Alright, I'm just getting a little trigger-happy with these posts, so I guess I'll stop here. Read more if it floats your boat, but yet again, flames aren't conducive to the well-being of a writer's creative juices.

--

"Hey, Hermione", began Neville as he trotted up to get in stride with her.

"No, Neville, I haven't heard if anyone's asked Matt to the Halloween Dance", she replied before he could even ask the question.

"B-but, how...", he stammered with a dumbfounded look on his face. She just raised an eyebrow and tilted her head towards Parvati and Padma. The two of them giggled like the schoolgirls they were as Neville gaped at them. "I knew I shouldn't've asked them", Neville muttered as he inwardly kicked himself.

"Don't worry, Neville. It's not as if it's private knowledge anymore", she laughed a bit and smiled warmly in reassurance. Feeling her supportive hand on his shoulder helped to ease Neville's mind. "Besides, you two are cute together." Her words suddenly faded as she scowled in the direction of Kristina and Ayra. The two were walking next to one another chatting about who knows what.

"Hello", greeted Neville kindly. He smiled and elbowed Hermione who was currently trying her hardest to flip Ayra with the force of her stare alone.

"Oh, what? Hi", she blurted dryly, rubbing her arm. She stopped in the middle of the corridor, hardly noticing that she was creating a veritable traffic jam. Many "oof's" and "ey!'s" later, the four of them were standing off to the side of the hallway, in front of a window.

Neville, surprisingly, started the conversation. "So do either of you guys know if-"

"No, he's not going with anyone yet, Nev", Kristina replied, rolling her eyes. Ayra smiled a little bit and could hardly hold in her laughter.

"Bloody hell, am I really that predictable?", he mumbled. Ayra could hardly keep herself from convulsing with laughter as she watched Neville with that bewildered look on his face.

"We can see right through you, Neville", Ayra giggled. You could tell that she was getting a real kick out of this.

Just then, Matt scurried past them while the crowd thinned. As he passed, he gave a nod to the group and a wink at Neville. If you weren't paying attention, you would've thought someone turned Neville's head into a tomato.

Kristina came behind him and gave him a firm shove. When he spun back around, she mouthed, "Go get him."

--

Matt was walking down the corridor and dropped a pen, forcing Neville to duck behind a corner. He couldn't count how many times Matt had come close to spotting him. It was a wonder he hadn't. Since he started spying on him, Neville sneezed on the dust from the old tapestries, tripped on nothing, walked through three ghosts, and the pièce de résistance, toppled over a suit of armor.

When Neville peered over the corner, Matt was already making his way down the hallway. Sprinting to catch up, Neville had to take the stairs two at a time just to find Matt being chatted up by... Crabbe?

Neville had to take a double take. As he watched Matt laugh at something Crabbe said, he could hardly believe his eyes. He leaned against the wall behind him. Staring at a pillar in disbelief, he mouthed "Crabbe" to himself as his brow furrowed.

A giggle rang from round the corner, and Neville caught Crabbe touching Matt's cheek while he leaned forward. Neville felt his cheeks heat up and he clutched the butt of his wand in his robe pockets. It was almost too much when Matt reached up to touch Crabbe's hand.

Neville was getting ready to stun Crabbe as he leaned farther forward, but Matt took care of the situation. He flicked Crabbe's nose and shook his finger in mock warning. From where Neville was, he could make out the sing-song voice Matt was using with Crabbe.

His stomach dropped as he realized that they were probably flirting. Matt started walking his way, and Neville was just about to sprint back down the corridor when he saw Crabbe grab Matt's arm. With a forceful tug, he pulled him back, and held his arms there.

"C'mon, love. Just a little one", Crabbe slurred as he held Matt there. Their voices lowered and Neville could only hear the garbled tones of distant chatter.

"I said, 'No', Vincent. What about that don't you understand?", Matt yelled. It came crystal clear now. He tried shoving him away, but Crabbe was at least a head taller and much thicker, so it was a futile effort.

Realizing that his pushes were going nowhere, Matt spun around and elbowed Crabbe in the stomach. He didn't let go, but it loosened his grip enough for Matt to sort of flip him over his shoulder, except as soon as Crabbe's feet were off the ground, he just slid off the side of Matt's back.

Neville fought off a chuckle as he watched Crabbe lolling on the floor.

"I'm sorry, Crabbe", Matt put a strain on the name. "I tried playing nice, but it looks like it didn't work out." Matt scurried off with a frustrated look on his face.

