Professor McGonagall occasionally glanced up over the sea of bent heads and bobbing quills. The scritch-scritching soothed her jangled nerves. Silently, she sipped her tea and contemplated the textbook before her. This year, she had become incredibly lax with her students in response to the harsh treatment and suspected tortures they received from the resident Death-Eaters.

Her lips pursed in distaste. A year ago, if someone had told her she'd be working side by side with Death-Eaters, sharing meals with them, she would have cursed them to oblivion. Now it was an unpleasant fact of life that she dealt with for the sake of the children. They could hardly know what she and the other professors tolerated in order to protect them. It ate at her constantly that she could not do more. She'd give anything to protect them from this war and its resident evils.

♥


Luna glanced at Neville out of the corner of her eye, a secret smile playing about her lips. He snored softly, occasionally wrinkling his nose as the quill feather brushed against it. Luna propped up his textbook in the hopes that Professor McGonagall would not notice him napping. The professor seemed unusually preoccupied, so it seemed unlikely that she would notice his transgression.

It had taken a great deal of courage for Neville to come back to classes and to face the Death-Eaters again. Luna could not help but feel proud of him but she wasn't really surprised. In all their adventures, Neville had always shown himself to be the most courageous of all of them.

Whenever she was afraid, whenever she wanted to run away, his courage inspired her to be stronger, braver, better. She wondered if he knew just how much he meant to her.

♥

Neville sat under the large willow at the lake's edge, his bare feet dangling in the shallows. His botanical journal lay open beside him but he was too distracted by the sunlight gilding the water to pay it any mind. Then the sunlight seemed to pool and coalesce at a point several yards in front of him.

From the beam, a vision in white stepped forth, gliding toward him on the surface of the water. Her footsteps were so light they barely sent a ripple across the water, yet Neville had the impression she was dancing. Her pale blonde hair lifted and played on a breeze he could not feel. The dazzling white light blinded him yet he was sure he could sense her smiling at him, beckoning him to join her and dance.

Neville tried to tell her that he wanted to dance but couldn't, that he was afraid he would splash her and muddy her white dress but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he sat frozen to the spot, watching her dance ever closer. When at last she stood before him, the warmth of her sunbeam enveloped him, making him feel safe and happy. He felt he would always be happy so long as he could bask in her light.


An: A Valentine Short. I've been in injury timeout. I felt Neville and I both needed a little sweet love to brighten our days so here it is, inspired by my own sweet Valentine. Love comes in all shapes and sizes and kinds. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Happy Valentines Day!

It's Luna, it's Luna it just has to be Luna

Just kidding love, I don't know who it is, but I love it. Your story only gets better and better. Post more when you can ...

I love you ♥ *goes off to smoochies you*

KellyBear, I loved this post! It is so beautiful. McGonagall being sweet works in your story. I tried to write her sweet in mine, but I don't think I did as good as you did. It has realism here, and just makes the story even better. Luna is so wonderful in your story. And truth be told, I wasn't so fond of her in the movies, and I don't think JK gives her near the depth as you do. I think she was afraid it would detract from her wanting her to be so airy, or aloof. Your Luna is still the same character, only written much better. And I love that her inspiration comes from Neville! How sweet is that?!?!? Neville's dream was perfect, everything about it from his feet dangling in the shallows, his botanical journal laying forgotten beside him as the light of his life comes to him, dancing on the water. I agree with ~Otts, I can't picture her being anyone but Luna, but I will be happy with whoever it is. It's just so wonderful he has someone he dreams about. Loved this post as I do all your posts, and hope you can post soon. My hopes and prayers for you and your precious family, for whatever the need is. Much love to you. s bunches, and bunches!

heya Kelly wonderful post...really loved it...and i hope you are fit and fine and take care...and hope you have a great Valentine day!!!

*deep breath* Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Luna! Luna? I hope it is <3

Eek! Hope you're alright and get better soon luff

CRACK!

Neville’s head shot up. Malevolent laughter drew his eyes up, up, upward to meet Crabbe’s piggish ones.

“That’s not funny, Crabbe.” said Luna, glaring at him.

“Aw, did I scare the widdle baby?” laughed Crabbe, then his ugly features turned mean, “well, that’s the least of your troubles, Snevilly! I don’t know how you did it, but I know you did and I’m going to get you!”

“As usual, Crabbe, you’re as clear as mud.”

“Do you always need your girlfriend to stick up for you, Sneville? To scared to fight your own fights?” Crabbe sneered.

Both Neville and Luna blushed furiously, neither noting the nervous sidelong look Crabbe shot at Luna.

“Be seeing you, Sneville.” Crabbe beat a hasty retreat out of the rapidly emptying classroom.

“Neville, I’m so--” Luna began, but Neville cut her off.

“Don’t worry about it.” Neville scooped up his books and rushed out of the classroom, leaving a hurt and bewildered Luna standing alone.

Once out in the hall, Neville slowed his steps, berating himself for being so cruel to Luna, for not punching Crabbe into an alternate universe, for constantly getting himself into situations which required Luna to rescue him, and for getting out of bed that morning.

