Authors' note: More of Josephine this chapter as she tries to get under Neville's skin and Gabriel arrives in Brighton. We hope you enjoy the chapter and please ask you to review! And if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask! You guys have asked some great ones so far!
Neville was looking forward to joining his friends and family in Brighton in a few days but for now he was still
hard at work in London. He was organizing some case files for an upcoming raid when he realised what time it was. He
liked to take a few hours a couple of times a week to go spend with his parents, even though they had no idea who he
was.
He gathered his cloak and a few things and was about to head out to St. Mungos.
Josie appeared in his doorway. "Oh, hello, Longbottom. I was looking for Kingsley..."
"He stepped out with some trainees," Neville said. "Did you have a question?"
Josie shook her head. "Nothing that can't wait."
"Are you sure?" Neville asked. "I might be able to help you."
Josie sat down at Kingsley's desk. "I might be able to help you."
"What?" Neville asked.
Josephine leaned back in the chair and studied him. "Aren't you tired of it all, Longbottom?"
"Tired of what?" Neville asked, glancing at his watch.
"Being in his shadow," Josie said. "I remember in your training class, he was in first and you were in second. And even now, it's pretty much a given that he's going to get the job. You and I both know it."
"Harry?" Neville asked in surprise.
"Of course, Harry," Josie said. "The Golden Boy himself. The Boy Who Lived. He's going to ride that slice of history right into the job of Head Auror."
"Why do you hate him?" Neville asked. "He's been a good friend to me."
"I can certainly see that," Josie said thoughtfully. "You're using your friendship with him, too."
"I beg your pardon?" Neville asked.
"You're scheduled to be here until six, right?" Josie said studying her nails. "And yet here you are...about to leave..."
"I'm just going to visit my parents," Neville said coolly.
Josie nodded. "I see..."
"Not that it's anyone's concern," Neville said,
"Of course not," Josie said. She watched as Neville gathered his things.
Neville glanced over at her again. "Yes?" he asked impatiently.
"Nothing," Josie said. "I just can see it in your eyes. You want this. You want to step out from behind his shadow. He's nothing more than a figurehead, Neville. You and I both know it."
"So what if I do want it?" Neville asked. "If Harry's the better man for the job he'll get the job."
"He's not," Josie said. "And you and I both know it. I mean, look at him. You and I are here working hard. And where is he? At the beach on holiday."
"I'm going to the beach as well," he said icily.
"Must be nice," Josie commented as she stood up.
"Yes, it is nice to spend time with friends and family," Neville retorted.
"Well," Josie said looking at him with a smile. "You enjoy your ...holiday."
"I will," Neville snapped.
Josie tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Ta."
Neville watched her go. He wondered if Harry knew she seemed to be plotting against him.
She was quite calculating and seemed to be studying the dynamics of this office trying to find any advantage.
He made up his mind to warn Harry about her when he got to the beach house. For now, his parents were first and foremost on his mind.
Neville made it to St. Mungos a few minutes later and checked in at the front desk. He headed to his parents' room with a heavy heart and a bouquet of flowers for his mother. He had gotten them a private room, much nicer than the one they had occupied previously. It took a big chunk out of his pay, but he didn't care.
Neville entered the room and saw his father resting and his mother was awake, staring into space.
"Hi Mum," he said softly.
Alice turned slowly and looked over at him. Her expression was completely blank.
"Hey," he said again. "How are you?"
She did not answer him and Neville turned away, busying himself with putting her flowers in a vase.
It was difficult seeing them like this, after the way they had been.
Neville sat back down. "We all miss you, you know? It feels like there's this hole in our family now."
Alice sat down across from him on the edge of her bed.
"They're all at the beach house now," Neville said. "Em's getting ready to go to Hogwarts. Can you believe that? She's putting on a brave face, but she's a little scared to leave home. And Hannah...she just finished her first year. You'd be so proud, Mum."
Alice hummed under her breath and stared just past her son at a spot on the wall. Neville sighed in frustration.
"I'm so sorry," Neville told her. "I'm so very sorry..."
Alice's eyes focused on him for just a moment.
Neville hesitantly reached for her hand.
Alice drew back just a bit, making a noise in her throat.
