My World

this is the first thing i ever wrote that was longer than half a page…i’d say its rated at least PG…meaning don’t let the kids read it.

 

~*~Study Love~*~

She flipped her hair, her brown eyes sparkling with laughter.

‘If only she knew how I felt’ Neville Longbottom thought to him self, sitting across from Hermoine Granger. ‘but she’s Harry’s smart friend and all I’m good at is herbology, and I don’t even want to think what Ron would do ‘cause I know he likes her too’ Neville had thought these thoughts plenty of times but it didn’t change his mind or his feelings. ‘I’d give anything to be the reason for her smile’ he thought dejectedly.

 

Charms class had just ended and Neville was headed back to the Gryffindor common room, when someone tapped on his shoulder. He turned to find a smiling Hermoine.

‘Are we going to study tonight?’ she asked cheerfully.

‘Umm, yea’ Neville replied bashfully looking at the ground.

‘Why is he so shy?’ Hermoine thought to herself. I know he has a thing for me but trying to get him out of his shell is like trying to get Ron to pet a spider. Hermoine had thought that by helping him study she could get him to open up at least a little bit, not that the whole shy thing isn’t cute, she just thought that he had so much to offer people that he just kept hidden.

‘What do you want to work on tonight?’ she asked.

‘How a-about we study for p-potions?’ Neville suggested stuttering slightly.

‘K. I’ll bring my notes. The common room at 10, ok?’

‘Yes’ he responded no less nervously than before.

 

*10 PM Gryffindor Common room*

The fireplace was lit and a warm, subtle glow covered the room. On one couch sat Neville, on an adjacent chair sat Hermoine. After studying for only half an hour, Hermoine closed her books and stood up.

‘Wha-?’ Neville started as she sat down again right beside him.

‘Um…H-Hermoine?’ Neville had trouble speaking those few words, as his mind was just reeling.

‘Wanna go for a walk?’ she asked as if she hadn’t done anything that wasn’t normal.

‘Um…s-s-sure’ Neville had trouble spitting out that word but he got it out and Hermoine grabbed his hand and started walking towards a table by the common room exit. ‘Was I supposed to make a move?’ Neville asked himself quite confused at this point. While Neville was trying to sort out his thoughts Hermoine had grabbed Harry’s invisibility cloak, which she had borrowed from him earlier. ‘So far all is going good’

‘Well?’ Hermoine motioned Neville to join her so they could get under the cloak and go for a ‘walk’.

‘o-o-ok’ Neville was still not sure of what he was doing. ‘Hermoine wouldn’t make me do anything bad or wrong’ Neville thought, surprising himself that he could distinguish any thoughts.

The pair got under the cloak and head out of the castle. Hermoine had hoped he would come with her. She led him, still awe struck, through the castle onto the grounds and to a secluded spot that no one from the castle could see.

 

Here she had put a swing set earlier in the day. As soon as she saw the swings she whipped off the cloak (making sure they were out of sight of the castle) and ran to the swings. Neville followed at a more sedate pace, still unsure. He had never seen swings before. He watched Hermoine sit on one and start pushing her self back and forth using her legs and body as leverage and got higher each time. She then stopped herself.

‘Why don’t you push me?’ she asked sweetly.

‘How?’ Neville asked looking completely confused.

‘Well you come behind me put your hands on my hips, and gently push me forward.’ Hermoine said in her know-it-all voice although giggling while she said it. ‘She wants me to touch her!?’ Neville asked himself kind of dumbstruck

‘Well?’ she asked almost impatiently.

‘O-ok’

So Neville walked around and gently placed his hands on her waist. ‘Merlin’s beard! I’m touching her and she isn’t running away’ Neville was starting to enjoy himself now. So he lightly pushed her, not wanting to hurt her. He pushed hard enough, however, for her to come back and hit his chest. He let out a surprised

‘Oomph’ before asking if she was ok.

‘I’m fine, but I should probably have warned you and that’ she said with a smile on her face.

‘Go on, try again. You’ll get it’ she said encouragingly.

So Neville pushed a few more times and then Hermoine told him to sit on the one beside her and try for himself.

‘you put your feet out when you go forward then pump them back when you go back and this way you’ll get momentum up and it almost feels like flying. But you have to hold on or you’ll fall off’ Hermoine explained.

After a little while of that, Hermoine got off her swing, went and sat in the sand and started writing something. Neville just sat on his swing watching her. He couldn’t help but think about how much he loved her smile and when her eyes lit up when explaining something. ‘Probably the trait of a genius’ he thought.

‘W-what are you writing?’ he asked her.

