Sorry for the delay. Let's get on with it shall we?

Hermione flew into the castle and caused quite the stir among the ghosts that had settled in the grand foyer. She plowed right through them throwing a vague apology over her shoulder and shaking off the cold damp feeling she now had from walking though vapors in the shape of the dead. Her fury carried her through the castle and up to the infirmary. She threw open the doors and Madam Pomfrey looked up in alarm.

"Whatever is the matter dear," she asked with a voice full of concern.

Hermione was breathing hard and was slowly coming to her senses. The hospital wing was empty. As Hermione caught her breath she said quickly, "I forget to tell Neville something, I was hoping to find him here but he's obviously gone. I'll look for him elsewhere."

She whirled out of the doors and took off for the nearest staircase to take her to the Gryffindor common room. Three minutes later she was nearly out of breath again but her fury had cooled. She hastily said the password and stepped into the common room. She was intending to aim for her dorm when she saw him standing in the middle of the deserted room. She felt the anger start to bubble up inside of her all over again. She was angry at Neville for making her feel this way. Neville looked up in curiously when the portrait opened and then softened recognizing Hermione but it quickly changed to confusion when he saw her standing there looking quite vicious.

"Hi, Hermione," said Neville tentatively. Obviously this was the wrong thing to say as she glared at him more vigorously than before.

"Feeling better then," she said tersely. And then without waiting for a response she spat, "Just excellent," and made to storm off toward the stairs. Neville sidestepped and beat her to them blocking her way. He wasn't quite sure what to say. He wasn't quite sure why she was being short with him. Hermione was working diligently at squashing down her anger so she didn't say anything stupid.

"Hermione, why are you upset?"

"Neville, I'm going to need for you to move out of my way before I say something I will regret."

Neville had a nasty habit of standing up for himself at tactless moments and the last time he stood up to Hermione he ended up on the receiving end of a body bind curse. And yet here he was again, poking the beast as it were, risking being cursed again.

"No, Hermione. Tell me what's the matter with you. What's happened?"

Hermione threw up her hands, no longer able to control her anger or the other feelings she was having that were churning just under the anger that she was trying to avoid letting out.

"You! You are the problem here," she paused seeing the confused look on his face. It only made her angrier, "Do not look at me that way, Neville Longbottom. I know exactly what is going on and I don't appreciate it. Why didn't you tell me you were accepted to a Conservatory in the bloody Amazon? And then you have the gall to act attractive, as though anything could happen between us when you're leaving after graduation. You allowed that fission of attraction, and I felt it! What, did you think this would be a one off? A quickie realization of a fantasy to get you through the lonely nights after you've gone? Because let me assure you that I am not that kind of girl. How dare you, Neville."

Hermione made to storm past him but Neville was much taller and continued to block her path. Neville was no longer confused, he was ecstatic but he now had a very angry Hermione to deal with.

"Hermione Granger, stop shouting. You only have part of the story and you've got it the wrong way round."

"Oh don't you smile at me like it's all sunshine and rainbows in Neville's world because it surely is not. Now out of my way."

Hermione made to brush past him but Neville was a solid force blocking the way. She hadn't intimidated him into moving so she could make her dramatic exit. Instead he stood his ground and she walked into his chest. His very hard, muscular, defined, chest. Neville wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her even closer. Hermione was completely thrown off. As if the feel of his chest under her fingers wasn't enough his hand reaching under her chin to bring her face to look at his had her frozen in place. His arms were strong but she could have easily pushed him away. Instead she felt all of her anger evaporate as she watched his pupils dilate. She took in his musky, earthy scent. And she felt safe. Safer than she had felt in a very long time. Hermione was certain she stopped breathing. His hand moved from her chin to cup her cheek and tangle in her hair. His other hand ghosted over the small of her back. And slowly he leaned in, gently moving her face closer to his. He was excruciatingly gentle and the anticipation was killing Hermione. She adored it. Finally his lips met hers and Hermione saw stars. Neville had been anticipating this moment for years and it did not disappoint. The feel of her close to him, her body soft and pressing into his, her lips beautifully smooth and pressed tightly against his, was a moment he wished he could have frozen in time.

Alas, such moments cannot last forever, and they were in quite a public space. The portrait swung open with a bang and several chattering, giggling students spilled in. It was nearing dinner time. Hermione and Neville sprung apart. Both faces flushed. Hermione wasn't sure where to look. Suddenly her body felt out of her control and she was shaking. She looked at Neville and wildly pushed past him and retreated into the cool darkness of the empty girl's dormitory leaving Neville grinning widely at the bottom.

Ginny Weasley detached herself from the group she'd followed up to the dormitory and took in Neville's grin and flushed face and grinned devilishly. She had some girl talk to take care of with a one Hermione Granger, who she was certain was hiding in the girl's dormitory.

You know the drill. Tell me how you're feeling about this and help me out if something is horribly wrong, as I'm sure you will have no problems doing. Happy reading. ~ink