Bouquet of Secrets ~On Hold~

February 11, 1992

Before anyone says anything: I'm aware that February 14th is a Monday in 2022. Please remember this story is currently set in 1992, when February 14th was a Friday.

Neville grinned as he opened his curtains to another letter. He didn't blame Suiren for the lack of communication; Every single teacher seemed to be loading them with homework now that the break was over.

Or maybe Snape just hated that Valentine's Day was coming up, he was handing out detentions like roses in a bouquet from what Neville saw. It was quite possible Suiren had gotten caught up in the maelstrom of detentions.

However, that wasn't important for the moment, and it was likely Suiren would be informing him anyway, and so he reached for the letter...

Dear Neville,

Somehow, immediately after I tell you I won't, I end up not sending letters for a long period again. Obviously, I'm not doing too well with this writing thing.

It's not much of an excuse, but the teachers are giving a lot of homework... and Snape seems hellbent on making us all miserable in the lead up to Valentine's...

I know, not a good excuse, but unfortunately the only truth I have to give you.

Today I wanted to... celebrate our new friendship, so I give you this bouquet, one known to be of friendship,

Zinnia, with its meaning of Everlasting Friendship
Apple Blossom, with its meaning of Preference
Pansy, with its meaning of Thinking of You Often
Eucalyptus, with its meanings of Protection and Strengthening Bonds (to last a lifetime).

I hope to send another letter come Friday, the 14th, however with Snape's detentions I can make no promises. Much to my regret.

On another note, I have heard rumors of you wishing to contact me. No, your friend Harry has not spilled anything, I simply have ears in many places. I have managed to get Professor Flitwick to agree to pass letters on.

I have no doubt you will continue to respect my privacy, but for the sake of saying it, please do not ask Professor Flitwick about who I am.

Thank you, Neville.

Also, many congratulations on your point earning in Herbology, from the rumors nearly 30 points in a week?! That's almost as much as Granger! I stand by my words:

You Neville Frank Longbottom are absolutely amazing!

But with all said and done, I'm afraid I sign off here, hopefully with another letter coming soon.

With happiness,
Suiren.

Neville was surprised that Professor Flitwick had agreed to pass letters; Then again the Professor did seem interested in the blooming... friendship? Love story? Whatever this may be, he had seemed interested, so perhaps he was more surprised than necessary.

Neville quickly wrote out the letter he'd been thinking of for the past two weeks and left it in his trunk, to be handed over in his next Charms lesson. His new flowers looked quite lovely in the vase which now had a permanent residence on his bedside table.

With that Neville collected his things and headed out to another study session with Hermione, Ron, Harry, Dean, Seamus, and now, to his surprise, Lavender as well.