The D.A. met in the Room of Requirement for the last time two nights before the students were to leave for the Christmas Holidays. Surprisingly, the Death Eaters had not forbidden the students from returning home for the holidays, much to Neville's chagrin. More to the point, despite all his hints, Luna had not mentioned him coming home with her. He searched the Room for her, wondering what could be keeping her.

Fresh pine bough swags hung all along the walls, scenting the air. Fairy lights twinkled everywhere and mistletoe hung in dark corners. A crowd had gathered around the center table. Neville couldn't believe such a feast could be smuggled up without notice but each new arrival had produced another dish, a sackful of sweets or a few bottles of butter beer. Before long, the party was underway. A ghostly choir singing 18th century carols from the loft set the mood.

"There you are!" said a voice behind him and Neville whirled around, grinning and reaching out before he saw who it was.

"Hannah!" Neville exclaimed, taken aback. Hannah had come down with a horrid case of the Wheezing Pox, confined to the infirmary for weeks. He has felt so guilty at his relief at not having to face her to tell her how he felt about Luna. He groaned. Now, it seemed he was going to be repaid for it tenfold.

"I missed you so much, Neville. I know I was contagious and you couldn't visit, but I have been counting the days." Hannah leapt forward to wrap her arms around his neck. Neville deflected her gently and pulled her aside.

"Hannah, I...I have been wanting to talk to you. I mean, I am so happy you are well," he winced when he realized that wasn't entirely true, "but there is something I need to tell you that you aren't going to like."

Hannah looked troubled, and a piece of him wilted inside. She was so sweet, so much like an angel, he hated hurting her.

"Hannah, " he sighed again, "just before you got sick, Luna and I...we...got together."

Hannah's big blue eyes looked into his, confusion and dawning pain slicing at him. "Neville, I don't understand. Are you a..a couple?"

Neville nodded, hating himself for the pain he was causing her.

"I see." Hannah straightened, tossed her hair and gave him a fierce look before turning on her heel and striding off. She really is one of the bravest girls I know, he thought.

Watching her go, he did not see Luna come in until she took his arm. He smiled down at her. It had to be worth it, it had to be. She was so beautiful and he loved her with all his being. It had to be worth the pain.

Hello KellyBear. Mercy me it is cold! I hope you guys are staying warm over there. Aw, I feel so sorry for him! I understand the disappointment he is feeling. Maybe she doesn't identify with hints. She is very straight forward herself. I love that smell! You have a great way of showing us what is in your characters minds. It's a shame Hannah will be so hurt. Will we see her getting a boyfriend? I mean it isn't in the plot I know, but, just in passing maybe a mention? And Nevillewon't have to fill guilty anymore. This is one of my favorite lines. It is so true, What your chapter says. And love IS worth any price paid.
Great post KellyBear. I'll be watching for more. And stay warm.

I honestly expect Hannah to slap him and then go and do a tirade about his callousness ... or that she might have realized something when Neville didn't show up to see her when she was sick considering if you really love someone you'd risk it anyways. You know? But I realized that's so soap opera and not at all in keeping with Hannah's character ... Just goes to show you how much more and better you know these characters ...

Excellent job Kellybear, I just feel sorry that more people don't read this genius fic. It really is beautiful. You might want to ask me about a typo or two ...

When you finish this fic I'm going to be very sorry to see it go ... it really is very good. As always PAMS when you cans ...

nice post Kelly would love to read more...

Yes Kelly, give us more fic ... soon ... like now.

"It's ok, Neville." she whispered.

Neville gave a start. He hadn't realized she had seen. He colored at the thought of it. What if she had gotten the wrong idea? Then her words struck home and his face fell.

"No, it isn't. I feel like I led her along."

"Don't be silly, she'll be fine. Did you ever kiss her?" Luna asked.

"Er...well...not like with you..." Neville stammered.

"Oh." Luna's eyes went wide, then she recovered herself and smiled, "well, then it couldn't have been much of a kiss."

Neville's mouth fell open, then he laughed, relieved.

"No, I guess it wasn't at that."

"Come on. If I remember, you are a very good dancer." Luna said, leading him to the center of the floor.

Neville smiled and took her into his arms and swayed slowly to "Auld Lang Syne" sung in the original Gaelic.

Hello KellyBear. I was going to PM you and beg and plead for you to bring this back, but, my heart isn't in doing much these days. And I know you love your story, like I love mine; so I knew you'd get it back. This ff touches my heart and I'm so thankful to read it. It was short, but even at that, it was beautiful. I love how honest Neville is with not only others, but to himself as well. You write him perfectly.

Poor Hannah, I really don't know much about her character, except to say I'm sure she is very sensitive and will need time to mend her broken heart. Things will surely be awkward with the three if them for a while. (But they'll be ok?) She doesn't seem the type to retaliate, but I just don't know. I'm anxious to see what you do with her. I'm sure it'll be great.

I'll be watching for your next post KellyBear. By the way. I love your siggy!

small but sweet post Kelly...waiting for more of action!

Great posts Kelly I loved them! I hope Hannah is okay and finds comfort in someones arms? *hint hint* hehe

*lauren*

"So, you're all packed, then?" Neville frowned down at the top of Luna's head.

Luna smiled up at him, "Well, except for my shoes. It's almost a tradition."

Neville ground his teeth in frustration and anger, but said nothing. Luna looked up at him curiously, and he forced a smile.

"Does your stomach hurt?" Luna asked, concerned.

"Um, no." Neville said, and gave up on the clearly unsuccessful attempt at a smile, "Luna, can't we talk about this?"