‘You’ll have to come and see’ she responded with a smile on her face yet not looking up. So Neville got up and walked around behind her again and looked down to read it. He couldn’t make it out though. Suddenly she reached up and grabbed his hand and led him over to the grass and playfully knocked him down. ‘I thought I’d have more trouble than this, but with him so scared I have to do it because he won’t’. He just lay there, as she curled up beside him and put his arm around her. Neville hadn’t seen it before but they had somehow landed on the cloak and were gently floating just above the ground. ‘Could this really be happening? I bet ill wake up and it was just a dream’ Neville thought to himself. But he decided to enjoy it while it was there. Hermoine turned to face him and with a quick look in his eyes she closed hers and went in for a soft kiss, just a peck on the lips. ‘Oh my! His lips are so soft!’ Hermoine thought to herself. As well as ‘I just kissed Neville!’ but not as a bad thought. She’d wanted to do it for awhile now. ‘Did she just kiss me? This HAS to be a dream’ Neville was thinking as Hermoine cuddled in again. This time Neville put both his arms around her and enveloped her in a big hug. He didn’t want to let her go, he didn’t want this to be a dream, and he wanted to stay like that forever.

The two dreamers fell asleep, her in his arms, one of the best stages of love. It might have taken about 3 years but finally they both were happy, content. They had pleasant dreams of each other.

 

*8 am by the swing set*

 

Hermoine was woken up by the birds chirping in the Forbidden forest near by. She gently woke Neville up. He woke with a start.

‘d-did we s-s-sleep out here a-all night?’ he asked stutters interrupting his speech.

‘Yes’ Hermoine said in a voice that said she was still kind of dreaming.

‘w-we better get b-back before anyone notices’ he said starting to look like a rat being watched by a cat.

‘Ok’ she wasn’t complaining.

 

As soon as they walk back into the common room all the guys from Neville’s room(Harry, Dean, Seamus, and Ron) and all the girls from Hermoine’s room(Lavender, Padma, and Parvati) are there waiting for them. Neville just stood and stared absolutely shocked. Hermoine had started blushing, quite profusely. Ron looked at Neville with eyes full of jealousy. All the other guys seemed proud, while the girls swiftly took Hermoine to their room, without a doubt to discuss the reason why she walked in with Neville.

‘MERLIN’S BEARD! Now everyone in the school will find out. Poor Hermoine will get made fun of so bad. What have I done!?’ Neville thought with his mind reeling. Thinking nothing for himself, but how Hermoine must surely be embarrassed.

‘Poor Neville, all he wanted to do was stay by himself, now he’ll never come out of his shell.’ Hermoines thoughts were only for Neville, in the way his were for her. She gave him one last encouraging smile before being pulled into her room. As soon as the girls were out of sight Neville was swarmed himself.

‘Did you kiss her?’

‘Where’d you go?’

‘What Happened?’

All kinds of questions were shot at him. He didn’t know what to do. He just kept getting redder and redder. Then Harry being the saint he is realized poor Neville was looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

‘Ok everyone, relax. There will be plenty of time for him to tell us after breakfast.’ Harry pointed out and winking at Neville. With that all the guys headed down to the great hall. Harry grabbed Neville’s arm and whispered quietly to him behind the others.

‘Disappear after breakfast. I’ll have your books for charms.’

Neville gave Harry such a look of appreciation that Harry thought he might have just saved him from Voldemort.

Hermoine however wasn’t so lucky.

‘Ok girls. One at a time but I’ll answer all questions I can.’ Hermoine said sadly knowing there was no way out of it.

‘Did you guys kiss or more?’ Lavender asked, putting emphasis on more.

‘One kiss. It was sweet. And he didn’t try anything like any other horny guy around here would have.’ Hermoine stated.

‘Where did you go?’ asked Parvati.

‘We just went out to the grounds a quiet spot between the lake and forest where no one would be able to see us.’ Hermoine replied getting tired of this already.

‘What did you do?’ asked Padma, Parvati’s twin sister.

‘There was a swing set so we swung for a little bit then we cuddled. We kissed once and that all there was to it. Are you happy now?’ Hermoine asked, getting exasperated. Finally the three girls backed off and Hermoine went to get dressed and went down to breakfast.

 

*8:45 am Great Hall*

When Hermoine got to the great hall Neville was already there, with a spot beside him, apparently saved by Harry. Hermoine went and sat beside Neville. ‘Merlin’s beard! She still wants to be seen with me?’ Neville thought looking awed at Hermoine. She smiled at him, and began to eat. Neville started eating too but he had trouble keeping his mind on his food. After breakfast Hermoine grabbed his hand and led him around to some back hall, curious to know how he made out with ‘the guys’. ‘Omg! Why is she touching me where everyone can see? Isn’t she embarrassed?!’ Neville thought still astounded. When they reached a hall that was empty and out of the way, Hermoine sat down. She patted the spot beside her, implying she wanted him to sit beside her.

‘Did you have to tell them everything?’ she asked curiously.

‘w-well Harry told them I could do it after breakfast, s-so I was going to hide after breakfast’ Neville confided in her.

‘Those girls made me tell them everything’ Hermoine said not at all happy about it.

‘Neville?’ Hermoine inquired quietly

‘Y-yes?’ Neville responded sitting beside her thinking how mad she must be.

‘Do you like me?’

‘y-y-yes’ he replied hesitantly.

‘I like you too’ she said just barely above a whisper.

Neville just turned and looked at her. He couldn’t believe it. He could have sworn that she liked Ron, yet here she was telling him that he was the one that filled her thoughts.

