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'

4. Chapter 4

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 to do this rewrite via e-mail 10/15/2010

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Hollywood Re-write part four - - by; billybobcsgun36 - - fanfiction (dot) net id# 641050

Begun; 10-23-09

Chapter # 30 to

Redo-Word count; 29,011 (this chapter)

Rated 'M'

Summary; why does Harry or Draco paired with 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 a particular favorite paring of mine; 'Rbw/HJG' and for all the 'Draco' lovers out-there I put him into a 'ship'with an cannon blood-status correct character.

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;

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.

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.

OoOoOoOo

The house lights fade, the curtain opens … roll film

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 30

The next morning

At first light Neville awoke alone, with Alaire nowhere to be seen. He stared up at the ceiling wondering if what had happened the previous night had been a dream. 'He hadn't pushed her into that …had he?" he asked himself worried. "I don't want to muck-this up by being a randy bloke. She is so wonderful …so beautiful …I want to marry her…"

"Oh shite" Neville said aloud - abruptly sitting up - with his heart racing at the epiphany. "Can I support a wife?" he asked the thin air. That's when he noticed it …the piece of parchment magically stuck to the chair facing the futon bed. Reaching out he snatched it-up and read.

OoOoOoOo

My Darling Neville

It's four in the morning and I can't sleep. My mind is filled with love for you and I hope that my incompetence at giving hummers …doesn't make you reconsider Lavender's offer …for I'd kill her …and then hex your bits right off.

All joking aside …you did laugh …didn't you?

I'm sorry for the hesitation …the go-stop-go again awkwardness …and …the gag reflex at the end. All of that will improve with practice. And rest assured that I will be doing that again. It may not have appeared to you that I enjoyed what I did to you. But the truth is …the last time I gave 'head' I ended up very-very traumatized.

Yes …it was with that American ex-boyfriend who 'Hurt-me' …as you already guessed.

I thank God that I found you, for your kindness and patience …as I work through the damage that bastard did to me.

To be brutally honest …I'm still not ready yet to go all the way with you …yet! That sounds bad my love …I know … and please believe me when I say my hesitation doesn't reflect on any distrust on how you feel for me. I know you love me as much as I do you.

So where does all this leave us? Well for one thing, I think I need a-whole-lot more practice giving my boyfriend 'head'. Do you think you could pencil-me-in for these lessons?

Are you smiling now… my love?

Got-Ya!

Secondly; I do not consider these practice sessions as the next step in our relationship, I see it more as parity. As I have a lot 'Tender loving care' to shower you with to make up for all the wanking showers you've endure for my sake.

I do love you Neville Longbottom and I intend to prove that love …on your body as often as I can. I'm never going to let you go …you're mine …get use to it.

With all my love and devotion

Alaire

P.S.; I am meeting with the others and my parents in the Great Hall for breakfast at seven. I know you can't be there because of your punishment …but I'll keep the spot to my right open for you anyway …as always …so you have a spot in sprite …if not in body.

The train leaves at ten and if you just happen to be on the platform I'm sure you'll be allowed to say your farewells. After that …we are giving my parents a tour of Hogsmeade so wear something nice.

P. S. - 2) also; My parents have no intention of spending the entire Christmas holiday up-here in 'remote' Scotland and intend on speaking to the Headmaster about some kind of work-release parole from your punishment to visit the commercial-greenhouses in London for job-interviews. I'm not making promises; but with a bit of luck we might get to spend at least part of the break in London.

Again, I love you

Alaire

OoOoOoOo

Neville re-read the letter two more time before stretching back out across the futon. Neville reflected as he stared at the ceiling again that just four months ago, he would have never imagined himself in this situation. That same blue cloaked figure that he had seen from his study window was now wrapped around his heart as tightly as possible.

He looked up to see that both his and Alaire's Longbottom Rose had spilled off the shelf and were intertwining themselves along one of the roof beams in a botanical imitation of the couple below them. It had been the best few months of his life. He could only hope that the trend continued.

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 31

London

OoOoOoOo

The skies above Muggle London lit up in a variety of colors as fireworks were let off and cheers of the New Year went up.

"Happy New Year's, Neville!" Alaire shouted as she pulled him close for a kiss.

"Happy New Year's!" he replied.

Alaire gave him another kiss then Neville was shocked to see her kiss a complete stranger but his shock at Alaire was supplanted by the shock of being kissed by a very attractive brunette that he had never seen before in his life! Suddenly, everyone was kissing everyone else! Even David and Jeraldine were in on the act. Alaire saw his shocked face and laughed.

"It's a Muggle tradition, my love! Everyone gets a kiss on New Year's Eve – it's considered good luck!" She started to say something else but was cut off by the explosion of an enormous Muggle firework. Soon the sky was full of sparkles forming hearts, arrows, smiley faces, and even the Union Jack. Neville was actually rather impressed at the Muggle technology.

"Aren't you glad you came?" Alaire asked as they gazed up at the glittering images.

"Yes of course! But I never thought the Board of Governors' for Hogwarts would give in so easily to your Dad's demand that I be allowed to come to London to do job interviews."

"Ah, my Dad can be very persuasive and he's grown to like you. He just wouldn't admit it in a hundred years!" Alaire shouted to make her self heard… not daring to tell Neville of her private ultimatum to her parents …that if her boyfriend couldn't come to London she didn't want to go either. Neville glanced over at David and Jeraldine. They had snuggled in close together and were watching the fireworks as well. Neville was ready to turn back to Alaire when something green caught his eye.

He moved to get a better look just as someone shouted and began to point in the direction he was gazing. Hanging in the sky was the outline of a large, green skull. It was the Dark Mark.

Muggle's in the crowd began to clap their appreciation at such a complicated display. But Neville's face lost all its color …his hands went numb, as his heart almost stopped. Alaire empathically felt Neville's fear and growing apprehension.

"Neville, what's –"

"David! Jeraldine! We've got to get out of here!" Neville grabbed Alaire by the hand as he made his way toward her parents. "Mr. Goodnight! WE'VE GOT TO GO - NOW!"

Neville finally got their attention and pointed at the DARK-Mark in the sky. David's eyes grew large as he protectively put his arm around Jeraldine and reached out for Neville and Alaire. "Grab hold!"

David pulled out a set of car keys with a remote control on the ring.

"What about the Muggle's?" Neville yelled.

"They'll never notice!"

They waited impatiently until a particularly spectacular firework exploded then David activated the Portkey. Soon the family found themselves in the lobby of their Muggle hotel.

"Are you all right?" Neville asked Alaire as he grabbed hold of her shoulders.

"I'm fine." Alaire lied, the fear plain on her face

"Listen, I want you to stay here with your parents." Neville said firmly to his lady-love

"What? Where are you going?" Alaire said panicking.

"I have to help anyway I can," he said giving her a brief kiss of the forehead before trying to march out of the lobby and into the street outside.

"Neville NO!" she cried; tears running down her face as she desperately grabbed onto him.

"What's going on?" asked David as he too grabbed Neville's arm as he went to leave the hotel.

"There has been a 'Death-Eater' attack, with most likely one or more fatalities. Somewhere …east of here… I think and I have to go help." Neville said as he patted his coat pockets in search of his wand.

"Running into things head-first is a good way to get your-self killed son," David said seeing the determination in Neville's eyes. Knowing that he wasn't being listened too, he looked over at his crying daughter and instantly changed tactics. "You said you wouldn't allow Alaire to be harmed, if you leave now you will be doing just that. Just look at her, she is coming apart at-the-seams already. How about you take care of your girlfriend first, by getting her safely upstairs and then we'll both try to find out what's going on?"

Neville paused and glanced over toward a sobbing… trembling in fear Alaire being literally held upright by her mother and then nodded his reluctant-agreement. They waited uneasily for an elevator, the two women holding each other in mutual support while the men fingering their wands nervously, Neville's back was to the Goodnights as they waited …in a semi-rearguard position, David noticed this and smiled in approval. When the elevator arrived Neville backed into it, never taking his off of the lobby always scanning it for any potential threat.

Once back to their hotel suite, Neville instantly moved over to the window, which was half-way up the building and therefore high enough - above street level - to be clear of the surrounding buildings …thus Neville could now see the Mark clearly. In the distance, off to the left …a second Dark-Mark was floating ominously grinning at its twin.

"What are we going to do?" Jeraldine asked in a tight voice.

"I still should go. They might need help."

The Goodnight females turned and stared at Neville as if he had suddenly grown horns. "What!" Jeraldine said surprised as Alaire screeched hysterically in her arms. "You can't go out there! You could get hurt! Or killed or, or . . ."

"My friends in the DA might be out there already," Neville said taking the messenger galleon he always carried out of his pocket…he then touched the coin …it glowed golden briefly and then he whispered into it …like it was a microphone, "Death Eater attack in London, awaiting orders."

"Orders …you sound like a soldier." Jeraldine said still worried

"In a way …I am," Neville retorted sternly. "I've been trained for just this kind of thing."

"Neville, you're just a kid, how can you possible have gotten combat training?" Dave said skeptically.

"Long story" Neville replied sadly with a shrug of his shoulders.

"No one is going anywhere right now!" David snarled. "I say we wait. I will not risk losing my family to some Death-Eater. We need to know what's going on first."

"Could we contact the ministry?" Jeraldine asked

"Our magical government is generally incompetent at the best of times and during a crisis of this magnitude, bungling turns into Chaos… so ...no sense in wasting the time," Neville admitted.

And awkward silence followed

"I really should go, The Death Eaters could be attacking St. Mungo's as we speak," Neville said in a tight voice. "They might be trying to finish off what they started with my parents."

Alaire pulled Neville tight against her.

"They're safe, Neville. I would know if something had happened. I promise, sweetheart. They're safe." Alaire felt him relax a bit.

"I'd still like to know . . ."

"But-"

"But, nothing;" Jeraldine's irritated voice cut across the room. "We wait. If the Ministry needs two Americans with no experience in fighting Death Eaters and two teenagers still in school, they will owl us.

"You're right of course; you are American's, which means this isn't your war," Neville said more sharply than he intended too.

"You're right ...this isn't our fight; but aren't these guys' just urban-terrorists, like the magical KKK fromback-home," David asked. "I've read about this Death-Eater criminal-gang of yours; even did some consulting work a few years back. Killers and pure-blood extremists is all they are and every country on the planet has their-own version of these kind of thugs.

"I hate to tell you this sir, but you've been greatly-misinformed. The Death Eater movement in England is not a criminal-gang; the truth is …there has been a full scale civil-war going on in this country for almost three years now. I imagine that the Minister of Magic has downplayed the attacks in the press …so as not to affect tourism.

"Oh my God?" Jeraldine exclaimed stunned.

"Why wasn't the American government told?" David growled.

"No idea," Neville said with another casual shrug of his shoulders. "That's something you might want to ask your U.S. ambassador …if you get the chance. However, as most of the fighting …until tonight anyway …has been kept out-of Muggle areas, I imagine keeping a lid on things has been relatively easy for the Ministry.

"If tonight is any judge, I'd say these Death Eaters of yours have escalated this-war up a notch or two." Jeraldine said with contempt.

"Spot-on, you got that in one go. An attack here in London means you-know-who's shadow-war is entering a new …more-open phase," Neville said thinking out loud. "I need to get you all of you out of London. Shift your family to a safer location. But to do that I need to contact someone in the DA as to where to take you."

"Waiting for orders is a good idea, so is going somewhere safer than an undefended Muggle hotel. But until someone contacts us, we simply get ready", Jeraldine said firmly. "Alaire, you and Neville pull together an overnight bag. Put in just the basics. David will do the same. I'm going to make us some coffee. It may be a long night."

Neville didn't want to pack an overnight bag. He wanted to run out of the building to his parents. He wanted to do something, anything, but one look at Alaire's parents stopped him. They were scared foreigners virtually-alone in a London under attack. For once, someone needed him.

"You're right," Neville sighed in a resigned tone.

Alaire looked up at him amazed.

"We need to stay calm. You don't know what a Death Eater looks like …and I do. I even know the faces of most of their leadership cadre. We'll pack a couple of bags …then we can look at a map to discuss some escape routes if we need them. Mr. Goodnight, could you help me put up some extra defensive wards on this suite and warning wards on the hallway and stair-wells?"

"Good thinking. Forget the coffee, Jeraldine. You pack. Neville and I will put up some wards."

Marching out of the suite and down the hallway to the elevator, David watched in stunned surprise as Neville wove a complex and subtle warning hex on the stairway and elevator.

"When this is over boy, you and I are going to have a long-talk" David said more than a little miffed. "I want to know all you can tell me about this civil-war of yours. I hate being blindsided like this".

"I haven't deliberately held anything from you sir; I just assumed you and your wife knew all about this war; after all …you are related the Crabbe family."

"My nephew Vincent is involved in this?"

"Well, in a way …yes sir, his dad is a Death Eater."

"He's a WHAT!"

OoOoOoOo

Fifteen minutes later found the entire Goodnight family with their bags packed in the sitting room of their suite watching the Marks slowly fade, Alaire was franticly explaining to her parents how little she personally knew of Death Eaters …telling them over and over how cut off from the conflict she was at Hogwarts.

Neville on the other hand, sat in a chair alone …his wand out, facing the hallway door into the suite guarding the Goodnights. They were all surprised by an owl that suddenly was pecking at their window. Jeraldine waved her wand the window vanished letting the owl fly in. She untied the note and handed it to David… Neville didn't move, remaining at his post

"It's for you, David. Read it out loud."

OoOoOoOo

"Dear Mr. Goodnight,

Do not be alarmed. The two death Eater attacks tonight although serious …were poorly executed and failed to do more that superficial damage. Injuries were few and none fatal. The two Dark Marks you have seen …normally a sign of death …were put up into the air as a diversion, during a hasty retreat and do not actually denote a fatality. These Marks are now being taken care of.

However, the situation is still fluid and it is not completely safe for non-essential wizards to be out and about tonight. I must however ask a personal favor of you. The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley has been damaged and is in danger of collapsing. I have been told that before going into the legal field, you spent most of your youth in magical-construction along side your brothers in your fathers 'Goodnight Building Company.' Could you floo directly there and help Arthur Weasley save the pub?

With sincere thanks,

I remain your humble servant.

A. Dumbledore"

Oooooo

P.S; a note to; Neville Longbottom,

As a member in good standing of the Defense Association and the son of two members of the Order of the Phoenix, although the likelihood of further attacks is small …I command you to stay where-you-are and guard the Americans.

Set up whatever discrete defenses you feel necessary, keeping in mind the Secrecy-act concerning the Muggle's all around you. You are authorized to use deadly force only to defend the Americans from direct life-threatening harm.

Albus

OoOoOoOo

They looked at each other dumbfounded.

"Well, that answers a bunch of questions," said Jeraldine.

"And offers up even more …I should go," David said heading toward the door.

"What?" asked Jeraldine? "You think you are going out there to Gods know what and leaving us here? Are you mad?" Jeraldine voice had grown ice cold with anger.

"No, I'm not leaving you here to worry. I'm leaving you here to be safe …under Neville's protection, whose defense against the Dark-arts skills …believe-me …far surpassed anything we were taught back in the U.S. If I'm not back in five hours, you are to pack up and have Neville personally escort you both to Paris. My French cousins can take you in; from there you and Alaire can get a Portkey back to the States."

"And leave you behind …in a war zone?" Jeraldine was starting to get hysterical while Alaire simply clung to Neville's arm as if she would never let go.

"Jeraldine, Neville's right …this isn't our conflict. But they've asked for my help and I damn-well going to give it."

Jeraldine sighed. "David, don't act like this. We didn't come to London to get involved in a war."

David pulled her close. "I know dear. But if they need me, I can't say no. My father fought in the Muggle war over here. He always told me to keep my honor. I can help. I've got to go."

