A/N: Written for the Demigod Battles, Round 2. Target team task: Write a drabble that centers on friendship. Alternatively, write about someone failing an exam. Optional prompts used: St Mungos.
An Awkward Meeting at St Mungos
It was an awkward moment for all of them.
Neville had evidentially not counted on them being there. Perhaps he hadn't even known. Ron and Hermione and Ginny hadn't known about Neville's parents either. Harry had, but it hadn't occurred to to him to see his classmate there.
Why it didn't occur to him, he couldn't think. Being at school, Neville didn't get many opportunities to visit his parents. Holidays, however they came, were pretty much it.
And the sight behind him, of his mother's listless expression as she ambled up to him, was so heart wrenching that none of them were sure what to say that wouldn't be a distinct lack of tact.
But that was impossible, and a miserable Neville trailed behind his grandmother as he left them behind. Though he was a tiny bit relieved as well. Because now they knew. His friends knew.
And, they – Harry and Hermione and the Weasley children – hoped they'd conveyed their feelings…along with their awkwardness and their curiosity. That they understood why Neville didn't feel comfortable in talking about it. The same reasons why Harry didn't feel comfortable when people stared at his scar and made little his parents' sacrifices.
And Neville smiled weakly and asked they wouldn't mention the meeting again the next time they met, and they honoured that as well. They would have honoured that anyway; they knew it, and he knew it too. They understood that about each other…
But it was good for even friends to be able to say such things openly.
