-=I don't make money doing this. Sheesh, can't I ever catch a break.=-

Plants, Plans and Potions

Something Brewing

Drifting from one potential pursuit to another in a sad attempt to make a life. Hermione had felt restless and uncertain in the aftermath of the war. The only thing she definitively knew is that she did not want to end up like many of her comrades in arms.

Harry suffered terrible nightmares and guilt seeking solace in Ginny. Once the responsibility of daily upkeep on a growing family got too much, Harry switched to the bottle. At least the bottle couldn't get pregnant. Ron let his hero status go to his head, laying pipe to whatever witch lifted her robes. Hermione shuddered. Was she in as poor a state? She certainly hoped not.

The only one who she felt had firm hold on sanity was perhaps Neville. It still amazed her to think of what a rock he had become. He got married soon after the defeat of Voldemort, and started a family. He had a set of twin boys, Evan and Alan. Unhappily his now ex-wife had suffered from post traumatic stress, add to that colicky twins, and Hannah couldn't take it so she split.

It was sad to see his marriage fall apart. I liked Hannah, maybe someday she'll be able to cope again. “I aught to pay Mr. Longbottom a visit.” Hermione said taking action.

Arriving at Neville's just outside the grounds, the scent of summer storms lingered. From the walk she could see the boys playing in the side yard. “Eennie, Minnie, Mynnie, Moe!” Hermione hollered to them. They in-turn yelled for their daddy. Neville wandered up the path with the boys bounding after him.

When they reached the gate to let her in, each of the little boys grabbed one of Hermione's legs. The two little boys hugged her legs like they meant to take them off at the hip. They shouted and giggled. “A giddy fountain of energy, is this lot.” Hermione said in greeting. She ruffled their hair and hugged Evan and Alan back. “Boys I'm going to need a replenishing potion after you're done with me. Run along.” Neville smiled ruefully at his two little cannonballs.

“Hells Bells, Neville! You look like a lumberjack,” She appraised him carefully. Jeans, flannel button-up, Wellingtons, burly form and a full beard. “Decided to rusticate here indefinitely?”

Neville swept her up into a bear hug, he set her down with the utmost care. Neville gave her a peck on the cheek, “missed you. Come round back, mum and dad will be happy to see you again.” They followed along the path the boys disappeared down.

Hermione hooked an arm with Neville as they walked. Hermione leaned in confidentially, “why have you dressed them in kilts?” She gave him a shrewd look. “With the long unbound hair, they kind of look like girls. Cute girls, but girls all the same.”

Puffing out his broad chest, “proper warriors wear kilts, you know.” Neville had to look down to meet her eyes.

She eyed Neville, dubiously. “I've never seen you in a kilt you're a warrior.” Privately considering that he most certainly wasn't short and chubby anymore. No Neville had grown into an oak-of-a-man.

“Well, I wouldn't want to test your resistance. I do respect your vow of chastity. Wouldn't want you to lose control and rip it off.” After giving Hermione the once over. “Can't say I understand it. But you've got to please yourself to be sure.” She flicked him.

Laughing and chatting arm in arm all the way to the back garden. Hermione spent a few moments talking to Frank, Alice and the boys, then gravitated to the garden furniture. The boys played in the grass with Frank and Alice. Not wanting to interrupt the fun, they sat sat down for a light tea.

Incredulous Hermione wagged her head. “Still don't know how you do it. It looks as though your parents have improved loads since you moved them out of St. Mungo's. That was a pretty depressing place. Here they got fresh air, more greenery than they could hope for and you and the boys.” Sipping her tea Hermione watched the odd bee supping on the sugar cubes. It recalled her to her purpose. “How's things coming with the plant specimens you told me about?”

Deliberately casual, Neville re-crossed his legs. “Yes, I had hoped you would take some of these hybrids and test them for both efficacy and potency in potion making. It's not my cup'a. If you know what I mean.” Saluting her with his tea cup. Neville gave her a moment to consider.

“I suppose I could do that. It's not like I'm doing anything just now. You'll need to make me a list of which potions to try. When do you need the results?” She stretched her legs and yawned. “Sorry, lethargy has got me knocked down a peg.”

“Potions take time, most of them, so the wait is irrelevant.” Neville studied Hermione critically. “You ever consider opening an apothecary or something like that. I mean to say with your background, it might just be a good fit.” Briefly she wondered how run-down she looked given the concern in his eyes. Hermione knew he had been mentally running down the list of unsuccessful enterprises: medi-witch, Under Secretary in the Goblin Liaison Office, Proprietor of Books-N-Such, and the last and biggest disappointment, Muggle school teacher.

“I can't seem to ground myself. I feel like nothing so much as a non-explodable luminous balloon. Feeling like I might just drift away.” A breeze stirred the fox tails at her feet tickling her legs. Mood lightening from the gentle sensation Hermione continued more cheerfully. “Though the prospect of nursing potions for a while might help.” She sighed deeply content. She was in a funny mood somewhat restlessness. Spurring herself on she stood and declaimed, “I got to go. I've enjoyed myself greatly. Thank you for having me.”

“What your not going to stay for dinner?” Neville asked perplexed.

With a wan smile she said regrettably, “if I stay for dinner you'll never get rid of me.”

Crestfallen and somewhat mournful he pressed his lips into a line. “Whatever happens you must always feel welcome here. Whenever,” he gave Hermione a stern look. “Got that.” Hermione touched his arm gently, without saying anything. Neville continued briskly, “lady's prerogative it is. Let me get those plant samples for you. The lads will be little monsters if you don't say a farewell.” He disappeared into the house while she went over to the four smiling faces.

Hermione talked with Frank and Alice while the boys tried to hug her to death. Neville extracted the boys from her legs pulling them into a rib-crunching hug. Neville laughed at the boys' enthusiasm, “go play you two usurpers.”

There was a certain stillness in the trees. Neville endeavoured to look casual but pressed her. Taking Hermione's hand in his calloused ones, he looked into her eyes. She was magnetized to the spot. “I'm here Hermione, you know you are always welcome here.” The light sound of his words hung in the air vaporously. “Okay?” Deeply touched Hermione nodded. “And if you need any more of these ask,” handing her the bag. “Try some really useful potions, some teas might not go amiss either. I trust your judgement.”

“Thanks...for everything really. I'll get started on these right away.”

There was a little something more in Neville's embrace tonight. Hermione thought sadly as she sat down at her make-shift lab table.

For company she had the three best potions books available and a kettle of strong tea. Pouring over the tomes finding the most useful potions, she made a short list. Good as her word she set right down to work. She included formulating antidotes using Scarpin's Revelaspell to her list.

Hermione's little potion's factory keep her quite busy, she scarcely realized that her life assumed a definite rhythm.

Several weeks passed quickly collecting ingredients, brewing and judicious testing. Hermione had made up her mind to open an apothecary. Neville was right the work suited her. What's more she'd have a good supplier for the herbs at least.

Case book, teas, and potions in hand she delivered the lot to the happy Herbologist. Neville hadn't given her another round since she was going to be busy setting up shop in Diagon Alley.

AN/ Tell me what you think; good, bad, ugly or awful.