I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

Christmas

December 25th 1998

"Serenity she looks fine! Leave her be!" I exclaim while watching my wife fiddle with the baby's outfit for the tenth time this morning.

"Nev I'm just not sure, is it the right dress? Or should she wear the green one?" Serenity sighs while holding up another baby dress with ruffles and lace.

"No way, Draco would be too happy to see her in Slytherin colors. Keep her in the red one." I reply. I peel baby Rue out of Serenity's tight grasp.

"I got you darling, no more crazy mommy this morning alright?" I whisper to her.

"I heard that!" I hear Serenity call out from behind me.

.....

As we walk up the steps of Malfoy Manor we hear happy laughter and music coming from inside.

"Oh no how late are we?" Serenity quickly questions.

"I don't think we are late at all love, settle down!" I exclaim.

Lately Serenity had been slightly more on edge. Rue had been sharing more visions, mostly with Serenity. None so far in the future as she had before but now she would share visions of accidents happening. Little accidents, but problems for us nonetheless.

"Everything is how it's mean to be no matter what you do dear, just enjoy yourself and don't worry about what will happen." I explain.

"Easier said than done Nev." Serenity huffs.

The door to the mansion opens and we are greeted by Astoria. She is wearing a long green velvet dress, and I just know Serenity is beating herself up for not changing Rue into the Slytherin green dress. Knowing how much Astoria would have enjoyed matching the baby.

"You look lovely Astoria! Look you and Rue create Christmas colors. Isn't that lovey Ren?" I quickly exclaim before Serenity can get a word in.

"Awe! I just love that!!! Comere little Rue Rue!" Astoria coos as she pulls Rue from my arms and holds her close.

"Thanks." Serenity smiles up at me. "How is it that I can actually read your mind yet you are always seemingly reading mine?"

"Because I get ya Ren, and I'll always understand you." I reply. I intertwine my fingers with hers and pull her inside.

I see that Draco is now holding Rue, spinning her around in circles over and over. He is laughing proudly whenever she smiles up at him.

"I want one!" Draco exclaims to Astoria

"Malfoy!" She snaps back. "She isn't a pet!"

"Well I know that, I want a little boy, and we will name him something strong and mysterious." He replies, spinning Rue another time around.

"Whatever you say my love." Astoria replies with an eye roll.

Serenity pulls away from my grasp spotting little Jude and his family. His adoptive mom is handing him a sugar cookie and he eyes it happily, not wanting to ruin it by biting into it. I watch as he spots baby Rue in Draco's arms. He runs up to the two of them and offers the cookie to my daughter.

I smile happily at the interaction but It quickly goes south when Draco lowers Rue to the toddler boy's level and she spits up all of the milk in her stomach onto him.

Serenity quickly runs over and grabs Rue, apologizing profusely to Jude's parents and Draco.

I laugh as the boy doesn't cry or react much at all, he just simply removes his shirt and places the sugar cookie in Serenity's purse when she isn't looking.

I walk over and grab his small shirt. Preforming the cleaning spell with my wand.

"It's no problem dear really! Babies spit up, it's life."

"Draco I'm sorry, maybe next time don't spin her so much?"

I hear the group converse, I slip away with the now clean shirt and walk towards the shirtless boy now playing with the lower ornaments on the large Malfoy Christmas tree. I begin buttoning him back up as he continues to tap a silver ornament and watch it swing back and forth.

"You like it? Maybe we can make one of those sometime eh? We have a few Rue made back out our home. I'm sure we can get around to getting you your own. How does that sound?" I say. I know the boy can't understand much at his age and he for sure won't be able to answer, but I enjoy his company anyway.

I could tell that Jude went unnoticed fairly often. I would see him doing his own thing half the time yet he always found a way to put a smile on someone's face at one point or another, he for sure wasn't shy. I wondered what house he would be in, and what house Rue would be in.

I had seen her in the future but to my dismay, I was silly enough not to get a good look at her tie or house colors on her robes. I was disappointed but also excited that some part of her future would be a surprise to us.

......

"There." I say proudly as I step back with Rue still in my arms. I wipe her hands clean from the ink and hand her to Serenity.

"Wait! It's not done yet!" Astoria exclaims. She takes a quill and leans over the table. Finally she turns back towards us and hands me the small wood ornament.

It reads:

Jude Hellenberg and Rue Longbottom

With two small handprints placed onto it.

"Wow! Thanks Astoria!" I exclaim. I lower the ornament to Jude's level and he admires his and Rue's handprints.
"Now we have a new one to add to our tree thanks to you little guy!"

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I hoped you guys enjoy this small little Christmas chapter. I made a new Christmas chapter in my sequel book but I wanted to add more details about this little moment so here you guys go! Happy holidays everyone!