Jeraldine nodded. "Manly honor is stupid. But I do understand. Did Dumbledore tell you where the closest linked fireplace was?"

"Here, actually, in this hotel… apparently the place is owned by the squib brother of several Muggleborn's. It's only to be used in emergencies and I guess this attack; qualifies. I'll keep the Portkey so I can get back."

"Where is this fireplace?" Jeraldine asked as David led them downstairs.

"In the bar downstairs, right next to the lobby, it's supposed to be just for looks but Dumbledore had it linked for us …to use in an emergency."

OoOoOoOo

As no-one wanted to be left behind they-all went down to the lobby, off to one side was an attached pub which was still full of loads people celebrating the New Year.

"How are you going to get into the fireplace now?" Jeraldine asked.

"We need a diversion. Any ideas, guys?," David asked

"How about a magic show?" asked Alaire with a sly grin?

A few moments later most of the pub was watching Alaire, Neville, and Jeraldine pull coins, rabbits, and pints of beer out of people's ears, pockets, and hats. It was only when they saw a flash of green did they pull their final trick.

"Ready, guys? When I say run, run to the hotel stairs as fast as you can." Jeraldine turned to the crowd. "I'm sorry we can't stay any longer! We will all turn into pumpkins if we don't get home soon. I bid you Adieu!"

She made a quick movement with her wand and there was a bright flash and a-bit of smoke. "Now!" They all ran for the nearby stairs. When the smoke cleared, everyone was gone and the pub goers were thoroughly entertained.

OoOoOo

Chapter 32

When David stepped out of the fireplace, he gasped for air. Half of the pub was gone. There had been a fire-ball explosion with massive devastation done to the interior. Two of the load-baring walls had blasted out into the Alley-way with only the pub's fire wards holding the structure upright.

"What in the world!" David drew his wand and quickly spied several heads of red hair gathered together outside the carnage on the street. Could they be the same Weasley that he played chess with? Cautiously stepping over fallen beams and rubble, he made his way over to the group.

"Can I help?" David asked. The oldest of the group, Arthur Weasley, turned suddenly at the odd voice. David quickly put his hands up.

"David Goodnight …from America …my daughter Alaire dates one of those Gryffindor fellows up at Hogwarts. We saw the Dark Marks and Dumbledore asked me to help."

Arthur quickly put his hand out to shake David's.

"I'm afraid there's not much we can do now. The pub's all but gone and so are the blasted Death-Eaters."

"Do you know what happened?"

"A fight broke-out in the pub. Some young wizards got pissed-drunk and started throwing curses around. Turned out one of the lads had Death Eater sympathies. He threw out the first mark and blew-up the pub with a fireball hex to cover his get-away.

Oddly enough …as fate would have it. The real Death Eater's front-liner's had made plans to attack Gringotts tonight as well. They were more that a-bit surprised to see another Dark Mark pop-up just down the lane from their own attack. In the confusion, that followed, Aurors arrived and an anything-but-nice wand-battle erupted.

The Death Eaters managed to get away before any of them got caught …alive; or before they could do any major damage to the bank. There are all sorts of minor property damage about, including to my son's joke shop. Not half-as much damage as my youngest son did while having a little chat with his twin brothers, awhile back… but nothing that can't be fixed. The pub, however …the Leaky Cauldron, will never be the same."

"Your right, especially if we don't get that upper floor shored up," David commented. Arthur looked at him quizzically. "The reason Dumbledore contacted me was …I-I use to work on building houses back in the States. I'm a hands-on architect of sorts …it's in my blood. My family has been in magical-construction for generations.

"That main beam of the upper floor is starting to bend dangerously." Fred pointed out

Even as David looked, the timber began to groan under its own weight.

"Boys; quick! Put some stabilizing spells on that beam!" Mr. Weasley commanded. "We'll have to find something to physical support it, though."

"Do you have a crane?" David asked.

"A what? …Oh, you mean a Muggle crane! Afraid-not," Arthur exclaimed. "And we can't call the Muggle's in for help. The front door from Diagon Alley into Muggle London has jammed shut."

"Then you've got two choices: up or down. And down won't be pretty." David replied

The beam moaned again.

"I rather it be up, if you don't mind, otherwise the Death Eaters win.

"How about a couple of those iron lamp-posts?," David said pointing to the nearest ones.

"Yes …that's the ticket! Quick!" Arthur said - and a moment later, two lamp-posts had been uprooted and moved into the positions that David indicated to be vital for load-baring.

"Do you own the pub, Mr. Weasley?" David said while directing Fred and George

"No …It just got a new owner, as a matter of fact. The Abbott family owns it now, Hanna a girl right-out of Ravenclaw …will be running the place after it gets repaired. She inherited from her Uncle Tom who passed away from natural causes about four months ago. I - I …Oh, good …yes that's it …gently now," Arthur said as David watched as the men magically lowered the upper structure onto the iron posts.

"There. That should hold it until the Abbotts can decide what to do with things."

David quickly examined what he could see of the rest of the pub. And then he and Mr. Weasley put up some more stabilizing spells, until wooden braces could be brought in the morning.

Turning to David, Arthur said, "Thanks for your help. I'm afraid I'm not much good about building stuff. We called Dumbledore and he remembered that you were in London. Thank Merlin for bullet-owls."

"Were any of your family injured during the ruckus?" David asked.

"No thank-Merlin", Arthur replied greatly relived. "I sent William, one of my other sons …to check on my youngest, who's been spending the holiday with his fiancée and her Muggle family.

Another groan came the building as the weight settled properly on the posts

"He didn't have to stay long; however, in fact he's over there helping his twin bothers right now," Arthur said pointing out his oldest son.

"Anyone hurt at the Muggle house?"

"No, and it's a good thing the Death Eaters didn't try. I have to remember to speak to Albus about Ronald," Arthur said absentmindedly and when he saw David's puzzled expression he felt the need to explain further.

"Apparently my youngest son, saw the Dark-marks just as you did …and instinctively …without a wand in his hand …or speaking the incantation out-loud …threw-up a defensive ward …that according to my oldest son William …is the strongest ward he has ever encountered …easily surpassing those that protect the Ministry of Magic or Hogwarts… combined. My oldest-son works for Gringotts, specializing in security-wards; both putting them up and taking them down …and it takes a-lot to impress him.

"And your youngest son did that… I take it. To be honest I don't know all that much about security wards." David admitted.

"I'm not surprised; your country is at peace. Let's just say… that it takes loads of magical energy to create an impregnable ward for a Manor-house of the size the Grangers live in," Arthur pointed out in a worried tone. "It normally takes lots of time and more than one wizard to do a job so big, and yet my youngest son, all by himself, created such a shield… instantly.

"But what I find even more disturbing is the fact …that when William arrived at the Grangers, my son was behind this unbreakable shield sitting on the stoop next to Hermione …his Muggle-born fiancée …his wand on the step next to him, with both his hands …literally glowing bluish-white …pulsing with immense magical power.

"That's most unusual… isn't it?"

"Very, especial as it was wand-less magic."

"Does your family have a history of producing extra powerful wizards?"

"No, but it also makes me wonder about my daughter Ginerva"

"Ginerva, I think I met her at a party my wife threw just before the Christmas break began. Is she as powerful as her brother?" David asked.

"No, I don't think so… magical power wise she is about average. But what she lacks in strength; she more than makes up for in pranking cleverness". A noise off in the distance startled Arthur out of his musings and he glanced over at David suddenly realizing how indiscrete he was being with the American.

"Sorry to burden you with my family's problems, I have no idea what processed me to ramble on like that", Arthur said in way of an apology. You, um, should probably get back to wherever you're staying, though. Things are still a-bit twitchy around here. Where are you staying?

"It's a squib owned Muggle-hotel, not far from here."

"Would you like my William to put some security-wards on your rooms?

"No-thank-you, that won't be necessary; my daughter's boyfriend has already done that."

"Who's that?"

"Neville …Neville Longbottom."

"Neville you say, well never-mind then, Albus tells me; he's a force to be reckoned with, defense wise. One of the top five in his year …Defense wise," Arthur said in praise.

"I think I have underestimated that boy,"

"A lot of people do; I'm told. Well …we're done here, I think. I'll be sure to tell Albus that I saw you though." Arthur said shaking the American's hand again.

David smiled back at them all and waved at the other Weasleys. He could sense that he was being dismissed. "Um –sure; nice to meet you Mr. Weasley, if you need any more help, be sure to owl me."

"I-We… will, we will. I'm sure Hanna will want to thank you for saving the Cauldron here."

"No problem." David pulled the keychain out of his pocket. "Bye!"

David again waved at the odd group that had assembled at the pub and pushed the button to activate the Portkey.

OoOoOoOo

Meanwhile; back in the hotel suite,

Jeraldine and Alaire had collapsed on the bed in the master suite torn between pretending to laugh at the show on the telly …and worry over David. Neville meanwhile; sat in the next room in the dark lounge of the suite …still at his post guarding the door. Although was now far less tense, he had been somewhat reassured when he had glanced out the window and saw that the two Dark-Marks had now almost faded into nothingness.

"Oh, I feel a headache coming on," he heard Alaire mutter to herself from the master-bedroom.

"Want some water for your medications?" Her mother asked?

"Yes mother …Alaire replied.

"Where are your med's?" Jeraldine asked.

"I don't know off hand …but I'm sure Neville does".

"Oh, is that so, does that mean you've come to depend on him to take care of your needs"?

"Yes mother, both in and out of the bedroom.

"Don't let your father hear that," Jeraldine warned with a soft laugh.

"Of course not; I don't want my boyfriend killed."

Neville was now blushing extremely hard. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but his ears were burning anyway. He got-up from his seat and went thru the bag next to the door, he found Alaire's med necklace and turning around saw that his girlfriend had lain-down on the couch in the lounge just a meter away. She took her meds he handed her …and then …intertwining her fingers into his …fell asleep almost immediately.

"She hasn't done that in a long time," Neville told Jeraldine who stood in the doorway into the mater-bedroom. "The last time, well, the only time she had to take her medicine, she stayed awake."

"I doubt it's the medicine, Neville. We're all just plain tired. It's almost two in the morning. Why don't you go and lay-down and get some sleep? I'll guard the door and wake you if we need to leave."

Neville shook his head. "No; thank-you, I'll wait up with you. I'm too worked up to sleep right now anyway."

"I understand, dear." Jeraldine walked over to where Neville sat facing the door and stared out the window at the fading Marks.

"I remember the first War," Jeraldine finally said softly. "Reports started coming to the States that a very powerful wizard was trying to take over… here in England. We weren't sure what to do. Send troops – or- Stay out of the way? Then suddenly it was all over. Voldemort was gone …defeated by a one year old child." She gave him a curious look. "America sent help to try and rebuild what we could. David and I spent a few weeks reviewing the contracts to help rebuild Diagon Alley … looks like we may be doing that again. I guess I thought it was all over. I thought it was safe for Alaire to be here."

"It's not." Neville said sadly

The two words fell like lead weights between them.

"Neville, there's something you haven't told us, isn't there?"

Neville nodded. He glanced at Alaire to make sure that she was asleep. "Voldemort kidnapped Harry and managed to regain his body three years ago. The Ministry refused to believe that he was back. But a few students believed Harry. We formed a secret club called the Defense Association, but everyone mistakenly called it Dumbledore's Army. The goal of this club was to practice self-defense against the Dark Arts in ways beyond… what the "DE" sympathizers' entrenched within the Ministry… wanted to teach us.

"Do you know how to duel?" Jeraldine asked, having never taken-up the hobby back-home.

"Not really, duels have rules that Death Eaters don't follow. Harry taught us …how's the best way to say it; 'Barroom brawl style'. I've been taught to fight, winner-take-all, and in a war like this one, that's the only way to fight." It's a good thing we learned it that way, too. two years ago... during our fifth year, Harry was lured to the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry. Five of us went with him. We fought a pack of Death Eaters there."

Jeraldine sat down in a chair by Neville then pulled out a wand and conjured a cup of coffee. Her face had gone pale. "Dumbledore …your Ministry …our ambassador …no one …told us any of this."

"I'm not surprised really, that was Voldemort's, first public appearance in fourteen years," Neville replied refusing to let-go of Alaire's hand. "Our previous Minister of Magic had made a fool of himself for months prior to that, claiming the dark-lord to be dead… lost his position as a result of that error… by-the-way. We have a new Minister now; a former-Auror …but he's no-more effective against the 'DE's than Fudge was.

"You see there was a top-secret prophecy that involved the Dark-Lord and Harry. You-Know-Who had heard only half of it and wanted the other half, with Harry being the only bloke that could open it. So You-Know-Who lured Harry to the Department of Mysteries by telling him that his god-father was being tortured. We wouldn't let Harry go alone."

"Who were… we?"

"Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and my-self. We all got hurt one way or the other during the fighting. Hermione was hit with a slashing-curse and almost died. But I truly believe that Ron got the worst of it that night …for he was attacked by a tentacles-covered gigantic-brain that the Ministry was experimenting on. He seemed fine afterwards… but I can't help but wonder if that 'brain attack' is the root-cause behind the blue-glow magical power surges that Ron has experienced this year. "

"What happened to you, Neville?"

No one had really asked him that except his Gran. He had given her the cut and dried story but he felt compelled to tell Jeraldine more. "I tried my best to help …but it seemed to never work right. I knocked Harry's wand away from him by accident. I got my nose broken. I got my own wand broken. And then, I broke the prophecy. I was a complete and utter failure."

"But you survived."

"I did …but Sirius, Harry's god-father, didn't. Bellatrix Lestrange killed him and she was the same witch that …." A heavy silence fell between them.

"…and she also hexed your parents into insanity?" Jeraldine asked in a whisper.

Neville nodded his head once in response,

"I had no idea about any of this. I don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say." Neville let go of Alaire's hand… stood and went to the window staring off at the now empty night sky. He pressed his forehead against the glass and screwed his eyes shut. "The summer after that battle, I had my grandmother hire a private tutor to teach me wand combat, among other things. That's why I know how to set up powerful security wards for a hotel room. But I still have my limits …with this hotel suite about as big a defensive ward that I can manage to put-up …on my own.

Anyroad …everyday for the three months for the last two summer holiday's …I gone through simulated combat drills under the tutelage of some of the best retired Ministry Hit-wizards in England. I have learned to fight dirty, with and without a wand. I've learned to kill with knife, sword and my bare hands. I'm as ready as I can be for this war …but Alaire isn't.

There was a moment of painful silence and then …

"So; I want you to take your daughter back to the States," Neville whispered as his heart broke into a million pieces.

"Oh, Merlin …don't say that." Jeraldine said with a gasp.

"I have to. If something happened to her, I'd never forgive myself. Take her home where she will be safe. When the war is over, if I'm still alive and she wants to come back, she can."

"It's her decision too, Neville. And I know that with you here …she won't want to go."

"She has to," Neville said as he started to tear-up. "You Americans don't require seven years of defense against the dark-arts in your magical schools just to cross the lane… and dueling is considered a extra-circular sport …like Quidditch is over here; Alaire told me that herself.

"I've had to put myself through extra training just to become half-way competent in a combat situation and there are loads of wizards out-there …better than me. Alaire on the other-hand; has never gotten any training at all in wand combat … or been in a life-or-death wand fight; not even once …in her entire life. "

Jeraldine sighed. "I wish I knew what to do. I'll have to talk to David and being naturally overly-protective I'm sure he'll agree with you Alaire would be safer elsewhere. However, what my well-intentioned husband won't take into account… is the fact that making Alaire do something she doesn't want to do, will be border-line impossible… to say the least. She was stubborn as a child; an attitude made doubly-difficult after she legally became an adult.

