The Disputed Uses of Aquavirius Maggots

Neville Longbottom squeezed past a gaggle of frightened first years to reach his compartment. He was disappointed, as he slid the door open, to see the back of a brunette head bobbing up and down as its owner struggled to hoist a large bag into the overhead.

"Sorry, I thought it was empty," Neville mumbled as he started to back out.

"Don't leave, Neville," a familiar dreamy voice stopped him as Luna Lovegood turned around.

"Luna!" Neville's voice showed his surprise, but he recovered himself quickly. His first impulse was to demand what she had done to her hair, but if he had learned anything from his grandmother, it was never to mention a change in appearance with even a hint of negativity. So instead, he cleared his throat and asked in a painfully neutral voice, when had she changed her hair?

"Oh, that," she waved her hands inconclusively. "I was just experimenting, but you don't like it, so I don't think I'll keep it."

"Er-I didn't say that," Neville began nervously. Luna had a curious way of stating things that more than often made people uncomfortable.

"Oh but I could tell. You should have seen your face," Luna smiled. "Speaking of which, you've gotten rather handsome over the summer."

Neville blushed a deep red that would have made a Weasley proud.

Luna pulled her wand out of her purse (which seemed to be constructed with a combination of pressed flowers and an eccentric assortment of old quilt squares) and pointed it at her hair, murmuring a spell. It looked as though color was leaking from her hair, starting at the roots. Neville was somewhat mesmerized as her cascading locks transformed back to their usual blonde.

"You'd better sit down, Neville, the train is already moving."

"Oh, right then."

They were silent for a while. It was the kind of silence that left each guessing at the other's thoughts. Finally, Neville broke it.

"Do you want me to help you pass out the Quibbler?"

"I don't think I can today-father has been writing some controversial things lately. Not everyone agrees on the uses of Aquavirius Maggots," she informed her friend in a musical whisper. After a bit of thought, she added "He's also been supporting Harry, the Ministry isn't too happy."
"Oh," Neville's voice turned grave. "You know, I don't think that Hogwarts will be much like it used to be."

At that moment, Ginny Weasley entered the compartment looking flushed and angry.

"Did you see who is checking the passenger list?" Her eyes were bright and fiery. "Amycus Carrow. He's a Deatheater!"

Neville and Luna exchanged a serious look.

"I knew it would be bad." Neville gritted his teeth.

"The passenger list is complete with blood status," Ginny spat. "I've got to go, Slughorn wants me to-"

"Wait! Ginny, is Harry okay? Did they get away?" Neville asked earnestly.

"They got away from the wedding, but that's all I know."

The rest of the train ride was spent in a rather grim mood, though each did their part to lighten the conversation. One thing was clear-they would be needing each other now more than ever.

When the train pulled in, the two friends stepped out, freshly garbed in their Hogwarts robes. They gazed up at the entrance-cloaked figures floated ominously, and a rush of cold shook their bodies. Luna grasped Neville's hand with an unexpected strength, and they entered, each clinging to the other's warmth.

A/N: This is my first Neville/Luna fic, let me know what you think :)