Sixteen Candles

Chapter 4: Awkward

Hermione POV

"Yeah what?" I asked as I stood up from where I was.

"Hey, look I have given up trying to ask you out because I get it you like someone else, I was just concerned about you, that's all." Neville responded walking closer to me.

I was taken aback. "Your concerned about me?" I almost whispered.

"Yeah I mean, you left so quickly, and you seemed so upset, I just want to make sure your okay." Neville quickly explained.

I wiped the remaining tears away from my eyes and folded my hands over my chest. "Well, I'm fine." I managed to say as I looked back up to face him.

"You sure, because to be all honest, you don't look so fine." Neville said taking a few more steps towards me.

I looked back down the floor. What was the point of lying anymore anyways? It never even got me anywhere. "No, I'm not fine." I admitted.

"You wanna talk?" Neville was quick to respond.

I looked back up and saw Neville had moved even closer to me. "Your sure your not trying to pick up on me?" I had to ask.

"Positive, no strings attached." Neville smiled back at me.

I gave in easily and followed Neville out of the courtyard as we made our way to the lakeside.

Harry POV

"Potter!" I could hear from the complete other side of the Great Hall. I looked over as a red head began bobbing towards me through the crowd. Ron was followed by Dean and Seamus, all from our house. "Common, let's go up to the party." Ron said tugging at my sleeve.

"Why?" I asked, not moving from the position I was in.

"Mate, common, it's at the side room off in the dungeons, not even Flinch knows about it. It's going to be sick!" Dean exclaimed.

"Grab that girl of yours and of yours and let's get going." Seamus busted out.

I sighed a bit. "I don't know where she is, she said that she had to talk to her friends but other than that I have no idea where she could be." I replied honestly.

"Well find her mate, I wanna get outta here." Ron said as he began looking around the Great Hall. "Speak of the devil." He whispered. I turned and saw he was staring at a pretty girl wearing a short pink halter dress.

"Isn't that Lavender Brown?" Dean was the first to speak up.

"No it isn't." Ron snapped. We all looked him like he was mentally retarded. "She's the one." Ron said rubbing his hands together. He pushed his way through Dean and Seamus as we watched him make his way over to Lavender.

"Oh yeah, he's gone." Seamus responded.

"Common Harry, go find her for pete sake." Dean pushed me.

Hermione POV

I sat down on the edge of the lake and crossed my legs under the fabric of my dress. Neville sat down next to me on my right. He leaned back on his hands and had his legs spread out in front of him.

"So," I broke the silence. "What did you wanna talk about?"

"I want to know why you seem so upset today." Neville responded. "If you don't mind me asking."

I shook my head and looked down into the water. "Well, you see, there's this guy I like. And he probably doesn't even know that I exist." I answered.

"Are you being honest with me first off? Because I can't find a way to see why any guy wouldn't notice you." Neville rambled on.

"Well, he's popular. I'm not." I went on.

"But you're really, really pretty." Neville went on yet again. God, someone put a mute button on this guy. "But wait, there has to be something else." Damn, I don't care if he is annoying; he has to have like an A+ in psychology or something man.

I looked back up at him as he stopped talking. "Today's my sixteenth birthday and only my best friend remembered."

"Not even your parents?" Neville asked.

"Nope."

"Well, happy birthday at least." Neville opened up.

"Thanks." I whispered.

"Can I tell you something?" Neville asked all of a sudden.

"Sure." I smiled.

"Well, you can't let anyone know this but,"

"What?" I pestered him.

"I've never really scored with a girl." He almost whispered.

I had to laugh. That had to be the lamest thing I had ever heard any boy say to me, ever.

"Okay I get it." Neville blushed.

"I'm sorry." I managed to get out.

"But can I ask who the guy is?" Neville had the courage to ask.

I totally knew I was going to be honest with him. I mean, like he going to go and tell anybody important. "Harry Potter."

"I knew it." Neville admitted.

I let out a nervous breath. "Is it that noticeable?" I had to ask.

