Since You Still Had Messy Pigtails and Ink Staining Your Fingers
Three weeks later, after a very rejuvenating holiday, Samantha was in Hogsmead. She was taking deep breaths as she opened the door to a very familiar dilapidated old INN. She was more nervous now than she was when she first walked into the Daily Prophet and was introduced to Cuffe as his successor.
"It's a good thing I stocked up on White Rat Whiskey." Aberforth, the owner of the Hogshead jokingly grumbled as Samantha walked into the Hogshead inn. He opened his arms and embraced her in a hug. Duke flew off of her shoulder and landed on the bar top. "I have the distinct pleasure to serve the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Prophet in my humble establishment? What a day this is!"
The two tables with a few unlucky patrons looked up at the greeting with tilted heads. Aberforth wasn't exactly known as a friendly bloke.
"I'm just Samantha today, so cool off the Editor-In-Chief stuff." Samantha requested nervously.
Aberforth lead her to the bar where he noticed the small dragon on the bar top. "What in the ruddy blazes is that?"
Samantha picked Duke off of the counter and put him onto her shoulder. "A dragon. His name is Duke."
"Just keep it off of the tables." Aberforth grunted as he poured her a rust colored drink and a small shot. "You look awful nice tonight Samantha. Then again I've rarely seen you since you looked like you hadn't slept in weeks."
"That's because I wasn't sleeping." Samantha revealed.
She took off her cloak and began fixing her hair. Ginny had brought little James over to her apartment and had picked out an outfit for her to wear. It was a far cry from her average black clothing. It was a maroon blouse with a high neckline and a long floral skirt her mother had designed. She liked the Gryffindor colors and Ginny let her hold James as she'd looked through her closet.
Samantha had spent plenty of time with everyone she knew. Her family was of course who she'd spent every dinner with, but she'd seen her old friends more, in the last three weeks than she had in six years.
She'd met little Rebel who was the spitting image of her father with big beautiful brown eyes.
She'd seen Hermione under the guise of legal discussions, but instead their talks consisted of the muggle romance novels they'd read in the last few years.
An ice cream date with Luna quickly turned into a lunch with Luna and Rolf Scammander who just, happened, to be at the same place. Samantha had written to him that she was having lunch with Luna and if he'd like to drop in, he'd be welcome.
It had been an absolutely lovely three weeks and she was ready to finally go on this date.
"Thanks for the drink Ab." Samantha chuckled and put down a few galleons.
"Haven't seen you in years." Aberforth commented as he began cleaning the bar. "What could possibly bring you in now after all of these years? Dressed all nice and looking nervous."
Samantha shifting nervously and looking around the bar, "I have a date."
He asked raising an eyebrow and flung a white towel over his shoulder. "Bout bloody time."
"I've been a bit busy." Samantha tried to excuse herself.
"For six bloody years?"
"Been counting?" Samantha asked sipping on her drink. "Aberforth, I was really hoping for a bit more cynicism on your part."
"What can I say? I am a hopeless romantic." He said with the driest tone, but a smirk quickly followed.
Samantha had no response, just shook her head and threw her drink back.
He laughed and winked looking remarkably like his brother as he poured her another one. "This next one's on the house, calm the nerves."
Samantha looked at the drink, remembering the war days. She'd met Neville there every month, getting his information from inside the castle. It was always her small respite from the horrors she dealt with otherwise. She'd seen the dead bodies of muggles and wizards alike, she'd seen torture and families ripped a part. It had been unimaginable. However, for a few hours once a month, it wouldn't matter as she'd fall asleep on his shoulder trying to listen to what was happening inside the castle.
Her twitch revealed itself as she thought about it all. She felt Duke leave her shoulder as the door to the Hogshead squeaked open. She watched Duke fly around the ceiling and over the few watching customers.
"Hey there." Neville said, examining the Dragon who had just landed in his hand. He was a far cry from the round little boy with large ears who had nearly killed her in potions, but as he looked nervously at the little dragon, that's all she could see. "Hey Ab, this your dragon?"
Aberforth shook his head before nodding to Samantha.
As their eyes met, she saw the man she had grown to care for over her years at school. She saw the one person in the world she trusted the most. She saw the brave man who she used to get butterflies for.
"Is he yours?" Neville asked holding Duke out to her.
