Luna had transfigured herself a bikini much like Hermione, but complained that there was far too little material to make anything interesting, so she added extra patches everywhere, until her swimsuit looked more like a Christmas tree made of triangular pieces of fabric, all coloured in shades of red and green. She was still trying to convince Neville to jump into the pool. "Oh, it's excellent! He got his foot in the water this time. Maybe if I just pull him down a bit more..." She leapt at Neville, who was still sitting at the edge, and clung onto his leg as if she were swinging on a rope. Neville desperately wanted to keep himself out but was far too afraid of hurting Luna to try to wrench her off.
"Maybe you should try a gentler approach ," suggested Hermione.
Luna let go of Neville's leg and climbed out of the pool. Neville, afraid that Luna would be doing the opposite of Hermione's suggestion and try to push him in, kept facing her as she walked around him. He was completely taken aback when she smushed her chest against his cheek. Unfortunately, being nearly two years younger than Hermione made her far less developed. Luna looked down at Neville, who was now speechless as well as frozen stiff. She frowned. "I don't think it's working, Hermione. I can't quite do it the way you're doing it with Harry."
Hermione nearly dropped Harry into the water as she said, "That's not what I meant, Luna..."
After an hour, Harry had already become comfortable floating on his back and on his front. Hermione was quite impressed, thinking they may have done swimming lessons before, as well. Neville was finally in the water, holding on to the edge of the pool, while still pretty reluctant to dip his head in the water. The boys climbed out, drying themselves off with the towels the room provided, while the girls finally got to do some real swimming of their own.
"Do you mind if I ask what makes you so afraid of the water, Neville? I mean, we've duelled with Moody inside the Forbidden Forest, for Merlin's sake. I didn't think you'd have many fears left, to be honest."
Neville was unsure whether he should answer or not, but after taking a few deep breaths, he spoke up softly, the way he used to in the last few years before becoming friends with Harry. "I... had a bad experience with water when I was little. You know how everyone called me a squib, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "You're no squib, Neville. Maybe not as magically powerful as me, but you're a fine wizard yourself."
Neville shook his head. "There was a time when my family wouldn't even believe that. They really thought I was a squib. I don't know if my great-uncle thought it was better that I die instead of having a squib becoming the heir to the House of Longbottom, but he certainly was determined to make me prove that I was magical or die trying."
Harry's eyes widened. The Dursleys were neglectful, rude, and outright abusive at times, but would they have killed him for being a "freak?" Probably not, thought Harry. But then again, probably only because they thought Dumbledore would investigate... not to mention they'd have to explain why I stopped showing up for school. "Did... he try to drown you or something?"
Neville nodded. "One of the times he threw me off a pier into a lake. I could see him stopping my grandmother from trying to save me until I blacked out underwater."
"I'm sorry, Neville. I had no idea where you're coming from. You don't have to do this with us if you really don't want to."
"No, I think I do. I have to. I don't know what made me ask if I could practice occlumency with you, but I'm glad I did. When I came along with you to Moody's practice sessions, he practically told me that I really had some magical talents. I really need to face my fears and get over my weaknesses, Harry. Can I ask you why it's so easy for you? Have you learned how to swim before?"
"No, my experience with water is nearly as bad as with yours. My cousin and his gang used to dunk my head into the toilets for fun. It's only easier because this time, it's with Hermione, and I trust her with my life."
"Thanks. I just wish I could trust Luna that way..." Neville said wistfully.
"Well, you can always trust her to be different, at least..." Harry said before he caught Neville's expression. "Wait... that's not the only reason you're nervous about swimming is it? You're nervous about swimming with Luna." He grinned.
"I'm not sure if I really do like her that way... but it's the way she completely ignores what people expect of her and just does what she feels she should. Sometimes I wish I could be more like her. Well, not the really weird things she does, but you know what I mean. I do want to get to know her better..."
"Then why don't you start by asking her to the ball?"
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