House: Gryffindor
Year: Year 4 Stand in
Round: 4
Category: Drabble
Prompt: [Colour] Burgundy
Additional Requirement: Character chosen by your house: Susan Bones
Word Count: 445
Susan furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the plant. How it received that name was beyond her - it looked more like a black slug. In a half attempt to procrastinate, she took her time putting on the burgundy gardening gloves - nothing is more important than protecting her hands. Once that was done she turned back to the slug-like plant. She took a deep breath as she reached out and began to squeeze the Bubotuber in order to collect the puss for Professor Sprout.
The 15-year-old sighed, she already regretted agreeing to help her herbology professor but just couldn't say no.
"Hi."
Susan almost dropped the Bubotuber at the sudden presence of somebody else. "Oh! Hi, Neville," she said after quickly calming down. "I'm just getting pus."
Neville smiled and walked over. Everybody knew he was the best at herbology in their year. Susan briefly wondered why Professor Sprout had even asked her when Neville was sure to help her out easily.
"You're doing a great job," he told her kind.
She couldn't help but smile and blush slightly. "Thanks." She looked back at the plant and finished collecting the pus before walking over to the sink. "What brings you down here?" she asked as she removed the gloves and washed her hands. She had a bit of a crush on Neville so wanted to keep herself busy to avoid saying something stupid to him.
"Professor Sprout asked if I could plant a some Dittany. The infirmary is running low at the moment."
It makes sense that he would have something that important - he was doing something that could really help others.
"Want to help?" Neville asked sheepishly.
Susan couldn't help but smile at his question and nodded. "Okay."
The two of them collected the relevant tools and walked to the other end of the greenhouse. As Neville put on some gardening gloves, she couldn't help but notice it matched his jumper. He noticed her staring and gave her a confused glance.
"Oh! Sorry... you're just... you're matching," she stammered out, suddenly embarrassed. Susan could feel her cheeks going bright red.
Neville looked down and smiled, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "I am. I actually like this colour. Red's too... bold for me. Burgundy makes me feel more comfortable."
Susan nodded. "I can understand that. It suits you. You look good."
"Thanks."
Susan couldn't help that Neville's cheeks were slightly pinker as he handed her some gardening gloves.
The two of them worked together for an hour before finishing all of the plantings and heading for dinner.
For Susan, today was a good day. And she had a higher appreciation for the colour burgundy.