"Do I stay in costume?" asked Neville, as they took down decorations.
"Yes," said Ellie. "It is a Halloween party. And you look great." Neville felt like he should be flying above the earth. He'd never been one for Quidditch, but he did like flying. He couldn't help smiling.
"We're meeting Sherry and some others at the pub. It should be fun."
"Works for me," said Neville, as he got in the car. They drove into the village. It was bigger than Hogsmeade but didn't qualify to be a big city. They parked and walked to a quaint looking pub called the "Thistle and Plaid."
"Does your family own this place, too?" asked Neville.
"No," said Ellie. "Not for lack of trying. It's one of holdouts- a truly independent pub. It's been in the same family for several generations. James and Mary McNair are old friends though. I've known them for years."
People were milling around, some in costume, everyone seemed to be having a good time.
"Ellie, as I live and breathe," said a man behind the bar who looked to be in his thirties. "What brings you here? And who is this fine lad with you?"
"I'm meeting some friends. This is my boyfriend, Neville Longbottom. Neville, this is Alex MacNair."
"Good to meet you," said Alex. "Ellie, do you want your usual? And Neville, what'll you have? If ye fancy ale, we brew our own. I also have a good dram of the finest whiskey in Scotland."
"I'll have a pint of ale," said Neville.
"Have you ever heard of MacNair's Scotch? That's us," said Alex. "And a warning to you. Ellie is a good lass and a good friend, so don't you think about breaking her heart. I will find you if you do."
"I don't intend to break her heart," said Neville. "I hope she doesn't break mine."
"Ellie," said a woman sitting at a booth in the towards the back of the very pleasantly busy bar.
"Hi" said Ellie. "Neville, these are my good friends- Sherry, Josh, and Annie. Everyone, this is Neville Longbottom.
"Hello," said Neville, shaking hands with all of them. "Good to meet you."
"Yes," said Annie, "It's good to meet you. I mean, I've heard all about you."
"I hope most of it was good," said Neville.
"Well, we haven't been able to dig up any dirt on you," said Josh. "so that works in your favor. You aren't even on Facebook."
"No, I have nothing to hide," said Neville.
"So, Ellie tells us you're a teacher, too," said Sherry.
"I am. I teach botany at a small boarding school, St. Swithun's," said Neville.
"What ages?"
"I have kids anywhere from age 11-18," said Neville. "What about you? What do you do?"
"I'm a teacher as well," said Sherry. "I teach elementary school kids with special needs."
"Good for you," said Neville. "That takes a special person."
"You're right about that," said Josh. "I helped out in her classroom for a bit before I got a job at the bank."
"What about you Annie?" asked Neville.
"I'm just a humble receptionist," said Annie.
"Don't listen to her," said Josh. "She's also a fairly good writer."
"Really? What do you write?" asked Neville.
"Kids books about service dogs," said Annie. "It's mostly based on my experiences with Dora, my first dog, and Leo over here."
Somehow, amid the crowd, Neville had missed the 90-pound black dog sitting at Annie's side.
"Beautiful dog," said Neville. "Can I pet him?"
"Sure," said Annie.
Just then, a tall man came over to them, "Ellie, what are you doing here?" he asked, he hugged her.
"You know I never miss Alex's Halloween party," said Ellie.
"Neville, this is my brother Will. Will, this is Neville. I think you know everyone else," said Ellie.
"It's nice to meet you," said Neville, shaking Will's hand.
"Ellie, can you come here a second?" asked Will.
"Sure," said Ellie. "I'll be right back, guys."
Ellie followed Will across the room and out the back door to a small courtyard. "What's going on? Is everything ok?"
"Have you noticed anything odd about Dad or the reports lately?"
"Well, he's turned up the pressure for me to leave teaching, but that is all I've noticed. Why?"
"I think something strange is going on. You know that since we lost Uncle Jamie and Nathaniel, things in the other division, which if you look at occupancy and other metrics, should be fine. However, on paper, they aren't. I think Cousin Tessa and Uncle Richard are up to something."
"Since when have they cared?" said Ellie "I thought that Mary only cared about the fact that the hotel produced enough money to allow her to live a life of luxury."
