Chapter 1: I Fancy You

Hermione Granger burst into the first empty classroom she tried, her face streaked with salty tears. She could not watch, and yet could not bear to look away from, Ron Weasley snogging Lavender Brown senseless. Ron, the man she had loved since she was a little girl, kissing somebody else. It was too much.

The door had scarcely closed behind her when a voice pierced the stillness.

"Had enough of Ron and Lavender swapping spittle, did you?"

Hermione jumped and wheeled around to find Neville Longbottom at a nearby desk, a Herbology book lying open. Her classmate smirked. "His snogging skills alone are enough of something to cry about, never mind who he's snogging with."

The dig made Hermione laugh, even if it came out in a choked sob. She had never known Neville to crack a joke or say a snide remark about anyone, but in this moment, it was much appreciated. He stood, and circled the desk to approach her, his eyes filled with concern and gentle understanding.

"You wish he was kissing you instead," Neville guessed.

Hermione guiltily nodded, and blushed. "I've never been kissed."

That made Neville blink in surprise. "I thought you snogged Viktor Krum fourth year. Everyone says you did!"

Hermione chuckled. "That was just a rumor, Neville. In fact, I was the one who planted it with Ginny, so that I could get those other girls who were jealous of me for going to the Ball with Viktor to shut up."

"Yeah, well, it spread a little too well," Neville mused. "I think Ron got wind of it." He didn't say anything more, but he didn't have to; the implication hung in the air. Ron may have accepted Lavender's advances out of jealousy that Hermione may have snogged Krum.

Neville shook his head. "Ron doesn't know what he's missing."

Hermione raised her eyes to Neville's face, taken aback. Her brow furrowed as the possibility emerged... it couldn't be... "Neville...?"

"I fancy you, Hermione," Neville confessed. "You are brilliant, brave and have a good heart. And you have become quite beautiful. And if Ron can't see that, then, well..." He shrugged. "So, I was wondering: would you like to go out with me in Hogsmeade?"

Hermione thought for a moment. Neville was a wonderful, kind soul. Giving him a chance might help her to move on from Ron. And besides, hadn't she given Ginny the same advice when it came to Harry? Go out with other people, until maybe, one day... the right person noticed? Still struck dumb from his confession, Hermione found herself silently nodding.

Elated, Neville smiled and drifted closer; he was now right in Hermione's personal space. "I'm going to kiss you now, Hermione. Is that all right?"

Hermione nodded once again. She felt Neville's hands frame her face. Tilting her chin upwards, he bent and kissed her softly right on the mouth.

It was her very first kiss, so Hermione kept her eyes open wide for a moment, savoring the experience with all her senses. Neville tasted nice, like some of the most beautiful flowers and plants. He smelled of greenery and pine. Her eyes at last fluttering shut, Hermione gripped Neville by his hips and leaned into him, returning and even deepening the kiss. She hummed in pleasure, the sound making her lips slightly part, open to Neville so his tongue could slip inside. "Hmmm..."

After another moment or two, Hermione stepped out of the kiss, for the first time realizing what she had just done. And it left her in shock.

She and Neville stared at each other for a pregnant beat. And then, in the next instant -

Neither spoke with words or any prior communication. Moving as one, Neville and Hermione silently drifted back into each other's arms and shared another long, lingering kiss...