mini_fest | FIC: The Dating Game [Neville/Ginny]

Title: The Dating Game
Author/Artist:

alisanne
Pairing(s): Neville/Ginny, Augusta/others ;)
Prompt: #121: Neville finally asks someone (your choice) out for dinner on Christmas Eve. When they get to the restaurant, they see Gran Longbottom there on a date with ____________.
Word Count/Art Medium: 2700
Rating: PG
Contains (Highlight to view): *None really, although Augusta is a bit of a cougar. ;)*
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thanks to the mods for their patience and understanding, to my beta, S, for her assistance, and to

kellychambliss for this irresistible prompt. *g*
Summary: Intellectually, Neville knows his gran can take care of herself, but protective instincts can be difficult to suppress.

The Dating Game

It’s December, and a soft blanket of snow covers the world. Inside the cafe, Neville and Ginny are seated across from each other. “What are we doing here, Neville?” Ginny asks, looking up from her lunch, at which she’s been picking.

Neville blinks. “I thought we were eating lunch. Why?”

Ginny bites her lip. “We are. And we do every day. It’s just...”

“What?” Neville’s heart sinks. Is she about to tell him she was dating someone? he wonders. She is so gorgeous, he doesn’t imagine she’d have much difficulty getting offers.

She huffs. “Are we dating or aren’t we? Because I can’t honestly tell.” Ginny starts ripping apart a napkin, a sure sign that she’s beyond nervous. “You just show up at my office every day, we come down here and eat, and then we go back to work. I’ve been waiting for you to say something but--”

“I consider us to be dating,” Neville blurts. “I mean, if you want fancy restaurants and romance I can--”

Leaning across the table, Ginny clasps his hand, and Neville stammers to a stop. “I’m a girl,” she says, smiling. “Of course I want romance. I just wanted to be sure this was what I thought it was.”

Heart in his eyes, Neville caresses her fingers. “It is,” he whispers. “Definitely.”

Ginny’s mouth trembles for a moment. “Then great.” She smiles brightly. “So, maybe we should plan a real date. In a real restaurant.” She blushes. “And make it official.”

Which is how Neville decides to make reservations for dinner on a Saturday night in one of Diagon’s most exclusive restaurants. He picks Ginny up at her flat, and is tongue-tied when she appears at her door, radiant in a beautiful blue dress. “Wow,” he whispers.

She smiles, taking his hand. “That was just what I was hoping you’d say.”

After Neville Side-Along-Apparates them to the restaurant, and they are shown to their seat, Neville settles, looking around. It’s crowded, clearly popular.

Ginny, across from him, picks up the menu. “Have you ever eaten here?” she asks.

Neville shakes his head. “No, but my Gran mentioned reading an article about it the other day, and then Dean recommended it, and you know what a foodie he is.”

Ginny laughs softly. “Between him and Seamus, and who knew he’d turn into quite the ale and beer connoisseur, I’m not surprised they decided to go into the restaurant business together.”

“Yes,” Neville agrees, starting to relax. “If they ever manage to get it off the ground. They’re both a bit...flighty at times.”

“True, but I imagine they will,” Ginny predicts. “It’s only a matter of time.” She raises an eyebrow as she scans the menu. “Did Dean tell you what to order, by any chance?”

Neville frowns. “No, why?”

“Because I think this is in Croatian.” She tilts her head. “Or some other obscure European language.”

Picking up the menu, Neville starts to read. Or tries to, anyway. “Um--”

Ginny grins. “I guess we’ll just have to rely on the waiter to help us pick, then.”

Hoping that the menu turns out to be the only issue they will have that night, Neville casts a Translation Charm, smiling as the words sort themselves into something recognisable. “Right,” he says. “I can read the menu to you if you like.”

Eyebrow raised, Ginny puts down her menu and leans back. “Aren’t you full of surprises? All right, that would be great, Nev.”

Blushing under the praise, Neville reads it to her, and after they’ve both decided on the restaurant’s equivalent of beef Wellington with roasted winter veg and trifle for pudding, Neville signals the waiter. Taking the waiter’s recommendation on wine, Neville also orders a bottle of Chianti that they share.

Unaccustomed to drinking several glasses of wine at one sitting, Neville blinks several times when he sees someone who looks a lot like his gran walk in and be seated across the restaurant. Narrowing his eyes, he squints.

“Who are you looking at?” Ginny asks, turning to follow his gaze.

Neville purses his lips. “That woman looks an awful lot like Gran, doesn’t she?”

Ginny’s mouth falls open. “Er, Nev? I think that is your gran. And have you noticed who’s with her?”

Still a bit gobsmacked to see his gran on what appears to be a date with a man, Neville transfers his attention to the back of her companion’s head. It looks vaguely familiar. “No. Who is that with her?” He’s getting a sinking feeling.

“Professor Slughorn!” cries a man who looks like the manager as he strides toward his gran’s table. Neville almost chokes. “How wonderful to see you!”

“Slughorn?” Neville bleats. “Gran’s dating Slughorn?”

