CPOV

The next few weeks weren't as bad as expected.

At first some people were weird around me but I wasn't that bothered, as long as the people I cared about didn't hate me, all the people who believed the stuff Draco had spread around about me being one of death eaters' top recruits could go play with a dementor. People would even come up to me and ask to see my dark mark and were highly disappointed when I didn't have one.

Even Seamus apologized.

"Cathy?"

Me and and Ron were sat in the common room when Seamus sulked over speaking towards the floor.

"Yeah Seamus?"

"I'm sorry." He said quietly.

"Pardon? I can't quite hear you."

He raised his head. "I'm...sorry for saying all those things. I'm sorry."

I stood up hands on my hips giving him a stern look; I then gave him a peck of the cheek leaving him stunned.

"Thank you for apologizing. I really appreciate it."

"You don't hate me then?"

I pretended to think about it for a moment before shaking my head. "Nope. Just…don't mouthing off again because it does hurt." My voice went quite towards the end of it as I remembered what he said to me.

Seamus nodded sadly and walked off.

"I knew you were never evil." Ron said casually.

"Gee thanks Ron.

"Really. I mean...evil people aren't usually pretty."

"What makes you say that?"

"Have you seen some of those death eaters? But you. Nah you're lovely."

"Thanks."

"Plus you would be dating Draco not Neville."

I felt disgusted at the thought.

"Where is Neville?" he asked.

"Helping Professor Sprout."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Who would want to help Sprout except Neville?"

"I'm actually kind of tired Ron."

"What no! You're helping me! Potions!"

"You're doing fine. Ask Hermione if you really want help that badly."

"I guess." He grunted.

I gathered up my books and slowly started to walk away. "Night Ron."

"Uh…yeah…night Cathy." but he was paying more attention to his work than anything else for once.

NPOV

I was with professor sprout 3 hours helping her clean the herbology classroom and I just wanted to sleep. I had asked Cathy if she wanted to help but had already promised Ron she would help him with his Potions, I hadn't been alone with her in weeks and it was actually really depressing.

Once dressed I settled down in bed ready to finally sleep but everyone was still having their own conversations.

"Neville!"

"Uh...yeah?"

I sat up and everyone was looking at me but dean was the one talking.

"So how are you and Catherine?"

"Fine I guess."

"Just fine?"

I looked around at them, what where they going on about?

"Well…we're great."

"Have you two…you know?"

"What?"

Dean glanced over at Ron who just rolled his eyes.

"I think what Dean is trying to say is, have you…DONE…anything?"

Then it clicked.

"I would rather not talk about that thanks."

Dean tutted. "I told you guys Neville wouldn't do anything like that."

"Even if I had I wouldn't tell you lot. That's private. It's between me and Cathy."

"Woah...no need to get defensive there mate...unless. You have done something?"

I slammed back into my pillow pulling the covers over my head.

"I bloody knew it! Neville you lucky sod!" I didn't respond. I wasn't actually sure who was speaking now as I tried to block them out. Eventually the calls and shouting quieted down as I lay there hoping they wouldn't mention it again

At breakfast I sat with Ron and Dean but they didn't say anything. Just gave me the odd glance and smirk. When I looked up lavender was stood there looking at me patiently.

"Hi. Lavender" Ron said nervously.

"I'm not here to speak to you Ron. I'm here to speak to Neville."

Ron looked back to his breakfast and I waited for lavender to talk.

"Neville Cathy is ill. Or something. She's not going to hogsmead."

"Oh right. Thanks."

She gave Ron a glare making her way to another table in the great hall.

After we started to make our way out of the school but I lagged a little wondering what was actually wrong with Cathy. I couldn't help but worry.

"I forgot something. I'll catch up with you guys later."

Dean rolled his eyes and I heard him mutter something under his breath too Seamus but I didn't really care. I practically ran back to the common room and up the steps to the girls' dormitory haven't ever been in this part before.

I knocked on the door gently and heard a slight noise coming from within.

The door peeked open and Cathy stood there her eyes a little red.

She was wearing black shorts and a long sleeve top, and still had bed hair. But she looked absolutely gorgeous.

When she saw me she smiled a little but looked surprised.

"Neville what you doing here?"

"Lavender told me you were ill."

"Oh...no I'm ok. Just…feeling a bit down I guess."

"Do you want me to leave?"

She shook her head and grabbed my hand pulling me inside but I hesitated. "I'm not allowed to be here."

She shrugged. "No one else is."

She closed the door and went over to her bed sitting down on it crossed legged while I hovered near the door. The girls' room actually looked exactly like the boys, only much neater and more girly.

"You can sit down Neville."

"Yeah I know. I was just…looking."

I slowly walked over and sat on the edge of her bed a bit away from her and she lent against her pillow.

"Why are you feeling down?" I asked.

"I don't know really. I just woke up and felt kind of….blah"

"Blah?"

"Yeah"

"You don't look very blah."

She smiled warmly at me. "Thanks. Why aren't you at hogsmead?"

I shrugged. "Thought I would come check on you."

"Don't you want to hang out with them lot instead of being stuck here?"

I looked over at her giving her a weak smile. "It's ok if you're here. Besides, we haven't been alone in ages, I miss it."

She moved from the top of the bed sitting down next to me, brushing her lips against my cheek. "Well, we're alone now. What do you want to do?"

I placed a hand at the small of her back sliding my hand underneath the fabric.

"What are you doing?" she giggled.

"I just miss the feel of your skin. That's all."

I traced delicate patterns in her skin then began kissing her; I could feel her shiver slightly under my touch. I felt my heart clench in my chest.

"I think about you, that night, a lot."

I nodded trying to let the words escape my throat. "Yeah…yeah me too."

"Seeing you like that, just…how brilliant you were. Then when you stood up to Draco, I Wanted to jump you right there, actually I always do.

I suddenly felt very hot and was sure my cheeks had gone a brilliant red, she just sat there her fingers delicately tracing the outline of my jaw, but I saw she was slightly shivering.

"I just think about how your hands felt on me, doing stuff to me."

I gulped even though my throat was raw by now. She moved then and lay down on the bed and I quickly followed. Climbing over her resting myself between her legs, hovering over her.

"What…do you…want right now?" I whispered.

She leaned up capturing my lip as she pulled me down against her. I found myself wrapping my arms around her trying to pull her even closer if that was possible. I was shaking but manage to leave a trail of kisses to her collar bone gently roaming a hand over her body as hers went through my hair.

"Neville. Please?"

I grinded my hips against hers causing her to moaned loudly, but then I froze. This didn't feel right. I wanted it to be perfect, not just a quick fumble before everyone got back. I knew what she wanted but seeing her under me like that made me question my own logic, but I managed to snap out of it.

"I don't…I don't think I can."

I pulled myself away and she sat up looking at me doe-eyed.

"Do you not want me?" she said this calmly but I could see the rejection spread across her face.

"Cathy, I do so badly. I just feel right now isn't the right time."

I leaned over to her taking her hands in mine "If we do..."

"When." She stated matter-of-factly causing me to smile.

"When, we do that. I want it to be perfect, and not in the girls dormitories."

She sucked on her lip and gave me a sad nod.

"I'm sorry."

"Forget about it. Trust me it took a lot of will power to stop myself."