So, due to issues with wattpad's servers, this one shot is a day late. But at least it's out there. I won't lie, this isn't edited (when are they ever edited) so please look over any issues ~

I'm not satisfied with this one ...

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The moment fifth year was over, I would never - never - set foot in this cursed greenhouse ever again. Once I'd sat through my Herbology O.W.L, and hopefully got a passing grade, I'd leave this damned subject far behind. I couldn't wait for that time to come. But until then, I did have to sit through each lesson and struggle my way through it, to try to scramble a passing grade in some way. Not that I struggled with the theoretical aspects of the topic, but the practical aspects well - I didn't want to think on that matter, to begin with. Just thinking about it would make my mood plummet. For now, I'd work to scramble together an A, a measly Acceptable and I would be happy. More than happy, I would be over the moon, I'd be so pleased that I'd volunteer to be the one to sneak the alcohol into the common room for the next party. But well ... I had to get to that point first of all.

Dropping my head slightly, I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the beginning of a tension headache forming at the base of my skull. Only Herbology could give me this sort of headache. Hannah, sitting at my side and knowing me through and through, reached out a sympathetic hand and patted my shoulder.

"Just another 30 minutes," she said softly, voice lowered so that no one else heard our conversation. Lowering my hand back to my lap, I nodded, and let out a deep breath, she was right.

"Just 30 minutes," I repeated like a mantra.

"If you think about it, it's just three 10-minute slots," Susan piped up from my other side.

Glancing between my two dormmates, I shared a smile with them, hoping it told them it summed up how grateful I was to them both, without me having to say it. Not that my smile lasted long. Rather, it faltered the moment Professor Sprout announced that she would be pairing students to work together for the rest of the term.

"Oh Helga," I despaired, feeling my headache return in full force. This time, neither of my friends tried to offer me any reassurance, they knew it wouldn't work this time.

We all sat in silence, listening as Professor Sprout took her time to pair us all up. My hands were wound together in my lap as I waited, silently hoping that I got paired with someone who, like me, struggled with the subject. At least that way I wouldn't feel bad about dragging them down. It would ease my guilt if I wasn't forcing someone to blunder with me. Not that my head of house was so kind. Sprout saw fit to pair me up with Longbottom, arguably one of the most capable students in the classroom and I watched apprehensively as the Gryffindor made his way across the greenhouse, settling into the seat Hannah had emptied minutes ago.

Longbottom, settling comfortably in his seat, offered me a small smile. "You alright, Quimby?"

"I'm alright, Longbottom," I said just as quickly, returning his smile. Merlin, the poor sod had no idea what he was getting himself into by being paired up with me. If he did know, he wouldn't be so quick to offer me such a friendly smile. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks." He nodded, offered me another smile and then we both turned once more to the front of the room where Professor Sprout remained dividing the students up into pairs.

I watched the older witch as she moved around the room with her usual warm grace and nerve-easing smile. Sometimes I hated that about her. I couldn't help but resent it when she looked at me with such kindness because it made it worse when I disappointed her. Disappointing Professor Sprout was something I dreaded and it made each Herbology lesson more draining than it should have been. Although she never said it, I knew it had to be grating Sprout that one of the members of her house wasn't capable of looking after plants, rather they had a black thumb. No doubt that was why she'd paired me with Longbottom, someone who was practically a prodigy in the subject, hoping that he'd rub off on me. Not that she knew the opposite would happen, I'd bring his grade down.

Once she was done pairing everyone off, Sprout distributed the plants with a wave of her wand and I eyed the potted plant in front of me with cold dread. Straightening my spine, I shuffled as far back on my stool as I could without tumbling off of it. It was just a plant; faceless and green and magical yes, but it was just a plant. It shouldn't have inspired as much anxiety in me as it did. I risked a glance at my partner who, unlike me, leaned towards the plant as if to get a better look at it. Longbottom, whose face had been fixed in his usual friendly smile, came alive; eyes brightening and full of wonder. What was it about plants that he found so awe-inspiring? Was it only plants that made Longbottom look that way or -

Drawing myself away from the abrupt thought, I cleared my throat. My brain worked quickly, coming up with an idea. Reaching a cautious hand out, I touched Longbottom on the arm. He turned his head, meeting my waiting eyes and offering me a heightened version of his usual smile. Well - if that wasn't a little blinding.

Forcing myself to push past it, I offered, "Why don't you tend to that and I'll take the notes?"

"Are you sure?" Longbottom asked dubiously, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "I know taking notes is boring."

"It's not," I assured him hurriedly. Taking notes was the best part of Herbology for someone like me - someone who killed plants without even meaning to. "I'll take the notes and I'll copy them for you."

Longbottom searched my eyes for a second before nodding just once and returning his attention to the plant. Briefly, I thought that it was a shame that I couldn't see those gentle eyes anymore. I watched him for just a little longer, noticing the way he was carefully tending to the plant before reaching for my quill and starting to take our notes. Well, this had worked out better than I'd thought it would.