Ginny coughs. “Not necessarily,” she says weakly. “They could just be...friends.”

As soon as she says that, Slughorn leans over and kisses Augusta’s cheek. Neville’s hands form fists.

“Or not,” Ginny says, tone faint. Pushing back from the table, she continues, “Right, we should probably pay and then go.”

“But my gran--”

“Do you really want to watch her on a date with old Sluggie?”

“It’s not safe to just leave her alone with him!” Neville counters. His eyes widen. “Merlin, what if he’s...collecting her?” He shudders. “I have to do something!”

Ginny raises an eyebrow. “What exactly are you going to do? Walk over there and tell her she can’t date him?”

“I--” Since that’s exactly what Neville had been contemplating doing, he sighs, sagging in his seat. “I shouldn’t, should I?”

“Well I know what my reaction would be if someone told me I couldn’t date you,” Ginny says, tone sympathetic.

“But I’m nothing like Slughorn!” Neville frowns. “Am I?”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course not, but if he’s who she likes, then who are you to say no?”

Neville groans, shaking his head. “I hate that you’re so logical about this.”

She grins. “That’s only because that’s not my grandmother sitting over there with Slughorn.”

“You’re not helping, Gin.”

“Sorry.” Ginny purses her lips, distracting Neville for a moment. “Anyway, while I don’t think we should go over there, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t...listen in.”

Neville’s eyes narrow. “And just how do we do that?”

Ginny smirks. “Have you forgotten who my brothers are?” Reaching into her purse, she pulls out a set of Extendable Ears, snapping one Ear off.

“Won’t that be rather...obvious?” Neville asks, confused.

Ginny winks. “Relax. George and Ron have made a few...updates in the design. Come on.”

After signalling for the cheque, Neville quickly pays and, following Ginny out, blinks when she drops the Extendable Ear on the floor by his gran’s table. There’s no hue and cry, so obviously, no one notices and they make their escape unnoticed. “Er, Gin? Was that wise?” he hisses once they’re in the restaurant’s foyer.

“It’ll be fine,” she says, tone serene. Turning around, she clasps his hand in hers. “Now come on. We could both use a walk to clear our heads.”

Exiting the restaurant, Neville inhales the cold, crisp December air. As Ginny had predicted, it clears his head and he starts to feel better. Until he remembers who his gran’s inside with.

Tucking her arm in his, Ginny leads him down the street. “Let’s move away from the restaurant, shall we? We don’t want to be obvious.”

“Okay.” Puzzled, Neville nevertheless lets himself be led away. “You know you only dropped one Ear piece, right?” he finally says. “Don’t we need it to be connected to the other Ear for it to work properly?”

“Like I said,” Ginny chuckles. “Upgrades.” Reaching into her purse, she pulls out the Ear she’d retained. “George says he made them wireless or something, so the one back in the restaurant should broadcast its signal.”

Neville frowns. “What does that even mean?”

Ginny shrugs. “Look, I’ve no idea how it works, but it means that we can listen in on their conversation from here.” Clasping his am, she leads him into an alley for privacy.

“But how?”

She grins. “Why magic of course!” Holding the Ear up, she leans in. “Now come on, let’s see what sort of line old Sluggie is trying to feed your gran.”

Neville leans close. “...love you to come by sometimes and see my collection. I’ve got all the movers and shakers--”

Neville’s eyes narrow. “That snake,” he hisses.

Ginny rolls her eyes. “Well, yes! He is a Slytherin.”

Neville huffs. “I mean apart from that. After all, Snape’s a Slytherin and he’s doing all right by Harry--”

“They’re not the current topic of conversation,” Ginny reminds him. “Now hush! Sluggie’s still talking.”

Neville continues listening. He’s close enough now to Ginny that he can smell her perfume. It makes him feel the way he did when he had been drinking wine. A bit light-headed.

“...help your grandson, even. Neville, isn’t it? I hear he’s looking for a position somewhere. I could help him if you like. He came to me you know. Asked me to use my influence. And of course I’d love to. I love doing favours for...friends.”

Neville’s mouth drops open in outrage. “What a--!”

Ginny leans into his arm, turning her face towards his. “I know he’s lying, Neville, and I imagine your gran does, too.”

“But--”

“Just listen,” she says, breath warm against his cheek. “If he does anything threatening, we can go back in, but right now we should listen.”

Neville nods, suddenly realising that their lips are close. Very close. And it occurs to him that he’s never kissed her. The look in Ginny’s eyes indicate that she’s realising the same thing in that moment.

Extendable Ear forgotten, Neville leans in, and their mouths touch. It’s...spectacular, incredible, stupendous. And all sorts of words Neville’s pretty sure he’s never actually experienced before.

Ginny makes a noise in her throat that Neville wants to hear several more times and she throws her arms around his neck, pressing her body close. Having her curves against his body is the pinnacle of existence for Neville. He decides he could die happy in that moment.

