A/N: Here's the next chapter! It's a VERY long chapter, and I'm proud of it. I hope you enjoy. Please read and review. Keep in mind, there's only one more chapter left after this one! So enjoy while you can!

Chapter 3: 1996-1997 School Year

Luna, sitting upright on the couch, started reading the next entry.

JULY 16, 1996
It's been two weeks since school ended. Two weeks? More? Ah, I can't even remember! See what no school does to my brain? Turns it to mush! I'm going crazy just sitting up in my room. I don't know how to apparate yet, and I used up all our Floo Powder just getting out of the house. So there's no way out. Gran's not really sure what to do with me. She doesn't want me in the house because she's planning something for my birthday, and she doesn't want me out of the house because she's still sort of protective of me. So here I am. In my room. Going crazy.
I've written letters to everyone. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, even to Dean and Seamus. I've written multiple letters to Luna. Some of them have even replied. Hermione right away, Ginny replied for both her and Ron, Harry, and even Dean. Seamus hasn't, but I expect he will soon. Luna's replied to each one of my letters, each one thought out in great detail. I just love reading her curly script. It comforts me. Her words. Even on paper. It makes me think that even being locked in my room is okay. I've tried to make my letters be full of compassion or love or something, but it doesn't really work; I think they all just sound normal. Oh well. I'm not sure she cares. As long as she replies, it's fine with me.
You know, if Gran wanted to get me the perfect birthday present, she would just let me have one day with Luna. All alone. Just me and Luna. For one day. Sounds nice.

Luna understood how Neville was feeling that day. Sometimes she felt like she was going crazy, too. In the beginning of that summer, only writing to Neville calmed her frazzled nerves. But her father would sometimes take her places, so she wasn't didn't feel THAT locked up.

Neville's one birthday wish was just to see her? Wow. He could wish for a million things, and he just wanted to see her? Luna didn't know how to feel about that.

JULY 23, 1996
Still in room. Going crazy. Birthday coming up soon. Gran planning something. Won't let me leave room. Resisting urge to twitch on floor.
Need to see Luna. The letters, although wonderful, aren't enough. Need to see her. Want to kiss her, but know I can't. But just want to see her.
Why won't Gran buy Floo Powder? I could go see her!

Luna felt bad for Neville. Going crazy in his room. And all he wanted was to see her.