**********

Each approaching Herbology lesson shouldn't have filled me with as much dread as it did. And yet, every week, as I made my way towards the greenhouses for my Herbology lessons, each step felt heavier than the last and my palms broke out into cold clammy sweats. It was so bad that as the greenhouses finally came into view, my pace slowed until I was practically crawling. Not that Susan and Hannah would let me crawl. They would take to either side of me, taking an arm each and then practically frogmarched me towards the greenhouse, citing that bravery wasn't just for the Gryffindors and that I couldn't let our side down like this. Not that I knew what Herbology had to do with letting 'our side down'. Not that I had the right state of mind to verbalise that either.

"Besides," Susan added, mustering the wide sunny smile that she was known for, as we approached the final few steps towards the greenhouse, "just think, Longbottom will already be there waiting for you."

"Yeah," Hannah agreed, picking up on Susan's insinuation. Her tone wasn't as pleasant as Susan's was. Rather, even without looking at her, I knew she was teasing me and I tried not to glower at her, "You'll get to see his smile again and the lesson will fly past."

Helga, I should have known better. You only needed to slip up just once, and our dormmates would go on and on about it. I really should have known better than to say that Longbottom had a nice smile. It was a fool's error on my part.

"I swear to Merlin," I started fiercely, shooting a look between the pair of them, "if you happen to say anything anywhere near him-"

"Relax, we've got more sense than that," Susan assured me, rolling her eyes as we finally crossed the threshold.

My friends, satisfied that I wouldn't run away - not that I would run away, I was just planning on taking my sweet time getting to the lesson - released me. Offering me twin waves, they headed to their assigned seats and I did the same. Longbottom was already sitting waiting for me, drumming his hands on the tabletop in a random rhythm which paused only slightly when he caught my approach. Locking his eyes onto mine, Longbottom offered me that damned smile. Returning his smile, I settled into my seat.

Putting my bag on the table, I pulled out my quill and offered him a, "Good morning."

"Morning, Quimby." Finally stopping drumming his hands, Longbottom brought them onto his lap and shifted in his seat to face me.

My motions stilled and I watched him a tad apprehensively from the corner of my eyes, wondering what he wanted. But, before I could ask him anything, and before he could even say anything to me, Professor Sprout took the front of the class and started the lesson. Appearing a tad reluctant, Longbottom turned his body once more, towards the front of the greenhouse where our Professor stood.

I listened attentively, jotting down a few notes as Professor Sprout started talking about the plant we were studying today; the Chinese Chomping Cabbage. The name alone had my shoulders drooping nervously. Still, I paid attention to everything that was being said, after all, I'd get most of my grades from the theoretical parts of the exam. Unfortunately, Professor Sprout had finished offloading all the background we needed on the plant and announced that it was time to study the plant up close and personal. The announcement was enough to have me deflating in my seat. Even more so when Professor Sprout spelled one of the blasted plants to levitate across the greenhouse onto each of the tables.

My eyes settled onto the potted plant, watching as it snapped madly at the air, looking for a snack. I tried not to make a face. But I didn't think I did a good enough job. Not from the way Longbottom cast a glance at me.

"Everything okay, Quimby?" Longbottom asked, reaching out towards the potted plant. When he reached out, without a word, to grasp the pot and drag it towards us, I protested. He shot another glance at me, "Don't you want to get a closer look at the plant?"

"No, no," I said, hands outstretched in front of me as if the plant would be kept at bay by them. In reality, all I was doing was bringing something it could chomp on, even closer to it. "That's alright, you can tend to it and I'll take notes again?"

"Are you scared the chomping cabbage will bite you?" Longbottom asked. He tilted his head towards me, studying me for a second with a concerned frown. When I didn't answer right away, he assured me softly, in words meant just for my ears, "It's fine to be nervous about it. But didn't you hear what Professor Sprout said? Even if it bites you, you'll come to minor harm, nothing Madam Pomfrey won't be able to fix."

"That's not the issue," I insisted. Although it was worrying that Professor Sprout needed to assure us that any harm done by the plant could be reversed. "I just-"

At my hesitation, Longbottom's eyes held mine steady. He didn't speak a word, just waiting patiently for me to sort the sentence out in my brain and figure out how to say what I wanted to say. But, he didn't need to know that his steady eyes on me weren't helping me to easily string together my words.

Glancing away from him and pretending to study to plant in front of me as it continued to show off its aggression, I admitted, "I've got a black thumb."

"A black thumb?" he repeated dubiously.

"I do!" The force of my insistence had Longbottom stifling a smile, not that it worked too well. The corners of his lips were still upturned. "I don't know how I do it, but I always end up killing every plant I touch."

He didn't even attempt to stop the snorting chuckle that left his lips. But, when my eyes shot towards him, he had the mind to cover his mouth. "I'm sure that's an over-exaggeration."

"It's really not." I really didn't see what was so funny. "I don't even know how it happens. I can follow all the instructions and guidance to the letter, but they still die."

I peeked at Longbottom again, despairing internally when I found him chuckling softly to himself again. This time, he wasn't trying to stop it. But, finding my eyes on him, he sobered a little. Maybe it was my eyes or maybe it was the way my lower lip had jutted out petulantly.

