A/N: This is a pretty short chapter, but I hope you still enjoy it! I generally write a few, longer chaptered stories, but this one seems to work best with many, shorter ones. As always, I own nothing. All JK Rowling's genius.

His heart rate returning to normal, Neville turned and looked at Luna, who was now approaching him.

Odd as she may seem to others, he couldn't help but think she had such a natural beauty about her. Her long and wavy blonde hair hung loosely about her and framed her face with unintentional grace. Sometimes he wondered why she wasn't a Gryffindor, with her lion-like mane symbolizing the bravery within. But he supposed that her use of intellect during times of need and her consistent reminders that "wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" proved she was a Ravenclaw at heart. To add to her house pride, it seemed she had abandoned her usual radish earrings and adorned what looked like the large clawed feet from the eagle hat she wore to Ravenclaw Quidditch games. The talons of an eagle suspended in a lion's mane. Even though her earrings had changed she still had a necklace of butterbeer corks strung from her neck. Her misty blue eyes were as protrubent as ever, and, while Neville's eyes had recently acquired a look of knowing, hers always had. She was so…accustomed to death and suffering, and a being of resilience. Even after being held captive for months she was practically unaffected. If Neville was sure of one thing, it was that Luna Lovegood had a different outlook on life.

"Luna," he breathed. He had mentioned it to her in passing that she oculd come with him, but he had never received a straightforward reply. "I wasn't sure if you were coming. I mean, I didn't see you anywhere. How long have you been here?"

"Of course I came, Neville," she replied, her fingers playing absentmindedly with a butterbeer cork. "I enjoy being with you. It's like having friends. Oh and I've been here quite a while, waiting for you. And then when you did show up, you seemed to be deep in thought ad I didn't want to disturb you. Finally I decided I shouldn't leave you vulnerable to Wrackspurt infestations like that." She was staring intently into his eyes now. "I also thought that we should get going as soon as possible, because, as Daddy always says, the early explorer catches the Crumple-Horned Snorcack." She smiled slightly.

Neville shook his head, trying to force back his laughter. "Luna, I thought it was clear by now that we are friends," he said.

"I did think so, but you must never take your friends for granted," she replied serenely. "And now that you've consented, we can both say that we are friends without some accidental forwardness."

"Right," he said slowly. "But…I was thinking, like you were saying, and…Merlin, I don't know. It's just strange, that after everything that's happened, and how everything has changed…my parents will still be the same, in that hospital, even after the person who put them there is dead." He paused, throat constricted from a sudden rush of emotions. "Just…thanks for being here, Luna. It…It means a lot." He felt heat rising in his face and stared at his feet.

Just then, he felt a smaller, gentle hand enclose itself in his, lacing their fingers together. Neville stared from their entwined hands to Luna's face, who smiled reassuringly and squeezed his hand in hers. He felt his face redden more, but didn't let go. It felt right, somehow. Remarkable, really, how well their hands fit together, as if molded for each other; like they were made to hold each other's.

So it was with unspoken, mutual consent that they began walking down the street together, hand in hand.