*Anti-litigation jinx: I don't own anything*

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"Ever since people first existed, they have been doing all the things we label "codependent." They have worried themselves sick about other people. They have tried to help in ways that didn't help. They have said yes when they meant no. They have tried to make other people see things their way. They have bent over backwards avoiding hurting people's feelings and, in so doing, have hurt themselves. They have been afraid to trust their feelings. They have believed lies and then felt betrayed." Melody Beatie

"People who keep stiff upper lips find that it's damn hard to smile." Judith Guest

"This world abounds indeed with misery: to lighten its burthen we must divide it with one another." Thomas Jefferson, 1786

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By the time he made his way up to the Headmistress' office, Hermione had gone. He'd been called in as Minerva got to her feet, brushing floo powder and soot from her robes with a pinched expression on her face. She'd hardly reacted as he told her how he'd just run into Headmaster Snape in the greenhouses, who had apparated away with the illegal plant, claiming he was helping Hermione. She nodded vaguely, muttering something about how he'd left soon after. Neville was far from reassured and when he went to question further, something about his face must have set the Headmistress off.

"Hard as it is to believe. He apparently is helping Hermione." She set back behind her desk and seemed lost in thought.

"Is she still here? I'd like to say hello." Neville watched as his employer snapped back, before eying him shrewdly. "She's in the library. I daresay she'll be glad to see you."

But the welcome he received after trudging down four flights and entering the quiet, empty library rather disproved the headmistress. Hermione was in her favourite spot and wasn't hard to find, hauling a huge book off the shelf beside her.

"Hermione!"

She spun to him, dropping the book as she went for her wand, and Neville flinched.

"Neville! I'm so sorry!"

Hermione looked down at the book splayed open on the floor, and promptly burst into tears.

"It's okay! Come here." Neville didn't think as he pulled her into a hug and wasn't expecting to be shoved away. Looking down while trying not to blink stupidly, he backed away slightly as Hermione rushed to gather up the gigantic tome, hefting it on to the table next to a smaller book half filled with notes and held open with a brown quill. She turned her back to him, palms flat on the desk as she visibly pulled herself together.

Neville stood awkwardly, doing his best not to hear the small sniffles as she took several long breaths.

"Should have known better than to startle a DA veteran." He sheepishly offered to the tense silence, and hopefully watched as Hermione lifted her head, sniffed and turned to smile at him.

"Oh Neville, it's good to see you."

Skeeter watched the crowd outside Weasley Wizarding Wheezes grow, whilst sitting comfortably in her seat outside Florence Fortescues' sipping on a latte. Amorin had sent Braithewaite into the scrum of reporters and photographers camped outside, and Skeeter had relished how predictable he was. It had been too easy; fashion a little female drama, make it seem like a hostile competitive relationship, and how quick the man was to jump to the younger witches side and give her all the assignments he knew Skeeter would most want.

It was frankly pathetic. What was a shame was Betty did believe herself in competition, and the few snide comments Rita had made about her mettle as a reporter had made the witch coldly hostile. She'd ignored Rita's invitation for coffee that morning, not even looking at her as she walked past. It was incredibly tiresome.

Skeeter sipped on her drink, warming her hands on the mug as the chill air of London spread through the bustling streets. The hubbub from the street grew and Skeeter looked up to see Kingsley Shacklebolt, ex minister, stroll into the joke shop, calmly ignoring the flash of cameras. Rita was pleased that Betty wasn't one of the brainless media pack attempting to follow the man into the store, and watched the flares and sparks issued from wards as three photographers were flung back several yards into the street.

Customers however, were pouring freely into the shop, and past the displays of magical radios, and a giant mannequin in a wedding dress, whose realistic head kept intermittently disappearing, a large banner "THE DISAPPEARING BRIDE" advertising the newest in the range of headless hats: a dainty wedding veil. The shoppers were intermingled with those there only to get a glance at the Weasley' newest employee.

Skeeter couldn't see from her table on the terrace across the street, but she knew a moment later as the flash bulbs erupted once more, that the smaller wizard walking beside Kingsley was that self same employee, Dennis Creevey, and as the pair apparated from a little way past the shop, Skeeter's gaze was already smirking at the disappointed face of Braithewaite.

"Betty!" The witch looked up with a scowl, as Rita beckoned her over, pointing to the now cold coffee she'd ordered ten minutes earlier. "I bought you a cuppa." The witch scowled, and made her way through the now dispersing crowd, if only to yell up at the terrace. Before the words made their way past her frankly furious mouth, the camera's lit up the street once more, and Ron Weasley left the store front, waving happily to the young witches gathered in front of the cameras.