"I'm an adult by Wizarding Law over here; but reaching chronological-adulthood hasn't made me any wiser. Stubbornness in the face of danger is just stupid, for that's how we got hurt during the Ministry-battle… two years ago. Harry wouldn't listen to reason …instead he rushed-in …where angles…" Neville then paused as his fears escalated. "You've got to get Alaire to realize that; I'm not someone …worth dying for…" Neville said desperately …although his voice fading away into silence at the end.

"Don't underestimate your value to Alaire; she seems to think you're the best thing to happen to her …in a very-long time and I agree with her. She also tends to act emotionally-first and think logically-later…like her father. I remember when she decided that she wanted to learn to fly on a broom. She didn't wait for lessons. – Nope -. She just grabbed a broom, went to the hayloft, and jumped. She had gotten a plain old Muggle broom that we kept around for odd chores …broke her arm in three places."

Neville smiled sadly. "I can see her doing that."

"Alaire thrives on adventure. I also think she knew that the peace here was fragile …but she came anyway. Not one of her letters home mentioned any of this either …the scamp". Jeraldine said thinking out loud. "I'm still in shock that my nephew Vincent didn't clue us in to what was really going on over here, my sister too. Maybe the signs were all there and I just chose to ignore them …after all she needed a fresh start …so badly. I don't know if I can take her home when she is so happy here …but I'd do anything to protect her."

"Then take her to France. Enroll her in the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. It has an excellent reputation as a magical school. I'm told and there are full emersion language spells, which can have, Alaire; reading, speaking and writing French like a native …in minutes."

"I imagine it too much to ask for you to transfer to Beauxbatons as well?" Jeraldine asked although she already knew the answer.

"I'm English born and breed, I can't abandon my mates. Besides …I've survived so far, haven't I?"

"Can you survive losing Alaire to a French boyfriend?" Jeraldine asked.

What followed was a painfully-long… drawn-out, silence.

Neville couldn't answer her. A lump had formed in his throat as he thought of Hogwarts without Alaire. It grew larger when he thought of Alaire shamelessly starkers …while shagging some prat-frog. Luckily this vision of disaster was interrupted by a magical warning alarm indicating that a wizard had exited the elevator on their floor.

Neville's wand was in his hand and pointed at the door from cover long before Jeraldine …still standing by the window realized what the alarm meant. It was only after David had answered a couple of personal question that only his wife knew the answer to …that Neville finally agreed to lower his wand.

"David!" Jeraldine flew across the floor embracing him soot and all.

"Daddy!," Alaire squeaked as the girl suddenly awoke and flew into her fathers arms.

Neville didn't know what to do, he felt uncomfortable as an outsider by being in the same room during this emotional family reunion. He was of course glad to see Alaire's dad had returned unharmed …but it didn't seem right to bare witness to this joyful family hug. David solved the problem. He strode across the floor and gave Neville a brief manly hug.

"Well …what happened tonight?" Jeraldine asked

"The Leaky Cauldron is going to need a lot of repairs. Some drunks got into a fight and burnt-down half of it. One of them threw a Dark Mark just as a scare tactic." David sat down with a sigh and closed his eyes. "But at the same time there actually was a REAL Death Eater attempt to try to rob Gringotts going on at the same time. But, according to Mr. Weasley …"

"…Ron Weasley's Dad?," Neville interrupted in a surprised voice.

"The same - the same red hair… - the same height. And, I think I saw about four more of them there, as well. Anyway, according to him, when the real Death Eaters saw the fake Mark it spooked them off. By the way, do the names Malfoy and Lestrange mean anything to you, Neville?"

Neville went pale; "Yes, sir. Both are high ranking Death Eaters." He closed his eyes for a moment gathering courage. "It was Bellatrix Lestrange that tortured my parents."

David's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, son. Their names were mentioned today at the pub. Mr. Weasley tried to distract me …but I heard several people mention their names."

"They escaped from Azkaban awhile ago. I suppose that's why Dumbledore wanted me to stay here as guard."

"I think they led the attack on the bank and then …they escaped again. I'm sorry." David said.

Neville nodded. He already knew that the two people he hated in the most in this world were involved up to there teeth in the second Death Eater insurrection, just as they had been in the first.

"But, Neville, I want you to know that you did the right thing staying here. There was nothing you could have done out-there tonight. I wasn't all that much help my-self."

Alaire looked up at her father. "You tried to help that's all that's important. So I'm proud of you." After that pronouncement all the fight left David Goodnight.

"Well, then. Let's all try to get some sleep. We'll try to get the facts in the morning." David let Jeraldine guided him into their bedroom without the usual menacing glare that he normally gave Neville …before everyone went to bed.

"Come on, let's go change and get some rest," Alaire said.

"But, I still want to go over to St. Mungo and see that my parents are alright."

"No." Alaire said hands on hips, looking down her nose with a grim look of determination on her face. Neville knew what that posture meant from Ginny, but he couldn't give-up without one last protest.

"There still might be Death Eaters lurking about. I need to go back and make sure. I need to make sure that Le Strange wasn't there. I need to see that they are safe."

"No, you don't," Alaire said stomping her foot. "If you go I'll just follow you."

"No, you won't."

"Yes, I will!" Alaire said in a harsh whisper, as she tried not to bring any parental attention their way. "Deep down, you know I will!"

Neville sighed. "It's just – I can't – why? You just – it's – the thing is –"

"Neville, you're so tired that you're babbling. We'll talk, argue, or fight about it in the morning." Alaire leaned over and kissed him; "Neville …please?"

He sighed and gave in …as usual. He picked up her luggage from next to the door. Then he followed her into a small bedroom on the other side of the suite lounge from the master bedroom. Opening her suitcase he pulled out her pajamas and meds necklace. Alaire then went into the bathroom and changed. When she came out, she found Neville still fully dressed and sitting in the chair that was furthest from the bed …waiting to tuck her in.

"Why aren't you undressed?"

"Well basically it's because my room is across the hall," Neville replied tersely feeling more than a little tired

"You're not sleeping over there tonight. You're sleeping with me." Alaire growled like an upset lioness, hands on hips glaring again at her boyfriend. "If you think I'm sleeping alone tonight of all nights… you're out of your frigin-mind. My Dad didn't set wards on my bed, I asked my mom and besides; now that I know… that you know full-well how to take them down ...sleeping with you isn't going to be a problem."

"I don't think this is a good idea, Alaire."

"For once, Neville, I really don't care what you think. Now off with your clothing get in that bed and budge over."

"If your father finds me asleep in here, he'll kill us. No, he'll just kill me."

"Neville, I'm 18. You're 17, and that means we're both of age in this crazy country. The equivalent of magical Nazi's just threatened our very existence and destroyed half of Diagon Alley. I think Daddy would understand my need for a little comfort tonight. I swear… you'd rather fight Death Eater's than argue with my father!"

"You're not too far off …with that."

"Well, don't hold your breath, Neville. You might get your wish sooner than we all thought."

Neville just stared at her. "You know, you've just signed my death warrant, but alright Alaire, you win …like always. But after I'm de-balled permanently and your dad drags you off to spent the next twenty years of your life in an American convent. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"God, Neville, your being ridiculous, I'm not catholic so I can't be sent to a convent. Look at me …I'm so tired I'm saying really stupid stuff too. Everything will be better in the morning. Let's get some sleep."

"Fine. Here." He scooted over and gave her some room on the bed.

"If Daddy comes in, I promise to tell him it was my idea."

"Fine."

"Just make sure you stay covered up."

"Fine." Neville started to close his eyes when a thought accrued to him…"Why?"

"Well, because every time we've 'slept' together, you woke up with a …" her voice trailed off.

"Go on, explain. How do I normally wake up, Alaire?" he asked amused.

"OK, now you're being horrid! You know what I mean!"

"Nope; not a clue."

"I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Good. Now we can get some sleep." Neville pretended to softly snore.

"After all we've been through tonight, you-you . . . OH!"

"Got you."

"Neville Longbottom, you're going to pay for teasing me."

"Mmm… Good… Later, though. I am going to sleep." He rolled over and turned his back on Alaire.

Alaire simply chuckled and cuddled up next to him. "Oh, you'll pay alright."

OoOoOoOo

At six am the following morning, January first 1998 David Goodnights internal alarm went off as it always did. After only four hours of sleep, David's first reaction was to roll over and try to go back to sleep, but something in the back of his mind nagged at him …something was off and he laid there looking up at the ceiling trying to figure-out what felt so wrong to him.

Suddenly it hit him like a ton of bricks; He hadn't seen Neville leave for his own room across the hall. Uncontrollable protective fatherly-rage sourced through every inch of David's body. Carefully so as not to wake his wife, he slipped out of bed picked up his wand and tipped-toed out of the master bedroom …his sharp mind debating different ways to disembowel a horny teenage boy.

He was half-way across the lounge when out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a blanket covered lump laying on the floor directly in front of the door that led into the hotel outer hallway. The sight stopped David dead in his tracks. Turning he moved closer, and then suddenly

"Stupefy" …a bolt of magic hit David Goodnight square in the chest. And everything went dark.

OoOoOoOo

"Mr. Goodnight …sir? I'm so-sorry …I didn't know it was you …I was half-asleep and…"

"Neville …you hexed me," David said in stunned surprise as he open his eyes and sat up on the floor of the lounge.

"Yes sir, I sorry."

"What were you doing sleeping by the door?" David asked as he slowly regained his feet

"Doing what I said I'd do, sir"

"And what's that?"

"Keeping Alaire from harm,"

"And how does sleeping on the floor …out here …do that?," David asked his mind still to hex-muddled to connect the dots.

"To get to her, they have to come through that door," Neville said …pointing at the door to the outer hallway.

"Oh yeah …I get that …stupid of me. And if I send you …to your room across the hall, I'll find you sitting in front of that door an hour from now …won't I?"

"Most likely," Neville replied blushing hard

"Help me move the couch over to in front of the door, you'll be more comfortable."

"Yes sir, and again I am sorry."

"Yeah …yeah …just don't tell the girls you hexed me …okay?"

Chapter 33

After the New Year's Eve incidents, the magical world press had a field day. Headlines declared a Great Britain to be in a state of open civil war. The Muggle Prime Minister called the Minister of Magic; Rufus Scrimgeour in for what the press called 'Consultations'. Magical tourist fled the country in droves, and for several days' thereafter crazy rumors of an imminent Death Eater take-over of the government; ran amok.

In the light of this mass-media melt-down; Neville had been allowed to spend only one more day with the Goodnights; before David at breakfast the following morning …announce an abrupt change in plans and in-spite of Alaire's fierce opposition, David Goodnight packed up his family with the intention of spending the remaining week of break in Paris.

Neville returned to his Gran, but managed to spend most of the remaining Christmas-hol at St. Mungo's visiting with his parents. His father still seemed to look right through him but he could swear that his mother seemed to get a twinkle in her eyes when he walked in the door. When not at hospital, He worked on some NEWT revisions or read the Daily-Prophet editorial rants against the government and the Minister of Magical comical attempts to reassure the Wizarding public that the situation was not as bad as feared.

Perhaps the worst part of his forced-exile from Alaire was the sexual tension that seemed to occupy Neville's every waking moment. He hadn't expected it to be so bad. He had only been dating Alaire for a few weeks but now it seemed that he couldn't function properly without her. Every night he mentally-replayed all the kisses, touches, and caresses that they had shared. It didn't help. Nope, didn't help at all.

Then there was the fear that Alaire wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts at all. He hadn't spoken with David and Jeraldine again about the danger of Alaire staying in England. But he hoped that David had understood Neville's protective feelings as Jeraldine had explained them.

He correctly guessed that part of Mr. Goodnight's sudden desire to visit France had been to have a good-hard-look into Beauxbatons Academy of Magic which was said to be located near Marseilles. Neville never said a word to Alaire about his advice to Jeraldine to transfer her to the French school, knowing in his heart that she would be safer there. He only knew that when/if he saw her next it would either be to say hello and to finish the term or to say goodbye, perhaps forever.

OoOoOoOo

Sunday; Fifth of January, 1998. Kings-Cross rail station;

OoOoOoOo

Neville stood on the train platform at Kings Cross waiting. Headmaster Dumbledore had arranged with the Board of Governors for him to return to Hogwarts on the express instead of by Portkey as his girls-dorm infraction punishment had required. He was to make the trip in a special compartment at the front of the train in a carriage normally set-aside for returning teachers.

Soon students began filtering past him, some nodding and saying hello. Others were obviously having a difficult time separating from their families. He noticed a few people hanging around the edges of the platform with wands drawn. "Aurors," he thought to himself with a sigh.

"Neville!" He hear someone shout from behind - and turning he saw Alaire rushing toward him. She grabbed him in a tight hug then she whispered in his ear, "We are going to have a long TALK once the train starts moving."

"On the train," he repeated delighted. "You're going back to Hogwarts?"

She pulled back a bit and gave him a look that made him understand David and Jeraldine's relationship better than ever. For Neville was literally afraid to breathe. The glare he was receiving from Alaire had him frozen in his shoes.

"Yes, I'm going back to Hogwarts. And, if you're lucky, I'll let you carry my trunk!"

"Neville!" David stepped forward in a sudden burst of sympathy for the young man. "I guess you're trunk is already on the train. Let's get Alaire's loaded-up."

"Yes, let's." Alaire turned and stomped after her father who had moved off toward the baggage-carriage at the front of the train.

Neville simply stood there gob-smacked in the wake of a whirlwind of feminine determination and watched Alaire march-off head high. I stood motionless until he felt Jeraldine's hand on his shoulder. "I told you that she would stay."

"But-"

"But nothing. Now get on that train with the girl you worship and try to explain your reasoning. Explain that you love her. Tell her that you just wanted to protect her. We've already talked to her. She just needs to hear it from you."

Neville gulped and gave her a sheepish look.

"If you stood up to Death Eaters?, You can also stand up to Alaire."

"Yeah; right ! But Death-eaters aren't half as scary as she can be," Neville replied making Jeraldine chuckle

Neville walked on to the train to see David hand-over Alaire's trunk to an Auror, who did a brief security check of the truck …before levitating it up into the baggage car.

"So, I guess we need to say our goodbyes." David said briskly… as if in a hurry to be out of the danger-zone. Alaire threw her arms around her father and hugged him.

"Bye, sweetheart," David said. "Be good for me. I want you to do well in class, ya-hear?"

"Yes, Daddy …I promise."

David took Neville aside as his wife spoke to Alaire.

"She's fit to be tied son," he warned Neville. "We gave Beauxbatons a good hard look, like you suggested …but even the headmistress there, Madame Olympe Maxime …freely admitted that Hogwarts Herbology department was far superior to her own. She kept mentioning this botanist prodigy that the English school had… a young man with the potential to do marvelous things in that field. Once Alaire heard that …well …you can guess what happened after that.

The best advice I can give to you is to …apologize profusely and don't be above groveling if need be. Believe me you get use to it as the years go on. Well, you'll get use to that or to living in the doghouse."

"Yes sir," Neville said gulping. Jeraldine stepped forward and took her daughter into a hug.

"We'll contact you as soon as we get home. And we'll send you a Gumbo care-package as soon as we can! Be good like your father said." And then Jeraldine turned to Neville and said: I'm depending on you to protect my daughter …you'll do that for me …won't you?"

Yes …with my life

Jeraldine seemed happy with Neville's answer, Then the Goodnights extricated themselves from Alaire's arms and made their way the exit of the platform.

"So which carriage should we chose?" Alaire asked in a matter of fact tone.

"Harry, Ron and the others usually set-up in the third carriage back from the engine. Hermione being Head-girl this term will be in the first carriage in the Prefect compartment along with the returning teachers and the Auror detachment. That's where I have to sit, alone.

"What?"

"Part of my punishment"

"Shit …you know this punishment of yours is …" Alaire began only to be interrupted.