It took Neville a while to realize that Matt was scurrying in his direction, but he didn't feel like sprinting down the hall again, so he just turned the corner and pretended he'd just arrived.

"Oh, Matt", he said in an impressively convincing tone considering it was Neville. "I've been looking all over for you."

"You can lose the act, Nev, I know you've been following me since you walked through Sir Nicholas." Neville really wasn't surprised, and it came as a bit of a relief that he wouldn't have to play a charade all the way back to Gryffindor Tower. Peering over, he saw that Matt still had on that bewildered look, but his face brightened a bit when he looked at him.

"That was pretty impressive back there", said Neville. "I can't remember anyone ever flooring Crabbe."

"Impressive? That was bloody brilliant!" Ron trotted towards them, and the couple jumped at the sudden intrusion.

"Oh. Hi, Ron", Neville sighed a little disappointedly. Matt gave him a look, and Ron just shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyways, have either of you guys seen Ayra? I've been looking all over for her."

Matt was the first to respond. "I'd look for Kristina. They're always together, and you're more likely to spot the person destroying furniture than the person with them." Ron and Neville glanced over curiously, but Matt just gave them a look that said, "Don't ask".

"I'd probably check up in the dorms. We're headed up there, so I guess you can..." Matt trailed off as Ron bolted up the stairs, "... come with us. Or not."

When Neville saw Matt's shoulders slump, he had a powerful urge to put his arm around his shoulder. Every ounce of common sense he had told him not to, but he did it anyways and was rewarded with a brief smile as Matt rested his head on his shoulder. The sudden warmth and the hair tickling against his neck sent goosebumps down his arms.

"You okay, Neville?", asked Matt when he stiffened up. He took his head off of his shoulder, and Neville was left with a sudden chill at the loss of body heat.

"Y-yeah, perfectly alright", Neville responded awkwardly. He inwardly kicked himself after hearing the crack in his voice, but was relieved to see Matt just smile and keep walking.

--

Lately, the weather became steadily colder, so the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room was always lit. However, the chairs would still be frigid to the touch before you warmed them up a bit, so Matt was shivering while he curled up in a chair. He had his Gryffindor sweater wrapped around him, but it looked as if it wasn't doing much.

"Matt, what's wrong?", asked Neville. It was a pretty stupid question, but he was too shy to get directly to the point. "You look like Harry after he took a dunk in the lake." He chuckled a bit when he saw Matt's face crinkle in laughter, but it faded into shivers as soon as the moment slid by.

"N-n-nothing's wr-wrong, I just f-feel a little ch-chilly is all", Matt replied between sighs and shivers. His eyes glazed over as he gazed into the fire. Neville wished he could take a picture.

Banishing the thought, Neville offered, "Here, let me see." Neville cupped Matt's hands between his and it felt like he was holding ice cubes. "My God! Matt, you're freezing!" For a second, Neville debated about whether or not to run up and grab him an extra sweater, but seeing him bundled up like he was already, he decided against it. Instead, he inched himself closer to Matt, and pretended to adjust his sweater to close the distance. An awkward hand fumbled with Matt's, as Neville tried rubbing the cold out of it.

"Thanks", Matt mumbled as Neville started on his other hand. He watched as Neville's face creased with concentration. Matt's eyes traveled lower, and gazed at his shoulder, which stood there enticingly, urging Matt to rest his head on it. He'd done it earlier, but Neville seemed uncomfortable with it, and this situation was much more awkward. However, what made it even more awkward was that Matt could feel Neville's lips ghosting across his numb digits. Each delicate stroke sent shivers down his spine.

When Neville was satisfied, he sat back a bit and looked at Matt who's tremors had died down somewhat. The seat beneath him was lukewarm at most and his teeth still chattered now and then. "There. Better?", Neville asked as they sat side by side.

"Thanks, Neville", Matt replied, a little louder this time. They stared into the fire for some time, and sat as the silence thickened. Matt was the first to break it when he yawned and slowly placed his head on Neville's shoulder. Neville, who was shocked to say the least, tried to stop moving altogether, even breathing softer than usual.

A minute later, Matt lifted his head, shaking it. "I'm sorry, Neville, I shouldn't have done that. I won't let it happen again", he sighed as he started to put some distance between them.

"No!", Neville yelped, grabbing Matt's arm. He immediately regretted it, but there was no one else there to hear it. "I mean, no, it's alright, Matt. I don't mind at all really." He slid his hand down to Matt's wrist and let go. "I just didn't want to hurt your head, that's all. It's really... not a problem." His voice just trailed off as Matt rejoined him on the couch. This time, however, Matt's whole body was leaning in against his chest, and he felt his heart speed up as Matt rubbed up against him to get comfortable. Resigning himself to the position, Neville wrapped his arm around Matt's torso and held him close.