"It's not funny." Merlin, even to my ears it sounded like I was pouting. "It makes Herbology so ridiculously difficult."

"Don't worry." Longbottom paused for a second, lowering his head to meet my eyes and offering me a smile. "I'll help you."

His gaze had the words catching in my throat, but I eventually forced it out, "Thanks, Longbottom."

**********

When Longbottom put his mind to something, he did his very best to ensure it happened. Although, from the whispers I'd heard throughout the school, he didn't often put his mind to things which is why it took me by such surprise when he decided to help me overcome my aversion to Herbology. But he had. He had taken my dislike for the subject personally, probably due to his own love of the subject. And I was so desperate to improve my grades in Herbology from a borderline Poor/Acceptable to a tentative Exceeds Expectations, that I went along with it.

Even when he arranged to meet with me, I gladly accepted all of the help I was offered. Even if it did mean spending more time in the blasted greenhouses. When I'd told Susan and Hannah my plans to spend more time than strictly necessary in the greenhouses, they'd laughed themselves silly. Perhaps they'd been right. Maybe spending more time in these greenhouses wasn't worth the anxiety it induced in me because Merlin knew I was struggling to finish walking the rest of the path to where I knew the Gryffindor would be waiting. Only, maybe it was the idea of seeing the Gryffindor in question that had my feet picking up the pace again until I was steadily walking once more.

The greenhouses came into sight, and with them, did the Gryffindor who stood patiently by the door. Longbottom stood with his hands tucked into his robe pockets and I swore I could hear the slightest melody of him humming carrying across the wind towards me. When I drew close enough for him to see me, Longbottom straightened up and waved me over. I returned his wave, crossing the space between us with quick paces.

Coming to a stop in front of him, I shoved my own hands into my robe pockets, wanting to hide the way they were shaking. Why did this greenhouse make me so nervous? Still, I turned my attention to Longbottom, offering him a smile, "Sorry, I hope I didn't keep you waiting long?"

"Not long at all," Longbottom assured me. He reached into his robe pockets, drawing out a set of keys that had my eyebrows rising in surprise. Before I could say a word, Longbottom answered my unasked question, "Professor Sprout let me borrow her keys. So long as we water the plants, she has no problem with us studying in here."

"Sprout is very wary of her keys," I said slowly, watching as he unlocked the greenhouse and pushed the door open. I watched his broad back apprehensively, "She must trust you a lot."

"I suppose." He shrugged, not appearing to realise how impressive it was that Professor Sprout had let him borrow her keys. Helga, anyone in my house would be impressed by it.

Still, when Longbottom entered the greenhouse, I was hesitant to follow. But I had to. Forcing my feet forward, I walked into the greenhouse and followed the Gryffindor who shrugged out of his robes after stepping into the warm greenhouse. He reached for his Herbology robes and was busy buttoning them up, as I walked towards the back of the greenhouse where the plants we'd spent our last lesson working on were resting. I searched each of the pots, looking for the one with my name written on it, but already, I knew where mine was. Helga, even without checking the name on it, I knew the one in the corner - browning and wilting - was mine. In a field of vibrant green plants, mine was the only one dying. Sure enough, as I reached the dying plant, my suspicions were confirmed.

I reached a hand out, grasping one of the dried brown leaves which crumbled between my gentle fingers. Yesterday - it had only been one day since I'd tended to the plant under Longbottom's carefully watchful eyes and it was already on death's doors. I really did have a toxic touch when it came to plants. Sighing harshly, I rubbed my hands over my face. I was so tired of plants dying on me.

"Quimby?" Longbottom called out tentatively behind me.

I turned abruptly to face him so I was shielding the dying plant from his eyes. For some reason, I didn't want him to see that his efforts had been fruitless. I didn't want to disappoint him. When I didn't say anything, Longbottom approached me with slow steps, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" he asked me when he finally came to a stop in front of me.

I tried to deny it in a voice that came out a tad squeakier than my usual did, "Nothing."

"Nothing," he repeated dubiously.

When he tried to peek around me, I took a step to the side, making sure I was blocking the plant from his sight. Not that it worked. No matter how many steps I took mirroring his movements, I'd forgotten to account for the fact that he was taller than me, and could clearly see over my shoulders despite my intention of blocking him. I caught the moment he saw the plant. His smile softened slightly and I searched his face for the tell-tale signs of his disappointment in my progress, of his regret in agreeing to help me. I found none of it.

Instead, he spoke quietly, earnestly, "It's alright, Quimby."

"It's really not." I gave a heavy sigh, knowing I was sounding petulant, but I couldn't help myself. It had been five long years of killing plants and this had been my first ray of hope. But, it was still useless. I threw my hands up in exasperation, "This is all completely useless and I'm just wasting your time!"

Longbottom surprised me by catching my hand, as I continued to move it exaggeratedly. Eyes widening in surprise, my eyes shot to his waiting ones. He'd managed to silence me without even asking me to be quiet. Holding his gaze steady, Longbottom offered me that same patient smile.

"You don't have to get so overwhelmed by it all," he reassured me.