In a fit of temper, he decided to skip lunch and take a walk instead. He needed air and time to think. He felt the castle walls closing in on him and the company of others chafed at him. He’d better make it a long walk.

KellyBear! Thank you for posting. Hope all is better and better every moment. This is my favorite line of this post: This next one is my next favorite, especially the very last part: Yeah, it needs to be a long walk, cause there is a lot of those castle walls to get away from. Great story! Great post! Watching for your next one.

You're always so cute Kellybear. I love your posts

But if you were going to title this "Out like a lamb" then shouldn't you've had a chapter called, "In like a lion?"

I love your story and I'm glad you're back to writing it.

Crabbe is a laugh, and a half, and poor Luna ... Still, Neville could have handled things better. Of course, Crabbe would unnerve anyone ...

Pams when you can loves *smoochies*

Yay for posts! Glad your better luff

I love the tone of this post especially in this bit:

I love it!

loved the post...waiting for the next one eagerly...

Lost in thought, Neville barely noticed the sugar-dusted landscape or the biting wind. No one else cared to venture out into this savage cold, so Neville was completely alone with his thoughts. Automatically, his footsteps carried him toward the greenhouses.

This time of day, Professor Sprout would be taking lunch with some of the other professors and he would have the greenhouse all to himself until the next class began. He tried the door, but it had frozen shut. He took out his wand and very carefully melted the ice. The last time he had tried this, he’d blown the door to bits, but this time the spell worked perfectly and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the greenhouse was warm and smelled of good earth and growing things. Some of them waved to him as he entered, and he smiled. This was where he felt most at home.

Plants were so simple. You gave them what they needed and they thrived. There was nothing complicated about his relationship with the plants he grew. They expected nothing of him, did not feel hurt or jealous--well, ok, the Bulbous Butonia did get a little upset if he did not talk to it first and had been known to sulk and spray him with sap on occasion, but that was different.

And he wasn’t in love with it, either. Not in a complicated, romantic way. Not in the way that made his stomach flip, his palms sweat and his heart pound. It did not invade his dreams, both waking and sleeping, or make him want to protect it and care for it no matter the cost.

Neville blinked. Suddenly, he knew what he wanted. He was in love, hopelessly, utterly and irrevocably. The revelation scared him to death. What was he going to do? To have the one he wanted, he had to hurt the other. Or did he? Neville pounded his fist on the trestle table. There just had to be a way!

Neville rushed out the door and ran back to the castle. Maybe he wouldn’t be too late. He just had to find Ginny.

KellyBear, I nearly froze when I read this. I have to say though, the rest of the post was beautiful and warm feeling.
Yea Neville! He's so adorable! I loved that so much! He has found out what love is. The feeling you have when you fall in love is unmistakable, once you figure it out.

KellyBear, I'm so glad you're back. I hope we'll all get to see more of you. But, if you're still recovering, and getting caught up with life, then take your time. It doesn't hurt your story any. I just miss ya like crazy!

That was funny......
nice post...Kelly Bear...would love to read more...

Neville's in love with Ginny????!!!!!!!!!!!11111111 WTF????!!!!!!!1111111 Now that would be a cool twist

Seriously lovely post love. I like it a lot. Keep posting more often, your story pwns and you've got eager readers ... don't make us wait.

I am currently working on the final chapter I will return with it shortly. I'm considering writing an epilogue but I'm not sure yet, but I'm definitely working on the last chapter I'll be back with it posted soon.

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers who are Moms.

Hello KellyBear! Last chapter? So soon? I can't wait to read it! I love reading your story, and I am hoping for an Epilogue if only because I love your writing.
As I am a mother, I'll except your wishes and I'd like to extend the wish for you to have a Happy Mother's Day also.

Yay! Last post was beautiful I loved how you talked about his love of Herbology! Last post? Awww.

Last update 1 APR 2010

Reactivated per request

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you're story is back!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for you to post. I'm so excited!

Long long distance love
affair, I can´t find you anywhere I call
you on the telefone, but you´re never home
I gotta get a message to you, I wanna tell you
what I´m going through What in the
world´s comin´ over you

That's how I felt about this fic ... XP I'm glad to see its been reactivated. This fic is made of awesome ... post soon please. Hopefully you'll keep it going on for a long time.

EDIT: Kelly wanted me to tell y'all, she's finished writing the update now, she just needs to type it up and post it. Some people actually care about their grammar so ... XP I just like to post LOL

Neville, heart pounding, raced toward the Great Hall--and straight into the arms of Crabbe and Goyle.

"Fancy meeting you, here, Snivel." said Crabbe, patting his head as he held him in a headlock.

"Yeah, we got a little something we want to talk to you about, Snevelly." growled Goyle, cracking his knuckles.

Slowly, so as not to draw attention to what he was doing, Neville reached inside his robe for his wand. The chokehold Crabbe held him in made it almost impossible to draw a breath. He was beginning to lose consciousness.

Crabbe and Goyle continued to threaten him and Neville made an effort to look properly terrified even though he didn't really bother to listen. All of his concentration was focused on pulling out his wand.

