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

In the years that followed, Neville would tell himself that there were signs, hints that this would happen. However, he was convinced that he just did not want to believe it. He had heard the saying, "If I knew then what I know now…" before. However, Neville knew that even if there was some way he could have peered into the future and seen what would happen with absolute certainty, he would not have changed a single thing. Because it would have meant less time with Luna.

She had just graduated from Hogwarts a week ago and Neville had presented her a necklace with a small peony-shaped charm to commemorate the event. At first glance the necklace seemed quite simple but a tap on it with a wand caused the peony to blossom fully and reveal space for a photo or picture. Luna was touched at the thoughtfulness of Neville's gift and wondered where he found such a unique item. She also felt apprehensive and thought herself heartless regarding what she was about to tell him. They were lying in bed and Neville was curled around her with his arms wrapped tightly around her. Luna told herself that every delay would only make this more painful. She had put it off for long enough already. Any longer would be just cruel. "Neville?", she tentatively began.

"Hmm?", Neville lazily responded. He was just beginning to feel the pull of drowsiness after their energetic exertions earlier.

"Remember when I told you about wanting to search for the crumple-horned snorkack?"

"Mmm-hmmm."

"And do you remember when I told you about wanting to discover new creatures?"

"Actually, I think I do recall that. Why do you ask?" Neville found himself coming fully awake now.

"Neville…", Luna turned in his arms to face him. "…I am planning on leaving to travel, explore, and find those creatures and possibly many more."

"I've known for quite some time that you were going to travel to pursue your ambitions Luna.", Neville leaned in to reassure her with a kiss. "This is not a surprise to me."

"Yes, but…", Luna worried her lower lip between her teeth for moment. She looked up into his deep, earnest eyes. Those eyes in which she swore she could see and feel Neville's love, consideration, and trust in her radiating out of them. "Oh he's going to absolutely hate me for this.", Luna thought, "I wouldn't be surprised if he never wanted to speak with me again." Luna eyes began to well up against her best efforts, "…I am going to be gone a lot. We're not going to see each other-"

"Luna, we've been having a long distance relationship for a while now.", Neville interrupted. "We don't see each other as often as we want but we make it work."

"We're not going to see each other enough.", Luna finished. "Not enough to keep you happy. Or me."

"What do you mean…", Neville began. His mind was already telling him what he did not want to know. But he still did not want to believe it.

The tears welling up in Luna's eyes began to spill freely now. "You deserve someone who can make you happy. Who can stay by your side and make you happy." Neville felt his heart plummet and a cold feeling began to form in his chest.

"No, Luna. You make me happy. It's you and that's all I need! Of course I want to spend as much time with you as possible but as long as I know you'll be back and you still love me, I'll be fine!"

"Not for long. Eventually you'll come to resent me. And I will resent you for it. And it will destroy us."

Panic began to set in with Neville. "Not like this. Please God, no, not like this…", he mentally pleaded. "Luna no, please no…"

"I never meant to hurt you. I still love you so much…"

In the years that followed, the words that Luna used to explain why they would not work out in the long run and his ineloquent flailing were permanently seared in his memory. However, it was so painful that he would not allow himself to recall it. Eventually, he would be fine. But at that moment, he wondered how he ever would be. Neville figured that if she stayed, he would stifle her spirit that he so adored. There was little chance of him following her without sacrificing his own goals. And that was something Luna adamantly would not allow. They agreed that this would be their last night. In the morning, they would part ways. Luna would go to travel the world, explore, and discover. Neville would return to auror training and join the ranks of those who had pledged to stand against the darkness. They promised to keep in touch, when they eventually felt comfortable doing so. Once that was decided upon, Neville was ashamed to find that he could not keep his emotions in check any longer. He sobbed, tears flowing freely, his face buried in her chest. He clung to her with the desperation of a shipwreck victim to a life raft. Luna continued shedding silent tears as she attempted to comfort the man she loved so dearly. Even though she knew it was necessary, she felt horrible that she had caused this and still had no more comfort to offer. "Well, maybe one way…", she thought.

