Neville's Mysterious Pen Pal

A small, feathery, brown owl wandered idly above the room, waiting for the round faced boy to wake up from beneath. The untimely sunrise shimmered off its wings, as the owl's eyes scanned for any signs of movement from the figure beneath. It presented a small number of relaxed flutters, but, as though out of patience, the owl gave a callous "Hoot!" and continued spinning.

Neville woke with a start. He caught sight of Trevor, as the owl landed on his forefinger. He opened Amelia's letter and read:

Vertor,

Thanks so much for accepting me as your date. You are such a good person. Don't ever let anyone get to you--not even Malfoy or Snape. Anyway, back to the plan. I don't mind you for being late. Wait--are you completely sure that you will just have only one dance with the girl you asked? I mean, really it's ok. I don't want to be a burden for you. Anyway, if we are going to push through on finally meeting each other, I would just like to remind you that I will be wearing a floor length tube dress robe of red velvet. My red hair will be in the usual braids and a brooch of a shiny black rose will be pinned in my left chest. Sure, we can meet in the Entrance Hall. I'll be looking forward to meeting you later.

Amelia

It was then that Neville only realised that it was only a matter of hours before the Yule Ball. He dressed up and went to the Great Hall to eat breakfast.

Showing a sustained yearning to amaze the guests from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, the Hogwarts body appeared firm to display Hogwarts at its finest this Christmas. Eternal icicles surrounded the Great Hall, making everyone present utter the common 'Oohs!' and 'Aahs!'.

"Hey pea brain! I heard that you are going out with Weasley to the Yule Ball," a voice drawled.

Neville recognised the sound of that mocking voice that scoffed those words. He turned around and saw the pale contour of Draco Malfoy.

"What a couple. Longbottom and a Weasley. Someone who has no brains paired up with someone who has nothing worth higher than a galleon," Malfoy sneered.

"Shut up, Malfoy," said Neville, wondering what to say next. "If there's anyone here who is worthless, it would be you," Neville added.

Amelia said that everyone is good at something. You told Amelia to be herself. She said that you shouldn't hide who you really are. Neville, it's your turn to let the Gryffindor out of you. You can do this, he thought.

"What did you say Longbottom?"

"You think you have everything in the world but, you are wrong. You are completely missing something. You just care about yourself, and nothing about yourself. You don't give a damn about anyone and that's why you are missing something. You know what you are missing? Someone who would care for a dung head like you. Everyone knows that you have your parents and all but waiting for someone other than them to care for you is like waiting for hell to freeze over--useless and disappointing. And that is what makes you completely worthless," Neville said, and blushed with those words. It made him sound so different, so manly, and so unlike himself, yet so gay but he didn't care anymore.

He was too mad at Draco. Draco already got in his last nerve. Draco was one of the reasons which made Neville a bit too insecure about himself. He was one of the reasons that made him pursue with his pen pal scheme.

Everyone in the Great Hall was surprised when those words came from Neville's lips. Draco sat there dumbfounded with what he has heard.

"Well, well, well, Longbottom is on the rise. I am priceless, whether you like it or not. The simple fact that you directed your anger towards me makes it seem that I am worth getting mad at. I am worth the anger. Mind your attitude, Longbottom," Draco said.

What kind of a comeback was that? He didn't have anything else better to say! That goes on to show that I have told him off. Finally! Stupid Malfoy! Neville thought.

Regardless of the weighty cargo of assignments that the fourth years have received for the holidays, Neville was too lazy to exert any effort when term ended, and used up the remains of the day trying to figure how to tell Ginny about cutting their date short to only one dance. Suddenly, he had a hunch that the Amelia girl whom he was about to meet may not be so serious in meeting him.

"What if Amelia was just playing along? What if she wasn't serious at all?" Neville thought as more butterflies entered his stomach. He was too scared to tell Ginny about his situation because he thought that she might take it personally and turn him down.

"If Ginny refuses to be my date any longer and the Amelia girl isn't serious about showing up at all, I would have to honestly declare that I am the world's biggest loser," Neville pondered.

"I guess I'll just tell Ginny after the first dance itself," he decided hesitatingly.

During lunch, Neville treated his food with extreme caution for he knew that he might come across some Canary Creams. The same two fellows intruded his stomach--Mr. Excitement and Mr. Nervousness. Mr. Excitement has broken in because he wanted to know who Amelia really is while Mr. Nervousness has encroached due to the thought that Amelia might freak out if she finds out that he is Neville Longbottom.

