Up until this moment, envy had never been a factor in their friendships, but they say relationships change unexpectedly, and Neville knows, this is one of those moments.
On this night, Neville Longbottom knows what it feels like to envy Harry Potter. And it’s not for the reason most people envy Harry, either—Neville would never be comfortable with his life being in the spotlight the way Harry’s is—but because Harry gets to do the one thing Neville would willingly sacrifice everything for. Harry gets to be with her.
The envy wouldn’t be so bad, except that Neville knows.
Neville knows that despite her feelings, Harry only just started noticing her this year; Neville had noticed her on her first day at Hogwarts.
Neville knows that the only reason Harry ever contemplated asking her to the Yule Ball was because he was out of time (options). Neville, in a spot of luck, had successfully asked and secured her hand as his own date a few days prior, never mind that she was the second girl he had asked—she made him nervous even then.
-
He catches her alone the next morning, at breakfast. Her eyes are alight with joy; her countenance is that of someone who had received everything she’d ever wanted.
He supposes that at the time, she has. Amazingly, he gets through that conversation without her noticing the way he almost scowls every time she mentions the previous night’s events—and usually she is the first to notice when something is bothering him.
The remainder of the year, he endures in silence and solitude, and when he notices the round heat in his pocket, he answers its call. Throughout the entire debacle, his mind is always at least partially focused on her, though he must also help her (and Ron) keep watch around the Room of Requirement.
The summer starts earlier than usual. With the way things are, his old habit of writing her letters over break ceases; the danger of his letters being intercepted is too great for him to chance, especially for her. He would never forgive himself if anything happens to her because of him.
-
They return to school without their old leaders. He keeps her busy, knowing it’s the only thing that will keep her from worrying about Harry.
One evening, there isn’t enough to do.
He can’t recall which one of them moves first.
All he knows, is that whether or not he ever tells her verbally, she will always have the physical memory that he, Neville Longbottom, loves her—that he loved her first.
And in that moment, nobody else exists.
In that moment, she acknowledges no other love—she, the only person he could ever practice the greatest betrayal for, and his sweetest downfall.
Love's First Downfall, Neville/Ginny
Up until this moment, envy had never been a factor in their friendships, but they say relationships change unexpectedly, and Neville knows, this is one of those moments.
On this night, Neville Longbottom knows what it feels like to envy Harry Potter. And it’s not for the reason most people envy Harry, either—Neville would never be comfortable with his life being in the spotlight the way Harry’s is—but because Harry gets to do the one thing Neville would willingly sacrifice everything for. Harry gets to be with her.
The envy wouldn’t be so bad, except that Neville knows.
Neville knows that despite her feelings, Harry only just started noticing her this year; Neville had noticed her on her first day at Hogwarts.
Neville knows that the only reason Harry ever contemplated asking her to the Yule Ball was because he was out of time (options). Neville, in a spot of luck, had successfully asked and secured her hand as his own date a few days prior, never mind that she was the second girl he had asked—she made him nervous even then.
-
He catches her alone the next morning, at breakfast. Her eyes are alight with joy; her countenance is that of someone who had received everything she’d ever wanted.
He supposes that at the time, she has. Amazingly, he gets through that conversation without her noticing the way he almost scowls every time she mentions the previous night’s events—and usually she is the first to notice when something is bothering him.
The remainder of the year, he endures in silence and solitude, and when he notices the round heat in his pocket, he answers its call. Throughout the entire debacle, his mind is always at least partially focused on her, though he must also help her (and Ron) keep watch around the Room of Requirement.
The summer starts earlier than usual. With the way things are, his old habit of writing her letters over break ceases; the danger of his letters being intercepted is too great for him to chance, especially for her. He would never forgive himself if anything happens to her because of him.
-
They return to school without their old leaders. He keeps her busy, knowing it’s the only thing that will keep her from worrying about Harry.
One evening, there isn’t enough to do.
He can’t recall which one of them moves first.
All he knows, is that whether or not he ever tells her verbally, she will always have the physical memory that he, Neville Longbottom, loves her—that he loved her first.
And in that moment, nobody else exists.
In that moment, she acknowledges no other love—she, the only person he could ever practice the greatest betrayal for, and his sweetest downfall.