Things are quiet around the house now that Fred and George are off living in Diagon Alley. We get an owl from them now and again, but they're really busy now with their shop (especially with all the students coming to buy Portable Swamps and Skiving Snackboxes, preparing for another year at school). Percy finally apologized to Mum and Dad, but he's still living in London. Bill and Fleur finally got married in June (I got to be a bridesmaid! It was so exciting!) Right now they're in Paris on their Honeymoon. Charlie is still in Romania with those dragons (I wonder what he's studying about them). As for Ron, well, he's just the same, I guess. He always wants to practice Quidditch in the backyard. But I suppose if I want a chance at being a Chaser next year, I should practice a bit.

As for me, well, I broke up with Dean last week. He was starting to get boring, really (all he ever talks about is that Muggle sport, Soccer, which, from what he tells me, sounds ridiculously boring). I haven't told Ron yet, but I'm sure he won't mind… it's not like I tell him everything that happens in my life (he's a little too overbearing and protective). He's always there for you when you need him, except, he's not the most sensitive of people. He still has that crush on Hermione. Well, he didn't exactly tell me this (I would be rather taken aback if he had, though), but I can tell, you know. Call it a Weasley instinct (an instinct which my clueless brother hasn't got). He should really ask her out one of these days…

Anyway, things seem to be a lot more tense now that You-Know-Who is "officially" back. The Ministry sacked Fudge for being a big fat git about You-Know-Who, but they haven't got a replacement yet, though people seem to be favoring Dumbledore (go figure). Naturally he turned it down; he's just going to stay Headmaster of Hogwarts. The Order seems to be working even harder than usual. I wish I could know what's going on with them. Fred and George have joined now that they're of age (mum wouldn't let them until after their birthday).

I'm really looking forward to next year (except for those blasted O.W.L.s). We get to learn more advanced stuff; though, I should be set for Defense Against the Dark Arts, thanks to the D.A. I wonder if Harry's going to continue it next year too. There's no real reason to, I suppose, since Umbridge has gone. But, you never know. Dumbledore might let us keep doing it. But anyway, I just want to get back to school. It's too boring here. Maybe I'll go visit Fred and George one of these days.

*~*~*~*~*

Sooner than you'd have guessed, we were back on the old Hogwarts Express. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I (having all been at our house for most of the summer) scrambled into an empty compartment with our luggage (which, for once, we weren't the last people to board the train, still searching for an empty one). Harry, Ron, and Hermione seemed to be conversing about something important. Harry was whispering to them, and Ron and Hermione looked rather somber. They always seem to whisper things to each other, as if they don't want me to hear. Too bad I left my Extendable Ear at home! I'll have to write Fred and George to see if they'll send me another one.

Later on the trip, Ron and Hermione (as prefects) left to patrol around the train. Luna wondered in dreamily and sat down next to Harry, who was staring pensively out the window.

Neville strayed in a little after that. He looked in tentatively, as though he wanted to make sure that we would allow him to come in to our compartment. I looked up at him and smiled, and he entered, and seated himself next to me.

"How has your summer been?" I asked him casually.

"Same as usual, I suppose," he replied. "Gran was a little upset when she found out I had broken my dad's wand at the Ministry, but she did seem like I had brought honor to the family name by fighting with Harry there. Something about avenging my parents' name, or something of the like."

There was a short pause. I didn't know what to say to this. I didn't know if I should congratulate him or not. It was kind of awkward. As I was going to say something, Ron and Hermione walked in again, bickering over something.

"—Ronald, I just don't know what—"

"Don't blame me, you started this," Ron said, defending himself.

"Me? I do recall that you were the one who—"

"Can you two ever stop arguing?" Harry said, petulantly.

"Sorry, Harry," said Hermione.

She and Ron both sat down, and said no more. Hermione grabbed one of her new books and hid herself behind it. Ron got up and left the compartment.