Duke flew onto her shoulder and snuggled into her maroon shirt. "Sort of, I think I belong to him really."
Neville looked back to Aberforth, "My usual please."
"Like I said, good thing I stocked up." Aberforth jested at Samantha with raised eyebrows.
Neville looked surprised but sat beside her.
"Hey Sam." He greeted her with a big smile, taking off his coat.
"Hey." She smiled right back and leaned on her hand. "Surprised I showed?"
"Mostly surprised that I didn't get an owl asking to postpone really." He chuckled a little. "I was prepared to just do what I always did when you put me off."
"Which is?"
"Assume you're off on one of Samantha Fyre's great adventures of course." He smiled brightly.
"I wish they were great." Samantha breathed out and she could feel her hand shaking. "Most of the time they are,"
"Traumatizing?" He interrupted.
"I was going to say overwhelming," Samantha flatly said back, "The last one was pretty traumatizing if I'm honest though. You know just as soon as I think life is going to be one way, the universe sends me some kind of trauma."
"I heard your brother is home." He leaned in a bit to her, "That wouldn't have been the most recent adventure, would it?"
She nodded, "Long story."
"I've got plenty of time."
"Just be out by two am. Don't think I will still put up with your prattle any later than that." Aberforth grumbled from behind the bar before pouring Neville a drink. "Unless of course you two need a room upstairs, I've got plenty of vacancy and you two are finally old enough I can offer that."
Neville and Samantha both began shaking their heads aggressively.
"Woah Ab." Neville was turning as red as his maroon sweater.
"This isn't that kind of a date." Samantha argued suddenly more nervous than before.
"Alright, well, the offer stands if you change your minds." Aberforth laughed heartily at them and left the bottle.
Neville and Samantha exchanged a look before laughing. As Aberforth attended to his other patrons, Samantha told Neville about her journey to find her brother. She left out the part where she'd given up everything to find Jack. She didn't really know how to tell him that.
He shook his head and put his hand on her hand as they finished, "I wish they would have let me know you were in trouble though. Not that you lot didn't have it handled, but I would have been there."
"I know you would have. Ginny said she didn't want you getting sacked at Hogwarts for missing the first week." She nudged him with her shoulder.
He laughed a little, "Sprout would have practically pushed me out the door, if I said it was for you. I bet McGonagall would have tried to come along."
Samantha coughed she laughed so hard.
"Actually, Sprout and McGonagall spent nearly twenty minutes at dinner arguing over which sweater I should wear tonight." He chuckled holding up the shoulders of his maroon sweater, "I went with neither choice and picked one my Gran bought off your mum."
Samantha playfully nodded her head. "A very good choice. I think you look very handsome."
His ears turned pink. "I'll tell them that."
"Oh no, don't do that. And don't tell them it went well tonight, if it does of course." Samantha wrinkled her nose. "Then they will think their plan worked and I will not be known as one of the students who was successfully set up over Bubbotubers." She shivered.
"Good point, I won't tell them anything." Neville's face wrinkled. "Unless McGonagall threatens to sack me, which she might, if I mess this up."
There they were, the butterflies she'd felt since she'd had too much Firewhiskey after Slughorn's party. She'd missed that feeling. She looked down at her drink, trying not to feel like that little school girl again. The evening wore on but their laughter barely did. They discussed old memories, which thankfully for Samantha, didn't involve any shaking. The evening soon morphed to discussions about their current lives and careers.
"So being an Auror, not what you wanted?" Samantha asked, remembering he'd been disappointed years ago when he couldn't get the grades he needed. She assumed it was Kingsley's gift to him after the war.
He shook his head, "I realized it wasn't me. I kind of wanted something simpler, more slow paced. After everything that happened during the war, I wanted to relax for a bit."
"I understand that." Samantha said, remembering she'd wanted something similar.
"I like where I'm at." He nodded. "It pays the bills, I get a free place to stay during the year, that isn't with my Gran, I get to work with every plant I could ever want to. Not to mention, I have plenty of down time."
"I'm happy for you." She smiled with a sting of jealousy. "You always wrote like a teacher anyway."
"Speaking of which, I need to get back to the castle." Neville mentioned before helping her down from her chair. "Before Filch or Hagrid locks me out."
