Author's Note: I am going to try and get new chapters out at least once or twice a week. I'd love to hear any comments.

Chapter 2: Revelations and a Date

"Good evening, Professor Longbottom," said Professor McGonagall. "Join me for dinner,"

"It is still weird hearing you call me Professor," said Neville, as he took a seat next to her at the high table. Professor McGonagall made a habit of switching up the seating at the high table so that dinner never became boring. It also allowed her to know what was happening in the school.

"Get used to it- it is going to be your first name for long time. Everyone calls me Professor now- not many are left to call me Minerva."

"How are things going? What have you been up to today? You look great." She said.

"What do mean by "you look great?" asked Neville

"I know you miss your friends and the first year of teaching is always an adjustment. It has been a while since I've seen you smile. You should keep doing it."

"Thanks, I'll try" replied Neville.

He slowed down a bit. He wasn't quite ready for others to know that he'd met someone or that his smile was sue to an upcoming date with a Muggle.

"She's right, you do look relaxed for the first time in ages," said Professor Evan Gallagher. Like Neville, Evan Gallagher was also in first year of teaching. His specialized in Arithmancy and moonlighted as one of the Quidditch coaches.

"Did you find a new species of plant or something," asked Evan.

"No, I just had a good day for the first time in a long time," replied Neville.

"I'll bet you met up with Luna or one of the other girls," said Evan.

"Not Luna- she married last summer," replied Neville.

"Who says I met anyone?" said Neville," "Isn't it possible for a guy to have a good day without a girl being behind it?"

"It's possible," said Professor Flitwick, "unlikely, but possible."

"As long as she isn't a muggle, I think it is great," said Sondregger.

"Why? What's wrong with muggles? They struck down the rules about wizards marrying muggles. My mother was a muggle," said Evan

"Nothing is wrong with muggles," said Sondregger, "I just don't think that two should marry. I mean, if one person reveals the magical world exists, we will all be in trouble. Imagine what would happen if they only had squibs. Your much better off with a nice witch."

"Leave him alone," said McGonagall. "I think Neville can organize his own life. I'm sure that we can find other topics of discussion. Neville, just don't break the Statue of Secrecy, or elope."

"But it's fun. I really want to know," said Flitwick, "after all what is teaching but the pursuit of knowledge from all sources?"

"That may be true. But you are and always have been the king of gossip around here. Now stop teasing the poor man or you will be on overnight duty for the next week," said McGonagall.

"And I'm sure we will find out the source of this happiness in due time. In the meantime, let's enjoy our dinner- tonight it my favorite-lasagna."

"I'm going to find out eventually," said Evan.

"I'll tell you when there is something to tell," said Neville.

It was still strange to be sitting at the high table looking down on all the students. He never would have guessed that Flitwick was the king of gossip. He made a mental note to make sure that He would not let Professor Sondregger- the new literature professor find out. The rules against dating muggles or muggle-borns might have been struck down, but to many, it was still taboo. Neville picked up his fork and began to pick at his salad. He planned to go over to the kitchen garden after supper and pick some of the herbs for Ellie.

"The lasagna is pretty good," said Evan.

"You think all food is good," replied Neville.

"Why aren't you eating it- you usually attack the lasagna," said Evan.

"I'm still full from lunch. I had a late lunch in Hogsmeade."

"The Three Broomsticks makes a great fish and chips," said Flitick.

"I had Shepherd's Pie," said Neville.

"That's why you are so happy," said Evan, "You finally had a good meal!"

"Really, the food here is excellent," said Flitwick.

"I agree," said Sondregger, "there is absolutely no reason to go into town for food. Hogsmeade doesn't have a lot anyway."

"If it doesn't have a lot, why were you there today."

"I had some business that I had to take care of. But Hogwarts food is delicious. Hogsmeade only has a few restaurants and none of them are this good."

"Still, it is nice to have a change of pace every once in a while," said Neville.

"Do you have House duty tonight or tomorrow?" asked Evan

"I have it tonight. Seamus has it tomorrow," said Neville. "You knos sometimes, it is still hard to believe that I'm a teacher, or that Seamus is. We used to try and sneak around the person on night duty."

"It just means that we're prepared for whatever the students throw at us." Said Evan

"And it isn't like you were the perfect angel, Neville," said Evan.

"True, our class elevated sneaking around to an art form under Umbridge and the horrible year," said Neville.

"That may be the case, but I'm counting on you to make sure these students don't need to sneak about. And Seamus, I expect the team to do well tomorrow."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered," said Seamus.

"Evan, do you want to go down the greenhouse with me after supper?" said Neville.

"Sure," said Evan.