The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 62: Anxious for Answers

February 14th, 1997

I had been dreading today all week. For context, it was Valentine's Day. After Neville's little confession, I knew that he and Hannah were having relationship problems, but as we got closer and closer to today, I've been doubting everything.

Neville spent a lot of time around me; an obnoxious amount, to be honest. He ate breakfast with Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and me, and then ate with Seamus and Dean at lunch and dinner. He walked with me to all of my classes, even the ones we didn't have together. But at breakfast this morning, he was nowhere to be seen, and I panicked. Last year on Valentine's Day, he skipped breakfast to set up our date, so what if he was doing the same for Hannah? I hoped that he wasn't.

"Any special plans for Lavender today, Ron?" Harry asked, causing Hermione to groan quietly.

"I gave her some flowers this morning..." Ron hesitated.

"That's it?" Harry asked once more.

"I mean... yeah?" Ron stammered, "Was I supposed to do more?"

Harry smacked his hand against his forehead before continuing with his breakfast. Ron was supposed to do more for Lavender; it was Valentine's Day for Merlin's sake! But neither Ginny or I were going to tell him that, we didn't want to make Hermione upset. Besides, it wasn't like Ron could've spent much of today with her anyway, Harry scheduled quidditch practice. Harry had done so because he was upset that he didn't have a date, but I couldn't blame him because I didn't have one either.

Suddenly, Neville sat down at our table. He looked extremely winded.

"You alright?" I asked. Neville nodded in response as he bit the inside of his cheek.

"Yeah... sorry," Neville stammered, "I was helping Professor Sprout with something and got carried away... is breakfast over, did I miss it?"

"No, we were just about to leave though," Harry assured, "We've got quidditch practice."

"Oh... right," Neville sighed, "Well, good luck at your next game!"

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and I thanked him as we gathered our things and began to leave the table. Neville tapped me on my shoulder, gesturing to me to lean in.

"Could we talk later?" Neville asked quietly, "I want to ask you something..." 

I leaned away from him as I nodded, smiling slightly.

Neville smiled at me as I turned around to leave with the rest of my team. That was it, he was going to ask me out today; I just had a feeling. Why else was he late to breakfast? He was making something for me! And he wanted to talk later, I knew that was what it was for. Harry took notice of how smily I was, nudging me in the arm.

"What's up with you all of a sudden?" Harry asked.

"Neville wants to talk later..." I beamed, "He has to ask me something... you know what that means, right?"

Harry's eyes widened, "Well... that would explain why he was so late!"

"We'll have to see after practice," I chuckled, "You know, I think things are finally starting to look up! Don't you think?"

"I guess..." Harry hesitated as he looked at Ginny, who walked a couple feet ahead with her brother.

"I think you should go for it, Harry..." I whispered, "What's the worst that can happen?"

"She says no..." Harry scoffed.

"Exactly, and nothing changes," I assured, "Do it later today... ask her on a date. We have a Hogsmeade trip this weekend, so there's no better time than now!"