They were sitting on the grass looking at the lake.
"What you did was valuable, Neville. It was really cool."
"It's what anyone would have done."
"You know that's not true. Gryffindor's sword doesn't come out of the hat for anybody. Last person it came for was Harry."
"Yeah, but…"
"No buts. You're just wrong. And awesome! And brilliant. Neville, you're brilliant."
He blushed, then frowned. "I don't want you to think of me differently just because of that one incident, Ginny."
She became indignant. "But that was a very important 'incident'! And don't forget that I've been by your side all year watching you defy the Carrows and lead our fellow Gryffindors. You are brilliant. I've had this whole time to notice that."
"You go for the heroes, don't you?"
"Are you saying I'm shallow?"
"No! … well…"
"It's okay, Neville. It's true. I'm not ashamed of it. I spent my entire childhood in love with Harry Potter because he was the hero of the wizarding world, and he was my age. I definitely go for the guys who have most impressed me. You know? And maybe that's a bad thing for some people, but it's never hurt anyone as far as I can tell. It's not important enough to change."
The summer breeze ran through her hair. They looked back at the lake and watched it flow and splash.
"I guess you're right. I don't think less of you for it."
"Thank you."
They watched Hagrid walk Fang around the edge of the forest. The lake splashed again. Neville found his courage and before it could go away, asked.
"Ginny?"
"Yes?"
"Do you like me?"
She smiled.
"Of course. You've been there all year fighting and rebelling with me. We've been a team. I really appreciate that, you know?"
He looked crestfallen. She laughed.
"Neville. I think you're beautiful."
He started, then hesitantly smiled.
"I think you're beautiful too. And I like you. I want to date you."
"Alright."