"So, er, Neville," I said, trying to break the silence, "What happened to that Mimbulus Mimbletonia of yours?"

"Oh. Well, it was getting rather big, so we had to plant it in the backyard. I wish I could have brought it to show you. It's absolutely spectacular."

We continued to talk about plants and Herbology. Harry and Luna seemed to be having a heartfelt conversation, and Hermione was still reading her book. Ron still hadn't returned.

"I'm thinking of studying magical plants after Hogwarts, but Gran wants me to become and Auror, like my parents…" Neville drifted off, thinking, no doubt, of his parents. I wanted to reach out to help him, to console him, but I couldn't think of what to do. I just sat there, looking drearily at him. He's an odd one, that Neville Longbottom, but couldn't help but feel terribly sorry for him. I looked at him fondly and smiled, and then looked at the floor. I'm not entirely sure what I was doing (or thinking). I didn't know what was going on, but I was beginning growing closer to someone who I'd never have thought of.

This funny feeling of mine soon faded away. Ron reentered the compartment, and seated himself as far from Hermione as was possible in the little space we had. This seat happened to be next to Neville, and he quickly struck up a conversation about Quidditch with him. I didn't much feel like joining in this conversation. Quidditch is a nice sport and all, but talk of it gets boring at times, and this was one of those times.

I just sat there for a while, observing the scene. Hermione was deeply immersed in The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6) by Miranda Goshawk. Luna and Harry were seated near the window, and speaking in low tones. As a matter of fact, they looked rather cozy. Maybe a little too cozy. I recalled the days when I had often dreamed of being that close to Harry. I was young then, only eleven. I realized what a silly girl I was back then. Harry is a good friend, but he's rather moody at times, and he seems to distance himself from everyone else. But there you have it. Ron and Neville were now talking about the war with You-Know-Who. I got up and left the compartment to change into my Hogwarts robes, and to talk to some of my other friends. The train finally came to a halt, and it was time to exit.

The sorting was a good as always and the food was delicious. When I got to the common room with the rest of the Gryffindors, I collapsed into one of the chairs by the fire, the ones that my brother and his friends like to sit in, and just stayed there for a while. It was the first day back in this place. I had missed it a lot. Hogwarts was my second home, and it felt good to be back. Colin Creevey noticed me sitting there and came over and sat down in a chair opposite me. The summer had done him well. He was much taller than I remember him being, and he seemed more mature. And rather good-looking, I suppose.

"Hi, Colin," I said. "How's your summer?"

"Good, yours?" he asked in a bit deeper voice than the old mousy one.

"Quiet and event-less," I replied dully.

"Are you still going out with that one boy, what was his name?"

"What? Oh, Dean. No," I said, not realizing the obvious direction he was headed in.

"Well, Ginny, I was wondering, if, if you'd want to go out with me?" he said. I was rather taken aback by his daring.

"Well, I… sure," I said. Sure, why not? I supposed I should try someone new. Dean and Michael were old news.

"Great," he said. I could tell that he was rather relieved that he had not just been rejected.

"I guess I'll see you later, then," I said as I took off for the girl's dormitories.

"Night," he called up after me.

As I lay there in bed, I thought about what had happened today. I looked back on those silly feelings I had had when I was talking to Neville. Neville of all people! I tried to forget them, and just remembered I had agreed to go out with Colin. Well, I guess he was a nice guy, always trying to do well, and help Harry out. And now he was cute. That's always a plus (but I don't want to seem shallow or anything).

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning at breakfast, people kept looking over at Colin and I and they continued to whisper about something. As soon as they figured out that I had noticed them they returned to their own breakfasts, though I could tell they were still whispering. It was probably the fact of how much Colin had changed.

"What the hell is wrong with everyone?" I said moodily.

"Maybe their jealous of me," said Colin.

"And why would they be jealous of you?" I asked, wondering what the hell he was talking about.

"Because I've got the best looking girl in the whole school," he said.

