Neville isn't really sure what to think anymore. He's trying to do better in his school work, and even building up the courage to get tutoring from Hermione. The Chosen One shouldn't be failing at magic, after all. However, he can't really change his grades. They're set in stone, he's already taken his OWL's, but that doesn't mean he can't try. He knows he'll be taking Herbology(O), but Charms(E), D.A.D.A(E), Transfiguration(A), and the horrible, horrible Potions... an F... are up for debate next year which he's sure he'll try harder in.
Unfortunately for him, Transfiguration was the only thing his grandmother actually cared about. Which, she shouldn't have cared after she learned he was part of a prophecy, but nope. All Augusta Longbottom could talk about in her reply to her grandson was how much he didn't deserve it. He still loved her, but he often felt she didn't return the feeling.
He's still trying to perfect his defensive spells and his Patronus charm. The charm especially. He doesn't even know what his is yet, it's just an orb of white light at the moment. Most of the time he did try to perform the charm, it was at night, under his covers. The bright light always disturbed the other boys, but he had to get practice in somehow. He even practiced outside on weekends.
"Expecto Patronum!" Neville yells, pointing his wand at a forty-give degree angle, hoping an animal made completely of light and happiness would shoot out. It doesn't. How disappointing. It was yet another ball of light. This time it has stubby legs, at least. So it's a four-legged animal.
Neville gave up. That was his fourth attempt that Saturday. He figured his problem was that he didn't have a happy enough memory. It was hard to find one for him. He wasn't exactly happy at home or even at school. Of course, he has Ginny and Hermione, but they don't make up for the endless torment he's given by Draco Malfoy, the school's most notorious bully. Slytherin, obviously.
And here he came. Draco Malfoy accompanied by his brutes for bodyguards, Crabbe and Goyle. No one actually knew their first names except for the Slytherins because that was all anyone called them. It was their last names, but it somehow had become their first names in the last five years. Neville knew their first names; Vincent and Gregory; they used to be friends. He was actually friends with them all, Vince, Greg, and Draco. They stopped being friends once Draco found out he was a blood-traitor. It was like taking a dagger to the heart on both sides. Neville loved Draco more than anything-they were inseparable in fact- but unfortunately Draco didn't return the feeling. He still loves Draco. Not even in a friendly way either, Neville knew from the age of ten which direction he went in life and he always pictured himself and Draco sitting in rocking chairs in an old nursing home until their final breath was drawn. Draco was his, would continue to be his, and would be his until the end of time. None of the students excepting Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle knew of their previous friendships, and even if they did they had forgotten due to the wave of attacks on Neville from the green and silver trio across the span of half a decade.
Neville snapped out of his childhood memories and focused on what was happening.
"Longbottom! Did you even hear me?" Draco squints his eyes.
"Sorry, I was in a daze. Whatwuzat?" Neville replied.
"I said, 'What's up, blood-traitor'." Draco smirks, putting his hands in his pockets. He wasn't wearing his robes today. None of the three were.
Still caught up in his memories of friendship, Neville decides to respond nicely, "Oh, nothing much. I'm trying to perfect my Patronus charm-"
"Patronus charm? Ha! Neville 'Gardener' Longbottom is going to produce one of the most powerful charms. I'll believe it when I see it." Draco laughs like a hyena, walking back to the boarding school with Vince and Greg.
Neville just smiles as he stands, watching the platinum blonde hair he treasures so much walk away.
Charms, first period was very quiet the following Monday. They really just had free periods now that testing was over for their fifth year. Professor Flitwick just sort of talked with the class about what they wanted to do over the summer and how their year had been. Neville tries to stay out of the conversation, keeping much to himself, not wanting to draw attention. He preferred to be a loner. Harry was the same way. Hermione and Ron were chatting amongst themselves, but Harry appeared depressed, or blue at least. There is reason of course. Sirius' death has really taken a toll on him. Of course, there was no way to cure Harry of his grief, but maybe if Neville could cheer him up, he wouldn't be so torn up.
Then it hits him. It's the perfect reason to use the charm. Then again, it's only a ball of light, it didn't take a form yet. It probably doesn't spread happiness at all either. He remembers what Harry had told them about the first time he attempted to preform the charm and how it was no match for the dementor as a ball of light. Neville had to try though. He wanted to make his friend happy. He was tired of seeing Harry down.
Neville draws out his wand carefully. He doesn't want to arouse suspicion, but then again he's not like Draco, the Ravenclaws sitting in front of him can obviously understand that. He murmurs the words of the spell multiple times in preparation and thinks of a happy memory. Draco had been on his mind lately. Was there any moments where he was happy with him? Yes... There was that time... On the fifth attempt, Neville accidentally said the spell louder, and when he pointed his wand under his desk, a bright flash of light streaked out of the stick. It splits into separate beams of light and they twist and twirl until they form a great specter of shining, white light. Most of the class gasps at the creation. It's perfect, absolutely perfect. Neville inspects the animal, it appears to be a deer. It doesn't have any horns, so it must be a doe. That's funny, Harry's is a stag, Neville remembered.
A stag. And a doe.
Neville tosses away the thoughts momentarily to focus on what's going on in class with the Patronus. The spectral doe clops silently towards the Boy-Who-Lived and touches his nose with its muzzle. Neville got what he wanted. A smile from Harry. The doe disappears soon after.
"M-Mr. Longbottom! Was that a- a Patronus Charm? How did you preform such a feat?" Professor Flitwick exclaims. He's so astounded, he almost falls off his pile of books.
"Well, I had a- a good teacher." Neville stutters, looking at Harry with a smile.
"Oh. Well, thank you Neville. I'm glad you took such an interest in Charms you wanted to practice the harder ones yourself." Professor Flitwick scratches his nose in embarrassment.