JULY 30, 1996
Today's my birthday. Did I get what I wanted? Eh, you could say so.
So, I woke up this morning and went downstairs to find a small pile of presents waiting on the kitchen table. I was surprised. It's always been one. It's never been a *small pile.* I was excited.
"Er, who are these from?" I said to Gran, pointing to the pile of presents.
"From your friends," Gran said. "They came last night. You can open them after breakfast."
So after breakfast, I opened all the gifts. Harry sent me a book on Herbology. Hermione sent me a kit to groom plants. Ron sent me a pair of socks (nice, but why, Ron?), Ginny sent me yet another Herbology book, Seamus and Dean sent me a quill, which I'm sure was charmed to write the name of your crush whenever you write anything. Very nice joke, Seamus and Dean. And Luna sent me a photo album which she had filled with pictures of me and my friends. One was a picture of Dumbledore's Army, one was a picture of me, Harry, Ron, Seamus and Dean, one was of me, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Luna. There was one of Fred and George about to prank me and me oblivious, one of me attempting to stun Nigel in a DA meeting (it didn't work well), a school photo of all ten Gryffindors of my year, and a lot of pictures of just me and my friends. But my favorite picture, by far, was a photo of me and Luna, Luna with both her arms around me and her head on my shoulder, me trying to smile nicely, but ending up all red-faced. Since the photographs move, we both looked at each other a few times, me still red. Gran was curious about this book, but I wouldn't show it to her. I told her it was sort of personal, and she said she understood. I liked Luna's present the best by far. But I still had Gran's to go. I opened it up, and found it was that new plant I had wanted. But I found I wasn't as excited about it as I had expected. Maybe it was the photo album. It sort of ruined the excitement of the new plant.
However, Gran said she would take me to Diagon Alley for lunch, which excited me. So I waited and waited for lunch, and it finally came. Turns out Gran did buy more Floo Powder, and we used that to get to Diagon Alley.
When we were there, we had to walk down the alley to get there. But, as we were walking, I saw a familiar face up ahead walking the opposite way. A face I knew very well.
"Luna!"
"Neville!"
I ran ahead to meet her, and she did the same. I met her with a big hug, almost lifting her off her feet. It was a long time before I let go.
"Luna. How are you? I've missed you so much. It seems like forever since I saw you last," I said.
"Fine, thank you. And I've missed you, too. It's only been about a month since we saw each other last," Luna said. "Oh, and Happy Birthday. How old are you now? Sixteen?"
"Yeah, sixteen," I said. "And thanks."
"Did you get my gift?"
"Yes. And I loved it. Honestly, I loved it. Don't tell my Gran this, but I liked it better than her present."
Luna giggled. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."
Just then, a man walked up behind Luna. "Luna, dear, what are you doing talking to this boy? I told you that we had very important business to take care of today as soon as possible."
"But daddy, this isn't just some random boy, it's Nev-"
"Yes, the Longbottom boy who you won't stop writing letters to," Luna's father said hurriedly. "I swear he's your boyfriend although you insist it's not so. Come, Luna. We have business."
"Dad, just a few more minutes? It's Neville's birthday and -"
"No. Come."
So Luna regrettably followed her father, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before she sadly left. I'm sure I was red by the time Gran finally showed up.
"Not your girlfriend, eh?" Then she noticed the hurt look on my face. "Neville, what's wrong?"
"All I wanted for my birthday was to see Luna," I said sadly. "To spend an entire day, just me and her. And then I finally got to see her, and her stupid father dragged her away."
"Neville, I know what it's like to feel love's first pulls," Gran said. "I felt like this once. Torn away. But remember: longing makes the heart grow fonder."
Yeah. Like that's true.
But today was the day that I learned to hate Luna's dad. I think I'll forever have a grudge on him.
The only thing keeping me going today is looking at that picture of me and Luna. Right now it's the key to my sanity.

This entry made Luna sad. She remembered that day, too. She remembered wanting to go and see Neville on his birthday, to surprise him, but her father had said that he needed to go into Diagon Alley to get something for his research, and that he needed Luna to go with him. She'd been disappointed, but gone with him anyway. She'd been ecstatic when she'd seen him in Diagon Alley even for a minute, just to wish him a Happy Birthday. She'd been delighted that he'd loved her present. All those pictures had just been lying around, so she may as well have put them to good use. She'd had two copies of the one of her and Neville - one was put in the album, and one was sitting in a frame by Luna's bed. She remembered the day it was taken. Colin Creevey had took it - actually, he'd taken all the pictures in the album - and he'd said that the first position they'd been in for the picture had been too formal, and he'd wanted them to be more relaxed, like friends would be, so Luna had wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder, which had made him turn red. Then Colin had taken the picture. It was a bit embarrassing, since it was taken right after a DA meeting, and all the other DA members were there watching. Colin had taken pictures of all the people there, various groups of friends, pairs, houses. Then Colin had requested Neville and Luna get a picture together.

"Neville, Luna, come here. We need you two to have your own picture," Colin had said. Neville had turned red, and someone in the back had wolf-whistled. Luna had a bet on Seamus. Luna had gone over to Neville, pulled him by the hand and got him in front of the camera. After the picture was taken, someone in the crowd had yelled, "Give us a kiss!" It was followed by some cheers, along with some shouts, like, "C'mon, Neville, kiss her!"

Eventually Colin had told everyone else to calm down and Neville and Luna had got out from in front of the camera. It had been a happy day, that day.

Why had her father taken her away from Neville on his birthday that day? He could have at least let her have a few minutes with Neville. It would have made the both of them happy. That was the day Luna had started to not trust her father as much. He had become less and less trustworthy since Voldemort had returned.

