Luna ended up staying in the infirmary an extra night, making it possible for Ginny to visit her alone. Ginny found Luna sitting up in her bed as she walked in, reading the latest edition of the Quibbler. She didn't notice Ginny approaching with a handful of daisies.

“Hey Luna.” She set the flowers into a vase on her side table.

“Oh, hello Ginny. I'm glad you came, I actually wanted to talk to you about something. Thank you for the flowers, daisies are my favorite,” Luna said slowly, setting the magazine on the side table beside her bed. Ginny raised her eyebrows, prodding her to go on.

“What is it?” Ginny made herself comfortable by sitting at the end of Luna’s temporary bed. 

“Well, you have lots of experience with boys and-”

“Hey!” Ginny interjected playfully. “Sorry. Continue.”

“And I think I need advice. Every time I'm with Neville, my stomach gets a funny feeling and my brain goes fuzzy so I can't think straight. I don't think it's Wrackspurts though. No, this is much different, it only happens around Neville.” Luna shook her head.

“Luna, isn't it obvious? You fancy Neville! And I know he likes you too! He just doesn't know it yet,” Ginny nearly exploded with excitement. 

Luna felt closer to Ginny than she ever had before as they spoke about boys. She felt like she could tell her anything. Most likely because they had a common interest to talk about. Usually conversations they shared started with Ginny asking her how the Quibbler was doing, followed by polite small talk with Luna occasionally explaining some kind of magical creature to her.

Luna gave Ginny a quizzical look. “How can you be so sure?” 

Ginny scoffed. “You should have seen him in corridors yesterday. When we crossed paths with Pansy, he nearly lost it. If I hadn’t been holding him back, I think she would’ve ended up in the infirmary herself. But he did manage throw some nasty insults her way.”

“I guess it's possible,” Luna recalled. He did compliment her on her eyes, so that had to mean something. She continued, “but I'm still not sure I'm one hundred percent convinced. I don't want to get my hopes up.” Ginny rolled her eyes.

“So,” Ginny said with a sly smile, “how long have you had feelings for Neville?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Hmm,” Luna said thoughtfully. “Well I think they started when we were in the battle at the Ministry. Though my feelings were very faint then.”

“You two would make an adorable couple. I can see it now.” Ginny sighed happily, a far off look in her face.

“Can you promise to not interfere please? If it's meant to happen I think it will happen. And I would also appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone else.” Ginny laughed.

“You know me too well.”

Luna made sure she left for breakfast on time the day after she was released from the infirmary. She wasn't looking for a repeat of last time. All of Luna’s roommates were being kind and helpful, she was sure their attitude towards her would fade. Luckily none of her things had disappeared from her possessions. 

Neville was waiting outside the entrance to Ravenclaw tower, holding a large basket in his hands.

“Hello, Neville. Are you here to escort me to breakfast?” Luna wouldn't have been surprised if it was the case. He was acting very protective of Luna since the incident. He had refused to leave the infirmary when his half hour was over. He argued with Madam Pomfrey until he gave up and reluctantly left.

Neville gave Luna an uneasy smile. “Well, not exactly. Do you trust me Luna?”

“That’s a silly question, of course I do.”

“Good, now come with me.” Neville grasped Luna’s hand. It wasn't awkward, unlike the Hogsmeade trip, since Neville was more confident that Luna had not taken a liking to him. Luna giggled.

“I'm guessing we’re skipping breakfast altogether then?” 

Neville didn't answer. He led her through the corridors and outside the castle. They walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way. Soon they reached the greenhouses used for Herbology. They stopped at a distance where Luna couldn't see what was inside the greenhouse.

“Okay, now close your eyes. And no peeking,” Neville said. Luna closed her eyes and covered them with one of her hands over them obediently as the corners of her mouth pulled up into a smile.

“Whatever it is you're planning, I can tell you now that it wasn't necessary.”

In which Neville replied, “Actually, I think that it is.”

With his arm to guide her, Luna and Neville walked into the greenhouse. With help from Ginny, Neville transformed the greenhouse (to a certain extent) into a perfect place for a breakfast picnic. They had moved the tables so would be room to lay down a red and white blanket to sit on and eat their food. He had also strung some muggle Christmas lights throughout the room and around the plants. If it had been for anyone else, it might have been considered romantic.

To say Neville was nervous was an understatement. He knew that he had no reason to be, Luna had already forgiven him. He told this to himself until he finally felt confident enough to speak.

“You can open your eyes now.” As soon as Luna’s eyes opened, they lit up. She turned in a full circle slowly to observe the setting.

“This is very nice,” Luna stated after she finished spinning. “What's the special occasion?”

“I never got to formally apologize. So, I'm sorry.”

“You are a very considerate person, Neville, thank you. And you know I've already forgiven you.” Luna gave him an encouraging smile.

“Yes, but I figured that this would be much more suitable than the infirmary.”

“Oh yes, this is very lovely,” Luna said, glancing around the room. “There isn't any mistletoe in here though is there?” Neville was confused by her words for a moment. Then he recalled one of the many times Luna mentioned the kind of creature that supposedly lived in mistletoe. Neville nearly laughed, but managed to keep it in. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, he knew how strongly she felt about her beliefs.

“No, there's not. Do you want to eat now? We should probably start soon, since we have classes today.” He jiggled the basket that contained an assortment of food inside. Luna nodded politely.

