Voldermort's Grand-Daughter: Fates' Wager

Chapter 14: Hogsmeade

Two weeks later, and it was now time for the students to go on their first trip to Hogsmeade. Lilith and Draco got their permission immediately from Severus, who Lilith convinced to also allow Neville to go as well.

All the Third Years stand in front of McGonagall holding their permission forms, "Remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege. Should your behaviour reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again".

The students start walking out the castle. Lilith, Draco, Neville, Blaise and Pansy all walk together, their friends somewhere behind them.  

They see McGonagall stop Harry, "No permission form. No visiting the Village. That's the rule, Potter".

He nods, "Yes, Professor, but I thought if you said I could go-".

She shakes her head, "But I don't say so. A parent or guardian must sign, and since I am neither, it would be inappropriate". He slumps his shoulders, "I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my final word".  

He turns to Ron and Hermione, shaking his head. Their faces fall as he waves them goodbye and walks back into the castle.

Lilith noticed Neville's worried face, "Hey. Don't worry. He'll have another chance".

He smiles at her comfort and they continue to follow the crowd. Neville has spent the last two weeks really getting to know the group. He's grown closer to Lilith and definitely grown closer to Blaise. Now he knows that he made the right decision.  

Arriving at Hogsmeade, the students are amazed at the amount of different stores and areas there are to explore. Daphne, Theo, Crabbe and Goyle have now joined them.

Pansy turns to the group, "So, where to first?".

Lilith turns to Neville, "Why don't we let our new friend choose?".

He looks around nervously, "Um...why don't we go to Dogweed and Deathcap?".

Blaise laughs, "A Herbology shop. Why am I not surprised?".  

He blushes and leads the way to the shop. They come up to a building with two large windows surrounded with green. Looking inside, Lilith could see various pots of plants, Neville visibly excited at the sight.  

Walking inside the shop, it almost looked like Professor Sprout's classroom. There were long tables lining the walls and two long tables in the middle of the shop. In the middle tables, the plants were in soil and on the wall tables they were in pots. Neville immediately start looking around, the others not really sure where to start.  

Lilith walks up to Neville browsing, "I'm curious. What made you love Herbology so much?".

He smiles and caresses a plant, "I guess it was the first class I ever excelled at. For the first time, I gained a sense of confidence in passing something. The more I studied, the more interested I got". He laughs, "I started to study outside of class. Made me feel like Hermione sometimes".

She nods, "I see. I guess I felt the same way with potions growing up".

He turns to her, "Really? You were bad at other subjects?". 

Draco walks over, "We both were. Our parents tried to get us interested in other topics early but potions was the only one that stuck. I mean, having Lia's father and my godfather be a Potion Master probably contributed to it, to be honest".

Neville nods, "That makes sense. I did use to help my nan with her gardening. Maybe that contributed as well".