Neville had not meant to frighten her. "It's me, Mum. Neville."
Alice stared at him for another few moments before relaxing.
"I'm up for a promotion," Neville told her.
Alice looked at him as if trying to place him in her jumbled thoughts.
"I really want this, Mum," Neville said. "More than anything."
Alice hummed under her breath again and looked over to where Frank was stirring in his bed.
Neville followed her gaze. "Well, not as much as I'd like to have you and Dad back."
Frank pushed back the cover on his bed and started to get up but froze when he saw Neville.
"Dad?" Neville asked.
Frank's hands shook as he slowly swung his feet over the side of the bed.
Neville hurried over to him. "Let me help you..."
Frank let his son help him to his feet and over to the loo.
"It's okay, Dad," Neville said quietly.
Frank let go of Neville's arm and closed the door behind him. Neville sighed and turned back to his mother.
Neville wondered if they even knew he was here. It might not mean anything to them, but it meant the world to him.
He felt a tugging on his cloak and turned his attention to his mother. Alice held one of the flowers he'd brought in her hand.
Neville smiled at her.
Alice put the flower up to her nose and closed her eyes.
"Your favourite," Neville said to her.
Alice turned and walked back to her bed, still smelling the flower.
Neville smiled again; glad to see that the flower seemed to have improved her mood. "You should see your garden. Hannah's helping Cho with it."
Alice looked up, seemingly interested.
Neville could still remember how happy Alice had been to have that garden with Hannah.
His granddaughter dutifully tended to it and he had gone over a few times to help Frankie while Hannah was away at school.
"I'll bring some pictures next time I come," Neville promised.
Alice hummed again, but a happier tune this time. Frank opened the door and came out of the loo, his gaze travelling back and forth between Alice and Neville.
Neville looked at his father.
Frank gazed at him warily as he moved over to sit next to his wife.
Neville watched the two of them, unsure of what to say or do.
He remembered a time when they were living with him and Cho, and he had been hurt during a raid. He'd woken up in a hospital room much like this one.
Neville remembered lying in that bed, hearing muffled voices. He felt someone stroking his hand and he heard his mother's soft voice as she sang to him.
"What?" he asked blearily. "Where?"
"Neville!" Alice exclaimed happily. She looked over her shoulder. "Frank! He's awake!"
Frank was by his son's bedside in a moment. "Neville... you had us worried, son."
"Where---where am I?" Neville asked weakly.
"St. Mungos," Alice said. "You were injured on a raid."
Neville struggled to sit up. Frank hurried to help him. "Take it easy, son."
"You got hit with quite a spell," Alice said. "Harry brought you here."
"I feel like someone dropped a house on me," Neville joked.
"As long as you're awake," Alice said.
"I'll get Cho," Frank said.
Neville pushed himself up so he was sitting and Alice propped a pillow behind his back.
"You scared me to death, you know that," Alice chastised.
"Sorry Mum," Neville said.
"Don't ever do it again," Alice said smiling at him.
"I won't," Neville smiled at his mother.
"My little boy," Alice said softly. "Not so little anymore."
"Not for a long time," Neville agreed.
"You will always be my little boy," Alice told him. "No matter how old you get."
They were words he liked hearing, even though he was a grandfather himself.
"How are you feeling?" Alice asked him.
"All right just sore," he replied as Frank came back in with Cho and a healer.
"Neville!" Cho exclaimed happily.
"Hi love," Neville said as his wife flew to his side. "Sorry to have worried you."
"The important thing is you're okay," Cho said giving him a kiss.
"I'm going to run a few tests," the healer said. "But we'll see about getting you out of here as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Alice told the healer. "We want to take him home."
Neville let his head fall back on the pillow and regarded his parents and wife. "This is a change," he said. "Before, it was always me watching you in the bed."
"Well, it's not so much fun on this side," Frank said.
"No it's not," Alice agreed.
Neville smiled at his mother. "I'm okay now, Mum. No need to worry."
"I certainly can't help but worry about you," Alice said.
"We're mothers," Cho said. "It's in our genetics to worry. Right, Alice?"
"Absolutely," Alice put an arm around her daughter in law. "And we'll fuss over him when he's home later, too."
"I could get used to that," Neville joked.
"I'll cook dinner for you," Cho teased.
