Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This story is meant purely in tribute to the original work.

Neville awoke to a sight that he thought would never, ever be surpassed in his life. Luna was fast asleep in his arms, her back against his front, his body curled around her from behind. And she was not wearing anything at all. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, nuzzling her hair gently. She stirred slightly. Neville found himself idly wondering if she was a light or heavy sleeper. He trailed his lips downward to kiss the back of her neck and then to the spot where her neck met her shoulder. Luna made a sound that was halfway between a moan and a purr. "I'll have to remember that spot.", Neville thought with a smile. Luna stirred awake this time and rolled to face her lover.

"Mmmmm…good morning.", she said lazily as her eyes blinked a few times to shake off her drowsiness.

"G'morning.", Neville replied.

"What time is it?"

"Still early I think." Neville raised his head to check the clock he noticed on the end table next to the bed. "Wow, Luna really did think of everything setting up this room.", he thought. Luna looked over to the clock as well. "Was Ginny going to return to the school via this room?", Neville asked. He had a rather nervous mental image of Ginny returning to find him and Luna still in bed. Without clothes.

"Yes. But we don't have to worry. It's still early enough."

"Early enough for what?"

"For this." Luna pulled Neville into a rather hungry kiss.

"Mmmm, this is definitely a good morning.", Neville spoke through the kiss.

Luna grinned, "Then you'll definitely like this." She rolled to her back pulling Neville on top of her.

It turned out that practice does make perfect. Or at least close enough as far as Luna and Neville were concerned. Neville was never much one for the stereotypical aspects of male pride and machismo but he decided he could indulge in this particular one. Neville was determined to make good on his promise to Luna. His efforts were rewarded with the feel of Luna's body arching against him, her arms tightening around his back, and her legs wrapping around his hips. A moment later her body shuddered and what Neville thought had to be the most lovely sound in the world issued forth from the back of her throat. He congratulated himself and his heart swelled with pride that he was able to make the woman he loved feel these wonderful sensations. Luna rewarded him by urging Neville on with the continued movement of her hips against him. He pulled her close and allowed himself to relax into his own climax. Neville buried his face against the side of Luna's neck and uttered a sound that distinctly resembled her name as he found his release. They held on to each other afterwards, panting in satisfaction and savoring the afterglow. After a few moments, Neville could feel himself rising up and down in time with Luna's breathing. He realized with a start that he was most probably crushing her beneath him. Neville rose up on his arms and began to lift himself off of her. Luna made a small sound of protest and tightened her arms around his back and her legs around his hips. "Stay", she whispered.

Neville leaned down to kiss her gently. "But I'm crushing you."

Luna shook her head. "No you're not. It's a good feeling." Her words brought forth a warm feeling that started in his chest and radiated out to his extremities. Neville couldn't find words to express his feelings at the moment. The more he thought about it, the more certain he was that there actually were no words that would do his emotions justice. They continued laying there, entwined, for a few more minutes. It didn't take long before Luna sheepishly admitted that her breathing was becoming a bit labored. Neville chuckled as he rolled to his side, allowing her to do the same. "I love you Neville Longbottom.", Luna whispered.

"And I love you Luna Lovegood." Neville pressed his lips gently to hers. "So very, very much."

A Few Months Later

Winter was finally giving way to spring but this particular day was one of winter's last gasps. And Neville found himself wishing he were somewhere else at the moment. "Some place more pleasant.", he thought, "Some place warmer. Some place like…" Harry waved his hand in front of Neville's face, abruptly breaking him out of his train of thought.

"You alright mate?", Harry asked.

"F-fine. And you?", Neville replied, attempting to pretend that he was aware that he had been in the academy's library for the past two hours.

"I'm fine too, thanks for asking.", Harry said with a hint of mirth in his voice. "'You do realize you've been staring at that page for the past 20 minutes?" Neville flushed. His mind must have been drifting. "As fascinating as the ministry penal code is, I don't think it can hold anyone's attention for that long."

"I'd say his concentration is just fine Harry.", Ron observed, "The only thing is, he's thinking of a slender form, with long, blonde hair…"

"Might I point out gentlemen, that the ink on your quills has been dry for quite some time now?", Neville dryly observed. Harry and Ron grinned despite themselves.

"The difference is, mate, is that we gave up on studying 15 minutes ago. I take it your mind went to the same place ours did, just on a different carriage."

"So you were thinking of a girl with red hair, athletic build, fair skin…", Neville began.

"Oy! Don't want to hear about it!", Ron interjected.

Neville couldn't blame Ron. If Harry's relationship with Ginny was going anywhere near as well as his was with Luna, Ron would be better off without knowing. Over the past few months, Neville had visited Hogswarts or Hogsmeade a few times. The girls had managed to visit London and tour the academy once as well. Ostensibly, it had been part of a "career day" activity sponsored by Hogwarts but it was still an opportunity to see each other. Neville had to admit that long distance relationships were difficult but the time he and Luna spent together made it all worth it. As Neville's mind drifted once again to other aspects of his visits with Luna, he mused that it was very, very worth it. He steered his train of thought back to reality before his friends noticed he had gone off course again.

"So how is Ginny handling her NEWT year?", Neville asked. He thought a slight change of subject was in order before Ron lost the contents of his stomach on the table. Or popped a blood vessel.

"Lots and lots of complaining.", Harry answered. "Studying, homework, exams, wash, rinse, repeat. Every so often she'll start to mention how lucky I was to avoid my NEWT year but then she thinks better of it."

Neville grimaced and put his hands up, "No contest mate."

"So how is Luna doing?", Ron asked, subtly thanking Neville for changing the subject by continuing the current direction of the conversation.

"Luna is…", Neville paused, "…Luna. It's somewhat difficult to describe. I know she's studying hard and taking on piles of coursework but she never seems stressed. While I am impressed with her on one hand, I find it somewhat unnerving that all the stress doesn't faze her. Weird way to look at it isn't it?"

"Too right.", Ron agreed, "I know something would be definitely wrong if Hermione were not stressing to the point of hair loss."

As Neville and Ron smirked at the mental image, Harry abruptly changed subjects. "Neville, has Luna mentioned anything about what she wants to do after graduation?"

Neville was a bit thrown off by the sudden change in subject and had to think for moment to adjust to the new direction. "Now that you mention it, no. She hasn't said much about it. I thought she might want to work with her father on The Quibbler. That's something I should get around to asking. Why, did she say something to Ginny about it?"

"No. Ginny has been talking about the possibility of professional quidditch."

"I know they still talk and hang out quite a bit. Maybe they have talked about life post-graduation."

"Not that I know of it. Ginny's letters are brief enough as it is with her schedule."

Neville nodded in silent agreement. Although he was only in his first year of auror training, Neville couldn't help but wonder if he was developing some kind of sixth sense as a result of it. Because he had a feeling Harry looked rather too pensive to be asking such an innocent question. Years later, Neville would realize that auror training did indeed teach you how to read people better. Since he and Harry had been friends for years, this made it even easier. Neville would also realize that these were the first signs that something wasn't quite right, that an unwelcome development loomed on the horizon. He just didn't want to see or acknowledge it.