Date: 28 February 1999
Characters: Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger
Location: Ministry of Magic
Status: Public
Summary: While visiting the Office of House Elf Relocation, Neville runs into Hermione.
Completion: Complete
Neville had planned to stop by the Ministry last Friday but he'd been running late after lunch and shopping with Hestia. He wanted to leave himself plenty of time in case he needed it at the Ministry. There wasn't plenty of time left on Friday which caused Neville to decide to leave the trip until after lunch today. Hermione had picked up some literature for him a while ago from the Office of House Elf Relocation. He was interested in finding a house elf or two who were looking for gardening work to join Longbottom's Landscapes.
Knowing that at the Ministry, perception was too often more important than substance, Neville decided it was in his best interest to go in looking his best. The midnight blue business robes Parvati had sold him last autumn, with a more modern shirt and tie, should give him the professional look he wanted. He certainly wasn't taking Gran's advice. She'd told him to just go in and tell them he had an Order of Merlin Second Class and he wanted two house elves with extensive grounds keeping experience. Thankfully, Gran seemed to know that Neville wasn't about to exploit his award. She'd told him to do it his way since he would anyway, but Neville didn't miss the glimmer of pride in her eye as she said it and told him she'd make sure Tibbs had space ready for whenever he was able to bring them to Moor Hall. He told Gran it wasn't as simple as walking in and walking out with house elves but knowing there were already accommodations prepared couldn't hurt his application.
Neville stepped out of the lift on level four and made his way to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He spied familiar hair up ahead and walked faster to catch Hermione up in the hallway. "Good afternoon, Hermione," Neville said brightly. There hadn't been much chance to chat with his friend recently and he missed her.