Longbottom Rose, the hollywood remake

by Billybob - csagun36

This narative ship is primarily Longbottom-OC plus loads of space given to Ron-Hermione and a Ginny pairings that actually makes Blood status sense - all done - with a very adult twist. This is a remake with the full-permission of the original author'

3. Chapter 3

Longbottom Rose

ID # 1822668

First Pub: 04-16-04 completed 07-12-05

Author: ForeverLaDonna

Original Word count total: 97,626

Rated 'T'

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I have received permission from the original author's to do this rewrite via e-mail 10/15/2010

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Hollywood Re-write part three - -

By billybobcsgun36 - -

Fanfiction (dot) net id# 641050

Chapter 21 to 29

Begun; 10-23-09

Redo-Word count; 51,852 (this part alone)

Rated 'M'

Still with me after parts one and two with zero reviews... I have to wonder?

Summary; why does Harry and Hermione get the bulk of all the stories? What's wrong with a minor character getting a little screen time. This tale of mine is a primarily a Neville Mary-sue relationship. With a fair amount of time given to the old standby 'Rbw-HJG' and for the 'Draco' lovers out-there I change him radically from cannon and put him into a 'ship' with a character who's blood status would be acceptible to a Slytherin with his prejudices.

Rewrite-Author notes: I love the original and suggest everyone check it out. In fact I suggest dear reader that you compare her version to mine. She'll win I'm sure, hands down ;-) Do keep in mind, however; that as a rewrite the differences between the original and mine will be subtle at times, especially at the beginning.

Now for the warnings; bla-bla-bla

I am not a professional writer; I have been called by critics; long-winded with a tendency to go off into tangents that distract from the main plot… to these charges; I plea, Guilty. I also openly admit to the abuse of the King's English. If you look for perfection in writing; grammar or spelling, by all means go elsewhere. I don't claim to be anything else than a story teller… plain and simple

Warning two; this story is thick with sexual innuendo and the discussion of sexual preferences that are unusual to say the least. This story is rated M for a reason …okay? I feel that JK Rowling's notion that teenagers of seventeen and eighteen have no interest in sex; is laughable.

I've redid parts one and two, check them out, I can't help it... I can't resist makeing my tale better

Disclaimer;

Is there someone somewhere who doesn't know who owns all legal rights to the Harry Potter series? If there is; please tell this person, that I will not profit in any way, from this tale, beyond the entertainment of my few readers and the annoyance of the grammar-Nazi's.

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The house lights fade, the curtain opens … roll film

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Chapter 21

Friday Morning came and the rays of daylight danced merrily across Neville's eyelids as he struggled to open them. He felt warm, comfortable and more content than at any pervious time in his life. He tried shifting a little on the couch, but found him-self pinned down. He felt an arm stretched across his waist and a head resting on his chest.

Opening one eye, he looked down and saw some strawberry-blonde hair and a soft figure snuggled-up next to him. It was Alaire's arm draped possessively around his middle, while his arm was draped down her backside to the point where his hand rested on her rump. Still not quite awake, Neville smiled and leaned down slightly to kiss her forehead. He closed his eyes again only to have them shoot straight open the next second.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anything," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling brightly from where he sat on Neville's desk chair looking down at the cuddling couple.

Like a fox caught in a henhouse, Neville's froze in place as his eyes nearly popped out of his head. His mind raced with many difference scenarios – from Alaire and him having detention for the rest of term and never being allowed to look at each other again …to how his Gran would react if he got expelled from Hogwarts for spending a night with a girl on school premises …even though nothing sexually had happened.

"It's not what it looks like, sir," Neville said quickly, but quietly as to not wake up Alaire. Instinctively, he pulled Alaire closer without realizing it. The girl in Neville's arms smiled peacefully in her sleep and snuggled even closer to him, bringing her right leg up so her knee and part of her leg were poised over his groin.

The headmaster smiled as Neville turned tomato red and lay perfectly still. In fact, Dumbledore had to look closely to make sure the seventh-year boy was still breathing. "All it looks like to me is that a couple of friends fell asleep talking. Am I not correct?"

"Yes, that's all …I swear," Neville whispered as sweat began to build on his forehead as Alaire snuggled even closer to him as he pulled the blanket over both of them.

Dumbledore tried to suppress an amused chuckle as he looked at the young couple. "Minerva owes me ten Knuts for this, I knew Harry wouldn't win this girl," …the headmaster said to himself. 'Speaking of Minerva' - - -

"Professor McGonagall informed me that Alaire was not in transfiguration this morning. Upon talking with Mr. Potter I became aware that he and she must have had a heated disagreement of some sort, last night." Albus said getting up to walk around the study looking at the various plants. "I thought that perhaps she would be very upset after such an emotional argument and would need a sanctuary to calm down and collect her thoughts. I must admit this place fits the bill very nicely. This study of yours is very tranquil indeed. This is where you took Miss Goodnight following that incident at the dance …is it not?"

Neville nodded in the affirmative.

"Ah, and what is this?" the headmaster asked as he reached the Longbottom roses by the window. "Is this one of your special projects? What remarkable coloring and unique aroma!"

"Th…that's one of my – hybrid's; a very special rose," Neville said …he couldn't help the surprise that escaped from his lips. There was his actual rose and it had doubled in size …blooming huge! It had some of the largest and most colorful blooms he had ever seen.

"Indeed? - - So is this one I've heard about …the flower that tells if an individual is in love? I've read some of your notes to Professor Sprout regarding this particular project," Dumbledore said as he touched one of the petals. "If your theory is correct; then it seems the owners of these two plants are very much in love."

Neville couldn't even blink. He watched as the headmaster walked around the rest of the room before settling down once again in the desk chair across from Neville and Alaire.

"Anyway, I think it would be prudent if Miss Goodnight does not miss any more classes this morning. You also have a charms class in one hour. I would advise you both not to be late," he said. "I had originally intended to speak with Miss Goodnight …it's a pity that she's not awake at the moment. Her parents sent a message this morning alerting me that they will be coming to spend part of the Christmas-hol's here at Hogwarts with her. I'm sure you will pass that message along to her."

"I will sir," Neville said gulping. "We won't be late for class either."

"Very-good - and Mr. Longbottom. I'd like to thank you for making this room available to Miss Goodnight. I believe the atmosphere in here calms her. It's important in a time of war that someone with her abilities …keeps a clear mind and a happy heart. I believe that this room provides both. With that in mind I feel a special exception should be made in Miss Goodnight case concerning the no visitors rule for this private study."

Seeing Neville gob-smacked reaction, the headmaster smiled and headed for the door.

"Oh, one more thing, I believe that in my day, it was customary to hang a tie on the door when in deep …'conversation' with a female-friend. Perhaps, a wreath would be more appropriate for a Herbology study." He waved his wand and a small wreath appeared on the painting of the Greenhouse. "Yes, that should do the trick." He winked at Neville as he closed the door behind him.

Neville's mind was clouded as a million thoughts jumped through it. Did the headmaster really just say that he wanted Alaire to spend as much time in here …as she wanted? What did he mean about her abilities? Hanging a wreath on the door? He wished he could just melt into the floor and never come back… except for the fact that he would miss Alaire so much.

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He took a moment to relive the previous night. He had seen Alaire's 'rose' bloom and had assumed that it had bloomed for Harry. Much to his shock, instead of being in the midst of a impassioned slap and tickle with Harry …Alaire had shown up on his doorstep instead …sobbing. It seemed that Harry had made the first move but Alaire had put him off in hopes of Neville.

He smiled to himself as he remembered kissing her for the first time. She had gasped and stared at him with those startling blue eyes. He smiled even more as he recalled the kisses that followed. His kisses with Ginny seemed almost platonic, downright sisterly when compared to Alaire's.

Once he had finally confessed how he truly felt about her, the last of Alaire's defenses had come down as well. During the hours that followed and in between surprisingly passionate kisses, they had shared memories of the past few months. Alaire confessed to jumping on him in Madame Malkin's 'almost on purpose' …while Neville admitted that he had wanted to kiss her the night of their confrontation over the Passion Pill. When asked why he hadn't followed his impulse …he could only smile and admit that the Gryffindor courage didn't extend to matters of the heart.

It had been almost four in the morning before the conversation died down and sleep had taken over. They had intended to wake up at dawn then sneak back to the common-room before anyone else had awakened. Unfortunately, emotional exhaustion had taken them over and now …here they were. Late for classes, admonished by the Headmaster, and still wrapped as tightly around each other as ever.

Neville didn't really mind being busted. He had been surprised beyond words when Alaire' 'pajamas' underneath her bathrobe's …had consisting of little more than his missing cashmere jumper and some kind of thermal exercise tights …along with a pair of thick cashmere socks to keep her feet warm. Those socks had a history too; apparently …for she had admitted to have 'foraged' them …whatever that meant …from Harry's school trunk…socks that she now felt strangely-compelled to return.

Concerning the …'Jumper' …his …Alaire now considered that item to be a prize of war …and would not be returned to him …due to the American courting custom of claiming apart of a boyfriend's wardrobe as proof of territorial ownership. Never having had a girlfriend before, Neville didn't feel he could argue the point and said so, which had made Alaire smile big.

She had reluctantly confessed …that her newest 'sleeping jumper' had actually been stolen from him …by Ginny, with any anger at the theft on Neville's part …banished by her adorable blush of embarrassment at being caught-out. He couldn't deny that his former jumper looked far better on her than it ever had on him.

The jumper …being used primarily as pajama's meant that Alaire naturally wasn't wearing anything underneath her cashmere-top …a fact that Neville became painfully aware of early on during their snogging. It had been hard not touch certain areas of her body …and Neville couldn't help but wonder if Alaire was testing his intentions …whether or not she planned it (she hadn't actually) Neville was ever mindful of where his hands were at all times. Remembering it the next morning …Neville took a slow deep breath. The smell of magnolias and roses that was such an integral part of Alaire wafted around him. She was soft, she smelled like flowers, and she loved him. What more could he ask for?

"Sweet Merlin", Neville cringed his eyes went wide. For Alaire was still half-asleep and was now rubbing her leg gently up and down across the center of her new boyfriends lap! "Oh no, not now...think unappealing thoughts." Neville said to himself. "It wouldn't do for her to wake up and accidentally brush against his raging erection with her leg. She would think he was some sort of pervert… like Seamus!"

Unappealing thoughts – Snape! Yes Snape!

Unappealing thoughts – Snape in Gran's clothes,

Unappealing thoughts – Snape in a tutu,

Unappealing thoughts – Snape with one of those damned cauldrons shoved up his …–

"Good Morning," a groggy-voice whispered as a soft breath tickled his ear, blowing all thoughts of Snape out the other side.

"Morning, Alaire."

"I'm so comfortable. Can we just spend the rest of the day like this?" she asked as she snuggled even closer much to Neville's torture and delight.

"I'm afraid not. Especially as we-we've already had some company this morning."

Alaire shot up, wrapping the blanket around her. "What …who?'

"Well, you missed Transfiguration –"

"Oh …God! Please tell me McGonagall didn't bust in here!"

"No! Actually; it was Professor Dumbledore."

Alaire turned red and ran shaking fingers through her hair. "Are we expelled?"

"Strange as this may sound …the answer is, No. In point of fact, I got the weird feeling that he sort of liked the idea of the two of us together," Neville said blushing. "He essentially… sort-of; encouraged you to spend more time in here."

Alaire raised a doubtful-eyebrow at him.

"I'm serious …really", Neville said still worried about being thought of as a pervert. "He said my study was very calming and would help you he even set-aside the no visitor rule, but just for you. He also said something about your parents coming up for part of the hols."

"What?"

"He said that your parents are coming up for the Christmas holidays and… –"

Neville was cut off as Alaire shrieked happily and pounced onto Neville's lap, throwing her arms around him.

"My parents are coming! I'll really get to see them! Thank you!"

Neville was going to explain he had nothing to do with it but Alaire started kissing him instead, at first theses kisses were chaste in nature and spread all over his face …but then he took a two handed hold on her face and he claimed her lips with his own …for more serious snogging. He was lost in a sensation of bliss for …who knows how long …until he felt Alaire shift in his lap.

It was then he realized that first off …if they didn't stop they would be late for class, and he had promised Dumbledore they wouldn't. And secondly, his boxer's were becoming way too small and that was something he didn't particularly want Alaire to notice.

Struggling to pull his lips away from Alaire's sweet ones, he picked her up and placed her beside him on the couch.

Taking a deep breath, he turned and looked at her. "As much as I was enjoying that, and believe me I did," he said turning a shade of pink. "I promised Dumbledore that we'd both make it to Charms which starts in a just fifteen minutes. So I think it may be best if we ran up to the dormitories, changed, and got to class unless you want rumors flying about both of us wearing the same clothes as yesterday and looking quite thoroughly snogged."

"I haven't been completely, one hundred percent, thoroughly kissed senseless, Alaire teased.

Neville cleared his throat, "Well, later then."

"Is that a Promise?"

"Promise!"

He gave Alaire a quick peck on the cheek and led her out of the room. Merlin help him, she was going to be the death of him yet.

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Chapter 22

Later that same Day

"Neville, if you don't stop blushing every time you look at me, this is never going to work," Alaire admonished her new boyfriend as he turned a nice shade of bright pink while walking down the narrow corridor with her.

Nevile had been compelled to agree on their surreptitious flight from his study that they would keep their new relationship quiet …for the time being anyway. Alaire felt it was one of the few things she could do to soften the blow to Harry.

"I'm trying," he whispered looking around quickly to make sure no one was about, before grabbing Alaire around the waist and pulling her closer to give her a kiss. "I'm off to library, have fun in class."

Neville was sure that he had a huge smile on his face, seeing how he had transferred some of the pink from his face to Alaire's cheeks with that kiss. Neville had readily agreed because he wasn't sure exactly how he was going to handle his first serious romance either. His fling with Ginny had been brief and as it turned out her interest in him had only been in-passing. He hadn't had much time to think about it. Fortunately, he had Divination after lunch. He wasn't sure why he had kept the class other than it provided him a chance to catch up on his sleep a few times a week.

Today it had given an opportunity to think about his new relationship with Alaire. He obviously had Dumbledore's approval. After he had gotten over the initial shock of seeing the headmaster in his study, he realized that Dumbledore had complimented him on his work. But what truly brought a smile to his face was the look on Alaire's face as they had left his private study that morning. She was positively glowing. He hadn't seen her that happy since her arrival at Hogwarts. Obviously, he had done something right. Now he just had to make sure that he kept doing it... whatever it was!

He was rudely awakened from his reveries by Professor Trelawney's loud shout over one of Lavender's dream prophecies. He wondered who was going to die next. He was surprised to see the entire room turn to look at him.

"What?"

"Mr. Longbottom, according to Ms Brown's dream, there is going to be a drastic change in your life. I can't help but wonder if the death omen has been passed on to you; from Mr. Potter."

Neville went pale and found him-self swallowing hard. Lavender couldn't possibly know about him and Alaire …could she? He risked looking toward Lavender who was simply giving him the same airy-stare that she had learned to copy from Professor Trelawney.

'Insane the lot of them', he thought to himself. "Either that …or the rumor that the "incense" that Trelawney's was using in her classroom …was to cover up the smell of something more potent that she was smoking between classes to develop her inner-eye …was true.

"Well, ma'am, if anything happens, I'll be sure to let you know." The statement came out a bit more snarky than he wanted and he immediately regretted the words.

"Yes, well, Mr. Longbottom, if your past lives are any indication of your future, we'll be waiting quite awhile." Professor Trelawney turned with a swirl of her robes. "Class dismissed."

"Thanks loads, Lavender," Neville whispered sourly as he walked by the girl on his way out of the room.

"Glad to be of service … and I mean anytime," she added in an amazingly seductive tone.

Neville simply shook his head in surprise and walked on, "since when did Lavender acknowledge that I was alive," He asked himself.

"Get a grip Longbottom, Brown was trying to get you into trouble for daydreaming; she wasn't actually flirting with you. Just because Alaire fancies you a-bit … for-now …doesn't mean any other girl …ever will". He shuddered as he thought of some of the things he had heard about Brown and Patil. "Wild ones those two, they've had dozens of boyfriends this term and even more sixth year. This school-year is almost half-over and they've shown no more indication of settling down into a serious relationship than Seamus".

Neville spent the next few minutes pondering his budding relationship with his American girlfriend while wondering how long she would put-up with him. By the time he reached the Great Hall for dinner he was feeling depressed again, but his dark mood instantly brightened when he took a seat across from Alaire as she had requested. He knew a dramatic change in their normal seating pattern was a mistake, but he couldn't say no to her. His secret girlfriend was chatting happily with Ginny who sat in Neville's old seat on Alaire left.

To Alaire's right; sat Hermione, who was snapping at Ron in a soft semi-flirting row …that was the new-usual for them. In a full rejection-funk; Harry was of course nowhere to be seen. He had turned-up missing at lunch and Neville …after years of similar behavior …wasn't all that surprised that the Chosen-One wasn't eating again… His radical mood-swings were becoming more-and-more frequent lately and increasingly-worrisome.

"Harry was famous for his foul-mood funks when something in his life went wrong and Alaire preferring him to Potter as a boyfriend certainly qualified'. Neville said to himself, It wasn't going to be pretty when Harry finally finds-out about Alaire and me, but I'll face that confrontation when it happens, until then …I'd best try to enjoy the calm before the storm'.

With that attitude in mind …Neville soon found him-self caught-up listening intently to a rather animated conversation between Dean and Seamus concerning Muggle football. He knew something of the sport himself as he'd gone to a match with Dean during the last summer-Hol. As far as any casual observer could tell, Alaire seemed to be taking extra-pains to ignore him much-more than she usually did …while her foot kept rubbing his right leg under the table. He actually contemplated playing footsie with her back …but then again …with his luck …he would accidentally get Ginny instead …who was sitting across from him and right next to Alaire.

He didn't want to contemplate whatever Draco would put him through if that happened …for since his manhood had been miniaturized, the fuse to Malfoy's temper had been reduced to next to nothing. He reacted violently whenever any bloke even gave a second glance in the direction of 'his' woman.

As for Ginny, herself …from what Neville overheard the previous night at dinner…she was at a loss on how to respond to Draco's sudden possessiveness …hex him or kiss him? Draco wasn't all that powerful magically or physically, but what he lacked in muscle …he made up for in raw recklessness. His defense of Ginny's 'honor', however …whether merited or not …had cost him as many detentions as Harry usually got from Snape. Oddly enough Neville couldn't help but feel that Malfoy's recent mental behavior concerning his Ginerva was reaping unexpected benefits …in Ron's new found tolerance to having the so-called 'Nutter Ferret' in his baby-sisters company. In either event, all the other blokes in the castle were now openly hesitant to be around Gingin,

Suddenly Alaire's girl-talk with Ginny abruptly ended when Draco limped slowly into the Great hall. Ginny rushed over to him and gave him a welcoming hug, under the watchful gaze of her brother, who stared hard at the couple and then …shook his head in regret, before turning back toward Hermione to restart their 'row' …only to wonder why the Head-Girl was suddenly beaming at him in unbridled delight.

'Action speaks louder than words, Ron', Neville thought to himself amused at the scene he'd just witnessed, 'and the ferrets actions are slowly winning you over',"

"Fancy a walk?" a soft voice whispered toward him from across the table.

Startled out-of his reflections, Neville nodded once …and after waiting until two minutes after she had gotten up and left the Hall, then he too got up and left. Exiting the huge doors, Neville caught sight of Alaire waiting for him a few meters down the hallway. As Alaire had insisted …for Harry's sake, Neville had followed her …at a respectful distance …down a few dimly lit hallways and up a couple of stairs …until he found himself in a deserted hallway and sneaking into a secluded prearranged alcove for a few moments of privacy.

Neville had turned around several times when he had passed people in the hallway to see if anyone was following them. When he finally entered their alcove he could tell Alaire was not very amused.

"What's this I hear about Lavender flirting with you in Divination?"

"Excuse me …What are you going on about? Ms Brown caught me daydreaming …about you I might add …and she got me in trouble for it, with Trelawney."

"I'm sorry." Alaire said tearing up. "But you're with me now, and I won't stand for you chatting-up that cheap tart. The third floor girls-Loo is gossip central around here …and when I heard, I nearly lost it."

"May I politely point-out, that you are the one …who insisted …that no-one know that I'm your boyfriend. Secondly, I'm sure the rumor-mill has blown the whole thing way-out of proportion." Neville said unable to help feeling flattered …at the tone of jealousy in Alaire's voice.

"Well, you're pretty calm!" Alaire retorted feeling a little hurt.

"My Love; - - Listen to me …please?" Neville said as he stepped closer and wiped away Alaire's tear. "There are exactly four girls in this whole school that acknowledge …on any level …my existence. Granger, Weasley, Lovegood and you - - that's it …to everyone else I'm invisible."

"That's bull-crap, loads of girls see you," Alaire protested.

"No they don't …not really," Neville said unable to put into words the previous six years. "But how come you waited to read me the riot act until now? At dinner you weren't the least bit upset?"

"I've had a lot of practice this-term hiding my real feelings, Neville. In public, I'm always working at keeping distracting people from my true emotions by taking my extrovert act to an extreme. My mom use to tell-me; 'When you're the life of the party, no one sees the tears of the clown."

Glancing around the empty hallway to make sure they had the area to themselves, she stepped-up to Neville and looped her arms around his neck. "That's why I love being around you so much. I don't have to pretend at being a fearless, bold as brass …shameless hussy. I don't have to block anyone out and I can finally just be myself."

Neville smiled at the compliment as he pulled her into a long drawn-out snog. "Glad to be of service!" he said when they came up for air. "Oi, that reminds me," he then told her the details behind Lavender's prophecy and what had happened at the end of class …finally giving voice to his misgivings. "Do you think she might have seen me looking lustfully in your direction …as in every day …since term started?"

Now Alaire turned a nice shade of pink. "I don't know if she saw that, but I did …sort-of …well, um, had an interesting dream about you… some two nights ago and um …she might have heard some of the sexually suggestive things… I might have uttered while half-asleep."

"Oh really?" Neville said trying to hide his amusement. "Care to share?"

"Not at the moment," she said before clearing her throat. "hum …maybe …later tonight." Neville chuckled and said to himself as Alaire turned maroon herself. 'If only she knew how his wild dreams about her had tormented him for the past two months. Males were all perverts and if women ever found out, they would kill them all'.

Alaire swiftly changed the subject. "We may not be able to keep 'US" a secret for very long. My goal in doing this was to give Harry time to heal, isn't working out as I planed. I didn't think he'd take being turned-down so hard; he's been off-somewhere in a royal-funk since last night. Nobody has seen him …he's missed meals and classes and yet everyone seems to behave like nothing unusual is going on? My hope was to keep from hurting Harry more than I already have… for taking up with-you the same night I rejected him; has got to hurt-big."

"It's a noble thought, Alaire, but as I have already pointed out …several times already; 'there are no secrets at Hogwarts" so it would be wiser to think that we're living on borrowed time as far as keeping Harry in the dark about us."

Alaire nodded and sighed. "As long as I have your word that you'll not tell him that you're my boyfriend, Neville, I won't worry about him finding out anytime soon."

Neville's face went red again as he felt his heart speed up. He leaned down to kiss Alaire and was rewarded with warm lips that tasted once again of the sugar cookies they had eaten at dinner. "I swear …he'll not hear it from me!"

"Mmm. You taste good."

"You'll get your dessert, later …if you keep your gob shut with Harry."

Neville kissed her again forgetting his shyness for a moment. A few moments later Neville pulled himself away from her abruptly and then looked directly into her eyes, everything about him deadly serious. "Tomorrow night is movie night, are you going to sit in my lap …or Harry's"

"Oh my lord, I forgot tomorrow was movie night. …uh umm. I don't know Neville, I just broke-it off with him …" Alaire began, before she felt Neville abruptly let go of her and take a large step back.

"Neville, please …don't act this way. Harry's hurting …we need to give him time to heal."

(Silence)

Neville …please …I promised to be his friend, if I don't sit next to him on movie-night tomorrow, he'll think me a liar. Try to understand." Alaire pleaded.

(Silence)

"Neville?"

"Whatever" …Neville growled, "Its time for you to head to the common-room, and if you don't mind, I'll forgo going there right now. In fact …As you are so determined to avoid a scene, I think it would be better for me to spend the weekend; alone …in my private study. I have loads of work to do on another of my special projects, make excuses for me …would you?"

Neville, don't be angry with me …please.

(Silence)

Without another word they went their separate ways. Neville headed for his private study in a right fit of temper while Alaire ran to the common room …with her mental shields up and her face a emotional blank …she paused in the common room looking for a Ginny desperately in need of some girl-talk …for she was suddenly very fearful that she had insulted her new-boyfriend very-very deeply. However Ginny was nowhere to be seen and feeling increasingly depressed Alaire went-up to her dorm-room to figure-out what to do.

OoOoOoOo

Unfortunately, Neville wasn't able to stay in his study for very-long, he hadn't had a bath in two days, and he knew he had to clean-up and grab a few things before he camped-out in his study for the entire weekend. He was sure that Alaire thought that he was acting childish, but just once he wished that someone… anyone, would put his needs ahead of the ever so precious Chosen one.

Twenty minutes later a still fuming Neville stormed into the seventh year's dorm-room feeling an overwhelming need to smash his fist into something …like a stone wall. He was startled to see Harry sitting on his bed covered in what seemed to be tiny cuts. Some were still oozing blood.

"What happened to you?" he snapped out before he could stop himself.

"I took out a room of china …with a dozen bludgers last night," Harry said in a monotone.

Neville started to ask him why and then stopped. He knew why. Harry had taken out his anger over losing Alaire on the room of requirements. Understanding at that precise moment the feeling of being toyed-with by the same women who had just placed Potter in his current funk ahead of her boyfriend …Neville said no more, instead he made his way over to his trunk and pulled out an old tattered carpet-bag, into which he stuffed clean-underwear, a wool-jumper, socks and a pair of trousers …along with some grooming products and a bath-towel.

His intention was to gather his things …take a quick shower and then sneak down to his study and stay out of sight as his brand-new girlfriend went-overboard making things easier for the moody national hero. Neville had no intention of being a cuckold-witness to Alaire flawing over Potter all weekend; while ignoring him. He for certain; didn't want to be anywhere near the common-room; when his girlfriend began her customary-cuddling… in the lap of the Great Potter.

That was the plan anyway …but no plan survives contact with the boy-who-lived.

Harry abruptly got-up and walked over to Neville in a brisk stride.

"Not going to ask why?" Harry asked his voice taking a sharp tone.

Neville shook his head no.

"Fine …I've just made up my mind about something important …and you get the privilege of being the first to Know."

"What are you talking about, Harry?" Neville asked trying to stamp down the jealous anger starting to bubble up in his chest. All he wanted was to get his stuff and go. Neither boy was aware that Dean had entered the room and was standing in the doorway listening.

"It's Alaire. I don't want her anymore. You can have her."

"Excuse me?"

"I'M GIVING HER TO YOU. Dammit" Harry shouted.

"I didn't know she was yours to give away, Harry." Neville said in a shaky voice as his anger began to rise. "Does Alaire know about this?"

"Oh, she knows," Harry said shaking her head.

"Harry, you arrogant arse? How can you really think that you can give someone away? She is a person …not a jumper that you've outgrown."

Dean looked-on in silent amazement at the two boys facing each other. He had clearly heard the 'property' discussion, from the door and now stood; invisible in plain sight of the two shouting dorm-mates, who were utterly oblivious of his presence.

"She belonged to me!" Harry screamed.

"And what makes you think that you owned her heart in the first place?" Neville continued.

"What do you expect me to think? She grabs me and kisses me –"

"That was an enchanted candy, you said so yourself!"

"Then she hangs around with me all the time and talks to me –"

"She's your friend!"

"Then she should be my GIRLFRIEND. Unless," Harry stopped suddenly and took a second hard-look at Neville. "There has to be someone else. There is no other reason for her to turn me down. Know anything about that; Neville?" Harry hissed.

Neville took a deep breath. "Actually –"

"Actually …what?"

"Actually, come to think on it …what I know …is none of your ruddy business …Potter."

"I'm making it my business, LONGBOTTOM. She was my girl until last night …then Alaire abruptly turned me down and I want to know why."

"Then ask her …you Git. It's her heart, not yours …her choice …NOT YOURS"

"Tell me dammit …somehow you know …and you're going to tell me …right now.

