Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the Gryffindor common room by the fireplace. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were talking and laughing with each other as usual. Neville was their friend, but he always felt like an outcast, even with them. They didn't share his love of Herbology, and he never really knew what to say to even be included in their conversations.
Neville sat reading a Herbology book, curled up in a chair, while the other three were on the couch together.
They had just entered their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry a few weeks before. Neville was finally starting to grow out of his "awkward" stage in life.
"Oh no, Ron, stop it!" Hermione laughed, playfully hitting him in the arm. "I do not like Seamus!"
At the sound of his name, Seamus, who was at the other end of the common room, looked up.
Neville shook his head, feeling alone. He wanted to get out of here. Being surrounded by all these people just made him feel even more alone. He closed the Herbology book and stood.
"I'm going to go for a walk," he said, and left, leaving the book in the chair. He didn't wait for a response, for he didn't expect anyone to say anything. They didn't care.
He left the common room with a saddened expression. He decided to walk to the library and look at some Herbology books - it didn't matter though; by now he's read them all.
He slowly walked down the corridor, his head hanging low and his hands drooping at his sides. The students passing in the hall didn't seem to take notice of him. He was always just a shadow that no one cared about.
Then, out of nowhere, he heard a small, sing-song voice.
"Neville, why do you look so dreary?"
Neville looked up, and tried to look happy. "Ah, nothing. I'm just deep in thought, Luna. Thanks, though." He tried to fake a smile, but he could tell by the look on her face that she didn't believe him for a second.
"Oh, well, okay then. Have a good day, Neville," Luna sadly smiled, cocking her head in thought. She and Neville started to walk their own ways, passed each other, but Luna stopped.
"Wait, Neville," she said, turning to look at him. He turned around and made eye contact. She gently placed her hand on his arm. "I'm here for you, okay? Whatever is wrong, you can tell me if you ever want to."
He nodded, becoming nervous. The truth is, he really liked Luna. And her hand on his arm made him feel all... weird inside.
She sadly smiled again, upset that he was so unhappy. She let her hand slowly fall to her side, brushing down Neville's arm as it did so. She looked at the floor and quietly said, "See you later Neville."
He nodded, stepping away in a sudden haste to get away. "Goodbye Luna," he said, turning around, walking faster than he was moments before.
He felt nervous inside. His palms were sweaty and his stomach was tingling. He knew making a fast escape from her like that would make Luna think that he was upset by her approach, which is the exact opposite of why he left. He felt guilty for leaving in such a hurry. He didn't want to hurt her feelings.
He felt even worse than he did when he left the common room. Now instead of just loneliness, he felt loneliness and guilt. He had half a notion to turn and go after her to apologize, but he knew he would just ramble and stumble on his words and end up either making things worse or embarrassing himself. Or both.
Neville finally made it to the library, but instead of searching for a book he went into the Herbology section, sat on the ground with his knees up to his chest and arms around his legs, and silently cried.