"Mary isn't the problem- it's Tessa. She has her eyes on the W Division. She's up to something- I know it. You do know that Richard nearly ran one hotel into the ground- that's why Uncle Jamie wouldn't let him do anything else. Tessa, though, is a little smarter. With Jamie and Nathaniel gone, it's been harder to keep her away. She's working at the Edinburgh W branch right now."
"Let me guess- you didn't just come up for Alex's party," said Ellie.
"No, I came to check on the hotel as well. It is my job," said Will. "Plus, I've seen the most recent reports, and I need to know why or how-the hotels are losing money. You need to check them, too, and compare them to the regular ones. I've noticed some strange things."
"What, exactly are you saying?" said Ellie.
"I'm saying we have a serious problem in the W Division. I'm not saying you need to come back. I just need you to be on the same page- make sure I'm not making a mistake."
"I can certainly do that. But I don't want to come back to the firm. Not right now, anyway."
"And you've got it. Neville seems nice."
"He is and I'm going to ask him to come home for Christmas."
"There you are," said Laura, Will's wife, "I was wondering where you were hiding. Hey, Ellie."
"I'd better go and check on Neville," said Ellie.
She walked back to the table to see Neville engaged in a lively conversation with Sherry, Josh, and Anne.
"Everything ok?" asked Neville.
"of course," said Ellie.
"You didn't abandon him for another guy, did you? And if you did, I call dibs," said Annie.
"I was talking to Will, my brother," said Ellie. "And he's taken."
"Do you have any single friends?" asked Annie.
"Actually, yes, I do," said Neville. "Why?"
"Because Annie needs a good date or just a good guy," said Josh.
"I'll second that," said Ellie.
"What about Seamus or Evan?"
"Evan might be interested," said Neville. "I'll give him your number."
"It would be hilarious if you ended up setting Annie and Evan up." said Josh "and if he isn't into girls, tell him to give me a call.
"Ok," said Neville, looking a little surprised. Josh and Ellie couldn't help laughing at Neville's expression.
"What's so funny?" asked Neville.
"The look on your face," said Ellie. "By the way, Josh is gay."
"I gathered that," said Neville. "Unfortunately, the only single gay I know is about a hundred years old. But you know what, I'm sure Evan would love to meet you."
"What's your number? Here, just type it in," said Neville, as he slid his phone across the table.
"You're serious about this," said Ellie.
"Yes," said Neville. "Why not? Look, we don't have that many chances to get out. And I think you would go well together."
"Ellie, he's a keeper," said Josh.
"Who wants another round?" asked Alex, as he approached the table with a tray full of drinks. "This one's on the house."
"Really," said Ellie.
"Yes, this is your yearly free round."
"I forgot you did that."
"Once a year, I surprise friends and regulars with a free round of drinks. I love seeing the joy, surprise, and wonder on their faces."
"Thank you," said Neville, as he raised his glass, "A toast to Alex."
"To Alex," everyone said delightedly.
"Well, this is new," said Sherry.
"He's only doing it because we have someone special over here."
"Who?" asked Neville.
"It's not me," said Ellie.
"Or me," said Sherry.
"It's probably Leo," said Annie. "He does like dogs."
"It's me," said Josh.
"Or he is just genuinely being nice," said Neville. "But in all honesty- my money is on Annie. He brought the dog treats."
"Cute and observant," said Josh. "Ellie, he's a keeper."
They continued chatting about a variety of things until the clock chimed 11 and Alex called for "last call."
"I can't believe we shut the place down," said Ellie.
"I can," said Josh. "It isn't the first time- and god willing it won't be the last."
As they left the bar, Neville couldn't stop smiling. He could barely keep his feet on the ground- he felt like he was 10 feet in the air. He looked down at Ellie's hands, entwined in his own.
"I had a great time tonight," said Neville, as they paused at a corner. He took advantage of the moment and turned to kiss her. She kissed him back. They didn't even notice the light changing until it turned it began beeping. Even then neither pulled back for a few seconds, until the blast of a horn interrupted the kiss. Once again, Neville found himself trying to remember all the sensations- trying to freeze this moment into his psyche forever.