Chapter One

It was a freezing winter's day in the small town of Hogsmeade, and Hogwarts students lined up to get their fix of Honeydukes, or for older students, snogging in The Three Broomsticks.
"Students! Students! Quiet down!" cried out Professor McGonagall, amidst all the noise. "You all have two hours to do as you please, as long as you stay in bounds!" she ordered, shooting a stern look at the Weasley twins. "The teachers will be located in the Three Broomsticks for emergencies."
The younger students whizzed past the professor, overly excited. 5th years Luna Lovegood, and 6th years Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, and Neville Longbottom were all standing next to each other, quiet, not knowing where to go or what to do.
"See you later, guys. We'll be in the Three Broomsticks."said Harry, who walked off with Hermione and Ron, leaving Luna and Neville alone. Ginny, oblivious to their presence, walked down the path towards town holding hands with Dean Thomas. The reason for their tardiness was obvious, looking at Ginny's messy hair and smudged light pink lipstick.
"Hello, Neville."said Luna cheerfully. Red-nosed Neville turned snapped into reality from zoning out, and turned to Luna.
"H-hi, Luna." Neville said shyly. He was not used to being alone with girls, even if it was by the entrance of one of the busiest Hogwarts areas.
"Where are you headed off to?" she asked, merrily.
Neville debated whether or not he should tell her. He found it nauseating and frightening to spend the day with a girl.
"Um…I'm not quite sure yet." His voice cracked, making him turn beet red. Why are you being so stupid? He asked himself. Its only Luna…
Neville found himself staring at her earrings that looked like radishes. He must've been staring for a while because Luna noticed.
"They're dirigible plums. Daddy and I have some at home."
Embarrassed, Neville fumbled to say something. Luna giggled.
"Its alright, they are curious. The other girls seem to think so, too." Neville suddenly felt bad for Luna. There was another feeling he felt too, but it was undistinguishable.
"I think they're pretty." said Neville quietly. He suddenly became very interested in his gloves.
"Thank you." She replied, seeming not to notice Neville's sudden struggle to talk. "Neville, why don't we take a walk?"
And so they did. The two of them walked along the streets together. Luna did not seem to notice the whispers and stares, but Neville sure did. He pulled his scarf bit higher.
"Ugh, Loony and Longbottom!"
"Two losers sitting in a tree! Hopefully it's the Whomping Willow!"
"Merlin's beard, what a freak Luna is with her earrings!"
Luna kept her head high, and suddenly grabbed Neville's arm. "Lets go get a warm butterbeer. I'm freezing!"
The Three Broomsticks was very busy. Neville spotted Harry, Hermione, and an angry Ron in the back. Ron was looking over at Ginny, who was once again, snogging Dean.
Luna led Neville to a small table with two seats by the window. They sat down together, and Luna untied her scarf.
"What can I get you?"
A thin woman wearing a red dress was standing at the table, a Quick Quotes Quill floating next to her.
"Two warm butterbeers, please." said Neville. He could feel Luna smiling and staring at him. The waitress nodded, and walked towards the bar.
"Can you believe its almost Christmas?" smiled Luna. Neville suddenly noticed her beautiful light blue eyes….
There was a thump, and Pansy Parkinson was outside of their window, two other Slytherin girls behind her. She traced a heart on the foggy window, then wrote LOONY+LOSERBOTTOM. The girls ran away cackling.
"Oh, never mind them." sighed Luna. She pulled the blinds, and smiled, unbothered. Neville squirmed uneasily. Why, he thought am I getting a butterbeer with Luna? A pang of guilt hit him. He knew she didn't deserve to be treated like that.
The waitress walked over, arms laden with butterbeers. She set down two at Luna and Neville's, then headed to a table of four and set down more.
Luna took a small sip of hers, and cream lined her upper lip.
"You've got…" Neville started, then unconsciously took his napkin and wiped off the cream. Luna giggled.
"Oh…I'm sorry…I didn't really….I should go…" He mumbled, red in the face.
"No no!" protested Luna. "I would've done the same."
There was a silence, and Neville smiled to himself. He took a sip of butterbeer, then wiped his face.
Oh, you look dazed! It must be those wrackspurts! I know how to get rid of them, though!" Luna noticed Neville looked confused. "They're invisible, and they crawl inside your ears and make your brain all fuzzy!"
Neville still had no idea what Wrackspurts were, or if they were even real.
"There are multiple ways to get rid of a wrackspurt, but I doubt you would wear earrings, drink sour milk upside down, or wear cork, so I've got the perfect solution."
Luna set down her napkin, and leaned over to Neville. Before Neville could even grasp what was going on, or let it sink it that he was getting his first kiss, Luna pressed his lips to his. At first, Neville didn't respond, but eventually, he went along with it. He didn't care what people thought about him anymore, because there was only one thing on his mind.
Neville Longbottom was in love with Luna Lovegood.