"…actually quite-light compared to the seriousness of the offense," Hermione said finishing Alaire sentence while walking up to the couple, with a really sour-faced Ron in tow.

"What eating Ron?" Alaire asked Hermione in a whisper

"I tell you later,"

"Neville! - Alaire!" The four students turned to see Ginny and Draco coming down the platform toward them… hand-in-hand. "I guess we're riding with you this trip. Is that OK?"

"Yeah, that's a great idea, actually," Neville said as a weight lifted off his shoulders. "I was hoping you'd all ride together? I on the other hand …get solitary confinement,"

"Actually Mr. Longbottom, you're wrong about that …the situation has recently changed," Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, clearly in the pudding club with ex-professor Remus Lupin's first cub… declared as she approached the group in a waddle-like gait. "Due to space limitation as a result of the added Auror presence on this trip, the original plan of having Mr. Longbottom ride alone in his own compartment has been altered. So the Weasley party of six …that you-lot …and the Potter party of four …a group composed of Harry, Daphne Greengrass, Luna Lovegood and Dean Thomas, will all be riding in the first carriage with the teaching staff.

"I don't understand."

"The two groups I've mentioned have been designated as high-risk targets by the Ministry," Tonks said as she guided the six students into the carriage and then down the passageway to the most forward of the passenger compartments in the carriage right behind the baggage-carriage. "After the New Year eve attack …our intelligence people determined that Hogwarts students have moved up the Death Eater list as prime targets for Death Eater assault. Miss Goodnight you're included in this group at the direct request of your American ambassador".

Neville then reached-over and took a suddenly worried Alaire's hand into his own. Tonks waited until the other Auror that had come over with Tonks as escort …had turned around and spoke one last time before she departed. "Look-guys, things are rather tense right now; the Canadian and Australian magical Governments have offered wizard-troops and the American's financial-aid to assistance in 'ending' our civil-war. Most Death-Eaters activity has been suspended …at least for the moment …but knowing you-know-who, things won't stay quite for long.

"So here are the rules; no wandering about, except to go to the Loo, there will be no going back and forth between carriages, just stay in your compartments for the entire trip". Hermione instantly began to form a protest but Tonks held up a hand to stop her. "I know what you're about to say Miss Head-girl, so don't bother. For the normal prefect meeting usually held on this train …has been already canceled, with all passageway patrols handled by the Auror's onboard. Now get in there, sit down and enjoy the trip, so I can get Harry on-board."

Ten minutes later, the train began to move while the six students in compartment one …began trading stories of where they were during the holiday.

"What did your parents think of London?" asked Hermione.

"We took in most of the sights, saw a Muggle stage-play and did some shopping in Muggle shops Alaire replied with mischief in her eyes."

"Did you go with them, Neville?" Ginny asked

"Yes, it was actually fun, you-know," Neville said casually.

Alaire began to giggle. "Yeah, shopping was loads of fun!"

"OK, what's that mean?" asked Ginny.

"Well . . ."

"Alaire, no, please," Neville pleaded as began to sink down in his seat.

"But it was so funny, honey!" Alaire said with extra sweetness.

Neville sat there and instinctively knew just what his pissed-off girlfriend was thinking. "It's time for Revenge. Try to send me off to Beauxbatons for my own good. Well now you pay."

"We went into a cosmetics store in Muggle London and Neville started smelling the men's colognes," Alaire began.

Everyone turned to look at Neville who just sank down further in his seat thinking to himself. "You deserve this, so sit still and take your medicine like a man."

"He tried one on and called me over to smell it …to get my approval. It smelled great! So I called my mom over and SHE smelled it." Ginny was giggling now and Hermione was grinning while Ron and Draco had started to snort. "SO Mom called over a sales girl and SHE smelled him. Then the sales girl called over …"

"Oh, no!"

The entire cabin erupted into laughter.

"Five sales-clerks, my mother, and me!"

"Now I know what a flower feels like," muttered Neville.

"Did you buy it? Have you got it with you?"

Neville leaned forward and Ginny and Hermione bent over eagerly.

"Oh, I can see why you got it! That's, hummm, wonderful," Ginny said breathlessly. "I want some."

"Oi! And why do you need some? You don't honestly think that I'll wear cologne that reminds you of …Longbottom" asked Draco suddenly-furious.

Ginny simply gave her boyfriend a look that would wither an oak causing Draco to instantly cower. Looking back at Alaire, she mouthed the words, "We'll talk later."

"Well, I like it as well," Hermione admitted with a small-smile at Neville. "You shouldn't be embarrassed about it. But I wouldn't advise you wearing it to class, especially around Lavender; she already thinks you're yummy."

Alaire suddenly lost all color in her face, as if her little story had backfired a-tad. For the last thing a Goodnight woman wanted was for her man to be suddenly made irresistible to other women.

"On second thought pet… Hermione's right, I don't want any hussy making time with what 'belongs' to me.

Ron laughed softly and then said to Hermione; "if you like it that much Luv - would you like me to get some?"

"No dear, I prefer the musk I just gave you for Christmas. Your scent is uniquely …you. I don't want you to smell like Neville …I want you to be …you," She said in a soft-husky and seductive tone …as she then took-hold of a lock of his hair turned his head kissed her boyfriend softly on the mouth.

"Is it anything like what you smelled in the Amortentia in old Horace Slughorn's potion class?" Ginny asked teasing.

"Very similar …yes," Hermione said slowly in a now; heavy, softly-panting, deeply-aroused voice as she turned to Ron. For the next twenty minutes no-one got any conversation out of Ron or Hermione. The cologne discussion had awakened the wanton-witch inside the Head-girl… and once aroused …the now randy girl began an aggressive snog-secession with her fiancée that frankly bordered on the pornographic.

Draco sitting nearby began pouting about not getting similar treatment while Ginny… who in hushed tones was trying to explain …rather-firmly …that Hermione normally had more-self-control than what she was currently portraying. Granger had never been the type to engage in-public displays of affection… but getting engaged to Ron had obviously and drastically changed that attitude.

"Yeah… honey," Draco countered. "I do get that bit; she's been as frigid as an old spinster-librarian since first year. I honestly thought that the girl was incapable of anything like this," Draco said pointing directly at the snogging out-of control Head-Girl that was literally devouring her man with such shocking enthusiasm …that Ron found-himself in the highly unusual role-reversal of the poor-bloke who was actually struggling to keep his lady-loves clothing-on.

So with Ron and Hermione in a honeymoon level snog-fest and Draco and Ginny arguing over the merits of said snog-fest …this left Alaire and Neville semi-alone for the first time on the trip.

"So… look what you have done, your "Relationship for idot's" taunting has finally-burst the pretense that held them apart for years. You're the one that transformed our 'prim-and-proper' head-girl into …that;" Neville said indicating an overly-aggressive Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm so goooood." Alaire replied smugly.

"Yes. You are, you've been the right hand of cupid this term, even cross-breeding a snake with a lion", Neville said pointing now at a kissing… while at the same time softly-arguing… Draco and Ginny. "Who's next to benefit from your matchmaking skill's …Harry?"

"No, I never leave a project half finished; especially before moving on to a new victim," Alaire snarled, her mood turning on a-dime, from amusement to anger. "Harry will have to wait his turn patiently… like a good boy… if that's possible …for him. I'm currently in the delicate-stage of cross-pollinating an irritating British rose with a sweet-tempered American honeysuckle,"

"How's that progressing?" Neville asked nervously.

"I ran into a-bit of a snag, over Christmas… but I have hope of getting on task again, now that I'm BACK."

"Yes I see that."

"I thought you would be happy about how our …about us; Neville," she said her voice filled with emotion.

"Oh, I am in one way …but on the other hand …at the same time …I'm not," Neville said as he nervously moved about in his seat.

"Hmmm… Well, shall I tell you about the last few days of my life, Neville?" snapped Alaire tears forming but not yet falling in her eyes. "

"I guess my dad told you about our little side-trip to Marseille, France. Beauxbatons castle is really lovely and the temperature in late-December …being just off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea …is far warmer than Northern Scotland. It was also really nice to meet two of my father's cousin's children who go to school there. But as pleasant as it was temperature-wise …it didn't have what I wanted …no …that's not right. It didn't have what I require.

"And then …just yesterday, my parents asked me if I wanted to go back to New Orleans …and finish my training at a North American school. They said they were very worried about my safety in England." Alaire then turned away from Neville and stared out the window. "They said that you had been involved in some dangerous battles over here - and that it would be far safer for me to go home until this U.K. civil-war… ended."

She then turned back to look at Neville. "Now how would they know about your-battles if you hadn't told them, Neville?"

Neville gulped. But before he could say anything, Alaire continued. "You discussed the war here …and your part in it …with my parents, things you haven't told me about …yet and you were the one that first suggested that I leave England, didn't you?"

Neville nodded.

"And why didn't you bother to talk to me yourself?"

"Because you wouldn't listen to me," Neville said telling the truth.

"Well, you're right. I wouldn't have. I spent all of last night crying, Neville. I couldn't decide if I was mad at you for trying to send me away …or if it was a sweet gesture …proving that you loved me? It was also possible that you had decided …on your own, that you'd had enough of the flirtatious American and were trying to get rid of me."

"How could you think I'd want to get rid of you?" Neville exploded. "After all we've been through . . ."

Alaire turned her tear-streaked face to him. "And what would you do if your Grandmother told you that I wanted YOU to stay away from me …because being around an damn-colonial …empath …was too dangerous? To stay away from me… because of something that might accidentally happen in the future? Think about that!"

"Alaire, I'm sorry. I should have said something before I left. I guess I'm just a coward."

"You're NO COWARD, Dammit; but, it's a little late for an apology, Neville. As we say in the States, 'A day late and a dollar short!' I'm here and I'm staying here …despite you."

Now it was Neville's turn to feel hurt; despite him? Suddenly anger grew in his chest …as he abruptly stood and stepped away from her.

"Well, that's just great, Alaire. I'm so glad you're going to be staying here at Hogwarts …where you could face dangerous Death Eaters at any second …just to spite me! And here I was so happy because I thought that you had decided to return because you 'felt-something' for me!"

He then leaned over to whisper in her ear; "You know, for an empath, it seems that the only emotion that you don't have any control over is your own stubborn pride! You have to having everything your way, and you expect everyone …your parents and me, to be afraid to say 'No' to you out of fear of damaging your 'gift'. What a fool I've been!"

"No! Wait!"

Without waiting to hear her reply, Neville turned and stormed out of the compartment. He managed to stiffly-march all the way down the hall and into the Loo …before losing it. He entered the tiny men's toilet, slammed the door-shut behind him and then made a fist which he then slammed-hard it into the wall.

"I understand you better than you know, Neville Longbottom?," Said a very familiar voice from the other side of the door.

"Go away; Alaire,"

"No"

"Please, leave me alone," he pleaded

"I did come back because I love you… you idiot!"

"Well, you have a weird way of showing it! You said you were returning 'DESPITE ME'. I did hear that, didn't I? I'm not going deaf, am I?"

"I - I… Yes! That's what I said . . ."

"Well?"

"No you're not going deaf, but you are being so …very …frustrating; trying to send me away like that. I'm tempted; I feel so tempted too …I could just …could just —"

"Could just what? Dammit Alaire you don't have to risk death here… just to become a potion-healer. America must have loads of botanist's that far surpass my meager-skills. You've already passed the U.S. version of Potions N.E.W.T.'s. What in bloody-hell does England have that America does not …that's worth risking your life for. I want you to be safe, is that a bad thing? I know I should have told you face-to-face, how the thought of you dying in my arms …tears me apart - and I'm truly sorry that I didn't have the stones to say goodbye to the woman I love …perhaps forever."

Alaire stared at the toilet door gob-smacked …literally stunned beyond words at what Neville was willing to give-up… just to ensure her safety. After a moment to gather her thoughts, she pulled back and said to the door.

"You know - sometimes I think - that we're starting to channel Ron and Hermione …when it comes to relationship miscues." she said with a sad-smile.

"Do we still have a relationship? I don't have all that much successful-experiences with this romance-stuff," Neville said looking at his feet …after opening the Loo door. "You sure sounded as if you were dumping me …back there."

"Neville?" Alaire whispered while putting a finger under his chin and tried to make him look-up at her. "Neville, honey, there is no way in hell you'd escape me over a tiny miscommunication glitch like this. I am so sorry. I was just feeing hurt …can you understand that?"

"Can you understand …how frantic I am… for you to be safe."

"I will be safe. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I have some very good friends now - that will help me. And, I hear my boyfriend is this courageous Gryffindor who battles Death Eaters with his bare hands."

"My wand was broken."

"Your wand is definitely not broken, Neville," she teased in a husky tone.

"Alaire, be serious. You could be in real danger being my girlfriend. All the Death-eater wantabe's within Slytherin know full-well what side I was on during the battle of the Department of Mysteries, there is no retreat for me …or the Weasley's. When the 'DE's come to Hogwarts …and they will …sooner or later, I'm going to be on the front lines. You could get caught in the crossfire and …"

"… Then I guess I'll just have to protect you." She interrupted Neville gently teasing him with a look of pure love. "I couldn't let anything happen to you, Neville. I almost didn't survive last week without you. I need you like… I need air for breathing."

At last, Alaire had said the words that Neville's battered heart needed to hear. She did still need him. She did still want him. Suddenly; Alaire found herself pinned against the passageway window behind her …being desperately kissed beyond reason. It took only a split second before she responded in kind. Somehow this kiss was different from the others. It was passionate but not solely for the sake of passion. It held love, lust, and promise. Alaire could only hold on for the ride. They had lost track of time when they heard a feminine "Ah-hem."

Neville looked up to see Tonks standing half-way down the carriage staring straight at the snogging couple. "Um, this area is technically off-limits, guys. Could you go back to your compartment …if you're finished with the Loo …that is?"

Embarrassed, Neville managed to squeak out "In a moment."

Tonks just stood there waiting, Neville shrugged his shoulders and looked Alaire in the eyes and said:

"You look 100 percent thoroughly snogged."

"So do you." She replied

"Everything OK between us?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah. Now it is."

"No more arguing over me coming back …promise?"

"I promise to try."

"Good enough."

They shared another short kiss and reluctantly returned to the compartment, where Tonks was waiting right next to the closed sliding door. Alaire and Neville looked within and saw the other two couples snogging passionately, completely obvious to the presence of the other couple.

A few sharp taps on the window with Tonks wand and one of the couples broke apart abruptly, their ruffed clothing and disarrayed hair a great indicator of the intensity of their passion. Three of the four even had the grace to blush hard at being caught-out.

Draco and Ginny moved apart under Tonks disapproving gaze, but Hermione refused to budge from Ron's lap, she wasn't the least-bit embarrassed about snogging her fiancée. Emotionally emboldened by the gold wedding ring hidden under her blouse… held against her flesh by the chain around her neck, the future Mrs. R Weasley proudly held-up and out her left hand so that a leaning-forward Tonks could take note of the engagement ring so predominantly visible on the Head-girls hand. Seeing the ring Tonks smiled big and said proudly in clear admiration;

"Well-done Granger, bagging this particular Wesley is a Jolly-good-thing… especially for a brainy-bird like you. Weasley men are very rare blokes", Tonks admitted reluctantly. "I dated one once and foolishly dumped him because he wanted to settle down when I didn't. It took me years to find his equal in loyalty and personal honor. So by all means …Do carry-on.

And Hermione smiled back at the Auror, said; "thank-you… I think I will" …and she did… with unbridled enthusiasm all the way to Hogwarts

.

Chapter 34

Neville looked around for Alaire and noting her absence he sighed. He had been waiting for her in the library for almost half-an-hour. She had made him promise to meet her at seven for a quick transfiguration study session before her test the next day. He really didn't think he was the person to give her pointers on that particular class, as he had dropped the subject at the beginning of sixth year due to bad marks.

