A/N: Helloo! This is something I decided to write after a conversation with a friend on Tumblr. It's an AU where Hannah's mother didn't die during HBP so Hannah didn't leave Hogwarts, and she's in the Slug club because her Mum invented a famous potion and she has good potions marks. It's all told from her point of view. So, enjoy!

Disclaimer: All rights belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I own nothing. Sigh.

Chapter One: The Invite

Dear Miss Abbott,

Just a quick note to invite you to my little Christmas party. It'll be a small gathering, with just a few rising stars. You might even recognise one or two! It will be in my office at 8 o'clock sharp on the 20th December. You may bring a date if you wish.

Regards

Professor Slughorn

A Christmas party.

In spite of everything that was going on, Professor Slughorn had decided to have a christmas party.

Maybe it's a good thing though. I though to myself. It'll distract from all of the terror that's surrounding us.

I was planning to go, of course. I was too polite to say no. And who knows? It might be fun.

I sighed as I put the invitation aside and went back to eating breakfast. It was Tuesday 10th October, and I was in the Great Hall eating breakfast with my friend: Susan Bones.

"What was with the sigh?" Susan asked.

"Invitation to Slughorns Christmas party." I stated plainly, around a spoonful of cornflakes.

"Ahh, I heard something about that. Apparently there's a vampire going!" Susan exclaimed excitedly.

I turned to look at her and give her a really? look. I then looked away.

"It says I can bring a date." I said shyly.

When I turned back to Susan after a beat, she had a knowing look on her face.

"You have to ask him."

"No."

She was referring, of course, to the dashing Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor. Friend of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. I'd taken a fancie to him since fourth year. An ever-growing one, I might add. But there's no way I'd act on it, too afraid of rejection.

"Hannah, come on!" Susan yelled, pulling me from my thoughts.

"No!" I cried, I was getting impatient now.

"Show some guts for once!"

I couldn't believe her. After everything we'd done, DA last year and all. She was accusing me of being a wimp? I'd always struggled with low self esteem - hence my breakdown before OWLS last year.

I didn't even bother responding to her. I just took off down the hall and fled into a random classroom. Taking no notice to shut the door. I sat against one of the walls, and started crying. Stupid, I know. But with everything that's going on - war, NEWTS and everything else - who can blame me?

After sitting there for about ten minutes, I heard the door creak slightly and footsteps approach. I looked up broodingly to see who it was.

My features softened slightly when I saw it was Neville.

"S-sorry, I-I saw the door open, heard you crying and w-wanted to see if you were alright." He said, not looking at me.

"Oh, well e-erm thanks, b-but i'm f-fine" I lied through tears.

Neville seemed to hesitate, then did something I would never have expected him to do. He came and sat down beside me and enveloped me in an (albeit awkward) hug.

"D-do you want to talk about it?" He asked nervously after we'd separated and my sobs had subsided.

"It's nothing, really," I insisted "Just me overreacting about being called weak."

I laid my head in my arms. Neville looked at me with deep concern in his eyes.

"You're much braver than you think, Hannah." He said with a deadly serious tone in his voice.

I looked up at him. "Thank you" I said in a small voice.

I then remembered Susan's words from earlier. But maybe Neville was going anyway, seeing as he'd been invited to various meetings with Slughorn in the past. Worth a shot, right?

"Say, Neville.."

"Yes?"

"D-Did you get invited to Slughorn's Christmas party?" I asked, stuttering.

He looked down. "N-No I didn't. I didn't make the cut for the slug club." He said sadly.

Well, here goes nothing! I though as Susan's words from earlier entered my head again.

Show some guts for once!

"W-would you like to g-go with me?" I asked, relieved I had actually gotten the words out.

I felt my face flush with colour and looked away quickly. Acting as though a grindylow statue was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

"O-oh" Neville said "Y-you see the thing is, I-I already promised Slughorn th-that I'd serve drinks for the g-guests you see. But I would have loved to have gone with you" He rapidly expained.

I didn't hear the last part. My heart had sunk. "Oh. Okay then, I'll see you there." I said with a sad smile, I didn't want him to think I was angry with him.

We both got up at the same time and made our way towards the door.

"I'll see you later Neville." I said waving as I took off for Charms class. I was still going to enjoy this party. I mean, I'd still get to see Neville there, right?

Now, to sort things out with Susan...