Luna remembered giving Neville a kiss on the cheek before she had left. It was supposed to be just a friendly goodbye, but apparently Neville had taken it as more than that. One thing was for sure. Neville's crush on her didn't seem to be dwindling at this time. When did it go away? Sometime in sixth year? Seventh year? Luna kept reading.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1996
After that disappointing birthday, I voluntarily locked myself in my room for the rest of the summer. I sent Harry a birthday present, and wrote Luna, but other than that, along with Hogwarts shopping where I saw no one, I didn't do anything else that summer. I never did get a reply from Seamus, either.
Gran took me to the train station, and it was the first time this summer since my birthday that I felt truly excited. I would finally be able to see all my friends again. I'd be back at Hogwarts soon.
On the train, I ran into both Ginny and Luna. Ecstatic, I immediately gave Luna a hug, which she greatly returned. I didn't let go. I didn't want to. Not now, not ever. Luna was just too wonderful to let go.
"Uh, hello? I exist too, lovebirds!" Ginny exclaimed. Embarrassed, I reluctantly let go, red faced.
"We're not lovebirds," I said.
"Really? Sure looks like it," Ginny said.
"Come now, Ginny, be reasonable," Luna said. "Neville's been lonely this summer, and he's just happy to see us."
"Really, now?" Ginny said, raising an eyebrow. "Then where's my long, passionate 'hello' hug?"
Grinning and playing along, I squeezed Ginny into a hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her. She laughed. I let her down.
"That satisfy you?" I asked.
Ginny nodded. Then, whispering into my ear, she said, "Just so you know, I know you have a big crush on Luna, and I fully approve. So I forgive you for what just happened here."
My face turned red, and Ginny went off to hang with some of her other friends. Oh, and did I mention she's dating Dean now? I find that I little weird, but I don't care that much.
Luna and I walked along the carriages of the train, trying to find a seat. By a stroke of luck, we ran into Harry. I didn't hug him, since I guys don't really give each other hugs. We did, however, sit in a compartment with him. I sat with Luna right up against me, and Harry across from the both of us. I could tell from the looks he was giving us that he thought we were real cute. Red face again.
Soon Romilda Vane came in our compartment and made fun of Luna and me, and later I had to leave Luna and go with Harry to Professor Slughorn's compartment. I didn't like it much in there. I wanted to catch up with Luna a bit.
Soon we were at Hogwarts, and I really wished Luna could've sat at the Gryffindor table with us. I kept on staring at her from across the room, and I'm pretty sure all my Gryffindor friends noticed. Harry and Ron kept giving me weird looks, Hermione and Ginny were silently giggling, Seamus kept elbowing me in the stomach (which hurt), and Nigel even asked me, "Do you have a crush on Luna Lovegood?" I didn't answer that. He's a young kid. He doesn't have crushes on girls yet.
In the common room later, most kids of my year were looking at me and whispering or giggling. In my dormitory, Ron fell asleep immediately, so I couldn't take any torture from him, but the others were all awake. Dean was quietly singing, "Neville and Luna sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." and Seamus was saying, "I wonder how many times Neville snogged Luna between now and the train..." and Harry was not making fun of me. Instead he was saying, "Neville, if you like Luna so much, you really should ask her out, you know. Pluck up some courage! You already act like a couple, may as well become one officially."
Eventually they all fell asleep. Seamus, then Dean, then Harry. But I myself, couldn't fall asleep. So, just like the old days, I took some time to write this down.
And, again like the old days, I woke up Seamus at two in the morning. He wasn't real suspicious this time. He was just like, "What're you doing up? Daydreaming about Luna, I suppose? Do it while you sleep, please. Stop wakin' me up." He fell asleep again immediately. You know, one of these days he will find out about this book. You just wait and see.

Luna remembered that day. She had been happy to see Neville and the rest of her friends. She had been curious why Neville had given her a longer hug than he did Ginny. But now it was explained.

