The voices were loud enough for Neville to hear as he made his way down the
stairs.
He didn't complete his trip into the kitchen, staying respectfully outside of the argument, but he heard every word clearly.
"Come on, mum! Just for an afternoon! It's not like it'll be dangerous in the middle of Diagon Alley!"
Mrs. Weasley's voice was sharp. "Diagon Alley is nothing like it used to be, Ron. People are scared now. Everyone knows You Know Who is back. They don't crowd the alley like they used to. It's as dangerous there as anywhere else."
Neville flinched a bit - that was true, and he more than knew it.
Ron didn't sound convinced. "But mum-"
"I don't want to hear it, Ron."
"Mum, we haven't left the house all summer!"
"It's the middle of June."
"We didn't leave last summer either! We're working our arses off on this house. Don't we get something in return?"
His mum's voice clouded in disapproval. "Ron. You helped with this house because it was the right thing to do. Not to get some reward for it."
Ron threw up his hands, frustrated, but lit up again fast. "What if someone went with us?"
She frowned. "None of the aurors here have time to babysit you."
"What about Bill?"
"Your brother doesn't want to spend a day-"
"Why can't you even ask him?"
"Listen to me, Ronald Weasley."
"No!" His voice rose suddenly, as angry as Neville had ever heard him. "You never let me do anything! I'll bet if Harry was the one asking, you'd come with us yourself!"
She sounded surprised. "What has Harry got to do with-"
"I knew it! I should have let Neville come down and ask! You never want me to do anything!"
"Ron, honestly."
"Honestly!" he fired right back at her. "Fred and George work there every day! You won't even let me go for a visit!"
"Fred and George would do whatever they wanted without my permission."
"Is that what I should be doing, then? Sneaking out without even asking?"
"Ron!"
"Well! It's the only way I get to do anything at all!"
"Don't raise your voice to me, young man."
"I hate this! You're treating me like a child!"
"You're sixteen years old!"
"Harry's younger than me."
"Harry has been through a lot. He's too smart to want to go on fool trips when there are dangerous wizards--"
"Oh, he is not! Anyway, I've been through a lot, too!"
"That right there shows me you're not mature enough to be let out on your own. If you think you've gone through anything like poor Harry has."
Neville winced a bit at that. He understood Ron's reaction to that before Ron even said anything. He knew full well that Ron and Hermione had been there through most of Harry's problems, and had helped right along with him. Neville sat in hospital with Ron when he had a broken leg, and when he had a dragon bite on his hand.
Ron had gone through a bad time last year as well, but there was so much going on that Neville doubted anyone had really noticed. He himself had. It was a benefit to being quiet and ignored; a person learned a lot, and saw a lot.
Even he hadn't said anything to Ron, though. He was too worried about his tests, about Umbridge. About the Death Eaters' escape from Azkaban. That woman being free.
Neville came to a surprising realization then. Ron had seemed to him the last few years to be so lucky. He had his big family and Harry and Hermione and so many exciting things happened to him.
But maybe it was like Ron said - maybe he was actually overlooked most of the time. Maybe his family was too big, and his friends were too important, too busy with those exciting things.
Maybe Ron really felt alone, like Neville felt a lot of the time.
He frowned to himself. That was awful. He didn't like feeling so outside of everyone. Despite LeStrange and Umbridge, this last year at school had been better than the rest, because he came out of it feeling like he was actually a part of the group. He actually fit in better. The others from the D.A. meetings would say hi to him in the corridors or in class. He was getting better in his spells. Harry had actually been impressed enough to say something to him.
And Ginny Weasley had looked at him somewhat appraisingly once or twice.
The memory of that still made him blush. He was sure Ginny wasn't really interested - she was dating Dean now, and she would always want Harry, probably. But the idea that someone could look at him like he was interesting enough to consider.
It was new. And strange.
