The situation wasn't looking good.
As much as he tried, he simply couldn't be Harry. He couldn't inspire the same amount of hope everyone as Harry did. He was barely hanging on by what was left of his bitten fingernails, and he knew it by the weary faces he saw as he fell asleep every night.
Even if they snuck out every day, even if they weren't getting caught thanks to the Room of Requirements constant adjustments, it didn't mean that their situation was getting any better. The light that was at the end of the tunnel wasn't getting any closer, and he was sure everyone else could feel it too.
No one complained, though, because it wasn't getting any further away either. The Room was just a cage, after all, a cage that protected them from the outside world for a little while, but soon that cage would be broken. He simply didn't know whether it would be them breaking out, or the Death Eaters breaking in.
He surveyed everyone within the cramped space that was the Room of Requirement for what seemed like the hundredth time since their endeavor had begun. It had only been a few of them in the beginning, but slowly their numbers increased with every punishment that the Death Eaters, who took themselves for teachers, took too far.
He didn't mind the lack of space. It only meant that there were just that many more students he had managed to save from the 'teachers', no, the real problem was the helplessness and weariness that showed on all of their faces, echoing through their smiles as their hope struggled to fight the urge to simply give up.
He hated it.
None of them had even graduated Hogwarts, yet they were forced to suffer in a way that was aging day by day. There was no longer anyone whose eyes showed the innocence and youth that should have been there had Voldemort not taken over.
They all looked up to him, and he couldn't understand why. He had only done what was necessary for them to survive. He was sure any of them would have eventually done exactly the same thing; he had only been quicker than them.
He had been more prepared.
Dumbledore's Army had been more prepared. For almost everyone else, all they had known was Dumbledore's death and rumours before they left Hogwarts the year prior. The only news they had received afterwards was of Voldemort overthrowing the Ministry, then being herded back to Hogwarts under a new leadership.
Stepping into Hogwarts this year was the first time many of them were starting to realise the feeling of surviving, and doubting whether or not tomorrow would come.
He hated that they had to learn this feeling so soon.
He hated that these pain-hardened people before him would not even be considered adults by any Ministry, but had been forced to become as they were.
"Neville, we've got to go. There's only a small window of opportunity."
He nodded. "I know."
Ginny gave him a small smile, eyes looking tired.
For now, he would manage.
He would shoulder the responsibility given to him.
He wasn't as good as Harry, but he wasn't Harry either. He was Neville, and for now that was enough to fight Voldemort however they were able.
Written for Ancient Runes Assignment 1: Write something in the perspective of a character who is seen as a leader of something