Neville took a swig of his butterbeer as he absentmindedly surveyed the scene in front of him. The Great Hall was alive with chatter and laughter from both the students and staff. The Weird Sisters were shrieking their way through yet another up-tempo number, much to the enjoyment of those still on the dance floor.
For the first time that evening, Neville found himself sitting alone. Seamus and Lavender had moved to a more secluded corner whilst Dean was talking to a pair of pretty Beauxbatons girls and looking as though he couldn't believe his luck. Dean caught his eye and motioned for Neville to join him. Neville smiled bashfully and shook his head. The last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself in front of a group of girls. Dean shrugged and turned his attention back to his new friends.
Besides, Neville didn't mind being alone, it gave him a chance to think. Taking another gulp of his butterbeer, he allowed his eyes to wander.
A few tables away, an exasperated Harry and Ron seemed desperate escape Percy Weasley, who was treating them to another one of his infuriatingly dull lectures on the ministry. Neville watched as the pair of them stood up, muttered their excuses to Percy and headed for the door.
Harry's face was pulled into a frown and he looked deep in thought. Ron's ears were an alarming shade of crimson and he seemed rather disgruntled. Harry nodded vaguely in Neville's direction as they passed his table and gave him a small smile, which Neville returned. Ron didn't appear to notice as his eyes were fixed on the floor and he seemed to be muttering curses under his breath. The pair slipped out into the Entrance Hall, unnoticed by the rest of the room.
Neville craned is neck to look for Ginny but found that she was nowhere to be seen. Neville glanced at his watch. She had been gone for quite a while now. He searched the hall again but couldn't make out a glimmer of red hair anywhere. The Weird Sisters howled their way through several progressively whiny numbers and still there was no sign of her. She was probably just talking to a friend or getting another drink, Neville reasoned. Even so, he was beginning to get slightly worried. What if the Slytherins had done something to her? He thought, remembering their earlier confrontation. He wouldn't put anything past Malfoy.
Fred and George were laughing at something on the other side of the room. Remembering that he had seen Ginny chatting to them earlier, Neville headed towards them, weaving his way through the vast maze of tables and chairs as he went. He skirted around the dance floor, taking great care not to bump into anyone. He gingerly stepped over a puddle of split pumpkin juice when – WHAM!
He tripped over Marcus Flint's outstretched leg and fell roughly to the floor. His remembrall fell out of his pocket and rolled away under a nearby table. The jeers of the Slytherins could be heard above the shrieks of the Weird Sisters as Neville, his face blushing brighter than the remembrall, crawled to retrieve it from under the table. He reached, arm outstretched, when another hand scooped it up.
'Ha, still got this piece of junk, Longbottom?' A cold voice drawled.
'Leave it Malfoy.' Neville muttered, trying to sound more confident that he felt.
'Why's it turned red, Longbottom? Did you forget that you're a squib?' Malfoy taunted, much to the delight of the Slytherins.
The people around them were beginning to stare. A few nudged each other and momentarily stopped dancing to watch the scene unfold.
'Please…' Neville breathed, his hand outstretched.
Malfoy cackled. 'Try making me, you little-' He stopped abruptly, clutching his throat with wide eyes. He gagged and spluttered before violently vomiting on the floor, much to the disgust of everyone in a ten metre radius.
Neville stared. Had he done magic without meaning to?
'What on earth is going on here?'
Neville jumped at the sound of Professor McGonagall's shrill tones.
'Well?' McGonagall snapped, glaring at Neville.
'I-I-' Neville spluttered.
Neville felt an arm wrap round his waist. It was Ginny. She winked at him before turning to look at Malfoy, who was still being violently sick.
'Looks like Malfoy's had a bit too much Firewhiskey, Professor.' She said, a little too innocently.
'Drunk? Is this true, Mr Malfoy?' McGonagall barked, her lips dangerously thin. Malfoy belched loudly in reply. 'Fifty points from Slytherin! You are tarnishing the reputation of this school! Mr Flint, take him to the hospital wing and see that Madam Pomfrey gives him a sobering solution.' She tutted loudly and looked murderous. 'Never in all my years…'
She quickly vanished the puddle Malfoy had left behind and walked away still muttering to herself.
'That was brilliant, Neville!' Ginny squealed, pulling him into a one-armed hug.
Neville squeezed her back. 'But I don't, wh-what happened?'
'Puking pastilles, Neville!' The twins had appeared beside them. George was rolling what looked like an orange sweet between his fingers.
'We've been looking for someone to try out them on, glad we found a victim at last,' Fred grinned. 'Sorry, did I say victim? I meant willing participant.' He winked at Neville.
'Yeah shame we haven't created the antidote yet.' George snickered. 'Thought we'd leave that one to Madam Pomfrey.'
'Thanks guys,' said Neville, smiling fondly at the three Weasleys.
'Anytime mate,' said George, patting him on the back.
'Anymore funny business with Malfoy, just send him our way.' Fred nodded. 'We've got plenty more where that came from,' he said, patting the pocket of his dress robes knowingly.
'Come on, it's my favourite song!' Ginny squealed and pulled him onto the dance floor.
They danced more and more erratically as the Weird Sisters shrieked higher and higher. Neville felt as though he had never looked more ridiculous but, in a moment of pride, he realised that he had never cared less.