However Alaire had insisted that she knew what she was doing and like David had already advised him, once his girlfriend made up her mind …further resistance on his part …was futile. He looked around again knowing that his out of greenhouse permission to be around others was rapidly running out. His two hour time limit per-day was the reason he rubbed at the headache forming at his temples.

He was worried about Alaire. He knew she would show up eventually …out of breath with a story about getting caught up in a conversation with Ginny, or Hermione while flirting with Seamus. No, it wasn't anything at Hogwarts preoccupying him; he was worried about Death Eater's.

That morning's owl posts had brought news of another attack; this time in Yorkshire …some Muggle tourists had accidentally interrupted a meeting of Voldemort's followers. Thinking it was part of some historical tour, the hapless Muggle's had actually laughed when told to leave. They never got the chance to laugh again. Only one elderly man had managed to hold-on long enough to tell his story. He had then mercifully died of a heart attack at St. Mungo's a few hours after his wife passed-away.

That attack, coupled with the one over New Year's and the Ministry obvious futile attempts at countering the growing threat just made one thing stick out to Neville – that Alaire need protection. More protection than Neville could provide. In spite of his extra training Neville wasn't all that confidant of his as yet to be tested new wand combat skills. Alaire was known to every DE wantabe as the girlfriend of a Longbottom and Bellatrix Le-Strange had a personal blood-feud against every member of his family. Alaire was also known to be a close to Harry and his inter-circle of D.A. friends who were all on Voldemort to be killed list.

Whenever he had tried to broach the subject, Alaire had simply reassured him yet again… with the same lame promise that she had a few tricks up her "American sleeve." However Neville wanted more than vague reassurances. It was clear that she needed training in self-defense. The only problem was that the best person to train her was his romantic-rival …Harry. Hell, truth be told, he was the best person to train anyone… including some of the Auror's now patrolling Hogwarts.

Potter-jealousy wasn't really the only problem for Neville when it came to Alaire and Harry being alone together for extended periods of time. Okay, Neville knew that he couldn't be in the common-room every-night to oversee that the interaction that she shared with Harry …so as to see with his own eyes that the American flirting was really as innocent as she claimed it now to be. He knew that any healthy relationship was based on trust, and he did trust Alaire. But he was also only human, and Neville hadn't spent six years in the same dorm as the Chosen-One only to remain naïve as to Harry Potter's effect on women.

To ensure Alaire's safety …Neville could gladly swallow his insecurities and endure huge feelings of jealousy …just to encourage this vital training …as long as it meant that Alaire would be safe. Besides, getting Harry and Alaire to work together wasn't going to be easy. While she claimed that they had finally resolved their problems, their friendship just wasn't the same as it had been while Alaire had been single. It couldn't be. So the question was could they put aside their differences long enough to work together?

"You're lost in your thoughts." Neville flinched as heard Ginny's voice whisper in his ear and heard her giggle at his jumpiness.

"Yeah," he said, his heart still racing from being surprised. "Ginny, maybe you could help me?"

"Girl trouble, already, Neville? This is supposed to be the honeymoon stage," Ginny said with a sly grin as she sat down beside him at the table. She had a large load of books with her …all having to do with potions.

"No. Actually, for the first time in my life, that part is going rather well. Very well, as a matter of fact," he said fighting down a blush.

"I knew you had it in you, Neville. I just wasn't the person to bring it all out. Although, I must admit that I did enjoy trying!" Ginny said with a smug smile. "From what I hear, you're doing just fine. Better, even."

Neville felt himself color even more …as he imagined what Alaire might be saying to Ginny.

"Umm-"

"Before you even ask, she hasn't told me or anyone else all that much …just generalized girl-stuff. She just has that …glow-about-her …whenever I ask how things are going with you. She seems very," Ginny paused as she sought for an appropriate word, "Satisfied."

Neville felt himself smiling with a-bit of pride. He was finally doing something right.

"So what did you need, Neville?" Ginny asked as she opened one of the books and skimmed the glossary.

"It's about the war," he told her in a hushed tone.

Ginny's smile faded as she looked up from the book.

"What about it?"

"We all know that something big is going to happen soon. And, it will probably involve Harry. It might even involve Dumbledore him-self. Hell, it could even involve all of us again. Alaire's simply not ready for any of that."

Ginny had gone pale. She sighed before sitting back in her chair and nodding. "You're right."

"I've been thinking about trying to get her to work on some of her defense work."

"That's a good idea. But I can tell you that working with someone you love …is real difficult. Unless you've had a huge argument, it's hard to work up the emotion to throw a curse and mean it."

"Know that from personal experience …do you?"

"Yeah, I mean Draco tried dueling with me, but he wouldn't throw anything he thought would hurt me. He still doesn't really. It took 12 bat-bogeys, an excrement enhancer and more …before he even tried to send even a respectably powerful cutting-curse my way."

"That's why I thought I might ask Harry to do it."

Ginny stared at him gob-smacked; "Are you serious?"

"Who else could I ask, besides Ron? Your brother is super powerful now, but I hear he's having problems controlling it. They pulled him out of the regular defense-class for special training and I don't blame them …when Ron's hands glow blue …he's scary! The ward he put-up at the Granger Home I've heard is so strong …even the 'Unspeakable's' couldn't take it down. They're the ones training Ron now - by-the-way …he sits lessons with the 'Unspeakable's' twice a day now.

"Yeah I know," Ginny said. "The really weird thing is that …since getting together with Hermione, Ron's temper is totally under control, while his power levels are through the roof. It's as if snogging our Head-girl has unblocked his magical-core. He still gets angry, but he no longer fly's off the handle… instead he becomes scary focused.

"So you think I should approach Ron?" Neville asked …hope flaring in his chest.

"No", Ginny said firmly after a moment of thinking it over. "Ron's a lose cannon right now, Alaire could get really hurt; until my brother learns to scale back his power. I hate to say it …but Harry is still your best-bet as a trainer …for there is no denying that he knows what he's doing. He's no-where near as powerful in magical strength as Ron is now, but his spell knowledge and his skill in execution still makes Harry the best at DADA master in the school.

"Plus, he cares about Alaire so he'd want to help. Yeah …yeah I know?" Neville said in a resigned tone

"This is a dangerous game to be playing, Neville," Ginny warned. "Putting your girlfriend in the same room with someone whom we both know …in spite of semi-dating Daphne …still has very strong feelings …for your Alaire."

"But I thought that Harry and Daphne were getting …serious?"

"Oh it's the general perception that they're seeing each other, but as you yourself learned the hard way with Goodnight - Potter so-called love-affair. Being seen cuddling-up to someone on movie-night is …very different… from being emotionally committed to some-one," Ginny said in way of explanation

Getting the obvious point Neville reluctantly nodded his head.

"Do I think that Harry and Daphne have swapped-spit in a broom-cupboard …most certainly? Are they seeing each-other exclusively …probably not?" Ginny said grimly.

"Now I'm really confused."

"That's not all that strange really, especially in light of the fact that you …like my brother; Ron, haven't really done all that much dating here at Hogwarts", Ginny explained with an understanding grin. "Take my girl-thick sibling for example; Ron, never really fancied Lavender Brown, and I mean not at all. Since forth-year …there has only been one girl for him and I've often wonder if he would have made less mistakes with Hermione, if he had dated more. You're the same way; Neville, besides me, how many other girls did you date before Alaire.

"Well …none, actually," Neville said ashamed.

"It's not a bad thing Neville, you're a nice-bloke, kind …gentle …and …"

"…boring," Neville retorted interrupting Ginny in an angry tone. "I've often wondered why all you girls seem to fancy the bad-boys …like Draco. I know he's treated girls here like slabs of meat, and yet he has more notches in his bed-posts than blokes like …me."

"You worried about me; Neville?" Ginny asked and smiled warmly when Neville nodded.

"Thank-you …that you care means …loads to me". Ginny said genuinely touched. "And your right you know …bad-boys are far more exciting, than a nice-bloke. It's like the draw we have as kids to fireworks really. Being close to something dangerous …like a bad-boy is a major adrenalin rush. But I'm not some starry-eyed dreamer; Neville, I not stupid-enough to think I can reform a snake into a kitten.

"That's where most girls go wrong with Bad-boys; they think that all a bad-boy needs is the right-girl to change them into nice-blokes …like you. But that doesn't happen nine times out of ten; genuine bad-boys generally stay bad. The only ones you can chance are the frauds …the ones that only pretend to be bad, and telling them apart is bloody impossible most of the time.

The ugly-truth about us girls is …we all want the excitement of dating a bad-boy while we are young and in the mood to sew a few wild-oats," Ginny admitted with a blush. "Later in life, when 'Mother Nature' tells us girls… that it's time to settle down …the smart girls out-grow our bad-boy stage and start looking for a nice-bloke - like you - to be our life-mates and the father of our children.

"But Draco …he's the baddest of the bad-boy's at Hogwarts, he'll hurt you and dump-you like all the others he's shagged."

"You're starting to sound like my older brothers; Neville," Ginny said with a frown.

"I'm sorry; Ginny, I just worry about you."

"No… it's alright, to be honest, I knew what I was getting into when Draco first started making the moves on me. He did want another notch for his bedpost when we first started. It was a game to him, and the 'contents of my knickers' were the ultimate grand-prize.

"But if you knew?"

"Neville, think-about it … how many blokes have I been with here?"

"Five, I think …including Potter," replied Neville after some thought.

"Wrong, by half." Ginny replied grimly".

"What?" Neville said shocked

"And of those ten …how many do you think I've had some kind of sex with?"

"I have no idea."

"The answer is six, not counting Draco, he's the seventh of my Hogwarts carnal lovers".

"Ginny, honestly …this isn't something a girl should boast about. Think of your reputation," Neville said in a worried tone, while hiding the hurt of not being among the lucky seven.

"No one besides you …who I trust with my life… knows my 'bed-notch' count", Ginny said in a whisper. "And I'm only telling you so that you understand that I wasn't a blushing virgin when I entered into the 'in-my-knickers' game with Draco. He's only actually slept with five girls here …by the way. The other knickers he claimed to have collected …are due to manly-boasting… exaggerations with his peers.

"So you're more experienced than the infamous Slytherin womanizer", Neville said amazed.

Ginny just smiled in a deeply-evil way. "To Draco …the addictiveness of great-sex …is just tool-of leverage in the much larger game of mental-dominance. What he didn't realize was that I can play that game even better than he can.

"By-the-way, my boyfriend told me that he's seen …with his own eyes… just the other day …Daphne snog some blonde Hufflepuff bloke in-between the Library stacks.

"Does Harry Know… she's cheating on him?"

"Neville …Neville …Neville …don't you see?" Ginny asked as if speaking to a child. "Daphne is a Slytherin; ergo …sex is just a game to her too".

"So Harry is being played."

"Not necessarily, he might be dating Daphne in a futile attempt to make Alaire jealous, or perhaps …he's just a dog looking to get a-little tail." Ginny said rubbing her chin as if considering both possibilities.

"GINNY" Neville said outraged.

"Neville, not everyone is as honorable as you are," Ginny said with a snort. "Harry has become more self-absorbed lately. I'm betting he knows about Daphne's being with others and doesn't mind, which could indicate that he's begun to play the bed-notch game …with Alaire as his ultimate target.

"Ginny, if she breaks up with me to be with Harry, it will break my heart. But if something happens to her …because she's wasn't prepared, it would kill me." Neville said in a resigned tone.

Ginny POV - OoOoOoOo

Ginny nodded her understanding. "I know what you mean." She had begun to have nightmares about Draco and the final battle. His mother had been sending him coded messages through the Owl-post that he wasn't safe outside of Hogwarts. What would she do if Hogwarts was threatened? Lucius Malfoy had publicly repudiated his son's engagement to her… that she was a pure-blood wasn't the issue; it was that fact that she was a much despised Weasley that made the match unacceptable. If an attack on Hogwarts happened would Lucius hurt or defend his only son?

Draco himself claimed that he wasn't taking a side in the war. This so called neutrality ...had lead to the first …full-out-row between Ginny and her boyfriend, and yet another between him and his parents. Ginny could still remember what he said in the heat of the argument.

(Begin flashback)

"You want to know why I can't choose a side. Well I'll tell you. The only side I am on anymore …is mine and that includes making damn-sure that what's mine is safe. That means you, Red.

"If you go out there, and I'm sure as hell you will, I won't care who it is I curse to protect you! Death Eaters, Auror's, professors, students or whoever! No one is going to be able to get within ten feet of throwing a hex at you! I will not lose you, damn it! It almost happened once and I'll be damned if I'll let it happens again!"

"The only reason we are still engaged right-now… the only reason I'm still wearing this bloody-huge ring …is because you pleaded your case for my hand in marriage …personally …at the Burrow during Christmas break …in front of my entire family," Ginny snarled. "It was Ron's vouching for you… that was the only thing that got your foot in the door. Our families have had a blood feud for generations, and my brother ending it in regards to you …our only chance for a non Romeo-Juliet style future together.

"Listen here; Red, - Don't think for one second that I'm ungrateful for what Ron did for us. But in gaining you're families acceptance …I've lost everything, home, family and inheritance."

"And do you realize the hell I've gone through for you?" Ginny shouted back. "I didn't do all I've done just to become your property; you can't put me up on a shelf like my family has tried to do since I was born! I held my own against six overprotective brothers; so if you wanted some weak and helpless subservient fiancée …you should have proposed marriage to Parkinson. I am my own person …independent of all others …and I will do as I please!"

"Even if it means death; Red? Or have you spent your time daydreaming about your funeral? The minister, your family, Dumbledore, all of your friends bent over your casket crying over your NOBLE sacrifice? Well, I can tell you one person who wouldn't be there!"

"Draco . . ." Ginny began to feel hurt. "You wouldn't . . . If something happened to me, you wouldn't . . ."

"No, I wouldn't kill my-self." He came over and took her in his arms and held her so tightly that she couldn't breathe, "Because I would either be lying right there beside you …or alive and searching for revenge. Don't you dare turn hero on me, Red. Let someone else go out and face the bad guys… stay here …with me."

"I can't sit idle while my entire family is on the front lines. I have to follow my heart, Draco."

"I thought I had your heart, Ginny."

"You do, but . . ."

"If you feel you have to do something for your side …then do something that's less dangerous. Work in the infirmary, or work at the Ministry, but honestly …I rather you'd run away with me to the Caribbean and lie in the sun all day."

Ginny had to smile sadly.

"You know neither of us can bear the sun, Draco."

"Promise me, Red. Promise me."

"I can't promise not to die, Draco, and I will fight with my family, in your heart you know that," Ginny said with a sigh. "But I do promise not to risk my life without thinking."

Draco wasn't entirely satisfied but he nodded. It was a start. They then spent the rest of the hour before curfew simply holding each other tightly as if trying to imprint themselves on one another's very soul.

(End flashback)

Ginny felt tears starting to pool in her eyes at the memory.

"Wow, you two are so far gone!" Alaire's voice cut across their morbid thoughts. She bent and gave Neville a quick kiss on the cheek. "I have a legitimate excuse this time. Professor Snape just stopped me for a chat. It's hard to break off with him when he wants to talk."

Ginny looked at Alaire quizzically. "You and Snape are on speaking terms?"

"Yeah. My mother had loaned him a book over the holidays and he was returning it."

"Wow. I thought Draco was the only one he liked. That's who gave me a heads up on the potion quiz on Monday," she said gesturing to the books in front of her.

"I didn't say he liked me. I said he talked to me. Not the same thing by a long-shot. Now, ready to work your Charm's on me, Mr. Longbottom?"

Ginny made her excuses and left. She suddenly had the overwhelming need for a hug from a Slytherin.

"Actually, Alaire …lets go to my greenhouse. We won't be disturbed there."

