Neville looked at his pocket watch miserably. It was Valentine's Day, classes were over for the day, and he still had no idea what he was going to do for Luna. He had been hoping for a nice night out, so that they could take a walk outside. Unfortunately, there was close to a foot of snow on the ground.
He took out the small box that had the earrings that he had made for her. Neville was quite pleased with them actually. But other than that, he had nothing for her.
Neville kept trying to think of ideas, but his brain didn't seem to be working. He decided that he was the worst boyfriend ever.
He was waiting for her outside of the Great Hall. Out of nowhere she appeared and kissed him on the cheek. "Go change," she ordered.
"Why?" Neville looked down. He was wearing his school uniform.
"Because I feel like dressing up tonight," she smiled shyly.
"How dressy?" he asked warily.
"Put on what you wore to the Halloween Ball," she said cheerily.
"Sure," Neville said, and started walking towards his House.
"Meet me by the Greenhouse in twenty minutes," she called after him.
Neville ran up to his dorm. Ron was there changing as well. "So what are you doing tonight?" Neville asked him, as he threw off his school robes.
"I think we're going up to the Astronomy Tower," Ron answered. "I wanted to go to the Room of Requirement, cause you can get a lot of privacy there. But someone's already in there, and has it locked."
The two boys dressed in silence. Ron cleared his throat. "Neville…" he trailed off.
Neville looked at Ron. He was blushing. "Something wrong?" Neville asked, tying his shoes.
"This is personal, so if you don't want to answer, I understand," Ron said.
"Okay," Neville said.
"How far have you and Luna…" Ron couldn't seem to finish the question.
Neville blushed thinking about that, remembering what had happened just last week. "Well, she let me touch her…but over her shirt, not under…" Neville couldn't quite bring himself to say the word breasts.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. "Same here," he said. "What is it about women that turns us into such blundering idiots?"
Neville laughed. "I don't know, mate. I don't know."
88888
Neville waited outside of the Greenhouse, wondering what Luna had up her sleeve. He saw her coming down the hall, levitating a large basket. He felt his breath catch in his throat when he got a good look at her.
Her hair was up, off of her face. She was wearing a red dress that went all the way to her ankles. The dress was sleeveless, but she had a black lace shawl draped around her shoulders.
Her face lit up when she saw him. Neville still couldn't believe how wonderful she could make him feel just by looking at him.
Neville opened up the Greenhouse, and followed her inside. He looked around in amazement. Someone had strung colored lights up, and soft music was playing in the background.
"Did-did you do this?" Neville stammered.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Luna whispered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a slow, lingering kiss.
"How?" Neville asked, when they broke apart.
"Right after classes were done," Luna answered, going over to the large basket. She brought out a blanket, and spread it on the floor.
"I mean, how did you get in here?" Neville asked in amazement.
"It's not like you kept the password a secret," Luna smiled. "I hear you every time you say it."
"Oh," Neville said. He hadn't realized.
Luna kneeled on the blanket and started bringing out dishes of food. "We're having a picnic," she said happily.
"Where'd you get this food?" Neville was still in shock. He decided that he had the best girlfriend in the world.
"I asked the House-Elves nicely," Luna said dreamily. "I told them I would be having a special night. They were very happy to help."
Neville looked at the food. There was a steak for him, and a large platter of grilled vegetables for her, since she didn't eat meat. Twice baked potatoes and salad.
Luna stood up and adjusted the lights of the Greenhouse so that only the colored lights were the only light. She sat down again on the blanket, placing her knees beneath her. She looked up at him, and patted the seat next to her.
He sat down slowly. Luna took her wand out of the basket and gave it a wave. Neville gulped. She placed an imperturbable charm on the Greenhouse.
They talked all through dinner. Neville couldn't wait to see what was for dessert. But Luna said he couldn't have dessert until he tried at least three different vegetables.
"I don't think you eat enough vegetables, Neville," she said, her eyes wide.
"I eat plenty," Neville laughed.
"Please have one more bite?" she begged.
He complied. Then Luna brought out a slice of chocolate cake for him, and some strawberry shortcake for herself. She told him that she was indulging tonight.
Neville thought it sad that they had to have two completely different meals because of her illness. He was not about to tell her that though. The last two weeks had been wonderful. He didn't want to ruin them by acting too concerned.
They ate dessert in silence. Then Luna took out a package from the basket. "I have a present for you," she said shyly.
"Me too!" Neville jumped up and ran to his dress robes. He fished through the pockets and found the small box. While he was turned away, he quickly performed a breath-cleaning spell on himself.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the box. He handed her a card first though. "You have to promise not to laugh," he said seriously.
"I promise not to laugh," she said dreamily.
She opened up the card, and Neville willed her to keep her promise. He had written a poem for her. He knew it was awful and cheesy, but he wanted her to have it just the same.
"Luna, you are beautiful like the moon," she read out loud. "Your voice is like the call of a loon. I see you, and I want to swoon. Do you really have to go so soon? I better stop babbling like a buffoon."
