Chapter 7: Neville

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Harry Potter or His Dark Materials.

For as long as Neville could remember he was a disappointment. To his grandmother he was an unacceptable replacement of her son who had been a brave and talented Auror. To his Uncle, he was a low-powered almost-squib wizard who had little hope of being a proper Head of Longbottom once he came of age. To his professors he was a below average student who had trouble grasping concepts and had even more trouble practically focusing his magic. Even to his peers he was disappointing. Neville was extremely shy. He stuttered and blushed, and managed to constantly trip over his feet. He couldn't express himself eloquently, he was not charismatic in the least, and he was untalented in nearly every class. Neville was even disappointing through his daemon. The other students often picked fun at how Athenalia always shifted into small shapes like Bees, rodents, and ladybugs. Neville loved it when Thena was small. She could help him poke through the various plants in the greenhouses and perch near his ear, quietly reminding him when he forgot to do homework, or forgot the password for the common room.

Even though the students teased him, Neville would never feel ashamed of Thena. Thena who had always reassured him when he wasn't brave enough. Who helped him review for tests, and looked over his homework. Thena, whose reassuring weight was always perched on his shoulder in silent support. He would never feel ashamed of his daemon, even though he was fifteen and she still had not settled.

After the ministry incident Neville was shocked to find that his gran wasn't angry. Instead she'd gripped his shoulder and quietly stated that she was proud. Proud of Neville Longbottom, he couldn't believe his ears. That summer Neville vowed that it was time for a change. He had friends now, and a wand that actually suited him. One day, to his surprise, Thena shifted into a small deer reminiscent of a reindeer. Neville shrugged it off and continued working in the gardens with Thena at his side. Two weeks later, she still had not changed and Neville asked her, "Not that I mind, but why haven't you shifted Thena? Normally you prefer to be a bee when we're in the gardens."

Thena simply laughed and gently butted her forehead against his, "I don't think I'll be shifting any longer Nev," she hinted.

Neville stared astounded, "We're settled?" he asked, "We're a deer?"

"A Caribou, I think." his daemon replied.

Neville blinked and then smiled. "I like it," he stated, "It fits." Thena hummed in agreement as they both set back to work in the gardens. Neville was content, and not disappointing in the least.