Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, settings, and other elements belong to JK Rowling. Only the plot and original characters are mine.
When people thought of Neville Longbottom before the war, it was usually equated to a joke or confusion. Unnoticed by many and valued by few, Neville was content to remain in the shadows of the ever valiant golden trio, preferring to stick to the wallflower pretence he displayed.
But that's exactly what it was: a pretence. For to the very few who truly knew the young man, he was an irreplaceable treasure.
This select group of people included Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Ginny Weasley, The Twins, and the only member outside of the lion's den: Luna Lovegood. Had any of them been asked, the true qualities of Neville Longbottom outweighed his faked clumsy persona. Though he considered them friends, the Trio was never around enough to get to know the REAL Neville, not completely.
Yet, in his seventh year, something changed. His wall had been removed and he no longer had anything to hide behind. People began to notice. After all, no one had ever taken the time to actually look. He was a far cry from the round faced, slightly chubby and awkward boy he had entered as in first year.
Now standing at 6 foot 5 inches, he now matched if not surpassed the height of Ron, becoming one of the tallest in his house and year. He had thinned out considerably, broad shoulders and slim waist giving him a muscled look.
Had it been a normal year, his popularity may have rivalled Draco Malfoy or Harry Potter. At the time however, he was viewed as a fool for his bravery against the Carrows and Snape.
The recreation of Dumbledore's Army with Neville as the head began an involuntary influx of admiration for the young man. This was a time of war however, not a time for love, and no feelings were acted on besides brief fumbling in the dark too drown out the overwhelming fear.
With the disappearances of Ginny, Luna, and Dean followed by the utter torture Seamus had undergone, Neville remained the beacon of hope within Hogwarts, while Harry became the distant saviour outside the castle walls.
With the peak of the war and the official beginning of the Battle of Hogwarts, the fight seemed to awaken the fact that Neville Longbottom was not to be ignored or underestimated. He joined a long list of heroes that would grace the history books for some time. He found it odd to think about.
Unlike some of the others however, Neville was not able to dodge the press with the help of Minister Shacklebolt (Harry and Ron were damn lucky). The vultures were constantly skulking outside his Gran's house and following him around. You would think others would get just as much attention, and some certainly did, much to their chagrin. Without imminent doom hanging over everyone's head, the world had been filled with memorials, funerals, and an endless desire to learn more about those who had fought for them.
Seamus and Ron had skyrocketed to celebrity status with Dean not following far behind due to his couple status with one Hermione Granger (who had managed to tack 'sexiest' onto her title of smartest witch of her age).
Nearly the entire Weasley family had pull within the Ministry, and Arthur had been named liaison and head of the Muggle Studies and Relations Department, tripling his pay. The Weasley name now had a stunning amount of influence throughout the wizarding world.
Surprisingly enough, a fair few Slytherins had been closely watched by the media as well.
Theodore Nott had been named a genius after discovering a cure for Dragon Pox, and Blaise Zabini had become recently engaged to one Ginerva Weasley. Draco Malfoy had rocketed to stardom after his spying for the Order in Death Eater ranks had been revealed.
Now, there was nothing wrong with this group of people, save Malfoy (though Neville did retain his suspicion of the other snakes), yet Neville did not quite see where he fit in.
All the other lads could be considered 'attractive' (not that Neville had noticed until recently. He never had time for experimenting in school as it was always study, study, study, then the war and...) war heroes, and while he could grudgingly admitted he contributed a fair bit in the war effort (not even his modesty could dispute that), he did not fill all the categories.
Unfortunately his own opinion did not seem to hinder the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and countless other media facets from pounding on his door.
In a desperate attempt to achieve some semblance of privacy, he had moved out of the Longbottom Ancestral Manor, choosing to live on one of the other properties controlled by the Longbottoms in the quiet countryside in Derbyshire.
Thankfully the press had yet to discover his location in the two months he had been in seclusion, but he was aware that it was unlikely to remain so. Neville had already received owls from Ginny, Luna, and surprisingly, Hermione, demanding he come out of 'hiding' ( it was NOT hiding, just a bit of a reprieve). After all, Blaise and Ginny's wedding was in three months and besides an outing for his dress robe fitting, he had yet to make a public appearance.
Finally conceding to visit the Burrow after a letter from Molly Weasley filled with thinly-veiled threats of public embarrassment, he began to prepare himself for the evening. Of course, that was before the ghastly letter from Witch Weekly.
Dear Lord Neville Longbottom,
We are pleased to inform you of your placement as second on the Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelors: War Hero Edition! The issue is planned to be released this Tuesday, and your presence is requested for photos and an interview alongside the other bachelors. Attached is the location, time, and other information you may find necessary! We look forward to your arrival!
Signed,
Lucinda Featherly,
on behalf of the entire Editorial Staff at Witch Weekly Incorporated