Luna and Neville had never found their lovemaking lacking in passion or emotion. This time, it felt as if Neville was trying to pour every ounce of love and desire he felt for Luna into his actions. Almost like he was trying to convince her of something. She knew it, she could feel it, and she couldn't help but feel that she didn't really deserve it. As they finished and savored the afterglow, Neville sobbed softly into her neck. Luna found her eyes wet with tears once more. As they slept together for the last time, Neville held her close, as he had on so many other nights. He tried to commit as much detail about her as he possibly could into his memory and prayed for the inevitable dawn to stay away for long as possible.

Harry and Ron could immediately tell something was wrong. When Neville confided in them, they both offered their sympathies as best they could but found that anything they could think of to say sounded horribly trite and insufficient. Hermione seemed to take it harder than anyone expected. She had tears in her eyes when she flung her arms around Neville and held him tight. He was shocked at the level of emotion displayed but recovered in time to pat her back and reassure her that he would be fine. Indeed, Hermione's display of emotion caused Ron's eyebrows to rise. However, he quickly reminded himself how he would feel in Neville's shoes and chastised himself for his thoughts. After a rough week in which even the academy instructors noticed something was wrong with him, Neville threw himself into his training. He still was not the most stellar student to have graced the halls of the academy but the focus kept his mind off another subject he found himself wishing he could forget.

Two Years Later

Neville sat before his parents in their ward in St. Mungo's. His mother was engrossed with rolling a rubber ball around in her hands. His father's empty gaze was directed at some unseen point in the wall. Neville's thumb idly traced the outline of the auror's badge in his hands. "Mom, Dad, I made it. I graduated. I washed back in two courses but I still made it. Didn't set any records for washing back either.", he said with a small self-deprecating smile. Indeed, there were three candidates from Neville's starting group that would graduate in the next class…hopefully. "I've never seen Gran look so proud. It was quite startling actually. I'm just not used to seeing her being proud of me. I guess she's just chuffed to bits considering she thought I might be a squib for so long." Neville's smile widened. His grandmother's joy at his accomplishments had softened the realization for her that he would soon be moving out. "I look forward to joining Harry and Ron soon. Ron only washed back one course and Harry was fortunate enough to have graduated on schedule." Neville looked up at his parents. There was no response, no acknowledgement. He knew not to expect any. "I will make you proud. I promise to never give up. I promise to keep trying. To the last breath." As he looked down at the coveted badge in his hand, he found thoughts of Luna inexplicably invading his mind. She had not been at his graduation. The biggest day of his life thus far. Luna had sent a congratulatory letter and he was initially overjoyed to receive it. The joy faded when he saw that she signed it, "Warmest Regards". In the past she would sign her letters to him, "With Love". Neville shook his head to rid himself of his thoughts. "You're going to be alright", he repeated in a mantra that had become well known to him these past couple of years, "It's like stumbling over a pebble in the road. Nothing more than that. Just keep going forward and you'll be just fine." Neville had lost count of how many times he had repeated these phrases in his mind. But they had gotten him through the tough times. He had survived when he thought he wouldn't. Even so, he couldn't help but feel, deep down, that those words were just a little empty. Neville pocketed his badge and rose to depart. "I love you Dad", he spoke as he hugged his father. "I love you Mom", he spoke as he kissed his mother good-bye. As Neville strode out of his parents' ward, he tucked the bubble gum wrapper that had been slipped into his hand into his pocket, next to his badge.

Author's note: I found this chapter quite difficult to write. Don't worry, there's a reason why things happen. I have no idea if aurors have badges. I think it would make sense as they are technically law enforcement.

Special thanks to Dreamallday, jadely31, and Patronus123 for reviewing! Y'all have been very encouraging!