Starlight |Neville Longbottom|

~Chapter Eight~

My long blonde hair flew behind me as I was quickly drug across the green fields by Jada.

Immediately after classes had ended my new friend had hunted me down and practically pulled me out of the castle.

"Jada," I panted, feeling out of breath, "where are we even going?"

"You'll see in just about two seconds," She answered. I was used to this answer as it has been nearly three days, and four adventures since we had officially become friends.

I rolled my eyes and continued on until at the edge of the forest, the adorable brown-haired boy that plagued my thoughts was waiting with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
I stopped walking and actually cackled. Jada had known everything and exactly how I felt about Neville. I felt a little betrayed to be honest, "You have got to be kidding me Jada!"

"I don't kid when it comes to my friends. I am tired of your game of cat-and-mouse and I have only been in the middle of it for three days," she explained, "So here is how this is going to go, you will talk out your issues and every single time you two start to argue I will push you two closer and closer to the forest."

"Jada, I told you you didn't have to get involved," Neville sighed while shifting his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other.

"Three days ago you practically begged me to find out what Starla thinks of you. Wish granted!" Jada smiled.

"I realized that was unfair to you," He admitted sheepishly.

"Right you are Mr. Longbottom," Jada agreed, patting him on the back, "As I was saying, our first Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow and you two WILL spend the day together. However, it's up to you how we will get that to happen. We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the Jada way."

"Do I want to know what the Jada way is?" I finally spoke up.

"Nope," Jada deadpanned, purposely popping the "p".

"Fine," I rolled my eyes," Do we at least get any privacy?"

"I will sit right over there," Jada nodded pointing to a spot under a large tree, technically inside the forest, "I still have to be able to hear you two though."

"Alright," Neville said. I just nodded in agreement. I was slightly annoyed but not at Neville and Jada, at myself. I let this cat-and-mouse go on too long.
I gave a nod to Jada and she waltzed away prancing almost like a nimble cat. She then flopped down on the ground, positioning herself so she was laying on her stomach, her chin resting on her hands, and her legs stuck up in the air. When she finally got herself situated, she waved and smiled, If it was anybody else, I would've been offended, but it was Jada and I have quickly learned that this is her normal behavior.
I shook my head and then turned my full attention to Neville who started the conversation.

"Starla, I am so sorry for the other night," he apologized, "I shouldn't have come on some strong, and that is my bad."

"I accept your apology. But it did really hurt me. I am used to guys pretending they care about me. I am used to guys pretending they care about me just so they can try their luck. I mean last year in Liverpool, a good amount of the boys only saw me as another chance," My voice began to crack as I continued to explain, "It made me feel really objectified. I know it sounds dumb, but it's how I felt about it all."

"Starla, I don't know what to say," Neville replied, "i just wish I could take everything I said that night back."

"It's really not your fault Neville. I think I led you on and I'm really sorry about that," I responded.

"You did not lead me on," he chuckled, I'm assuming at how absurd he thought the apology was, " I was the one who was inappropriate. Please don't blame yourself." Neville flashed me his big, toothy smile that would take all of my words away whenever I saw it.

"The truth is Neville," I began, " I really enjoy hanging out with you. Even Though we haven't really spent much time together, I have already figured out you are one of the kindest, sweetest, and most considerate guys I've met. When I was really upset you were there to listen and you and I were practically strangers! I really meant it when I asked if we could start over."

"And I really meant it when I said that I wanted to, too," Neville confirmed, "There is something very special
about you Starla Collins, you are like a magnet and I don't know why."

"So how about we start as friends yeah?" I suggested holding out my hand for a handshake. Neville nodded his head but instead of returning the handshake, he pulled me into a big hug. The soft cotton of his school vest caressed my cheek as I returned the hug. Of course another thing to add to the list of things I can't get out of my mind.

Jada then started to smugly walk over to us, "Look at you two! You didn't even have to experience the Jada way of things. Shame."

"Whatever Jada," Neville smirked, "If we hurry we should be able to make it to the great hall in time for dinner.

We three ran back to the hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor table, surrounding ourselves with Stephen, Ginny, Hannah, Tracie, and all the other cheerful Gryfindors.

Food lined the tables as all of the Hogwarts ghosts flew overhead. Laughs and cheers erupted from all around me as the festivities took place. The only problem was that Neville telling me I was like a magnet echoed in my brain. I knew it sounded familiar to me but I didn't figure it out until later that night when I was laying in bed with Stephen trying to fall asleep. Mum had told me when she told me the story of how she and dad had met. My dad told my mum she was special and she was like a magnet pulling towards him...