Chapter 2: Taking Action
Neville soon drifted off to sleep after hours of thinking and debating with himself. He didn't even hear the other guys come in and get ready for bed. Not like many of them noticed him anyhow. His one friend, Will had nudged him, getting no response. Will shrugged and got in his own four poster bed, drifting off to sleep himself.
In the girls' dormitories, Ginny had trudged herself up from the common room, after her own hours of thinking and debating, and dropped herself in her bed. She shifted under pillow to find a picture of her and Neville that Colin had taken back at a Hogsmed weekend. A small smile found its way to her mouth.
"I promise I'll help you again, Nev," she whispered, before falling off to sleep.
The next morning, Neville did not show up for breakfast. Ginny finished up eating and turned to Will. Will and Neville were real good friends since their first year. He knew of his best friend's crush on Hermione and disapproved of it instantly after second year. Just like Ginny, he wanted nothing more to see his friend move on and find some other girl to pine after.
"Good morning, Will. Have you seen Neville?" she asked, approaching the taller boy.
Will turned and smiled. "Morning, Gin. I tried to get him out of bed this morning and he said he wasn't hungry. He might be down at the lake. I think he mumbled something bout that before he pulled the covers up."
"Thanks, Will," replied Ginny, flashing him a warming smile.
"Anytime," he responded.
Ginny hurried off to the lake without letting anyone get in her way. It wasn't like Neville not to come to breakfast. He could always catch glimpses of Hermione during meal times. I hope he is ok. Coming closer to the lake, she saw a lone figure sitting on a rock by the water's edge. The giant squid obviously leaving the stranger alone since he hadn't made an appearance. She could hear the soft plops of rocks being tossed in.
Approaching with caution, Ginny stepped closer. It was definitely Neville sitting there. His face was torn between so many emotions that ran through him. He looked over at her with a look that she had only seen once. It was back when she was teaching him how to play Qudditch.
Flashback
"Go take a shower, Nev. You smell," Ginny laughed. They had been playing for over three hours. Both were hot, sweaty and tired.
Neville laughed as he looked at their once clean outfits. His gaze then moved up to the wind tossed hair of Ginny and the amusement that sparkled brightly in her eyes. She looked so pretty standing before him. No one else had ever offered to teach him Qudditch before. Already after several months of practice, he was getting better and better. All thanks to her. Admiration and a hint of something else swelled up in his eyes as he gazed upon her. "Well same to you!"
Ginny laughed. Together they head for the locker rooms. They had only used the guys' locker room to shower to avoid any suspicion. After all, there was only the two of them. Taking opposite ends of the locker room, the two began to shed themselves of their Qudditch gear and head into the steaming hot shower. That was what they would need for their aching bodies.
After a good twenty minutes of soaking, Ginny stepped out. She looked around for her towel, only to find nothing but her clothes and soiled Qudditch gear. Where had she put it? Now she was stranded, naked and wet. It was impossible to go to Neville and ask him if he had her towel. All of a sudden, she heard footsteps coming. Now she was in for it!
"Ginny!" gasped a familiar voice.
Turning around, she saw Neville, standing there with her towel in his hands. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. His eyes gazed from her shapely legs up to her hips up to her ample chest and landed on her beat red face. The water that ran down her from her wet hair and anywhere else made her look even more beautiful than he had ever seen her look before. There was something in his eyes that she noticed when he stared at her. Their staring contest lasted a few more minutes before Neville shook his head and held out her towel.
"I-I was hoping to leave this there before you got out," he stammered.
Ginny took the towel from him and wrapped it around herself. He was already dressed with his hair wet and tousled. His green shirt showed off his newly gained muscles. It looked really good on him. Wait, was she just checking out her friend? "Thanks, Nev."
"Sorry." With that, he turned and left to give her some privacy.
End Flashback
"Ginny," he whispered.
"Nev, is something wrong? Why weren't you at breakfast?" asked Ginny, sitting on the grass by the rock. She looked up at him; worry and concern filled her eyes.
Neville threw another rock in the lake before turning to her. His eyes still flashing that same look. "Didn't feel like going."
"But you always do. To see Hermione," she prodded.
"I've been thinking about that. Ginny, what would you say if I was to give up on Hermione?" he asked, looking down at her.
Did she hear him right? He was going to give up on Hermione! "That's great, Neville!" She got up and hugged him. It was a matter of seconds before she felt his strong arms wrap around her.
"It is." He nuzzled her as he held her closer to him. "Cause I've found someone new."
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