He abruptly woke from a dream, sweating and panting.
Even in his dreams everything scared him so much, but nothing was as intimidating as what he was setting out to do today.
He sat up slowly, wiping his brow with a loud sigh.
Every day this week so far he had said the same thing. Today is the day. Today he would be brave. Today he would complete the seemingly ever more impossible task.
Defeatedly he walked to his trunk at the base of his bed, leaving his blankets in disarray.
He opened and kneeled before just staring at the contents.
Messy unfolded clothes and scattered books, but there on top sat the bright red heart. It glittered even in the dully lit dorm room, the three words flashing in and out of focus, "Be my Valentine."
He trudged down the dorm room stairs, freshly dressed and feeling blue, clutching the Valentine to his chest.
It was quiet, it must have been earlier then he realized. Being a sunday, most students would be sleeping for as long as possible.
Lost in his train of thought he missed a step and stumbled down, just catching himself in time by reaching out landing on his hands and knees.
The valentine sliding across the common room floor and disappearing under the couch by the fire. As if he needed to feel any worse today! But he was used to this. Misfortune chased him around like a bad smell no matter where he goes or what he does.
When he had gathered the motivation to lift his head he noticed someone standing in front of him.
Fluffy pink socks, cat patterned pjs and a tumbling mess of hair.
Her face was always so warm and embracing, and not surprisingly she held a book in her hand.
"Neville, you really must watch where you are going," she giggled and leant down to offer her hand.
He could only manage a mutter as he shook his head in shame and took her hand.
So soft.
He stood as she let go. Caught in her eyes he forgot all about the valentine.
"Are you alright? Your up early," She said.
He shook himself back to reality and made his way to the couch mortified, needing to sit down before he dare do something to further embarrass himself.
Oh boy. She followed him and say down next to him. Concerned big brown eyes took him all in.
She set down her book, leant close and closer still and embraced him in hug.
At first he was frozen, rigid and stiff, but her warm embrace melted all of his worries away and he even had the confidence to hold her in return.
For the second time today she pulled away from him, but this time he felt a lot better.
He remembered the valentine waiting patiently under the couch for recollection.
"Uh. I.. I've been practising my spells, im been doing my best. Would you ah, like to see?" He stammered, his brief bout of confidence fading fast.
She smiled and he felt as light as a feather.
"Ah.. okay, here we go," goodness please let this work he thought.
She say patiently and waiting, all attentive to him. So beautiful!
"Accio Valentine!"
And to his utter surprise it worked without a flaw.
The valentine came up from under the couch and landed straight in his lap.
She laughed and looked pleasantly surprised.
He wiped away the dust and handed her the bright red box.
Her face changed, from surprise to flattery? Maybe? He couldn't tell.
She touched it tentatively and opening it up.
There it was again, that radiant smile.
She plucked out a chocolate and popped it in her mouth.
"My favourite! Oh Neville this is so sweet, thank you so much!" She said, was she blushing? But before he could think on it further she leant in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before picking up her book and running into the girls dorms.
His cheeks had become so red and hot as he watched her run away, a last glimpse of her as she disappeared and he passed out.