Neville is feeling a bit lonely.
Written for:
LUDO Board Game
Written for the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Charms, Assignment 11: Write about a/an lonely/antisocial character finding friendship/love.
Neville was partly glad that his birthday was during the school holidays. He didn't have to wake up early or attend any classes or dodge any jinxes from Malfoy. But then at the same time he felt envious of the students who had birthdays during the school term.
They were surrounded their friends and loud cries of happy birthday. He couldn't help, but well up with loneliness on his birthday and at Hogwarts. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he was the odd one out of the five dormitory boys. Dean had Seamus, Harry had Ron. He knew that even if his birthday was on a school day, he would be spending it like any normal day. Alone.
So when Dean Thomas' birthday came, along with all the jubilant happy birthdays, he uncharacteristically scowled at the scene in the Great Hall. He made sure not to sit too close to the crowd, not wanting to be the black sheep of the group.
"Hey Neville!" He looked up and saw Dean looking chuffed at all of the attention.
"Yes, Dean," he said, painting on a forced smile, "you got a lot of gifts."
"Yeah," Dean trailed off, looking at the smile pile of presents he brought down from the dormitory to the Great Hall. Neville found it strange that Dean wore an awkward expression. "Take this." Dean pushed a purple box down the table and Neville studied it, a flare of anger suddenly ignited.
"I don't need your presents," Neville said through gritted teeth, tearing off a bit of his toast. Dean frowned.
"Have you even looked at it?" Neville placed his toast down and picked up the box, still a bit miffed about being given a pity present. But Neville's eyes widened as he read the loopey writing on the box.
Make your own Chocolate Plant!
Watch your plant grown in a fortnight and eat the chocolatey goodness that comes from it!
"A chocolate plant!" Neville exclaimed, grabbing the attention of some nosey students.
"Yep, it's like a muggle gimmick or something. I don't really fancy them."
"I-I can't take this," Neville stuttered, placing the box down again and looking down. "It's your present."
"Well, it's yours now," Dean said with an air of finality. ""Let's say it's a token of our friendship."
Neville's breath hitched slightly, but then smiled at the muggleborn. He wasn't truly lonely, no, just liked to wallow in self pity from time to time.