Starlight |Neville Longbottom|

~Chapter Nine~

I was secretly hoping that this morning would not arrive all of last night.

From the second I settled into my cozy four-poster bed I began to think about my parents which now weighed heavily on my brain. Normally when I think of my parents I am able to shake the memories quickly and busy myself with thinking about something else but it wasn't happening.

Once I had managed to fall asleep I had a dream of my parents. It was such a lovely dream too. Instead of spending my last year in Liverpool without my parents they were there too, like we had just decided to take a year long holiday.

In my dream I had enough fun to last me a lifetime. I wasn't the Starla Collins who walks the halls of Hogwarts and shuts nearly everybody else out, but a happy and social girl who walked the streets of her aunt and uncle's town with her mum and dad on either side of her.

I had woken up, against my will, to the sounds of my dorm-mates excitingly getting ready in their warmest clothes for the day ahead of them. Even though I wanted to go back to sleep and live the life that was stolen from me, I decided to get out of bed and get dressed myself since I too had a big day ahead of me.

I am painfully aware, thanks to Stephen, that I worry about many things that I do not need to worry about. However things that are out of my control scare me and I can't help that. And to me, everything about today seemed exceptionally out of my control.

First of all, I was breaking the rules. Yes, I break the rules nearly everyday when I break into the boys' dorm with Stephen but what was happening today seemed next level to me. Since Umbridge had arrived at Hogwarts the new rules began to spring up quickly. One of these many rules was that students weren't allowed to form groups without the knowledge of her.

Still even after all of my knowledge of Umbridge's wrath and punishments, spending the day with Neville made me feel more nervous. Even though Neville and I have been speaking for a few months, I still feel like I know nothing about him. All I know so far is that he is painfully persistent and that I can't seem to hate him because he is far too sweet to ever be hated. Spending the whole day with him seemed daunting, but I wasn't about to back out on him the morning of the trip.

I shook myself from my thoughts and fully focused on preparing for my day. I quickly showered, dried and braided my hair, and got dressed in my thick, green and blue striped turtleneck, a pair of old flare jeans, and my warm brown boots. I also grabbed my cloak, scarf, and woolen hat since it was going to be cold outside. Once I had finished getting ready I took a deep breath and made my way down to the common room.

At first I glanced around to see if I could find Neville but I did not see him anywhere in the common room. I also knew better than to go up the boys' dorm while people were still getting ready so that meant that I was going to have to walk to breakfast without Neville or Stephen.

Once I had made it to the Great Hall I quickly found Jada though.

"Hey Starla!" she called, "Come on, I saved you a seat."

I quickened my step and walked over to the curly-haired girl, "Hello Jada!"

"Are you excited for your big day?" Jada asked.

"Dreading it actually," I replied causing her to frown.

"I thought you and Neville made up yesterday," Jada questioned, "What could you possibly be dreading?"

"I don't know Jada," I answered, "It's just that I realized that I know absolutely nothing about Neville besides his name and that for some reason we are in some weird game of cat and mouse."

"That's the best part!" Jada exclaimed, "Today is about getting to know somebody new. Where is a better place to do that than Hogsmeade?"

"I guess you are right Jada," I sighed.

"I know I am!" Jada giggled, "Now go have a good day at Hogsmeade and tell me everything when you get back."

"Are you not coming?" I asked.

"Yes I am coming but I am steering clear of you two today. No distractions," Jada explained.

"Oh right," I rolled my eyes.

"Okay have a good day. I mean it Lala," Jada laughed. I then sat down and ate my eggs and toast quietly.

After I had finished my breakfast I made my way back to the common room. This time I was able to find Neville at our normal table.

"Good morning Neville," I greeted him as I sat down.

"Morning Starla," Neville smiled cheerfully, "I hope you slept well last night."

"I did thank you. I actually had a dream about my parents," I replied.

"Oh that sounds lovely," Neville declared, "I sometimes dream about my parents too."

I didn't exactly know how to respond so the conversation grew awkwardly quiet for a few moments until I changed the subject, "What shops are you planning to go to today?"

"Probably Honeydukes, I really love sweets," answered Neville.

"Ooh me too!" I agreed, "What is your favorite sweet?"

"Chocolate Frogs!" Neville exclaimed.

"No way, they are my favorite sweet too! Last year when I was at my aunt and uncle's in Liverpool I missed eating chocolate frogs so much!" I agreed.

"Well we will have to get you one today," Neville chuckled as he shoved his hand in his pocket.

I suddenly realized it was almost time to leave so I suggested we should get ready to leave. Neville agreed and we both grabbed our scarves and cloaks before we left the common room. We walked down the halls laughing and joking with each other as I realized today was going to be a good day after all.