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'

6. Chapter 6

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 six - - by; billybobcsgun36 –

Chapters 42 to end

Fanfiction (dot) net id# 641050

Begun; 10-23-09

Redo-Word count; 14,835 (this the final part)

Rated 'M'

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.

Final part; short and fluffy… this is it, the end of my re-write, I can only hope that you enjoyed it. The original story word count was 97,626 …my rewrite clocks-in at approximately: 178,226 words… the true definition of long-winded, am I right, or what? ;-)

Disclaimer;

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

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The house lights fade, the curtain opens … roll film

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Chapter 44

Without saying goodbye

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(Four days later)

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Neville often thought back to the fateful night when Alaire had ran into Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy, as he sat by her bedside holding her hand for days on end …half-convinced that Alaire was going to join his parents in the nutter-ward at St. Mungo's. But something in him wouldn't give up. He never left her side …except to go to the Loo, he slept sitting-up in a chair next to her bed …he ate there, what little he did eat. He even reluctantly took the potions that Snape forced upon him to counter-act the after-effects of four big time hits of the "Cruciatus Curse"

Often bored out of his mind Neville also did some revisiting for the upcoming Newts in the hospital-wing with Hermione. At first it was when she came to visit Ron and Harry and then alone, after her fiancée had been released… Neville was very-grateful that the Head-Girl had set-aside time in her busy schedule to tutor him privately.

Neville uneasiness at being around Professor Snape had also greatly diminished in gratitude to the several times that the potions master had tried to bring Alaire back from the brink of silent madness …as he done once before, although regretfully each fresh-attempt failed. Neville's appreciation of his former nemeses heightened further when it turned out that it was Professor Snape who had strongly insisted that Neville be allowed to stay by her side. He convinced the school matron Poppy Pomfrey by conducting a simple experiment, with Dumbledore and several of the other-professors in the room as judges.

First he had Poppy Pomfrey verify magically that Alaire was not conscious and then Severus had Neville get up and walk out of the hospital-wing. The botanist wasn't ten paces down the hall before the American girl began tossing and turning franticly in her bed …as if suffering a seizure. To end the fit, all Severus had to do was call Neville back into the room. Once Neville was back in hospital, Alaire's 'violent spasms' greatly diminished and once he touched her hand, these seizures would end abruptly… after that …all objections to Neville's presence by Poppy ceased beyond her refusal to allow him the use of a bed to sleep in. This attempt to discourage the boy from living in the infirmary at Alaire's bedside also failed.

Naturally Alaire's parents had come to England as soon as they heard from the headmaster about Alaire's encounter with the two Death-Eaters. Neville had insisted on writing that letter himself, taking full blame for his failure to protect Alaire, but the headmaster overruled him. Luckily for Neville' s continued existence and before travelling from the U.S. to Scotland …Jeraldine Goodnight had insisted on a long distant floo-call to Dumbledore's office …wherein, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the Professor McGonagall explained how Alaire, had found herself …out of the castle …after curfew …alone. And then Dumbledore stepped in and tactfully added how Neville had come… not only to Alaire's rescue, but a Hogwarts Professor as well.

When David and Jeraldine appeared in the headmaster's office fireplace, ten hours later… Albus was waiting. David was in spite of knowing all the facts of how she got hurt, was livid. Not so much against, Neville's heroic actions, as the half-ass defensive-wards that allowed a massive Death Eater attack on the so-called most protected place in the U.K. Severus Snape was even called and he too… strongly-defended Neville's decisive victory over two of the prime-leaders of the 'DE' movement.

When David demanded; that Alaire be released to him to take home… at once. A repeat of the out-of-the-room demonstration proved to both Goodnights' …in just under five-minutes; Alaire's desperate unconscious-need to have Neville nearby.

"I believe strongly," Severus summed-up in a firm tone. "That even with the deep coma that she is in at the moment; it must be obvious to anyone with eyes. That the bond that your daughter has formed with Longbottom; gives her immense comfort… just from his presence in the room.

"Neville," Jeraldine said softly as she walked over to the clearly exhausted boy, who was firmly holding Alaire's hand. "When was the last time you slept?"

"I don't know", the exhausted botanist slurred in reply. "What day is it?"

"Headmaster, I can't allow this to go on anymore," David growled. "Neville get up and come over here,"

Neville slowly got to his feet …with obvious-reluctance, he let-go of Alaire's hand and walked over to his girlfriend's father, as a man calmly walking to his own execution. Alaire instantly began to toss and turn in disturbance over Neville letting go of her hand. David slowly pulled out his wand; Neville stiffened and then straightened his shoulders prepared for the worst.

"David …don't you dare", Jeraldine hissed.

"What?" David said as he jinxed the next bed over, making it slide over to where it touched Alaire's. "Before I let you crash, I'd like to know what you've done to bring my baby-girl out of this.

"David, be reasonable, Neville is not a healer."

"No …I understand," Neville said. "The way I see it, Alaire is most hurt by any kind of negative emotions …and Death Eaters have loads of hate in their soul. So I figured that feeling sad about what happened wouldn't help. What Alaire needed was 'happy thoughts' …loads of love and happiness. So I've spent the last couple of days telling her about the success of my latest heat-producing hybrid, the 'SUNflower'. I've told her how-much I needed her to help me fill-out the paper-work for the patent. How she had to wake-up so we could do our revisiting for the NEWTS exams …together.

"Finally in pure desperation …I had another idea - and asked Hermione to do some research for me in the library …on holiday-resorts in the Caribbean near Alaire's home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alaire always complains about being cold here, in fact she has demanded more than once that when this war was over …which it is …sort-of - - or so I've been told. Anyroad; Alaire has often expressed the wish to run away with me for a fortnight and lay on some warm sandy beach. So I've spent the last day or so …describing to her the brochures that Hermione had found for me.

Good idea," Jeraldine interjected sounding pleased.

"I've even threatened that if she didn't open her eyes soon, I'd go without-her and then have a ruddy terrible-time… precisely because she wouldn't be there to prevent me from picking the wrong resort. It's all in jest of-course; my summer–hol would be ruined anyway without her with me.

Jeraldine smiled big and even David grinned a little, "You're dead on your feet boy…go stretch out next to Alaire and get some sleep, we'll talk later."

"Shaking his head and somewhat in a daze, Neville stumbled back to the bed, crawled in and took hold of Alaire's franticly searching hand, the moment her fingers intertwined with his… she immediately settled down. Alaire never opened her eyes, but the unconscious girl had once-again reaffirmed her 'attachment' to her boyfriend.

What Neville hadn't said …was what he had said to his girlfriend when all the other visitors were gone for the night and the other patients were safely asleep …that special period of the day …when he and Alaire were more or less alone. It was at times like these that he'd then cast a silencing charm around her bed and ever so softly in a whisper remind Alaire of every intimate moment of love that they had shared since becoming a couple.

He'd remind her of their first embarrassing encounter in Hogsmeade clothing shop. How he had taken loads of cold- showers …due to wanking fantasized about her …after the Halloween dance …how he felt as if he was …literally …walking on air for weeks after their first …real kiss!

He'd whispered in her ear how soft her skin was and how much he enjoyed running his hands through her thick hair and down her naked body. He would lay his cheek on hers and whisper in her ear …how much he enjoyed going down on her, licking her clit into one earth shattering orgasm after another. How much joy he felt …by being the boyfriend of the most beautiful girl in the world. But, most of all, he told her without shame how much he loved her - and that he could feel her too now …because they were one heart, one mind, and one body.

And then before the first rays of daylight on the morning of the fifth day, Neville woke to the most wonderful whisper that he would ever hear.

"Neville Francis Longbottom, I adore you."

Alaire blinked her eyes a few times in the first rays of morning sunlight and wearily lifted a trembling hand to his face.

"I remember all those things too."

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The bad thing about waking from a coma for a very-weak Alaire was the immediate exile from her side of her much beloved boyfriend-lifeline …from the Hospital-wing. Madame Pomfrey appeared out of nowhere and demanded that Neville remove himself at once to take a much needed shower-bath.

"It will most likely take the rest of the school year if not more …for Ms Goodnight to regain enough strength to stay conscious for more than an hour, Mr. Longbottom. Injuries to the mind are far slower to heal than physical ones," Poppy said as she rushed the boy out. "Get back to your greenhouse, at once …clean-up and get to class."

"Yes Madam," Neville said in a resigned tone, bending over he kissed Alaire softly before heading out.