When I didn't protest, Longbottom released my hand abruptly, as if only just remembering that he'd taken it in the first place. Drawing a few steps back from me and clearing his throat, Longbottom turned away, reaching for a watering can to fill it.

After making sure he was out of earshot, I let all my internal grumbles come out as I grumbled to myself, "How fucking stupid can I be? Why can't I even keep a plant alive? Why is it so difficult? You stupid-"

"You're not stupid," Longbottom said firmly, returning to my side and handing the full watering can to me. He was so insistent that I couldn't protest.

Instead, when he gestured for me to start watering the plants, I insistently shook my head. He had to be crazy. Did he really expect me to water the plants? For what? So that the plants I did water could die? Absolutely not.

Longbottom continued to watch me insistently and when I shook my head emphatically again, I said firmly, "You might as well have handed me a can of plant poison."

"Quimby-"

Thrusting the watering can back to Longbottom, I reminded him, "You saw what happened to the plant I watered yesterday."

Deciding against fighting me, Longbottom accepted the can and started watering the plants. I watched him from a few safe paces behind him. The Gryffindor took his time with each of the plants, making his way through the greenhouse starting from one end and then moving towards the other. Once he was done, Longbottom started unbuttoning his top robes, ready to set them aside.

"Don't worry," he assured me, "we can add the dead plant to the compost pile and use it later on the new plants."

"At least I'll be good for something," I grumbled. When Longbottom tried to hide his smile again, I shook my head, "I mean it, I'll singlehandedly keep the compost pile topped up. Don't smile!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He forced himself to stop smiling, but it took some time. Eventually, once he managed to be straight-faced, he said, "Come on, I think that's enough for the day. Let's get you something sweet, that always cheers me up."

The words were like music to my ears. It had all my upset fading away. "Something sweet?"

"I think I have some chocolate left?" he started doubtfully, rubbing at the back of his neck.

"Actually, have you ever been to the kitchens?" My question took him by surprise. After a long moment, Longbottom shook his head slowly. It was my turn to reach out to him. Grasping his shirt sleeves between my fingers, I tugged lightly on it so he knew to follow me. "Come on, let's tidy up and I'll show you the way."

**********

I was beginning to think that Longbottom really was a miracle worker. Somehow, against all odds, his private lessons were working. So far, I had managed to actually keep a plant alive for a week. Although, I was at least partially certain that it was because the plant in question that was thriving was being cultivated by both of us. Maybe his green thumb cancelled out my black thumb? Or rather, maybe it overpowered it all together? Or maybe it was because I didn't want to disappoint Longbottom and so I was putting extra effort into tending to this one plant? So much effort that I couldn't imagine being able to look after more than one plant at a time. Regardless, it didn't matter what the answer was. The plant was thriving and that was the most important thing.

"You're practically floating," Susan said with an incredulous shake of her head, walking at my side as we made our way back to the common room.

"What's wrong with that?" I shot back, returning her look with a grin so wide that it felt like it was going to split my face in half. The dubious look Hannah and Susan shared wasn't enough to have my smile dimming. No, I was in far too good a mood to be affected by that.

"Quimby," Hannah started, taking my arm as if worried that I'd float away because of how overjoyed I was, "I don't think I've ever seen you this happy after a Herbology lesson."

"Because my plant was alive!" I gave a gleeful cheer, knowing I was getting all sorts of strange looks from the students in the corridor, but I didn't care. Not even when it was members of my house who tried to put as much distance between us as possible, as if not wanting to catch whatever I had.

Nothing could affect my mood. I was too overjoyed, so overjoyed that I knew my friends were waiting on the inevitable emotional crash that tended to follow whenever I got excited. Nothing could spoil my mood, not even the sight of the Gryffindor waiting outside the common room. Not that spotting Longbottom would spoil my mood. But, the sight of him did prompt the nervous flutter in my chest, tamping down my excitement but in a pleasant way. It was the pleasant warm flutter that came with the beginnings of your heart-stirring. Not that I'd contemplated on that for too long. Instead, I forced my feet forward, to close the space between us, paying no heed to the way my friends were looking between us. They'd have a million questions to ask, and I'd answer them. Later.

"I won't be too long," I promised them, offering them a final smile and then hurried until I was standing expectantly in front of Longbottom.

He greeted me with a smile, peering down at me with soft eyes. Was it the flickering light from the torches? Had they always been that soft? Or was that just wishful thinking on my part? Forcing myself to look away from his eyes, to no longer be held a willful captive, I glanced over him, wondering what he was doing here. It was only then that my eyes settled on the potted plant he held in front of him. It was so small it was easily cradled in one of his palms, newly sprouted with a small leaf.

Raising my eyes once more to meet his, I realised his cheeks had flushed bashfully. "What's this?"

He extended his arm, holding the plant out to me and explained slowly, "You'll see what it is once it grows."

"It's for me?" I asked incredulously, thinking I'd heard him wrong.

But he nodded. I hadn't heard him wrong then. He really did intend to give me a plant, despite knowing that I couldn't care for them very well. I'd barely kept a plant alive for one week with his help, looking after one on my own was a whole different matter. Longbottom waited earnestly, the plant still extended towards me. I accepted the plant with cautious hands, silently praying I didn't kill it straight away by dropping it.

