In Sickness and in Health

{17}

The kiss didn't last long, and Hermione looked up to gauge her partner's reaction when they broke from one-another. The kiss had been sweet and soft, but... it lacked in areas she felt it shouldn't.

"Was it just me or was that like kissing your sister?" Neville suddenly blurted out, though it was quiet and somewhat baffling.

"Quite," Hermione said with a relieved sigh, because if she had felt that way and he had not, she would have been horrified. Breaking sweet, kind, and handsome Neville's heart would have made her feel like the scum of the planet.

"Oh thank heavens! Tonight was great, but..." He gave her an uneasy look.

"The kiss not so much."

"I never thought I would be happy to hear that," he said in a joking tone, pushing himself back from her a bit to give her space after the wave of relief they both experienced.

"Tonight was lovely though, we should get together more often.... as friends," Hermione determined happily, grabbing his hand and squeezing tightly, a handshake feeling more proper than even the kiss.

"Of course. If you need a friend, you will always have me, Hermione."

"Thanks."

"Of course," he assured her cheerfully, standing up, letting her hand fall, "I hope I didn't disappoint you-"

"Of course not!" Hermione interrupted him, not wanting him to think any of it was her fault.

She met his height and brought him into a hug, parts of her arguing things should have gone well, and that she was thrilled it hadn't. Severus was unavailable, so her hopes for having him were destroyed before they could begin, and now she knew it wouldn't work with Neville. What was she supposed to do then? Hermione had never considered herself one who always was in need of a man, but since she had experienced wanting one so badly, and having one for so long... there was something about having a partner that put her at ease.

"Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Neville," she replied with a melancholy smile as she watched him walk away, the parts of her that wanted it to work out, clinging to a small bit of sadness.

"Wait!" She called after him, "How about a drink?"

"You want to go to a pub this late at night?"

"It's only nine?" Hermione said suspiciously.

Neville squinted at her, walking back over and feeling her forehead, causing her to giggle as he did so.

"Are you feeling well? Do I need to phone a healer?"

"I'm feeling fine, you arse, do you want a drink or not?"

"I could use a pint, sure," Neville finally agreed, his grin large and happy.

Hermione seized the opportunity to have more time with her friend, as she scorned being alone. She wanted nothing to do with it, feeling like that was when she was most likely to miss Severus, and she was tired of doing that.

She threw her coat back on and put her arm through Neville's leading him towards the closest pub as they chatted happily.

They sat down in the throng of people and ordered their drinks, Hermione being slightly conservative with her small glass of liquor, while Neville stayed true to a verified man and ordered a large glass of ale.

"Sometimes I wish they sold butterbeer at other places besides wizard bars," he said casually.

"That would defeat the purpose of having two different worlds, wouldn't it?"