Chapter Text
It had all started off rather innocently, just an assist that she was making to the Auror department as the liaison from the Division of Magical Creatures. She was an expert in Mermish, and was hoping to make contact with several disgruntled merfolk on behalf of the Aurors.
Her career had begun after training abroad in France. She studied languages– both Magical and Non-Magical. She was a translator of sorts, working here and there. Pansy loved her job. It allowed her the freedom of visiting countries all over the world, and meeting the most interesting people. She made connections that she thought set her apart– and made her all the more desirable.
She started working for Robards whenever he needed a Magi-Translator. Since she was pretty good with the Aquatic languages, she was the first choice in this mission. Pansy knew that it was likely a dangerous task, but she wanted to try her hand at it. When Robards suggested she go alone she was wary yet she still accepted.
She had traveled from her posh space in London to the airy castle in Scotland she once called home. She was wearing a short fluttery polka dot dress with mary jane shoes. Her hair held two matching barrettes on either side of her fringe, and she’d gone light with her makeup. She wanted to make a good impression yet she didn’t want to be weighed down when she went into the water.
Headmistress McGonagall greeted her upon arrival and brought her up to the HeadMaster’s office. Pansy plopped down in a tufted chair as McGonagall rounded her desk and sat down. McGonagall was not one to mince words so she got right to it. There was an issue between the Merfolk and Hogwarts students. Two children had already gotten too close to the water and been bitten by an errant Merperson. McGonagall was concerned that the attacks would only continue, which is why she contacted Robards in the first place.
Pansy was interested in making contact with the Merfolk. She had worked with them before. She asked McGonagall if there was anything specific she needed to look out for.
“Make sure that they understand we are willing to do everything it takes to make it right between us,” McGonagall said sternly. “The merfolk are very important creatures to our school. We must make sure all is well.” McGonagall’s eyes twinkled. Pansy sat up a little straighter in her chair. That was… not a little bit disconcerting. Well, Pansy already got herself into this. No backing out now.
“Would anyone be able to come with me to the Lake?” she asked her former teacher. “I’m sure I’ll be fine once I meet with them, but I’d like someone there in case something goes wrong.”
“Of course dear! Why don’t you bring Professor Longbottom with you!” She clasped her hands together at the thought. Without waiting for Pansy to agree, McGonagall rose from her seat and moved toward the door to her office. Pansy stood and followed her. McGonagall led her away from her office, down flights of stairs. They made their way to the Greenhouses at the back end of the school. A man’s figure could be made out through the glass. They finally made it to the entranceway, and McGonagall gave a little knock to the door.
Longbottom turned away from the plant he was tending to look at them. He was wearing a white shirt and pants, looking for all the world like the professor he had grown up to be. His hair was mussed– probably from running his hands through it. He had the shadow of a beard coming in on his face. He looked… grown up.
McGonagall exclaimed, “Neville! I’ve got to ask you a favor. Miss Parkinson needs an escort to the Black Lake and I was hoping you’d be able to help.”
“Headmistress… I’m not sure. I have class later on today.” He was tugging off his gloves, walking toward them.
“Nonsense! I can have Flitwick cover the third year group this afternoon. We need Miss Parkinson’s assistance with this task, and I’m afraid it needs to be today.”
“If you insist. What does she need to do?”
It was Pansy’s turn to speak up. “Well Professor, I’m not sure if you remember but I’m a Magi-Translator. I’m here to make contact with the Merfolk today to discuss an issue that they’re having.”
“Oh the students that they’re biting?” Neville cocked an eyebrow. He seemed still a little unsure of her purpose. She’d show him.
Pansy held her purse in both hands. It was a bit nerve wracking to be surrounded by Gryffindors. She wasn’t sure how Theo and Draco did it.
“The very same Mr. Longbottom! Now Pansy, do you have everything you need for your underwater journey?” McGonagall seemed like she wanted to wash her hands of the whole situation. Pansy didn’t really blame her.
“I do have a bit of dried Gillyweed and some gold coins.” She smiled at the words. It was common knowledge that merfolk loved gold, probably because it was something they couldn’t always get where they lived.
“You do know that fresh is better when it comes to Gillyweed, right?” Longbottom retorted. Just how she remembered him, she thought to herself.
“I do, but I didn’t think I’d be able to get some on such short notice,” she didn’t let his words faze her. “Do you have some?”
“As a matter of fact I do,” he said, turning towards a table that held a glass tank. The tank was full of plants. He grabbed his shears and began clipping a few pieces. After he was finished, he placed them in a cloth satchel. He did this work methodically, turning back toward the two women afterwards.
