Chapter 4: Sadie Hawkins Dance

Chapter 4: Sadie Hawkins Dance

Main character: Neville Longbottom

All the girls in the bathroom talking
who they gonna take to the Sadie Hawkins
My ears are burning but I kept on walking
smile on my face and an air guitar rocking

Everybody in Hogwarts knew that he was weird and little creepy. He had friends, but no best friend, and no girlfriend. People liked him enough to hang out with him, but never really stop to talk and listen to him. So when he heard that there was going to be a dance for all the graduating 7th years, he was nervous. Who on earth would want to go to a dance with him? Ginny Weasley had gone with him in 4th year, but that was only because otherwise she wouldn't be able to go. But this year, she was going with Harry Potter. He considered for a split second asking Hermione, but everyone in the castle knew that she and Ron were an item.

The Sadie Hawkins Dance
in my khaki pants
There's nothing better
oh, oh, oh
The girls ask the guys
it's always a surprise
There's nothing better
baby do you like my sweater?

So, he never expected to get asked. He never once seriously thought about asking anyone to the dance- he knew he'd get turned down. So, he figured, he'd go alone. He knew it was lame, but he didn't want to miss his last dance of Hogwarts. After a couple weeks thinking about the idea, he decided that it really wouldn't be that bad. He didn't have the trouble of having to keep up with a date, and he could chat with whoever he pleased, without feeling the obligation of talking to them throughout the whole thing. Yes, he decided, this was definitely the way to go.


Sitting in the back of my next class napping
Got up, gave a speech, then bowed to the clapping
Told a funny joke got the whole class laughing
think I got a tan from the light which I was basking

And therefore, he had no reason to worry about the dance. He'd go, he'd have a good time, and if it was a total bum, he could get out of it easily. So he relaxed for the next week, studying hard and not worrying about anything but his NEWTs. For the first time in a long time, he was happy with being who he was. He didn't really knew how it happened, but he guessed it had something to do with accepting himself for who he was. And he rather liked it.


The Sadie Hawkins Dance
in my khaki pants
There's nothing better
oh, oh, oh
The girls ask the guys
it's always a surprise
There's nothing better
baby do you like my sweater?

Yeah, so he still wished he had a best friend or girlfriend, but he'd never get one if he continued to hate himself, so why not buck up a little? So he actually started believing in himself, and he got great grades now, because now he truly thought he could do it- and he could.


Scan the cafeteria for some good seating
I found a good spot by the cheerleaders eating
The quarterback asked me if I'd like a beating
I said that's one thing I won't be needing
And since I'm rather smart and cunning
I took off down the next hall running
Only to get stopped by a girl so stunning
only to get stopped by a girl so stunning
She said, "You're smooth, and good with talking.
You're going with me to the Sadie Hawkins"

But when Suzan Bones came up to him and asked him to go to the dance with her, nervously, he was still shocked. Suzan Bones wanted to go with him? But she could do with someone a lot cooler than him, why would she pick him when she was so pretty that she could take any guy? So when he asked her that, she just laughed and said that he wasn't just any guy, he was sweet and thoughtful and kind and humble, and she'd liked him since 3rd year. So he said yes and never regretted it. They had the best time, laughing and dancing and talking. Neither of them had guessed that they would be so similar.


The Sadie Hawkins Dance
in my khaki pants
There's nothing better
oh, oh, oh
The girls ask the guys
it's always a surprise
There's nothing better
baby do you like my sweater?

And even today, when he looks back on that day, he can't help but grin, and look at his wife. And since that dance, he'd been so much more confidant. Someone- a girl, no less- thought he was worth something- more than something, that he was sweet and generous. So he tried never to doubt himself again. He had his moments where he thought seriously that Susan deserved better, but she always convinced him otherwise. And then they were married… and he'd never been as happy. All because of a dance.

A/N: I really can't decide if I like it. I think I may have made Neville a little OOC (sorry) but this was about the only thing I could think to do with this. Please review!