Accomplishments

Disclaimer: All characters are copyright J. K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Well, this is my first attempt at fluff! It's also the first time I write a fic with no mention of Remus whatsoever. * gasp * Enjoy!

"Professor Longbottom!"

Neville turned around with a start, then smiled broadly when he saw Hannah Abott waving at him as she waded through the crowd in Diagon Alley. She threw her arms around him happily, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Oh, I'm so glad you got the job!" she said. "Herbology teacher! Just what you always wanted."

"I still can't believe it," he said with a small smile. "Professor… I don't think I'll ever get used to the new title."

"It's strange, I know. I used to feel quite weird when people started calling me 'Nurse Abbott'. But you'll get used in no time."

"I hope so," he said as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.

It wasn't the fanciest place for a celebration, Neville could see that; but it was the best he could afford at the moment. Neither of them had a problem with it, anyway. Life had been so nice to them lately that they couldn't ask for more. After many years, the war was finally over, and they had come out of it together.

Still Neville was already enjoying the financial improvement he would get in a few months, when the term started. Especially because it had helped him make up his mind. Gathering all his courage, he started the conversation.

"Madam Pomfrey is retiring," he said casually. Hannah looked at him in surprise.

"Really?" she asked. "That's a pity. Hogwarts will never be the same without her. I wonder who's going to take her place."

"They haven't hired anyone yet," Neville explained.

"Then I'm sure there'll be a lot of applicants really soon. A post at Hogwarts is like a dream. It almost seems quiet compared to Saint Mungo's."

Neville smiled inwardly. That was just what he had expected to hear. He was going to say something else, but Hannah beat him to it.

"School will look quite different, don't you think?" she said thoughtfully. "I always saw the teachers as if they lived in a separate world or something… It must be really strange to become a part of it. Imagine, being Snape's colleague!"

He chuckled at that. "I'll just stay as far from him as I can!"

Hannah laughed with him, and Neville rejoiced at the sight. He loved the way her eyes twinkled, the way her hair shook. He had been so lucky to find her… As a boy, he had thought she'd never want anything with him; now he was glad he'd been brave enough to talk. And it was time to talk once more.

"You know, I've been thinking…" he said softly, "… it'd be very nice if you came to Hogwarts with me."

"What do you mean?" she asked, now serious again.

"Well," Neville stuttered, "they- they do need a nurse, and… I thought… maybe you could apply…"

Hannah's eyes lit up as he talked. Did she suspect anything? He'd have to hurry up-

"I could apply," she said, "if I had a good reason to do so."

So give me one, her smile seemed to say.

"All right, then," he sighed, almost talking to himself. With a deep breath, he took a blue velvet box out of his pocket and gave it to her.

"Oh, Neville…" Hannah gasped as she opened it. "It's- it's beautiful!"

He smiled when he heard that. He could only afford a very plain ring, and for a second he had feared she wouldn't like it. But Hannah was above that; he had always known it deep inside. It were his own insecurities what played him that kind of tricks.

Now, however, Neville didn't feel insecure anymore. He could almost hear his own heart pounding as he uttered the old question:

"Would you marry me?"

Hannah looked up at him with bright eyes.

"Yes, Neville," she whispered.

He smiled broadly at her, and they forgot about the smoke and noise of the Leaky Cauldron as they kissed.