Magical Objects Challenge
The Invisibilty Cloak: Invisibility. Who's considered invisible in the books? Neville! Write a Neville-centric one shot.
"Trevor!" The young, chubby boy exclaimed in joy, clutching his troublesome toad tightly as soon as it was handed to him by the half giant, Hagrid. He heard scattered chuckles from his new year-mates behind him and he blushed before retreating directly into a new acquaintance, Hermione. "Sorry! Sorry!"
"It's alright, I guess," she sighed as everyone started moving inside the castle, "come on, let's get going."
He trailed behind her, at the back of the group, shuffling along looking at his feet. He, once again, bumped into someone – it not being Hermione this time. He repeated apologies, glad it seemed to be one of the nicer looking people he'd hit.
He was too busy listening to Hermione recite a myriad of spells that he didn't pay attention to Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy's dispute, but he did notice the ghosts that appeared all of a sudden, startling various first years – namely muggleborns and those muggle raised.
They seemed to discuss a certain Peeves and his troublemaking ways, before taking note of the cluster of children standing together. With a jolly wave and nice words about the Hufflepuff house, the roundest of the ghosts disappeared through the wall, following his companions.
A loud croak alerted him that his toad had escaped once again, but he couldn't see it. However, the stern looking, grey haired teacher in front seemed to have found him, as she held him up and called for its owner.
Clumsily, he stumbled over to her to reclaim his toad for the third time in half an hour, his face bright red as the blonde Malfoy seemed to take pleasure in his embarrassment.
"Keep him in your hands, and don't forget it." Hermione advised him as they were led into the Great Hall, where she immediately started spouting facts about it, quoting her source as the book, Hogwarts: A History.
The song came and went, but he didn't listen to it properly, still too worried about the sorting process. What would they have to do with that dusty, ancient hat?
His worries were slightly calmed as he heard and saw people being called up in alphabetical order. They put the hat on, and, seconds or minutes later, it called out one of the four houses. It seemed fairly simple, and he was glad no spell work was to be involved.
"Neville Longbottom!"
This was it. It was his turn to be sorted into his house, where he'd live for the following seven years. Where he'd make friends. He only hoped he wouldn't seem too incompetent.
'Hmm, this one seems straightforward. Not enough cunning or ambition for Slytherin and your thirst for knowledge is only for Herbology. Very simple, not that it's bad at all, no! You would do very well in Hufflepuff; undoubtedly you are a hard worker, and you are loyal. However, I sense you have hidden courage in there, and Gryffindor would suit you best.'
Neville remained silent, not wanting to say the wrong thing and make the Sorting Hat re-think his decision. If it said he'd do well in Gryffindor, he'll damn well do great in Gryffindor.
'No argument? Hmm, better be GRYFFINDOR.'
With visible relief, he relaxed and shakily stood, walking over to the red-and-gold bannered table. A voice in his head surprised him, and he realised he still wore the hat upon his head. With yet another blush, not the first, and not the last, he returned it to the deputy headmistress and stumbled to the Gryffindor table, where Hermione sat with a spot for him next to her.
"Welcome to Gryffindor, Neville." They told him with big smiles.
He was going to do well.
NEVILLELONGBOTTOM
It was time for the final battle, he realised, as he walked the passageway to Hogs Head. Three special people were waiting for him with Aberforth, and that night was the night Voldemort would fall. He was sure of it.
Everyone he knew was ready; after a year from hell, they were fully prepared – or close enough – to fight in this battle. The younger years, the third and lower were forbidden to fight; but those in the fourth and fifth years were allowed. But, more than allowed, it was the fact that they possessed enough skill to survive, at least, and injure a bit, but the fourth years would barely survive.
Had this once magnificent school not been infiltrated by the Death Eaters, few under seventh year would have learned many survival skills during the school year. He supposed that was the one and only thing he could, in a strange way, thank the Carrows and Snape for – they taught them how to survive and fight back.
But many also lost their childhood innocence, even Luna Lovegood, who, being a sixth year, was probably the picture of innocence. After her abduction during Christmas, it was slightly harder to act as unofficial leader to the DA. He managed it though, and, recalling his sorting seven years previously, he made a note to thank the Sorting Hat once this all ended once and for all. It'd made the right choice.
Neville-centric!
I decided to add DH-Neville in this as well. Hooray!
Entry #2, as you could see, of this particular challenge. (:
Words: 850
Posted: 7 January 2013