A/N-Obviously the dialogue is directly from the book; I just added in Neville's thoughts, or what I imagine his thoughts to be.
Why? Why did they have to come now? Talk about perfect timing. Don't look over here; please don't look over here!
It's us, Neville!
No kidding; now ignore me! If we could have left just half a minute sooner this wouldn't be happening...
Have you seen? Lockhart's here!
Maybe we can slip out of here while he's talking about Lockhart...
Who've you been visiting?Friends of yours, Neville, dear?
Not at the moment! Can we go now? I'm not going to look at them; I don't want to know what they're thinking.
Ah, yes. Yes, yes, I know who you are, of course...
Well if you know who they are, can we go? Ugh, and now she has to go through all the introductions and blab about how Neville's talked about you...I can't believe it; why do these things always happen to me?
On the other hand, maybe the introductions aren't so bad. They might keep everyone's minds off Mum and Dad.
Helped him out of a few sticky spots, haven't you?
Yeah, rub it in. She can't tell I'm already embarrassed?
He's a good boy but he hasn't got his father's talent, I'm afraid to say...
Oh no! It's blown now. She had to jerk her head towards their beds...I'm a goner! And now the whole school's going to know.
What? Is that your dad down at the end, Neville?What's this? Haven't you told your friends about your parents, Neville?
Actually, uh, no. Deep breath. I can't say anything; I'll just have to shake my head. Amazing how hard that can be.
Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of!
I'm not!
You should be proud, Neville, proud! They didn't give their health and sanity so their only son would be ashamed of them, you know!
I'm still not looking at anybody. I don't want to see their eyes wide and staring at me. I wish I had told them, just so this wouldn't be happening now.
I'm not ashamed.
That barely came out.
Well, you've got a funny way of showing it!
Here it comes...
My son and his wifewere tortured into insanity by You-Know-Who's followers.
I don't have to look to hear the gasps.
They were Aurors, you know, and very well respected within the Wizarding community.
Unlike me. Obviously.
Highly gifted, the pair of them. I--yes, Alice dear, what is it?
It just gets better! Mum's come out now! I'm not ashamed...but what if they think she looks stupid or something. It shouldn't matter, I know, I know. But--
Very well, Alice dear, very well--Neville, take it, whatever it is...
Whatever it is! I don't care what it is; it's from Mum! A gum wrapper. I've got so many, but I'm not getting rid of them. They may be useless trash, but...don't cry, not in front of them.
Very nice, dear.
Well what do you expect?! They'd better not laugh or I'll...I'll...I'll do something...
They're not laughing. I don't know if that makes me feel better; I've never wanted sympathy--that's why I never told anyone. I mean, look at Harry. I wouldn't be able to stand attention like that; the I'm so sorry for you, Neville and the ugly looks from the Slytherins...not that I don't get those anyway...
They'd better not let this spill or I'll be so mad at them! Though I probably couldn't do anything to them anyway.
Put that wrapper in the bin, she must have given you enough of them to paper your bedroom by now...
No chance. It goes in my pocket. I may not boast about my parents, but that doesn't mean I don't care about them. And when your mum's too confused to know the difference between trash and a proper gift, you take what you can get. And they really are nice wrappers, in their way.
Thank goodness that's over with and no, I'm not crying. Not really.