Chapter 15: Professor Longbottom is Hot

August 2nd, 2007

Bella sat in the soft grass, reading a thick tome she'd found in the library about supernatural beings and beasts. The current section on blood subsistence presently held her interest, and she came across a very familiar species:

...Borealis Vampires, also known as Ice Vampires or Cold Ones, are known to originate somewhere within the Boreal region of Northern Russia. Of the nine recorded species of vampires, the Borealis boast the most consistent and organized ruling class of all vampires, including a distinct hierarchy according to each individual's skills and potential supernatural ability. Today's ruling class of the Borealis species are known as the Volturi and currently reside in Volterra, Italy.

Wizards are advised to take caution when encountering covens of this species, as traditional methods of holy water, stakes, and garlic are ineffective, due to the shell-like encasement of carbons that fuse to their skin upon their transformation. Stunning spells also have little effect, as Borealis Vampires – like their sister species, the Anuban – lose the ability to achieve a subconscious state following the transition from human to vampire.

The Impedimenta Jinx, as well as other specified containment spells, are known to be effective when encountering a hostile Borealis. For more information on self defense against this and other related species, refer to the appendix on page...

Bella folded the book over on her lap with a yawn and stretched out onto the warm grass. Neville was busier than ever, getting his lessons and the greenhouses ready for classes in less than a month, but it gave her time to take advantage of the vast wealth of resources in the Hogwarts library.

Why hadn't the Cullens told her about other species of vampires, or even about wizards or other creatures? Maybe they were bound, like Jacob had been with his tribe, to keep everything secret. Fortunately for her, wizards documented everything about every creature or being they discovered. They seemed to be right at the center of everything in the supernatural world, and Bella could hardly believe she was a part of it.

She spotted Neville walking past the courtyard toward the greenhouses, and she blushed thinking about their kiss in the woods. He'd still held her hand when they spent time together, but since then he'd made no move to initiate anything further. It was obvious he liked her, but what if there was some kind of custom or wizarding rule she wasn't aware of? Was she supposed to make the move? Was he just being proper?!

Resolving to just get it over with and ask him, Bella rose to her feet and made her way to the murky, green, glass houses. She found him in Greenhouse One, standing at the front of the room with papers in one hand and a potted plant in the other as he recited a few rehearsed lines.

Bella suddenly had a very sneaky idea, and with a touch of her wand she became invisible and tiptoed toward the pristine blackboard at the front of the class.

"Herbology...a highly underrated subject...many renowned witches and wizards were highly skilled...floo powder actually derives from the floo plant...invented by Ignatia Wildsmith in the thirteenth century..."

She bit down a smile as she listened to Neville's adorable practice speech. He was so engrossed in his lecture that he hadn't yet noticed the piece of chalk floating in the edge of his peripheral vision.

The moisture in the room had made the chalk more porous than usual, which was perfect for dulling the sound. She began to write in a slow, fluid motion, so quietly that she almost made it through her whole sentence before he noticed.

Turning toward the board, Neville placed the parchments and potted plant down and folded his arms with mock disapproval. "Very funny, Bella."

A muffled giggle escaped her lips as the words 'Professor Longbottom is Hot' gleamed against the black surface of the chalkboard.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist," she grinned.

"Right," he rolled his eyes. "Now where are you, so I can thank you properly for your sophisticated critique of my physical features?"

Bella materialized easily in front of the young professor, and his smirk widened into a genuine smile.

"Can't have the students seeing that, you know. They might get ideas," he joked, clearing the board with a flick of his wand. "It'd be a bloody great trick for the first years though. You could drop in and give them a fright any time the class gets too dull."

"Do you really think I'll be here that long?" Her expression sobered slightly. "I mean, is there even a place for me at Hogwarts? I can't really teach anything, and I'm too old to be a student."

Neville paused, keenly aware of the more serious direction the conversation had taken. "I suppose that depends on whether or not you plan on staying. McGonagall says you're welcome to stay on as an assistant to one of the professors, but I know your muggle university starts up again in a few weeks—"

"—I want to stay here," Bella blurted out suddenly. "I mean, if I can." She stared into Neville's unreadable expression, trying to convey with her eyes what she couldn't seem to explain with words. She wanted to stay in this magical world, and she wanted Neville by her side.

"You want to stay?" he murmured with a hint of shock.

"I do," she breathed.

A slow, steady smile spread across his features. "You're staying?" he asked, this time with more enthusiasm.

"I'm staying!" Her eyes were wide with excitement as the question shifted to declaration.

Without a second's warning Neville closed the diminishing distance between them with a deep kiss. There was no hesitation this time as he claimed her mouth fully and felt his way with his hands from the back of her shoulders down to the soft curve of her waist. Bella pulled back after a full minute, gasping for air as she tried to reign in the heady sensation she now felt all over her body.

He pressed his forehead to hers with a gentle smirk and longing gaze. "You're staying."

And there was nothing that could change her mind.

Oh...Greenhouse fluff. And foreboding! There's still a few more twists and turns to be had. This was really just a silly little fluffy extension of the last chapter, but whatever. What's done is done! Thanks for taking the time to read and for all the helpful feedback. -V