The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 46: Amortentia

September 2nd, 1996

BRIIINNNGGG!

One of the things from school that I least looked forward to was the sound of Hermione's alarm at seven o'clock in the morning... every day. Like always, Hermione jumped straight out of bed, heading towards the bathroom while the rest of us groaned and went back to sleep. Then to complete the cycle, Hermione stomped back into our dorm and forced everyone to wake up.

"UP! ALL OF YOU!" Hermione ordered, "CLASSES START TODAY, AND WE CAN'T ALL BE LATE!"

"'Mione, you do this every year!" I complained, "Please, for the love of Merlin, let me sleep in! Classes don't start until nine. I can wake up at eight!"

"Then you won't have enough time to eat breakfast." Hermione scoffed, pulling my covers back.

"I can make-do without breakfast..." I slurred, snatching the covers from her and burying myself underneath them.

Hermione sighed loudly, pulling out her wand, "Reducio."

I watched as my sheets shrunk to the size of a small coin, screaming in disbelief. She was not going to let me rest.

"YOU BITCH!" I hissed, grabbing my shrunken sheets, "YOU SHRUNK MY SHEETS!"

"I'll return them to normal once you get up." Hermione scoffed.

I was unable to make out any legible words as Hermione walked away from my bed. I couldn't believe it, she really shrunk my sheets. I huffed loudly as I stormed out of bed and to the bathroom to get ready. Hermione smirked at me while she brushed her teeth. In return, I glared at her as I splashed cold water onto my face to wake myself up.

To avoid more of Hermione's banter, I got ready for the day. I wore my hair down and did my makeup: coverup, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, and lipgloss. Once I had finished with my hair and makeup, I dressed in a white blouse and my house skirt. I then put on my house robes.

"You look nice!" Hermione beamed as I walked out of the bathroom.

I glared at her, walking over to my wardrobe and grabbed a pair of trainers, "I still hate you."

Hermione rolled her eyes at me while Lavender and Parvati awoke from their beds and made their way into the bathroom. I sent her an annoyed look as I gestured to the two girls entering the bathroom because the time read eight o'clock, meaning that I could have woken up later.

"I did you a favor," Hermione scoffed, "Did you really want to share a bathroom with Lavender and Parvati?"

"Yes because I could have gotten an extra hour of sleep!" I spat, tying my shoes.

Hermione rolled her eyes once more while she walked towards the door. I followed her, and the two of us walked downstairs. The common room was filled with first-years, who were, most likely, waiting for Harry to come out of his dorm. Hermione and I pushed past them to the common room door, and then walked to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Hermione and I were amongst the first to arrive at breakfast and took advantage of the abundance of nosh at the table. I had toast with butter, bacon, and eggs; the kitchen-elves were never ones to disappoint, the meal was delicious.

Eventually, Harry and Ron joined us at our table, and like I had guessed, Harry was bombarded by the first-years. All of us found humor in this, except for Harry, who was disturbed by the whole experience.

More students started to fill the hall and join their friends for breakfast. I looked over at the Slytherin table and noticed Draco with his friends. Theo and Blaise were invested in a conversation with Crabbe and Goyle, while Pansy gossiped with Daphne Greengrass. Draco sat with his head resting in his hand, a dead look on his face.