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"Ah …Neville, I see Ms Goodnight has returned to us," Albus Dumbledore said as he entered the hospital-wing with David and Jeraldine right behind.

"Yes sir …just now!"

"I know you'd like some …alone-time …with Ms. Goodnight. However, that will have to wait for another time", Albus said with a twinkles in his eyes. "There is a massive hole in the side of Greenhouse number seven that needs to be rebuilt. Several of your projects were destroyed in your eagerness to aid Ms. Goodnight, with your notes scattered to the winds. And finally Professor Sprout has an issue with something in greenhouse two. I am excusing you from all of the rest of this morning's classes …so as to get all your affairs in proper-order.

"As it just so happens …Miss Granger has the period before Lunch free, and you'll find her in the library. She has volunteered to walk-you-through the classes you missed, except for Herbology of course. I dare say, that at this point you could teach her that subject …eh?"

"Thank-you, I'll get right too it," Neville said moving off at a brisk pace.

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Chapter # 43 Unpleasant truths

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During that fateful-meeting with the Headmaster: in the hospital wing, Albus had pointed-out politely to Alaire and her parents …that taking the NEWTS exams at all was actually-unnecessary for the American. As she had already sat the American equivalent of the U.K. Newt's at the Charlestown School of Magic just-prior to coming to Hogwarts. Repeating the experience for the sake of camaraderie was a nice gesture, but not required to continue her healer training. Both her parents agreed with the headmaster wholeheartedly, and Alaire could sense that she was going to have trouble re-educating her parents out of the silly mindset that she required them to make decisions for her.

Severus, a late arrival to the meeting …of course he agreed with the headmaster assessment of the completion of Alaire's education in England. He'd brought with him two signed letters of recommendation that stated that Alaire was well versed in all European-style potion making techniques as well as the primary European ingredients alternatives used for medical remedies. The second letter from Professor Sprout said the same thing concerning European herbology

Alaire was naturally disappointed when she was told by Madam Pomfrey that she would not be strong enough to sit exams with her friends. In fact; it was very-possible that she faced several more weeks of slow-recovery in Hospital. Her magical-core had been badly-damaged by dropping her shields during the garden-fight and would take total peace and quite to mend.

Severus did a quick test of her emotional shields and reluctantly confirmed the Matron's diagnoses. Alaire's barriers to other people's emotions were totally gone and would have to be totally rebuilt from scratch. When Alaire protested that her shields were just fine…Severus tested her again and verified that even the five friendly people in the Hospital wing; were actually extremely hurtful to an empath with zero mental defenses.

"You could help her rebuilt her defenses… couldn't you Severus?" Jeraldine asked.

"If I had the time to devote every waking moment 24-7 for a month… then yes I could bring her back to the point she was before the Attack," Severus said with a sneer, "but as you can imagine a mere fortnight before the end of term. It is impossible for me to undertake such a task. Besides, there are more qualified mental healers in the private sector than me.

Alaire's objections became more violent and borderline-obscene when Madam Pomfrey tried to insist that even a private room for her recovery with no-visitors outside of immediate family for a month wouldn't be enough.

"Poppy, perhaps discussing this diagnosis in Alaire's presence is unwise. Your patient reaction might prompt a relapse," Severus retorted over Alaire's frantic attempts to get out of bed.

"Severus, I am the healer here and …" Poppy began only to be interrupted.

"…Matron, you are indeed the expert on the body, and I for one, have never question that," Severus admitted. "My concern however …is for Ms Goodnight's mental health. And in this I happen to agree with you. I also strongly suggest that Ms. Goodnight's mental barriers be reconstructed elsewhere… meaning outside of Hogwarts… by trained professionals.

"Severus how could you betray me like this?" Alaire bemoaned. "Who's side are you on?"

"Whose side I'm on is irrelevant. You simply can't undo the damage you've suffered here. Even St. Mungo does not have people capable of doing such repairs," Snape said with a sneer. Perhaps Germany or even America has such facilities, but I can't say with certainty. Our first objective was for you to regain consciousness. In any event such repairs obviously cannot be arranged instantly. Until then; surely my two coma demonstrations have already established the vital and highly soothing soul-bond that Ms Goodnight shares with Mr. Longbottom. A bond that must not be broken prematurely.

"A SOUL-BOND?" David shouted jumping to his feet outraged, while his wife just smiled warmly …feeling enormously pleased about something.

"Dumbledore what have you done. How could you allow this to happen? My daughter came here for a couple of lessons and not to acquire a permanent life-mate."

"Calm-yourself Mr. Goodnight, I'm sure that Severus spoke out of turn," Albus said with a warning look in the direction of his potion-master. "Poppy, you examined Ms Goodnight thoroughly when she arrived …did you not? An exam designed to detect all of the usual forms of known Death Eater abuse, including …sexual."

"What" David roared?

"If you're asking if Ms Goodnight has engaged in sexual congress during her stay at Hogwarts, then the answer is a most definite 'NO'. Madam Pomfrey declared firmly.

"Oh My God" Alaire sobbed clearly embarrassed to no end …while trying to hide under her pillow.

"I though you told me that you had put - 'that incident' – behind you?" Snape snapped turning to stare-down at Alaire …clearly disappointed.

"I have …mostly."

"But not totally …apparently," Severus snarled. "You can't ask for anyone better than Longbottom for this kind of thing. I had worried for a-bit that Potter's charm would divert you from the plan. I warned you on day one that Potter was the polar opposite of what you needed to heal. Luckily during your little duel you caught a glimpse of the Chosen One's inner soul.

"There is nothing in-there but hate, lust and fear." Alaire admitted absentmindedly …with clear regret.

"Precisely, I didn't think it would take half as long as it actually did… for you to figure that out," Severus said clearly dissatisfied. "When your parents originally approached me to work on your emotional shield's… I quickly determined that what you needed at the beginning of term and still need; to counteract the damage John Canady did was a Ronald Weasley type.

"Not a player like Finnegan of Sloper; but rather a man of unshakable devotion to his Lady, willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he loved …mixed with unending romantic kindness," Severus said firmly. After searching through the minds of all of the students attending their sixth and seventh terms here at Hogwarts with legitimacy; I finally came across a pair of genuinely good young men …of unquestionable Honor, in seventh-year, two young men which fit the bill of best-promoting your emotional recovery.

"Unfortunately for our purposes' …Mr. Weasley… as you already knew, was already taken. Granger has owned that boy's soul since …forever. I also told you that he wouldn't notice you except in passing, in spite of your superior anatomical advantages. Not able to get the time of day from the lovesick Ronald …that left you really with only one other choice; Mr. Longbottom.

"He was virginally-shy …I'll grant you that …but his lack of experience with women was also a plus as he was less likely to be sexually demanding. He's also kind-hearted to a fault …understanding, tolerant, and most important of all; he he's not the type to just chase after a girl just to get laid …like, Mr. Finnegan or Mr. Sloper would.

"It scares me …the concept of having intercourse …alright? Neville's been so sweet and understanding… so grateful for finally having a girlfriend to snog …that he; just like you said he would… he insisted that I set the pace for the physical part… of our relationship." Alaire said proudly. "I've made great progress; I can kiss, grope and even touch his …penis, without a panic attack.

"That's great Honey, the therapist was right …all you needed was the right-guy…"Jeraldine said delighted. "Neville has really been a god-send… hasn't he?"

"Yes he has… things were going great; but then I had a duel with Harry, where John paid a ghostly-visit to my mind again… that day, after what I did to Harry; I became terrified all over again that if Neville tried to …fuck-me," Alaire spat; barely able to say it aloud. "If I tried to do that …with any man …even gentle Neville …I'd have another panic-attack…go crazy and instinctively hurt him ...very badly... just like I did Harry

"We went through this …Dammit," Severus snarled furiously. "Potter went hormonal on you …so he got exactly what he deserved. Now unless, Longbottom has gone totally-mental - and completely out of character …mind-you - by all-of-a-sudden ….starting to put immense-pressure on you to do something sexual that you weren't ready for."

"He'd NEVER do that," Alaire shouted-back, totally-outraged. "He's been wonderful …I'm the problem …I'm the one that always stops things now. And in the last several weeks …I've been pushing him away, for no reason. Our snog-time is now close to zero, I panic again when he even tries to touch me."

"What did I tell you David, Neville told you the truth, he goes no further than the limits our daughter has set," Jeraldine declared with qualified satisfaction, but she had also heard the-bit about pushing Neville away and it worried her deeply.

