Alecto raised her wand, poised to strike, as the red haired girl stood firm in front of the cowering little boy. The little first year was sick with fear.

"I don't care what you do to me" she said in a whisper. "Step back."

There was a flash of purple light and the girl crumpled. A black haired boy, tall and broad, stepped in front of her form as the smaller boy ran off, his pale face shining.

"Leave her alone."

The taller of the two cackled and made to strike again. But the boy held firm, and with a flourish of his wand he blocked the spell, and sent the darker flying backwards. She hit the wall with a resounding thud and bled into the surrounding plaster.

The boys eyes were stony .He turned and gathered the girl into his arms.

Neville Longbottom turned away from the shattered wall, arms around Ginny Weasley. Her breathing was ragged. She tried to speak.

"Shhhh. Ginny, we can't talk around here."

He looked back at the Death Eater.

"Hogwarts is changed." He said very low, a dark look in his eyes.

Neville adjusted his bowtie in the mirror. It was practically a choker, but he wasn't the type to complain. He simply wrestled with it a few more minutes before Ron Weasley came in.

"Blimey, Neville." Came the rough voice. He looked entertained. Neville scowled.

"That thing's about to strangle you." Ron stepped forward, wand out. With a flourish, Neville felt the tie loosen and slip into place.

"You are a wizard, aren't you?" Ron questioned, stowing his wand away in his dress robes.

"I doubt that more and more every day." Neville laughed. "But how are you? Nervous?"

"A bloody well bit." Chuckled Ron.

"Were you this bad when you and Luna got together?"

"Dunno. I mean yeah, a bit. But I kind of knew she was it, right? I mean, I knew I was definitely doing the right thing."

"Well marrying Hermione is…definitely the right thing." Said Ron, and even Neville saw his eyes glaze over.

"I always wondered…" Started Neville, and Ron snapped back into reality.

"Why me?"

"Why you?"

"Yeah. Why'd you pick me as a groomsman? I mean…. you had all your brothers and Harry to choose from, so why me?

"You're my friend Neville!"

"Yeah but that's just it. I am now, but I wasn't so much in school, was I? We never hung out all that much, did we? I dunno, I was just wondering."

"Harry…Ron… I need…" Ginny stirred as Neville placed her on the cold floor of the room of requirement. Cho handed Neville a bottle of Dittany.

"Thanks." He nodded in her direction. Then he turned back to the redhead.

"Shh. Ginny. No they aren't here." He bent down and hugged her.

"I'm sorry they're not here."

"I'm grateful to you, Neville. I'm in your debt." Ron said suddenly.

"What?"

"I owe you. Ginny…she talks about all you've done for her, all you did for her when Hogwarts was crumbling. I owe you the highest thanks."

"Of course I did it. Anyone would have done it." Neville said quietly.

"But you did. You did, and she wouldn't be here today if you hadn't. Oh bollocks, don't tell her I said that."

Neville snorted.

"I never thought Ginny would ever run out of brothers. But when she did you were there for her. I'm really grateful, mate."

"It was nothing. I love Ginny like a sister."

"I know."

The two men stood up, and Ron stretched out his hand. Neville took it and they shook.

"My debt's never gonna be repaid, Neville."

"No, Ron," Neville began, but Ron held up a hand.

"But enjoy the day, yeah? Stop worrying so much." And Neville could tell he was talking about beyond the ceremony. He nodded. Ron nodded.

Ron clapped him on the back and the two wizards, now grown, walked out of the kitchen door and into the light.