AN- I just want to say thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, and faved my first ever fic. Yay! Also, reviews make me happy. This is based on my personal experiences, albeit loosely. May become multi-chap because I have an idea, depends on feedback.

Overly Disclaiming Disclaimer- J.K. Rowling owns her characters and story. I only own what my crazy mind comes up with.

How It Was Supposed To Be

"Hey, Longbottom, when are you and Loony Lovegood going to finally get together?" Even without turning to see him, Neville knew who asked the question by that damned drawling voice behind it. In Neville's opinion, the way Draco talked was one of the most bothersome things about him. One of them, mind you, for there were many other contributing factors.

"Get out of my face, Malfoy," Harry replied, knowing well that Neville never had the courage to stand up to his Slytherin tormenter.

"I don't believe I was talking to you, Potter. And speaking of my original question, where's your blood traitor girlfriend?" Draco continued to sneer at the two Gryffindors, knowing Luna and Ginny were very sensitive subjects to them.

However horrible he was, Draco Malfoy was not someone Neville or Harry ever wanted to pick a fight with. If it didn't result in injuries from his gorilla-like goons Crabbe and Goyle, it resulted in multiple detentions from Professor Snape. Even considering Neville's irrational fear of Snape, Lucius Malfoy's involvement was even worse. In fact, Draco often finished an argument with the very final words, my father will hear about this. Those words made one's blood run cold, and instilled an ever lurking sense of fright.

"We'll be off to breakfast now," Neville said with finality and a mysterious level of confidence that even he didn't know he possessed.

As he and Ron stepped into the Great Hall, his mind wandered dangerously to what Draco had said. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, together. Well, not his words exactly, but the idea behind all of the spiteful remarks and jokes. Despite Neville's (and almost all of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff's) hatred of Draco, he liked the idea of himself and Luna together. Everyone thought they were dating anyway because of how much time the pair spent in each other's company. Neville and Luna were the best of friends, but nothing more had happened. Yet, Neville thought to himself as he reached for a piece of toast and nibbled on it half-heartedly.

Walking through the halls after breakfast, Neville nearly ran into a group of first years before being pulled aside by Hermione.This sort of recklessness was expected from Neville, as he was rather large and clumsy, but Hermione knew something was wrong.

"Neville!" Hermione said sharply. Neville knew by her tone that that had not been the first time she called his name in order to get his attention.

"Bloody hell Hermione, what do you want?" He asked in reply. Seeing how crestfallen she looked at his answer, Neville knew he had said the wrong thing. "Sorry, you scared the shit out of me. What did you say?"

"Well-" Oh here we go again, Neville thought. "You didn't say a word at breakfast. You barely ate half a piece of dry toast. You just seem out of it, and I want to know what is wrong with you." What the devil was going on with Neville? Not even he could figure it out.

"Just thinking, Hermione. I'm fine, I swear. And I will tell you if there actually is anything wrong with me." Hermione seemed a bit skeptical of his answer at first, but Neville was able to convince her to get to class. Assuring her that he would be in common room didn't hurt either.

It helped to sway Hermione, but knowing that he would be left alone with only his thoughts was Neville's biggest fear. Not even detention with Snape or receiving an F in potions rivaled having to think at that moment. Well, that's just bloody fantastic, isn't it? Snap out of it already, damn it! What the bloody hell is wrong with you-

"Neville!" Luna exclaimed excitedly as she saw him. Suddenly Neville realized why he was so caught up in his own thoughts. It was her that he was thinking about; Luna Lovegood was like a wrackspurt to him. Or was it a nargle? "How have you been, Neville? I haven't heard from you since you last letter. Of course it's only the third day of term, and seeing as we're not only in different houses, but in different years, it's not much of a surprise. So, how are you? You seem rather distraught, what are you thinking of?"

Shit, Neville thought. She can see right through me, it's like she's reading my thoughts. "Hello, Luna. I've been fine, helping Gran out with garden all summer, mostly. And I guess I'm just tired, did you know Hermione asked me the exact same thing this morning? Actually, I was just going off to the common room now."

"Well I would love to catch up with you. If that's okay with you, of course, seeing as we're both free this period." Luna looked up at Neville through her eyelashes, as he was considerably taller than she was. He noticed the constant sparkle in her eyes, and the way her long blond hair curled beautifully around her face before cascading down her back. Neville realized, in that moment, that spending time with Luna would be a horrible idea. Not only for his thoughts, but for her as well, seeing as he could not stare at her and keep on a reasonable conversation at the same time. Every time he saw her, he got these pains in his chest, and he knew it was she who caused it.

"Oh, um, o-of course, sure, I would love to. Would you prefer Ravenclaw or Gryffindor tower?" Great job, Longbottom, Neville slapped himself internally. You've made yourself seem like more of a damn inarticulate bumble than you already are.

"Gryffindor, considering some of my… less friendly roommates have this period off." Neville's fists clenched as he thought of how horrible people could be. They called her Loony, called him too many different names to count. One of Draco's latest favorites was "Schlongbottom."

"That's… totally awesome. Well, we have a lot to catch up on. Coming, Luna?"