Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Chapter Twelve

Neville's Invitation

The ceiling of the Great Hall filled with hundreds of owls- white snowies, eagles, tawnies, and many other types. "Oh, good- post's here," Hermione said.

"Looks like Grams has something for me," Neville observed. A small scented envelope dropped into his hands. Neville looked first at the handwriting- small and

child-like with curliques ending each word. Then he noticed the return address: "The Burrow". His face went slack as he blanched with anticipation and anxiety.

"Neville, what's wrong?" Harry asked. Everyone in their little group turned to follow Harry's gaze.

"Yes, Neville- what's the matter? Is something wrong with your grandmother?" Hermione asked, echoing Harry's concern.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I just remembered I have to get something from Gryffindor Tower. I'll read this later," Neville said.

"Hey, wait a sec," Ron jumped in, catching Neville by the arm. "I know that writing- that's from my sister, it is. What's she writing to you for, Neville?"

Harry's and Hermione's faces suddenly took on the same panicked look of recognition that Neville's had. While Hermione'd been wondering with the rest of them who the fajza of Ginny's baby might be, the letter to Neville instantaneously put two and two together for her. "Can't someone get a post without a million questions?" she asked her two best friends, trying desperately to gain Neville a little privacy.

"No, I think I want to know," Ron said.

"All right, fine," Neville grudgingly complied. Everyone's going to know at some point anyway, he figured to himself. "Here goes:

Dear Neville,

I know that you must be having a busy year if you have the same classes as Ron. I do miss Hogwarts quite a bit, and everyone at Gryffindor in particular. Hermione, Ron and Harry recently visited, and I was wondering if you could come by The Burrow sometime too.

Sincerely,

Ginny (Weasley)

Ron looked measurably relieved at the innocuous wording of the letter.

"Poor Gin, she's really missing out this year. Must be hard to just have Mum, Dad and Percy to talk to all the time," Ron mused. Harry was thinking about how hard he'd been on Ginny during their visit, and regretting the manner in which he'd left. Ginny must need to work things out with Neville.

"Neville, you really should try to visit, if you can," Harry encouraged.

Neville was surprised by Ron's and Harry's reaction, and relieved that Ginny had been so platonic in her wording. Actually- he wasn't so relieved that Ginny had been unromantic. While he was glad that Ron and Harry (in particular) wouldn't be tipped off by the letter, Neville's secret wish was that Ginny wanted to see him because she realized now that she cared for him deeply. He had harbored a sincere love and longing for Ginny since well before the Yule Ball. He had hoped then that Ginny was accepting his invitation because she had feelings for him as well, not just to go to the Ball as a third year. Her constant watchfulness of Harry, and subsequent relationship with him, told him otherwise.

His disappointment was alleviated when he ran into Ginny that fateful day at St. Mungo's. They talked for hours and hours. Neville actually opened up for once about his parents, his insecurities as a wizard and his grandmother's high expectations. After their afternoon cocoas, Neville had gotten Ginny safely home to The Burrow, as Mr. Weasley had requested. Once there, they continued their talk while walking through the Weasley's garden. They sat under a clump of trees and moved on to butter beers, and then butter beers spiked with firewhiskey, as the day progressed to night.

Ginny confided in Neville that she was attracted both to Harry and to his fame and fortune. Although the Weasley's were a long-standing, pure-blood, wizarding family, she worried whether she was good enough for the "Boy Who Lived". Neville shared his own strong feelings for Ginny, and worries about being good enough for her. The light-headed combination of clear night sky, alcohol-reduced inhibitions, and disclosure of secret fears and desires brought Ginny and Neville close together that night- closer than either had expected.

Neville had been ecstatic now that he would be a fajza, and had assumed it would cement a long-standing formal relationship with Ginny. Subsequently, he had been gravely hurt by Ginny's rejection, as well as the Weasley's seeming disbelief that he could be the fajza. Whether the outcome was good or bad, he looked forward to talking to Ginny about all that had happened and would happen.

"I'll go with you," Hermione offered. Not sharing the boys' opinion that Ginny was just lonely for Hogwarts company, Hermione sensed it would be best if Neville had a companion on this visit. If Ginny had decided to be with Neville, he'd have someone to share his excitement with on their return to Hogwarts. If Ginny told Neville they had no chance as a couple, Hermione would be a shoulder to cry on for her old friend. Neville wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he could see a look in Hermione's eyes that told him. Hermione had always been a friend, helping with schoolwork and including him in their group. Of course, there was that time she'd hit him with the Petrificus Totalus charm, but that was a whole other story...

"Thanks, Hermione. That would be great. Since there's no Quidditch this weekend, we can leave right after Potions this afternoon."

"Excellent. Let's send Pig back right away to let Ron's family know we're coming." And with that, the plans were set.