Disclaimer: I dont own HP

Chapter 2: 1995-1996 School Year

She flipped to the first page as she sat down on the bed. The first entry was labeled DECEMBER 29, 1994. Neville must have started writing this before he met Luna.

Luna read the first entry.

DECEMBER 29, 1994

I dunno why Gran got me a diary for Christmas this year. Boys don't keep diaries! It's a girl thing! Oh, whatever. At least it LOOKS a bit manly. Gran expects me to write me "feelings" in here, because according to her knowledge, I don't have any friends I can talk to. Not true! I have friends! Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Seamus, Dean...oh, who'm I kidding? They're not friends close enough for me to talk to. Like, ACTUALLY talk to. I wish there was someone that would understand what it's like to be Neville Longbottom. Someone who likes me for me, and doesn't like to make fun of me.

Luna smiled after reading the entry. She knew Neville had eventually found what he was looking for. She was his best friend, after all.

She read some more entries, most of which were short. There weren't many between the first entry and the end of the year.

JULY 3, 1995
Well, another year has come and gone. Except this time we ended on a darker note. Voldemort has returned. I'm scared, but I try not to think about it. Instead I think about my more personal, pitiful me problems that no one else cares about.
I still really haven't gotten closer to any of my friends. Harry, Ron and Hermione all like to keep to themselves. I think Seamus and Dean think I'm simply a nuisance. And Ginny is nice to me sometimes, but she doesn't go out of her way to hang out with me. Sure, I took her to the Yule Ball this year, but I could tell she only said yes because she couldn't go otherwise. I could see her watching Harry almost the entire time. I know she fancies him. I don't fancy her, but sometimes I wish someone would fancy me.
So here I am in my room, Gran downstairs insisting I get a haircut. It's annoying, but I think I will. This long hair's starting to bother me. She's also annoyed I didn't make any new friends this year. I told her that this year just wasn't the year.
Maybe next year will be.

Poor Neville. All he wanted was a friend, Luna thought. She flipped the page, hoping to get a glimpse of his fifteenth birthday. But she was slightly disappointed when it skipped to September first, when Neville returned to Hogwarts.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
Well, another year at Hogwarts has started. And unlike how I expected, this year actually started on a good note. Harry was all stressed, and Ron and Hermione were trying to calm him down. They were actually nicer to me than they were last year. Ginny was nowhere to be seen, but I didn't really care too much. You know why? Because I met someone new today.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and I were waiting for a carriage, and when one came, Harry was admiring the thestrals pulling it. I could see them. I have been ever since I was very young. Harry's just only been able to see them, so it was pretty exciting for him. However, Ron and Hermione couldn't see them, so they were trying to convince Harry that they weren't there.
And that's when I first saw her. She was just sitting in the carriage, reading a magazine upside down. I was totally mesmerized by her. Still am. She has platinum blonde hair cascading down her shoulders to her waist, and silvery blue-gray eyes that never blink. When those eyes look at me, I feel like I'm frozen. The way she speaks is mesmerizing, too. It's as if she's off in a dreamland of her own, not caring what people think.
She tried to reassure Harry that he wasn't mad, which didn't really help. We all piled into the carriage, me across from her, so I had a bit of excuse to stare at her without the others noticing too much. I think they noticed how nervous I was. I turned all pink and was fidgeting a lot.
The girl was introduced as Luna. Luna Lovegood. What an interesting name. I've never heard one quite like it. I like it very much.
Anyways, after Luna was introduced, we started to introduce ourselves, but she already knew Harry, Ron and Hermione's names. But she didn't know my name. Me, being my nervous self, said I was nobody. But then Hermione said I was being ridiculous and introduced me the proper way. Then Luna shook my hand, and when her skin met mine, a tingle went up my spine that I just can't explain.
I was staring at her way too much in the Great Hall at dinner. And when I went to bed, she was all that was in my thoughts. It's two in the morning right now, and I wrote this all down to sort out my thoughts, but I think it just made them cloudier. All I can think about is her. But I must be making a ruckus, 'cause I woke up Seamus and he's groaning at me to go to sleep. So I think I'll try. But I don't think I'm gonna get much sleep with Luna invading my thoughts all night long.

Luna hesitated before reading the next page. This was how Neville had thought of her? His words were so full of...love. But maybe that was how Neville thought of all his friends. Doubtful, Luna didn't ponder it much more as she flipped the page.

