Chapter 2

Quidditch

The following day the Gryffindor common room was abuzz. There was a Quidditch match later that day between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and the outcome would determine the winner of the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup. The Quidditch team members were excitedly telling all the lower years how they planned to crush Slytherin to take the Quidditch Cup. While he absently listened to Oliver Wood preach to a small crowd in one corner of the common room, Neville's thoughts were elsewhere.

Neville was thinking about Luna. He knew that he would be able to find her at the match later. So in the interim, he thought about what to do about his situation. He concluded that it would be best to just come out with his feelings and see if she felt the same.

Neville's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a clap on the back, followed by a voice. "Alright Neville?" Fred's voice. "Why the long face, Longbottom?"

"Just thinking." Neville replied.

"Well, say hello to Luna for me when you see her at the match!" Fred said. "I have to go now, team meeting in the lockers."

"Yeah, sure." was the distant response.

Later, at the match, Neville searched the stands for Luna. Ten minutes later he spotted her, thanks to her hat that looked like a Gryffindor lion. After wading through the crowds for what seemed like an eternity he found her. As he came up to her it seemed she didn't even notice he was there.

Before he could even greet her though, she said, "Hello Neville." without looking away from the field.

Neville said, "Hi Luna, I like your hat."

"Thank you," she replied, finally turning to face him, "it roars when I put my wand to it." She removed her wand from behind her ear and touched it to the hat. Suddenly the lions mouth opened and gave a bellowing roar. "Professor Flitwick helped me enchant it."

Suddenly the crowd of students burst into great cheers as the Gryffindor team took to the sky for a warm up lap. Lee Jordan could be heard over the magical P.A. system introducing the players and their positions. Luna raised her wand to her hat again, and this time the roar could almost be heard over the cheers. Fred and George flew by in formation, with Fred winking as he passed.

Following the Gryffindor warm up, the Slytherins took to the field. This was accompanied by a cacophony of boos and hisses, none of the other houses favored Slytherin. After Lee Jordan grudgingly introduced the riders wearing green, Madam Hooch stepped out onto the pitch. The captains shook hands and Madam Hooch released the Bludgers and the Snitch, then tossed the Quaffle into the air to the eager Chasers. The game was on!

It was one of the most brutal games in recent years. Slytherin was determined to win at any cost. The Gryffindor beaters, Fred and George, were having a terrible time at keeping the Bludgers away from their teammates, and even the crowd. One Bludger came within a mere four feet of some first year Gryffindors, and Fred nearly crashed into the stands when he hit it away.

Luna was watching the game with great attention, though Neville could tell she wasn't focusing entirely on the game play. Her eyes would dart from one end of the field to the other as the players swooped around. Even when Slytherin committed blatant fouls, she kept her bright smile, though when Gryffindor scored she cheered just as loud as the rest of the fans and caused her hat to roar.

"What are you watching?" Neville asked her, practically having to shout over the frenzy of the crowd.

"The Snarkleburs." she replied, "They are having great fun chasing the broomsticks today."

Figuring he'll ask more about them later when he won't have to shout, he turned his attention back to the match. The match continued with the Gryffindors steadily building their lead. Slytherin continued to play rough and the Gryffindor players were beginning to take a beating. Through sheer determination, Gryffindor built their lead to sixty points. That is when Harry Potter, the Seeker for Gryffindor, made his move and caught the Snitch to secure the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor.

As the students rushed the field to congratulate the winners, Luna and Neville held back a bit. Neville decided it was now or never to let her know that he fancied her. Just as he was about to speak, Fred swooped in on his broomstick calling out to them.

"Oi, Neville, Luna! That was some game wasn't it?"

"Oh yes Fred, quite spectacular." Luna replied.

"Yeah, impressive flying Fred." said Neville.

"Loved your hat Luna, I could hear it even over all the cheering! Could be a market for a product like that. Gotta run though, there is a party starting in Gryffindor tower and we can't miss it." Fred said with a grin before he threw his arm around Neville's shoulders and pulled him towards the mob of Gryffindors. Neville looked back wistfully at Luna.

The party lasted long into the night. The whole house was celebrating as the team recounted their experiences on the pitch. Neville sat in a relatively secluded corner where only a few people bothered him. He smiled and told people he was happy about the win, which he was, but on the inside he was kicking himself for not telling Luna that he fancied her. He began devising a plan, he had just learned how to make a basic love potion, it might be time for some potions practice.

Thanks to iBounce for checking this over and reassuring me that it really is good! I already have an idea rattling around in my brain for the next chapter, hopefully it won't take that long for it to take shape on the page. As always, let me know what you think! Reviews are like food to this author, I need them to survive!