Neville's smile faltered. "No thank you, love. You're many things, but a good cook is not one of them."
Cho shook her head and Alice laughed. "To think I was glad you woke up," she swatted at him.
Neville laughed, but it hurt too much.
"Are you all right?" Frank asked.
Neville nodded. "It only hurts when I laugh."
"No one say anything funny," Frank deadpanned.
Alice shook her head. "Frank!"
"I'll be all right," Neville said. "I've felt worse."
The healer came in and asked them to leave so he could perform his tests. Cho gave Neville a kiss and left to tell everyone that he was okay. Alice and Frank lingered for a moment. Alice leaned over and kissed her son's cheek. "I love you, Neville."
"Thanks Mum," Neville said gratefully. "I love you both."
In the present, Neville looked over at his parents. Alice was still holding her flower and Frank sat beside her looking at the floor. Neville whispered goodbye and grabbed his cloak. He was nearly to the door, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
Frank stood there, staring at him. "Yeah?" Neville asked hopefully. "Is there something you need, Dad?"
Frank's hand trembled as he held it out to Neville's face. Frank patted Neville's face. He mumbled something Neville could not understand.
"You can tell me whatever it is," Neville encouraged.
"Son," Frank whispered.
"That's right," Neville said. "I'm your son."
Frank smiled at him.
"It's good to see you, Dad." Neville said.
Frank gave him a hug and Neville felt tears well up in his eyes.
"I love you too, Dad." Neville managed.
Frank let him go and walked back over to Alice.
Neville watched them for a few more moments before slipping out the door. He smiled the entire way out of the hospital.
*** *** ***
It was quiet the next morning, save for Edward's cries. Saffron let Andrew sleep since he had gotten up earlier that evening with their son. Saffron went into the nursery and smiled at her son who was standing up in his crib. He held out his hands.
"Good morning, handsome." she whispered, picking him up and holding him close.
Edward cried into her shoulder. Saffron patted his back in comforting fashion.
"You sound hungry," Saffron said. "Come on, Mummy will get you something to eat."
"Kay," Edward whispered.
Saffron kissed the side of his head as she carried him into the kitchen.
She was surprised to see Gabriel sitting with Seamus and Lavender in the kitchen. "Aunt Lav! When did you guys get here?"
"Just a little while ago," Lavender said. "Ooooh, is that little Edward?"
"This is him," Saffron said. "He just woke me up."
"Glad it wasn't us," Gabriel said with a grin.
Saffron set Edward in his chair and then turned to give him a hug. "It would have been a welcome surprise! I missed you, Gabe!"
"I've missed you too," Gabriel replied. "I'm sorry I haven't written more."
"It's okay," Saffron reassured him. "How long are you going to be here?"
"A week," Gabriel replied. "Then I have to get back."
"We had to force him out of the states," Seamus teased.
"And he's got a new girlfriend," Lavender sat back as Saffron got Edward some cereal.
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Lavender, we're just dating. It's nothing serious."
"Ooooh," Saffron said. "What's her name?"
"Melanie," Lavender replied before Gabriel could.
"She's in my classes at school," Gabriel said. "And we're at the hospital together."
"Ooooh," Saffron said setting the bowl of cereal in front of her son. "That sounds romantic."
"Not really," Gabriel said. "But it's still pretty new."
"We're going to head to our room to freshen up," Lavender said kissing Saffron on the cheek. "Give you two some time to catch up on things."
"See you in a bit," Saffron watched as Lavender and Seamus left the kitchen. She went to get her son some milk. "Tell me more about Melanie."
Gabriel shrugged. "There's not too much to tell. She's fun."
"What does she look like?" Saffron pressed.
"Tall, blonde," Gabriel replied.
"Ooooh," Saffron grinned. "The California girl."
Gabriel laughed. "And she works as hard as I do."
"So two workaholics," Saffron said as Edward held a piece of cereal out to her.
Saffron grinned and took a bite. Gabriel laughed. "Yeah, something like that."
Saffron leaned back in her chair, her eyes on her son. "It's funny how so much has changed in just a few years."
"Yeah, look at you," Gabriel said. "A mom."
"Of two, no less," Saffron said. "But I love it."
