Know Thyself {Neville Longbottom}

III. Chamomile

Used as a talisman to attract wealth, more commonly known to promote a restful sleep.

Some time later, Benny returned and the three of us helped ourselves to various treats from the trolley that he had acquired. Cece was in notably better spirits, though I could tell she was still far from alright.

We were discussing the results of our O.W.L.s and, as I had suspected, Cece received all nine. I had as well, but not with as high marks as she.

"You know you're the only reason I even managed an A in Divination," I told her, "so I'm not sure why I let you convince me to continue taking it."

"Well, this way our schedules are practically identical! We both dropped History of Magic, so we've got a free period, and we'll be in all the same classes aside from Care of Magical Creatures. Are you positive you want to carry on with that?"

I nodded, "Of course! I want to be able to heal creatures as well, not just people."

Just then, there was knock on the compartment door and we all turned to see a young Slytherin student, most likely a third year, standing outside.

The door slid open and they held out a scroll of parchment tied with a violet ribbon. "This is for Clarisse Bruins."

Cece accepted it with a questioning look on her face, and unrolled it, her eyes scanning the message.

"Oh, bloody hell." she groaned.

"What is it?"

"Slughorn wants me to join him for lunch in his compartment."

I glanced at Benny, who shrugged. "Who is that exactly?"

"He used to be a professor at Hogwarts, and my Uncle Roderick was one of his favorite students. Slughorn has this bothersome hobby of selecting students to be a part of his club, and then proceeding to pester them for favors or privileges. He'll probably want to hear all about how well Roderick is doing, and whether I intend to follow in his footsteps as a world-famous curse breaker."

Cece mimed gagging, and I shook my head bewildered. "I'm sure it won't be all bad."

"Oh yes it will." she replied, and stood up from her seat. "If I'm not back in thirty minutes, start planning my funeral 'cause I'll most likely have died from boredom."

__________

"Are you excited for Quidditch this year, Benny?" I asked my brother, after Cece had left.

"You bet! I reckon Potter will be captain this year, seeing as he's a natural born leader and all that. Speaking of...I wonder if Katie is going to try out again this year."

"Katie Bell?"

"Yeah," he replied with a grin, "I think I'll go and ask her."

I watched him go, slightly confused at his sudden change in behavior. I couldn't recall having heard him ever mention her before...

The compartment was now rather quiet so I took the chance to continue reading my book from earlier. The sky outside the window was beginning to grow dark, and I considered leaving to find Cece when the door of the car slid open.

"Oi Laura, look who I found!"

I turned at the sound of Cece's voice, and was quite surprised to see someone standing beside her.