"You do remember that I have a black thumb, don't you?" I asked dubiously.

"It's a show of faith," he insisted. "You'll be able to look after it."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." I studied the sapling cautiously, wondering what it could be but also knowing he wouldn't tell me. He'd already said I'd have to wait for it to grow out, although something told me it wouldn't last that long. Feeling heavy eyes on me, I lifted my head, startled but unsurprised to find Longbottom's eyes waiting on me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Heat rushed to Longbottom's cheeks as he rubbed at the back of his neck. He cleared his throat before saying, "Well-"

When he cut himself off abruptly, I prompted, "Well?"

He continued to hesitate, not saying anything. But I knew he wanted to say something. I knew, from his fidgeting, from the way he shuffled from one foot to the other, that there was more on his mind. Only, he wasn't ready to say it yet and I'd wait patiently until he was ready. There was no rush.

Longbottom thankfully didn't keep me waiting long, "Last week when we were in the kitchens... I thought there was something there - between us."

Trailing off meaningfully, he couldn't seem to meet my eyes. I had to agree, I'd thought there was something there, but some part of me had thought it was just from my side, but perhaps it wasn't. Maybe it was mutual. And maybe some part of me wanted him to say it out loud, but I also knew it wasn't easy. I knew it was difficult and if I drew it out too long, he'd backtrack.

Still, when I did respond to him, I didn't know where my unusual bravery had come from, "I'd agree, I thought there was something there."

He visibly brightened at my words, finally straightening up to his full height. Standing taller than me and eyes shimmering wonderfully whilst they locked onto mine, he spoke hesitantly, despite the smile blooming on his face. "Maybe we could do something? Hogsmeade maybe?"

"I'd like that," I said softly, knowing my smile was matching his; too wide and too toothy, but happy. Overwhelmingly happy.

"Great." Longbottom's eyes cast a glance over my shoulder and grew bashful once more. I followed his eyes, finding Susan and Hannah both waiting for me, and his sudden bashfulness made sense. "I'll, um, we can sort out the details later."

Before I could agree, Longbottom took off in a quickened walk, hurrying down the corridor. I watched him go with a smile, feeling my own cheeks heat at last when both Susan and Hannah came to my side, with more questions on their lips. Only, these were teasing, wanting to know when I'd managed to go off and snag myself the least Gryffindor member of Gryffindor.

"Stop it," I hissed at their teasing, my entire face feeling like it was erupting into flames.

***********

The sapling was an omen, I was certain of it. The sapling, one I'd spent an hour finding the optimal spot for, had spent days caring for to make sure it flourished, determined to see what it would sprout into, was dead. Over the course of a single night, the night before my first date with Neville, it had gone from a beautiful vibrant green that was growing taller every day, to a drooping pile of brown withered leaves. It was absolutely, 100% an omen. An omen that like this sapling, this date would be catastrophic ... and maybe that I was going to die of embarrassment? Maybe it was better to call this all off? Even though I really wanted to, how could I look past this sign when it was right there in front of my face?

"It's not that bad!" Susan insisted with a heavy sigh, standing in front of me with her arms crossed. When I raised unimpressed eyes to hers, she arched an eyebrow as if silently daring me to disagree with her.

"Of course, it's that bad!" I lamented, throwing my hands up. Susan shared a look with Hannah as if despairing at my dramatics, but I paid no heed to my completely not superstitious roommates. "Look at it - I went to bed last night and it was fine and now, this morning, it's dead. Deader than dead. It's extinct!"

"Come on, Quimby," Hannah said in her no-nonsense voice. She marched around the side of my bed, coming to stand in front of where I was standing. Snagging my hand in hers, she prepared to hoist me up from the bed, but I held firm.

"No." I was insistent, shaking my head. "This is an omen, I'm telling you."

"You're speaking bullshit!" Susan cut in with obvious exasperation. She joined Hannah, taking my free hand and preparing to pull me up as well.

Digging my heels in, I refused to budge, "Listen to me, it's a sign. Neville can practically resurrect a dead plan and I happen to kill them without even meaning to. It's a sign."

"It's not a sign, it's you being nervous and trying to chicken out," Hannah snapped. Not appreciating the truth to her words, I scowled at her. "Don't look at me like that. Look at you - you're all dressed and ready to go but you got nervous and now you're using the plant as a reason not to go."

"I really don't-"

They both shared a silent look that spoke volumes and tugged in one go, pulling my protesting body up and forcing me to my feet. Surprised at their combined strength, I looked at them both in shock. Not that it should have surprised me so much; when the two most stubborn girls in our dorm put their heads together, I was convinced they'd be able to make Peeves give himself up to the Prefects.

When I tried to protest again, I received matching warning looks and fell silent. I knew better than to protest and besides, I did want to go on this date with Neville. Still, if my feet were slow, they didn't mention it. Instead, they were flanking either side of me, practically frogmarching me through the castle and to the carriages as if to make sure I didn't run away. But then, once we reached Hogsmeade, the pair took a step further by walking me straight to Neville.