"Crowded house again this year?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah," Saffron nodded. "It feels like there are more kids every year."
"Is Lexie here?" Gabriel asked.
Saffron shook her head. "No. She rang me last night. She's in Canada."
"Our little world traveller," Gabriel said, shaking his head.
"I know," Saffron replied. "She loves it though, and I am so proud of her."
"Me too," Gabriel said. "I was looking forward to seeing her."
"She said she was going to write to you," Saffron told him.
Gabriel nodded and watched as Edward happily ate his cereal.
"He's a cute little guy," Gabriel said as Edward looked over at him.
"Mirror image of his father," Saffron said proudly.
"And what about Ellie?" he asked. "You?"
Saffron laughed. "She's sweeter."
"Thank goodness," Gabriel quipped.
Saffron threw a piece of cereal at him. "Very funny."
"Mine," Edward pointed to it.
"There's his favourite word," Saffron said with a grin.
Gabriel laughed as he put the cereal on Edward's tray. "There you go."
"Tank," Edward said.
"Good boy," Saffron smoothed his hair back.
There was the sound of a loud crash from upstairs and then giggles. Ellie and Gwyn scurried into the kitchen. The two little girls dove under the table just as RJ stumbled into the kitchen.
"All right," he said. "Did you lot see two little gigglers running in here?"
"What happened?" Saffron asked.
"Aud and I were about to get up when we found Ellie and Gwyn hiding at the edge of our bed." RJ replied.
"The devilish duo," Saffron said. "What was the loud crash we heard?"
"He fell out of the bed," Audrey said sleepily.
Saffron laughed.
"Not funny," RJ said. He knelt down and looked at the two giggling girls. "Come on out here, rug rats."
"We didn't do anything," Ellie said, pulling her most innocent face.
"We just wanted to say hi," Gwyn said.
"I'll say you did," RJ replied.
Audrey rubbed at her eyes. "As you can tell, he's not a morning person."
"Or an afternoon or evening person," Saffron cracked.
RJ tried to stand up to say something to Saffron but bumped his head on the table, causing the two little girls to giggle even harder.
"Oh RJ," Saffron shook her head. "You shouldn't try to do anything before you eat in the morning."
RJ stood up and rubbed the back of his head. He saw Gabriel. "How hard did I hit my head? What are you doing here>?"
"I'm here for a week to visit," Gabriel said, amused. "How are you?"
"Grumpy," Audrey answered for him.
Gabriel laughed. "I'll probably go sleep for a little while soon. It's pretty early in the morning for me, technically."
Ellie and Gwyn climbed out from under the table. "Mummy, Gwynnie and me are hungry."
"I bet you are," Saffron replied. "I'll make you something but first you should say hello to Gabe."
Ellie turned and looked uncertainly at the man sitting at the table.
"Hi Ellie," Gabriel said. "You've met me once or twice before."
"Hi," Ellie said shyly.
"Go give him a hug," Saffron urged.
Ellie walked over to him.
"How old are you now?" Gabriel asked the little girl.
"Four," Ellie replied, holding up four fingers.
"Wow," he said. "I remember when you were just born."
Ellie smiled. "Really?"
"I sure do," Gabriel said. "You've gotten so big now."
"I'm going to be five soon," Ellie told him. "And I'm going to get a bike."
"Me too," Gwyn replied.
RJ picked up his niece and tickled her side. "Not if you keep waking up your Uncle RJ, Gwyn."
Gwyn shrieked with laughter. "Stop!"
"Or what?" RJ asked grinning at her. "Hmmm?"
"I'll tell my daddy," Gwyn said, still giggling.
"Like I'm scared of him," RJ said setting her down.
"He says you're scared of my mummy," Gwyn replied.
Audrey laughed and set a cup of coffee before her boyfriend. "That's true, Gwyn."
"It is not," RJ snorted.
Saffron laughed. "It is too."
"Is too what?" the woman in question asked, coming into the kitchen.
"These jokers think I'm afraid of you," RJ said.
"You are," Maddie replied.
Gwyn toddled over to her mother and held up her arms.
"Good morning baby," Maddie lifted her up and kissed her cheek.
"I'm not scared of anything or anyone," RJ scoffed.
"You used to be scared of me," Saffron said. "You can't deny it either."
