Title: Three Cheers
Summary: "Three cheers for Neville Longbottom, the true Head Boy of Hogwarts!" Sweet innocence amongst the turmoil of Hogwarts year seven.
Rated: k
Disclaimer: own it I do not
Author's Note: I guess this is considered fluff. Not my best work but I was sifting through my stories looking for something to post and came across this molding in a file. I hope someone enjoys it.
"Everyone knows if Harry were here he'd be the real Head Boy," said Neville.
"Maybe – they didn't make him Prefect," said Ginny with a shrug.
"Yeah, but that was just a fluke," said Neville, "Who else could possibly be chosen?"
"You," said Luna.
Neville looked at her in surprise. Luna did say the most amusing thing sometimes. He expected the others to burst into laughter, as he had done. "Me?" he said when no one did.
"Of course, Neville," said Luna.
"Do you think she meant it?" said Neville to Ginny as they walked together to Gryffindor table. It was the morning after the D.A. meeting of the last night. "About me being Head Boy?"
"Of course she did. Luna doesn't tell lies," said Ginny.
Neville thought to himself for a moment before continuing, "But she's the only one right? None of you others think I'd be good. You all know I'm rubbish at that kind of thing."
Ginny smiled but didn't look at him. "Not necessarily, Neville." By then they had reached the Gryffindor table and sat down.
"What do you mean?" said Neville quickly, "Not necessarily?"
"Not necessarily you're rubbish at that sort of thing. After all, you're leading us alright," answered Ginny, spooning eggs and bacon onto her plate.
"Well, leading isn't exactly the right word for it," said Neville, "Besides, I've got loads of help – and Harry paved the way."
Ginny looked at him. "You need more self-confidence, Neville." She munched a forkful of egg. "Why don't you just own up to your accomplishments? Take credit for what you've done. You of all people deserve the right to brag."
Neville blushed but resisted the urge to look away. He stuffed a spoonful of porridge into his mouth to prevent himself from replying.
"After all," continued Ginny, "If it wasn't for you half of this stuff wouldn't be able to pull off. You know I'm rubbish at planning – if you had me in head I'd probably get us all thrown into Azkaban. And for all her loveliness I wouldn't let Luna within six feet of a plan, she'd end up giving all the important parts to the Snornacks."
Neville snorted. Ginny smiled and began eating again.
He pushed his way back into the conversation, "But there are other people besides me who could do it. Seamus and Parvarti are smart. They could manage without me. So could Terry and Michael."
"Michael isn't that smart," said Ginny. "Besides, you're missing the point. People trust you, Neville. You're easy to get along with. People look up to you."
Ginny was off her rocker, but he felt his insides flare with a sudden warmth and said to distract himself, "No they don't."
"Yes they do," said Ginny, "You're just as good, maybe better than Harry. You're here, right now, being strong and pushing us on. You – you're like a rock. You're – unshakable. People rally to you. They look to you for strength rather than hope."
"Ginny, stop being – you don't have to –"
"The only thing I'm being is serious," said Ginny, "And I don't have to do anything."
Neville dropped his head and poked his porridge with his spoon.
"I think you'd be a smashing Head Boy, Neville," said Ginny. From her voice he could tell she was grinning.
Neville stared at his porridge. He felt his face glow warm. "You're just saying that."
"No I'm not! I'm really not!" said Ginny. She seemed to have forgotten about breakfast entirely and was boring into his head with her eyes. He could feel her like the heat of a fire. "And everyone else thinks it too! You're much better than Harry because you're here."
"Everyone else doesn't think it –" Neville looked up, forced himself to look her in the eye and found himself bombarded with rank insistency.
"They do – they do!" said Ginny, "And I'll prove it! I'll prove they want you." She grabbed hold of her goblet of pumpkin juice, and before Neville could stop her, hoisted herself up to stand on the bench.
"Three Cheers for Neville Longbottom! The true Head Boy of Hogwarts!" she cried in a voice that reached every corner of the Great Hall.
Neville felt his heart stop. He looked quickly to the staff table but the Carrow siblings were, as yet, only staring at Ginny in ugly shock. The hall went utterly silent. "Ginny…." he muttered, but couldn't even hear his own voice.
Then there was an uproar. All around him people were getting to their feet. Pumpkin juice was flying through the air as goblets were raised.
"Three Cheers for Neville Longbottom!" bellowed Seamus.
"Hip, Hip, Hooray!" breathed Luna from the Ravenclaw table.
"Three Cheers for Neville!" shouted Lavender and Parvarti in unison.
"To Longbottom!" cried Terry, Michael, and Anthony from Ravenclaw.
"Good ol' Neville!" shouted Ernie from Hufflepuff.
"Three Cheers!" cried Hannah.
And then a great many voices Neville didn't recognize joined in. People he didn't even know were standing and taking up the cheer. All around him Hogwarts was calling in one voice for Neville Longbottom, Head Boy.
"To the true Head Boy!" "Long Live Neville!" "Take that, Malfoy!" "To Neville Longbottom!" "Three Cheers!"
Neville buried his head in his arms because there really wasn't anything else to do. Beside him Ginny dismounted the bench and hissed into his ear, "See? I told you."