Neville watched from the Gryffindor table as all the first years were sorted. Sat next to him was Hermione, who wasn't paying all that much attention to the ceremony because she was worried about her friends,both of which weren't on the Hogwarts Express. She checked every compartment, yet Ron and Harry were nowhere to be seen.

"Lovegood, Luna." Caught Hermiones attention.
"Isn"t that the girl from the train?" Hermione asked Neville as the hat cried out "Ravenclaw!" . He nodded in reply, a strange look on his face. Hermione didn't know it, but Neville was slightly dissapointed that Luna hadn't been sorted into Gryffindor. They may not have many classes together, and nor will they see each other often. But the smile on her face made the pain subside slightly, because he knew it was selfish, because she was so happy. But what Neville didn't know, was that Luna was also hoping she would get into Gryffindor, the boy on the train being every reason for it.

The list of first years went on, the last being Weasley, Ginny who was sorted into Gryffindor, and sat next to Hermione. "Wheres Harry? and Ron?" Gnny asked, but Hermione just shrugged, not having a clue. Ginny also spent the rest of the night looking worried, and by the time the feast was over, Hermione was close to tears. When Ginny followed Percy and the other Gryffindor Prefects to the common room, Hermione and Neville stayed behind. "It will be fine, we'll look for them in the common room, then we'll look in the boys dormitories, and if we don't find them then we will talk to Professor Dumbledore. They'll be fine, they know how to defend themselves." Neville tried to assure Hermione as they started walking. Hermione nodded, not trusting her voice.
"Hello, Neville! Hello, Hermione!" Luna chirped, walking up to the pair,
"Hi Luna, I need to get to the common room, so I ll catch up with you later. You can stay Neville, I can walk there myself." Hermione said quietly. Neville nodded, and stayed put as Hermione left.

"Congratulations on getting into Ravenclaw, your parents will be proud." Neville said, causing Luna to smile lightly.
"I suppose so, I m heading up to the owlery to send my dad a letter." Neville gave her a quizzical look. "My mother passed when I was nine, her cauldron exploded and she died straight away, so it's just me and dad now." Luna explained with sadness in her voice. Nevilles face dropped.
"Sorry, I didn t-" Neville was about to apologise, but Luna stopped him.
"It's quite alright Neville, how could you have known? Anyway, I should probably start heading back to my common room, it s nearly curfew." Neville nodded at her.

"Do you want me to walk you there? My curfew isn't for another half an hour." Neville asked, causing Luna to smile at him.
"That would be lovely, but only if it's not to much of a bother." Luna answered.
"Oh, no. It s fine." Neville spoke the truth, though it was half because he wanted to spend more time with Luna, and half because he didn't want to deal with Hermione if Ron and Harry weren't there. She get's angry when she's sad, and Neville knows from experience that the books she carries with her all day are very hard and can be used for more than just reading purposes.

They start their walk to the west side of the castle, and Neville makes small talk to fill in the silence. "So do you like your common room?" He asks, and Luna nodded.
"It is very cosy, but full of Nargles, which is a shame." Neville nodded to her Nargles statement.
"On the train, you said you can sense Nargles. How does the atmosphere change with them around?" He asked, keeping up with the conversation. "The temperature rises a little bit, and sometimes my heart speeds up. Which reminds me, I m sure you have a couple of Nargles in your head, I can sense them whenever I'm near you."
"Oh, is there anyway you can get rid of Nargles?" Neville asks, as they approach the spiralling staircase to get to the common room.
"Of course, you should try a butterbeer cork necklace, it s always worked for me. Although if they're infesting mistletoe or your lawn you need to sprinkle it with lemon juice." Luna answered.
"Thanks, I ll keep that in mind." Neville tried not to breath to heavily after the many staircases started taking their toll.

They reach a door with no handle or key hole, but with a bronze doorknocker shaped as an eagle. "What goes down and up at the same time, while not moving an inch?" The door knocker asked. Neville was confused, shouldn't it just ask for a password?
"Stairs?" Luna asked.
"Correct!" The door creaked open and from where he was standing, Neville could see a vast blue room with stars on the ceiling, and he thought vaguely of the Great Hall. "You have to answer a riddle to get in?" Neville asked Luna.
"Yes, and if you get it wrong you have to wait for someone else to come along and get it right." Luna explained. "Well, I better get inside and go to bed, lessons start tomorrow, and I wouldn't want to be tired." Neville nods in agreement.
"Yeah, I better be heading off to my common room." They bade fare well and Luna reached on her tip toes to ruffle Neville's hair.
"See you later, Nev!" Luna waved him goodbye and he waved back as she closed the door.

Neville walked silently to Gryffindor tower, remembering the trick step for the first time. When he entered the common room he saw a great commotion, and Harry and Ron right in the middle of it. He grinned, happy they were back. He felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to see who it was. It was Hermione, looking relieved but cross at the same time. "Where were they?" Neville asked apprehensively, knowing that by the look on her face, Hermione is going to go on a long rant, but also knowing that she'll rant if he asks her or not.
"There was a problem with the barrier, so they couldn't get through, and they decide that its such a brilliant idea to steal Ron s dads flying car and fly all the way here! And if thats not dangerous enough, THEY WERE SEEN! By EIGHT muggles! Boys are so stupid sometimes! No offence Neville, I dont mean you. But they could have just sent an owl to the school! They could have waited by the car for Rons parents! They could have jeopardised the hole wizarding world!" Neville decided it was best to just nod and agree, and then tell Hermione that he was going to bed, and he walked up to his dormitory, changed to his pyjamas and fell asleep.