‘Are y-you serious?’ Neville asked still unsure and thinking now that maybe it was a mean prank.

‘Yes’ she said

‘Ever since the second year, when we started studying together.’

Neville didn’t know what else to do so he pulled her into an awkward hug. ‘I just love the feel of his arms around me, I just feel so safe’ Hermoine couldn’t help but think to herself. ‘I could stay like this forever’ she thought blissfully. About 6.8 minutes later Harry showed up with their books. He’d had Lavender get Hermoine’s for her.

‘How’d you find us?’ Hermoine asked her friend on the way to charms class.

Harry quickly showed her the Marauder’s Map, before placing back in his cloak as they reach charms.

‘Thank you so much Harry, it means a lot to us.’ Hermoine said.

‘Prepare to be smothered’ Harry said, as they reached the classroom.

Of course they had to be the last to arrive, so all eyes were on them. When they got into the classroom Harry went and sat with Ron, Hermoine with Lavender, and Neville sat with Dean. As soon as the last persons butt hit their chair the bell rang. Luckily, Professor Flitwick didn’t allow any chatter. So Neville and Hermoine were saved from embarrassing questions. ‘I think I really like her’ Neville thought to himself stealing a glance just after the professor started talking. ‘I think I really like him’ Hermoine thought to herself as she looked at Neville.

‘Ok class, finish writing this out and your free to go.’

Hermoine finished first as usual but stayed behind until she saw Neville finish. Then she showed the professor and left just ahead of Neville. She allowed him to catch up.

‘Are we going to study again tonight?’ She asked him with a smile on her face.

‘S-sure’ Neville replied smiling back at her.

‘What do you want to study?’

‘How about w-we study astronomy?’ Neville asked barely stuttering.

‘Ok the common room at 10 then?

‘Yes’ Neville replied.

Unfortunately neither of them saw that a third person was watching and listening. While listening he was plotting.

 

10 PM Gryffindor common room

That day had been interesting, with both Neville and Hermoine being hounded by questions. As Neville was in his room getting ready to go study with Hermoine, someone came up behind him, unknown to him.

‘Petrificus totalus’ a deep voice behind him said.

Instantly Neville felt the spell, but was unable to do anything. It was too late. Then Neville heard the door shut behind him and all he could do was watch the clock.

 

Hermoine heard someone come from the room that Neville slept in and turned expectantly. She was surprised though to be hit with a spell when she saw who it was, she thought he was joking. But he had a deranged look in his eye that she had never seen before. Not being able to move she could do nothing as Ron came closer to her. A crazed look that said he would do anything he wanted in his normally beautiful blue eyes. He walked over to her, taking his time, letting her mind reel with what he might want.

‘Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?’ he asked quietly

‘Do you know how hard I’ve worked to get you to notice me? But no! You noticed him!’ Ron said with his voice starting to rise.

He was starting to scare Hermoine. She didn’t know what he was going to do; she’d never seen him like this.

‘Do you know how many dreams I have of you? And yet you still don’t see me or understand!’ Ron said, almost yelling now.

‘How can no one hear him? What happened to Neville!?’ Hermoine’s mind was reeling.

‘C’mon Hermoine! You’re the smart one figure out what I want, what I’m talking about!’

‘I-I have no idea’ she said barely above a whisper.

All of a sudden Ron was standing in front of her. Her heart beat immediately jumped twice its rate which was fairly rapid to begin with. Ron kissed her on the lips. Rough, hard, not at all pleasing. Hermoine didn’t know just what to do, as he tried to force his tongue down her throat. When she wouldn’t open her mouth he pulled back and plugged her nose, forcing her to open her mouth in, order to breathe. When she did, he kissed her again only letting go of her nose when his tongue was in her mouth. He was being rough and forceful, so she did the first thing she thought of, she bit his tongue. Not hard enough to cause it to bleed but he pulled away quickly.

‘Fine you want to be like that’ Ron said. He was still crazed.

He put a spell on Hermoine’s mouth so she couldn’t speak and could barely breathe. He went and got Harry’s invisibility cloak, passing a still frozen Neville in the process and whispering in his ear

‘I think I’ll take her to the swing set’

‘I have to save her’ Neville thought.

Ron stayed for a few extra seconds watching Neville obviously trying to escape.

‘It’s pointless my friend’ he whispered with such loathing. Neville couldn’t understand why Ron had snapped so badly.

 

Ron made his way back out to a still frozen Hermoine, whistling. He pecked her on the lips then threw the cloak over her and himself.

‘Windgardium leviosa’ he whispered

Hermoine had assumed he’d taken off what ever he had that was blocking sound out of the room. She floated off the ground just a little bit. He just had to walk and she was following, against her will, with no way to stop.

‘Shouldn’t have taught me that one dear’ he whispered.

He walked her through a few corridors but as soon as they got on the grounds she knew where he was taking her. Within a few minutes she saw the swing set. However Ron didn’t stop there he went into the woods and walked for a good 20 minutes then he stopped pulled off the cloak and said two spells one was to block sound and the other to block them from sight of anyone who might just see them.

