Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story they all belong to J K Rowling God Bless her for creating them!

AN: I hope you like it!

Chapter 2: The First Date

A couple of weeks later Neville had worked up the courage to once again talk to Hermione. By now, she, Ron and Harry were the talk of the school and he didn't like to be the center of attention.

He found her studying alone in the library. "Hermione excuse me Hermione." he said and tapped her on the shoulder.

She startled, "Bloody Hell, Neville, you nearly scared me to death," she replied back.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to," was his reply.

"Was there something I can do for you Neville I really am busy," she said shortly.

His cheeks reddened and he burst out quickly with, "I was wondering if you will go out with me,"

"Excuse me, I didn't quite catch that," Hermione replied.

He let out a long sigh and said again, "I was wondering if you would be so kind as to meet me in the Great Hall around 7 pm for our first date."

"First date?" she questioned not understanding what he was asking.

He sighed again, "Hermione Jean Granger will you go out with me?" This time he pulled out his wand and produced a dozen roses and presented them to her with his question.

Hermione grinned and took the roses, taking her time to smell each and every one knowing that her answer was going to be yes, but wanting to make him squirm because he looked cute when he squirmed.

"Yes Neville I will. You said the Great Hall at 7 pm? I will be there." she said as she flashed him a huge smile.

"Great I will see you there," he said and smiled back.

They smiled and stared at each other for what seemed like hours until Hermione said, "Is there something else Neville?"

It was Neville's turn to startle as if he had been in a trance, " No but you are especially beautiful today. I will see you tonight then." He leaned down and pecked her on the cheek and then walked off whistling The library patrons staring at him as he left.

Hermione watched him leave, a smile on her face. She had been waiting for him to ask her out again and he finally did.

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After leaving the library, Neville first went to Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore to get permission to be out of the Gryffindor Common Room for his and Hermione's date. He didn't want them getting into trouble. They gave them an hour, but after that it was lights out. After all he and Hermione were first years, Professor McGonagall had told him.

Then it was off to the kitchen to discuss the menu for the date. He wanted everything to go perfectly, even though he was the most clumsiest person there ever was.

Once that was done, the day went by so slowly for Neville, he thought 7 pm would never get here. At 6:30, he started to walk down to the Great Hall, but got stopped by Ron and Harry

"Don't hurt her," Ron commanded.

"She's our best friend we don't want to have to hurt you," Harry retorted as well.

"I could never hurt Hermione, and she is one of my best friends too." Neville replied.

"Just as long as we are clear." Ron responded back.

"You two don't have to worry about a thing, if anyone gets hurt in this it will more than likely be me. Now please I don't want to be late." Neville insisted.

Harry and Ron moved out of Neville's path so he could proceed, but continued to watch him as he left.

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As Neville was the first to arrive, he finished getting everything ready. He conjured up some more flowers The floating candles on the ceiling and the night sky made for a nice romantic setting he thought with just the two of them.

As he was finishing up the last few details, Hermione arrived. She cleared her throat to let him know she was there.

"Hey, you made it." Neville walked over to her and once again kissed her cheek.

"Yes I did. Neville did you do all this just for me?" She asked looking around.

"Yes," he said with a satisfied look on his face. "Do you like it?"

"Yes, it's beautiful," she said as she picked up one of the flowers and smelled it.

"Please have a seat and our meal will be here shortly." He replied.

Hermione sat down with Neville beside her and the food instantly appeared as it did when all the students were in the room.

"I hope you like it,"Neville said looking for Hermione's approval.

She saw it in his eyes and she said, "Yes very much so," then she started eating. "This is really good," she replied between bites.

"Oh we only have an hour then we have to go back to our common room," Neville said almost forgetting.

"What time is it now?" she asked not wanting their time together to end.

"7:20," he replied.

"Then we best make the best of the time we have left then. What do you have planned," she asked.

"Well I was hoping we could talk about ourselves and get to know each other a little better," he replied.

"You go first." she answered back.

He told her about his parents, his life growing up and how got his letter to Hogwarts and how excited he was that he finally felt like he belonged somewhere.

She spoke of her family, her love of knowledge and magic, and before they knew it Professor McGonagall came in to tell them it was time to go back.

They walked back together hand in hand. Outside the common room before giving the password to enter Hermione said, "I had a good time tonight Neville, thanks."

"So did I, I'm wondering if you want to be a couple as much as I want to?" he said looking into her eyes.

She was as mesmerized by his eyes as he was by hers and she said, "Yes I do."

Professor Snape came along at that moment and said, "You two should be in bed. 10 points from Gryffindor for being out of bed after hours."

They just stared at him with smiles on their faces and said, "Yes Professor Snape." Then they turned said their password and went into their common room hand in hand.

Once inside, neither wanted the night to end, but both knew they needed to go to bed.

"Till tomorrow my sweet Hermione," Neville spoke first as he wrapped his arms around her and pecked her on the cheek.

"Until tomorrow Neville," Hermione returned. She turned and walked to her staircase before she turned around and blew Neville a kiss.

He caught it with a smile and placed it over his heart. He then watched her walking up the staircase until he could no longer see her, before turning to his staircase and going up to bed himself whistling and walking on cloud nine.