A/N: This is another little series of stories I started writing. Basically, it just involves things that would've happened if me and my friends had gone to Hogwarts and the people we would've ended up with. So this first one is about me and Neville. I know we don't get together, but c'mon, we're just first years! Besides, I find it more fun to play with this relationship in the next stories. SPOILERS: We don't start dating until 6th year ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way. All credit goes to our queen, Jo :D

"Gryffindor!"

Neville let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding as the Sorting Hat was taken off his head. He quickly hopped off the stool and walked to the Gryffindor table. He seated himself next to Hermione, who flashed him a quick smile before turning her attention back to the Sorting.

Eruptions of cheer and applause rang out as each new student was sorted into a house. However, the room had never been as loud as the moment Harry Potter became a Gryffindor.

The cluster of students grew smaller and smaller as each house gained new members. Neville had sorted of drifted off into La-La Land when Professor McGonagall called out "Autumn Shorts!" Neville snapped back to attention and studied this girl.

She was short, and had a slight bounce in her step. Her brown, curly mop of hair could rival Hermione's. She wore glasses and huge blue-gray eyes. But it was her smile that captured Neville's heart. It was bright and confident, and it lit up the room.

She sat down upon the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed upon her head. It hesitated and seemed unable to call out a house. The room grew silent, anticipating a Hat Stall. A Hat Stall rarely happened, so it was always an eager event. What house would this girl be put in? Gryffindor? Slytherin? Perhaps Ravenclaw?

Finally the Sorting Hat seemed to make up its mind.

"Hufflepuff!"

It was strange, but Neville was somewhat disappointed that this Autumn hadn't been put in Gryffindor.

I had almost forgotten about Autumn, but she was always at the back of my mind. I didn't get a chance to talk with her until the first Herbology lesson of the year.

I trailed into the greenhouse behind some of the other Gryffindors. There she was, surrounded by students, in the middle of telling a very animated story. I walked over and listened to her hilarious tale about some muggles she had met. Even Professor Sprout was immersed in her story.

When she finished, Professor Sprout called for us to split into partners for the first lesson. I sighed, and walked over to a table, figuring someone would join me when they realized I was alone. However, to my surprise, I was joined almost immediately.

I turned to see who my partner was and was quite shocked to see Autumn standing by my side. She beamed at me, and I swear my heart skipped a beat.

"Hi," she said, sticking out her hand. "I'm Autumn Shorts."

"Neville Longbottom," I replied, shaking her hand, surprised I had so much control over my body. "Nice to make your acquaintance."

"Acquaintance… What a stiff term. How about friends instead?"

I nodded, smiling weakly. That's when she pounced and gave me a great big bear hug. It took all I had not to melt into her arms.

That's when Professor Sprout dropped the bomb: we would be partners with whoever we chose for the rest of the year.

I groaned inwardly and put my head in my hands. How could I focus on class with Autumn next to me the entire time?

Somehow, I managed to get the day's work done. I also learned that Autumn had the rest of the day free until dinner, as did I. We walked out by the lake and sat down under a tree.

"Let's play Truth or Dare!" she squealed, rolling onto her back and giving me the most pitiful look. I had to agree.

"Okay! I'll start! So Mr. Gryffindor, truth or dare?" she asked, grinning at me mischievously.

"Uh…truth," I answered, not feeling particularly brave looking into those eyes. I shifted my gaze to stare across the lake.

"What class are you looking forward to the most this year?"

"Definitely Herbology."

"Me too!" she replied, grinning at me. I smiled back, thinking You and every other Hufflepuff.

"So, truth or dare?" I asked.

"Dare!"

"Hmm…," I muttered, trying to think of a good dare. Then I noticed Draco Malfoy and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, walking toward us. I cringed at the sight of him, knowing he would only insult us. Suddenly, I had a flash of inspiration. I leaned over and whispered her dare to her. She grinned at me, and pushed herself up.