"How humiliating, to make a public forum out of my …rapidly declining love-life," Alaire bemoaned.

"Honey, don't fuss so; intercourse is a big step in any relationship. A girl is most vulnerable when she spreads her legs for a man. I was my-self …a-bit scared the first time I slept with a boy…" Jeraldine said trying to sound encouraging.

"Mom …that's …that's just… so gross." Alaire shouted from under her pillow.

"Don't be ridiculous, Alaire; I didn't not bring you-up - to be prudish about sexual matters," Jeraldine lamented sadly fearing that was exactly what was happening.

"I'm not prudish!"

"It's clear to me that you had a serious-relapse. That your trust issues with men, has increased in the last few weeks instead of diminished." Snape sneered at the cowering girl on the bed.

"Yeah - so what?"

"From what you've told us, your relapse has put your trust-issues back to beginning of term …square-one. You've admitted to being no more boy-trusting now than when you first arrived in England eight months ago.

"Things are not that bad, I've lost some ground …okay, I admit that, but with time …

"You must realize Alaire that your-Neville is clearly the type of idealist dolt …that dreams of lovemaking with his wife and having a family, two things… that are for the foreseeable future …three years; specifically …that are for various reasons …impossible for you to give to him.

"I had no idea …before now; that your relationship with him was in such a rapid-decline. My door has always been-open for help block-out negative emotions, but when it comes to positive emotions …like love. I'm not skilled enough with feminine trust-issues to be of any use. You've admitted to have lost-ground in the normal-development on the physical aspect of your relationship with your plant-wizard. But in light of your career-plans; your growing emotional distance from the Botanist might have been an instinctive way for you to cut-your losses.

"No …no …no", Alaire began to sob.

"Perhaps your decision to get emotionally involved with anyone at-all was in itself …a mistake… at least at this time. I had always had misgivings about your plan …that just one year's of time as separation from the Canady incident was too soon for you to rush forward romantically into something you weren't really-ready for.

"I am ready, I've lost some ground, but it's a temporary set-back only," Alaire protested.

"End of term and the leavers-ball is a mere fortnight away. There is no time to start-over. Thankfully you have instinctively backed away from the brink… just short of disaster." Severus snarled without any outward sign of emotion, "Sweet-Merlin girl …If you can't do-it with Longbottom of all people. Then you might never fornicate.

"I just need more time to put it behind me and besides …I want children too."

"Perhaps you will someday, but not apparently with Longbottom. Why string-the-the boy along with false-hopes," Severus taunted. "I feel that Longbottom has taken you a good way down the lane to full emotional health, but if he is starting to scare you again, maybe its time to end it before you have a full mental-breakdown relapse.

"I spoke to a mental-healer about your-case, before you came here and like your therapist back home I became convinced that only a kind and gentle-soul could help you though this. One of the many reasons that I have encouraged your relationship with Longbottom was out of the conviction that he was getting the job done. Now I discover… that at the eleventh-hour; moment of truth …you've begun to back-paddled emotionally… almost to the point where you first started going out with him. Isn't that the truth of the matter; Alaire?"

"Yes sir and I don't know why.

"Admit it Alaire …It could be several years before you find the courage to copulate, if at all." Severus said firmly pressing the point.

"No – no, I can do it. Just not right now," Alaire said becoming angry.

"How many nights have you spent in greenhouse number seven …since the practice-duel incident with Potter?"

"Severus!" Alaire said shocked …throwing her pillow aside.

"I'd like to know the answer to that question my-self," David snarled …looking pointedly at his cowering daughter.

"Daddy,?" Alaire said highly embarrassed

"David, before you talk yourself out of my bed …again, consider this? The healer here has already established that your daughter has not …fornicated with Neville".

"Oh yeah…I get that; but you need to try to understand what Severus is implying here?" David carefully argued. "Our daughter has admitted to backpedaling emotionally from Neville… since the incident with Potter. Which means the botanist gave-it his best shot and for Alaire …it wasn't enough. She said herself repeatedly that she's not ready for full-intimacy with Longbottom …that she needs more time. As our little-girl has already 'subconsciously' put her relationship with Longbottom on the back-burner and I say we take full advantage of this golden-opportunity …to give Alaire the time-out from romance that her unconscious mind demands.

"I don't see how extra time would-be a good thing, David. Alaire is close to putting the final nail in the coffin of the Canady incident. Neville is the guy that guided Alaire to within inches of being free …at long-last. One more push …" Jeraldine began puzzled, only to be interrupted.

"…the practice-duel was one push too hard and now she' back to square-one," David retorted. "Now; no-one is more in favor of putting the 'Canady incident' behind us, than I am," David argued softly. "I just think that particular last step could be …postponed… to a later more comfortable date of Alaire choosing.

"It all boils down to timing. I think Neville is a great-kid …none better. He has proven capable of putting Alaire's needs ahead of his own time and again. Putting zero pressure on our daughter to …perform acts she wasn't ready for. And yet in spite of all these marvelous qualities, in the end …he failed …to score. Severus feels that Alaire still has 'trust' issues with Longbottom… for has she not said herself …that she's backing away from him.

"Yes …so what are you suggesting to the court?" Jeraldine said, knowing it had been the skilled-lawyer in David speaking.

"I think we should cut our losses, Longbottom was a good first-try …but it didn't work-out. In a couple of years we find another nice-guy and …she could try again.

"But - Daddy, I really love Neville, I just …I just… need a short time-out …to sort things out in my head… Alaire said having already realized that her fear of intercourse was the reason behind pushing Neville away.

"See what I mean Jeraldine? Alaire is herself pushing for more time …and I say we give it to her. Her education here in England is complete, with final exams a mere formality in her case. "Most Empathic Healer programs are a four year total commitment with zero free time and are in that respect very similar to the three-year Auror programs both here and in the U.S. As Neville already knew about this precondition of any relationship with our Alaire …and has… I assume agreed to wait …" David began only to be interrupted by his daughter.

"…He doesn't know", Alaire said interrupting her father. "All I told Neville was my cover-story of becoming a Potion-healer, but I never admitted to anyone; especially my boyfriend, that I was really going to be a medical-empath or explained …what that kind of training that profession required …in time away from him," Alaire admitted feeling deeply ashamed.

"Alaire how could you do something as cruel as that, Potion-healer training is basically a walk in the park, with loads of social time. Becoming a healer-empath is an educational-sabbatical from the outside world for forty-eight straight months," Jeraldine admonished her only child surprised and stunned by her selfishness. "When exactly; were you going to tell him; if at all?"

"I just kept putting it off; I didn't want him breaking up with me.

"That certainly explains the back-pedaling; protecting your feelings, at Longbottom's expense," Severus in a deeply disappointed tone of voice that was shared in facial expressions by everyone else in the room …especially her Parents.

Six hours later, without telling anyone …besides Dumbledore and Snape …all traces of Alaire Goodnight's eight and a-half month stay in the United Kingdom abruptly-vanished.

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Chapter# 44; Abandoned without a farewell.

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There are no secrets at Hogwarts and yet Neville somehow ended-up with passing marks in all his NEWTS level classes …despite his near total 'rejection-depression'. With loads of moral support from Hermione, Ron, Ginny and especially Draco… it came as a surprise to no-one, that Neville achieved a; extra-ordinary Outstanding in Newt's Herbology. His career path now seemed to be set… but he refused to think beyond his other exams. He was an empty shell emotionally and resembled physically an American zombie during the last fortnight before graduation.

The Headmaster and the Potion-master had been tight-lipped about Alaire's abrupt departure, beyond saying that Ms Goodnight needed her time to recover from her encounter with the Death-Eater's. That David Goodnight hadn't killed him - right from the off – after his arrival had surprised Neville. That Jeraldine Goodnight had hugged him hard and thanked him for saving her little girl left him confused. But when they arranged to take their daughter and leave Hogwarts two days before the N.E.W.T.'s exams had started …for an alleged recovery summer-holiday on the coast of France …without saying goodbye to him …that had left the botanist totally crushed.

Two days after his final exam; Hogwarts held the traditional Leaver's Ball for all the graduating seventh-years …but without Alaire at his side the dance was depressing as hell for a suddenly-dateless Neville. He stood in the shadows the entire evening …making the appearance that Ginny and Draco had insisted he make …and watched with dripping-envy as Ron slow-danced a love-sick dazed Hermione across the dance floor. It did not matter what kind of music was played fast or slow, Ron and Hermione slowed-dance to the-lot… in the center of the Great Hall… totally-oblivious to their surroundings.

