HARRY POTTER | ONESHOTS |

12- Neville Longbottom

Here's a short one because I think it's cute.

Y/n sighs as she leans against the wall, watching as her plus one to the boring Slug Club party roams around, flirting with a few of the other girls in attendance.

She isn't jealous, she doesn't even really like him all that much, but she felt the need to take somebody and he was sitting at the table when she casually asked.

She snickers as he, once again, gets turned down, and decides that watching him fail is the most entertaining part of this rather dull gathering.

The music seems to come straight from the forties and so do the decorations. It did look charming upon first entering, but having to look at it for the entire evening makes it lose the initial extravagance, and made it shift into a tacky, out of date, social event that everyone is starting to regret going to.

"Drink?" A voice from behind her asks timidly.

Y/n turns around and smiles politely.

"Neville! Are you serving?"

"Yeah, I didn't get into the Slug Club. It's okay though! He's got Bill doing the towels in the lieu."

Y/n snickers a little and takes a glass from the tray and takes a small sip.

"I didn't know you wanted to be apart of the Slug Club. You're not missing out on much, trust me," She moves her wrist and watches as the liquid swirls around in the fancy glass.

"These parties seem rather interesting," He says, slightly taken aback as someone reaches from behind him and grabs a glass from him.

"They really aren't. Don't you think it's rather demeaning to be a server for one of these things just to get in?"

"Maybe a little, but I don't mind. I actually quite enjoy formal events. I guess I got that from my Gran."

"Tell you what," She takes another sip, finishing half the drink in two large swallows. "next time Professor Slughorn decides to throw another party for some reason or another, I'll invite you so you don't have to willingly spend the night as a servant," She smiles lightheartedly.

"Really?"

"Sure, why not? My dates don't seem to want to stick with me anyways. You've given me the most company out of anyone I've been at these things with."

"May I ask why?" He asks curiously, starting to walk slowly around the room to fulfil his serving duties while Y/n walks with him.

She laughs a bit. "Because I only ask people to come so I won't walk in alone. I don't really care who I come with, as long as I'm not the one person who doesn't come with someone. How awkward would that be?" She suddenly realizes that it's rude to be complaining about showing up alone when Neville had to work to attend and quickly apologises.

"It's alright. Once I get rid of these glasses he said I'm welcome to stay for as long as I'd like."

"Well, in that case," She finishes off her drink and reaches for another.

"Oh, um, you don't- you really don't have to do that,"  He stammers.

She smiles and lifts the glass up to her lips once more, winking at him over the rim of it. He gets slightly flustered and looks down at his shoes. He lifts his hand to rub the back of his neck, temporarily forgetting about the trey until it tips out of his other hand and the drinks fall, splashing Y/n's formal dress, as well as his own clothes, and the glasses shatter on the ground.

His eyes widen and Y/n looks down shocked. People look over at the commotion and watch Neville feverishly apologise to her while picking up the broken glass as she laughs.

"Y/n I am so, so sorry!"

"Neville, it's fine!" She bends down and starts picking up the glass with him.

"I ruined your dress. Oh, Godric, I'm so sorry."

She smiles sweetly at him, noticing his red cheeks, not quite knowing if it was from embarrassment or something else.

"It's alright, I've never really liked this dress anyways."

"Really?" He looks up at her confused. "But you look so lovely in it," His eyes go wide once more and he lowers his head again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"You apologise too much."

"Mr Longbottom," The pair look up to see their potions professor standing over them, a look of disappointment on his face. "what happened?"

"I-"

"I accidentally bumped into him, Professor," She interrupts, trying to get Neville out of trouble. "It was completely my fault, I'm so sorry."

"Oh, uh, it's quite alright Miss L/n. Why don't you two go clean yourselves up; I'll take care of this mess," He takes out his wand as the pair stand from the ground and start on their way out.

Once they walk out of the room, Neville says, "You didn't have to do that."

"I know I didn't have to, but for some reason, you like these types of events, and I know Slughorn wouldn't let you back to one of these things if he knew you're the one who accidentally spilt the glasses. Besides," She smiles, "it gives me a reason to leave."

"Don't you like these formal parties?" He asks confused.

"Not really. I find that they're quite boring."

"Then why did you come?"

"Why not? It beats spending the night in my room. Plus, I got to spend time with a really nice boy that's caught my fancy."

"Really? Who?" He asks sounding slightly disappointed.

"You, Neville."

His eyes grow wide, a bright blush blossoming across his cheeks. "Me? How could I catch your fancy?"

"I think you're sweet. Believe it or not, you're exactly my type."

"But- but I'm no good. We're complete opposites. You should fancy someone else; someone better."

"Do you not fancy me?" Y/n asks, her confidence still high even though she's getting slightly worried that she came off a bit too strong. She has a tendency to do that.

"Of course I fancy you. I mean, you're incredible! I'm just not. I'm not as smart as you, or as good looking as you, or as confident as you, or as brave as you. As I've already said, we're complete opposites."

"Opposites attract. And I don't really care about any of that. I think you're an amazing person and that's why I'm interested in you. I don't care about looks, or brains, or how courageous you are, I like you for you. You're a bit awkward, and shy, and very kind to everyone, and I adore that about you Neville."

By this point, his face has gone from a light pink to a harsh red, but the smile on his face is brighter than all of the stars combined.

"You really think so?" He asks bashfully.

"I do. Now, let's go clean ourselves up and get back to that party."

"Forget about the party; let's just hang out for a while."

"That sounds lovely."

"Great, I'll meet you at the astronomy tower as soon as we change."

"Perfect," She gives him another charming smile and his heart flutters with excitement.