Chapter 57

April 1, 2002

Hermione's Cottage

Neville was cooking in her kitchen wearing a plaid apron that Minerva had given her as a housewarming gift at her last flat when Hermione walked back in.

"Surprised to see you so soon," Neville said, not turning to look at her as she sighed and dropped down into one of the chairs in her kitchen.

"Well Mr. and Mrs. Pucey turned up and everything went to shit, so I took it as my cue to escape." Hermione summoned a bottle of wine from the rack and a glass, popping the cork with a charm and pouring it almost to the brim.

"Mr. and Mrs. Pucey, eh?" Neville chuckled, as he wiped his hands and turned to lean back against the counter. "Gin didn't waste any time now did she."

Hermione gulped down her wine and rubbed at her temple. "No, and Molly took it about as well as you might imagine."

"Well, her plan to be Harry Potter's mother-in-law was thwarted. She's never been real keen on anyone disobeying her wishes." Neville grabbed a wine glass and poured himself a much smaller glass, casting a stasis charm over the boiling pot and the red sauce simmering in a pan.

He sat across from Hermione at the little table where it seemed like yesterday she'd fed Draco and Theo their first meal as free-ish men.

"One month until Beltane," Neville said, conversationally. "Oliver seems ready and willing to try."

Hermione had several plans that Oliver's aid could be indispensable for. His work in the Death Room and with the Veil itself was most pressing, but Draco and Theo's implants that inhibit their magic also needed to be dealt with. As an Unspeakable, Oliver was an even better researcher than she was, and he had access to the Department of Mysteries' proprietary archives. If anyone could, he would be able to figure out what exactly they did and how to remove it without permanently damaging their magic.

"He's a good man. I'm glad I was able to bring him over to our way of thinking." Hermione took a more reasonable sip of wine. "Where are my boys?"

"Napping," Neville answered, waving a hand towards the bedrooms above them. "They went and read in the garden for a bit and then went back to bed after they took their potions and muggle medication. I even made them protein smoothies."

"You are a treasure. I never thought you'd get so good at muggle cooking."

"If we have to cut and run I need something to fall back on." Neville cracked a smile.

Hermione shook her head at him. "I hope you have more faith in me than that."

"Of course," Neville's smile wavered. "The baby's a week overdue. I tried for an international portkey to go to Bulgaria again, but it's still a no. They cited security issues, as though the security problems were abroad rather than right here in England." He closed his eyes and Hermione watched the grief wash over his face.

"Oh gods, Nev," Hermione's hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry. Have you told Viktor and Pansy?" She wondered if they knew that he hadn't given up leaving the country.

Neville nodded. "I told Viktor, and Pansy overheard. She got so upset that we were worried she was going to send herself into labour."

"Is she alright now?" Hermione asked in concern. The Slytherin witch and she had shared goals and dreams these days. They weren't friends, but they were allies. And Neville loved her. And Hermione loved Neville.

"Yes." Neville sighed deeply, scratching at the stubble on his chin. "She's fine. Wishes Daph could come be with her for the birth, but minding Greg has put a kibosh on that. She'll have to suffer with Viktor's mother and sisters suffocating her with attention." Neville chuckled at that and Hermione wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"And how's Goyle doing?" Hermione asked, her nose wrinkling. She'd never been fond of the wizard who was as much an informer for Draco's father as he'd ever been Draco's friend, but his freedom had been Daphne's price for being part of their little band of conspirators. Hermione had paid it willingly, now all that mattered was the Pureblood witch played her part.

"He went in heavier, so he wasn't as thin as the rest of them - not that he isn't skinnier than you've ever seen him. He's barely talking." Neville shrugged. "He'll live. Hopefully he'll be less of a wanker to everyone after all is said and done."

"One can only hope."

*...

The floo chime rang announcing the arrival of guests. Neville had disappeared hours before to check on his shopgirls back at the flower shop and probably use his cellphone to call Viktor to check on Pansy.

Draco and Theo were watching her make popcorn on the stove with confused stares as they ate the food that Neville had prepared.