SEPTEMBER 10, 1995
I don't think I've been focusing enough on my schoolwork these days. Even my Herbology grades are slipping up a bit, which I promised myself would never happen. Know why? Luna. Can't get her out of my mind! I try to think about something else, but she's always there. I tried going outside on the grounds to try to clear my head with some fresh air, but Luna passed by, skipping along, as if there were no better thing in the world. I was tempted to get up and join her, but I knew I had my reputation behind me, so I didn't. I really wanted to, though. It seems like everything she does gives off a happy aura, like everything will be alright. I wish that were so. These days, almost nothing is alright. But Luna doesn't let that bother her. I love that about her.
And guess what? It's two in the morning again. And I woke up Seamus again. And he yelled at me to go to sleep. It's a miracle he hasn't figured out what's going on yet. I'd die if anyone knew I occasionally wrote in a diary. That's so embarrassing.

Luna found this one a bit strange, as well. Neville thought about her this way? She flipped the page.

OCTOBER 26, 1995
Luna and I are officially friends now. We hang out like it's no big deal, although people give us weird looks. I know that the two biggest outcasts at Hogwarts hanging out together looks a bit weird, but in reality, Luna's really cool. She's not loony, like most people think she is. She's just in her dreamworld a bunch, but at times she can be really down-to-earth and reliable. You can tell her anything, and she'll listen. She's really smart, too. She's helped me with schoolwork and also with remembering things. We get made fun of a lot, though. I think besides Harry, we're Draco Malfoy's main targets. He picks on us, calls me a loser and Luna Loony (which she hates; she just doesn't show it) and calls Luna my girlfriend. She's not my girlfriend, although sometimes I wish I was. I still turn red whenever she's near me, and sweat whenever she brushes her hand up against mine. I've never felt like this before, and even though it's awkward, it's wonderful. I just sort of wish we felt the same way.
Uh-oh. I woke up Seamus again. And this time he actually came over here to yell at me. Thank God I managed to stow away this bloody book in time.

She flipped the page once more.

NOVEMBER 12, 1995
I hate Umbridge. She won't let us practice magic. Thank goodness for the DA. Without it I'd be even more awful at magic than I already am. It's not just good to practice magic, but it's entertaining to watch Luna do magic. She doesn't do it like anybody else. She has a special wand flourish, and it always gives off a happy aura. Sometimes she ends up as my partner for practice. Those are the times when Luna helps me and gives me pointers when I'm not doing so well. I love having Luna as my partner. It distracts me from other things. And I love the DA. I think everyone there does. It's just wonderful.

Luna noticed that that entry didn't say anything about Seamus waking up. She moved on to the next one.

DECEMBER 24, 1995
Christmas Eve. DA meeting. Mistletoe everywhere. A lot of pressure tonight. I saw a lot of people kissing under the mistletoe. After the DA meeting, Luna and I left the Room of Requirement, and somewhere in the hallway we stopped under some mistletoe. I'm sure my face turned a Christmas red as I stuttered out, "Er, uh, you know you're supposed to, uh, kiss the person you're, uh, under the, um, mistletoe..." I pointed up to the mistletoe above us. Luna looked up.
"Nargles live in mistletoe, you know," she said, those silvery eyes turning to look straight into mine. My heart melted into my feet. How could I resist? I wanted to kiss her so bad. But being me, I had no courage.
"Erm, they're not going to hurt us, are they?" I asked.
Luna giggled. "No. Nargles don't hurt you."
"Oh."
I tried to pluck up some courage, but before I could, Luna kissed me on the cheek. I was in a bit of a shock. Luna had just kissed me. On the cheek, yes, and under mistletoe influence, but still.
"Merry Christmas, best friend," she said.
Best friend, huh? So that's what she thought of me. "You too."
The part of my cheek that she kissed still tingles slightly. I'm just laying in my bed; smiling. Seamus isn't complaining, either; something tells me by the smile on his face that he might've been snogging Lavender Brown under the mistletoe.
I got Luna some of those purple quills from Hogsmeade for Christmas, along with that pearl necklace. I really hope she likes them. I'd be crushed if she didn't.

Luna remembered all this. She fingered the pearl necklace dangling from her neck right now. It was the same one Neville had given her all those years ago. She still wore it. She remembered on Christmas morning when she'd opened it, she'd squealed so much and hugged Neville so hard that he started to turn red. Although, now that she thought about it, it might just be embarrassment or nervousness.

Luna also remembered that Christmas Eve, as well. She and Neville had been walking through the hallway, and they'd stopped under the mistletoe. Neville had turned all red, and the only reason Luna had kissed his cheek was because he'd looked like he would've exploded under the pressure if she didn't. This put a whole new perspective on that night.

Luna flipped the page yet again.