Before going deep into those thoughts, Neville allowed himself to indulge and swoop down to open his presents. "Presents. Hmm..." he told himself.

After shoving the fifteen galleons he received from his grandma into his pocket, he was struck by another idea. He went out of the Gryffindor Common Room, out of the Great Hall and into the Quidditch field. There it was. He spotted the rosebushes he had been looking for and quickly snipped three white roses from its branches.

"If I have to meet someone for the first time, I should make a first good impression," Neville decided as he rushed back to the dormitory.

Soon enough, the clock chimed 7 o'clock. Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville changed into their dress robes up their dormitory, all of them looking self-conscious, but none as much as Ron, who studied himself in the lengthy mirror in the corner with a horrified look on his face.

After Ron finished hooking up with the mirror, Neville decided that it was his turn. He stared at himself, examining his left side and his right side, all of which seemed to be covered with his midnight blue silk dress robe. He practiced saying, "Hello, I am Neville Longbottom. May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

Even in his head the word sounded stupid. It was too formal, awkward and not Neville-ish.

Neville left the Boy's dormitory, and found Ginny waiting for him at the bottom of the staircase. He completely forgot about his dilemma with telling Ginny that he was only available for a first dance; however, instead of telling her, right on the spot, he stood transfixed at Ginny's appearance. She was wearing a laced dress robe of forget-me-not-blue that complemented her blue eyes.

"You look stunning," Neville said, surprised that the word came out of his mouth. He could have used the word, beautiful, pretty and all the other common words of that sort but no, he said a different word as if it actually came from the Minister of Magic himself.

"Thanks," Ginny beamed, blushingly. "You too," she added. "Shall we go then?" she asked, inserting her arm around Neville's. Neville nodded.

The pair exited the Fat Lady portrait, went down the stairs, and arrived in the Entrance Hall. Nobody said a word to each other. The Entrance Hall was packed with students, all prancing around waiting for 8 o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. He searched narrowly for a girl who was wearing a red tube dress robe. Unfortunately, he didn't find anyone wearing that sort.

Meanwhile, a group of Slytherin students came thumping up the staircase coming from the Slytherin dungeon. One of them was Malfoy, whose body was coiled with the slender arms of Pansy Parkinson.

"Looks like Malfoy found himself a match. Another girl to fulfill his pleasures without losing a reputation," Neville said quietly.

"What?" Ginny asked, with a confused expression on her face.

"Oh, nothing," he said sheepishly. He completely forgot about the roses he plucked. He stuffed them into his pocket before Ginny looked at him again.

Ginny eyed him for a moment, and was about to say something when the door to the Great Hall opened. Together, Neville and Ginny walked into the Great Hall. Enclosed with silvery dazzling ice, the hall walls glimmered and emphasized the hundreds of thousands of frost statues and mistletoe festoons in the ceiling.

The two sat down after the four champions paraded the Hall. Ginny and Neville ate in one of the little round tables that replaced the four usual long tables. None of them said a word but continued munching the effable food as if it was their only role in the world. Quite aware that he hasn't asked Ginny if he can be her partner for only one dance, Neville deliberated on how he could make his move.

"Ginny, a word please," he started but the words, that came out of his mouth drowned by an applause from the audience.

The Weird Sisters horded up the stage and played a slow, somber tune with their instruments. Ginny looked at Neville while he pursued on gulping his pumpkin juice.

"Come on! Let's dance!" Ginny shrieked.

"Ginny! Wait, I--" Neville stammered but Ginny grasped Neville's arm and dragged him to the dance floor.

Neville found himself holding Ginny's waist and right hand. He stared into Ginny's eyes but all he saw was an unenthusiastic gleam that spelled, 'Let's get this over with.' He danced on to the fast beat of the dance of what his Grandmother taught him, but it was nothing compared to the unhurried peaceful melody of this Weird Sisters song. Ginny, however, tried to cover up Neville's odd footwork by taking on the lead through making her own steps. Neville insisted on doing his thing because he couldn't help but be used to his old steps, and he just couldn't keep up with Ginny's moves. He ended up trodding on her feet, and for that reason Ginny winced frequently and still managed a strained smile.

Neville heard the concluding, wobbly note from the bagpipe with liberation. The Weird Sisters discontinued performing, clapping overflowed the foyer once more, and Ginny released him at once.

Neville looked around the room. He saw Harry and Parvati arguing about something, but there was no girl in a red tube to be seen waiting. It was his moment, the time that he was dreading for many hours now.

How do I tell Ginny? Urgh, I hate this. I am so stupid to even start this. Why am I such a coward to tell her right away? Neville thought.

