A/N: Drabble written for The Houses Competition Year 10 round 4.
Summary: DRABBLE. A fluffy story of how Neville Longbottom becomes Professor Longbottom and how awesome his friendship with Luna is.
House: Gryffindor
Class: Charms
Category: Drabble
Word Count: 901
Prompt(s): [Pairing - positive] Luna Lovegood/Neville Longbottom
Warnings: No warnings apply.
Disclaimers: I do not own the Harry Potter universe.
How Neville Longbottom Became Professor Longbottom
After the war, Neville had helped restore Hogwarts to its original glory. He had completely restored the Longbottom manor house with the money that had belonged to his parents and grandmother. The blood money that Bellatrix Lestrange was supposed to pay Alice and Frank Longbottom for everything she'd done was not accepted by Neville, but instead, he'd donated it to research that aimed to learn more about the effects and remedies of torture curses.
Feeling all alone in his manor house and even larger garden (a wine-field-sized garden), Luna had invited herself to stay in one of his many bedrooms and sometimes, Ginny, Seamus and Dean came over to hang out and often stayed the night then, too.
Even though there was nothing more between Neville and Luna than a platonic friendship, the bond of their friendship went incredibly deep. Having both lost a lot of friends and seen a lot of horrible things, it was nice to talk about and go through the same stages of healing together—both of them in their own, unique way.
They were in the same house every day, but sometimes they would hardly see each other. Neville would wake up at 10:00 after a busy night of collecting special seeds of flowers during the right stage of a moon, whilst Luna would wake up at 05:00 to wander through the garden and pet some unicorns that were coming to visit more often every week.
So, this Friday, the day of the Second Wizarding War (WWII) Memorial Dance, only Neville was invited as it was a reunion of the students who were in their seventh year that day. Since he was allowed to bring a plus one, he had already decided to ask Luna to join him. When they met for lunch that day, Luna had been so kind to make a fresh pumpkin soup.
"So, Luna?" Neville asked after taking his first sip of the steaming hot soup.
"You want to ask me something?" she guessed.
Neville smiled and said, "I was wondering if you would join me at the Memorial Dance this Friday evening. I know everyone from Dumbledore's Army would love to see you there, and also, I can use a friend with Pansy Parkinson coming, too."
Luna looked at him inquisitively with her pale, silvery eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Come on, I can't go to the party alone!" Nevile said.
"Alright," she agreed whilst a small smile appeared on her lips.
So later that Friday when they arrived at Hogwarts for the Memorial Dance, and Neville had guided Luna inside, they could hear Pansy Parkinson whisper, "You'd guess that she would choose someone else to go with! Longbottom is still a loser, even if he does look more grown up now."
Luna felt Neville stiffen and forced him unnoticeably by guiding him by the arm to keep on walking.
Luna had steered him in the direction of the very grey-haired Professor Sprout and whispered, "Don't listen to them! They're just jealous of how cute you are."
Neville looked down at her and saw her raise her eyebrows in a sort of stern manner. "Really," she vowed.
Neville smiled at her gratefully and whispered before Professor Sprout was within earshot, "Thanks, Luna."
The squat Professor Sprout was very happy to see Neville and Luna and shook their hands enthusiastically.
"Luna, I am glad you are here this evening. I wanted to thank you for your enlightening letter!"
Luna smiled broadly and shook Professor Sprout's hand warmly.
Neville looked in utter astonishment at Luna and then at Professor Sprout. Neville instantly thought that Luna had asked their Herbology teacher for some advice and immediately felt hurt she hadn't asked him as he was now becoming sort of an expert on Herbology. "Why-" he started.
"We would like you to apply for the job of Herbology Professor. You see, I am retiring," the grey-haired witch explained in a low voice.
"I'm sorry?" Neville asked, not believing his ears.
"You have more than enough Herbology knowledge and can teach other people things that you are good at. I think," Professor Sprout added with a lot of humour in her voice, "that those traits might come in handy when teaching children about your passion."
Slowly, a smile appeared on Neville's face, and it grew wider and wider when he looked from Professor Sprout to Luna, who was nodding happily, saying non-verbally that it was really true.
"Thank you!" he uttered to Professor Sprout.
"Don't thank me, thank Luna!" And with those words, the current Herbology Professor left them alone.
Neville impulsively slammed his arms around Luna and lifted her in the air.
"Thanks so much!"
"It is what friends do." Luna smiled a little shy.
At that moment, the Golden Trio and most of Dumbledore's Army arrived at their sides. It was a very good evening. The cherry on top was when Luna came back from a conversation with Hermione and whispered in Neville's ear, "I think it is time for some revenge. I've just asked Hermione for a good jinx you can use, and it is quite appropriate. It's called the Leek Jinx; it makes leeks sprout from the target's ears."
Neville took out his wand and inconspicuously pointed it at Pansy Parkinson.
"Aaaaahhhh!" A scream sounded through the Great Hall.
Within seconds, everyone, but Pansy Parkinson, started laughing.
It was a very good evening.