wanderlust ☆ n.longbottom

.:36:.

"Daisy, what you did was bad," Hermione said for the hundredth time that day. They were sitting together in the Great Hall, their conversation going unheard by Ron, Harry, and Neville as they were invested in an intense game of exploding snap. 

"Stop reprimanding me, I'm sick of it. I'll talk to him about it tonight."

Hermione interrupted her with a tap and pointed to where Vivienne had approached Neville. She had asked to speak to him. Daisy sighed. 

"Neville, I have been thinking a lot over Christmas and I miss you. I treat you like garbage and I'm sorry. I'm here, in front of everyone today to say that I'm still in love with you."

"I...don't really know what to say."

"Just say yes, Neville, please! And  Daisy," the blonde turned to look at her. "I understand that you're both now just friends. I'm sorry, I  was really immature and let jealousy take over."

Daisy stayed quiet and Neville was anxious she would kick off. She didn't. She nodded. "Apology accepted."

Vivienne smiled. "I hope this means we can be friends."

"Besties."

The blonde turned to look at Neville. She rustled around in her cloak pocket and pulled out some mistletoe. Neville smiled and kissed her. And they kissed and kissed and kissed. Daisy couldn't believe it was happening. Her world was falling apart around her. 

"What's with all the displays of affection at this table?" Ron commented. "I swear, Hermione if you ever do anything like this for me."

"Why would I be doing anything affectionate for you?"

Ron flushed as red as his hair. "No reason...I just thought...well-"

"I don't feel well, I'm going to bed." Daisy interrupted Ron's rambling. 

Daisy ran all the way to her dorm and collapsed onto her bed. She instantly erupted into a blitz of tears.  She had no idea how long she had been crying before Hermione entered. 

"How are you doing?" she asked gently.

"How do you think?" Daisy spat. 

"Okay, okay, stupid question."

Neville was at the door, knocking. Hermione let him in.  "I should go," Hermione's voice wobbled out.

"You don't have to do that, please don't let us deter you from your own bedroom," Neville said kindly. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes. 

"No, I actually need to go, I have something to do. Some homework. Potions."

"We have Potions homework?" quizzed Neville. Briefly, Hermione forgot that they all had the same lesson schedule. 

"Oh, no, I meant...Ron borrowed my quill and I need it back." Hermione disappeared out of the door before either of them could continue their inquiries. Silence. A sniff from Daisy.

"The quill must be pretty important," chuckled Neville. "I don't know when those two are going to admit they have feelings for each other."

"They have feelings for each other?" Guilt bubbled inside Daisy. Hermione always listened to Daisy's boy troubles and she felt bad for never asking her back. For all Daisy knew, she could've been going through the exact same thing. She made a mental note to ask her about it later and focused on Neville. She had been doing that for years, putting things off to focus on Neville.

"I think so. I guess being friends for so long complicates things."

Daisy sighed. She hadn't looked at him since he arrived, but she was only just suddenly aware of it. "Have you come here to discuss Hermione's crush on Ron or do you actually have something to say?"

"I didn't think I needed an excuse to talk to my best friend. But, I think you're the one who needs to do the talking. 

"I've got nothing to say." 

Neville moved a pile of books from the crimson armchair situated in between Daisy and Hermione's beds. He sat down. 

"So, what's up? Why did you run out of the hall crying? It's Vivienne isn't it?"

"I just thought it was over with her."  

"Me too."

"I just don't think someone who's so hot and cold is good for you. And let's be honest she's a very cold person."

"So what type of person is good for me? Is that why you're upset? Because you're worried about me? We can talk about it, let's go and see Vivienne now and we can all get to know each other. Yeah, let's go and do that." He got to his feet and grabbed her arm. She could go along with it. She could follow him and talk about things and pretend like it was all okay. And then Neville would be happy. But she would be distraught.  She stood up but pulled his arm to stop him. She looked into his eyes for the first time and melted into a puddle right there on her bed. It had built up to a boiling point. 

"My problem's not with Vivienne. I just can't be second to her. Not again."

Neville hesitated and screwed up his face as though he was piecing her words together to try and work out what she meant. "So you're worried about her interfering with our friendship? Oh, Daisy, I would never let that happen."

Whether she spoke up or not, her friendship would be changed forever. Either way, they could not continue the same way they did when they first became friends at eleven years old. 

"No, it's not that..."

"What is it?" Neville's voice was so soft. This was the boy she had been friends with her entire life. She could tell him anything, including this. He would understand. They could laugh about this one day.  

"I like you. I love you. I think this is what love feels like." 

Neville looked faint.