How Can You Tell? (Neville Longbottom)

Chapter 2: The Arrival

When we arrived, Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the cabin to go to the carriages. Neville and I still hadn't changed into our robes, so we rushed to the toilets and changed. When I got out I bumped into Neville. My heart was racing as I stuttered

"S-sorry Neville."

"I-it's okay I'm s-sure it was an ac-cident." He said quietly.

"Y-yea."

After that super embarrassing moment, we went to the carriages. We were the last pair there, so we took the last carriage. I petted the thestrals. They are so beautiful. The reason I can see them is because I saw my father die, when he was attacked by a Death Eater. And my mother was cursed, by the same death eater, and she was driven insane by it. All this happened when I was younger, that's why I live with with my gran.

I sat down across from Neville. I stared at the floor thinking about the year to come, when my thoughts were interrupted by Neville.

"Are you excited, to be going back to Hogwarts?"

"Definitely, I have wanted to go back the second I left!"

"What are you the most excited for?"

"Hmmmm, either Herbology class, or Hogsmede."

"Same Here."

We continued to talk until we arrived. We entered the Great Hall and took our seats at the table. Neville was next to me and Seamus was on my other side. Ron, Hermione, Harry sat across from us. We were all conversing until Professor Dumbledore started his speech. Dumbledore rose and began to speak. I couldn't listen because I was too distracted staring at Neville. He was so imperfect, and that's what made him perfect. I suddenly snapped out of it when I heard a little voice instead of Dumbledore's serene voice.

"Thank you head Master, for those kind words of welcome." A short, chubby lady, dressed in pink said. She sort of looked like a toad. She carried on and on and on with some horrible speech. Something about "progress for the sake of progress", I didn't really care, I was too busy loving Neville...

When she finally finished up, Dumbledore finished his speech and the food appeared. I put loads of food on my plate, since I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and I ate. We all talked during our dinner, mostly about our summers. It was wonderful.

When we all were stuffed full of food. We got up and went to the Gryffindor Common room, a place I had missed dearly. We all cramped through the portrait hole and went to our dormitories to settle in. I was in a dorm with Hermione and a few other girls. Hermione was really the only girl friend I had ever had. Girls made fun of me because I stuttered. It's not my fault that I can barely talk without messing up. The other girls were already whispering to each other. I could already tell that this year was, yet again, going to be a struggle.

A/N Hey readers, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I will update sooner this time I promise.