the_debt_of_time

Sirius raised a brow. "This is the tosser you used to fancy?"
Mia blushed in embarrassment and shame.
"Did you know that I'm the five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming
Smile Award?" Gilderoy inquired with a flashing grin.
"Yeah? Well, I'm Witch Weekly's most eligible bachelor," Sirius said smugly as
though he were competing. When Mia cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes, he
amended his statement, "I was the most recent eligible bachelor. Now I'm happily engaged
to this sexy witch," he said, trying to rub it in the man's face.
"Good gracious, man." Gilderoy chuckled. "Aren't you old enough to be her
father?"
Sirius growled, and Mia dragged him away from her former professor. "Sirius,
honestly. Be an adult for once in your life, please."
"I have the most charming smile."
"Yes, love. Very charming."
"Hey, guys!" Neville called to his friends and dashed over to hug Luna and Mia
before shaking Harry and Sirius's hands. "Glad you could make it. Mum and Dad'll be
thrilled."
Mia frowned. "Neville... aren't they—?"
"Oh, yeah. But I think they get happier around the holidays. Plus, I just introduced
them to Hannah, and Mum seems to be humming a bit more. I think she likes her," he said
with a blush to his cheeks.
Mia hugged Neville tightly. "You look so much like your father," she whispered.
"Would you like to see them?"
She nodded and quietly allowed herself to be led down the small hallway to the end
of the aisle where the Longbottoms were gathered together, sitting on the edge of a bed.
Augusta Longbottom sat in the corner of the room, wearing that hideous, stuffed
vulture hat, and Mia grimaced as she recalled the bird when it had been alive.
She gasped at the sight of her friends sitting together, white-haired and sallow-
skinned. Frank was holding onto Alice's hand tightly while she smiled blankly up at Hannah
Abbott, who was eagerly telling them both wondrous stories about Neville during their
seventh year at Hogwarts when he had taken charge of Dumbledore's Army. Augusta
looked proud as she listened to the tales.