fic: Falling For You

[mini_fest_mod]

Title: Falling For You
Author: whitestar_alpha
Characters: Ginny Weasley/Neville Longbottom
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters sadly, I just like to play with them...lots.
Word count: 2654
Warnings: AU, Het
Summary: Prompt #65. Neville & Ginny (both single) run into each other while Christmas shopping.
Notes: This fic is for the Minifest over at mini_fest on Live Journal. It's set about 4-5 years after Ginny has graduated from Hogwarts. Thanks to my betas K, B, E, and G for their feedback and terrific help.



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A light drifting of snow swirled around Ginny as she hurriedly made her way though Diagon Alley and on to the next shop. Her breath formed puffs of white clouds in the chilled air. It was freezing, but at least the predicted snow flurries hadn’t materialized yet. She was determined to get her shopping done today since it was the only day Fred and George had given her off from work. 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' was swamped with customers, so she was helping out at the holidays. The twins were none too happy with the idea of her taking time off from their thriving business, but she needed to buy presents. She had threatened to tell Mum they were working her too hard. The twins relented, deciding it would be in their best interest to survive without her for a day.

Ginny was smiling as she remembered the instantaneous decision the twins came to at the mention of their mother, and didn’t see the icy patch. Before she knew it, her feet shot out from under her, the world tilted sideways, and she fell into an unexpected cushioning spell.

Lying there on her back staring up at the dull, grey clouds, snow settling on her face and slowly melting, she heard a familiar voice.

“Are you alright?” asked the voice.

She turned her head to the right to see a dark silhouette framed against the sky, then placed the voice as belonging to Neville Longbottom. He bent down and offered his hand. She carefully took it and he helped her to her feet. “Yes, I think I am. Thank you. I should have kept my mind on where I was going. Thanks for catching me."

“No problem.” Neville said, putting his wand back into his pocket. “I noticed it right before you slipped.”

Ginny used her wand to flick off the snow that had crusted on her coat when she fell. “After that little adventure, I think I'd like to sit down for a bit. How about I buy you a cup of tea? It’s freezing out here."

“Sure, I'd like that. They opened a new shop in the Alley that’s very good. Gran took me there," Neville said. "They have quite a few exotic teas, some native to the places I've visited. Would you like to check it out?"

“That sounds perfect," Ginny said, wrapping her arms around herself and shivering. "Anything to get out of this cold. Warming charms work, but nothing is as good as a hot pot of tea.”

They hurriedly made their way to a cozy, little shop only a short distance away. Seasonal red and green plaid curtains framed the windows, and above the door a wooden sign, lightly dusted with snow, read, 'Tea Treasures'. A tea and saucer were engraved on the sign and magical wisps of steam rose from the cup before vanishing into the air.

A couple was exiting the tea shop as they arrived, and they dashed in before the door had a chance to close.

Ginny stomped her feet on the wooden floors and rubbed her gloved hands together as she entered. Looking around, she spotted an empty table amid the crowd of patrons.

"There's a table by the window," she said, and strode off without waiting for Neville to answer. She heard Neville chuckle as he followed behind.

Ginny started to remove her coat, used to doing everything on her own. Suddenly Neville was behind her, hands on her shoulders. Startled, Ginny recovered quickly and smiled back at him, blushing, and let him help her out of her coat. Not stopping there, he pulled out her chair as well.

"Thank you," Ginny said, as she sat down. "You've always had the best manners of all the Gryffindor boys."

"Gran would kill me if I didn't," Neville said with a laugh, moving the chair, and her, closer to the table.

Neville made his way to the other side of the table and removed his coat before taking a seat. Ginny looked him over as she took off her hat and gloves. He seemed taller, the set of his shoulders and posture more sure. He was still the same Neville she had always known, but there were changes, good changes from what she could see.

"So, what would you like to try?" She reached for the menu, glanced at it quickly and then back to Neville, giving him a quick smile. "Remember, it's my treat."

"I tried the Darjeeling the last time I was here, and it was good," Neville said, not bothering to look at the menu. "I'll have that."

"Sounds good," Ginny said, picking the first thing that sounded interesting. "I think I'll try the Lapsang Souchong."

On the table was a small silver bell, tied with a festive green ribbon and a sprig of holly. Ginny rang the bell, and a waitress came at once. The waitress wore a dark green floor length dress, a neatly tied red pinny, and a candy cane for a brooch. She cheerfully took their orders and left them alone to chat.

Turning back to Neville, Ginny folded her arms on the table, then raised one to rest her chin in her hand. "So what have you been up to lately?"