"Oh, you're sweet," I told him, kissing him softly on the cheek. His face started to turn red with embarrassment.

I looked around the table, and saw that Neville was looking at me. As soon as he saw me looking at him, he quickly busied himself with his bacon and eggs, eating with gusto. He needs to mind his own business like the rest of these gits who keep staring at me, I thought miserably. I felt bad for having thought that. Neville wasn't a git. Neville was a nice guy. I recalled last year when Harry got caught in Umbridge's fire, and that Squad of hers had captured the rest of us. I remember how Neville stood up for me and tried to stop them from taking me, but they just captured him along with Luna, Ron, and me. It was rather brave of him. He had gotten much braver over that year, fighting alongside Harry. He and Harry were the only two left standing at one point.

"Ginny, you're not eating. Is there anything wrong?"

Colin's voice had knocked me out of my reverie. I took one last fleeting look at Neville, then turned to look at Colin.

"What? Oh, nothing, I guess I'm not that hungry," I said to him.

We walked out into the entrance hall, and were hit by an awful wave of misfortune.

"Well, if it isn't little Miss Desperation," said a cold voice, from across the hallway.

"What the hell are you talking about, Malfoy?" I said angrily.

"Oh, it's just that you'll go out with anyone, won’t you? Even this pathetic little Potter-worshiper and, not to mention, Mudblood," he said, sneering at Colin, who puffed himself out defiantly.

"Well, that's where you're wrong, Malfoy," I said coolly, "There are some people I won't date. The scum-of-the-earth people like yourself and your whole bloody family!"

Those personal attacks on his family seem to hit him hard these days. But, you've got to do what you've got to do, even if you have to talk to prats like Malfoy. Colin pulled out his wand, but Malfoy was too quick for him.

"Petrificus Totalus!" he said, with a smile on his face.

"You little—" I started to say, while trying to nonchalantly pull out my own wand (I wanted to hex him by surprise).

"You better watch your step, Weasley," he said, pointing his at me before I could reach my own wand.

Just at that moment, Neville walked right into the scene.

"Ah, Longbottom. How're your parents doing?" Malfoy said, viscously, now pointing his wand at Neville instead of me.

"Shut your face, Malfoy," he said defensively, as he balled his hands into fists. Fortunately, I was able to get my wand out of my pocket without Malfoy noticing.

"Well, I'd hate for—" Malfoy started to say, when he realized I had just hit him with my favorite Bat-Boogey Hex. It was a sight I'll never forget. He ran off for his common room, faster than Harry's firebolt, I'd say.

"Thanks," said Neville shyly.

"No problem," I replied. Just then I realized Colin was laying like a board on the floor. "Oh, dear. I don't remember the countercurse for this…"

"Oh, I think it's something like, mandrelank," said Neville.

I did the countercurse, and turned to thank Neville, but he was gone. Colin gave a slight moan and got off the floor.

Note to all: I decided to write a chapter that was from Neville's point of view. So, this is not "The Life of the Littlest Weasley." Today it's "The Life of One Who Loves the Littlest Weasley." Enjoy!

*~*-*~*

I didn’t know what to do, so I just left her with Colin. I didn't know what to do about this whole situation, or rather, my situation. I really like her, but what could I do? Especially since she's dating Colin. Maybe I could ask someone for help… but who? Maybe Dean… he went out with her for a while, and maybe he can help me, I dunno, plan something special… maybe not. Oh, I'm never going to get anywhere with that attitude. I must be brave for Ginny.