Hauling her even closer, Neville gasps as she runs her tongue along the seam of his mouth and, somehow, the kiss gets better. Hotter. Their tongues...Merlin, he has his tongue in Ginny’s mouth and they are breathing together and he wants her so much and...

“...how DARE you suggest such a thing?”

It’s his gran’s voice and it’s so close that they both spring apart, flushing guiltily. Neville looks around, but they’re still alone in the deserted alley.

It’s Ginny who realises what’s happening. Stooping down, she picks up the Extendable Ear and Neville hears his gran’s voice coming from it even more clearly. “...would never go to you for help. He’s a very self-sufficient young man. I don’t think this is going to work out, Horace. Now, if you’ll excuse me--”

Neville is grinning. “She saw through him.”

Ginny nods. “Of course she did.” She frowns. “Something just occurred to me, though.”

“What?” Neville bites his lip. Does she regret the kissing? Maybe he’s pants at it. He’s not had a lot of practice, after all, since she’s the only one he’s been interested in snogging for a very long time.

“How do I get the other Ear back?” She sighs, slipping the one she has into her purse. “It’s a prototype, and George will be upset.”

Taking her hand, Neville smiles. “We go back in after gran’s gone and we say it fell out of your purse.”

“Oh. Good idea.” She looks up at him from under her lashes and Neville’s entire body tightens. “What should we do in the meantime?”

Neville swallows hard, tugging her closer. “I kind of liked what we were doing before,” he whispers.

She smiles. “Good. Because I did, too.” Leaning up, she kisses him softly. “And something tells me your gran won’t be staying there much longer.”

“You’re a smart girl,” says a familiar voice and they both jump.

“Gran!” Neville exclaims. He tries to step away from Ginny but she doesn’t allow it, keeping his fingers entwined with his.

“Weasley, isn’t it?” Neville can tell that nothing has escaped Augusta’s sharp gaze as her eyes linger on their joined hands. “I wondered what this was doing next to our table.” She holds up the Extendable Ear. “I assume this belongs to you.”

Blushing, Ginny nods. “Er, yes. I must have dropped it--”

Augusta smirks. “Don’t take me for a fool, Ms Weasley. I’m very familiar with your family and you should know, you’re not the only ones who have some tricks up their sleeves.” She looks at Neville. “I know you were worried, dear, but I can take care of myself. I knew Horace wasn’t for me. For one thing, he’s not...age appropriate. Next time, trust me.”

Neville nods and relaxes. “Of course, Gran. Sorry.” He smiles. “But you are my gran. I’m definitely going to be protective.”

Augusta inclines her head. Neville can tell she’s pleased. “All right. But if you mess up any other dates that I’m truly enjoying, we will have words.”

Of that, Neville has no doubt. “Of course.”

As he gran turns away, she says, “Now why don’t you to find somewhere more...secluded to continue what you were doing. This alleyway is hardly an appropriate trysting spot.”

“Trysting spot?” Ginny whispers once they’re alone.

“She means snogging spot,” Neville says, sliding his arms around her.

She smirks. “Don’t you mean shagging spot?”

Neville’s breath hitches. “We don’t have to--”

Reaching up, she presses her fingers against his lips. “Actually, I think we do,” she murmurs. “Because if we don’t I may explode.”

And, since Neville can’t allow that to happen, he gives in.

~*~

“Mmm, I love spaghetti.” Ginny slowly sucks some into her mouth and Neville’s trousers immediately tighten. “So delicious.” She licks her lips and smiles.

“Gin--” Neville whispers. “You’re killing me here.”

“Sorry.” But she doesn’t look sorry. She looks smug. Satisfied. And Neville is once again astounded and ridiculously proud that he’s the one who put that look on her face. “And at least you know I’m not teasing,” she continues, sipping her wine.

Neville smiles. “True,” he says, tone raspy. She never teases. Well, not unless she intends to fully follow through.

Willing his erection down, Neville looks away, and chokes. “Merlin.”

“What?” Following his gaze, Ginny stares across the bistro, her eyes landing on the table he’s glaring towards. Her eyes widening, she starts to laugh. “Oh boy--”

“It’s not funny,” Neville huffs.

Ginny bites her lip. “Actually, I think it is.” Reaching across the table, she lays her hand on his. “I mean, you can hardly object to him.”

Much as Neville wants to argue the point, he finds he can’t. “But he’s...he’s...” He sighs. “Didn’t she say she wanted someone more...age appropriate? What happened to that plan?” Neville knows he’s whinging but he can’t help it.

Ginny licks her lips. “Looks about right to me, actually. Your gran’s always struck me as quite...spry. I think Kingsley Shacklebolt should be able to keep up with her, don’t you? And he’s the Minister for Magic. We know he’s brilliant.”

“I...” Neville sags in his seat. He has no rational argument and he knows it. “Can we just go?” he asks, tone plaintive.

“Of course.” Ginny signals for the cheque and winks. “I was thinking we should have dessert in private anyway.”

And suddenly, Neville doesn’t feel that bad.

The End