Chapter 8 - An Invitation
It was plain the summer holidays were approaching. The excitement was presenting itself in the almost manic attitudes and antics of the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Peeves must have subconsciously realised that this would be his last chance to torment the seventh years as they would not be returning next year and could subsequently be seen pestering eighteen and nineteen year olds of all houses at every opportunity.
Neville and Hannah were lounging near the Lake, skipping stones and ducking every so often when the Giant Squid threw one back. Their classes had officially ended but Neville wasn't as relaxed as you might imagine. Hannah was his first real girlfriend and they had only being going out a couple of days, yet he was gathering together every ounce of courage he had within him to ask her if he could see her during the holidays.
"And I thought fighting Death Eaters would be scary! I'd rather face the Cruciatus curse again than have her say 'no.'"
Hannah had noticed Neville becoming more and more flustered. When they had got bored of skipping stones, Neville had suggested a walk which Hannah had agreed to. Both of them knew that they weren't comfortable enough with each other yet to just sit and talk, they had to have something to avoid awkward silences. Their promenade had started well enough, but pretty soon Neville was opening his mouth as if to speak, but closing it again before making a sound. He launched conversations but seemed to lose interest very quickly. Something was wrong.
"Hannah…" Neville opened "Would you…would you….emm…..would it be alright if we met up during the holidays."
"Oh, Neville, that would be great!" Hannah almost screamed she was so relieved he wasn't dumping her. "When, where, how?"
"You could come stay with me for a week, or I could come visit you. What would you prefer?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I just remembered my house is being renovated right now." Hannah lied quickly. When Neville tried to arrange for her to come to his house for a weekend - she had more trouble thinking up an excuse.
"Ummm, my parents are arranging a holiday this year and I don't know when it's for, so it's probably best if we leave it and I'll send you an owl okay? See you later then" she finished weakly as she left him standing under a tree looking utterly destroyed.
To Neville, that had been a definite 'no.'