So, I went searching for Dean. I looked in the common room, but he wasn't there. I looked in the Owlry (which was a silly thing to do since his parents are muggles, and I don't think they are aquatinted with owl post), and the boy's bathroom, but I couldn't find him. I even looked in the library, but the only person there was Hermione…

And then it hit me. I should just ask Hermione! She's really smart, and knows all of that sort of girly stuff. I ran back to the library with vigor. But, when I finally got there, she had already left. I thought that she might have just been looking for a book somewhere, but I looked all over the place, and she wasn't behind any of the shelves. I looked back at where she had been sitting and all her stuff and gone too. I was about to leave when something caught my eye. It was a bit of folded parchment. It looked rather old, because it was really crinkled, as if it had been folded and unfolded a dozen times. Now, I'm not the nosey type, so I figured that I could bring it to Hermione.

However, while I was walking back to the common room to look for her there, a thought occurred to me. What if it didn't belong to Hermione after all and was just a silly bit of parchment and I was wasting my time? After consideration of this, I decided to take a quick peak at it. I unfolded the parchment very carefully, and this was what it said:

Hermione,

I think about you every day. I'm not really sure how to begin. Everything about you makes me feel something, I dunno, really good inside, but I'm not sure how to tell you. I joke around because I want to make you smile. Seeing that smile is…

I stopped reading abruptly, because someone bumped into me, as they were rushing past. I turned to see who it was, and I saw a whoosh of bushy hair swirl around as she turned to apologize.

"Sorry!" she cried hurriedly, and out of breath. She stopped to look at the person who she had just hit. "Oh, it's you, Neville, I'm really sorry, see I left something very important in…" she stopped mid-sentence. She had just seen the paper I had in my hand. Her paper.

"Oh, well, er, I found this paper in the library and was going to find you and give it back," I tried to explain, cowering under her anger.

"Why is it unfolded, then? Surely you wouldn't read it?"

"I was, er, just checking that it belonged to you and—"

"You read it?!" She looked livid.

"N-no. Well, I-I…"

"If you ever tell anyone about this, you will be very sorry indeed," she warned.

"No-o, I won't say a w-word."

"Good."

She snatched the paper away and was gone. So much for going to ask her for help. Now what was I going to do? My brilliant idea of asking Hermione for help was now worthless. She was too angry with me, and I wouldn't have wanted to make it worse…

An idea slowly formed in my head as I walked back to the common room. I could write Ginny a note! That way I don't have to work up the courage of actually saying stuff to her in person. It was a brilliant plan, if I do say so myself. So, I guess in a way, Hermione did help me out.

*~*~*~*~*

I think that for once in my life I was the last one in the common room that night. Usually I like to get lots of rest, but after thinking of writing that note, I wanted to get started right away. However, things were not going well at all. I must have started a hundred letters, but I just didn't like the way they sounded. Papers littered the floor around me, and eventually I had to chuck them all in the fireplace because I didn't want anyone to find out what I was doing, and I was running out of places to put the half-used pieces of parchment.

Writing a love letter is much harder than I had thought it would be. I had ones that started out saying "Hi, how are you?" and others saying "To my darling Ginny". I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. I finally came up with a simple letter, hoping that she would know what I was trying to say. I didn't sign it. I contemplated for a good long while, but I just couldn't decide if I wanted Ginny to know it was me. Part of me wanted to tell her my feelings, and let nothing be unsaid. Another part of me remembered Colin, and I didn't want to put much pressure on either of them.

It was getting much later when I finished the note, and I decided to go to sleep. Unfortunately, I forgot to put the note somewhere where only Ginny would find it. But I was so tired I forgot. So, when I awoke the next morning, I realized what I had done and rushed down from the boy's dormitories to search for the not before it fell into the wrong hands. I looked and looked everywhere. I looked under the chair where I had sat writing that note late into the night, but it wasn't there. Maybe it fell into the fire, I thought desperately. Or maybe she found it before anyone else. It did have her name on it after all, I thought. And with that somewhat acceptable answer for my frantic state, I left for the Great Hall for breakfast. I was very hungry after all. Writing a love letter can take a lot of energy, and on top of very little sleep.