I watched her run up to the trio. I could hear her introduce herself to them, and laughed at the look of utter confusion on his face. Finally, she got to the actual dare.

Throwing her arms around him, she planted a kiss right on Malfoy's cheek. I grinned, watching the wide array of emotions pass across his face. I named them all in my head, but there was one I couldn't quite place. It flashed across his face before contorting into anger.

"Get off me, you filthy mudblood!" he screamed, pushing her away from him. She landed on the ground with a thud and sat there, bewildered.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had crossed to them and grabbed Draco by the collar.

"Don't you ever call her that again," I stated, glowering at him. "Just leave us alone." I let go of him, and he fell to the floor.

I walked over to Autumn and helped her to stand. Grabbing her hand, I muttered a "Let's go" and started walking back to the castle.

When we were almost out of earshot, Malfoy yelled to us.

"Yeah, that's right! Walk away, and take your stupid girlfriend with you!"

We walked in silence. When we reached the castle, Autumn stopped me.

"Neville?" she asked timidly. "What's a, uh, mudblood?"

"It's a term used to insult wizards and witches who were born to muggles," I explained, somewhat embarrassed by my outburst.

"Well, that is what I am. My parents were muggles, so I'm a mudblood," she answered cheerily.

I sighed, slightly amused that she didn't understand. "No, it's not like that. And don't call yourself a mudblood."

She looked at me, amusement glittering in her eyes. "Well, thanks for sticking up for me then. It was sweet. But enough about that. You like Herbology right? Then you have to see this," she said, grinning mischievously. She grabbed my hand and started pulling me through the castle.

I couldn't believe it. Here I was, holding the hand of a girl I had the hugest crush on, even though we had just officially met a few hours ago, being pulled to some random location in the castle. Not to mention, I WAS HOLDING THE HAND OF A GIRL I HAD THE HUGEST CRUSH ON. I was so struck by the amazement of this that it took me a few seconds to realize we had stopped.

We were standing at a dead end, with a bunch of barrels pushed up against the wall.

"Um, Autumn, are you sure you know where you're going?" I asked.

"Of course I do silly! I am a master of navigation! But, I'm gonna need you to turn around and cover your ears. This is top secret, naturally," she answered back.

"Naturally," I muttered, turning around and covering my ears. I still thought that Autumn had gotten us lost, but I decided to play along so she wouldn't feel bad.

Next thing I knew, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I took this as my queue that I could turn around. When I did, I was shocked by what I saw.

The barrels were gone and instead there was an earthy tunnel with torches adorning the walls. And there stood Autumn, grinning proudly at my shocked face.

"What? I don't-. How did you-? And the barrels-. What?" I stuttered, unable to manage full sentences.

Autumn laughed and walked up to me. She shut my mouth, which I hadn't realized had been hanging open. "Stop gawking Neville and let's go!" She squealed, skipping down the tunnel. I quickly followed.

The tunnel wasn't very long and soon opened into a dimly lit room. The walls were made of dirt. The room had a few squishy-looking arm chairs placed sporadically throughout the room. Near the ceiling were a few windows, where you could see the grass from the castle grounds. But, the plants! Oh the plants were everywhere! There was gillyweed, mandrakes, and mimbulus mimbletonia! I even spotted some devil's snare hanging in pots from the roof.

"This place is…magnificent," I breathed, taking in all the plants.

"Hey everyone! The lion likes the badger's nest! Come on out and meet Neville!" Autumn called out.

Out of nowhere, students walked into the room, smiling at Autumn and casting confused glances at me. After saying hi to a few of them, Autumn turned toward me.

"Neville, welcome to the Hufflepuff common room."

A/N: Aaaaand that's how I'm gonna end it. There's really nothing else to put in this :3 Basically, anything else that would happen this year is that me and Neville become really close and I'm too lazy to write about that. Next up will occur in second year with my dear friend Gryffindorable (who is a really great writer with her Harry Potter awesomeness so go check her out) and a boy who is not to be named cause she doesn't know, so it's better if I keep it a secret ;)