The Weird Sisters struck up a new song, which was much faster. Ginny clung herself to Neville again, and hastily paced with the music.

"Ginny, please just hear me out. I--" he stuttered, for he felt someone tap his back. He let go of Ginny and turned to face the unknown.

The guy he faced was in his year. Neville has seen him around the campus. He was wearing a white dress robe layered with a silver satin vest and a white big bow that made him look like some casual entertainer.

"Hullo, I am Michael Corner. Er--well, if you don't mind, may I have a dance with your partner?" he asked Neville as he darted his eyes towards Ginny.

Ginny stared at Neville without saying a word, but Neville knew that she was begging for a change of partner.

"Sure! I won't mind, not at all," Neville said with utmost delight.

Thank you God for sparing me from actually explaining to her everything! He thought.

Neville started to walk towards the Entrance Hall where he would meet the Amelia girl, but he halted for he felt someone get hold of his arm.

He turned around and saw Ginny. "Are you sure about this? You won't mind? We can dance if you want to," Ginny said.

"Ginny, please, I know you don't want to dance with me. I know I am a burden for you. Just--just go on and have fun," Neville said.

"But--,"

"I mean it," he snapped, as he freed himself from Ginny's grasp.

"I am running late," he said quietly, but he knew Ginny heard him. He ran as fast as he could to the Entrance Hall and soon he realised that there was no Ginny to stop him now.

He caught his breath. He was now in the Entrance Hall, and he moved his eyes towards every corner. There she was.

Her back was turned towards Neville, because she was observing the portraits so immensely. However, there was no need telling Neville that this was the girl, his mysterious pen pal. He directed his eyes from the hem of her red dress robe, to her curvy hips, up to the tip of her plaited hair. He wondered who could she be, and goodness knows, the answer will pop out, right after he faces the figure beyond those red-haired braids.

Sluggishly at first, he walked towards the girl. He stopped right behind her and pulled out the three roses from his pocket. One was detached away from its stem, the other dried out, but the third, showing only the first signs of withering, seemed to be fairly stable and pleasant. He put the horrible ones at the long narrow table nearby and hid the lovely one behind his back.

He tapped the girl's shoulder, and the girl turned around. Neville gasped, and nearly dropped the rose behind him. He knew her, and she knew him. They never really talked before. Neville locked eyes with her brown eyes.

"Neville Longbottom," she said rather timidly.

"Susan Bones," Neville said awkwardly.

Susan Bones? It can't be! Not the girl whom he belittled before? Not the girl who grew so lenient with everyone? Neville pondered, disbelievingly.

"So you are Vertor, eh?" Susan started, breaking off the odd tension that surpassed them both.

"Yah, so you are Amelia Nasus?" Neville asked.

"Yup."

There was a short pause. Another silence occurred between them.

"For you," he said, handing her the single red rose. "Sorry, I was supposed to give you three but I...er..." Neville faltered as he darted his eyes towards the other two roses.

"That's quite alright. Thanks by the way," she said, smiling.

Applause echoed from the Great Hall, the silence dawned upon them once more, and Neville woke up from his reverie of staring into those brown eyes.

"Er--let's go inside," he said.

"Okay."

Upon entering the Great Hall, Neville, absent-mindedly led her to the brightly-lit dance floor. He opened his palm and shoved it to Susan. She took it and she soon found herself clinging on to Neville's arms.

"Er, Neville, I don't know how to dance," she said, showing signs of fear in her eyes.

"I'll be gentle."

The couple revolved slowly around the spot. The music was perfect for a waltz, happy but not fast; peaceful, but not dull. Neville attempted doing the steps he had practised in the Gryffindor Common Room the other night.

Just remember, step on your left foot, tiptoe on your right foot, and land you're your left foot. After that, do the same cycle but start with your right foot. Don't be nervous, relax, you're the leader now, Neville, he thought.

Neville kept his eyes fixed over the figure in front of him. It wasn't as bad as his last dance with Ginny, because Susan followed Neville's lead by moving very gracefully.

It was so different, not to mention better, from his last dance, for whenever Neville looks at Susan's eyes, there was no rushed emotion evident, only the feeling of calmness. Never in his life did he dance like this, because surprisingly, no one stepped on anyone's shoes--not even Susan Bones.

Just behind Cedric Diggory, Hermione caught sight at the pair of them. Neville grinned at her. Ginny stood dumbfounded, but was still leaning on Michael's shoulder. Sitting down with Harry, Ron smiled at Neville; however, Malfoy just sneered.