"I don't think so …POTTER", Neville sneered sarcastically. "But if you've blown-it with Alaire, I've got a few theories to offer …as to why. Maybe it's because you act like a domineering git when you're around her." Neville's said as his self-control snapped and his frustration finally found its voice. "You're so possessive she's suffocating – and you only seek her out when you need something from her," Neville spat furiously. "It's all take and no give with you, POTTER - and how do I know this …you ask? I've watched you do the same thing to Weasley and Granger for six and a half years …take …take …take".

"They are always there for you, every single time. But you're too wrapped up in yourself to be there when they need something from you, - which isn't all that often these days - because they've learned to depend on each other instead of you …which is one of the reasons they're a couple now! You're always angry or upset about something …strutting about the Castle in a foul-funk which doesn't make you all that approachable. For example; you've been skipping classes or been in detention ever since . . . Malfoy and Bellatrix escaped."

"I have things to do! Things that aren't your business; …ACTUALLY!"

"And no one else here has a grudge to settle with Bellatrix, just you," Neville asked sarcastically.

"She killed my godfather," Harry spat.

"Bellatrix Lestrange didn't do my parents any favors either." Neville retorted furiously. "And yet I still manage to function, attend class and give comfort to a …'friend' when she needs it," describing Alaire as a FRIEND had been painful for Neville to utter aloud. "Especially when her other best-friend gets so self absorbed that he forgets that she even exists. That's another of my theories as to why Alaire doesn't want to be around you."

Harry felt a lump in his chest. He looked at Neville's face then he realized something. "You and Alaire have been talking about this. Haven't you?"

"Gee-whiz, Harry, please forgive me for not telling you before this …but you're not the only friend Alaire has here. –"

"It's you! You went behind my back …stole her away from me!"

"I didn't steal anything!" Neville attempted to continue …but Harry interrupted him with an angry rant.

"I should have known! She was just stringing me along the whole time! I wonder how many other bloke's that she has cock-teased into a-randy frenzy. She's got to have blokes from the other school houses on the back burner …on standby for when we catch-on to her slag-game. What about …Seamus, or Jack Sloper… perhaps the lady protests too much, heh? You saw the slutty way she dressed the other night, at least Hermione had the decency to blush when the American floozy talked her into distracting poor cuckold-Ron so that the ferret could shag his slag-sister. That poor sod is totally pussy-whipped now …completely de-balled by that arrogant know-it-all and it's all Alaire's fault.

"How many other blokes do you think she has shagged behind my-back, Neville? I wonder if you're the only seventh year that she hasn't cock-teased into near insanity. Poor-old …invisible Longbottom …the asexual big brother to every girl in Hogwarts… even your first so-called girlfriend, Ron's little sister, preferred to whore herself to a Death Eater wantabe, rather than spread her legs for you. You're pathetic …Longbottom you follow Alaire about like a lovesick puppy …what were you waiting for …my sloppy seconds?"

"You son of a –"

Those were the last words that Harry remembered hearing. Everything else was a blur. One moment he was in Neville's face and the next, the two boys were grappling on the floor throwing punches instead of curses.

"Maybe she doesn't want you (punch) because (punch) she doesn't (punch) love you!"

"You're a clumsy dolt, you can't possibly think, (Ugh), that she (punch) loves you?"

Neville pulled a fist and said, "Anything is possible …Potter."

Whatever blow Neville was going to end the fight with... was stopped by a loud "Petrificus Totalus!". In the doorway stood Dean, next to him was Seamus, with Hermione, and Ginny flanking a very shocked Alaire who had thrown the spell? On the floor lay a somewhat-bloodied Neville and a nearly beaten to a pulp Harry. Their shirts were ripped and some of Harry's cuts had re-opened. Neville's knuckles were also bleeding.

OoOoOoOo

"I knew something like this would happen. The two of you should be ashamed," scolded Hermione.

"Let's get them to the hospital wing," Seamus said in a tired voice as he raised his wand to cancel the spell.

"NO." One voice called out loud and clear. "We'll take care of this here and now," Alaire said steping forward before turning to face the rest of the audience. "And in private, thank you very much." She motioned for the others to leave as she turned to the frozen bodies of Neville and Harry.

"Now, we need to talk."

oooooo

Chapter 23

"FIRST of all," Alaire said as her voice took on a coldness that neither boy had ever heard before. "I am not removing the petrificus totalus. The two of you obviously wouldn't listen to each other …or to me long enough to avoid taking a swing at each other.

SECOND, I don't want to know what was said before I stepped into this room that caused fists to be thrown, primarily because something tells me that my opinion about one …or both of you would go downhill dramatically. That means I do not want to hear one word about what was uttered in here EVER. If I do, so help me, you will learn what it means to TOTALLY PISS ME OFF, and that would NOT be a good thing in any sense of the word."

Alaire began walking around the room, venting her frustration and anger by fixing items that had been burst or cracked during the fight between the two seventh-years. Her eyes remained very cold and she avoided going near either Neville or Harry.

Neville was trying very hard to calm himself down, fearing that the amount of bad emotions bouncing about the room might overpower Alaire defenses. But remembering why he had came up here, hurt and feeling rejected by his girlfriend's intention to sit in Potter's lap the next night meant that Neville was finding it extremely difficult to suppress his hurt feelings. Besides he really doubted that Harry was trying to mask any of his arrogant stupidity or anger either.

"Both of you stop it!" Alaire said standing in between them as Harry stared daggers toward Neville as the Herbologist drowned in feelings of rejection. "You are both giving me a major headache."

Neville began to panic as his eyes darted up to Alaire's. He hoped that she was going to be all right. "

"I'm fine for now," Alaire snapped. "Thank you for your concern, what little of it you have. I can't believe your anger toward one another destroyed all these things." To prove her point, she held up the ragged remains of a pillow that must have been magically blown to bits sometime during the fight by a burst of accidental magical energy.

"I believe the two of you have more constructive things to do with your time than fighting over me." She took another deep calming breath as she turned to face Harry. "I was trying to make this easier and soften the blow when you found out about my new boyfriend, Harry. I can see now that nothing would have done that," she said as she knelt down beside him.

Neville felt a bit of intense jealousy surge up inside him, because as usual, the first concern of anyone in this ruddy castle automatically was for the precious 'Boy-who-lived. 'Sweet Merlin I hate being in the same year as Potter'. Neville screamed inside his mind, 'When am I going to buy a clue and realize that Potter will always …come first.'

"I already explained my reasons why I didn't think it would work out between us. I'd like to think that we could still stay friends. I know right now those are bitter words for you to swallow, but I can't help it. I can't be what you want, and you can't be what I want right now. Somehow, I think you know that," she said calmly.

"Neville," she said getting up and coming over to him. "I am severely disappointed in you at the moment. When I told you last night that I had broken Harry's heart …I said that he would need time to get over his hurt feelings …and that those of us who are his closest friends would have to walk softly around him and make special allowances for him while he healed. That you came up here and provoked him, taunted him due to your childish insecurities and jealousy, has me furious".

Whatever happiness Neville had ever felt was sucked out of his soul with Alaire's harsh words. He had defended her honor, and here she stood …blaming everything on him while giving Potter a get-out-of-jail ….free pass! How Ironic can you get. The Lovegood-Longbottom relationship had to be the shortest love-affair in Hogwarts history.

Alaire sighed in deep regret as she looked back and forth between both boys before using her wand and casting several healing spells that whizzed around the room. "That is the last time I will heal either of you for fighting each other. There will be no other fights, boxing bouts or whatever between you two," she said angrily as she lowered her mental shield just enough to sense a flare of put-upon bitter resentment surge up in Harry again and a sense of painfully deep depression mixed with feelings of rejection pour out of Neville …feelings so intense it made Alaire gasp in pain and confusion.

"You two will get along and be friendly toward one another or you will personally learn what all castration charms they teach American witches. I assure you while Lorena Bobbit may have botched her cock-removal spell, but I assure you that mine works EXCEEDINGLY well. My granny made sure of that!"

Harry flinched even under the petrificus totalus spell; Neville in a near catatonic sate was unmoved.

"Now, I am going downstairs and then I'll send one of your roommates up, that is if they aren't waiting outside the door, and then I'm going to bed. Hopefully, your roommates will take pity on you and release you both from the spell. Depending on what kind of a mood I am in the morning, I may decide …not to talk to either of you dolts until after the Christmas–Hol. After this show of Neanderthal behavior lord knows your both deserve the cold shoulder. I'm going to need time to cool off, so stay away from me …if you know what's good for you.

OoOoOoOo

Alaire then slammed opened the door and sure enough Seamus fell into the room and onto the floor with a crash. Hermione, Ginny and Dean were just coming up the stairs, the two girls with very sour looks on their faces.

"We need to talk," Hermione said in an unusually stern tone, and grabbing Alaire by the arm the three girls went down the stairs …crossed the common room and straight up the girls- dorm stairway.

"What the hell did Ron do now? Seamus asked Dean, "I've never seen Granger so angry."

"I don't know. I haven't seen Ronniekins since dinner, do you think she caught him …snogging another girl in a broom-cupboard? Granger would cut his balls-off for sure if he did." Dean asked trembling in dread before he had an epiphany. "Besides it wasn't just Granger that had her knickers in a twist, Ginny was all upset too. You don't think Goodnight will give the other two the American John Thomas removal hex?"

"I hope not," Seamus said cupping himself protectively before turning and clearing his throat. "I suppose we should lift the spell."

"Just don't the two of you start up again or Alaire is liable to bust in here again cracking spells and, personally, I don't want anything of mine to come up missing. Understand?" Dean said before waving his wand to release the spell.

"Perfectly," Harry said while shooting glares of hatred at Neville. However, he also now knew that Alaire had a dangerous temper and while she might not actually chop off a vital organ, the potential for great personal loss still existed.

OoOoOoOo

Upstairs, in the sixth-year girl's dorm Alaire slammed her bureau drawers …open and closed as she got her (prize of war) cashmere jumper out to prepare for bed.

"Stupid, asinine, idiotic, insane, ignorant jackasses!" she fumed.

Hermione and Ginny sat on one of the beds and watched with stern emotion-free expressions on their faces as Alaire shrieked and threw everything in one of her drawers up in the air.

"Now, isn't that better?" Ginny asked grimly with an evil-smirk on her face.

"Yes, actually," Alaire said sitting down between them. Hermione waved her wand and the thrown-about clothes automatically put themselves back (neatly) in the drawers.

"Thank you," Alaire said sniffing.

"No, worries," Hermione said dryly. "One of them deserved everything you said and more. If you knew what was said to start that fight, you'd realize that the quick forgiveness you showed Potter was greatly misplaced."

"Harry started all of this?" Alaire said amazed.

"After you kicked us out of the room, I cornered Dean," Hermione said. "As Head-Girl, it is my responsibility to assign punishment for fighting …as such activity is against the rules. Talking to Dean I determined that Harry had made some highly insulting remarks concerning you, me and Ginny. So when Neville threw that first punch he was not only defending your honor …but also Ginny and mine as well. According to Dean …Neville was fully justified in punching Harry, he said quote; 'I dated Ginny last term, and although it didn't work out for us, even I felt furious at Potter's potty-mouth implications. Ron would have kicked his arse right proper if he'd heard what Harry had called his sister …"

"I don't believe it. Harry wouldn't." Alaire said stunned.

"We knew this was coming," Ginny said putting her arm around Alaire to comfort her.

"You did?"

"It was fairly obvious," Hermione said still very upset. "You don't have the history over a six year span that Ginny and I do in dealing with Harry's notorious temper tantrums'. When he gets really angry, he has a tendency to lash-out with little or no regard to the consequences of what he says …or does. My Ron use to speak without thinking all the time when we were younger. He doesn't do that all that much anymore …especially after we got together …so I've recently theorized that Ron speaking without thinking …may have been based in …romantic …frustration."

"Let me get this straight, Harry gets frustrated because I decline to become his girlfriend and to feel better …he goes into an insult-diatribe binge …in front of Neville against the three of us?"

"Yup"

"And Harry, chose Neville because he though he was an easy mark to pick a fight with?"

"Precisely,"

"That still doesn't excuse what Neville did, I told him Harry would need time to heal," Alaire said in a semi-growl.

"Although I think that the castration charm bit was a-little over the top, I imagine it did put the fear of God in both of them, which is always a good thing… with boys." Hermione said trying hard not to smile. "You can also bet, that I'm going to tell Ron when I see him again …that you have been teaching Ginny and me some of those manhood removal spell's …just in case I need to keep him in line in the future."

"They really do teach us those, you know," Alaire said sniffing. "American girls take a self-defense class aimed at stopping unwanted advances when we're around 12. Although I did bend the truth more than just a little …because the one time I needed to use it, I froze. I've never actually used them on anything other than a dummy and that was years ago."

Alaire rubbed her eyes as tears began to fall. "I just didn't want this to happen. I feel like I ruined a friendship."

"You did no such thing," Ginny said. "Truth be told, Harry and Neville have never been close friends."

"She's right, you know." Hermione added with a pat to Alaire's knee.

"Harry and the rest of his dorm-mates have picked on Neville loads of times for being forgetful and clumsy," Ginny explained. "That wasn't nice of any of them, seeing as Neville has never spoken badly of any of them in retaliation.

"As for my brother, well, Hermione, there's no way to say this nicely, but the boy is just thick. Not Goyle thick, mind-you? But thick nonetheless in regards to being insensitive to other peoples human fallacies," Ginny said. "All boys are a bit overbearing at this age and more often than not …they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into maturity.

"You got that in one," Hermione snorted.

"Merlin knows I've had my hands full educating Draco out of his blood-purity prejudice," Ginny said thoughtfully. "He's making great progress of course …as has Ronniekins in maturity; come to think on-it …but personally and speaking strictly for myself …I'd pick being-with a kind and gentle slightly-forgetful bloke any day of the week …over a more famous bloke with serious anger issues.

To this Hermione just nodded in agreement.

"It was Harry's temper that made being with him …too hard for me to contemplate. Dealing with Draco's rich-kid arrogance is child's play in comparison. Apparently we Weasley's have a weakness for pretentious lovers." Ginny said nodding her head in Hermione's direction; with Alaire, understanding the hint all too well, had to stifle a gaffe laugh before turning thoughtful.

"Neville's not forgetful," Alaire then said with a pout. "He's just thinking about other important things like his plants. He's really like Albert Einstein, if you think about it. Einstein would get lost blocks from his home because his mind was calculating equations and not paying attention where he was going. He's not all that clumsy either. He can be very well coordinated with his hands …when he wants to be."

Ginny and Hermione then nodded at each other. "Now that you've vented your anger, Ginny and I have something to ask you concerning …the men in your life." The head-girl then cast a silencing charm on the door and turned back to Alaire.

"According to Dean, Harry is under the impression that you have a secret boyfriend that no-one knows about. In his 'shy modesty' …Ginny interjected sarcastically … "he can't conceive of any other reason for you …turning him down. He seemed to think that every-girl's big-brother …Neville Longbottom …knew who this bloke was. That's in itself was understandable really …when I have a problem with Draco …and need a male perspective, I know I can spill my guts to Neville with the assurance that he'll take to the grave anything I tell him in confidence.

"I agree with Ginny, a girl can trust Neville with a secret; but Harry was very-foolish in thinking that he'd betray you. In fact I'm impressed with how well you used; …''I'm going to Neville's study to tend my plant … for an hour or so' …as a cover for seeing this mystery boyfriend on the sly.

"I didn't …sneak around …there isn't …" Alaire stuttered semi-stunned.

"…But now that the secret is out, as your best-friends in Gryffindor …we were just wondering who your new boyfriend is?" Ginny asked interrupting. "Harry doesn't know according to Dean and Neville; if he knows isn't telling, and you didn't say who it was either …from what we overheard with our Weasley Extendable Ears"

"I would think my boyfriend's identity would be obvious". Alaire said becoming upset at the implied slander of Neville. "And I must admit to being disappointed with both of you, why do you automatically dismiss Neville as a possibility?"

"Neville is a great guy, I dated him myself …so I know," Ginny said holding up both hands in surrender. "But Honestly; Alaire …you have been flirting non-stop with the famous Harry the boy-who-lived Potter for months now. Everyone in Hogwarts including the Teachers; had you two paired off as a couple. While at the same time, you've given poor Neville only a tiny faction of your time in comparison.

"But you just warned me against Harry due to his anger management issues?" Alaire protested.

"Yes we did, but your experience with Harry's temper tantrums has been detached and sporadic", Hermione said logically. "So there is no way for you to have known …that without warning …Harry could go from calm to extremely 'PO' in less than sixty seconds …There's no way you could have sensed the intensity of his underlining anger …right?"

"Yeah that true," Alaire outright lied, "But you've both put up with his shit",

"We've had years of experience growing gradually-use to his abrupt mood swings." Hermione said sadly

"Then if you've known about his anger issues and they're no big deal to you, and then tell me …why aren't you with Harry?" Alaire asked pointing directly at the Head-girl.

"Heavens …that would be like …incest," Hermione replied horrified at the very-thought. "I grew up with Harry. I treated him like a little brother right from the get-go …since the Troll incident really. I've bossed him about, mothered him …nagged him like a typical sibling."

"Wasn't Ron in-on all of that …too?" Alaire snapped irritated. "Aren't you fucking your other brother …by being with him?"

"Heavens no …and do you know why? The reason is that right from the off, Ron was in my face," Hermione explained quickly, "Where Harry yielded reluctantly to my quasi-mothering, Ron fought against it tooth and nail. Every plan I came up with …he shot holes in it …we argued over everything …non-stop …for years.

"And you don't hate his guts …because?" Alaire asked.

"Oh I stormed off loads of times, vowing to never speak to him again. But luckily I realized …early on, that without him and Harry …I had no other friends here… besides Ginny ...and I mean none; at all," Hermione admitted looking down at her feet embarrassed. "I can be a-bit arrogant, a total know-it-all, control freak; that has a tendency to rub my superior intelligence in people faces without one iota of tack."

"And how long have you known this about yourself?" Alaire declared amazed.

"I've been this way since I was four. My parents put me through years of therapy about it which only ended when I got my Hogwarts letter at age eleven." Hermione confessed reluctantly. "My therapist told me …during my final secession …that unless I gained some social skills, I would be doomed to be a justifiably-hated spinster all my life."

"And Ron?"

"Every time we rowed and I stormed off… every time Harry got sick-and-tried of the bossy control freak …Ron would find a way to draw me back into the trio. He'd get mad at me, so would Harry, but Ron never stayed mad for long. He was the peacemaker when I stepped on Harry's last nerve, using his witty humor to mend hurt feelings. For six years he's also been my ambassador with my other classmates …keeping me on semi-speaking terms with people that respond negatively to my habitual; know-it-all conceit.

"What about Harry?"

"Harry didn't have time to help me with my social problems; he was too engrossed in his own …issues. So basically …without Ron, I'd be invisible here, totally friendless and utterly despised. It wasn't until fifth year that I realized how vital he was to my life, and when I found out… just recently …that he did - what he did …because he loved me …I mean wow!" Hermione said gazing off into the distance …literally falling into a trance of lovesick happiness.

"Sweet Merlin, Alaire …I can't get over Mione acting like this. She's never talk about herself in this kind of depth until this year - and to tell you the truth, it's unnerving," Ginny said in a mock-serious tone before she began giggling

"Mione …what's the story behind the pet name?"

"Yeah… well …that's Ron's exclusive 'pet-name' for Hermione, she didn't like it at first, but since they've gotten together, she revels in it. No one else can call her that, have you've noticed… not even Harry. Ron will stomp into the ground anyone who tries. Seamus did it once; last term, and spent two days in the hospital-wing because of it."

"But it sounds like 'MINE'"

"Spot-on Alaire", you figured out the secret-meaning …well done." Ginny said with a huge grin while shaking her head sadly in Hermione direction …who was still savoring her love for Ron in a mental zoned-out la-la land. "That's why she has embraced her pet-name so fully. She wants to belong to him with the same intensity …that he belongs to her."

"I can't help but envy that kind of devotion," Alaire said humblely.

"Me too ...as for my-self, I had a crush on Harry the supper-hero when I was kid. Which ended abruptly when I encountered first hand …the real Harry and his all-consuming anger," Ginny said shaking her head sadly. "I feel sorry for him really, there is just no room in his heart for anyone until old Tom is dead,"

"That's what I told him basically,"

"Besides, I'm not giving up on my Draco, I've invested more effort in him than any of my other boyfriends," Ginny said with grim determination. "He always was a fraud …you know? Putting on this lame-act of being a rich, big-shot, pure-blood …when the sad pathetic truth is …Draco has three times the insecurities that Ron does …on his worse day. My boyfriend has suffered his whole life with a dominating father, that alternated between mild-neglect and outright physical-abused …to the point where Draco's now convinced …that he can never-ever live up to his father's expectations.

"That must really suck"

"Tell me about it. I thought my parents where a pain, but Draco's go beyond the pale. Using that trick-candy on him, finally brought to light the real Draco …the emotionally-scared young man that's afraid his own father will kill him for being weak …both magically and physically.

"Really; Ginny …I had no idea," Alaire said sympathicly.

"Nobody does; so of course …this little tidbit of trivia …isn't for public consumption… even Hermione doesn't know," Ginny said pointing at the still in a daze Head-Girl. "Draco's not the two-dimensional villain that people in Gryffindor think he is …like some badly-written character in a story-book. My Malfoy has depth, he's a wizard with shortcomings and strengths just like any other bloke. Ron or Harry are also-flawed… me too come to think on-it. There are no Prince-Charming's or Cinderella's at Hogwarts… the boy-who-lived, comes from a broken-abusive home, with just under the surface anger-issues' …just like my Draco comes from bigotry and mucked-up pure-blood arrogance.

"So you're insisting that Draco's is just a fraud, that his bluster is all an act?

"And so is the National Hero the great Potter, if you think on it. All boys are a work-in-progress, which we girls have to guide them into fulfilling their potential. Some accept our guidance some don't. The ones that do are keepers …the ones that don't …get dumped fast... knowing the difference is the trick.

"You're Slytherin bad-boy is redeemable and your mother taught you how to do it?

"Naw, she taught me how to tell the difference between an unredeemable bad-boy and a fraud who only acts like one. My mother molded all of us Weasley's; she taught me how to see behind the mask blokes wear to the real man underneath. She laid the foundation of my noble-hearted brother into becoming the 'knight Errant' that became the one and only; true-blue friend to a foul-mood, angry hero. What brings Ron back-down to a regular bloke is his clear shortcoming in falling for an arrogant bookworm.

"Granger doesn't deserve your brother.

"Yeah, he could do better, but the same thing was said about my Mum," Ginny explained. "She saw something in my dad that other girls didn't, just as Ron sees something in Hermione that I don't.

"And you're telling me all this because…"

"… I'm only telling you because I know you'll keep-it to yourself. I need someone to vent with... all girls do. I can't tell this Malfoy-stuff to Hermione, she'd freak-out. She and Draco have major incompatibility-issues.

"Yeah, I saw that.

"Now are you ready for the ultimate shocker", Ginny asked with a wicked grin? "Draco doesn't want to rule the world, and he hates all the high-society dragon-crap his parents drag him into. His biggest dream …the one the bondage-bar revealed …is to live a quite life …running a small potions ingredients shop like the one in Hogsmeade …out of the lime-light in a place like Knockturn Alley.

"In fact; he actually did that during the summer-hol between sixth and seventh year. Running a business without his parents help …or interference …was traditionally; a Malfoy heir right-of-passage into manhood and oddly enough …one of the few happy-times in his life.

Ginny grinned with pride and then …paused …looking down - - as she examined once again the huge Malfoy ring on her finger. "I wish I could get this blasted thing off. Mum and dad are going to kill me if I go home for Christmas-HOL with the Malfoy hereditary engagement ring on my finger. They know about it of course," she said suddenly with a nervous chuckle. "Professor McGonagall told them during a Floo-call after Halloween… but they haven't seen it on me yet. Everyone knows the Malfoy's are rich bastards, but do they have to show it off with such gaudy tastes in jewelry?"

Alaire laughed.

"Where were we," Hermione said abruptly coming-out of her trance and back into the conversation. "Now, come on, tell us. Alaire, Who is your new boyfriend and is he a good kisser?"

Alaire turned pink. "Before I answer your question y'all must promise that no one else must know who he is until after the Christmas-Hol. I don't think I can deal with anymore jealous fist-fights over me until at least …next year"

"Agreed," both girls said eagerly in unison.

"Alright then," Alaire replied feeling very nervous. "First-off, I haven't used Neville to alibi me to Harry while I was off in some broom-cupboard kissing some secret lover. I've been …I think …rather straight-forward as to the two boys, I fancied the most here."

"Oh my God, you can't mean?" Ginny said literally bouncing up and down in her seat.

"What?" Hermione said clearly confused.

"It's Neville isn't it?" Ginny nearly squealing in happiness. "And didn't you mention something about being good with his hands."

Alaire blushed hard and nodded.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ginny said before looking at the seventh-year harder. "Or make that an Oh, God! Yes!"

"The latter," Alaire said. "And he has a nice body, too. You can't spend half your day lifting big bags of dirt and fertilizer without building up some muscles. We haven't done anything but snog, grope and cuddle …so far… as I still have some trust issues to sort-through, thanks to a previous bastard-boyfriend back in America. But, the important thing is I feel safe and comfortable enough with him to not go into a panic-attack when he touches me.

"This boyfriend in America …he put you off romance for years …didn't he? Hermione asked softly

"I still have emotional scars from what he …forced me to do", Alaire said her voice trembling.

Hermione and Ginny were eating up every word with rap attention afraid to press for more information. "Then Neville is prefect for you …patient …respectful.

"But …he also wants me …sexually …you-know", Alaire blushed suddenly fearful

"And you don't want him …that way?" Ginny asked in a deeply worried tone.

"He got a major hard-on when we were snogging last night, and he's big …down there." Again Alaire blushed even harder this time while totally ignoring Ginny's last question. "But he didn't pressure me or anything …you-know. He seemed actually embarrassed and afraid that his boner would scare me off. I know he wanted to grope me a little more than he actually did …but he controlled himself, the whole time and kept his hands respectful.

"He could have taken advantage of the situation too, and I would have totally freaked-out if he had tried. He's so sweet …so unlike my scum-bag last boyfriend …it's like day and night… you-know? Neville took things slow …so I felt zero pressure to …perform. Instead he just held me in his arms and that's when I knew he was the one… that he loves me for me and not as just the means of getting-off. I can't describe how it felt; knowing that just being in his arms was enough to make him purr in contentment… you-know?"

The two girls sighed in reply, "Yeah."

"I mean, he's totally irresistible …but he's totally unaware of it. I'm also been lucky that none of the other girls around here realize his …demi-god Adonis potential. Did I mention his muscles ... did I mention that …when I saw his bare chest for the first time …I …oh sweet mother of mercy".

"Neville …hot …no …that's impossible," Hermione said as she tried to picture Neville out of his robes.

"Good …y'all go right-on thinking that way," Alaire said possessively. "He's mine now and some goodies I refuse to share. I believe his real physique is the only real secret in this place. Years of tossing about forty-kilo bags of mulch has given him the upper body of an American body builder. The beauty and tragedy of the lose fitting school robes we're forced to wear is that no-body really knows what our men look like in the buff until we pull off their clothing.

"Well yeah, I can't argue with that …Ron has always been in hand me downs, so it wasn't until we …" Hermione began then her voice faded out and she began to blush really-really hard.

"Better than you imagined?" Alaire asked.

"Oh my yes …Quidditch is a dangerous game, but the drills, the exercise, have all done wonderful things to my Ron's physique", Hermione said blushing even harder.

"What about you Ginny,"

"I told you about Draco being a fraud? Well; that goes for his build too, right down to his high-priced …padded clothing."

"Padded?"

"Yes …padded …he's a frail little thing in the buff …with really-really pale white skin." Ginny said in a whisper. "I beg-you both …not to tell anyone, he's really sensitive about it. Says it's hereditary! He even told me once; that he has high hopes that… 'Our' children - …Ginny paused at this point to blush hard - …that …our children will inherit the Weasley male physique.

"Skin and bones eh?" Alaire asked

Yup …I'm not ashamed to admit it to you two, but I don't want this becoming common-knowledge… either." Ginny said firmly in warning, "For my Draco …as frail as he looks in the buff …does have one appendage that more than makes up for the rest of his otherwise disappointing carcass. It's the part that I've miss most since the hex shrunk his bits to raisins. Hermione …yes indeed …thanks to my brothers …Draco man-pole is now a tiny-fraction of its above average girth and length. He may have the frame of a Thestral, but my Draco was hung like a Clydesdale."

"Can you handle something that large?" Hermione asked in a worried tone for Ginny was a tiny little thing.