Note: After writing the last chapter in Neville's perspective, I was going to just switch back to Ginny's perspective forever. But in this chapter I've decided to write from Ginny's AND Neville's perspectives (it just makes the story better, I think). So, lights, camera, ACTION!

~*~*~*~*~

I woke up the next morning, rather late. I put on my robes quickly, ran a comb through my hair a few times, then dashed down the girl's dormitory steps. I hoped that Colin hadn't gone off to breakfast without me. But when I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw Colin standing there, alone, looking at a piece of parchment, his brow furrowed in thought.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," I said, rushing over to where he was standing, still staring at the parchment.

"This is for you," he said, blankly, handing me the parchment.

I took the paper from him and read.

Ginny,

I just wanted to let you know that I really like you. You mean so much to me, if only I had some way of telling you. I wanted you to know that.

I stared at the letter, wondering why Colin looked so thoughtful over his own letter. Perhaps he didn't know what else to write and was worried I wouldn't like it.

"Colin, this letter is very sweet of you," I said to reassure him.

"Ginny," he said solemnly, "what is this about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Who is this letter from?" he said in a voice that had a cold edge.

"You. You gave it to me."

"No. No it's not. Ginny, what is going on? Is there something or someone you need to tell me about?"

"Colin, what? I don't know who this letter is from!" He looked upset. Angry, even. But I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I didn't understand. I had to have been about that note. It wasn't from him, but then, who?

"Right. If that's the case then, I think that this is over."

"Fine!" I retorted, matching his rage. "FINE! If you think that I'm going to stand for this, you are greatly mistaken. Good-bye, Colin, and good riddance!" I wanted to hex him, but I kept my dignity and stormed out of the common room, to the Great Hall.

I got down to the Great Hall to find that many people were still eating breakfast. I sat down next to Hermione, who was sitting with my brother and Harry.

"What's up?" said Ron.

"Oh. Colin's just a great big prat!" I said coldly and in a very bad mood. "I've broken up with him."

"Why? What happened?" said Hermione concernedly.

I recounted the events of what had just happened. When I told them about the note, Neville, who was seated a little ways away from Harry, looked up at me quickly. As soon as I noticed, I gave him an angry look for eavesdropping, and he looked down at his plate promptly. I continued my story as though nothing had interrupted me. When I had finished, the three of them looked at me.

"I'm so sorry, Ginny," said Hermione.

"Git," said Ron, simply.

"Well, he couldn't have been worth much if he got upset enough to break up with you over a little note," said Hermione, comfortingly.

"Who did you say that note was from, again?" asked Harry.

"That's the whole thing, I don't know who it's from. Whoever wrote it didn't sign it." I said, distractedly.

"Maybe whoever sent it meant to break you two up," said Ron, with a silly thoughtful look on his face that didn't fit.

"Oh, I don't know," said Hermione.

"Neither do I," I said, reaching for the bacon and orange juice.

~*~*~*~*~ (A/N: Changing perspectives!)

After overhearing Ginny talking to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, I was a little shocked. I didn't think writing a simple note would break up their relationship. I hadn't meant for that to happen. On, the upside, she did get my note… but will she hate the note-writer for writing the note that tore her and Colin apart? Now I felt I needed to tell someone, and the only person I could think was Hermione (again). So I went to tell her. She was sitting with Ron, Harry, and to my dismay, Ginny, in the common room.

"Hey Neville," said Harry upon my arrival.

"Hi, guys," I said, trying to be inconspicuous.

"What's going on, Neville?" said Hermione as I sat down in a chair next to Harry.

"Oh… er… not much. How bout you guys?"

"Ginny's just telling us about her breakup with Colin."

"Oh. I'm really sorry, Ginny," I said, truthfully.

"Oh, it's nothing, really. I'm fine. He wasn't worth it anyway," she said in reply. Silence followed her. It was awkward, and I didn't like it, so I decided to break the silence.

"Er… Hermione, could I talk to you for a second?" I asked timidly.

