinking that Professor Snape probably would be very put out by it. "Neville, that's wonderful! I hope that the students don't give you as much trouble as Harry, Ron and I gave Professor McGonagall." She was sure everything would be much calmer without Dark Wizards running amok.
Before Hermione could take another step forward, Neville's arm shot out, holding her back. "I think that's it." He said, staring straight ahead at an orchid, nestled amongst some brush. It had several flowers, each one back, and facing down, like a face throwing up. Little veins of white ran all over the center of the flower.
Neville cautiously moved forward, as if the plant was going to run away, before reaching out to touch one of the petals. He turned around and smiled. "Yes! This is definitely the Death Orchid!" He told her, excited. "Start taking notes about the general environment."
Normally, Hermione would take issue to being ordered around, but she understood that this was a momentous discovery for Neville and wouldn't begrudge him the moment. She took a step back and dug out the notebook, opening it to a blank page, and began taking notes, estimating the amount of sun the area would get, and the way that the soil seemed a bit wetter here.
While she was noting the other kinds of plants nestled around the Death Orchid, she didn't notice the shadow hovering over her until it was too late. A plant popped down and snapped her up, getting ahold of one of her legs. Its soft gummy fangs closed around her leg, coating her with a thick saliva like substance. Unable to help herself, she screamed, catching Neville's attention.
"Hermione!" He called, dropping the clipping of orchid that he was taking. Fumbling around in his pocket, he looked for his wand, finally getting it out of his pocket, only to promptly drop it on the ground.
The venus fly trap was trying to pull Hermione further in, and her heart was beating wildly. "Neville! Please help me!" She called. She could feel the thick, hot saliva sliding up her shirt, and onto her neck. It was making her skin crawl and she wanted it off.
Finally, standing with his wand firmly in hand, Neville sent a severing hex towards the plant, hitting it square where it was intended. The plant was hurt, and immediately opened its jaws, dropping Hermione on her head onto the soft, dirt ground.
Neville rushed to her side, obviously concerned. Hermione was so touched, she couldn't think of the last time that someone had saved her from something, her specifically. Dobby sort of saved her from Bellatrix, but really, the witch pushed Hermione away to save herself. And then she and Ron had fought Nagini, but he was fighting for himself too...
It was sweet and heroic. "Hermione! Are you alright?" He asked her, pushing her damp hair from her face, grimacing seeing all the plant saliva on her.
"I've been better." She said weakly, a bit sore and really grossed out. She wanted to get out of her wet clothes as soon as possible.
Neville scooped her up, holding her tightly in his arms. Hermione felt her breath leave her. "Come on, let's get you back to the villa." He said, clearly worried about her.
Hermione sighed, thinking that it was certainly romantic to be carried from the rain forest. It was romantic and she loved it! "But Neville!" She called, seeing the black orchid on the ground. "What about your plant clipping?"
Neville turned to look at the plant on the ground before shrugging his shoulders. "I'll be alright. It will still be here tomorrow after all. You are way more important to me than a silly plant." He began walking them towards a clearing so that they could apparate out.
Feeling her heart beat wildly beneath her breast, Hermione thought she just might actually swoon at his words. Yes, Neville Longbottom did romance very well.