"So the bits you put into the pan are going to explode?" Theo asked, watching her carefully. "Is that safe?"

"Safer than Exploding Snap," she laughed. "My eyebrows will certainly survive the task. And the bits are corn kernels. I've put them in with a bit of hot oil and salt. Then they'll pop open and are edible. It's a Muggle thing to have it with a movie. I can't seem to keep a microwave working around all the magic in the cottage, so this is what I have to do."

Draco was significantly more sceptical as he watched her from his seat, toying with the pasta that Neville had made. "I still can't believe Longbottom is willing to be our babysitter when the need arises. I have to tell you that it was very odd finding him toddling about the kitchen while you were away."

"Neville is a good friend," Hermione said.

"I'm sure Pansy is putting him up to it," Draco groused, his ill health putting him in a difficult mood today. "She is still alive right?"

"Neither of you asked Neville?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"We mostly tried to stay out of his way," Theo admitted, standing up so he could peer into the pan where Hermione was stirring. "We had a very awkward conversation with him last visit where we all stared at each other for about five minutes until Draco and I just excused ourselves."

"I'd like you to try to be at least polite to him," Hermione sighed, shaking the pan a little to distribute the heat. "I'd prefer you all to be friends, I'm sure Pansy, who is alive and safe in Bulgaria under a false identity, by the way, would too."

"I'm sure she would." Draco sighed, dramatically. "I'm grateful that Longbottom killed that snake, really I am, but it's a bit strained. I did use the cruciatus on the bloke more than once and I had to listen to my aunt and Rodolphus tell the story of driving his parents to insanity more than once. It's just awkward." He shrugged.

"Well, the war is over. Or at least that one, and in the new war, Neville is on the same side as us."

Draco just huffed, giving up on his plate to come and watch as the cacophony of pops sounded in the pan. He put his chin on Hermione's shoulder and whispered, "J'adore te voir cuisiner. Parfait."

"I don't know how perfect I am, but I do know how to make popcorn," she laughed, kissing his temple.

Not long after Hermione had added the melted butter and some additional salt to her popcorn, the floo chimed to announce the arrival of their evening guests.

Walking on his own and smiling, Blaise looked much more like his old self.

"Blaise!" Theo yelled, rushing to give their mate a hug. The other wizard put his arms around Theo and squeezed as well.

"Gentle, Theodore, I don't need both of you toppling to the floor," Luna scolded with a smile.

"Hermione, Draco, we're so happy to join you all for movie night. Thank you so much for inviting us. I'm very much looking forward to watching my favourite movie again."

"Not Lord of the Rings," Hermione insisted. "But I think you'll like this one as well Luna." Hermione flashed the cover of the Princess Bride at the petite blonde who grabbed it out of her hands.

"Alright," Luna agreed sceptically after reading over the back of the case. "I'll give it a chance."

Hermione grinned, a little giggle escaping.

To Hermione's amusement and complete lack of surprise, the Purebloods had been transfixed by the film. Theo had made her rewind the scene with Vizzini and Wesley several times until he was satisfied. Luna had loved Buttercup's dresses and vowed to take some images to Madam Malkin's to see if she could get something made in the same vein. Blaise watched her with a fond acceptance that Hermione hadn't seen in a long time. Watching Blaise, Theo, and Draco argue about what Inigo should have done after the end of the movie gave her a soft feeling of comfort. This was what their lives after the war should have been like, but without the threat of violence from the DMLE and the need to constantly pay off the Ministry when they needed to go anywhere.

She'd burn the Ministry to the ground if she had her way and salt the earth where it had stood. It was no more than they deserved.

"So when are you witches going to let us in on whatever you have planned?" Blaise asked Hermione in an aside as he leaned over to her while the other three argued about Miracle Max and his wife's relationship.

"It's really better that you don't know," Hermione replied, softly.

Blaise only nodded, no argument passing his lips, as he watched Luna's impassioned face as she made her point.

Hermione wanted this all over with already.

Soon.

It would be over soon. And then they'd all be free.