More Than Their House

by Lizzy Raven

Sorting is done in a few minutes of a child's life, and can affect so much. The hat tries to combine a child's nature with their whims, to place them somewhere for seven years. But people can have more than one good quality. There are some who were placed in the right house, and emulate it. But there are some who have become more than their house. AN: On the last page is an index.

1. Chapter 1

Author's Note: I'm uploading this from my iPod, and I'm not sure if the formatting is working right, so sorry if it's all messed up.

Neville the Loyal

When he came to Hogwarts, Neville Longbottom was a nervous, round boy of eleven years of age.

He did not give much thought to Loyalty, but thought the world of Bravery.

Loyalty was a vague concept, a word with only a small meaning in the boy's mind, one of family and smiles.

Loyalty meant Hufflepuff, and to the young impressionable child, Hufflepuff was only second best, because nothing could ever compare to what his grandmother wanted him to be.

It would be years before Neville changed that perspective.

But Bravery was different.

Ever since he was a baby, Neville had heard stories of his parents, how they had fought it the war.

And his grandmother often brought him to Saint Mungo's, to visit the two Aurors.

The stories went on and on, again and again, and oh didn't he want to hear more stories, and wasn't he so proud of how brave his parents were.

Bravery meant fighting for what was right, even if it was dangerous.

Bravery meant fearlessness, strength and courage.

And as little Neville Longbottom clenched a bubblegum wrapper in his pudgy hand, he swore that he'd be as brave as his parents had been- so that people would be proud of him.

So when he got to Hogwarts, Neville begged the hat to put him in Gryffindor, house of the brave, desperate to become more like his parents.

And oh did he try, but the world was cruel to the young boy.

Neville's only hope was in the faint friendship of a boy named Harry Potter, whose words of encouragement meant more to Neville than the other boy could ever know.

Slowly they fostered a growing friendship.

They weren't the closest of friends, but Neville's awe of the boy-who-lived quickly changed into a strong respect for his housemate.

One day he found a way to repay Harry Potter for his words of kindness and offer of friendship.

Neville followed him into a dangerous quest, promising to help the boy who had given him so much.

And he kept that promise, even as they were surrounded by danger, with no visable escape route.

And not twenty feet away was the person who had tortured his parents and laughed, the one who had caused them so much pain that it broke their minds completely...

And in that moment, some wonderings became clear as if a fog lifted and the stars aligned.

Yes, Bravery was just fine and well, but it quickly took a back seat to the new beliefs rushing through the boy's mind.

Bravery meant strength in battle, and not fearing danger.

But Loyalty meant friends and love, and never giving up on someone.

So Neville took a deep breath, stepped forward, and raised his wand.

Because to Neville, Loyalty meant protecting Harry Potter- right up until it lead him to the bed next to his parents.