A/N: Written for the prompt "Under the innocent sky" for Hogwarts Online. Enjoy!

The potions dungeon was full of witches and wizards trying to remain awake during Slughorn's lecture. A haze of boredom hung heavy in the room. Everyone was craving the classes where they were free to move around the classroom to grab ingredients. Harry was itching to dig out the half blood prince's annotated book just to have something to read. Ron was trying to determine the origin of the draft in the subterranean room; it was more interesting than Slughorn's drone. Even the hand of Hermione Granger hadn't been raised in the past half hour; she was tracing her finger along a crack on the tabletop.

Neville was rocking back and forth just a little bit, his lips pursed. He had finished off the final bottle in his stash prior to class. He recalled the warm feeling as the final drops settled into the depths of his stomach, and the warmth spread until his fingertips felt like air. The free feeling of the firewhiskey was circulating rapidly but Neville knew the feeling would last only long enough to get him through potions.

There was a long pause in Slughorn's lecture and the students realized that he was looking at them strangely.

"You are free to leave, class is over in five minutes but I doubt you will understand the higher capabilities of fluxweed. If you wish to receive your marks from last class I have them up here. Don't forget the ten-inch parchment on precautions for the work we are doing during Friday's class. I require it no later than Thursday so I know that you are aware of the dangers. Have a good day," said Slugorn.

The shuffling of students was the only movement the room had seen since the start of class. A few students scooted to the front of the room and were satisfied with the marks Slughorn told them. Neville placed his book in his bag and waited behind the Golden Trio for his marks. Ron and Harry were pleased with the results that their mysterious textbook was getting them, and Hermione was appalled to receive a mark lower than Ron. Neville snorted. There was no doubt Ron had spent more time playing wizard's chess in one game than he had spent looking at a potions book in his whole life.

Granger and Ron began arguing and Harry enjoyed it too much to stop it. Neville approached the professor.

"Ah, Mr. Longbottom- you have shown a remarkable improvement since putting in more effort in class. If your last potion had been completed during the initial period it would have been the highest grade in class- no competition," Slughorn told the boy.

At this the argument between Ron and Hermione had immediately ceased. Neither could believe their non-extendable ears. Neville would have beaten the half blood prince? It was impossible. There was a tone of sincerity that shocked Longbottom out of his alcohol-induced state.

"Sir, Professor, you mean to say that I would have gotten a higher score than anyone else in class had I done that well during class?" asked Neville.

"Don't make me repeat myself Mr. Longbottom, I have more useful things to use my breath for. Now if you will excuse me," and with that Slughorn left the classroom.

"Er- well great job Neville. Didn't know you had it in you," said Harry. Potter was the first one to recover from the shock of the news.

"Thanks Harry. I didn't know I could do it either. I'll see you back in the common room."

Neville didn't head straight to the common room but chose to lounge on the grounds before returning the lair of the lions. He spread out his cloak on the ground, which was still damp from a morning rainstorm that had passed through. Neville had remembered the ceiling of the great hall rather stormy during breakfast. Nothing made eating sausage more exciting than a raging storm above you. The sun had crept out from behind a cloud for the moment and Neville basked in the momentary light. Underneath the innocent sky, Neville felt he could truly be better than any of the Gryffindors. He was going to prove himself one day and he knew it.

He loosened his tie and watched as the sun retreated behind a fluffy cloud. Neville was a determined man. He walked to the Gryffindor common room with a newfound confidence. He took his tie off completely and let the Ravenclaw prefect take five points from the lions. He even let the Slytherin prefect take off five more a few minutes later. Neville winked at a passing gaggle of fourth years and they giggled and waved back.

Neville Longbottom was going to come a long ways from the bottom of the pack. Neville is a lion.

Rawr.

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Thanks for reading!

xx Madam Lure