Neville was surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
"I know it's bad," Neville stammered.
"It's perfect," Luna smiled at him. "Perfect."
She took the small box, and opened it carefully. Neville was glad to see her smile when she saw the earrings. "They're finished?" she asked excitedly.
Neville nodded. "The Turnishes are ready to be shown to the world," he laughed. He watched with pleasure as Luna took out the earrings she had been wearing. Taking a last look at her new earrings, she put them on quickly and shook her head.
"I love them!" she cried excitedly, throwing her arms around him.
He hugged her tight, thrilled that she was happy.
"Your turn," Luna said, handing him a card and a package.
Neville jokingly went to open the package first. "Card first, silly," she scolded him.
"Fine, have it your way," Neville said, grinning at her. He opened the card. It was obviously hand made. There were two stick figures holding hands. The card had been bewitched, so that the girl stick figure kissed the boy stick figure on the cheek. Then the boy stick figure blushed.
"Did you draw this?" Neville asked.
Luna laughed. "I can't draw at all."
"I like it," Neville said. He really did. There was something so perfect about the drawing. He opened the card to read the inside. It was wonderful and mushy and made Neville feel ten feet tall.
"You're really hard to shop for," Luna said.
"No I'm not," Neville said automatically.
"Yes you are," Luna countered.
"Fine," Neville grinned. "I'm very hard to shop for."
"I'm glad we agree," Luna said.
He tore open the wrapping paper. There was a teddy bear that was holding some sort of packet of seeds.
Luna seemed to realize that he was confused why she gave him a teddy bear. "Read the label," she said shyly.
"Mongolian Fireroses," he read aloud. He looked at the label in shock. These were really rare. They were considered the most beautiful roses in the world. They were also very expensive. "Luna…how could you afford…"
Luna put her finger to his lips. "They're a few years old, so I hope they still work. Daddy used to love to garden. But then he gave it up. I asked him if he had any interesting seedling packets, and he owled me these. I didn't spend any money on them. That's why I got you the teddy bear as well."
Luna then moved closer and wrapped her arms around him. She lifted her head, and looked at him in the way that made his heart melt. She kissed him gently. The kissing became more urgent. Neville stroked her back. Her dress was made out of velvet.
Neville knew it was going to be hard to top this next year.
88888
Neville slipped back into the common room, grateful that he hadn't been stopped by a teacher after dropping Luna off at her House. He saw that Harry was sitting on a chair, staring at the fire.
Harry stood up quickly when he saw Neville. "We need to work now," Harry snapped.
Neville's eyes grew wide. "What's wrong?" Neville asked fearfully.
"Something's happening. My scar is killing me. I want to get in his head," Harry said determinedly.
Neville nodded, glad that he was there to be next to Harry while he entered you-know-who's mind.
"Can I practice with you once?" Harry asked.
"Sure," Neville said, tossing the teddy bear Luna had given him on the couch.
"No wands," Harry instructed.
Neville stood, waiting for Harry to try to enter his mind. Having worked so much with him, he could tell when Harry was looking around his mind. Neville tried to block him, but was unsuccessful.
Neville was lying on the floor of the common room, Hermione had just placed a curse on him…Neville was charging Crabbe and Goyle, wanting to fight them…
Suddenly, there was a vision that definitely was not a memory of Neville's. A building was in flames…The Dailey Prophet sign was being ripped down…Employees were being tortured…Bellatrix Lestrange ripped off her mask and laughed at the chaos.
Neville was blinded by the worst pain he had ever know in his life. The pain shot through his body, devouring him. The connection between Harry and Neville were broken. Both boys crumpled to the ground, panting.
Harry was rubbing his scar. "Did you see that?" he asked fearfully.
Neville eyes grew wide. "Was that a vision?" he asked, still shaking. That had almost been as bad as the Cruciatus curse.
"We have to tell Dumbledore!" Harry cried, standing up quickly. He helped Neville up, and the two boys ran through the hallways until they reached the Headmaster's office.
"Can we go in here?" Neville asked. He had never been in Professor Dumbledore's office before.
Harry nodded and said the password to the gargoyle. Neville followed him timidly. Harry burst through the office door. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were talking by the fire.
"Professor!" Harry yelled. "The Dailey Prophet is under attack!"
The two professors stood up quickly. "Did you have a vision?" Professor Dumbledore asked sharply.
Harry nodded. "Neville saw the vision too," he said.
"You shared a vision?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes! People were being tortured!" Neville shouted.
Suddenly the door burst opened again. Professor Snape practically ran into the office. He looked at Harry and Neville to Professor Dumbledore. The three professors went to talk in the corner.
"Do something!" Harry yelled at them. Professor Snape ran out of the office without another word. Professor McGonagall followed him.
Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry and Neville. "We will be discussing this tomorrow. I need to know why Neville was involved in this vision."
A phoenix perched itself onto Professor Dumbledore's shoulder. "Harry, you must close your mind tonight," he warned.
There was a flash of light and Professor Dumbledore disappeared.