"Sure Neville, what is it?"

"Er… could we talk… er…. somewhere else?"

"Yeah, okay."

We left the corner of common room and exited the portrait hole. We walked down the hallway, I don't think we were going in any particular direction.

"Alright, Neville, what's up?" said Hermione.

"Well, I'm in a bit of a predicament."

"What predicament would that be?"

"Well, er… I wrote that note to Ginny," I said embarrassed. Hermione looked at me in surprise. "I hadn't meant for it to cause her and Colin to break up. I hadn't thought of what trouble it would cause…"

"No, it's not your fault," she said comfortingly.

"Well, what should I do?"

"The question is what do you want to do?" she said.

"But I don't know! That's why I came to you!" I said, frustrated that Hermione, the smartest girl in school didn't understand what I was talking about.

"Neville, what you do is your choice. I can't tell you what to do. You have to decide this on your own."

"But how will I know what to do?" I said desperation filling my stomach.

"Just follow your heart, I guess. It may sound ridiculous, but it's the only thing I can tell you," she said, as she started to head back to the common room. I stood there a moment, then shouted to her before she got too far away, "Hermione, please don't tell anyone." She looked back and acknowledged my words with a wave of her hand. I felt like talking to Hermione was a complete waste of my time. All she could say was 'follow your heart'. What was I supposed to do? She hadn't helped at all!

For the next few days, I tried to think of who that note could have been from. I sat next to different people in my classes every day, trying to see if anyone's handwriting matched, but to no avail. It was unnerving, and I was frustrated. Who wanted to send me that note? Did they mean what they said, or was it all a big joke? Or, could it have been part of an evil underhanded scheme to break up my relationship with Colin? Colin, the great idiot, was still convinced it was the latter (except he thought I was the one with the underhanded scheme), and he wasn't about to talk to me (least of all help me figure out who the note was really from). It was like one giant puzzle, and I was trying to put it all together, without any pieces. I didn't know where to turn to, so, I decided it was time to ask for help.

Finding Ron, Harry, and Hermione is easy enough to do after dinner in the Great Hall. They always seem to sit in the same place, in the same chairs by the fireplace, no spontaneity. So, I slumped down into one of the chairs next to them, and made a very loud sigh. It was all part of my plan that they would be the ones to start the conversation, not me. That way it makes the whole thing less embarrassing for me.

"What's up, Ginny? You look a bit flustered," said Hermione.

"Oh, I'm just thinking," I said innocently leading them on.

"What about?" asked Ron.

"Well, I was just thinking about that anonymous note that I was sent."

"Have you found out who it's from yet?" inquired Hermione.

"No… I having a bit of trouble figuring it out myself… you three don't know who it might be from, do you?" I asked, tentatively.

"Why would we know?" said Ron, rather insensitively.

"Well, I don't know what you do and don't know, Ronald!" I retorted, coolly.

"Will you two please cut it out!" Harry said, irritably.

"And what put you in such a bad mood? Did Loony Lovegood realize you're a Crumple-Horned Snorkack? Or better yet, did you realize that she's a Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"

"Shut up, Ron," said Harry, moodily. He and Luna had been going out for a while now. I always did think it was a little weird…

"Have you got any leads as to who it might be?" Hermione asked, looking down at her Transfiguration homework.

"I haven't the foggiest," I replied. "You don't have any ideas, do you, Hermione?"

"Hmm… you can tell a lot about a person by their handwriting," she said, scribbling something down on her paper.

"But I already tried the matching handwriting thing, and it didn’t work!"

"No, no, you misunderstand me. What I mean is that you could figure out what the person's personality is, and then try and find people who match the personality."

"Oh. And how exactly does one go about doing this?"

*~*~*~*~*~* (A/N: Time for Neville's p.o.v.)

Back and forth. Back and forth. All I could do was think and pace. There was nothing for it. The only conclusion I could draw from this unsettling predicament was to tell Ginny myself. However, I was not simply going to accept this idea without a fight. My nerves were having a right little fit about my one and only solution.

