(So finally got another NHr idea and decided to go with it! I've been planning the story out for a while now. I don't usually plan stuff out beforehand, but this time I felt it'd be much better if I did. So to all my fellow NHr fans out there, hope you enjoy! This is actually a fluffy fic btw.) - Katheryn

Secret Romance at Hogwarts

Chapter 1

Hermione absolutely couldn't believe the nerve of him! Suddenly Ronald scores a few goals and he's too good for her? Fine then! She didn't need him either. She had Harry and all her other friends! And him, well he could have Lavender. See if she cared!

Hermione hurried into the library, avoiding eye contact with every passerby. She was aware that by now the entire school knew what Ronald B. Weasley had done to her and felt no need to talk with anyone about it. As she entered the library and took in the familiar smell of the surrounding books, the familiar sight of shelves lined with material just begging to be read, the silence that a library always brought, she felt herself relax. Oh yes, this was indeed her place of leisure.

She placed her bag on a nearby table and began making her way through the walkways, scanning titles for anything that sparked her interest. She found a few books that specialized in hexes before returning to her table to read in silence.

There wasn't much traffic in the library today, as usual. Typically the place was a desert unless a major assignment was issued. Then you could be sure that the day before its due date the library would be bustling with frantic students, berating themselves for not having started the assignment sooner.

As hours passed, Hermione began to feel a bit more tranquil. She adored how she was left alone in the library. She'd gotten up multiple times to replace her reading material, and though scattered students had noticed her no one said a word.

By the time she decided to leave the sun was setting, and she couldn't believe she'd spent an entire Saturday reading like this. As she started to make her way down the paths to return her books to their places she found herself lost in thought, something she'd been desperate to avoid doing. The hurt returned slowly as her mind wandered over how often Ron ignored her feelings. She realized he'd made her cry more than anyone else she'd ever known, and yet she still had some feelings for him? How?

Her thoughts were interrupted as she abruptly crashed right into someone, knocking them flat as she fell back herself. She looked up and frowned. "Oh Neville, I'm sorry." She said, really meaning it as she helped him gather up some books he'd been carrying.

"It's okay." He said kindly, and she could tell he really meant it too. "You okay? You seem a little distracted." He asked after a moment, helping her to her feet. She smiled softly. He was always quite the gentleman, despite how clumsy he often was.

Then she realized, "You didn't hear?"

He seemed bemused for a moment, and then realization struck his features. "Oh! Right! How could I have forgotten about what happened? I'm terribly sorry Hermione." He said, his voice quieting towards the end.

She shrugged, trying to make it seem as though she hadn't really been affected by it. "It's Ron. Really, what else could be expected?"

Neville was quiet for a moment before saying, "He should be better to you. If I ever had a chance with a girl like you, I'd treat her right. Because that's what she deserves."

All of a sudden, Hermione started to see Neville in a new way. She'd always thought his quiet ways and clumsiness were sort of cute, but he was really different now. He'd shot up in height, she barely came up to his chest at this point. His hair had gotten a tad bit longer, but not to an unmanly point. Muscles bulged under his sweater now, she was sure that was new. If not she wondered why she'd never noticed.

Unsure of what exactly she was doing at first she grabbed his arm, leading him over to a table. She sat across from him as he sat down, smiling. "I think any girl would be lucky to have a guy like you Neville." She said quietly.

It didn't seem that he was catching on though, as he only shrugged as if he were disbelieving of what she said. "Thanks." He said rather blankly. "I just want you to know though Hermione; I'm always here if you need anything. Honestly if there's anything I can do to help you just say the word." He said, his earnest tone returning.

She laughed somewhat and said, "Well there is one thing…."

He seemed more than eager to do it, and Hermione hid a smile. "Oh yeah? What?"

Before he had the chance to realize it, Hermione felt herself lean forward and touch her lips to his. The kiss was electrifying, and feelings rushed through her that she knew she could never feel with Ron. As she pulled away she laughed out loud at his dazed expression. "That was incredibly helpful." She said, standing. She grabbed her things and stopped for a moment, toying with his hair flirtatiously before saying, "See ya around Neville." And she left feeling better than she'd felt in a long time.