Neville wasn't stupid - he knew his Gran was worried about more than his magical abilities. She worried about those most, of course, but she also tended to make comments about how he never got owls from friends during summer, and he never seemed interested in girls, he was too chubby for a boy his age.
Things like that.
Neville's thoughts were drawn away from his Gran when Ron's voice rang out suddenly louder.
"Maybe I'll start acting as stupid as you seem to think I am! See if you like me better then!"
The door from the kitchen burst open, and Ron came out. His face was as red as his hair, and got even redder when he saw Neville there.
Neville's face grew warm, embarrassed.
Ron blinked at him, then looked down at the floor. He came towards Neville, moving past him slowly and going up the stairs.
Neville hesitated, looking after him.
If it were Neville, he'd probably want a bit of space.
So Neville kept moving to the kitchen. He peeked in the door to the kitchen, and watched the back of Mrs. Weasley as she stirred needlessly at a pot on the fire that was more than capable of stirring itself.
He came in, treading heavier than normal to alert her to his presence. He hoped his voice were light when he spoke. "Are you cooking, Mrs. Weasley?"
She spun around, her cheeks red. "Neville! Dear, what are.yes. We're having a meeting today, so you'll be left alone for a bit. Ron explained to you about the meetings, didn't he?"
Neville nodded, pretending not to notice her smile droop at Ron's name. "We're not supposed to go snooping, that's all he said."
"I wish he'd learn that for himself." She turned back to the pot, but dropped her hand and let the wooden spoon stir for itself. She sighed, her shoulders slumped, then turned back to Neville with determination in her eyes.
Neville could guess what was coming. "I heard you fighting," he confessed quietly, flushing despite himself.
She nodded. "I suppose most everyone in the house did." She came to the table where Neville stood. "You're friends with my son. Is he this much trouble at school?"
Neville hesitated. He really didn't want to get involved between Ron and his mother, but he couldn't just not answer her. "He." He fought for an answer. "He gets in trouble. He and Harry. But it isn't their fault most of the time."
"I don't mean that. I know what he and poor Harry have to do to make people see what's happening outside that school. I mean.does he give his teachers trouble?"
He gave a mental shrug and answered honestly. "No. Not really. Between Hermione being the best student in school, and Harry being who he is, mostly the teachers don't notice Ron much."
She frowned at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
Neville hesitated again, not knowing exactly how much he could say without betraying Ron. "Well. This year there was.I mean, all the stuff that Harry went through, and all the stuff with that new woman trying to get Dumbledore thrown out and everything." He shrugged. "Whatever went on with the rest of us sort of got ignored."
Her eyes were serious. "Did something happen that I should know about?"
He shook his head fast. "Nothing I really should tell you." Even if I'm the only one who noticed, he thought to himself wryly.
***
Ron was on his bed, glaring at the ceiling, when Neville came in.
Neville smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to overhear."
Ron waved his arm. "I know. It's no big deal. She's sent me worse Howlers to school before." His head fell back on the pillow, his eyes back on the ceiling.
Neville watched him for a minute, then went to his bed and sat down gingerly. "You know.it really was nice of you to stay awake with me last night, after."
Ron sighed. "I'm not.it's just what anyone would do."
Neville looked down at him seriously. "No one has before."
Ron frowned at that, focusing his eyes back on Neville. "What do you mean, no one?"
"I.it isn't that I get them a lot. But when they come, they stay for a few nights at a time. Usually after I visit St. Mungo's. Or when I heard about the breakout of Azkaban. And.I never told Gran about them, but she must have heard me. Sometimes.when they get really clear, I sort of yell in my sleep a bit. Wake myself up more often than not, so it's a blessing, really. I don't know if I ever got too loud at school, but Seamus asked me about them once, so I know he.he heard. So it isn't as if everyone in the world would come and wake me up and be nice to me. You're the only one."
It was quite a speech, really, given his usual meekness, and Neville was a bit out of breath when he was done. Still, he got it all out. He was rather proud of himself - he used to be horribly uncomfortable speaking his feelings. He was finding it easier as his confidence in his magic grew. Maybe they were connected somehow.
