Who: Neville and Seamus What: Neville tries to get over his issues with the Great Hall Where: The hallway in front of the Great Hall and inside it When: Tuesday shortly before dinner, during dinner Rating: possible PG Incomplete/Open if anybody is really anxious to join them
Neville was pacing. His hands were shaky and he could tell he was a bit sweaty even though he'd taken his robes off (he wondered if he should take his vest off too but decided against it because he worried he'd sweat through to his shirt and he was going through enough without someone commenting on his hygiene). He was just outside the doors now. He'd come a few minutes early in order to avoid the larger crowds and while he'd noticed a few people trickling in he was pretty much unaware of much other than himself and trying to breathe.
He was determined to her inside tonight. He'd been putting it off, coming up with excuses but vowed that he would go in before dinner was over.
After probably 20 minutes of pacing outside the doors and almost walking back to the common room four times he finally stopped just in front of the doors, facing the entrance. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I can do this" he said quietly to himself. With his eyes still closed he put both of his hands one of the doors, pushed it open and walked through, taking a few steps so he could be sure he was well enough in the hall. He kept his eyes closed, just focusing on breathing for probably close to a minute. When he finally opened them he saw it again. just like during the opening feast. The blood, the scorch marks, the devastation, the bodies.He closed his eyes again and did all he could not to run out.
"It's not real, the war is over." he mumbled to himself over and over. He knew he probably looked rather mad but he couldn't care less at that moment.
Finally he opened his eyes again. he was relieved when he saw the Hall, just as it was. There were a few students scattered across the tables. There were some groups studying at the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables, some Slytherins conversing, he saw Ernie Macmillan talking to Angelina at Hufflepuff, and there were small groups conversing, just waiting for dinner to start throughout, everything was fine, normal. He released a breath he didn't remember taking. He slowed walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down, away from anyone else.
Dinner wasn't far off now, he wasn't sure how much he could eat, he was still shaking, though not nearly as bad as he had bee, and he still had to be conscious of his breathing if he didn't want it to get out of control, but he'd done it. He couldn't help but smile at the thought. He'd finally beaten another part of the war, a personal remnant of that battle.