Know Thyself {Neville Longbottom}

XIV. Borage

Borage

The flower essence promotes optimism and enthusiasm in a person who has suffered burdens experienced in the heart.

Something was wrong, though I wasn't sure yet what that something was.

What had started out as an ordinary, and even promising day had become rather concerning. It seemed however, that I was the only one to think so.

It began during our final exam, History of Magic which everyone was most likely the least prepared for seeing as hardly anyone could ever stay awake in Professor Bins's class. I myself, had been fretting over it quite a bit, because I had trouble keeping all of the names and dates straight.

I was midway through my explanation on the breach of the Statute of Secrecy that occurred in 1749, sincerely hoping that there were indeed Vampires involved, when I heard screaming behind me.

I turned, quite startled, to see Harry Potter lying on the floor of the great hall having collapsed into a fit. Everyone was rising in their seats, and the Examiner rushed over to help him up. He was quickly escorted out of the hall, while the rest of us sat in silence.

A few minutes later everything continued like normal, and I did my best to concentrate on my remaining problems. As we handed in our exams, Cece made her way over to me, looking drained.

"So glad that's finally over. My brain has all but gone to mush. Seems like the whole thing was a bit too much for Potter, eh?"

I nodded, frowning. For some reason I didn't think the exam had anything to do with his outburst. We chatted idly as we left the hall, following the crowd of fifth years who were returning to their respective dormitories.

Cece and I lingered in the halls, relishing the fact that we were finally free from the stress of exams. A figured sauntered over to us, and I turned to see Benny looking quite jovial.

"Hey there, have you heard? Going to be an all-nighter in the Gryffindor common room to celebrate the end of the term! Everyone who was in D.A. is invited." he added with a wink.

He turned to Cece, as if he had only just noticed she was there and said, "Oh, I 'spose you can come along too, but if anyone asks you're from Ravenclaw."

We watched as he left to rejoin his fellow Gryffindors, and I weighed the option of a party versus a good night's sleep in my head.

"Feel like pretending to be an eagle tonight?" I asked Cece, deciding to let her have the final say.

"Beats sulking around in the dungeons." she replied, in an off-color tone.

I looked at her curiously, but she quickly shook her head and said, "Oh, I know just the top I want to wear!"

__________

The party was in full swing as Cece and I climbed through the portrait hole. It was widely known among the houses that Gryffindors had rather rowdy gatherings, and this one was surely no exception.

Thankfully someone had the sense to cast a muffliato charm on the room, or the whole castle would've been aware of this get together.

I was mainly here to visit with Neville, although I did enjoy the idea of getting to see everyone from D.A. again. Hannah, Ernie, Justin, Susan, and Zacharias were already present, making themselves at home by the fire. Admittedly, the Gryffindor common room was cozy, but it wasn't quite on par with ours.

Looking around, I spotted a handful of Ravenclaws most of whom I recognized. Luna, however, was for some reason absent. I frowned, scanning the crowd, and realized she wasn't the only one who was missing from this occasion. Neville was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Hermione, Ron, Ginny, or Harry for that matter. Surely they would have wanted to be apart of this? They had just as much cause, if not more, to celebrate the year coming to an end.