When not on the dance floor them-selves …Ginny and Draco spent loads of their time at Neville's side. Ginny at Draco's prompting; actually got Neville out on the dance-floor with Ginny… on a dare, just once …to show the world that no scared of commitment - American bint …was going to keep a good British-wizard down.

The biggest surprise of the evening was when Harry entered the Great-Hall ballroom. Harry's date naturally; was stunningly-beautiful and unlike Halloween… he didn't make a grandstand entrance on a flying motorcycle. The woman on Harry's arm was an easily recognizable …Ravenclaw-alumni; the still drop-dead-gorgeous; Miss Cho Chang

Two years-older than when Harry had taken her on their one and only disastrous date. She had changed little physically and after grieving for Cedric Diggory properly… she had then… with time …moved-on. That night at the ball; she seemed as devoted to the boy-that-lived as Harry seemed to be with her. Anyone who saw the couple quickly concluded that the two were once-again smitten with each other.

According to the rumor-mill as conveyed to Neville by his now devoted best-mate; Draco. Apparently Cho had heard about the yoga-stairway incident from fellow-Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood. Once she learned that her old flame had been burned by a mercenary-Slytherin slag …she had jumped at the chance for another go at Potter. Cho had been in correspondence with Potter by sending the occasional owl-post letter …with Luna acting as the discrete go-between; during the past two years, just to keep in touched with the preverbal; 'fish that had gotten away'.

Seizing the opportunity provided by the Yoga incident, Chang flooded the school with daily letters filled with encouragement and sympatric-understanding. Her goal was to rekindle the smoldering flames of their previously-unsuccessful romance and from all indications at the Leavers Ball …she had succeeded in her goal. The two seemed genuinely taken with one another. Feeling more than a little envious at Potter's never-ending; narrow-escape, good-luck…Neville got-up; walked over and; ever the gentleman …graciously shook both their hands wishing them the best of romantic-luck.

Harry was deeply touched at the gesture, the rumor-mill had already spread the news of Alaire's abrupt departure - and he knew she hadn't said good-bye to anyone, including him. Harry felt instantly-sorry for his former-rival …they had both been played by the American cock-teaser. In everyone's opinion in was bad-form …a colossal display of bad-manners …in leaving without ending-her romance with Neville properly …being dumped without a word… went way-beyond cold. At least when Alaire had ended-it with him, she had explained her reasons…in person…face to face. Running away from Neville …like a thief in the night …was a horrible way of ending a relationship.

Everyone at the Leavers-Ball that night; knew that Neville's owl-post letters sent after Alaire …asking for an explanation …had all been returned unopened stamped addressee unknown from the French-resort where Neville had been told, by Dumbledore… they'd be staying at. Dishearten and feeling horribly-humiliated by being dumped in such a cowardly fashion, made Neville an open object of scorn or pity.

OoOoOoOo

On his last day at Hogwarts; just an hour before leaving Scotland perhaps forever … with Greenhouse number seven was already striped down to bare walls and his experiments either packed-up in boxes or destroyed. Alaire's Longbottom-rose had withered and die within a few days of his girlfriends unexplained departure. Watching her rose die was more telling for Neville than the cockled-rumors flying about. His own rose had died within hours of Alaire's. And then in a giant iron-kettle in the center of his greenhouse like a Roman funeral bier; all the ruined remains of the Longbottom rose hybrid experiment… were consumed in the hottest fire Neville could conjure

The now graduated Botanist-Herbologist was called into the Headmasters office an hour before the express left for London. Neville entered the Headmaster's presence with his fully-packed school-truck sitting in the hallway next to the Gargoyle. Also in attendance were Professors Snape, McGonagall and Sprout.

Neville, with no outward sign of emotion… finally learned the ugly-truth from Professor Dumbledore himself …that Alaire Goodnight had never gone to France to recover. She and her parents had returned to America on the day she had left Hogwarts. He had deceived the boy so as to give him an even chance to finish his exams.

"Thanks' for the effort Professor; but there are no secrets here. Everyone in Hogwarts knew that Alaire had played me, within hours of her departure."

"I have no way of confirming or denying that allegation one way or the other," The Headmaster admitted sadly.

"Of course not, forgive me." Neville replied in a mono-tone.

"You're not the first seventh-year to leave here with a broken-heart." Minerva said in comfort before adding. "Would you like the home address of the Goodnight's in New-Orleans?"

"No thank-you Ma'am. That would just be a waste of time. Why add insult to injury?"

"I can understand the logic in that." Albus said softly. "I'm told that Ms Goodnight has enrolled in one of the best Empath-Healer schools in northern-California with classes beginning next month. Poppy Pomfrey our school matron has informed me that Ms Goodnight will be fully-recovered by that time.

"Jolly-good for her," Neville said sarcastically.

"I understand that you were miss-informed by Ms Goodnight her-self… about her real-plans to become a medical empath instead of a Potion-based Healer that she told everyone else.

"Yes sir, she didn't tell me the truth", Neville said bitterly, "Although such a colossal-lie does explain her abrupt departure.

"Were you therefore; totally un-aware of the no-visitor aspect of this type of four-year healer training, Severus asked confirming his theory."

"I imagine she just …conveniently forgot… to mention to her publicly-cuckold boyfriend any prolonged-separation". Neville said as the pain of brutal-abandonment… like a knife; twisted ever deeper in his gut.

"Ms Goodnight had known all of this …before she came to England", Severus said coldly. "She sat at Gryffindor that first night; precisely-because I informed her ahead of time, that within that house; were two boys with the qualities required to help her get over the Canady incident.

"Me and Harry?" Neville asked stunned.

"Not Potter, that boy suffers from to many dramatic mood swings to be an emotional anchor for anyone else". Severus spat with contempt.

"Then who was to be the other disposable tool for her recovery… if not Harry?" Neville asked bitterly.

"You and Weasley were the only two boys that wouldn't take advantage of Alaire's weakness to sexual thoughts". Albus interjected softly.

"Again; Alaire was clearly informed ahead of time; that she had zero change of wooing Ronald away from Ms Granger," Minerva added drolly …looking-sharply at Severus. "Considering Hermione's recently demonstrated aggressive possessiveness… forgoing any attempted seduction of Ms Granger's man… right in front of her …most-likely avoided a violent confrontation over their in-relationship denial …or a charge of boyfriend-thief …that would have resulted in a year-long… on-going …hex-battle in the Gryffindor common-room.

"Yes I could easily see that happening," Neville admitted ironically.

"Regretfully, the staff here has long experience with that type of young-witch or wizard that forgoes informing any romantic-playmate that they fancied… that any relationship they entered into would end at graduation," Albus explained sadly. "Several of the pure-blood ladies and gentlemen here this term… faced similar endings to their Hogwarts-romances due to pre-arranged marriages by their parents… and those on the losing end, rarely take the news well. Unhappily; doomed relationships are a common occurrence here… painful of course to the people involved… like yourself; but somewhat understandable considering our somewhat-prehistoric courtship-rituals.

Neville said nothing in response… but the multi-month deliberate-deception of the empath-healer's training… by Alaire …tore an even bigger-hole in Neville's heart.

Snape who had sat in silence in the Headmasters office during all of this; was surprised on how well Neville received his bad-news? His letters to the Goodnights unlike all the others… sent by Neville, Ginny and Hermione …were at least answered. Jeraldine in her last letter tried to explain-away to Severus her daughter's actions;

OoOoOoOo

Severus

What can I say except; I am ashamed of being a Goodnight. My daughter behaved in this horribly through-out and I think… deep-down she knows it.

"Alaire has withdrawn into herself emotionally since departing Hogwarts and the mental-healers in America have declared that Alaire current behavior of showing no outward-emotions like a zombie …was entirely due to a post-combat-disorder, brought about by her negative experiences during the British… magical civil war. Personally I think those healers are totally-wrong, I honestly hope that Alaire zombie-behavior reflects deep remorseful-shame over what she did to poor Neville

The American mental-health healers have recommended strongly putting as much distance as possible between Alaire and anything to do with England or any of the people there. Naturally my husband has grabbed onto this blame-Britain excuse with both hands and has enrolled Alaire in the most expensive empathic-healer school in North-America.

