"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?" - Marcel Marceau.

It was amazing, when you thought about it, that words - just simple words - could have such huge effects on people. They were just a handful of syllables, really. A few carefully chosen vowels and consonants, strung together to make sentences. But, somehow, they managed to convey a thousand different thoughts and emotions.

Words like "the Weasley twins have been sneaking around the Charms corridor" would send the entire student population of Hogwarts running for cover, fleeing from exploding toilet seats and puking pastilles.

Words like "I'm sorry" could earn forgiveness or condemnation. It all depended on the circumstances, and the intonation. Remarkable.

Words like "wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" always made Luna smile. Rowena Ravenclaw was such a remarkable woman.

Words like "Lord Voldemort has returned" were always heard, no matter what volume they were uttered at. They sent fear running through the hearts of even the bravest witches and wizards.

Words like "I love you..."

Well, that all depended on who was saying it.

***

"I love you."

It took Neville a long time to get the words out. He stopped and started several times. He spluttered and stammered and shook. But he got them out eventually, and that was the main thing.

Luna slipped her hand into his. She didn't reply. She couldn't.

That was answer enough.

***

"I love you."

"That's nice."

Rolf looked at her worriedly. Just nice? Not 'wonderful'? Not 'I love you too'.

No. Definitely not.