"If I was still a virgin …hell no" Ginny said bluntly. "Luckily for me both Michael Corner and Dean Thomas had the kind of man sized 'equipment' required to prepare me for Draco's horse-cock."

"Alaire …we're friends here …right?" Hermione asked in a softy semi-frightened tone.

"If you're going to tell us that Ron was your first …don't bother." Ginny said drolly

"You knew," Hermione said horrified.

"Don't be daft, knowing you as I do," Ginny snorted in contempt… "There is no way you'd be the type …to give-up your cherry to Krum …at fourteen. As for Cormack …I mean ugh!" Ginny said pretending to gag. "I've known for years it would be my brother that harvested your virginity. He beats himself up all the time about his not so stellar-looks, always worried that someone better-looking or worst-yet… better-hung …would take-you away from him.

"He's so wrong about that …he's delicious looking …he's" …Hermione said dreamily.

"Funny you should mention that …because that same modesty about his looks is what really attracted me to Neville." Alaire said with conviction. "Harry's a good looking guy and regretfully …he knows it. He doesn't flaunt it like Jack Sloper does; I swear that boy would marry his mirror given half the chance". Hearing this …the three friends broke in to laughter heads nodding in agreement over Jack Sloper's self-love.

Neville – Neville . . . well, you know what they say about the quiet ones."

"Which brings me to another question, you said Neville was …'big-down there'. Does his name match his …" Ginny began.

"…Ginevra Molly Weasley!" Hermione interrupted. "Don't you dare? I think we've said quite enough on the size of our men's …equipment. That's …" Her voice trailed off as the three girls were engulfed in laughter. "Ginny, that's wicked!"

"Ginny, I guess we have to change the subject, because Hermione here is apparently reluctant to fill us in on the dimensions of Ron's tool. Speaking for my-self and Neville's man-tool… when I find the courage to get some hands on experience of my own …I'll let you know," Alaire said laughing… "When things are humming along I'll be sure to give you a 'Head's-up' , you two will be the – No, wait! – You'll be the second and third to know!"

Hermione – Ginny – and Alaire spent the next three minutes laughing hysterically …planting the seeds of a life-long bond of friendship.

After they finally calmed down, Alaire remarked, "I was supposed to watch the movie tomorrow-night, sitting next to Harry, but I'm just so ... so... well; emotionally-drained at the moment. I don't have the strength to go down there tomorrow and confront either of those Gits. Before y'all say it …I know I should have been more supportive of Neville and less forgiving of Harry, but I don't have the strength to fix the situation …right now. I'll make my apologies to my boyfriend on Sunday, I swear … right after Yoga class… when we're alone …all afternoon and evening …in his private study."

"You shameless hussy" Ginny teased.

"Not yet, but I now have great expectations; if things work-out as hoped with Neville… if he can undo the romance-scar's that my last boyfriend left me with … then with a-bit of luck… this infamous American cock-teaser is going to finally put-out for Neville… exclusively.

"So; Harry, got nothing out of you …not even a hand-job?" Ginny asked bold as brass.

GINNY ! Hermione spat shocked.

"Nope …my boldness is also a gigantic-fraud… All-talk… and zero action …just like our friend Jack Sloper. But y'all are wrong about one thing Ginny; there is one Prince Charming at Hogwarts, overlooked by all you British princess until I got here …and now he's mine. So; as of last night, my extreme flirting with the hot-tempered and moody Harry Potter and all the other randy-blokes here is; officially over …well …maybe; somewhat reduced would be a more honest description," Alaire admitted with a shy-smirk.

"That's the way it should be …now that we have chosen our mates for life," Hermione said firmly, "they who have proven worthy …should be the only ones to gain what we can offer as women. But such fleshly rewards should wait for another time. As for tonight …why don't we sort-of …just have a girl's night out?

"I'll ask all the other seventh and sixth years to skip their regular Friday-night with boyfriends schedule for tonight and come up here. We'll get some popcorn and have party in our dorms with no boys allowed. I can even magic the wall and show the one of the chick-flicks that the boys wouldn't want to watch with us anyway, you-know …the extra fluffy- 'Sleepless in Seattle' kind of flick… that drives them batty!"

"Draco swears all girls belong to a secret sorority anyway. I've even heard Ron say the same thing. This will just help add a little fuel to the fire. If anyone asks, we'll just say we're having a girl's night because we're sick and tired of all boys' hormonal stupidity."

"Yeah, we might get some apologies and a few nights without Quidditch talk."

"Or families blood feuds that go on forever, hating one another," Ginny growled.

"Or talk about what's the fastest racing broom on the market …or which one is more-sturdy."

"Maybe some romance instead of all that other rubbish," said Hermione.

"They'd better wise up. Either that or they will be polishing their own 'brooms' for a long time," Ginny said as the three of them burst out laughing again.

oooooo

Chapter 24

Seamus and Dean had just breathed a sigh of relief when a loud ruckus came from the doorway. Then Colin Creevey pounded up the stairs …with several of the other sixth and fifth year boys …right behind him. Colin's face was red with anger as he burst into the room.

"All-right! What in the bloody-hell did you wankers do now?" he bellowed.

"What are you yapping about?" Seamus sighed, holding his head in his hands as he felt a migraine settling in.

Creevey sneered up at the tall seventh-year. "Well, I doubt it was Granger and Weasley or all of Hogwarts would have heard it by now. By the way …where is Ron?""

"No one has seen him since dinner, so whatever this ruckus is about it can't be his fault. So what in bloody-hell are you blabbing on about?" Seamus asked. "Date-night is about to begin and I have a nice 'present' coming from Lavender later."

"There won't be any 'presents' for anyone, Finnegan," snapped Jack Sloper, who stepped out from behind Creevey. "The girls won't come down tonight. It's one of the last frigging Friday 'date-night's' before the hols, and the girls won't come downstairs!"

"What?" yelped Dean? "But-but that doesn't effect me …does it? I got a special invite into Hufflepuff along with Luna, thanks to a mate I know over there and we were going to watch a semi-chick flick marathon in their common-room; two straight nights of …snogging movies!"

"Well you better leg-it old-chum, because the blokes in Gryffindor have been CUT-OFF," Jack Sloper said bitterly. Nodding his head, Dean bolted out of the room.

There was a general uproar from the other boys, with a smattering of the words like 'feminine-conspiracy' and 'women', and other words that gentlemen generally do not use in mixed company.

"That maybe tough for you-lot," smirked Seamus. "I've still got a date with Lavender."

"Don't count on it," Jack said throwing what appeared to be one of Seamus' old school ties at him. Seamus caught it and stared disbelieving at it.

"Bloody-hell," he muttered before collapsing into a chair.

"What makes you all so sure one of us did something to piss off the birds?" Harry asked resentfully.

"When they snubbed us …we asked what was wrong and they told us to 'ask the wankers up in seventh-year' so it must be one of you lot," said Sloper with a sneer.

"It was YOU TWO!" yelled Seamus as he crossed the room and pointed at both Neville and Harry. "You just had to pick tonight of all nights to piss-off; Alaire, didn't you? I don't care if the two of you have to bloody kiss and make up in the middle of the Great Hall, you will fix this tonight!"

Harry and Neville stared at him incredulously as the lower years looked at them quizzically.

"Alaire just bloody told us she'd castrate us if we try to speak to her tonight …and you want us to go and find her?" snapped Harry.

"She's not coming down?" Neville asked in a sad tone as he collapsed on the trunk at the end of his bed. "I know I got mad after she told me that she was going to sit with Potter tomorrow night …as usual. She told me that she was going to prove to the moody-Git… that she could still be his friend. I didn't like it, but Alaire does not understand the words 'don't do it' …not coming from me, anyway. So to avoid trouble; I was going to spend the entire weekend in my study, keeping out of sight with my ruddy-gob-shut. So tell me this …why does my beating the snot out of Potter tonight; muck-up her precious plan to sit in his lap tomorrow-night and how does that translate into a house-wide case of blue-balls for everyone else?"

Seamus shook his head in regret as he glanced up at a clearly unrepentant and defiant Harry who just glared at Neville rebelliously. Unaware that the room gotten very quiet.

"All right, would someone just tell us what happened?" demanded Dennis.

Seamus cleared his throat. "There was just a little misunderstanding between, um, Neville and Harry."

"What could Neville and Harry argue about that's so important that made all the girls shun-us and go upstairs to comfort Alaire? Everyone knows she's in love with Potter," Jack Sloper blurted without Thinking.

"Excuse me?" Neville stood up suddenly and walked over to the Quidditch Beater; Jack Sloper …who for the first time in his life noticed that not only was Neville much taller than he was, he also had developed muscular arms that could easily give him a good beating.

"I mean, its common knowledge …isn't it?" Jack retorted weakly as retreated away from the stronger boy.

"Don't talk about something, you know nothing about it," Harry told Sloper bitterly. "It just so happens that last night, I broke it off with Ms. Goodnight. I found out she was cheating on me and …"

"Liar" Neville roared as he spun about and marched toward Potter with fists raised …only to have Seamus and Jack Sloper step-in-between the two boys.

"Oh No …not again," Seamus said outraged trying to pushing Neville back. "Dammit Harry, Dean was in the room …he heard what was said. He told me that you asked Alaire to be your girlfriend and she turned you down flat. Now unless you want us to repeat to Ron …the things Dean told us that you said about his sister and Hermione …I'd suggest you keep your-gob shut.

"You mean; you and Alaire aren't going out?" Jack asked Harry incredulously. For a moment, Harry felt a pang of righteousness as he watched the scene. He wasn't the only one who couldn't believe that Alaire wouldn't be his girl.

"Hold it!" Colin Creevey shouted. "I said we are not going back there!" He placed a warning hand on Neville's arm …which sighed in regret …then went back to his bed and sat back down.

"Its just that Alaire's parents are coming up for the hols and had I thought –"

A whistle erupted as the boys all turned to look with pity at Harry.

"You two parted just in time mate, missed the bullet so to speak". Seamus said to Harry with a soft sympathic whistle.

"You were going to meet Alaire's parents?" someone asked Harry in awe.

"Not me guys, I didn't even know they were coming …until just now; only big-brother Longbottom …knew about it. Harry said suddenly feeling somewhat relieved.

"She just found out herself the other day, but I don't see what the big-deal is really," Neville said puzzled.

"He doesn't see what the big deal is!" Seamus said exasperated. "Longbottom you never dated anyone, so you don't know what it means to meet the parents. If you do know who Alaire's new-boyfriend is …you better give the bloke a heads-up so he can get a blindfold before his execution."

Harry looked oddly at Neville, before getting up and patting him on the shoulder. "On second thought, I think Alaire and her secret fella will make a lovely couple. I'm sure he'll get along great with her father."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Neville said more than a little confused.

"LOOK - - LOOK - - LOOK, before we further discuss Alaire's boyfriend's probable untimely demise, we have to do something about the girls upstairs," said Colin Creevey. "There's just date night tonight then movie night tomorrow. Next Saturday is a Hogsmeade weekend and then the holidays. We have a very limited amount of time before we're away from the birds for a fortnight."

"That's right," said Jack, "And one of you two have-got to fix this."

"How?" asked Harry. "We can't get up those bloody stairs."

"Broom's out, too. There's a wicked current right by that window," said Seamus.

"And how exactly …do you know that? Jack Sloper asked and then at once answered his own question, "You ruddy pervert …No …no, let me guess? You've tried to use a broom to sneak a peak into the Girls shower-bath …didn't you?" Suddenly all the boys were staring at Finnegan.

Seamus …caught-out …turned as red as Ron does when embarrassed as he flopped down on his bed. "Don't give me that look, you've all thought of doing it at one point or the other!"

"Oi …we are wandering off topic here. The girls are where we can't get to them, which means none of us can talk to them, so that's it …plain and simple …match over." said Sloper.

"We'll just have to find one that hasn't gone up there yet …to speak for us," Colin suggested helpfully.

But how do we do that, there is no way to know who's up there and who isn't," Sloper said sadly.

"Right then …everybody out ….so my dorm-mates and I come up with a plan," said Harry in a commanding tone as he ushered the complaining sixth years out of the room. Once he had the door shut and was alone with his dorm-mates, he marched over to trunk, threw open the lid to his trunk and dug out the Marauder's Map.

"No-one must know about this …understand?" Harry said in a serious tone of voice. "This Map was my god-fathers, there is nothing like it anywhere. The Professors' would confiscate this right-off if they knew I had it. I want your word as wizards that no-one else will ever find out about this." After Seamus and Neville made their vows, Seamus asked;

"What's this map do?"

"Basically, it shows where everyone is …by location and name …anywhere in Hogwarts. For our purposes tonight, we need to determine if any of the Gryffindor girls are outside of the Girls dorm at the library, serving a detention or anything," Harry said while scanning the parchment very carefully. "Or in the kitchen - - there's our answer."

Neville and the rest of his seventh-year dorm-mates looked at where Harry was pointing at the moving name of Ginny Weasley.

"Are you daft Potter? We can't approach her …her nutter boyfriend will hex us into next week," Seamus declared.

"No … no, you got it all-wrong. Draco went back into the hospital-wing mid-morning today, complaining of leg pain," Neville said in a matter of fact tone. "So if Gingin nipping food, it's not for him, because she told me at lunch that her boyfriend isn't allowed visitors."

"You're still on semi-friendly terms with Ginny?" Seamus said amazed. "I tried to ask her about Quidditch last week …and the 'nutter-ferret' attacked me. He considers all seventh-year Gryffindor's a threat because Dean dated her last term. - - - Hey … hold-on …how come you get a pass, Neville?" You took Ginny to the Yule-Ball fourth year, dated her longer than Dean did, doesn't the 'Mental Malfoy' …get in your face about that?"

"Nope,"

"And why not?"

"For one thing, Ginny has …pointed out that I'm …"

"…Harmless" Harry said with contempt.

"Don't press me Potter, or do you really want to throw your face at my fists a few more times to prove how harmless I am?" Neville growled as he got up from his bed.

"None of that; Longbottom," Seamus said, "I have plans for Lavender tonight, and you're just the bloke to make it happen"

"Okay-okay …, I'm not promising anything, but I'll give it a-go," said Neville walking toward the door. "Ginny's always been willing to at least hear me out …maybe she'll speak to Alaire on my behalf."

"Yeah, but you've never been on her bloody bad side before," snapped Seamus. "And we're not carrying you to the infirmary afterwards."

"I wouldn't ask you to," Neville said before bounding out of the room and taking the stairs two at a time heading off to the kitchens.

"He does realize that in all likelihood he's going to end-up Bat-Bogey hexed?" asked Seamus.

"Better him than me", Harry replied. "If Ginny finds out what I said about her tonight …"

"Oh… she knows Potter, so does Granger," Dean said with disdain reentering the room. "They asked what you said to set Neville off and I'm not about to cover your sorry 'Arse' …especially after the filth that came out of your gob".

"Oh… thanks-loads… Thomas."

"You did this to yourself Potter", Deans replied without sympathy. "And if I was you, I'd figure out what you're going to say to Ron, as he's rather protective of the bookworm and his sister."

"I thought you and Luna… "

"She has a migraine, so I'm in the same boat as you-lot.

"I guess no one is going to get lucky tonight.

"Yeah …looks that way; don't it.

OoOoOoOo

Ginny Weasley juggled several pieces of food in her hand as she made her way back up to the Gryffindor Tower. Being one of the only ones to know their way to the kitchens was sometimes both a blessing and a curse. If she hadn't left her wand upstairs, this would have been easier, she thought to herself. She was concentrating on balancing a cream pie when she turned a corner and was plowed into by someone. The food went flying into the air and soon she and her attacker looked like a scene from an old slapstick movie.

"Oh, bloody-hell!" she snapped as she wiped whipped cream from her face.

"I'm so sorry, Gingin," Neville's voice said as he started to pick up the food and hand it to her. He passed her his wand to do a quick cleaning spell.

"I'm not the one you should be saying that to, Neville," she said harshly as the whipped cream disappeared.

"I know," he said. "But Alaire won't talk to me. I can't even get up the stairs, won't you say something to her and ask her to come down and talk with me?"

"Are you insane?" snapped Ginny. "I'm not about ready to go against all woman-kind, just because you happen to be a nice boy who royally screwed up."

"If you won't talk to her at least transfigure me into a pig or a donkey or something that she'll recognize. I'll help you carry this food up and then she'll know that I'm sorry …by the disgusting animal you'd turn me into," he said pleading.

"Neville, I am not going to transfigure you into a jackass or a pig," Ginny snapped, grabbing the last piece of food from him. "I only do that to people who truly deserve it …like my twin-brothers or Harry."

Neville sat with his back against the wall and sighed deeply. "I wanted so much not to mess this up," he said sadly. "I couldn't even go one whole day without screwing up – not one day. Who am I kidding? Alaire deserves better than …a FRIEND like me."

Ginny uttered a loud snort and then looked at him sternly. "Neville, Hermione and I both know that you are Alaire's new boyfriend, and personally I think she is lucky to have you. You've become a very sweet and wonderful young man. I will also have you know …that Alaire is crazy about you. Just take things slow with her…okay? She got really hurt by her last boyfriend and you're going to be paying for his mistakes for awhile-yet.

"Who hurt her?" He snarled.

"I don't know his name and you can't let her know that I told you …okay?" Ginny said in a semi-threatening tone. "I also think keeping your relationship a secret is a colossal mistake on Alaire's part. Harry is a major Git when things don't go his way, and giving that Prat …time to heal …is in my view a waste of both time and effort. By the way …I just have to ask? Did Harry even land one punch? He looked a mess and you looked almost untouched.

"He landed a few, but that doesn't matter …are you sure Alaire still likes me?" Neville asked in a very worried tone.

"Well let's see", Ginny said rubbing her chin and pretending to think extra hard. "Do you know who she compared you too after coming upstairs with me and Hermione?"

"A horse's arse?"

"No," said Ginny smiling. "Albert Einstein."

Neville looked up in gob-smacked wonder.

"She said the only reason you were a little forgetful is because you have other things – greater things – on your mind." Ginny said with a huge smile. "She said Albert Einstein was the same way. Besides, if you're as brilliant as she thinks …I'm sure that something will plant itself in that brain of yours and you will find your own way to climb up there to talk to her."

Ginny watched as a light bulb seemed to go off in Neville's head. "You're bloody brilliant," Neville said brightly before getting up and taking off in a dead run for his study. He stopped a few feet away and turned back. He took Ginny in his arms briefly and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Then he dashed away as fast as he could run.

"Barking mad," Ginny said before sighing and starting-off …once again …for Gryffindor Tower.

OoOoOoOo

A half hour later, the fifth through seventh year boys found themselves nearly freezing to death outside the castle at the base of the Gryffindor Tower Girl's Dorm. Many were casting warming spells at the base of the tower as Neville worked to get several small strange plants dug-into the now warm and pliable earth.

"Explain to me what the bloody hell we're doing out here again?" chattered Seamus.

"I'm the one who disobeyed Alaire wishes, so I have to man-up and fix this," said Neville as he placed three ivy plants beside each other. "All right then. On the count of three, I need all the sixth and seventh-years to use the special engorgement spell that I just taught you …on these three plants only …while all the fifth-years hit the ground hard with non-stop warming charms."

"Neville, are you sure –"

"This will work Dean," Neville said taking a few steps back. "One, - two, - THREE!"

Several spells went off at once and suddenly the plants roots dug franticly into the ground while at the same time the vines shot upward …weaving themselves into the cracks and crevasses of the tower wall. Quickly, Neville grabbed hold of a thickening vine and suddenly found him-self shooting up on the air.

"Bloody-hell, its Ivy," said Dean looking up as Neville and the plant continued to grow faster than anything the boys had ever seen. "I've never seen a plant grow so quickly. It sort-of reminds me of that Muggle fairy-tale about 'Jack and the beanstalk'." The three Ivy plants interwove themselves together and sprang upward in desperate need for more footholds in the castle wall.

Neville remembered about a hundred feet up that he was afraid of heights and around a hundred and fifty feet up …he realized that Seamus the 'pervert' had been right. The wind up here was awful. At this level several windows finally came into view. The girl's shower-room came into sight first and Neville was amused to find that the glass had been smoked …to prevent the kind of peeking-tom trick that Seamus had wanted to pull-off. Neville would have laughed at Finnegan's tom-foolery …but a gust of wind made the vine he held sway dangerously and suddenly he remembered where he was.

Just less than two hundred feet the engorgement spell began to run out of steam, as the vines growth began to slow dramatically. This part of Gryffindor tower would be covered in ivy, but the question was. Had it climbed high enough to reach the seventh year girls dorm window?

OoOoOoOo

"So then Seamus says 'It's slippery when it's wet,'" said Lavender.

"He did not," giggled Pavarti. "That has got to be one of the worst pickup lines ever."

"The man's dense, but he is direct," Lavender stated as the room bust into laughter.

"What about you, Alaire?" asked Carmen Krumel, a sixth-year dorm-mate of Ginny. "What chat-up line did your secret boyfriend use?"

"He hasn't really," Alaire said. "He really is a sweet guy, who didn't use empty flattery to easy the downward passage of my knickers …my man won my heart with hundreds of tiny gestures, for my friends; when it comes to love… I've found …action speaks loads louder than words.

"When do we get to meet this sweet-gestured Romeo? Lavender asked

"Not right away," Alaire replied. "He did something today that really hacked-me off and I'm just going to punish him for a little bit longer with the cold-shoulder treatment …before we make up."

"But he has to apologize first! That's the rule. The men must apologize first, especially if they were the nitwits that started the argument," said Hermione.

"Hermione would know all about that;" smirked Ginny. "She can write a book about ways to make my brother apologize …the dense git that he is."

"What was the best way Ron apologized?" asked Pavarti slyly.

A blush rose up on Hermione's cheeks, "That's none of your business."

The girls broke into hysterical giggles almost so loud they didn't hear the knocking coming from the window.

"Oh, what's that?" Hermione said looking toward the window.

"Must be an owl," said Carmen. "Let's just send it away. It's probably from one of the boys anyway. Just write-back a note telling them …we're not coming down."

Ginny Weasley looked out the window and smiled. "It's not an owl from the boys, but a boy himself." She opened the window to reveal Neville's pale face.

Alaire ran to the window. "Neville what in-Hell are you doing? You're afraid of heights you idiot! This is insane!"

"Tell her you're sorry, you arse!" someone shouted from below.

"I-I just wanted to tell you, I'm sorry," Neville said through chattering teeth.

"Of course, you are, you silly boy!" Alaire said with a smile. "But, this is a bit extreme."

"Ask about the girls!"

"Would you come downstairs so we could talk?" Neville asked as another powerful wing-gust almost tore him from the vine.

"Neville" Alaire screamed as she grabbed at his robes with both hands just as the vine began to give way. She and the other girls quickly pulled him through the open window and onto the floor with a plop.

"That hurt," Neville muttered as he picked himself off the floor.

"Neville?," Alaire exclaimed in a worried tone as he picked her-self off of the floor as well. "Are y'all OK?"

"You wouldn't come down", Neville began to ramble, "and I wanted to tell you what an arse I've been - and how sorry I was to upset you over Harry …and how much I don't deserve someone like you as a …friend."

This time even Alaire winced at the term, for this - 'give Harry time to heal secret' - was proving - just as Ginny had said …more trouble than it was worth.

"Again, I'm sorry," Neville said taking holding Alaire at a safe-distance …by holding the girl with stiff arms at the shoulders. "I don't dare hug her, I'll give it all away if I do that …so no inappropriate touching" he repeated over-n-over to him-self in his mind.

The girls in the room looked on in wonder. Alaire had all but literally; a knight in shining armor… climb in through the window of a tall tower …and humble-himself right in front of all of them. A few gave a sigh at such a romantic gesture …with all but two of them wondering …why they hadn't noticed the dark-haired boy with the shy grin before that moment.

"And even if you don't want me as a …friend …anymore," Neville continued. "I just wanted to let you know how much I care about you and that I'm really-really sorry that I acted like a complete and total Prat. I just get jealous of Potter, like every other bloke here does, because to tell the truth it's bloody-hard competing with a living legend. I really am grateful for every moment you've spent with me and I promise in future …to be a-lot more mindful of you wishes. I'll try a lot harder and I'll…"

"…Neville, shut up," Alaire said placing a finger on his lips, to silence him …before turning to the girls looking on and then …made her big announcement. "Y'all think I'm Potter's girl, because of that stupid passion-pill kiss. But the truth was that Harry and I are-not …and never-were a couple. And then tonight you've heard the totally incorrect rumor that I've broken it off with Harry due to a secret boyfriend that I've been seeing on the sly.

"Yeah, that's what I heard" one of the girls mumbled.

"I do have a boyfriend, a wonderful young man, who has just risked life and limb to apologize to me in front of all of y'all."

A collective "Ah!" went up from the girls, as Alaire smiled brightly and flung herself into Neville's arms and kissed him as deeply as she could. For now she knew, she had chosen wisely.

oooooo

Chapter 25

Not really wanting to climb back down the Ivy, Neville was easily convinced to use the stairs this time. After being told the steps turned into a slide, Alaire thought it would be fun if they slid down together. The idea spread like wildfire through the dormitory and soon a train formed with Neville at the head. Usually, he probably would have fallen and broken something, but this time he had Alaire's arms wrapped around his middle. Someone shouted "Go!" and soon they landed in the common room in a lump of limbs and giggles.

The rest of the boys stared in stunned silence at the mass of bodies at the base of the stairs. The only distinguishable feature of Neville was one leg trapped under five or six giggling girls.

Finally, Seamus spoke. "I never thought I'd say this, but at this moment I want nothing more than to be; Longbottom."

Quite a few nodded in agreement as Seamus and the other boys started lifting the girls up onto their feet.

"Ron, where are you?" Hermione asked as she huffed playfully and walked down the newly reformed stairs. Flushed and more than a little frustrated at her boyfriends absence. Hermione surveyed the room one more time for Ron before she asked; "has anyone seen my boyfriend?"

When no-one answered she sighed and then said;

"Hey you-lot, is this date-night …or not?" one of the girls announced.

OoOoOoOo

That can wait for a moment, I think". Professor McGonagall said in a furious tone from the portrait hole. "Mr. Longbottom did I …or did I not …just see you slide down the Girls dormitory stairway.

"Yes professor you did" Neville said as he stepped away from Alaire and braced himself for what he knew was coming.

"No male student has managed to gain access to the ladies Dorm in the entire history of this school. I do not have to point-out how against the rules your action was …do I?"

"No Professor, I was well aware of my infraction."

"Congratulations Mr. Longbottom," McGonagall snarled sarcastically. "You have just earned yourself a footnote spot in the next edition of 'Hogwarts a History' …well two entries actually. The first for what you did and the second for the historic punishment you'll receive.

"Professor?" Hermione said hesitantly as she stepped forward,

"Ah yes, our rules enforcing Head-girl," McGonagall exclaimed sardonically. "I can only assume that you were the one to expel the unlawful intruder from the ladies sanctuary?"

"Ah …Professor, but if I could have a word in private, I'd like to fill you in on the circumstances behind what happened tonight.

"Ah yes, you are of course referring the fight that accrued in the boys dorm earlier. Can I assume you know who started that ruckus …as in …who threw the first punch?" Minerva asked sternly.

"Ah umm …yes… the fight. About that …" Hermione said stuttering …becoming embarrassed

"It was me; Professor," Neville said stepping forward. "I threw the first punch, after someone made several insulting remarks that …"

"… There is no excuse for fighting or a boy being up in the Girls Dorm," McGonagall snapped. "Mr. Longbottom there isn't words appropriate enough to this occasion …to describe my deep disappointment in you. You were the most trusted boy in this school and given privileges far above your peers, but apparently our trust in you has been… misplaced.

"Professor …Please …you need to understand …" Alaire began.

"Not one more word, Ms Goodnight. The Headmaster has recently told me of your numerous unauthorized visits to Mr. Longbottom's private study. I have also seen …since the beginning of term …how you have toyed with the affections of two of the boys of this house …shamelessly pitting them against each other… in an unequal contest for your favor. Come to think upon-it …would it be wrong of me to assume, that the fight tonight as well as the American style knickers-raid of the Gryffindor Ladies Dorm, both had you as the primary motivation behind Mr. Longbottom's actions?"

Like a deer caught in the lights of an oncoming motor-car …the raw truth of what she was hearing caused tears to form in Alaire eyes as she hung her head down in shame. "Its all true …everything Neville's done tonight has been for my sake," Alaire thought. "How can I make this up to him?"

"I thought as much," Minerva said smugly as she turned toward the Head-Girl. "Ms Granger have you assigned punishment for either one of Mr. Longbottom's offensives?"

