My Father's Legacy - Fred Weasley 18+

"Ros! Another round for me and my frenemy!" Neville Longbottom slurred to the woman behind the bar, his hands gripped Ellen Riddle's shoulders and swayed her in a jolty rhythm. She laughed at the Gryffindor behind her and the nickname he'd given their newfound friendship. 

Ellen had arrived a few days before the new school year began, intent on settling her nerves as she was preparing to up-end the Ministry's History curriculum in the very castle where said History had started. Two days later, Neville had arrived, settling back into his usual quarters and organising his materials for the lessons that would start. In his search for the readings he wished to assign his 4th year students, he bumped into none other than Ellen Riddle herself, doing the exact same thing in the Library. As if out of instinct he'd dropped the book he'd held in his hands as his body prepared to send him into flight mode- but as she whipped around to look at him, her own frightful appearance communicated that she wasn't there to cause trouble. 

In a nervous and awkward conversation, the two vaguely caught up. They filled each other in on the last 7 years and 7 months. He informed her of his marriage, and then divorce with Hannah Abbott. Ellen lightly touched on her freedom since she was released from Azkaban, but neither really expanded to talk about the deeper things. They shared enough, and she informed him of her position as the new DADA and True History Professor. He'd been aware of the new curriculum that was being developed, as it had been in discussion for the past 2 years. However, he dwelled on the word 'True' as she'd emphasised it in passing. 

What initially started as them catching up with an acquaintance, suddenly turned into a full fledged vent at The Three Broomsticks. They listened to each other, advised each other, and offered words of comfort where they could. Both had led such different lives, but they both shared pain and suffering- and they bonded over it (that, and about 11 Firewhiskeys). 

Ellen and Neville cheers'd their drinks and made their way back to their table that sat in the corner, continuing to laugh about everything and nothing.

"You know, I like that you're the one teaching it" Neville slurred, pointing his finger towards the very very pretty blonde that sat in front of him. 

"As if anyone else could be the better choice!" she slurred back to him cockily, her inebriation bringing out her bubbly personality, catching herself flirting with the boy who had blossomed into a man. At this, Neville laughed extremely loud, earning looks from the other people in the now emptying pub. 
"HA! That's so Slytherin" he joked, enjoying her cockiness. 

The night went on, and eventually came to an end at 4am- the two Hogwarts Professors had clambered their way back up to the castle, joking with each other and enjoying each other's company. They parted ways as they arrived, stumbling to their own quarters as they opted to be mature and regain the hours of sleep that they'd lost. Tomorrow was a big day.

--•--

Ellen released a loud laugh as the sight of a very hungover Neville walked into the empty staffroom that evening. He groaned out a shut up as he reached for a perk-up elixir and downed it immediately, soothing the headache he'd spent the day trying to get rid of naturally. 

Their bonding the night before had allowed a relaxed relationship between them to start developing - and it sparked a hope in Ellen that she may be able to finally have a real friend. Fred's words from April still rung through her daily, and despite being naturally confident in herself and her decisions, he'd triggered a deep wound in her to open that she hadn't been able close since. She didn't really have anyone to push away out of fear, so she simply remained isolated, and focused on her sessions with Madame Leger in an effort to bring back the ferociously confident side of her so she could be as prepared as possible when the first day of Hogwarts came around.

"You nervous, El?" Neville asked, turning on the kettle and pulling together coffee grounds and a cafetière to make himself a coffee. He gestured the coffee bag to her as an offer and she nodded, leading him to pull out a second mug for her.

"A bit, but can you blame me?" She responded, leaning backwards against the staffroom counter whilst brushing down the outfit she'd chosen for the day. It was a tailored all-black suit that hugged her figure in all of the right places, and her hair fell behind her, perfectly styled with light uniform waves. The months of freedom had really treated her well, her skin and hair had returned to their natural radiance, and she was no longer skin and bones. Her womanly athletic figure had come back to her as she cared for herself both physically and mentally.

Neville gestured to the milk and sugar and she shook her head, taking the mug of black coffee as he handed it to her. 

"It'll be a shock at first, for sure. But everyone will chill out once they realise how cool your classes are going to be" he comforted.

"The classes aren't the problem, Neville... I just don't want everyone to hate me, not as much as I already hate myself" she admitted to him, taking a sip of the coffee and feeling instantly revived.

"Don't. Don't hate yourself. Don't punish yourself because of what your father forced on you. Don't give them a reason to hesitate about the goodness you have inside you. This is the whole reason why Minerva chose you, no one else could teach the history the way you intend to" 

Ellen nodded at his words, "You have a point. But there are students here, other professors.. who probably really dislike me and what I was part of. It won't matter what or how I teach the classes, what will matter to them is that I'm in the castle that I helped destroy, and where everyone's friends and family were murdered. They'll still see the evil in me"

Neville winced, unsure now what he could say to comfort her as her words were very true. He finished off his coffee and straightened his Gryffindor red tie, "Well, don't think about tomorrow, it's today. And it's time to give everyone something to talk about!", he joked, lightening the mood and nodding towards the clock, signalling the First feast had already begun.