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Neville stared at the Herbology book sitting in his lap. He hummed, amused at what he had just read.“Find something interesting?” You asked, looking up from the papers you had been grading.“It says here that the Lilium candidum is known to attract ghosts and spirits. Fascinating. Isn’t it?”“What exactly is a lil-lili..Lila, whatever you called it?” You asked with a giggle.“Lilium candidum, the Madonna Lily. You know lilies are quite an intriguing species. They can grow in a variety of environments and come in many forms and colors. For example, Gloriosa superba, the Gloriosa Lily can grow on vines 3 meters long! Of course, you are probably already knew that seeing as these are Muggle plants.”Truthful, you had no clue what Neville was rambling on about, but the joy on his face as he said it caused you to break out into a smile.He smiled too, a handsome one. These past 19 years had been good to him.“Y’know Neville, Vines are quite prominent in Muggle culture.” You smirked.His eyes widened with fascination until he realized you were teasing him. “Oh trust me I’ve heard all about them from your students.”“What can I say I’m an amazing professor.” Neville shook his head and let out a playful laugh. You laughed too, feeling butterflies in your stomach. You brushed it off.Neville had been in the same year as you at Hogwarts. You too had been friends, and fought alongside each other at the Battle of Hogwarts. After the war, he took over as Herbology Professor from Professor Sprout and you became Professor of Muggle Studies. You wanted to teach the next generation of witches and wizards about how fascinating the Muggle world was after all of the hate you had faced during your time at Hogwarts for being Muggleborn.Over these past 19 years you and Neville had stayed close. You two were good friends and you often found yourself thinking about being something more. You were infatuated with his sweet personality and found humor in Neville’s bumbling and nervous forgetfulness. However, a part of you still couldn’t let go of the past.Neville stood up with a sigh, returning the book to its place on the shelf. “I don’t know about you, but it is late and I’m quite tired. Care to join me for a cup of tea Y/N?”You gathered up your papers with a smile. “I would love to.”As you two exited the North Wing and started to walk into the seventh floor corridor you froze. Staring at the spot where Fred had last stood, tears rolled down your cheeks.You had had a crush on Fred Weasley ever since you had seen him in the Great Hall your first year at Hogwarts. After much teasing from Ron and Harry, and knowing looks from Ginny and Hermione, the two of you had gotten together when you were in your third year, and he was in his fifth.You and Fred were madly in love. You two quickly became the envy of the school, always sharing quick kisses in the hallways and laughing at each other’s inside jokes. George would often tease you, saying that you had stolen his partner in crime. However all the happiness ended the night of the battle.Rushing through the castle, you shot spells at the Death Eaters that tried to attack you as you searched for Fred. Rounding the corner into the hall, you found your worst fears had come true.Pushing your way into the small crowd his family had created you let out a gasp that turned into a scream of fear and pain. Tears rolled heavily down your cheeks as you sobbed at Fred’s lifeless body. You bent down beside him, shaking him, hoping it was some cruel joke he was playing on you all.But you knew it wasn’t.George pulled you away and into a tight hug. You sobbed into his chest, as he softly cried into your hair. “ He...he died smiling.” George whispered to you through tears.Willing yourself to you at him one last time you saw that in fact spread across his cold dead body was a warm smile still so full of life. You snapped back to reality as you felt an arm gently wrap around your shoulder. Looking over you saw Neville with a soft understanding smile. “He wouldn’t want to see you like this.” He whispered. Then adding, more to himself. “Fred loved you so much.”You nodded, wiping away the tears. Looking at Neville, you slowly smiled.He smiled back, and the two of you continued on your way.Neville rambled on to you, telling a story about a rare plant he had found growing near the Forbidden Forest on one of his walks. You were grateful for his company. Although you struggled to focus on his words, you were happy he was taking your mind off of the painful memories.As you passed the Great Hall a noise made you jump.It sounded as though someone was talking inside the room. You heard humming and laughing just behind the door. It got louder then faded away completely.It was late, close to midnight, and you and Neville had been the only one in the halls. The students had long been sent to bed, and not even the house elves were awake at this time.You exchanged an expression of surprise with Neville. “Probably just a first year sneaking out after curfew. I’ll go check on it.” You told him.He gave you a questioning look. “Are you sure?”“Yes. Go on ahead.” You gave him a playful push forward.Opening the door to the Great Hall, you pulled out your wand, holding it in front of you.“Lumos.” You whispered, the tip of your wand producing a ball of light, creating a torch for you.Slowly stepping inside, you looked around the room for the source of the noise.You shined your wand along the wall of the room, jumping again.“Merlin! Put that light out!” Someone yelled in the darkness.“Who’s there?” You called out harshly.“Who do you think, love?” A familiar voice called out.With a swish of your wand, the entire room was illuminated in a warm glow of light.You let out a gasp.Hovering mid-air a few feet in front of you was the translucent body of none other than Fred Weasley. He smiled at you with the same goofy, boyish grin as he had when he was alive.“Freddie!” You cried out, attempting to hug him. But as you went to wrap your arms around him, they passed through, sending an icy chill up your spine.“Sorry about that. Part of the whole sentient being thing.” He said with a light laugh.“So..you’re a ghost?”“Yep. Watch this!” With a smile Fred flew up into the air, spinning into a series of backflips and rolls. “I don’t even need a broom!”“Careful! You might hurt yourself.” You called out, worried as he spun into a nosedive right above your head.