Changing Times:

Chapter Three:

I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters. They all belong to JK Rowling.

Also thanks for the kind reviews! 

Sorry for the late posting of this, I'll have the next chapter up much sooner, hopefully.

Neville sighed. A part of him wanted to hear Luna's explanation. But another part of him couldn't bear to hear the same words over and over. Though he and Luna had not had a relationship, for the tiniest of moments, Neville's heart had soared with the belief that he and Luna could be together. That she felt the same way he did. Did Neville really want to lift his heart up again, only to have it crashing down?

Neville spent the day marking assignments, using the red pen infrequently. But his mind was wandering. He kept returning to Luna's letter. What is it that she could have to say to him? To Neville, it was painfully clear that Luna was not available for a relationship. The window in Neville's office looked out towards the direction of Hogsmeade, where Neville could see his students walking to Hogsmeade. The chatter and laugher drifted through his window, making Neville feel more alone than ever. Though he had his friends, his colleges and his students, it was times like these where Neville realised that he was truly alone. Not that being in a relationship was better. No, Neville knew that there was such a thing as being lonely in love. He and Martha would sit together in a room, being as close as can be, yet so far away. And sadly, the only thing that can bridge such a distance Neville knew was love, which he and Martha had little of. With this thought, Neville sighed, knowing he was getting little done today.

A knock on his office door broke Neville's train of thought.

"Yes?" Neville called, looking up from his papers. The door opened to reveal Harry Potter standing there.

"Hi Harry." Neville said, setting down his pen. He then gestured towards the chair in front of his desk.

As Harry sat down, Neville noticed that Harry had a worried look on his face.

"What is it Harry?"

"Well, actually, it's Luna." Harry said, looking rather apprehensive about continuing this conversation.

"I see. What about her?" Neville asked, confused.

"Well, the other night, you left quite early I noticed. And I saw Luna running out of the castle. What happened?"

"Well. I guess I need to tell someone. Perhaps you can help me." Neville knew he needed to discuss this with someone. Harry was a good friend, someone who understood difficult dilemmas.

"Luna and I kissed that night. Then she ran away. At first I was confused, but then your wife helped made it clear. Luna is engaged to be married."

"Ah huh." Harry looked serious frowning. "It's not like Luna to do something like that, is it? Although we've not seen her in years."

"No. Well I don't know. Anyway, now she wants to see me. She sent a letter this morning, asking me to meet her, so she can explain."

"Are you going to go?"

"I don't know yet. I want to."

"Go. Neville, you can't live life in books and offices. Take a chance once in a while."

"But what if it's just to say "Sorry 'bout last night, I'm off to get married"?'

"What if it is? You've nothing to lose, and perhaps a lot to gain." Harry said, sensibly suddenly resembling Hermione.

Later that day, Neville wrapped his travelling cape around him, though it was only fall, the wind was bitterly cold at this time of the year. Red, orange and brown coloured leaves were swirling around everyone, a constant reminder that Halloween was coming soon. Harry's words echoed in Neville's head. "You've nothing to lose, and perhaps a lot to gain."

Everywhere he looked, there were students from Hogwarts walking around chatting excitedly with their friends, sharing sweets and tricks. Neville smiled at the students he recognized from his classes, reminding himself to mark some essays later. Soon, The Three Broomsticks came into sight, and Neville hurried towards the entrance. He pushed open the door, feeling relief from the cold in the warm, cozy room. Looking around, Neville saw several of his colleges, and students. Then he saw Luna sitting hunched backed, with a butterbeer in front of her. Tonight she wore tiny belles in her ears, and a red cape hanging on the back of her chair. Neville made his way closer to her, sitting down to her look of surprise.

"Neville" Luna's voice sounded surprised. "I didn't think you would come." She said, gesturing around the room, her ears or rather the earrings ringing as she did so.

"Well. I guess I have something I want to say to you." As Luna opened her mouth to speak, Neville pushed ahead, saying

"No, let me speak." Neville sighed, and then coughed clearing his throat.