Rita watched as Betty looked over her shoulder, and honestly did her best not to grin down at the witch.

"Unlucky, Betty. I won't tell Amorin. Come, have a drink. I promise it will be worth your while."

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Neville tried to catch up with Hermione as she stormed through the library, hefting the book he had insisted on carrying, and following her to the small section off from the librarians' office which held law journals and political history memoirs. He was a few yards behind her when the low tone of Kingsley rang through the echoing corridor of bookshelves, and he almost sent 'The Purity of their sex' sprawling to the floor for a second time.

"Kingsley!" Neville rushed to put the book down and grasped the smiling ex-auror's hand. He then noticed the boy standing behind him. "And Dennis! How are you mate?"

He shook the boy's hand and realised, suddenly, that this would be one of his students next year. It was the first time, since starting his apprenticeship, that he'd be assisting Pompona with her classes. Except-

"Dennis, what are you doing here?"

"You clearly don't read the prophet then." Dennis answered cheekily. "I'm affected by the new marriage law. We're here to see the governors. Hermione's got an idea."

Hermione was ignoring the conversation completely, moving throughout the section to whisk law volumes from the shelves and deposit them on the table. She had the fierce determined look she'd often worn before exams, when no one in the common room had been brave enough to approach her. He caught Dennis' look following her, the admiring gaze dropping completely as he looked over Neville's shoulder, face turning pink. Hermione slipped the book she was carrying on to the table and looked floored as Ron and Percy Weasley entered the library.

"Ron!" Neville called, greeting him warmly.

"Excellent! I told you it would take no time at all. Thank you for coming, Percy, come let us fill you in." Kingsley boomed cheerfully.

Ron stood at the entrance to the section and let Percy walk past him to sit at the end of the table. Kingsley pulled a sheaf of parchment before him and conjured a quill, handing it pointedly to Hermione. Neville glanced between the one time couple, trying to decipher the awkward silence. Social situations often eluded him, but Hermione hadn't greeted Ron at all, and didn't look set to. She hadn't said a word since bursting into tears before him, and Neville couldn't help but be worried, as she quietly listened to Kingsley brief Percy.

"It's good to see you Ron."

Neville walked over to him and shook his hand. The stocky redhead offered him a slap on the back.

"Yeah mate, it's been a while."

Ron looked over towards Hermione in the same way he'd perfected over the years in the crowded common room, determined not to be seen looking. Hermione had taken a seat beside Percy and the three of them had begun quietly drafting, suggesting words and dissenting over the top of each other.

Neville looked over at Dennis who was awkwardly standing by a shelf, sending nervous glances at Ron.

"Why don't we leave them to it. Dennis, you'll have to fill me in on what I've missed."

Ron let out a grunt and led the way out of the section. Neville followed, ushering Dennis before him.

"Neville, wait." Hermione quietly called. Kingsley stopped writing and glanced up at the pair of them.

"I know it's a lot to ask and you don't really know what's going on, but is there any way you could bring Luna here?"

Neville blushed and asked why in a manner quick enough to be considered rude. He blushed further.

"She's been helping me and she's got my bag."

Neville knew Hermione well enough that when she got stressed, it was better to just go along with her. But-

"I haven't actually seen Luna in a while…"

He trailed off and was thankful when Kingsley bent over the quickly filling parchment once more.

"Well, heaven forbid things were slightly awkward." Hermione scowled, and for a moment Neville realised he'd never asked her why Snape had been here, apparently helping her. The uncharacteristic response from the stressed witch, and something about the sarcastic drawl brought the thought to mind, but he only nodded.

"I'll go floo her. Hermione?"

She looked up at him, eyes tired and still a bit red.

"You know I'll always help, if you need, right? I would have helped sooner, if you'd told me about the plant. It's sort of my area, even if I was pants at potions. And you know you can trust me…" he trailed off, unsure how to voice exactly what he meant.

Hermione looked furious for a moment, and took a deep breath. She seemed ready to speak, then promptly shut her mouth and stopped herself, looking down at the quill in her hand.

"Thanks Neville, I'll keep that in mind."

Neville only nodded, and made his way to the floo.

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It was set to be one of the brightest covers they'd ever done, and Luna knew her father was excited as he packed boxes in the living room, stopping every few minutes to stare distractedly at the cover.