Alaire gave him a seductive smile. "Hmmm. I like that kind of study."

As they walked along, Neville tried to find the words to talk to Alaire about studying DADA with Harry. Once inside their private sanctuary and after they put their books down, Neville found himself wrapped tightly in a hug.

"Mmm. I needed that," Alaire said as she snuggled up to him. "Talking to Snape can be so tiring."

"So he wanted more than returning a book?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "Snape wants me to start working on Legilimency and Occlumency with Harry. He feels that I would be far more successful in teaching mind-defense to Potter …than he has been. I tried to explain how awkward things have been between us lately …but he wouldn't have any of it. I had to agree to try …just to get him to let me come to you."

"Oh."

"You're not jealous?"

"Of Snape?" Neville sputtered, "Merlin, no! You've told me that's he's helped you loads, and to tell the truth …he and Harry have had incompatibility - 'issues' - that date back to first year. But that kind of defense work, I guess …is what I need to talk to you about."

Alaire pulled back from him puzzled.

"Alaire, I want you to spend more time with Harry, too."

"Excuse me? Are you breaking up with me?" she asked in a raspy voice.

"No! It's not that. It's something else. I-I . . . Let's sit down." He said as pulled Alaire over to sit on his futon.

"Alaire, you know about Harry's role in the war

"Against Volde…- against You-Know-Who," She asked and then nodded.

"Alaire, I'm afraid that because you are my girlfriend and Harry's close-friend too …that you'll end-up being targeted as the means to get at both Harry or …to a lesser extent …me. The 'DE' wantabe's here can-see that your part of the Potter inner-circle support team and that in itself puts you in mortal-danger."

"So you want me to spend more time with Harry? How would that make me less of a target? You're not making sense, Neville."

"It would if you would spend that time working on self-defensive spells." Neville replied although saying it hurt like hell.

"Neville, we've already talked about this," Alaire sighed as she squeezed Neville's hand in hers. "If you think I need more work, I'll work with you."

"It wouldn't work, Alaire," Neville said letting go of her hand and standing up to look down at her. "We care about each other too much. Besides, Harry is the best in the school. I trust him when it comes to self-defense training."

"Have you spoken to Harry about this?"

Neville shook his head no.

"What if I say no?" A heavy silence fell between them. "I don't want to do this, Neville. It's just not in my nature to hurt someone. I'm not a soldier like you. I can defend myself to a point …one-on-one I really can hold my own …but this is different, this is war."

Alaire looked over at Neville and was shocked to see a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Honey, what is wrong?"

Abruptly she tuned-in her boyfriend. Instantly she could feel was his sadness …no it was far more than mere sadness. It was something far deeper. Despair. She got up from the futon and took a step toward him.

"What if something happens to you?" Neville asked giving voice to his worst fears. "What if you end up like my parents? I don't want to visit three beds, Alaire. And I sure as hell don't want to have to face your parents and tell them that something happened to you. That I failed to protect their little-girl …and if you died …"

Words failed him.

Alaire quickly closed the space between them wrapping her arms around him.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Neville. I am so sorry."

"Alaire, you mean the world to me. And not just as my girlfriend but also as my best-friend. I've seen what these people are capable of, you haven't. They actually enjoy inflicting pain; they kill without hesitation or remorse. I'm not asking you to hurt someone else on purpose; it's a matter of protecting yourself from them hurting you. Please, do this, learn defensive spells from Harry. Do it for me and if not for me, do it for your parents and your family. I'm not asking you to go out and become a cold-blooded killer. I just want you to defend yourself."

Alaire sighed against his chest. "I'll do it, Neville. I'll do it. I won't like it …but I'll do it."

They sat there together holding each other until Neville's internal emotional fear subsided.

"I live with that fear every day, Alaire.," he said cupping her face in his hands before placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "Thank you. If Harry won't work with you, we'll find someone else."

"OK. Just promise me something, OK?"

Neville nodded.

"When this is all over, you'll go away with me to somewhere warm. Where no one knows us and we can just spend our days and nights …making babies?"

"I promise." Neville said blushing hard at the mental image that had just formed in his mind from her words - as he asked him-self; "she's just joking …isn't she?" But he pulled her closer to him anyway and sealed his promise with a kiss.

000000

Chapter 34

"I don't want to study anymore, Hermione. My head hurts." Ron rubbed his eyes and groaned.

"Ron, we just started. There's a lot to cover. You'd practice Quidditch with a headache," she said with an accusing tone.

"Yeah, but at least I'd be riding a broom."

"As opposed to riding . . ." an Irish-tinged whisper came across the table.

"Shut-it, Seamus!" Ron snapped.

"How many times have I told you that this is …?" Hermione began.

"…One of the most important events in our school careers", Ron moaned interrupting his Lady. "But Luv, you forget, I don't have to worry about a job anymore. My fate is sealed."

"What's that?" Dean said surprised. "I thought your job options went into the toilet when Snape failed you in potions-class at the end of sixth-year.

"Oh he did - and I was worried sick about my post-graduate career for the longest time. My options weren't unlimited like my brilliant fiancée". Ron admitted with no small amount of pride. "Hermione can do anything she wants, and I had intended – before the Christmas-holiday to work nights at odd jobs …so as not to interfere with the great things she'll do."

Hermione had the good grace to blush at her lover's heartfelt offer of self-sacrifice for her benefit. "Don't be a twit, my post-Hogwarts job, will not be more important than yours".

The students around the table in the Gryffindor common room didn't know whether to laugh out loud or groan at the absurdity of that statement.

"Not anymore it won't …thanks to those bloody blue-hands of mine." Ron said clearly upset. "I hate having no say in my future."

"So what are you fated to do Ron?" Dean asked softly.

"I've been drafted into the Unspeakable's. Ron said in disgust. "They wanted to take me right-from-the-off …right after the Granger Ward Incident …but Dumbledore insisted that I be allowed to finish my education first. So tell me again luv? Why I have to revisit so hard for N.E.W.T.'s - if my post-Hogwarts career with the Unspeakable's is already set-in-stone?"

While Hermione began a longwinded diatribe about the advantages of high N.E.W.T.'s marks on careers …Alaire sat back and thought to her-self …that she had to agree with Ron. They had been studying for over two hours now. She had decided to take the N.E.W.T.'s classes for Transfiguration, Potions, and Charms. She didn't have to take any of them if she didn't want to due to her graduation in the States a year ago …but in the name of camaraderie, she had joined her fellow Gryffindor's in their academic pain.

"Hermione, for Merlin's sake …its only January," Seamus moaned. "We won't be taking the tests for another five months. You know that I'll forget all this stuff by then!

"Do you think that Neville is doing half the revising that we are, stuck in solitary confinement down in his greenhouse?" Dean inquirered thoughtfully!

"Neville, passed all his O.W.L.'s just fine. His memory problems aren't as serious as they were first year …or haven't you noticed," Hermione pointed out sharply."

"Thanks, Hermione," Alaire said smiling at the Head-Girls defense of her boyfriend. "But just because you can remember the serial number on your first Barbie's butt, doesn't mean that everyone in this study-group can just stuff this crap in …non-stop… twenty-four-seven!"

"Alaire's right," Dean added. "You're being a bit tough there. I'd rather study for my Runes test next week than my NEWTS in June."

"Look, I just want everyone to succeed." Hermione pouted.

"Well, I for one …will worry about it later. I'm tired and I'm going to bed. Seamus?" Dean stood and headed for his room.

"Yeah, I'm in. I need me beauty sleep."

"You ain't kidding," jabbed Alaire.

"Ah, you'll miss me when I'm gone, Alaire." Seamus gave her his best leer.

"Then leave already so I can miss ya?"

Suddenly there was a loud crash overhead followed by cursing.

"Oh! It's those first-year-girls again! They keep trying to levitate their beds as Charms practice," Hermione huffed as she went to investigate.

"I'm starving," Ron said as he hurriedly piled his parchments into his schoolbag. "I'm going to scrounge for something to eat. I think Harry kept back some snacks from the last party."

"Going to bed, Alaire?" Ron asked as he packed up his study notes.

"Yeah, in a moment… I wanted to put this thought down-on paper first …then I'll head up. See you-all in the morning."

Alaire watched Seamus and Dean go up the stairs to the boy's dorm, regretting once again the stairway incident that had banished her boyfriend from spending his nights in the Gryffindor tower. Dumbledore due to pressure from the board had reduced Alaire's after dinner visits to greenhouse number seven to every other evening. Cut-off from Neville's company Alaire then turned back to her work with a sigh.

She was so sick of studying the theories behind everything. It was much more fun to actually practice Transfiguration! She began to randomly transform items on the table in front of her. An inkwell became a snow-globe with a spouting oil rig - with "Welcome to Texas!" written across the bottom. A couple of quills and a piece of parchment became a Mardi Gras mask. One of Seamus's jumpers reverted to a small stuffed lamb.

"Oi! Calm down in there you-lot …or I'll report you to the Head-Girl …I mean it!" Ron's voice drifted down the boy's stairwell.

Suddenly inspired, Alaire smiled as she pointed her wand at a pile of Hermione's notes. Alaire stood with a smile as Ron came back down the stairs his hands empty of snacks and sat back down. The boy's eyes went wide when saw the plate of goodies on the table. He simply nodded his gratitude to Alaire for the treat and he sat down and picked up a cookie …totally ignoring Alaire's wicked grin which quickly transformed into a nervous frown as she abruptly turned and ran out the portrait door …after curfew.

OoOoOoOo

Meanwhile within Greenhouse number Seven,

OoOoOoOo

Neville kicked off his slippers and folded the futon bed down as he prepared for bed. With school back in session, everyone had been extremely busy. Upcoming NEWTs were on everyone's mind including Neville's. Slipping off his bathrobe, Neville crawled under the covers. He fluffed his pillow and hoped that his dreams wouldn't be filled with NEWTs, tests or revisions. He had just gotten comfortable, when the door to his greenhouse living quarters flew open.

Startled, Neville sat up in bed just to have what appeared to be his girlfriend fling herself onto his bed and burrow her-self under the covers.

"Oh, God! Neville hide me!" said a frantic voice from under the covers as it moved around.

"Alaire!" Neville squeaked as she accidentally moved against him in her efforts to hide herself.

"Please, Neville," she said urgently.

What's going on? You're not supposed to be out after curfew. What if Argus Filch had caught you?

"Why do you sleep with a Muggle flashlight?" came a muffled voice from under the covers.

Neville closed his eyes before pulling the blanket up for him to look down and see Alaire. She was cowering against him trying to keep herself as low and inconspicuous as possible.

"Not that I don't like you being here, Luv …but what is going on?" Neville asked.

"Oh, Neville, you've got to save me. She's going to kill me," Alaire said hiding her face behind her hands.

"Who is?"

"Hermione,"

"Didn't finish the revision?" Neville asked with a chuckle.

"I was just so sick of her talking about NEWTs and revisions. You shouldn't be wasting time. Don't you know these tests affect the rest of your life? One mix-up in the testing and you'd be lucky if you could get a job in a Muggle magic shop," she said mimicking Hermione's latest rant. "I couldn't take it anymore. I just couldn't."

"Calm down and tell me what happened," Neville said.

"She had left her revisions notes and practice tests on the table before I went up to change for bed. I just snapped when I saw them."

"What did you do?" Neville asked as a lump formed in his throat.

"I transfigured them into chocolate-chip cookies," she said in a small voice.

"Good lord, is that all?" Neville said as he released the breath he was holding. "Here I thought you'd burnt them in the fire or tore them up. Not like I've haven't thought about doing it before; my-self, of-course. But I knew that would be the LAST thing I did; before Granger killed me."

Alaire paled slightly at this.

"Alaire …sweetheart …is there something you're not telling me?" Neville asked worried.

"Umm, well, Ron came back down …and he was hungry …as usual."

Neville in amazement turned his face toward the girl hiding in the bed.

"So he ate a few."

A silence fell across the greenhouse.

"How many are left?," Neville asked with a sigh.

"It was Ron eating them," Alaire snapped as if that was the answer.

"None then," Neville said hanging his head.

"Can I just hide in bed with you until graduation?" Alaire asked. "Please?"

"I truly wish that was possible," Neville said. "But it's not. I don't think McGonagall would be very pleased to find you here… even now?"

"She'd be less pleased to find me cursed beyond all recognition by the Head Girl," Alaire reasoned.

"Come on," Neville said getting out of bed and pulling his bathrobe and slippers on. "We're going to fix this."

"But how? Maybe she won't notice they're gone?" Alaire said timidly. She was beginning to have second thoughts about her actions.

"Yeah and she didn't notice that three-headed dog first year either," Neville said reaching his hand to help her up. "Come on. She can't kill both of us. You can use me as a shield." Neville helped Alaire out of his bed before saying. "It'll be fine. Just follow my lead okay?"

"'Kay."

Neville lead Alaire back to Gryffindor tower and made sure she was behind him as they stop at the table. They saw Hermione sitting on the couch. Ron's head was in her lap and he was licking the remaining chocolate from the cookies from her fingertips.

"Uh, Hermione?" Neville said timidly.

"Not now, Neville, we're busy," she said never looking-up from Ron.

"But it's about the revisions notes you lent me."

"Bloody hell, not now!" snapped Ron.

"Okay!" Neville said happily as he turned and escorted Alaire to the bottom of the upstairs of the girls dorm.

"So what now?", Alaire whispered. "She's going to notice those notes are gone."

"There really weren't that many were there …just a few pieces of parchment …right?"

"Five to be exact… but she'll figure it out! I fed Ron those cookies. I was the only one left at the table."

"Alaire, I honestly don't know how you're going to get out of this one," Neville said with a sigh.

"Well, it's not the end of the world. Losing some old notes will not get me tossed out of Hogwarts."

"It could get you detention."

"Or worse," Neville chimed in.

"Worse?"

"Yeah, you could be on Hermione Granger's bad side for the rest of the term."

Alaire paled as she hugged Neville's for comfort.

"What am I going to do?"

Suddenly Neville grinned… a truly evil grin.

"Leave everything to me, Luv," he said as he patted her on the back. "Go back to your room, dream good dreams, and then make sure you are at breakfast."

Alaire stared at Neville.

"What are you going to do, Neville?" Alaire asked.

"I said leave it to me! Don't you trust me?"

"Ye-e-e-s."

"Then pleasant dreams!"

He kissed her goodnight again and gently shoved her up the stairs.

OoOoOoOo

The next morning, Alaire made it down to breakfast extra early. Soon, Dean, Seamus, and Harry joined her. Hermione and Ron came in last. Both wore happy, content faces. They sat down and began a quiet conversation between themselves. Alaire watched as Neville calmly entered the Great Hall and had a brief conversation with McGonagall who pointed in her direction. After a moment, he walked over and stood next Hermione.

"Hermione I owe you an apology".

"Whatever for?," Hermione asked smiling up at Neville.

Do you remember giving me some of your old Transfiguration revision notes… a couple of days ago.

"Yes, you said you needed them for a project of yours, which was odd as you dropped transfiguration fifth year, Hermione said more puzzled than ever".

"Yes I did, you also know that I get all my meals served in my greenhouse".

"Yes, we've all missed your company."

"I shouldn't have done it, after all I gave up that subject, but with your notes right in front of me… I couldn't resist the temptation. I gave them to Alaire, yesterday because I didn't know how to change it back.

"Change what back?"

"So did you like my transformation project of last night?"

Hermione's brow furrowed. "What projects?"

"You know, the cookies?"

"The cookies?" She thought for a moment. "Oh, those cookies! Those were transformed? From what… they were delicious!"

"You ate them?"

"What? Of course, we-I, I mean they were right-there. Ron gave me one." She turned to look at her boyfriend in horror.

"Well, they were on the table. I thought someone had heard me say I was hungry."