There was nothing for it, though. I had no other alternatives. Hermione was absolutely no help. All she said was 'follow your heart'. Well, what the heck was my heart saying? My heart was a little confused. It wanted to tell Ginny. That must have been what it was telling me. The only problem was that this message was getting a not-so-friendly response from my stomach.

Despite my nerves' attempts to counter my solution, I decided that I had to tell her before she found me, the coward. However, the manner in which I did this was still up to me. So really, my stomach hadn't lost just yet (there was plenty of time to back out of it). How was I going to tell her? I could write her another note, but that might remind her more that it was my first note that messed things up for her in the first place. This only left one thing: if I couldn't tell her on paper, I'd have to tell her in person.

*~*~*~*~*~* (A/N: back to Ginny!)

As I read the note over and over, trying to take Hermione's advice, I realized that it was not working. I could make out anything about this person's sloppy g's or their loopy y's. What were they really supposed to mean? That this person what sloppy and loopy? Somehow I didn't think so.

This mysterious note sender was just that: mysterious. This got me to thinking about what I could tell about the note sender by their act of note sending. They either did it maliciously, or innocently. They didn't sign it because they didn't want me to know who it was out of evilness and jealousy or forgetfulness and shyness. So that makes two different people. One, someone who is mysterious, malicious, evil, and jealous. Or two, they are mysterious, innocent, forgetful, and shy.

This leaves two kinds of people: people like Draco Malfoy, and people like Neville Longbottom. Something told me it wasn't Malfoy, evil though he is; he doesn't have access to the Gryffindor common room that I know of. That left one person.

~*~*~*~*~ (A/N: Switcheroo!)

"Ok!" I said to myself, as I got off the library chair I had been siting in. It was time to tell Ginny the truth. She may not like it, but it had to be done. I had spent the last half-hour in the library, trying to motivate myself. I walked five paces, then walked right back. It was easier to think of things that could go wrong, than things that could go right. The last time I had tried, I had only gone three steps, so I was making progress. Neville, you fool, I told myself, if you really like her, she deserves to know.

A/N: This is the end of the line, folks. Hope you enjoyed the ride! Also, just as an FYI, we're starting with Neville's point of view!

~*~*~*~*~

I stood there, the confidence starting to well up inside me. I walked out of the library with a new stride. I was headed for the Gryffindor common room, figuring that might be a good place to look for Ginny, or at least it would be a start. I walked and walked on, but my courage seemed to be flowing out of me every time I took a step. Sure enough, I stopped mid-corridor and thought that there was still time to go back to the library. Just as I was about to turn back, I heard someone calling my name.

"Neville! Neville!"

It sounded distant, so I turned around and saw Ginny down the corridor that I had just walked down (from the library… had she been there the whole time?)

"Wait, Neville!" she called to me. I was frozen to the spot and couldn't move if I had tried (though I had briefly considered running in the opposite direction).

"I've been looking for you," she said, huffing a little.

"I… I was just going to the common room…" I tried to say, but I couldn't get all the words out.

"I'll walk with you," she said as we headed to the common room.

After we had gotten to the next flight of stairs, I asked tentatively, "you said you were looking for me?"

"Oh. Yes. I was meaning to talk to you."

"Oh… er… I was sort of looking for you… er… too," I said trying to not sound totally stupid.

"Really?" she said, as she looked at me with those big brown eyes. I had always loved Ginny's eyes. They put the courage that I had lost so quickly back inside of me.

"I wanted to tell you something. I was the one that sent you that note, Ginny. I hadn't meant for it to mess things up for you. I'm sorry. I'll understand if you completely hate me."

"Coincidentally, that's exactly what I was going to ask you about," she replied simply.

"You mean… you knew it was me? Who told you?" Panicked, I thought of Hermione, and how she was the only person I had told. Anger and regret burned in the pit of my stomach.