Ron sat up slowly, his eyes darker than normal. He studied Neville long enough to make Neville go pink. "I'm sorry, then."
"What?" Neville blinked.
"I'm sorry if you had them at school and I couldn't be bothered to wake up. I usually hear Harry. Strange I wouldn't hear you."
Neville shrugged, now feeling a bit embarrassed by the whole thing. "I'm on the other side of the room. Harry's right beside you. It's alright, anyway, it isn't as if I blame you for being a sound sleeper or-"
"It's not alright!" Ron folded his arms around his knees, his eyes sad. "I should have been there for you. Someone should have. No one needs to go through that alone."
Neville looked at the bedspread, unable to meet those burning eyes. Ron was rather intense, and it was odd having all that energy focused entirely on him. "They're only dreams."
"No, they're not. They never are. Not Harry's, not yours. Not anyone's. They're horrid to have, and more horrid to go through alone."
Neville frowned suddenly, suspicious. He kept his eyes averted, though, and kept his voice low. "You have them too, I suppose?"
"Oh, not the same. Not at all. I have stupid ones. Spiders or snakes or things like that. I'm not talking about me."
But he was, Neville suspected. Maybe he just didn't realize he was. "Ron, you can't be there for everyone in the world. You've got your hands full enough with Harry."
Ron snorted unhappily. "Harry." He shook his head. "Harry isn't here right now. And you should have someone too."
Neville looked up at that. "Well.how about an arrangement?"
Ron hesitated. "Arrangement?"
Neville nodded. "Since Harry isn't here and all. How about you look out for me, in case it happens again. And I can look out for you."
Ron blinked in surprise. "I told you, I don't-"
"That's the deal, Weasley."
Another pause of surprise, and then Ron smiled faintly. "So that's how it is, eh?"
Neville nodded firmly. "That's how it is."
"Well." Ron grinned slowly. "Teach you a few extra spells and you think you're powerful enough to start bossing me around."
Neville met his eyes. "I suppose you'd rather me be quiet little shy and stupid Neville tripping over his own feet, then?"
Ron shook his head instantly. "No." He studied Neville carefully, almost.
Almost appraisingly.
"No, I think you're perfect just exactly as you are right now."
Neville felt the flush. It started in his chest and spread all over. He had to look down to keep the redness on his cheeks hidden.
"I'm glad you're here," Ron's voice sounded again after a moment. Softer now, sincere.
Neville's heart gave a little thump in his chest. He felt warm all over. Stupid blush. "Thanks," he said in response, his voice a bit unsteady.
Perfect, Ron had called him. Just a figure of speech, Neville told himself instantly. Just an exaggeration. He didn't mean it.
Still.it was probably the first time he had ever heard that word directed at him.
Perfect.
He was far from perfect. No matter how low Ron's standards might be, Neville couldn't come close. He was chubby, he was clumsy. Forgetful, quiet, too shy. Too scared. Not perfect.
But Ron had said it. No one else had, ever, and now Ron did. Ron, who was best friends with the boy who was probably as close to perfect as anyone could get. Brave and devoted and smart and talented Harry Potter.
But that was Harry. This was Ron. Ron, who got overlooked as well. Who had bad dreams but didn't think they were important enough to matter, though he thought Neville's did.
Ron, who sat up with him and told him stupid jokes and stories to make him smile while they waited out the night, ran from Neville's dreams.
Ron with the crooked smile and gangly limbs and people laughed at him sometimes like they laughed at Neville.
Neville looked up at Ron finally, gathering courage.
Ron met his eyes long enough to smile, then looked down. The tips of his ears showed red with his blush.
Ron, Neville added in his mind, who turned as red as Neville did over any stupid little thing.
He smiled at that, and watched Ron's profile, and swore to himself with a sudden surprising intensity that if Ron had a nightmare while Neville was there, no matter how stupid he thought it was, Neville wouldn't let him be alone with it.