“I went to the kitchen earlier this morning to get a few things,” Neville said after they both got situated on the blanket. He reached inside the picnic basket. Out came two apples, a stack of waffles, and pudding.

“Pudding for breakfast? That’s rather odd.”

“You don't have to eat it, I just assumed-”

“Oh, I’m not complaining.” Luna reached for the bowl and scooped a large portion onto her plate.

“So,” Luna started. “I heard you nearly attacked Pansy yesterday.”

“Well she provoked me,” Neville said timidly.

“How?” Luna stuck a spoonful of pudding in her mouth.

“She said extremely rude things about you,” Neville mumbled. Luna tilted her head to the side. “And I'd rather not repeat it,” Neville finished.

“Alright, fair enough. Thank you for standing up for me,” Luna smiled. “We should do something fun.”

“Like what?”

“Let’s ask each other questions, if you think about it, we don't know each other all too well. I'll go first. Why do you enjoy Herbology so much?”

Neville had to think a bit before he could provide an answer. “I guess it's one of the few things I'm good at, and I think that plants have the ability to bring life into places. My mum was also good at it.” Was.

“I can see your eyes light up when you talk about it,” Luna said with a smile. “And I understand what you mean, but you have many talents. Now you have to ask me something.”

“Hmm. How are you such an optimist?” Neville had had the question in the back of his mind for a while. Luna always saw the good in everyone. And even when people teased her or she got called names, her attitude remained unchanged.

“I actually like to think of myself as a realist. Optimists only see the good in the world. But I also acknowledge that there are bad things. For example, I know that You-Know-Who is back, and that there’s nothing positive in that. But I also believe that if you focus on things that make you happy, the bad stuff won't seem as important, and you find yourself in a better mood. I hope that answered your question.” 

“Wow.”

Luna paused to shovel some more pudding in her mouth. “So how’s the ‘Slug Club’ going?”

“Uh, not so well. I got cut a couple days ago. Guess I'm not Slughorn material.” The whole ordeal had Neville in a sour mood. He was one of three people to get kicked out. Yet somehow he got sucked into serving snacks at his Christmas party, which was about a month away.

“You made it farther than I did. Besides, you shouldn't be noticed just for your parents achievements, you're amazing on your own. And if he doesn't see it, it's his loss.”

“Thanks, Luna,” Neville said feeling slightly better. “Okay, my turn, right?” Luna nodded. “Tell me something about yourself that I don't know.” Luna thought for a moment.

“Oh! Did you know that I sleepwalk?” Neville shook his head. “Once in my first year, I woke up in a part of the castle that I didn't know, and I had no idea how to get back to Ravenclaw Tower, so I wandered around until someone found me. 

“I bet I go on the most interesting adventures while I'm asleep.” Neville couldn't help laughing. “Thats why I try wear shoes to bed. Though most often times I forget.”

“We should probably get going, classes are going to start soon.” 

Luna nodded, then helped Neville return the room to it's original state.

Luna linked Nevilles arm with her arm as they were leaving. “I think we’re leaving better friends than when we came,” She said happily. 

“Me too.”  

Neville agreed to meet up with Luna in the kitchen after classes were over. Once they retrieved some food, they would go into the forbidden forest to feed the thestrals. Luna was waiting by the fruit painting when Neville arrived. 

She wore mismatched muggle clothing (As well as a book tucked under her arm), as she usually did when she wasn't wearing her school robes. While most people thought the ensemble was on the strange side, Neville thought she pulled the look off well.

“Oh good, you're here,” Luna said as she turned and tickled the pear. They watched it squirm and laugh as it turned into a doorknob. Luna extended her hand for Neville to take, and he did without hesitation. “Come on.”

The kitchen was just as large as the Great Hall. The stone walls were cluttered with pots and pans. A massive brick fireplace sat at the opposite end of the room. Many house elves were bustling around, doing various jobs.

One approached Luna. “How can we help Miss Luna today?” he said. Luna came to the kitchen so often that most of the house elves knew her by name.

“Can I get some raw meat and a few apples please?” Luna asked politely. The house elf nodded and rushed off.

Luna released his hand. She stood on her tip toes so she could whisper in Neville’s ear. He felt a chill run down his spine. Luna was very close, he could feel her warm breath on his ear. 

“I keep telling them to just call me Luna, but they insist upon calling me that. In my opinion, ‘Miss Luna’ makes me sound too old,” She added with an airy laugh. Neville smiled and nodded.

“I agree.” Neville changed subjects, “What are you reading?” He motioned toward the book. Luna’s eyes lit up like she had been waiting for him to ask.

“It's a muggle book. I only just started it, but I can already tell that it's much different from the kind I usually read. This one is called ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It's very intriguing and has an captivating plot. Hermione gave it to me. She said I reminded her of the main character. I am enjoying it very much,” Luna rambled. Just as she finished her sentence, the house elf they talked to earlier returned with the supplies.

“Thank you, sir.” Luna said as she accepted the food and placed it into her bag. Then she turned to Neville. “We should get going. The thestrals are waiting.” Neville nodded.

After saying a quick goodbye to the house elves, they were on their way.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! The support has been fantastic! Thanks so much for reading :) Dedicated to ravenclaw-faults for the feedback. Thank You!

The video on the side is my all time favorite Nuna video. Its fantastically made and the song is perfect. I get the chills every time I watch it (which is like a bazillion XD)