"Not yet professor"

"Just as well," Minerva said shaking her head sadly. "I doubt that even the Headmaster will have jurisdiction in a matter of this magnitude. The Board of Governors will have to convene to determine whether or not Mr. Longbottom will be expelled over this." Alaire reacted to this as if slapped, while Neville stood stiffly as if awaiting execution with typical British calm.

"Come with me Mr. Longbottom"

Without thinking Alaire blurred out: "But its date-night"

"Ms Goodnight, I do not claim to know how your American schools handle rule-breaking," Minerva said with distain. "But here in Great Britain …we do not reward misconduct with a bowl of popcorn and a snog".

"I'll see you later Neville", Alaire said meekly

"Oh I highly doubt that; Ms Goodnight," Minerva said with heavy scorn. "I have no way of knowing how much of Mr. Potter's recent-rash of detentions are due to your prompting. However you may rest-assure …that I have no intention of allowing your American notion of 'FUN' to ruin Mr. Longbottom's future as a magical botanist. If he is fortunate enough to avoid being expelled, he will end-up spending the majority of his free time in back-to-back detentions …until the end of term".

"You won't be able to keep us apart" Alaire said defiantly

"Pick another victim for your flirtation-games, Ms Goodnight". Minerva said in her best threatening tone. "In the four months since term began, your manipulations has brought the most trusted boy in Hogwarts within millimeters of expulsion. Haven't you done enough damage already?"

"Professor, there is no need for this," Neville said standing up to his head of House. "I knew that she was a fireball …right from the off, so I went into this with my eyes open …"

"Neville, you're a nice boy and beyond doubt the finest botanist Hogwarts has produced in five generations," Minerva said sadly. "However, you're experience with young ladies of the caliber of wild-cat …such as Ms Goodnight …is frankly …nonexistent. She has been playing you for a fool since term began and contrary to what she has made you believe… flaunting the rules here will not win her heart,"

Minerva then paused shook her head in regret before saying; "On some level, even you must realize that she'll end-up with Mr. Potter. Now come along." The professor said as she turned toward the portrait hole.

Just then, the door opened and a bloody and savagely-beaten Ron Weasley entered, his clothing ripped and disarranged. He stubbed into the Common-room giving the appearance of someone thrashed within an inch of his life. At the sight of him Hermione reacted as predicted.

"RON" she screamed in horror as she rushed over to her black and blue boyfriend. "What happened to you …who did this?" Hermione snarled as her tone 'turned on a Knut' from concern to vengeful-anger.

"I had a word with Fred and George over the 'Crippling Curse' they hit Malfoy with this morning. They denied doing it at first, but over the period of an hour's worth of 'discussion' …I managed to beat the truth out of them." Ron said but when he tried to smile in memory, but winced in pain instead …as his bruised-lip began to bleed again.

"Mr. Weasley …I've been looking for you," Minerva said moving closer. "There are two Ministry Aurors in the Headmasters Office with a warrant for your arrest".

"A Warrant …that's absurd …what are the charges?, Hermione said straighten up and placing herself between her head of house and her boyfriend …her hands on her hips …lioness defending a recent kill stance …unmistakable. Professor McGonagall found her-self torn, with a mixture of admiration and annoyance at her Head-Girl for her protective-nature where one of the 'trio' was concerned.

"Now is not the time, Mione," Ron said painfully …with clear affection. "I'll go with you Professor, but give me a minute… please?"

"One Minute Mr. Weasley."

"Listen love, Fred and George hexed Malfoy with an ancient curse that would in a matter of days render all his limbs as useless as his bits," Ron said as his sister began the rapid-climb to being completely horrified. "Don't look at me like that Gingin; I didn't even know what they did …until Dumbledore told me about-it at dinner. I had the family agree to abstain from retaliating to your shrunken bits revenge. Mum and Dad conceded to my point that a prank-war over Malfoy would be counterproductive. So Fred and George did this on their own …okay.

Ginny fear for her boyfriend now abruptly transformed to unbridled anger.

"Dammit Ginerva, stop it. I handled the pay-back on your behalf. There will be no reprisal from you …do you hear me!" Ron said furiously, as his entire body beginning to glow sky-blue. "Our Twin siblings right now look a-lot worse than I do, for I gave far-better than I got. Their Joke shop has been totally trashed, their merchandise ruined. So cool it …Enough is enough!

"Mr. Weasley…"Minerva said becoming very-concerned at the sight of Ron's magical blue-glow.

"Hold-on, I'm not finished," Ron said as he gingerly reached into his ruined school uniform and pulled out a crumbled and bloodied piece of parchment. "Like I said …the twins used a real old curse on the Ferret, but the Gits didn't check if there was counter-curse before they cast the thing. Mione you're going to have to live up to all of my boasting about your brilliance. The 'Crippling Curse' becomes irreversible after forty-eight hours according to Dumbledore.

"Oh my God" someone mumbled from within the common-room.

"This is the original curse they used," Ron said refusing to be distracted …as with a trembling bloody-hand he gave the parchment to the smartest witch of her age. "Don't let me down."

"I won't," Hermione said with grim determination.

"That's my girl," Ron said in lovesick relief.

"Is that all Mr. Weasley?"

"Not quite," Ron said weakly to McGonagall before turning back to his Lady-Love. "Upstairs in my dorm …in my school-truck …on the left side, is the gift you gave me for Christmas a few years back. Stuffed inside the pages of 'Hogwarts a History' is a folded-bit of parchment …it's the counter-curse to the shrunken-bits hex that the 'Ferret' is currently suffering from."

Ginny …her anger suddenly forgotten, stared in open-mouth amazement at her brother.

Ron then attempted to straighten up a-bit …as in a very formal tone - like a royal proclamation - he declared; "At my discretion …by the authority as given to me by family conclave. I give you …my most-beloved …the permission required to act in my place and make my little sister's fiancée whole. Let the blood-feud between Clan Weasley and Draco Malfoy …a disenfranchised member of Clan Malfoy …be henceforth ended. Let there be peace between us for all time …so let it be written …so let it be done." With that said …the wind went out of Ron's sails as he slumped back down against a nearby wall, nearly fainting as he finally gave-in to the pain.

"Here, Ron, let me give you a leg up" Neville said as he easily picked Ron up and threw Ron's arm across his shoulders supporting the red-head enough so that he could somewhat stand, "Lets 'Face the Music' together, my old-friend. I've no girl to publicly call my own …and you're in no shape for date-night.

"Besides …the women we adore have to attend to the needs of other blokes who have priority over us …so neither of us will be missed." Neville said without thinking …his mind engrossed with unbridled fear at his possible expulsion. He gave no thought to Alaire who had retreated to a dark corner …nearly-overcome with guilt.

"Ron," Ginny said with tears of gratitude pouring in rivers down her cheeks. "Thank-you"

"Anytime Gingin …although to tell the truth, I would have preferred that you had stayed with; Neville, here …he's the kind of bloke a brother can depend on to do right by his little sister." Ron said

"Yeah I know, but a girl fancies a little excitement in her life …now and again," Ginny jokingly snorted until she saw the expression of deep hurt plain as day on Neville's.

"Thanks for the compliment – Gingin," Neville grumbled with disdain …before he turned and without a single backward glance; left the common-room half-dragging Ron with him.

"Neville …" Ginny protested weakly; knowing full-well the harm she'd done. "I didn't mean it,"

OoOoOoOo

Twenty four hours later,

Sleepless in Seattle played on a white washed wall of the Gryffindor common-room, Harry sat in his usual bean-bag seat with Alaire right next to him …she wasn't touching him or he her. His heart ached a little with the knowledge that their snuggling days were now over.

The odd thing was …Alaire wasn't sitting on her alleged boyfriend's lap either, her head resting lovingly on his chest, with one arm wrapped around her waist and a big grin on his face. Harry had heard some of the girls giggling and whispering to each other that Neville was Alaire new boyfriend, but who in there right mind believed that rubbish? A sarcastic Slytherin-ish thought then crossed Harry's mind. "Yeah, enjoy pretending while you can Longbottom. When her dad gets here, you'll regret substituting for Alaire's real boyfriend."

Sighing, Harry turned his attention back to the movie while his mind kept making excuses why he didn't need Alaire or want her at all. He ran through all her flaws and by the end of the movie, Harry felt a-bit better having come up with one thought that to him rang true. He felt the urgent need to share it with Neville, Alaire's stand-in boy-toy.

After the movie, Harry took Alaire hand and asked. "If I mean nothing to you anymore why did you sit next to me tonight?"

"Harry Honestly …you're infuriating!" Alaire said in a forced whisper as there were other couples still in the common room. "Did you listen to anything I said to you last night? I sat next to you tonight to make a point, which is my genuine desire to remain your friend. Do you have ANY IDEA what sitting next to you has cost me? Well let me lay it out for you.

"My boyfriend now has doubts again of my feelings for him. He thinks that you have priority over him and how can I blame him …our first movie night after getting together as a couple and am I in his lap …snogging him senseless? - - Hell-NO! - - I'm sitting next to always-pouting Potter. A bloke who just yesterday… was-calling me …things …Shit …shit …shit. Dammit Harry I refuse to loss my temper with you …again …so please …get your head out-of your ass."

"Who is your Boyfriend anyway?" Harry shouted ignoring the looks he was getting from the people watching from nearby. "And don't try to feed any crap that it is Neville …because I know better!"

"And why is it so inconceivable that I could fall for Neville?" Alaire said just as loud …with both hands on her hips while glaring down at Harry.

"Oh I don't know …perhaps Ginny said it best … a girl fancies a little excitement in her life now and again. And excitement is one thing that Longbottom is incapable of 'cultivating' …and deep down in your heart …you know that too. So who is the bloke that Neville will be taking Daddy-heat for? What kind of coward doesn't have the bullocks to face his girls' parents?"

"Neville is my real boyfriend …and truthfully …I hadn't thought about introducing him to my parents until now …thanks for the idea, Harry." Alaire said smugly. "I'll suggest spending a few days with his grandmother Augusta before my parents arrive. Then perhaps the five of us could have dinner and a show in London. Yes …a splendid thought, I want to get to know Augusta a lot better… for who knows ….in a year or so, she could be a in-law to me.

"Married to Neville, oh please Alaire, that's just pathetic," Harry snapped. "You can do loads better than him."

"Wrong …Harry, after what I've been through with guys …I'm god-damn lucky to have Neville as a boyfriend. You may be the famous boy-who- lived and all that other horse-shit …but in the end …like during the last couple of days …you've still acted like a spoiled little child. My Neville …" Alaire all but screamed, "Walked out of here last-night with his head-high …every inch a man."

"Good-night Harry," Alaire said in a far colder and calmer tone …before she stormed up the stairs to the girl's dorm, where she cried herself to sleep. The others in the common-room also looked at Harry for the first time with contempt …especially the girls who'd been in the dorm during Neville's apology.

With anyone else …the looks of distain might have convinced the average bloke that he was in the wrong. But the Chosen-one …after enduring the rollercoaster of Love-to-hate …then back to Love from the public over a period of years …had learned to ignore the opinion of others. So with a shrug of his shoulders Harry went up to his own dorm totally unaffected by Alaire diatribe …and when he opened the door he was nearly overcome with odor of cheap cologne.

"As the end credits rolled, Seamus said; "Right-then! On that note, I'm leaving," Seamus said. "I've got a date with a Puff. Sleep well you-lot, because I won't be sleeping alone tonight!"

"Yeah, yeah," Harry muttered with a dismissive wave as Seamus left the room. "Just Be careful, Ron and Longbottom are serving detention somewhere …until hell-freezes apparently. Make sure you and your unnamed Puff don't get caught by Argus Filch or you'll be joining them."

"Well, I should be going too," Dean said getting up and heading for the door.

"And what are you leaving for?" Harry asked genuinely puzzled.

"Prefect rounds!" he said defensively. "Luna is over her migraine and as Ravenclaw prefect she has …well …you-know."

"Yeah, that's right; the Ferret's red-haired slut did say that tonight was Ravenclaw's night to do rounds."

"You have a death wish, Potter?" Dean snarled his own temper flaring. "One of these days Ron will hear you calling Ginny a slut and if he doesn't take you apart for it, Draco will …"

"Yeah …like I'm afraid of the 'Nutter Ferret' …now there's a laugh!" Harry chuckled.

"Oh he won't be alone, I'm thinking of forming the 'ex-redhead boy-toys club'. Which means Longbottom, Malfoy and me, between us …hell …just Neville alone …can re-set your clock right-and-proper with hardly any bother at all? Come to think on it… if Alaire hadn't stopped him last-night …you'd be in the Hospital wing right now …next to Malfoy! I don't know when Longbottom got those arm muscles, but lord-almighty that boy can punch.

"Tell me about it …I was on the receiving end of those sledge-harmer fists. Any-road, since when do you defend …the slutty-bird that gave you nothing but blue-balls…just to jump into a slimy Slytherin's bed?" Harry snapped in a foul mood.

"It didn't work out for us, Potter." Dean retorted, biting his tongue to avoid saying more, for he wasn't the sort to kiss and tell. "The spark just wasn't there for either of us and when Ginny pointed out the obvious, we parted …as friends. I know how to do that …unlike you." And with that parting shot, Dean left the room. Alone again, Harry went up to his empty dorm room, he glanced at Ron and Neville's empty bed thinking back to his last conversation with his botanist dorm-mate.

(Begin Flashback)

It was very late on the night of the fight that Neville finally re-entered the dorm-room. He sighed and looked at his roommate as Harry prepared to go to sleep. They were going to have to talk about the fight sooner or later, and Neville unlike Ron was not a procrastinator.

"Look Harry –"

"Don't worry about it, Neville," said Harry as he pulled the covers back to his bed. "I'll get over it. It'll just take me a bit …you know? I mean I liked Alaire and everything; she is pretty …has a nice rack, and a great arse. But to be honest …what good is having the equipment if you know you can never turn it on. I mean with her condition being what it is and everything …You'd have a better chance of getting laid by Bellatrix …than get any-action out of Ms Goodnight …you do know that …don't you?"

Neville gave him a look letting him know he had no idea what he was talking about. Harry sighed as he climbed into bed.

"Think about it Neville …she's an empath. Powerful emotions cause her pain …like at Halloween …remember? Didn't she have to take medicine to offset the powerful emotions …didn't she have to lie-still in total quite to recover? Just think about what having sex would be like. Every time you felt a powerful urge to do something . . . um, sexy, she'd all but go into a coma.

"I'll bet that's why most empathy's never get married. I honestly pity the poor girl." Harry shook his head in pretended sympathy and was glad that his long hair covered his slight grin. "Goodnight Neville. I'm sure that the concept of a relationship devoid of sex doesn't bother you at all. Just keep in mind, that your lust could easily kill her."

Harry's words echoed in Neville's head for the rest of that night. What if Harry was right? What if what the emotions he was feeling hurt her? He never wanted to do that. He had been with her after the fight in the Great Hall and it had scared him. He remembered what the power of the emotions had done …her pale face and sick stomach. And didn't she say earlier after the fight that he and Harry were giving her a headache? It was true he hated what Harry had said then and hate was a powerful emotion, but so was love. What would happen if the amount of love he felt for Alaire …made her sick?

Suddenly Neville felt ill himself. Making a vow to himself he promised never to make Alaire sick with his emotions, no matter how much it tortured him. So as Harry slept peacefully, Neville finished packing. He wouldn't be allowed back to this dorm until after the end of term. Being permanently-banished from Gryffindor tower was only part of his punishment for being in the girl's dorm. Solitary confinement with zero contact with anyone until the train ride back to London was not going to hurt half as much as being forbidden to speak to her until classes resumed in January.

OoOoOoOo

Harry stayed in bed late the next morning as it was Sunday, but when he awoke, the first thing Harry noticed was that there were only three occupied beds in the dorm room. Ron's bed was empty, two days after leaving with Neville… but still made-up which meant it hadn't been slept in… at all. Neville's bed on the other hand had been striped to a bare mattress, his dresser stood open, devoid of its contents and his school trunk was gone.

Harry didn't care a rat's-arse whether Longbottom had been expelled or not, but his best-mate gone-missing for forty-eight hours was deeply disturbing. Getting dressed he flew down the stairs in search of his Ron whereabouts-source. If Hermione Jean Granger didn't know where her boyfriend was, then no one did …luckily… sitting in the common-room deep in thought was the Head-girl.

"Where's Ron?" Harry asked

"Azkaban" was the monotone reply.

"Not funny, Hermione," Harry snarled.

"I wasn't joking," Hermione continued still in a shocked monotone; "its on page twenty-three of the Sunday edition of The Daily Prophet. And I quote;

"Rupert Billy Weasel was convicted yesterday evening in Wizengamot court number ten …of disturbing the peace and public acts of Mayhem at Number Ninety-three Diagon Alley, London. Mr. Weasley was sentenced to One hundred days of imprisonment on the Island of Azkaban …an appeal is pending".

"Fred and George pressed charges?"

"Apparently"

"Where is Ginny?" harry said furiously.

"I showed her the newspaper earlier and she rushed-off to floo her parents."

"Shite …I lose a girlfriend and a best-mate in less than twenty-four hours. Sweet Merlin my life sucks".

"Everything in the world turns on how it effects you, is that it; Harry?" Hermione asked scornfully. Well; you might as well add me to the list of things you've lost, especially after what you said to Neville about… Bookworms,"

"Hey I'm sorry about that …I was upset …I'd just been dumped and …"

"Bullocks, Harry I know better, you and Alaire have to be a couple first before you can be dumped …and you weren't a couple like …ever. Others will buy-into that sob-story, but don't try selling that line of crap with me."

"Yes mother" Harry said teasingly. "But I am sorry for what I said. I didn't think."

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, Harry." Hermione said patting his hand in acceptance of his apology. "As long as you don't bad-mouth Ginny or me in Ron's hearing you're relatively safe."

OoOoOoOo

Ginny entered the common-room with a roll of parchment in her hands and the strangest expression on her face that anyone had ever seen. It was the oddest mixture of amusement alternating with fear.

"How is Draco this morning?"

"Loads better …I can't thank-you enough." Ginny said her expression one of pure gratitude.

"Don't thank me, all I did was unravel a curse, Ron was the one who gave back your lovers bits."

"Yeah …about that;" Ginny said chuckling. "According to pure-blood tradition …as spouted by my once again randy boyfriend/fiancée, my Draco now owes Ron a major life-debt. It's a far greater debt than that rat Pettigrew owes you …Harry. Apparently Draco was facing permanent disfigurement and had not Ron beaten the truth out of the twins …well… Anyroad …as of this morning my brother can do no wrong with me and my future husband.

"He'll be glad to hear it I'm sure". Hermione said trying to maintain a brave front… but suddenly she broke into tears. Harry backed away at once, completely clueless about what to do with a sobbing woman. Alaire was half-way downs the stairs when she heard Hermione sobbing and paused to listen.

"Hold on there, no tears now, for I bring good-news," Ginny said brightly. "Errol my family Owl just delivered my breakfast post. Here let me read it to you;"

"Dearest Ginevra

I'll make this brief.

Right from the off, as you most likely know by now …your brother Ronald is in Azkaban, but rest assured; he won't be there for long. You father went to the Ministry straight-away and made all sorts of fuss. As it turned out neither Fred nor George pressed charges against Ronald for assault and battery. And how could they… considering what they had done.

Ginevra; please understand …Ronald had nothing to do with the curse Fred and George hexed your boyfriend with. If anything; he has been arguing that we made a rush-to-judgment in regards to your Draco. His wiliness to go to Azkaban to undo what the twins did has caused everyone in the family to take a fresh look at this specific young man.

Your father and I placed Ronald as point-man for the family concerning your Draco and then Minerva heard him utter the traditional end of blood-feud in the proper form. Ronald was wise in making it apply only to this one member of the Malfoy family, otherwise your father would never have agreed to it.

Clan McGonagall agrees with Ronald that Draco's relationship with you has been a turning point in his life. Even his head-of-house Professor Snape feels that the attachment to you is genuine and stronger than the ties to his family. He advised Minerva that Draco's Mother has recently declared her only child a blood-traitor and has forbade him from coming to Malfoy Manor during the upcoming Christmas holiday.

We are still not all that happy about your 'engagement', but as Ronald has pointed out … "it is unfair to condemn what you have with this boy …before we get to know him". With that in mind and after obtaining the Headmaster's consent …I wish to offer this formal invitation to your Draco to share the Christmas holiday with your family.

"Draco in the Burrow …I don't believe it?" Harry said gob-smacked.

"Amazing" Hermione said, happy for her friend. "I'm happy for you both, but do they have any other news about my Ron?"

"Oh yeah …I'm getting to it, don't get your knickers in a twist", Ginny said in a teasing tone.

"I know it will be a bit tight with all these people underfoot, but we will be two lighter than in previous years. You see Ginevra, since Ronald and Hermione became a couple; the number of conversations that your father and I have shared with the Granger's has increased ten-fold. To make a long story short …the Granger's are as anxious to 'get-to-know' your brother …as Hermione's boyfriend …as your family is about your Draco.

So, when your brother serves the minimum require part of his sentence on Azkaban, which is six days, he will be released on probation back to Hogwarts, to take his end of semester tests. When the train arrives in London, Sylvia and Dennis Granger will take Ronald and Hermione home with them, while we take Draco home with us.

"Ron's going to meet my parents!" Hermione said stunned.

"Poor bloke," Harry said casually, and got instant heated glares from both girls.

"Don't look at me like that, blokes aren't suppose to meet the family after just a couple of months of dating." Harry said in instinctive self-defense. A bloke only meets his girlfriends Dad if things are getting really serious. You-know what I mean.

"Take Ginny for example, the only reason Draco's being invited to the Burrow is because of that bloody engagement ring. Ron on the other hand …is no where near ready …for that level …of commitment. He wants to be an Auror like me, that's a three year commitment and blokes with families …need not apply."

Hermione hesitated and then looked hard at Ginny's ring …before she reached up and undid the top three buttons of her blouse; she then pulled out a golden chain that Harry had never noticed before …from around her neck. Looping into the chain was two rings, they were both silver and one had a tiny speck of a diamond on it. Ginny eyes went wide and Alaire rushed forward for a closer look, both girls knew what those two rings meant …even if Harry was a bit slower on the up take.

"You're …" Ginny said literally bubbling with excitement.

"When …?" Alaire asked eagerly.

"Two weeks after the Halloween-Dance Battle, after what happened to you Ginny, Ron snuck out of the castle, and used his entire savings to buy these. He popped the question the same night." Hermione said with a girlish sigh.

"And how many days did you take to think it over …before sitting down to write-up a twenty-four foot pre-nuptials' agreement?" Harry joked sarcastically. Hermione, reaction was instantaneous and with all her strength behind it, she slapped Harry James Potter face - hard.

"You've been a self-absorbed pig lately, Harry, and my patience with you is wearing very thin right now. Now if you can't keep a civil tongue in your head. You had better leave …before you spend the rest of today transfigured into the swine that you really are." Hermione said clearly stressed-out by having her boyfriend/fiancée in Azkaban prison.

Harry stood gob-smacked for a moment, before mumbling a half-whispered apology and left, to spend the next week in semi-isolation.

Once he was gone, the three girls resumed talking about the letter.

"Do your parents know that you're engaged?" Alaire asked

"I told my Mum," Hermione confessed happily.

"That means my parents know too." Ginny said in a worried tone.

"Ron and I promised to keep it secret until the Holiday; we were going to announce it Christmas eve. I'm disappointed that he told your Mum."

"Oh he didn't tell them directly," Ginny said giggling. "Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten a mere letter devoid of blunt; to the point questions. Instead I would have been hauled into the Headmaster's office …for a in-my-face …one-on-one …chat with my Mum demanding answers to vital question …such as;

…When …where and how did Ron propose …

…have you two set a date?

…do you have a caterer in mind?

…picked out a church?

…names of first born male and female offspring?

…and last but by no means least …have you fallen pregnant?" Ginny said stabbing a finger at Hermione's uniform covered abdomen.

Hermione looked on horrified at Ginny's diatribe, while Alaire stood-nearby laughing hysterically.

OoOoOoOo

After yoga as lunchtime approached Alaire, took her leave of the two engaged girls and made her way to Neville's study. She hadn't seen her boyfriend since Friday night and found it a-bit odd that the portrait door was ajar, and was horrified when looking in she found the room stripped clean. All that remained was the battered couch that she had slept on …twice.

"For every action we take, there are consequences," Dumbledore voice said softly having come up upon the American from behind …completely unnoticed.

"What happened here?"

The Hogwarts board of Governors' could not allow Neville's visit to the ladies Dorm to go unpunished. This study was part of the price Mr. Longbottom paid for his apology to you. He will be in detention every minute he is not in class …and during class he must sit apart from everyone. He can speak to no-one in the hallway, even his meals will be spent outside the great Hall …until the end of term."

"That's a bit Harsh isn't?"

"By American standards, perhaps your right …but you're in England now, Ms Goodnight. Here we do things differently. It took all of my influence this morning to prevent his outright expulsion and even then it was 'touch-and-go' for a bit. Actually it was Professor Sprout that saved the day, when she provided the board with copies of the reviews to Neville's 'Herbology Monthly' articles.

"Then she pointed out the number of his hybrid patents both pending and active, Pomona ended her appeal for leniency by quoting three of Europe's leading Herbologist who all regard Neville as the finest and most promising botanist of our age. Expelling such a student would be in Pomona option unwise …in light of the fact that Neville would without-doubt finish his education elsewhere …most likely a at a Wizarding school in nearby France …that would be delighted to have the best botanist of our age as an alumni.

"So is that the extent of his punishment …exile from me until the end of term?" Alaire asked upset at the thought of being separated from her boyfriend."

"Oh after Pomona's speech, she and I were able to gain a few minor concessions from the board …all in the name of his special projects …of course. For example; he will be permit to meet your family when they arrive. The board was more than willing to modify the punishment a little …to advance Hogwarts reputation among the Wizarding world Herbologist's and botanists.

"But my parents aren't botanists …they're lawyers!"

"Really …the Board of Grosvenor's must have been misinformed about that," Albus said with twinkles in his eyes going wild.

"So his punishment will end when the Christmas holiday begins," she asked excited and hopeful.

I can do many things young-lady but regretfully …miracles aren't one of them" Albus admitted sadly. "Neville's transgression punishment of near total isolation will snap back into place after the holiday. However, the schools-governors have also insisted that all botanist procedures established prior to the 'stairway incident' are to remain in force.

"For example; his need to obtain supplies from the nearby village of Hogsmeade will of course continue… as well as… the work of the special-assistant that was observed carrying these items back and forth to his old study. It was Severus that insisted on that point.

"What assistant?" Alaire asked, suddenly feeling jealous of a romantic rival.

"Why Ms Goodnight, you surprise me" Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling merrily. "I am referring to the same young woman that my assistant Headmistress has observered entering and leaving the Longbottom study at odd hours …exclusively to tend to the plants within …of course."

Alaire's eyes went wide as she put the pieces together. "This assistant …I assume …will still have full access to any stems that Mr. Longbottom has cultivated over the years".

"As well as any cross-pollinating projects contemplated in the future," Dumbledore said greatly enjoying the double-meaning of the sexual innuendo flying about the room. "For example, I observed during the removal of one of the plants here, the one I like to call the 'Love-rose' that the original flower which Neville kept as his own …was drooping …from neglect."

"I see to that right away, as soon as you tell me where these plants are."

"You do that, Ms Goodnight," the Headmaster said getting up. "This couch is lumpy, and therefore totally unsuitable for resting during vigorous …cross-pollinating. I'm glad that I insisted on a more modern replacement to better facilitate proper rest, a device the Muggle's call a 'futon'."

Again Alaire eyes went wide.

"Oh I see you've heard of this devise, perhaps you can help Neville with it, for he seems unaware that his new 'futon couch' can open into a bed." Dumbledore said as he moved toward the door. "The love-rose we discussed can be found in greenhouse number seven. It's a third the size of the other Greenhouses and therefore too small for teaching the size of classes that we have here.

"The doorway is behind a door-sized giant-Mirror; which can be found on the little use third floor corridor, an internal stairway leads down to the ground level greenhouse. A bit out of the way I admit, but if the goal is worth the extra effort, the fruit born from this hybrid will be exceptional. Good-day …Ms Goodnight."

Alaire literally ran all the way to the stairway-door. The third floor hallway was indeed little used as the heavy dust on everything testified. She looked forward to the time alone with Neville. She had never gotten use to dealing with the feelings of jealousy, hate and envy that flooded her mind every time she and Harry had walked into a room full of girls; it was one of the greatest disadvantages of being Harry's friend and female.

