I Love Plants {a Neville Longbottom story}

Pride

Deathly Hallows

"Feeling pretty proud of yourself aren't you?" I say as Serenity sits at the table for breakfast.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." She jokes.
"Draco told me this morning. Plus Seamus isn't as sneaky as he thinks." I reply. I look at Seamus who has his face down while eating cereal. I had already yelled at him for 30 mins straight this morning for putting Serenity in danger like that.

"Damn that Draco, he says I stick my nose in things." I say while stuffing my face with donuts.
"What did the headmistress want this morning huh? How did you get out of that one?" I challenge.
"It was a harmless prank some first years pulled, it was no problem at all." She replies with a smirk.
"What happens when the Carrows want to punish these pranksters personally? Huh? What happens then Serenity!?!" I yell back.

Seamus' eyes shoot between me and Serenity. Both of us angry, he isn't sure who's side he should defend or if he should speak at all.
"Well, I have class." Seamus says before scurrying out of the great hall.
"Great now you are pushing him away too." Serenity says. She gets up gently and walks off.

Pushing away? Was I really pushing her away? I was just worried about her safety, everyone's safety. Mostly hers.

I walk into muggle studies class to find Serenity and Draco are already sitting together. I take an empty seat further back. I see she is complaining to him. She speaks with her hands a lot when she is either excited or upset, and I'm pretty sure she isn't excited right now. Draco rubs her arm to comfort her and nods his head. Listening to each word like his life depends on it. Then it hits me, I haven't been listening. I haven't been there for her lately. I was so obsessed with keeping her safe that I wasn't paying any real attention to her.

Alecto starts the class rather angry. Obviously still upset over last nights pranks.

"This morning I entered my class to see that some students think it's funny to mess with someone else's property. You 7th years know better correct?" Alecto asks the class. Everyone nods but wear confused looks on their faces. I look down at Serenity. I see her hands fold into fists.

"So let's teach you lot the correct way to punish shall we?" Alecto beams. She waves in a group of first year students. They look absolutely terrified. Shaking, some of them whimpering softly.
"The Cruciatus curse is a very useful spell! Some of my students here even know it first hand." She says shooting an evil smile towards Draco and Serenity. I watch as they shiver at her words.

"Serenity." Alecto calls out. I feel my heart drop to my stomach.
"Why don't you come down here and demonstrate." She says, waving her hand at Serenity. Motioning her to come up to the front. Serenity slowly stands. Draco grabs her arm but she shakes him off. She walks towards Alecto and the group of first years.

"You know the incantation correct?" Alecto asks.
"Yes teach, I do indeed." Serenity replies. Her voice is clear, unwavering. I think it's strange, then I see her point her wand.

I stand so quickly my chair crashes on the floor. Everyone looks up at me including Alecto and Serenity. Her wand not pointing straight at Alecto anymore.

"Ah Longbottom, your family has a history of receiving the Cruciatus curse, how could I forget you!" Alecto yells. She waves for me to join Serenity at the front.
"Get out of the way!" She yells at the first years. They run quickly out the door. I walk past Draco who seems to be having a complete panic attack at this point. I stand next to Serenity and we face Alecto.

"Well, assume position." Alecto says. We look at her confused.
"Miss locks I wish for you to use the torture curse on your fiancé, how clear can I be?" She grumbles.
Serenity and I make nervous eye contact. She shakes her head and tears form in her eyes.
"No." Serenity says.
"Too bad, would have been fun to see." Alecto says

"Crucio!" She yells.

Serenity falls to the ground. A loud scream escapes her lips and the students in the class cover their ears. Draco stands in his chair but doesn't take a single step forward.

"Expelliarmus!" I yell. Alecto's wand shoots from her hand.
"What do you think you are doing?!?" Alecto yells.
Draco runs to Serenity's side. Gently lifting her head into his lap.
"Everyone get the hell out of here!" He yells to the class. Everyone grabs their books nervously and shuffles out of the classroom. I look back towards Alecto. She takes a textbook and slams it into the side of my face.

"What are you trying at boy?" She asks.
"This is muggle studies ma'am, not dark arts." I reply with a smirk.

...

When I come to I feel the comfort of a warm bed and strong arms wrapped around me. Then the smell of vanilla overcomes my senses. I blink the sleep from my eyes and turn over to see Neville. We are in his bed in his dorm room. The form feel so empty. Only Neville and Seamus occupying the beds.

Neville shifts beside me.
"Good morning brave wolf." I whisper. Kissing his nose.
"Ren! You are awake!" He practically yells.
Seamus shifts in his bed.
"That's my cue." He says as he grabs a pillow and blanket and makes his way towards the door.
"No seamus you don-" I start
"It's ok Serenity, you guys need a moment." He replies with a smile before closing the door behind him.

"Serenity I'm really sorry, you were right." Neville says with a guilty look.
"Neville love I was going to say the same thing." I reply.
"Well maybe we can be more careful but also start now? Best of both worlds?" He says.
"Perfect." I reply. "Ya know, I missed sleeping with you."
He looks at me with a smile.
"I missed it too." He says with red in his cheeks.

"You know what else I missed?" I whisper in his ear.