David had assumed as had I …that Neville knew – right from the get-go - of the four year 'delay' in his relationship with Alaire. We both refused to believe that our little-girl would withhold such vital information from someone she claimed to love. I swear to God that we did not actually learn about Neville's ignorance in this matter …until the day you did; the day we left England.

As you no-doubt know and before she started her stay at Hogwarts, Alaire told us again-and-again that she never intended to become emotionally attached with anyone while at Hogwarts. That boys were nothing but trouble. Before coming to England …she seemed to fully embrace the notion that it was still too soon after what John had done; to contemplate any-kind of relationship beyond the purely-physical.

Your unexpected-proposal before term started, of the traditional Slytherin method of no-emotional-ties boyfriend, as a tool to help her heal, frankly; left David and I stunned. That we fully embraced this deliberate abuse of an otherwise clueless nice-guy …makes David and me equally culpable to our child's crime. As lawyers; we are naturally-predisposition to win our case at all-costs, with zero thought given to justice or the morality of right and wrong.

So for us… leaving some poor dupe in the dust at the end of term; was a small price to pay… for our Alaire's Healers ambitions'. I'm told that such romantic ruthlessness is a longstanding Slytherin trait in England, and perhaps that's why I felt such a kinship for you Severus when we first met. Maybe like her cousin, Vincent; Alaire would have been better-off in the House of snakes and away from the more foolishly honorable lions.

"When I first met Neville over the Xmas-holiday… I truly-believed; that Alaire had undergone a radical change of heart about using him. His reaction to the soul-versa 'truth-spell' made me believe that my only child had by…accident or design …actually found the true-love of her life. What I forgot was that teenagers say they're in-love far too often to be taken seriously. I think I had a dozen boyfriends in high-school at Alaire's age … all of them I truly-thought I was in love with… before I realized in my mid-twenties the true meaning of the word LOVE.

I do not doubt for one second that Neville understood what it meant to be in adult-love. I'm convinced that he thought that his relationship with Alaire would lead after graduation to marriage. He treated Alaire with respect of a guy prepared to wait for his wedding-night… totally unaware that in this case …my daughter was just using him and he was doomed to be just a figurative-notch in the bedpost of her life.

I'm not proud of the fact that my sweet-little girl had subtlety-transformed since her rape …into a closet-sadist, which just uses boys… to perhaps …use her sensuality to take revenge on all men for what John did to her. Believe it or not… this isn't the girl that David and I raised. Even as a legal-shark that doesn't take litigation prisoners …I still find her actions in regards to Neville beyond-disgusting. As a mother I should only care that my little girl gets healed, but after meeting Neville and getting to know him again… learning of his sacrifice for Alaire's benefit during the stairway incident …I can't help but feel ashamed of my mercenary-empath.

If Alaire; as she continues to insist …had in fact …actually fallen in love with your botanist, her feelings and her career-ambitions' would have put her in line for a catch twenty-two conflict-situation train-wreck. By delaying her telling Neville the truth about her Healer training …she subconsciously set-up the very break-up she feared.

In this she had been most-likely correct …few boys of Neville's age would have put-up with such restrictions …Alaire's inability to get around the sexual intercourse 'boy-trust' issue might have-indeed… as you suggested… been a self-defense mental-block to prevent her from becoming too-intimate with someone emotionally …that she couldn't realistically hope to keep beyond end-of-term.

I'm sorry things ended this way, Severus. Goodnight women are not known to exit an affair so shabbily. Neville deserved the truth going in and Alaire didn't give him that.

To ensure a clean-break David has put an auto-sorter spell on the post both here at home and at the Healer-school preventing any letters from the UK from reaching her. I know it's cruel …but in the end; perhaps a kindness as well …as her silence might help him accept her as the heartless-trailer-trash slut she behaved like… the first step to his healing and moving-on.

Please assure Neville that he did nothing wrong, in fact I highly doubt my daughter will ever find a better-man than the one she didn't humped and yet still cruelly-abandoned in Scotland. I also pray that you will not think poorly about all Americans due to the bad behavior of our sadistic daughter.

With the deepest of regrets

Jeraldine M Goodnight

OoOoOoOo

The potions master tried in vain to explain to Neville …as tactfully as possible …that the failure of the Goodnight-Longbottom relationship was not his fault. Alaire had deceived him …making promises of a future together that she couldn't hope to keep.

Professor's Sprout and McGonagall also weighed in on the issue by agreeing fully with Snape's analysis, but this didn't lessen Neville's heartache. Neville was then given Jeraldine's letter; he read it… for him-self …three times. He read for himself the reasons why Alaire had never opened his letters, why she was becoming detached emotionally before the end …and had put distance between her future as a Healer and her doomed relationship with a pathetically naive botanist.

Neville accepted without protest that he'd been used …nice blokes usually are in the end. Used and discarded seemed to be his fate …and Neville without another word slowly got to his feet and left Hogwarts a broken man.

OoOoOoOo

Chapter 45

Five years later.

The law firm of Weasley, Weasley and Smith

OoOoOoOo

"Mr. Goodnight I still don't see, how I can help you legally. Your litigation has been declared without merit by our court system. Your daughter was outside of Hogwarts, without permission after curfew …in direct violation to rules established for her safety. To claim school-negligence now, five years after the fact, is a waste of my-time and your-money.

"Furthermore; your daughter's injuries as an adult at the time… were due to her own actions alone and to bring suit against the very student that risked his life to save hers …is disingenuous even for a lawsuit crazy American," Percy Weasley said annoyed beyond his ability to express.

"In America we have the right of discovery before the merits of a case can be decided." David countered.

"In America a woman can sue over spilled hot-coffee, we English on the other hand can see a farcical lawsuit from here… all the way cross the pond. We will not put the English-litigates through expensive and time consuming depositions …just for you're hoped for …out-of-court settlement ploy. In the U.K. we are interested in Justice; Sir.

"I demand that Mr. Longbottom be cross-examined, under Soul Versa …by me".

"You …Sir, are not licensed to practice law before the Wizengamot." Percy said his patience at an end.

"Ask him what he really-wants, I doubt he'll tell you," Hermione said from the doorway, glaring hard at the American. "Didn't I warn you about the Goodnights? They can't be trusted. They speak falsehoods every-other word."

"Yes I've learned that." Percy retorted bitterly but then his mood improved greatly… as he addressed his sister-in-law directly. "Are you unpacked yet? Ron's coming-over after work… to celebrate your first day as a solicitor."

"Miss Granger, I bet you don't remember me …I'm David …" he began sweetly only to be interrupted.

"…Goodnight; the father of the infamous, Alaire; the girl that created the new term at Hogwarts for romantic betrayal …getting out of a relationship badly …is now called …'doing a goodnight'. That's a remarkable legacy for someone who was with-us for such a short-time, must make you proud.

"Now see here, I can report you to my ambassador and he'll do …"

"…Nothing, he shares our option of frivolous lawsuits. I know that because I asked him about you.

"I need to speak privately with Neville Longbottom; it's very-very important."

"I gathered that. Can I just assume that the direct approach failed?" Hermione said curly.

"I had to hire a private detective just to find him, and then I was shown the door by his business-partner four times in a row and then …"

"…you ran into wards that would let everyone but you in the front door. My husband does great wards when he sets his mind to it …the best in the U.K.," Hermione said smugly. "Most intelligent people would have gotten the hint after that."

"Miss Granger, this is a matter of life and death."

"My name is Weasley, Sir. And as Neville is not a healer, then your wasting your time, if you need a hybrid created, your country have Botanist-Herbologist …do they not?

"I don't need a plant …I need Neville".

"Whatever for?" Hermione retorted bitterly. "Surly your country hasn't run-out of honest kind-hearted men for your daughter to cock-tease into insanity… and then dump.

"You really know how to hold a grudge". David replied

"I'm a Weasley by injection, so it comes naturally," Hermione said coyly while Percy snorted; impressed by her wit. "Blood feuds;' go back centuries here. Neville is a dear friend of mine and to my family, he saved my sister-in-law, Ginny and her husband; Draco, during the last battle with Voldemort. He was best-man at Ginny's wedding and a groomsman at mine.

"But then you knew of that connection when you hired our firm. Percy doesn't know Neville all that well, so I thought that he could remain somewhat-objective. So let's cut to the chase. Ginny hired me just last night… to represent Neville's interests and I'm telling you straight; 'No-one gets to see the Great OZ …not no-body - not no-how!'

"Dorothy did"

"She had the ruby slippers …what do you have?"

