See previous chapters for stuff that's normally up here. Except I have one additional warning. In this chapter I seem to have fallen in love with the whole dot dot dot thing. I'm sorry. It was a very awkward chapter.
Neville searched the whole library for a book that would help him learn what his Malfoy voice called 'the basics'. It seemed that the Hogwarts library was severely lacking in anything of the sort, although he did find one thin paperback proclaiming 'Just Say No!' in big red letters accompanied by a picture of a thin looking witch sobbing into her hands.
Well, judging by what goes on at this school, that book's probably never been checked out of here in its life.
It has, once. In 1973 by a person called Matilda Effleworth.
She was probably ugly anyway.
Don't be mean! It was sensible of her to make that sort of decision.
What, you think she actually would say no if someone offered?
It wouldn't matter if she did.
You're just scared of sex.
Am not!
Are too.
How can I be scared of it if I don't even know how it's done?
I meant straight sex.
Oh. Well, yeah. That is kinda gross.
But you're scared of gay sex too.
I don't know whether I am or not!
You could ask Colin about it.
Haha. I don't think so. I don't want to ask anyone about it.
I bet Granger would know.
Why would she know? Ignoring the fact that she knows everything.
Most girls love gay men. A lot of them find the idea of two guys together very hot and/or cute. Granger strikes me as that type of girl.
Now I'm definitely not asking Hermione. That's too disturbing for words.
Fine. Let's do this logically then. Think of a person who you trust not to tell anyone if you did ask them.
No one in my year.
Someone in the year below then?
Not Colin! Or Rachel. Possibly…Ginny.
She wouldn't laugh. And she probably knows about it.
I dread to ask…why?
She's got six brothers. At least one of them is bound to be gay.
That's…a fair point.
Ginny, then?
Neville sighed heavily and slumped into a nearby chair.
Better to ask than bluff your way through.
I'm not planning on doing it! Just…just curious.
Whatever. Ask her.
Fine…Ginny it is.
…
"Um, Ginny?" The girl looked up from her work to see Neville standing there, looking very nervous. Admittedly, it didn't take very much to make Neville nervous but Ginny closed her book anyway.
"Yes, Neville?"
"Um…can I talk with you? In…in private?"
"Sure. We'll go outside. I need to stretch my legs anyway. Just let me get a jumper, okay?"
"Yeah, great. Thanks." Ginny smiled and disappeared upstairs. Soon she was back and the pair of them made their way down to the grounds in silence. Ginny kept glancing at Neville who fixed his eyes firmly on the ground. It wasn't until they reached the lake that Ginny finally spoke.
"Neville, what's wrong?" The boy jumped and stuttered a little.
"N-nothing. I…I just needed to ask you something." Ginny felt her heart sink. She had thought that Neville never really liked her in that way. She had gone to the Yule Ball with him last year but…
"Go on then."
"Well, it's…it's kind of embarrassing."
"Oh? I won't laugh, I swear."
"I…I know you won't. Actually, I should probably make a confession first."
"Okay…"
"I'm…I'm gay." There was a brief pause in which Ginny stared blankly at Neville, who was starting to panic.
"Ginny?"
"Gay? As in you fancy guys? As in you like to kiss guys?"
"Uh…yeah, I guess…"
"Oh thank Merlin!" Neville blinked. That wasn't quite the reaction he'd been expecting.
"What?"
"I though you were going to ask me out!" Neville's eyes widened and he shook his head vigorously. Ginny beamed at him.
"That's great, Neville! Have you told anyone else yet?" Again Neville shook his head. "I'm the only one you've told?" A nod. "Wow, I'm flattered."
"You're not freaked out?"
"Of course not!" Neville relaxed visibly at Ginny's clearly delighted smile.
"Oh good."
"So, what was your original question? Ooooh! Have you got your eye on someone?"
"Um…kind of." Neville caught sight of Ginny's glinting in a way that clearly squealed 'Matchmaking!' and hastily added, "But it's not really about him."
"Oh. What then?" Neville shifted uncomfortably as Ginny raised a brow.
"I…I need to know…um, how…how it works."
"How…oh." Neville knew he was blushing but felt a little better as Ginny seemed to be getting flustered as well.
"Did you…aren't there books or something…?"
"I checked."
"Ah. Well…I only know the basic principles. You'd be better off asking Hermione…"
"I can't ask her!" Neville implored. "She'll tell and I don't want her to know about me! She would freak out! Please, Ginny, I only need the basics! I don't know anything!" Ginny hesitated and considered refusing. But Neville looked so desperate…and he deserved a little bit of love in his life…plus she really wanted to know who his mystery guy was…
"Alright then. Sit down." Neville attempted a grateful smile before settling gingerly down on the grass.
"Right. Okay. You know in…in straight sex a man puts…"
"No offence, Gin," Neville stopped her, looking pale, "But the less I hear about straight sex, the better."
"Oh, right. Sorry. Well, in gay sex…the, um 'top' puts his…thing…into the 'bottom' um…well, his bottom." Neville's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Ginny would have found it very amusing if she wasn't so horribly embarrassed.
"Doesn't that…hurt?"
"Um, I think you're meant to prepare the 'bottom' before he's, um…entered."
"P-prepare?"
"I don't know exactly. I just heard all this because I overheard…someone talking about it. But um…they mentioned fingers. And…and lube."
"Oh…" Ginny jumped up, flushing furiously.
"Look, I really don't know anything at all really. If you want to know more, talk to…I don't know, but someone who knows more about it." Neville though his face would explode with heat.
"N-no. It's fine. I think that's all I need to know. Thanks, Ginny."
"It's alright." There was a silence until Neville shook himself and stood up.
"Back to the castle?"
"Yeah…sure." Ginny seemed to be recovering a little bit and her blush was fading. They set off for the comfort of the common room.
"Neville?"
"Yes?"
"Are you gonna tell me who you like?"
"No." Ginny laughed and linked her arm through his.
"Fair enough. I suppose he must be nice for you to like him so much."
"He is."
"Do you think he's gay?"
"I know he is. He told me."
"Well, that's a start." Neville grinned.
"Yeah."
"So you talk to him then?"
"Quite a bit. I really like him."
"Am I allowed to try and guess?"
"If you want."
"Hmm…I think I'll do some observation first."
…
Neville flopped down onto his bed.
Well that was hilarious.
Traumatising more like.
So? Scared of gay sex too?
Maybe a bit. But I don't have to do it yet.
Nope. First you have to bag the boy.
Ack.
Shouldn't be too hard. He's mad about you.
For the first time in his life, Neville felt a warm rush of affection towards his Malfoy voice.
What? It doesn't mean I like you.
Of course not.
Stupid boy.
Ramble time: I received spoilers for book 7 that turned out to be nastily true, I have a headache from staying up late reading and there are not going to be any more Harry Potter books ever. Yet I am still wonderfully happy because I loved HPDH so goddamn much! EEEEEEEE! Thanks for reading! Love xxx
