AN – This plot bunny jumped right in while I was working on the latest chapter of Harry Potter and the Muggle world. I hope you like it!
Neville ached in every fiber of his being. But he could not sleep, not yet, he had the sword to return.
He had seen to his Gran, she was resting comfortably in a bed he had conjured in a classroom. While he was at it he had conjured a few more for that room and a couple of others, then walked to the great hall and announced their availability.
Next he had checked on the house elves, apparently not the first to do so. He found Hannah Abbott tending to one of the wounded elves and some Hufflepuff students he recognized cooking alongside the elves.
Then he had checked on Luna, she had told him she was going to personally see each of the DA were safe. She had, her sad eyes told more than her words, many were hurt and then there were the dead.
A sudden commotion at the entrance had both of them, and most of those in the great hall running there with wands drawn.
It was reporters, led by Rita Skeeter. She, and they were insisting that they be admitted to interview "the survivors" and Harry Potter.
Not sure what came over him, he pushed the harried ministry official aside and strode to face the disgusting blonde, bringing his wand up he shouted; "aperio anamagus!"
Skeeter disappeared behind a puff of sickly orange smoke and a beetle appeared; "Stupefy!"
Luna, gracefully captured the falling bug in a jar she had conjured, turning to Kingsley she said in her dreamy voice; "Here you are Minister….I suppose you should poke a few air holes in there…….."
Neville leveled his eyes at the stunned and silent gaggle of reporters: "You will leave here now! Where were you when you could have helped? You God-forsaken flock of vultures go feed upon some rotten piece of flesh elsewhere! No one here needs your meddling!"
Kingsley stepped forward, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder; "As Mr. Longbottom has so well stated, you are not wanted or needed here. Official press releases are being prepared at the Ministry at this moment. We have wounded and dead here and we will tend to the wounded and grieve our dead in peace!
Neville had gone with a group of Professors and DA members then to reapply the wards around the castle.
It was now going on 20 hours since the battle and he was standing in the head's office placing the sword back in to its cradle. He supposed he should not have been surprised to find the sorting hat back beside it.
As he was about to leave the hat spoke; "A true Gryffindor you are Mr. Longbottom. I remember well the day of your sorting and the doubts you had about my choice. But I saw your true self; you have made us all proud!" Suddenly the room filled with the sound of the portraits clapping.
Now he was back in his old room, he saw that Harry and Ginny were still asleep in Harry's old bed and Ron and Hermione were in Ron's. Smiling he eased his sore body in to his bed and pulled the curtains.