Not What You'd Expect

Ginny was at the end of her leash. Every possible acceptable boy in the school already had a date for the End of Year Ball! It was girls ask the boys, and Ginny had no one to ask. I can't take Dean, he's going with Lavender. I still can't believe he cheated on me with that cow! Michael's going with Parvati and Harry with Luna. There's only option left. Neville. Ginny sighed. It wasn't that she didn't like Neville, he was nice and funny, but Ginny had envisioned herself going with someone she liked as more than a friend. She had gone to a Ball with Neville before, and she had enjoyed herself, but Neville was, well, Neville.

Ginny walked down to the Common Room where Neville happened to be sitting, reading a book called All You Ever Needed to Know About Growing Organic Mandrakes Volume 4. Ginny sat down in the chair besides Neville. Ginny positioned herself leaning over the arm rest. "Hey, Neville, whatcha reading?"

Neville looked up. "Oh, hullo. I'm just catching up on some light reading."

"That's so interesting! Do you ever read books about balls?"

Neville turned red. "I beg your pardon?"

"No, that's not what I meant! I meant balls with dancing, and dresses, and well, dates!" Ginny said exasperatedly.

A funny look came over Neville's face. "Oh. I see what you're getting at."

"So,will you go with me?" Ginny asked, wanting to get this over with.

"I can't, you see....."

"Why not?" Ginny demanded, high insulted. Nearly no other boys had turned her down.

"Well, you see," Neville trailed off, mumbling something.

"What?"

"Um'm nut stay!" Neville mumbled.

"Speak up!"

"Om pkay!"

"Out with it, Neville!" cried Ginny, irritated. She had wanted to make it this nearly painless, but Neville was dragging it out.

"I'M GAY!" Neville yelled, throwing his book down.

Ginny blinked and sat back in her chair.

"There. I said it! That's why I can't go with you. I'm gay."

"Neville, I had no idea! I mean, you always went with girls to the other balls!"

"I was confused....."

"I mean, I thought you fancied me!"

Neville laughed uneasily. "Sorry, Ginny, even if I liked girls, you're not exactly my type."

Ginny folded her arms. "Then how come you don't have that accent? And you're not all swishy and flamboyant?"

Neville laughed for real this time. "That's just a myth. I'm not at all into fashion, either. But I do take better care of myself than most of the boys at this school. I'm actually surprised no one had noticed before now."

Ginny sighed. "If you don't mind me asking, who's your boyfriend?"

"Colin Creevy."

"Colin? That's interesting; he never struck me like that."

Neville grinned. "You never thought his obsession with Harry was just a little odd?"

"Yeah, it was odd, but lots of people swoon over Harry and want to take his picture. I just thought he was another fan."

"You know the truth now, don't you?" asked Neville, sitting down beside Ginny.

"Wow. I never thought we'd end up talking about this!"

"Yeah. Listen, I hope things won't be awkward around each other now. I still want us to be friends!" said Neville, picking at the fabric of a nearby pillow.

"Are you kidding? Of course we'll still be friends! Why should something like this make any difference?" reassured Ginny, giving Neville a warm smile.

"But Harry and Ron, what will they think?"

"Since they share a room with you, things will be a little off for a while. But once they get used to it and know you're not going to attack them sexually or anything, things will get back to normal."

Neville smiled and the two shared a comfortable silence.

"Now for the most important question!" announced Ginny.

"Hit me!" Neville laughed.

"Which one of you is going to wear the dress at the ball?"