Luna and Neville: The Unlikely Couple
Since the war began and Lord Voldemort started his terrorizing again, innocent witches and wizards everywhere were turning to each other for support and comfort. Love was brewing right and left. Everyone was pairing up in order to make up for the agony the world was causing them. They clung to their loved ones and prayed daily that they would all make it one more day and that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would cease to exist and never torment their lives again.
Cupid's arrow was hitting people young and old; everyone from scared and lonely widows to ready and able teenagers. Some of the weirdest people ended up together, but they seemed happy about it. Anyone was better than no one.
On positively odd couple that had sprung from the new trend of togetherness would shock any student at Hogwarts that knew the people in question. The epitome of losers, Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom had become an item after fighting together once again against the Death Eaters.
They were perfect opposites. Luna, the loud, blonde, intelligent witch with an eccentric sense of style balanced Neville's quiet, pudgy, lonely character. Neither of the two had a close-knit group of friends—only acquaintances who all had their own buddies to hang out with. However, they shared the same acquaintances and were both loyal members of the D.A. (Dumbledore's Army).
It was the end of Neville's sixth year (Luna's fifth) that Neville realized he enjoyed Luna's company all the time despite her crazy ramblings. The morale of Hogwarts students was low considering what had recently happened. Albus Dumbledore, the greatest headmaster Hogwarts had ever seen, had been murdered by a supposed friend of the good side, Severus Snape. It was during a surprise attack on the castle by Death Eaters that Dumbledore was killed, and since the attack smiles had been far and few between. However, Luna was still herself, though maybe a little less strident.
It was a nice afternoon…many students were spending their days off walking around the lake and Neville happened to run into Luna when he went out for a bit of fresh air. He couldn't help but notice the many couples that had seemed to have sprung up since the year had begun as they sat around the lake lying together and chatting. The sight of the newfound romance in the castle gave Neville a burst of pride and bravery which caused him to do something he never thought he would have the courage to do.
"Stop! You're going to give me the Jeebie Bumble Snappers," she exclaimed when Neville boldly reached out to grab her hand after they had started around the lake. He automatically regretted his decision as she turned dramatically and with a quick stride, stomped off. Neville, of course, was mentally kicking himself for being so stupid. His face was the shade of a ripe tomato, and he noted to figure out what the hell Beebie Jumble Snappers were, or whatever she had said. He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around to make sure there were no witnesses to his embarrassment. Neville walked with heavy steps for a few seconds pondering whether he should jump in and drown or not until a small hand clasped his shoulders and made him stop.
"I am so stupid sometimes. Jeebie Bumble Snappers are only found on blonde-headed dwarfs! I really need to brush up on my parasite awareness," Luna said brightly to an opened mouth Neville. She grabbed his hand and stood there like nothing was different. But Neville knew that something had definitely changed, and he smiled to himself as they started walking together around the sparkling lake. From then on, Luna and Neville were an unofficial couple, and their hands were never apart when they were together.