“Stop worrying! I’m already dead!” He broke into a loud laugh, floating past you as he performed a backstroke.His comment put a bittersweet smile on your face.You were confused though. Fred had been so happy in life. It made no sense why he hadn’t passed on.“Fred?” You asked softly. “Why are you here?”He lowered himself in front of you, meeting your gaze. “To see you of course. The other ghosts in the castle aren’t any fun. I mean Peeves is good for a laugh, but the only one around my age is Moaning Myrtle, and she well...cries and moans all the time.” Fred chuckled.“No… I mean why are you here. Why haven’t you y’know…”“Passed on?” He finished for you.You nodded.“I have unfinished business to attend to.”“But George isn’t here. He’s-”“This isn’t about George.” He cut you off. “This is about you.”“Me? Why?”“You won’t give me up.” He smiled softly.You looked away, tears beginning to form.“Hey. Don’t cry love. I know it’s hard to move on once you’ve been with all this.” He smirked pointing to himself.“I can’t. I love you!” You cried.Seeing your face, Fred dropped his joking and smiled softly at you. “I love you Y/N. I always will. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. Your smile. Your laugh. The way you used to kiss me between class. Holding you in my arms on Christmas Eve as we watched the snow fall. We would sit by the fireplace in the Burrow. We’d be wearing the jumpers Mum made for us. Then George, he-” Fred stopped himself, a look of sadness spread across his face.He reached for your hand, but his own passed through. You shivered again. He was ice cold.“It was perfect, Fred.” You coaxed, causing him to smile.“What we had was perfect.”“That is exactly why I’m here. I want your life to be perfect again.”“It never will. Not when you’re not here.” You admitted. “Hush. You will find love again.” He protested. “You and Neville seem quite close.”“Me and Neville?” You shook your head. “Me and him together will never happen. It won’t. I can’t.”“The only thing I know is you cannot live in the past. It’s all I can do and trust me, Y/N. It hurts. I love you. You will always be my first and only love, but I can’t move on until I know you have love in your life again. ”“I do. I have you Fred. Right here.” You protested.He shook his head. “It would never work. I want you to be truly happy. It’s my dying wish.” He smiled.You found it hard to argue with him. Even when he was alive, it was impossible to be upset with Fred for long. You gave in.“If this is what will give you peace. Then Fred Weasley, as much as it hurts me , I will give you up.”The two of you shared a bittersweet smile. Your heart ached, but hurting Fred by trapping him in his memories, only made it ache more.“Y/N?” A voice called.It was Neville.Fred pressed a finger to his lips, urging you to secrecy. He floated away through the wall.Neville stepped into the Great Hall. “I came to find you. I was getting worried, you were taking so long.” He smiled sheepishly. “Who were you talking to?”“No one, just myself.” You lied. “I was thinking about the past.”“Don’t worry. I do it sometimes myself. Gran used to say you should hold onto the happy memories. That way, you have something to hold onto during the bad times.”“I like that.” You nodded. “Hey Neville, remember the Yule Ball our fourth year?”He broke out into a smile. “Yes. It was of my best times here.”“I remember you and Ginny danced all night. It was quite impressive.”“I had wanted to ask you, but you were already with Fred.” He admitted.You looked at him. “Why would you want to do that?” You laughed lightly.“I...I might have had a bit of a crush on you.” He mumbled softly, starting to blush.You were slightly shocked. Neville had always been so shy when you were kids, you had never expected that he would of liked you.You smiled as an idea began to form. “Neville, maybe I could make that dance up to you.”You waved your wand and the Great Hall became filled with music. It was soft and slow, an old waltz song you remembered hearing in your youth.“C’mon.” You held out your hand.Neville looked away, embarrassed. “Stop. You’re only trying to humor me.”Shaking your head, you grabbed his hand. “Please Mr. Longbottom, join me in this dance.”Neville gave in with a smile, placing a hand on your waist.The two of you began to move across the room. Neville led you through the turns, swaying gently with the music. He became embarrassed when he accidently stepped on your toes, but you laughed it off with a smile. You hadn’t had this much fun in ages. As the song came to a close, Neville held you tighter as he picked you up into a lift. You looked down at him, a smile on you face as you saw he was beaming as well.The song ended, and he pulled you into his chest, the two of you laughing.“I haven’t danced like that in years.” He chuckled happily.“Neither have I.” You said as you leaned closer into him.He looked down at you and smiled, stroking. your hair subconsciously. Realizing his actions, he pushed you away flustered.“I’m sorry...I-I just...Sorry.” He stammered out.You shushed him. “Neville. It-it’s okay. You smiled. The butterflies in your stomach were back.Meeting Neville’s eyes, you blushed yourself as you noticed how truly handsome he was. That’s when the realization hit you. You were in love with Neville Longbottom.“Neville?” You spoke up nervously.He smiled.Before you could stop yourself, you pulled him into a kiss. He was shocked at first, blushing madly. But eventually the shock subsided, and he wrapped his arms around your waist deepening the kiss.You two pulled away and Neville rested his forehead against yours, trying to catch his breath. “I’ve been waiting 19 years for that kiss.” He smiled. “It was better than I imagined.”You laughed and Neville wrapped you up in a tight hug.Resting your head against his chest you felt happier than you had in a long time.Things were finally perfect again.From the corner of the room Fred watched with a smile on his face as Neville hugged you. It brought back all the happy memories of when he had been alive. It brought him joy to see you smile again.Suddenly, he found himself enveloped in light. The light became brighter, until everything around him was washed in a white glow.He felt warm.For the first time in the long time, Fred felt alive again. His smile was bigger now as the warmth took over his body.As he watched your and Neville’s happy faces for the last time, he beamed with pride. Fred didn’t know where he was going, but he didn’t care.He was at peace.