Frida Fortescue and the Giggles in the Tombs
You must know something about Frida Fortescue. She hates tea. And when she screames fight me, she means it.
She doesn't want any adventures. Then, in her third year she began hearing a mysterious laughter...
It was nearly the third week of the school year when Frida was able to speak with Neville. She wandered through the Hogwarts grounds, the cool September breeze carrying the scent of autumn. She loved this time of year when the castle buzzed with the excitement of a new school year. As she passed the Great Lake and watched the reflection of the towering castle ripple on the water's surface, her thoughts were on her cousin, Neville Longbottom.
Frida had been keeping a close eye on Neville since the term began, even if they didn't have the chance to talk. She knew all too well how overwhelming Hogwarts could be for a new student. Neville had always been a bit shy, and Frida had worried about how he'd adjust to life at the school. During breakfast, she'd noticed how he barely touched his food, his usual nervousness magnified by something more, looking at a red remembrall in his hands.
She found him sitting alone on a stone bench near the greenhouses, his head bowed, and his shoulders slumped. Frida hesitated for a moment, then walked over, her heart heavy with concern. "Nev?" she called softly as she approached.
Neville looked up, startled, but when he saw her, a small, grateful smile appeared on his face. "Hi, Ness," he said, shifting slightly to make room for her on the bench.
"Mind if I sit with you?" she asked, already taking a seat beside him.
"Of course not," Neville replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Frida studied him for a moment, noting the way his hands fidgeted in his lap and how his eyes seemed clouded with worry. "How's the start of the year been for you?" she asked gently, trying to keep her tone casual.
Neville sighed, his gaze dropping back to the ground. "It's been... okay, I guess," he mumbled, but Frida could hear the doubt in his voice. "I mean, I like Herbology, and Professor Sprout is nice, but everything else... it's just really hard. I keep forgetting the passwords, and I lost my toad twice already. Right now I'm forgetting something, but don't know what, Nana sent me a remembrall." He fished out the ball from his pockets, glowing red.
Frida's heart ached for him. "It's always tough at the beginning," she said softly, "but you're doing great, Nev. It takes time to get used to everything. I think you forgot your robe, by the way."
Neville shook his head, a frustrated frown creasing his forehead. " Thanks. My problem is that everyone else seems to be getting the hang of it. I'm always the last one to figure things out, and I feel like I'm just... not good enough."
Frida reached out, half hugging him. "Nuggles, you're more than good enough. Hogwarts is a big place, and it's easy to feel lost at first, but you're here, and you're trying. That's what matters."
Neville looked at her, his eyes searching hers for the reassurance he desperately needed. "Do you really think so? Because I wanted to be a Hufflepuff, like you are, and the Hat was like 'No way, are you crazy? The Wizard of Oz gave you courage!' and then he sorted me into Gryffindor."
"Of course, he sorted you into Gryffindor, you argued with it for several minutes" Frida said firmly, trying to hide her laughter. "And you're not alone. I'm here for you, you know. We'll get through it together, okay?"
Neville bobbed his head, the tension in his face easing just a little. "Thanks, Ness," he said, his voice sincere. "It helps to know you're here."
Frida looked at him with a broad smile, relieved to see the spark of hope returning to his eyes. "Remember, Nev, I'm always around."
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