Luna sighed. "Neville, I'll be fine, and what's more, I won't have to worry about the students who will be staying here because you will be here to protect them."

"I'd rather be protecting you!" Neville said, whirling around and grabbing her by the shoulders. His eyes bore into hers but she just smiled up at him placidly.

"I'm just going to see my father, Neville. Nothing ever happens in Ottery St. Catchpole, you know that. There’s nothing for you to worry about. Stop being silly."

"I worry, Luna!"

"Neville, you've never been so...I don't know what to say." Luna said, eyes wide.

Did the whole world think he was weak, someone not to be taken seriously? Neville stared down into her eyes. He lifted his hand as though to touch her face then paused. Instead, he let his hand drop slowly, gently brushing her shoulder, trailing his fingers down her arm. Neville took hold of her wrist and Luna's eyes widened. He could feel her pulse racing through his fingers but he kept his face smooth.

"Come." he said.

He walked quickly down the corridor, purposely lengthening his stride so that she had to hurry to keep up, keeping her a little off-balance. Silly, was he? We'll see about that, he thought, pulling her out into the watery winter sunlight. He didn't slow until he got to the large oak tree beside the lake.

He turned and put his hand on her shoulder. He could feel her heart pounding against his palm and knew it wasn't due entirely to the brisk pace he'd set. He suppressed a smile and pulled her down next to him under the tree.

A little ways away, a snowdrop pushed up through the snow, nodding it's head in the breeze. Neville pointed it out to Luna.

"That is Galanthus nivalis. It is used in a number of potions that enhance memory. It can also be very poisonous, yet ironically it symbolizes purity and hope." Neville gazed at the fragile white blossom and wondered how something which seemed so small and delicate could be so hardy, blooming when nothing else would.

Luna snuggled back against him, resting contentedly. Neville sighed and held her closer still. In a few hours, she would be leaving for the station, but for right now, he could hold her and love her and be happy. Like the blossom, she seemed deceptively fragile, so much so that even he forgot at times just how strong she really was.

aw....really sweet...the last line was nicely written...waiting for more...

Hello KellyBear. This post was even better than the last one. And I dearly loved it! You have really done some magic with your writing or something here. Neville is still the sweet lost and lonely: quiet boy who has a huge heart and yet we see through your writing that he isn't lost and lonely, but quite sure of where he is. He's following along his heart, going right where he wants to go. Except of course he wants to go to Luna's but, that's not what I'm talking about. You write him very courageous this way, and I think this makes sense to me where he is able to gather his inner strength and be the strong hero in the end of the book. I always thought JK gave to much lenience to the readers to just assume that he had this huge change of character that enabled him to become an unknown hero all the sudden. You are doing such a brilliant job. And I adored this! So beautiful. And why did Snape pop into my head when I read the name? Is that some type of mind trick? Great post KellyBear. I'll be watching for my next notice.

Great post! I'm so sad for Luna and Neville bcuz they have no idea what's going to happen

Happy New Year to all of you and thank you for all your encouragement. Writing this fic is fun because I am so in love with the characters but having your support really keeps me going when it is so hard to find time to work on anything.
SarahLestrange: Yeah, that is the hard part, that they do not know what is coming but we do. And soon.
Thanks again, guys! Happy New Year, update coming soon for the New Year!!

Hello KellyBear. I've been wondering why you haven't posted anymore lately, when it dawned on me that maybe you're waiting for someone to post and then you can post a new chapter without double posting. I know you are very busy, and time is hard to find, but, I am so very much looking forward to reading more of this wonderful ff of yours.

Luna sat in a compartment alone staring at the nothingness outside the night-black window. Neville had done his best to delay her until she'd had to catch the last train back to Ottery St. Catchpole. Not that she'd minded. She could have insisted but she would not be seeing him for weeks and she had not wanted their time to end anymore than he had.

Thinking about the last few days, she smiled to herself. He really was such a sweet, silly, brave boy. Unconciously, her hand reached up to touch the small gold heart locket he'd given her for Christmas. Inside was a picture of the two of them at the Christmas party. How he'd managed to get it from Colin...a soft click drew her attention to the reflection of the door in the window and Luna gasped.

Outside the glass in the door, she could make out a black shape and no more, but what caused her to reach for her wand was the sight of a wand tip pushing through the crack in the door. Carefully not turning away from the window, trying to appear as though she had not seen, she pulled her wand free. Red light flared from the wand tip, just as she flung herself to the other side of the compartment, firing Expeliarmus as she did so.

A hiss from her assailant let her know she'd hit him, but she sat absolutely still, wand ready. Trapped as she was, all she could do was wait. She didn't have to wait long. The door to her compartment exploded inward. Luna through up her arms to protect herself from flying glass, and never saw the blow that knocked her unconscious.

Hello KellyBear. How wonderful to read more of this great ff. I'm so happy you was able to post even this bit. Thank you for giving us your time. And speaking of this bit ... It started out being such a wonderful reflection of her time last spent with her, Such precious thoughts she was having when she was so rudely interupted. At least she got one of them. Good for her. Of course we all knew what was s'pose to happen on this train ride home. I was so curious to see how you'd make it worthwhile to read, and you certainly did make it very worthwhile. So much better than what we got from JK's vertion of something like Luna was abducted on the train going home for the holidays. Very nice work Kelly. I do love your story, and I hope we can read more soon.

Wow, I totally fell behind on this fic, and the sad part is ... I know when you update! No excuses ... I will be back to read ASAP well as soon as I get a second ...

This is great. Well done : D