"A daughter more dead than alive, a tin-man like-robot with perfect Empathic-Healer efficiency …but minus a heart," David said.

"The cock-teasing; wicked-witch from the west …a land called American; took Neville's heart with her, when she left. So he can't give… what he no longer has himself. But then again; you Americans are notorious for leaving flying monkeys like zombies in your wake when you move on to a new victim.

"From the venom I'm hearing, I take it Neville took the break-up really badly".

"Sharp as a knife; you are… you got that in one-go, well-done." Hermione snarled.

"Five years is a long time." David said mildly surprised.

"Oh he dated for a-bit and even gave a full-romance another go; about two years ago. Hannah Abbott was her name …she runs a Pub in Diagon Alley, it didn't work-out between them though; the torch he still carries for your-slag daughter… hasn't gone out completely.

"My daughter is not a slut,"

"I said slag …as in mining waste material, no-one would call Alaire a slut… because even a cock-teasing slut 'puts-out' once in awhile." Hermione spat furiously.

"Sister-in-law, you're channeling; Ginny, right now," Percy said softly. "Either show this bloke the door, or take a step-back.

"Yes …you're right …"Hermione said trying to rein-in her emotions.

"Alaire is here, in England", David said desperately. "She needs a heart, well… more like a soul, really …and after years of therapy for Alaire by the best in American magical mental-health, I have finally accepted my mistake in separating them. Her Healing-training should have been delayed a year or two, not her relationship with Neville. Postponing her education wasn't an option that Jeraldine and I even considered back-then… and we've paid for our mistake by helplessly watching our only child wither on the vine. This is entirely my fault, and I'm here to fix it.

"How?" Hermione countered bitterly. "Neville has behaved these last two years …literally like an American zombie. He works twelve to fourteen hours a day …every day of the week. It's getting harder and harder for Ginny and Draco to get him to leave that green house… even for a few hours.

"He's doing brilliant work; M&L Greenery Ltd. …has become famous world-wide for its rare plants. After his parents passed away …the royalties from his patents has made him wealthy, but what good is gold to a total recluse.

"His parents died… both of them? I had no idea …"

"Not many do, Neville is a very private person. Anyroad; Draco and Neville went into business together after graduation… and as much as I hated the little-ferret during my early Hogwarts days, even I can see that Draco has become a brother-figure to Neville. While my Ron and Harry have grown-apart somewhat since Hogwarts; Draco and Neville have gotten closer behaving almost like twins.

"He's godfather to Scorpius Francis Malfoy and Ginny trusts Neville to baby-sit little-Scorbee …more than she does her own Mum, and my mother-in law is not a woman to be messed with. Molly only tolerates the situation because Neville is so good with the child and even she sees his need to love someone.

"This is perfect?" David snorted

"I beg your pardon?"

"Don't you see; your-Neville and my-Alaire never got over each other."

"Duh, Ginny has been saying that for years. But our-Neville needs a real woman, not a trollop-fraud …a cock-teasing, asexual, self-serving, permanently-frigid bitch, which acts like a nymphomaniac in heat in public… but is in-actuality afraid of sex.

You've spoken to Severus about this?

"Damn-right I have. All you Goodnight's know how to do is 'take' and our-Neville has already put-out his soul for her once already …while getting nothing in return but emotional blue-balls. You're daft if you thing I'm going to let your daughter do it too him again.

"Neville is Alaire only chance at a normal life", David pleaded.

"Its all about what you want, isn't it?" Take-take-take, what does Neville get out of this besides cold shower-baths?"

"What do you want, name your price?"

OH-my-God, get this amoral barrister-bastard out of here, before I hex him into a bug," Hermione screamed as she drew her wand.

"YOU" said anangry voice from the doorway, "where are you staying… is it true that you brought that sick-cow with you?" Ron asked furiously as his hands and eyes started glowing dark-blue.

"Ron what are you going-on about," Percy asked confused.

"It's all over the front page of the Daily-Prophet; "American witch from Battle of Hogwarts suing famous Botanist," Ron roared. "Draco tried to keep the news from him, but somehow Neville found-out. First thing this morning he emptied the till of all the Muggle-money and when was last seen by my brother George; Neville was using the Muggle-lane door of the Leaky Cauldron into Greater London.

"Draco is frantic, and his very pregnant-wife; Ginny, wants to kill someone, and Harry can't be bothered …what with his wedding to Cho set for tomorrow. Remus and Tonks are on the case, but they don't know Muggle-London like you do; Luv. So I flooed right over, but seeing the father-of-scum sitting right here, I say we make him bleed… until he tells us where the slag is?

"Neville is looking for Alaire?" David said worried as he jumped up from his seat

"Spot-on, thanks for stating the obvious." Ron spat back in a foul temper. "I've already tried the more well-known Muggle hotels, so unless you're using a phony name…"

"…We're staying at a little place off the beaten path; which lacks the hustle-and-bustle of the more popular places. It's an ivy covered bed-n-breakfast style of hotel which I thought would be an empathically-quieter location for Alaire.

"Yes-yes but where is it?

"In the Notting-Hill section of London." David replied.

"Percy; floo Ginny and give her the address that Mr. Goodnight is about to give us. Neville will listen to her if no one else.

OoOoOoOo

Chapter # 46

Ten minutes later, at the 'King-George III', Inn

OoOoOoOo

David was moving at a near trot as he made his way down the narrow hallway on the second floor of the tiny hotel as he led Hermione and Ron toward a suite of rooms in the back of the converted warehouse. Leaning against the doorframe into her room in the hallway and sipping on a cup of coffee was Jeraldine Goodnight… looking up as her husband approached, she smiled sadly and said;

"You're too late; David, he's already found her.

"He's been here and gone… if he's hurt her… I'll kill him."

"David, you're being overly protective again. I've told you a thousand times Neville loves Alaire, there is no way on this earth… he'd harm her.

"But she dumped him cold and hard, even nice-guys get major pissed-off when that happens," David said forgetting all about Hermione and Ron standing behind him.

"We're the ones who convinced her that a clean-break would be kinder in the long run," Jeraldine retorted hotly. "But now is not the time to rehash our mistakes… we have other fish to fry. For example, we need to figure-out how to break the spell?"

'SPELL… what spell? David shouted furiously. "What did he do to Alaire?"

"You're going to have to calm down, David… or I won't let you in there and leave your wand in your pocket; I've already tried the usual spells and they don't work. The plant won't let me anywhere near them.

"Plant… what plant?

"Come and see for your-self," Jeraldine said with an amused snort. "But I warn you here-and-now; make no sudden or threatening movements. I've already gotten a few bruises trying to separate them". And with that said Jeraldine turned and led the puzzled three into the lounge of the tiny suite.

The scene was of Nature run amuck, the outside windows had been pushed in and a literal avalanche of 'Ivy' had invaded the room overrunning the space and surrounding in a protective cocoon the two spellbound young people kneeling on the floor… facing each other. Neville and Alaire openly-stared as if in a trance… one hand outstretched palm-flat touching the other as if in 'high-five' greeting... the two of them… utterly oblivious to their surrounding

When the four visitors entered the room… as if sensing their presence; several-tentacles of ivy rose from the floor and pointed like spears at the intruders.

"This is impossible", Hermione said gob-smacked. "Ivy isn't capable of intelligent thought?"

Ron took a couple of steps away from the group… off to the left… and a pair of ivy tentacles spears followed his movement. "Honey; I believe you might want to re-think what's possible and what's not… about plants… especially when Neville's involved.

"Ronald… this defies the laws of nature,"

"That's true my love, but then again… Neville never studied law." Ron joked.

"Mr. Weasley, this isn't funny!" David snarled.

"Mr. Goodnight with all due-respect… what do you suggest we do here? It's clear to me that Mother Nature has personally intervened in this matter and that's one Lady… no wise man tries to counter. Neville and Alaire are commuting in some lover's nirvana right now and we've no physical way to reach them," Ron said and then paused. "Oh… Bloody-Hell …Mione, would you come over here and tell me… if I'm seeing …what I think… I'm seeing?

Hermione; puzzled, moved over and stood next to Ron who was pointing at the center of the room and said; "does that look like a bird-nest to you?

Hermione looked hard, with doubt on her face, but then here expression changed. "Sweet mother of Mercy Ron …you're right… it does look like a nest!"

"Their Nesting!" David roared …rushing forward wand out. But whatever-spell he intended to use… never escaped his lips for the ivy struck first. Four of the thickest vines transformed from spears into battering rams in the blink of an eye… and struck Alaire's outraged father so hard, he flew backwards five feet and landed in a heavy thud against the wall… unconscious.

