I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

Surprised

Deathly Hallows

I apparate to the mansion easily. Getting through the charmed gate worried me, but to my surprise I was able to pass right through. Within moments of approaching the door I have 3 wands pointed at me.

"And who might you be? Pretty little thing aren't you?" A mans voice says. I slowly turn towards the voice and his wand creeps near my neck. I put my hands up defensively and gently pull off my hood.
"Well well if it isn't Serenity Locks." The Carrow siblings speak in unison. They lower their wands.
"Hubar you fool! Lower your wand!" Alecto yells.
The man with a creepy smile slowly lowers his wand but doesn't break eye contact.
"Important and beautiful? Why haven't I met you yet?" Hubar asks.
"Because despite me being important, you my dear have no importance to me." I reply cooly. The young man chuckles and rubs his face.
"Damn." He sighs. I ignore him and continue towards the door.

The Carrow siblings follow behind, but not in a friendly way. My feet echo on the familiar marble but I don't feel at all like I'm at home. Somehow the place feels colder and darker than the last time I had been here.
"Hello?" I say, it echos through the building like the place had been empty for years.

Then I hear quick footsteps from upstairs.
"Leaf?" I hear Draco say. The minute I lock eyes on him we are running towards each other. When we slam together to hug it hurts a little bit I don't care, I'm happy to see him again. Happy he is alive.

"Leaf what are you doing here? I thought you were spending summer with Longbottom?" He exclaims.
I hold his face in my hands and survey him for any possible pain he has gone through.
"Leaf I'm fine! Stop worrying so much, now why are you here?" He asks again.
"I have information." I whisper. Then I lift my left hand. "And I've locked down the Longbottom family." I say with a smile.

"So what is this information?" Draco asks as we stroll the mansion grounds.
"Draco, I need you to set something up for me. I need to speak to the dark lord. Everyone needs this information." I say.
"Serenity, I'm not sure if that can be done, I mean you were gone for awhile. I'm not sure everyone thinks you are loyal to us anymore. The Lord wasn't too excited about your little vacation." He replies.
I let go of his arm and sit down on a small stone bench placed infront of a fountain. Draco takes the seat next to me.
"Believe it, or don't believe it. It doesn't hurt me either way." I reply. I take Draco's hands in mine gently.
"Draco please?" I ask. He looks at me worried.
"Serenity, honestly, my family isn't on the best terms with the dark lord lately. I'm not even sure he will listen to me." He replies.

"Draco? Are you out here?" I hear a female voice.
Draco looks at me with a gentle smile.
"Let me alert my mother you are here, come back in when you are ready, alright? We can have a family dinner, welcome you home." He says. He kisses my forehead and disappears around the corner.

"So...." I hear a mans voice behind me and it startled me so much I jump a little. I turn around to see Hubar again. He puts his hands on my shoulders, I believe to be out of comfort, but it comes off as creepy.
"Didn't mean to startle you gorgeous." He says with a mischievous smile. He leans against the fountain and lights a cigarette.
"So, how does the Malfoy boy know you? Are you the girlfriend?" He asks rudely.
"Childhood friend actually, his mother raised me." I say. I hope to Merlin this conversation is short.
"Ah, the Locks girl. The seducer." He replies.
I look at him confused.
"You were sent to collect more pure blood families were you not?" He continues. "Poor girl sent to reproduce with the Longbottom boy? How unfortunate. You are far too top shelf for that family. Why not mate with Draco?" He asks. The way he speaks disgusts me but if I'm going to get a meeting with the dark lord I'm going to have to deal with this disgusting joke of a man. Even if he looks at me like a piece of meat.

"Then who would seduce the pure blood men? The Parkinson girl can't possibly be anyone's type." I spit.
"Aha there's that fire. You have got spirit princess." He says as he blows out another puff of smoke. The young man is wearing all black but not in the form of a suit like Draco normally does. He has leather covering his forearms, and he wears a black cloak. He doesn't look any older than 20. If it weren't for his long black hair laying so messy and his terrible personality, some may say he could be considered handsome.

He snatches my left arm.
"A death eater? I thought Draco and I were the youngest ones, how interesting." He says examining my dark mark. I quickly pull my arm away and hold it close to me chest.
"Please don't touch me." I reply. I keep my eyes on the ground. Hubar crouches in front of me and turns his head to the side to catch my gaze. Much like Neville has so often done before. The very thought of my fiancé sends warmth to my cheeks.
"Oh my Merlin! Are you blushing!?!? Ha! A shy death eater?!" He exclaims. I promptly stand and walk away towards the mansion.

"Serenity Locks huh?" I whisper to myself. It's not everyday you meet such a gorgeous creature. Let alone a gorgeous death eater. Most girls are scared of me and most death eaters are older nasty women. Maybe being in charge of protecting the Malfoys won't be so boring after all?