Neville found himself sitting outside once more after school hours. He takes in the fresh air as he sits under a great oak tree atop a small, grass hill. There is a small dandy-lion next to him. That was a small, pretty, white flower that roared. The contents of its seeds were good for colds. He smiles, this really is his calling in life. Herbology. Perhaps he'll take over for Professor Sprout in the future, or maybe not. Maybe he'll become a simple gardener. Maybe he'll win Draco over in the future and live together in a small house with about three or four kids. Neville would take care of the plants and clean everything, and Draco could be an auror or even an author. Did he still like books? He used to. Did he want kids? Perhaps. It'd be nice to have little mini-hims running around the yard. Would they be too much trouble? Neville didn't know the first thing about children. Neville stopped himself. He had to stop daydreaming about Draco Malfoy. He was nothing but a bully. He had to start thinking about his involvement in the prophecy. What was that power he had that Voldemort didn't? Did the Dark Lord kill everything he touched? Strong possibility.
"Neville!"
Neville jumps a bit, startled about being awoken from his daydreams. He looks around wildly.
He finds Harry Potter standing above him, looking out towards the lake. He looks happier than he was yesterday, that's for sure.
"What did you need?" Neville asks.
"I just thought it was cool that I actually taught you to preform the Patronus Charm is all. Also, I wanted to test something. Come on."
Harry and Neville walk down to the lake. Well, Neville more-so ambles awkwardly than walks, and Harry acts as if it's a race he's trying to win, except that he can only go so fast. They stop at the edge of the water and Harry draws out his wand, nodding for Neville to do the same. He does. Neville looks around. There are a few people around, and that includes Malfoy and his posse. Neville knows what Harry wants him to do, and he definitely wants Draco to see it.
"On the count of three. Let's cast our charms." Harry says. "Three... two... one..."
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" the two yell out. A stag and doe burst out of their wands and stand on the water, being made of light. The deers circle each other and disappear.
"That's cool. Those were my mother and father's Patronus Charms. A stag and doe." Harry sighs. He usually gets worked up thinking about his parents.
"Um, Harry I know this sounds weird but... I really don't like you that way." Neville says, his cheeks turning pink.
Harry appears shocked. Not in the way like "I'm shocked you don't like me like that", but in the way of "What makes you say that?". Harry shakes his head. Of course. Neville always makes it awkward. Not on purpose though. "I know, Neville. I don't like you that way either, I just thought it was kinda cool. Especially because we're both part of the- y'know... prophecy." Harry laughs.
"Oh. Okay." Neville mumbles.
Harry walks off eventually, leaving Neville to his own devices. Draco Malfoy quickly took his place, standing beside Neville at the lake. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle stood a few feet behind Draco. Draco smirks at his ex-friend smugly. Neville just smiles sincerely.
"So how did you start getting good at magic? Was that a Patronus?" Draco asks. It seemed for once Draco was actually... proud of Neville? Unusual. Very unusual.
"Yeah, while you were with the Inquisitorial Squad patronizing first years for walking in front of you, I was with Dumbledore's Army learning how to perform the Patronus Charm." Neville says, walking around Draco boastfully.
"Interesting how it's a... doe." Draco's smile widens. That means trouble. "Potter's is a stag. I saw it. Is there something going on bet-"
"NO!" Neville suddenly burst out. God, that was dumb. Way to show you totally haven't had a crush on him for the past five years. Draco stepped back with a curious yet unsure smile. "I mean- I don't him that way. At all. Period." Neville speaks more slowly this time, careful of the impact his words can have on Draco.
"Right. Well, I'd say it's inevitable. When two people have same species Patronus Charms, they end up together. That's just how it works." Draco says as if he was a Patronus aficionado. It couldn't be true though, could it? Neville liked Draco, not Harry. "You like Potter, don't you?" Draco sneers, an evil grin making its way up to his ears.
"Not really. He's a friend... who I don't talk much to." Neville admits. Secretly, he does want to hang out with him more. He can't say this to Draco, it would add fuel to the fire.
"Whatever. You can say 'no' until the end of time like a stubborn mule, Longass, but I know you like him. You're perfect for each other too. One's a numbskull, and the other is a complete twat. Just curious, but did Potter teach you how to tie your shoes too?" Draco laughs much like a crow, making Vincent and Gregory guffaw with him. Neville clenches his fists. He wants to fight back with a jinx so badly, but violence is not the answer.
"We used to be friends, Draco," Neville says as he looks down at the ground. He puts his left hand on his other arm. He looks up at the blonde darkly. "but I suppose you've just gotten such a big head about yourself you've no room to remember."
"Pah. You and I? Never. We just... hung out." Draco shifts. He knows they were the best of friends. He doesn't want to admit it. "Anyway. I'm wanting to make a deal with you." he regains his nerve.
"What did you have in mind?" Neville doesn't care. He'll still do anything for an old friend. He should've been a Hufflepuff, even if he didn't want to be.
"I'll keep my mouth shut about Potter if-" Draco notices Neville roll his eyes. "Hey! I don't care if it isn't true, I have evidence on you! I'll keep my mouth clamped shut if you teach me how to do the Patronus Charm."
"Malfoy! You said all of us could learn it!" Vincent interrupts, stepping closer angrily.
"Okay! Fine! You have to teach Crabbe and Goyle, too. Alright?" Draco growls.
"You don't have to threaten me, Draco. I'll do it anyway." Neville says, a rising feeling of happiness welling up in his chest. Great! A chance to be with Draco again! Maybe now he can finally express his feelings to him. Draco nods.
"Good. Later, Longbottom." he leaves, finally.
Neville sighed. What the hell did he just get himself into now?