A/N: Sorry I took so long to update... life was coming at me pretty hard and on top of that I just couldn't seem to get my ideas on the virtual page. But the good news is that I am now employed and I am getting settled in at work so I should be able to focus on writing a bit more, though updates may not come right away.
Neville had spent the better part of a week getting all the ingredients required for his potion making. He took a couple extra ingredients from potions while he was getting what he needed for his assignment, and he also had to wait for a visit to Hogsmeade for a couple items that Professor Snape typically didn't stock in the student's cabinet. Once he had all his ingredients assembled, he found a secluded room at the end of a secret passage nobody used since it only led to disused classrooms and storerooms.
After several attempts, he managed to get a Silencing Charm set around the room that he learned from a fifth year. It merely muffled the sound instead of blocking it completely. Then he set about setting up his brewing station. Once everything was in order he began adding his ingredients to the cauldron. After a few minutes, the mixture started to hiss and pop. Suddenly the mixture erupted in a dull green mess, covering everything within three feet including Neville.
Meanwhile, Fred and Luna were wandering the grounds. Fred listened intently as Luna described what Wrackspurts, Nargles, and Snarkleburs were, the latter of which Fred paid special attention to. She was halfway through describing what a Gulping Plimpie is when Fred cut in.
"Why can't I see the things you see?" He asked.
"Well, some of the creatures require special magical apparatus to see, others are very elusive, but most just require an open mind. While skepticism can be healthy, it can hinder some of the simpler joys in life too," replied Luna.
"I see," Fred had a ponderous look about him as they came to the lake and watched some first years toss sticks into the lake for the giant squid to retrieve.
Back in Neville's makeshift potions lab, several hours and two melted cauldrons later, he finally had a batch of love potion set to mature for the next twelve hours. Then it would be ready to mix into a bottle of pumpkin juice. So he locked the door on the way out and made his way to the great hall for supper, where he dined silently at the Gryffindor table and ignored the conversations around him.
The next morning, after a restless night, Neville went to check on his potion. Finding that it matched the description in his notes from class, he poured some into a small glass phial and stoppered it. He then peeked out the window to check that the weather was favorable and headed down to breakfast to put the next phase of his plan into action. After hastily tucking into the waffles and bacon laid out on the table, he scanned the hall for Luna. He spotted her just standing from the Ravenclaw table. Walking quickly to the grand doors at the Great Hall's entrance, he caught her just as she was leaving.
"Luna! Wait for a moment," he panted, "I was wondering if you would have lunch on the grounds with me today?"
"That would be lovely Neville," she said.
"Great! I'll have the house-elves prepare a basket for us."
Neville waved goodbye and went to the kitchens to have the elves prepare the basket for him to pick up later. He was wearing a smile on his face as his plan was working perfectly so far. He made sure the elf that was to assemble his basket knew to put two bottles of pumpkin juice in it. Then, after telling them he would be back for it at lunch, he headed to his first lesson.
Neville practically ran out of Professor Binns' classroom when they were released for lunch. Racing to the kitchens to collect the picnic basket he bowled over a group of first years in the entrance hall. He arrived at the painting of the bowl of fruit and tickled the pear. When it opened an elf sauntered up to him carrying a basket that was nearly larger than the creature himself.
"Groop has lunch for young master Longbottom sir. Groop checked double that he places two bottles of pumpkin juice into master Longbottom's basket," the small house-elf said as he set the basket at Neville's feet and bowed low.
"Thanks!" Neville replied.
"Anything for the young masters of Hogwarts," the elf said before bowing again and running off to tend to his other duties.
Neville peered into the basket and checked that everything was ready. Before he made his way to the entrance hall to meet Luna he removed one of the bottles of juice and very carefully uncorked it. Pulling the phial from his robes, he opened it and poured it into the bottle before replacing the cork carefully so it did not appear to have been opened since the house-elves filled it. He then placed it back into the basket, carefully noting which bottle it was.
He arrived at the steps leading to the grounds a few minutes later to find Luna already there, staring up at the clouds. He called out to her and waved, she turned her head toward him and smiled as he approached. They made there way to a semi secluded clearing near the lake where Neville laid out a blanket and set the basket down on it before taking a seat next to it. Luna sat opposite him.
"What a perfect day for a picnic," Luna said dreamily, trailing off a bit.
"Yeah, beautiful weather," He replied, as he began unpacking the basket.
The basket contained two portions of shepherds' pie, two rolls, and treacle tarts for pudding. Neville removed the pumpkin juice last and set the one with the potion in front of Luna. She picked up the bottle and took a long swig, closing her eyes as she did. Neville grew anxious and waited for her to open her eyes again, when Fred came up behind him and called out a greeting.
"Oi, Luna, Neville, what brings you two out here?" he asked.
Luna snapped her eyes open and removed the bottle from her lips as she gazed at Fred. Neville began panicking, as the potion caused the imbiber to become smitten with the first person they laid eyes on after drinking it.
"I could ask the same of you, Fred," Neville responded snappily.
"Well, if you must know, I am developing a new spell. It may have huge implications in the field of food preservation- among other things." Fred said with a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "But don't tell anyone."
"What is it?" Luna finally spoke.
"It's a permanent freezing spell, only reversible by magic." He proudly said.
Neville grew more annoyed and concerned with each passing moment. Would all his preparations be for naught?
"That's brilliant Fred!" Luna exclaimed.
"I know. I was going to practice in this clearing, but seeing as it is occupied, I will go elsewhere. Bye Luna, Neville." Fred said closing with a nod to each of them before exiting the clearing.
Luna stared off after Fred with a dreamy look, but it was just a bit off from her normal dreamy state, this seemed more focused. Neville's heart sunk, his plan not only failed, but it seemed to have backfired. His mind began racing, trying to think of ways to fix the situation when Luna cut in.
"Let's finish our meal, I would like to catch up with Fred after," she said.
A/N: Hope you like it, special thanks to iBounce for checking it over for me! As always reviews are welcome, I gobble them up like fresh brownies (which I have a tray of sitting in the kitchen, time to eat one I think)