So at this point, Neville's crush on her still hadn't gone away? When would it? It would have to go away at some point. She knew Neville still didn't have a crush on her now.

NOVEMBER 2, 1996
Stupid Slug Club. I went to one stupid meeting and then Slughorn kicked me out. What a joke. I don't want anything to do with that anymore.
I sat with Luna on the grounds today and told her how mad I was. She told me just to let it go and move on. Her voice will sway me to do anything, so that's just what I did.
Every single person who passed us today kept on giving me weird looks and whispering and giggling. I don't think Luna noticed a thing. There's nothing wrong with sitting and talking with your best friend! What's wrong with you people?
Later that night, we were all in bed, and I was pretending to be asleep. Harry, Ron, and Seamus were all awake, and were talking about me.
"You know, Neville really needs to ask Luna out," Harry said.
"I know, mate," Ron said. "But that boy has no courage. It's never gonna happen."
"The two already act like a couple," Seamus said a bit groggily, presumably falling asleep. "He should just get on with it already!"
"I know, Seamus," Harry said. "But keep in mind that this is Neville. The boy with no courage. He probably doesn't even know how to ask her if she wants a biscuit at breakfast."
"But he really should just go for it," Seamus said. "I'm tired of watching them just be friends. I don't understand why he just won't ask her out. I mean, she likes him too, doesn't she?"
"If I'm judging on sight, Seamus, then yes," Harry said. "But honestly, I can't be too sure. Some people hide their true feelings really well."
At this point Ron was asleep. "When d'you think Neville will end up snogging Luna?" Seamus said sleepily.
"I don't think Neville will ever end up snogging Luna Lovegood," Harry replied.
They all eventually went to sleep. But me, unable to fall asleep, wrote this down. But doing that, I woke up Seamus, who just shot me an angry look, said "Go to sleep, mate," and then went back to sleep. I think he was pitying me for not being able to ask Luna out.
Sigh. I couldn't agree more.

Luna thought this entry was rather unusual. All Neville's friends wanted him to ask her out? How strange. She guessed it sort of made sense. But the question was, would she have said yes if he did? After about five full minutes of contemplating she decided yes, she would have.

And all Neville's friends thought Luna had a crush on Neville, as well? How preposterous! Sure, he was her best friend, and she liked him very much as a friend, she didn't like him like that. She didn't fancy him, not even back then.