"Oh sweet Merlin" Neville choked out. "That's why I chose cookies. I thought you'd be impressed, Hermione. I concentrated really hard on a pile of your old notes you loaned me and thanks to your help; I transformed them into something that truly reflected their inner content.

Alaire stared at Neville in gob-smacked amazement at his bold-face lie.

"I was going to tell Alaire to tell you not to eat them, Hermione, but then I got caught-up in a botanist project that went horribly-wrong and I completely forgot to tell her. When she sent me a note thanking me for the delicious cookies I realized my mistake. It's my entire fault and I'm so sorry. Your notes are gone! It's this damned short-term memory of mine. It's such an embarrassment! Why can't I be normal?"

Neville put his face in his hands as his shoulders shook. Only Alaire knew that he was actually laughing instead of crying.

"Oh; Neville! No, don't worry about it! Those notes were from our second year pincushion to hedgehog reviews. I really haven't looked at them in years! And we are so far past that now."

Neville took a deep, calming breath.

"Honest, Neville, I know you would never do anything like that on purpose." Hermione reached across the table to pat Neville's shoulder. "And, besides, the cookies were amazing! Weren't they Ron?" She nudged Ron.

"Oh, yeah! Really, really good! Hermione loved them!"

At this point, Alaire could barely contain her giggles. She quickly shoved a fork of eggs into her mouth.

"Are you sure, you're not mad?" Neville dare to peek over his hands.

"Neville, I couldn't be mad at you. And you did such a good job at that transfiguration. We never dreamed that they weren't originals! And besides, it's not your fault that you forgot. I guess I was a little hard on you about your memory."

"Oh, OK." Neville sat up slowly wiping imaginary tears. "So still friends?"

"Of course! They were just some silly notes!" Hermione was almost ready to leap over the table to comfort him.

The bell rang just in time to stop her. As everyone headed to classes, Hermione gave Neville another encouraging smile. Harry, who had missed the prior night's session due to a detention with Snape, was totally mystified. Alaire watched him try to get information from Ron as they walked out but for once Ron wasn't talking.

Neville couldn't help but feel a little proud as his girlfriend preformed and exaggerated bow in an empty corridor on the way to their first shared class that morning.

"I salute the master, Neville," She told him with a smile. "Not even an Irishman such as Seamus... had he swallowed the Blarney Stone …could have told a bigger whopper than that."

"Well, she's not mad at you." He returned her smile.

"You know, Neville, I don't think I've ever seen such a performance."

"Thank you."

"Yes indeed, I believe that I need to give some deep thought as how to reward my valiant knight for protection from a angry bookworm Dragon."

"Milady, I was just happy to be of service." Neville said grinning.

With a quick glance around for professors, Alaire looped her arms around his neck. "We have two hours tonight, to socialize in the common-room with the others after dinner, which leaves me two hours to check on the plants as a good assistant should. As you have been of service to me Sir Knight, I think it only fair that I service you tonight."

"As you wish, Milady" Neville said blushing even harder than ever …as he gently brushed a kiss across Alaire cheek.

OoOoOoOo

Several days later

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 35

Neville fidgeted in his seat as he waited for Professor Sprout to finish looking over his latest plant-bud request. He knew what he asked for was considered to be a Category 5 Dangerous plant, but he had worked with other plants in that category several times before now.

"Mr. Longbottom," Professor Sprout began looking over her reading glasses at him. Her desk was filled with all sorts of plants and flowers. Most of them were specially picked to be calming and give off a pleasant scent, and after looking at Longbottom's request she was glad they were there. "I have looked at your application proposal concerning the plant, and while I do admit you are a brilliant herbology student, it is not a normal occurrence to allow a student to handle a bud such as this. Icarus-Wings are very rare and hard to come by."

"There are five of them in greenhouse four," Neville said, watching as the corners of Professor Sprout's mouth turned up slightly.

"How can you be so sure of that, Mr. Longbottom?" she asked fighting a smile that her brightest student had indeed known that fact. The Icarus-Wings were very well concealed.

"Greenhouse four houses tropical plants," Neville began. "The temperature throughout the greenhouse must remain at a constant 87 degrees or above. The greenhouse is kept at that precise temperature all year round. No warming charm lasts that long, and while you may be able to cast a charm once a day the potency of the charm will vary. So there is no way it could be a warming charm. Icarus-Wings give off heat of 90 degrees within a 17 foot radius. It would take five plants – one at each corner and a central one to keep the greenhouse at necessary temperature throughout."

"Twenty-points to Gryffindor for your knowledge Mr. Longbottom," Professor Sprout said now grinning. "However, you must also realize that because of those plants in greenhouse four, we cannot give you an Icarus Wing for this proposed project."

"You wouldn't need to give me an entire plant," Neville said reaching into his cloak and pulling out two small pots containing two very small seedlings. "I just need you to place these pots within twelve inches of two of them for ten days. My research indicates that they are compatible to be cross-pollinated."

Professor Sprout sat back for a moment, contemplating this new proposal.

"You do realize if this works the resulting plant will be extremely dangerous, well beyond that of the typical Icarus-Wings," she asked. "Your new plant could easily become a Category Six, Neville …In other words, a life-threatening plant."

"Yes, but only when it first blooms …but once it completely opens, it will have the potential to be a milder hybrid with a wider range of heat. It will make it easier to keep plants such as those in greenhouse four."

"Fine then," Professor Sprout said taking hold of the two seedlings from Neville. "But I expect full reports every week on your progress and if anytime things go wrong, the project will be terminated as well as the resulting hybrid."

"I understand."

As soon as the door closed to Professor's Sprout's office, Neville let out a breath he hadn't realized his was holding. Leaning up against the door for support, he loosened his neck-tie and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his dress shirt to let him breathe better. He closed his eyes and sighed in relief.

OoOoOo

"Tough meeting, my-love?,"

Neville's eyes snapped open to see Alaire shyly smiling at him. "How long have you been out here?"

"Since you went in," she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek and wrapped her arm around his. "I mean - my boyfriend gets all dressed up, is so nervous when he leaves …that he storms off without telling - 'me' - where he's going."

"You…you… thought I was cheating on you?" he said as if it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.

"I knew it wasn't true, but still I got a tad-bit ..."

"You were jealous," Neville teased as they walked back to Neville's greenhouse.

"So-what if I was," she shrugged. "Now tell me, Neville, whom should I be more jealous of …Professor Sprout who obviously made you nervous …or the plant you were probably speaking passionately about while you were in there. My money's on the plant."

"I was just seeking approval to go ahead on another hybrid project," he said.

"Another-one, Good lord, don't you ever stop? How many projects does that make this year?"

"Sixteen application so far this school term, but only seven were approved and have been commercially successful."

"Only seven …do you know how many professional Herbologist's don't even have one successful hybrid during their entire careers?"

Neville just shrugged unconcerned. He knew that he had done well with his hybrids …but he'd been inspired this year beyond anything he done previously. He resisted the temptation to tell Alaire that combined he had twelve commercial patents in his name …seven were devolped at Hogwarts with the rest done out of the greenhouse behind Gran's home. Mainly because he didn't want Alaire to think he was some kind of braggart like Finnegan or Sloper. He didn't do it for the fame anyway. Nobody ever put-up a statue to a botanist. Outside of a handful of professional's botanists/herbalists no one knew his name and he liked it that way.

The royalties were paying for some very expensive experimental treatments for his parents and to help his Gran pay some of her bills, otherwise ...he was as dirt-poor as the Weasley's. He just enjoyed the challenge. He felt lucky that he had found his niche in life. It had all started because plants couldn't talk back to you. You could tell all your problems to them and they would never say… "Well, you should have remembered the password!" or "If you hadn't stepped on her feet, at the Yule-ball …maybe Ginny would have given you a second chance."

He had been able to hide away in the greenhouse his sixth year after the Ministry debacle. It wasn't until Ginny dragged him physically to the common-room party that he admitted to himself that he was depressed. He had rejoined the world after that night …but in times of stress, he could always be found talking to his Mimbulus Mimbetonia in the most isolated corner of greenhouse six.

Seventh year he gotten his study …a fortress of solitude, where he could bemoan his semi-permanent bachelor status in peace and quiet …but that all ended when Alaire came along. Suddenly, he had been forced to deal with his emotions instead of hiding from them. The Halloween night that he had taken Alaire to his study, he realized that she made him feel better than any plant. He felt that he had begun to bloom just like his namesake rose.

OoOoOoOo

"Did you give everyone their late Xmas gifts yet?" he asked steering the conversation away from himself. He entered the living-quarter's office area of Greenhouse number seven. Barely into the door He went right over to his dresser and began to peel-off his best robes.

"Yeah," Alaire said laughing as she enjoyed the sight of her man undressing. "I gave Hermione her book and she tried to tell Ron he'd enjoy it too. He went off about he didn't enjoy reading 'bloody books and it was a waste of time.' Just wait until he finds out what it really is."

"I don't want to be around what that happens," Neville said smiling. "I still don't believe you got her that."

"Well, technically, I got them a joint-gift. I'm sure they'll both enjoy it. They'd better appreciate it… you have no idea how embarrassing it was for me to buy. You would have thought I was buying an X-rated video, not a 'How to Give a Great Erotic Massage' from the look the clerk gave me."

"Just a tiny pay-back by fate for the cologne incident; I say," Neville teased as he hung-up his robe.

"Ha – ha… very funny;" Alaire bemoaned. It was far less embarrassing making my purchases in Victoria's Secret."

"Speak for yourself! That place was made… just to torment blokes. But I'm sure Draco will enjoy the present you got Ginny."

"Ah, yes. She ran-off right after I gave it to her. I wonder if they have a secret place like we do," Alaire said slyly.

Neville blushed. "Sure they do, don't you remember they told us about their place in the east tower."

"I forgot about that," Alaire said with a huge laugh as she sat down on the couch-positioned futon. "But at least Ginny's gift of a latex outfit and a new leather bullwhip; will be of more practical use… than Harry's gift. He was actually trying to do divination homework with it. I tried to tell him a Magic 8 Ball was a toy and not really magic but he said it was far more accurate than other magical means of divination."

"Did you ask him about training you?"

"Yes," Alaire sighed sadly. "He agreed, though I don't think he was too happy about it. I really don't know, Neville. I don't like fighting."

"Don't think of it as fighting," Neville said. "Think of it as staying alive long enough for you to make an honest man out of me. And someday… if I'm so blessed …a father"

He gave the password at a locked door and then walked into his own private greenhouse. He glanced up at the Longbottom Rose which had taken over the northwest corner of the room.

"Hold-on there… I haven't made you a dishonest man yet," Alaire smirked as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"No, but you're sure trying and I just can't resist your charms for too much longer," Neville sighed playfully.

"Resistance weakening, thats good to hear ...I'll have to remember that," Alaire said smiling as she kissed him behind his ear. She giggled when he shivered. "Do I give you the heebee-jeebees?"

"The what? …Honestly," Neville said. "Sometimes I think you Americans speak a different language!"

"The chills, silly? You know, like if you accidentally bump into a ghost or something."

"Oh. Ick." He shivered again as he pulled away from her and undid his tie. "I did that my first year. I literally walked right through Nearly-Headless-Nick. I'm not sure who was more upset."

"Hmm. So my kissing you is the same as running through a dead person? What a compliment."

Neville turned from where he was neatly put away his tie and began to work at the buttons of dress shirt. "Hmm. Similar …but not quite the same."

"Aren't you the comedian today?" She watched him unbutton his shirt with a confused smile. "Neville, why are you undressing? Not that I'm complaining but a less, um, direct approach is …" Her voice trailed off as Neville finished with his last button and pulled off his shirt revealing a smooth, broad, muscular-chest.

"To be honest, I sweat heavily when I dress-up for occasions like today. I'm usually uncomfortable at parties and let's face it …I'm no-where near as outgoing as you are. I'm more grateful than you'll ever know for you choosing to be with me …for all I am really …is a shy simple gardener.

"If you're just a gardener then I'm fertile soil …when is planting season?" Alaire teased just for the enjoyment of watching Neville blush under her sexual banter. "But now that you are putting clothing away," she said changing the subject to allow him time to recover. "I want to claim one drawer of your dresser as my own.

"Why?"

"I want to keep a few extra sets of clothes here in case of accidents", Alaire replied in a matter-of fact tone". I have great expectations of spend the occasional night in here, I don't want to show up to breakfast the following morning …wearing yesterdays clothing and smelling of sex sweat."

"Oh. So you're moving in… without asking me first? Where does the rest of my harem sleep if you move in too?" Neville teased coyly. And a stunned Alaire could only stare opened mouth back at her flirting boyfriend. "But you'd not have to worry about day-after sex-sweat. That's why all the other girls are so grateful that …unlike my old study, with its tiny water-closet …greenhouse number seven has a big …roomy … two person shower-stall."

"Yeah," Alaire mumbled amazed by Neville boldness.

"Anything wrong, Alaire?" Neville asked with a soft chuckle.

"Nope." She replied with a blush after her bluff had been called.

"OK, if you say so." He hung his dress shirt on a hanger behind the bathroom door and pulled down a rugby shirt that Dean had given him for Christmas.

"You're getting dressed?" Alaire asked in a disappointed whisper.

"Yeah. We've got to get you up to the Great Hall and dinner."

"Oh,"

Neville turned his back to Alaire to hide his smile and started to pull on his shirt but stopped when a pair of female hands swiftly caught the shirt and wrapped it around his hands. Now he was stuck with his hands above his head.

"Are you sure you want me to go to dinner, and set between those pervert's …Finnegan and Sloper?" Alaire said in a husky voice. "Can't we have the house elves bring my dinner down here instead, please?"

Neville turned his head to see Alaire staring at him with wide eyes. "And if not …I mean, isn't Sheppard-pie a-bit overrated anyway."

"And what about dessert?" Neville asked.

Alaire let go of his hands and leaned against him. "I promise to satisfy any …cravings you might have."

Neville took one look at Alaire's face and threw the shirt to the floor.

"I think I could be persuaded: time has been set aside by Professor McGonagall for my assistant to tend to my seeds" he boldly teased as he began to nibble at her neck. "Mmm, you taste like heebie-jeebies'."

OoOoOoOo

Alaire and Neville had dinner that night in the greenhouse. The house-elf that served the meal …by the name of Winky …was very, very unhappy who was delighted to be allowed to serve the noble house of Longbottom. Alaire of course …charmed the tiny creature as she had Dobby. And when she accidentally dropped the hint …of how much she would wish that someone as wonderful as Winky could take-over all of Neville's personal needs …meals and cleaning duties, the half-tipsy house-elf nearly wet her-self in eagerness to volunteer for the job.

After dinner, however … Alaire suddenly-remembered; that she needed to go right away to the library and meet with Ginny.

"What about the desert you promised me" Neville said as he reached for his socks.

"Ahem. Um, give me a rain-check… okay? I make it up to you later …I promise, Neville? There's something that I need to talk to you about and it involves Ginny."

"More important than the whipped-cream induced …heebie-jeebies?" Neville asked with an amused chuckle. After a proper snog he felt like he was floating on air …but he was about to be suddenly grounded.

"Um, well, related, actually."

Ten minutes later they entered the Library which had a few stragglers around the study tables. Alaire quickly spotted Ginny's red hair and headed towards her.

"Hi! We made it!"

"I was beginning to wonder." She gave Neville a sly smile. "Dare I ask if what made you late and what has plastered a identical smile on both your faces, due to the same thing?"

Neville had the grace to blush while Alaire gave Ginny a dirty look. She waited until Neville had sat down before she gave him her best apologetic smile.

"Uh, oh, this can't be good," he muttered as he noticed the suddenly worried looks that now appeared on Alaire face. He swallowed and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Well, I wouldn't say anything is wrong, would you, Alaire?" Ginny said

"Oh, no! Definitely nothing major wrong! But, perhaps… a-bit interesting," Alaire's voice kept getting higher-and-higher.