"Well, I've been apprenticing with a Dutch herbalist named Roeland Vermeer. He's an expert in the field of rare and endangered species of plants, both wizarding and muggle. He's also a family friend of Professor Sprout's. She put in a good word and he's been mentoring me. We've gone on some fascinating expeditions to collect the rarer specimens." His eyes glittered, taking on a far away expression as he spoke. "I never imagined myself traveling to far off countries, but it's opened up a whole new world for me. Now that I've seen it, I don't think I could ever give it up."

Ginny watched as Neville grew animated as he spoke. He gestured wildly and his eyes widened in excitement. She could only imagine what he was like when he was actually out gathering the plants and herbs. "I'm happy for you. It sounds like you've found what you were meant to do with your life."

"Yeah, I have," he said, nodding in agreement. "So, what about you? I heard you were playing for the Holyhead Harpies. How's that going?"

"I love it!" Ginny exclaimed, sitting up straight. "I haven't had this much fun in my entire life." A wide grin spread across her face. "I want to play for a few more years, but eventually I'd like a job writing about Quidditich." She leaned forward closer to Neville and crooked a finger at him to lean in. In a low voice, so as not to be overheard she said, "I've actually been talking with the sports editor at the Daily Prophet and we've been tossing around the idea of an insider's view of the game while I'm playing. I got the idea from some muggle sports that Ron, Harry and I watched when we visited Hermione. Some of the players and coaches actually wear something called a "mike", which is rather silly since that's a boy's name, and you can hear them talk during the game. It's really quite clever. No wizard or witch has ever done anything like this before so it's hush, hush for the time being."

Ginny sat back and gave Neville a conspiratorial wink.

Just then the waitress arrived with their tea on a trolley. She carefully set the cups and saucers down on the table and proceeded to serve them tea. They watched as, in a practiced ritual, she skillfully removed the tea leaves from each of their pots and then filled their cups. "If there's anything else you need, just ring the bell," she said with a smile, before turning away, the trolley following quietly behind her.

Ginny added a lump of sugar to her tea and stirred, then wrapped her hands around the teacup and brought it to her lips. Closing her eyes, she took a sip of the hot liquid and savored the smoky flavor of the Lapsang Souchong as it slid down her throat, warming her body. Ahh, this was so much nicer. Opening her eyes, she found Neville watching her closely.

He quickly averted his eyes, blushing, then reached for his tea and took a sip, staring intently at his cup as he set it back down.

He's so sweet when he blushes, Ginny thought, as she took her time watching him. No one would ever think that this was the same Neville that had slain Nagini.

Setting her cup down Ginny asked, "What are you and your Gran doing Christmas Day?" Her eyebrow rose in question. "If you aren't busy, why don’t both of you come for a visit? Harry is spending the holidays with us. Hermione will be spending Christmas Eve with her parents, then arriving late morning. Even Remus and Snape will be over for a short while." She let out an un-ladylike snort. "Although I have no idea how Remus convinced Snape to spend a few hours visiting. Oh yeah, Percy is coming too and he's bringing Oliver, his boyfriend."

"Oliver is Percy's boyfriend?" Neville asked in surprise, after Ginny had finished with her monologue.

"Yeah, who would've thought? Well, actually Charlie knew, or so I understand," she said, giving a shrug. "So how about it?"

Neville frowned and looked down at the table. "I don’t know, Ginny. We usually go visit my parents on Christmas Day and then have a quiet dinner at home."

Ginny's smile disappeared. "Oh, I’m sorry Neville, I forgot. You could still come after your visit to your parents. You know how Mum loves to cook and have company over.

Neville looked up. "Well, if you’re sure. I’ll have to run it by Gran first. She likes her routines, but she does like getting out to visit."

He was silent for a moment, playing with his teaspoon. “If you’d like, you could come visit my parents with us." He shrugged. "I mean, you don’t have to, of course, but you could if you wanted.”

Ginny hoped her face didn’t register her surprise. Neville didn’t often talk about his parents, and Harry was the only person that Neville had ever invited to go along for a visit, as far as she knew.

She reached across the table, placed her hand over his and smiled, “I’d love to. Just tell me when.”


*********************


They chatted for almost two hours, catching up on what family and friends were doing, or planned on doing. Ginny only noticed how much time had passed when the door burst open, letting in a crowd of noisy teenagers.

"Merlin! I really need to get my shopping done," she said glancing up at the clock on the wall. "This is a nice little place, Neville. Thank you for bringing me here. I'll have to come back again sometime, but I must get going. Fred and George only gave me today off." Ginny pushed back her chair and stood.

"Oh, right. I didn't mean to keep you," replied Neville, rising to his feet, his voice carrying a tone of disappointment. He came round the table and helped Ginny on with her coat.