The password given her by the headmaster was "Alice", and once passed that particular 'looking-glass', the stairway going down was a narrow spiral that was totally unsuitable for the high heels that Alaire had on. Slipping them off on the dusty stairs meant dirty feet …but Alaire was too excited to care. She found her boyfriend looking sadly at his rose which was indeed wilting.

OoOoOoOo

When Alaire climbed out of the now fully open futon, six hours later she was careful not to wake her exhausted and sound asleep …mostly undressed lover. Gathering her discarded bra in one hand and her other clothing in her left …Alaire gleefully tipped-toed silently to the bathroom wearing only her knickers. She had-been frankly gob-smacked as too how far things had gone between them. No boy had seen this much of her body …not to mention... touched her bare flesh in nearly two-years. Perhaps her American therapist had been right; all it took was the right-bloke to undo the damage done by a real bastard.

This bathroom was twice the size of the one in Neville's old study …containing a toilet, a tiny sink, a small linen-closet and a small shower-stall. The sight of this shower-stall filled the American witches' mind with a full score of possible two person stand-up sex scenarios' that made the girl openly blush, for such thoughts would have been unthinkable just six months ago. The only frustration Alaire had experienced in the time she spent with Neville that day, was the panties …'scratch that' …Alaire said to herself …'the term over here is knickers,' …which were regretfully still in place.

She had spent the whole time, with her mental shields totally down, so that she could focus fully on the unbridled feeling of love pouring out of Neville. She suspected that Dumbledore had-warded this particular greenhouse with special mental-barriers to any emotions generated outside. She had no trouble tuning-in on Neville for his love for her and every other though was now mixed with a healthy and fairly intense lust… that didn't sicken her at all… thank-God.

For a now openly randy Alaire …the love-lust combination was like icing on the cake. Underlining everything else however… was the deep-worry that he was pushing her too fast, emotionally …and that just thrilled her to no-end. He was holding back with his feelings, out of respect …and that both pleased and frustrated Alaire at the same time. That he also treated her knickers as if they had been welded-on …was a God-send on one hand and annoying as hell on the other. After being raped in America, Neville's 'go slow obsession' was both a blessing as well as a curse. She'd been used as a magical sex-object once, so getting involved again was scary in itself, but unlike that first time, she was now experienced enough empathically …to judge a boys long term intentions.

Harry was still primarily thinking with the head between his legs, whereas Neville was leading with his heart exclusively, an organ that was clearly and without any doubt …hers for the taking. When she left the greenhouse ten minutes later, Alaire Goodnight was hopelessly in love, with a final-glance at their intertwined roses Alaire took great pride in the fact that Neville rose was once again as vibrant and full of love …as her rose.

OoOoOoOo

The next day things returned to semi-normal as classes resumed. Hermione was beside herself with worry over her boyfriend in Azkaban and Alaire had more than once to loan her a shoulder to cry on in comfort. Normally this would have been Ginny's job, as they had been friends for years …but the red-head seemed to be walking on clouds of happiness with the rapid recovery to full 'Prat-manliness' of her once again randy Slytherin Boyfriend.

Dean was getting-serious with Luna Lovegood in broom-cupboards all over school …Seamus was somewhat dating Lavender, which left; Jack Sloper and …well …he remained a self-loving pervert. Harry on the other hand …stayed in his dumped-funk …in spite of Alaire's best efforts to drag him out of it ...besides; she didn't have all that much time to spend on Potter's foul moods as she had a suddenly popular boyfriend to watch over.

Since the 'stairway incident' the once invisible to the female population botanist, had finally gotten the notice of the husband-hungry …unattached seventh-year vamps …wandering the halls in search of prey. Thankfully Neville was blissfully oblivious to the covert glances and outright stares that he now generated among his seventh year female contemporaries.

Lavender Brown's on-and-off dating of the pervert Seamus had ended abruptly in a common-room shouting match that rivaled the legendary rows of Granger-Weasley. Since the explosion they began seeing other people. Even though Lavender Brown had been there when Alaire had marked Neville as her territory …the brazen-hussy had actually had the guts to set down next to Neville in a classroom while Alaire had been across the room speaking to Dean.

The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon …not four days after the stairs incident. Professor Binns, being a ghost had drifted through a wall in mid-lecture oblivious to the unattended students he was leaving behind.

Suddenly free of the sit-alone-restriction Neville was under in all his other classes …the botanist was converged upon …by the girls in the room …like sharks in a feeding-frieze. At first Alaire thought nothing of it …thinking Ms Brown was taking advantage of Binn's absence to catch-up on herbology related help that kindhearted Neville was always willing to do.

It soon became obvious that in posture and tone that Lavender was clearly attempting outright boyfriend-theft. She only moved back to flirting with a neglected feeling Seamus …after receiving a full-on …Southern-girl "Get your paws off my man!" glare from Alaire.

OoOoOoOo

Last Hogsmeade visit before Christmas

OoOoOoOo

Between protecting her naïve fella …and trying to mend things with Harry, the week before the last Hogsmeade visit before Christmas-Hol …flew by in a flurry of study sessions, last minute essay writing, and late-nights of finishing mountains of homework. When Saturday finally rolled around, the inmates of Hogwarts ran for freedom as fast as they could. Unbeknownst to them, they were under the watchful eyes of several Aurors and professors.

As Argus Filch opened the gates and let loose the flood of children, he made a surreptitious sign that was seen by Severus Snape situated high on a hill overlooking the path to Hogsmeade. He had concealed himself with a Disillusionment charm and magically erased is footprints from the snow. He cast another warming spell on his wet boots and sighed. He hated this part of teaching. He liked chopping ingredients, mixing liquids, and creating new potions. He did not like snotty students, walking hallways, or guarding a path to Hogsmeade on a cold, snowy day in early December.

He watched as a Weasley head of red hair made its way down the path alongside a fully restored to normal Draco Malfoy. As he watched …year's of careful-breeding was cast to the side of the lane… like rubbish. The son and only heir to the Malfoy fortune was openly groping the Weasley girl …and worse yet …she was giving with equal measure everything she got. 'Who would have thought of that one?' It was amazing to Severus that the two of them didn't just stop in the middle of the lane and fornicate right then and there.

'Utterly disgusting …that's what it was;' Severus said to himself. 'Sex should be conducted in the bedroom only, with a partner that gave no outward sign that a love affair was going on'. Severus snorted; 'He and Professor Aurora Sinistra, who taught Astronomy, had been lovers for years and no one… not even the notoriously nosey Minerva McGonagall; knew about it'.

Apparently opposites attract was proven yet again by that nearly flat chested bookworm who was herding a mob of third-years into the village. 'Even these thirteen year olds with their meager attempts at feminine fashion …proved that they knew more about their budding sexuality via; hair styles, perfume and makeup …than that zero-arse, boyish-figured, bushy-headed, eighteen year-old Head-girl'. Severus said to himself. 'And yet amazing enough… the Granger girl had also captured the heart of a Weasley'. Severus had dealt with the others of Molly's brood that had passed through Hogwarts and only one word described their taste in women …voluminous.

'Ronald was clearly bucking family tradition when it came to his brilliant; pipe cleaner, even Molly Prewett …had been blessed in her youth with hour-glass of curves. Yes… this was an odd year for couples, with both Weasley's leading the way. Speaking of the last of the male Weasley brood, he was supposed to be paroled today; I wonder if he will join up with his bookworm in the village', the potion master pondered. 'It will be interesting to see what effects …seven days in Azkaban have had on his erotic fantasies. Perhaps prison will make him dump the brainy …peanut smugger in favor of a girl with a decent sized bosom? After-all …the very idea of the pure-blood Brawn breeding with Mudblood brains was a waste of good spunk.

OoOoOoOo

After another group passed by, one of Snape's main concerns walked down the path. Harry Potter was a solitary man these days. Snape had noticed his shoulders more hunched than usual this past week. He didn't even snap back when prodded by Snape in class. He had only sighed and re-cut his dandelion roots. Where was the fun in that? Snape had heard several rumors of what was behind Potters depression …but his primary sources were too busy with schoolwork themselves to track down the truth.

His own suspicions were confirmed; however, when he saw a red cape and a dark navy pee-coat slip through the gate under Flitch's watchful glare. Ah, here came the proof of the thing. Escorted by the notoriously clueless Pomona Sprout …the two culprits most likely responsible for the de-balling of Potter …walked slowly along the path stopping occasionally to glance about …before engaging in a quick snog. His usual frown lifted to a flat line that was the closest that Snape had come to a smile in a very long time; for Alaire was finally following 'the plan'. He had tortured Neville mercilessly in his potions classes hoping against hope that the boy would fight back. It never happened and he had left Snape's reach as soon as possible.

Brilliant beyond comparison in his own field as a botanist and using Pomona as a discrete go-between …Severus had managed to subtly advance his own private research into several cures due to Longbottom's uncanny ability to do the impossible while crossbreeding plants. It was painfully obvious to Severus that Neville's so-called assistant was in actually …his lover, and although that violated the boys' detention ...at the same time it did the very thing that Severus had sugested to the Goodnight girl before term began. The potion master stood there …his feet getting cold …watching the pair while mentally-debating his options.

The hybrid-plant productivity of the boy this year had been astonishing …far surpassing last year. Perhaps this American was the key to that productivity? If being with the Alaire gave Neville the motivation to give him the rare plants he needed …when and in the quantities that he required. Severus was more than willing to alibi the Longbottom-Goodnight affair as long as it benefited him directly. That the American had actually taken his advice as to which boy at Hogwarts could best advance her own healing …made Severus feel unusually smug.

Matchmaking was not apart of Snape normal-resume and the wizard shook his head to clear it; as several long-ago memories of personal-mistakes of a romantic nature threatened to rear their ugly images within his mind and torment his soul. He watched the sour-faced Harry …then Neville and Alaire make their way to Hogsmeade then signaled to Kingsley Shacklebolt that the path was clear. Turning his back on his memories and onto his teaching duties, he made his way back to his dark potions lab.

OoOoOoOo

At Hogsmeade, Alaire and Neville quickly made their Christmas purchases, books for her parents and a feather restorer for his Gran's prized turkey hat. As they shopped, they were very carefully while under Professor Sprout watchful eyes to do no-more than hold hands and have some pecks on the lips while no other students were about. The Hogwarts Board-of-Governors' were opposed to the Longbottom-Goodnight relationship due to its direct connection to the 'stairway incident' and although they had a few allies among the teaching staff, the couple still had to be discrete …publicly.

Alaire had been taken to one side by the herbology professor during the visit to the commercial-Greenhouse in the village where Neville had hoped to pick-up some rare magical seedlings he had ordered the month before from Bosnia. The Herbology Professor had made no bones about how good she felt Alaire was for her favorite student, and swore repeatedly to alibi the pair when needed. Neville …she had said; knew all about this and Alaire was beginning to wonder what was wrong …for their snogging so had never gone underneath… the boxer-knickers line.

"I mean, Neville's a guy, isn't he? Which meant he wants to get laid …right?" Alaire thought to herself. She loved that he was so respectful, especially after her experience in America …the mere thought of slipping her hand inside Neville's boxers still made her blood run cold. Each and every time she found the courage to try …ended in a near total panic-attack. She couldn't even bring herself to 'touch' the painfully hard bulge …down there …on the 'outside' Neville's underwear.

Guys were the aggressors sexually with girls surrendering to lust after a long …hard drawn-out resistance. But Neville, God bless him, never pressured her to do anything she wasn't ready for. That she didn't have to fight to protect her virtue wasn't a bad thing …was it? Was it wrong for her boyfriend to want to be more intimate with the woman he loved? After all …Alaire didn't suffer from the never ending doubt that other girls her age went through. Being an empath could be a pain in the ass most of the time …but did have one clear perk. For each and every time Alaire had tuned-in on her boyfriend's emotions she was nearly overwhelmed by the feelings of Love pouring out of Neville in waves. Oh he lusted after her as well … but it was never stronger than the love. Of course, a girl can feel comfortable lowering her inhibitions when she is dead certain that her man is not just after a notch in his bedpost.

Every now and then, out of her own feelings of sexual insecurity …Alaire had deliberately brushed against Seamus and tuned-in on the self-proclaimed womanizer. That Prat was so totally obsessed with sex, Alaire felt no qualms using him as a test subject to measure Neville intentions against. Seamus Finnegan the boastful pussy-hound regarded his part-time girlfriend Lavender with only a minimum of genuine affection; overall …his feelings were more animalistic in his never-ending craving to fornicate which put him …roughly …in the same; girls are objects of lust …not people category as that bastard that had …( abused her)... in America.

Neville's snogging of his girlfriend had declined dramatically since the stairway incident. It seemed that he was abruptly cutting-himself off from her physically. It certainly wasn't the action of a man who had literally had her climbing the walls in nothing more than her knickers on …during an all day declaration of his love for her.

Sitting at the Three Broomsticks in the back booth, six days later …Alaire went to kiss Neville on the lips only to have him pull back …when their chaperone, Professor Sprout had whispered "People are watching".

When Alaire pouted at the restriction Neville had apologized to his mentor, braking away from her to go off to get another round of butter-beer.

"You two shouldn't be showing signs of affection in public" Professor Sprout told Alaire in a stage-whisper.

'Because of a detention that courting-you… imposed upon him', Alaire bemoaned to herself as Neville sat back down.

"Here you go, my-love," he said sitting a butter-beer in front of her as he drank from his cup. Alaire just stared at the cup as the chatter in the tavern filled the silence between her and Neville.

Neville noticed that she wasn't drinking and turned to her. "Are you all right?"

Alaire smiled weakly at him. "Can we just go back to the castle, Neville?"

Neville nearly jumped up in panic. "Are all these people making you feel-sick? Do you want me to get you something? If you don't feel well, I'll see if we can floo right into the infirmary?"

Alaire smiled. "I'm fine, Neville. I just want to go back."

"Are you sure? Do you need me to do anything?"

'Yes! Something romantic, you twit', her mind screamed but externally she just smiled. "Now that you mention it, we've finished getting what we needed in the village. I think we allow Professor Sprout some free time, without having to worry about watching us. We should head-back to the castle now and put away your supplies in the greenhouse, as that's the only reason you're allowed in the village."

"Oh," he said relieved before his eyebrows shot up. "Oh."

"Finally", she thought smirking as they got up to leave the tavern. She had thought Ron Weasley was just personally dense but it seemed to be a common trait for the entire U.K. male population. They were almost to the door when Ron Weasley him-self, looking thin and pale …entered the Pub. He was still wearing the same ripped and torn blood-spattered school-uniform that he had on when he had been arrested. Apparently short term inmates at the Wizarding prison don't rate prison clothing. The paroled former Prefect …franticly scanned the room looking desperately for …"

A loud screech erupted from the back of the Pub, bringing all the noisy chit-chat in the Tavern to a halt. A blur of bushy brown hair flew pass Neville and Alaire and into the outstretched arms of the youngest male Weasley. For a moment or two, there was silence …as the two reunited lovers kissed each other with unbridled passion …and then Harry, sitting alone …rose to his feet and began to applaud. This gesture of support was slowly picked-up by the others …then these applauds became and louder mixed with cheers.

Although he'd lost his Prefect badge to save her sister's boyfriend from spending the rest of his life without useable limbs, Alaire realized that in Ron's sacrifice …he had unknowingly become the most respected boy in Hogwarts. Even Slytherin's admired him now. Ginny had mentioned that the 'House of snakes' was dumb-stuck by the irony of a 'Griffin-dork' risking so much …for one of them. Alaire could foresee a time when no one remembered the name of the current Head-Boy.

Overcome with joy for her friend …as Alaire rushed forward and gently touched the arms of the Kissing couple …her right hand unknowingly came to rest on a torn hole in Ron's sleeve. As flesh touched flesh, Alaire's emotion shields were blown away by Ron's intense feelings for his lady-love. She staggered back as if she had been physically hit, a massive headache instantly developed as her mind reeled at the magnitude of her mistake. She had been terribly wrong in using Seamus the pervert as the benchmark for Neville's feelings. Finnegan had no concept of Love …he was motivated strictly by lust.

What she had sensed from Ron during the brief instant that they had touched, was a love on a scale that was beyond anything she had ever encountered. No emotion should be that strong, Neville's love for her literally paled in comparison. She should be jealous, but she couldn't rally the envy …for Alaire knew from Ginny …that the Granger-Weasley love-affair had been simmering and building on a back burner for six long years …row by row. By the time she had arrived on the scene …the dam holding their love for one another at arm's-length …had begun to crack and leak.

As Neville helped her steady herself, an expression of grave concern on his face …Alaire experienced an epiphany, how could she be jealous of a spontaneous-explosion. A Love so strong that one tiny push …a silly banner, had caused it to burst forth with a vengeance. Her head pounding from emotional overload and her shields shattered …Alaire was half-dragged …half-carried out of the 'Three Broomsticks' by a frightened Neville and into the relative emotional quite of the path back to Hogwarts.

OoOoOoOo

Twenty minutes later Alaire was once again safely behind the 'emotion wards' of her 'sanctuary' ... Neville's greenhouse/study. She made no attempt to repair her shields …which were completely down …and although Neville's deep fret over her welfare was a small source of pain …it was greatly offset by the healing quality of Neville's Love for her.

These happy thoughts were an extra-positive …emotional transfusion of happiness for Alaire. The heat of the greenhouse caused them both to shed their cloaks and outer robes as quickly as possible. While the sweet smell of honeysuckle and roses filled the air …calming and soothing her shattered nerves.

"What happened back there? Neville said in a forced whisper …"and don't you dare try to tell me it was nothing? If I hadn't been there to catch you …"

Alaire shot him a look as if to say "NOT NOW"

"…Never mind …forget I asked," Neville said fighting to rein-in his feeling of panic. "Do you need water for your medication? Would you like to stretch out for a bit? Can I rub your feet?" Neville asked as he guided he over to his futon couch. "Tell me what you need right now?"

"This," Alaire said before capturing his lips.

Instantly she felt his emotions flare, as concern was replaced with love. She felt desire build inside him as they began to kiss in earnest …and Alaire shifted slightly so she could get a little closer to him. Then she felt him tense up …she sensed him abruptly force-down his own growing lust and push her away.

"For heaven's sake; Neville …what's wrong?" Alaire asked in exasperation as he pulled away from her again.

"Nothing … its nothing, I don't want to pressure you into …."

"…Pressure me …are you crazy? Alaire said exasperated. "Have you ever heard me say slow-down …or stop!

"Then why do you pull away from me every time …you try to touch …?" Neville began glancing down at his groin and then snapped his mouth shut.

"I have issues …from a former boyfriend."

"Do I disgust you?"

"No! Not at all! …It's just that …" her voice trailed off and she sensed him shutting down emotionally.

"It's just what?" Neville asked with a sigh. "Honestly, Alaire. This is getting to be more than a little frustrating. I have a wonderful girlfriend that I love to kiss and fondle. She doesn't mind losing her clothing, but when it comes to the next level in our relationship, the breaks instantly come on. You backpedal like-mad every time I get a hard-on. And I'd like to know why?"

Neville waited for Alaire to say something she opened her mouth to say something then said.

"Neville, I can't tell you, not yet anyway," Alaire pleaded.

"Fine …forget-it, …Like I said, there is no pressure here, no three date put-out or get out rule, I not a Slytherin after-all. I love you Alaire and when you're ready …if that ever happens. I'll still be right here …waiting …okay," Neville said with irritating understanding.

"I'll just go back to the common room - then!" Alaire snapped embarrassed and hurt then she turned to grab her cloak when Neville grabbed her by the arm and turned her to face him.

"You Americans and your ruddy-temper …when are you going to buy a clue and realized …that we Brit's aren't like …you-lot. I think I know why you can't touch me …down-there. However, when something is hard to put into words …when you can muck-up something really wonderful with one tiny misstep …You learn to walk on eggshells."

"Neville, you can trust me. I'm not going to hex you or anything."

"No, but you are emotionally fragile… with deep-scars that I didn't make… on your heart." Neville countered. "I have no idea what actually happened to you with your former boyfriend in America …but it's not that hard to puzzle-out; for example. Think about what just happened …you barely touched Ron's arm and the power of what he felt for Hermione …nearly rendered you unconscious. And you're clearly afraid of me hurting you the same way."

"What?"

Neville let go of her arm and looked down at his feet gathering his courage. "I don't blame you, really I don't. I'm also sort-of afraid of what would happen to you if I …if I," he paused and took a breath. "Well …if I let go of how I really feel."

"You think I would be hurt, by you?"

"Yeah ... I mean, strong emotions affect you big-time… that was just-proven… not thirty minutes ago. It would kill me - - I don't want you to … - look at it this way – … love is an emotion and during lovemaking the feelings involve intensify. I can't let myself go …if by doing so… you slip into a coma or die while I get-off. Oh, Bloody-Hell," Neville bemoaned… highly frustrated, "this isn't going well at all."

Alaire had to turn away from Neville to hide her smile. He was so close to the truth it was scary, but what had traumatized her in America, wasn't feelings of love. Neville had mistakenly come to think that his sexual passion would overwhelm her and send her to the hospital wing or death! He had a valid argument to a point …but she felt he was coming to the wrong conclusion.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she turned back to Neville who was leaning against his work table, three feet away from her …staring at his shoes, and looking more embarrassed than she had ever seen him.

"Neville, I know you're thinking about the Halloween Party and today at the Pub …but those 'situations' were totally different in cause and effect. The Dance was a case of overload due to negative-harmful emotions, by too many people. Your emotions …your 'Happy thoughts' when we are intimate are all good –healing emotions."

"But – today?"

"Those were positive emotions too; I just wasn't prepared for the sudden raw intenseness of how deeply Ron loves Hermione. There was no warning, no slow build up …it was like stepping on to the railroad tracks in front of a bullet train going full-out …pow-bang …game over!

"You're saying my feelings for you …aren't strong-enough to HARM you, is that it?" Neville said the hurt in his tone so thick… it could be cut with a knife. Feelings of in-adequacy now poured off of Neville in waves.

Stop-it Neville …my shields are down," Alaire pleaded rubbing at her headache. "Ron's love for Hermione is stronger because he's loved her far-longer …than we even knew each other were alive. Our feelings are still building, we've only been together for less than a month … give us a little more time to bloom, the seedling is barely in the ground.

"Oh god …I'm sorry", Neville pleaded almost in tears, as he made a conscious effort to forcefully suppress his feelings of utter-worthlessness …for her sake. Alaire felt his emotional emissions diminish rapidly and couldn't help but wonder …at times like these …whether Neville had been taking Occlumency lesson's from Severus on the sly.

As she felt him withdrawn the pain lessoned enough for her to continue; "It all boils down to a difference of opinion. You think all emotions are bad in excess and your right …but only to a point. Not all emotions do damage to me, some are good …some heal the damage done by others. In fact …you have no idea how addictive your; 'happy thoughts' can be for me. " She then gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile.

"For another thing: after some training-up here at Hogwarts …my ability to tune people out …has improved dramatically. Although my principal and often repeated 'official' reason for coming here was a post-graduate course in European Potions and Herbology, my secondary task …of equal importance …while far less publicizes …was to study Occlumency under one of the best masters in that art, the same bloke you been taking lessons from.

"I don't sit lessons with Snape …personality conflict… didn't I tell you," Neville confessed. "Professor Dumbledore on the other hand has passed-on a few tips on tone-down my out of control emotions.

"You did that …for me," Alaire retorted, deeply touched by the gesture.

"But it's not enough …I still hurt you …I try my best …but I'm rubbish at it." Neville lamented.

"Neville …please …listen to me… Controlling the influx of the emotions of large crowds of people is the key to my survival. The best duelist can be caught unaware and blindsided. That's what happened with Ron …I was caught with my guard-down ...that's all!

"So if your positive emotions," she took a step closer to Neville undoing the top button of her blouse. "If your carnal passions become a-bit overwhelming …then I'll just take a moment …while we're shagging like rabbits on your futon …to block-you-out. For you should keep in mind …my love … that one of the first things that I learned when I became empathic was to separate my feelings from the feelings of others."

"My ex American-boyfriend was an evil pig, and he did things to me, which have left me with mental scars that have nothing to do with us… He took advantage of my empathic 'Gift' and used it against me. Its taken time and loads of therapy to partially undo what he did, but the biggest aid in my full-recovery was in finding you and your happy thoughts. Alaire then took another step toward him …her blouse was completely undone by now, with her mostly see-thru black lace bra partially visible.

"Neville, it's your happy-thoughts that have made possible for me to go as-far with you as I have. I won't deny that I still have issues to deal-with …and I regret more than you'll ever know that its delaying …things…between-us… a-bit;" she said in a deep husky voice as she plead off her blouse completely and let if fall …discarded onto the floor, she leaned toward him while placing a hand on either side of his hips. Alaire was genuinely amused at the way Neville fought to maintain eye contact, with only occasional downward glances at the twin orbs that her all but transparent bra contained.

"I don't want you to suppress your arousal …for I revel in it. I really do want you sexually, Neville …every inch of you. You have no idea how healing your love has been …to my damaged psyche. And I will touch-you down-there, sometime-soon. My inhibition about that is something that will take me the longest amount of time to work through. I'm bold as brass around others to cover-up that part of me that is broken.

Neville looked at her with an expression of longing, his emotions thick with a desire to heal her hurt.

"Don't – Please", Alaire begged again nearly overcome by Neville's devotion and regret. "You didn't break me, so you can't fix me. But you can help the healing process along.

"How?"

"Set free your feelings for me, don't hold back, Neville," She whispered as she leaned in an inch from his lips pressing her hips into his. "Your good emotions are like champagne to me." She melted into his arms and prayed that he would understand that she did want-him, all of him …his mind, his emotions, and his body and all the risks that any relationship entailed.

Neville's heart was racing as he debated his options in his mind. "We're taking such a huge-risk here. But Alaire wants to take it. And the way she was kissing me was leaving me little choice. Parts of him were already responding to her half-undressed state …whether he liked it or not. - - Oh Shite …I'm a goner…she takes off her blouse and I'm as hard as a rock"

Alaire pulled back and looked at him. "Believe me, Neville?"

"Oh Yeah" Neville said barely able to speak, "But please …just humor me eh? Go slow will you, don't force-yourself to touch me down-there. I meant what I said, intercourse can wait. I can snog and grope you for years and never get tried of it.

"Can we have a code word or sign or something that would let me know if I'm going too far? I'd feel more comfortable."

Alaire giggled. "Most girls would just say 'NO' but I understand. How about Snape?"

"Gods-no!"

"Ok, then. California?"

"What?"

"Well, it's a word than neither of us would think of using casually."

Neville was quiet for a moment. "OK. Only …if you promise to use it."

Alaire smiled and nodded. "I promise. I trust you, Neville. You'd never hurt me on purpose. Who knows? You might need to use it yourself." Alaire ran a finger down his throat down to his chest. "Because if you haven't figured it out yet, I think you're sexy …and…"

"…you'd like to cover me in whipped cream and eat me up?" Neville interrupted his voice deep from arousal.

Alaire's mouth dropped open as her face turned red. "I am going to kill Ginny Weasley."

They stood laughing together for a few moments before Alaire felt Neville bend down to kiss her neck sending a chill down her spine. A second kiss behind her ear was followed by a kiss on her cheek. When their lips finally met, Alaire was trembling. Her knees went weak as Neville's tongue brushed hers. She leaned in towards him and took hold of both of his skilled hands and gently guided them onto her lace covered breasts.

After a moments hesitation a flick of two fingers at the front clasp and the bra popped open. Her ample bosom spilled into his hands and for the first time in a long time, he didn't pull away. Instead, he tweaked her nipples gently erect sending a wave of delicious arousal coursing through her all the way down to her core. Tilting her head back and closing her eyes …her headache banished …Alaire sighed in pleasure.

Alaire instinctively moved her hands to his chest and began to undo the buttons of his shirt. She loved the feeling of Neville's hands on her breasts …fondling …caressing. Most boys have no clue about what to do with a girl's teats. To most guys they are a stepping stone, a speed bump the way to the main event.

Her Grandmamma had told her once; "if you find a guy who treats your tits as a meal in-itself …instead of an appetizer …marry him at once" Its odd what goes through a girls mind while she was being expertly groped. She managed to peal off Neville's shirt before he bent-over to do a long over do mouth assault on her breasts. After that things got a bit hazy, for the next thing she knew she was dressed only in her knickers.

"Neville, we need a silencing charm." She said in a daze as his head came up with jerk.

"Already done, along with the strongest locking charm I know." Neville said as he gently lowered his girlfriend down onto a fully open futon, complete with sheets pillows and blankets

"I'll do the contraceptive charm," she said trying to hide her rapidly growing misgivings … as she reached for her wand laying on top of her clothing that laid in a pile on the floor'.