Jeraldine rushed over to her knocked-out husband who was now a lump on the floor and scolded him fiercely: "You stubborn, hot-tempered, asshole, I told you not to make any threatening moves …didn't I?"

"My fault, I suppose," Ron said sheepishly, "it's just that the arrangement of the vines reminded me of …"

"… a nest, yes I know, that's what's it looked like to me too". Jeraldine interrupted softly. "I watched the vines tear-up the couch for its padding and came to the same conclusion. I didn't dare point that out to my short-fused husband of course… for the obvious reason that played out anyway."

"Mrs. Goodnight, let me reassure you that Neville wouldn't…"

"…Make a nest without popping the question-first …like a proper gentleman should?" Jeraldine said with an amused smile… finishing Hermione's thought. "Of course not… Neville is not the type to do anything without Alaire's prompting. In my option, the nest is either my daughters doing …subconsciously …via wishful thinking or Mother Nature's idea… as Ronald suggested.

"I've never encountered this sort of Magic before," Hermione admitted reluctantly.

"No one has", said a new voice from the doorway. "And we'd appreciate it if you kept all this… on the quiet …so to speak.

"Hello Ronnie," Ginny said as she slowly-waddled into the lounge, heavy-with her second-child… flanked by her deeply-concerned looking husband; Draco.

"Neville has in the last few years done the impossible," Draco explained sternly. "His connection with growing things goes way beyond anything ever done before.

"They need to know everything; Luv", Ginny pleaded softly.

And looking hard at his wife Draco… then after a moment of thought; he nodded in agreement

"Dumbledore told me the manner of my father's demise during the Attack on Hogwarts. I was also shown a pensive of Neville's and Alaire's memories of the events down at Hagrid's hut that night. What he did with plants that night …is a whole new type of magic, unseen anywhere else in the magical world; with what you've seen here just another example," Draco said pointing at the Ivy.

"So Neville is controlling all this?" Ron asked.

"Control is a strong word; considerable influence would be more accurate description."

"So how do we get them out of there?" Ron said again pointing at Neville and Alaire.

"We don't have that kind of power; Ron," Ginny said moving closer to Neville and surprisingly the vines didn't attack her, instead the ivy parted …making a clear path for the pregnant woman right up to the nest. She smiled big at the pair before turning back to Draco and her brother and saying; "What we really-need is a magistrate or at the very least; a minister/priest."

"Will I do?" Albus Dumbledore said from the door. "Severus sends his regrets; he is in the middle of making another experimental potion to restore a mind damaged by the Crucio-curse. As I understand your note to him; Jeraldine, you requested his help in reaching Alaire with legilimens. Regretfully genuine telepaths are extremely rare in Europe and I do not have that skill. I can tell you that Alaire's Occlumency-shield are currently-unbreakable, because I just tested them.

"How about Neville… He never fully mastered Occlumency?"

"He's equally unreadable, although I suspect Alaire has extended her shields to cover him.

"That's not possible," Hermione again protested weakly.

"Legally …you're correct," Albus said with twinkle in his eye. "By-the-way …is that a nest that Neville and Alaire are perched in?"

Ron stifled-back a chuckle.

"Yes; I believe it is… Professor," Ginny said sweetly. "And if you look closer, Alaire facial expression is dangerously-similar to the one I wore; just-prior to getting into the pudding-club… for the second time", Ginny snarled… half-jokingly in Draco's direction… who looked way too smug for his own good.

"Good-lord, she right;" Hermione said looking hard at Alaire. "She's looking lustfully at Neville."

"Lustfully…Luv," Ron said chuckling at his wife's choice of words.

"Yes dear, as in hunger, as in eat him alive. You know that look; you saw it on my face just two nights ago!" Hearing this… all-humor in Ron abruptly vanished; he spun around and looked hard at Neville… studying his faces for a moment and then did the same thing for Alaire, before saying. "He's got it as bad as she does… they're going to spontaneous-combust real soon …we need to leave …give them privacy.

"Mrs. Malfoy, are you suggesting I marry them?"

HELL YES; Neville, isn't the type to do-it casually …without the commitment of wedlock, and Alaire is equally more likely to do-it with a man she trusts knowing he has bound his soul to hers.

"But Mrs. Malfoy, they are already soul-bonded," Dumbledore said in a matter of fact tone. "I've never seen a stronger bonding in all my years. Marriage at this point is a mere formality really.

"Thank-god," Jeraldine said softly her relief obvious.

"Then you unlike your husband approve of the match?"

"Oh David approves of Neville, he didn't at first, but he does now. Jeraldine said looking down at her now conscious spouse.

"Then the Goodnight's give their consent, that's good, but who will speak for Neville?"

Draco looked at Ron and Hermione who both nodded their consent; he then looked at Ginny who nodded as well.

"I speak for my partner in business, and we collectively," Draco said pointing at Ron, Hermione and Ginny…"can speak for him personally".

"This bends the law?" Albus said looking directly at Hermione.

"Just do it," Hermione snarled back annoyed.

OoOoOoOo

Ten minutes later, the 'Ivy' had gently but firmly nudged the others out of the lounge. The door was pushed closed and was soon sealed by vines.

"What now?" David said softly. He was stiff and sore from the ivy attack… but he'd been awake at his daughter's impromptu wedding.

"Well right from the off, you're going to need another hotel room," Draco said firmly "Secondly; I think the-lot of us; as Neville's friends… need to find the newly-weds a flat to live in… his old place is clearly too-small.

"Yes, that sounds like fun," Hermione said happily, "what-about it Gin-gin… are you up-to-it?"

"Sooner or later bookworm, you're going to fall pregnant and when that happens I'll have my revenge". Ginny growled, rubbing her tummy; her feet were swollen and hurt and she had to go to the loo constantly.

"Well then; this is your lucky day," Hermione said delighted. "I've miss my last two periods, so I too… might have a bum in the oven. I also suspect …from the nest… that Alaire will be producing a Longbottom-hybrid of her own… sooner rather than later.

"My baby is going to have a baby" …" Jeraldine said in happy-dreamy tone.

"The symbolism of a nest, made-perhaps by Mother Nature her-self, does strongly-support Mrs. Weasleys theory," Albus chimed in happily.

"Mione, are we pregnant?" Ron asked in a frightened whisper

"Maybe… I'm not one hundred percent sure… but think-so," Hermione said nervously only to see an expression of overwhelming joy appear on Ron's face.

OoOoOoOo

Meanwhile back in the NEST

Neville and Alaire came out of the trance at the same moment… they were both totally-naked laying in the missionary position with Neville in the saddle between her legs, buried-up to the hilt and most important of all… neither one of them could move a muscle.

For only the second time in her Life, Alaire had a man inside her, she felt every inch of Neville's rock-hard manhood throbbing in her vagina… and yet; there was no panic …no uncontrollable rage or fear… instead she felt at ease, safe and more genuinely relaxed than any time in the last six years.

"Oh my god …how did I get here?" Neville said in alarm, his cock beginning to soften. "Why can't I move… who are you… you can't be Alaire …she hates me.

"I don't hate you Neville… I love you."

"No you don't… whoever you are. You're just a poly-juice imposter," Neville shouted franticly his face showing signs of strain as he fought against the spell that held him motionless. "Let me go and I won't press charges for kidnapping".

"You think I kidnapped you?"

"Of course, but it will do you no good. …whoever you are. The Imperius Curse has no effect on the libido. If you expected to create a love-child to extort money from me it won't work. Now let me go.

"Relax; Neville, I didn't do this to us… and I can't move either.

"You can't… oh." Neville said his face relaxing. I'm sorry I yelled at you …I've overreacted a-bit …I fear,

"Yeah; a tad," Alaire replied.

"You have me at a disadvantage.

"What …I thing you have it backwards; I'm the one on the bottom; legs spread with your cock buried in my pussy," Alaire said and then smiled as Neville blushed hard in embarrassment.

"I …DIDN'T …not willingly, I don't even know you."

"Neville that's cruel, I know I ended things badly. But that's no reason to…"

"…Look, I realize there's no mirror within your line of sight", Neville said interrupting Alaire. "And I'm flattered beyond words that you know who I am. But there is simply no way in hell that you can be …who you appear to be.

"And why not?"