"I can walk you to the gate." Samantha offered as Duke snuggled under her cloak. She left several Galleons on the bar top and Aberforth waved at them as they left. "Before I Apparate home, if you don't mind the company.
He nodded, "I'd like that."
"I've had a very nice time. You've been the nicest date I've had in a long time." Samantha chuckled, before realizing she actually didn't have that many dates to go off of. Considering all of her adult encounters had chronically been lovers and never proper dates.
"Me too." He wrapped a scarf around his neck.
"Liar." She joked, he'd seen several lovely people since school. She'd never been incredibly jealous, but mostly wishful that he'd found happiness.
He opened the door for her, "No, I wouldn't lie to you about that."
"Can I see you again?" Samantha asked as she stepped out into the crisp air. The wind whipped through her hair and she could smell a bit of snow in the air.
"Do you think you will have the time?" He asked softly as they began their walk. He reached his hand over to her's and took it.
"I will find it." She nodded but felt guilty. She decided she was just brave enough to explain her motives behind never actually taking him up on a date before. She just had to think of the right words.
He nodded as they walked past the closing Three Broomsticks, "How about Saturday, first game of the year. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin? I can sneak you in."
"I'd love that. I haven't been to a Hogwarts game since school." Samantha revealed as she watched a few stragglers leave the pub.
"Yeah, it's still good fun. Gryffindor's got a decent seeker this year. Also, you can make me look cool to all my students." He chuckled a little as she noticed his steps slowing as they started on the dark path towards Hogwarts. There were only a few lanterns lighting the way.
"Well, I don't think you need my help Professor." Samantha bobbled her head.
He shook his head, "Albert came to interview me a few days ago, he certainly thinks I'm cool already, just by association with you."
"He's a bright kid Albert. Told me you were his favorite." Samantha smiled, but felt her hand start shaking, even as Neville held it. Albert just looked so much like Colin. "You know who he sort of reminds me of?"
"You?"
"No, not me." Samantha looked down and pulled her hands behind her back.
"He writes better than Colin ever did. So, maybe that's why I associated him with you more. He does look like him a bit though." Neville bobbled his head and his eyes looked downward. "I will say he gives both you and Colin a run for your money in ambition."
"Really?" Samantha smirked, surprised anyone could have had nearly the ambition she and Colin shared.
"He won't stop talking about his interview with you. He asked me to tell him how I managed to get onto the Gazette. Which honestly, only two people alive knew the real story of until the other day." Neville revealed.
"You'd never told anyone about that?" Samantha asked tilting her head. She'd made up a lie that he was on the Gazette to get him out of detention with his least favorite teacher. This resulted in his actual appointment to the Gazette.
He shook his head. "I wanted Gran to think I got in on talent alone."
"I won't tell her I promise" Samantha winced thinking about how she held a lot of memories with him close to her chest. She remembered how uncomfortable it had been knowing Kai knew what happened behind the greenhouses. Kai's death flashed through her mind, and she tried to push it down before the shakes began again. She tried to focus on trying to find the words of apology.
"Well, I've had an amazing night Sam. Pretty worth the wait I think." Neville nodded as they made it to the gates of Hogwarts, he stopped a little bit back, where the few lights left, shone on their faces.
Samantha decided she was out of time, the words were just going to have to form themselves "I need to explain something, and apologize. I just don't know how to say this."
"Please don't." He interrupted her, "I know." It was the way he spoke so empathetically that registered in her mind. Someone had told him about her deal. "And you don't have to apologize for protecting your brother and doing what you needed to do."
"I'm going to murder Ginny or Harry." Samantha rolled her eyes. "Either way, I'm murdering a Potter."
"Good luck, with that." He stepped closer to her and smirked. "Even Voldemort couldn't kill Harry."
Duke climbed into her pocket, seeking warmth.
Samantha took her hand back and crossed her arms so he wouldn't notice the shaking. "I mucked up everything."
"You didn't muck up anything." He insisted.
She couldn't say anything back, just looked into his eyes.
Samantha didn't think at all, just quickly kissed him. As she kissed him back and he held her close, she convinced herself she'd do everything in her power to never miss a chance to feel like this again. She could kiss him forever and forget every deadline she'd ever have for the rest of her life.
They let go and just leaned their heads together.
"Can I tell you a secret?" He asked.