DECEMBER 20, 1996
Tonight was Slughorn's Christmas party, where I was forced to serve as a waiter. Oh well. At least I got to go. There I saw Harry, whose date was Luna. At first I felt a pang of jealousy, but then I realized that Harry probably only went with Luna because he couldn't get anyone else to be his date. Besides, Harry didn't like Luna like that. He knew that I had a crush on her, and he wouldn't do that to me.
"Hi Harry," I said. "Drink?"
"Oh, hello Neville," Harry said. "No thanks, I'm good."
"Alright then. Enjoying the party?"
"It's going fine," Harry said. He lowered his voice. "And don't worry; I'm not stealing Luna away from you. I just needed a date."
My face turned red. "Okay, uh, thanks. I understand."
Then Harry left to go find Hermione or something, and Luna came over to me. Wow, she looked pretty in that dress. I wished Colin Creevey were there to take a photo of her in that dress.
Just then, there was a flash of bright light. The photographer had just taken a photo of me and Luna (it wasn't Colin). God, that was embarrassing. Luna in a beautiful dress and me in a busboy uniform. Yeah, that'll be a keeper. I should add it to my photo album. Not.
I talked to Luna for the rest of the party. We didn't know where Harry went, but Luna didn't seem to care. In fact, I think she preferred talking to me. We left the party together, and yet again, like last year, we stopped under some mistletoe. No one was around. I coulda snogged her, like everyone wanted me to, and no one would have to know.
"Guess where we are again," I said, pointing up. She looked above us.
"Mistletoe."
"Just like last year, huh?" I said. "And y-you do know what happens under the mistletoe, right?"
"I'm not kissing you, Neville," Luna said, my hopes fading. "We're just friends. It doesn't feel right. Despite the pressure of mistletoe, you'll just have to settle for this."
Then she stood on tiptoes and kissed my cheek, quite close to my lips, but not directly on my lips. It sent a chill down my spine, but I still was hoping for more. I dropped off Luna at the Ravenclaw tower, and, finding a spurt of bravery that came from I don't know where, took her hand and and kissed it.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Lovegood."
Smiling, she said, "You too, Mister Longbottom." Then she stepped into the Ravenclaw tower.
Red-faced and proud, I made my way over to my dormitory, where I saw that everyone else was already asleep, so I silently got ready for bed. Unable to sleep, I wrote this. But, once again, I woke up Seamus. He roused and looked over at me, so I quickly stowed the book under my pillow.
"Hey. What're you doin' up? When'd you get back?" Seamus asked.
"Er, not that long ago," I said.
"What were you doing? Snogging Luna under the mistletoe?" Seamus teased.
My face turned red. "Er, no. Who were you snogging under the mistletoe? Lavender Brown?"
Now it was Seamus's turn to go red. "Lavender gained a sudden interest in Ron. So not her. Although, and I'm pretty sure this was a dare, I suddenly found Susan Bones with me under the mistletoe so I had to kiss her. No snogging, though. I'm not interested in her."
"I see."
"Go to sleep, mate. By the way, what exactly was that book you just had?"
I panicked for a minute. Had Seamus seen it was a diary? "Uh, Herbology book."
"Okay, got it. Goodnight."
If Seamus ever found out what this book actually was, well, then, goodbye, life.

Luna remembered that day. Harry had been nowhere to be seen at Slughorn's party, so she had spent most of her time talking to Neville. He was indeed a charming fellow. And the mistletoe incident...why was it always mistletoe? She hadn't particularly wanted to kiss Neville...had she? They were just friends. Neville had looked like he had really wanted to kiss her, so she had taken pity on him and kissed his cheek. Those few times when she'd kissed his cheek he'd always gotten bright red and looked happy, as if he'd gotten lost in a world where all your dreams come true. She'd always loved that look on his face.

And the events that took place in the dormitory always amused Luna. She found it funny that in almost every entry, Neville managed to wake up Seamus. It was like a running gag or something.

But what interested her most was the events that Luna had witnessed herself that sounded so different in Neville's eyes. They always sounded like Neville was focusing on nothing but Luna, and when he was talking about her, his words were always so full of...love. Neville might've thought that his words were bland, but they represented nothing but love.

Refusing to acknowledge anything else, Luna moved on to the next entry.

