The Dance
After dinner, Neville took Ellie's hand. "Come on, I want to show you some things. Don't worry, we won't miss the dance."
Neville led her out of the hall, past nervous-looking students.
"Professor is that your girlfriend?" asked a girl who looked to be about 12.
"Yes, Peterson, it is."
"She's hot," whispered another boy. Ellie smiled as Neville sped up.
"Where are we going? Don't tell me we're going back to the cursed tree," as Neville led her outside.
"No. Not yet, anyway," said Neville. He led her to a large greenhouse. He opened the door, muttered a spell and it filled with light. In one part of the greenhouse stood small tables with plants, clear stations for students to work. The other half was filled with some of the most amazing plants that she'd ever seen. The giant pumpkins had clearly been Neville's work.
"This is amazing," said Ellie. Are those fresh strawberries growing in October? Here?"
"Yes," said Neville, smiling. "If you are impressed by that, come here." He took her hand and enthusiastically pulled her to the other side of the greenhouse where beautiful daisies, red wizard's poppies, hydrangeas, and tulips all grew.
"I thought all of these grew in different climates."
"They do- but with a little magic, I can grow them side by side. Let me show you the fruit trees."
As they neared the flowers, he heard a voice say, "Merlin's beard."
"Come out," said Neville. "It will be easier if you show yourselves."
A brown head emerged from behind a plant.
"Patterson, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see the giant pumpkins and the orchids," said Patterson.
"Nice try," said Neville, "you know that the giant pumpkins are in the Great Hall. Now, it would be easier if your accomplices would come out. I'll bet its Allie Stamner and Susie Glades."
Two girls slowly emerged from behind the plants. One of them had a large hat on and was clearly trying to cover her hair, the other girl, a redhead, had a ski mask on.
"How did you know it was us?" asked one of the girls.
"You three are almost inseparable," said Neville. "I'll wager that this little visit has something to do with the hat and the mask. If you let me see, it is possible that I can help. Look, if you tell me the truth, I'll go easy on you."
Allie looked down at the floor.
"It can't be that bad," said Ellie. "And if it is, well this is a school of magic, isn't it? I'll bet it can be fixed."
"Are you Professor Longbottom's girlfriend?" asked the boy.
"Yes, Peter, she is. Her name is Professor Banks," said Neville.
"I teach at a m-Montessori school," said Ellie.
Allie took off the large hat to reveal light brown hair, which was streaked with blonde and few bits of green.
"What did you do to it?"
"I wanted to do something different for the ball. My sister had this muggle hair stuff that she loves. I thought if we added just a little magic to it, it would work better," said Allie.
"You used some sort of strengthening charm, didn't you?"
"Yes," said Allie. "I also used one the quick grow spell you taught us. I thought if I modified it just a bit, I could get the hair to be longer, too."
Neville walked over a cabinet and took out a small bottle. He poured a few drops on her head, took out his wand and said an incantation. The hair magically returned to its natural state, but it was a little messy.
"But it just looks like my normal hair," said Allie.
"Do you have a brush?" asked Ellie.
Susie pulled one of her bags and handed it to Ellie. Ellie brushed Allie's hair and fixed it, so it looked nice.
"I think that's a little better," said Ellie.
"It looks great," said Peter.
"Thank you,"
"Now, Susie, why are you wearing that mask?" asked Neville.
She took it off to reveal a face with a zit on her nose.
"Let me guess," said Neville, "You came on this mission to try and get some mandrake for acne."
"Yes," said Susie, rather sheepishly.
"In that case, I'm glad I caught you. Don't you know that mandrake is poisonous and the screams of a mandrake, even an adolescent one can knock you out if you don't have the right protection?"
Neville went to a cabinet. "Use a little of this and I'll do a concealing charm."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Peterson, did you have any problems or did you just tag along on this mission," asked Neville.
"No, I don't have any problems," said Peter.
"Now, I'll take two points from Ravenclaw and one from Gryffindor for this little escapade. Next Saturday, you three are going to help straighten out Greenhouse 3. Now, go back to the ball."
The students quickly left.
"After the students left, Nevile took Ellie in his arms, and his lips were on hers. Her mouth yielded to his and they lost themselves in an amazing kiss. The sound of the bells brought him back to reality.
"Neville, just so you know, I love you."