Luna has experimented with some of the ink to develop the photograph of Hermione on the muggle underground, until the bright electric lights seemed to shiver around her and the amber flashes from the dark windows and metallic finishes of the Parisian metro seemed to sparkle, drawing attention to the cover from anyone in a five yard radius. Luna knew it wasn't what Hermione would prefer, but it would definitely get attention and father was thrilled with it.

He had been eager to fill the pages, and had written his own editorial on the dangers of the ministry using the marriage law to enslave citizens with little encouragement from her. He had to be talked through the need for secrecy about Caligula, but in the end she had convinced him that next edition would be needed to fully give it justice.

The floo leapt into flames as Luna sent the last of the print run to land by the boxes, and Father answered it.

"Neville! My boy, what time, what time! Just in time to get the first copy off the press!"

The shy face of Neville Longbottom found her eyes through the floo and Luna interceded on his behalf.

"I think Neville called to speak to me daddy."

The pale face of her father blinked vacantly at her before transforming into a knowing smile.

"Oh of course, of course. Sensible boy you've got there, I should give you some privacy."

"He's not my boy Daddy, we're just friends." Luna smiled and turned to the floo. Neville looked rather like the wrackspurts had got him before he coughed slightly.

"Luna, it's Hermione, she's here at Hogwarts and needs her bag, could you pass it through?"

Luna looked at him, tilting her head. "I'll come through of course. Just a moment- Daddy, I've got to go, will you be able to distribute these without me? Remember, half of them are to go to Weasley's joke shop. They'll sell them for us for free." Luna got up from the floo and flounced out of the room, returning with Hermione's beaded bag and a brand new copy of the quibbler.

"Well, lean back, I'm coming through now."

She thought she heard Neville mutter something, but it could have been the rush of the spinning flames as she stepped through into the library.

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By the time they finished drafting the final subsection, and argued about the extensively vague wording surrounding "individual undergoing magical education, including but not limited to student, ward, attendees or otherwise enrolled in a course of vocational or required study", it was nearing the end of Percy' allocated lunch time. Kingsley had reread it three times and seemed convinced while Percy made a magical copy, adding 'apprentice' to the list as the one and only amendment. Hermione had a headache and wondered how, after feeling alone for the last few days, the press of people surrounding her seemed so grating.

In fairness, Neville Ron and Dennis weren't loud as they sat on couches just outside Ms. Pince's empty office, and the quiet talking was only evident when Kingsley and Percy were both concentrating on re-reading rather than debating. But the thought of having to go out there and join the conversation loomed until even the idea of meeting with the board of governors seemed preferable.

Kingsley stood abruptly, and began rolling up the version of the appeal that the governors would see. He clapped Percy on the back and the lanky redhead adjusted his glasses.

"One more thing, Hermione. The figures on financial inducements for the marriage law, I made a copy this morning."

Percy retrieved a small folded memo from his cloak before pulling it on.

"It's not detailed, but it's worth noting the number of couples estimated to be affected by the bill. Could help with the arithmancy."

Hermione nodded, rubbing her forehead as she read through the small pages. She could run it against the numbers from the Hogwarts register-

That Snape had taken with him.

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Luna filled in Neville with the help of the newest edition of the Quibbler, and a shy Dennis.

The boy wasn't nearly as confident as he had been in Paris, and Luna wondered why he was letting Ronald Weasley bother him. Ron was rude sometimes, but always in an amusing way, and he hadn't made a mean joke yet, he was just listening to the conversation and checking rather obviously every few minutes to see if Hermione was finished. Which was strange, when she knew they had broken up.

From their spot outside the office, the gaps in the shelves made the three figures huddled in the law section visible, and Neville was the only one not continuously glancing in that direction.

Probably because he was still in love with her. Luna sighed and absently twirled the drawstring of Hermione's little bag. Neville was lovely, and she cared for him, but he was so sad, and he seemed determined to never leave Hogwarts. It was as though he still had to look after the place and everyone in it.

She didn't wonder really, that he sounded so suspicious when he'd told the other boys about Snape's visit to the Greenhouses. He would never be able to believe anything good about the former headmaster. She only hummed as Dennis mentioned he'd been concerned that Hermione met with him for dinner in Paris, while Ron was beet red to the very tips of his ears, mumbling something about how the 'greasy git' had been at the Burrow.

It was the first time he had been distracted from his watch through the bookcases, and only fitting that it was the precise moment Hermione joined the group, looking thunderous.

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