Chapter 3: Meeting and Memories
The next day dawned bright, clear, and crisp- a perfect fall day. The trees were starting to turn shades of red, orange, and yellow- and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He still couldn't believe that he had a date.
When he got to the park, he saw Ellie throwing a ball to a big Golden Retriever. Neville had seen this dog before. During his last year at Hogwarts- when he was leading the DA and helping students to resist and survive the new regime- he'd taught himself to transform into a dog. He turned into a big, black dog. He discovered that very few people would suspect a dog of leading student to safety or setting up traps for the teachers. He remembered roaming around the village one day and playing with that dog. He didn't want anyone to suspect he wasn't a dog, so he'd run and played and brought the ball back. Afterwards, Ellie gave him dog treats. She was even worried that he didn't have a collar. He managed to get away, but he noticed that she always left a bowl of water and treats out for him. He never ate the treats, but he appreciated the gesture and took them to another dog instead. He couldn't believe that Ellie- his date, was the dog's owner. This was going to be interesting.
"Neville, over here," called Ellie.
Neville sped up and walked over to her. "Hey, is that your dog?" he asked.
"Yes, this is Ginger. I thought I'd let her play while waiting for you."
"She's beautiful," said Neville, as he pets her ears.
"I've brought the fresh herbs I told you about. I've got thyme, rosemary, fresh basil, sage, lavender, and oregano."
"These look beautiful. How on earth did you get fresh lavender? You must have quite the green thumb," said Ellie.
"Thanks," said Neville. "I try." He couldn't exactly tell her that he used magic to get some of the herbs to grow- others he took from the kitchen garden. It had required a bit of negotiation with Wendy- the head house elf and cook. He made a note to pick up a big assortment of chocolate at Honeydukes and he'd had to use some extra charms on her garden. Wendy drove a hard bargain.
"So tell me about you?" said Ellie. "I've seen you in the village from time to time. What is it like teaching at St. Brutus's?
It took Neville a second to remember that Hogwarts was called St Brutus's School in the Muggle world.
"I love teaching," said Neville. "It's my first year and I teach first, second, and third years at the moment.
"What age is that for you? I've heard that St. Rowena's is a little different."
"They start at 11," replied Neville, "What about you? What ages do you have and what subjects?"
"I teach Year 5 and 6 at Grove Hill Primary- so they are ten or eleven years old."
"Cool. It is a fun age to teach. They are old enough to have opinions, but not rebels yet." Replied Neville.
"So why do you work at the pub?" asked Neville
"Two reasons actually- my family owns the pubs here and my cousin needed some help. The extra pay helps. I also live about one of the pubs and so that helps me pay rent. Not everyone can live at a fancy school."
"Cool. What Pubs does your family own?" asked Neville.
"The Castle and Crown and the Three Broomsticks. We own several hotels and pubs around the country."
A ringing sound coming from Ellie's pocket interrupted her, which was just as well, because it gave Neville a chance to process what he'd heard. Neville had seen muggles walking around talking into devices called cell phones. Some of the muggles at school had phones, but they complained that you couldn't get service at school. Seamus explained that the numerous charms around the school and village that kept Muggles from seeing Hogwarts wreaked havoc with service.
"Yes, I can do help close tonight," said Ellie. "Relax, Aunt Rosmerta, it isn't a problem. I do it at the Crown all the time. I'm sure I can handle it."
As soon as Neville heard the words Rosmerta, he realized something- Ellie might know about the magical world. He couldn't believe that she knew Rosmerta. But then, this was Hogsmeade.
"Do you know Rosetta?"
"Yes, I know her. She's actually a cousin. Every once in a while, she asks me to help out at the pub
"But the Three Broomsticks caters to a certain clientele," said Neville
"And what kind of clientele is that?" asked Ellie.
"It is just different," said Neville. He really didn't know what to say. He couldn't just say, "those are wizard pubs, could he? But if she knew Rosmerta and was smart, she had to at least suspect about the magical world. What would she think if she knew? He didn't have to ponder things for long.
"Neville, what do you know about this different clientele?"
By this point, Neville had turned bright red. He couldn't figure out how to answer her question."
"N-n-not much," he replied.
"Oh, this is ridiculous!" said Ellie, "Neville are you a wizard?"
