“No, no,” Neville said sternly, already shifting in his chair to sit up a bit straighter as he held a finger up to signal for her to stop talking. “You’re not crazy for choosing love over everything else.” Neville knew better than anyone else what love could do to you. People used to think he was crazy for his relationship with Luna, but no one else could see the moments they had together that built their relationship. “If I listened to what everyone around me said, your mother and I would have never started dating, let alone gotten married and started a family. Now, I know your situation with Mister Avery is quite different, but look at everything that has come from love.” He lowered his hand down to rest on top of hers.
“Uncle Harry, for instance. Love saved his life, and became part of the reason of how Voldemort was defeated, and while I agree that your situation with Mister Avery seems a little irresponsible given the present circumstances, only you know of every moment that has built that love up to what it is today.” Neville gave Evie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Let people think whatever they want. If you know in your heart that this is meant to be, and that he’s the only man for you, then you have my support, and I’m sure your mother’s as well. I just urge you to be careful, Princess. Not everyone will share the same sentiment. You may both be pure-blood’s, but sadly you’re on the side of the blood debate that he isn’t on, simply by birth.” He hesitated, his thoughts going back to the conversations he had with Lincoln so many years ago, “That includes acceptance from his own family, Princess. Both of you have to remember that while you’ll have support on your side, he may not have it on his, and it will be a big roadblock you’ll have to face.”
Yvette sat back in her seat and let him speak, smiling warmly when he rested his hand on hers. She wasn’t sure how long it’d been since she’d gotten a lecture from her father, but this was one she didn’t mind at all. “I know, I know,” she sighed, nodding solemnly as her eyes drifted down to the table between them. “And it’s the same roadblock as last time, his family, but it just feels so much bigger now--especially after what happened at the Malfoy ball.” She gave her dad’s hand another squeeze, making eye contact with him once more. “I...” she began, shaking her head as she found the words, “I don’t know how you did it. You, mum, Uncles Harry and Ron, Aunt Hermione. Sometimes I feel like I’m barely keeping it together these days, but you--you were children. Kids with the whole weight of the world on your shoulders.” Yvette let out a shaky breath but smiled, feeling honored to have such heroes, and now Lincoln again by her side. “I don’t think I’d be able to go through this again without your support, Daddy. We want to do things right this time--or at least, as right as we can practically being on opposite sides of the war looming over our heads...” she shrugged and let out a half laugh in an attempt to guise her anxiety around the situation, her voice fading off into the ambience of the restaurant around them.
