Summary: A glimpse of Neville's first year had the hat placed him in Hufflepuff.

Genre: General

Rated: K+

Content Tag: Mentions Anxiety & Low Self-Esteem

A Different Approach

"Longbottom, Neville!"

His name being called startled Neville from his own mind. The thoughts of uncertainty screamed at him as he hesitantly approached the stool and tattered old Hat in front of him. What if the Hat decided he had no place among the proper witches and wizards of society? What if his borderline squib status suppressed his magic enough to be considered unharnisable and unable to be refined with teaching control and strengthening its core?

Taking a seat on the stool, Neville closed his eyes to avoid eye contact with his waiting peers in front of him. He felt the fabric slowly fall over his head and face, drowning out what was left of the light piercing his eyelids.

'Why so scared, my boy?' a gentle, but gravely voice uttered in his mind.

'Please… I just want to know that I am worthy of belonging here.'

The Hat was quiet for what felt like ages, but Neville could feel the pull of its magic filtering through his mind as he researched the young wizards personality and traits. It was starting to make Neville nervous with the prolonged silence, and the fact that a powerful enchanted object was currently reading him like a book was enough to induce an anxiety attack. He just wanted to be apart of the world he grew up, he wanted to make his Gran proud of him and live up to the bravery his parents showed when they were able-minded.

'You have a lot of hidden values, but you greatly undermine and undervalue yourself and your abilities,' the Hat hummed as he continued to rifle through the folds of the boys mind. 'Though I find so many traits of a Gryffindor in you, just like your father had in his time, but I believe that you could grow far more effectively placed elsewhere.

'The heart of a lion needs confidence in order to be properly utilized. I am positive that this strengthening will come from someone who has the ability to nurture and care for delicate things, so rest assured you will be in good hands. Allow your house to build your spirits and harness your strengths. Soon you will be as fierce as the Gryffindor I know you could be. Your mother was from this House, and her bravery rivaled a lions. I expect great things from you, Neville.'

"Hufflepuff!"

The Hat was promptly removed before Neville could even think of a response to give. He looked over at the Hufflepuff table that cheered and signaled him forward. Neville sat down with a thud, feeling completely overwhelmed with disbelief as he observed the sea of smiling faces and chorus of introductions. Everyone looked so friendly, carefree, happy, and confident. He could only hope that he would be able to feel the same way soon enough, just as the Hat told him. But as he surpassed one wave of anxiety of not feeling he belonged, a fresh wave of a new fear drowned him. What if he disappointed the Hat and its expectations? Was Hufflepuff an acceptable enough house to honor his family with? What did the Hat mean about becoming a Gryffindor?

At least he didn't feel intimidated by the house he was placed in. He wouldn't know what he'd have done if he went anywhere else. Maybe the Hat heard his silent pleas to be put there, but he explained his reason so much more than just a simple request.

The common room of the badgers was warm and welcoming. The earthy colors of yellows and browns matched well with the abundances of vegetation that was scattered about the cozy space. Vines spilled over its hanging pots above, nooks that were carved out of the walls to be used as shelves were littered with herbs and flowers, giving the pop of vibrant color needed to balance the tones. It was easy to feel at home here, and if Neville had to choose a house based on their Head of House, he would've gravitated toward Professor Sprout in a heartbeat.

She was always smiling, laughter lines permanently etched her features, and her eyes lit up with every question being asked from her students. Her voice was calm and patient as she aided him in Herbology, even when the plant he was supposed to care for had long since died.

"Are you still watering those dead plants?" she asked him one day after observing Neville carefully pour the shower of water over the browned leaves and soil of two small potted vegetables he was assigned.

He squeaked some, ceasing the chore to look Professor Sprouts way. "Y-Yes. I don't want to give up hope in it just yet. It is still green at its base stem and…"

She gave a light smile and walked back to her desk, Neville swallowed hard and watched as she left. He wondered if he should move on with a new plant that still appeared alive at this point, at least he'd get half credit if he did that. But something told him that he could salvage his current project, and he was wanting to show everyone that he wasn't completely incompetent at everything.

Professor Sprout came back with a small beaded bag in her hands. "Here, dear. Give this a try. Just a pinch will do."