Neville's face went from pink to bright red and his jaw hit the ground again.
"Sit down," said Ellie, "Drink this," she handed him the diet coke from her lunch.
"You are a wizard, aren't you?"
"Yes, but how do you know about us?"
"I told you that my family owns two pubs in town. I just didn't tell you why. Years ago, there were two brothers- Peter and James. Peter didn't have magic, but he grew up around it. He wanted one place in town to cater to those without magic while retaining ties with his family. So, Peter started the Crown and Castle- catering to the small group of muggles and to the muggle born students. James started the Three Broomsticks. Peter was my great grandfather and James is my great-uncle. Rosmerta is James's daughter. James and Peter were determined to remain close and refused to let the lack of magic tear them or the families apart. I'm from the non-magical side of the family."
"So how do you know the secret and not get in trouble with the Ministry of Magic?" asked Neville. "I mean the penalties are pretty stiff."
"I remember signing something when I was seventeen stating I wouldn't broadcast the existence of the magical world. Otherwise, we were just taught that both places existed, but Muggles won't believe things if I do tell them. So, it has been easy. Why are you smiling?"
"I'm happy- for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can relax. It's wonderful."
"I'm glad you are happy. I'm happy, too. I really like you."
"I really like you, too," said Neville. Then he leaned into her, and his lips brushed hers. Even though it only lasted a second, sparks went off in his head and the next thing he knew, she kissed him back.
They were interrupted by a bark. Neville looked up to see Ginger with a large ball in her mouth.
"Ginger, really, do you have to break this up so someone can throw the ball?"
"Yes, he just got jealous," said Neville. "Maybe Ginger thinks that only she can kiss you?"
"Is that the problem? Are you a jealous dog? Here' go get it," said Ellie as she threw the ball as far down the green as she could. For a while, they chatted as Neville threw the ball. He still couldn't believe the day he was having- he hadn't been this happy since the war. Eventually, he would tell her about it, but he didn't want any bad memories to ruin this perfect date.
"So do you have any hobbies?" asked Ellie
"Well, I love to read. I love to fly, but I hate quidditch. I love growing things. And hanging out with friends when I can." Said Neville.
"What do mean fly? Do you fly airplanes?" asked Ellie
"No, wizards use broomsticks. There is a game called quidditch that is kind of like muggle football-only in the air. I like to fly, but I don't like the game."
"What about you? what are your hobbies?" asked Neville
"I like to read. I love cooking, teaching, hanging out with friends, watching TV- the usual stuff. I like writing, too."
"Cool," said Neville, "We seem to have a lot in common. Tell me about movies."
"They are moving pictures that tell a story. You can go into the theater and watch them on a big screen, or you can rent one and watch it on TV or the computer."
"Can you teach me about computers?" asked Neville.
"Sure," said Ellie. "Don't wizards have computers?"
"I know some that are trying to use them. Muggle technology and magic doesn't always mix, but it would be cool if we could use some of the advancement you have made and combine them with magic."
"Now, that would be cool," said Ellie.
As they were talking, Ellie's phone rang again,"
"What do you mean he didn't show up for work?" said Ellie. She sounded frustrated and angry. Neville made a note of this- he didn't want to get on her bad side.
"So, you need me to come in? I'll go it, but just this once. And it will cost time and half, but I'll be there shortly. I just have to take Ginger home."
"Neville, I'm really sorry, but I have to go. That was Aunt Rosmerta- Rick- this waiter didn't show up for work, so Aunt Rosmerta asked me to fill in for him. But I'm off next Saturday. We can spend the whole day together. Also, here is my number. You can get in touch with me that way. Or send a message to Rosmerta and I'll get it that way," said Ellie.
She turned and they kissed one last time. Neville could have stayed like this forever, but he knows that Ellie needed to go. He walked back towards the castle. He stopped in at the muggle store to pick up a pack of diet soda. He gotten to really like sodas- especially Coke and Diet Coke. If he took them back, he could put a freezing charm on them, and they would stay cold. Maybe he should get one of those muggle ice boxes- it would mean somehow plugging into the power source at school, but it could be done. He also stopped at Honeydukes and picked up a large box of their best cookies and cream fudge for Wendy.