"What? No one told me! Am I not capable of finding things out for myself?"

"No! That's not what I meant at all!" I tried to justify what I had said.

"Sure, and I suppose you didn't mean what you said in that note either!"

"No! No, I—"

"I think I can walk to the common room by myself now! Thanks a lot, Neville," she said with all the harshness she could muster as she stormed off. I stood there, petrified. I had tried so hard to do the right thing, to tell her the truth, and what had happened? It blew up in my face! I couldn't believe it. The girl that I adored thought I was a terrible, horrible person. It was all my fault! Except…

"HERMIONE!"

I stormed into the common room with displeasure written across my face. Everyone who was sitting there either left very quickly or just sat and looked at me with surprised looks.

"Neville, what the—" Ron started to say.

"How could you tell her? I trusted you, and you couldn't even keep quiet!" My face burned with anger.

"Neville, calm down. I didn't tell her, I promise," she looked at me with startled eyes, but eyes that spoke truthfulness.

"Then how did she find out?" I replied bitterly, not willing to accept what she was saying.

"Neville, I didn't tell her!"

"Tell who? What's going on?" Ron said questionably.

"Never you mind, Ron," said Hermione.

"Why? I want to know what all the bloody shouting is about!"

"Ron, leave it alone," Harry injected.

Suddenly, Ginny came down the girl dormitory steps.

"What's with all the shouting?" she said. She looked around the room but stopped quickly as soon as she noticed me.

~*~*~*~*~*~ (A/N: Switch to Ginny!)

I stood there, looking at him. He saw me look at him and he turned his face down towards his shoes. I wanted to turn around and walk back up to my dormitory. But I stayed put.

"Oh, good, Ginny. Maybe you can clear this up for us," said Hermione, who looked relived, but also a little tense. What had just happened?

"What?" I said moodily.

"Well, Neville here thinks that I told you that he sent the note."

"What!?" said Ron incredulously.

"Quiet, Ron!" I said. Neville continued to look at the floor. "I already told him I figured it out on my own!"

"Well, then what's the problem?" asked Hermione, looking flustered. Ron stared, his mouth open in shock.

"I-I didn't believe her," said Neville, who finally looked up at me. "I'm sorry I doubted you." He looked back at his feet, though I could see that his cheeks were turning a light shade of pink.

"Apology accepted," I said simply, but I was still a little mad at him.

Neville slowly began to walk towards the boys' dormitories. He looked so sad, and truly sorry, I felt my anger blow away and a rush of sympathy rushed in. Or was something else? As I watched him go, I remembered what his note had said. I just wanted to let you know that I really like you. You mean so much to me. It was so sweet of him, and, if I knew anything about Neville, it must have taken him a lot of courage to write it. It must have taken ten times that much courage to tell me the truth about it.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still standing there looking at me. Ron's mouth was still hanging wide open.

"You know, Ron, if you hang your mouth open long enough, I think a doxy might make a nest inside it," Hermione said to him, and he closed it quickly.

I stood there for a moment or two, then bolted up the boys' dormitory steps after Neville. I could hear Ron saying something in the background, but I didn't care. I kept going until I reached the door I hoped he would be behind. When I opened it slowly, I saw him, sitting on his four-poster bead, his head hanging.
"Neville, it's my turn for admitting something. I want you to know that I'm grateful for your note. It doesn't matter that Colin was a jerk about it, because he doesn't matter anymore," I said, sitting down on the bed opposite him. He took this as a cue to stand up.

"I feel responsible," he said, looking at me now, instead of the floor.

"Don't. You note wasn't meant to tear people apart, it was meant to bring people together. And it has. You and me."

I stood up. There we were, standing right next to each other, cosmic forces at work. He looked at me, still with a slight look of doubt in his face. We moved closer and closer until finally we embraced and our lips met.

~*THE END*~