Only the Loony Ch. 2: Strange Feelings
Neville sat in the Common Room the night after the feast, staring at the fire. Seamus and Dean were over at a table opening a bunch of Chocolate Frogs, but Neville wasn't in the mood. He wished Luna was in Gryffindor. But, of course, she was too smart for them, and he was too dumb for her.
At one point on the train that morning, the new Professor of Potions, Slughorn, had brought Neville to his compartment and told him about some little club he ran, but Neville didn't feel his chances of getting in we're very high.
Also on the train, some girl named Ramilda Vane had made fun of both he and Luna. In the heat of the moment, Neville hadn't been able to build up enough courage, but luckily Harry had stood up for them.
Neville looked away from the fire. He overheard a conversation and gathered Hermione must've been invited into Slughorn's club as well. She'd make it. She was the best witch Neville had ever met.
Luna also sat alone in her Common Room. She wished the Sorting Hat had thought her to be more brave. She had gone with Harry and the gang to stop Voldemort from the getting the Prophecy, hadn't she? She wished on a star in a distant galaxy that she'd be able to switch and be in Neville's house.
Suddenly she realized how silly she was. Why was she so crazy about Neville? Maybe it was the way he said her name, or the look on his face when he knew he had gotten something right. Maybe it was how sweet and caring he was while also being so brave. Harry had been right; Neville was cool.
Someone behind called out, "Luna?"
Luna spun around and saw Cho Chang standing there, the only person in the room. "Luna, it's almost midnight."
Luna jumped off the windowsill and sped off to her dormitory, thanking the high heavens that thoughts couldn't be read. Unless Cho had The Eye...
The next day was a dreary one, full of more rain and lightening, but Neville and Luna got to pass each other in the corridors at least twice, sharing a quick smile and blush each time they made eye contact. Finally, after lunch, they were both off for the day. They found each other in the Great Hall after finishing their meals and couldn't resist walking through the corridors together for a short time. They didn't even remember if there was a rule against it or not, but the went off, slowly walking and talking for at least two hours. They learned more about each other on that afternoon than they had ever cared to know about anyone else. Neville wanted to teach herbology when he was older. Luna loved her little room full of artwork and funny knickknacks.
By three in the afternoon, they realized their hands were closed around each other's. suddenly Neville began to sweat, making things worse. "I'm sorry, Luna. I-I've never really talked to a girl this long and enjoyed it."
Luna smiled her beautiful smile and replied in her soothing voice, "That's very kind, Neville. I also think you're the first boy that I dream about at night."
Neville's face turned red as he looked away. How was he supposed to respond? "I really like you, Luna."
"I really like you, too, Neville."
They kept on walking until suddenly they realized where they had gotten off to. Snape's dungeon of a classroom loomed just a few meters away, and he had definitely heard their awkward conversation.