"So, Matt", Neville started. "Are you planning to go to the Halloween Dance?" He waited and watched as Matt opened his eyes.

"I dunno", was Matt's reply. "I haven't really thought of any costumes or anything, but I'm sure Kristina would help me out with that."

"Well, would you... I mean, that is, will you...", Neville stumbled over every word and inwardly cursed himself for not practicing it earlier when he had the time.

"Neville, are you asking me out?", Matt asked incredulously as he propped himself up against Neville's chest. The only thing Neville could manage was a weak nod. "I think that's incredibly sweet", Matt cooed as he nuzzled into Neville's neck. He picked his head back up and sat back to look at Neville. "You know, you're only the fourth person to ask me out, and only the second guy."

Neville looked dumbstruck. "O-only fourth?", he asked in what was almost a whisper. His hopes and dreams for that moment crashed and burned pitifully like an enchanted paper airplane. He could just imagine Professor McGonagall putting it out with a swish of her wand.

Matt nodded. "Yep. It's weird, y'know? I'll usually get asked out a couple times, and for some reason, Kristina gets roughly double that number every time. Ayra is usually somewhere between, but hers fluctuates." He looked down and made an adorably serious face. "There's probably an exact science to it, but I've yet to find it."

"So I guess that means there's no hope for me, then", Neville sighed as he shifted in his seat. He gazed at Matt almost wistfully as he fiddled with a stray lock of hair.

"No, Nev", he joked as the older boy just sat there. "Don't be so down on yourself. There's no way I'm going out with Parvati or Padma. As for Crabbe, I didn't exactly say no, but after what happened earlier, I'm not too sure he'd even go with me still."

"Crabbe!?", Neville squawked. "You're actually considering going with him?" He didn't mean to insult Matt's taste, but Crabbe was hardly the nicest or best looking guy that Matt could get.

"Yes, I'm still considering it", Matt pouted. "He's just like a big teddy bear when you get to know him."

Neville gulped and thought, "Sure, a large, violent teddy bear."

"Just like I'm considering going with you, Neville", Matt quipped. "However, at the moment, it's leaning in his favor seeing as you haven't actually asked me..."

Something in Neville told him to take a risk. He grabbed Matt and brought him down to the seat. Laying slightly on top of him, he asked, "Matt, will you go to the Halloween Dance with me?"

"Wow", giggled Matt. "That was alot quicker than I expected." For a second, he didn't answer the question. Instead, he just put on a very thoughtful look on. "Hm... well..." Neville's heart raced. He desperately tried to read Matt's face, but it was too hard to tell. "I'll think about it", he replied, beaming. Neville just laid there and Matt poked his nose.

Neville wasn't quite over the initial shock when someone cleared their throat behind them. "I see we're getting comfortable", Harry chuckled as the two scrambled off one another.

"I'll talk to you later, Neville", Matt said, blushing. He tip-toed up to give him a kiss on the cheek before scurrying up the stairs.

Neville stood there stammering and motioning towards Matt, but he was already up the stairs before he noticed anything. "W-wait, Matt?", he said a little late. With a heavy sigh, he turned to Harry. "Thanks, Harry. Thanks."

"Aww, Nev. I'm sorry. If I knew, I would've knocked or something", he replied, giving Neville a firm pat on the back. "So what was going on anyways?"

"I just asked him out to the Halloween Dance", Neville mumbled as he buried his face in his hands.

"Oh, sorry mate", he apologized. "I actually just got back from asking someone too, but apparently, I'm ninth on the waiting list."

As soon as Harry mentioned that, Neville's head shot up. "Don't tell me. You asked out Kristina."

Harry blinked and opened his mouth a couple times before he could answer. "H-how..."

"Long story", Neville answered and looked up at the stairwell Matt disappeared through mere minutes before.

"Oh...", Harry said as he got the hint. "Well, fortunately for me, she was quick to make up her mind, and I guess I'm going to the dance with Kristina."

Neville glared at him a moment, but returned to cupping his face with his hands. "Thanks, Harry. I hope things work out with you two", he sighed as he got up and ascended the staircase as well.

Harry called up to him just before Neville opened the door to the dormitory. "No problem! Always happy to help!"

--

Harry's so OOC that it pains me, but what can you do? I'll try and edit that out, so it's all good in the hood.