Written for The Hunger Games: Fanfic Style III round 2 - prompts: Impossible, "I can't." / "Yes, you can." / "Oh, look, your words of affirmation have magically made it possible.", Neville Longbottom, Room of Requirement, Whip

I know this doesn't really fit canon, but I got it in my head and had to write it.

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"Harry, It's impossible," Neville told his friend, his gaze on the ground and arms crossed before his chest in defence.

He doesn't get it, Neville thought. Because Harry really didn't understand that Neville would simply never be able to perform a Patronus Charm. It was crazy, what Harry was asking from him and the rest of Dumbledore's Army. And the worse thing was that everyone else seemed able to cast the spell. Just not him.

"Come on Neville, you're really underestimating yourself. Try again."

He let his head hang. "I can't." The first time he'd heard someone say he was horrible at magic it had hurt as if he'd been hit with a whip. Now he knew that person had been right.

"Yes, you can."

"Oh, look, your words of affirmation have magically made it possible." Neville clasped his hands over his mouth as soon as the words left him. Had he really just said that?

He wasn't the only one taken aback by his sudden outburst. The whole room had fallen quiet and Neville could feel the bright-red blush creep onto his cheeks.

"I'm not good enough Harry," he whispered as silent as he could, knowing the others were listening in. Maybe he was here, in the Room of Requirement, as part of Dumbledore's Army but Neville and everyone else knew he wasn't any good at it.

Harry sighed and shook his head and Neville wondered if it was because he was disappointed in him. Harry wouldn't be the first one.

"Just— find your happy memory. You can do it. You're not as bad as you believe you are."

"And if you are, believing in yourself will make you twice as good," Ron chimed in.

Harry send his friend a critical glare. "Thanks, Ron." His eyes softened on Neville. "Please, try again."

He sighed in defeat. It was the least he could do: try. Even if it was only to please Harry. "Alright." He held his wand tightly in his hand and let his mind wander to happy memories. From the first time he'd successfully cast the Disarming Charm to drinking hot tea with his grandmother. None of them seemed happy enough for the spell, so he thought further. Until his mind settled on his parents. His mother giving him a candy wrapper and his dad looking at him. It always made him smile, even though it was sad.

There was a dream world he'd created in his mind. One Neville had first made when he was sad and needed something happy and hopeful. A world where his parents had healed. Where he lived with them. Where their family was whole—not broken.

Neville thought of that world he so often escaped to and called: "Expecto patronum." Not with a shout or with a whisper but meaning it with his heart and soul.

A bright, white light wriggled free from the tip of his wand. A red panda. It ran around the room twice before Neville let go of his wand and the animal disappeared.

But even with it gone, Neville had his mouth hanging open and couldn't catch his breath. Only when the first person said congratulations and the rest followed and overwhelmed him with pats on the back and smiles did Neville truly realize he had done it. He'd cast a corporeal Patronus. One of the hardest spells known to the wizarding world.

"Well done," Harry said.

Neville nodded in response. Harry was right, he could do it. Maybe there was still hope for him after all.

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If anyone wants to know where I got the red panda from, it's from here: www .floor8 posts/7870-harry-potter-star-reveals-what-neville-longbottom-s-patronus-would-be