"I love you- in fact I've never felt this way about anyone before," said Neville. He went I for another earth shattering and all to brief kiss.
"Now, shall we go and the ball?"
"Lead on, my prince," said Ellie.
The Great Hall had somehow been transformed while they took their tour of Hogwarts. The tables were gone, leaving a dance floor. Music blared. Students mixed and tried to mingle. The younger boys had taken one side of the room and the girls the other.
"Neville," said a lady in an emerald evening dress, "I need your help. Hi, I'm Colleen Craft, you must be Ellie. It's nice to meet you." Ellie shook her hand. "I need you two to get out on the floor and dance."
"I'll warn you that I'm not the greatest dancer," said Ellie.
"Neither am I," said Neville, "but trust me, no one here is focused on us."
"Exactly," said Colleen, "now I'm going to get my husband and wrangle our head boy and girl and let's get these folks dancing."
"True," said Ellie. "This place is magnificent. You know I've heard stories about this place most of my life, but nothing really does it justice."
"It is a special place. In some ways, it is home. In fact, I think I've lived here as long as I did at home. Plus, it was just me and grandmother."
"Well, it is an amazing place. I doubt mine will compare. You are still coming for Christmas."
"Yes," said Neville, "I'm really looking forward to it. And your invitation got me out of staying here and working."
"And you're quite a good dancer," said Neville.
"I had to do a few balls. My mother made us all learn how to basic dance- even though I'm not coordinated at all."
"You're better than I am," said Neville.
"Is that a giant?" asked Ellie, as she saw a huge man in dress robes start to dance with a woman even taller."
"That's Hagrid and his girlfriend Wilhelmina- they are both part giant. They just got married last year."
Before Ellie could follow up on the fact that giants were real, the song ended. Just as they stopped dancing, Flitwick appeared."
"Ellie, may I have this dance," asked Flitwick.
"Certainly," said Ellie.
Flitwick might be short, but he'd found a way to dance. He levitated and moved his feet, just they were on the ground. Ellie could hardly believe her eyes- here she was dancing with in a magical school with the
"How are you enjoying the evening?" asked Flitwick, as he propelled her around the dance floor.
"I'm having a marvelous time," said Ellie, "It's been a truly m- wonderful evening."
"You were about to say 'magical,' weren't you?" said Flitwick.
"Guilty as charged," said Ellie. "I didn't want to sound trite."
"It's not trite it if it is true, my dear," said Flitwick.
"True," said Ellie.
"It's been nice to see Neville so happy. I think you've truly captured his heart. He loves you. Please don't break it."
"I love him dearly, And I wouldn't dream of breaking his heart," said Ellie. "And I hope he won't break mine."
"If he does, he'll have me to answer to. The same is true if you break his. True love is a wonderful and rare thing. I think you two might actually have it. Take my advice- don't screw it up over petty things."
"I wouldn't dare," said Ellie.
"There will be plenty of naysayers. You're from two different worlds. I've seen many try and fail, but I think you two can succeed. Don't listen to the naysayers. Magical and muggle relationships can work- I've seen it happen more than once. It isn't going to be easy. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Yes. If I can handle tonight- I think I'll be just fine. Do you know how much I've wanted to see this place? My cousins told me stories. Do you think Neville can handle my world? It might not be magical, but it is tricky in its own way."
"Yes, he can absolutely do it," said Flitwick. "You two just have to work at it."
"I'll do my best," said Ellie.
"That's all I ask," said Flitwick as the song ended.
"Neville, may I have this dance," asked Alex as soon as she saw Flitwick dance with Ellie. Neville reluctantly agreed.
"Neville, I do hope you know what you are getting into," said Alex.
"And Just what do you think I'm getting into?" replied Neville.
"Are you kidding me? You've brought a muggle born or squib into Hogwarts. You're breaking the statute of secrecy."
"Actually, I'm not," said Neville. "Ellie is a member of the Banks and Bell clan. They own the Bank's Bedsteads and Bell's Hotels. She signed the modified Statute when she was seventeen."
"I'm not just thinking about laws. We lost so many good people during the war. You are a pure blood wizard from a good family. You need to find a nice magical girl, not a muggle one."
"Seriously?" said Neville. "That is the kind of thinking that caused not one but two wars that nearly destroyed the Wizarding World. I think it's time you and the Ministry moved beyond it."
"Moved beyond what? Can I help it if I want our world to continue."
