It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 43- Loved you first

We all sat on the same table later; Ginny, I, Luna, Neville, Hermione and Ron. Ron finally had the guts to look up at me- at which I gave him a slight smile and turned back. He smiled back too (was he relieved I hadn't confronted him about it? That mere thought was laughable now!)

How could I feel angry towards him, when other impending emotions in my mind had just washed it away? Neville had placed the bloody sword on the table; several people patted him on the back as they went past. He seemed the happiest when his Gran hugged him to her bosom, ruffling his hair and telling him how brave he had been and how proud his parents would be. She smiled at me too, after enquiring about my health.

'How does she know my name?' I asked Neville, as she walked off to meet an old acquaintance of hers.

'I've told her about you!' he said brightly. My parents sat a little way along the table, talking to Shacklebolt- the temporary Minister of Magic. Ron and Hermione had disappeared- I suspected Harry had taken them away.

My mind was taking in several things now, yet I wasn't as completely happy as I should've been. Something yet seemed missing, I still felt a little let down- by myself? Or by someone else? I couldn't fathom the depth of my feelings.

'Err..Neville? There's something I've been meaning to tell you..but the whole day has been such that I could only approach you now-'

He looked at me quizzically. 'Just..just tell me now then!'

All those times when we'd stare at each other in the moonlight without confiding our feelings, all those times we'd promise each other weird things in the hope that they would happen, all those times we had stayed ''together'' when the world was crumbling down- all those times had come to this moment.  I felt like I would burst with the knowledge of the secret I'd kept for quite some time. Now was the time to come out with it.

'I think..I think I've fallen in love with you, Neville.'

When I said those words, I experienced for the first time, how silence sounded. Never had I felt so vulnerable before, never had someone breached my walls so deep. Not even Ron.

Neville finally admitted the love I knew he had in his heart for me. 'I love you too Y/N.'

I knew what was coming even before we leaned in closer. His cold breath made my neck tingle, as he pressed his lips to mine and the whole world just melted away. He kissed me softly, almost shyly, his mouth moulded to mine; his hands on his sides. I placed my hands on his face, my eyes still closed, stroking his cheeks. I half-moaned as he set his lips on my lower lip, almost pushing me back. He then twisted around, placing his hands on my waist and pulling me even closer to him. I stroked his hair gently, letting him know how much I wanted him. I did not want to let him go, he was the only right thing in my life- he made me perfect. And now his breaths became shorter as he brushed my fringe away, placing a kiss on my forehead. He finally pulled back, gasping slightly. I smiled at him at which he smiled even more, making butterflies erupt in my heart. Our foreheads touched as he put both his hands on my face and I put a hand on his navy blue sweater, torn in places; right on his top of his heart. 'My, my, someone's breathing deep' I whispered in his ear, as I felt his heartbeat underneath his sweater. 

'It's all because of you' he said, running his thumb across my cheek. 'Don't you know how dirty and grimy I am?' I said, laughing as I inspected his hands; completely muddy-colored. 'I don't care' he said, looking deep into my eyes. 'Stop it, you're making me blush' I said, looking away and brushing my fringe back to my face. He moved back a little self-consciously, back to his former, awkward self. His eyes were on the table, his arms folded- had I offended him?

'Listen, I didn't mean to push you off; but you do realize my parents are just a few seats away and your gran is in sight? Keep the emotions for later, Neville' I said, giggling and putting my hands around his right arm, nestling my head on his shoulder.

He looked down at me, fondly. 'Let's just say today has been the best day of my life.'

'Mine too, Neville, mine too' I said, as I snuggled closer to him; looking at the great big happy world and sighing in utter contentment.

** My heart just erupted with feels when I wrote this chapter, I'm so glad, yet sorry at the same time. Glad, because finally her love for someone has been pronounced, and now she has a happy future ahead. Sorry, because I just didn't want this main part in Hogwarts to end- but I wanted from the start for this to be a novella, so I have to keep it that way. My friend read through this and finally turned to face me. 'You're such a big Romione shipper that you wouldn't even let your main character get away with him?' I know, I ship Romione passionately, I could never have them separated. But I was also kinda thinking of Neville- I wanted to portray him in this brave, heroic light. Hence this. I want to show him as this awkward and shy, yet lovable and extremely loyal guy. As always, I'd love to know what you think of it- leave me something in the comments!!

P.S. There will be quite a few ''___ years from now'', so don't panic with the speed of things, alright? Read and enjoy, love ya' all <3 ***