wanderlust ☆ n.longbottom

.:09:.

Exhaustion flooded Daisy and almost knocked her over as she headed off to Herbology. It was her first lesson that morning and, since she was up all night, she had really contemplated skiving. She knew Neville wouldn't be impressed if she skipped because not only are O.W.Ls fast approaching but Herbology was his favourite lesson. Daisy had to admit she didn't exactly hate the lesson. Professor Sprout ensured to present herself as more of a friend rather than a teacher. She always had a warm smile spread on her wrinkled, rosy face and it always made her classes feel comfortable. Plus, Daisy had Neville beside her and he was always beyond ecstatic to help her. Currently, Daisy had her head resting on her desk whilst Lavender and Parvati rambled on about the Divination homework.

"Dean, Daisy, why are you two so tired today?" Professor Sprout asked. The duo immeidately shot up, not aware that their counterpart was also using the lesson to take a nap. This joined them in an obvious, guilty unison.

"Studying," answered Dean, blushing. Daisy nodded in agreement, replicating his blushed tone as she felt Neville's analytical gaze on her.

"Maybe if you paid attention in my lesson you wouldn't have to use your free time to study as hard," Sprout advised. Though she sported a frown, her eyes still twinkled. Daisy had never heard her shout; anything above a whisper seemed foreign in her voice. Daisy and Dean murmured a synchronised agreement. All eyes were on Dean and Daisy and they were relieved when the bell rang to signal the end of the lesson.

"Neville, can I have a word before you go to lunch please?" Professor Sprout asked. Neville nodded eagerly and Daisy hung back to wait for him, much to Dean's disappointment.

"Is everything okay, Professor?"

"Splendid, I was just wondering if...Daisy, why don't you go off to lunch?"

"She's just waiting for me. Is it okay if she stays?"

Sprout nodded. It was clear to her that the friends weren't going to seperate. The plump Herbology teacher perched herself on the edge of her desk. "I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind helping some students in your year with the recent homework? I know it's a lot to ask of you but I feel like it will be less intimidating if you support them rather than me. You're beyond excelling in this module so I know you'd be a great teacher."

"I'll do it!"

"Are you sure? Oh thank you, Neville. I'll let them know, there's just a few Slytherins and a Hufflepuff student that are struggling with this current project. I'll let them know you will be happy to help them."

"No worries, is it okay if Daisy joins too?"

"Of course, the more the merrier!" Professor Sprout exchanged the details surrounding the arrangments and then Daisy and Neville made their way out of the greenhouses.

"What did you go inviting me to your little nerdy plant club for?" Daisy hissed as she trudged through the mud. The Sepetember rain had been hurtling down in icy sheets all week and it created a squelchy marsh around the greenhouses. Her purposeful strides splattered the bottom of her cloak with dirt.

"It's not a nerdy plant club."

"It totally is, if they weren't nerds they wouldn't care about not understanding the project."

"Whatever, you don't have to come. Just thought you could use the extra help."

"Are you calling me thick?"

"That isn't what I meant."

"I know," Daisy sighed. "I should probably see Dean anyway."

"Why don't you look happy about that?"

"I am! It's just..."

"Go on."

"He wants to see me like every minute of every day and it's tiring." Daisy blurted out, the quick tempo of her confession implied the worry had been weighing her down for a while and she was relieved to finally be able to share it.

Neville spluttered out a laugh. "But he's your boyfriend, of course he wants to see you. That's the whole point of a boyfriend."

"I know and I want to see him too, we just don't have to be glued at the hip. Oh, speak of the devil." Neville and Daisy had just turned into the Great Hall when she spotted Dean eagerly waving them over. "Do you mind?" Daisy asked Neville. She was conscious the new addition of Dean might alter the dynamics between her and her best friend and she never wanted him to feel excluded or out of place.

"No of course not," came Neville's answer as they sat beside Dean and Seamus.

"You look really pretty today, Daisy," Dean said as she sat down.

She scowled. "I literally look the same as I do everyday."

"Exactly."

Daisy suddenly lunged herself at Dean, enveloping him in a passoniate kiss. Dean looked startled before settling.

"Can you take this elsewhere?" Hermione mused. "It's just some of us are trying to eat."

Neville was releaved someone had protested about the public display of affection. He, too, felt queasy but it was for an entirely different reason to Hermione's.

"Why don't you eat somewhere else then?" scoffed Daisy.

"I'm in the dining hall. You know what people do in the dining hall? They eat food, not each other. So it appears I am entitled to stay and you should be the one to leave."

Daisy rolled her eyes at Hermione's fastidious remarks. Her paitence continued to decrease when she saw Umbridge scuttling over to them. She had returned back from the ministry and seemed to be even more determined to ruin everyone's life. She had announced a number of new rules but no one was really paying attention.

"Boys and girls are not permitted to be within eight inches of each other," she said.

"Says who?" Daisy sneered.

"Me."

"You can't just go about making rules, that's Dumbledore's job," hissed Daisy.

"And do you see Dumbledore?" she asked smugly.

"Where is he?" quizzed Harry, panic arising in his emerald eyes.

"Gone," Umbridge answered.

"Gone where?" demanded Harry.

"Away." With her final word, she disappeared. She puffed out her chest and stuffed her nose upright, carrying herself back towards Dumbledore's seat with the air of a superior.

"Harry, what's wrong with your hand?" Hermione asked anxiously.

Harry quickly stuffed his hand into his sleeve. "Nothing."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. She didn't believe him. There was something wrong. There was something very wrong. Umbridge's power was only increasing. They had to do something to stop her.