JUNE 18, 1996
Today was quite a busy day for me. First of all, I was just wandering through the hallway when I saw Malfoy and some of his goons threatening Ginny and Luna, so I went over and tried to protect the both of them. However, they were on official Inquisitorial Squad business, so I was held hostage, too. Brought into Umbridge's office. Luna tried to stay close to me. When Harry and Hermione left with Umbridge, we did our best to try to outwit Crabbe and Goyle, which wasn't exactly challenging. We ran from the room, Luna by my side. We met up with Harry and Hermione and flew on the thestrals to the Ministry of Magic. Now, even though I can see thestrals, I've never flown on one before, so it was a bit of a challenge. Luna was by my side the entire time, giving me moral support. I think I really needed it. She's good at giving me moral support. When we arrived at the Ministry, we had a tight squeeze in the telephone booth, which was even more awkward for me since I was by far the tallest one there, and the most klutzy. But Luna was telling me that everything would be all right, so I relaxed a bit. Then we had to get in an elevator to get to the Department of Mysteries, and I stood right by Luna, my face heating up despite the seriousness of the moment.
Then we made our way into a huge room filled with prophecies, and we followed Harry down an aisle, as he was searching for his Godfather. As Harry was getting upset, I noticed a prophecy on a shelf that had Harry's name on it. I told him, so he came over, and when he picked it up, I heard the prophecy.
When it said the part about as July dies, my blood ran cold. My birthday is in the end of July, too, like Harry's, only a day earlier. We all know the prophecy is about Harry, but the scary part was that it could have been about me. If Voldemort had gone after me when I was a baby, then I'd be the one with the scar on my forehead, and be forced to kill Voldemort. I'm glad it's not me.
Then that idiot Lucius Malfoy came and threatened us, and then came my mortal enemy, Bellatrix Lestrange. I hate her. She tortured my parents into insanity. The only reason I didn't attack her was because Harry held me back.
Soon after, we were running through the room, and by a stroke of bad luck, I lost Luna. I tried to find her, but then I was confronted by a Death Eater, whom I petrified with a petrificus totalus spell. And suddenly, I saw and heard Luna behind me, congratulating me on a good job. Then she took my hand and led me away, running down the hallway. I'm sure I was red-faced. She was holding my hand. I knew it was probably just the best way for her to get me to keep moving, but I still couldn't get over it. I was sad when she let go. Sure, we were both focused on finding the others, but still. We ran into them (literally ran into them) in an intersection. Then, down the hallway, a Death Eater was coming toward us, so Ginny hit it with a reducto curse, which repelled the Death Eater, but it made all the prophecies from the shelves start to fall. We all panicked. We were stuck in our spots, except Luna, who started stepping forward, mesmerized by the falling prophecies. She would've been crushed by them if she'd stayed there. So I ran forward, grabbed her hand and pulled her along, and we all made a run for the door. I wanted to keep holding her hand, but I physically couldn't if I wanted to run.
Through the door, there was a funny archway, where I could hear whispery voices like Harry and Luna could. Hermione, Ron and Ginny couldn't, though. Then Harry told us all to get behind him, which we did. I placed myself directly in front of Luna, as if to protect her. Then Death Eaters came in and snatched us and held us hostage so Harry would give Malfoy's father the prophecy. I was being held by that complete witch (I choose not to use worse words) Bellatrix Lestrange, yanking me by the hair. Harry was going to give Lucius the prophecy, so I yelled at him not to do it, only to be shushed by Bellatrix. Then the Order of the Phoenix arrived and brought us into safety, first Ginny, then Luna, then Hermione, then me, then Ron. They took us down below the rocks, where I stood right next to Luna, even putting an arm around her in a protective manner. I don't think she noticed, though. Later, we went out into the Ministry's main hallway and found Dumbledore and Harry, and soon I saw Voldemort. With my own eyes. I mean, sure, I believed Harry, but seeing him with my own eyes is a totally different thing.
The Ministry workers, and the Minister himself, came back while Voldemort was still there, so now Fudge knows the truth and he'll stop being so stupid.
I think something changed in me tonight after that big battle. I'm no longer as scared, shy, and stuttering as I used to be. I'm ready and willing to fight, if needed. But one thing that hasn't changed is my crush on Luna. It hasn't gone away; it might have even gotten stronger, in fact.
I've been up later than I normally am, and I've kept Seamus up for hours. He hasn't complained at all, though. I think he knows what I've been through tonight, and he's not going to bother me. He's just sitting in his bed, playing with his fingernails, not saying anything.
I know this story's going to the papers tomorrow, and my name will most definitely be in it. I don't know what my Gran will say.

Luna took a minute to think about this entry. She remembered this day; it was one of the most clear days of her life. Although, she remembered it a bit differently than Neville apparently had, which, according to this entry, consisted mainly of Neville thinking about her and wanting to protect her. Luna remembered congratulating him and then pulling him away, and she remembered being mesmerized by the falling prophecies, and then Neville saving her life by pulling her away. She did NOT, however, recall Neville putting his arm around her shoulder while they were hiding behind the rocks.