 

*back in the dorm room*

Neville was stronger than anyone would have ever realized. He was slowly freeing himself. He had managed to get it so he could move his head and one arm. For a while he was just staring at the clock feeling hopeless. But as soon as Ron had come back and whispered that vile thing in his ear. He wouldn’t let anything ever happen to Hermoine. He cared too much about people much less, her, to let anything happen. Slowly, ever so slowly he was getting free. But would he make it in time? He didn’t know what Ron planned to do. The look Ron had in his eye scared Neville to think what he would do.

 

*back to Ron and Hermoine*

Hermoine had such a look of terror on her face that Ron actually started laughing. It scared Hermoine even more because it was an insane laugh. So Ron had positioned her in a standing pose, with her arms straight out at her sides and her face straight as well. He decided that he would begin now. She was terrified as he slowly, calmly took off her robe. Underneath she had jeans and a t-shirt on.

He started kissing her again.

‘Am I as good as Neville?’ he asked his voice quiet but full of hatred.

Hermoine just whimpered as he started to take her shirt off. He had to re-position her arms, which he did, taking his time, thinking he had all the time in the world. He got her shirt off. And laughed at the sexy red bra she had on. She’d thought that maybe tonight Neville would get to see it, not Ron.

 

*Neville*

Neville had finally gotten down to his waist free. But he was getting more and more desperate as Ron had left about 30 minutes ago. He had an idea where Ron was but if he didn’t get free soon he wouldn’t be able to make it there in time.

 

*Ron and Hermoine*

Ron had now unbuttoned Hermoine’s jeans. She was trying so hard to fight the spell so she could even just get away but as hard as she fought she was getting nowhere. He was taking his time pulling off her pants as if enjoying the look of fear and agony is her eyes. He smiled at her red boy shorts which matched the bra. He finally got her pants of and had started feeling her chest. She had given up hope. Who would be able to find her, much less save her?

 

She was still looking forward, hoping Ron would do it fast and get it over with, when she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. Ron couldn’t see it because he was busy licking her stomach and about to take off her bra when he was tackled. Ron’s head hit the ground hard enough to knock him out. At which Neville stood up.

‘Petrificus totalus’ he said with disgust.

When Ron had been knocked out his spells had been lifted. Hermoine was sitting on the ground hugging herself and feeling dirty. Neville went and picked up her discarded clothes and handed them to her while he looked away and tried to figure out what to do with Ron.

‘Neville?’

He turned to see Hermoine standing again. Wobbly, but she was standing. He walked over to her and enveloped her in his arms.

‘I’ll never let anything happen to you’ he whispered in her ear. He picked up her jeans and helped her put them. Then he helped her with her shirt. He conjured a blanket (a spell Hermoine didn’t know he knew), and added some pillows and he laid her down while he sat on the edge. ‘He’s so respectful.’ Hermoine thought in awe. While Neville’s thoughts were somewhat different ‘I can’t believe he would do that, I thought he was someone to look up to.’ Neville smiled at Hermoine and she beckoned him to lie down beside her. He wrapped her in his arms once again. But this time both were thankful. After about another half an hour Ron woke up. So Neville and Hermoine wrapped the three of them in the cloak and in a sound barrier while they discussed what they should do about Ron.

‘Whatever you want to do Hermoine, I won’t have a problem with as the attack was on you. If you want to fry him right here I would, if you want to give him to Dumbledore or let him walk then so be it.’

‘I think we should take him to Dumbledore’ she said a little shakily.

So under the cloak the pair walked with Ron beside Neville (still petrified) and Hermoine on the other side. Neville hated that Hermoine had to be this close to him though. They got to Dumbledore’s office and as the great wizard he is. He was waiting for them. Although he’s great he wasn’t sure why they’d need him. They took off the cloak and took off the spells. Ron tried to run but Dumbledore caught him in another petrified state.

‘What’s wrong Hermoine?’ Dumbledore asked in his grandfatherly voice.

‘Ron-Ron tried t-to rape me’ she said disheartened as she looked at Ron.

‘He would h-have succeeded if N-Neville hadn’t shown up.’

‘Mr. Weasley why would you want to hurt a person who was thought to be your friend?’ Dumbledore asked perplexed.

‘BECAUSE SHE’S A WH*RE!’ he yelled.

‘My, my, what could have brought on this attitude?’

‘I wanted HER and I THOUGHT she wanted me, but she instead goes to that F*G!’

‘Mr. Weasley I would request that you refrain from using that filthy muggle language’ Dumbledore said starting to get frustrated.

‘To see your son go insane over one woman, I do not envy you Arthur.’ Dumbledore thought somberly.

‘I have nothing to do but to tell you parents Ronald. It’s a shame, you had so much potential. You’ll certainly need therapy. I’ll pay for it. The best you can get but you cannot continue this year. You may return next year with proper counseling.’ Dumbledore told him.

‘And Miss Granger if you feel you cannot continue then I understand. You’re welcome to leave if you wish. If you also need some counseling then I will pay for that as well’ Dumbledore turned to her in all seriousness.