She offered its contents to Neville, who took a small pinch full of the glitter-looking soil. "What is it?"

"Just sprinkle it into the soil. It will give your plant a little boost in nutrients," she gave him a wink before tucking the beaded bag in a pocket and proceeded to walk down the greenhouse, observing the other students work.

Neville inspected the small pinch of dust he now placed in his palm. It looked nothing more than finely sifted soil, and there didn't seem to be any other magical properties to it aside from its shimmer. He could use all the help he could take, and it came from a fancy looking bag, so it had to be some secret plant food. If this was Professor Sprouts way of giving him a little nudge in the right direction, then he was going to take it.

Two days ticked by and he was amazed at the improvement of his plant. The leaves were no longer brown, but taking on a more yellow-green tinge. A smile split across Neville's face, even though most of the other students had far greener plants, he was simply glad he didn't give up on his dying ones. He wasn't sure what was causing the vegetable to decline in its health from the start, he followed all instructions carefully, but something deep within told him that this was some sort of test his Head of House placed upon him, challenging him to not give up, to keep trying. The plant was able to be saved just as he strived to achieve, and even if it didn't warrant full marks, Neville could happily say that he went above and beyond to achieve a goal. He worked hard from the very bottom, and growing in countless ways like his project had.

Professor Sprout was close by, observing the plants of the others while marking ticks off on her clipboard. Neville would be thrilled in receiving an Acceptable grade, but the anxiety ate away at him as she approached.

"Ah, Longbottom. I see your assignment has had new life breathed into it." She gave a joyful nod as she scribbled on the parchment. "It's leaves are yellow, but I can see they are still on the strong road to recovery."

"Yes. It was all thanks to you, ma'am."

"Me?" she asked, and that warmth lit up her brown eyes again, showing curiosity.

Neville swallowed, wondering if she'd forgotten. "Ye-yes. That special plant food you offered. It really helped."

Professor Sprout let out a soft chuckle and leaned in close to him. "That rubbish I gave you was just dirt. This was all you, my dear."

She placed her hand at its base, feeling the soil then, leaving Neville dumbfounded as she resumed her grading. "Soil is not too damp or too dry, and the stem is sturdy, meaning it has rooted well. Very good. It isn't drooping as much as it was, either. My, my, you really do have quite the green thumb."

Her cheerful tone was infectious as she beamed at him. Neville couldn't help but blush as he sheepishly replied, "Thank you, Professor."

"Don't lose that motivation."

He gave a nod, feeling quite proud of himself as she moved on. He will find out his ultimate grade tomorrow, but he pushed those thoughts aside, too elated from praise and apparent evidence that he wasn't a failure after all to allow anything negative pull him back down.

Receiving an Exceeds Expectations for it had boosted his confidence even more. He never thought he'd be so adept at gardening, but it seemed to almost be as easy as breathing ever since that first plant-based assignment. Professor Sprout really did offer the encouragement Neville needed to build his self-worth and confidence within himself. Despite struggling in other classes, Neville had vastly improved his charms work as the year stretched on as well. Professor Flitwick was impressed with such improvement, rewarding him a handful of points to Hufflepuff when he successfully passed two practical tests near the end of term.

Only being partially involved with Harry's recklessness kept him out of trouble and focused on his studies. Though he liked being The-Boy-Who-Lived friend, he was a bit eccentric and impulsive, making him a huge stress inducer for Neville. However, he tried to help him whenever asked. He mostly spoke to Hermione when he would study in the library, she was a great study pal and massive help to improving his schoolwork as well.

After his first year, Neville could feel the improvement in himself when he compared to how timid he was at the beginning. He felt more confident in his magic that he could feel it surge through him at times. Even his father's wand responded better to him once he started believing in himself and willing to show his potential more. It was almost like the wand started to slowly accept and bond with Neville's magical signature, a rare thing for most wands to adapt to, but he wasn't going to complain, he wanted to use his father's wand. This produced better spell work for him than ever before, and it showed in the classrooms. Though its consistency faltered some at times, he knew that it would improve in time and with lots of practice. He could only hope that his Gran would be able to notice a difference in him when he came home for the summer as well.

Neville certainly could.

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Word Count: 1,801

Originally Written: June 2018