During free period most everybody went outside to enjoy the beautiful day. The sun was shining brilliantly in the bright blue sky, birds were chirping happily, and the slight breeze blew the scent of flowers into your nose. It was nice.
I went to the greenhouses to see Professor Sprout.
Herbology class usually was only for a students first through fifth years, but if you recieve 'Exceeds Expectations' or higher on their Herbology O.W.L. can take a Herbology class in their sixth year to prepare for their N.E.W.T.s in seventh year. I recieved the highest possible score on my O.W.L. at Oustanding.
I brought along my Flesh-Eating Trees of the World book with me. It was a book only used by sixth year students. I walked into the second greenhouse, knowing Professor Sprout was always there during my free period. Luckily during sixth year free period, Professor Sprout also had a "free" period. I usually went in, and we talked, or I helped her around the greenhouse, helping set up for the next class or cleaning up, or whatever she asked me to do.
"Oh hi, Neville!" Professor Sprout said happily. I smiled, setting my book on the long table. I sniffed deeply, letting the scent of all the plants fill my nostrils. I loved this place. It was home.
Professor Sprout looked up at me, and was about to say something, when someone came into the greenhouse in a hurry. I turned to see Hermione. She was out of breath, her face red. "Neville!" she yelled, holding onto the nearest table for support.
I rushed over to her, helping her stand properly. "What, Hermione?!" I said, panicked at her obvious hurry to get to me.
"L-Luna.."
I felt panic sweep through me. "What?! What?!"
Hermione took a deep breath and said, "She wants to see you, said it was important, so I rushed over here. I thought maybe it was about what happened earlier."
"Where is she?"
Hermione took another deep breath. "By the lonesome tree beside the school. She chose a secluded place, saying it was a private matter."
I nodded, releasing Hermione. "Thank you!" I said, running out of the greenhouse. I ran up the small incline to the side of Hogwarts, where the beautiful tree sits, alone. Always green and beautiful, it sits outlooking the lake. I came to the tree, seeing Luna sitting under it. She looked up and her face lit up when she saw me. She stood, and I closed the distance between us.
Her face suddenly turned dark and serious. "Neville, I have something very important to discuss with you." She grabbed my hand, leading me closer to the trunk of the tree, and we sat down. She released my hand, and looked up into my eyes.
"Neville, please, tell me what's wrong." Her sweet angelic voice was gone. Her voice was deeper now, more serious. I've never heard it before. I don't think anyone at Hogwarts has.
I could tell she knew that I was nervous. My forehead creased. "Nothing, silly."
She remained just as serious, shaking her head. "No, there's something wrong. I know there is."
I shook my head, faking a smile, "I promise, it's nothing."
She looked at me, her expression unchanging. I've never seen her so serious. She's always happy, or at least has a cute, uplifting face about her. Even earlier today in the boys' restroom she didn't look so serious. "Neville, I'm here for you. I'm your friend."
I looked away. She knew something. Maybe it was last night, when we talked for a minute in the corridor. Maybe she sensed something.
"That's just it," I say. Her eyes linger on me intently. "My so called friends always exclude me. I feel left out."
"Oh Neville!" she said, wrapping me in a hug. Her sing-song voice was back. I was relieved. "I'll spend time with you if you feel lonely! Just come find me!"
I smlied, and she released me from the hug. Then I realized something.
I stood up, with surprise written all over my face. "Luna Lovegood!" I said, stern, almost boss-like.
She stood next to me, hurt written across her face. "No, no, Luna, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, it's just.."
She shook her head. "I know, Neville."
Her calmness took me by surprise, but I brushed it away. "You're a fifth year! Your free period was last period! You're really late to class!"
She shrugged it off. "You're more important than a silly potions class."
I was dumbfounded. "Bu-but Snape will kill you!"
She shook her head, smiling. She came up closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Then I'll just skip the whole class today. I'll blame it on nargles. 'Professor, they took my books, and I was searching for them for almost all of class!'" There was something about they way she was standing, the way her eyes were locked on mine, her deeper, luring voice.
Is she hitting on me?!
I felt a lump in my throat, and I couldn't speak. She stood on her tippy toes just enough so our foreheads touched. She looked me in the eyes, we were both silent. I realized that my arms were down by my sides and I felt suddenly awkward that they were there. I placed them around her, my wrists rested on her lower back.
I looked into her baby blue eyes and found myself hypnotized. She smiled slightly, and moved her eyes to my lips, then back up to my eyes.
Why is she taunting me like this?!
Instinct took over, and I used my arms to pull her closer to me, our lips meeting. The kiss was long and passionate. With our bodies pressed together, the scent of her strawberry hair, and the beautiful outdoors around us, it couldn't be better.
After a few minutes, Luna pulled away, breathing heavily. She held my face in her hands, smiling at me.
"Neville, you're blushing!" she giggled. I felt nervous and shy and awkward all at once. She giggled again, and pulled my face to hers, our noses brushing. "It's cute." she said, her dreamy voice back.
I felt my cheeks grow extremely hot and she kissed me on the lips once; a rather quick kiss. Her cheeks went slightly pink. I kissed her again, pulling her to me once again. Who would've thought that I, Neville Longbottom, would ever be brave enough to kiss Luna Lovegood?!
"Neville Longbottom!" I heard from behind us. I pulled away from Luna, looking behind me. Hermione was coming up the slight hill. I don't think saw us yet. I broke away from Luna, but upon seeing her face, I grabbed her hand.
"Neville! I just realized that Luna should be in class!" she came up over the hill. She stopped and stood a few meters away from us, hands on hips. "Luna, you need to get to class."
Luna spoke up with her sweetest voice. "Oh, but Miss Granger, I have potions. if I go now I'll be in trouble. I'll just tell Snape tomorrow that nargles hid my stuff from me!"
Hermione's eyes darted to our hands, then back to me. "Neville, you're intruding in her learning time!"
I looked at Luna, and she looked back at me. She squeezed my hand. I looked back at Hermione. "Hermione, come on, it's the nargles."
She looked disgusted at our attempts to keep Luna out of class.
"Fine! But I'm only letting it slip by so I can get back to my reading," she turned on her heel and walked back down the hill, leaving us behind. Luna giggled.
"I don't have to go back!" she said playfully. She was back to her sweet, childlike self. I wander how hard it'd be to get the Luna out that isn't afraid to speak her feelings, the one that takes control of a situation. The one with the dreamy, luring voice, and romantic body language.
I smiled, and she smiled back.