‘n-no I’ll be fine. I just need to get some sleep.’ Hermoine said still kind of shaky.

‘I know you can do it Miss Granger. Now, Mr. Longbottom, if you’ll walk Miss Granger back to the dorms I assume you need some rest as well. I’d also like you two to just stay in bed tomorrow, your teachers will be notified’

‘Yes sir’ Neville replied submissively.

Hermoine turned to look at Ron one last time and whispered ‘I’m sorry’ and walked away, while Neville just walked by sparing only one glance for this person he had once held so much respect for. It was a slow cold walk back to the Gryffindor common room.

‘Neville?’ Hermoine asked hesitantly

‘Yes?’

‘Would you stay with me tonight?’

‘Of course’ he said

He wrapped his arms around her once more as they fell asleep together on the couch in the common room, dreaming, once again, of each other.

 

*7:30 AM Gryffindor common room*

Harry was the first one to walk into the common room to find Neville looking peaceful with his arms around a peaceful looking Hermoine. He gently woke them up and said they could go to the guy’s dorm and lay on Neville’s bed and he would close the curtains around the bed for them, so they wouldn’t be disturbed. Harry came back after breakfast with some food for them. Dumbledore had told him they were to stay in the dorms. And that he would tell him about Ron if they didn’t. So Harry went back to the dorm, and was the only one allowed in the room, unless absolutely necessary, to talk with them and bring them food. They were still asleep when he got to the room with the food so he left it on the night stand and left them alone. When he came back after charms the plates were empty and they were sleeping again.

‘How can 2 people sleep so much?’ Harry asked himself. Then he remembered what Dumbledore said, so he assumed that he had helped them. They must have done something really extreme last night because Harry hadn’t seen Ron all day. And was beginning to wonder where he was.

 

After lunch when Harry got back to the room with some food he walked in to find Neville and Hermoine sitting on the bed having a serious conversation. He quietly interrupted them to give them the food and he was about to leave when they called him back.

‘How are you guys?’ Harry asked quietly

‘Well we’re better now but still depressed.’ Hermoine answered first.

‘May I ask why Ron isn’t here?’ Harry asked cautiously.

‘Well, Harry, He tried to rape me last night’ Hermoine said looking saddened.

‘WHAT?!’ Harry yelled forgetting himself.

Neville and Hermoine waited until he had calmed himself down a bit.

‘He came in here when I was getting ready to go study with Hermoine, and he petrified me’ Neville said. Harry almost didn’t hide the shock from his face that Neville didn’t stutter once.

‘He than came and petrified me in the common room, which was probably sound proofed, and carried me out to the forest then he almost had me down to my u-undergarments when Neville came out and tackled him and petrified him while he was unconscious’ Hermoine said slowly as if trying not to remember much more than the basics. Harry just shook his head.

‘I was surprised when I came back here and you and Ron were gone and lavender had told me that Hermoine was gone too. I didn’t think anything of it, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there Hermoine.’ Harry was starting to look as sad as Neville and Hermoine had when they walked in the common room in the previous night.

‘It’s ok Harry. None of us expected Ron to snap. I wish I could get his eyes out of my head. They were full of an insane desperation, it was so scary.’

‘While you guys have been given the day off, for good reason I haven’t, I have to get to potions. I’ll talk to you guys when I get back if your still awake.’ Harry said sullenly.

Harry’s head was full of so many thoughts that he could barely make even one or two out. He managed to make it through potions then he went back to the room. When he got there the couple was sleeping again. So he just laid on his bed doing some homework. He was distracted from his homework when he heard the pair kissing.

‘Get a room you guys’ Harry said with a smile.

‘We have a room’ replied Hermoine looking better than this morning.

‘Yea, why don’t you get out’ Neville said laughing. This brought Harry and Hermoine to laughter too. Finally, with the exception of Ron, things were starting to get better.

 

^transfiguration^

‘I’m sorry I got Ron sent home’ Hermoine said sincerely apologetic.

‘After what he did to you I’m not surprised. I would have done the same thing. I just can’t believe he would do that’ Harry responded sounding confused, as if still trying to make it make sense in his mind.

Hermoine had become Harry’s transfiguration partner as she had no one, and with Ron being gone Harry needed a new partner. The rumor believed by most of the student body was that Ron had gotten some new illness and had been sent away to be studied, too bad all that illness was, was a jealousy monster gone awry. The only people who really knew what happened were the teachers, Neville, Harry, and of course Hermoine. Dumbledore had given Ron’s parents the choice whether or not to tell their other children. They had decided that the kids didn’t need to know so they didn’t know.

Life was going back to normal, as normal as could be anyways. Classes were still running and trips to Hogsmeade were still being planned. Quidditch was going off without a hitch. There was just one problem. Hermoine couldn’t shake the constant feeling of being watched. Neville was always trying to cheer her up but it wasn’t working too well. Although Hermoine would smile at his attempts it was pointless. The Yule ball was fast approaching and every one was getting eager. Every once in a while, Hermoine and Neville would walk to the astronomy tower at night and just watch the stars while cuddling. Those were the times when Hermoine felt most comfortable, safe even.

