Chapter 8: Surprise, Neville!
Delaney arrived at the airport ten hours later. She was jet lagged. She looked around for any sign of red hair but of course they were purebloods so maybe they didn't know about airports. She saw a disheveled man holding a small scarlet sign with her name on it.
"So, you're Delaney?" the man asked in a friendly voice.
Delaney nodded nervously. He seemed friendly enough. Maybe he was a friend of the Weasleys.
He smiled and said. "I'm Remus Lupin, I'm a friend of the Molly and Arthur, you'll be staying with me and my best friend Sirius and his godson until the Weasleys return."
"Alright." Delaney smiled, relaxing considerably since she knew this was Harry's 'uncle'.
"So, you must be a muggle born?"
"Actually, I'm a halfblood. My dad just wanted us to blend in," Delaney told him.
Remus nodded and asked. "How old are you?"
"I'm twelve but I turn thirteen in August."
"You're the same age as my best friend's godson."
Delaney nodded knowingly she knew he was talking about Harry.
They apparated to a house.
"I'm back, Sirius!" Remus called.
A man with long black hair walked in. He reminded her vaguely of her uncle.
"So, this is the exchange student that Molly is housing?"
Remus nodded.
"I'm Delaney," She said shyly.
"Don't worry, his bark is worse than his bite." Remus smirked at Sirius.
Just then a boy with untidy black hair, round glasses and emerald green eyes walked in with a broom.
"Harry, this is Delaney. She'll be staying here until the Weasleys get back."
He smiled at her and said. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Harry. Let me show you up to your room."
"Well, aren't you a gentleman," Delaney smiled back at him.
Harry blushed.
The two soon-to-be-thirteen-year-olds walked up to a spare room.
"Here you are."
"Thanks," Delaney smiled.
"No problem," Harry said.
Delaney unpacked.
She wished that England was as open with magic as America was that way she probably could've just waved her wand and be unpacked.
"Harry, Neville's here!" Remus' voice called about an hour later.
Delaney could hear Harry rush down to greet his god-brother. She slowly followed him.
"Laney?" Neville asked as he finished greeting his god-brother.
Delaney looked up at him smiling hearing how her nickname sounded with his accent. She hadn't realized how much she missed it until now.
"I thought you were staying at the Weasleys?" Neville asked, mirroring his best friend's smile.
Delaney nodded and said. "I am but they're still in Egypt."
"Okay, now give me a hug," Neville grinned.
Delaney happily obliged. She forgot how Neville's hugs felt over the years. She couldn't help but smile against his chest.
"Is anyone as confused as I am?" Sirius asked.
"It's obvious they know each other," Remus said.
Harry looked at his god brother and his friend and asked. "So, you're the mysterious Delaney that Neville never stops talking about?"
Neville blushed at Harry's comment as Delaney smiled up at him and said. "So, you never stop talking about me, huh."
"Well, yeah," Neville smiled down at her, sweetly.
"I'm still confused how you two know each other."
"We met when we were seven when my parents were transferred to America," Neville informed Sirius.
He nodded as Neville reluctantly let Delaney go and the three some went up to Harry's room. Harry started to go on and on about Quidditch. Delaney and Neville were happily tuning him out.
"Merlin, I've missed you so much, Laney," Neville smiled at her.
Delaney nodded and said. "I know."
"But I know Zach is missing you right now, but you're quite missable."
Delaney blushed.
"So, you still wear the necklace I bought you?" Neville said fiddling with the necklace around her neck.
Delaney grinned and said. "I haven't taken it off the past four years, actually."
Neville nodded. The two reunited best friends just sat in a comfortable silence while listening to Harry prattle on and on about Quidditch.
Delaney caught herself staring at Neville.
Of course he's changed the four years she hasn't seen him. The changes were more than just physical. His blond hair was neck length, his hands were calloused those were definitely from working with his beloved plants, he had slight muscles as well. She noticed he was a little more confident though she very much liked his shy demeanor. He had lost some weight.
Delaney moved to the Weasleys when they returned. She really enjoyed this family.
Delaney had been with the Weasleys a few days when Neville came over. Delaney was reading at the table when Neville arrived he pulled the book out of her hands playfully.
"Hey Nev," she greeted, looking up at him grinning.
Neville grinned back and said. "Hey Laney."
"You didn't tell us that Delaney would be here, Neville," Alice said.
Delaney got up and greeted her best friend's parents.
"You're growing into a beautiful young lady, Delaney," Alice smiled at her holding her at arms length.
Delaney blushed at her best friend's mum's comment.
"How do you two know each other?" Ginny asked, confused as Sirius was a few days before.
Neville told her the story and she nodded.
Neville couldn't help but glance at Delaney innocently through out the day. He had to agree with his mum. She was growing into a beautiful young lady.