Neville now was really worried. "OK, what's up? I know better with the two of you."

"Well . . ." Ginny looked at Alaire who took a deep breath and began. "It was all a huge-misunderstanding really. You see, Ginny and I were talking about my Magical Creatures project for Hagrid. Since I'm not taking a NEWT in his class, he's asked me to find a book of magical American animals for his first years. And Ginny and I were discussing it in the library."

"Yeah, so what's wrong with that?" Neville asked. His stomach was starting to hurt.

"Well, we were discussing a book I have about 'Phlogiston Gators', these fire-breathing magical-gators that we have in Louisiana."

"We were just comparing snout sizes," Ginny said coyly. You know my brother, Charlie …he works with dragons, when out of nowhere …Wallace Evans …"

Neville interrupted. "Hang-on! You were comparing animal snout sizes?"

Alaire nodded at him as she held her hands out in front of her. "I was just saying to Ginny that when a Phlogiston Gator is a baby, its snout is just four inches long." She held her hands out an appropriate length.

"Then I said that a Peruvian Viper-tooth has a five inch snout." Ginny held her hands out in front of her.

"But then when a P-Gator, because that's what we call'-em back home, is only a month old, it doubles in size." She spread her hands out further …at which point Ginny began to giggle.

"But my Viper-tooth is generally …MUCH LARGER, Alaire." Ginny snorted widening the distance between her hands.

"But then I pointed out that although a P-Gator starts-out …much smaller," Alaire said narrowing her hands back to four inches apart… as she began to chuckle. "And then when agitated it gets much bigger, really fast." She pulled her hands apart to about six inches. "I told her that a fire-breathing gator could take her dragon anytime."

Neville put his head in his hands and began to softly chuckle.

"I disagree," Ginny said defensively. "But anyway, we were discussing these size changes when Wallace Evans, that tall, dark, and menacing Slytherin from sixth year, came over."

"Yeah, and I can't even imagine where his mind was!" Alaire said

"In the gutter …of course," Ginny snorted with contempt.

"Exactly."

Neville wiped a tear from his face. "OK, ok …I get the idea …so what did Evans do?"

Alaire began to blush.

"Well, he obviously misunderstood what we were talking about …because he came over and pulled my hands apart this far," she measured about seven inches. "And he then said; 'this is a good size for guaranteed satisfaction …if you're interested."

Neville's smile faded fast… as he felt his anger grew hot. "He; hit on-you?"

"Calm down …Wallace and his exaggerations was nothing Alaire couldn't handle," Ginny said with a big smile.

The stomachache came back. "Alaire, what did you do?" Neville asked very worried.

"I pulled my hands about this far apart," she measured an additional two inches in length, and then held up her thumb and fore finger about two inches apart. "Then I said-I said …" She took a deep breath fighting back a giggle. "And I said …I'm dating Neville Lo-o-o-o-ngbottom …and I wasn't remotely interested in anything that was merely seven inches long… or less than two inches thick when …Limp."

Neville felt his face go several shades of red as Ginny's giggles erupted into full belly laughs.

"It was all instinctive, Neville," Alaire said quickly. "I just had to put him in his place. And it was really a compliment to you."

"Yeah," Ginny was laughing so hard she was in danger of falling out of her seat.

"I' really sorry …I know that you're a private kind of guy . . ."

Thump! In the state of near hysterical laughter; Ginny, had literally fallen out of her seat.

"Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Goodnight. Is there a problem with Ms. Weasley?" Alaire looked up to see Irma Prince …the school Librarian …looming over her shoulder.

"Longbottom - Goodnight!" Ginny laughed even harder. "Has she been hit with a tickling charm? If so remove it at once!" Irma Prince demanded.

"No; ma'am. She's fine."

"Well, then! Get off of the floor, Miss Weasley. This is a Library and I expect better behavior from all of you …now either settle down or leave at once!" She turned stomped off as Ginny sat back down at the table. The three students looked at each other as solemnly as they could before they burst out laughing.

OoOoOoOo

As they walked toward the Gryffindor common room, Alaire nudged Neville and said, "I'm proud of you, Neville. I think you're loosening up a little-bit. If I had talked to some horny-snake about the size of your …tool, back when we first started dating, you would have hit the roof."

"Yeah, Neville, I remember you being afraid to hold my hand in public." Ginny pointed out.

"For your information, Ms Weasley, today has been an exceptional good day for me, I got the go ahead on another project and just had a private-dinner with my best-girl. Good news and good company has a tendency to embolden my spirits. As for my behavior during the time when we went-out… as with any bloke bold enough to court the youngest Weasley. I'll have you know that I walked on egg-shells during our entire brief-time together… and acted the way I did… because I was scared to death of being hexed into the next century …for stepping one toe out of line… with you."

"I'm not that bad!" Ginny protested while Alaire raised an amused eyebrow.

"Yeah; right! Well …Alaire could have asked Michael Corner about egg-shells if she didn't want to take my word for it… but he's gone now," Neville replied with a casual shrug of his shoulder. "Right up to the day he graduated that poor bloke cringed in fear …whenever you passed him in the hallway, and you have never let-on the reason behind his fear. And to tell you the truth, I can't help but-wondered if Malfoy interest in you …wasn't based in-part in your 'too dangerous to tame… wild-girl' reputation.

"It took me years to develop that reputation, I'm sort-of glad it worked-out the way I planed it." Ginny snorted; smugly pleased with herself.

"Yeah, getting on Ginny's bad-side is a very unhealthy thing for a bloke to do. Ask Michael, or even Harry. Dean and I were the only two that emerged somewhat unscathed," Neville said in a matter of fact …dead-pan tone.

The friendly jibing of Ginny's continued until a loud "Clang!" interrupted them. It was an alarm bell. It faded away only to be followed by Professor McGonagall's voice reverberating as if from a loud-speaker in-beded in each off of the castle walls.

"All students are to report to their common rooms and check in with their house prefects. There has been a Death Eater attack at Hogsmeade. All students are restricted to within the castle until further notice. You have fifteen minutes to get to your common rooms. Anyone in the halls after that time will be punished severely.

"Again, there has been a Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade. All students are restricted to within the castle and must report to their house prefects in their common rooms for a roll-call. All updates on the Hogsmeade attack will be sent to the prefects as soon as we receive any news. Thank you. Now …move-it!"

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 36

Neville kissed Alaire goodbye, as she and Ginny neared the portrait-door. Neville hurried off toward his greenhouse as the two girls quickly joined their classmates in the Gryffindor common room. Dean who had replaced Ron as Gryffindor seventh-year Prefect after the night of the stairway incident was standing in the middle of the room holding a list and quill and surrounded by clamoring students.

"Hold on you-lot! I'll get everyone signed in …just queue-up single file …you all know the routine!" Dean continued to shout as a 5th year prefect that Alaire didn't recognize tried to get everyone in some sort of queue. They gave Dean a quick wave and he checked off their names. The fear and anxiety radiating from her fellow students threatened to break down Alaire's emotional barriers. She quickly walked to an alcove away from everyone and sat down closing her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Ginny always considerate voice broke into her reverie.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need a moment to calm down. That's all."

Alaire leaned her head back against the castle wall and concentrated on blocking-out the nearly overwhelming emotions of anxiety and fear pouring off of everyone in the room. It was times like this that Alaire missed most; Neville's 'happy thoughts.' His positive emotions went far in offsetting the huge waves of negative emotions that now surrounded her.

Looking up her world immediately brightened, as an Auror, roughly shoved Neville and Harry into the Gryffindor common room.

"What happened?" Ginny asked running over to him.

"My solitary confinement punishment has been set-aside in light of the current crisis," Neville said as he moved over to a supportive position next to where Alaire sat. "I kind-of ran into our Head-Girl and her bodyguard on the way to my greenhouse …who were talking to Professor McGonagall…

"...What Bodyguard?" Ginny interupted feeling confused.

"Your brother, Gin-gin" Neville replied. "Ron refuses to leave Hermione's side and the Auror who tried to drag him away from his bookworm, got thrown twenty feet across the room for his trouble. As my hands don't glow-blue …they had no trouble hauling me off here".

"Ron's an overprotective Prat", Ginny snorted …but in a tone of admiration this time. "And Harry?'

"The Aurors caught him heading for Hogsmeade, all alone… he was trying to get into the fighting, I guess," Neville said pointing at Harry, who was sitting in a corner fuming.

"Going off all alone is going to get that git killed," Ginny snarled. "He's a loose-cannon just like my git brother Ronnie.

"Maybe-so, but Merlin help the Death-Eater who threatens your brother's fiancé." Neville said before squatting down and whispering to Alaire: "Honey are you alright?"

She nodded her head …unable to speak out of fear of losing her concentration. Her training with Snape was - at last - paying off …she had almost blocked everyone out …when she felt a very strong fear nearby.

She looked up at Neville but he was staring at her with concern and anxiety written on his face. She didn't have to tune him in to know that he was more worried about her than afraid of anything. Who was it then? Ginny had wandered off and was now arguing with a very upset Harry …so she was fine. Dean was keeping the students under control. She knew that Hermione and her super-powerful 'bodyguard' weren't here. She was probably making Ron reinforce the castle wards, while the staff rounded up errant students. So who was it?

She looked around the students then finally saw a pair of feet behind a nearby tapestry. She slowly stood up and carefully pulled back the material. She found a small first year girl quivering in fear. Her eyes were closed and tears stained her face. Her tiny fists were balled up in nervousness.

"Hi," Alaire gave the girl a warm smile. When she didn't answer, Alaire continued, "I'm Alaire. I'm a 7th year. What's your name?"

The girl sniffled.

"Alessandria Lewis. I'm just a fir-first year."

Alaire smiled at her encouragingly. The girl was small for her age and perhaps had turned 11 more recently than the other students. "Want to come and sit with me while we wait? I've found a nice, quiet spot where no one can see us."

Glancing around to make sure none of her classmates could see her; Alessandria nodded and took Alaire's hand. They quickly walked back to the alcove where Neville gave her a questioning look.

"Neville, this is Alessandria Lewis. She's a first year. I told her she could sit with us while we wait for news." Neville gave the girl a small smile which caused the girl to burst into tears.

"What I do?" Neville asked confused.

Alaire quickly wrapped her arms around the girl and tried to calm her down. "She's really scared, Neville, more than anyone else here." She pulled back from the girl a bit. "Honey, what's wrong? I know you're scared …but there's something else. You can tell me."

Alessandria nodded and whispered pointing at Neville, "He looks a-bit like my brother that lives in Hogsmeade." She began to gulp air as she tried to quit crying. "I don't know if he's alive."

The tears won and began spilling over her cheeks again.

"Oh, honey, I'm sure he's OK. Look, come sit here beside us and tell us about him. Then, Neville can go and make sure that Professor McGonagall brings us any news about him."

She looked over Alessandria's head and smiled at Neville willing him to catch on.

"Oh-Oh, yeah – right …can you describe him?" Neville asked uncomfortably.

The girl took a deep breath.

"He-He looks a-lot like you." She gazed up at Neville. "He's tall, got dark hair, brown eyes and loads of muscles …but he has an earring in one of his ears. He wears a little broom on his shirt. His name is Mathew Lewis and he plays pro-Quidditch for Puddlemere."

"I'm sure he's fine, Alessandria," Neville told her in a quiet voice. "You have to be in good shape to play Quidditch. How old is your brother?"

"He's twenty-four."

"Oh, yeah! He'll be fine."

"But if the Death Eaters have come, he'll have to fight them and he-he-he m-might die!" Alessandria said breaking down again. "He's too young to fight bad men! He's not an Auror."

It had become quite clear to Alaire that Alessandria worshipped her brother. She was trying to think of another way to comfort her when Neville began to speak.

"You're never too young to fight Death Eater's, Alessandria," Neville said in a whisper. "I did it first when I was only fifteen and several times after that."

"Really! What happened?" The girl was agog at this revelation.

"I'll tell you …if you promise not to say anything to anyone. It's kind-of a secret."

She nodded and Alaire found her-self concentrating on Neville's every word.

"When I was a baby, some Death-Eaters' came to my house and attacked my family. They hurt my parents so bad that they never got out of the hospital. I was a baby so they left me alone. But I found out who the bad person was and I vowed I'd get revenge some day.

"I practiced Defense every day when I came to Hogwarts just like your brother did. But I wasn't very good at it …until my fifth year …when some of us formed this secret club so we could practice dueling.

"At the end of that fifth year, a relative of a friend of mine was in very bad trouble. This friend's God-father had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters and we found out about it. We tried to find some teachers to help us …but no one was around so five other students… and me; went to rescue him ourselves."

Alessandria had stopped crying and was staring at Neville open mouthed awe - and so was Alaire. She knew that Neville was referring to the time when he, Harry, and others had gone to the Ministry and found the prophecy. And, she knew that Neville had fought some Death Eaters' there …because her parents told her so at Christmas, during the Beauxbatons tour. But she had never heard any of the details.

"When we got to the building where they were keeping him, we walked right in. But the area where they were keeping him in was filled with all kinds of dark magic. We had to figure out puzzles and find our way through a maze just to get to him. However when we finally got there, we found out we had been tricked! It was an ambush! Suddenly there were loads of nasty Death Eaters' surrounding us!"

"What did you do?" Alessandria asked breathlessly.

"We couldn't attack because there were too many of them …so we knocked over some shelves and legged it! We split up and they tried to find us. That's when we started to fight them because we could take on …two at a time. One was hit with a strong muting spell that we thought wouldn't make him able to cast spells - and the other fell into this time warp and it turned his head into a baby!"

"Did you find the person who had attacked you family?"

Neville nodded, his face darkening slightly. "She found me."

"She …it was a girl?"

"Not a girl ...a woman …a very evil - evil woman. She attacked me when she realized who I was because she and her irk …hates my family. But I fought back …and she ended up back in Azkaban …for awhile anyway …for that's where her kind belongs!"

"Wow! And you were only fifteen? My brother's a lot older than that! I bet he could fight twenty Death Eaters!"

"I bet he could …but if he's smart, he'll get help from his friends to fight them together," Neville said encouragingly to her.

"Oh, yeah you're right! He has loads of friends from Quidditch and from the pub where he goes sometimes."

"Then he's probably Okay then."

Alessandria reached over and hugged Neville tightly. He patted her back awkwardly at first then with true warmth.

"If you don't mind, I think I'll go sit with my friends now," she said smiling lightly. "I'm feeling better about my brother."

"Okay but remember your promise."

"Oh, I won't tell anyone, I promise a wizard's promise," she proclaimed solemnly. "My brother says fame is really hard to deal with so I'll keep you low-key."

A smile tugged at Neville's mouth. "I'll have to remember that."

Alessandria turned and hugged; Alaire gave Neville a beaming smile before blushing slightly and giving him a peck on the cheek and running over to a table of first years who welcomed her with smiles of encouragement.

"I think you have a new fan," Alaire said as she scooted next to Neville and snuggled under his arm. After a few moments, she added, "I've never heard the whole story of what happened that night."

Neville closed his eyes and sighed. "That's the one night I've never been able to forget. Passwords, potions and charms gone in an instant …but I see that woman in my mind almost every day."

"I'm sorry, Neville." Alaire pulled him into embrace. "That was a noble thing you did tonight. You calmed her down so much. I just hope her brother is Okay."

"Me, too."

"And Neville?"

"Yeah?"

"When you're ready to tell me the WHOLE story, I'll be here for you." He smiled down at her.

"Thanks. Someday, someday, you'll know everything."

In the back of her mind, Alaire was adding, "And you'll know all my secrets, too."

OoOoOoOo

Two more parts to go

To be continued.

OoOoOoOo