He didn't complete his trip into the kitchen, staying respectfully outside of the argument, but he heard every word clearly.
"Come on, mum! Just for an afternoon! It's not like it'll be dangerous in the middle of Diagon Alley!"
Mrs. Weasley's voice was sharp. "Diagon Alley is nothing like it used to be, Ron. People are scared now. Everyone knows You Know Who is back. They don't crowd the alley like they used to. It's as dangerous there as anywhere else."
Neville flinched a bit - that was true, and he more than knew it.
Ron didn't sound convinced. "But mum-"
"I don't want to hear it, Ron."
"Mum, we haven't left the house all summer!"
"It's the middle of June."
"We didn't leave last summer either! We're working our arses off on this house. Don't we get something in return?"
His mum's voice clouded in disapproval. "Ron. You helped with this house because it was the right thing to do. Not to get some reward for it."
Ron threw up his hands, frustrated, but lit up again fast. "What if someone went with us?"
She frowned. "None of the aurors here have time to babysit you."
"What about Bill?"
"Your brother doesn't want to spend a day-"
"Why can't you even ask him?"
"Listen to me, Ronald Weasley."
"No!" His voice rose suddenly, as angry as Neville had ever heard him. "You never let me do anything! I'll bet if Harry was the one asking, you'd come with us yourself!"
She sounded surprised. "What has Harry got to do with-"
"I knew it! I should have let Neville come down and ask! You never want me to do anything!"
"Ron, honestly."
"Honestly!" he fired right back at her. "Fred and George work there every day! You won't even let me go for a visit!"
"Fred and George would do whatever they wanted without my permission."
"Is that what I should be doing, then? Sneaking out without even asking?"
"Ron!"
"Well! It's the only way I get to do anything at all!"
"Don't raise your voice to me, young man."
"I hate this! You're treating me like a child!"
"You're sixteen years old!"
"Harry's younger than me."
"Harry has been through a lot. He's too smart to want to go on fool trips when there are dangerous wizards--"
"Oh, he is not! Anyway, I've been through a lot, too!"
"That right there shows me you're not mature enough to be let out on your own. If you think you've gone through anything like poor Harry has."
Neville winced a bit at that. He understood Ron's reaction to that before Ron even said anything. He knew full well that Ron and Hermione had been there through most of Harry's problems, and had helped right along with him. Neville sat in hospital with Ron when he had a broken leg, and when he had a dragon bite on his hand.
Ron had gone through a bad time last year as well, but there was so much going on that Neville doubted anyone had really noticed. He himself had. It was a benefit to being quiet and ignored; a person learned a lot, and saw a lot.
Even he hadn't said anything to Ron, though. He was too worried about his tests, about Umbridge. About the Death Eaters' escape from Azkaban. That woman being free.
Neville came to a surprising realization then. Ron had seemed to him the last few years to be so lucky. He had his big family and Harry and Hermione and so many exciting things happened to him.
But maybe it was like Ron said - maybe he was actually overlooked most of the time. Maybe his family was too big, and his friends were too important, too busy with those exciting things.
Maybe Ron really felt alone, like Neville felt a lot of the time.
He frowned to himself. That was awful. He didn't like feeling so outside of everyone. Despite LeStrange and Umbridge, this last year at school had been better than the rest, because he came out of it feeling like he was actually a part of the group. He actually fit in better. The others from the D.A. meetings would say hi to him in the corridors or in class. He was getting better in his spells. Harry had actually been impressed enough to say something to him.
And Ginny Weasley had looked at him somewhat appraisingly once or twice.
The memory of that still made him blush. He was sure Ginny wasn't really interested - she was dating Dean now, and she would always want Harry, probably. But the idea that someone could look at him like he was interesting enough to consider.
It was new. And strange.
Neville wasn't stupid - he knew his Gran was worried about more than his magical abilities. She worried about those most, of course, but she also tended to make comments about how he never got owls from friends during summer, and he never seemed interested in girls, he was too chubby for a boy his age.
