Chapter 5: Punches Thrown
It was a beautiful spring day out on the grounds of Hogwarts. Neville was by the ring of stones, just up the hill from Hagrid's hut, his face buried in a Herbology book. Glancing up, he happened to see Harry, Ron and Hermione coming down the slope, probably on their way to see Hagrid, the school's gamekeeper and their close friend. Neville's heart sped up when he saw Hermione wave at him and detour over towards him.
"Afternoon, Neville!"
"Hey, Hermione," Neville grinned, even as his heart hammered from just looking at her.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Neville tried and failed not to get his hopes up. She wouldn't possibly ask him that question... would she?
"Would you be interested in joining S.P.E.W.? It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare! You could be the second member!"
Neville had always liked house elves, and if only to get closer to Hermione, he'd figured he could give it a try. He was just about to ask why Harry and Ron hadn't joined (he figured they would be the first members), when the group heard a chortle.
"Granger trying to corrupt the simpletons with her pathetic hippie causes? Typical of a Mudblood!" Draco sneered.
He shouldn't have run his mouth so, for before any of the boys could stop her, Hermione marched right up to Malfoy and punched him right in the nose.
Neville couldn't exactly blame her. Malfoy had called her a Mudblood before. One time in second year, Ron had tried to hex the blond bastard into eating slugs, but accidentally turned the curse on himself. But then, Hermione said something that made Neville stare in surprise.
"Don't you dare call Neville a simpleton, you foul - you evil -"
"Hermione!" Ron, though sounding impressed, quickly pulled Hermione away from Malfoy, Harry moving hurriedly to help him.
Malfoy raced away with his toadies, blood spurting from his nose. Hermione turned back to Neville and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
Neville nodded, and watched the Golden Trio go. For one mad moment, he had...
That was the first moment he had wanted to kiss Hermione Granger.