"Only if it isn't interesting enough to publish." Samantha jested.
"I've cared about you since you still had messy pigtails and ink staining your fingers." Neville whispered before kissing her again.
The next day, for the first time in her career, Samantha Fyre was late to the office. She was sporting a giant dopey smile on her face, and a little sprig of Moly in her hat. She wasn't as refined in her choice of clothing forgoing her usual suit jackets and choosing a flowing robe with stars adorning it. Artie rested on one of her shoulders and Duke rested on the other, both also seeming to be in excellent spirts. She was truly quite a sight.
As she held a staff meeting, not even Rita Skeeter could deny she looked more content. Samantha took the meeting time to announce the arrival of a new Sports editor and that she would be instilling a few new policies the following week.
Later when she entered her office, she sat to pen a very pained letter to someone she only vaguely knew. It was difficult to write the words, but she thought it was the best course of action.
To Mr. Charlie Weasley,
I had the honor of working alongside a very close friend of yours. One whom you introduced. Kai Jones was instrumental in bringing my brother, Jack, home. I'm sure you are aware of his untimely passing. Unfortunately, I was there when Kai was killed. I'd like to speak with you the next time you are in town. According to his grandmother, you may have been one of the few people to have truly known him.
My deepest sympathies,
-Samantha Fyre
P.S. I'm only asking because Duke is now my responsibility and I have no clue what I'm doing with his care.
She put the letter into an envelope along with the necklace Duke had pulled from Kai's neck. She felt it was only right to send the necklace to Kai's closest friend. She felt funny enough about keeping Duke, she couldn't keep his necklace too.
There was a loud crash, growling and cooing noises behind her. Books had been knocked off of shelves as Duke and Artie rolled around, wrestling with each other.
"Stop it you two." Samantha said pulling Duke off of Artie who was cooing excitedly. "At home you two can do this, but not in the office."
Artie and Duke had really taken to each other. They had been cuddling and playing constantly over the last three weeks.
"Now Duke, you know where Charlie is right?" Samantha asked and handed Duke a little letter.
"Take this to him?" She instructed, "Then if you want, you can come home and I'll have a big steak for you."
Duke began doing a little dance in a circle before putting the letter in his mouth and flying away.
"Miss Fyre." Fritz called in after knocking on the door.
Artie cried from the shelf above, wanting Duke to come back.
"Come on in Fritz." Samantha said.
"Good morning. Good to have you back." Fritz said sitting down across from her.
He handed her the upcoming paper, It was a normal one with a basic headline. However near the bottom was a small article about her brother's arrest on minor charges and his reunion at home. It was well done. No sensationalism and very little about his rescue, just as Samantha had wanted it. She'd sent it to Fritz over the weekend after requesting he keep the arrest out of the papers till she could address it personally.
"Looks like you handled things pretty well Fritz." Samantha laughed looking over the paper. "Except for that typo on page four in the fashion section of last week's Wednesday paper. I can't have that kind of carelessness."
"It won't happen again." Fritz nodded looking nervous.
"How about if it ever happens again, I make you become me again?" Samantha laughed precociously.
"I am never doing that again." He burst out laughing. "Not that being you didn't have it's perks. I did get free coffee at the Leaky Cauldron."
Samantha chuckled. "What gave you away?"
"I didn't know you once used Artie as a Christmas Tree topper." Fritz laughed heartily.
Samantha shook her head indolently, "Yeah, I don't bring that up enough."
"I'll remember that for the Christmas party though, Artie would be a great tree topper for the office tree." Fritz commented.
"Great idea, let's throw the party a week early as I won't be here Christmas week." Samantha nodded happily. "So neither will Artie."
"Oh." He looked stunned, "You never take Christmas off."
"I'm going to start." Samantha grinned, "You are welcome to as well. We will do some pre-work so the office can shut down for the week. Unless, God forbid, another war starts up again."
Fritz nodded and smiled, "Sounds lovely. Yvette and the kids would like that."
"Good." Samantha leaned back. "Also, I am taking off every weekend from now on." She laughed, "We are going to hire a weekend staff. We finally have it in the budget."
"Oh, when will this be starting?" Fritz asked.
"Saturday, I'm going to a Quidditch game and I don't care to miss it." She shrugged and the big dopey smile returned to her face.