"Don't."

"Honey …I don't want to fall pregnant", she said with just a hint of apprehension.

"You won't, this is the not rushing things that I spoke about" Neville said softly. "If you can't touch the spade then digging the hole becomes impossible. With that in mind I think the next step in our relationship should not involve …actual intercourse. There are loads of you that I haven't explored yet."

"Neville, how far do you want …to . . ."

"Not that far!" Neville quickly said. "When you've worked through …what you have to work through; then that event ….for us will be all the more special. I mean, more special than forcing the issue right now, I mean we have only been together for a few weeks" He stopped and grinned. "I don't want to ruin this …do know what I mean."

What kind of man are you Neville Longbottom.

"One of a kind, Luv", he replied coyly. "You understand don't you? …we take baby-steps until you say different …okay?

"I do. And thank-you …I've got to stop using Seamus as a benchmark for what a typical couple does. We have to set our own pace." Alaire said her voice thick with gratitude.

"No, dearest, when it comes to lovemaking …from this moment on …you and you alone set the pace for us!" Neville said firmly, "I really want to apologize again …for how far things went the last-time. Only Heaven knows why you let me strip you down to just knickers."

"I told you, I trust you …because I know …beyond doubt that you love me.

"I do - you know - the … grow old with me' … kind of love …but more of that later. When or if …you're ready". Neville said his eyes full of promise.

Okay now that all that rot is behind us …on to the next level" she said with nervous American boldness.

"You're sure you're up to this Alaire?" Neville said as he kissed, fondled and caressed his way down her body until his face was level with her tiny sheer knickers.

She bit her lower lip nervously and then nodded her head

Gently with both hands Neville pulled down the delicate lace garment. He gave he one more look of longing before lowering his mouth onto her trimmed Venus-mound

"Yeah, but some things are worth the risk," she replied as she closed her eyes, titled her head back and began to moan.

oooooo

Chapter 26

"We need a party!" exclaimed Alaire as she plopped onto the couch spilling books, parchments, and quills as she fell. "That transfiguration test was harder than my driving test and I failed THAT three times!"

"You can say that again!" Seamus agreed as he collapsed beside her. "Change that chair into an owl! Change that owl into a Muggle motor-car! No, no, no! Not something easy like a Cooper Mini! She wanted a bloody …Rolls-Royce!"

A moment later, a very pale Neville sank down at Alaire's feet with a groan. "That was the worst exam I have ever failed. I didn't just fail. I almost blew up the entire room."

"Neville …honey. It wasn't entirely your fault. Half the class thought she said balloon instead of bloom."

The three began to giggle as they recalled the various sounds made by the popping balloons.

"But-but yours was spectacular, Neville." Dean chimed in as he joined them. "I have never seen a balloon in the shape of a passion flower before."

"Yeah, it was great, Neville," Seamus said with a laugh. "Until . . . until . . ." He began to laugh so hard that he couldn't finish.

"Yeah …yeah. It was fine until it blew up so large it wouldn't fit in the room and then exploded in a shower of nectar." Neville groaned again and hid his face against Alaire's knees.

"Well, let's just say that even Professor McGonagall now knows exactly how you feel about working with Alaire as a partner!" Dean fell back into his chair giggling.

"Honey, maybe we shouldn't work anywhere near each other anymore," Alaire said looking around to see if any professors were about in the common–room before she kissed the top of Neville's head.

"Neville, that was spectacular!" Hermione shouted as she, Ron, and a surprisingly smiling Harry approached them. "I thank-Merlin; that the headmaster convinced the board of governors to allow you to join my study group for an hour each night".

"I can't ever thank-him enough for that. My class-marks outside of Herbology were rapidly sinking into in the toilet before Dumbeldore modified my punishment to allow me to study with you-lot, "Neville said gratefully.

"Don't you and Alaire get any revising done while she's visiting your greenhouse?" Seamus asked with a leer.

"No Finnegan, were too busy engaging in non-stop unbridled sex," Alaire retorted lustfully, "Trying out all the positions of the Kama-Sutra …page by page is time-consuming; you-know.

"God, just kill me now." Neville said highly embarrassed at his girlfriend's innuendo.

"Maybe later, when we're both naked," Alaire teased… bold as brass …with a seductive smile on her face. "But now we need a party! No more tests and my parents don't get here for another week! What are we waiting for?" Alaire stood up and called out, "Harry! You're the man with the plan! How about going to the kitchen for some food?"

Harry gave her a smile and ran to his dorm for his invisibility cloak.

"Oi! How about me down here wallowing in self-pity? ..Remember I only have one hour for this party before I lose the glass slipper and revert to a boring hedgehog back in my greenhouse," Neville said jokingly as he pulled himself up onto the couch.

"I haven't forgotten about you, dearest. My stomach just spoke louder than you did for a moment. I need energy to ride your broom for hours on end. We'll get the food and be right back. And then," Alaire whispered something in Neville's ear that made him turn a several shades of red. Then she leaned over and kissed him so passionately that even the first years were making catcalls.

"I'd give anything to have you kiss me like that," Seamus said admiringly.

"The only way I'd kiss you, Seamus, would be if you stood bare-butt-naked on a table in the middle of the Great Hall at dinner and sang the Irish national anthem . . . in Gaelic. Then you have to let the third-year girls practice make-up on you for an hour." She joined in the general laughter as she grabbed Harry's arm; "Any requests?"

"Jam tarts!"

"Hot Pumpkin bread would be nice!"

"Firewhiskey!"

She walked through the door and Harry quickly covered them in the invisibility cloak.

"You know, Seamus is probably taking off his clothes right now."

Alaire giggled. "The poor smuck …he's so obvious …he's all talk and no walk!"

They quieted down as they got closer to the kitchens.

They were walking as closely as possible to fit under the cloak. Alaire knew Harry was uncomfortable with the situation but was past caring. He had been her friend for only three months before she started dating Neville. She found it hard to believe that Harry was happy not talking to her.

Harry tickled the pear and they entered the busy kitchens. They weren't the only ones wanting a snack. Mounds of chips, crisps, pretzels, and sweets covered the tables.

"Harry Potter, sir! What an honor! What can Dobby do for you?" Alaire looked down and couldn't help giggling.

Standing before her was a house-elf wearing a tea cozy for a hat, a royal blue toddler's t-shirt proclaiming "My Daddy went to Black-pool and all I got was this T-shirt!", and a pair of unmatched socks. Harry managed to ask without laughing for some treats for the Gryffindor common room. "I'd be happy to help you, Harry Potter. Is this Harry Potter's special friend?"

Harry hesitated but Alaire stepped forward, bent down, and shook Dobby's hand. "Yes, I'm one of them. And I believe that you are the very talented elf that made my Halloween costume. I've wanted to thank you. The jackets were magnificent."

Dobby actually blushed. "I was only too happy to help. If you ever need anything else, Dobby would be happy to help Harry Potter's friend."

"My name is Alaire and thank you." Harry watched in amazement as Dobby apparently forgot that he existed. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad as Dobby trotted away to gather up their food.

"Wow. I think you impressed him." Harry said amazed.

"There are very few people who can withstand true Southern charm."

Harry looked at her for a moment as if to make a remark …then turned away.

(Awkward pause)

"So are you going to be here for any part of the holidays?" Alaire asked.

"Um, only for the first few days actually, the Ministry thinks having me on the train to London makes it too-big a target. I get to use a special Port-key to get me to the Burrow, I'm spending Christmas with the Weasley's again this year, been doing that for years actually. Things were a bit touchy when Ginny and I broke up, but we muddled-through somehow.

"I can imagine,"

Believe it or not… my break-up with Ginny went-over loads smoother than my rejection by you.

"Do we have to rehash again …why we didn't work-out; Harry?"

"No …but if you ever change your mind about a certain dull as dirt botanist…" Harry began only half-jokingly.

"…Little-Boy", Alaire interrupted harshly. "When are you going to accept the fact that the better MAN... won?"

"Ouch – ouch …that was a low-blow Alaire", Harry retorted with a forced chuckle while switching topics. "At least I don't have to share a room with the 'Mental Ferret'. As Ginny's special-guest …He gets Percy's old room all to himself …while I get to share Ron's old room with Charlie."

"Is Charlie the one that works at the bank?

"No that's Bill, he got married to a French-born Veela last summer-hol."

"Are you going to miss hanging about with your two best-mates this Christmas?"

"Of course …I'm going to be the odd-bloke out at the Burrow. Poor Ron …he's done for now; I guess, spending the Hol with the Grangers and all.

"Have you ever been to the Grangers home?"

"Naw, and no desire to, I heard that even among well-off Muggle's …they're thought of as Toffs'"

"What's a Toff?"

"Rich"

:Harry, don't be a royal-hypocrite …from everything I've read …you're loaded yourself."

"Loaded?"

"Very-very Rich" Alaire said …followed by another:

(Awkward pause)

"Will you be here long enough to meet my parents?"

"Yeah …I should be safe enough. I'm not your boyfriend after all," Harry said bitterly. "Is Neville really meeting them and that thought prompts another question; what do your parents know about him or better-still… what does he know about your Dad?

Alaire sighed in frustration. Holding a conversation with Harry lately was like pulling alligator teeth. "Yes they know I have a boyfriend …but not his name, other-wise they've would have run a background-check on him, - and no - I haven't broached the subject of meeting them with Neville …not yet anyway. I was actually hoping to get your advice on approaching him on the subject of meeting them."

"I wouldn't want to get in the way of true love," Harry snapped bitterly.

"I guess you've forgotten that we are still friends."

"No …it's just that," Harry said exasperated. "Have you and Neville had another fight?"

"No,"

"Then why not just walk up to him and say bluntly; I think we have reached the point in our relationship where you have to have a chat with my Dad," Harry snorted contemptuously before continuing. "Don't worry …he might-not kill you at first sight for molesting what he thinks of as his ten-year-old child. I've written my Daddy and Mom about us without telling you of course …or warning you about my daddy's overprotective temper. He undoubtedly thinks I've fallen pregnant and that is why I want you to meet him, so write out your last will & final testament and come along."

"Stop it Harry!" Alaire said in a frustrated tone. "I'm sorry I ever told you about my father … meeting him isn't going to be an easy thing to do for Neville. My track record with boyfriends hasn't been exactly stellar, and my dad …"

"…Yeah; so what?, Harry snapped back interrupting Alaire. "Let your precious botanist face a little danger for a change, he hasn't done anything remotely hazardous since fifth year. In other words… if Neville is the MAN you say he is …he can do this …so show some your notorious American-Pluckiness …tell him flat-out and get over it,

"Harry! I like you and want to remain your friend. I came to you with a problem and as my friend you should help me solve it …but apparently with you; it's always …me …me …me."

"Look you asked for advice and I gave it to you, if it was a little blunt, too bad," Harry said clearly furious. "And just so you know I'm not self-centered… I'm not like that at all, I've have a terrible burden to face …and …Oh, hell …just forget it!"

"Is something the matter, Harry Potter?" Dobby's high-pitched voice cut in as he and another house elf came around the corner holding several large bags.

"No! No. Nothing is wrong, Dobby. We were just discussing something," Harry said flustered

"Oh." Dobby continued to look worried.

"We'll be fine, Dobby," Alaire reassured him as she took several bags from the house elf. Dobby stared at her adoringly, his big eyes getting bigger than Harry thought humanly possible. Dobby didn't even notice that Harry was trying to get his attention ask what the other elf had packed. Harry shot her an angry look as he took two large boxes from another elf.

"Thank you, Dobby." Alaire gave him her most dazzling smile before she and Harry left the kitchens.

"I don't know which is worse," Harry commented as they made their way back to the common room. "Being dumped by you or watching Dobby fall in love with you too."

"Well, since I was never officially dating you, Harry, or Dobby for that matter, Neville still wins that match."

"But –"

"We were close friends once upon a time, Harry. I'd like to be your friend again if you'd just let me."

Harry was silent.

"I miss talking to you."

(Silence)

"I miss our lessons."

(More silence).

"Harry, I miss you." Harry stopped so suddenly that Alaire smashed her nose against the back of his head.

"Alaire, I'm sorry. It's just hard to deal with …seeing you two being affectionate with each other …all the time."

"What do I have to say to convince you that I never meant to hurt your feelings? That I truly want to be your friend and that I miss you?"

"I-I'm not sure."

"Do you want to stay friends?"

"Yes." Harry said strongly.

"Then please try to tame this jealousy, Harry. I can only say I'm sorry so many times. I never meant to lead you on. I honestly didn't realize what was going on with me and Neville was so strong. It sort-of took me by surprise. But whatever we have; works with us and I'm really-really happy with him. I really don't think it would have worked between me and you."

"Well, you're probably right," Harry said with all the pride he could muster. "I mean, I have something to do and I should concentrate on that."

"Yeah, but you don't have to do it alone. Hasn't anyone ever told you that? That you can try to have a normal life in the meantime? That you go out there tonight and dance on top of a few tables?"

"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die."

"Let's hope not. I want you to meet my parents first."

Harry felt a smile come to his face. "At least your dad's not going to want to grill me about his little girl, now is he?"

"Gods, no," Alaire declared sadly. "He has a new target … my Neville."

Harry had to smile at that image. "So," he picked up the boxes of food and turned. "I do believe we have some food to deliver."

"Yeah."

"I wonder if Seamus is naked yet."

When they returned to the common room laddered down with food. Alaire saw Hermione frowning hard at her while pointing at the clock. Neville was nowhere to be seen; Alaire had lost track of time while mending fences with Harry, and once again her boyfriend had played second-fiddle to the needs of the Chosen-One. His limited social-time with his friends had run out again… and as Alaire cursed herself she remembered that Professor McGonagall had already warned her at the end of the exam, that she had already spent too much time that week… tending plants in greenhouse seven.

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 27

Alaire had never felt happier than during those few days of the exams. Due to the standard seat separation rule during exams to prevent cheating in all the classes, there were no opportunities for other females to play at being a cheap tart to get any kind of attention from her man and on one hand that was really good.

The other-side of the coin wasn't so good. Once the exams ended; there were no classes to go to anymore and poor Neville didn't have the study-group excuse to be in the Gryffindor common-room which the Headmaster had brilliantly arranged for prior-to and during the exams. Now banished again from the Great Hall for meals or lounging about the common-room for one-hour during study-time. Neville was compelled due to his Stairway-Detention to spend all of his awake-time and sleeping-hours down in Greenhouse number seven alone.

Alaire had obstacles to her relationship with Neville that weren't shared by any other couple at Hogwarts. Even Dean saw Luna more often than Alaire saw Neville. She still saw Neville for one hour every other day thanks to the Headmaster and her title of Botanist assistant. So Alaire had limited access to her emotional sanctuary, as long as she didn't abuse the privilege.

Her comings and goings were carefully monitored by an unforgiving Professor McGonagall and this scrutiny; cut-back considerably the time she spent with the man she seemed to never get tired of snuggling with. Now with the exams finished she had to suffer through several days of brutal Neville deprivation until her parents arrived date, time that she would have preferred to spend with Neville.

OoOoOoOo

With no other option Alaire spent a painfully large amount of time in the common-room with the Potter inner-circle, and everyone seemed to be talking to everyone else, even Harry was in-between mood swings. Everything seemed to be finally going the right way for Alaire, she had friends, a devoted boyfriend and even Ginny had taken the news of her empathic 'Gift' as quote; NO BIG DEAL. But she still had a horrible sense of foreboding, when just a few days before the holiday… Neville began acting strangely as he walked her down the dusty third floor corridor toward the stairs leading up-to the Gryffindor tower one evening after a rare botanist assistant visit to his greenhouse.

"Neville, what is it?" she asked quietly hoping she wouldn't hear any of those horrible; 'This isn't working for me,' or 'My feelings have changed' …phrases uttered from his lips. What he did say, though, shocked her.

"I- I would be very grateful if you would come with me to visit my parents …tomorrow. I have approval for this visit from the Board of Governors and strangely-enough; they've even suggested I take a friend along for …moral-support. My Gran will floo in and we'll go together," he said nervously.

"Your parents?" Alaire said in shock. Whenever Neville briefly talked about his mom or dad, she had sensed sadness and a void from him. "But I thought they were …mentally …gone."

"They are …in a way," he said looking down at the floor. "Physically, they're still here. Mentally they're not . . . Look, I'll understand completely if you don't want to go to see a pair of total-nutters."

"No," Alaire said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Of course, I'll go."

"No …no …no, what was I thinking …forget I-said anything," Neville snapped a bit half turn to leave. "They're in St. Mungo's in an untreatable ward and that's no place for you to spend an entire morning."

Alaire smiled lightly. Neville clearly had no idea that most empaths worked in hospital wards like that. Individuals with gifts such as hers were typically in great demand in the medical field. Properly trained Healer-Empaths were often used to read the emotions – happiness, sadness, pain – of those patients that are not able to communicate in any other way with hospital staff. Being able to sense one's emotions in such cases helped dictate a patient overall-treatment, as well as maintained a emotional link between patients and family members.

"If you will be there, then I …as your girlfriend, should be at your side. Take me to see your parents, Neville. Please."

Neville looked up at her, his eyes filled with tears of heartfelt-gratitude. Nodding his head he said "All right then. I'll owl Gran to let her know," and gave her a peck on the lips at the portrait entrance before turning about and heading back-down to his greenhouse-dormitory.

Alaire sighed as she lightly touched her fingertips to her lips and said to herself. "That had been quite unexpected. I have the strongest feeling I'm the only one Neville has ever askedto visit his parents with him and the implications …staggering. However even more importantly … the very concept of meeting the potential in-laws would-be taking an already risky relationship to a whole new level. This entire situation was all getting very serious …but instead of frightening her as it would have a mere year ago, Neville's gesture of trusting her enough to meet his parents gives me a tingling warm-feeling that reached right down to my toes.

Technically; getting emotionally involved with anyone was against the original plan, it was too soon; everyone said that. The Plan called for a nice-guy dupe, and Neville did sort-off qualified, but the plan didn't take into account how …sweet, kind and giving of himself that Neville was. When my 'love rose' bloomed it made it impossible for me to deny that I love him, and that admission was going to make a huge problem at the end of term …but I have time to figure-out what to do and how to tell him … yes …loads of time".

OoOoOoOo

The next day Alaire dressed as nicely as she could hopping to impress Neville's Grandmother Augusta. When she had asked the others about her, she got some really-scary results. Ron had said something offhandedly about Snape in a dress. Harry had dismissed the question by mentioning something about a vulture hat. Hermione had warned Alaire by describing Augusta as an extremely stern /cruel-nanny …kind of witch.

When it came to Ginny, she had answered Alaire's inquiries in her usual candid bluntness; "I met August Longbottom exactly once, and in just that single… twenty-minute encounter I came to the stark realization that I've never met anyone that I've wanted to hex more. To sum her-up from the point of view of Neville's ex-girlfriend; August was and is …a overbearing and dominating old-hag; that has verbally browbeaten her grandson down into the timid bloke that you met at the beginning of term.

"Actually; you've done wonders with him this year; Alaire," Ginny said in an epiphany-like tone of surprised. "The old Neville, from just last term wouldn't have gotten into one-tenth the kind of trouble that he's gotten into …just to court you. He's taken his punishment with a maturity that's frankly surprised me to no end. Being with you has also made him confident about things outside of his normal comfort zone.

"At times I often find myself jealous of your skill as a manipulator of boys… and I mean that as a compliment. You seem to bring the best out of Neville, in ways that I never could. He took me the Yule-Ball a few years back and getting him the dance at all… was a herculean task. Not only did I have no idea; that he knew how to waltz, but there was no way I could ever get him to ball-room dance in public … like you did.

Augusta Longbottom is an old cranky dragon, very-set in her-ways and the biggest test of how he feels for you will be whether he stands-up to his grandmother when it comes to you.

OoOoOoOo

Needless to say, Alaire was terrified as she waited in the Headmaster's office with Neville to meet this woman.

Right on time… the fireplace jumped to life with green fire. Out came an older woman with white hair and, sure enough, a vulture-like object attached to the top of her hat and she was holding an enormous red purse.

"Neville," she said sternly, without really looking up at him as she brushed herself off. "Are you ready to go, boy?"

Neville clasped Alaire's hand. "Yes, grandmother we are."

"We?" the older woman looked up to see a girl standing next to her grandson and scowled.

"Who is this girl?"

"We spoke about this, Gran," Neville said sternly.

"The American?"

"Yes Gran,"

"Huh, well, all right then if you must. Best not to; hang-about …into the fireplace …the both of you."

Neville nodded and pulled Alaire into the fireplace with him. "St. Mungo's," he yelled.

A moment later they arrived in a large building with white walls trimmed out in lime and orange. There were several men and women sitting in waiting chairs. An entire family was covered in boils. One person's face was half duck and half human. A man was trying to scratch the middle of his back where a giant horn had developed. The most unusual one seemed to have sprouted donkey ears with a coconut coming out of his left one.

"Come on! Don't dawdle," snapped Augusta as Neville led Alaire away from the waiting area and up a few flights of stairs.

"I don't think your Gran likes me," Alaire whispered to him as the climbed up the stairs.

"Don't worry about it too much," Neville said lightly smiling back at her. "I don't think she likes anyone."

Alaire chuckled lightly, but it was loud-enough for the older woman to hear her and shoot her a sharp look.

As they were headed toward a wing that read "Untreatable Spells" a portly witched approached Gran. "Mrs. Longbottom, how good to see you again," said the woman.

"Yes, yes …Happy Christmas, Esther. How are Frank and Alice today?"

The portly woman looked worried for a moment causing the trio to stop. "I'm afraid Frank had a bit of a fit this morning."

Alaire felt Neville tense. "Was mum hurt?"

"Hush, boy," snapped Augusta. "What happened, Esther?"

"Just the usual; Mrs. Longbottom, however, we felt it best if we gave him several calming potions. I'm afraid he will be asleep for most of the day."

As his Gran and Esther continued to speak, Neville pulled Alaire aside.

"You have everyone fully tuned-out, right?" he asked deeply worried.

Alaire smiled. "Don't worry, Neville. I'm fine."

"Maybe this was a bad idea. I don't want you to get overwhelmed. I can take you back down to the lobby and floo you back to Hogwarts if you'd like."

"Honestly, Neville! Do you think I'm that fragile?" Alaire replied in a pretended pouting tone. "Maybe I should get Ginny Weasley to get me one of those lovely chocolate bars her brothers concocted and when we get back, I'll just prove to you …how strong I can be."

Neville flushed brilliantly. "That won't be necessary."

"Are you two finished?" Augusta snapped in an irritated tone. "Time is wasting."

"Yes, Gran," Neville said squeezing Alaire's hand. "I want Mum and Dad to meet Alaire."

"Grandson, why you want to put this young lady through the trauma of meeting people …like your parents. The entire suggestion of bringing her here is idealistic nonsense. Frank and Alice will not remember her for more than a minute after we leave. They won't even recognize you …once we're in there." She took a deep breath and looked Alaire up and down looking for anything she could comment on in a negative way. Finding nothing, for once, she simply said,

"That said, I'm glad you finally brought a 'friend' to meet your parents. You shouldn't be ashamed of them. They were a brave bunch. You couldn't ask for anyone better than my Frank," the older woman said with an exaggerated sniff and a overdramatized dab to her eyes as she pushed open a door and entered a room. "If they can't remember her, Alaire can still remember them."

As they walked further into the ward, Alaire was struck by how white-washed everything was. It was almost like some sort of surreal dream. She wondered why they didn't try to color things up a bit. She was quite certain that she too would go insane if she was stuck in this room for very long.

She barely noticed that Augusta was still talking until she caught the phrase; "…bringing one of those rebelling colonists to meet your parents. Honestly have you no sense of National pride?"

"Gran; that will be quite enough," Neville retorted hotly. "I refuse to rehash this argument for a fifth time. As you object so strongly to the presence of my 'girlfriend' …why don't you go wait outside while I introduce Alaire to my parents?" Neville said his voice taking a sharp tone to it.

The older woman huffed. "Neville Francis Longbottom, are you defying me? As clan-chief I will not have you telling me what to do?"

"No, ma'am; of course not, I made a request, not issued an order. However; as the galleons from my hybrid-patents are paying for a good part of their treatment… I feel that I have some-say in my visitation rights with my parents. As an adult in the Wizarding world, I didn't need to ask you to come with me today, I did so because proper-manners required it… as a traditional courtesy; legally I no longer need you to escort me around as if I was still five-years old.

"Boy, I know full-well how old you are," Augusta snarled genuinely surprised at her grandson's sudden backbone.

"Again, ma'ma; as an adult; I am asking you formally and with all due respect …for a few moments alone with MY parents and my girlfriend Alaire. As I have repeated told you both by floo and in several Owl-post letters, that I have serious …far-reaching feelings for Ms Goodnight," Neville said in a firm un-wavering tone. "I have heard your arguments over and over against bringing an American witch into the bloodline and my reply has not altered. I am of age in this country, old enough under current law to pick my own life-mate. You have taught me proper courtship traditions and it is those traditions that I am now following. So if you don't mind, I will now introduce the girl I love …to my parents."

Alaire stood motionless, utterly gob-smacked and indescribably proud of her boyfriend.

"I don't know what come over you Neville, or what you hope to accomplish." She stared at Neville, who for the first time in his life stared right-back at his grandmother without flinching.

"Fine," Augusta snapped irritated. And then she turned abruptly on her heels and left the room in a huff, muttering something about "Insolent Americans corrupting the young men of England"

Neville watched as the door slammed-shut and then he sighed turned back to Alaire and said. "Sorry."

"It's all right". Alaire said beaming in pride at her Neville. Ginny had been right after all; her botanist …like Saint George had stood toe-to toe with the dragon and not-flinched. He had faced down Potter, McGonagall and now the vulture hat ...all for her sake, and as expressing how aroused it made her feel with her usual over-the-top innuendo banter… didn't feel right, for this occasion. So she expressed her approval of her man with humor instead.

"I just didn't realize your Grandmother Augusta did not know that we colonials won the Revolutionary War," she said, using her wit to bring a light chuckle to Neville's lips.

"Well, then, here we go," Neville said as he took Alaire's hand and went through a pair of curtains.

On the other side was a man sleeping on a narrow bed. Alaire couldn't see his face but his body was gaunt and his feet and hands continuously twitched. A woman with Neville's roundish face and his eyes was sitting up on the neighboring bed. She wore a bright red-robe and purple slippers. Her hair was tied back with a purple ribbon. She had gum wrappers around her and seemed to be playing with them.

"Hello Mum," Neville said increasing his grip on Alaire's hand. The woman looked up and though her eyes seemed a little dull, Alaire noted that if you looked closely enough you could see what appeared to be a little twinkle.

Neville walked closer to her. "Happy Christmas," he said sitting down next to her in bed and pulling Alaire down next to him. Neville took his mother's hand away from the gum wrappers and held onto it. He kissed her fingers lightly.

"I'm staying at Hogwarts this Christmas-hol. Gran's isn't too crazy about it, but it is my last year there and I wanted to be with …my friends," Neville said suddenly with a nervous glance toward Alaire.

"I've gotten into a spot of trouble this term, but Gran is more upset about it than I am. I was taught that when I muck-up something a real man fesses-up and takes his lumps like a bloke should …and that's just what I did. Do the crime, do the time.

"Professionally, things are looking up; I've got seven patents in-force and two pending. The royalties from those are pouring in with a-lot of that dosh going to keeping you and dad out of the charity-wards and provide a-little better treatment. I've gotten another job-posting offer in the last fortnight. That brings the total up to all five commercial greenhouses in Great Britain. I plan to narrow the field a-bit during the Holiday, so I'm pretty much assured a position after I graduate in June …if I survive my NEWTs exams."

The woman didn't seem to be paying any mind to anything Neville said. She had looked at him briefly as he sat down, but her attention went again back to the wrappers. Alaire could guess that every visit must have been like this one …for Neville. She didn't know how he could handle this. He was much stronger than anyone ever gave him credit.

"The nurse said that Dad had a fit this morning," Neville said as he turned to look at his father's face. The man simply snored loudly in reply.

Neville slowly tucked a stray stand of his mother's hair back behind her ears. "I'm glad you didn't get in the way this time. It scares me a little when he thinks he's still fighting Death Eater's and gets violent. The nurses said he'll be asleep most of the day."

Neville talked for several more minutes about various things before he took a deep breath and looked at his mother as straight as he could. "I really wanted you both to meet someone. There's a good reason I'm not going home with Gran for this particular holiday. I want you to meet the love of my life, Alaire Goodnight. Alaire, this is my Mum …Alice Elizabeth Longbottom."