But wait. Now that she thought about it, really thought about it, she did fuzzily recall maybe feeling the light pressure of something on her shoulder. And she faintly remembered looking and seeing it was a hand, and then following the arm and seeing it was attached to Neville. She hadn't really thought about it much at that moment. But now that she did think about it, all these things that Neville had written in this book that had taken place ever since Neville had met her, it sounded as if Neville had had a crush on her. And as Luna searched her own memory, remembered how Neville always got red-faced and fidgety when she was around, she realized that maybe it was true. Back then, she had thought that was just how Neville acted around all people, so she took it for granted.

Then Luna realized that that crush had probably gone away in the years to come. She turned the page.

JULY 1, 1996
Yup. The papers came out the day after the event. I got bombarded by people asking me questions. I knew they didn't really want me; they wanted Harry, but they probably couldn't get to him, so they went to me.
These last few weeks have been a bit hard on me. Luna and I have gotten closer than ever. We spend almost every minute of our free time together. It's almost as if we're each other's lifelines; we're moral support. We keep each other going, I guess.
Today we came home on the train. Another year gone. Probably one of the best and worst years of my life. Harry, Ron and Hermione took a compartment to themselves to discuss "private matters," and Ginny went to go sit with some of her friends from her year, so Luna and I were in a compartment by ourselves. I sat in a corner seat, sort of leaning against the wall, and Luna sat right next to me, like right next to me, her leg pressed against mine, and her head leaning on my shoulder. I'm pretty sure she just wanted friendly comfort, but I enjoyed having her head on my shoulder.
"What's gonna happen, Neville?" she asked me.
"I dunno," I said. "But it'll turn out alright in the end."
I noticed a single tear running down her cheek, so I wiped it away with a finger. She gave me a small smile.
The most of the ride we sat in silence. I think she might've even fallen asleep. At one point, Seamus and Dean came by the compartment to try to find a seat, but they saw that I was in here with Luna leaning up against me, so they snickered and smiled and then left.
We got to the train station, and Luna and I got off the train together. Thank goodness she wasn't leaning on me anymore, because Gran was waiting at the station with quite a skeptical look on her face. She didn't get a chance to interrogate me at the station, though, because Luna saw her father and said, "Oh, there's my dad. Goodbye, Neville. Write me this summer, alright?" Then she gave me a big goodbye hug, right in front of my Gran, which was a bit embarrassing, but I hugged her back nevertheless.
"I will, I promise. Bye, Luna," I said.
Luna left, waving goodbye as she walked away. I waved back.
When Gran and I got back to our house, she sat me down for our yearly "end-of-school chat."
"So Neville," she started. "How was school this year?"
"Good," I said.
"Did you make any new friends this year?" I could tell the look on her face said please let the answer be yes.
"Yeah."
Gran's whole face lit up. "Really, now? Who is it?"
My face turned red. "Uh, her name's Luna Lovegood."
Gran looked a bit skeptical. "Was that the girl you were with at the train station?"
"Uh...yeah."
"She's not your girlfriend, is she?"
"Erm, no."
Gran looked disappointed. "Oh, Neville, I was hoping so. When are you going to get a girlfriend? At this rate, you'll never get one."
"Erm, that's wonderful, Gran."
Gran could tell I didn't want to talk about this anymore. She sighed. "So, any other Hogwarts news? How many times did you wake up Seamus Finnegan this year?"
"Only three times a week."
"That's quite an improvement."
"Yes, it is. Now, I'm going up to my room."
I climbed the stairs to my room and flopped down on the bed. I thought about Luna again. Yes, we were good friends, and I had a crush on her, and Gran thought she should be my girlfriend, but I don't think she likes me like that. If she did, I'd be ecstatic. But I'm not sure it's gonna happen.
And as I'm writing this tonight, I realized how much I miss all my Hogwarts friends. It's too quiet in here. I actually miss waking Seamus up at two in the morning and having him yell at me.
I think I'll write to Luna tomorrow. It's gonna get lonely this summer.

Luna fought the sudden urge to cry. She remembered that day. She had been fighting the urge to cry that day as well. She had needed Neville for moral support, to keep herself going. It was heartbreaking to have to separate from him over the summer, but she wrote him letters. She remembered leaning up against Neville on the train, simply in a friendly matter. And she hadn't been asleep when Seamus and Dean had stopped by. She'd seen them snicker. But she'd assumed they were just making fun of them. They hadn't been the nicest to Luna.

Luna was surprised that Neville's grandmother had actually wanted Luna to be Neville's girlfriend. Maybe she'd just wanted Neville to have a girlfriend in general, or maybe that was before she'd officially met Luna.

Luna looked up and realized that it was late, and she was still in Neville's room, reading his diary. She knew she was going to the hospital first thing tomorrow to be with Neville. But she needed to read the rest of this diary. She felt the need to know Neville's thoughts and feelings. So she made her way downstairs and sat down on the couch, flipping the page, continuing reading the life of Neville.

A/N: Chapter 3 will be up soon! Please please r&r! i wanna know how i did!