"Good evening, and welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Alumni Night." Professor McGonagall's shaky, yet powerful voice rings out over the dining hall, lit with thousands of floating candles. "We have prepared a marvelous feast for all of our guests, and we hope you will enjoy."

Just as the last word comes out of her mouth, silver platters float out of the kitchen and the choir begins to sing a beautiful, melancholy tune with their toads croaking along. Luna Lovegood gazes around in wonder. She remembers with joint fondness and sadness her years at Hogwarts. She can't help but notice the people who couldn't make it to the reunion, who would never be able to. But then she remembers that those people gave up their lives so nights like this would be possible, and is reassured. Her survivors guilt flares up for just a moment, until she is startled by a tap on her shoulder.

"Oh!" she squeaks. She turns around to see who it is, then grins. "You gave me quite a fright!"

Neville Longbottom's shockingly handsome face goes bright red. "I'm sorry Luna, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to say hello."

Luna laughs in a tinkling, fairy-like way. "Don't apologize, you were only being friendly." She takes in his long, lean body for longer than socially appropriate before realizing her mistake and going redder in the face than Neville himself. "Wow, Nev. You look…different."

He takes a step back, then forward, almost tripping over his feet. "Uh, is that a good or bad thing?"

"Good, definitely good!" she blurts out.

"Oh, good."

"Yes, good."

"Good."

For a moment they simply look at each other in silence before bursting out in laughter. Compared to Luna's small, relatively hushed laugh, Neville's is deep and warm and anything but quiet. "It's really nice to see you Nev."

"You too, Lu." They hug, his broad shoulders engulfing her tiny frame. She notices his scent, which is much different from how he smelled as a boy. No longer the putrid scent of every teenage boy going through puberty, but a rich cologne sprayed on just the right amount.

Luna mumbles into his jacket, "Since when do you call me Lu?"

He ducks his head. "Right about the time you started calling me Nev. So, two minutes ago."

"I suppose that's a good point." Luna states, not a hint of embarrassment on her face.

Neville exhales, causing Luna's owl feather earrings to blow back in the gentle breeze. Despite the warmness of his breath, goosebumps still rise on her neck. Neville bucks up the courage to ask her a question. "Did you come with anyone tonight?"

Luna bats her long eyelashes, which are somehow jet black despite her bright blonde hair. "No, did you?" Her voice sounds deeper, more velvety than its usual bright, high self.

Neville smiles sheepishly, resisting the urge to duck his head and look at the floor yet again. "No. Just me, myself, and I." Luna doesn't say anything for a while, staring at him with an expectant look on her face. She looks at him in a way that suggests she is telepathically beaming him a message, or at least trying to. Her eyes say, I opened the door for you. I flirted and batted my eyelashes, now it's your turn. Neville turns his head to the side in confusion, like a child would look at an adult saying something he didn't understand.

Luna gives up. "Would you like to sit together Neville?"

Suddenly, understanding dawns on his face. "Yes. I'd quite like that. We do have a lot to catch up on." Neville reaches as if to grab her hand, but then pulls back at the last second. The perspiration running down his palm deters his already shaky confidence.

Out of the corner of her eye, Luna takes notice of Neville's nervousness. "It's awfully chilly in here, my hands are about as frozen as the moat surrounding this castle." She grabs his hand before he can object. "Your hands are nice and toasty. Just like a Gildewump in a sauna. Keep mine warm for me?"

He looks as though someone just handed him the newest version of the Firebolt and told him it was addressed to him. "Why…of course I can Luna. Anytime." Neville finally allows himself to take in Luna's appearance. Her long, curly blond hair glints in the candlelight so beautifully. And her supple, rosy cheeks make Neville want to reach out and stroke them, just to see if they are as soft as he imagines. Like so many other times in his life, he resists the urge. He automatically convinces himself that a girl like Luna Lovegood could never fall for him. She is too beautiful, kind, and smart. He is too…Neville.

When he was young, he had been no stranger to rejection from pretty girls like Luna, and so had trained himself not to notice the females around him. Well, at least he tried not to notice. While he gave it his best effort, he was never very good at building up a wall against people. He knew that falling for Luna, or any girl for that matter, would inevitably lead to pain and rejection. Even so, his fragile heart was too big not to.

Neville never let himself show this emotion externally, though. He kept it inside, hidden away from the rest of the world. Sometimes it felt as though trying to keep his emotions in was similar to keeping a lion inside a paper fence. Impossible. But somehow, he managed. He may not have been able to keep his internal feelings in check, but he made sure to do so for his external ones.

While Luna guides Neville to a table with space for two people to squeeze in, Neville realizes something. He and Luna are polar opposites. She is confident, and free-flowing. He is insecure and stresses over the little things. He knows he shouldn't get his hopes up. Luna is just being friendly. No girl could ever love him, especially not a girl as wonderful as her.

At the same time as Neville, Luna has a similar revelation. She finally takes notice of the way Neville constantly looks down and won't make eye contact with her. He even seems to lean away from her, just a little bit, as not to be impolite. Of course Neville wouldn't be interested in me, she thinks. I'm just crazy Luna Lovegood.

A/N: It's been a while since I've been on FanFiction, and I'm excited to be back! I hope you enjoy this story, and if you do, let me know. You can comment, favorite, or really do whatever your heart desires. Of course, it is not necessary—it's simply a kind thing to do that I really appreciate. (I also accept negative feedback, just don't be nasty.) Have a nice day. :)