Chapter Text
"I'm telling you the Canons will win this year!" Neville watched Ron gesturing around with a sausage as he defended his Quidditch team, arguing with both Draco, Harry and Ginny about who would win this year.
They were all sitting together at the 8th year table. After the war there hadn't been enough places for all the returning students. The first years alone were more than half of last year. So during the Welcome Meal on the first of September, Professor McGonagall had explained that the returning 8th year students would have their own dorm and table. They also wouldn't have any houses anymore, but were to be one unit. Their robes now had a line of purple and two wands as symbols for their house.
The returning 8th years consisted of Ron, Hermione, Harry, Terry, Dean, Seamus, Hannah, Ernie, Blaise, Draco, Theo and Pansy. It had taken quite some time to get used to—well basically living together, but now five months further friendships had formed; everyone had started to forgive and forget what happened during last year.
The arrival of the owls pulled Neville from his thoughts. He didn't expect a letter from his grandma, but he always got the Prophet. That's why it surprised him when a pure white owl landed next to one of the Prophets owl. Quickly he took the Prophet and the package with a letter from the owls, giving them a treat before they flew away again.
"Hey Nev, got a package from your gran again?" Pansy asked.
She had been one of the first Slytherins to apologize. One morning she had walked into all the dorms, giving each person a letter with apologies and offering her services as a photographer to everyone as a sign of good will. Apparently she had been some sort of friend to Creevey, and he had taught her how to take pictures. Neville bonded with her after she had offered to get shots of all the specimens for the Guide To Taking Care of Plants: Magical and Non-Magical , which he was writing
"No, at least I don't think so. Or she’s bought a new owl. We don't have such beautiful ones." with these words he first opened the package.
Once he unwrapped it, he saw a tiny statue of a Bowtruckle. Softly he smiled at it, it was quite cute. Then he opened the letter.
Dear Neville,
Before you wonder; no, I will not tell you my name or give any clues to who I am in this first letter.
However I will gift you this small Bowtruckle, aside from it being a quite cute decoration, it also has a purpose. If you place this statue against a plant it will tell you the health of said plant, including what you could do to help it.
I hope this will help with writing your book and taking even better care of your plants. Hopefully you enjoy this gift as much as I think you will.
Your next gift will arrive soon enough.
Sincerely,
An admirer
"So? Who is responsible for that sappy smile on your face?" Pansy teased him, trying to read the letter at the same time.
"No clue," he answered honestly, before showing her the letter as she probably had a better chance at guessing who it might be than him.
"Oooh, that's sweet. Maybe he will tell you who he is on Valentine's Day? Like a big romantic reveal. It's only fourteen days away." the girl nodded.
"Maybe it's a she. Most know by now that I prefer both," he pointed out.
"Maybe. However, I think it's a he. It's the way of writing."
"We shall see; if they ever reveal themselves."
Pansy just shrugged at those words, before handing him back the letter. During the rest of breakfast he caught himself, looking around the Great Hall, seeing if someone was acting strange or maybe looking at him.
But it was the same as always, lots of people still looked at the 8th years table, because of the many war heroes that sat there and the bad boys and girls. He truly hated those names, before last year no one had truly seen him aside from his friends. Just because he led the rebellion and killed Nagini didn't mean he was now a different person. Hopefully his admirer didn't belong to one of those fans.
With just ten minutes left before classes started he gave up on trying to see if he could spot his admirer and finished his breakfast. Then he took his bag and started to walk outside, Herbology being his first class. He might even be able to test out his little Bowtruckle.