InsaneJournal

It wasn't as difficult as it should have been to go from an empty house to a full one. Even with their schedules as Aurors, Alice found that the chaos at home with all the children home from school gave her a sense of comfort and peace that was lacking when the kids were away at the castle. It was better, she thought, to have everyone in one place.

When she got home from work, she found her oldest son out in the back garden, enjoying the waning hours of sunlight. "Neville," she said, holding up a bag from the bakery in Diagon Alley. On her way home, she'd bought each of the kids their favorite treats. Just because. "I hope it wasn't too crazy today."


Neville was glad to be home. He'd imagined returning home would be relaxing and it hadn't been much of that. Chaos was the call of the day, helping with his siblings and trying to get things in order to move. Not that he and the girls had anywhere to go just yet, but he figured it couldn't hurt to sort through his things in preparation. Today had been especially chaotic, as Megan had stopped by for a bit and the twins had gotten rather wound up, so while his siblings were running around the yard, he'd settled in the back garden, guitar in hand.

At the sound of his mother's voice, Neville looked up with a smile. "Hey, Mum," he greeted her, pushing himself to stand, setting his guitar to the side. "It definitely was. But it's nothing I can't handle." He crossed to hug her, kissing her on the cheek. "How was work? If you're hungry, there's still shepherd's pie…"


"Oh I ate at the Ministry," she said quickly, "but I can always go for dessert, which is what I brought you." Alice smiled and hugged her son back, giving his back a motherly pat. She still couldn't believe he had grown taller than her. She had to look up at him these days.

"Nothing unexpected happened?" she asked, figuring if it had, Neville would have owled and let them know already. She felt badly that he was newly graduated and already spending some time helping out with the kids, even though Augusta was always on call as well.


"I never say no to dessert," Neville replied with a grin. He shook his head. "Nah, nothing unexpected. Meg stopped by earlier and we tried to wear the kids out outside. But other than that, it was a pretty easy day. I figured I'd just enjoy the quiet for a little bit until you and Dad got home."

He moved to pull a seat out for his mum, taking a seat once she had. "So what'd you bring? Anything good?" He reached into the bag for a biscuit, grinning as he broke off a piece. "Oh, I was wondering, Mum. Would it be okay with you and Dad if I invited Hannah and Megan to come stay for a little bit? We're going to look for a flat or something soon, too, but I know things have been a little busy for all of us since school let out…"


Alice made sure he saw and took what she'd chosen especially for him, and then she looked up at him, a little surprised, at his question. Didn't they have places of their own in the meantime? She smiled warmly. "Of course you can," she said. "I'll make up the guest room if the two of them don't mind sharing."


"Thanks, Mum. And- well, no, I don't think they'd mind." Neville missed her surprise as he broke his cookie in half and took a bite. "There's- um. There's something I need to tell you, Mum. You know- you know how Hannah and I've been dating? We, erm-" He hesitated for a moment, kinda wishing they were here, too, but he wanted to be honest with his parents before Hannah and Megan came to visit. "It's not just the two of us. All three of us- we're all-"


To be perfectly frank, Alice had no idea what Neville was trying to tell her. Yes, she knew he and Hannah Abbott were dating. She really did adore the young woman and thought she was a perfect match for her son. She couldn't be happier about that, really. "You're all what, sweetheart? Living together, yes, I know. We already talked about that. I have some reservations, but then your father and I lived together before we were married, so I can't really argue the point."


"No, it's- I mean, we are- we will be, but-" Neville paused, taking a breath before speaking again, the words tumbling out. "I'm dating the both of them. And they're- well, they're dating each other. It's- all three of us." His cheeks flushed and he looked down for a moment, busying himself with the rest of his cookie. "I know you have reservations, Mum, and- I'm trying to be smart about everything, you know? I care about them both- love them both- and I don't wanna let them- or you and dad- down…"


It took a little while for all of that to sink in, and she didn't look at her son as she realized just what he was saying. "Oh," she eventually said, quietly, as though she was still working things out in her head. "That sounds a little bit complicated." There was no judgement in her tone, just a question.


Neville looked up as his mum finally spoke, and he nibbled his lower lip for a moment. "It's been a lot easier than- than I thought it might be. I mean- we've been best friends for years and it's just..just an extension of that, I guess. We've all grown closer, and I know it isn't- it's not really traditional, but we've all agreed to be open and communicate and- I think we can make it work." His cheeks flushed, and he still couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about all of this- it all seemed to work for him and the girls, but he knew most people wouldn't understand how three people could make a romantic relationship work. Honestly, it still amazed him sometimes that the three of them were a thing- he'd thought for the longest time that he wouldn't ever have one girlfriend, let alone two. "I don't wanna keep secrets from you and dad, though, Mum."


Alice turned and smiled lightly at him. "I'm glad to hear that, Neville. Your father and I don't want you keeping secrets from us either, and vice versa." She hesitated a moment. "I will have to speak to him about them staying with us now, until you move out, just in light of this new information, is all." She rubbed his arm. She hoped he knew she would have the same reservations at all, no matter the girl or the number.


"I understand. If it helps- we haven't- we've kissed, but that's all. I don't think any of us are in any rush for- you know. Anything more." His cheeks flushed, and Neville reached for another cookie. "But thank you. For thinking about it." He looked back to his mum with a smile. "Love you, mum."


"I love you, too, Neville," Alice said, leaning over to hug him in against her. "Thank you for telling me." She left the bag of sweets there and stood up, brushing herself off. "Dinner will be ready shortly. I'll let you know." She dropped a kiss down on the top of his head then headed inside.