At school, Draco believed Longbottom was stupid, but he’s found out very quickly that he was mistaken. Longbottom is quiet and far from eloquent, but he’s intelligent and analytical, better at seeing the big picture than almost anybody except Granger, Tonks, and Lupin. In addition, when Draco gets assigned to partner with him in dueling practice, he learns that Longbottom is damned good at that too. He bests him, but just barely, and finishes the match gasping and sweating, with a sore shoulder where a stinging hex hit him. "Good fight, Longbottom," he says, holding out his hand automatically.