Know Thyself {Neville Longbottom}

III. Tetterwort

Can be used as a protective agent to shield from malevolent thoughts or spells.

Outside the library window the sky was a dismal grey, and storm clouds were gathering in the distance. I sighed, a bit disappointed at the weather's behavior. It seemed winter was going to come much sooner than normal this year. I wasn't very keen on rain seeing as it kept me indoors all day, forcing me to focus on things like potions. I frowned, and lied my head down on my book, from which I was supposed to be reading.

"Oi, Laura!" Cece said as she appeared next to me, and dropped her books on the table with a loud thump.

I nearly jumped out of my chair, causing her to snicker.

"Day dreaming about Neville again are we?" she asked mischievously.

"What? No!" I said defensively.

Cece rolled her eyes and sat down next to me. "Well, you're no fun as usual."

"And you're as lovely as ever." I replied, my tone laced with sarcasm.

"Oh, I know I'm wonderful, and that's why I've come to help you with potions!" she said grinning.

I sighed and couldn't help but smile at my best friend. Potions was my worst subject, but luckily for me Cece excelled in it. In turn I helped her with Herbology and Transfiguration, both of which she didn't much care for.

We were midway into our essay on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion making when Cece decided to bring up a new subject.

"So, how are things going with your Herbology mate?" she asked casually.

My hand froze over my piece of parchment, causing a drop of ink to fall onto it.

"Damn." I cursed. I set my quill down and groaned, "Blimey Cece, it hasn't even been a week. Do you expect me to have married him already?"

"No, but I expect you to have snogged him at least once or twice surely..."

I laughed, "Need I remind you that I am not you."

She shrugged, "Well, I suppose that's true. I mean I do have more fun."

I gave her a playful shove, "If you must know, I did talk to Neville yesterday in Herbology, and we've agreed to study together outside of class."

"Oooh, and what will this studying consist of?" she asked curiously.

"Just...plants and things." I mumbled, my cheeks growing red.

"Well, a bit boring for my taste but I suppose it's a start."

I rolled my eyes, and went back to writing my essay. I only had about five inches left of parchment to fill, but I realized that Cece had stopped writing altogether. She was staring absentmindedly at a book floating around a nearby shelf.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She sighed, somewhat dramatically. "Well, it seems that a certain Pansy Parkinson has managed to steal Draco's attention again. Haven't got a clue what he sees in that giggling ninny."

I shook my head, "Perhaps it's the giggling that works in her favor. You know he enjoys the company of anyone who will stroke his ego."

She crossed her arms, "Well, I refuse to stoop to such levels of idiocy. I'll win his attention with my charms and intellect."

I smirked, "So, I won't catch you meddling with love potions again then?"

Cece let out a squeak of protest, "You know I've never done any such thing!"

I laughed loudly, attracting the attention of a few other students. Cece hid her face behind a book, and I tried to muffle my laughter.

"Well...not without good reason..." she added quietly. This caused both of us to laugh, and this time we were shushed by a nearby ghost who was trying to read.

I scribbled the last few lines of my essay, and checked the time on my pocket watch.

"We'd better get going, don't want to be late for transfiguration." I said as I gathered my things.

Cece groaned, "I'd rather drink the Draught of Living Death."

I grinned, and pulled her along side me as we headed to the classroom.

We arrived a few minutes early and I sat next to Justin from my house, while Cece sat next to a fellow Slytherin. I caught the eye of Neville and gave a smile, which he returned somewhat nervously.

Transfiguration proved to be challenging, as we started off with vanishing spells. Despite it being one of my best subjects I only succeeded in turning my snail rather translucent. Cece was fairing far worse than me, and I could hear her complaining from across the room.

When the bell rang signaling the end of class I let out a sigh of relief. At least now I could go to Herbology with Neville.

I gathered my things and walked over to his desk, "Would you like to walk to Herbology together?" I asked him.

"Uh, yeah. That'd be great." He replied happily.

As we left the room, Cece called out "Catch you at dinner!" and gave me a thumbs up.

I waved and thought, "Perhaps this year won't be all that bad..."