What happens when Neville loses his temper? The Bishop's Brew may never be the same.

Song: Sudden Love by The Woodlands

A/N: Neville's stutter plays a role in this chapter. As the parent of a child who has struggled with stuttering, I know what it sounds like. I have written Neville's stutter as close to the sound of my son's as I could. Not every person that stutters has it happen all the time. My son was taught to think through what he need to say and get all the words thought out before he tried to say them. It has helped, but it also added to his shyness. He is 20 now and rarely stutters. But when he is under great physical or emotional stress, he sounds like Neville is written.

Luna tucked the envelope back into her pocket as she returned from cleaning the restrooms. Mary knew she hated cleaning them and had insisted that Luna clean this this time. She had taken a minute before she started to clean to open the envelope Neville had slipped to her earlier. He was offering her an out and a reason, besides Mary, to leave The Bishop's Brew. All she had to do was make it through the next two weeks and she could start working on a new dream.

Luna: Thank you

Neville: For what

Luna: The present

Neville: Welcome

Luna: When can we start planning?

Neville: Tomorrow?

Luna: I'll be at the greenhouse by 2

Neville watched Luna work. She looked like she was doing okay, but Mary was watching every move she made. He did not like it, but he did not want to cause Luna anymore problems. He needed to be paying attention to the chess board so Theo wouldn't beat him again.

"Nev, are you okay?" Theo asked as he took another piece. "You are not paying attention to the board at all. I just took your dark bishop - Check."

"I'm fine." Neville picked up his king and hid it behind the nearest rook. "Today has just been a long day."

"I can understand that." Theo looked over the pieces on the board and rubbed a spot on his forehead. "I may not stay late tonight. I'm worn out."

"I'll stay until Luna leaves," Neville said. "I don't want to leave her by herself with that witch."

"What do you know?" Theo asked, distractedly. "You have to tell me before the others get here."

"Not my story to tell." Neville moved his queen side rook. "Checkmate, Theo. Make sure you watch the whole board next time,"

Theo was distracted from his protest by Daphne returning to her table from the restroom. She looked tired. Today had been a hard day for both of them. "Set up the next game, Nev. I'll be right back."

"Sure you will," Neville mumbled. "In twenty minutes and drooling."

Neville: Where are you?

Ron: Picking up Hermione

Neville: Theo is drooling over Daphne

Ron: What's new about that

Neville: Nothing

Ron: How is Luna?

Neville: She seems okay right now

Ron: We will be there in about 20 minutes

Neville: Where's Harry?

Ron: He's not there yet?

Neville: Nope

Ron: That's strange. He usually gets there before me

Neville: If that witch doesn't leave her alone

Ron: Nev, what is going on?

Neville: Nothing to worry about. I just have to keep my temper

Ron: Nev, what is going on?

Nev: Nothing. Just hurry and get here

Ron: Nev, don't

Theo looked up from his conversation with Daphne. Ron was walking through the door with Hermione. That was not an unusual sight. Ron holding Hermione's hand as they walked in the door was. He knew that they had dated in the past, but he hadn't realized that they were that serious.

"Theo, pick your jaw up," Daphne whispered in his ear. "You're going to draw flies."

"Ron and Mione? Really?" Theo sputtered. "Why did no one tell me?"

"Because you weren't looking." Daphne laughed as she pushed Theo's jaw closed with her finger. "But I don't mind. I think you were busy looking at me."

"Hey, guys." Hermione set her bag on the table and looked around the room. "What's wrong with Neville? He looks like a storm waiting to start."

"He has been like that since this afternoon." Theo looked over to the table where Neville had been sitting. "Luna got called into work tonight and I think it upset him."

"Has anyone seen Nev?" Ron sounded worried. "He did not sound good when he texted me before we got here."

"Is that him pacing outside?" Hermione asked. "It looks like he is on his mobile with someone."

"Someone go check on Neville, please," Luna hissed as she walked past them. "I have never seen that look on his face. He and Mary have been shooting looks at each other all night."

"Isn't John supposed to be here tonight?" Daphne narrowed her eyes to watch Neville pace. "Why is she still here?"

"She traded shifts with him." Luna touched the front pocket of her apron. "Right after she told me I had to work tonight."

"I'll check on Neville." Ron dropped a quick kiss on Hermione's cheek. "Someone let Harry know what is going on. And tell him to stop bothering my sister and get his ass down here."