Neville placed Alaire's hand in his mothers hoping his mum would understand that the simple gesture meant that this was someone he wanted her to meet and maybe remember in the future. He had no idea that as soon as Alaire's hand touched his mother's, she instinctively took down the wall she had built in her mind to block emotions out.

She wanted to know this woman who had given birth to such a wonderful man …even if it meant personal pain. Suddenly, raw emotions struck her hard making her jump up from the bed, her hand still in Alice's. The movement startled the other woman, but she remained seated.

"What's the matter?" Neville panicked as he reached to pull Alaire away from his mother and break their bond.

"Neville," Alaire's voice shook as she looked from Alice Longbottom to Neville. "She-She knows you. She …there's so much confusion." Alaire closed her eyes for a moment steadying her-self. The pain was almost unbearable but one look at Neville's astounded face made her continue. "She doesn't understand what happened, she doesn't understand all this, why she can't do things, but when she looks at you …she's so proud. She's proud of you, of who you've become. She loves you," Alaire said tearing up. "I- she just loves you, Neville."

Emotions overwhelmed Neville. Relief, happiness, grief, sadness, and pride that he had done something right in his parents' eyes washed over him. He looked up to see Alaire let go of his mother's hand. He pulled his mom to him and leaned his head against her stomach and openly-sobbed.

"Oh, Neville," Alaire said as tears ran down her cheeks. She swayed weakly as both Alice's and Neville emotions cursed through her leaving an indelible mark on her heart. She had wanted to do this since she first found out about Neville's parents so many weeks ago. She only wished Neville could sense his mother's feelings directly.

Then a strange thing happened. She saw a soothing hand reach-up and onto the top of Neville's head …caressing his hair, ever so gently. Alaire began to sense happiness seep up through the pain she had just felt.

"Mum?" he questioned through his tears. His mother's brown eyes danced as she smiled lightly and laid her head onto the top of his head. She hummed a little tune as she awkwardly patted Neville's knee. Then she sat up, dug deep in her pocket, and handed him a piece of gum. Neville could only smile as his mother gestured for him to chew it. She then took the wrapper from him and gave it a deft twist.

When Neville's Gran came back into the room ten minutes later, she was shocked to see Alice Longbottom smiling-big as she, her son, and the odd American girl sat on a hospital bed humming happily and making a daisy chain of gum wrappers.

Alaire and Neville had spent almost an hour with his parents talking to his mother and making paper chains. Occasionally Alice Longbottom would give a small smile but spent a similar amount of time staring-off into empty space. Neville's Gran had been astounded by Alice's attentive-interactions with her son and after a few minutes of observation left to discuss the situation with the medical staff. When she returned she sat quietly beside her son; Frank reaching out to stroke his hair while watching in fascination her grandson.

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 28

When Neville and Alaire eventually made it back to Hogwarts late that afternoon, after lunch in Diagon Alley, they were greeted by the grim faces of Dumbledore and Snape.

"Ah …Ms. Goodnight. Mr. Longbottom. We were beginning to worry."

"Sorry, sir. It's just that things took longer as the hospital than I expected."

"Actually, Mr. Longbottom," Snape drawled, "News has already reached us concerning your visit with your parents."

Alaire looked from the headmaster to Snape. "Am I in trouble? All I did was-"

Snape held up his hand and interrupted the American; finishing her sentence for her, "…use the training that I have given you on someone who did not agree to it."

"How could she? She's - - She's a …vegetable," Alaire searched for the right words, and then she got mad. "Nor did I use Legilimens professor, as you have never instructed me in that art. I can sense emotions without digging for them; I do not invade another person's mind, to read their emotions. That is the blessing or rather the curse of being an 'empath'. What you have taught me …Sir, - - is how to block what every witch and wizard emotionally-exhales …like breath …without conscious thought. Besides …what's the big fuss …everything turned out all right? Neville knows how she feels now. And that's a great thing!"

"Ms. Goodnight, did you 'view' any memories from Ms. Longbottom?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, sir; 'telepathy' even if it does exist somewhere; is not my …gift …I can only decipher basic emotions. I believe she recognizes Neville on some level …but she is more like a child who doesn't know why things are happening to her." Alaire was surprised to see Snape almost sigh in relief at her words. "Why do you ask?"

"Neville, do you mind if I explain a few things to Alaire?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, sir. But I'm confused now. Why would my mother being able communicating again be a bad thing?"

Snape's sharp voice cut through the air. "If word got out that your mother was recovering, Neville, we are afraid that someone would try to come into the hospital and finish off the job that they started over sixteen years ago," Snape told him bluntly. "Old grudges and blood-feuds die hard, as YOU well know."

Alaire didn't need to feel Neville's fear. Her own heart had stopped. If someone came after his mother, they would come after him and then… But oddly the strongest fear seemed to be seeping from Professor Snape who refused to look at her.

"Exactly," Snape said with a worried look. "You understand now? We ask you to make a wizard's promise not to speak about this to anyone."

Alaire and Neville both nodded.

"In fact, I confess to being a bit curious, Ms Goodnight," Dumbledore said. "As this is your first attempt in using of your gift in the medical field… with a patient, how would you best describe your experience?

Nervously glancing in Neville's direction; Alaire reluctantly replied. "Nearly overwhelming, the emotions were all over the place and trying to make sense of them …physically painful. I can well understand why a professional empath require so much training.

"Then you did learn something from this… that's good," Snape said somewhat mollified.

"Have your emotional shields suffered as a result? Albus asked as a statement of fact.

"A-bit," Alaire admitted reluctantly.

"What about my Gran? We won't say anything; but she might have pointed-out my Mum's improvement to the staff," Neville asked in a worried."

"We've already spoken to the hospital staff and sent Arthur Weasley to speak privately with Augusta. She respects him and will listen to him. I have no worries about this getting-out," Dumbledore said. "She understands that while we are all overjoyed at your mother's progress, Alice Longbottom must be protected until this war is over. I'm afraid this is a bittersweet victory for you."

"I-I understand. I'd do anything to protect my parents. You can trust us, sir." Neville put forth a shaky hand to Dumbledore who shook it with a smile. Neville then turned to Snape. "Sir?"

He put out his hand. Snape stared at him for a moment and saw the strength in the boys' eyes and then his usual frown lifted a millimeter. He took Neville's sweaty hand and gave it a quick, firm shake.

"Mr. Longbottom, in the face of Ms Goodnights strain-filled experience; I would be grateful if you would take your 'assistant' to someplace quite for a period of time, so that she can recover," Dumbledore commanded. "And don't worry about Professor McGonagall; I'll explain to her the need for the therapeutic quite-time.

OoOoOoOo

They quickly left and went straight to Neville's greenhouse where Alaire gave-in to the exhaustion from her encounter at the hospital… while Neville found him-self to be more than a-bit shaky from Dumbledore's warning. Alaire flicked her wand and the futon popped open and made itself into a bed. She flopped down onto it next Neville's and sighed.

"Well, I did some good and I did some bad today. Fifty-fifty …that's not too bad."

Neville bent down and pulled her into his arms. "I wouldn't care if Bellatrix Lestrange burst through that door right now and cursed me into oblivion. Today was one of the happiest of my life …thanks to you."

Alaire could only smile wearily. Silently she prayed as he held her that Neville would never live to regret those words and that was likely at the end-of term.

"The headmaster said I needed quite-time …does that mean all night? I'm sure it'd do me good." Alaire asked in her best whiny voice. "I'm so tired. I just want to lie down and cuddle up with you."

"I'm not sure he meant all night Alaire," Neville countered in a tired tone. "Won't the others wonder about you? Considering your state of exhaustion and the headmaster's intervention I think Minerva will turn a blind-eye to a sleep-over. But I shudder at the thought of the sarcastic comments that Seamus will shower you with in the morning. Hermione will want to report us, however, if we're lucky Ron will sink that boat …before it sails. And then there is Ginny …she'll no-doubt try to barter her silence in exchange for the password to my greenhouse; so that she and the ferret-nutter can come here to safely shag on our futon. Especially as their secret hideout in the east tower is now common knowledge.

As for Moody-Potter; when he finds-out you've spent the night here… he'll have another hissy-fit mood-swing …yet again … after all he's been in a decent mood for a fornight now, and all good things end." his voice fading out as he looked down at Alaire's pouty face and then at her shirt …which she had deliberately unbuttoned …completely. Then he sighed …he now had an official weakness …sheer lace …push-up bra's …enhanced cleavage.

"Oh, I guess, you can stay. If you promise to behave?" Neville said in surrender

"Do I have to promise? I'd hate to accidentally break that bond."

Neville bent down to kiss her. "We'll discuss exactly what are good and bad another time."

(Two hours later)

Alaire lay across the futon shamelessly with all the emotional stress from the day… now totally-banished …by the skillful use of massaging-hands…. a little warm baby-oil and the overwhelming emotional Happy-thoughts therapy as provide by her devoted-man …in his often desperate need to soothe and please his lady.

Actual intercourse had not yet accrued between them, and she felt bad that she hadn't found the courage to even give her wonderful lover …the oral stress relief that Ginny was giving Draco and Alaire her-self was… now getting on a regular basis. Each time she had made the attempt to go-down on Neville …the trauma-ghost of what had happened to her in America painfully-resurfaced. She would then freak-out and it would take a solid hour of cuddling with loads of Longbottom Happy-thoughts (patent pending) …for her to relax again.

Her therapist back home had warned her that it would take an exceptional man with extraordinary patience …to help her work-though the pain. Apparently she had found such a man …'I'll make it up to him someday' …she said to her-self yet again …before she drifted off to sleep with her head pillowed on Neville's shoulder and her legs intertwined with his. Alaire looked over at the intertwining Rose bushes …the physical proof of her love for Neville and his for her. Seeing it always gave her great-comfort.

Sleep took its time in reaching Neville, however.

Questions plagued him. Why would his mother react to Alaire now, after all this time, when he had been talking to her and holding her hand his entire life? Was his mother also empathic? Was she trying to communicate through Alaire? And why was Snape so concerned with his mother's health? He had also noticed that Snape's face seemed paler than usual (which was difficult in Neville's opinion). And why had Snape shaken his hand? Snape hated him …didn't he? As he finally fell asleep, he could hear his mother humming and his dreams were filled with a dark figure with a pale, pale face.

When they awoke the next morning, Alaire found she was too comfortable to move. She was snuggled against Neville and he had his arm wrapped protectively around her waist pulling her toward him.

"Good morning, love," she whispered pressing kisses to the corner of his lips.

"Morning," he muttered still half asleep.

Alaire snuggled closer to him and sighed. "Neville?"

"Hum?"

"How 'bout I don't go back to the dormitory the rest of the week?" she asked as she snaked a hand down his mostly naked body. He had drawn down and off her knickers, but his boxers naturally …had stayed on.

"Hum, what?" he asked trying to wake up a bit more.

"It's just so peaceful here," Alaire said as she lifted her leg a bit to caress Neville's hip with it. That definitely woke him up. "I just think it would be nice to have some private time until my parents get here."

"Alaire, as much as I would love to do that, I'm sure Professor McGonagall would veto the idea" he said biting back a moan as she rubbed against him. "I also want to be able to at least look your father in the eyes when I meet him without feeling guilty about what I've been doing with his daughter."

"Do you feel guilty?" she purred.

"No …for by Wizarding custom you're still technically 'untouched' but you bloody won't be for much longer if you don't stop that," he teased struggling to sit up. Alaire giggled as she sat up too and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"Sorry."

"No, you're not," Neville teased.

"You're right! I'm not!" Alaire smiled before her face took a serious turn. "I'm scared they won't like Hogwarts and will want me to leave. I don't think I can bear it."

"They'll do no such thing," Neville said sternly as he turned and hugged her. "When will they be here?"

"In London; on Wednesday and then here …the following morning."

"Then on Thursday, we'll meet them together," he said giving her a kiss. "And convince them how important it is that you stay right where you are!"

"And until then?"

"Oh, for me it's another cold shower and then you need to get dressed and go up to Gryffindor tower and face the music …for what we didn't do last night".

Alaire watched her boyfriend condemned to yet another case of blue-balls waddle to the tiny shower stall 'alone' and she felt guilty about she'd done. She was the one that wound-up his main-spring and then left him to relieve the tension by hand. Without intending too - and thanks in large-part to what that bastard ex-boyfriend had done to her, - she had become the very cock-tease that Neville had once accused her of."

That was the only time they got to spend in the greenhouse that week. Hermione as expected …had threatened, Ron as expected …had mollified …the others had teased and made a few jokes and then the issue had been dropped. And then there was Professor McGonagall, who made a point of keeping their time alone to a bare minimum.

OoOoOoOo

And then seemingly out of the blue, The Headmaster called Neville to his office and declared a slight modification of Neville's solitary confinement punishment, as imposed by the Hogwarts Board of Governors.

For the last four days before the school was dismissed for the Christmas-hol as decreed by the Board …the young botanist would be permitted to spend two hours of interaction with his peers each day so as to not interfere with normal social-skills development. Neville was still not allowed to take meals in the Great Hall, and Professor McGonagall was to strictly enforce the two hour time-limit in the Gryffindor common-room, but some time with his friends was better than none. The first two hours in the common-room with his friends was pure bliss to the very isolated feeling Botanist.

The very-next day Ginny took Alaire aside at breakfast and made a comment that Neville's eyes looked more bloodshot every time she saw him and even Harry …overhearing the conversation suggested a sleeping potion as a remedy for insomnia. Although she thanked them both for their consul …Alaire didn't need empathy to determine the root-cause, behind Neville's lack of sleep at night. A girl can only send a boy away - blue-ball frustrated - just so many times, before something-negative happened to his health.

Alaire herself was becoming frustrated by the situation, and Neville's understanding and patience whenever she froze-up on him while intimate …was wonderful, but that fact didn't lessen how horrible she felt that Neville was literally paying the price in discomfort and frustration …for another boy's sexual abuse. For yet the thousand time; Alaire promised herself that she make it up to her man … someday.

OoOoOoOo

D-Day (daddy-arrival-day)

The next day after that was arrival Thursday and Neville and Alaire stood in the headmaster's office alone. Neville watched in amazement as his normally bold-as-brass shamelessly-outgoing girlfriend was reduced to a semi-nervous wreck as she continued to pace the floor.

"What's the matter?"

"Neville my-love, there is something about me that you don't know. I'm a horrible procrastinator, meaning I tend to put things off to the last second. Anyway; I've been putting-off warning you a bit about my Dad; because …because, he's a-tad over-protective of me and he is rather blunt …make that extremely blunt. All right, my Dad is about as subtle as a sword through your skull …but he means well. I just hope he's not in a bad mood from all the traveling."

"How far do they have to come?" Neville asked suddenly nervous.

"Mom and Dad had to take a Portkey from New Orleans to New York City then to Greenland and then another to the English customs office. Finally, they floo here," Alaire explained. "I told mom all about you the last time we spoke. I'm sure she's taken care of dad."

"What do you mean?" Neville asked wearily before the fireplace blasted to life.

Suddenly …A petite woman with dark auburn hair stepped through the fireplace. Looking up, she quickly launched herself into an embrace with Alaire.

"Mom!" Alaire said hugging her back.

"Hello, darling! England has done wonders for you, but I have missed you so much," the woman said before taking a step back and looking-hard at Neville. "And who is this dashing young man with you?"

"Neville Longbottom," Neville said holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'ma."

"Jeraldine," Alaire's mother said in a thick southern drawl …embracing him. "My daughter certainly knows how to pick them."

Alaire and Neville both blushed as the floo raged again. A tall, muscular, sandy-haired man stepped through holding several suitcases.

"Why is it always my job to carry the luggage?" he muttered.

"Daddy!" Alaire yelled rushing to hug him.

"Hello, princess," he said dropping the bags to hug her. "Everything's going well."

"everything has-been perfect," she said stepping back.

"Good, good. Give your old dad a minute. I think your mother packed the whole house in these blasted things," he said as he picked up the bags. It was then he looked up and saw Neville.

Never before had Neville seen a man's eyes go from humorous to homicidal so quickly. "And who are you?" he asked as he surveyed the young man from head to toe.

"Dave," Alaire's mother warned softly.

"Neville Longbottom, sir," Neville said reaching out his hand to shake his hand.

Instead of shaking his hand, Mr. Goodnight tossed a suitcase at Neville. "Here! Make yourself useful." Neville grabbed hold of the suitcase in mid-air and was quickly tossed another one.

"Take both of them …then",

Neville said nothing at first as he noticed that the weight of the two pieces of luggage was substantial. While Dave nodded in grudging approval hadn't they hadn't knocked the boy over. Jeraldine stepped up to her husband for a private word …which gave Neville the chance to whisper "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Alaire sighed. "Dad just doesn't like the idea of me seeing… anyone with a pulse."

"Oh," Neville looked back over to Alaire's parents only to see her mother now having some harsh words with Alaire's clearly unrepentant father who kept glaring daggers at Neville. David Goodnight did not look like happy in any form of the word. Neville glanced down at Mr. Goodnight's hands. They were clenched into fists the size of small melons. Now he knew where Alaire got her hot-temper.

"Neville, dear," Jeraldine said coming up to him. "Thank you so very much for agreeing to help my rather-rude husband carry our bags. I'm afraid we have some Christmas presents in there that might not take too kindly to being magiced away."

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes ma'am."

"All right then, let's see-to our room, shall we?" Jeraldine said as she linked arms with Alaire and headed out the door. Neville waited for Dave Goodnight to exit before he followed, not too keen on the idea of turning his back to this bloke …while wondering …why on earth Alaire's father didn't like him.

Dumbledore had picked a nice set of rooms just a wing away from the Gryffindor Tower for Alaire's parents. The suite seemed vast compared to the dormitory rooms. There was a kitchen, a large sitting room, and full bathroom as well as a master bedroom. Alaire stood by the doorway to keep it open as her father and Neville entered. Jeraldine had already made her way into the kitchen.

"We'll put these in the master bedroom," Mr. Goodnight grunted as Neville followed him. Neville looked behind him to see Alaire give him a supporting smile, before she followed her mother into the kitchen.

"Now then," Dave Goodnight said as he dropped the briefcase onto the bed and quickly turned toward Neville in a predatory way, wand drawn.

Neville dropped the suitcases abruptly like lightning had just struck the spot where he stood a moment before… he instinctively rolled to the right to avoid whatever spell was shot at him while trying to draw his own wand too. Unfortunately, Mr. Goodnight had anticipated the avoidance-movement and had already cast a spell in Neville's intended direction. "Soul Versa!"

The spell struck 'dead-center' the protection charm that Neville instinctively-cast around him-self. But the spell went right-through Neville's defensive-charm and hit him in the chest and a grayish-glow instantly enveloped him.

"Quick reflexes on this one," Dave Goodnight said in an aproving tone as he sat down on the edge of the bed and eyed his prey.

"Daddy, no!" yelled Alaire as she rushed into the bedroom ran up to Neville and placed herself between him and her father.

"David, what did you do?" shrieked Jeraldine, as she too came out of the kitchen and placed her hands on her hips. Her nostrils were flaring with anger.

Neville checked himself over. As far as he could tell nothing was the matter with him. "I think I'm all right," he told the two women. Neither of which seemed to hear him as they glared at the man seated before them.

"Daddy, what did you do to him?" Alaire said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Nothing much baby, just making sure that you've been treated right by this young Casanova," Mr. Goodnight said before turning sharply to Neville. "Now then; what are your intentions toward my daughter?"

The question shocked Neville, but before he realized it, he was replying to the question.

"I intend to make her happy, let no bad befall her, and hurt anyone that hurts her. I will do whatever she asks of me for no other reason than because she requested it. I will honor her forever. Love her until there are no longer stars in the heavens and worship her with my dying breath."

Neville had no idea where those elegant words had come from. Of course he felt that way, but had never vocalized it. In the background he could hear Alaire's mom sighing happily. He looked at Alaire, whose eyes were on his and whose hand was covering her mouth in delighted shock.

"Well; so far, so good," Mr. Goodnight grunted, clearly not expecting that answer. "And how well do you know my daughter?"

"As well as the sun knows the sky and the earth knows the wind."

"Let me put this ANOTHER way. Have you tried to fornicate with my daughter?"

"DADDY!" shrieked Alaire.

"DAVID! THAT IS ENOUGH!" bellowed Jeraldine.

"No sir", Neville replied instantly …much to David's surprise

"Not even once uh …then how well do you know her in the bedroom?"

Neville fidgeted, but his mouth acted on its own accord. "Not as well as parts of me would like to, but as well as she has requested. I do nothing along those lines without prompting from her. I do not overstep boundaries that I have placed on myself or believe she has placed on me. I honor and respect her and will continue to do so with my dying breath."

It seemed as if Mr. Goodnight didn't quite like that answer.

Neville began to wish he had completed Animagus training. Turning into a bird and flying out of the room seemed like a perfectly logical idea at the moment . . . unless, of course, David Goodnight was a trained huntsman and he probably was.

"I suggest," Jeraldine Goodnight said in an almost hiss to her husband. "That this particular inquisition end …before you end-up sleeping on the sofa …for the rest of our marriage …as you are already sleeping on the couch for the rest of this visit. Neville has far-surpassed anything I could have hoped for. If you do not release him and let Alaire take the poor boy back to the dormitory right now, or things will get …VERY unpleasant …VERY quickly …for you."

Gulping, David Goodnight nodded and swished his wand. The grayish-haze around Neville evaporated.

"No hard feelings then, son?" Mr. Goodnight asked timidly as his wife scowled at him.

"None, sir," Neville said as Alaire quickly dragged him from the room and into the outer hallway. On the other side of the door, Neville false front collapsed as he slid into a heap against one of the castle walls. "What the hell was that?"

"Oh, Neville, I am so sorry," Alaire said flushed in embarrassment. "That was a truth spell Dad cast on you. It reveals the truth hidden in your subconscious and conscious thoughts. Lawyers are allowed to use it in the U.S. when questioning uncooperative people on the witness stand. He shouldn't have done that to you."

The same sentiment was being bellowed loudly a second later by Alaire's mother. Neville and Alaire could hear it through the closed door as her father meekly tried to explain himself.

"Come on. Let me walk you back to your greenhouse," Alaire said linking her arm in Neville's. "I have to go back later …I suppose. I'll probably spend most of the holiday with them until they go back home. I'll understand completely if I don't want to see me …until school resumes."

"What?" Neville asked.

"I mean after what Dad did –"

"I think your mother is putting your father straight now. I'm not letting you go back there alone …and have him demand an explanation for that 'intimately' question all by yourself."

"God, you're wonderful," Alaire said as she stopped, wrapped her arms around Neville's neck. Neville pulled her against him and kissed her soundly.

"But you are going to make all-of-this up to me at some point …right?" he asked jokingly.

"Oh, most definitely," she said seductively as she kissed him soundly again. "Once my parents have left that is. Oh, I have all kinds of plans to make up for all the things you've done for me without any thought of payback. Don't think for one second I'm unaware of how one-sided things have been with us.

"Now Honey …I don't mind …really …" Neville began

"Luv …shut-your-mouth, I'm talking here," Alaire snapped interrupting him. "I Know I haven't been a good girlfriend to you lately, Neville Longbottom …but I swear …that is going to change and sooner rather than later."

oooooo

Chapter 29

Twenty-four hours later, (Friday-night) and the evening before the beginning of the Christmas holiday, when the mass majority of the students would depart on the train back to London. Neville and Alaire found themselves surrounded by their classmates and a few professors. Jeraldine Goodnight was a very persuasive woman and, as a result, almost every person in the castle who Knew her daughter on any level was now crammed into their suite.

Even Severus Snape had attended, albeit briefly. He had accepted a cup of punch and spent most of his time conversing with Jeraldine about American potions. His only other interaction was a handshake with David Goodnight and a slight thinning of his lips and a nod of his head to Alaire who expected nothing more.

Even Dobby made an appearance wearing an even more outlandish outfit than his last. In honor of the holidays, he was dressed as an "American Christmas Elf" or so he believed. He was wearing a red Santa hat complete with large jingle bell on its tip, a red & white striped sweater made of old sweat socks, and on his feet were a pair of pointy shoes made of green felt. Jeraldine and David couldn't help but stare at the tiny figure as Alaire introduced them. Dobby then launched into his history, his warm-regard for Harry Potter, and for Harry Potter's special friend at which David raised his eyebrows a bit.

The biggest surprise for just about everyone was the fact that Harry came to the party with a date. Alaire was gob-smacked when Daphne Greengrass entered the room on Harry's arm. Her shoulder length …reddish-brown hair …that framed her pretty face was offset by the scowl that she gave Hermione when the bookworm went up to greet her friend. Overlooking the slight, Hermione did her best to act friendly as Harry introduced his 'Queenie' to his Head-Girl friend. Ron surprisingly bit his tongue and said nothing in a futile effort to be supportive of his best-mates 'new' relationship.

Harry and Queenie didn't circulate much with the other party-goers …preferring instead to sit very close to one another on a love-seat in a corner engaged a very animated private conversation. Observed from afar, Neville couldn't help but notice …to his great surprise …that Greengrass on several occasions managed to get Harry to laugh. Walking over to where Ron and Draco were standing …while their ladies were girl-talking with Mrs. Goodnight …Ron heard Neville ask Malfoy. "Did you know about Greengrass and Potter?"

"I've heard a few rumors that they became thick as thieves shortly after Goodnight dumped Potter for you." Draco said.

"They were never a couple" Neville snarled.

"Yeah …yeah; whatever," Draco said in dismissive tone. "Ron and I were just discussing the newest love-birds a few minutes ago. Ron's worried about possible Death-Eater connections which I assume is your primary concern as well.

"Well …DUH?"

"There are no worries on that score," Draco retorted. "The Greengrass family is irreversibly tainted in my imprisoned father's racist opinion. They're wealthy enough, and their Pure-bloodline goes back ten generations on both sides. However, Daphne and her younger sister Astoria are the product of the marriage of Albert Greengrass and Margareta Thorn …of Denmark. Although of pure-blood heritage as well …she is not of English birth and the Dark-Lord regards foreign-born wives and husbands as dilutors' of the true English-bloodlines.

"So you're saying that all the Death Eaters are English?"

"Yes, of course, that's why their numbers are so few, which means; that The Greengrass family, is officially neutral in our magical civil-war". Draco explained.

"Doesn't associating with Potter, cancel out that neutrality?" Ron the chess strategist asked as he re-joined the conversation.

"Not necessarily Ron" Draco said in a surprisingly friendly tone. "The Dark-lord discounts the importance of women. He sees their value only as breeders of more pure-blood wizards. As long as the males in the Greengrass family do not actively support his opposition …the Order-of-the-Phoenix …the Greengrass neutrality will no be openly questioned."

"Oh I get it, Daphne going-out with Potter, puts a toe-in on our-side". Ron said putting the pieces together. "So if we come-out on-top at the end …the Greengrass family can claim to have been on our-side all along."

"Thinking ahead several moves, just like the consummate chess-player that you are." Draco said in semi-praise. "I have clearly underestimated you Weasley."

"Quit kissing my arse Draco," Ron said in a surprisingly-friendly if teasing way. "I already said I'd put in a good word for you with my family …so stop sucking-up"

"You saved my life, Weasel …and honor dictates …" Draco growled instantly angry.

"Now that's better," Ron joked. "Just treat my sister proper, and you'll have no problems from me."

"I'm trying hard to put the pass behind us,"

"And your doing great …I mean really." Ron said holding up his hands in surrender. "But honestly Draco …I'm not the Weasley Brother you have to fear. I really-really regret not being at the Burrow this Christmas ….because I'll miss all the crap that you're going to go through from Fred and George."

"Is it really going to be that bad?" Neville asked suddenly concerned for Malfoy's safety

"Oh hell-yes," Ron laughed.

"Shite," Draco said clearly worried.

"Hey, look at it this way, Draco," Ron said encouragingly. "Survive this upcoming fortnight at the Burrow, and I'll agree to be a grooms-men at your wedding. For mate …live through what my brothers do to you over Christmas and you'll have truly earned my sister's love."

"She's worth it." Draco said grimly.

"Spot on, old-chum, that's the proper attitude to have during your upcoming trial… by pranks". Ron said patting Draco's shoulder in support.

"Putting the fear of God into my boyfriend, Ronniekins?" Ginny said with a smile as she stepped up next to Draco.

"Gingin …I'm disappointed in you, why haven't you warned your …fiancée, on what he's facing?" Ron said in an accusatory tone.