He handed her the package.
“Thank you,” she hummed. McGonagall began talking about logistics, Flitwick covering Neville’s class… things like that. Pansy was putting the parcel into her purse while listening.
Neville stepped closer toward her and said that he knew what to get the Merfolk to be on their good side. He knew how to find just the right snacks.
Soon, McGonagall took her leave of them. She asked Pansy to please report back to her as soon as she was able to, to let her know how it went.
Neville said he wanted to grab a few things before they set off for the lake. He also asked if Pansy wanted a wetsuit, which made Pansy giggle. Could he honestly see her wearing a wetsuit? She thanked him, but said she’d rather stick with drying charms.
After preparing as much as she was able to, Pansy made for them to leave.
They walked down the grassy lawn toward the Forbidden Forest. Neville mentioned that the Forest had become much healthier in the years since the Battle of Hogwarts. It was almost back to how it was, before Voldemort.
While they walked, Pansy studied him. How had he become such a responsible, well-spoken adult?
However he’d come to be that way, Pansy could appreciate it. He wasn’t hard on the eyes.
Since Neville knew where the snacks were for the merfolk, he went to retrieve them when they arrived at the lake. Once he had returned with them, Pansy had downed some of the Gillyweed and composed herself for the journey into the depths.
Pansy was prepared; she knew what she needed to say to smooth over the disagreement. She was ready. As she went into the water, she turned back to her companion. His eyes had taken on a wild look— there was something bothering him.
“Whatever is the matter Longbottom?” She asked, a bit upset that now she may be late for her meeting.
“Ah, uh nothing! Nothing! Good luck Parks,” he said, a touch of familiarity she wasn’t expecting.
“Okay then,” Pansy began to step further into the lake… slowly disappearing from view. She met with Argill, one of the elder Merfolk. He was actually a pleasant person to speak with. He was very wise.
The two met near his home towards the eastern half of the lake. Argill’s youngest son, Grogue, was flitting around at his father’s side.
“What brings you here, young one?” Argill began.
“I come as the liaison from the Auror department. I have heard that there have been some disagreements among the Merfolk and Hogwarts.” She was careful in her words. Merfolk were deeply spiritual, superstitious beings. If they felt offended, their wrath was legendary.
“Ah yes, the children. My son tells me that the humans have been throwing trash in the lake. It is infecting our food supply,” his eyes bore into her face.
She supposed she should have been intimidated, but his glare only made her admire him. He was a truly beautiful creature, with a mane of golden hair and a scaly blue tail. Based on how he looked Pansy would’ve guessed that he was no older than her father, but she knew that Merfolk did not show signs of aging the way that humans did.
“Do you find that the children have been destructive in other ways?” She needed clarity if she was to make her report to her superiors.
“No, young one. The children of Hogwarts have always been very respectful. Since the time of disarray within the wizarding world years ago, we have had no issues. This new group of students must not know the right way.” He seemed to be understanding, but Pansy knew better than to think all would be well with just words.
“I will speak with the Headmistress to discipline the children. We will have your home cleaned up and the destruction remedied. I will not stand for this poor behavior, on behalf of Hogwarts.” Dealing with Merfolk required the utmost care, coupled with an offering of something that they’d consider valuable. “I’d like to offer you this gold as a token of our understanding.”
Pansy opened her bag, charmed to not allow water to breach it, and took out the hefty coin purse. She tread closer to Argill, and deposited the bag into his webbed hand.
“Thank you young one,” he said. “I appreciate this very much. Please let the Headmistress know that I find you to be a true help to our kind.”
“Thank you sir.”
Pansy bade him farewell, after confirming that the issue would be smoothed over, and things would resume as normal between the merfolk and Hogwarts.
Before she could leave, Argill asked, “Who is your companion, young one?” She hadn’t thought he noticed Neville all the way on the shore. She certainly hoped he hadn’t FOLLOWED her there.
“Ah that’ll be Longbottom,” she replied, trying her best to sound neutral. “He’s the professor of Herbology.”
“Best be careful with him, young one,” Argill got a little closer to her. “He’s seen into your heart.”
Pansy knew that Merfolk had the Sight, and had even seen it with other Folk she had met with. What she wasn’t expecting was the comment— and the surety of his demeanor.
Pansy hadn’t even seen Neville in years! Not since Draco’s wedding to Granger two years past. What could he have seen, in her heart?
Pansy thanked Argill for his observation and promised to follow up with Headmistress McGonagall when she returned to shore. As she swam to shore, she thought about his words. Pansy was not a superstitious person, but perhaps…
Nevertheless, she came to do a job and she did it! For her work, she could report to Robards that the deed was done and ask McGonagall to control her fifth years.