 

The day before the Yule ball, Neville took Hermoine’s hand after they’d finished studying. He led her out of the castle and into the forest. He blindfolded her at the edge of the forest. Hermoine wasn’t used to this. Neville never did things like this so, naturally, Hermoine was nervous. She started to feel better having him gently guiding her along. Making sure she didn’t run into any low hanging branches or trip over raised roots. When he took the blindfold off, her eyes had little to adjust to as it wasn’t very bright but light enough that she could see what Neville  had set up. He had taken her to a one room house like building. It was really quite out of place in the middle of a dark and unfriendly forest. The room inside had a light blue watery colored wallpaper.  There was a big four poster canopied bed which was to one side of the room and a beautiful red wood vanity with silver handles on the drawers on the other side. There was also a lovely redwood desk set into the wall at the foot of the bed. There were three shelves parallel to the desk top. All possible surfaces were covered with candles which lit the room in a warm, inviting ambient glow. There was a small bouquet of flowers on the edge of the bed. Carnations and lilies in spring colors like pink and purple. Hermoine couldn’t say anything. She was stunned that Neville could have thought something like this up. It was beyond her comprehension. She was still trying to find something to say when Neville took her hand and led her to the vanity and opened a drawer and pulled out some satin pajamas in the lightest shade of pink, almost matching some of the flowers, he handed them to Hermoine and turned to go sit at the desk to give her the courtesy of changing with some privacy. Hermoine changed quickly and quietly than went and enveloped Neville in a huge hug. He stood up and turned around then took Hermoine by the hand again and led her over to the bed. She climbed up on it and Neville smile at her before closing the curtains. Hermoine assumed this was so he could change as well. A few minutes later the curtains were pulled back again and as Neville looked at Hermoine, he couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was in pink. Neville climbed into the bed beside her. For several minutes all he did was run his finger tips over her body and the satin. He wondered if her skin was as soft and touchable as these pajamas were. He would run his finger down one leg as far as his arm would stretch and then bring it back up tracing along her spine to her shoulders then along her arms and around again. She just closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the gentle caresses of someone who cared deeply for her, and loved her. She then turned on to her other side and pressed her back to Neville’s chest and feel asleep to the feeling of his soft fingertips on her arms and hips. Shortly after Hermoine had fallen asleep Neville had followed suit, only after he had wrapped his arms around her in a protective hug. As soon as Neville had fallen asleep all the candles had gone out, and they were left in a content darkness in the house in the middle of a forest.

 

Hermoine woke up with the feeling of soft material touching her skin and warm arms wrapped around her. She laid there content and peaceful, thinking of nothing but how happy she was and where things were going with Neville.  Her thoughts wandered around for awhile, mostly staying on how it felt to have his arms around her. She then started thinking about how to do her hair for the Yule Ball, and that thought led to her gorgeous red dress waiting to be revealed to the many students that would be at the ball. She slowly turned around in Neville’s arms to look at his face. When he didn’t open his eyes, she gently nudged him awake. He opened his eyes hesitantly as if wanting to cling to the sleep that had been so comfortable. But when he realized who had woken him up he looked into her brown eyes. He had often done that before they had become an item but he hadn’t really thought to do so since. He loved how they shone with an intellect rare in anyone within ten years of their age.

‘What time is it Hun?’ Hermoine asked him.

Neville looked at the clock on the wall by the foot of the bed.

‘It’s about 11:30’ he responded as if it was the last thing on his mind.

Hermoine shot up to a sitting position without letting Neville’s arms fall from her shoulders so he had no choice but to sit up as well. Neville got up and went to the vanity like he had the night before but pulled out some new clothes. A nice pair of jeans that were fitted at the waist and thigh but had a slight flare from the knee down and a nice white halter top that was a little more low cut than Hermoine would ever have chosen for herself. Neville handed her the clothes and once again went to sit at the desk.  She looked at his back and then glanced around to see if she could find her clothes from the night before but with no luck. It looked like she had to wear these clothes that while nice she didn’t think she would feel very comfortable. So she changed into the clothes and admired what she could of herself in the mirror on the vanity. She had to give him credit, for being a guy he knew at least a little about fashion. She giggled as she thought that and Neville turned hearing the sound. He smiled at her as a guy who is in love would look at the woman he loved. She walked over to him as he stood and wrapped him in a hug. When she let go he sat her at the desk and pointed to what he’d been writing. So while she was reading, Neville got dressed himself. Neville had surprised Hermoine once again by writing a love letter for her. She had just finished the second last paragraph when he walked over and took her hands. All of a sudden the song, ‘take me away’ started playing softly around the room.

‘I thought we should have a song’ Neville whispered in her ear.

‘Do you like this one?’

‘It’s perfect’ Hermoine whispered, barely able to speak.

So in their little room, they started to dance. The song repeated a few more times before they stopped dancing, when they stopped dancing the music stopped playing. Hermoine looked at the clock again and got the same wide eyed look she had gotten about half an hour previously. She took Neville’s hand and headed out the door. The two walked back to the castle and right to the Great Hall for lunch.