"Hey, that wasn't so bad!" Neville said. The Weird Sisters finished performing the song, and everyone else clapped. "You are awfully good, for a first timer," he added.

"Thanks! I was just following you and doing whatever," Susan replied, flushing pink.

After two more moments of dancing with Susan Bones, Neville asked, "Er--Susan? Can I have a word with you? If you don't mind."

"Sure. I mean, I don't mind," Susan said, smiling. "I am tired of dancing anyway."

"Me too, dancing isn't really my thing. Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked.

"I thought you would never ask," she said, beamingly.

Neville and Susan left the Hall and went towards the field. On the way, Neville started a conversation.

"Why did you choose Amelia Nasus...you know... as your pen name?"

"Oh, I named my pen name after my aunt, Amelia Bones. Nasus, because when you scramble the letters, it will spell my name, Susan. I thought you figured that out. I kind of mixed the letters of my pen name in my second letter," she replied. "Anyway, why did you choose Vertor?"

"When you scramble the letters, it would form Trevor, which is the name of my owl. I named my owl after my bullfrog that died," he replied.

"Oh, sorry," she said in agony.

They continued walking and headed towards the rosebushes, where they heard faint sounds. They peeped through the bushes, and saw two faint outlines of Fleur and Roger Davies. Without saying a word, they started towards the other row of rosebushes in the right side.

Feeling a sense of complete privacy, Susan, out of the blue, said, "I'm sorry about your parents."

Neville eyed her for a moment, processing on what to say next. "No problem. You were right. It's not something to be ashamed of--it's something to be proud of," he said and smiled. Susan smiled back.

"Thanks for the advice, by the way. I really appreciate it," Susan said. "I am trying to overcome my shyness," she said hesitantly.

"That's cool. Just be yourself, Susan. We are humans and we all have our weaknesses. I know I do. Who doesn't? If someone doesn't then he is not human," Neville said.

"Thanks," Susan said sincerely. "I am sorry for burdening you with my problems," she added.

"No worries. After all, I'm the one who is supposed to say sorry. I started this whole thing anyway," Neville said reassuringly.

"Don't be sorry for yourself. It's a good thing you started this. I felt more open and more like myself when I was writing to you. I wouldn't have received your advice if it wasn't for this. We almost have the same problem--the part wherein the world laughs at both of us. Come to think of it, we both needed company," she said, as Neville looked into Susan's eyes. "We both needed each other," she added as she blushed.

Neville searched for the right thing to say. However, when he was about to open his mouth, he heard distinct moans. He flicked his head to his right and squinted through the leaves of the rosebushes and saw Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger snogging. Neville knew Susan saw it too, for she bit her lip and flinched uncomfortably. Instead of discussing with Susan about what he has just seen, he put his arm around her and walked again to a different direction.

"I have a confession to make," he said as she listened closely. "Whenever I see you in the school grounds, I used to always refer to you as the quiet girl who always gives in to other people's desires. I was wrong. I am sorry for underestimating you. I have just realised my mistake when you said that you were just having a hard time being yourself. Your letters proved me wrong. Forgive me," Neville said, as he turned to look at the ground.

"That's okay," Susan said.

Neville looked up, as Susan turned to him.

"I kind of underestimated you too. I thought you weren't good at anything. I thought you were careless at every move you made. Like for instance, you didn't know how to kick-off your broom and instead you and your broom started going haywire during our first Quidditch lesson during our first year. Another is you left the Gryffindor passwords lying around when Sirius Black was in Hogwarts. You proved me wrong. You were good at a lot of things. I saw you tell off Draco Malfoy a while ago. Pretty cool comeback there! A bit gay though," she giggled.

Neville just glared at her, giving her a stern look.

"I am just honest! It was cute and daring too. I loved it. Anyway, you are an expert in Herbology--no doubt about that. And--" Susan stopped. "You won a friend." Susan continued.

Neville smiled, beaming like never before. He smiled because he was assured that there was someone who cares for him and that he wasn't worthless like Malfoy.

"Actually--" Neville shrugged. "I didn't win a friend."

Susan looked puzzled for she had a questioning look on her face.

Neville answered the question by pulling her into him, pressing her body tightly with both arms and kissed her long and deep. Then, as if he was telling her a secret, he whispered, "I won someone more than a friend."

Susan moved towards Neville and they were both caught and lifted in the moonlight. She felt his arms around her and he held her close.

Fifteen galleons for St. Mungo's? Make it twenty, Neville thought.

Neville held her hand. Together, they went back to the Great Hall.