The Scarlet Witch °Neville Longbottom

°0.7°

0.7 |a study in pink|

VERA entered her shared bedroom wanting to cuddle with her wooden friend after a long day of various lessons. One, in particar being awful.
Vera hated the lady in pink named Umbridge after just one lesson.
She had to wait until Harry got back from his detention with her until she could speak with him again.
Vera sat down on her bed calling out for Rex.
She waited for a few seconds while dangling her feet on the side of her soft bed.
She looked around the room trying to spot any sign of movement and calling for Rex's name again.
She frowned when nothing happened after some time.
Her heart started to beat a bit faster and she kneeled down on the ground peeking under the various beds.
She tried to look in every corner but no sign of Rex.
"Rex, where are you?"
The panic was evident in her voice while putting her hand in her hair.

In the mean time Neville was busy taking care of one of his plants in the common room.
The crowded space was filled with various sounds.
He tried to ignore the shameless couple behind him kissing on the steps. His focus however faltered when he heard very subtle footsteps running his way and soon enough branches covered the place next to him on the table.
Not too long after the branches grew smaller and Rex's body came into view onto the table.
Neville smiled while the creature sat down in front of him with a small smile.
He stretched his finger towards the small thing and Rex wrapped his hands around it. He hugged it while letting out a purr of satisfaction.
Neville smiled at Rex while staring at him with fascination.

His head whipped around when a door slammed open and footsteps were heard running down.
The couple got pushed aside and a frantic Vera could be seen.
She looked around the room and relaxed in an instant seeing Rex infrotn of her.
She sighed while closing her eyes and walked towards Neville and her pet.
She stood beside the boy with a small smile.
"Can I sit here?" she gestured towards the seat next to Neville and he nodded while avoiding her gaze.
Rex let go of Neville and ran towards Vera.
"Rex, don't ever do that again! I was worried sick!"
Her stern voice made the creature look down in sadness.
Vera picked him up and hugged him.
She turned her head towards Neville and smiled.
"Thank you, Neville. For looking out for him."
He quickly looked at her and nodded.
"It's nothing."
They sat in a comfortable silence.
Neville figeted with his hands wanting to ask more about but not daring.

"H-how was your first schoolday?"
Vera turned back to Neville while stroking Rex's small back.
"Pretty good. Some things are hard to understand, like herbology."
Neville nodded while stealing a look when Vera wasn't looking.
"I could help you... W-with herbology."
Vera smiled and nodded.
"I would like that, thank you. Everything's better than Umbridge."
She giggled and Neville soon joined softly in.

***

Throughout the next few weeks the rule of Umbridge got even worse.
The first thing Vera saw was the night after Harry's detention and seeing his scar.
More students came back with similar scars. More rules were hung in front of the great hall and she even forced one of Hogwarts' professors to leave.

Vera glared at the pink woman with fury while her arms were crossed.
She huffed seeing professor Trelawny trying not to cry while her suitcases were spread around her.
Soon enough Dumbledore came through the doors of the castle and stopped the whole thing.
Some words were exchanged but the headmaster was still the best of her and Umbridge gave one of her fake smiles.

"God, I hate her."
Vera watched the pink lady like a hawk while students were walking away from the scene.
"I think we all do, young lady."
Vera frowned and turn on her heels coming face to face with redhead twins.
"Yeah, she took away our candy,"

"And our fireworks." the other twin finished while leaning his arm against the side of the outdoor wall.
"Candy? Why would she take away your candy?"
One of the boys pushed himself of the wall and soon the trio started to walk around the schoolgrounds.
"Well, they aren't just candy,"
Vera turned her head to the other boy.
"Some famous examples are the ones that grow your tong until it falls to the ground,"
Vera had to turn her head back around again to the right side when the other boy finished the sentence.
"Or gives you pimples on your whole face."
The girl leans back when the right identical boy wriggled his hands in front of her face.

The two boys turned around to stand still in front of her and she abruptly stopped with big eyes.
"We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Fred,"

"And I'm George."
Vera smiled while shaking her head.
"Let me guess, Weasley."
The nodded with a smile and Vera introduced herself as well.

The newly found trio walked to their shared common room while giving out ideas how to pull a prank on Umbridge.
Vera even had some good ideas for new candies.

As soon as they entered Vera said her goodbye and walked towards her dormitory.
She opened the door and sat down on her bed while greeting Hermione sitting on the bed next to her.
Hermione closed her book and turned to face Vera.
"Things have to change."
Hermione looked around the room making sure no one else was there to listen.
Both girls leaned forward getting closer to each other.
"We've got to be able to defend ourselves and if Umbridge refuses to teach us how, we need someone who will."

Vera nodded with a small smile.
"And who could be better than Harry himself."