'Crush x Reader's (kind of)

♡ Professors, exchange students and Neville's greenhouses (a HP au)

"It is my pleasure to introduce you now to two new members of our teaching staff. Two remarkable minds who graduated last year, and have decided they want to assist the current teacher in teaching their subject. First, assisting Professor Sprout for the first, second and third years, I present to you: Professor Longbottom!"

You cheered and clapped for your friend as he stood up after headmistress Mcgonagall's words, a somewhat shy blush covering his cheeks, but a proud smile shaping his face. You had been friends with him for as long as you could remember, long before he joined Dumbledore's Army, long before he sliced Nagini's neck. You'd helped him clean up after Malfoy had pushed him in a puddle of mud in his second, your first year, and you'd let him cry on your shoulder when Luna had been taken captive last year, and he had wailed to you about not being able to live his life without her. You loved Neville like a brother, and that was a kind of love that would last forever.

Next to Neville at the teacher's table, there was another person you knew you would love forever, no matter how many people judged that you were too young, too inexperienced, to know for sure. He was introduced to all the Hogwarts students as an assistant professor next, for Ancient Runes to be precise.
After an encouraging nod from Neville, your boyfriend stood up, beaming at the crowd in front of him, but locking his eyes with yours. You blew him a kiss, something you wouldn't normally do with so many people all around you, but your pride made the room hazy. He was glowing, but you were too. You'd always known that he had the potential, his extreme brightness and kind presence the perfect mix for a Hogwarts professor.

But that proud haze was quickly broken by a few odd comments from students around you.

You see, Hogwarts was about to start a very special year, and not just because it was the first year without the loony threat of war lurking behind every corner. Hogwarts had enrolled a special project, a collaboration of sorts, with Ilvermorny, the most popular American school for witchcraft and wizardry. A selection of Ilvermorny students travelled here to study at Hogwarts and get to know the history of the British wizard world, while Ilvermorny accepted a group of Hogwarts students who were mentally in need of some time abroad, after the war had scarred them. You'd been very excited when your boyfriend told you about it, ready to meet some new people, and show them your part of the Wizarding World.

"Omg he looks so good!"

"He's not much older than we are, right?"

"Would he be able to interact with us during free periods?"

"Ah, why can't he be our teacher?"

They were a few of those Ilvermorny students who had just been sorted into your house and had sat down around you that had started whispering when they saw your boyfriend. Overall, you thought it was pretty funny how they talked about him, but the last comment made you grimace. One of the best parts of the whole arrangement was that he wasn't your teacher, and would never be. Both of you had made it very clear to the headmistress that you were together and that you didn't want the drama and gossip of a typical teacher x student chick flick. McGonagall - who your boyfriend was now allowed to call Minerva, which was still a bit strange to you - had ensured both of you that she trusted you. You'd read that letter with a broad smile on your face.

"Hey, you're around our age, aren't you? Do you know the new Ancient Runes professor?"
That brought you out of your reverie, and you smiled kindly at the eager girl, nodding your head.

"Yeah, in fact I know him pretty well."

The girl who'd asked you first let out an excited squeal, and while that was still amusing to you, you didn't miss the daggers that the other Ilvermorny girls sent you.