Incendio

Chapter 30: Incendio Maxima

*Trigger warning: Some Descriptive Violence*

Her visit from Lee had given her a bit more pep into her step. She had something to work for, whether it was school next year, or their Radio Project. She worked hard, but now she had a real reason to keep going and to work hard. She'd also found something to live for, if it was her last term at Hogwarts, she'd make the best of it.

She finally figured out how to Apparate. She'd take her test in August and she knew she'd pass.

She hated to admit that she was thrilled when Ginny and Dean called it quits. Ginny seemed much happier and she was receiving much more attention from a certain longtime fancy. Harry had very publicly planted a kiss on Ginny after Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. Ginny had never seemed happier.

Samantha decided she was ready to be happy, even if shortly. She was determined to tell Neville exactly how she felt before the end of term. Her only roadblock appeared to be finding the proper moment. It seemed ridiculously uncomfortable to bring it up at dinner or between classes. She decided maybe she could tell him at the greenhouses.

Ginny, Luna and Colin had OWLS coming up, so they'd recently taken up a habit of joining Neville and Samantha down at the greenhouses for extra lessons. She certainly couldn't tell him in front of them.

Finally, a few days before final exams Samantha decided she had to say something. She'd bought him new gloves in gratitude for her lessons, that could be a starting point. Sitting at dinner she looked up at him. "Hey, I have to finish some stuff up for the Gazette. I don't want to go alone, would you go with me?"

"Of course." He smiled, "I could use a break from exam studies."

"Cool." Samantha said hopefully.

After their meal, the two began their way to the Gazette. She should tell him. She could do this, it was just Neville after all. How scary could it be? If what she'd heard was true, he'd have liked her since fourth year. It wouldn't be a bad reaction. Even if he said they would just be friends, it was better to get these feelings off of her chest.

"So I need to be honest. I don't need to do anything at headquarters. I just wanted to talk to you." Samantha started nervously.

He didn't say anything, but nodded.

She reached into her bag to grab the gloves she bought him. "These are for you." As she pulled them out, a few contents from her purse fell out of her bag. They both stopped to pick them up. Several pens, a notepad and a few Galleons were strewn across the stone floor. Neville began helping her and picking up her Galleons and handing them to her. The valentine she'd received was sticking out of her favorite notepad.

He smiled upon picking it up and handing it to her, "I've been wanting to talk to you too. Since Christmas actually."

If Neville said anything else, she didn't hear it. She had picked up her D.A. coin and noticed it was changing. It shifted to reflect the date. "Neville, your D.A. coin, is it saying today too?"

Neville looked confused but reached into the pockets of his robes. "Yeah, it is."

"Do you think there's trouble?" 

It didn't take more than a few moments and the two were running through the castle to the Room of Requirement. In front of the door was Ron and Ginny.

Out of breathe, the two quickly began asking what was going on. It was explained that Dumbledore and Harry thought Death Eaters may attempt to enter the castle while they were gone on some mission. Ron and Ginny were guarding the room of requirement to keep anyone from getting in or out. Hermione and Luna were guarding Snape's office.