Once he had it out, he mouthed a curse at Crabbe's legs, the only part of him Neville could reach. Crabbe yelped, releasing Neville, as his legs began to wiggle and jump of their own accord. He crashed into Goyle and they both toppled to the ground, shouting threats and imprecations at Neville.

Neville whirled around, ready to flee and came face to face with a glowering McGonagall.

"Mr. Longbottom, are you responsible for this?" she asked, waving a hand in the general direction of Crabbe and Goyle attempting to untangle themselves on the floor.

"Y-yes, Professor, but..."

"I'll have no excuses, Longbottom." She pointed a wand at Crabbe and his legs immediately stopped flailing about.

"Now, if you'll kindly follow me." she said, taking hold of his ear

"Ow, ow, ow.." Neville exclaimed before he could stop himself and practically had to run to keep up with her as she marched him to her classroom.

Once they were inside, Professor McGonagall closed the door behind them with a click then released his ear.

"Sit down, Mr. Longbottom." Professor McGonagall said, not unkindly, indicating the chair beside her desk.

Neville sat down without a word. His ear still smarted.

"Have a biscuit." she said, pushing a tin of Scottish shortbread toward him.

Dutifully, Neville took a biscuit but didn't eat it.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked as, with a surprisingly delicate flourish of her hand, she produced a warm cup of tea out of thin air.

"Thank you." He took it with his free hand, feeling awkward.

"Now, am I wrong in saying that you just recently returned from the dungeons?" she asked, settling back into her chair.

"No, ma'am." he said, rising anger at the memory of it staining his cheeks.

"Then why in Merlin's name do you want to go back there?" she said, her voice rising.

His gaze fell to the floor and he said nothing.

Professor McGonagall sighed, then said more gently, "Take another biscuit. Lunch is nearly over."

Neville gasped and nearly jumped up from his chair before remembering himself. Dejected, he sat back. He'd missed his chance to talk with Ginny. Silently, he cursed Crabbe and Goyle.

Noting his expression, Professor McGonagall asked, "Did you have somewhere you needed to be?"

"Yes. I mean, no..." Neville heaved a sigh, "not anymore."

"I see." said Professor McGonagall, who didn't. "Mr. Longbottom, I strongly advise you to avoid hexing Slytherins in the future, whether they deserve it or not. It is a very dangerous pasttime. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good," she said, "now, finish your tea and you may go."

An: We have successfully relocated to Austin, TX! I had been planning to end this store with a quick wrap-up since I knew before we left MS I would have no time to post, but as chance would have it, I lost my internet connection before I could post my finale. Now that we are settling in, I decided not to end it quite so quickly. I hope you enjoyed the lastest installment.

To the readers: I told y'all she'd be posting.

Kellybear, your story is brilliant and it continues to be so. I'm glad you've decided not to wrap it up all in a mad rush, a slow subtle end is better than an abrupt one.

Besides, stories are a good way to decompress.

Crabbe and Goyle got what they deserved IMHO, so ... chill out McGonagall. LOL But seriously, Neville should be more subtle about his revenges too, LOL

Awesome post Kellybear, give us more soon, please. Love this story. ♥ *smoochiesloves*

Hello KellyBear! It's so good you go to post. Congratulations on your move to Austin TX! That's great! I'm sure you're all be happy.
This was a great post by the way. I love how we have gotten to see Neville grow in his abilities and his maturity. We missed so much of it in JK's story. And all the suddenwe see he is this great and strong character in, 'D.H.' It was pretty unbelievable in my opinion. But, you have allowed us to watch him grow before our very eyes. I espacially love this part; Fantastic! At first I was very upset with her! But then I thought this reminds me of when she used to have talks with Harry warning him of the dabgers of getting mad and showing his anger at the toad Umbridge. Except of course she never took hold of Harry's ear, and led him to her office like she did Neville. So, yeah, I'm thinking she saw more than what she let on. And it was for Neville's sake she didn't let on. It wouldn't do to let her be seen standing up for him, when they seem to have it in for him. Hopefully he'll be able to talk soon though.

Well KellyBear, we are having a massive storm, and I'm afraid I'll lose my power and internet, so I'm done here. reat post, and I'll be watching my e-mail notification saying you've posted.

Neville dragged himself up the final flight of stairs, heading for the Gryffindor Common Room, feeling whipped and defeated. This had been the worst day of his life. Surely his time in the dungeons hadn't been much worse than this.

The Gryffindor Common Room was cold and empty. No cheery fire burned in the grate, nothing to light the room but a few Ever-Burning Candles. The room felt almost sepulchral to Neville's weary mind. He shuddered and climbed the steps to the boys dorm, yearning for his warm bed.

Not bothering to change into his pajamas, he fell into bed face first. Groaning, he rolled over and pulled out a slightly crumpled box and read the note taped to the top.

To ward off Vermicious Knids

Even if he hadn’t recognized Luna’s tall thin scrawl, he would’ve known instantly who had sent it to him. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. How had it wound up on his bed? Surely she hadn’t just waltzed in a put it there herself?

With a sigh, he decided this was a mystery best left for another day. This one had gone on far too long already. With that thought, he closed his eyes and instantly dropped off to sleep.