Harry Potter Boys - Imagines

Neville's best friend - afternoon at the dark lake

The slightly cold breeze from the mid-autumn afternoon tickled your face as you leaned back against a big, old Oak. You closed your eyes and smiled happily, just listening to the sounds around you.

First years were running around the big lawn behind you, and the whistles from quidditch practice could be heard in the distance, followed by the many male voices screaming directions at their teammates. And, closer to you, calm and heavy steps were approaching, crunching the dry leaves on the ground.

-Hey, you. -you opened your eyes as the steps sounded close enough for him to hear you.

-Good afternoon, darling. -Neville opened a wide smile as you looked up to meet his eyes- How are we today?

-We are perfectly perfect, Nev. -you widen your smile as he shows you a little bunch of flowers wrapped in a piece of newspaper.

-I grew them myself. -he rubs his neck shyly as he gets on his knees to give it to you, who was on the floor- Just to thank you for everything, you know. I know it is not anything special, but...

-Oh, they are so beautiful, Nev! I love them, thank you! -you get on your knees to kiss his cheek, then sitting back down by the oak, tapping at the spot next to you- Come, sit. I stole us some biscuits from the kitchen. They are still warm.

Taking a small basket from beside you, you show your friend the warm goods it contains.

-Oh, I love biscuits! -he celebrated like a little kid, rushing to sit next to you- Gimme, gimme!

-Not so fast! First, you need to earn them. -you look at him reprehensively- Did you do what we agreed on?

He breaths in proudly, a little smug smile on his face:

-Yes, yes I did. Just like you told me to: today, Draco came to mess with me on the way to Transfiguration class, and I stood up to him. I said: "Draco, I could not care less what you think of me. You are just a smug little brat!"

-Wow, really?! -you smiled widely, full of pride.

-Yeah, I did! -he smiled, and then rubbed his neck, his face changing back to his usual shy and nervous expression- I just don't think he heard me... I was down on the floor picking up my books he had thrown, and he was already too far away, and I did not say it very loudly, so...

-Hey, it's okay. -you put a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic smile- We made progress. This was a good day, okay?

He nods, a slight side smile on his face. You mess up his hair and pass him the basket, to which he responds:

-Can I have a biscuit now? -his big, innocent eyes batching his lashes at you. You nod with a big grin, getting one for yourself.

-As many as you want, Nev.

He smiles childishly and you can't help but let out a happy sigh as you take that moment in. Neville Longbottom had been your best friend since the first year of school. You met him on the train, when he lost his frog, Trevor. You found him nervously looking for the little pet and decided to help him look for it.

By the time the train arrived at Hogwarts, Neville had found his frog, and you had found in each other your first friends. Since then, it had been you and him for everything.

Now, in the fourth year, you were helping him out with his shyness. He had been wanting to be more confident, and you two would establish little quests for him to get out of his shell.

There, by the dark lake, as the sun sets and the autumn beauty took you over, you could not be any more proud of your best friend; he had been overcoming many challenges and becoming the best version of himself.

-I know what tomorrow's quest should be. -you say while taking a bite of a biscuit.

-Really? -he turns to you, his mouth full.

-Don't talk with your mouth full, you animal! -you laugh as he opens his mouth and shows you the half-chewed biscuit- Ew, gross, Neville!

He laughs along with you and then swallows:

-Okay, but what is the task?

-You should ask Ginny to the Yule Ball. -his eyes widen.

-Ask Gi-Ginny t-to the b-a-Ball? -his face started to turn red- But, I thought... I thought we were going together.

-I would love to go with you, don't get the wrong impression. -you explain- I just think that it would be a great chance for you to socialize, Nev.

He nodded slowly, not really agreeing. It was already getting dark, and you started packing your things up to head back to the castle.

-Try to see my point of view: you and Ginny are friends, right?

-Yeah... -he said almost mutely. He got up and lent you a hand to hold you up.

-She is very fun, isn't she? -you took his hand and got up, shaking your skirt to get the little pieces of grass off.

-She is... -again an almost silent response.

-And you have a little crush on her, don't you..? -you bent over to get your basket and the books you had been carrying.

-I... well, yeah. -he sighs.

-So! There you go! This will be fun, Nev!

-But, but what if she says no?! -he freaked out.

-Hey, relax, if she says no it is not a big deal. Let's do it like this: I won't go with anyone to the ball; if Ginny says no, we'll go together. -he was about to protest when you cut him off- I will be fine by myself, don't worry about me.

-Are you sure? -Neville asks as he takes your books and carries them for you.

-Thanks. And yes, Nev, I'm sure. Ask her, I promise you won't regret it. -you pinch his cheek as he nods, giving in.

-Okay... I'll do it. I'll ask her tomorrow. -you started to walk away from the big oak, side by side.

-No. You're asking her today, at dinner. -he looked at you, panicking- There's no way I'm letting you back down now, Neville.

-Oh, come on! -you laughed and he pulled a strain of your hair lightly, messing with you- You are a pain in the ass, you know that, don't you?

-I do, I do know it. And I also know that you love me very much.

-Yeah, I can't argue with that. -he puts his arm around your shoulders, casually embracing you.

-See? I am always right. -you both laugh as you approach the castle, its lights illuminating you both.

-Thanks for always helping me out. You're the best friend anyone could've asked for. -he kisses the top of your head and you smile at him.

-I'm just giving back what you give me. I love you, Nev.

-I love you too.

You both continue chatting and laughing as you enter the castle's big doors into the Entrance Hall, enjoying each other's company.