Pairings: Harry/Neville

Summary/Warnings: Harry isn't Neville's hero.

A/N: My beta once complained that everything I write has a "saving" theme to it. This was written in response, taken to the extreme. (smirks) I don't even really believe in Harry/Neville, but it seems to work.

Besides, I needed to post something… I've been in an extreme lull.

.One.

"I'm not your hero," he says.

And you smile softly. "Of course not. You never were."

You're surprised; he hasn't spoken in weeks.

He relaxes in your arms, even though you know he doubts. The Boy Who Lives doubts it all.

You don't care if he believes you or not, but happily tighten your embrace.

.Two.

"I won't sacrifice myself for you or anyone else," he insists.

"I never expected you would," you soothe. And it's true. And it's unfair.

This war is taking more than it has any right to.

.Three.

"I hate that you care," he confides.

"Too bad," you reply, and you hate that he's said it.

And so he repeats: "I'm not your hero."

Really, he's not. Sometimes, though, you wish he could be. Sometimes, though, you wish you could be his.

.Four.

"I wish you'd just leave and let me get this over with. I'm ready to sacrifice myself."

It's the most he's said in months, so you can't be angry. You pet his hair and for once, you don't speak for him.

You realise, it could be the other way around. It could be your own mousy-brown hair hiding a scar on a chubby face, with him petting you.

But it's not like that, so you don't know what it's like to push everyone you love away to save them.

You can't be angry with how he feels, so you kiss him lightly and run your fingers over that legendary scar that could have been yours so easily.

.Five.

"I'm not their hero," he says.

"Good," you answer, lacing his much too thin fingers between your own. But you hope he's lying. If he isn't yours, he might as well be theirs. They seem to think he is, anyway.

.Six.

"If you're only here because…"

But you stop him. Of course. "You know that's not true…" but it still stings.

You don't love him because he's the Boy That Lives. You love him because he lights your dark world.

.Seven.

"I'm not your hero," he says one more time for good measure. "I never will be."

"I know." You grip your wand.

"You're not mine either," he says, dashing long-lost beliefs.

"I know." Your throat is dry, but his hand is in yours.

And you hope you're both wrong. You hope you can save each other in the midst of this end of the war.