"Do you really think I'm going to run away?" I asked, feeling like a child being walked somewhere by their parents.

"Maybe." Susan shrugged. "You're very superstitious and it's just a plant."

Except, it wasn't just a plant. It was the first thing Neville had gifted me, and I'd destroyed it. And it wasn't just that either. He'd had so much faith in me and I'd wanted to prove him right, to show that he'd been correct in thinking that I could look after the plant. But that hadn't happened.

"Chin up," Hannah said softly, as we approached the tea shop. She nudged me with her shoulder and gestured ahead of us, to where we could see Neville standing and waiting.

We stopped a short distance away. My eyes lingered on the Gryffindor who'd yet to spy me as he searched the street. He was waiting and my heart was thundering, threatening to break free. Helga, he made me nervous. Shifting my eyes to my waiting friends, I tried to summon a smile.

"Come on," Hannah cajoled again, giving me a smile that helped relieve my nerves a little, "you like him and he clearly likes you, you'll be fine."

"I'll be fine," I repeated like a mantra, hoping the words would imprint themselves on my brain.

"Now hurry up before he turns into a nervous wreck because you're late."

Waving my goodbyes and promises to tell them how it went, I closed the short space between us. I approached the tea shop - one I'd never set foot in during any of my trips to Hogsmeade - and went to Neville's side. It didn't matter that Puddifoot's wasn't something I would enjoy, it mattered that Neville was comfortable. He'd said that he could get easily overwhelmed in the crowds that tended to be in The Three Broomsticks, and he wanted to be focused on our date. His words had charmed me and this was an easy choice to make.

Reaching Neville's side, I realised he hadn't spied me yet. He was still searching the crowd ahead of him. Tapping him on the shoulder, I tried not to laugh when he jumped in surprise. Turning towards me, Neville offered me a smile that threatened to split his face in half. I tried to return it with one of my own, but found mine wasn't as large; the plant was still on my mind. I hoped he didn't notice it.

"Should we go in?" I asked, gesturing to the door before he could say anything else. Neville, content to follow my lead, motioned for me to head in first.

Walking in through the door, I searched the room for an empty table and made a beeline for it. Before I could pull my chair out, Neville darted ahead of me, doing it for me and gesturing for me to sit. Settling down in the chair, I tucked it under the table and thanked him. Shrugging out of my coat, I watched as Neville rounded the table to sit across from me. His eyes sought mine out instantly and I tried not to say anything, the words were on the tip of my tongue and I didn't want to disappoint him. I just hoped he didn't ask about the plant either.

I reached for the menu before he could say anything. Pretending like the menu was the most exciting thing in the world, I tapped my hands anxiously against the table in a non-rhythmic pattern. I was partway through reading the types of tea they had when Neville cleared his throat.

Glancing up at him, I listened as he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Hesitating, I wanted to lie, to say that nothing was wrong. But, his eyes were concerned and uncertain and if he was anything like me, then he would instantly assume that he was the thing that was wrong. Or that it had something to do with him. Except, that wasn't the case. He wasn't what was wrong, that was me and I couldn't let him continue to think that.

I held his eyes, open and concerned and earnest, and had me answering honestly in a rushed, "I killed the plant."

"You killed the plant?" he repeated slowly as if he'd misheard me. When I nodded, he asked incredulously, "Already?"

Ashamed, I could only nod and mumbled, "I know it's only been a couple of days since you gave it to me." Dropping my head with a sigh, I said, "I'm really sorry, Neville."

To my surprise, he laughed a little, the sound gentle and soothing my nerves. But, it was when he reached out to cover my hands, stopping them from fidgeting, that the nerves completely flatlined, the entire moment falling silent as my entire attention focused on the warmth of his hands on mine. Startled by the contact, I lifted my head and searched his face, belatedly realising that he was biting his lip to stop himself from laughing. I could only stay there, pinned to my seat by his wonderful eyes, not knowing what to do or what to say.

"It's alright," Neville finally assured me.

"I'm sorry," I said again, needing to explain but also not knowing what I wanted to explain. "I know you gave it to me as a gift and-"

Neville cut me off with a shake of his head. His hands squeezed mine reassuringly as he repeated once more, firmer this time, "It's alright. I mean it."

And he did mean it, I could tell from his eyes alone. Neville had such honest eyes that I didn't want to look away. But, I also wanted him to keep looking at me like that; his eyes were so honest that they couldn't hide his affection.

**********

My steps to Herbology were no longer slow. It didn't feel like weights had been attached to my ankles, trying to pull me down. I didn't dread heading into the greenhouses. Of course, I still didn't like Herbology and was still all too aware of my inability to properly cultivate a plant, but there wasn't that anxiety anymore. Why should there be when Herbology meant spending a lesson sitting at my boyfriend's side. Helga, I had a boyfriend now. And not just any boyfriend, but the sweetest boy in the entire year. Maybe in the entire school, even.

"You've got that look on your face again," Susan said with a roll of her eyes. I just knew she was restraining herself from elbowing me in the side. Knowing exactly what she was talking about, but unable to tamp down my mood, I offered her an even brighter smile than the one on my face. "Your smile is going to give me diabetes."

