HP Friendship

Author: realmer06
Prompt/Prompt Author: Equals. Submitted by nevrafire
Title: What Always Has Been
Characters: Neville and Ginny
Rating: PG
Warnings: I think some mild cursing, but nothing to get excited about.
Word Count: ~7600
Summary: Five years after the war, The Daily Prophet published a series of articles calling Neville “The Boy Who Might Have Been.” Harry was embarrassed, but Ginny was incensed, because she knew better than anyone that Neville was no Might Have Been.
Author's Notes: I had such an amazing time writing for this fest. I think that platonic relationships in fiction (and fanfiction) get unfairly overshadowed by romantic relationships, and I think we ought to do everything we can to change that, because platonic relationships are just as important, if not more so, as romantic ones. To me, Neville and Ginny exemplify this. I had such a good time writing these two and exploring their friendship!
Huge thanks has to go to my beta, M, for spending literally hours (like, two, but still. Plural) on the phone with me when I was writing this, or trying to write it. I’d be remiss if I didn’t let everyone know that the direction this eventually took (writing Neville into Harry’s void) didn’t entirely come from her. I was floundering. She threw me a life raft, and saved the story.
I was asked for dancing, adventures, Ginny and Neville doing what they’re good at, Ginny and Neville making each other into better people, and above all, Ginny and Neville as Equals. I hope I delivered.

( What Always Has Been )