A Future of Hope

Chapter Six: Oh Well

December

I must admit that my life now is nothing like I expected it to be. I expected to remain friendless and never do anything but the normal day-to-day humdrum. Yeah right. I can really see me like that now.

In the past two years I've become good friends with five Gryffindors. Secretly, I've dubbed us the Ministry Six. We were the six students that outwitted that hag Umbridge and went to save Harry's Godfather, Sirius Black. Of course, Sirius Black was really Stubby Boardman in disguise, but I'll leave that explanation for another day. Ever since that day, my life changed.

For a while, I was infatuated with Ronald, then with Harry, and now with Neville, but again, that story can wait. It was Ronald and Harry's sudden relationships with Hermione and Ginny that first had me spending my time with Neville. Again, that will have to wait just a little longer to be told.

After that day at the Ministry, the six of us started hanging out. We didn't discuss the emotional aspects of what had happened but we did laugh about Umbridge and Malfoy with bat wings all over his face. At first, we only hung out after DA meetings let out but soon we were shopping in Hogsmead together and writing back and forth. For the first time in my life, I had friends and I enjoyed it.

After a year, we decided that we should all join forces during Christmas Holiday and the summer if we could. There are only three locations safe enough for Harry to stay so our choices were limited. We could stay at Hogwarts (whoop-dee-doo), go to the Order Headquarters (personally, I would have enjoyed it, but Harry flat-out refused), or the Burrow. So we all agreed to go stay with the Weasley family.

Let me tell you now, that family is the most awesome family I have ever met. They have their own goul and have the most interesting house ever built. I fell in love the moment I set my eyes on it. The Burrow gave off an aura that said "home" to anyone friendly. It smelled of good home cooking and chocolate chip cookies. It had an air of happiness and everyone was friendly in it.

The best thing was the clock. It has all the faces of the Weasley's and they've recently added Harry and Hermione to it. Its good for them to know if the Gryffindor Trio are safe at all times. The hands of the clock move to show what they are all doing. Fred and George like to joke that Ronald, Harry, and Hermione's hands are almost always pointed to Mortal Peril. Mrs. Weasley heard them one day and gave them one good verbal assault, let me tell you. After that, I vowed never to be on the opposite end of an argument with Mrs. Weasley.

Ginny, Hermione and I got to bunk down in Ginny's room. It was rather crowded with three beds in there, but oh well. We hardly slept the entire summer. We just gossiped and talked about how best to help Harry. We even tried to convince Fred and George to lend us some of their Extendable Ears so we could eavesdrop on Harry, Ronald, and Neville were saying up in Ronald's room.

Anyway, it was during this summer that I realized that Neville and I were the oddballs in the group. Harry and Ginny often went out to play Quidditch one-on-one and Ronald and Hermione would take long walks. Neville and I were forced to stay in the Weasley home and entertain ourselves. I helped Mrs. Weasley cook and Neville would tend to her garden.

Then we got to school and I realized that I missed not having Neville around. After the first few days back at Hogwarts, he started avoiding anyone who wasn't Harry. This lasted all of two weeks, but it was long enough to make my heart break. I had thought he didn't like me at all, but it turned out that he was just trying to deal with information about Voldemort. Neville had somehow become a target and was sticking close to Harry not only to stay safe, but to support Harry for this inevitable fight that must occur.

Finally, things seemed to be back to normal for everyone by last month. We're all back at The Burrow only we're forbidden to go outside. There are too many dangers! Please. That's what wards are for, right? Oh well. If their so worried, they can bring out the Trihorned Snarlbees and let us have our freedom to play in the snow.

Oh well, I can't make them change their mind and stop treating us like we five. At least with the restrictions, we're all in one room most of the time and Neville and I aren't left out. But we aren't alone together anymore, so that's a downside. Again, oh well, I can't change things.

So right now, while I'm sure I've got my dreamy look about me, the other five are discussing what they think old Voldemort is up too and what he has in store for the world once we get back to Hogwarts. And they're talking about Malfoy. Who cares about that ferret anyway? OK, he's evil. What can we do about that? Aside from shooting Bat-Bogey hexes in his general direction, that is.

And who cares about Snape? He's a greasy evil man who would have no joy in his life were it not for his relentless war against Gryffindors. "I think I'm going to stretch my legs," I say suddenly and stand up. We've been sitting for at least two hours and I'm bored out of my mind.

"I'll go with you," Neville says.

I think he realizes that the two couples would like to have some time alone together. Whatever his reasons are, at least I'll get some alone-time with him. I do wish he'd like me but I can expect nothing from him.

We walk around The Burrow for a bit. There aren't that many places to go but up seven flights of stairs and then right back down again. So that's what we do. We're so stupid, but again, oh well.

We walk the stairs a few times then go chill in Charlie's old room. We talk of school and our families and Neville confesses to me that he would lay down his life for Harry if he needs to. "You're very brave, Neville," I reply. What else could I say to that?

"Not really," he replies, "especially when it comes to relationships."

"Oh."

My heart seems to stop beating. Neville has a crush on someone and it's not me. Damn. I should so just jump in a lake. No guy I ever like will reciprocate the emotions. "If I were brave, I would have asked you out last summer," he says quietly.

My head snaps up and I lock my gaze with his. "What?" I ask.

I can't believe it. He likes me! "Would you like to go to Hogsmead with me in February?"

Smiling I respond, "Yes."

Neville grins too and before I can contain myself, I throw my arms around him and kiss him square on the mouth. He doesn't respond right away but soon, he's kissing me back with all the ease in the world despite the fact that if Mrs. Weasley catches us, we'll be in big trouble. Oh well.