I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

The Yule ball part 1 ✓

Goblet of Fire

Neville

Draco left the library about an hour ago, I didn't even bother trying to stop him. I sat there trying to focus on my studies but I couldn't. He was asking Serenity to the ball right this very moment, and there is no reason she should say no. Disappointment comes over me and I'm left rethinking all my actions. Maybe I should have asked her sooner, I wanted to ask her but I wanted it to be special and I couldn't think of anything good enough. Serenity was a special girl and she deserved to be asked in the most outlandish and romantic way, right? I hear loud commotion in the halls alerting me that it is nearing dinner time. I gather my books and make my way to the Great hall.

Serenity

I made my way over to the Gryffindor table, it had become my permanent seating arrangement all year. I sit in my usual spot next to Neville and I can't help but notice he looks a little down. Before I can ask what was wrong I hear Seamus speak up.
"Damn if it isn't the Beauxbatons number one breaker of hearts?" He says, before shoving a roll into his mouth.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask in confusion. "Oruwe." He tries to say with a mouth full. He takes a sip of pumpkin juice before speaking again.

"Oh you know what I mean Serenity! I can't believe you had the nerve to turn down Draco Malfoy! You should have seen him after you told him no, he almost punched a hole into to castle wall!" He exclaimed, grabbing another roll to devour. Everyone's eyes were on me in awe.
"Why did you say no?" Ginny says.
"I'm waiting for someone else to ask me." I reply, doing a horrible job hiding my smile. I stuff my face with mashed potatoes before anyone else has the chance to say anymore on the matter.

Neville

I make my way back to my dorm almost skipping I'm so happy. Serenity said no to Draco Malfoy and now I finally had my chance to ask her to the ball. I start up the steps towards the Gryffindor dorms but I stop when I hears a voice call out to me.
"Loserbottom." I turn to see Draco standing at the edge of the steps.
"Yeah?" I reply, walking towards him.
"Fair and square." He says while offering his hand to shake. I cautiously shake his hand.

"I don't know what she sees in you, but it's obviously you, not me. Don't mess it up, and I swear to god if you hurt her I won't hesitate to use the killing curse on you." He says, he is now squeezing the life out of my hand and I wince.
"Sorry." He says pulling his hand away. He then pulls a book out of his robes,
"here, I think it's time you see this." He hands me a sketchbook I now recognize as the one Serenity lost earlier this year. I look at him confused.
"Don't worry I didn't steal it you git, I'm not that bad, I found it. I think you should be the one to return it though." He says before quickly turning around. I watch as the boy retreats out of view. I look down at the sketchbook.

What did he mean by, time for me to see?

I sit in bed staring at the closed sketchbook in front of me. Do I look at it? Or is that an invasion of privacy? It's not like a diary is it? So many thoughts fly through my head. I get up and pace the dorm running my hands through my hair. I stop and turn to look at it again. Draco did tell me to look at it right? It would be rude not to listen to him. I walk back over to my bed and I grab the book. I take in a deep breathe and as I let it out I open the sketchbook to the first page.

Serenity locks
Third and Fourth year sketchbook

So far so good, nothing too serious here. I flip to the next page. It's dated October of last year, it's covered in wildflower drawings each properly named in her neat handwriting. The next 3 pages are of magical creatures and items with long messy notes she must have taken in her classes. Then I flip to the next page, then the next one, then the 6 after that. There are about ten pages of drawings that all resemble me. I flip to the final filled page in the sketchbook.
It's dated the day she lost her sketchbook. There is a sketch of Me during our Herbology class and underneath it reads:

Neville Longbottom, my everything.

"Shit." I say outloud. Maybe I shouldn't have looked, this feels like a huge invasion of privacy. Although I can't help but feel ecstatic that she feels the same way. I close the book and rush down to the common room. I find Hermione and hand her the book. "Hermione, don't ask any questions. Just tell Serenity you found this mixed in your books and give it to her ok?" I say
"what wha-"
"I said no questions!! Whatever you do. Don't tell her I gave it to you." I add
"Ok?" Hermione finally says.

"Thanks." I say