"Whatever," RJ said dismissively.
Saffron laughed. "Oh those were the days..."
Audrey stifled a laugh.
"So," Saffron said after getting some orange juice for the kids. "Anything new on the wedding plans?"
"I think my mum knows more than I do at the moment," Audrey said. "She's hit the ground running so to speak."
Saffron nodded. "Well you know if there's anything I can do, just ask."
"I'll take you up on that," Audrey said.
The rest of the house began stirring and everyone started trickling in to have breakfast/
Audrey sat down beside her fiancé and rested her head on his shoulder. "Feeling better now?"
"I'm all right," RJ said as he took a few pieces of bacon.
"The girls were only joking," Audrey said.
"I know," RJ replied. "I just don't like mornings."
"Someday, it might be our children waking us up," Audrey told him.
"True," RJ smiled lazily at her. "But then again... our kids would be perfect."
Audrey laughed. "Of course."
"Sleep until we want them to," RJ said
"No dirty nappies," Audrey said.
"We'll leave those for Saffy," RJ answered.
"I heard that!" Saffron chimed in.
"I meant for you to," RJ returned.
"Hilarious," Saffron said, shaking her head.
"Come on," Audrey tugged on her fiancé's hand. "Let's go outside."
RJ smiled and stood up. "We'll see you lot later."
They went outside and leaned against the railing. "What a lovely morning," Audrey said, closing her eyes.
"Except for how we were woken up, I agree," RJ said with a grin.
Audrey nudged him. "It wasn't that bad... the girls are so cute."
RJ chuckled. "That's the reason I didn't get as upset."
"And they're to be my nieces too," Audrey said. "Sooner or later."
"They already love you," RJ said. "Almost as much as I do."
Audrey grinned as she turned to give him a kiss.
"I love you," RJ said before pressing his lips to hers.
"I love you too," Audrey said. "You know... I keep thinking of that first time we came here. When I found out about you having magical powers."
"Oh, when Sassy in there almost blew it for me?" RJ asked.
"If I recall it wasn't Saffron but that bloke Sean," Audrey said. "And I just didn't know what to think. I never knew any of that existed."
"And now all these years later, you still haven't run away," RJ commented.
"Not this time," Audrey slid her arms around him.
"I love you, Aud," RJ said again.
"What do you say we sneak out on the boat later?" Audrey asked. "Just us."
RJ grinned. "I like the way you think..."
"Of course you do," Audrey said.
While RJ and Audrey enjoyed the warm weather outside, Gabriel was upstairs trying to get settled in his room. It never ceased to amaze him how small this house looked from the outside, yet how many rooms it actually had inside.
He was certain it had to do with magic. He unpacked his clothing and shoved the articles into his drawers.
His mobile phone beeped and Gabriel picked it up. It was a text message from Melanie.
"Can't believe you went for a week in the UK without me," he read aloud. "Missing you already..."
Gabriel smiled. Melanie was fun and completely uncomplicated. They had a lot in common.
Of course, the fact that they were both hard workers intrigued him too. Melanie was as serious about becoming a doctor as he was.
For the first time, he had a girlfriend that he did not have to apologise to for not being able to take her out for a date because he had to study.
Gabriel found that his thoughts also turned to Stephanie. She was also a hard worker, and ever since she'd shown up at the hospital with a broken wrist she had been on his mind.
He had not seen her since that day. The manager at the restaurant told him he had made her take a couple of weeks off to rest her wrist.
He was glad for it, but realised he had no way of getting in touch with her unless she was at work. Gabriel couldn't help but worry about her. There was something about her boyfriend that he didn't like at all.
"All settled?" Seamus asked from the doorway.
"Yeah," Gabriel said. "I think so. I'm probably going to just sleep for a few hours."
Seamus nodded. "Lavender's already kipping."
Gabriel nodded. "Dad... thanks again for helping out with Stephanie. I should be used to it, but I couldn't believe the amount when the bill showed up."
"It's no problem," Seamus said. "I was happy to help."
"I don't think she knows yet that we paid it for her," Gabriel said. "I haven't seen her since that day."
"She's probably too proud to acknowledge it," Seamus said thoughtfully.
"I just hope she's all right," Gabriel mumbled.