MARCH 15, 1997
Christmas and New Years have come and gone. All the snow's melted, and all any of my housemates have to say to me is that I should ask Luna out. I wish I could, except I don't have the courage, and I'm not even entirely sure she'd say yes. Sure, she's my best friend, but a date? What would she say if she knew I had a huge crush on her? Would it ruin our friendship? God, I hope not. I think it'd just be better if she doesn't know.
Today was a Hogsmeade day. I went into Hogsmeade alone, but I saw a lot of people there. I ran into Luna in the streets.
"Hey, Luna," I said. "Doing good?"
"Just fine, Neville," Luna said. "Quite a nice day today."
"Yeah, it is," I said. "Fancy a trip to The Three Broomsticks, Luna?"
"Oh, that'd be quite nice, Neville."
As we walked to the shop in question, my heart rate sped up seven hundred percent. That was practically asking her out on a date. Well, not a date, but almost. And she'd said yes. I knew she would, but I'd had that moment of doubt; that moment every guy has when he fears rejection. I'd been ecstatic, overflowing with joy when she'd said yes. I tried not to let it show on my face too much. I'm not exactly sure I want her to know that I've got a huge crush on her.
We took a seat in The Three Broomsticks. I saw a few familiar faces in there, but not any that would make fun of me and Luna. We ordered a couple of butterbeers and just chatted a bit. All was going well until Draco Malfoy came in.
At first, he probably just came in for a drink. I whispered to Luna not to look at him, and he might not see us and leave us alone. However, then he made a slight turn, as if taking in his surroundings, and he spotted us. A sneer crossed his face, and he made a beeline for our table. He placed his palms down on our table.
"Well well well. If it isn't Loser Longbottom and Loony Lovegood. Whatcha doin' in here? Did you finally get the guts to ask her out, Longbottom? It's about time, don't you think? Even so, you both make me sick," Draco said.
My face turned red, despite it being torment by Malfoy. "Go away, Malfoy. And we're not on a date."
"Not on a date, eh? Then how come it's just the two of you?"
"Erm, we're waiting for someone else."
"Who is it, then?"
"Um..." I thought fast, thinking of something. Then I saw Hermione enter. "Hermione! We've been waiting for you!" I got up and went over to Hermione. "Go along with it," I whispered to her under my breath. Louder, I said. "We were worried that you weren't coming, Hermione. And Malfoy here was about to take your seat."
Malfoy looked disgusted. "Me? Sit with you two losers and a filthy little mudblood? I've never heard anything more preposterous." He left the shop.
"Thanks, Hermione," I said, sitting back down.
"No problem, Neville," she said. "But what was that about?"
"Uh...it's a long story," I said. "I'll tell you later."
Hermione saw the look on my face (mainly how red it was), and then looked at Luna, sitting across the table. She smiled.
"Alright, then," she said. "Talk to you later, Neville."
Later that evening, I couldn't sleep, so I wandered about the castle. By chance, I ran right into Luna. She suggested we go sit outside in the moonlight, so that's what we did. It really was beautiful. Luna's named after the moon, you know. And it suits her, too.
Luna sighed. "I just love the night sky."
"Yeah. Me too," I said. I looked over at Luna, and I realized that if I had the guts, right now would be the perfect time to kiss her. Alone, under the moonlight. It would be almost magical.
But of course, I didn't. We just sat in silence until it was time to go. We parted ways and I went back up to bed.
Do you know what's a miracle? While writing this, I did not wake up Seamus, not even once. So either he's dead, or I'm insanely quiet. And since I can hear him snoring, I'll assume the latter.

Luna thought about this one. Neville wanted to consider that day a date? She didn't want to. It was a friendly outing. But then again, according to this, he still had a huge crush on her at that time.

And he had wanted to kiss her when they were watching the moon, too? Obviously Neville saw things in a different way than Luna did.

JUNE 30,1997
Our Headmaster died today. There was a big ruckus somewhere else in the castle, so I went with the masses to see what it was.
And there it was. Dumbledore. Lying in the middle of the courtyard. Dead.
Luna had somehow found her way next to me, and I saw that she was shedding tears just like everyone else. I put an arm around her, and she buried my face in my chest, most likely soaking my shirt. For once, I was too upset to even care.
This is a ridiculously short entry, but I still managed to wake up Seamus. He didn't care, though. He's too distraught.

Luna was glad to hear that Neville had also been too sad about Dumbledore's death to care about much else, as well.

JULY 1, 1997
Today was Dumbledore's funeral. We all went. All of us. You could hear multiple people sobbing. It was obviously the time to let it all out.
Luna was sitting next to me. Right up against me, leaning her head on my shoulder. I was attempting to be strong for myself and for her. Luna was weeping (I could feel the tears soaking into my shoulders), but she was silent. I wondered if she was trying to be strong, too.
After the funeral was over, it was time for bed, so I walked with Luna to the Ravenclaw tower, since I'm not even sure she'd be able to stand upright without my help. I took her hands in mine, told her everything was okay, and that we needed to be strong, kissed her hand, then went to my own tower.

Luna remembered that day. She'd fought the urge to sob uncontrollably onto poor Neville. He'd been stronger than she was. She'd needed him that day. He comforted her.

