Lorelai || Neville Longbottom

Chapter 13

December 5th, 1995

Ever since I came to a realization at the
Yule Ball, I've been trying to shove it out of my mind. But it seems to keep on returning. I'm hoping that Ginny and Hermione haven't noticed, but Im pretty sure they do. They send me smirks and whisper to each other whenever they see me with Neville.

And Neville.

I feel like our friendship has changed. Not in a bad way, I just think we have gotten a lot closer. Maybe I feel this way because I thought he liked Ava more, maybe he does like Ava more, or maybe we did grow closer.

I don't know.

Right now, we are in my dorm, sitting on my bed, working on some Herbology. But, more so of just hanging out.

I had my radio going on a low volume, not enough to distract us, but enough so we could hear it, and my favorite candle on my nightstand.

"Hey, Nev," I ask, causing him to look up at me. "Mandrakes are the ones that make obnoxious noises, right?"

Neville smiles to himself. "Yup. Just remember, mandrakes are what caused me to pass out in Herbology second year."

I laugh, causing him to laugh as well.

"Okay, noted," I say, still giggling.

I pick up my paper, having just finished it, and set it on my nightstand, moving my candle over a smidge. I come to a conclusion.

No, I don't think I'm falling for Neville. I just think it was a late night, and we were doing something intimate. That's all.

That still didn't feel totally right, but I forced myself to think this. I couldn't be falling for my best friend. I mean, what if he didn't feel the same? Our friendship would be ruined, I can't risk that.

As I'm having a debate in my head, I hear loud, aggressive knocks on the dorm door. I turn to Neville, who looks just as confused as I do. I slowly get up, and walk over to the door, opening it hesitantly.

As soon as I open it, I meet eyes with Seamus, who runs past me, with a distressed look on his face. I see Dean following closely behind, giving me a smile and a small nod. I do the same back.

"Neville, Ava has been harassing us about where you are, PLEASE make her stop!" Seamus pleads, as he makes his way to my bed.

I get a small feeling of worry, not knowing how Neville would react. Would he go to her? I didn't even want to watch.

"W-what?" Neville asks, with a slight hint of worry in his voice.

"You have to tell that lunatic where you are, or tell her to stop, or something!"

"Seamus, that's not very nice," Dean replies, causing Seamus to look his way.

"Sorry, but I'm just saying. We don't want another fight between Ava and Lorelai now do we?" He looks at me gesturing from the Yule Ball. He must have heard.

I shift uncomfortably in my stance, completely remembering everything that night.

And how could I forget? I felt like such a bad person. I didn't want people to think of me that way. I turn away from Seamus, looking at Neville.

I didn't want to stop him from seeing Ava. Maybe he likes her.

"Do you...want to go?" I motion to the door.

"No!" Neville says abruptly, causing me to flinch. "I mean, no, Seamus, why don't you tell her to leave?"

"I've already tried that, mate. Seems like she wants you."