"Well, it's a good thing magic has a cure for diabetes then," I shot back, before facing forward again.

"Leave her alone, Su, let her be happy." Hannah, at my other side, linked her arm through mine. I had the faintest idea that it was because she didn't want me to start practically skipping to Herbology. Not that I saw an issue with that. The sooner I got to Herbology, the sooner I saw Neville. But, I obliged, slowing my steps and walking at a more reasonable pace.

When Susan grumbled under her breath, I did the very childish thing and stuck my tongue out at her. Like I knew she would, Susan gave an incredulous chuckle and then joined her arm through mine as well. We all walked, not caring that we were taking up a lot of space as we went, forcing people to scatter around us to get passed. Susan and I listened, as we continued on our way, as Hannah grumbled about something Ernie had done to piss her off during their last shared lesson. It was hardly surprising, Hannah and Ernie were like oil and water, and they didn't mix.

The greenhouses drew into view and it took conscious effort on my part not to speed up suddenly, to rush the final few steps. Instead, I took one measured step after the other until we reached the classroom. Standing in the doorway, my eyes instantly shot to Neville's seat, expecting to find him sitting there, as usual. But he wasn't. He was usually the first one here out of the pair of us, but not today. A little disappointed, but knowing he'd be by soon, I waved at Susan and Hannah and then crossed the room.

Reaching my seat, I put my bag down on the desk and faltered for a second. Sprout had set up early, putting every pair's plant down on the desk, ready to begin and ours wasn't doing so well. I knew, without a doubt, that it was because I'd been the one to look after it during our last lesson. It had been Neville's decision to alternate who tended to the plant, saying it would help my confidence with plants but really, it wasn't helping too much. I was getting more comfortable yes, and the plants were taking longer to die on me, but even still, they were dying. But then again - during the Herbology exam, I only needed to keep the poxy thing alive for a few hours so maybe that was good progress.

Even still, as I looked at the withering plant sitting in front of me, I was reluctant to get my things out. But I had to. Taking my quill and parchment out, I set my space at the table and sat comfortably on the stool. The plant, resting in the centre of my vision, took all my attention and managed to wipe the smile from my face. Extending a slow hand to the plant, I reached for one of the lower leaves where the green was beginning to fade, turning yellow. Likely it would become brown and dry by the time our next lesson started. Running a fingertip over the yellow part, I made a silent deal with Helga herself to stop me from failing Herbology. Failing Herbology was my current nightmare, something that bolted me up from my sleep, and if Helga was able to stop that from happening, I'd dust her portrait every week until I left the school.

Neville's stool scraping against the floor drew me from my thoughts, making me look up at him with a smile. He returned it, but, knowing from my expression alone, that something was wrong, his smile dimmed slightly. His eyes shifted to the plant and I knew he understood. Making himself comfortable at my side, Neville leaned into my side, resting lightly against me. For a brief second, I propped my head on his shoulder before straightening up again.

"It's not dead," Neville said optimistically, reaching out to touch one of the leaves that were still green.

"No, it's dying though." Frowning, I tried to shake the negative thoughts from my head.

Wordlessly, Neville took my hand which was still fixating on the yellowing leaf and held it in both of his. My eyes shifted towards him to find his body angled towards me. Sure enough, his eyes calmed my worries the way they always seemed to. When he released my hand, I stopped myself from reaching out for him again.

"Before Sprout starts the lesson," Neville said, glancing to the front of the greenhouse where our professor was doing something with an empty plant pot, "I have something for you."

"For me?"

I watched as Neville picked up his school bag again and rifled through it. He searched for a good moment, and the longer the moment stretched, the deeper the red of his ears became. But, once he'd managed to find what he was looking for, Neville lifted his head with a relieved smile. Taking his hand out from his bag, Neville held out a small bunch of plastic lilac flowers, catching me by surprise.

"You said they were your favourite," Neville reminded me as if I could forget.

Accepting the flowers, I searched his features with obvious surprise. Touched by his unexpected gift, I beamed brightly. Helga, he was so sweet. "Thank you."

"No problem." He ducked his head slightly, heat colouring his cheeks. "But, you know, at least these won't die."

Shaking my head at his teasing, I put the flowers aside and leaned towards Neville, to study the smile that was matching mine. He watched my approach warily, more heat rushing to his face. But he did nothing to stop me when I reached out with two hands to hold his face and bring his head down towards mine. He didn't even protest when I kissed him, barely-there considering we were in a class full of our friends, but still, I kissed him. He made a sound of surprise against my lips and was quick enough to return the kiss before I pulled back from him.

Returning my hands to his lap, I smiled shyly at him, wondering where my sudden bravery had come from. If Sprout had seen, she'd given us both detention, I knew that and I knew we faced teasing from the other students in our class, but I hadn't cared. I'd just wanted to kiss him. Even if I felt embarrassment colour my features, I was at least doing better than Neville whose face had turned so red he resembled a tomato.

Completely pleased and extraordinarily happy, I reached for the lilacs and held them steady. They might have just been the best thing anyone had ever gotten me.