"Well, I figured. He doesn't notice me, sort of thing. And you even said yourself it was someone popular."

Silence fell between us. I don't know whether it was just because I had told none other than Neville Longbottom my deepest darkest secret or that I found out his hilarious deepest darkest secret. Either or, it isn't a real good combination.

"Hey, I need a favor." Neville spoke up.

Harry POV

I walked out of the Great Hall and made my way towards the grounds. The doors were open when I saw her. Not Cho, it was her. Hermione Granger. She was mouthing something to herself. Her hair was yet still perfect. Her dress showing each of her beautiful features. The dark blue brought out the perfect color in her eyes. I found my feet were carrying my feet closer and closer to me. She stopped and started walking back towards me as well. She had somewhat of a smile on her face.

Then she was there. Right in front of me. She opened her mouth to say something at the exact same moment as I did. Then I will never forget what happened next. She pulled back from me. A weird look came across her face. My body turned as I watched her leave the Great Hall as she made her way to the staircase.

That look.

Did she hate me or something? I mean, that wasn't exactly going to explain all the staring she had been doing lately. Was it me? Maybe I scared her. Or it could have been her. No, it couldn't it had to be me.

But that look.

"Common babe, I don't want to be late." I heard from behind me. Cho appeared and this time friendless. She grabbed my hand and she led me down the path to the new party tonight.

Yet that look still remained there.

Yes, I know it's pretty shocking but I am updating. I know this may kill some of you, but yet I am still here to respond to ALL my reviewers. There are a lot of you guys in this story.

Sweetlinc: HEY! Another new reviewer I see. Well, welcome to my life, it is all about fanfiction (and fictionpress). And welcome to what goes on in my mind.

Princessgrl: WOW! That is one long review. Um, chapters, how many? I dunno. It's going to be short, maybe like 5 or 6 more. But dang that is one long review. Who's this friend and does he or she review? I'm just curious?

HelloKitty14: Oh, I am an inspiration to all. And look at how much I am updating. I should be working on all my Algebra 2 work yet here I am, talking to you. And the rest of my reviewers.

Coolfighter18: So you wanna read this even more? That's cool. Like your Sn. Cool, and plus, that is an awesome song by Gwen. 'Cause after all we've been through, I know were cool!'

Crazymormanamy: Colin you say? Hmmm. That hadn't occurred to me until just now. That is a very interesting point. Thanks for that and the wonderful review.

Alayneni: pst. Like I am actually going to tell you and ruin the story? Common. Haven't you seen the movie, although I have changed a lot of it, don't worry; it's going to be great.

Tamar-Shakira: A lot of people feel sorry for Hermione. Like remember The Price of Love. I got so many reviews all saying 'poor Hermione' after that one chapter with Voldemort and Harry; I think it's called Hero. If none of you have read my story The Price of Love, you should totally go and read it, it is so totally awesome.

EmotionlessNightmare: Well, I kind of didn't know what to say to your last review, you barely said anything. I guess the only thing I had left to do was comment on your screen name.

Person with the smilie because it won't show up: YAY! I rock! I so rock! My boyfriend told me that today.

Im an LDS Rubberband: I'm squeal worthy? I am taking this as a good thing. Thanks a bunchie.

Mars Cutie: I try, but I am falling in love with an artist at the moment.

FairyWings101: grr. Writer's block totally sucks. Oh and by the way, Patrick says 'Hi'.

Rodrigo: Oh, I love to make Cho Chang the (well you know what) of my story. And don't worry about Harry and Hermione, it is only a matter of time my good friend.

That took forever. Okay, well guys, I am going to inform you (the short version of it, if you want the long version go to my Like Father, Like Daughter story chapter 6 if you don't read it) how I got my writer's block.

I fell in love with an artist.

Okay, the guy I have been crushing on for months asked me out and I FLIPPED! I am totally in love with him. We just celebrated our one-month and things could not be better for us.

Were going out to something tomorrow night, he's suppose to be surprising me.

Oh, his name is Patrick by the way.

Smiles

Best Wishes!

Holly