I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

Rue

Four months post war

It was September 18th, that day I became a father. I may not have expected this so soon but it's what I've always wanted. I wanted a family, a real family. Serenity and I didn't grow up in classic households and that's all we wanted for our children.

Serenity is sound asleep, I can hear her breaths in the quiet night. As I look at her I can't fight the smile growing on my face. I hear the slight rustling of blankets.

I make my way over to the bassinet and peak down into it. She is still asleep, my little Rue. She was born with a whole head of hair, a dark, almost a black brown. She is smaller than the average baby but I can tell that she is going to be strong. I reach my hand down and let her wrap her tiny hand around my finger.
"Rue Alice Longbottom. I won't let anything bad happen to you okay? And your mom and I, we aren't going anywhere." I whisper.

Just then a loud banging comes from the front door downstairs. Serenity shoots up in bed with heavy breaths.
"It's just the door Ren, it's ok." I say softly.

Rue wakes up and begins to cry, I lift her into my arms and walk her over to Serenity. Placing her gently into my Wife's arms.
"Who could that be so late?" She asks while still trying to catch her breath.
"I'm not sure, stay here I'll go check ok? Seamus probably had another fight with Luna or something."

Serenity glares up at me.
"We are not letting Finnigan stay over again you hear me?" She grumbles.
"I know I know, Gran already talked my ear off about how he almost burnt the cottage down. I don't need to hear it again." I reply while walking out of the room.

The pounding at the door continues until the moment I unlock it. When I open it is see Draco for a split second and then he pushes past me.
"Where is Serenity?" Draco says in a flustered tone.

"Draco what's this about? Are you ok?" I ask. He ignores my questions and begins pacing around and mumbling to himself.
"Draco, we have an infant now, you can't just come pounding on our door at 3am. Now are you going to tell me what couldn't wait or what couldn't have been sent by owl?" I ask again.

He stops mid pacing and faces me. Draco is already a pale man but tonight he looks more sickly than anything.

"I found her." He says. He shakes his head and starts again. "Well I found the place." He says. He waits for my reply but I'm more confused than anything.

"Neville did you hear me? I found the place, I found Kennedy Soloane." He explains.
"Serenity'a mother?" I question.
"Yes! Now where is she? She needs to know, we need to go."

Draco attempts to pass me and go up the stairs but I grab his arm before he can take any steps further.
"No, not tonight."

Draco turns and looks at me annoyed and confused.
"What do you mean not tonight? I've been looking for months and I found her, we have to go now." He huffs.

I tighten my grip on his arm and pull him further from the stairs.
"No, you listen to me right now Malfoy. Serenity just had a baby, literally 2 days ago. Her mum has been missing for almost 18 years. I think we can wait 4 more hours till morning don't you?" I say sternly.
Draco looks at me and then the stairs. I tighten my grip again.
"Okay. I can wait I guess." He finally replies. He apparates out of the cottage and let out a sigh of relief.

When I enter our room again I see Serenity peacefully sleeping in the bed with baby Rue on her chest. I scoop up Rue into my arms and place her back into the bassinet, gently rocking it so she falls back into a deep slumber.

....

The next morning I get up early, not that I slept all to well in the first place. I feel the space next to me, only to be disappointed by an empty bed.
"That's odd." I say to myself outloud. I make my way to the bassinet to find it empty as well.
"Hmm."

I make my way downstairs to see my Gran bouncing Rue in her arms and singing nursery rhymes.
"And that was the warlock's hairy heart!" She continues to sing.
"Good morning you two." I chuckle, I make my way over to them and smile brightly at my daughter while taking her into my arms.

"She has been quite joyful this morning, thought she would be upset when Serenity left." Gran says. I freeze immediately.
"What?" I ask.
"I thought she would be upset after her mother left so early." Gran repeats.

I turn towards her.
"When did Serenity leave? Did she say why?" I ask rather flustered. My grandmother must have sensed my urgency because she scoops Rue back into her arms before she continues explaining.
"That handsome young man, Mr. Malfoy, he came during breakfast this morning and told her to come along with him. When she asked if she should fetch you he said no and they apparated away rather quickly. Didn't think much of it, I thought maybe it was more woman troubles. You two need more friends like the Lupin's! Now that is a family who has their spells in a row." She explains.

I don't even want to go into how Remus has lost Edward in the woods more times to count on one hand.
"That little wanker!!" I yell out. Gran covers Rue's ears as if she could actually understand me.
"Neville Longbottom! Watch your mouth!" She yells at me.

"Sorry Gran, sorry Rue." I face my sweet little daughter.
"Your uncle is a very naughty word and daddy has to go make sure he doesn't get himself and mommy into trouble." I say in a soft voice.

"What's going on is something wrong?" My grandmother inquires.
"I sure hope not, but I'm going to find out." I say before apparating away.

....

I apparate into Malfoy mansion.

"OH DEAR!" I hear Narcissa exclaim. I turn to see her clinging to a cup of tea with her hand on her heart.
"Neville Longbottom you gave me a fright! Now why on earth are you here unannounced at such an hour?"

"My apologies Mrs. Malfoy, I was searching for Serenity?" I ask. She looks at me extremely confused and I figure it was rather dumb of me to assume they would be here.
"Sorry I can see she isn't here, I'm be going."

"WAIT!" I hear a voice call out, I turn to see Astoria enter the room.
"Oh good, I thought it was you. Heard you Apparate in." She exclaims.
"What on earth is going on!?" Narcissa complains as she sets down her cup loudly.

"Sorry Mumsy, your dear son is causing trouble again and of course here I am to tidy it up." Astoria explains while ushering me out of the room.
"Don't mind us, enjoy your tea!" She calls out before we are out of earshot.

I stop in my tracks and turn towards her.
"Astoria where is Draco? And more important, where is my wife!?!?" I exclaim. Astoria looks plenty guilty so I calm my voice and take a breath.
"I know where they are I just don't know where that is exactly, can you help me?" I ask in a kind voice.

She sighs loudly but finally looks up at me.
"Promise you won't make her leave?" She asks.
"Why would I make her leave? I just didn't want Draco kidnapping my wife at 3am! But here he is doing it at 6am like that fixes everything." I complain.

Astoria rolls her eyes.
"Merlin Draco is such a pain lately, he told me you didn't want to let Serenity go. He is just stressed lately okay? Please forgive him." She says while rubbing my arm apologetically.
"Why? What's going on with you two?" I ask while looking down at her. Worry is in my voice and I can't hide it. The way she looks at me after I ask makes me see she can't hide her worry either.

"I'll tell everyone when I'm ready, for now let's go find your wife." She concludes.