Late Bloomers

Taking Chances

“I swear, if I didn’t have to take Potions to become a Healer I would drop that class. Can you believe how awful Snape is? I still can’t believe he gave Roger such a hard time,” Sinead shook her head, her lips pursed in annoyance.

“I know! I hear he’s even worse to the Gryffindors. Malcolm told me once that he took off points for no reason at all.”

Sinead rolled her eyes, “I’m not surprised,” if there was any teacher who was unfair, it was Snape. It was only the first day of classes, and already Sinead was bogged down with homework. The day had started with Transfiguration, which had gone smoothly enough. Sinead had immense respect for her professors, but McGonagall was one of her absolute favorites. Sure she was strict, but she believed every student to be capable and only pushed them so that they could advance their abilities. Transfiguration was followed by Charms, and Charms by Potions. Halfway through the day and Sinead was already in a bad mood.

“Well, at least we don’t have that class with the Slytherins,” Aoife smirked and Sinead chuckled.

“Thank Merlin for that,” Sinead agreed. They were headed to the Great Hall for a quick lunch before splitting up to go to their classes. Sinead had Herbology down in Greenhouse 4 while Aoife would be going to Arthimancy. With a sigh, the girls sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Sinead’s bookbag made an audible thud as she dropped it onto the bench beside her and Aoife looked exasperated.

“I still don’t understand why you insist on carrying all your books around with you everyday,” she commented as she placed a bit of salad and turkey on her plate before picking up an apple.

“You know I like to study in between classes. Besides, I need to do some reading for Herbology anyway. I feel sure she’s going to start us on Venomous Tentaculars soon and I want to be prepared,” Sinead countered, lifting the heavy herbology volume out of her bag and propping it open in front of her. Immediately, she began reading, pausing only for a quick sip of pumpkin juice or a bite of the ham sandwich she’d picked up from a platter on the center of the table. Aoife just shook her head and left her friend to her reading.

“I should head up to Arthimancy. I’ll see you in DADA,”

“See you later Aoife,” Sinead replied, not even looking up from her book. A few minutes later, Sinead glanced at her watch and packed up her belongings, barely managing to wrangle her Herbology book back into her overstuffed bag. She was still trying to get it situated properly as she walked out of the Great Hall and toward the front doors of the castle and therefore was unaware of another student walking right towards her.

As she looked up, it was already too late. She and the boy collided. Her bag ripped and her school books, quills and parchment went all over the floor. Ink wells shattered and immediately began soaking into her belongings.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should’ve been paying more attention,” the stunned face belonged to none other than Neville Longbottom and Sinead had to give herself a little shake to bring herself back to reality and make a reply. Neville had already bent down to gather up her things and Sinead hurried to do the same. “Reparo,” she pointed her wand at the ink wells that had broken and immediately the pieces came back together and the ink was returned to its proper place. “and don’t worry about it, Neville. Honestly, it was just as much my fault,” she’d meant to sound reassuring, but as she was in a hurry to get to class she sounded a bit flustered.

Neville’s cheeks tinged pink as he reached out to pick up a fallen book and their hands touched. It was only a split second, but it sent a shock wave through his body. “You like Herbology?”  he asked eagerly. For a moment, his love of the subject overshadowed his nervousness, but as soon as he remembered who he was talking to the nerves came back.