**********

8 YEARS LATER

Neville's only requirement when we started house hunting to find somewhere to better fit our growing family, was that there was a garden. One where he could plant as many things as he wanted and so that on the rare occasions when the British weather was actually good, we could enjoy the sun. I'd agreed, on the stipulation that the garden was his sole responsibility. He was the one that was going to keep his plants alive because Helga knew if I got my hands on them, they'd just be added to the growing pile of compost we were making.

Although, with Neville eyeing a position at Hogwarts as the Herbology professor, it was something we were going to need to discuss eventually. But, we'd also have to discuss his not living at home for nearly 9 months out of the year. How was I going to sleep without clinging to him like a teddy bear? It wasn't as if I could sneak into the castle every night to get the cuddles I needed to lull me to sleep?

A sharp cry pierced the air, bringing me from my thoughts. I rose to my feet quickly, picking up our daughter and cradling her softly in my arms until she fell she quieted. It took a while, it always took little Alice a while to settle, but she eventually did. She alone was another reason that I couldn't just up and leave and follow Neville to Hogwarts. Not that he was too comfortable with leaving her behind either.

Forcefully dismissing my worries for another day, for a day where the sun wasn't shining so gloriously, I brushed my fingertip softly over the tiny slope of my daughter's nose. She turned her head slightly, moving away from my caressing finger and I adjusted my hold on her, to cradle her steadily with one hand. With the other, I grabbed my wand from where it was tucked safely at my waist and summoned her little sun hat to me. It took some fiddling to do whilst still holding Alice, but I got her hat on and tied the straps under her chin with a murmured spell. Another quickly recited spell had her protected from the sun and then we were off, heading out into the garden, ready to join her father as he worked steadily on the latest patch of the land he was preparing so he could plant some seeds.

Stepping out into the garden, my eyes travelled the short distance to where Neville was kneeling as he worked as if he couldn't feel the sun beating down on him. The quiet song he was humming to himself, one I easily recognised as Alice's lullaby, filled my ears. With careful steps, I made my way back to the large tree I'd set myself up under with a blanket laid out on the grass and the book I'd been reading discarded at Alice's cry. Kneeling onto the blanket, I thought quickly before summoning Alice's changing mat from the house and putting it down next to me and settling my daughter down comfortably in the shade. It was a short matter of minutes and she'd be asleep again. To help her alone, I patted her softly on her cute pudgy stomach with one hand and reached for my book with the other.

By the time Neville was done and making his way toward me, Alice was fast asleep once more and I'd made it to the end of my chapter. Marking my place, I closed the book and set it aside, choosing instead to watch my husband as he walked across the garden. It was like he'd stepped out of the latest romance book Susan had me reading; he looked like the picture of the raggedly handsome farmhand preparing to steal away the daughter of his employer to have his way with her. Helga, I needed to stop taking Susan's recommendations for books.

Instead of fuelling the thought by thinking on it anymore, I instead watched Neville cast an augamenti and wash his hands clean of any dirt that was stuck to them. He wiped them dry on his trousers, shooting me a knowing look when I crinkled my nose at the response.

"I know, I know," he said steadily as he got closer to us, "I know you hate it when I do that."

"Not that it's stopping you," I said pointedly, tilting my head slightly to continue appreciating my husband who came to stand at the edge of the blanket. He kneeled next to me, smiling as I grumbled, "It's almost like you enjoy irritating me, sometimes."

"Of course I do." He grinned so handsomely that I wasn't sure what was brighter; him or the sun.

Before I could say another word, he reached out, taking my face in his warm hands and tilting it up towards him. Closing the space between us, he kissed me steadily, ridding me of any and all thoughts. I rose up slightly, reluctant to part from him. Lately, it seemed like Alice had a radar, she knew when we were being affectionate and would burst into tears at every opportunity. So, when our daughter wasn't awake to break us apart, I soaked up all the affection he was giving me. Unfortunately, I had to draw back, taking in a deep breath.

Neville settled down on the blanket, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankle. Thankfully he'd kicked off his shoes, knowing I'd make a comment about him getting mud on my reading blanket.

"What are you planting this time?" I asked, watching as he reached out a finger to trace the pattern of my summer dress. "More herbs? Or is this the beginning of the flower garden you wanted?"

"The beginning of the flower garden." Neville's eyes drifted contemplatively to the small plot he'd prepared, ready to put his seeds into. He hummed contemplatively. "I think I'm going to plant some Sweet Alyssums to start with."

I didn't want to admit that I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't even know what the plant looked like, but I made a mental note to look it up later. Instead of saying anything, I grabbed his hand from where it rested on my knee. Lifting it to my lips, I kissed the back of it.

"There's another name for them, you know." His eyes turned towards our daughter then, a fatherly smile blooming. Every time I saw that smile, it just reaffirmed that making him a father was definitely the best thing I could've done. Neville, no matter how heavily he protested against it, was a hot dad.

"What's the other name?"

"Sweet Alice."

____________________

I'm planning on having the next one shot out on the 24th. 

Now here are the hints:

* Half blooded 

* Played on house quidditch team 

* Gryffindor