As Pansy breached the surface, she realized much time had passed since she went into the water. It was nearly nighttime now. Pansy made her way to Longbottom, now resting on a rock near the edge of the forest.
His eyes met hers as she walked toward him, and he asked how it went. She replied that it went swimmingly, and he laughed. She was grateful that that look from earlier had not returned to his face. Pansy quickly dried herself using a spell and sat down next to Neville.
“What’s next on the agenda?” she remarked, curious.
“Ah I think we’d best head back now,” he replied softly. His hands were clasped in front of him and he was looking at her. How had she not noticed the flecks of gold in his eyes? The others always called Granger golden, but here was another golden Gryffindor. Maybe it ran in their blood, she surmised.
They both stood then, and began to make their way back toward the castle. Pansy had planned to stay the night, as it was meant to be a more drawn out affair. She was secretly glad it wasn’t. As much as she loved the water and her friendship with the creatures within, she needed rest.
The pair made their way, skirting around the edge of the forest as the sun set. Soon it was dark. Their conversation drifted toward their work, their friends. Pansy had recently heard that Granger (Granger-Malfoy) was due to give birth any day now. She was excited for her friends, and proud that they had all become well-adjusted adults after their tumultuous childhood. The Potters already had three children of their own.
“Would you have children?” The question wasn’t meant to startle him. It was only meant to be a curiosity. Pansy asked it of all her friends– especially those who were unattached.
“Not sure,” Neville responded. “I suppose I’d have to be with the right person. I’ve not met them yet.” He turned his head to face forward and put a pep in his step. Pansy wanted to push the issue further but she also didn’t know the answer to her own question.
“I am looking forward to something warm to eat and a hot bath,” she needed to change the subject. He grunted his agreement. She wanted to know why the Merman had prophesied his interest– it was so clearly nonexistent.
Their conversation continued as did their walking. They were nearing the clearing surrounding the school.
A rustling to Pansy’s left gave her pause. Whatever was making the noise would be trouble. The rustling got louder and Pansy grabbed Longbottom’s arm.
“What was that?”
“I’m not sure… get behind me,” his confidence made her start, but she didn’t argue with him. She moved quickly behind him. Neville drew his wand quickly, hers was already in her hand.
Hands pushed her further behind him, his body effectively covering hers from view. “This place is no longer safe,” he breathed. Well no shit, she thought.
The origin of the sound? A Troll. It burst through the line of trees, baring its teeth and making a horrible gurgling noise. The thing caught sight of Neville and began to charge.
Pansy held her breath. She had never seen one of these in real life. Potter and his friends had gotten rid of the one in Hogwarts those years ago. She heard they were strong. She didn’t like her odds.
The thing was carrying what looked like a club. It was about the size of a fair sized dog and the way that the troll swung it meant that it could cause some serious damage. The troll’s thunderous steps came closer and closer. Pansy could see drool dripping from its face but couldn’t make out the rest of its features.
Neville quickly cast a protective spell around them and then sent a few jinxes at the creature. Pansy flew off a few of her own. The pair worked as a team, Pansy behind Neville. The troll couldn’t get too close to them, as Neville’s Protego held strong.
Soon, the creature fell. The intent hadn’t been to kill the thing, but Pansy wouldn’t have been upset if they had. One of the Magi-languages that Pansy hadn’t learned yet was Troll. Perhaps now she’d learn it, if this is what she’d be dealing with.
After confirming the Troll wasn’t going to get up Neville turned to Pansy, who was still behind him. His hands gripped her shoulders as his eyes searched her face.
“Are you alright?” he seemed shaken.
“Yes, I am,” if anything, Pansy was riding the wave of adrenaline that had coursed through her during the whole ordeal. She was not harmed.
“Good. I really think we need to get back now. I’ll have to have Hagrid come help me handle him,” Neville still hadn’t lifted his hands from her shoulders. At his words, he tilted his head to reference the unconscious troll on the ground.
“Okay, but I think I’ll only be able to walk if you let me go,” she tried (and probably failed) to sound lighthearted. His nervous energy was catching, and she was feeling it heavily.
He lifted his hands from her shoulders and shook his head. “Sorry, sorry. Didn’t mean to put my hands on you.” He didn’t seem to know that he had done it, even. Pansy wondered again about the prophecy from before.
“It’s alright Longbottom. Let’s get going.”
At that, the two began to make for the castle at a fast pace. Neither looked at each other, neither looked back.