"I'm on it." Theo pulled out his mobile and began hunting for the group chat. "Luna, you had better get back to work before she notices. Because if she notices and says something, he may do something stupid."

"We are coming to order something." Daphne grabbed Hermione's elbow. "We will walk back with you."

Theo: Mate, where are you?

Theo: Harry, where are you?

Theo: Ginny, why are you not answering?

Theo: If you two don't mind, Neville is about to lose his shit

Harry: Nev?

Ginny: Has a temper

Theo: Apparently

Harry: We will be there in ten minutes

Theo: Make it five if possible

Ginny: It can't be that bad

Theo: Neville is talking to someone on his mobile and pacing outside of BB

Ginny: Nev is talking on his mobile?

Harry: In public?

Theo: Loudly

Harry: Don't let him go back inside

Ginny: Keep him outside

Theo: We will try

"John, I am talking to you as a fellow business owner." Neville was trying to remain calm. "If you do not come down here and make her leave Luna alone, I will tell her exactly what I think of what she has done today."

"No, I am telling you." Neville struggled to hold his temper. "She … She… She made Luna come in tonight when you pro … promised she had Fridays off."

"I am being calm." Neville stopped pacing and looked at the sky. "That woman is making her life miserable right now and I am going to stop her if you don't. Luna does not have to put up with this."

"Thank you, John," his voice seemed calmer as Ron approached. "I appreciate this."

Ron waited until Neville put his mobile back in his pocket. "What's going on Nev? Why is Luna worried about you?"

"I'm fine," Neville started pacing again. "I just needed some fresh air. I also called John to let him know how Mary has been treating Luna tonight."

"Nev, Luna is fine." Ron reached out to touch Neville on the shoulder. Neville was shaking. "She asked me to check on you."

"That woman. She made Luna come in today when she knows Luna only gets Friday nights off." Neville began running his fingers through his hair. "And she has given her every horrible task she could tonight."

"Nev, she is the manager on duty." Ron could see Neville starting to lose his hold on his temper. "It is her job to make sure everything gets done that needs to be done"

"She is n-n-n-not the manager on duty on Friday nights. John usually does Friday nights." Neville pulled away from Ron and began to pace again. "He told me she offered to stay tonight so he could spend some time with Bonnie."

"Nev, breathe." Ron was running out of things to try to get Neville to calm down. "She is taking orders right now. Harry, just the man I wanted to see."

Neville turned his attention to Harry and Ginny as they walked towards The Bishop's Brew. "Everything okay, Nev?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know. I need to talk to Luna," Neville began to mumble as he reached for the door.

"Let's play a game, Nev." Harry put his hand on Neville's shoulder and lead him to the board at their favorite table. "Gin, can you go get my usual?'

"Sure thing, hunny." Ginny hugged Neville and kissed Harry on the cheek. "I'll be back in a minute."

Ginny: Nev is furious

Daphne: Don't blame him

Hermione: Luna is having a rough night

Ginny: Why is she working tonight?

Daphne: Mary

Hermione: Where is John?

Ginny: I overhead Neville say the witch offered to work for him tonight so he could spend some time with Bonnie

Hermione: What is she up to?

Ginny: I'm getting coffee. I'll check on Luna

"Hey, Luna! Can I get my usual Friday night order?" Ginny asked as she stepped up to the counter.

"Small or medium?" Luna didn't look up as she touched the screen on the monitor.

"Medium. John is coming," Ginny whispered, handing Luna money for her order. "Harry is with Neville. It is going to be okay."

"Thank you. I'm not doing this much longer." Luna handed Ginny her change. "I have something to give John when he gets here."

"Just whistle if you need us," Ginny gave Luna's hand a squeeze. "Love you, sweetie."

The next twenty minutes were a mix of tension and confusion for the friends and customers at The Bishop's Brew. It was like they could tell a storm was brewing and no one wanted to be there when it broke. Neville was playing the worst chess of his life and Luna had dropped three drinks and had to remake them. Neville caught Mary approaching Luna and stood. "I'll be back. Need more coffee."

"Nev, don't." Harry was speaking to empty space by the time he realized what was going on.

"Excuse me. Mary," Luna said calmly. "I think John just walked in. Could you get the next person's order?"