"You're really worried about her," Seamus said.
"She's a friend," Gabriel nodded. "Of course I'd worry."
Seamus nodded. "Well, perhaps you should check on her."
"I don't' know how," Gabriel said. "I don't have her cell or her address."
"Well, lucky for you, you have a famous director for a father," Seamus grinned. "What's her last name and I'll have Taryn get it for us."
"It's Flynn," Gabriel replied.
"Give me just a couple of minutes," Seamus said reaching for his phone.
"Thanks," Gabriel said, amazed at the power of Hollywood.
It only took a few minutes, but Taryn had managed to find Stephanie's address and telephone number.
"That's incredible," Gabriel replied. "I'll have to wait until later to call her though. I can't believe Taryn got this information at the time of night it is in California."
"That's why I keep her around," Seamus said.
"Thank you," Gabriel said, entering Stephanie's number into his phone and saving it.
There was another knock on the door and Gabriel turned to see a red-haired girl staring at him. His face broke into a grin as he recognized her. "Emma Weasley!"
"Gabe!" Emma exclaimed. "When did you get here?"
"Just this morning," Gabriel told her. "Last time I saw you, you were five, I believe."
"It's been TOO long!" Emma ran forward to give him a hug. "Where have you been?"
"Trying to become a doctor," Gabriel said hugging her tightly.
"Are you one yet?" Emma asked.
"Not yet," Gabriel said. "I still have a ways to go."
"Well what's taking so long?" Emma asked.
"You have to go to school for a long time and then you have to work at the hospital," Gabriel told her. "Believe me; I'm ready to get it all over with, too."
"Can we have a party for you when you're done?" Emma asked.
"Absolutely," Gabriel said with a grin.
"I'll make all the food, cause I'm going to be a chef when I get older," Emma told him.
"Is that so?" Gabriel asked. "As I recall, you liked eating best. Now, you're a good cook?"
"Well I can make all the things I like to eat," Emma giggled.
Seamus grinned. "Are you as good a cook as your Mum and great - Grandmother?"
"I hope so," Emma said. "Daddy says I am."
Hannah called out for her friend and Emma gave Gabriel one last hug before she left the room.
"She missed you," Seamus said. "Every time Lav and I came over she asked about you."
"She's a sweet kid," Gabriel said. "I missed her, too."
"They've all grown up fast," Seamus said. "I mean, I can hardly believe Saffron's got two children now."
"Time goes by fast," Gabriel said.
"Yes it does," Seamus nodded. "You'll be done with med school before you know it."
"I sure hope so," Gabriel said. "But, I still have a lot to learn."
"It's like my job in a way," Seamus said. "You never really stop learning."
Gabriel nodded. He did not get to spend as much time with his father because of their busy schedules, but he looked forward to this week. "You'd better get some sleep, old man. We have a volleyball match at two."
"Get ready to lose," Seamus said before leaving the room.
Gabriel closed the door behind his father.
He toyed with the idea of sending a text message to Stephanie but didn't want to have to type out who it was. It would be easier to wait and call her later.
Wherever she was, he hoped that she was okay.
****************************
Readers' questions this week
(1) Are Ethan and Maddie done with having kids? I remember in one of Maddie's visions there were seven. Or was that Gregory?
That was Gregory. Maddie and Ethan are done having kids.
(2) Do you have anything planned for the next generation Hogwarts crew? i.e. Caroline, Mia, Hannah and Emma.
Caroline has a storyline, but we aren't sure yet about how far we'll take Hannah and Emma's generation into Hogwarts.
(3) How do the two of you come up with the names for your characters?
Sometimes we pick something from an actor or actress, or it's the name of a family member, or of someone who has done us a favour- ie fanart, or writing a song, etc...
(4) Which book out of the Harry Potter series was your favorite?
Amynoelle: Prisoner of Azkaban (which was also my favourite of the movies) but then JKR ruined everything for me with Books 6 & 7.
Heaven: Back when I used to read them, it was Prisoner of Azkaban. Now I can't bring myself to read any of
them.
(5) Will Seamus and Lav have any more storylines, or were most of those already played
out?
They will play supporting roles in storylines such as Gabriel's current one, but as of right now we don't
have another one planned for them.