Happy birthday Rosa Clearwater.
It was becoming a habit, the way he'd subconsciously trail after her as she journeyed around the school. Even as she'd get up, push her plate back, ready to leave the Great Hall he would already be on his feet in order to follow her.
She was in the library when he decided to make his move. After so many weeks of practically stalking her, he decided that it was ripe time to actually talk to her.
"Would you like a seat, Neville?"
Her voice made him jump out of his skin and he latched onto the bookshelf he'd been near with a death grip. How had she noticed he was there? Had she sensed his presence throughout the week?
Gulping, he mindlessly grabbed a book from the shelf and scrambled to take the seat opposite from her.
"Thanks Luna," he said, praying to Merlin that his voice wasn't as shaky as he felt. With an urge to keep the conversation flowing as naturally as possible, he hastily added, "Ah, can I borrow some parchment and a quill? Forgot mine. Uh. Please?"
She smiled softly at him before reaching down to retrieve the items from her garlic-covered satchel.
"Are you getting a head start on our Herbology essay?" she asked, nodding at the green book he was nervously tapping. "It's not due for a few weeks."
"Nothing like getting ahead of school work on a Friday evening," Neville said in false cheer, inwardly cringing at his poor excuse for a joke.
His heart plummeted to the ground when she gave him the strangest look - not even the smallest of smiles cracking on her face.
"Uh, uh," he stammered, "I just meant that... uh."
"Well, it is gratifying to have no homework over the weekend, isn't it?" Luna said, saving him from having to come up with a horrendous excuse for being the polar opposite of funny. "You'll have to help me when you're done, Neville. I'm afraid that Professor Sprout doesn't take kindly to my essays on the effects of nargles on gillyweed."
He could feel his eyes widening like saucers - here was his chance! A chance to spend time with the girl as opposed to following her awkwardly around the school.
"That would be... uh, yeah, I could do that."
Fingering the bulky necklace that hung from her neck, Luna nodded gratefully.
"That would be most kind of you. If you like, I could help you with Divination." She paused, her head cocked to the side in wonder. "I'm not sure why, but Professor Trelawney finds my work worthy of praise."
"That... uh, thank you, Luna!" Neville couldn't help but squawk as his voice shook with excitement. Realising that this wasn't really the image he was going for, he cleared his throat and restarted: "I mean, I'd love that. Thanks."
"Lovely." Luna stood, gathering her books and pushing her chair happily. She was about to leave, when she turned back to him and said, "I'm sorry about the other night in the Astronomy tower. I spent such a long time using the telescope, but you needn't have hid in the corner."
He blushed bright red. "Uh..."
"I would have more than happy to share with you, Neville." Seemingly unaware of his sudden choking, she continued, "Would Tuesday be alright with you?"
"Wha-?" He rubbed his neck which was still red from that awful blush that managed to creep up whenever she neared him. "Uh. Tuesday. Yeah. Tuesday."
It was a physical struggle for Neville not to get up and follow her. But he grabbed the sides of his chair tightly, pleading that his body would for once, listen to his mind. After all, he couldn't risk getting caught again, could he?