Heirs to Something Greater

15; Defending Friends

"Harry, where are you going?" I asked as he walked through the common room in regular weekend clothes.

"Down to the lake to meet Neville and do some studying." He had a few books in his hands and one read Herbology on the front.

"Can I come with?" I stood up from the couch I was sitting on and closed my own book.

"Uhm, yeah I guess." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Awesome thanks! I have nothing else to do and I'm extremely bored." I walked with him as we left the common room through the portrait door and headed down to the lake.

We didn't take the path that Cedric and I had gone down a month ago. This path was less used and there wasn't even really a worn trail to use.

Neville and Juliet came into view as we rounded a few trees and the water showed. It was definitely a secluded area.

"Hey guys!" Neville hollered at us from his spot, about two feet in the water. His jeans were rolled up to his knees and he was looking at different objects he would pull up from the floor of the lake. Juliet was also wading in the water in a pair of shorts that reached a few inches above her knees. She must be freezing.

"Hi! What're you doing?" I asked as Harry sat down against a tree stump in the leaves and I sat next to him.

"Just looking at different plants. Professor Sprout said there's a whole bunch in the lake that we will learn about in class and I could have an early start on the lessons if I came down here and examined all of them!" Neville spoke with excitement all through his voice. Herbology really was his passion and it was nice that he could do something he loved.

"That's really cool Neville!" I responded with just as much excitement as he had. Harry completely ignored him and started reading out of his book.

"Yeah there's a lot of interesting stuff in here!" Juliet said while examining the different plants.

"If I talk too much or if I'm distracting, just let me know." Neville said from his spot in the water.

Harry seemed to ignore him again which I internally groaned at.

"I'm sure you won't be a bother Neville," I said reassuringly, which earned a smile from the boy. Once he had looked back down at his plants I nudged Harry in the ribs.

"Ow! What was that for?" He looked up from his book and instantly brought a hand to rub the spot I had elbowed him.

"You could be a bit nicer you know." I motioned towards Neville when he gave me a confused face.

"Sorry, I'm just stressed with this challenge. I have no clue what it's even about and I don't even want to be in it. Ron's still ignoring me and Hermione isn't much better. I don't understand why they still think I put my name in." Harry ranted with frustration and a sigh.

"They'll come around, don't worry about them. For now, you still have me and I can try to help you the best I can." I tried to be as comforting as I could, which gained a small smile before he turned back to his book.

It sucked that his best friends wouldn't believe him, or if they did, they didn't show it very well.

Harry was studying in silence as he filled up a piece of parchment with ink. I read through my own book, letting Neville gasp and say short words of amazement as he showed Juliet different plants.

Everytime Neville would make a noise, Harry would huff and set down his quill to look at him for a second before going back to his work.

"Amazing. Amazing," Neville said in wonder as he held up something green and slimy.