Written for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Herbology (write about Neville after the war; prompts - education, painting, student and office)

To End an Era

He couldn't believe that this day had come. No, he actually could believe it, he just didn't want to. After surviving the war with Grindelwald and two wars with Voldemort – not to mention countless years of teaching – Minerva McGonagall had passed away in her sleep only one week ago.

He thought back 44 years, back to when he had first met her. Back then she was the stern Professor and he the bashful, nervous student. 37 years ago she had welcomed him onto the Hogwarts staff with open arms, and since then she had become a mixture of friend, confidant and grandmother. She had counselled him when he was nervous about his first class, she had smiled tearfully at him during his wedding and she had proudly held each of his children when they were born, eagerly watching them as they grew up. And now all of that was a mere memory, never to occur again.

The one small comfort he clung to was her portrait. Despite his strong protestations, the entire Hogwarts staff insisted he was the right candidate to succeed her as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and so here he was, sitting in the chair she had once sat in, at the desk she had once written letter and graded papers on, asking her portrait for advice.

Because, he reflected, your education never really stops. There is always one more thing to learn. But as he was finding out, not all lessons were easy.

"Neville dear, I appreciate you asking me advice, but there are some things you need to do for yourself. I will always be here to help you, as will Albus and Severus and all of the other portraits. But my era has ended now Neville, and yours has begun. Grasp it with both hands and go out there and do something special. You're Headmaster because we all believe you can do it. So do us proud Neville."

He would do her proud. An era had ended last week, but maybe she was right. Maybe he could make his own mark, influence some of his students the way she had influenced him. Because sometimes, to preserve an era, you must let it end. But he would never forget it.