"I didn't want to scare him off …you dimwit". Ginny countered with a soft chuckle. "But Draco dearest, don't delude yourself into thinking that Ronniekins is going to have it any easier at the Grangers …because he's not."

"Ginny, my parents aren't that bad", Hermione said horrified stepping up next to Ron.

"Like Draco just said; Luv, you're worth it," As he pulled his girl in for a quick hug and kiss. "Anyroad I figure the three of us", Ron said with a nod toward Neville and then Draco, "Can share a Butterbeer after we get back here …and swap horror stories of meeting the future in-laws." Everyone laughed at Ron's wit …even Hermione who playfully swatted his arm.

OoOoOoOo

As the party began to wind down; Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry seemed to be having great fun playing the American Muggle games that Alaire had taught them over the year. Ginny to no-one's real surprise had become the ultimate poker player in the group ...while Hermione had become the official Boggle champion of Gryffindor tower …Ron on the other hand …maintained steadfast in his loyalty to his beloved wizards chess.

Eventually, he lured David Goodnight into a match. Soon the last remaining guests in the room were huddled around the small board as the game became more and more intense and violent. David Goodnight had been a nearly world-class chess player in his youth and was becoming increasingly frustrated whenever it appeared Ron had gotten an upper hand. When David's king finally won, it took great pleasure in crossing the squares and viciously kicking the remaining king's ass.

To everyone's surprise, Ron was a good sport about his first ever lost… although he did get Dave to agree to a rematch sometime in the future.

As they were watching the game, Jeraldine noticed Vincent Crabbe standing off to himself. He seemed a little lost without his buddies, Goyle and Nott. To make matters even more awkward, Jeraldine noticed his eyes lingering on Ginny Weasley arse …more and more. The poor boy would have to fall in love with one of his friends' girlfriends, on top of all the rest of his bad luck. Sighing, Jeraldine looked for some way to alleviate the boy's glum mood during this festive occasion. It was then that her daughter came into sight.

"Have you spoken with your cousin?" she asked Alaire.

"What? Oh, yeah. I said …Hi."

"No, I mean, have stood and tried to have a conversation with him?"

"Have you? I've had more intelligent conversations with the plants in Neville's greenhouse. I mean he's not terribly stupid, he's just …well …him."

Jeraldine had to smile. It was a well known family secret that the boy wasn't too bright. What her sister had ever seen in his father was beyond her comprehension. But it still broke her sister's heart when his father had insisted on sending the boy to a British boarding school after their divorce. She had fought hard to keep the boy over summers but a single month's influence did little against the overwhelming snobbery of the father.

"Go talk to your cousin."

"Mom," whined Alaire.

"Go talk to your cousin and I'll make sure that your father leaves you and Neville alone tonight."

Alaire's head whipped around. "You'd do that?"

"You're my daughter and I remember being your age. Now GO TALK TO YOUR COUSIN and please try to make him keep his mouth closed as he gawks at Ginny Weasley's rear-end."

"Yes, Ma'am," Alaire said smiling brightly as she bounded over to him and struck up a conversation about what the two of them planned to do over the summer.

OoOoOoOo

The party finally broke up around midnight. All of the students at Hogwarts were leaving the next day for Christmas holiday while many professors were dreaming of sleeping in for a solid fortnight. Soon it was only Neville, Alaire, and her parents.

As they cleared plates, Jeraldine called for Neville to accompany her to the kitchen.

"Have fun, Neville?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am. The chess game was fantastic!" he replied enthusiastically.

"Yes. As you can probably tell, my husband is a bit hot-blooded and competitive. It makes him a great lawyer but get him into a game and it can be a bit gruesome."

"Somehow, I'm not surprised. Alaire can be a bit …"

"Aggressive? That's her father in her." She fell silent as she waved her wand at a teetering pile of plates. "You know, Neville, Professor Snape says you're no slouch either. He told me that you're one of the best Herbologist-botanists he's ever seen."

CRASH! The wine glasses that Neville was holding hit the marble floor along with his jaw. He stood there awestruck for a moment unable to compose himself.

"You guys, OK?" David stuck his head in the door.

"Yes - - dear. I just dropped a few glasses …with a flick of wand she fixed everything; Repairo!" The glasses pulled themselves together and she moved them onto the counter. David nodded and returned to the other room, as Jeraldine turned to a still stunned Neville. "I can tell that I surprised you."

"Y-Yes, ma'am. I-I didn't know that. Snape, I mean, Professor Snape …has never mentioned anything remotely like that to me."

"Well, we were talking about American potions and he said that if I need anything rare that I should forgo asking professor Sprout or the local sources and get the ingredients directly from you. He also let slip his desire to have a peek into your private Greenhouse …a desire I've come to understand that is a wish widely shared by other members of the teaching staff here.

Again Neville appeared stunned

"During the inquiries' that my husband and I made of Alaire's progress in herbology with Professor Spout this afternoon," Jeraldine continued. "She mentioned that a great deal of the credit for my daughters "Outstanding" grades are due to you tutoring."

"I helped a-bit …but Alaire is a quick study,"

"Pomona shares Professor Snape's option that there hadn't been anyone as talented as you in crossbreeding rare plants in the last century. Pomona said that your parents would be immensely proud of you."

Luckily, Neville had just put his pile of plates in the sink as his hands began shaking violently.

"Are you OK, Neville?" Jeraldine asked grabbing his hands and patting them in a very maternal way. "I didn't mean to upset you. Alaire told us about your parents. I hope that's all right with you."

Neville could only nod.

"Anyway, I could tell that Professor Snape was quiet proud of you as well …and I thought you should know that. Botany and Potions are two sides of the same coin and I believe he knows full well that his brewing skills are worthless without you ingredients. From speaking with him myself …I can tell that he's not communicated the interdependency of his skill and yours. His lack of people-skills must make learning from him a real pain when in the classroom with him as your instructor."

Neville finally found his voice though it was very soft. "Yes. Potions were never a …enjoyable class for me. I quit after fifth year. I thought at the time …that he was happy to see me go."

"Hmm. Well, we all have our talents, don't we? For example; you'd never let Alaire take care of your plants for longer than a day or so …would you?"

Neville smiled. "A day; yes of course… a week, well maybe… beyond that, I don't know."

"I do," Jeraldine said with a smile. "She loves plants but after awhile she gets bored and wants a new challenge. She does far better at potions where the time investment to obtain-results is not so long. She'll make an excellent medical potion maker someday. She at least understands how Potions and botany are joined at the hip."

The sexual innuendo was not lost on Neville who blushed profusely.

"Speaking of 'joined at the hip', I wanted to tell you Neville how pleased I am that you're with Alaire. I haven't seen here this blissful in a very long time. I just hope that what you're getting out of the relationship equals the happiness Alaire is getting."

"Um thank you, but we haven't …" he said blushing hard.

"Of course not …You are a very honorable young man. What you said under the Soul Versa spell was just amazing. David does as well …although he has a tendency to express it in his own asinine barbarian alpha-male sort of way."

"Thank you very much Mrs. Goodnight," he said. "I really do love …"

"…I know you do …dear boy," Jeraldine said cutting him off. "Alaire has told us of your Lover's Rose and I really would like to see it. But after your answers to the Soul Versa I don't need a flower to know how you feel for my daughter. If anything, perhaps I should hit Alaire with the same truth-spell that you got hit with; just so you can learn her true feelings about you.

"But her rose bloomed for me… I don't need anything else.

"Yes …of course" Jeraldine said in a semi-worried tone. "I just want to let you know that if the point arrives when the two of you decide to express your feelings …physically. I want it clearly understood that I will not be ready for grandchildren for several years."

Neville was sure he was as red as a tomato as he sputtered, "But we …we …haven't, that's not to deny …that I wouldn't like to someday …"

Jeraldine just smiled as she watched the poor boy turn a lovely shade of fuchsia. "Maybe not yet, but as you said …you would do anything my daughter asks you to do. And although I have every reason to trust that you'll go no farther than the limitations she's set. However, with all that said …I give you fair warning …for I've seen the way Alaire looks at you."

"I, well, ah", Neville said a-bit confused. "Exactly how does she look at me?"

"Like you're a walking bundle of cashmere," Jeraldine said smiling as the boy continued to turn another shade of red.

"I …ah,"

"My intent is not to embarrass you Neville …but rather to give you some insight into the kind of people we Goodnights are". Jeraldine explained. "As you have no doubt discovered on your own, my daughter is a very bold and aggressive girl …she gets those qualities as I said from her father. She is also a huge flirt, not the least-bit shy about flaunting her sexuality… That she gets ...somewhat; from me. The women of my family are hot-blooded southern girls with passionate appetites that only the most virile men can satisfy.

Neville had the grace to gulp.

"Being the daughter of lawyers," Jeraldine continued. "Alaire also knows how to run; what we Americans call a poker-face. Running a bluff when you've got nothing in your hand is the key to successfully-practicing Law. So it's unwise to take what any Goodnight says or does at face value. In other words her boldness and sexual bluster can be genuine one minute and at other times-be nothing more than a huge-bluff. She has told me about being called a cock-tease by some of the boys here. She also told me that she has hurt your feelings more than once… by flaunting her sexuality at other boys.

"Non-stop flirting is …apart of what she is. I've gotten use to it… sort-of," Neville said painfully; not denying the charge.

"I don't know how much she told you of her reasons for coming here, but basically …recent events in her life have caused Alaire to have severe lack-of-trust issues where boys and romance are concerned. Her therapist told David and me that to compensate for Alaire's fear of what one evil man did to her… she often goes overboard by shameless flirting with all men.

"I've also been told that you've been very understanding and patient with the cock-teasing incident that took place at dinner in the great-hall awhile back. Don't bother to deny that what she did hurt-you and I'm not here to make excuses my daughter's bad-behavior. I merely wish to point out that her bold-teasing banter with other boys or any hesitation on her part …romantically-speaking …when alone with you; is not due to any shortcoming or failure on your part. I'm afraid you're paying the price for another mans sins."

"I already know that some former boyfriend …hurt her… badly. I just don't know the details," Neville said now very concerned.

"I've already said too much", Jeraldine said holding up one hand to stop future questions. "Nor do I want you to press her on this issue as that would be most unwise. Just continue to be patient and you will hopefully …in time …reap the rewards that only a Goodnight girl can provide. On those same lines …I'm keeping David 'busy' tonight so you two can have some time alone. I can still remember what it was like to be young and in Love."

"Are you two done yet? How many dishes can you stack up?" Alaire's voice carried through the door. "Are you two talking about me behind my back?" Her head popped in, "Well you can just stop …right now. Neville has no need to know about my skint up knees or my skeeter bites when I was seven."

"Actually, I was going to tell him about the time last summer when you tried to give your cousin a magical wedgie and it backfired. You should have seen her face!"

Neville didn't have time to laugh as Alaire had grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out of the room. "Good-night, Goodnights!" Alaire gave her mother and father quick hugs as she pulled Neville toward the door.

"Hold on there! I'll walk you to your common-room." David Goodnight started toward the couple.

"Now, David, I think Alaire and Neville are perfectly capable of finding their way around this castle."

"That's what I'm afraid of, Jeraldine."

Despite David Goodnight's initial reservations about Neville, he had gradually accepted that if he could not be at Hogwarts personally escorting his daughter to her classes and meals, Neville would suffice as a substitute. The boy was honorable to a fault. But he wasn't going give-up being a daddy to his 'baby-girl' without a fight.

"David, why don't you stay here? I've got an early Christmas present for you to unwrap," Jeraldine whispered seductively in his ear.

"But . . ." he sputtered looking down at his wife plunging neckline and then back to his daughter and Neville. He then shot a look over at the couch, where he had indeed been sleeping for the last two nights and then back to his sexy wife.

"Night, kids." David said becoming more aroused by the second.

Alaire, the empath, who had sensed her parents flaring marital lust for years, abruptly took Neville's hand and quickly pulled him out of the room.

OoOoOoOo

"If he hurts her …and we both know that's likely … then …I'll kill him. If he breaks her heart; like that bastard back-home …I'll kill him. If he touches her and she freaks-out …" David muttered under his breath as he watched the two of them leave the room.

"…Yes, dear …You'll kill him. But Honey, consider this …in case you haven't noticed, that boy is so far in love with our daughter that she could walk all over him …and he'd never notice. He's more in danger of getting-used in this …than she is. "

David cast a last look at the hall door and Nodded agreement with that assessment. "But- he's got to know the risks, she told him going-in; she promised us she would. This so-called Lover's Rose doesn't mean squat when it comes to Alaire… the rule book just doesn't apply."

"I agree wholeheartedly, Neville is putting far too much faith in this rose of his. What might work with others might not apply to an empath. But we aren't talking about marriage here are we? You're worried about teenage-male hormones… right

"Dam right, all guys are horny-dogs at Neville's age… Lord knows I was.

"Then Dearest your real concern is about unwanted sexual aggression… and Alaire freaking-out …correct?

"Yeah

"You've often boasted that my appetite for sex was one hundred times stronger than any of those hussies you dated before we got together", Jeraldine purred seductively.

"Yes I did," David growled in hunger.

"Face it Honey, your little baby inherited my hot-blood …which means she also got all my appetites."

"OH Shit!" David muttered.

"Precisely … Jeraldine said having made her point. "Somehow, I don't think that it's Neville we should be concerned about. When Alaire is ready, when the ghost that haunts her is finally banished for good; that poor boy is going to be attacked …ridden-hard and put away covered with hot-sex sweat in the same way I ravish you. Now, come to the bedroom …and unwrap this present."

OoOoOoOo

Strangely enough; in-spite of the lateness of the hour …Alaire did not want to go back to her Gryffindor dorm-room and go to sleep. She had no objection to going to bed …she just refused to go to sleep …not yet anyway …and certainly not alone. So with a few persuasive snogs along the way some of them; getting so extremely passionate that for the first time in a very-very lone time. Alaire actually considered …the merits of stand-up hallway sex.

The kinkiness of it frankly appealed to her, however …the real risk of getting caught …especially before completion … was so much of a major turn-off that the likelihood made Alaire forgo the idea …at least for now. But just considering it; Alaire took as a very-good omen, she was getting close to the point where fornication was no longer out of the question. The finish-line was in sight, time and patience was all she needed now.

She'd been the source of Neville's wanking-off in the shower too many times already, and she hated the price he was paying for her recovery. Snape had been right; Neville was prefect for the kind of healing she needed and now it was time for the next big step in her convalesce. To that end Alaire had chosen her undergarment for that night with extreme care, in the hope of coming to Neville's greenhouse after her parent's party.

The pump for the next-step had been already primed; for Alaire had suffered more than a week of semi-chasteness; imposed due the stress of school-work and exams …the kind of torment that would make any red-blooded American girl get-a-little anxious for a-bit of quality horizontal snogging-time with her utterly wonderful boyfriend.

So when her parents had shown-up at Hogwarts, Alaire was already feeling the need for a Neville-fix, any uncertainty she felt …any unease about whether she was ready for the next step; was banished when she heard Neville's heart-felt confession of love …out loud …in front of her parents no less …due to the "Soul Versa!" curse.

How is a girl supposed to react …when the man in her life …publicly reveals his inner-most soul to her parents. The truth spell made deception impossible, it confirmed in words what her empathy had already sensed for months …that Neville Francis Longbottom loved her …heart …mind and soul. Her only regret now was that it had taken twenty-four hours after his confession …for Alaire to work-up the courage to demonstrate to Neville physically …what he meant to her.

Act one was the twenty minute snog they shared with their clothing on, while sitting upon the futon. The craving to kiss her man senseless was simply that strong?

"Neville, we have to stop." Alaire said panting as they came up for air. "I want to give you a couple of early Christmas presents."

"Got them already," he replied as nuzzled her ear. "Holding you and kissing you is the best presents a bloke could ever want!"

"You're being silly!" Alaire said blushing hard at the compliment …as she pushed him away from him and then stood up and stepped away from the couch-positioned futon. He watched as she walked seductively over to his worktable and then slowly bent-over at the waist to pull a box from underneath. This move was deliberate on her part. Unintentionally, his eyes traveled slowly from her black leather boots to her extra-short corduroy skirt.

"Neville Longbottom, are you looking at my ass?" she smirked happily

"Well …what can I say …it's a beautiful butt," he boldly admitted as a bluff …he actually felt semi-ashamed that he had been checking out her arse …and had been caught-out.

"About time. I thought you'd never notice that I wore a thong tonight."

Neville swallowed hard …his mind racing to damage control to prevent something from rising to such …'simulation'.

Snape - (no …not enough).

Snape - wearing his Gran's dress, (better).

Snape - wearing his Gran's dress …snogging Argus Filch in a broom cupboard (almost there).

Snape - wearing a thong underneath his Gran's dress …snogging a naked Argus Filch in a broom cupboard (bingo). That image did it …his arousal was doused …like a campfire with a bucket of water. He could breathe again.

"You OK?" Alaire worried as she straighten-up and looked at Neville.

"Yup; totally-fine …now,"

"Then come here and unwrap one of your presents." Alaire said unknowing channeling her mother as she walked back to the futon.

Neville approached the gaudily wrapped box with trepidation.

"Come on! Are you a ripper or one of those anal-persons who slits the tape and save the paper?"

Neville responded by carefully cutting the tape off one end of the box and pulling the paper off.

"I should've known."

Neville chuckled in his delight at having teased Alaire for a change. He opened the box to see nothing but seed packets …hundreds of them. Some were clearly American Muggle seed packets while others seemed to vibrate with magic. "Wow! There's rambling rose in here, tumbleweed, and . . . What's kudzu?"

"Oh, be careful with that. One wrong move and Hogwarts will be under vines before you can blink. Some witch accidentally dropped some in Georgia and it covered most of the Southern United States within a year. We had to concoct a Muggle story to cover it up and it's still growing!" Alaire reached into the box and pulled out a large white packet. "These are my favorites, sunflowers."

Neville smiled and put that particular packet to one side. He would have to try and do something special with those. "These are great, Alaire. Thank you." He reached up as she bent down and gave her a tender kiss.

"Mmm. You can thank me with some more of that …later …when I give you your second gift."

"Okay, but for right now …how about letting me give you a present?" Neville said brightly

"Fine, I want a generous helping of naked Neville with whipped cream and cherries?"

"No dairy products …it will stain the new futon," Neville replied with a chuckle! "Now sit down …my wanton witch. Close your eyes and no peeking." Alaire heard rustling of paper. "Hold out your hands."

Alaire put her arms bracing for the weight of a plant and was surprised to feel instead the softness of a fabric being wound around her arms. She opened her eyes to see a swathe of cashmere fabric in her hands.

"Neville …It's beautiful!"

"You said to me once …that your dream was to have bed-sheets made of cashmere. They don't make such things …not even in the Muggle-world …I checked. So this is as close as I could come to making your wish a reality. This material is called; 'Pangforn ever-changing Pashmina'. There's a spell to change the color of the fabric to anything you want. It's also guaranteed not to soil, fade and stain …or have the colors run."

Alaire was rubbing the soft fabric on her face with a look of ecstasy on her face. She stood up and wrapped the large bed-sheet/blanket …like a shawl around her. "Mmm. This feels so good." She swayed on the spot in an unconsciously sensuous fashion that made Neville instantly spell-bound by the sight. His trousers were fully tented …by the time Alaire leaned down and hooked the fabric around Neville's neck pulling him close and whispering in a deep silky voice; "Thank you."

She leaned over again …gave him a kiss that sent shivers straight down to his toes and hardness to his loins.

"You are most definitely welcome."

When she finally took a step back, they both were breathing hard. Neville had obeyed to the letter, so far …Alaire's wish to behave properly while her parents were visiting. But now that they were alone, he was being sorely tempted by every move Alaire made …so how could he be really blamed if his hand unconsciously began to slide its way up her stocking clad leg.

"Neville is that your hand …going under my skirt?" whispered Alaire in his ear.

Neville jumped when he realized what his hand had been doing of its own accord and started to pull away but Alaire stopped him.

"Did I tell you to remove your hand, Mr. Longbottom?"

"Alaire, don't play another of your games with me. How many times have you told me that nothing would happen between us …while you're parents were-on this side of the pond? I've kept my gob-shut about being hexed by your Dad …less than five minutes after they show-up when I made a ruddy-fool of myself …venting my soul out to all but total strangers. Your Mum gives me love-advice tonight that your dad would kill me for …if I did half of what your Mum suggested. I love you …but I'm at a loss on how to control myself in the presence of my favorite southern temptress."

At this point Alaire was beaming at him. So he pressed on.

"I don't want to pressure you …to do anything your not ready for. I also know that the last two days have been extra stressful for you, with your parents underfoot. As your boyfriend it is my duty to try to ease your tension, with that in mind and as you well know …I have been recently cultivating a new oral-technique which is claimed to be a proven and highly successful means to provide stress relief as well as promote female relaxation. Then Neville paused …hesitated …swallowed hard …before continuing. For Alaire was looking at him with such intense carnal hunger.

(silence). As Alaire continued to look at him as a lioness regards its prey

"Now we've had a nice snog, exchanged gifts; so now its time …for me to; orally-relax you before I escort you back to your Dorm in the tower". Neville said before thinking to himself contemptuously. "Because after I've gotten you off, I've got to come back here for another wanking shower,"

"No … Neville please don't make me". Alaire suddenly pleaded seductively. "My bed in that dorm is so cold; I snuggle each night under a dozen blankets and can't ever get warm."

"But Alaire, you have my cashmere jumper up-there and your new Pashmina bed-sheet/blanket". Neville protested forcing his eyes to meet hers and away from her curves. Casually he pulled a couch-pillow into his lap to cover his rampant erection. The last thing he wanted was to embarrass or traumatize Alaire with the bulging effects that her party dress had on him.

"If you loved me, you wouldn't compel me to spend tonight in that ice-box of a bed". Alaire wined sweetly.

"My punishment doesn't permit …"

"Pleassssse?"

"Alright then," Neville said knowing in his soul that he could deny Alaire nothing. So getting up slowly so as to keep the pillow in front of him and using his remaining free hand, Neville cast a spell that would dramatically increase the temperature inside his greenhouse. Next …he cast a spell to open the futon couch to transform it into a bed …then he made his way over to an old trunk and pulled out a several blankets and two pillows. With a flick of his wand he arranged the Pashmina sheet the pillows and bedding onto the bed. Then finally he reached over to his workbench for a battered alarm clock. Alaire looking-on during all this activity had a smug smile of accomplishment on her face.

"What time do you want to wake-up?" Neville asked …"I suggest rather early …before anyone else stirs …that way I can seek you back up to your dorm-room for a change of clothing without anyone the wiser. It wouldn't do to have someone see you come into the dorm tomorrow morning wearing tonight's party dress".

Alaire smile vanished at the implication of abandonment. "What about you?"

"I'll just leg-it back down here to my greenhouse", Neville said, in a matter of fact tone. "Now unless you want to let me enjoy a slice of juicy American Pie …as tension relief for you … I'll just get you a set of my warmest pajamas give you a quick snuggle and I'll be off."

"To where"

"I …I …I need a shower," Neville said making a quick downward glance at his pillow covered crotch.

"Neville Francis Longbottom …don't-you-dare," Alaire snarled in a threatening tone.

"What? …I'm avoiding temptation for me… and trauma for you …like a good …chaste …boyfriend should." Neville said trying to keep any bitterness out of his tone, but his emotions betrayed him.

"I've changed my mind." Alaire then declared.

"So you do want to go up to the dorm?"

"No you dork", Alaire snapped irritated. "I mean I'm canceling your 'Chaste-boyfriend while parents are here' …promise.

"You can't do that?"

"Changing her mind is one of a woman's special privileges, which are not subject to male veto. The sooner you accept this simple truth the easier life will be for you."

"And I have no say in this?"

"Nope."

"Okay …for the sake of not wanting an argument, I'll concede the point." Neville said in a resigned tone, feeling 'totally' whipped. He was feeling extremely frustrated at that moment with his balls screaming for relief. "Do me a favor …cut to the chase …and tell me bluntly … for I'm slow and dimwitted more than usual …tonight. Why the all-of-a-sudden …change of heart?"

"The truth?," Alaire asked meekly.

"If you would be so kind"

"I'm horny!"

"Oh …right," Neville said taken off guard for a moment. Then a resigned look appeared on his face "Well then …stretch out on the futon …and I set things to rights in a jiff."

Alaire annoyance was instantly intensified as she said to her-self; "He thinks I'm being selfish …another prolonged and delicious muff dive to relive my stress …before I send him packing with another set of blue balls. Is that what he thinks our relationship has been reduced to … relief for me and a wanking-shower for him?"

"No" she said firmly. Stomping a foot in defiance. "Not this time."

"What?" Neville said, frustrated and a bit confused. Not having the slightest clue as to what he was doing wrong …this time.

"I said not this time," Alaire said firmly. "You will stand where you are, with your arms at your sides and not move a muscle, while I give you another present."

Alaire took a step back from him, gathered her courage and slowly undid her blouse. As seductively as she could manage for a girl with no erotic-dancer …stripper experience, Alaire Goodnight preformed her first ever total strip-tease in front of a boyfriend. Before now the removal of her clothing had accrued during mid-snog with little-attention given to what was coming off. This time she wanted to tantalize, stimulate, arouse …so her erotic dance was slow and proactive for she wanted to spellbind Neville without magic. Her see-thru bra and matching garter belt with identical thong had been carefully chosen for boyfriend meltdown and from the look on his face, she had succeeded.

"Don't move" she said in a deep husky voice as she walked right up to Neville and forcefully tugged away from his resisting fingers the battered pillow that concealed his rampant hard-on. She then took a step back from Neville and dropped the pillow at his feet.

"Oh shite" Neville said shaking slightly, as nervous sweat broke out on his body.

Kneeling down in front of her trembling boyfriend, Alaire beheld the straining man-bulge pushing out the front of Neville's trousers with growing apprehension. Her emotion shields were fully up, stronger than ever. For Alaire knew full well …that if she tuned-in on Neville emotions' …his arousal-lust …would cause her to go into a panic-attack, and she was fiercely determined not to let her bastard ex-boyfriend interfere with her love-life anymore. So with shaking fingers she slowly reached up and undid his belt.

His hands jerked forward a-bit and then jerked back making Alaire glance up at Neville's face. His eyes were closed and he was concentrating very hard to remain still, his expression one of grim determination as he used every ounce of his willpower to obey Alaire's command not to move. She pulled down his zipper knowing that if she stopped right now, her Neville would never reproach her for yet another case of blue-balls. 'He loves me too much for that' she said to herself as she took a two fisted hold on the waistline of his undone trousers and boxers.

It was the memories of what had happened in America that made her pause right then and there and lower her head for a moment. She then heard a resigned sigh from above her.

"It's alright Alaire," Neville said softly. "I understand, really I do. We don't have to do this tonight …it's no big deal"

"IT IS A BIG DEAL …DAMMIT …SO SHUT YOUR-MOUTH" Alaire shouted suddenly angry and then quickly modulated her tone to say softly. "I want to do this …really I do …but don't move …okay?"

She sighed again and then slowly pulled down Neville's trousers and boxer's down to his knees thus revealing his semi-hard manhood. Her angry outburst had softened him a bit …but by being exposed to the air only inches from Alaire's face …caused her boyfriend's man-meat to literally thicken right in front of her eyes.

As this was only the second penis that Alaire had ever seen with her own eyes. She couldn't resist the opportunity to examine the tool that would hopefully sire her children someday. Fully erect, Neville's circumcised man-tool was indeed as large as she had hinted at to Ginny and Hermione …certainly not as big as the Cyclades sized dick that Ginny claimed that Draco possessed …but more than big enough for honest boasting rights among her true girl-friends. The organ jerked slightly when Alaire gingerly touched it with the tip of her hesitant tongue …bulging slightly at her touch. Neville …bless his heart …was standing ramrod stiff, sweat now literally pouring down the sides of his face from strain.

The poor boy was torn at that moment with contradictory emotions; delight that a girl was semi-stroking his manhood …and fear that she would go into a panic attack or throw-up all over his groin. This was as far as Neville had ever gotten to being on the receiving end of oral sex. Ginny he had snogged and groped …even did a bit of dry-humping once …but only on the outside of her clothing.

Outside of one of Finnegan's adult magazines ….Alaire's breasts had been the first teats he had ever seen in the flesh …up close and personal… and they were indescribably wonderful. Alaire's bosom those deliciously-firm 'C' cup were something that Neville regarded as a gift from heaven above and …"

Neville's reflective revelries abruptly ceased. As a new sensations made his mind a blank.

"I can do this," Alaire said to herself over-and-over …as she guided 'it' painfully slowly into her mouth.

OoOoOoOo

To be continued