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A couple of days have gone by since you became friends with Neville. You never expected such a friendship, especially with this specific Gryffindor. You didn't mind it though, the thought of it rather uplifted you.
You've seen Neville around in the hallways, but today is the first Herbology class where you're aware that he is there too. This class wasn't exactly your specialty, but as you told Neville, certain plants were pretty neat. That being said, you didn't always know how to treat them.
The dampness of the greenhouse air seems to worsen with every word Professor Sprout utters, and so does your attention.
Your class is revisiting a plant you learned about a while ago, and of course, you don't remember much. To your rescue comes a task given by your professor of finding a partner. Instead of one of your usual friends, your eyes wander towards Neville.
He glances down at his hands as your eyes meet. Your smile widens as you approach him.
"Hey Neville! It's good to see you again. Wanna be partners?"
To your delight Neville nods quickly, head still bowed, as Professor Sprout hurries to hush everyone so she can explain the instructions.
The task is a classic one. Repotting. You've done this one too many times, and you should know how to do it. But this plant…
You try to persuade yourself. It won't bite. Except it might. You can already see it writhing in it's constricting pot.
You begin praying to the universe for mercy as Professor Sprout finishes instructing your classmates. Maybe the better option was to listen, but you'll worry about that later. You can't help but let a complain slip.
"Ugh, this class might be the death of me," you whine as you eye the frustrated potted plant and empty pot in front of you with obvious worry in your eyes.
"I can help you if you want," Neville says as he looks from you to the plant. His words cause you to raise a hand to your warm face in an attempt to shield it from his view.
"Right," you mutter as you try to disguise your cheeky giggle as a cough. Your friends always offer you help in Herbology, why does it feel different this time?
You ignore that thought and instead choose to focus on re-potting this godforsaken plant. Your fingers attempt to gently wrap around the stems and-
"Wait!" Neville exclaims. "You're supposed to hold it like this."
Neville steps closer to you, and with slightly trembling hands, guides yours to the correct position.
"You could hurt both yourself and the plant if you pull it that way," he explains.
The proximity causes your brain to short-circuit. You freeze up as your brain focus solely on the feeling of Neville's palms atop the back of your hands.
After a few seconds that felt like eons, does Neville step back and let you place the plant in the vacant pot.
Still not fully aware of whatever's going on, you drop the wiggling plant in the pot. Its sharp teeth don't seem to bother you, as you absentmindedly stare at your successful take on repotting.
Only then does Neville realize what he did. It appears his body acted quicker than his mind. He seems to shrink, and the only thing he manages to utter is a hasty apology, before he begins to observe how the other students are doing.
The rest of the lesson drags on, you and Neville completing the work silently. You don't regret your decision of choosing to partner up with him this class. You're sure Neville's help will raise your Herbology grade. Maybe your spirits too.
-- ✦ --
As you step out of the greenhouse, you feel the humid air get replaced by a gentle breeze. You exhale with relief, knowing you got one subject out of the way.
Without noticing it, you and Neville are still beside each other, as you advance towards the castle.
Silence between you and your friends usually felt a little awkward, but this time it didn't. It felt natural, comforting, even. Still, you decide to break it as you clear your throat.
"Neville, we got assigned homework right?"
He hums a sound of approval in response, while trying to match your walking pace.
"Would you wanna… work on it together?"
The absence of an immediate answer cause you to glance up at Neville, who is now fidgeting with a strand of his hair.
"Yeah… That-that'd be nice," he says so weakly you can hardly hear him over the chatter of your classmates as you approach the castle.
The two of you agree on meeting this weekend in one of Hogwarts' halls. You decide against inviting him into the Slytherin common room, you're sure some of your housemates would get a kick out of that.
-- ✦ --
The long awaited days off are finally here. Students stroll around the campus, enjoying a day without classes. The tall windows of the castle allow long rays of sunlight to pass, illuminating every corner as they do. The afternoon is pleasant, with surely, only homework on your mind. You make your way through bustling students, searching for a certain one.
"Hey," you say as you make your way towards where Neville is waiting for you. You take a seat across from him, and retrieve your papers and quill from your bag.