"Britain's wizards have survived the Romans, the Normans, the Puritans, the Great War, World War II, and two wizarding wars, I have a hard time believing the world will end if I, or any other man in my generation marries a muggle."
"So, you are serious about her?" said Alex
"If I am, that isn't a problem. Do you remember Nathaniel Banks?"
"Yes, he died at the Battle of Hogwarts," said Alex.
"He's Ellie's first cousin. Her uncle was Jamie Banks. Do you know who stepped in and gave money so that Hogwarts could build the memorial and helped rebuild the school?"
"No, why," said Alex.
"Peter Banks, Ellie's father. Don't come at me with the whole wizards are greater than muggles thing. No one had any trouble taking muggle money when needed. I love Ellie. I'm not betraying the Wizarding world or breaking any laws. If I do, I'm sure you'll let me know. Until I do, stay out of my love life," said Neville.
The song ended and Ellie came over to find Neville. "Thank you for the dance," said Flitwick.
"Flitwick can really cut a rug," said Ellie.
"Yes," said Neville. "Would you like some punch?"
"Sure," said Ellie, as he led her over to a small table with a punchbowl where cups were filled by a ladle moving on its own. Ellie once more found herself trying to keep her jaw from dropping. "This would make reception service a thousand times easier. How do this work?"
"The same way that everything works with magic," said a student standing behind her.
"You do have to admit that it is cool," said a girl standing beside him.
"Think I could get away with using this at a hotel?"
"I doubt it- unless you put wires on it and passed it off as a machine and I'm pretty sure that the Ministry of Magic and the muggle patent office would flag it."
"Do you have to ruin all the fun?" said Ellie, half-laughing.
"Of course he does," said a boy, "He's a professor. It's his job."
"Contrary to popular belief, ruining fun is not my job," said Neville. "It's Finnegan's job tonight. I'm just here for fun."
"Is this your girlfriend?" asked Jacobs "You should take her somewhere more fun and nicer than a Hogwarts dance."
"Yes, I'm his girlfriend. And I'm actually quite happy to be here. This punch is very good- what's in it?"
"I'm not quite sure of the entire recipe- but I believe it is a mix of cider, pumpkin juice, apple juice, cream and spices. It's always been one of my favorites- its known through the wizarding world as Hogwarts punch."
"I've half a mind to replicate it and give the recipe to Dad to serve in the hotel. It would be great at cocktail hour- add a splash of whiskey and it would be ever better. Or would that get me trouble?"
"I will say that it is good with whiskey. Try it," said Evan, as he took out a flask and poured a bit into her cup and into Neville's.
"You brought alcohol to a school function? In the Muggle world, the drinking age is eighteen and alcohol is banned from most schools."
"Actually, I didn't bring it. I confiscated it from a few fifth years," said Evan.
"The drinking age is the same," said Neville. "So, who did you confiscate it from?"
"Guess," said Evan.
"Simeon Flint, Ashley Parr, or Phineas Gaunt," said Neville.
"Wrong," said Evan.
"Is it a boy or girl?"
"Girl," said Evan, "but you'll never guess."
"Samantha Villiers? Alice Jankins?"
"No," said Seamus. "I'll tell you- I got it from Olivia Shacklebot and Henry Glenfiddich."
"The Minister's granddaughter
"That would explain why the whiskey is so good," said Neville.
"There's also the fact that Glenfiddich family owns the biggest and one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. I'll wager he's responsible for the alcohol," said Evan.
"So, one of the most famous whiskeys in the world is wizard owned? Interesting," said Ellie.
"What sort of punishment did you give?"
"I took five points from Hufflepuff. They're both three sheets to the wind so I sent them back to their houses. They have detention at six tomorrow morning so they can help Mr. Dench, and the elves clean up. I think that should do it."
"You aren't telling their parents?" asked Ellie.
"McGonagall will call them tomorrow. I don't fancy telling the Minister that his "perfect' fifteen-year-old granddaughter has been caught with alcohol."
"I don't blame you. And you said you didn't have to deal with parents at boarding school," said Ellie.
"I lied," said Evan.
"I knew it," said Ellie.
The music shifted to a slower song, Neville took Ellie's hand, and they danced. Ellie couldn't help but think that she'd finally found one. She didn't care if he was a wizard- this was love. And she'd found her person. Neville leaned in for all to brief kiss.