"Hey, that girl over there is pretty cute. Why don't you go try to help her carry her stuff?" Neville Longbottom was sitting outside a Muggle ice cream shop with his grandson, Hunter. They were enjoying their summer afternoon together exploring London. No matter how "uncool" it was; Hunter loved hanging out with his grandfather.

He looked up to see what his grandfather was talking about. A girl of about seventeen was struggling with several bags. She was very cute. She had shoulder length, curly, brown hair and what looked to be brown eyes. "Grandpa, I can't just leave you here," Hunter said after a long look at the girl.

"Oh, I'm fine. You don't want to miss an opportunity like that." Neville nodded towards the girl and winked. Hunter got up and started walking across the street. He continually told himself that he was just going to ask if she wanted help, that's it. About three quarters of the way across the road Hunter looked back to his grandfather for support but he was nowhere to be seen. That was just like him.

"Here we go," Hunter thought as he approached the girl. "Do you need help carrying your bags?" He was looking at her hopefully, and to his surprise she smiled at him.

"Really? That would help a lot! Thank you so much." Hunter took most of the bags. "Do you mind taking these to my house? It's not too far of a walk."

Hunter could only manage to shake his head. She was much prettier up close, and her eyes were brown. "My name is Hunter, by the way," he finally said.

"I'm Hallie." Even though he was in Gryffindor, Hunter was never too brave around girls. They walked a few blocks when Hallie turned into a house. "Just put the stuff in the hallway, I'll get them later. I really appreciate you helping me. Hey, listen, I know we just met, but do you want to go hang out and maybe get some ice cream or something? I understand if you don't but I just thought-" She broke off. Never before had she been so nervous around a guy.

"No! I would love to!" Hunter said with a slight chuckle. She didn't have to know that he just come from the ice cream shop.

On their way back to the ice cream shop Hallie started telling Hunter about herself. She loved reading and writing stories. Her parents got divorced when she was only three. She had two successful older sisters. "I mean they both have great jobs, and they're both married. They're both much prettier than I am." She tried to keep going, but Hunter cut her off.

"Well I think you are really beautiful," he said without realizing what he said.

"Aww thank you! You're really sweet!" Hunter was very shocked at this reaction, though he liked it. The ice cream was purchased, and no matter how much Hallie tried to pay Hunter would not let her. She didn't need to pay him back. In his mind she was paying him back by just being with him and being friendly. The rest of the afternoon passed with a lot of talking and laughing. Hunter was having a great time and it seemed that Hallie was too. Even though he had only spent a couple hours with her, Hunter felt different about Hallie. He had been with a few girls before, some more intimately than he would like to admit, but something was different. He didn't know what it was. She was amazing. It was too good to be true. She had to have a boyfriend. There is no way she couldn't.

"You never told me what school you go to," Hallie said as the sun was starting to fall out of the sky.

"Oh no!" Hunter thought. "I can't tell her about Hogwarts." He would have to make something up. "I uhh... I'm homeschooled."

"That's really cool! Do you think i could have your number so we can talk?"

Now he would have to make another lie. He hated that he had to lie to her. "My parents don't allow me to have a phone." At this point he could see the smile disappearing from her face. He couldn't lose her this easily. "But... But I have this owl. Yeah, this owl that I trained to deliver messages. We could send each other letters if you would like."

"Don't lie to me!" She said this playfully, but she was actually hurt by this. She liked him, and she thought she liked him too. He was lying to her. This was why she had never been with anyone before; she always fell for jerks.

"No! I'm not lying! I really do. I know it sounds odd but trust me. Just give me your address and I'll send you a letter tonight. I promise." This wasn't a lie. He really had an owl. It was a present for being named a prefect the year before. She gave him her address.

It was getting late, and both teens needed to be heading off. They said their goodbyes and Hallie went in for a quick hug. This caused Hunter to blush, and he turned to walk back to his grandfather's house. He never thought of his grandfather as a man who knew a lot about girls.

That night Hunter told his grandfather about his afternoon. He didn't leave any details out.

"Don't lie to me," Neville chuckled as he sent his grandson off to bed.