Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters.

Chapter 2

Neville and Hannah went to their first Dumbledore's Army meeting together. None of her close friends were interested but Hannah signed up right away.

He opened the Room of Requirement door for her, as she had never summoned it before. The room was amazing, it was perfectly equipped for spell practice. Hannah had never been confident in charms class; she usually got it but not with ease like some of the others students.

So in their first meeting when Harry told them to partner up and practice, Hannah looked hopefully over at Neville. Although, Neville had already paired up with Seamus Finnigan. She ended up practicing that day with Ernie MacMillan, a fellow Hufflepuff.

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A few weeks in to the DA, Harry decided to teach them how to create a patronus charm. When Hannah looked to Neville, she was surprised to see him looking back. She walked over to him and asked shyly, "Did you- did you want to practice together today?"

Neville's face flushed a bit and he gave a little grunt, not wanting to speak. Hannah lightly giggled and led him somewhat away from the others so they were in their own little space.

She looked up and asked him, "Do you have your memory?"

He looked puzzled a moment before he nodded and said, "Yeah, I think I've got one. Have you?"

Hannah thought; she tried to remember the last moment she felt truly blissful. She thought of greeting her parents after getting home from Hogwarts last summer and said, "Mhm, I've got a pretty good one." She nudged him lightly and said, "Why don't you go first?"

Neville looked apprehensive. Then Harry piped up and shouted, "Allow your happy memory to fill you up." This lightened Neville's facial expression substantially.

He closed his eyes, focusing before saying, "Expecto Patronum," a silvery white mist came out of Neville's wand.

"Wow," she reached over and touched his arm, "That's amazing. Go on, try again." She blushed realizing that her hand was still on his arm and she removed it.

He cleared his throat and chanted again, "Expecto Patrunum," This time; a more solid looking silvery white blob emerged.

Hannah's eyes were wide as she admired Neville and his work. Then he nodded at her and said, "You have a go now, yeah?"

Hannah took a deep breath and let her happy memory of her family fill her up, "Expecto Patronum," she said with force. Nothing happened. She looked at Neville who urged her to go again. She steadied her hand and said, "Expecto Patronum!" Again, nothing happened. Neville had at least gotten mist out of his wand.

She looked at him with sad eyes and he said, "Maybe your memory isn't happy enough. Try to think of the most recent time you were filled with joy."

When you held my hand. Could that be enough?

Hannah flicked her blonde hair out of her face and thought of the butterflies in her stomach when Neville was checking her over for injuries. She spoke the charm and a small, faint lion cub came out of her wand and then vanished out of the air.

She looked at Neville wide-eyed who was staring at the spot her patronus had vanished from. She reached up and pulled him in for a tight hug. His face turned red before he placed his hands on her back. She let go of him and jumped up and down, "I never thought I could do that!"

Neville looked at her with a shocked expression still on his face and murmured, "And you said mine was amazing." He smiled at her.

She smiled back and said, "Go on now, you try, I want to know what animal yours is."

Neville looked at her reluctantly, "Okay," he mumbled. He faced straight ahead of him and concentrated, "Expecto Patronum." Another silvery blob emerged from his wand.

Hannah looked at him and said apprehensively, "A happier thought maybe?" He nodded then looked to her and smirked.

He turned forward and spoke the charm again. This time, a bear emerged from his wand, slightly stronger than Hannah's cub. Everyone looked over at this sight and started applauding. Hannah discreetly tugged on his sleeve. All the other Gryffindors were first to come and pat him on the back, telling him how cool and amazing that was. Neville's face was flushed from all the compliments.

The crowd, now surrounding Neville had pushed Hannah farther away from him. She couldn't hear very clearly what was said but she thought she heard someone ask him what he thought of, and she could have sworn she heard Neville say, "Hannah hugging me," but she shook this thought out of her mind. That couldn't possibly be what he said.

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Hannah and Neville started pairing up more in DA meetings and even started sitting next to each other in Herbology. Hannah was really thankful for his help in Herbology, a subject she had never been the best at; which was now becoming her favourite subject.