RP: Things change

[neville_inbloom]

Date: 22 September 2001
Characters: Neville, Hermione
Status: Private
Summary: Neville catches up with Hermione.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[neville_inbloom]

"I'll try," Neville said, spearing a chunk of meat with his fork. "I don't know what his training schedule is like right now, since I've been away. I may have to stop by the house sometime soon and hope he's both home and that he doesn't slam the door in my face, metaphorically speaking."

Neville was glad Hermione had been so willing to listen. He was also glad when she let him talk about something else. Thinking about Ron for too long was still painful.

"I don't even know which opera the group is performing. Violet didn't say, only that she had seen them before when her family went to Italy one year on holiday and that they were good. Violet's my coworker," he added hastily. "She's one of the people I hired at the beginning of the summer. Anyway, I haven't seen an opera since before Gran died. She liked opera, so I had to go, and it was always playing in the house."

Neville waved his fork at Hermione. "If Charlie gives you any trouble by working too much too fast, let me know. I'll think of something to distract him! And dinner sounds lovely. You'll have to let me know when you want me to drop by."

[bossy_brunette]

"All you can do is try," she said. "I doubt he'd slam the door in your face, though. If he does, well, I hate to say it, but it would seem that you were right about the relationship being over."

"I'm sure you'll enjoy the opera. If anything, you can see a lot of different people and enjoy their reactions. I'm a big fan of people watching," she said with a smile.

Hermione smiled. "I'll let you know if he gives me any trouble. Since I remember how horrible it was to be restricted and unable to work, I understand if he wants to get caught up, so long as he doesn't put himself at risk. It's been a rough couple of months, and I think we're both ready for things to get back to normal. As for dinner, any night is usually fine. We don't get out very much and, if we do, it's usually just a trip here for dinner occasionally."

[neville_inbloom]

"You're probably right." Ron wouldn't really slam the door, would he? Neville was no longer certain. "I guess I'll find out in a few days, won't I?"

"Opera's not bad. It's not my favorite sort of music, but I can tolerate it since I grew up listening to it on the wireless." Neville shrugged and dug into his shepherd's pie before it grew completely cold. "If it's too awful I can always leave early, I suppose."

He and Hermione finished their meal in a comfortable silence, interspersed with occasional small talk when their mouths weren't full. Neville declined dessert and stood, giving Hermione another hug. It had been a longer lunch than he'd anticipated. Not that it was a bad thing; meeting with friends was more important than work any day.

"I'll owl you when I have free time," he promised. "We're busy harvesting seeds and rootstock and planting fall bulbs at the moment, so it's still a bit hectic. Tell Charlie and Quin I said hello, won't you?"

They made their way upstairs, where Neville hugged Hermione once more in farewell before walking over to the fireplace. He was buzzing pleasantly from all the butterbeer he'd drunk and didn't want to risk Apparating.

Waving to Tom, he paused at movement from the corner of his eye. Were there people underneath the table?

He shook his head, deciding then and there to never drink so much during the day again, and reached for the Floo powder.