I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

Busted

Order of the Phoenix

"The Patronus charm is used to protect you from Dementors. If perfected it will take on your spirit animal." Harry continues "it is a kind and positive force, a projection of hope and happiness." He says these words while glaring straight into Serenity's eyes.
"To achieve the spell you must think of the happiest memory and speak the words Expecto Patronum loudly and clearly while pointing your wand." He says.

Everyone begins attempting the charm, it takes everyone a few tries but some students start to see their spirit animals take shape. Hermione giggles as an otter swims around her, Luna beams proudly as her patronus takes shape of a white rabbit. Ron points his wand and a large dog runs around playfully knocking Me onto the floor.

"Ugh that hurt!" I say as I try to pick myself up off the floor.
"Nev Cmon breaks over!" Serenity laughs
"I wasn't on a break I fell over you nut!" I say as she pulls me to my feet.
"I know, I was only joking, now try it again." She giggles
"is the memory you are thinking of happy enough? What are you thinking about?"
"When I got my acceptance letter to Hogwarts." I reply.
"Hmm" she says, tapping her finger on her lips deep in thought.
"Here lemme help." She says before slowly moving behind me. She places one hand gently on mine and my wand then she puts her other hand on my shoulder using it to push herself higher and whisper in my ear.
"Close your eyes." She whispers. I do as she says.
"Remember the green house? Before holiday?" She asks. I nod.
"Remember the warmth and the happiness. Remember the flowers glowing. Remember holding me in your arms, pulling me close to you. You kissed me with all of your heart, your lips were so soft against mine." She whispers. "Now try it again." She says.
I open my eyes and yell. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A blue light erupts from my wand and it slowly takes shape into a wolf, a black wolf.

"Wow Neville!" Hermione exclaims
"WICKED!" The Weasley twins remark
"That was amazing love!" Serenity coos as she jumps into My arms and kisses me over every inch of my face.

"That was great Neville, very impressive." Harry smiles
"although I have yet to see you try to produce the charm Serenity." He says, turning his attention to me.
"I can produce the Patronus charm just fine thank you." I reply. Which was true.
"Well let's see it then Serenity, we are all waiting. What is it? A snake?" He laughs "or better yet, a fox?" He glared in my direction.

Harry knows having the fox Patronus means you are cunning, sneaky, and above all else, are good at manipulation. He was saying these things to get to me. It was working.
"Or can you not produce one Locks? Are you hiding something?" Harry said. He was eying my left arm, I was frozen. Just do it, I thought to myself, just reveal me for who I am. Before Harry could reach for my wrist Neville grabs his arm.
"That's enough." Neville says.

Just then a loud banging can be heard on the wall where the entrance is.
"Neville we have to go." I beg him while grabbing his arms and attempting to pull him away.
"What? No." He says umbridge yells something at the wall and it begins to explode. Neville looks down at me.
"If you have to leave I'll understand Serenity, but I can't leave them. I'll cover for you just go." He says holding both my hands and looking in my eyes.
"I understand, I really do." He repeats. He lets go of my hands and goes to stand with the others.

The wall completely crumbles and umbridge is standing there proudly with her gaggle of Slytherins. Draco comes into view dragging Cho Chang.
"I'm sorry." She mouths to Harry. Draco just smiles and laughs but his smile drops when he sees me. I walk forward to stand next to Neville, he looks at me surprised. I hold his hand tightly. Draco just looks apologetic and nervous now.
"Oh Miss Locks, so nice of you to join the little rule breakers." She smiles

Since then Dumbledore has disappeared, and although I was only at one DA meeting I was given the 5 weeks of detention with the rest of them. That didn't matter to me, I wanted the punishment. I deserved it more than any of them and soon I would have to do something far more awful. Harry has lightened up, but only slightly. I wasn't given any special treatment when it came to detention and I chose to stay when I could have easily escaped. I think he was mostly just busy being upset at Cho.

Neville and I were sitting by the lake one evening, he was playing with the hair while I payed in his lap. "Neville?"
"Yeah?"
"I need you to promise me something." I say
"Anything for you love." He says, kissing my forehead. "What's the promise?"
"I need you to promise me, that if something happens tomorrow, you won't follow Harry. If Harry leaves to do something dangerous, promise you won't go with him." I say sitting up, looking at Neville with a serious look on my face.
"Serenity he's my friend." He says. "I don't think I can make that promise."
"You said anything." I laugh, while standing up. I start pacing nervously. I've bitten my nails down to almost nothing over the past few days but I can't stop nibbling them.
"Serenity, look, I know you can't tell me what's going on with you and I of course won't make you. But I do have my own worries and friends to think about." Neville explains.
"You are obviously the most important but that still doesn't mean tha-"

"I love you." I blurt out.
"What?" Neville asks.
"I said I love you. Sorry this isn't the most romantic moment, and I'm not sure if it's the right time or too early but I needed you to know." I say. I gather my things and leave my boyfriend behind as he stares blankly at the lake.