Harry was not the only person to doubt the sorting hat. Neville sat stiffly on a chair in the Headmaster's office; in all his time at Hogwarts he had never been as nervous as this. When someone had told him that Professor Sprout was retiring he couldn't imagine any one else having the position, until his best friend Luna told him he would be perfect for the job. At first he objected but then after thinking about it he grew to like the idea of teaching something he loved. But now sitting in the office waiting to be interviewed he couldn't even think of one reason he wanted this job. Suddenly, something black on a shelf in the office caught his eye, an old and battered hat. He slowly walked over to it and placed it on his head, "Seems a little early for this, I must be getting old. Ahhh but you are no first year, yes I remember you very well indeed. How can I be of assistance?". Neville didn't say anything, but thought of something that he was too afraid to ask. "So you are doubting my sorting abilities?". The hat replied to the words Neville had not said. He finally spoke out loud, "I just don't understand why you placed me in Gryffindor, I have never felt brave.". The hat answered in it's cool voice, " Were you not the one who slain the Dark Lord's serpent with the sword I provided?" No reply was needed, for they both knew the answer before the question was asked. "Bravery, my boy, does not reside in the head, but in the heart. I never doubted you.". Neville took off the hat and sat back down. He never liked acknowledging the things he had done those many years ago; he always felt he wasn't himself that day. But suddenly he felt more confident and connected to that boy to whom the sword of Gryffindor appeared. At that moment, the headmaster appeared and told Neville no interview was necessary; he would start the first of September