JULY 2, 1997
Back on the train to home. Luna still leaning on me for life support. We managed to get our own compartment. At first, things were okay, but eventually Luna had a breakdown. She started uncontrollably sobbing, using my shirt as some sort of tissue, which I let her use.
"Ssh, it's okay, let it out," I said, rubbing her back.
"No, it's not okay. Dumbledore's dead. Gone. He won't come back. We have no protection," Luna said between sobs.
"Luna, we'll fight our way through this, I promise you. We'll be strong, even if we don't have Dumbledore," I said.
After a few more minutes of sobbing, Luna stopped and then looked at me, her eyes pink and puffy.
"You're right, Neville. We can do this. I'll be strong, like you."
That comment made my stomach do a backflip and my face turn hot. I knew I was no braver than she was. She was probably braver than me, even. But at the moment she needed comforting, so I accepted the compliment and continued to soothe her.
Soon enough, she fell asleep lying up against me, with her head on my shoulder, and both her arms clutching my right lower arm and hand, and her legs up on the seat, tucked up under her.
Then I heard a knock on the compartment door. I looked up to see Seamus and Dean standing there. I put a finger over my lips to tell them to be quiet. They slowly and silently slid the door open, came into the compartment, slid the door closed, then took their seats across from me.
"Why are you here?" I whispered to them.
"Everywhere else is full, mate," Seamus whispered back. "And why are we whispering?"
"Luna's asleep," I whispered, gesturing to her with my left hand.
Dean smirked. "Luna fell asleep while she was all snuggled up against you?"
"How touching," Seamus added.
"Hey, knock it off," I snapped. "She's distraught, can't you see? Dumbledore just died. Aren't you, too?" Seamus and Dean could only nod their heads in agreement. "Besides, just look at her face. Does that look like a happy face to you?" Sure enough, Luna did not look happy. Even in her sleep, she looked as if she was about to cry. The two boys shook their heads.
"But a normal distraught person doesn't go leaning up against their friend to cry. If I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna do it alone in the corner," Seamus said.
"Well, girls are a weird species," I said. "They do things like this all the time. If a girl's upset and crying, what's their natural reaction? Go and hug their best friend. It takes quite awhile to understand them."
Seamus shook his head. "Girls are too complicated."
"You got that right, Seamus," Dean said.
Suddenly, I felt movement on my right shoulder. I started to tense up a little bit. Luna was waking up. I panicked. What would she do if she saw Seamus and Dean in the compartment?
But no, she wasn't waking up. She was merely adjusting her position. She gripped my arm slightly tighter, and she buried her nose into my shoulder.
Seamus smirked. "And you say you're not a couple, eh Neville?"
My face turned red. "We're not a couple."
"Oh come on, Neville, stop denying it," Dean said. "It's pretty obvious you're in love with the girl."
"I'm not 'in love' with her. No one's 'in love' with anyone at this age," I said. "It's more of a..."
"A big, huge gigantic crush?" Seamus suggested.
"Uh, yeah, that," I said, my face turning red.
"Neville, a 'big huge gigantic crush' passes for 'in love' these days. At least ask her out, already," Dean said.
I stayed silent. Everyone wanted me to ask her out these days. I just didn't know how.
Just then, Lavender Brown and the Patil twins burst into the compartment.
"Seamus, Dean, Nev-" Parvati started, then stopped when she saw Luna pressed up against me.
"Seamus, Dean," her sister continued for her. "We need you in our compartment."
"We would invite Neville, too, but," Lavender said, casting a glance in my direction. "I think he's a bit busy."
The Patil twins giggled, and Dean and Seamus got up.
"Good luck with that, mate," Seamus said as he left. Dean gave me a wink. And then the five of them were gone, leaving me alone in the compartment with a sleeping Luna.
About twenty minutes before we arrived in King's Cross, Luna woke up.
"Hmm? What happened? Did I fall asleep on you, Neville?"
"Um...yeah."
"Oh. My mistake. Should I move?"
"No, no. You're fine."
"Alright then."
She moved her head into a more comfortable position, which tickled my neck. After a minute, she asked me,