"Luna, I loved you at school. Well, I don't know if it was love exactly, but I had feelings for you then. You were smart, fearless, and so open-minded. You were things I wanted to be. You were the opposite of me". Neville swallowed, his throat was dry. He took a swing of the butterbeer that had been placed in front of him.

"I want to be honest Luna, like you are. I still have feelings for you now. I always have. But now that I know you're engaged, I know that whatever may have happened can't happen ever again." Neville said, though he was trying to remain calm, he felt as though he was going to faint from the intensity of the situation.

Luna reached over, and laid her hand on his wrist, smiling.

"Neville. I liked you then too. I never told you though. It didn't seem right back then for some reason. I had dreams. Things I wanted to do before I married." Luna's voice started to quiver. She stopped, seeming to be thinking about what she was saying.

"But then we lost touch. I did not know what happened to you, Harry or any of the others. I stuck mostly to my work, focusing on my career. Then when I wanted to marry, or at least felt ready for it, Rolf was there. He seemed like the perfect guy, still does of course." Luna said hastily. By now, Neville's heart had sunk deep down in his chest.

"Neville, I was confused last night. I did not mean to give you hope. That was wrong of me. I'm still confused now…. I do not know what I want. Its times like these I miss Daddy. He would have had some wise words, I'm sure. I was sure that I wanted to marry Rolf. Start a family. But seeing you again last night. Kissing you. It felt right."

Joy spread through Neville's blood, pumping his heart.

"What does this mean then?" He asked, cautiously. Luna smiled, sadly.

"I don't know just yet. Can you forgive me for getting your hopes up? Can you give me time? I need to sort things out, talk to Rolf."

Luna asked, searching Neville's eyes. Neville's head pounded with confusion itself. Neville was unsure what this meant. So he said the only thing he could:

"Yes. I forgive you. Of course. Look, Luna, you could just marry him, forget about me." Neville was surprised at the bitterness that accompanied these words. Jealously rose up in his chest. This Rolf guy better know what a wonderful woman he has, thought Neville.

"I'm not sure of my feelings Neville. Last night confused me. I thought I was ready for marriage with Rolf, but now I don't know anything at all. But then how can we be sure of anything? We can't be. All we can do is jump in and hope for the best." She said wisely.

They left the Three Broomsticks, deciding to take a walk around the grounds of Hogwarts, enjoying the view of the Forbidden Forest. Neville pointed out to Luna the stars high above in the sky, pointing to the moon, teasing Luna about the connection. As Neville was focusing on these mystical aspects of night, Luna leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. As she pulled away from his cheek, Neville thought he was not about to let the moment go. He didn't care that Luna was engaged, that what they were doing was wrong. Neville pulled her close to his face, kissing her passionately.

A loud noise of a cough came from behind them. They broke away, looking confused. Luna spoke first.

"Rolf? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? I'm here to surprise you!" A young man, who would have been quite handsome had he not had such a furious look at his face stood there, in a pair of jeans and a jacket, Muggle clothing, stood behind them. He was holding onto a bunch of flowers. Neville's face blanched. He could only imagine what Rolf had seen, and what he now thought.

"I can explain." Luna said desperately, still standing close to Neville. He could feel the heat of her body radiating. Luna glowed beneath the light of the moon, but the look of panic etched into her face made Neville want to whisk her away from the situation.

"I'd like to see you try." Rolf said. Luna opened her mouth once more. But then closed it, leaving Rolf with a disgusted look on his face, then as he threw the flowers on the ground, he snapped,

"Don't bother!" With that, he stormed away. Luna turned to Neville who had witnessed this silently.

"I'm so sorry, Neville, I have to go now."

Neville watched as Luna scurried after Rolf, her long blonde hair flying behind her. He was left standing there, watching what he thought was his destiny sprint away from him.

To be continued…….  R & R, thanks!