Luna walked away from the counter and grabbed Neville's hand before he could approach Mary. Ginny took his place in the line and started to make her next order. "I'll take a tall dirty chai…"

"I'm sorry … this line is closed." Mary walked away from the counter to follow Luna. Harry stepped in front of her before she could get to Neville and Luna.

"Ma'am. I do believe my wife was placing an order with you when you walked away from her. That conversation over there has nothing to do with you."

"Get out of my way, leech," Mary hissed. "You and your friends are ruining this shop and I intend to stop it."

"I'd be careful if I were you, ma'am," Harry's voice drifted after her. "Neville is not happy right now. He may be quiet, but when he does decided to speak…"

Luna reached in the pocket of her apron and pulled out the letter she had written before work. "I'm sorry, John. I can't do this anymore. I have tried to work with her but…"

"Don't listen to a thing she says, John. She will lie to get her way …"

"ENOUGH!" Neville's voice filled the coffee shop. "You … You will stand there and you … you ..you … w-w-will let her speak." Neville's whole body shook as he turned towards Mary.

"Neville, I'm okay," Luna whispered into the silence that filled the shop. "Look at me, Nev. I'm okay."

"She is n-n-n-not allowed to treat you that way," Neville struggled to get the words out of his mouth. "She … She ...She … She knows and she made you come in… She knows."

"Neville. Look at me." Luna touched his cheek. "I need you to look at me. We are going to go outside so we can talk to John. Harry and Ron are going to keep her inside."

"Now see here…" Mary began to sputter.

"I will talk to you after I talk to Luna," John glared at Mary. "You have customers waiting."

When the trio got outside, Ron stood by the door and Harry escorted Mary back to the counter. "I do believe my wife was placing an order when you so rudely left her." Harry looked towards the monitor pointedly. "Sam, could you make us our usual?

"Sure thing, Harry," Sam called from the drive thru window. "Small or Medium?"

"What do you think?" Harry tried to laugh as he watched the conversation outside the door. "I think Gin needs a double shot in there."

"Sure thing … Give me two minutes."

Neville was pacing as Luna explained her side of the situation to John. "I'm sorry to do this John, but I cannot work with her anymore. Since I began the extra training with you and Bonnie, she has been finding ways to make life difficult when we work together."

"She … she … she made you come to w-w-work tonight," Neville stuttered as he paced. "She … she ... she knows Friday is Chess …"

"John, this is my letter of resignation." Luna handed the slightly crumpled envelope to John. "I appreciate everything you have done for me and will always consider you and Bonnie family. I will work out the two weeks' notice, but only on shifts where she is not here. If she shows up while I am here, I will walk out and not return. Neville has offered me a business opportunity that I cannot turn down. Can I go home now?"

"I'm sorry I did not see this coming, Luna." John looked down at the letter in his hands. "After what I have seen tonight, I understand some things that have been said recently. Good luck. What is the business opportunity?"

"T-t-tempest in..in ...in a teap-p-p-pot," Neville answered as he gently placed his hand in the small of Luna's back. "Do you mind if I take you? I think I am done playing chess for the night."

"Neville, be careful taking her home." John smiled as he watched the couple walk across the parking lot. "I expect an invitation to the Open House."

Harry: Looks like it is going to be an early night

Theo: I did not know Nev had it in him

Ginny: Only if it is someone he cares about

Daphne: Did you see the look on her face when he shouted?

Harry: I wish I had taken a picture

Ron: I have video

Harry: Everyone ready to call it a night?

Ginny: My knee is sore

Ron: I have to be at the shop early tomorrow

Daphne: I have lost all will to stay awake

Theo: Need a ride home?

Daphne: I think I can make it, Thank you for the offer

Harry: Be careful getting home

Ginny: Everyone check in when you get home

Theo: Yes Mum

Daphne: Smart ass

Harry: Not where he keeps his brain

Harry: Nev, you okay?

Neville: I'm better now

Harry: Is Luna okay?

Neville: Yeah

Harry: You home?

Neville: No, sleeping on her couch

Harry: You really like her, don't you?

Neville: Yeah

Harry: Night Nev

Neville: Night Harry

Ginny: Harry and I are home

Daphne: Just closed the door

Ron: Parking the car now

Theo: Home

Hermione: Home

Harry: Nev is at Luna's

Ginny: ?