Things like that.
Neville's thoughts were drawn away from his Gran when Ron's voice rang out suddenly louder.
"Maybe I'll start acting as stupid as you seem to think I am! See if you like me better then!"
The door from the kitchen burst open, and Ron came out. His face was as red as his hair, and got even redder when he saw Neville there.
Neville's face grew warm, embarrassed.
Ron blinked at him, then looked down at the floor. He came towards Neville, moving past him slowly and going up the stairs.
Neville hesitated, looking after him.
If it were Neville, he'd probably want a bit of space.
So Neville kept moving to the kitchen. He peeked in the door to the kitchen, and watched the back of Mrs. Weasley as she stirred needlessly at a pot on the fire that was more than capable of stirring itself.
He came in, treading heavier than normal to alert her to his presence. He hoped his voice were light when he spoke. "Are you cooking, Mrs. Weasley?"
She spun around, her cheeks red. "Neville! Dear, what are.yes. We're having a meeting today, so you'll be left alone for a bit. Ron explained to you about the meetings, didn't he?"
Neville nodded, pretending not to notice her smile droop at Ron's name. "We're not supposed to go snooping, that's all he said."
"I wish he'd learn that for himself." She turned back to the pot, but dropped her hand and let the wooden spoon stir for itself. She sighed, her shoulders slumped, then turned back to Neville with determination in her eyes.
Neville could guess what was coming. "I heard you fighting," he confessed quietly, flushing despite himself.
She nodded. "I suppose most everyone in the house did." She came to the table where Neville stood. "You're friends with my son. Is he this much trouble at school?"
Neville hesitated. He really didn't want to get involved between Ron and his mother, but he couldn't just not answer her. "He." He fought for an answer. "He gets in trouble. He and Harry. But it isn't their fault most of the time."
"I don't mean that. I know what he and poor Harry have to do to make people see what's happening outside that school. I mean.does he give his teachers trouble?"
He gave a mental shrug and answered honestly. "No. Not really. Between Hermione being the best student in school, and Harry being who he is, mostly the teachers don't notice Ron much."
She frowned at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
Neville hesitated again, not knowing exactly how much he could say without betraying Ron. "Well. This year there was.I mean, all the stuff that Harry went through, and all the stuff with that new woman trying to get Dumbledore thrown out and everything." He shrugged. "Whatever went on with the rest of us sort of got ignored."
Her eyes were serious. "Did something happen that I should know about?"
He shook his head fast. "Nothing I really should tell you." Even if I'm the only one who noticed, he thought to himself wryly.
***
Ron was on his bed, glaring at the ceiling, when Neville came in.
Neville smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to overhear."
Ron waved his arm. "I know. It's no big deal. She's sent me worse Howlers to school before." His head fell back on the pillow, his eyes back on the ceiling.
Neville watched him for a minute, then went to his bed and sat down gingerly. "You know.it really was nice of you to stay awake with me last night, after."
Ron sighed. "I'm not.it's just what anyone would do."
Neville looked down at him seriously. "No one has before."
Ron frowned at that, focusing his eyes back on Neville. "What do you mean, no one?"
"I.it isn't that I get them a lot. But when they come, they stay for a few nights at a time. Usually after I visit St. Mungo's. Or when I heard about the breakout of Azkaban. And.I never told Gran about them, but she must have heard me. Sometimes.when they get really clear, I sort of yell in my sleep a bit. Wake myself up more often than not, so it's a blessing, really. I don't know if I ever got too loud at school, but Seamus asked me about them once, so I know he.he heard. So it isn't as if everyone in the world would come and wake me up and be nice to me. You're the only one."
It was quite a speech, really, given his usual meekness, and Neville was a bit out of breath when he was done. Still, he got it all out. He was rather proud of himself - he used to be horribly uncomfortable speaking his feelings. He was finding it easier as his confidence in his magic grew. Maybe they were connected somehow.