"There are loads of reasons… but to save-time, lets focus on the main one. The real; Alaire Goodnight, has huge-trust issues with men… that prevents her from engaging in vagina-intercourse …especially with me.

"Neville, that was five years ago.

"I can concede that the real twenty-five year-old; Alaire might have overcome the demon that plagued her younger-self. But it's not logical for a woman of her sensual-attractiveness to use magical-skullduggery, come all the way back to England …just for a bad-conscious-easing pity-shag… with the plant-nerd she cockteased so long ago.

"You think I'm still playing mind-games with your head.

"Whoever you really are …yes", Neville said in a resigned tone, concentrating on every unsexy though he could imagine to shrink his John Thomas back down to totally-limp. "Poly juice only lasts sixty minutes, I just wait until it wears off and then we'll see who you really are.

"Neville you idiot, this has gone far enough. You're making me mad. I am Alaire Goodnight and my parents brought me back here to get us back together.

"Then I have David and Jeraldine Goodnight to thank for this, and you were forced …against your will …to copulate with me. Now that theory makes no sense at all. What would they gain by forcing you through an immobility-hex to shag me? Is this some-sort of perverted therapy to cure your trust issues?

"NEVILLE,"

"Struck-gold did I?" Neville asked and just the thought of being used again did the trick as he felt his diminished cockled-manhood slip out of the woman beneath him. The humiliation of being used yet again caused his bits to go into hiding.

"You really think my parent's are that heartless?

"If you really are; Alaire… then yeah, to help his baby girl… David would do that in a heartbeat," Neville said and Alaire to her horror couldn't deny it. When she found her voice again she whispered.

"Don't you love me anymore?"

"That's the tragedy of all this, the real Alaire is my ultimate-downfall. I tried to forget her and move-on …but it didn't work. That American temptress worked her way into my very-soul and five years later… she's still there. No other girl in the world can hold a candle to her in my soul. Had I not remembered that she doesn't shag …can't shag… especially with me; then your little ploy, whatever that is… might have worked.

Alaire was struck-dumb by this confession… and overjoyed beyond words to express.

"Neville Longbottom you're mucking this-up!" A tiny voice said, barely above a whisper as Alaire eyes went wide in surprise. "What happened to the trusting boy I gave birth too".

"Come-around where I can see-you dammit" Neville roared… only hearing part of what was said.

"I can't do that, it's not allowed, it's bad enough that Alaire can see me". The specter of Alice Longbottom said softly. The spite of nature called me back from the other-side… to straighten things out and I don't have much time… so listen-up. Right from the off; the woman beneath you is the real Alaire …she is also a liar. She desperately wants you back so don't listen to any bullocks to the contrary. Secondly; she loves you more than ever and you're in her soul even deeper than she is in yours. I understand she hurt you… deeply. But you have to put that behind you for the sake of the children.

"WHAT CHILDREN?"

Alaire is in her fertile cycle… you bonded with her less than an hour ago, and then Dumbledore went and married you; you'll find your marriage license sitting on a small table next to the loo. Mother Nature herself then removed both of your clothing; folded them neatly and piled them on the same table, after that she aroused you both and put you in the saddle.

"Were married?" They both said in unison from the floor.

"Of course you are. And don't either of you dare deny that you've both dreamed of this countless times over the last five years. Do you think I want my grandchildren conceived out of wedlock? The Longbottom bloodline has suffered greatly for the sake of goodness and the young-woman beneath you is part of the Devine-payback.

"Payback …I don't understand", Alaire said having found her voice again.

"Neville is a child of destiny… just as Harry Potter was. Harry's destiny took form in a prophecy which is now fulfilled and his children will never surpass his moment of glory. The next great-hero of the magical world will come from your loins; Alaire… a child that will grow up to marry one of the offspring's of Ron and Hermione Weasley.

"We Americans as a general-rule don't believe in destiny. We chart our own course.

"That may be true across the pond child… but here in Europe; the three sisters of fate still hold sway. Of your own free will …you chose to come to England to purge your soul of the evil-John, and what he did to you. Did you think such healing didn't have a price? No one forced you to reject Potter and fall in-love with my only-son. By your own free will you gave your heart to my son and that choice tied you to his European-destiny. Hannah Abbott would be Neville's wife by now …had you not chosen to capture his heart first.

"Is that really you …momma?"

"Yes my son, I've been allowed to come back this one time to help-you.

"Momma, I'm British and we English are use to being the pawns of destiny. Harry being the classic example. Alaire on the other hand is an American and they do-things differently over-there. It's not fair to condemn her to being with me when she can do better. Set her free and I'll do whatever the fates ask.

"What if I don't want to be free of you? Alaire retorted firmly and a-bit put-out. "Don't I have a say in this?"

"Destiny only dropped its plan to life-mate you with Ms. Abbott at the insistence of Mother Nature. Mainly because Hannah wouldn't have stayed faithful to you over the long-term," Alice Longbottom admitted. "She owns a Pub and she's a-bit of a lush already. She'd give you only half the number of children that fate requires and her frequent infidelity with other men would have made your life miserable.

"That's because nice blokes are boring, mother," Neville lamented.

"Only to a wildcat my son, some women prefer a man they can trust. Alaire for example …soul-bonded to you far quicker and deeper than the powers above expected… she is therefore far more likely to keep your bed warm and your love-life active until death drags you two apart more than a century from now. So what is your decision my son.

"It's not just my decision momma,

"Always the gentleman, aren't you; Neville". Alaire said tears of joy appearing out of nowhere. "I'd never be property to you, never expected to be subservient;

"Of course not," Neville replied sounding offended.

"Mrs. Longbottom, before I decide …I need to know… if I do this; become a baby factory for the benefit of European destiny, I'm free of John for good… right? Free to love my husband as he deserves to be loved…hot…aggressive… 365 days a year and 24-7?

"Yes, all that and more. From this day on all of your considerable seductive powers will be focused on my son exclusively… with anyone else you cock-tease… just collateral damage off on the side from the main target.

"Wait, I'm married and my parents and friends weren't there? Dammit …I want a wedding.

"As I already said, your legally binding marriage license is sitting next to your neatly-folded clothing. As for the wedding; as pitiful as it was, it took-place while you and my son finished your soul-bonding inside your nest.

By-the-way; daughter-in law, on-behalf of Frank Longbottom and I… we'd like to welcome you to the family.

"Thank you,

"Is Dad alright?

"Yes son, he's fine, death was a release for both of us…

Smoke began to fill the room, and seeing it Alaire became alarmed until Alice reassured her.

"That must be the aphrodisiac-mist Mother Nature promised me, so its time for me to scoot. Your father and I are proud of the man you became, Neville. We'll be watching from beyond the veil, have a good life, love each other and leave the rest to God".

OoOoOoOo

Epilog

Four days later; the newly-wedded couple emerged from the suit… now fully restored magically to its pre-plant explosion condition. A month later Alaire and Neville renewed their vows before family and friends at a private ceremony, at the Burrow. Alaire became the first empathic healer to work for St. Mungo while Neville's hybrid patent count shot to the sky.

During a private tour of his M&L Green-house; on the same evening they had emerged from their love-nest. Alaire had discovered to her great-delight in a corner of Neville's private-office a huge Longbottom-rose bush in an overly-large pot.

Although often wilted due acts of relationship-stupidity by Draco, the bud first-given to Ginny, the sole remaining source of the original Longbottom rose-plant; had slowly gotten bigger over the years. Given-back to Neville by the Malfoy's on their wedding day, the newly wedded couple had asked Neville to re-cultivate his hybrid experiment in the name of true love everywhere.

Although Neville had sold buds too many deserving… couples, he had never personally seen another bud bloom. New-buds had appeared from time to time; but the plant had stubbornly refused to bloom again for him… in his office, where he always kept it. Neville just couldn't be parted from it and although Ginny's original-bud grew into a full size bush eventually… Neville could never let anyone else tend to it. Taking care of that plant…watering it …pruning it; keeping it near… was a painful-reminder for Neville… of his lost innocence.

So as you can well imagine… Neville was stunned beyond description when after offering to show Alaire the bush; a mere four days after the honeymoon-style… lovemaking-marathon; that they had both aggressively engaged in. The moment he opened the door to his office Neville was instantly gob-smacked. For in the center of the suddenly gigantic bush… two buds had visibly intertwined at the moment that Neville and Alaire had entered the office and now a moment later had bloomed …huge. The Longbottom Rose and the true; everlasting-love it represented had bloomed once again… for Neville and Alaire.

The END