"Can you introduce me to your grandmother today, Neville?"
"W-what?"
"I'd like to meet your grandmother. She seems like a nice lady. Can you introduce me to her?"
"Uh, sure."
"Thank you."
Soon enough, we were at the station. She seemed to have mostly recovered. There was no evidence of her crying, at least. We got off the train, and Luna linked her arm through mine. I saw my Gran, so I led Luna over to her.
"Hi Gran," I said. "Gran, this is my friend Luna. Luna, this is my Gran."
"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Longbottom," Luna said, outstretching her hand. Gran reluctantly shook it. "Ms. Longbottom, did you know that your head is full of wrackspurts?"
Gran took a double-take. "My head's full of what?"
"Wrackspurts. They're invisible creatures that fly in your ears and make your brain go fuzzy," Luna explained. Gran looked at her with a weird look. "Do you know about the Crumple-Horned Snorckack? Daddy and I are trying to find one, you know," Luna said.
Gran looked at me. "Is she always like this?"
"Yes. It's just the way she is," I said.
Then Luna spotted her father. "Oh, look, Daddy's here. I have to go, Neville. Write me this summer. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Longbottom." Then she gave me a hug and a sly little kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Neville."
"Bye, Luna."
And then she and her father left.
Gran, with a quite irritated look on her face, got my trunks and then we left. When we got home, she took me by the sleeve and threw me down on the couch.
"Ow! What's the matter, Gran?" I asked.
"That is Luna Lovegood? That is the person you've been writing all last summer? That is the person I thought should be your girlfriend, but then found out she was a crazy lunatic? Her?" Gran was practically screaming.
"Yes, her. She's my best friend," I said. "And she's not a lunatic. She just sees and does things in her own special way. She doesn't care what anybody thinks. She's just Luna."
Gran crossed her arms. "That doesn't make matters any better. I still don't trust her. I forbid you from ever making this girl your girlfriend."
I stood up and gave Gran a pretty menacing evil eye. "You have no control over me, or my love life." Gran actually shied back a little bit. But she managed to make a comeback.
"Love life?" she snorted. "What love life? Who could ever love you? Shy, klutzy Neville Longbottom?"
That hurt me on the inside. But I managed to say, in a quiet voice, "Luna would."
As I started to make my way up the stairs, Gran shouted up to me, "I wish you were more like Harry Potter! He wouldn't go around making friends with lunatics!"
"Hate to break it to you, Gran, but Harry's friends with Luna, too," I shouted back. I heard what sounded like an irritated gasp.
I slammed the door to my room, making sure she heard it and knew I was angry. She had no right to talk about Luna like that. No one did. Luna is not a lunatic; she's a fantastic person, my best friend, and my love interest. A crush, maybe? No, probably bigger than that. What's a step between crush and love? Girlfriend? But we aren't officially together. Oh well. I'm too mad to think about it now. I'll write a letter to someone about it later. I don't care who. Just someone.

Luna didn't exactly know what to think of this entry. The very first part was a bit said, and the part in the train amused her. Seamus and Dean had come in? She hadn't noticed. And they thought Neville was in love with her? How far-fetched! Even though the crush on her hadn't gone away yet, it couldn't be love. It just couldn't be.

And the last part with Neville's grandmother alarmed her. She knew Neville's Gran didn't like her, but she didn't know that she had yelled at Neville just for bring friends with her. Poor Neville. He had a rough first day of summer.

Wait. Neville had said that Luna would be a person who would love him. Did he mean in a friendship sort of way, or a loving way? Luna would guess the latter.

Luna looked at the clock. It was now 3 AM. The hospital opened at 8:30. Luna still had time to finish the diary.

So that's exactly what she did.

A/N: I dunno when I'll be able to post the next chapter, so just enjoy and please R&R! The reviews really help and I'm honestly interested to hear what you have to say. Please check out my other stories meanwhile!