Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

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Chapter 27

Neville felt guilty. Though he knew it was the right thing to so, he felt awful about leaving Sage out like this. The thought of her doubting his trust in her, simply didn't sit well with him. Yet, he was sure they had made the right decision. The less Sage knew about her plans, the safer she was, should they be unfortunate enough to get caught.

"Everything okay, Nev?" Ginny asked, ripping him from his thoughts, "You look kind of worried."

"Yeah.. Sorry, yeah, everything's fine. Just thinking about Sage," he explained, struggling to find the right words.

She gave him a weak smile, as she sat down next to him. The common room was completely empty, except for the two of them now lounging in front of the fireplace. Ever since the year had started, such quiet moments had become quite common between Neville and Ginny. Sometimes they would talk for hours, other times none of them would say a word. Whatever the case, they always found comfort in each other's company.

"It must be hard for you," she commented, staring into the blazing fire.

"What do you mean?" he asked, not quite sure what she was referring to.

"Getting her back, finally close enough to touch, and yet.. having to keep your distance."

Neville swallowed hard. He had been avoiding this topic at all cost for as long as he could. He knew Ginny always saw right through him, but.. he didn't want to talk about it. There was nothing he could change about his situation anyway, so why even bother?

"I don't know what you-"

"-Don't even try to deny it, Longbottom. I see the way you look at her. Everyone does," she cut him off, serving him the bitter truth on a silver platter.

"Am I really that obvious?" Neville asked in agony.

"I think it's sweet. And it's not like she doesn't look at you the same."

"She does?"

"Don't tell me you didn't notice yet."

Of course there had been times where he had wondered, maybe hoped even.. that Sage still felt the same about him. The same she had felt all those years ago, on the couch in the living room of her parents' cottage.. But they wouldn't be able to pick up where they had left off, would they? Things had changed, they had changed. No matter how much he wished to turn back time, he simply couldn't.

"It's just so confusing, you know? I don't know how to act around her, what to expect of her.. and I assume it's the same for her," he finally admitted.

"I understand. Too much time has passed since you.. grew this close. You need to get to know each other all over again. See if you still click the same way," Ginny explained, showing wisdom far beyond her years.

"I really think we do, if that even makes sense? Though there are so many new things to discover about her, it still feels like we belong to each other. But it just feels so wrong to act upon it."

"Somehow I know exactly how you feel," she confessed, looking to the ground as her eyes filled with tears.

"Any news about Harry?" Neville asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"Not since the thing about Dumbledore's will."

"We'll get him the sword, Ginny. It will protect him, so don't worry."

"I'll always worry, Neville."

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Author's note: Thank you for your kind review!! I'm glad we share the same views on the topic.

Hope this chapter was equally to your liking and you leave me some of your thoughts on it again. Wishing you all the best!! :-)