"You didn't keep me. I've really enjoyed catching up with you," Ginny said, as she got into her coat. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and added, "I travel so much with the team that I don't get to stay in contact with friends as much as I'd like." She gave a wry smile. She loved Quidditch and her teammates, but there were moments when she wished she could take time off to be with family and friends. Sharing tea with Neville made her even more aware of what she was missing.

"Have you finished your shopping yet?" she asked. Ginny looked over at Neville as she pulled her knit cap over her hair, and tugged it down to cover her ears.

"No, I've just started," Neville answered, slipping his arms into the sleeves of his coat. "I have to get a few things for Gran and pick up some sweets."

“Why don’t we finish shopping together? Unless you need to get back to your Gran’s soon?” Ginny found herself hoping Neville would accept, and she held her breath waiting for his answer. She didn't want their time together to end.

Neville smiled. "I'd like that. Gran isn't expecting me back until supper."

Ginny returned his smile. "Good, then why don't we get started?"

Finally bundled up against the winter chill, they headed for the door.

Standing near the doorway, they waited for a young couple to enter. As the couple passed by, the girl giggled and pointed at the ceiling above them.

Ginny and Neville looked up at the same time. That's when she saw the mistletoe.

She smiled and looked over at Neville, who once again, was blushing.

“You know, Luna has always said that there are Nargles in mistletoe." Ginny tilted her head. "I can’t say I’ve ever found any, have you?”

“No, can’t say I have,” Neville replied, casting another quick glimpse upward, then back at her, a twinkle in his eyes.

Ginny gave him a mischievous grin. “The one thing I do know is true, is that you’re supposed to kiss the person you’re with if you get caught under the mistletoe. It's tradition.” She reached over and gave a gentle tug to the collar of Neville's coat as if straightening it, then patted it down.

Neville smiled back. “Well, we can’t defy tradition can we? Especially if it has anything to do with Nargles.”

“No, it’s probably not a good idea.”

Ginny's heart sped up as Neville stepped closer. He reached over and gently placed a hand under her chin, tilting up her face. His grey eyes searched hers before he leaned down. Slowly, her eyes slid closed as she almost held her breath waiting for his kiss. Soft, warm lips pressed against her own and Ginny could taste the faint lingering flavor of Darjeeling, along with a surprising tingle of magic. Her hand reached to Neville's waist to draw him closer, and his reached around to encircle her. After many seconds had ticked by, Neville slowly pulled back, his face flushed, his eyes searching hers. Ginny was certain her face was just as flushed as his.

After a few moments of catching her breath she said, "I guess that should keep the Nargles away."

Neville's mouth quirked and he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Actually, it's supposed to be radishes. That's what Luna says anyway."

Ginny laughed, slid her other arm around Neville's waist, and gave him a smirk. "I think I prefer kisses over radishes any day."

"So do I," he answered in a soft voice.

Stepping outside, they noticed it had stopped snowing.

"Typical", Ginny said, shaking her head. "They never get the forecast correct. So, where should we start?"

"It doesn't matter to me," Neville said.

"Well then, how about we stop and get your Gran's sweets first?"

"That sounds like a plan," Neville replied. "Here, maybe you better take my arm just in case you come across another icy patch." Neville offered her his arm with a flourish.

"My hero!" Ginny said, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Either you'll save me, or I'll pull you down with me when I go."

Neville chuckled. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather face dangerous ice patches with, than you."

Ginny laughed and hooked her arm through Neville's. He smiled down at her and a warmth spread through her despite the chill.

Suddenly, the day no longer felt as cold and grey as when it had started.

Comments

[asnowyowl.livejournal.com]

This was so sweet. I loved your characterizations: self-assured, take charge Ginny and blushing Neville.

Now I just need to learn those warming charms...

[flaminia-x.livejournal.com]

Adorable! I love this version of Neville - self-assured yet still awkward. Nice job.

[coffee-n-cocoa.livejournal.com]

This was so sweet! Neville is his usual adorably awesome self, and Ginny was great. Fluffy goodness!

[torino10154]

Very sweet. Loved the bittersweet mention of Neville's parents and the invitation for Ginny to go along. Great job.

[veritas03.livejournal.com]

Yay - this was one of the prompts I submitted!! This was very sweet. I liked your characterizations - especially of Ginny. Very believable. Neville is so gallant! “Tea Treasures” sounds like my kind of place! In fact…I think I’ll go put the kettle on. Nice job!!

[keppiehed.livejournal.com]

I think you got them just right. Very well done, I especially enjoyed Neville.

[werewolfsfan.livejournal.com]

Absolutely wonderful! &hearts I'm going to save it to savor again whenever a bit of sweetness is required.