 

When they got into the Great Hall they went and sat with Harry. Harry only looked up when he felt something brush his arm and he went back to eating upon seeing it was just Hermoine and Neville.

‘Are you excited about the ball?’ Hermoine asked Harry.

‘Yep’ he replied around the food in his mouth.

This made Neville smile and almost laugh. Hermoine ignored both of the reactions.

‘You haven’t told us who your going with yet’ Hermoine asked Harry, who was still eating, this time thought he swallowed his mouthful.

‘She’s a sixth year in Ravenclaw, her name is Kelly’ Harry said.

‘Oh the cute little blonde that’s been helping you study?’ Seamus, who was sitting beside Neville, asked instantly.

Harry started blushing when he looked at Hermoine.

‘You were, um, busy so I got someone else to help me’ he said bashfully.

‘I’m glad you found someone, Harry’ Hermoine said as a big smile lit her face.

‘Well I have to go start getting ready for the ball, what time are you going to meet me in the common room?’ Hermoine asked Neville.

Instead of responding verbally, Neville took a napkin and wrote down the information and handed it to Hermoine. As she read it she blushed deeply, when she finished she walked away without another word.

‘What was that about?’ Harry asked Neville.

‘Oh, it was nothing’ Neville responded and went back to eating as to say he wouldn’t elaborate anymore.

 

Hermoine blushed deeply then when she was finished she walked away. Instead of going to the dorms she went to the black lake. On the edge she saw a little box. She opened it and inside was a beautiful cross necklace with gorgeous ruby stones on it and a black velvet cord. Not only was ruby her birthstone but it would match her dress wonderfully. Hermoine was speechless, not that she really had anyone to talk to at that moment. Hermoine took it and placed the lid back on the box and walked briskly back to the Great Hall but every one had cleared out by then. So with no where else to go Hermoine headed up to her dorm to begin to get ready. The dance was to start at 8 and Neville’s note said he’d meet her in the common room at 8. With about 7 hours to get ready in which she only needed about 1 and a half. Just as she was about comfy on her bed with a good book she’d been reading, she saw something sitting on her bed already.

 

Neville on the other hand was in a complete panic. Even though he looked reasonably calm on the outside he was a network of nerves inside. He was lying on his bed trying to think if everything was ready, or if he should run away. He’d taken, what to him was a big risk, and it worked perfectly. He was terrified that Hermoine wouldn’t like it or that she’d like it too much. In the end it was a perfect night and everything turned out fine. So with several hours before the dance he decided to start reading a book that professor sprout had suggested.

 

Hermoine opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. As she started reading, she realized it was the note Neville had her start reading in the room in the forest. So she just skimmed all but the last paragraph which she decided to take her time on.

‘it was wonderful to have you wrapped in my arms, as I’ve dreamt of it long before that first night we realized we were destined to be together. And I’ve dreamt of it ever since. Holding you is all I think of when I’m not around you and all I want to do when I’m near you. I will have a surprise for you at the ball tonight. I hope you spend the time before relaxing as I would hate to see you stressed over something I could not fix.

Yours truly

Neville’

Hermoine was once again speechless. No one had ever made her feel like she was the best thing in the world. Neville was showing her things that she didn’t know were possible and taking her places that she didn’t know existed. She suddenly thought to herself ‘I think I’m falling in love’. Instead of reading her book she sat on the bed reading the letter over and over again. She was feeling better than she had in a long time.

 

Time flies when you’re reading something enjoyable. The next thing Neville knew it was 6 pm and that he was hungry. Due to the Yule Ball, suppers were being served in each of the common rooms. Neville popped down to grab a quick bite and on his way back to his room he passed Hermoine. Since his arms were full as well as his mouth he couldn’t do nor say anything. Hermoine just gave a quick hug and a peck on the cheek and went on her way, probably to get some food herself. Neville continued on his way to his room to finish eating and then get ready for the Ball.

 

About ten after 6, Hermoine looked at her clock and decided to go get some food. On her way down to the common room she passed Neville. He looked so cute with his arms and mouth full of food and the mild surprise that was in his eyes. She gave him a hug a quick peck on the cheek then went to get some food herself. She had a small plate of food, but as she was so excited she could barely eat. So what she ate she did so quickly so she could get ready.

 

About 7:45 Neville was pacing nervously in the common room waiting for Hermoine. He was beginning to have second thoughts. He didn’t know if Hermoine would appreciate being shown off in anyway much less so that all eyes would be on her. He’d sat patiently until about ten to 8 when he saw everyone else heading down to the great hall. He thumbed the small box secreted in his pocket as he continued to wait.

 

Hermoine put on the ruby cross as the finishing touch. She then headed out to the common room to find Neville waiting with a nervous but happy look on his face. He held out his arm for her and the two of them took their time getting to the great hall.

 

Already at the great hall the four champions and their dates had started to dance. Fleur with Roger Davies, Cedric with Cho Chang, Viktor had a cute and nervous looking Ginny on his arm. Then there was Harry, With Kelly the attractive blonde that had been helping him study in Hermoine’s place.

