Disclaimer:I don't own Harry Potter.
Word Count:385
Notes:
The 5 Drabbles Competition: Prompt Used—laughter
Even after everything that had happened, after everything they'd suffered and endured and withstood, the sight of the enormous castle with its stony turrets and tiny pinpricks of warm light marking the windows still had the power to take his breath away. Neville stared up at it, hesitating in front of the entrance. After the battle, it had seemed like he'd never want to return here again, and he'd had half a mind to follow in the footsteps of some of his fellow seventh years and declare himself a graduate; but now, standing in front of the giant stone building, Neville was glad he'd returned.
But he'd lingered too long in the doorway, and a brush against his shoulder reminded him to keep moving. Crossing the threshold, he turned to apologize for the collision, finding himself face-to-face with a familiar blonde girl. "Hannah!" He gave her a small smile, relieved to see a familiar face.
"Neville, hi," she said breathlessly, a harried expression on her face as she continued to walk toward the Great Hall. Neville lengthened his strides to keep up. "I didn't know you'd be coming back this year, too."
Neville shrugged. "I hadn't been planning on it, but I didn't learn much seventh year. Wanted to give it another go." In truth, he'd felt rather lost without school, drifting around from place to place, trying to find his role. His friends all had important jobs, hunting down the remaining Death Eaters or reforming laws or helping pick up the pieces of the wizarding world, but he'd felt rather useless, unqualified for any of those tasks. So he'd come back; and despite the welcome familiarity of Hogwarts, he couldn't help but feel that something vital had been taken from the school during that final battle.
Hannah turned and smiled as they continued their trek to the Great Hall. "Me, too," she said softly. Taken by surprise at her smile, Neville lost his footing and stumbled. Embarrassed, he flushed, intending to disappear into the crowd; but the light, tinkling noise he got in response changed his mind. Glancing at Hannah, he realized she was laughing—and not cruelly, but in a happy, carefree way that he hadn't heard in far too long. The sense of embarrassment dissipating, Neville grinned, suddenly glad he'd come back.