Ron sat up slowly, his eyes darker than normal. He studied Neville long enough to make Neville go pink. "I'm sorry, then."
"What?" Neville blinked.
"I'm sorry if you had them at school and I couldn't be bothered to wake up. I usually hear Harry. Strange I wouldn't hear you."
Neville shrugged, now feeling a bit embarrassed by the whole thing. "I'm on the other side of the room. Harry's right beside you. It's alright, anyway, it isn't as if I blame you for being a sound sleeper or-"
"It's not alright!" Ron folded his arms around his knees, his eyes sad. "I should have been there for you. Someone should have. No one needs to go through that alone."
Neville looked at the bedspread, unable to meet those burning eyes. Ron was rather intense, and it was odd having all that energy focused entirely on him. "They're only dreams."
"No, they're not. They never are. Not Harry's, not yours. Not anyone's. They're horrid to have, and more horrid to go through alone."
Neville frowned suddenly, suspicious. He kept his eyes averted, though, and kept his voice low. "You have them too, I suppose?"
"Oh, not the same. Not at all. I have stupid ones. Spiders or snakes or things like that. I'm not talking about me."
But he was, Neville suspected. Maybe he just didn't realize he was. "Ron, you can't be there for everyone in the world. You've got your hands full enough with Harry."
Ron snorted unhappily. "Harry." He shook his head. "Harry isn't here right now. And you should have someone too."
Neville looked up at that. "Well.how about an arrangement?"
Ron hesitated. "Arrangement?"
Neville nodded. "Since Harry isn't here and all. How about you look out for me, in case it happens again. And I can look out for you."
Ron blinked in surprise. "I told you, I don't-"
"That's the deal, Weasley."
Another pause of surprise, and then Ron smiled faintly. "So that's how it is, eh?"
Neville nodded firmly. "That's how it is."
"Well." Ron grinned slowly. "Teach you a few extra spells and you think you're powerful enough to start bossing me around."
Neville met his eyes. "I suppose you'd rather me be quiet little shy and stupid Neville tripping over his own feet, then?"
Ron shook his head instantly. "No." He studied Neville carefully, almost.
Almost appraisingly.
"No, I think you're perfect just exactly as you are right now."
Neville felt the flush. It started in his chest and spread all over. He had to look down to keep the redness on his cheeks hidden.
"I'm glad you're here," Ron's voice sounded again after a moment. Softer now, sincere.
Neville's heart gave a little thump in his chest. He felt warm all over. Stupid blush. "Thanks," he said in response, his voice a bit unsteady.
Perfect, Ron had called him. Just a figure of speech, Neville told himself instantly. Just an exaggeration. He didn't mean it.
Still.it was probably the first time he had ever heard that word directed at him.
Perfect.
He was far from perfect. No matter how low Ron's standards might be, Neville couldn't come close. He was chubby, he was clumsy. Forgetful, quiet, too shy. Too scared. Not perfect.
But Ron had said it. No one else had, ever, and now Ron did. Ron, who was best friends with the boy who was probably as close to perfect as anyone could get. Brave and devoted and smart and talented Harry Potter.
But that was Harry. This was Ron. Ron, who got overlooked as well. Who had bad dreams but didn't think they were important enough to matter, though he thought Neville's did.
Ron, who sat up with him and told him stupid jokes and stories to make him smile while they waited out the night, ran from Neville's dreams.
Ron with the crooked smile and gangly limbs and people laughed at him sometimes like they laughed at Neville.
Neville looked up at Ron finally, gathering courage.
Ron met his eyes long enough to smile, then looked down. The tips of his ears showed red with his blush.
Ron, Neville added in his mind, who turned as red as Neville did over any stupid little thing.
He smiled at that, and watched Ron's profile, and swore to himself with a sudden surprising intensity that if Ron had a nightmare while Neville was there, no matter how stupid he thought it was, Neville wouldn't let him be alone with it.