Kelly wore a beautiful satin dress that matched the ice covering the Black Lake. there was some small detailing on the bust of the dress but other than that it was very simple, yet she look elegant anyways. Kelly was beaming as she looked at Harry.  He couldn’t look happier if he’d just won the Quidditch world cup.

 

Just as the music was about to start after the first dance, everyone started turning their heads to the entrance of the room. Harry was surprised to see Hermoine, as he hadn’t noticed she wasn’t there. Soon everyone’s attention was on Hermoine. She even had Draco Malfoy’s attention. This did nothing for his date and girlfriend, Kayhler Greene. Kayhler was only nice to Hermoine when no one was around, as being Draco’s girlfriend had its disadvantages, for example putting on a tough face and not appearing to care. She swept a few of the strands of her luscious black hair out of her face. Her green eyes could have been that color for the envy she was feeling at that moment, although no one would know it was envy. She was wearing a flattering green satin dress that almost looked more like lingerie. It flowed with every move she made. It accentuated her curves, making most guys drool. The moment she lost that attention she got angry, she yanked on Draco’s arm and dragged him to a spot where he wouldn’t be able to see Hermoine.

 

Hermoine looked absolutely stunning in her crimson satin ball gown with rhinestone accents. It was a halter ball gown and it looked absolutely stunning on her. The ruby cross at her neck could hardly be missed as well, it accented the dress wonderfully. Just as they set foot in the room everyone was still watching when Neville turned her toward him and got down on one knee with her left hand in his right. Hermoine got a really confused look on her face. ‘He can’t be proposing? Can he?’ she thought to herself.

‘I understand that we are still young and there fore I’m not proposing. But I would that you take this ring’ He opened the box to find a gold ring with rubies all around it ‘as a promise that once we are finished here at Hogwarts that we will get married’

Hermoine was speechless. Neville had done so much for her and she didn’t know what to say. She just nodded as tears of joy ran down her cheeks to which she couldn’t stop them. As he put the ring on her finger, it was a perfect fit, everyone in the room gasped. Neville stood up again and enveloped her in a hug. Almost everyone started clapping. Hermoine blushed just remembering where they were. Neville took her hand and indicated to the band that they should start. The two of them danced all night while guys kept coming up to Neville and girls to Hermoine for congratulations on the wonderful news. After the night was finished instead of going back to the dorms Neville led Hermoine, without the blindfold, to that room they’d been in the night before.

 

He opened the door, but the room was different and there was anther door. In the main room there was less furniture and more candles but instead of being blue it was an orange color, the fireplace in the corner was lit and proved to support the glow of the small candles floating around the room. Neville took her in a hug and started kissing her. Hermoine started kissing back, but she jumped a little when he started unzipping the back of her dress. She stopped kissing him and looked into his eyes. They were full of love and peace that she almost instant relaxed. She let him pull the strap over her head and pull the dress down gently, revealing a red halter bra and red boy shorts which matched the dress. She started to take his robes off his suit. He wouldn’t let her do any more. When they were beside the bed he undid her bra and set it on the bed. Then he slowly removed the boy shorts. She started to feel a little exposed but then he handed her a towel. As she wrapped it around herself he took one hand and led her to the door on the opposite side of the room. He took her inside and it was another thing she could add to the list of things that made her jaw drop. In the middle of this room, which looked like it might have been as big maybe even bigger than the one before, was a huge bath tub. It was full with warm water and Rose petals. Neville took the towel from her and helped her into the bath tub. He removed his top but left his pants on. He had no intentions of joining her in the warm, inviting water. She lay down with her head resting on the edge of the tub by Neville and instantly part of the wall came out so he could sit there.

‘Want me to wash your hair?’ he asked her in a gentle whisper.

She only nodded being in a state of contentment she feared would be a dream if she were to speak. Suddenly shampoo and conditioner appeared. First he took the shampoo and gently massaged her scalp. It felt wonderful to her, to have someone touch her in this way. Then he did the conditioner and it was over before she’d wanted to be. She climbed out of the bath and pulled Neville up by his hands and took his pants and boxers off. She took his hand and climbed back in the bath indicating she wanted him in there with her. He laid down where she had been and she laid on him, thinking how nice it felt to be with someone as sweet and kind as Neville. She never dreamed he would turn out to be the way he was with her. After they started to get wrinkly they got out and each wrapped a towel around themselves. The towels disappeared when they made it to the bed though, discarded on the floor. Hermoine remembered how comfortable this bed had been the night before but now she just thought of how much she loved Neville. She sat on the edge of the bed and laid back and beckoned him to lie with her.

‘Are you sure?’ he asked quietly

‘I’ve never been so sure of anything my whole life’ she whispered back

 

After a few hours they just laid next to each other, remembering sensations they’d experienced and the feelings they’d felt. They went back to the bath room and the water was still magically warm, they climbed in and cleaned each other. As soon as they climbed out and dried off, they found they’re pajamas had appeared on the edge of the tiled tub. They got dressed and went to go to bed in the bed where they’d combined they’re souls.

 

 

 

 

Marie McCoy