I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

A dinner party

Half blood prince

It was already a long week and it was only Wednesday. Thank goodness the dinner was tonight, I needed a distraction. Draco wasn't anywhere near dine with the cabinet still and Katie Bell was still in the hospital wing. Thankfully Seamus recovered from his little love potion incident and he apologized profusely to Neville and I a million times since then.

Ginny, Hermione, and I are sitting in the common room hanging out after classes
"I think it's so cool we get to all go to the dinner together!" Hermione says
I look up at her from my sketchbook and then at Ginny. Ginny hasn't been very happy lately, her and Dean had been fighting a lot since the double date. I feel like Neville and I are slightly at fault for that.
"Ginny you ok?" I ask.
"Yeah I'm just tired." She replies
Hermione and I stare at her for a minute.
"Ok fine, I've been trying to get Dean to get along with me more than just snogging but it isn't going very well. When I saw the way you and Neville were together it made me want that too." She exclaims.

"I'm sorry Gin, I didn't mean to put pressure on you guys. But to be honest, if it doesn't feel right then maybe it's time to let it go." I say.
"Yeah Ginny, this relationship doesn't seem, how do you put it, healthy? There is more to life than snogging. You are a brilliant girl and he should want to get to know you on that level." Hermione adds
"Not to mention there is someone who wants to know you on that level Gin Gin." I say winking.
"Oh no, don't bring him into this! Those two can shove it." Hermione yells
Ginny is looking back and forth between me and Hermione confused
"Who? Who wants to get to know me?" Ginny beams
"Oh, I'm sure you know." I say with a smirk as I get back to my sketchbook.

Ginny tries to beg me to tell her but I just ignore her and keep sketching. At some point she gives up and starts pestering Hermione about Ron. I feel two strong arms wrap around from behind me.
"Ello love." Neville whispers. "Ah that's a good one!" He exclaims pointing at my sketchbook.
"Why thank you Nev, I think you are a good one." I say leaning up and kissing his cheek.
"Oh shush, y'all ready to go?" Neville says motioning to the group.
"You guys go ahead, I need to talk to Dean first." Ginny says. I look at her with a worried look and she forces a smile.
"Really, go ahead, I'll be fine." She says.

When we arrive to the Dinner some of the other guests have already arrived. Out of the people invited there are Neville, me, Hermione, Ginny who is late, Harry, Blaise Zabini, that boy Cormac mclaggen, and unfortunately the Carrow twins. Blaise I could deal with but the Carrow sisters were daughters of Amycus Carrow, a death eater I tended to butt heads with often at the manor. They were very quiet and have almost never spoken a word to me, but I knew they would relay any information about tonight to their father.

I take a seat next to Neville.
"Oh if it isn't the lovely Locks and Longbottom couple how delightful of you to join us!" Slughorn sings. Now shall we get this show on the road?" He exclaims. Everyone settles in and we were served an array of fine foods.
"Well now mr Zabini, how is your mother? Slughorn asks.
"Ah well, she has just remarried." Blaise puts simply.
"Remarried? I see, lucky number seven I hope?" Slughorn asks.
"We shall see." Blaise concludes.
Wow. This is going to be a long night.

Slughorn asks Cormac about his father and his title. Then asks Hermione about her muggle parents, earning a scoff from Blaise.
"They are dentists sir. Hermione says.
"And what is that exactly." Slughorn replies
"They take care of people's teeth." Hermione says.
"Oh how interesting, ah Ginny! Take a seat we are just finishing dessert!" Slughorn exclaims
Harry stands up from his seat awkwardly. Hermione and I look at each other and smirk. Ginny takes a seat next to Harry. I look over at Hermione again who is cringing. I glance at Cormac who is sucking on his ice cream covered fingers in attempt to look sexy and I cringe as well.

"Now Miss Locks, I haven't spoken to you and Longbottom, how are you two?" Slughorn says
"Oh we are great." I reply. Neville nods in agreement. "The dinner has been amazing, thank you for inviting us." I add
"Oh my pleasure dear, but I meant in your relationship. I find it quite fascinating. Truly a love story of the ages, the children of the Locks and Longbottom ending up together but constantly being challenged by the ever growing tension between the opposite sides that you two are on." He says
There is a long awkward silence and ice cream falls from Neville's spoon onto his shirt as he just stares forward. I grab a napkin and wipe his sweater vest clean. I smile at him and place the napkin back on the table. Everyone is still shocked and dead quiet.
"Oh yes, truly exciting that is for sure. as I stated before, we are great. Our relationship is wonderful. I appreciate the interest but I don't think you have something right." I say breaking the silence

"And what is that dear?"

"Neville and I aren't on two separate sides."