Chapter 13: Missing Lessons
Neville rushed to the Hospital Wing once he finished his morning routine.
"Morning, Mr. Longbottom," the matron greeted.
He smiled slightly and said, "Morning."
"Ms. Romero hasn't woken up yet, but you're welcome to stay until she does."
His stomach growled loudly in protest but he ignored it and sat down next to her bed anyway.
A few minutes later, Harry walked in with a plate of food.
"Mr. Potter, no food in the infirmary," Madame Pomfrey scolded her most notorious patient.
Harry winked at her and said. "Just this once."
Madame Pomfrey sighed and walked away mumbling something about the 'Potter Charm'.
"I knew you wouldn't come down to the Great Hall so I brought you some food since you missed dinner last night."
Neville smiled thankfully at his god-brother.
"So, is there any change?"
Neville glanced over at Delaney. He noticed that her skin was gaining a bit more color. He would be able to tell more when she woke up. He hungrily ate up the food that Harry had brought him as he waited for her to wake up.
"Neville?" Delaney asked, sleepily.
"Hey lo-I mean Laney," he greeted, hoping she didn't hear him almost call her love.
"How long have you been here?" she asked, trying to sit up.
Neville reached over and fluffed up her pillows so she could sit up.
"Thanks, Nev," she smiled softly, at her best friend as she sat up.
Neville couldn't help but notice that her eyes were a bit brighter.
"You didn't answer my question, Nev," Delaney reminded him.
A blush started to form over Neville's round face and he answered. "I came straight here after I took a shower and changed."
Delaney nodded.
"So, are you feeling better?" he asked, moving over to her bed and wrapping his arm around her.
Harry smirked and decided to leave them alone.
"Yes, I'm feeling better," she whispered."Especially now that I'm in your arms." she finished nestling herself into Neville's arms more. She noticed he smelled quite good like fresh flowers which made sense since he's a Herbologist.
Neville smiled down at her and said. "I'm glad, I've been so worried I forgot the password to the common room but Ginny helped."
"You haven't done that since your second year," Delaney said, looking up into his baby blue eyes.
"I know, but I thought I was going to lose you," he said, emotionally.
"I'm almost back to normal, Nev."
He locked eyes with her and said. "Now I know how Harry felt when Hermione was petrified," and added softly brushing a hair out of her face sweetly. "I don't want to feel it again."
Madame Pomfrey bustled over to the pair and told them. "I should do a check up on you, Ms. Romero."
"Okay," Delaney sighed, reluctantly removing herself slightly from Neville's arms.
Madame Pomfrey smiled and said. "You can stay in Mr. Longbottom's arms if you'd like."
Delaney made herself comfortable in Neville's arms as Madame Pomfrey did the check up.
"So, how is she?" Neville asked, worriedly.
"The potion is almost out of her system, Mr. Longbottom," she told the worried blond boy.
It felt like a weight lifted off Neville's shoulders.
"She should be ready to go once you're out of lessons," Madame Pomfrey said.
Neville nodded.
"I'm going to miss lessons?" Delaney asked, annoyance in her tone.
Neville chuckled at his best friend being more concerned about lessons then getting better.
"Nev, don't laugh at me," she chided him, halfheartedly.
He just grinned playfully at her and said. "Sorry, I'll just ask Hermione to take double notes. I'm sure she won't mind."
"Okay, thank you."
Neville kissed her forehead and left.
They had Charms with the Ravenclaws.
"Hermione, can I ask you something?" he asked, walking up to her desk that she shared with Harry.
The bushy haired brunette turned towards him and said. "Sure, Neville."
"Do you mind taking notes for Delaney, she'll miss the next two lessons?" Neville asked, her hopefully.
Hermione nodded and said. "I don't mind, Neville."
Before Neville could respond Professor Flitwick walked in and class started.
After class they had Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs. Neville was never good at Transfiguration but being distracted like this made him worse at it.
It was finally the end of lessons and Neville rushed to the Hospital Wing to see Delaney perched on her bed, her legs crossed.
"Hey Laney," he greeted, shyly.
Delaney smiled up at him, hazel eyes twinkling and said. "Hey Nev."
Neville grinned at her again instantly noticing the sparkle in her eye was back. Merlin, he had missed it.
"Did you get the notes?"
Neville face palmed and said. "I forgot to ask Hermione for them."
Delaney giggled at her endearingly forgetful best friend and said. "We'll go get them when I'm released."
Neville nodded.
"You can go now, Ms. Romero."
Delaney smiled.
"Thanks for everything, Madame Pomfrey."
"It's my job."
Delaney and Neville left the hospital wing hand in hand and walked to the Great Hall.
"She's okay," Neville sighed in relief, as they sat down at the Gryffindor table across from Harry, Hermione and Ginny.
"Why were you in the hospital wing, Delaney?" Ginny asked her friend.
"I was almost poisoned," Delaney said, tightening her grip on Neville's strong calloused hand.
Ginny nodded.
"So, I forgot to ask you for the notes, Hermione," Neville said.
"You sure did, here they are," Hermione said, handing Neville the packet of notes.
Neville handed them to Delaney.
"Thanks for this, Hermione," Delaney thanked her bushy-haired friend.
"No problem, do you know who poisoned you?"
Delaney shook her head.